During the Southern Song Dynasty, a young man named Cai Youxue from Wenzhou studied with remarkable diligence. He apprenticed under the renowned Confucian scholar Chen Fuliang, devouring books with relentless effort. At eighteen, he traveled to Lin'an for the Ministry of Rites examination, where he claimed the top scholar title—the "zhuangyuan"—launching his official career as an imperial librarian.
In 1195 AD, Zhao Kuo ascended the throne as Emperor Ningzong of Song. Eager to make his mark early in his reign, he issued an edict seeking frank advice from his officials on governing the state. Seeing the emperor's genuine desire for counsel, Cai Youxue submitted a memorial suggesting:
“Your Majesty, if you wish to be a good emperor, you must focus on three things: first, honor your parents; second, appoint virtuous and capable officials; third, treat the people with kindness and generosity. But the foundation of all three lies in education and moral guidance. Lately, petty men have spread rumors to drive away the worthy and talented. Many ministers want to serve the court but fear stirring up trouble and suffering misfortune, so they dare not offer advice. Though we have many learned scholars, they are rendered useless, and Your Majesty will be at a loss on how to govern. Therefore, we must urgently promote education, gather talent from across the land, and inspire all men of goodwill to work together for the nation’s revival.”
Emperor Ningzong of the Song Dynasty greatly admired Cai Youxue's advice, but due to the opposition and slander from the powerful minister Han Tuozhou, Cai Youxue's proposals were never put into practice.
Later, the idiom "at one's wit's end" came to describe having no solution at all.
Source: *History of Song*, "Biography of Cai Youxue"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "一筹莫展" came to describe having no solution at all.