Mt Li near Xi'an with the tomb of the First Emperor

to pick out the salient points from a complex situation or text; to see through to the core of a matter

judging by inner quality rather than outward appearance; don't judge by superficial details

pre-Han name of the Liao River

Li Ji Rebellion (657-651 BC), a period of political turmoil where concubine Li Ji plotted to place her son on the throne of Jin, eventually leading to the rise of Duke Wen of Jin

focusing on the essence rather than judging by superficial outward appearances