Li Maozhen of the Tang Dynasty rose through the ranks thanks to his outstanding military achievements. Originally surnamed Song and named Wentong, he hailed from Boye in Shenzhou. Early on, he led the Boye Army stationed at Fengtian to guard the capital. The then Emperor Xizong greatly appreciated him and bestowed upon him the imperial surname Li.
Later, Li Maozhen grew arrogant from his military achievements, commanding a powerful army and meddling in court affairs. Whenever a minister dared to criticize him in a memorial, Li Maozhen would rush to the emperor and argue his case, refusing to carry out imperial decrees. Over time, sycophants flattered him, and his influence swelled. When Emperor Zhaozong ascended the throne, young and fiery, he could not tolerate Li Maozhen's overbearing manner and led an army to subdue him. But the imperial forces suffered a crushing defeat. Li Maozhen pressed his advantage, marching all the way into the capital. Only when the future Emperor Wu of Later Tang brought troops to Weibei and relieved the siege did Li Maozhen finally rein himself in.
Li Maozhen attempted several more rebellions afterward, but each failed, leaving his forces so depleted that he could never again rise to power. Fearing the imperial court would send troops to punish him, he voluntarily resigned as Minister of Works. Yet within his own residence, he continued to live like an emperor, while outwardly still obeying the commands of Emperor Zhaozong.
Li Maozhen's soldiers, who had once guarded the capital, grew lax after years without battle, lounging about with no discipline—when mealtime came, they'd hastily set up camp, sit right on the ground, and drink freely, shouting and laughing without any order. This was a far cry from their former majestic bearing, strict discipline, and heroic reputation.
Seeing his men grow so lax, Li Maozhen sensed the end was near. After Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang dynasty destroyed the Later Liang, Li Maozhen immediately wrote a letter of congratulations in his capacity as an uncle. When Zhuangzong entered Luoyang, Li Maozhen grew uneasy and promptly submitted a memorial, repeatedly expressing his reverence as a subject. The court later did not blame Li Maozhen; instead, they treated him well, allowing him to live out his years in peace, and even posthumously granted him the respectful title "Zhongjing."
Later, the idiom "sitting on the ground" came to refer generally to sitting down right where one is.
Source: *Old History of the Five Dynasties*, "Biography of Li Maozhen"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "席地而坐" came to describe how one sits down right where one is.