這段歷史故事出自中國古代史書左傳，記錄的是春秋時期宋國與鄭國之間的一場戰事。故事不僅本身極具戲劇性，也衍生出與「各自為政」相關的歷史典故，並與「羊斟愧視」的說法有所關聯。

故事的主角是宋國將領華元。在戰爭爆發前，為了激勵軍心士氣，他下令宰羊分肉，賞賜給軍中的將士。然而在分配食物時，他卻不慎忽略自己的御者，也就是負責駕駛戰車的車夫羊斟。這個看似微不足道的疏忽，卻在無形中埋下了嚴重的隱患。

羊斟因此心生怨恨。到了第二天兩軍交戰之際，他對華元說出一句後來廣為流傳的話：「疇昔之羊，子為政；今日之事，我為政。」意思是說，昨天分羊肉的事情由你作主，但今天駕車的事情則由我作主。話音剛落，他竟直接駕駛戰車衝入鄭國軍營之中，結果導致華元當場被敵軍俘虜。

這段事件後來成為歷史上的著名典故。「各自為政」最初所指的正是這種情況：每個人只按照自己的想法行事，各行其是，缺乏整體協調與統一指揮。從一碗羊肉引發的怨氣，最終影響一場戰爭的結果，也讓這段故事在中國歷史與文化中長久流傳。

This historical anecdote comes from the ancient Chinese chronicle Zuo Zhuan. It records a battle during the Spring and Autumn period between the states of Song and Zheng. The episode is highly dramatic and later gave rise to well-known idiomatic references, including associations with the expression “each acting on one’s own authority,” and the related story sometimes referred to as “Yang Zhen’s resentment.”

The central figure in the story is the Song general Hua Yuan. Before the battle began, he ordered sheep to be slaughtered and the meat distributed among the soldiers in order to boost morale. However, during the distribution he accidentally neglected to give any portion to his own charioteer, Yang Zhen. This seemingly trivial oversight planted the seeds of a serious conflict.

Resentful over the slight, Yang Zhen waited until the next day when the two armies met in battle. At that moment he said to Hua Yuan, “Yesterday, when the sheep were divided, you were in charge. But today, when it comes to driving the chariot, I am in charge.” In the original wording: “Yesterday’s sheep—you governed; today’s matter—I govern.” Immediately after saying this, he deliberately drove the chariot straight into the camp of the Zheng army, which resulted in Hua Yuan being captured on the spot.

The incident later became a famous historical example. The phrase “each acting on one’s own authority” originally referred to situations like this—when individuals follow their own decisions without coordination or regard for the broader situation. What began as resentment over a bowl of mutton ultimately influenced the outcome of a battle, allowing the story to endure in Chinese history and cultural memory.