Meng Changjun, the lord of Qi, was held captive in the state of Qin. The King of Qin planned to execute him. In desperation, Meng Changjun sent a gift of a priceless white fox-fur coat to the king's favorite concubine, who interceded on his behalf. The king released him.
But Meng Changjun knew the king might change his mind. He fled immediately, reaching Hangu Pass at midnight. The pass had a strict rule: the gates opened only at cockcrow. If he waited until dawn, Qin's cavalry would catch him.
Among his followers was a man who could imitate a rooster's crow with perfect accuracy. He let out a call. The roosters in the area, hearing it, began to crow in response. One by one, every rooster at the pass joined in. The guards, believing dawn had come, opened the gates. Meng Changjun rode through and escaped.
Later, someone mocked him: "You keep dog-thieves and chicken-crowers among your followers — what use are such men?" Meng Changjun replied: "A man of talent uses whatever gift he has. If I had turned away these men because their skills seemed lowly, I would be dead in Qin tonight."
孟尝君入秦，秦王欲杀之。客有能为狗盗者，乃夜为狗，入秦宫臧中，取所献白裘以献秦王幸姬。幸姬为言昭王，昭王释孟尝君。
孟尝君得出，即驰去。夜半至函谷关。关法：鸡鸣而出客。孟尝君恐追至，客有能为鸡鸣者，一鸣而鸡尽鸣，遂发传出之。
孟尝君入秦，秦王欲杀之。客有能为狗盗者，乃夜为狗，入秦宫臧中，取所献白裘以献秦王幸姬。幸姬为言昭王，昭王释孟尝君。
孟尝君得出，即驰去。夜半至函谷关。关法：鸡鸣而出客。孟尝君恐追至，客有能为鸡鸣者，一鸣而鸡尽鸣，遂发传出之。
Reflection & Analysis · 寓意解读
Core Wisdom
There is no skill so humble that it cannot save a life. The wise leader values every talent, not just the ones that look noble.
This story is the origin of the idiom "鸡鸣狗盗" — cockcrow and dog theft. Traditionally, it was used negatively to describe petty or underhanded skills. But Meng Changjun's own interpretation is more nuanced: utility is context-dependent. In a palace, a rooster-imitator is absurd. At a locked gate at midnight, he is the most valuable man in the world.
The story also critiques the Confucian bias toward "noble" skills. Meng Changjun's survival depended not on his philosophers or strategists, but on men whom polite society would have dismissed. Greatness does not always wear a scholar's robe.