Chapter 27 of 33 · Han state

韓策二

Stratagems of Han II

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楚圍雍氏五月

Chu Besieges Yongshi for Five Months

楚圍雍氏五月。韓令使者求救於秦，冠蓋相望也，秦師不下崤。韓又令尚靳使秦，謂秦王曰：「韓之於秦也，居為隱蔽，出為雁行。今韓已病矣，秦師不下崤。臣聞之，脣揭者其齒寒，願大王之熟計之。」宣太后曰：「使者來者眾矣，獨尚子之言是。」召尚子入。宣太后謂尚子曰：「妾事先王也，先王以其髀加妾之身，妾困不疲也；盡置其身妾之上，而妾弗重也，何也？以其少有利焉。今佐韓，兵不眾，糧不多，則不足以救韓。夫救韓之危，日費千金，獨不可使妾少有利焉。」

尚靳歸書報韓王，韓王遣張翠。張翠稱病，日行一縣。張翠至，甘茂曰：「韓急矣，先生病而來。」張翠曰：「韓未急也，且急矣。」甘茂曰：「秦重國知王也，韓之急緩莫不知。今先生言不急，可乎？」張翠曰：「韓急則折而入於楚矣，臣安敢來？」甘茂曰：「先生毋復言也。」

甘茂入言秦王曰：「公仲柄得秦師，故敢捍楚。今雍氏圍，而秦師不下崤，是無韓也。公仲且抑首而不朝，公叔且以國南合於楚。楚、韓為一，魏氏不敢不聽，是楚以三國謀秦也。如此則伐秦之形成矣。不識坐而待伐，孰與伐人之利？」秦王曰：「善。」果下師於崤以救韓。

Chu besieges Yongshi for five months. Han sends envoy after envoy to request rescue from Qin — an unbroken procession of carriages and caps — but Qin's army does not descend from the Xiao Pass.

Han then sends Shang Jin to Qin. He tells the King of Qin: "Han's relation to Qin is this: at rest, we are your shield; in war, we march in formation at your side. Now Han is in distress, yet Qin's army does not descend from the Xiao Pass. I have heard the saying: 'When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.' I urge Your Majesty to consider carefully."

Queen Dowager Xuan says: "Many envoys have come, but only Master Shang's words are to the point." She summons Shang Jin.

Queen Dowager Xuan says to him: "When I served the late king, the late king would lay his thigh across my body, and I found it tiring but not exhausting. When he placed his whole body upon mine, I did not find it heavy. Why? Because there was a little benefit in it for me. Now, to help Han — if the troops are few and the supplies meager, that is not enough to save Han. Rescuing Han from danger costs a thousand pieces of gold per day. Can you not arrange for me to derive a little benefit as well?"

Shang Jin returns and reports to the King of Han by letter. The King of Han dispatches Zhang Cui. Zhang Cui feigns illness and travels only one county per day.

When Zhang Cui arrives, Gan Mao says: "Han must be desperate — you have come despite your illness."

Zhang Cui says: "Han is not yet desperate. But it soon will be."

Gan Mao says: "Qin is a great state that understands your king. Whether Han is desperate or not, we know perfectly well. Can you really claim it is not desperate?"

Zhang Cui says: "If Han were truly desperate, it would have broken off and gone over to Chu. How would I dare come here?"

Gan Mao says: "Say no more."

Gan Mao goes in and tells the King of Qin: "Gongzhong has relied on Qin's army to dare resist Chu. Now Yongshi is besieged and Qin's army has not descended from the Xiao Pass — which means Han is lost. Gongzhong will hang his head and cease attending Qin's court. Gongshu will take the state south and ally with Chu. If Chu and Han become one, Wei will not dare refuse to follow. That means Chu will be plotting against Qin with three states. When that happens, the conditions for attacking Qin will be complete. I do not know which is better: sitting and waiting to be attacked, or attacking first."

The King of Qin says: "Very well." He sends the army down from the Xiao Pass to rescue Han.

Notes

1person宣太后Xuān Tàihòu

Queen Dowager Xuan (宣太后, d. 265 BC) was the mother of King Zhaoxiang of Qin and one of the most powerful women in Warring States history. She dominated Qin politics for decades. Her sexual analogy to Shang Jin is one of the most famous passages in the Zhanguoce — she is making explicit what diplomacy usually keeps decorously veiled: Qin will only help Han if Qin gets something out of it.

2context

Zhang Cui's negotiating technique is brilliantly counterintuitive. By traveling slowly and claiming Han is 'not yet' desperate, he signals that Han still has options — specifically, the option of defecting to Chu. Gan Mao, who is nobody's fool, instantly grasps the implied threat. The paradox: if Han were truly on the verge of collapse, it would have no leverage. By pretending calm, Zhang Cui preserves Han's bargaining position.

3context

The 'lips and teeth' (脣亡齒寒) proverb, attributed to an earlier diplomatic crisis, became one of the most enduring metaphors in Chinese strategic thought. It describes the relationship between a buffer state and the power it shields — precisely Han's value to Qin.

4place

Yongshi (雍氏) was a Han fortress city, modern Yuzhou, Henan. The Xiao Pass (崤) was the main mountain pass separating Qin's core territory from the eastern states — when Qin's army 'descended from Xiao,' it was entering the Central Plain.

