During the Jin Dynasty, Gu He lost his father at age two but grew up diligent and unafraid of poverty. His uncle Gu Rong often remarked to others, "Do not underestimate young Gu He—he is the qilin of our Gu clan; the one who will bring glory to our family name will surely be him." Because Gu He was sharp and perceptive from a young age, he earned early fame and was hailed as "a talent among the realm."
During the Jin Dynasty, when Prince Sima Chong of Donghai served as Chief Commandant of Changshui, Gu He was selected as his Registrar. In the Yongchang era, he became a Clerk of the Left Bureau under the Minister of Education. In the Taining era, he was promoted to Crown Prince's Attendant, Chariot and Cavalry Adjutant, and Chief Clerk of the Imperial Guard. Later, he served as Governor of Jinling. In the Xiankang era, he was appointed Imperial Censor, where he impeached Zuo Clerk Dai Kang for corruption. The emperor punished Dai Kang and dismissed Minister of Works Fu Wan and Lang Liu Yong, striking fear into all other officials. Gu He was then promoted to Imperial Attendant.
When the Eastern Jin court moved east, due to missing ceremonial records, Emperor Cheng's crown was adorned with jadeite, coral, and assorted beads. Gu He immediately submitted a memorial: "The original crown had twelve tassels, all strung with jade beads. Using mixed beads now violates ritual propriety. If jade beads are unavailable, white jade discs may substitute." Emperor Cheng approved Gu He's proposal.
On another occasion, Emperor Cheng of Jin wished to grant a noble title to his wet nurse, Lady Zhou, for her devoted care. When no one in court objected, the official Gu He stepped forward and submitted a memorial, saying, 'Lady Zhou has indeed served Your Majesty with great diligence, but you have already rewarded her with a fine residence and treasures—such generosity is already excessive. To bestow a title upon her has no precedent in the classics. The only comparable case is Emperor Ling of Han, who granted the title "Lady of Pingshi" to his wet nurse Zhao Rao—a misguided act of a declining ruler, not the proper conduct of a worthy sovereign.' Hearing this, Emperor Cheng abandoned the idea.
"Caregiver's Merit," also written as "Caregiver's Achievement," means the merit of nurturing a young child.
Source: *Book of Jin*, "Biography of Gu He"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "阿保之劳" came to describe Caregivers Merit also written as Caregivers Achievement means the merit of nurturing a young child.