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The Chinese idiom 青云直上 (qing1 yun2 zhi2 shng4) literally means a direct rise into the blue sky. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), the idiom was a special term used to describe someone who had been rapidly promoted to a high official position - a so-called rocket cadre. However, today the idiom has a more general usage and describes anyone who has made rapid progress in their career.
The idiom comes from a story about an official, Fan Ju, in the imperial court of the State of Wei. On one occasion Fan accompanied his patron on a mission to the State of Qi. The ruler of Qi had learned that Fan was an outstanding strategist and had the gift of the gab. Consequently, he sent someone to try to persuade Fan to stay in the State of Qi and work for him. Fan declined the offer.
However, upon returning to the State of Wei, Fan was wrongly suspected of treason and brutally punished. With the help of his friends, Fan fled to the State of Qin. He changed his name and made a fresh start. The Duke of Qin also appreciated Fan's talents and it was not long before the Duke appointed Fan the prime minister of his court.
Several years later, the State of Qin invaded the State of Wei. Fan's previous patron in the State of Wei was sent as a special envoy to negotiate a truce. The envoy was dumbstruck when he saw Fan sitting at the negotiating table as the prime minister of the rival state. When he recovered his composure, he began to apologise profusely for his past behaviour, saying
I did not expect you would have such a direct rise into the blue sky
After giving him a lecture, Fan accepted the apology and allowed the envoy to return to the State of Wei.
English speakers would describe someone who has experienced a rapid advancement in their career like Fan Ju as rising rapidly from the ranks. Originally this idiom (like the Chinese one) had a more narrow interpretation. It was used to describe a person in the armed forces who was rapidly promoted from the rank of private to become an officer - this was a rare feat indeed.