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  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 65): Ying Bu, The Convict

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Qin Book 3 Scroll 8 (continued)

    Ying Bu

    The 2nd year of the Second Emperor(208 B.C. continued)

    The left-wing colonel and right-wing colonel of the Qin army launched a counterattack and broke into Chen county. General Lü Chen fled with his Black-Head Army, seeking out his subordinates and reassembling his dispersed soldiers. They joined forces with a rebel group led by a bandit named Qing Bu from Fanyang county. Together, they turned around and confronted the Qin army, commanded by the left and right wing colonels. They routed the Qin forces at Qingbo Lake and successfully reoccupied Chen county.

    Qing Bu hailed from Lu county, though his actual surname was Ying. He had been labeled a criminal and punished with “Qing”—black branding on his face. According to the laws of Qin, he was sent to Lishan as a convict laborer, where the number of laborers amounted to several hundred thousand. Ying Bu befriended the leaders among the laborers and eventually fled with his followers to the Yangtze River basin, where he became the leader of outlaws.

    The magistrate of Poyang county, Wu Rui, was very popular with the people, even in the underworld, and was widely known as Lord Po. Ying Bu led his men to meet Lord Po, and his followers had grown into a force of several thousand. Lord Po married his daughter to Ying Bu and directed him to lead his forces in fighting the Qin army.

    King of Chu, Jing Ju, stayed in Liu county, where the Duke of Pei went to join him. Zhang Liang, who led a group of around a hundred youths, also responded to Jing Ju’s call. He encountered the Duke of Pei and decided to follow him. The Duke of Pei appointed Zhang Liang as his logistic officer. Zhang Liang discussed “The Art of Warfare” by Jiang Ziya (also known as Great-Grandpa Jiang) and offered his strategic advice. The Duke of Pei valued his teachings and often adopted his ideas, though other leaders typically didn’t understand Zhang Liang’s insights. Zhang Liang sighed, “The Duke of Pei is godsent,” and was determined to follow him from then on.

    They both met King Jing Ju and requested reinforcements to attack Feng county. At the time, a staff officer of General Zhang Han, whose name was Yi, led troops to suppress the insurgents in northern Chu, slaughtering the people of Xiang county before advancing to Dang county. Ning Jun of Dongyang and the Duke of Pei led their troops west of Xiao County, where a battle broke out, but they suffered a setback and withdrew to Liu County to regroup. In February, the Duke of Pei launched another attack on Dang county. After a three-day battle, they overcame the resistance and captured Dang county. The Duke of Pei took command of six thousand fighters from Dang county, adding to his original three thousand followers, bringing his force to nine thousand soldiers. In March, they attacked Xiayi county and seized it, then moved on to attack Feng county again but failed to break through.

    Zhao Ping, originally from Guangling county, attempted to seize Guangling for Chen Sheng but failed. When he learned that Chen Sheng was fleeing and Zhang Han was pursuing him, Zhao Ping crossed the Yangtze River and forged a decree in Chen Sheng‘s name, appointing Xiang Liang as the Chief Commander of Chu. The decree stated: “The battles east of the Yangtze River are over. Lead your troops westward to attack the Qin army immediately!” Xiang Liang then led eight thousand soldiers across the Yangtze River, heading west. Upon hearing that Chen Ying had already occupied Dongyang county, he sent an envoy to Chen Ying, urging him to join the western expedition.

    Chen Ying, a former staffer of the Dongyang county magistrate, lived in the county center and was known as a cautious and trustworthy elder. When the youths of Dongyang county rioted and killed the county’s magistrate, twenty thousand insurgents gathered and pushed Chen Ying forward to become king. However, Chen Ying‘s mother warned him against it: “Since I married into this family, I have never heard of your ancestors being highborn. It does not bode well to suddenly take on a lofty title. It would be better to be a follower than a leader. If the insurrection succeeds, you will be rewarded with a marquisate. If it fails, you can escape more easily because you are not so recognized by the world.” Taking his mother’s advice, Chen Ying refused to become king. He explained to his followers, “Xiang Liang‘s family has served as generals for the kingdom of Chu for generations and is well-known in Chu. To succeed in our uprising, we must have him as our commander. We can bring down the kingdom of Qin if we rely on this renowned clan.” Chen Ying‘s subordinates agreed, and they went under Xiang Liang‘s command.

    Ying Bu’s troops defeated the Qin army and moved eastward until they heard that Xiang Liang’s forces had crossed the Huai River and were marching westward. The armed forces of Ying Bu and General Pu then accepted Xiang Liang as their commander. With these new additions, Xiang Liang’s forces grew to between sixty and seventy thousand soldiers. They set up camp in the city of Xiapi. Meanwhile, the King of Chu, Jing Ju, and his top general, Qin Jia, camped their forces to the east of Pengcheng, appearing to challenge Xiang Liang‘s leadership.

    Addressing his soldiers, Xiang Liang declared: “King Chen Sheng was the first to rise against Qin. He suffered setbacks, and we do not know his current whereabouts. Qin Jia betrayed King Chen Sheng and installed Jing Ju as the King of Chu. That is an act of treachery!” With that, Xiang Liang led his troops to attack Qin Jia‘s camp. Qin Jia‘s forces were overwhelmed, and Xiang Liang‘s army pursued them to Huling. Qin Jia attempted a counter-attack, but after a full day of battle, he was killed, and his troops surrendered. Jing Ju fled but later died in the Kingdom of Wei.

