A person or group that stands firm and plays a crucial supporting role during a crisis; a cornerstone or tower of strength. This idiom originally referred to Mount Dizhu standing firm in the middle of the Yellow River.

someone or something that stands firm in the face of crisis and plays a crucial role; originally referring to Mount Dizhu standing firm in the torrents of the Yellow River

To beat an oar in midstream; describes a person's patriotic ambition and determination to restore their country and recover lost territory. Originally referring to Zu Ti of the Jin dynasty who crossed the Yangtze River and swore to recover the north.

Determined to recover lost territory or serve one's country; based on the story of the general Zu Ti striking the water with his oar while vowing to reclaim the north

to strike the oar in the middle of the river; an idiom meaning to be determined to recover lost territory or save the nation from ruin