During the Warring States period, King Xiang of Chu liked to eat, drink, and make merry with his corrupt officials every day. Minister Zhuang Xin said to the king, “My king, if you continue in this manner, your kingdom will face peril. ”The king was annoyed at hearing this, and did not heed Zhuang Xin’s words. Zhuang Xin had no choice but to tell the king, “If you do not believe me, can you permit me to stay in the Kingdom of Zhao for a while? ”

As foretold, Zhuang Xin had not left for long before the State of Qin launched an attack on the State of Chu, and occupied a vast area of land. King Xiang of Chu was extremely worried and immediately asked Zhuang Xin to come back. He told Zhaung Xin, “I was wrong! I shouldn’t have ignored your advice. What shall we do now? ”Zhuang Xin replied, “Someone once said, ‘It is not too late to release the hounds after spotting the rabbits; nor is it too late to fix a broken pen after the sheep have escaped’. As long as you keep your distance from corrupt officials, and heed the advice of virtuous ministers, you will surely be able to defeat the Qin army. ” 

This time, the king heeded Zhuang Xin’s advice, and managed to defeat the Qin army and chase them from his land.

戰國時代，楚襄王喜歡每天和奸臣們一起吃喝玩樂。大臣莊辛對楚襄王說：「大王，您再這樣子的話，國家將來一定會有危險的。」楚襄王覺得莊辛很煩，不想理他。莊辛沒辦法，只好又說：「如果您不相信，可不可以請您讓臣去趙國住一段時間呢？」

莊辛走了沒有多久，秦國果然出兵攻打楚國，還占領了一大片土地。楚襄王很著急，馬上請莊辛回來想辦法，他對莊辛說：「我錯了！我不該不聽你的話，現在應該怎麼辦才好？」莊辛說：「有人說：『看到兔子才放獵狗，不算是太晚；幾隻羊跑掉再把羊圈修好，也不算是太遲。』現在只要大王遠離奸臣，重用賢臣，就一定能打敗秦國。」

這次，楚襄王聽了莊辛的話，終於趕走秦國的軍隊了。