    Xiang Liang merged his forces with those of Qin Jia and established their camps at Huling, planning to continue his westward campaign. A detachment under the command of General Zhang Han approached Li county, prompting Xiang Liang to order his lieutenants, Zhu Jishi and Yu Fanjun, to attack. The battle ended disastrously: Yu Fanjun was killed, and Zhu Jishi fled back to Huling, where their troops were defeated. In response, Xiang Liang led his forces to occupy Xuecheng and executed Zhu Jishi for his failure.

    The Duke of Pei, accompanied by about a hundred cavalry, came to meet Xiang Liang. Impressed by his commitment, Xiang Liang assigned five thousand soldiers and ten high-ranking military officers to support the Duke of Pei. The Duke of Pei led these reinforcements back to Feng County, launching another assault. This time, he successfully captured the city, forcing Yong Chi to flee to the Kingdom of Wei.

    Xiang Liang then ordered Xiang Ji (whose courtesy name was Xiang Yu) to capture Xiangcheng county. Despite fierce resistance, Xiang Yu‘s troops eventually broke through after a prolonged battle. In a brutal move, Xiang Yu commanded that all the city’s residents be buried alive. He reported his actions back to Xiang Liang.

    Xiang Liang finally confirmed that King Chen Sheng was dead. He summoned all his commanders to Xuecheng to strategize for the future, and the Duke of Pei also attended the meeting. Among the advisors was Fan Zeng, a seventy-year-old hermit from Juchao known for his original ideas. Fan Zeng offered his counsel to Xiang Liang:

    “King Chen Sheng‘s downfall was inevitable. Of the six kingdoms annexed by Qin, the Kingdom of Chu was the most innocent. Ever since King Huai of Chu was tricked into visiting Qin and never returned, the people of Chu have mourned for him and kept his memory alive. That is why an old man from southern Chu predicted: ‘The Kingdom of Qin will ultimately be destroyed by the people of Chu, even if only three families of Chu remain.’ Chen Sheng was the first to rise against Qin, but he made the mistake of declaring himself king instead of restoring a descendant of King Huai of Chu. That is why he quickly lost support. Now, you have risen from east of the Yangtze River, and all the warriors follow you and obey your commands. They do so because your family has produced top generals for Chu for generations. Only you can lead the restoration of the Chu royal lineage.”

    Xiang Liang applauded this advice. He sought out Xiong Xin, the grandson of King Huai of Chu, who had been living in obscurity and herding sheep. In June, Xiang Liang installed Xiong Xin as King Huai II of Chu to align with the people’s wish. He also granted Chen Ying the title of Generalissimo and the fiefdom of five counties. Chen Ying and the new King Huai II set up their headquarters in the capital city of Xuyi. Xiang Liang took the title of Lord Wuxin for himself.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 60): Conspiracy at Shaqiu Palace

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Qin Book 2 Scroll 7 (continued)

    Terracotta Warriors in Mausoleum of the First Emperor

    The 36th year of the First Emperor(211 B.C.)

    A meteor fell in Dongjun Commandery, and someone engraved on the meteor rock: “The First Emperor dies and his land is divided.” The First Emperor ordered his justice minister to launch an inquisition around the stone’s landing place, but no one confessed. In response, the First Emperor decreed the execution of all the people who lived in the neighborhood. The rock was then incinerated.

    In response to an augury, the First Emperor relocated thirty thousand households to the regions of Yuzhong to the North of Yellow River. Each head of the household was promoted by one rank.

    The 37th year of the First Emperor(210 B.C.)

    The First Emperor was traveling in October of the winter.  He was accompanied by the Chancellor Li Si.  Vice Chancellor Feng Quji stayed behind in the capital.  Among the twenty or so sons, the First Emperor favored the youngest son Huhai.  Huhai pleaded to travel with the Emperor and his wish was granted.

    The First Emperor arrived in Yunmeng county in November. There, he held a rite to worship Emperor Shun while looking towards Jiuyi Mountains. Then he sailed down the Yangtze River, sightseeing at the town of Jike, watching an islet in the river, passing through Danyang county, and finally reaching Qiantang county. The waves were high and treacherous at the Zhe River. They traveled two hundred and twenty li westward to cross the river at a narrow point.

    The First Emperor ascended Mount Kuaiji and held a ritual in honor of Emperor Yu the Great, looking towards the South Sea. The First Emperor installed another tablet with inscriptions praising his virtue. On the way home, the First Emperor passed through the State of Wu, crossed the Yangtze River at Jiangsheng County, and sailed north on the East Ocean, reaching Mount Langya and Mount Zhifu. There, they saw a huge fish in the sea, and the First Emperor shot the fish with a crossbow. They sailed west along the coast and reached a crossing called Pingyuanjin, where the First Emperor fell ill.

    The First Emperor hated the word “death,” and none of the ministers dared to mention the subject. As his illness worsened, he ordered his chief dispatcher of central command, Zhao Gao, who was in charge of the royal seal, to write a letter to his eldest son Fusu: “Come to my funeral, come to Xianyang for my entombment.” The letter was sealed and held by Zhao Gao, but had not been given to a messenger yet.

    In July of the autumn, the First Emperor died at the Palace of Shaqiu in the village of Pingtai. Chancellor Li Si, fearing possible power wrangling among the princes with the Emperor dying away from the capital, kept the news of his death a secret. The Emperor’s coffin was insulated in his wagon to keep the temperature low, and the same favorite eunuchs drove and escorted the wagon. Whenever they traveled to a new place, food and local officials were brought to the wagon as usual. The eunuchs processed the reports and dealt out decrees as before. Only Huhai, Zhao Gao, and five or six of the most trusted eunuchs knew of the Emperor’s death.

