Yan Guang was a classmate of Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, and gained fame in his youth for his vast knowledge. After Liu Xiu became emperor, Yan Guang went into seclusion. Recognizing his exceptional talent, Liu Xiu had his portrait drawn and searched everywhere for him. When someone reported a man fishing by a lake while wearing a sheepskin coat, Liu Xiu believed it was Yan Guang and sent envoys to invite him—it took three attempts before he finally agreed to come.
Hou Ba, who served as the Minister of Education, was an old friend of Yan Guang. Hearing that Yan Guang had arrived, he sent a messenger with a letter of greeting. The messenger said to Yan Guang, "Lord Minister originally wanted to come in person, but official duties kept him from visiting you."
Yan Guang remained silent for a moment, then handed the man a piece of paper and said, "I'll speak, you write. To His Excellency the Minister of Education: You now hold the highest rank among all officials—very good, very good. Your heart is filled with benevolence, and the common people are pleased, but if you blindly flatter the emperor, you deserve to be beheaded!"
Hou Ba showed the letter to Liu Xiu, who laughed and said, "This is just the madman's old habit!" Then he rode in his carriage to visit Yan Guang. When Yan Guang saw Liu Xiu arriving, he stayed lying in bed and refused to get up. Liu Xiu patted his belly and said, "What a Yan Guang you are—won't you come out and help me govern?"
Yan Guang replied, "In ancient times, Yao offered the throne to Chaofu and Xu You, but both refused and fled to the mountains to live in seclusion. Each person has their own aspirations—why must you force me?" Liu Xiu could only sigh and leave.
A few days later, Emperor Liu Xiu invited his old friend Yan Guang to share his bed for the night
The next day, the imperial astronomer nervously said to Liu Xiu, "Last night I observed the celestial signs and found a star encroaching upon Your Majesty's constellation." Liu Xiu smiled and replied, "That was Yan Guang's foot pressing on my belly."
Emperor Liu Xiu wanted Yan Guang to stay and serve as an imperial advisor, but Yan Guang refused and went to farm at the foot of Mount Fuchun.
Later, the idiom "Wild Servant's Old Ways" came to refer to the stubborn habits of unrestrained individuals.
Source: *Book of the Later Han*, "Biography of Yan Guang"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "狂奴故态" came to describe the stubborn habits of unrestrained individuals.