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項莊舞劍，意在沛公

简项庄舞剑，意在沛公 · 繁項莊舞劍，意在沛公

Mandarin · pinyin Xiàng Zhuāng wǔ jiàn , yì zài Pèi gōng

lit. Xiang Zhuang performs the sword dance, but his mind is set on Liu Bang 劉邦 Liú Bāng (idiom); refers to 206 BC plot to murder Liu Bang, aka Duke of Pei 沛公 Pèi gōng and the future Han emperor, during a sword dance at the Hongmen feast 鴻門宴 Hóng mén yàn
an elaborate deception to hide malicious intent

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Characters in this entry

項: Look up this written character
莊: Look up this written character
舞: wǔ · dance, posture, prance; brandish
劍: Look up this written character
意: yì · thought, idea, opinion; think
在: zài · be at, in, on; consist in, rest
沛: pèi · abundant, full, copious; sudden
公: gōng · fair, equitable; public; duke
项: xiàng · neck, nape of neck; sum; funds
庄: zhuāng · village, hamlet; villa, manor
剑: jiàn · sword, dagger, saber

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