Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Zhou Book 5 Scroll 5 (continued)
The 51st year of King Nan(264 B.C.)
Lord Wu’an, i.e. Bai Qi, led a campaign against the kingdom of Han. They took nine cities and beheaded fifty thousand soldiers of Han.
Tian Dan became the prime minister of the kingdom of Zhao.
The 52nd year of King Nan(263 B.C.)
Lord Wu’an launched another attack on the kingdom of Han, capturing the city of Nanyang and securing control over the entire Road Taihang, effectively dividing the kingdom in two.
Meanwhile, King Qingxiang of Chu fell ill. Huang Xie, who was attending the crown prince of Chu held hostage in the kingdom of Qin, visited Marquis Ying of Qin with a proposition, “The King of Chu may be terminally ill, prompting consideration of strategic moves. It is advisable for the kingdom of Qin to release the crown prince back to Chu. By facilitating the installment of the crown prince as the next king, Chu would likely forge an alliance with Qin. Furthermore, this act would incur a substantial debt of gratitude towards you, the Prime Minister, from the crown prince. Such a move would not only unite the two kingdoms but also secure an alliance with a formidable state boasting ten thousand chariots. Conversely, retaining the crown prince in Xianyang renders him a mere commoner, devoid of his royal stature in Chu. In such a scenario, Chu would inevitably appoint another king, potentially souring relations with Qin. Disrupting a potentially beneficial alliance with a powerful state, without any tangible gain, is an imprudent course of action.”
Marquis Ying relayed his message to the King of Qin, who responded, “Let the crown prince’s teacher go back first; we will address the matter upon his return.”
Huang Xie conspired with the crown prince, cautioning, “The Kingdom of Qin detains you to leverage benefits from Chu. Presently, you lack the capacity to bring advantages to Qin. Contrastingly, Lord Yang’wen, the king’s brother, has two sons entrenched in the capital. In the event of the king’s demise and your absence, one of Lord Yang’wen’s sons would ascend to the throne, nullifying your claim to ancestral heritage. It is prudent for you to clandestinely depart Qin, accompanying the envoy back to Chu. I shall remain here to aid in negotiations with the King of Qin, even at the risk of my life.” Subsequently, the crown prince changed his attire and successfully traversed the checkpoints by assuming the role of a driver for the Chu ambassador, on their journey back to Chu.
Huang Xie resided in the crown prince’s quarters and frequently assumed sick leave on his behalf. He visited the King of Qin only when he was confident that the crown prince had safely departed Qin‘s jurisdiction. Huang Xie boldly declared to the king, “The Crown Prince of Chu has returned to his kingdom and is now beyond your reach. Please, grant me the death sentence for my deceit.” Enraged, the King of Qin was inclined to fulfill his request. However, Marquis Ying interceded, advocating for Huang Xie‘s clemency. He argued, “Huang Xie, as the crown prince’s attendant, displayed unwavering loyalty by offering his life for his lord. Should the crown prince ascend to kingship, Huang Xie would play a significant role. Pardoning him and facilitating his return to Chu would greatly enhance our relations with Chu.” The king heeded this counsel. In the following autumn, King Qingxiang of Chu passed away, three months after Huang Xie‘s return. The crown prince ascended the throne as King Kaolie of Chu and appointed Huang Xie as his prime minister. Additionally, Huang Xie was granted extensive lands north of the Huai River as a fief and bestowed the title of Lord Chun’shen.
The 53rd year of King Nan(262 B.C.)
The Kingdom of Chu ceded the city of Xiazhou to the Kingdom of Qin in pursuit of peace.
Lord Wu’an of Qin spearheaded a campaign against the Kingdom of Han, successfully capturing the city of Yewang. Consequently, the Shang’dang region, a prefecture of Han, found itself severed from the main kingdom as Qin‘s troops blocked the route to the capital, Zheng.
Governor Feng Ting of Shang’dang engaged in discussions with his constituents, recognizing the dire situation: “Our passage to Zheng has been obstructed, leaving us vulnerable to Qin‘s advances without aid from Han‘s army. It’s prudent to transfer control of Shang’dang to the Kingdom of Zhao. If Zhao accepts us, Qin will inevitably target them. In response, Zhao will seek an alliance with Han. With our forces combined, we can withstand Qin‘s aggression.” Unanimously, they decided to dispatch a messenger to the King of Zhao, conveying their plea: “Unable to defend Shang’dang, Han has surrendered it to Qin. The people of Shang’dang prefer to be under Zhao‘s rule rather than Qin‘s. We humbly request your Majesty’s acceptance of our submission, offering the seventeen cities and towns of Shang’dang.”
The King of Zhao sought counsel from Lord Ping’yang, named Bao. Bao responded, “A true leader avoids profiting from unjust gains.” The King of Zhao retorted, “Under my virtuous rule, my people thrive. Why do you suggest there is no merit?” Bao explained further, “Qin methodically annexed Han‘s territory, fragmenting it, waiting for Shang’dang to surrender. By redirecting the harm toward Zhao, Han spared itself. Qin bore the costs and bloodshed, yet Zhao reaps the rewards. Can a weaker state like Zhao snatch what even mighty Qin could not from the feeble? It appears as an undeserved fortune. It’s wiser to decline the offer of Shang’dang.”
The King then consulted Lord Ping’yuan, who advised acceptance. Consequently, the King dispatched Lord Ping’yuan to Shang’dang to formalize the acquisition. He bestowed three cities, each housing over ten thousand residents, to Governor Feng Ting, granting him the title Lord Hua’yang. Additionally, each county magistrate received three towns with more than a thousand residents. Pay scales were raised by three grades for officials and citizens alike.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Feng Ting declined to meet Lord Ping’yuan, stating, “I cannot bear to enrich myself by selling my lord’s land.”
Reflection by Rio Grande 
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