恋栈不去 Cling to one's post
Explanation
栈：牲畜棚栏。恋栈：牲畜留恋自己的圈、棚。形容人贪恋官位，不想离去。
Zhan: livestock pen. Lianzhan: livestock are attached to their pen. Describes someone who is attached to his post and unwilling to leave.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有个名叫李实的官员，能力出众，深受百姓爱戴。然而，他却对自己的官位恋恋不舍，即使皇帝多次暗示他退休，他也总是以各种借口推脱。 李实深知自己年事已高，精力大不如前，但依旧不愿意放下手中的权力。他害怕退休后，失去曾经拥有的一切，害怕失去在朝堂上的影响力。于是，他总是在各种场合表现出对工作的热忱，对皇帝的忠诚，试图以此来掩盖自己对权力的渴望。 一天，皇帝召见李实，再次劝他退休，并赐予他丰厚的赏赐。李实眼含热泪，对皇帝表达了忠心，但依旧不肯退休。皇帝见状，不禁叹了口气，他知道李实是真心为朝廷办事，但他的恋栈行为也确实阻碍了朝廷的新陈代谢。 最终，皇帝尊重了李实的意愿，但同时也在暗中寻找合适的接班人。李实的故事，成为了后世官员们警醒的案例，提醒着他们要时刻保持清醒的头脑，切勿恋栈不退，耽误了国家大事。
In the Tang Dynasty, there was an official named Li Shi, known for his abilities and the love of the people. However, he clung to his position, refusing to retire despite repeated suggestions from the emperor. Li Shi knew he was old and less capable, but was unwilling to give up his power. He feared losing his influence and status. He pretended to be full of zeal and loyalty to the emperor, to mask his desire for power. One day, the emperor summoned Li Shi and urged him again to retire, with generous gifts. Li Shi wept and assured the emperor of his loyalty, but still refused to retire. The emperor sighed; he knew Li Shi was loyal, but his clinging to office was hindering change. Finally, the emperor respected Li Shi's wishes, but secretly began searching for a suitable successor. Li Shi's story serves as a warning to later officials to stay clear-headed and avoid clinging to their offices, to the detriment of state affairs.
Usage
形容人贪恋官位，不愿离去。
Describes someone who is attached to his post and unwilling to leave.
Examples
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他恋栈不去，迟迟不肯退休。
tā liàn zhàn bù qù, chí chí bùkěn tuìxiū
He clings to his post and refuses to retire.
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老臣恋栈不去，新政难以推行。
lǎochén liàn zhàn bù qù, xīnzhèng nán yǐ tuīxíng
The old minister clings to his post, making it difficult to implement the new policy.