    The First Emperor was fond of the Meng clan and trusted them deeply. Meng Tian, the top general, was stationed on the frontier as the army commander, while Meng Yi served in the court as chief of staff, holding the title “The Faithful.” Other ministers and generals dared not challenge their dominance.

    Zhao Gao was castrated at birth. The First Emperor, hearing that Zhao Gao was a capable administrator and knowledgeable about criminal laws, appointed him as the court dispatcher and asked him to teach Huhai how to judge legal cases. Huhai developed a predilection for Zhao Gao. Once, Zhao Gao committed an offense that Meng Yi deemed punishable by death. However, the First Emperor pardoned Zhao Gao because of his administrative efficiency and reinstated him to his position. Zhao Gao, having Huhai’s favor, harbored ill feelings toward the Meng family.

    Zhao Gao advised Huhai to kill Prince Fusu and install himself as crown prince using a forged will of the First Emperor. Huhai approved the plot. Zhao Gao then told Huhai, “I am afraid this plot won’t work without the consent of the Chancellor.” He approached Chancellor Li Si, saying, “His Majesty had a letter for his eldest son. The letter and the royal seal are both in the possession of Huhai. Who the crown prince will be is a matter of what Your Excellency and I decide.”

    Li Si was startled and responded, “Why do you talk about a topic that could jeopardize the fate of this empire? It is not a subject that servants like you and me are supposed to discuss!” Zhao Gao reasoned with him, “In terms of capability, strategic thinking, military achievements, popularity, and trust from the eldest son of the emperor, how do you compare to Meng Tian?” Li Si conceded, “I am not as good as Meng Tian in all aspects.”

    Zhao Gao continued, “If the eldest son succeeded his father as emperor, he certainly would appoint Meng Tian as his Chancellor. It is obvious that Your Excellency would not retire to your hometown with the seal of Marquis Tong. Huhai is a kind and magnanimous person and a good successor to the emperor. I wish Your Excellency could think long and hard to make the decision.” Li Si yielded under pressure.

    They colluded to forge an edict from the First Emperor, designating Huhai as the crown prince. They also fabricated a letter from the First Emperor to Prince Fusu. The letter reprimanded Fusu for not expanding the frontier enough, yet causing significant attrition of soldiers. It listed several instances where Fusu wrote to his father, rudely criticizing the Emperor and constantly bickering about not being able to return home and become the crown prince. The letter accused General Meng Tian of not rectifying Fusu’s behavior and being a co-conspirator. It granted the death penalty to both Fusu and Meng Tian, ordering them to pass command of the army to Meng Tian’s lieutenant, General Wang Li.

    Fusu opened the letter and burst into sobs. He went into his bedroom, preparing to commit suicide. Meng Tian stopped him, saying, “His Majesty is away from home. The position of crown prince has not been designated. His Majesty entrusted me with commanding three hundred thousand troops on the frontier and appointed you as the supervisor. That is a tremendous responsibility to the country. Now a messenger arrives, and you are going to kill yourself! Do you know whether this is not trickery? Let’s submit a memorandum to the throne for verification first; then it won’t be too late to die.”

    The envoy pressed Prince Fusu several times. Fusu said to Meng Tian, “A father grants his son death; what else do we have to verify!” He then killed himself. Meng Tian refused to comply. The envoy handed him over to the local wardens and imprisoned him in the town of Yangzhou. The envoy appointed a minion of Li Si as the supervisor of the army and went back to report to Zhao Gao and Li Si.

    Huhai learned that Prince Fusu had died and intended to set Meng Tian free. Meng Yi happened to come to debrief the Emperor after performing sacrificial ceremonies for mountains and rivers on the First Emperor’s behalf. Zhao Gao spoke to Huhai, “The late emperor had long meant to pick the best and make you the crown prince, but Meng Yi advised against it. It would be better to get rid of Meng Yi.” Meng Yi was then incarcerated in Dai commandery.

    The cortege arrived at Jiuyuan Commandery from Jingjing County during the intense heat of mid-summer. The wagon began to emit a terrible stench. To cover up the smell, they forged another edict to obtain one picul of abalone for the emperor. Eventually, they got on the thoroughfare and reached Xianyang, where they announced the funeral and Huhai usurped the throne.

    In September, the First Emperor was sepulchered at the Lishan Mausoleum. Three layers of aquifers were blocked around the tomb. It was filled with treasures and rare stones transported from all over the country. Booby-trapped crossbows were installed to shoot any trespassers. Mercury was injected into the tomb to symbolize rivers and seas. The ceiling of the tomb was decorated with celestial bodies, while the base was laid with geographical models. The concubines who had not yet borne children were ordered to die with the emperor in the tomb. When someone reminded the authorities that the technicians who made the mechanisms knew the key to the treasure and could leak the secret, all the technicians were shut in the tomb when the burial was completed.

    The Second emperor wanted to execute Meng Tian and his brother. The son of his elder brother, Ziying, advised against it: “King Qian of Zhao killed General Li Mu and promoted Yan Ju; King Jian of Qi killed his father’s loyal servant and replaced him with Hou Sheng. Both lost their kingdoms in the end. The Meng family has contributed elite ministers and strategists to the kingdom of Qin for generations, yet Your Majesty would discard them at once. Executing loyal ministers and replacing them with someone lacking character would cause ministers to lose faith within the court and dishearten warriors outside the court.”