楚圍雍氏韓令冷向借救於秦

Chu Besieges Yongshi; Han Sends Leng Xiang to Borrow Qin's Aid

楚圍雍氏，韓令冷向借救於秦，秦為發使公孫昧入韓。公仲曰：「子以秦為將救韓乎？其不乎？」對曰：「秦王之言曰，請道於南鄭、藍田以入攻楚，出兵於三川以待公，殆不合，軍於南鄭矣。」公仲曰：「奈何？」對曰：「秦王必祖張儀之故謀。楚威王攻梁，張儀謂秦王曰：『與楚攻梁，魏折而入於楚。韓固其與國也，是秦孤也。故不如出兵以勁魏。』於是攻皮氏。魏氏勁，威王怒，楚與魏大戰，秦取西河之外以歸。今也其將揚言救韓，而陰善楚，公恃秦而勁，必輕與楚戰。楚陰得秦之不用也，必易與公相支也。公戰勝楚，遂與公乘楚，易三川而歸。公戰不勝楚，塞三川而受之，公不能救也。臣惡其事。司馬庚三反之郢矣，甘茂與昭獻遇於境，其言曰收璽。時期猶有約也。」公仲恐曰：「然則奈何？」對曰：「公必先韓而後秦，先身而後張儀。以公不如亟以國合於齊、楚，秦必重公以解伐。是公之所以外者儀而已，其實猶之不失秦也。」

Chu besieges Yongshi. Han sends Leng Xiang to request rescue from Qin. Qin dispatches the envoy Gongsun Mei to Han.

Gongzhong asks: "Do you think Qin will actually rescue Han, or not?"

Gongsun Mei replies: "The King of Qin says he will march through Nanzheng and Lantian to attack Chu, and deploy troops in the Three Rivers to wait for you. But I suspect the forces will not converge — Qin's army will remain at Nanzheng."

Gongzhong says: "What then?"

Gongsun Mei replies: "The King of Qin will surely follow Zhang Yi's old strategy. When King Wei of Chu attacked Wei, Zhang Yi told the King of Qin: 'If we join Chu in attacking Wei, Wei will break and go over to Chu. Han is already Chu's ally — Qin would be isolated. Better to deploy troops to strengthen Wei.' So Qin attacked Pishi instead. Wei grew stronger, King Wei of Chu was furious, Chu and Wei fought a great battle, and Qin took the territory beyond the West River and went home.

"Now Qin will loudly proclaim it is rescuing Han while secretly accommodating Chu. You, trusting in Qin's support, will fight Chu aggressively. But Chu, secretly knowing Qin will not intervene, will find it easy to resist you. If you defeat Chu, Qin will ride your victory and pursue Chu, then take the Three Rivers and go home. If you lose to Chu, Qin will block the Three Rivers and absorb them — and you will be unable to recover.

"I dread this outcome. Sima Geng has already made three trips to Ying. Gan Mao met Zhao Xian at the border, and their talk was of 'collecting the seal.' There are still standing agreements in play."

Gongzhong is alarmed: "Then what should I do?"

The reply: "You must put Han first and Qin second — put yourself first and Zhang Yi second. You should immediately unite the state with Qi and Chu. Qin will then have to value you in order to prevent the alliance. The only thing you lose is Zhang Yi — in substance, you still do not lose Qin."

Notes

1context

Gongsun Mei's analysis is devastating: Qin's 'rescue' is actually a trap. The historical precedent he cites — Zhang Yi's strategy during the Chu-Wei war — shows exactly how it works. Qin announces support for the weaker side, encouraging it to fight aggressively, then harvests territory from both combatants after they exhaust each other. It is a predator's strategy, and Han is the bait.

2place

Nanzheng (南鄭) was Qin's southern base, modern Hanzhong, Shaanxi. Lantian (藍田) was a pass southeast of Qin's capital. The Three Rivers (三川) region around Luoyang was the strategic prize — whoever held it controlled access to the Central Plain.

3context

The advisor's bottom line — 'put Han first and Qin second' — is the counsel Han's rulers most needed and least followed. The argument that approaching Qi and Chu would actually increase Han's leverage with Qin (since Qin would have to make concessions to prevent the alliance) is sound game theory, but it requires nerves that Han's leaders rarely possessed.

公仲為韓魏易地

Gongzhong Arranges a Land Swap Between Han and Wei

公仲為韓、魏易地，公叔爭之而不聽，且亡。史惕謂公叔曰：「公亡，則易必可成矣。公無辭以後反，且示天下輕公，公不若順之。夫韓地易於上，則害於趙；魏地易於下，則害於楚。公不如告楚、趙。楚、趙惡之。趙聞之，起兵臨羊腸，楚聞之，發兵臨方城，而易必敗矣。」

Gongzhong arranges a land exchange between Han and Wei. Gongshu opposes it but is not heeded, and prepares to flee.

Shi Ti says to Gongshu: "If you flee, the exchange will certainly go through. You will have no pretext to return, and you will show All-Under-Heaven that you can be dismissed. Better to go along with it outwardly.

If Han's land is exchanged in the north, it harms Zhao. If Wei's land is exchanged in the south, it harms Chu. Simply inform Chu and Zhao. They will be alarmed. Zhao will raise troops and deploy them at Yangchang Pass; Chu will send forces to Fangcheng. The exchange will certainly fail."

Notes

1context

Shi Ti's advice is a masterclass in indirect opposition: don't fight the policy head-on (you'll lose), and don't flee (you'll be irrelevant). Instead, leak the plan to the neighboring states whose interests it threatens and let them kill it for you. Gongshu gets to appear compliant while sabotaging the whole enterprise.

2place

Yangchang (羊腸, 'Sheep's Intestines') was a notoriously winding mountain pass on the Zhao-Han border. Fangcheng (方城) was Chu's northern defensive line in modern southern Henan.

錡宣之教韓王取秦

Qi Xuan Teaches Han How to Handle Qin

錡宣之教韓取秦，曰：「為公叔具車百乘，言之楚，易三川。因令公仲謂秦王曰：『三川之言曰，秦王必取我。韓王之心不可解矣。王何不試以襄子為質於韓，令韓王知王之不取三川也。』因以出襄子而德太子。」

Qi Xuan teaches Han how to gain leverage over Qin. He says: "Prepare a hundred chariots for Gongshu and have him go to Chu, ostensibly to exchange the Three Rivers region. Then have Gongzhong tell the King of Qin: 'The people of the Three Rivers say: The King of Qin will certainly seize us. The King of Han's anxieties cannot be allayed. Why not send Prince Xiang as a hostage to Han, so the King of Han knows you will not take the Three Rivers?'

