In 206 BC, Liu Bang, following Zhang Liang's strategy, marched his army directly toward the Qin capital of Xianyang. Ziying, who had been emperor for only forty-six days, was forced to surrender to Liu Bang.
When Liu Bang led his army into the Qin palace, he wandered through the halls, marveling at the lavish pavilions, towers, and countless treasures that dazzled the eye. Beautiful palace attendants knelt before him at every turn—a scene of splendor he had never imagined. Growing more captivated by the moment, he decided to stay and indulge in the palace's luxuries.
Fan Kuai, a general under Liu Bang, saw that Liu Bang intended to stay in the palace. Fearing he would indulge in pleasure and ruin their cause, he asked, "Do you, Pei Gong, wish to rule the world, or merely become a wealthy man?"
"Of course I want to have the world." Liu Bang replied.
Fan Kuai advised, "The treasures in the Qin palace are countless, and the harem beauties number in the thousands, but these are the very things that led to Qin's downfall. Duke of Pei should return to Bashang immediately and not indulge in these items."
Liu Bang, still intoxicated by the splendor, dismissed Fan Kuai's advice and insisted on staying in the palace. The strategist Zhang Liang then counseled him, "The Qin emperor's tyranny drove the people to revolt, and it was by defeating his forces that you, Duke of Pei, entered this city. You have rid the world of a tyrant and saved its people—now you must be diligent and frugal. Yet the moment you set foot in Qin territory, you indulge in pleasure. I fear that if Qin fell yesterday, you might fall tomorrow. As the saying goes, 'Unpleasant advice benefits action, and bitter medicine heals sickness.' I urge you to heed Fan Kuai's warning."
After hearing Zhang Liang's counsel, Liu Bang suddenly saw the light and immediately ordered the treasury sealed and the palace gates closed, then led his army back to Bashang.
Later, people used the idiom "Honest Advice Sounds Harsh" to mean that loyal counsel is often unpleasant to hear.
Source: *Records of the Grand Historian*, "Biography of the Marquis of Liu"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "忠言逆耳" came to describe how loyal counsel is often unpleasant to hear.