During the late Warring States period, Fan Ju, the prime minister of Qin, had made great contributions to the state's prosperity and strength. However, when his recommender Wang Ji was executed for a crime, and his own recommended general Zheng Anping surrendered to Zhao while attacking that state, King Zhao of Qin did not hold Fan Ju responsible, but Fan Ju felt deeply ashamed and even considered resigning and retiring into obscurity.
At this time, Cai Ze, a debater from the Yan State, heard of this situation and traveled wearily to the Qin State. He asked someone to tell Fan Ju, "Cai Ze is a man of wisdom and eloquence. If he can meet the King of Qin, the king will surely appoint him as prime minister."
Fan Ju listened, then summoned Cai Ze. Upon meeting Fan Ju, Cai Ze analyzed the rise and fall of nations and the interdependence between rulers and ministers, then said to Fan Ju:
"Prime Minister, I hear you're considering retirement—a wise choice. Only by withdrawing while ahead can you preserve your lifelong glory; otherwise, disaster awaits. Looking back at Qin's history, examples abound: Shang Yang, who drafted laws for Duke Xiao, strengthened the state and army with immense merit, yet was torn apart by chariots; General Bai Qi, who dominated battlefields with countless victories, was forced to commit suicide. And beyond Qin, the Chu general Wu Qi was dismembered by his king; the Yue minister Wen Zhong, who toiled tirelessly for Yue's rise and helped King Goujian avenge Fuchai, ended up killed by his own master—the hounds are cooked once the hares are caught."
Cai Ze concluded, "These four men all met their doom because they failed to retire after achieving success. If you, Prime Minister, do not learn from their example, you may well follow in their footsteps."
Fan Sui found Cai Ze's arguments compelling and, sensing that King Zhao of Qin had grown dissatisfied with him, decided to resign as prime minister and recommend Cai Ze to the king.
A few days later, Cai Ze, introduced by Fan Ju, met the King of Qin. Cai Ze, a master of smooth persuasion, spoke eloquently at length, and the king, delighted, immediately appointed him as a guest minister. Seizing the opportunity, Fan Ju feigned illness and requested retirement. King Zhao of Qin urged him to stay several times, but Fan Ju insisted on returning the prime minister's seal. The king finally agreed and made Cai Ze the new chancellor.
Later, the idiom "Long Sleeves Make for Good Dancing" came to be used as a metaphor for having advantages that make success easier, or to describe wealthy and influential people who are skilled at currying favor.
Source: *Records of the Grand Historian*, "Biographies of Fan Ju and Cai Ze"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "长袖善舞" came to describe having advantages that make success easier, or wealthy and influential people who are skilled at currying favor.