    The Second Emperor disregarded this advice. He ordered the execution of Meng Yi and pursued Meng Tian, who was the interior minister. Meng Tian said, “From my grandfather onward, the Meng family has served the kingdom of Qin for three generations. Though I am in jail today, my influence over the three hundred thousand soldiers under my command would be enough to incite a mutiny. I keep my faith knowing I will die for this, because I do not want to tarnish my ancestors’ reputation and I have not forgotten the trust of the late emperor.” He then committed suicide by taking poison.

    Yang Xiong commented in his book Exemplary Figures: “Someone asks, ‘Meng Tian was loyal and was killed, what is the benefit of being loyal?’ The answer is: ‘From Lintao county to Liao River, he flattened mountains and filled ravines. He did not make the empire more prosperous yet left many cadavers behind. Being loyal is not good enough to be a prime minister.’”

    Sima Guang‘s comments: When the First Emperor was ravaging the country, Meng Tian was his enabler. Meng Tian was not a benevolent and wise person. However, Meng Tian maintained his loyalty to his lord and would rather die than rebel despite being innocent. This act is commendable.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 58): A Tour of The Empire

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Qin Book 2 Scroll 7 (continued)

    South Gate to Heaven, Mount Tai

    The 27th year of the First Emperor(220 B.C.)

    The First Emperor toured the region of Longxi and Beidi commandery, reaching Mount Jitou and then back home passing the Huizhong Palace.

    Changxin Palace was built on the south bank of Wei River.  It was renamed as the Supreme Temple once it was finished construction.  A road was made from the Supreme Temple to the Lishan Mausoleum.  The Front Hall of the Ganquan Palace had been built.  A corridor was built leading it to Xianyang.  Expressways reserved for the emperor were built from Xianyang to the other parts of the country.

    The 28th year of the First Emperor(219 B.C.)

    The First Emperor toured the commanderies and counties of the east. He ascended Mount Yi in Zou county and erected a monument extolling his achievements. At the foot of Mount Tai, he summoned seventy Confucianists from the state of Lu to discuss a sacrificial ceremony for heaven(Feng) and earth(Shan). Some Confucianists suggested: “In the ancient way of ceremony, the wheels of wagons must be wrapped with sedge grass to avoid squashing the dirt, rocks, trees, and grass of the mountain. Sacrificing for the earth involves sweeping the ground, then covering it with mats made of straw and stalks.” Other Confucianists proposed different, equally impractical ideas. From that moment, the First Emperor despised the Confucianists, finding their advice difficult to implement. He ordered the road to be widened for wagons. He reached the top of Mount Tai from the sunny side, erected monuments to laud his virtues, then descended from the shady side and sacrificed for the earth at a small peak named Mount Liangfu. The liturgy of the ceremonies adhered to those used by the worship ministers of Qin when they conducted ceremonies for God in progenitor temples at Yong. These rites were kept secret, and none could be recorded.

    From there, the First Emperor traveled east and cruised the coastal area. He paid homage to numerous temples, famous mountains, and rivers, and honored the eight gods: Heaven, Earth, Soldier, Yin, Yang, Month, Day, and the Four Seasons. The First Emperor then journeyed south and ascended to the top of Langya Terrace. Delighted with the location, he stayed in the commandery for three months. A palace named Langya was built there, and another stone monument was erected to express his satisfaction.

    Song Wuji and Xianmen Zigao from the kingdom of Yan claimed they had learned the way to immortality and sublime into celestial beings. Many gullible and eccentric scholars followed them enthusiastically, propagating their teachings. Kings, from King Wei and King Xuan of Qi to King Zhao of Yan, became believers and sent people to search for three fairy islands—Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou—in the Bohai Sea. According to myths, these islands were not far from the human world, but magical winds would blow ships away as they approached. A few fortunate people who reached the islands reported that fairies lived there and that they possessed elixirs for immortality.

    When the First Emperor toured the coast, sorcerers from the kingdom of Qi, including one named Xu Fu, vied for his favor by submitting a proposal. Xu Fu petitioned to lead a group of virgin boys and girls to search for the fairy islands after a period of fasting. The First Emperor approved, and Xu Fu selected several thousand boys and girls to seek fairies in the ocean. However, their ships were blown back by inauspicious winds. They reported, “We could not reach them, yet we could see them.”

    The First Emperor was on his way back to Xianyang when he passed through Pengcheng commandery. There, he held a worship ritual in a temple after a period of fasting. He sought to recover a caldron from the Zhou dynasty that had sunk in the Si River, by ordering a thousand people to dive into the river, but they found nothing.

    He then headed southwest, clearing the Huai River, and reached Mount Heng and Nanjun commandery. His entourage sailed downstream on the Yangtze River and arrived at a temple on Mount Xiang. They encountered strong winds that nearly wrecked their ship. The First Emperor asked the scholar accompanying him, “What kind of goddess is Madame Xiang?” The scholar replied, “I heard she was the daughter of Emperor Yao and married Emperor Shun. She was buried here.”

    In a rage, the First Emperor ordered three thousand prisoners to hack down all the trees on Mount Xiang, leaving the mountain bare and exposing its dark red soil. The First Emperor then left Nanjun and returned to Xianyang through the Wu Pass.

    Zhang Liang was from the kingdom of Han. His father and grandfather, up to five generations, had been prime ministers of Han. After the kingdom of Han perished, Zhang Liang devoted all his assets, amounting to a thousand catties of gold, to avenging the fall of Han.

    The 29th year of the First Emperor(218 B.C.)

