After the fall of the Western Jin Dynasty in 317 AD, Emperor Yuan of Jin, Sima Rui, was enthroned by his ministers in Jiankang (modern-day Nanjing), establishing the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Upon becoming emperor, he rewarded his loyal supporters, promoting Wang Dao and his brother Wang Dun, along with Liu Wei, Diao Xie, and Zhou Yi.
Zhou, styled Boren, was first appointed as the Governor of Jingzhou, and a few years later promoted to Left Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Because he was extremely fond of drinking and often got so drunk that he wouldn't wake up for three days, people called him the "Three-Day Vice Director."
Soon after, General Wang Dun, resentful of Emperor Sima Rui's efforts to curb the Wang clan's power, raised an army to attack the capital Jiankang under the pretext of eliminating the official Liu Wei. At the time, Wang Dao served as the Imperial Secretary in the court. Fearing he would be implicated in his cousin's rebellion, Wang Dao went to the palace to beg forgiveness. At the palace gate, he encountered Zhou Yi and pleaded, "Please speak on my behalf before the emperor." Zhou Yi said nothing and entered the palace without a word.
After Zhou entered the palace, he told Emperor Yuan of Jin, "Wang Dun's rebellion was unknown to Wang Dao, and Wang Dao has always been loyal, so he should not be punished." Emperor Yuan of Jin, finding Zhou's reasoning sound, adopted his advice.
However, many officials at court advocated for Wang Dao's execution. Zhou Yi submitted another memorial defending Wang Dao with heartfelt words, but Wang Dao, unaware of this, believed Zhou Yi had refused to help him and harbored deep resentment.
Days later, Wang Dun led his army toward Jiankang. Emperor Yuan of Jin dispatched Liu Wei, Diao Xie, and Zhou Yi to resist. Liu Wei fled in defeat, Wang Dun stormed Jiankang, executed Diao Xie, and forced the emperor to appoint him as Chancellor.
After Wang Dun became prime minister, he deeply resented Zhou and wanted to kill him, but knowing that Wang Dao and Zhou were close friends, he asked Wang Dao, "What do you think should be done with Zhou?"
Wang Dao recalled how Zhou had remained silent when asked to plead for him before Emperor Yuan, so he too offered no response. Seeing this, Wang Dun ordered Zhou's execution.
Later, Wang Dao learned that Zhou had strongly defended his loyalty before Emperor Yuan and submitted memorials to plead his case. Wang Dao couldn't help but deeply regret it, saying, "Although I did not kill Bo Ren, I am responsible for his death!"
Liu Yiqing of the Southern Dynasties commented on this matter, saying that Zhou's ambitions were vast but his abilities limited, his reputation great but his insight shallow—a remarkably apt assessment.
Later, the idiom "Great Ambition but Little Talent" came to describe someone with grand aspirations but limited ability.
Source: *A New Account of the Tales of the World*
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "志大才疏" came to describe how someone with grand aspirations but limited ability.