During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Yellow River basin was engulfed in endless warfare, and the Xianbei chieftain Yuwen Tai seized the opportunity to expand his power, eventually founding the Northern Zhou dynasty.
During the final years of the Northern Wei Dynasty, General Heba Yue, a close friend of Yuwen Tai, decided to attack a man named Cao Ni and sent Commander Zhao Gui to Xiazhou to consult with Yuwen Tai. Yuwen Tai analyzed, "Cao Ni holds a solitary city with no reinforcements, so there's no need to worry. However, the Qinzhou governor Houmo and Chen Yue are ambitious and untrustworthy; they will surely become a major threat in the future. I hope General Heba Yue will take early precautions." Heba Yue dismissed Yuwen Tai's advice and proceeded to attack Cao Ni alongside Houmo and Chen Yue. Tragically, at the banks of the Yellow River, Heba Yue was indeed killed by Houmo and Chen Yue.
When Heba Yue's soldiers fell into chaos, only Grand Commander Zhao Gui had his men retrieve Heba Yue's body and bring it back to camp. With the army leaderless, the troops reluctantly pushed the senior commander Kou Luo to take command. Kou Luo, knowing he lacked the talent and authority for the role, urged everyone to choose a new leader. Zhao Gui then nominated Yuwen Tai, and the others agreed, sending a messenger to summon him. Meanwhile, Houmo and Chen Yue plotted to incite Yuwen Tai's commander, Miyuan Jinyuan, to rebel, but Yuwen Tai discovered the scheme and executed Miyuan Jinyuan.
As Yuwen Tai led his men to Pingliang to take over Heba Yue's former troops, he encountered Hou Jing, an envoy sent by Emperor Shenwu of Qi at the An Ding region. Hou Jing, also tasked with claiming Heba Yue's forces, was met with a harsh scolding from Yuwen Tai and had no choice but to retreat in disgrace. Following this, Houmo Chenyue, facing a punitive campaign, defected to Emperor Shenwu of Qi and ignored the commands of Emperor Xiaowu of Wei.
Emperor Xiaowu of Wei turned to Yuwen Tai and said, "He Bayue is dead, and his troops remain unassigned. I appoint you Grand Commander to take charge of them. I have also ordered Houmo and Chen Yue to return to the capital from Qi. If they refuse, I will personally lead an army to subdue them." His tone hinted at a willingness to pardon them. Yuwen Tai quickly replied, "Houmo and Chen Yue acted with cruelty, defying heaven and morality by murdering the loyal He Bayue. Knowing their guilt, they dare not obey your command, instead garrisoning at Shuilo and occupying Qinlong. I set aside personal grudges and repeatedly urged them to return, but they ignored me and now plot rebellion."
Shortly after, Yuwen Tai led his troops to defeat Houmo and Chen Yue.
Later, the idiom "Violating Heaven and Reason" came to describe acting cruelly and defying natural and moral order.
Source: *Book of Zhou*, "Annals of Emperor Wen I"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "违天逆理" came to describe acting cruelly and defying natural and moral order.