This way you extract Prince Xiang from Qin and earn the Crown Prince's gratitude."

Notes

1context

The scheme operates on multiple levels: the fake mission to Chu creates panic in Qin about losing the Three Rivers; the demand for a hostage prince appears to be a mere reassurance mechanism but actually delivers a high-value Qin prince into Han's custody. And by extracting Prince Xiang (a rival to the Crown Prince), Han earns goodwill from the Crown Prince — who will eventually be king. It is the kind of move that costs nothing and yields leverage in every direction.

襄陵之役

The Battle of Xiangling

襄陵之役，畢長謂公叔曰：「請毋用兵，而楚、魏皆德公之國矣。夫楚欲置公子高，必以兵臨魏。公何不令人說昭子曰：『戰未必勝，請為子起兵以之魏。』子有辭以毋戰，於是以太子扁、朝揚、梁王皆德公矣。」

During the Xiangling campaign, Bi Chang says to Gongshu: "I can arrange for no fighting to occur, while making both Chu and Wei grateful to your state.

Chu wants to install Prince Gao and will certainly send troops against Wei. Why not have someone persuade Lord Zhao: 'Victory in battle is uncertain. Allow me to raise troops and march toward Wei on your behalf.' This gives him a pretext not to fight.

In this way, Crown Prince Bian, Chao Yang, and the King of Wei will all be grateful to you."

Notes

1context

Another scheme that avoids actual fighting while collecting gratitude from all sides. The advisor proposes to position Han as a mediator — offering military support that prevents war, thereby earning everyone's thanks without spending anyone's blood. It is diplomatic arbitrage at its purest.

公叔使馮君於秦

Gongshu Sends Lord Feng to Qin

公叔使馮君於秦，恐留，教陽向說秦王曰：「留馮君以善韓臣，非上知也。主君不如善馮君，而資之以秦。馮君廣王而不聽公叔，一與太子爭，則王澤布，而害於韓矣。」

Gongshu sends Lord Feng on a mission to Qin but fears he will be detained. He instructs Yang Xiang to persuade the King of Qin: "Detaining Lord Feng to curry favor with Han's ministers is not the wisest course. Your Majesty would do better to treat Lord Feng well and back him with Qin's support. If Lord Feng, empowered by Your Majesty, ceases to follow Gongshu and begins competing with the Crown Prince — then Your Majesty's influence spreads while Han is weakened."

Notes

1context

Gongshu is trying to prevent Qin from detaining his envoy by reframing the situation: releasing Lord Feng and backing him is actually more damaging to Han than detaining him would be, because a Qin-backed Lord Feng creates a new factional competitor. The pitch works because it appeals to Qin's interest in destabilizing Han — which is, regrettably for Han, always a winning argument in the Qin court.

謂公叔曰公欲得武遂於秦

Someone Tells Gongshu: 'You Want Wusui from Qin'

謂公叔曰：「公欲得武遂於秦，而不患楚之能揚河外也。公不如令人恐楚王，而令人為公求武遂於秦。謂楚王曰：『發重使為韓求武遂於秦。秦王聽，是令得行於萬乘之主也。韓得武遂以恨秦，無秦患而得楚。韓，楚之縣而已。秦不聽，是秦、韓之怨深，而交楚也。』」

Someone tells Gongshu: "You want to recover Wusui from Qin but are not worried about Chu's ability to stir up trouble beyond the river. You should have someone alarm the King of Chu, and then have someone seek Wusui from Qin on your behalf.

"Tell the King of Chu: 'Send a major embassy to request Wusui from Qin on Han's behalf. If the King of Qin agrees, it means your authority commands a state of ten thousand chariots. Han, having recovered Wusui with resentment toward Qin, free from Qin's threat and indebted to Chu — Han becomes merely a dependency of Chu.

'If Qin refuses, the enmity between Qin and Han deepens, and Han cleaves to Chu.'"

Notes

1context

Another heads-I-win-tails-you-lose scheme. If Chu successfully pressures Qin to return Wusui, Chu gains enormous prestige and Han becomes dependent on Chu. If Qin refuses, the Qin-Han relationship worsens and Han is driven further into Chu's arms. From Han's perspective, the scheme is a trap either way — someone is always trying to make Han someone else's 'dependency' (縣).

謂公叔曰乘舟

Someone Tells Gongshu: 'Riding in a Boat'

謂公叔曰：「乘舟，舟漏而弗塞，則舟沉矣。塞漏舟，而輕陽侯之波，則舟覆矣。今公自以辯於薛公而輕秦，是塞漏舟而輕陽侯之波也，願公之察也。」

Someone tells Gongshu: "When riding in a boat — if the boat leaks and you do not plug it, the boat sinks. But if you plug the leak while ignoring the waves of Lord Yang, the boat capsizes.

Now you consider yourself a cleverer debater than the Lord of Xue and therefore take Qin lightly. This is plugging the leak while ignoring Lord Yang's waves. I hope you will reflect on this."

Notes

1context

Lord Yang's waves (陽侯之波) refers to legendary dangerous waves, attributed to the spirit of a drowned lord. The metaphor is sharp: fixing the small problem (outmaneuvering a rival diplomat) while ignoring the existential threat (Qin) is how you capsize. It is a warning against the perennial Han temptation to win clever tactical battles while losing the strategic war.

2person薛公（孟嘗君）Xuē Gōng (Mèngcháng Jūn)

The Lord of Xue (薛公) is likely Meng Chang Jun (孟嘗君), one of the 'Four Lords' of the Warring States, who was enfeoffed at Xue.

