(literary) to manage the affairs of a country or mediate important political relationships; literally to blend the five flavors in an ancient cooking tripod

(literary) the position of prime minister; also used to refer to the governing of a state. This metaphor refers to how a prime minister handles state affairs like a chef balancing flavors in a cooking vessel.

Originally meaning to season food in cooking vessels, this metaphor describes the duty of a prime minister or high official to manage state affairs and resolve personnel conflicts; also written as [[调和鼎鼐|調和鼎鼐|tiao2 he2 ding3 nai4]]