    The First Emperor toured the eastern regions and passed through Yangwu county. Zhang Liang hired a hitman to ambush him with an iron mallet at a place called Bolangsha. The mallet, thrown at the emperor, struck one of his escorting wagons in the cavalcade. The emperor was frightened and ordered his guards to search for the perpetrators, but they did not catch anyone. He then commanded a nationwide manhunt for ten days.

    The First Emperor ascended Mount Zhifu and inscribed his achievements on the rocks there. He then traveled to Langya Commandery before returning to Xianyang via Shangdang Commandery.

    The 31st year of the First Emperor(216 B.C.)

    The First Emperor decreed that all plebeians in the country report their properties and acreage.

    The 32nd year of the First Emperor(215 B.C.)

    The First Emperor visited Mount Jieshi. He sent a Daoist named Lu to pay a visit to Xianmen Zigao from the kingdom of Yan, a hermit reputed to know the secret of becoming a celestial being. The emperor made an inscription on the gate of Jieshi. He decreed that the walls of castles be broken down, and levees, dikes, and dams be flattened or breached. The First Emperor then surveyed the northern borders and returned via Shangjun commandery.

    Daoist Scholar Lu returned from his visit to Xianmen Zigao overseas and submitted a report to the emperor titled “Record Map Book.” In the book, there was an ominous prophecy: “It is Hu who causes the kingdom of Qin to perish.” Hu was the derogatory name people gave to the Xiongnu in the north. The First Emperor ordered General Meng Tian to lead a 300,000-strong army to conquer Xiongnu in the north.

    The 33rd year of the First Emperor(214 B.C.)

    The First Emperor decreed conscription for men who were former fugitives, son-in-laws living in their wives’ houses, and merchants to join the army. This army conquered the rolling hills of the state of Southern Yue, establishing commanderies such as Guiling, Nanhai, and Xiang. Five hundred thousand disgraced and punished individuals were relocated to the Five Hills region to guard the southern border, where they cohabitated with the local population.

    General Meng Tian chased Xiongnu away and recovered a swath of land south of the Yellow River, establishing forty-four counties in this area. The Great Wall of China was built according to the geographic features, with fortresses constructed to control the strategic passes along the northern borders. Extending tens of thousands of miles from Lintao County to Liaodong Commandery, the Great Wall marked a formidable boundary. Meng Tian led his army across the Yellow River and occupied Mount Yangshan, zigzagging northwards. His troops were deployed on the frontier for more than ten years. For years, General Meng Tian stationed at Shangjun and governed the northern frontier, his fame serving as a deterrent to Xiongnu.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 57): The Unification of the Realm

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Qin Book 2 Scroll 7 (continued)

    Map of Qin Dynasty

    The 25th year of the First Emperor(222 B.C.)

    The king of Qin mobilized more troops, led by General Wang Ben, to invade Liaodong, the remnant of the kingdom of Yan. They captured the king of Yan, Ji Xi.

    Sima Guang’s comments: Crown Prince Ji Dan of Yan could not contain his resentment and riled up the king of Qin, who was as wicked and violent as tigers and wolves. He instigated more ill will and hastened the calamity with his reckless and poorly devised assassination plots. As a result, the temple of Duke Zhao of Yan was suddenly destroyed, and there were no more worshipers. There wasn’t a greater sin than this. Was it beyond the pale when some commentators said that he was a refined man?

    A statesman should appoint masterminds to the right posts, promulgate policies according to propriety, oversee the people with benevolence, and interact with neighbors with honesty. Had he done that, the officials would have followed him, the government would have been regulated by him, the people would have been grateful for his kindness, and the neighbors would have formed close ties with him because of his uprightness. Such a state would be as solid as granite and as bright as a blaze. Whoever struck it would be crushed. Whoever infringed upon it would be burned. Such a state would not fear anyone, even the presence of violent states. Crown Prince Ji Dan did not do that. He gambled with his large kingdom, with ten thousand chariots, to vent his anger and carry out a plot of assassination like raiders. As a result, he was killed, his reputation ruined, and his kingdom reduced to rubble. Isn’t it tragic?

    Ji Dan’s walking on his knees and prostrating did not signify respect; his doing what he said and adhering to his promises did not signify integrity; his free spending of gold and dispensing jades did not signify charity; his suicide and self-disemboweling did not signify bravery. In summary, his plan was short-sighted, and his motivation was not righteous. He degraded himself to the class of the Duke of Bai, Xiong Sheng of Chu!

    Jing Ke repaid his personal benefits from the prince’s indulgence, disregarding the lives of the seven clans of kinfolk. He intended to strengthen the feeble Yan kingdom and weaken the powerful Qin with a dagger of a foot and eight inches. Isn’t it foolish! That’s why Yang Xiong commented: Yao Li’s death was the death of a bug; Nie Zheng’s death was the death of a strongman; Jing Ke’s death was the death of an assassin. None of these deaths are honorable. Yang Xiong also said, “Jing Ke was just a burglar in the view of a refined man.” Those are apt comments!

    General Wang Ben attacked the state of Dai and captured its king, Zhao Jia. 

    General Wang Jian secured the regions south of the Yangtze River, overcame the resistance of the Lord of Baiyue, and established the commandery of Kuai’ji.

    In May, during the summer, a national drinking banquet was held everywhere in Qin to celebrate these military victories.