齊令周最使鄭

Qi Orders Zhou Zui to Go to Zheng

齊令周最使鄭，立韓擾而廢公叔。周最患之，曰：「公叔之與周君交也，令我使鄭，立韓擾而廢公叔。語曰：『怒於室者色於市。』今公叔怨齊，無奈何也，必周君而深怨我矣。」史舍曰：「公行矣，請令公叔必重公。」

周最行至鄭，公叔大怒。史舍入見曰：「周最固不欲來使，臣竊強之。周最不欲來，以為公也；臣之強之也，亦以為公也。」公叔曰：「請聞其說。」對曰：「齊大夫諸子有犬，犬猛不可叱，叱之必噬人。客有請叱之者，寄視而徐叱之，犬不動；復叱之，犬遂無噬人之心。今周最固得事足下，而以不得已必故來使，彼將處陳其辭而緩其言，鄭王必以齊王為不急，必不許也。今周最不來，他人必來臨。來使者無交於公，而欲德於韓擾，其使之必疾，言之必急，則鄭王必許之矣。」公叔曰：「善。」遂重周最。王果不許韓擾。

Qi orders Zhou Zui to go to Zheng to install Han Rao and depose Gongshu. Zhou Zui is worried. He says: "Gongshu has ties with the Lord of Zhou. Now I am sent to Zheng to install Han Rao and depose Gongshu. The proverb says: 'Angry at home, he shows it in the marketplace.' Gongshu cannot retaliate against Qi, so he will certainly take it out on the Lord of Zhou — and deeply resent me."

Shi She says: "Go ahead. I will make sure Gongshu values you."

Zhou Zui travels to Zheng. Gongshu is furious. Shi She goes to see Gongshu and says: "Zhou Zui never wanted to come on this mission. I had to push him. Zhou Zui's reluctance was for your sake; my pushing him was also for your sake."

Gongshu says: "Explain."

Shi She says: "A Qi grandee named Zhuzi had a dog — a fierce dog that could not be scolded, for if scolded it would bite. A guest offered to scold it. He glanced at it sideways and scolded it gently — the dog did not move. He scolded it again — the dog lost all desire to bite.

"Zhou Zui already has a relationship with you. Coming reluctantly on this mission, he will present his case slowly and speak his words softly. The King of Zheng will conclude that the King of Qi is not serious and will certainly refuse the request.

"But if Zhou Zui does not come, someone else will. The replacement envoy will have no relationship with you and will want to earn Han Rao's gratitude. He will press the case urgently and speak forcefully, and the King of Zheng will certainly agree."

Gongshu says: "Excellent." He receives Zhou Zui with respect. And the king does indeed refuse to install Han Rao.

Notes

1context

The dog parable is brilliant. Shi She's argument: a half-hearted envoy is better for you than an enthusiastic one. Zhou Zui, who has personal ties to Gongshu, will deliberately sabotage his own mission by being tepid. A stranger sent in his place would actually try to succeed. The logic is impeccable, and Gongshu — no fool — grasps it immediately.

韓公叔與幾瑟爭國鄭強為楚王使於韓

Gongshu and Ji Se Compete for the Throne; Zheng Qiang Serves as Chu's Envoy to Han

韓公叔與幾瑟爭國。鄭強為楚王使於韓，矯以新城、陽人合世子，以與公叔爭國。楚怒，將罪之。鄭強曰：「臣之矯與之，以為國也。臣曰，世子得新城、陽人，以與公叔爭國，而得全，魏必急韓氏；韓氏急，必縣命於楚，又何新城、陽人敢索？若戰而不勝，走而不死，今且以至，又安敢言地？」楚王曰：「善。」乃弗罪。

Gongshu and Ji Se are competing for the Han throne. Zheng Qiang, serving as Chu's envoy to Han, forges orders to give Xincheng and Yangren to the Crown Prince to support his struggle against Gongshu.

Chu is furious and prepares to punish him. Zheng Qiang says: "I forged the orders for the state's benefit. My reasoning was: if the Crown Prince gains Xincheng and Yangren and uses them to compete with Gongshu, and succeeds in holding the throne, then Wei will certainly pressure Han. Under pressure, Han will depend entirely on Chu — and would it dare demand the return of Xincheng and Yangren? If the Crown Prince fights and loses, flees but survives, and comes to us now — would he dare speak of territory?"

The King of Chu says: "Good point." He does not punish him.

Notes

1context

Zheng Qiang's defense of his unauthorized diplomacy is a clinic in retrospective justification. He forged royal orders — a capital offense — but argues that both possible outcomes favor Chu. If the investment pays off, Han becomes Chu's dependency. If it doesn't, the Crown Prince comes to Chu as a penniless exile with no leverage. It is a bet with no downside, and the King of Chu recognizes it.

韓公叔與幾瑟爭國中庶子強謂太子

Gongshu and Ji Se Compete for the Throne; the Middle Steward Qiang Advises the Crown Prince

韓公叔與幾瑟爭國。中庶子強謂太子曰：「不若及齊師未入，急擊公叔。」太子曰：「不可。戰之於國中必分。」對曰：「事不成，身必危，尚何足以圖國之全為？」太子弗聽，齊師果入，太子出走。

Gongshu and Ji Se are competing for the throne. The Middle Steward Qiang tells the Crown Prince: "You should strike Gongshu before Qi's army arrives."

The Crown Prince says: "I cannot. Fighting within the state will surely divide it."

The reply: "If the enterprise fails, your life is certainly in danger. What good is worrying about keeping the state intact?"

The Crown Prince does not listen. Qi's army does arrive. The Crown Prince flees.

Notes

1context

A terse little tragedy. The Middle Steward's advice is brutal but correct: in a succession crisis, the window for decisive action is narrow, and hesitation is fatal. The Crown Prince's scruple about dividing the state is noble but self-defeating — he loses everything by trying to preserve everything. The outcome is told in seven characters: 太子出走 ('The Crown Prince fled').

