During the Spring and Autumn Period（770﹣476 BC）, Prince Chong'er of the Jin state fled（逃离）from his home state. He had to travel to other states.
Once, he went to the state of Chu. King Chengwang of Chu saw him as an important guest and served him a big dinner. He asked Chong'er, "If you rule the state of Jin one day, how would you thank me？" "It seems your state has everything you want； I have nothing that you like, "Chong'er said. However, the king still asked for something. Finally, Chong'er said, "I would ask my army to retreat sanshe if we ever fight."
Later, Chong'er returned to his home state Jin and became its ruler Wengong. Both of the two states wanted to become stronger and get more land. They went to war with each other.
Jin Wengong didn't break his promise. He asked his army to retreat sanshe and stay in Chengpu. The Chu army thought the Jin soldiers were afraid to fight, so they followed them. To their surprise, the Jin army surrounded them. In the end, Jin won the war. This was the famous Battle of Chengpu. After this war, people used "tuibi sanshe（退避三舍）"to mean retreating to avoid a conflict （冲突）.