    The queen dowager of Qi was a wise monarch. The kingdom of Qi prudently cooperated with the kingdom of Qin and maintained cordial relationships with other monarchs. With a coastline in the east, Qi was strategically positioned. Meanwhile, the kingdom of Qin had been constantly attacking the three kingdoms derived from the kingdom of Jin—Han, Wei, and Zhao—as well as the kingdoms of Yan and Chu. The five kingdoms were in survival mode. Therefore, Tian Jian, the king of Qi, had not engaged in any warfare for the forty years since his inauguration.

    When the queen dowager was dying, she advised King Tian Jian, “Someone among all the ministers should be in charge.” King Tian Jian said, “Please write his name down.” The queen dowager replied, “Fine.” King Tian Jian fetched the brush pen and the tablet and prepared to write. The queen dowager then said, “This old lady has forgotten it.”

    After the queen dowager died, Hou Sheng became the prime minister of Qi. He accepted many bribes from Qin. When migrant consultants of Qi went to Qin, they were bribed with gold and became agents of Qin when they returned. They all persuaded the king of Qi to go on a pilgrimage to the king of Qin, instead of building up defense capability against invasion or aiding the other five kingdoms under attack by Qin. Consequently, the five kingdoms were annihilated by Qin.

    The king of Qi was about to embark on his pilgrimage journey to Qin. However, the guard at the Yong Gate stood in front of his horses, holding a halberd, and asked, “Is the throne of a king for the state or for the king himself?” The king replied, “It is for the state.” The guard retorted, “If the throne is for the state, why does Your Majesty go to serve the kingdom of Qin while leaving our state behind?” The king turned his carriage around and went back.

    The grand master of Jimo heard about the king’s decision and came to speak to him: “The kingdom of Qi has land spanning thousands of miles and millions of armored soldiers. The officers of the three kingdoms derived from Jin—namely, Han, Wei, and Zhao—do not wish to benefit the kingdom of Qin. More than a hundred of them are settled in Dong’e county and Zhencheng. If Your Majesty acquires their allegiance and gives them a million soldiers to lead, allowing them to recoup the territories of Han, Wei, and Zhao, we may someday reach the Linjin Pass of Qin. The officers from Yanying of Chu, do not wish to work for Qin either. Hundreds of them are displaced in the south of Nancheng. If Your Majesty secures their loyalty and lets them lead a million soldiers to reclaim the land of Chu, we will break through the Wu Pass of Qin. Thus, the fame of Qi would rise, and the kingdom of Qin would be demolished. Why should we merely seek the survival of our state?”

    The king of Qi, however, did not heed his advice.

    The 26th year of the First Emperor(221 B.C.)

    General Wang Ben led an attack on the Kingdom of Qi from the south of Yan. They broke into the capital, Linzi, and none of the people of Qi dared to fight back. The King of Qin enticed the King of Qi with a fiefdom of five hundred miles. The King of Qi finally surrendered to Qin. He was moved to Gong county, and left in a wooded area with pine and cypress trees, where he was starved to death. The people of Qi blamed King Tian Jian for not joining the vertical alliance. They faulted him for taking advice from migrant counselors who acted as agents of Qin, which led to the perishing of the state. They sang a rhyme about Tian Jian’s folly of listening to the wrong counselors: “Was it pine tree or cypress, guests made Jian at Gong helpless.”

    Sima Guang’s comment: Although the talk about vertical and horizontal alliances was shifting and confusing, the gist was that the vertical alliance was in the best interest of the six kingdoms. The primogenitor king awarded feudal states to his family and friends to enhance social exchange, visit, wine and dine at each other’s places, and develop friendship and alliances. There was no other agenda for them than to bind together with prepossession to safeguard the country. Had the six kingdoms treated each other with trust and fairness, even in the face of the mighty and violent Qin kingdom, they would not have been annihilated. The kingdoms of Han, Wei, and Zhao served as the fences and shelters for the kingdoms of Qi and Chu, whereas the kingdoms of Qi and Chu were the roots and bases of the other three kingdoms. Their relationship should be founded on interdependence of interior and exterior and coordinated actions. When the kingdoms of Han, Wei, and Zhao attacked the kingdoms of Qi and Chu, they dug up their own roots. When the kingdoms of Qi and Chu attacked the other three kingdoms, they pulled out their fences and shelters. How could one uproot his fortress to appease the raiders, then say, “The raiders will love me and won’t hurt me”? How absurd was that!

    The King of Qin unified the realm for the first time. He believed his virtue matched that of the three legendary sovereigns and that his achievements surpassed those of the five historical emperors. He changed his title to “August Sovereign” (The Emperor). His orders were called decrees, his proclamations were called edicts, and he referred to himself as “We.” He bestowed the title Emperor Emeritus on his father, King Zhuangxiang. His decree stated: “The tradition of giving a deceased king a posthumous title based on his behavior is nonsensical. It allows a son to assess his father and a subject to appraise his lord. From now on, the ritual of giving posthumous titles will be abolished. We are the First Emperor, and my successors will be named numerically, from the Second Emperor, the Third Emperor, to the Ten-Thousandth Emperor, and so on to infinity.”

    During the era of King Wei of Qi and King Xuan of Qi, Zou Yan developed a theory of five virtues based on the five elements, where each element nourishes one element while overcoming another in a continuous cycle. When the emperor unified the country, the people of Qi submitted a proposal based on this theory. The emperor adopted it, believing that the virtue of the Zhou dynasty was fire. Since the Qin dynasty replaced the Zhou dynasty, the virtue of the Qin dynasty must be water, as the element fire could never overcome the element water. He also changed the official calendar, making the annual obeisance to the emperor and celebration of the new year on October 1 each year. He promoted black as the color of official gowns, flags, and tallies. Additionally, he selected a senary numeral system with a base of six.

