During the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty, Liu Xian enjoyed the emperor's favor and was appointed as the Imperial Secretary, wielding immense power. He was arrogant, treacherous, and evil, and all officials in the court feared offending him. Even the Prime Minister Kuang Heng and the Imperial Censor Zhang Tan flattered him, daring only to be angry but not to speak out.
A few years later, Emperor Yuan died and Emperor Cheng ascended the throne. Liu Xian fell out of favor, demoted to Grand Tutor of the Palace, stripped of power. Chancellor Kuang Heng and Imperial Secretary Zhang Tan submitted a memorial detailing Liu Xian's crimes, requesting his removal. Colonel Director Wang Zun, disgusted by their hypocrisy, reported to the emperor: "Kuang Heng and Zhang Tan, as the Three Dukes, are tasked with guiding governance, leading officials, and promoting virtue. Under Emperor Yuan, they knew Liu Xian wielded absolute power, acting tyrannically without fear—a national menace—yet they never reported him. Instead, they flattered him, colluded, and deceived the throne, letting evil run rampant, failing their duties. Now, after Your Majesty's accession, they denounce Liu Xian without admitting their own disloyalty, blaming the late emperor for employing a traitor and claiming officials feared Liu Xian more than the sovereign. To belittle the emperor and exalt a minister—this is utterly unacceptable!"
When Kuang Heng heard that Wang Zun had impeached him, he was both terrified and ashamed, begging the emperor to relieve him of his post. Emperor Cheng, having just ascended the throne and unwilling to punish a high minister harshly, ordered the imperial censor to investigate. The censor, seeing Wang Zun as a mere minor official daring to impeach the chancellor, reported to the emperor, "Wang Zun has recklessly slandered affairs of the previous reign, framed a great minister, and insulted the chancellor and high officials—this is outright disrespect to Your Majesty." Emperor Cheng then issued an edict demoting Wang Zun to the magistrate of Gaoling County.
Wang Zun's unwavering loyalty to the imperial court unexpectedly led to his demotion.
Later, the idiom "fearing nothing" came to describe having no fears or scruples.
Source: *Book of Han*, "Biography of Wang Zun"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "无所畏忌" came to describe having no fears or scruples.