Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Zhou Book 3 Scroll 3 (continued)
The 9th year of King Nan (306 B.C.)
King Zhao of Qin dispatched Xiang Shou to pacify the uprising in the city of Yiyang. Simultaneously, he tasked Chuli Zi and Gan Mao with a mission to conduct a raid on the kingdom of Wei(Liang). Amidst these events, Gao Mao petitioned the King of Qin to return the city of Wusui to the kingdom of Han. Despite objections from Xiang Shou and Gongsun Shi, their dissent held little sway. They harbored resentment towards Gan Mao and openly criticized him. Gan Mao, overburdened by fear, fled from the battlefield during the conflict in the Wei kingdom’s city of Puban. This prompted Chuli Zi to initiate negotiations for a ceasefire with the Kingdom of Wei, leading to the withdrawal of Qin‘s troops. Subsequently, Gan Mao sought refuge in the kingdom of Qi.
The King of Zhao ventured into the territory of the state of Zhongshan, advancing as far as Ningxia. His forces invaded the western lands inhabited by nomads, penetrating as westward as Yuzhong. A nomadic tribe known as Linhu displayed submission by offering horses to the King of Zhao. Subsequently, the King returned to his homeland and dispatched envoys to various kingdoms, seeking support for his actions against both the state of Zhongshan and the nomadic tribes. Lou Huan was sent to the Kingdom of Qin, Qiu Ye to the Kingdom of Han, Wang Ben to the Kingdom of Chu, Fu Ding to the Kingdom of Wei, and Zhao Jue to the Kingdom of Qi. Additionally, he appointed Zhao Gu, the prime minister of the Dai, to oversee the acquired territory from the nomads, initiating the recruitment of local inhabitants into the army.
The King of Chu forged a vertical alliance with the kingdoms of Qi and Han.
The 10th year of King Nan (305 B.C.)
A comet appeared in the sky.
Meanwhile, the King of Zhao persisted in his campaign against the state of Zhongshan, successfully conquering the towns of Danqiu, Shuangyang, and Hongzhisai, and subsequently capturing the towns of Hao, Shiyi, Fenglong, and Donghuan. Pressured by these conquests, the state of Zhongshan relented, ceding an additional four towns in exchange for peace.
Queen Dowager Xuan of Qin possessed half-siblings from both her mother’s and father’s sides. Wei Ran, from her mother’s lineage and the Marquis Rang, stood out among them. On her father’s side, her half-siblings included Mi Rong, the Lord of Huayang. She is the mother of the king’s two half-brothers, the Lord of Gaoling and the Lord of Jingyang. Wei Ran held significant prominence among these relatives. He had served as a high-ranking official during the reigns of King Hui and King Wu of Qin.
Upon King Wu’s demise, a struggle for succession ensued among his brothers. In this power struggle, Wei Ran wielded influence by facilitating the ascension of King Zhao to the throne. With King Zhao’s inauguration, Wei Ran was elevated to the position of general overseeing the armed forces that guarded the capital city, Xianyang.
During this time, Prince Zhuang, holding a significant position as a high ranking officer, conspired with other princes and their ministers, resulting in a riot. Wei Ran, acting decisively, ordered the execution of those involved in the conspiracy. This plot also entangled Queen Huiwen, leading to her tragic demise. Queen Daowu faced exile to the kingdom of Wei. Any of King Zhao’s other brothers who didn’t maintain amicable relations with the king met a similar fate, losing their lives.
As King Zhao was still young, his mother, Queen Dowager Xuan, assumed control. She entrusted Wei Ran with substantial power, effectively granting him complete authority. Their dominance and influence within the kingdom of Qin became a source of fear among the populace.
The 11th year of King Nan (304 B.C.)
The Kings of Qin and Chu convened for a conference in the city of Huangji, solidifying a coalition between their kingdoms. The city of Shangyong, previously captured by the kingdom of Qin, was returned to the kingdom of Chu.
The 12th year of King Nan (303 B.C.)
A comet appeared in the sky.
In a series of military campaigns, the kingdom of Qin seized control of several cities: Puban, Jinyang, and Fengling from the kingdom of Wei, and the town of Wusui from the kingdom of Han.
The kingdoms of Qi, Han, and Wei united their forces to launch an attack on the kingdom of Chu. This action was prompted by the King of Chu‘s breach of the vertical alliance, as he allied himself with the kingdom of Qin. In a bid for protection, the King of Chu sent his crown prince Heng as a hostage to the kingdom of Qin, seeking refuge under the protection of the King of Qin.
To aid the King of Chu, an official (Keqing) from Qin named Tong led troops to assist Chu. Facing the combined forces of Qin and Chu, the three allied kingdoms eventually withdrew their forces.
Meanwhile, Duke Ping of Lu passed away. His son Gu succeeded him, assuming the title of Duke Min of Lu.
The 13th year of King Nan (302 B.C.)
The King of Qin, the King of Wei, along with Crown Prince Ying of Han, convened at the city of Linjin for a meeting. Subsequent to the meeting, the Crown Prince of Han journeyed to the Qin capital before returning home. Additionally, the kingdom of Qin relinquished control of the captured city of Puban, returning it to the kingdom of Wei.
However, tensions escalated when Crown Prince Heng of Chu engaged in a conflict with a Qin magistrate due to personal reasons, resulting in the magistrate’s death at the hands of Prince Heng. Fearing repercussions, Prince Heng fled from the kingdom of Qin and returned to his homeland in Chu.
The 14th year of King Nan (301 B.C.)
A total solar eclipse occurred.
The kingdom of Qin initiated an invasion of the city of Rang in Han. Concurrently, Ning Yun from the state of Shu rebelled against Qin‘s rule. In response, Sima Cuo, a Qin official, took charge of troops to suppress the rebellion in Shu.
Meanwhile, Qin‘s Shuzhang(an official) Huan, assembled armies from the kingdoms of Han, Wei, and Qi to launch an attack on the kingdom of Chu. Their combined forces clashed with Chu‘s troops at the city of Zhongqiu, where they managed to defeat Chu‘s army and kill General Tang Mei. Subsequently, they successfully conquered the city of Zhongqiu.
The King of Zhao spearheaded a campaign against the state of Zhongshan. During this conflict, the Lord of Zhongshan fled and sought refuge in the kingdom of Qi.
King Xuan of Qi passed away. Following his death, his son Di ascended to the throne and was installed as King Min of Qi.
The 15th year of King Nan (300 B.C.)
Lord Jingyang of Qin was sent to the kingdom of Qi as a hostage, solidifying their alliance.
Meanwhile, Lord Huayang of Qin spearheaded a campaign against the kingdom of Chu. In a decisive victory, his troops crushed the Chu army, resulting in the beheading of thirty thousand soldiers. General Jingque, a prominent figure in the Chu army, was among those killed. Faced with this defeat, the King of Chu, filled with apprehension, sought to secure peace by sending his crown prince as a hostage to the kingdom of Qi.
Chu Liji, the prime minister of Qin, passed away. In his place, Lou Huan, originally from the kingdom of Zhao, was appointed as the new prime minister. In the kingdom of Zhao, King Wuling held great affection for his young son, Zhao He, and aimed to groom him as the potential successor to the throne, preparing him for future kingship.
Reflection by Rio Grande 
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