There once lived a family whose chimney was straight up and down, and who kept a pile of firewood next to their stove. One day, a passerby noticed this, and immediately ran in and suggested to the family that they curve their chimney and move their woodpile. Otherwise, he said, the wood could easily catch fire. The owner of the house did not agree and therefore did not take the man's advice.

In the State of Zhao, there was once of a scholar by the name of Gongsun Long. He was a vain man and thought highly of himself.

"I don't keep company with people who have no talents," he told his disciples.
One day a man dressed in rags came up to him saying, "Please take me as your disciple."
After looking the man up and down, Gongsun Long replied coldly, "Tell me about your talents."
"Well," said the man, "I have a loud voice which can travel very far."
"Is there anyone among you who has a loud voice?" Gongsun Long asked his disciples.
"No, sir!" they replied.

Gongsun Long took the man as his disciple. His other disciples were secretly laughing among themselves. "What is the use of a loud voice?" they sneered.
A few days later, Gongsun Long and his disciples had to make a trip to the State of Yan. They came upon a large river. However, not a boat was in sight except one lying on the distant shore.
Gongsun Long told his new disciple to prove his talent. The man gladly heeded the request and bellowed across the river. Very soon the boat was rowed over to ferry them all.

During the Spring and Autumn Period (春秋 chūn qiū,770 - 221BC),Chu Pingwang (chǔ pěng wǎng 楚平王),the ruler of the state of Chu (chǔ guó 楚国),was notorious for his lechery and arrogance. There were always political infightings and intrigue among the officials. One of the officials named Wu She (wǔ shē 伍奢) fell victim to such competitons since one trecherous offical named Fei Wuji (fèi wú jì 费无忌) spoke ill of him in frount of the king.

 In the late stage of the Spring and Autumn Period (春秋 chūn qiū,770 - 221BC), Fu Chai (fū chāi 夫差),ruler of the State of Wu (wú guó 吴国),defeated the states of Yue (yùe guó 越国),Lu (lú guó 鲁国) and Chi (qí guó 齐国) consecutively. After the previous overwhelming victories,the ambitious king looked forward to another success-- putting the State of Jin (jìn guó 晋国) into his own pocket.

During the Three Kingdoms (sān guó 三国) , Liu Bei (liú bèi 刘备) went to Longzhong (lóng zhōng 隆中) three times to ask Zhuge Liang (zhū gě liàng 诸葛亮) to assist him. Finally, Zhuge Liang helped Liu Bei deal with military and politics affairs, and was significantly trusted by Liu Bei. Their respect for each other became more deeper. Liu Bei said to his ministers: "Having Kong Ming (kǒng míng 孔明) help me, I feel just like a fish which has been put back in the water."This idiom is used to signify finding a boon companion (愉快的伙伴) or an ideal situation.