齊明謂公叔

Qi Ming Addresses Gongshu

齊明謂公叔曰：「齊遂幾瑟，楚善之。今楚欲善齊甚，公何不令齊王謂楚王：『王為我逐幾瑟以窮之。』楚聽，是齊、楚合，而幾瑟走也；楚王不聽，是有陰於韓也。」

Qi Ming says to Gongshu: "Qi supports Ji Se, and Chu is on good terms with him. Now Chu very much wants to be on good terms with Qi. Why not have the King of Qi tell the King of Chu: 'Drive out Ji Se and ruin him for me.' If Chu agrees, then Qi and Chu are united and Ji Se is finished. If the King of Chu refuses, it proves he has a secret understanding with Han."

Notes

1context

Another scheme structured as a diagnostic test: the demand forces Chu to reveal its true loyalties. Either Chu sacrifices Ji Se (proving its commitment to Qi) or protects him (proving it has a secret Han agenda). Gongshu wins either way — either his rival is destroyed, or Chu's double-dealing is exposed.

公叔將殺幾瑟

Gongshu Prepares to Kill Ji Se

公叔將殺幾瑟也。謂公叔曰：「太子之重公也，畏幾瑟也。今幾瑟死，太子無患，必輕公。韓大夫見王勞，冀太子之用事也，固欲事之。太子外無幾瑟之患，而內收諸大夫以自輔也，公必輕矣。不如無殺幾瑟，以恐太子，太子必終身重公矣。」

Gongshu prepares to kill Ji Se. Someone tells Gongshu: "The Crown Prince values you because he fears Ji Se. If Ji Se dies, the Crown Prince will have nothing to worry about and will certainly take you lightly.

"Han's grandees see that the king is weary and expect the Crown Prince to take power soon — they are eager to serve him. If the Crown Prince has no external threat from Ji Se and can rally the grandees to support him internally, your importance will certainly decline.

"Better not to kill Ji Se. Use his continued existence to keep the Crown Prince afraid. The Crown Prince will value you for life."

Notes

1context

This is cold-blooded but astute power politics. The advisor understands that Gongshu's influence depends on being needed, and he is needed only as long as Ji Se remains a threat. Kill the threat and you kill your own relevance. The logic applies to any protector-client relationship: the protector's worst move is to succeed completely.

公叔且殺幾瑟

Gongshu Is About to Kill Ji Se

公叔且殺幾瑟也，宋赫為謂公叔曰：「幾瑟之能為亂也，內得父兄，而外得秦、楚也。今公殺之，太子無患，必輕公。韓大夫知王之老而太子定，必陰事之。秦、楚若無韓，必陰事伯嬰。伯嬰亦幾瑟也。公不如勿殺。伯嬰恐，必保於公。韓大夫不能必其不入也，必不敢輔伯嬰以為亂。秦、楚挾幾瑟以塞伯嬰，伯嬰外無秦、楚之權，內無父兄之眾，必不能為亂矣。此便於公。」

Gongshu is about to kill Ji Se. Song He tells Gongshu: "Ji Se's ability to cause trouble comes from having his father's kinsmen inside Han and Qin and Chu's support outside.

If you kill him, the Crown Prince will have no worries and will certainly take you lightly. Han's grandees, knowing the king is old and the Crown Prince's position is secure, will secretly begin serving the Crown Prince.

If Qin and Chu have no one in Han, they will secretly cultivate Bo Ying. Bo Ying is another Ji Se.

Better not to kill Ji Se. Bo Ying, frightened, will seek your protection. Han's grandees, unable to be sure Ji Se won't return, will not dare support Bo Ying in rebellion. Qin and Chu, holding Ji Se as a card, will block Bo Ying. With no foreign backing and no domestic following, Bo Ying will be unable to cause trouble. This is the arrangement most convenient for you."

Notes

1context

Song He's argument refines the previous section's logic by adding a new wrinkle: killing Ji Se does not eliminate the threat, it merely transfers it to Bo Ying (伯嬰), another princely rival. Worse, it frees up Qin and Chu to cultivate Bo Ying as their new proxy. The optimal solution is to keep Ji Se alive as a controlled threat that neutralizes both Bo Ying and the foreign powers simultaneously. It is balance-of-threat management — using one danger to contain another.

謂新城君曰

Someone Addresses the Lord of Xincheng

謂新城君曰：「公叔、伯嬰恐秦、楚之內幾瑟也，公何不為韓求質子於楚？楚王聽而入質子於韓，則公叔、伯嬰必知秦、楚之不以幾瑟為事也，必以韓合於秦、楚矣。秦、楚挾韓以窘魏，魏失不敢東，是齊孤也。公又令秦求質子於楚，楚不聽，則怨結於韓。韓挾齊、魏以眄楚，楚必重公矣。公挾秦、楚之重，以積德於韓，則公叔、伯嬰必以國事公矣。」

Someone says to the Lord of Xincheng: "Gongshu and Bo Ying fear that Qin and Chu will bring Ji Se back. Why not request a hostage prince from Chu on Han's behalf?

If the King of Chu agrees and sends a hostage to Han, then Gongshu and Bo Ying will know that Qin and Chu are not pursuing Ji Se's cause, and they will align Han with Qin and Chu. Qin and Chu, backed by Han, will pressure Wei. Wei, losing ground, will not dare look east — and Qi will be isolated.

Alternatively, have Qin demand a hostage from Chu. If Chu refuses, the resentment falls on Han. Han then leverages Qi and Wei to glare at Chu — and Chu will value you more.

Holding the weight of both Qin and Chu, accumulating credit with Han, Gongshu and Bo Ying will entrust the state to you."

