◎An old horse knows the way

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Guzhu State was not governed by the King of Zhou and did not pay tribute to him. The neighboring Shanrong tribe gradually developed, and repeatedly attacked the border areas of the states on the Central Plains, posing a serious threat to them. In 664 BC, Shanrong's big cavalry attacked the state of Yan. The troops of Duke Zhuang of Yan were unable to fend off the invaders, so he asked for help from Duke Huan of Qi State. At the invitation of Duke Zhuang of Yan, Duke Huan of Qi led his troops to the north and began a campaign to save Yan and attack Shanrong. The Premier Guan Zhong and Xi Peng accompanied him. The Shanrong tribe was defeated by Duke Huan of Qi and was forced to retreat to the territory of Guzhu State. The troops of Qi went further and attacked Guzhu. The monarch of Guzhu State, Dalihe, evacuated the soldiers and civilians from Guzhu City to the mountains outside the city and hid them. He devised the first “Empty City Trick” in the history of China, so as to lure the troops of Qi into the trap, the valley. The valley, a wasteland full of sand and stone, but with no vegetation, was known as the “dry sea.” When Qi troops entered the valley, suddenly a strong wind blew up sand and gravels, and the vision became so blurred that it was impossible to see each other even close. Duke Huan of Qi was shocked and said, “How can we get out of such a desperate situation?” Guan Zhong suggested, “I heard that old horse knows the way. This place is bounded by Shanrong State. Most of the local horses were bought from Mobei. If we choose a few old horses and follow them, we may find a way out.” Duke Huan of Qi adopted Guan Zhong's suggestion and selected a few old horses to let them go first. The troops of Qi followed closely, going through twists and turns, and walked out of the valley at last. Duke Huan of Qi led his troops to attack Guzhu City again and destroyed the remaining troops of Shanrong who had retreated to Guzhu State. This is the origin of the idiom that “An old horse knows the way.”(https://www.daowen.com)

The “Legend That an Old Horse Knows the Way” was inscribed into the intangible cultural heritage list of Hebei Province in June 2009.