In 266 BCE, King Huiwen of Zhao, a ruler during the Warring States period, passed away, and his son, Crown Prince Dan, ascended the throne, historically known as King Xiaocheng of Zhao.
At that time, because King Xiaocheng of Zhao was still very young, all state affairs were handled by his mother, Queen Dowager Wei of Zhao.
Queen Zhao of Zhao, a wise and insightful ruler, had just taken charge of state affairs when the Qin army launched a fierce invasion, taking advantage of the recent death of the Zhao king. Facing a dire crisis, she sent an envoy to neighboring Qi for help. Qi demanded that her youngest son, Lord Chang'an, be sent as a hostage before they would send troops. Initially reluctant to part with him, Queen Zhao relented after her minister, Chu Zhe, counseled her, saying, "If you truly love your son, you must plan for his long-term future, not just cling to him in the present." She then sent Lord Chang'an to Qi, and Qi dispatched its army, helping Zhao defeat the Qin forces.
After some time, the King of Qi sent an envoy with a letter to Zhao to greet Queen Dowager Zhao. Before even opening the letter, Queen Dowager Zhao asked the envoy, "How is the harvest in Qi? Are the people safe and well? Is the King of Qi in good health?"
The envoy from the State of Qi was displeased and said, "I was sent by the King of Qi specifically to convey his regards to you. Now, instead of first greeting the king, you ask about the harvest and the people—are you putting the humble before the noble?"
Queen Zhao of Wei smiled slightly and said, "No. Without a harvest, how could there be people? Without people, how could there be a ruler? Should one abandon the root and only ask about the branches when offering greetings?"
The Qi envoy was struck speechless, unable to utter a single word in reply.
Later, the idiom "Safe and Sound" came to describe being safe and unharmed, without suffering damage or accidents.
Source: *Strategies of the Warring States*, Chapter "Strategies of Chu IV"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "安然无恙" came to describe being safe and unharmed, without suffering damage or accidents.