During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, a general named He Wuji found himself surrounded by enemy forces in a naval battle. Unfazed, he gripped his ceremonial staff like the ancient hero Su Wu and continued commanding his troops, fighting bravely until his death.
He Wuji, a man from Tan County in Donghai, set his sights high from a young age. Known for his unwavering loyalty and open, generous nature, he wore his heart on his sleeve—if something displeased him, his words and expression showed it instantly.
During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the powerful noble Huan Xuan raised an army against the regent Sima Daoxi and his son Yuanxian, rallying many supporters to challenge the court. The court even sought peace with him, and most people kept their distance. However, Yuanxian's son Yan Zhang had long befriended He Wuji and greatly admired him. When Yan Zhang was made Prince of Donghai, he appointed He Wuji as his state's commandant and concurrently as General of Guangwu. Later, Huan Xuan executed Yan Zhang in the city's marketplace. Upon hearing this, He Wuji ignored everyone's warnings, defied the powerful, and risked his life to go alone to the city center, where he wept loudly for a long time before leaving. Everyone was deeply moved by his profound loyalty and deep friendship.
He Wuji's uncle, Liu Laozhi, was the General Who Pacifies the North stationed at Jingkou. Whenever important matters arose, He Wuji would speak his mind freely and join the discussions. Believing that Huan Xuan's ambition was real and his opposition to the Sima family merely a pretext, He Wuji immediately joined the campaign when Liu Laozhi was ordered to march south against Huan Xuan. But when Liu Laozhi, swayed by Huan Xuan's persuasion, considered switching sides, He Wuji did not let family ties cloud his judgment. He opposed his uncle firmly, first with earnest words, then with heated arguments, and finally with a stern face and harsh condemnation, disregarding all kinship and seniority. He Wuji declared, "Uncle, this is treason! I cannot follow you." Eventually, they parted ways. This story illustrates He Wuji's strong-willed character, where his feelings were clearly "shown in his words and expression."
Later, Huan Xuan indeed usurped the throne. He Wuji and Liu Yu joined forces to defeat Huan Xuan, raising an army to campaign against him. He Wuji personally led his troops, charging into battle on the front lines until they killed Huan Xuan and wiped out his forces.
Unfortunately, he later died a heroic death in another battle, leaving the entire court and the public in deep sorrow.
After He Wuji died for his country, the emperor issued an edict praising him highly and granted him the posthumous title "Zhongsu." The idiom "xing yu yan se" later came to mean one's inner feelings are revealed through facial expressions and words.
Source: *Book of Jin*, "Biography of He Wuji"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "形于言色" came to describe one's inner feelings are revealed through facial expressions and words.