里通外国 Collaborate with foreign countries
Explanation
秘密地与外国勾结，图谋背叛国家。通常指阴谋活动，含有贬义。
Secretly colluding with foreign countries to plot treason against one's nation. Usually refers to conspiratorial activities and carries a negative connotation.
Origin Story
话说清朝末年，国势衰微，内忧外患。边关小城，一位名叫李明的守城将领，因长期受到朝廷的冷落和不公正待遇，心生怨恨。他与外国商人暗中勾结，商定在关键时刻打开城门，里通外国，从而获取巨额财富。然而，李明的阴谋最终败露，朝廷派兵将其逮捕，并处以极刑。李明的行为，成为历史上里通外国的典型案例，警示后人切勿因个人利益而损害国家利益。
In the late Qing Dynasty, the country was weak and suffering from internal and external troubles. In a small border town, a city commander named Li Ming, due to long-term neglect and unfair treatment from the court, harbored resentment. He secretly colluded with foreign merchants, agreeing to open the city gates at a critical moment and collaborate with foreign powers to gain enormous wealth. However, Li Ming's conspiracy was ultimately exposed, and the court sent troops to arrest and execute him. Li Ming's actions became a typical example of collaborating with foreign powers in history, serving as a warning to future generations not to harm national interests for personal gain.
Usage
作谓语、宾语、定语；多用于贬义场合，指暗中勾结外国，图谋不轨。
Used as a predicate, object, or attributive; mostly used in negative contexts to refer to secretly colluding with foreign countries for sinister purposes.
Examples
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他被指控里通外国，犯下叛国罪。
tā bèi zhǐkòng lǐ tōng wài guó, fànxià pànguó zuì
He was accused of collaborating with foreign countries and committing treason.
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历史上，许多王朝的覆灭都与里通外国有关。
lìshǐ shàng, xǔduō wángcháo de fùmiè dōu yǔ lǐ tōng wài guó yǒuguān
Throughout history, the demise of many dynasties has been linked to collaboration with foreign powers