Notes

1context

The scheme has a characteristic Zhanguoce elegance: the hostage request is not really about the hostage. It is a signaling device. If Chu sends one, it proves Chu has abandoned Ji Se. If Chu refuses, it creates useful friction. Either outcome advances the Lord of Xincheng's position. The secondary effects — isolating Qi, pressuring Wei — are presented as happy side benefits.

胡衍之出幾瑟於楚

Hu Yan Arranges Ji Se's Departure to Chu

胡衍之出幾瑟於楚也，教公仲謂魏王曰：「太子在楚，韓不敢離楚也。公何不試奉公子咎，而為之請太子。因令人謂楚王曰：『韓立公子咎而棄幾瑟，是王抱虛質也。王不如亟歸幾瑟。幾瑟入，必以韓權報讎於魏，而德王矣。』」

When Hu Yan arranges Ji Se's departure to Chu, he teaches Gongzhong to tell the King of Wei: "The Crown Prince is in Chu. Han does not dare break with Chu.

"Why not try supporting Prince Jiu and petition for the Crown Prince's return? Then have someone tell the King of Chu: 'Han has installed Prince Jiu and abandoned Ji Se — meaning Your Majesty is holding a worthless hostage. You had better return Ji Se quickly. Once Ji Se enters Han, he will use Han's power to take revenge on Wei and will be grateful to Your Majesty.'"

Notes

1context

Hu Yan's scheme sets up a three-way manipulation: threaten Wei by proposing to install a different prince, then use that threat to convince Chu that its current hostage (Ji Se) is depreciating in value, prompting Chu to send Ji Se back before he becomes worthless. The plan weaponizes Chu's sunk-cost anxiety.

幾瑟亡之楚

Ji Se Flees to Chu

幾瑟亡之楚，楚將收秦而復之。謂羋戎曰：「廢公叔而相幾瑟者楚也，今幾瑟亡之楚，楚又收秦而復之，幾瑟入鄭之日，韓，楚之縣邑。公不如令秦王賀伯嬰之立也。韓絕於楚，其事秦必疾，秦挾韓親魏，齊、楚後至者先亡。此王業也。」

Ji Se flees to Chu. Chu prepares to enlist Qin's support and restore him to the throne.

Someone tells Mi Rong: "It was Chu that deposed Gongshu and made Ji Se chancellor. Now Ji Se has fled to Chu, and Chu plans to bring Qin in and restore him. The day Ji Se enters Zheng, Han becomes a mere dependency of Chu.

"You would do better to have the King of Qin congratulate Bo Ying on his succession. Han, cut off from Chu, will serve Qin eagerly. Qin, backed by Han and allied with Wei — Qi and Chu will compete to submit, and the last to do so will be the first to perish. This is the path to empire."

Notes

1context

The advisor's pitch to Mi Rong (a Qin-aligned Chu noble) is to block Chu's own plan by having Qin preemptively recognize the rival claimant. The phrase 'the last to submit will be the first to perish' (後至者先亡) is a formula for great-power competition that would resonate through Chinese strategic thought.

冷向謂韓咎

Leng Xiang Addresses Han Jiu

冷向謂韓咎曰：「幾瑟亡在楚，楚王欲復之甚，令楚兵十餘萬在方城之外。臣請令楚築萬家之都於雍氏之旁，韓必起兵以禁之，公必將矣。公因以楚、韓之兵奉幾瑟而內之鄭，幾瑟得入而得公，必以韓、楚奉公矣。」

Leng Xiang says to Han Jiu: "Ji Se is in exile in Chu, and the King of Chu very much wants to restore him. He has over a hundred thousand Chu troops stationed beyond Fangcheng.

"Allow me to arrange for Chu to build a city of ten thousand households near Yongshi. Han will certainly raise troops to prevent it, and you will surely be appointed commander. You then use the combined forces of Chu and Han to escort Ji Se back into Zheng. Ji Se, having gained entry through your help, will use Han and Chu's power to reward you."

Notes

1context

Leng Xiang's plan is a provocation scheme: build a Chu city near a Han fortress to force a military response, then redirect the mobilized forces toward a succession coup. Han Jiu gets to play kingmaker, and Ji Se gets to be king. The scheme depends on nobody noticing that the 'defensive' mobilization has been quietly converted into an offensive one.

楚令景鯉入韓

Chu Orders Jing Li to Enter Han

楚令景鯉入韓，韓且內伯嬰於秦，景鯉患之。冷向謂伯嬰曰：「太子入秦，秦必留太子而合楚，以復幾瑟也，是太子反棄之。」

Chu orders Jing Li to enter Han. Han is about to send Bo Ying to Qin as a hostage. Jing Li is worried.

Leng Xiang tells Bo Ying: "If the Crown Prince enters Qin, Qin will certainly detain you and ally with Chu to restore Ji Se. That means the Crown Prince himself will be abandoned."

Notes

1context

Leng Xiang is trying to dissuade Bo Ying from going to Qin by pointing out the trap: once Qin has Bo Ying as a hostage, Qin can use him as a bargaining chip with Chu — potentially sacrificing Bo Ying to restore Ji Se. Going to Qin voluntarily would be walking into a cage.

韓咎立為君而未定

Han Jiu Is Installed as Ruler but Not Yet Secure

韓咎立為君而未定也，其弟在周，周欲以車百乘而送之，恐韓咎入韓之不立也。綦母恢曰：「不如以百金從之，韓咎立，因也以為戒；不立，則曰來效賊也。」

Han Jiu has been installed as ruler but is not yet secure. His younger brother is in Zhou. Zhou wants to escort him back with a hundred chariots but fears that even with their support, he may not be established.

Qimu Hui says: "Better to send only a hundred pieces of gold along with him. If Han Jiu is established, we claim credit for supporting him. If he is not, we say we were merely surrendering a troublemaker."

