Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Zhou Book 5 Scroll 5 (continued)
The 45th year of King Nan(270 B.C. continued)
Marquis Rang of Qin recommended Zao, an immigrant who had risen to the position of minister in Qin, to the king of Qin. In response, the king of Qin instructed Zao to lead a raid on the kingdom of Qi. Under Zao’s leadership, Qin successfully annexed the towns of Gang and Shou, thereby expanding the fiefdom of Marquis Rang in the towns of Tao.
Earlier this year, Fan Ju traveled to the kingdom of Qi as the attendant of high official Xu Jia, who was an envoy from the kingdom of Wei. King Xiang of Qi, impressed by Fan Ju‘s reputation for talent in speech and debate, personally gifted him with gold, cattle, and wine. However, suspicions arose when Xu Jia believed that Fan Ju had potentially shared state secrets with the kingdom of Qi. Upon their return, Xu Jia disclosed Fan Ju‘s gifts to Wei Qi, the prime minister of Wei.
In a fit of rage, Wei Qi severely beat Fan Ju, breaking his ribs and teeth. To escape further punishment, Fan Ju pretended to be dead. He was then wrapped in a bamboo mat and placed in an outhouse. Taking it to an extreme, Wei Qi allowed his intoxicated guests to urinate on Fan‘s body, intending to set an example for those who dared to communicate with foreign leaders.
Seizing an opportunity, Fan Ju pleaded with a guard, promising a significant payback if he were released. The guard, in turn, persuaded Wei Qi to dispose of the supposedly lifeless body. Wei Qi, in a drunken state, approved, and Fan Ju managed to escape. Upon awakening, Wei Qi regretted his decision and sought to capture Fan Ju once again.
Learning of the impending danger, Zheng Anping from the kingdom of Wei assisted Fan Ju in going into hiding. Fan Ju adopted the alias Zhang Lu and kept a low profile to avoid further persecution.
Wang Ji, a court usher of Qin, visited the kingdom of Wei as an envoy. During his visit, Fan Ju approached him at night. Wang Ji concealed Fan Ju in his wagon and smuggled him back to the kingdom of Qin. Recognizing Fan Ju‘s talents, Wang Ji recommended him to the king of Qin.
In response, the king of Qin decided to meet Fan Ju at a vacation palace. Fan Ju, in a clever ruse, pretended to enter the palace alley accidentally. When the king arrived, palace eunuchs tried to expel the intruder. Fan Ju boldly proclaimed, “There is no king in Qin. There is only the Queen and Marquis Rang!” Hearing the commotion, the king ordered his attendants to stand down and met Fan Ju privately.
Sitting on his heels in front of Fan Ju, the king earnestly pleaded, “Professor, please give me some advice.” Fan Ju answered, “Yes, Yes, Your Grace.”, and the king repeated his request three times, receiving the same affirmative response each time. Puzzled, the king asked, “Professor, you don’t want to teach me, do you?” Fan Ju explained, “How dare I not! I am a man on the run. I don’t know your grace well. What I want to speak about concerns rectifying state affairs and may involve your grace’s close family members. I want to show my blind loyalty, but I did not know your grace’s intent. That is why I dare not reply when you asked three times. Today, I speak out, and death punishment will follow, yet I dare not evade. A man will die anyway. If my death benefits the kingdom of Qin even a little, that would be my great bequest. My only concern is that people may be silent and hesitant after my death. No one may be willing to come to the kingdom of Qin.”
Still sitting on his heels, the king reassured Fan Ju, “What are you talking about! I met the professor today because I am dim-witted, and heaven has granted the professor to protect the temple of my ancestors. Please teach me, no matter how significant or trivial the matters are. Extend your guidance as high as the queen dowager, and as low as my subordinates. Please hold nothing back, and do not question my sincerity.”
Fan Ju bowed down to the king, and the king reciprocated with a bow. Fan Ju began his discourse: “With a large state and as many militant soldiers as the kingdom of Qin has, dealing with other kingdoms would be like driving pitbulls into crippled rabbits. However, the kingdom of Qin has shut down the Hangu Pass and avoided sending soldiers to the east of the Xiao Mountains for the last fifteen years. This is due to Marquis Rang‘s failure to devise strategies beneficial to the kingdom and also a miscalculation on your grace’s part.”
Intrigued, the king sat down on his heels again, expressing a desire to learn about his miscalculation. Aware of the attendants listening in the shadows, Fan Ju chose to address external affairs first before delving into internal matters. He pointed out, “Marquis Rang‘s decision to bypass the kingdoms of Han and Wei and attack the regions of Gang and Shou in the kingdom of Qi proved to be a detrimental strategy. This move mirrored the past actions of King Min of Qi, who, despite winning battles and claiming vast territories, ultimately gained no lasting benefits. The geographical constraints prevented effective occupation, leading to protracted warfare. As Qi struggled, other neighboring kingdoms took advantage, nearly destroying it.”
Fan Ju advocated for a more prudent approach, suggesting that the kingdom of Qin focus on capturing neighboring states while fostering alliances with those more distant. Fan Ju elucidated: “Through this strategy, acquiring an inch of land translates into an additional inch for your grace, and seizing a foot of land results in another foot for your grace. Currently, the kingdoms of Han and Wei hold a pivotal position within the realm, serving as the axis of the world. If your grace aspires to achieve hegemony, it is imperative to gain control over this axis. The kingdom of Qin, through its military prowess, exerts dominance over the kingdoms of Chu and Zhao. In our tactical approach, we align ourselves with the kingdom of Zhao when Chu is stronger, and vice versa. When both Chu and Zhao align with us, the kingdom of Qi becomes intimidated. Aligning with the kingdom of Qi, on the other hand, facilitates the capture of the kingdoms of Han and Wei.”
The King of Qin commended Fan Ju’s insights, lauding it as an excellent discourse. Acknowledging his strategic acumen, the king honored Fan Ju by appointing him as a visiting minister, assigning him the responsibility of providing counsel on all matters pertaining to warfare.
Reflection by Rio Grande 