The strong is the weak(qiáng běn ruò zhī)

The strong is the weak

The Chinese idiom, pronounced Qi á NGB ě NRU ò zh ī, refers to the reduction of local power and the strengthening of central power. It comes from the biography of Zhang Zan in the book of Liang.

Idiom explanation

Ben: trunk; branch: branch. Strengthen the trunk and weaken the branches and leaves. 　

The origin of Idioms

Zhang Zuan's biography of the book of Liang states: "therefore, he lived in the late period of Zhenzong, strengthened his roots and weak branches, heard the general system of ancient and modern times, and survived the ups and downs." According to the preface to the chronology of princes and kings since the rise of the Han Dynasty in historical records, "Han Jun is in the 80's and 90's, but it's in the wrong shape among the princes. It's close to each other. It's in the right place of the enemy. It's strong and weak. It's superior and inferior, and everything is in its proper place."

Idiom usage

Used as an object, attribute, policy, etc

Chinese PinYin : qiáng běn ruò zhī