Chapter 25 Hard to support

During the Southern and Northern Dynasties (Liu) Emperor Song Shun, Xiao Daocheng controlled the political power, killed Zhongliang, ran rampant, and had a great attempt to usurp the royal family. At that time, the ministers Yuan Can and Liu Dong secretly discussed to kill Xiao Daocheng, but the timing was wrong. Xiao Daocheng's party member Chu Yuan knew the secret, and told Xiao Daocheng the secret. Xiao Daocheng was very angry, and immediately sent his general Dai Sengjing to lead many troops to attack Yuan can and surrounded the city.At this time, Yuan Yao said to his son Yuan Zui: "I know that a wooden pillar cannot support the collapse of a building, but for the sake of honor and justice, I have to stick to it."

Later, Dai Sengjing led his men over the wall and rushed into the city. Under the enemy's swords and guns, Yuan Zui bravely used his body to cover his father. At this time, Yuan Can said to his son Yuan Zui: "I am a loyal minister, you are a filial son, we are worthy of death." As a result, both father and son died for justice. Later generations extended the sentence Yuan Can said at that time, "I know that a wooden pillar cannot support the collapse of a building", into the idiom "A single tree can't support it", which is used to describe when things are going to be difficult and critical. It is not something that can be saved by the power of one person or a few people.