水到渠成

Origin and story

In a letter to Qin Guan, also known as Qin Taixu, Su Shi describes managing his household after arriving in Huangzhou without his former income. He divides a month's allowance into thirty portions, hangs them from a beam, and takes down only the day's share. Money left over goes into a separate container for guests. He calculates that his resources will last more than a year, and decides to make further arrangements when the time comes: when water arrives, the channel forms. The image expresses confidence in responding as circumstances develop. Its later sense emphasizes success when the necessary conditions are ready, not success without preparation.