During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the great general Tan Daoji of the Liu Song Dynasty earned numerous military merits by following Emperor Wu of Song on campaigns across the land, and was thus appointed as General of the Imperial Guard.
After Emperor Wu of Song died, his son Liu Yilong ascended the throne, known historically as Emperor Wen of Song. Emperor Wen, recognizing Tan Daoji's outstanding military contributions to the establishment of the Liu Song regime, granted him the title Duke of Wuling Commandery.
Soon after, war broke out between the Song and the Northern Wei. Emperor Wen of Song appointed Tan Daoji as commander-in-chief, leading the army through over thirty battles against the Northern Wei. They ultimately defeated the Wei forces, defended the nation's borders, and established the Song army's formidable reputation.
Tan Daoji's brilliant military achievements, towering reputation, and heavy command of troops made Emperor Wen of Song uneasy, especially since his generals were all fierce and his sons held key military posts, so some close ministers plotted against him.
In 435 AD, Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty fell gravely ill
When Tan Daoji arrived in Jiankang, he entered the palace to pay his respects to Emperor Wen of Song, but the emperor was already delirious, so Tan withdrew after the formal greeting.
Tan Daoji then visited Liu Yikang, who falsely claimed that the Northern Wei invasion was just a rumor, but added that Emperor Wen's illness was grave and cause for concern. Unable to immediately return his army, Tan Daoji had no choice but to remain in Jiankang, frequently entering the palace to inquire about the emperor's health.
The following spring, Emperor Wen of Song's health improved, so Tan Daoji requested permission to bid farewell and return to his garrison at Xunyang.
But before Tan Daoji could board the boat, he was suddenly recalled. The moment he returned to court, Liu Yikang ordered the imperial guards to arrest him and read out Emperor Wen of Song's decree, accusing him of plotting rebellion—a crime beyond pardon.
Tan Daoji, caught in this sudden disaster, was filled with fury and resentment, his eyes blazing like torches. He tore off his headdress, threw it to the ground, drank a gallon of wine, and said bitterly, "You are tearing down your own Great Wall!"
Soon after, the Wei army heard that Tan Daoji had died and that several of his subordinates and sons had also been killed. Without any fear, they attacked the Song state. Their troops quickly approached Jiankang. Emperor Wen of Song ascended the city wall and said anxiously to himself, "If Tan Daoji were still here, how could today's situation have come to pass?"
Later, the idiom "Eyes Blazing Like Torches" came to describe someone with an extremely imposing presence or bright, spirited eyes.
Source: *History of the Southern Dynasties*, "Biography of Tan Daoji"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "目光如炬" came to describe how someone with an extremely imposing presence or bright, spirited eyes.