Ｌａｏ Ｍａ Ｓｈｉ Ｔｕ

Literal Meaning: the old horse knows the way.

Metaphorical Meaning: the experienced people are very familiar with the matter.

In 663 BC, the Spring and Autumn Period (772-481 BC), Duke Huan, the ruler of the State of Qi, helped the State of Yan to fight against the national minority Shanrong which invaded the State of Yan. Duke Huan and his Prime Minister Guan Zhong led the army. They set out in spring and defeated the invaders in winter.

When they began to return to their home, the woods and grass had already changed from when they came. The army was lost in mountains and found no way out. Though several people have been sent to look for the way but no one made it. After several days, there happened the shortage of the food to the army. The situation is very urgent. If no way was found, the whole army would die in the mountains.

At this moment, Guan Zhong thought of an idea. He thought: “The dog could find its way back home despite the long distance. Maybe the horses in the army, especially the old horses, could do the same thing”. He told Duke Huan his idea and Duke Huan agreed to have a try. He ordered to free some old horses and let them take the lead of the whole army. Strangely, those old horses all went towards the same direction. The army closely followed them and successfully found the way back to the State of Qi.