Meaning: Approaching someone with great sincerity to urgently seek their support or assistance.

Source: Zhuge Liang's Letter Before Battle: "The late emperor did not think my talents unworthy, and troubled to visit me three times in my thatched cottage himself."

1.At the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, Liu Bei was in Jingzhou. Sima Hui told him: "Near here lives a Sleeping Dragon." He was speaking of Zhuge Liang, who lived in obscurity at Longzhong near Xiangyang.

2.Liu Bei was anxious to find talented supporters, and accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he went in person to Longzhong to seek out Zhuge Liang.

3.But Zhuge Liang was not at home. A servant boy told them that Zhuge might not be back for another ten days or a fortnight. So Liu Bei could only leave his name and depart in disappointment.

4.The next time, Liu Bei first made enquiries as to whether Zhuge Liang had returned home. Then, braving the wind and snow, he and his two sworn brothers set off again towards Longzhong.

5.When Liu Bei offered his salutations, the young man said: "Your Lordship is looking for my elder brother. He just left on business, and might not be back for several days." So again Liu Bei retired in frustration.

6.A few days after Liu Bei returned to Xinye in Jingzhou, he announced once more that he wanted to visit Zhuge Liang. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both advised him not to go again, but Liu insisted.

7.When Liu Bei arrived in Longzhong for the third time, Zhuge Liang himself came out of his cottage to greet him. The two immediately got on like old friends. Zhuge Liang gave Liu Bei a penetrating analysis of current affairs and advised him on what to do.

8.By following Zhuge Liang's strategy, Liu Bei finally established the kingdom of Shu-Han, and achieved a balance of power with the other two kingdoms of Wu and Wei.