Notes

1context

Qimu Hui's advice is a hedge bet: keep the investment small enough to disavow. A hundred chariots is a conspicuous military commitment that cannot be walked back. A hundred gold pieces is ambiguous — support or severance pay, depending on how things turn out. Zhou, as a tiny state navigating between great powers, cannot afford to be caught backing the wrong horse.

史疾為韓使楚

Shi Ji Serves as Han's Envoy to Chu

史疾為韓使楚，楚王問曰：「客何方所循？」曰：「治列子圉寇之言。」曰：「何貴？」曰：「貴正。」王曰：「正亦可為國乎？」曰：「可。」王曰：「楚國多盜，正可以圉盜乎？」曰：「可。」曰：「以正圉盜，奈何？」頃間有鵲止於屋上者，曰：「請問楚人謂此鳥何？」王曰：「謂之鵲。」曰：「謂之烏，可乎？」曰：「不可。」曰：「今王之國有柱國、令尹、司馬、典令，其任官置吏，必曰廉潔勝任。今盜賊公行，而弗能禁也，此烏不為烏，鵲不為鵲也。」

Shi Ji serves as Han's envoy to Chu. The King of Chu asks: "What school of thought does the guest follow?"

"I study the teachings of Liezi Yu Kou."

"What does it value?"

"It values correctness."

The king says: "Can correctness govern a state?"

"It can."

"Chu has many bandits. Can correctness prevent banditry?"

"It can."

"How does one use correctness to prevent banditry?"

Just then a magpie alights on the roof. Shi Ji says: "May I ask — what do the people of Chu call that bird?"

The king says: "They call it a magpie."

"Could one call it a crow?"

"No."

"Now, Your Majesty's state has a Pillar of the State, a Chief Minister, a Minister of War, and a Director of Orders. When appointing officials and installing administrators, you always say they must be incorruptible and competent. Yet bandits operate openly and cannot be stopped. This is like calling a crow 'not a crow' and a magpie 'not a magpie.'"

Notes

1person列子圉寇Lièzǐ Yùkòu

Liezi Yu Kou (列子圉寇, better known as Liezi 列子) was a Daoist philosopher. Shi Ji's identification with his school sets up the magpie demonstration: 'correctness' (正) means calling things what they actually are.

2context

The magpie argument is a gem of applied philosophy. The King of Chu agrees that you cannot call a magpie a crow. Shi Ji's point: then you also cannot call your officials 'incorruptible and competent' when bandits run free under their noses. Correctness means not lying about what things are — including the performance of your own government. It is a diplomatic insult delivered as a Socratic dialogue.

韓傀相韓

Han Gui Serves as Chancellor of Han

韓傀相韓，嚴遂重於君，二人相害也。嚴遂政議直指，舉韓傀之過。韓傀以之叱之於朝。嚴遂拔劍趨之，以救解。於是嚴遂懼誅，亡去，游求人可以報韓傀者。

至齊，齊人或言：「軹深井里聶政，勇敢士也，避仇隱於屠者之間。」嚴遂陰交於聶政，以意厚之。聶政問曰：「子欲安用我乎？」嚴遂曰：「吾得為役之日淺，事今薄，奚敢有請？」於是嚴遂乃具酒，觴聶政母前。仲子奉黃金百鎰，前為聶政母壽。聶政驚，愈怪其厚，固謝嚴仲子。仲子固進，而聶政謝曰：「臣有老母，家貧，客游以為狗屠，可旦夕得甘脆以養親。親供養備，義不敢當仲子之賜。」嚴仲子辟人，因為聶政語曰：「臣有讎，而行游諸侯眾矣，然至齊，聞足下義甚高。故進百金者，特以為夫人粗糲之費，以交足下之歡，豈敢有求邪？」聶政曰：「臣所以降志辱身，居市井者，徒幸而養老母。老母在，政身未敢以許人也。」嚴仲子固讓，聶政竟不肯受。然仲子卒備賓主之禮而去。

久之，聶政母死，既葬，除服。聶政曰：「嗟乎！政乃市井之人，鼓刀以屠，而嚴仲子乃諸侯之卿相也，不遠千里，枉車騎而交臣，臣之所以待之至淺鮮矣，未有大功可以稱者，而嚴仲子舉百金為親壽，我雖不受，然是深知政也。夫賢者以感忿睚眥之意，而親信窮僻之人，而政獨安可嘿然而止乎？且前日要政，政徒以老母。老母今以天年終，政將為知己者用。」

韓適有東孟之會，韓王及相皆在焉，持兵戟而衛者甚眾。聶政直入，上階刺韓傀。韓傀走而抱哀侯，聶政刺之，兼中哀侯，左右大亂。聶政大呼，所殺者數十人。因自皮面抉眼，自屠出腸，遂以死。韓取聶政尸於市，縣購之千金。久之莫知誰子。

政姊聞之，曰：「弟至賢，不可愛妾之軀，滅吾弟之名，非弟意也。」乃之韓。視之曰：「勇哉！氣矜之隆，是其軼賁、育而高成荊矣。今死而無名，父母既歿矣，兄弟無有，此為我故也。夫愛身不揚弟之名，吾不忍也。」乃抱尸而哭之曰：「此吾弟，軹深井里聶政也。」亦自殺於尸下。

晉、楚、齊、衛聞之曰：「非獨政之能，乃其姊者，亦烈女也。」聶政之所以名施於後世者，其姊不避菹醢之誅，以揚其名也。

Han Gui serves as chancellor of Han. Yan Sui is also influential with the ruler, and the two men are at odds. Yan Sui speaks bluntly in policy debates and openly accuses Han Gui of faults. Han Gui berates him at court. Yan Sui draws his sword and rushes at Han Gui; others intervene and separate them.

Yan Sui, fearing execution, flees. He travels from state to state seeking someone who can take revenge on Han Gui for him.

