Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Zhou Book 5 Scroll 5 (continued)
The 50th year of King Nan(265 B.C.)
In the winter of that year, Queen Dowager Xuan of Qin passed away in October, and during the preceding autumn, Marquis Rang went into exile in his fief town of Tao in September.
Sima Guang’s comment: Marquis Rang played a crucial role in establishing King Zhao of Qin, shielding him from potential challenges. He advocated for Bai Qi as the general, leading campaigns to the south and successfully annexing the cities of Yan and Ying. Marquis Rang also expanded Qin‘s territory eastward, reaching the border of Qi. He compelled all the Lords to submit to Qin‘s authority. The significant rise in the power of the Qin kingdom was attributed to Marquis Rang‘s dedicated efforts. While he exhibited authoritarian, arrogant, and greedy traits that eventually led to his own troubles, his discretion was not as egregious as Fan Ju portrayed. Figures like Fan Ju, whose strategies did not solely prioritize the interests of the kingdom of Qin, coveted Marquis Rang‘s position and actively sought to undermine his power. They influenced the king of Qin to sever familial ties with his mother and uncles, to whom he was indebted. In essence, Fan Ju is a treacherous individual indeed!
The King of Qin designated Lord An‘guo as the crown prince.
The troops of Qin conducted a raid on the kingdom of Zhao, successfully capturing three cities. The recently installed king of Zhao was young, so the Queen Dowager of Zhao was in charge. The kingdom of Zhao sought assistance from Qi. In exchange for sending troops to aid Zhao, the kingdom of Qi requested Lord Chang’an, the king’s younger brother, as indemnity. Queen Dowager of Zhao firmly rejected this condition, leading to a standoff.
Despite Qi holding onto its troops, officials of Zhao implored Queen Dowager forcefully. In a defiant response, Queen Dowager made her stance clear: “Whoever speaks to me about making Lord Chang’an a hostage again, this old lady would spit on his face!” Despite the tension, Vice Chief Strategist Chu Long of Zhao expressed a desire to speak with Queen Dowager. The Queen Dowager granted him an audience, waiting with an unpleasant disposition.
Chu Long shuffled towards the Queen Dowager, apologizing for his slow pace, “I apologize, but these old feet of mine are not in the best condition, preventing me from moving quickly. Thus, I haven’t had the chance to see your majesty for quite some time. I hope you can pardon my physical limitations. Additionally, my concern for the well-being of your majesty has grown, and that’s why I humbly request the opportunity for a visit.”
“I’ve been relying on a hand-cart to get around.” The queen dowager sympathized.
“Is your majesty’s appetite still good?”
“I sustain myself on porridge.” Her hostility diminished somewhat.
“My humble son, Shuqi, is the youngest and seemingly without much promise. However, in my old age, I still hold great affection for him. I would like to enroll him in the waiting list of the black-jacket guards to ensure the protection of your majesty. I dare to request this despite the potential offense it may cause.”
“I grant your wish. How old is he?”
“He is fifteen. Although young, I wish to entrust him to your majesty before I am buried deep in earth.”
Queen Dowager, surprised by a man’s deep affection for his youngest son, pondered aloud, “Does a man also love his youngest son like that?” Chu Long asserted, “More so than a lady does,” prompting Queen Dowager to laugh and say, “Women love their sons so much more.”
“This old man observes that your majesty loves her princess, the Queen of Yan, more than Prince Chang’an.”
“You are mistaken. I love Lord Chang’an just as much, if not more.”
“Parents plan for the long-term well-being of their loved ones. When my lady sent off Queen of Yan, the old lady clung to her heels and sobbed. You were saddened because she went far away from home, and the longing persisted even after her departure. However, your prayers have consistently been along the lines of: ‘Please don’t make her come back!’ Is this because you envision her welfare in the long run, ensuring her sons and grandsons become the kings of Yan?”
“Yes, it is.” The Queen Dowager admitted.
“Tracing back three generations, are there any descendants of the king of Zhao who have inherited the title of Marquis from their father and still hold that title?”
The Queen Dowager replied, “There are none.” Chu Long went further, asking, “Not just counting the descendants of Zhao, are there any rulers who inherited marquis titles in other kingdoms?” Queen Dowager conceded, “This old lady is not aware of.”
Chu Long concluded, “Inheriting a marquis title brings short-term trouble to the individual and, in the long run, affects the welfare of their descendants. Why is inheriting a marquis title necessarily detrimental for a king’s son? Because they hold esteemed positions without contributing to the state, receive high compensation for little effort, and possess the state’s wealth. Today, my lady bestowed upon Lord Chang’an a royal title, fertile fief land, and state treasures, yet he has made no contributions to the state. When my lady passes away, what justification can Lord Chang’an offer for his position in the kingdom of Zhao? That’s why I believe my lady is primarily concerned about Lord Chang’an current well-being, suggesting that she loves the Queen of Yan more than her son.”
The Queen Dowager sighed and said, “Fine. You can do to him as you please.”
Queen Dowager reluctantly consented to send Lord Chang’an to the kingdom of Qi as a hostage, accompanied by a hundred chariots. In adherence to the agreement, the kingdom of Qi sent troops to aid Zhao, and as a result, the kingdom of Qin withdrew its forces.
Lord Anping of Qi, Tian Dan, assumed the role of a minister in Zhao. He orchestrated an invasion of the kingdom of Yan with the army of Zhao, successfully capturing the city of Zhongyang. Subsequently, he led another raid on the kingdom of Han, seizing the city of Zhuren.
In the kingdom of Qi, King Xiang passed away, and his son Jian was appointed as the new king. As Jian was underage, the state affairs were overseen by the Queen Dowager of Qi, who had previously eloped with King Xiang and held the title of Lord Queen Dowager.
Reflection by Rio Grande 