During the Eastern Han Dynasty, a man named Fu Rong from Chenliu was appointed as an official in his youth. But Fu Rong had no interest in government service, so he resigned and traveled far and wide to study under a master. Eventually, drawn by reputation, he became a student of Li Ying, the imperial advisor.
Li Ying, a native of Yingchuan, entered officialdom through the "Filial and Incorrupt" recommendation system, serving as Inspector of Qingzhou, Governor of Shu Commandery, and Colonel of the Wuhuan before becoming Governor of Henan under Emperor Huan. During Emperor Ling's reign, he was appointed Grand Master of Changle and, alongside Chen Fan and Dou Wu, helped manage the imperial court.
During an era when laws were crumbling and the imperial court grew increasingly corrupt, the official Li Ying refused to bow to the powerful eunuchs who terrorized the capital. He remained incorruptible, detested evil as an enemy, and punished corrupt officials without mercy—some were so terrified of his righteous severity that they abandoned their posts and fled. The eunuchs, both fearing and hating him, constantly sought any chance to destroy him.
Li Ying, known for his unyielding integrity, never wavered in his principles despite repeated setbacks. His noble character set the tone for the era, and scholars vied for his favor, considering it a great honor to be received by him—a privilege they called "passing through the Dragon Gate." Fu Rong, who had long admired Li Ying's reputation, also came to seek his patronage.
Fu Rong was strikingly handsome, with his hair tied up in a silk ribbon, giving him an air of effortless elegance. From a young age, he devoured books and was a brilliant conversationalist, his words always setting him apart. When Li Ying first met Fu Rong and spoke with him, he was immediately captivated by his knowledge and grace, and the two became close friends. Whenever they met, Li Ying would dismiss all other guests, lead Fu Rong to his study, brew a pot of tea, and listen as Fu Rong spoke with eloquence. Fu Rong would discuss everything from astronomy to geography, his words flowing like a river. When excited, he would wave his sleeves, and a cascade of brilliant insights would pour forth. Li Ying would listen, utterly entranced, sometimes holding his breath, sometimes resting his chin in thought. They often talked so long they forgot the time and place. Grasping Fu Rong's hand, Li Ying sighed, "Now I realize there is someone as remarkable as you in the world. To have you as a friend is a blessing of three lifetimes."
“Talk like clouds” describes speech that flows as freely as drifting clouds. Later used to praise eloquence.
Source: *Book of the Later Han*, "Biography of Fu Rong"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "谈辞如云" came to describe how speech flows as freely as drifting clouds.