During the early Spring and Autumn period, under the rule of Duke Zhuang of Zheng, the state of Zheng gradually grew powerful and prosperous.
Thus, Duke Zhuang of Zheng, burning with ambition, set his sights on expanding outward. To curb his aspirations, the neighboring state of Wei allied with Song, Chen, and others in 725 BCE, preparing to strike Zheng.
When Duke Zhuang of Zheng learned of this, he sought to drive a wedge between the states of Chen and Wei, so he sent an envoy to Chen to propose peace and an alliance.
Unexpectedly, Duke Huan of the State of Chen completely dismissed the State of Zheng, refusing to form an alliance with them.
Chen Huangong's younger brother and chief minister Wufu advised him, "To embrace benevolence and befriend neighboring states is the foundation of a nation. Zheng and Chen are close neighbors; Your Majesty should carefully consider this matter."
But Chen Huangong dismissed Wufu's advice, scoffing, "Song and Wei are both powerful, and we've already allied with them. Why should we fear Zheng? We will never form an alliance with Zheng!"
When Duke Zhuang of Zheng heard the envoy's report, he flew into a rage and immediately launched an attack on the State of Chen. Duke Huan of Chen hastily mustered his troops to meet the assault, but suffered a devastating defeat.
Later, the historian who compiled *Zuo's Commentary* remarked on this matter: "When an opportunity to do good arises, do not let it slip away; when the seeds of evil appear, do not let them grow. This was said about Duke Huan of Chen. To persist in wrongdoing without repentance is to taste the bitter fruit of one's own actions."
Later, the idiom "Hu E Bu Quan" came to mean persisting in evil without any intention of repentance.
Source: *Zuo Zhuan*, Chapter "The Sixth Year of Duke Yin"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "怙恶不悛" came to describe persisting in evil without any intention of repentance.