What does "muhou erguan" mean? A detailed explanation of the idiom's meaning

"Muhou erguan" is a Chinese idiom, originating from the "Records of the Grand Historian - Basic Annals of Xiang Yu" and the "Book of Han - Biography of Wu Bei". It is a metaphor for something that is merely showy on the surface, akin to a puppet, or a mockery of someone who is foolish and ignorant yet puts up a facade. It is often used to satirize those who attach themselves to evil forces and usurp power and position. It originally came from Han Sheng's mockery of Xiang Yu. Let us take a look below!

Original text of "muhou erguan"

After several days, Xiang Yu led his troops west and slaughtered Xianyang, killed the surrendered Qin king Ziying, burned the Qin palaces, and the fire did not go out for three months. He collected its treasures and women and headed east. Someone advised King Xiang, saying: "The Guanzhong region is protected by mountains and rivers on four sides, with Hangu Pass to the east, Wu Pass to the south, San Pass to the west, and Xiao Pass to the north. The land is fertile and rich, and a capital could be established here to achieve hegemony." King Xiang saw that the Qin palaces had all been burned and ruined, and he also longed in his heart to return east, saying: "To become wealthy and noble and not return to one's hometown is like wearing embroidered clothes and walking at night; who would know of it!" The adviser said: "People say the Chu people are just monkeys wearing hats, and indeed it is so." When King Xiang heard this, he boiled the adviser alive.

Translation of "muhou erguan"

After a few days, Xiang Yu led his men and horses, rushed into the city, carried out a great massacre, and killed the surrendered Qin king Ziying. He set fire to the Qin palaces, and the great fire burned for several months without going out. Xiang Yu also plundered much gold, silver, and valuables, and seized a group of young women, preparing to return east. At that time, someone advised Xiang Yu to still establish the capital in Xianyang, because "here in the Guanzhong region, there are strategic defenses to hold, and the land is fertile. Establishing the capital here can lay the foundation for hegemony." Xiang Yu saw that the Qin palaces had all been burned down and were in ruins, and at the same time he missed his hometown and wanted only to return east, so he said: "When a person becomes wealthy and noble, he should return to his hometown. To become wealthy and noble and not return to one's hometown is like walking at night in brocade clothes; who can see it?" The adviser said: "They all say the Chu people are monkeys wearing hats, stupid beyond measure, and now that I think of it, it is indeed so." When Xiang Yu heard about it, he boiled that persuader alive.

Sentences using "muhou erguan"

1. During the period of the Nationalist Government, Wang Jingwei defected to Japan and established a puppet Nationalist Government. Such people are like monkeys wearing hats, and they will be forever nailed to the pillar of shame in history.

2. Although he wears a suit and leather shoes, he is merely a monkey wearing a hat; his manners and speech are still crude beyond measure.

3. Ever since he took office, haven't those petty people around him, one by one, like monkeys wearing hats, all become department heads?