📖 Meaning
To monopolize authority and accept bribes; to abuse one's power for personal enrichment. It is synonymous with the idiom 招权纳贿, and is used to denounce corrupt officials who grasp power and extort money.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 《明史·石亨传》 (History of Ming, Biography of Shi Heng), which records that Shi Heng, a powerful Ming-dynasty military commander who had helped restore Emperor Yingzong to the throne during the Duomen Incident (夺门之变), grew arrogant and reckless after being elevated. He was impeached by censor officials with the charge '招权纳赇，肆行无忌' — that he gathered power to himself, accepted bribes, and acted without any restraint. The memorial led to his downfall, and the phrase became a standing condemnation of officials who abuse authority for illicit gain.
💡 Example Usage
他在任期间招权纳赇，最终被朝廷革职查办。
During his tenure he monopolized power and accepted bribes, and was ultimately stripped of office and prosecuted by the court.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 招权纳赇
- Pinyin: zhāo quán nà qiú
- Literal Translation: beckon power, accept bribes
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4