In Qi, someone tells him: "Nie Zheng of Deep Well Lane in Zhi is a brave man hiding among butchers to avoid an enemy." Yan Sui secretly befriends Nie Zheng and treats him generously.

Nie Zheng asks: "What do you want to use me for?"

Yan Sui says: "I have known you only a short time and have done little for you — how would I dare ask anything?"

Yan Sui then prepares a feast and toasts Nie Zheng's mother. He offers a hundred yi of gold as a birthday gift for her. Nie Zheng is startled, finds such generosity suspicious, and firmly declines.

Yan Sui presses the offer. Nie Zheng says: "I have an old mother. Our family is poor. I wander as a guest and work as a dog butcher so that I can provide delicacies for my parent morning and evening. While my parent's needs are met, I would not dare accept your gift in good conscience."

Yan Sui dismisses the attendants and tells Nie Zheng privately: "I have an enemy. I have traveled through many states, but when I reached Qi, I heard that your sense of honor is very high. The hundred gold pieces were simply to cover your mother's basic expenses and to win your friendship — how would I dare ask for anything?"

Nie Zheng says: "The reason I have lowered my ambitions and degraded myself to live in the marketplace is solely to care for my old mother. While my mother lives, I dare not pledge my life to anyone."

Yan Sui continues to insist. Nie Zheng refuses to the end. But Yan Sui completes the full formalities of host and guest before departing.

After a long time, Nie Zheng's mother dies. When the funeral is over and the mourning period ends, Nie Zheng says: "Alas! I am a man of the marketplace who plies a butcher's knife. Yet Yan Zhongzi is a minister of feudal lords who came a thousand li, lowered himself to befriend me. I treated him with the barest courtesy, performed no great service worth mentioning — yet he offered a hundred gold for my mother's birthday. Though I did not accept, he truly understood me.

"A worthy man, moved by bitter indignation over a petty grudge, placed his trust in a poor and obscure man. How can I alone remain silent and do nothing? Before, when he sought me, I held back only because of my mother. Now my mother has ended her years in the natural course. I will give myself to the one who understood me."

Han happens to be holding the Eastern Meng assembly. The King of Han and the chancellor are both present, surrounded by many armed guards.

Nie Zheng walks straight in, ascends the steps, and stabs Han Gui. Han Gui runs and seizes Duke Ai in his arms. Nie Zheng stabs again, striking both Han Gui and Duke Ai. The guards erupt in chaos. Nie Zheng gives a great shout and kills dozens of men. He then flays his own face, gouges out his eyes, and disembowels himself. He dies.

The Han authorities display Nie Zheng's body in the marketplace and offer a thousand gold for anyone who can identify him. For a long time, no one knows whose son he is.

Nie Zheng's elder sister hears of it and says: "My brother's courage was supreme. I cannot love my own life and extinguish my brother's name — that is not what he would have wanted." She goes to Han.

Seeing the body, she says: "How brave! His spirit and valor surpass Meng Ben and Yu, and tower above Cheng Jing. Now he dies without a name. Our parents are dead, we have no brothers — he did this for my sake. To love my own life and not proclaim my brother's name — I cannot bear it."

She embraces the body and weeps: "This is my brother — Nie Zheng of Deep Well Lane in Zhi!" Then she kills herself beside the body.

When Jin, Chu, Qi, and Wei hear of it, they say: "Not only was Nie Zheng remarkable — his sister, too, was a woman of fierce devotion." The reason Nie Zheng's name has been transmitted to later generations is that his sister did not shrink from the punishment of being made into mincemeat, in order to proclaim his name.

Notes

1person聶政Niè Zhèng

Nie Zheng (聶政) is one of the most famous assassins in Chinese history. His story appears in both the Zhanguoce and Sima Qian's Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian), in the 'Biographies of Assassin-Retainers' (刺客列傳). The Zhanguoce version is more concise but no less powerful.

2person嚴遂Yán Suì

Yan Sui (嚴遂), also called Yan Zhongzi (嚴仲子), was a Han nobleman who recruited Nie Zheng for the assassination. His patient courtship of Nie Zheng — the feast for the mother, the gold offering, the private disclosure of his enemy — is a textbook example of how patron-client bonds were forged in the Warring States.

3person韓傀Hán Guī

Han Gui (韓傀), also known as Xia Lei (俠累), was the chancellor whom Nie Zheng assassinated. Duke Ai (哀侯) of Han was apparently killed as collateral damage when Han Gui grabbed him as a human shield — an ignominious end for both men.

4context

The story operates on the ancient Chinese concept of 知己 (zhiji, 'one who knows me') — the idea that a person of honor must repay with their life anyone who truly recognizes their worth. Nie Zheng's self-mutilation after the assassination is not madness but strategy: by destroying his face, he prevents the authorities from identifying him, which would endanger his sister. His sister's decision to identify him anyway — knowing it means her own death — transforms the story from a tale of political violence into a meditation on the competing claims of honor, kinship, and self-sacrifice.

5context

The final note about 菹醢 (zūhǎi, 'being made into mincemeat/pickle') refers to the practice of ritually dismembering and preserving the bodies of executed criminals. The sister faces this fate by publicly identifying herself as the assassin's kin. The narrator's observation that Nie Zheng's posthumous fame depends on her sacrifice is precise: without her, the assassination would have been an anonymous act of violence. She converts it into a named legend.

6place軹深井里Zhǐ Shēnjǐng Lǐ

Zhi (軹) was a town in what is now Jiyuan, Henan. Deep Well Lane (深井里) was a neighborhood within it — a level of geographic specificity unusual for the Zhanguoce and suggesting this story was well-established in oral tradition.

Edition & Source

Text: 《戰國策》 Zhanguoce
Edition: 中華古詩文古書籍網 transcription
Commentary: 鮑彪 (Bao Biao) Song dynasty commentary