    The prime minister, Wang Wan, and others proposed: “The states of Yan, Qi, and Chu are remote. It is difficult to control them without rulers. Please install Your Majesty’s sons as rulers of these places.” The emperor sent the proposal to all the ministers for discussion. Li Si, the Minister of Justice, disputed: “King Wen and King Wu of Zhou assigned titles to their numerous sons and brothers. Over the years, their descendants grew apart, attacking each other like enemies, and the emperor could not stop their fights. Thanks to Your Majesty’s divine power, the whole country has been unified and subdivided into commanderies and counties. The princes and heroes have been highly compensated with state taxes. When they are satisfied and conform, there will be no dissension in the country. That’s the art of achieving peace and tranquility. It is not a good idea to set up monarchs.”

    The emperor approved, stating: “The country has long suffered from incessant wars due to the existence of monarchs and kings. Thanks to our ancestors’ temples, we have finally unified the country. It would be a daunting task to maintain peace once we split into states, which will reignite conflicts. The Minister of Justice’s remark is right on target.”

    The country was divided into thirty-six commanderies. A governor, a military minister, and a prefect were appointed for each commandery. 

    All the weapons in the country were confiscated and transported to the capital, Xianyang. These weapons were melted and cast into bells and carillons. Twelve golden statues were made to decorate the court, each weighing more than a hundred thousand kilograms. Measures for length, volume, and weight were standardized. Additionally, a hundred and twenty thousand wealthy and highborn families from all over the country were forced to move to Xianyang.

    The royal temples, Zhangtai Palace, and Shanglin Park were all located on the south bank of the Wei River. Whenever a kingdom was conquered, a replica of its palace was built on the north slope of the Wei River at Xianyang. A roadway aligned with palaces, bridges, overpasses, towers, and pavilions extended from the Gate Yong to the east, reaching as far as the confluence of Jing River and Wei River. The beautiful women from the surrendered kingdoms, along with their musical instruments, filled the edifices with fanfare.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 52): The Fall of Lord Chunshen

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Qin Book 1 Scroll 6 (continued)

    Four Lords of the Waring States

    The 9th year of the First Emperor(238 B.C. continued)

    King Kaolie of Chu did not have a son, which worried Lord Chunshen. He selected many women to bear a son for the king, but to no avail. A man named Li Yuan from the kingdom of Zhao took his younger sister to the kingdom of Chu, hoping to present her to the king. Upon hearing that the king had difficulties fathering a son, Li Yuan changed his plan. He knew his sister would fall out of favor if she couldn’t bear a son for the king. He applied to be an attendant to Lord Chunshen and was employed. He took leave to go home and intentionally returned later than the preset date.

    When Lord Chunshen asked about his late return, Li Yuan said, “The king of Qi sent an envoy to marry my younger sister. I dined with the envoy and got drunk. That’s why I was late returning.” Lord Chunshen, interested, asked, “Have they engaged yet?” Li Yuan replied, “Not yet.” Lord Chunshen then took the woman to be his concubine, and she became pregnant.

    Li Yuan instructed his younger sister to influence Lord Chunshen: “The king favors you and relies on you more than he does his own brothers. You have been the prime minister of Chu for twenty years, and the king still does not have a son. When the king passes away, his brother will succeed him. His brothers all have their own favorites and will promote them instead. How can you maintain your influence? Not only that, you have been in power for a long time and have offended the king’s brothers at times. If one of them becomes the king, you would be in big trouble. Now I am pregnant, but nobody knows. If you present me to the king, he will accept me out of respect for you. If I bear a son, he could become the future king. Then the whole kingdom of Chu would be yours. Compared to the uncertain future of his brother becoming king, which option is better?”

    Lord Chunshen loved the idea. He moved Li Yuan’s sister to a well-protected residence and recommended her to the king. The king of Chu summoned her, and they consummated their relationship. Soon she gave birth to a son, who was designated the crown prince.

    Li Yuan’s sister became the queen, and Li Yuan was elevated to royal status, gaining significant power. Fearing that Lord Chunshen might reveal their plot, Li Yuan secretly hired assassins to silence him permanently. However, many people in the country were aware of what he was doing.

    When the king of Chu fell ill, Zhu Ying went to speak with Lord Chunshen: “There are unexpected felicities; there are also unexpected disasters. You are living in an unpredictable world and serving an unpredictable lord. How could you be without an unexpected helper?”

    Lord Chunshen asked, “What do you mean by unexpected felicities?”

    Zhu Ying answered, “You have been the Chancellor of the kingdom for more than twenty years. Your position is the Chancellor, but you essentially act as the king. The king is sick and could pass away at any time. You would be the regent for a young king and in charge of the kingdom. As the king grows up, you can return power to him. Otherwise, you may take the throne yourself. That’s what I mean by unexpected felicities.”

    Lord Chunshen followed up, “What do you mean by unexpected disasters?”

    Zhu Ying continued, “Li Yuan does not manage the government, yet he sees you as his antagonist. He does not manage military affairs, yet he has hired assassins. When the king passes away, Li Yuan will usurp power and kill you to execute his plot. That’s what I mean by unexpected disasters.”

    Lord Chunshen kept asking, “What do you mean by an unexpected helper?”

    Zhu Ying replied, “You should appoint me as the king’s guard. When the king passes away, Li Yuan will be the first to enter the court. I will take him out first. That’s what I mean by an unexpected helper.”

    Lord Chunshen said, “Leave this to me. Li Yuan is a wimpy person. I have treated him well. Why would he do this to me?”

