During the stalemate of the pivotal Battle of Guandu, which would decide the fate of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao sent a messenger to Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, requesting reinforcements. Liu Biao agreed to send troops but in reality kept his forces idle; he also refused to aid Cao Cao, choosing instead to wait and see how events unfolded.
At this critical moment, officials Han Song and Liu Xian urged Liu Biao: "Now that the two titans Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are locked in stalemate, the fate of the realm rests on your shoulders. If you wish to make a move, seize the chance to strike. If you do not desire the empire, then choose whom to support. How can you command a hundred thousand troops yet sit idly by, watching the outcome? Refusing to aid those in need and failing to align with the worthy will only draw the resentment of both sides upon you, General. Even neutrality may prove impossible. Cao Cao is a master of warfare; once he defeats Yuan Shao, he will surely turn his army toward Jingzhou, and you will have no strength to resist. It is far wiser to pledge Jingzhou's forces to Cao Cao now—this is the surest path to safety!"
Liu Biao's subordinates pleaded with him for a long time, yet he remained hesitant and indecisive. After Cao Cao won the Battle of Guandu, he indeed moved his army south. By then, Liu Biao had just died, and his son Liu Cong surrendered, allowing Cao Cao to seize Jingzhou with little effort.
Fox-like suspicion, referring to the fox's naturally suspicious nature. Later, the idiom "Fox-like indecision" came to describe hesitation and inability to make a decision.
Source: *Book of the Later Han*, Chapter "Biography of Liu Biao"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "狐疑不决" came to describe hesitation and inability to make a decision.