trở đậu quân cơ

Definition

1. Noun (Historical / Literary Term):
   • To hinder or delay military affairs: The primary meaning refers to the act of obstructing or causing delay in military operations or preparations.
   • An allusion to a historical remonstrance: Specifically, it alludes to the story of Bá Cao, a minister who advised his king against launching a military campaign against the Phiên region, urging caution and thus "delaying" the army's action.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hành động đó bị coi là trở đậu quân cơ. (That action was considered a hindrance to military affairs.)
  • Lời can gián của ông ấy ví như trở đậu quân cơ của Bá Cao ngày trước. (His admonition is likened to Bá Cao's historical delaying of the military campaign.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is almost exclusively used in historical, literary, or rhetorical contexts to criticize an action or advice that impedes strategic or military progress, often by invoking the classical allusion.

Word Origin and Notes

• Origin: The term originates from a classical Chinese historical or literary reference, preserved in Sino-Vietnamese (Hán-Việt) vocabulary. It is a fixed phrase that encapsulates a specific historical anecdote.
• Note: It is a highly specialized term. In modern Vietnamese, more common words like "cản trở" (to obstruct) or "làm chậm trễ" (to delay) are used for the general concept. "Trở đậu quân cơ" is used for stylistic, scholarly, or metaphorical effect.

Synonyms

• Impediment: Something that hinders progress.
• Obstruction: The act of blocking or delaying.
• Delay: To cause something to happen at a later time.

Related Concepts

• Can gián (v): to admonish, to advise against. This is the action taken by figures like Bá Cao, which can result in a "trở đậu quân cơ."
• Hoãn binh (v): to delay troops, a more direct military term for postponing action.