During the Spring and Autumn period, the Fan clan of Jin rebelled against the ruling duke, who sought help from Zheng. But Zheng betrayed Jin and sided with the Fans, while Qi also joined them, sending ministers Zi Yao and Zi Ban to deliver grain. When Jin learned of this, they dispatched Zhao Yang to intercept the convoy, and the two armies clashed at Qi City.
Zhao Yang gathered his advisors to discuss strategy. The Jin general Yang Hu suggested, "The enemy is outnumbered by us, so only wit can win. We have few chariots, but we can plant flags on them, form ranks before Zi Yao and Zi Ban arrive, and overwhelm them with imposing discipline. When they see our banners standing firm without disorder, fear will grip their hearts. Then we strike, and victory is ours."
Zhao Yang accepted Yang Hu's advice and used a tortoise shell to divine the war's fortune, but accidentally scorched it, making divination impossible. Zhao Yang asked the grand master Yue Ding, "What does this portend?" Yue Ding replied, "In the Book of Songs, first plan, then divine—this is an auspicious sign." Zhao Yang was delighted.
Before the battle began, Zhao Yang raised his hand to the heavens and swore an oath to boost morale: "As subjects, we must follow Heaven's will, be loyal to our lord, and obey his commands to strike down the rebels. Victory or defeat hinges on today's fight. Any soldier who fights bravely—a high minister shall receive a commandery, a lower minister a county, a common soldier ten acres of fertile land. Commoners, artisans, and merchants may be promoted; slaves and criminals shall regain their freedom. As for me, if we win, I will ask the king to reward me as he sees fit. If we lose, bind me with rope, bury me in a thin paulownia coffin without an inner lining, let a white horse pull an unadorned hearse, and do not lay me in the ancestral tomb. That shall be my punishment."
As the battle began, Zhao Yang inspected the ranks and rallied his soldiers, saying, "There was once an ordinary man named Bi Wan who distinguished himself in seven battles, earning great rewards until he owned four hundred warhorses and lived a life of honor. Let each of you follow Bi Wan's example and fight with all your might!"
The morale of the Jin soldiers soared, and they fought with unmatched ferocity. Even Crown Prince Kuai Kui of Wei took up arms to serve as Zhao Yang's chariot guard, secretly praying, "I, Kuai Kui, dare not cling to life in fear of death. May our ancestors bless me to fulfill my great ambition without disgracing them." During the battle, Zhao Yang was wounded, and the crown prince swiftly wielded his dagger-axe to rescue him.
The Jin army pursued the Zheng army, with Zi Yao and Zi Ban of Zheng covering the rear. They turned and fiercely shot arrows at the Jin army, causing heavy casualties among the front ranks, but the soldiers behind showed no fear and continued charging forward. Zhao Yang, watching his brave troops, praised, "Though the state is small, it has no shortage of courageous fighters—this is the true path to victory."
Later, the idiom "White Horse, Unadorned Carriage" came to refer to simple, unadorned carriages, or carriages used for funerals or ill-omened events.
Source: *Zuo Zhuan*, Chapter "Duke Ai, Year Two"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "素车白马" came to describe how simple, unadorned carriages, or carriages used for funerals or ill-omened events.