    Fearing for his life, Zhu Ying ran away as he saw that Lord Chunshen did not heed his advice. Seventeen days later, the king died. As expected, Li Yuan was the first to enter the court. He had hidden assassins inside the palace gate. When Lord Chunshen arrived, he was stabbed to death, and his head was thrown outside the palace gate. Li Yuan then ordered the arrest and execution of Lord Chunshen‘s entire family. The crown prince, whose name was Han, was installed as King You of Chu.

    Yang Xiong commented in his book Exemplary Figures: “Someone asked, ‘Lord Xinling, Lord Pingyuan, Lord Mengchang, and Lord Chunshen, were they beneficial for their states?’ The answer is, ‘The monarch mishandled his government, and the treacherous court officials usurped the power of the state. What benefits did they bring to their states?’”

    The king of Qin could not bear the idea of killing Marquis Wenxin because of his merits in helping his father ascend to the throne.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 51): Insurgence at Qinian Palace

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Qin Book 1 Scroll 6 (continued)

    Eave Tile of Qinian Palace

    The 4th year of the First Emperor(243 B.C.)

    General Meng Ao attacked the Kingdom of Wei in the spring, capturing the cities of Chang and Yougui. The warfare ceased in March.

    A prince of Qin, who had been held hostage in the Kingdom of Zhao, returned home. Conversely, the prince of Zhao, who was in Qin, also returned home.

    In the fall, widespread locust plagues and epidemics afflicted the Kingdom of Qin. The king decreed that those who contributed more than fifty thousand kilograms of grain would be appointed as local officials.

    King Anxi of Wei died, and his son Wei Wu succeeded him as King Jingmin of Wei.

    The 5th year of the First Emperor(242 B.C.)

    General Meng Ao attacked the Kingdom of Wei and captured about thirty towns, including Suanzao, Yan, Changping, Yongqiu, and Shanyang. He established the East Prefecture for the first time.

    In earlier days, Ju Xin had a good friend named Pang Nuan when they lived in the Kingdom of Zhao. Later, Ju Xin became an official in the Kingdom of Yan. The King of Yan wanted to exploit the exhaustion of Zhao, which had been tormented by Qin numerous times. General Pang Nuan was in command after General Lian Po left. The King of Yan consulted Ju Xin on the matter. Ju Xin replied, “Pang Nuan is easy to deal with.” The King of Yan appointed Ju Xin as the commander to attack Zhao. General Pang Nuan led the defense of Zhao, killed Ju Xin, and captured twenty thousand Yan soldiers.

    The monarchs were troubled by the relentless assaults from the Kingdom of Qin.

    The 6th year of the First Emperor(241 B.C.)

    The kingdoms of Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Wey formed a vertical alliance against the Kingdom of Qin. The King of Chu served as the chief, with Lord Chunshen actually in charge. The allied troops took the city of Shouling and reached the foot of Hangu Pass. The Qin army emerged from the pass and trounced the allied troops. The King of Chu blamed the defeat on Lord Chunshen, causing a distance between them growing.

    Zhu Ying, a person from the region of Guanjin, observed to Lord Chunshen, “People think that the Kingdom of Chu was a powerful state and became enfeebled under your watch. I don’t think so. Qin was friendly to Chu under the former king’s rule. Why had Qin not attacked Chu for twenty years? The Qin troops would be encumbered if they had to get through Mengai Pass; they would be prohibited from passing between the states of East and West Zhou, exposing their back to Han and Wei while fighting Chu. Now the situation is different. Wei is on the brink of collapse and cannot take care of their cities of Xu and Yanling. Once Wei yields these two cities to Qin, the Qin troops will be only one hundred sixty miles from the Chu capital, Chen. Then all I foresee is daily grinding struggles between Qin and Chu.”

    The Kingdom of Chu moved its capital from Chen to Shouchun, renaming Shouchun to Ying. Lord Chunshen returned to his fief, the city of Wucheng, and continued his duties as the prime minister.

    The army of Qin conquered the city of Chaoge in the Kingdom of Wei and the city of Puyang in the state of Wey. Lord Yuan of Wey relocated to the city of Yewang with his entourage and family. They defended the Henei Prefecture of Wei, utilizing the natural barrier of the mountains.

    The 7th year of the First Emperor(240 B.C.)

    The Kingdom of Qin raided the Kingdom of Wei and captured the city of Ji.

    The Queen Dowager Xia passed away.

    General Meng Ao died.

    The 8th year of the First Emperor(239 B.C.)

    The Kingdom of Wei ceded the city of Ye to the Kingdom of Zhao.

    King Huanhui of Han died, and his son Han An succeeded him.

    The 9th year of the First Emperor(238 B.C.)

    The kingdom of Qin invaded Wei and captured the cities of Yuan and Puyang.

    In April, during an unusually cold summer, some people of Qin died due to the freezing weather. The king of Qin resided in the city of Yong.

    On April 20th, the king of Qin held a coronation ceremony, during which he began to carry a sword, symbolizing his coming of age.

    General Yang Duanhe led an attack on the kingdom of Wei and captured the city of Yanshi.

    The king was enthroned when he was very young. The queen dowager often had sexual liaisons with Marquis Wenxin. As the king grew older, Marquis Wenxin became fearful of the consequences if the affair was exposed. To protect himself, he introduced one of his attendants, Lao Ai, to the queen dowager, disguised as an eunuch. The queen dowager liked Lao Ai and had two sons with him. She awarded Lao Ai the title of Marquis Changxin and granted him the city of Taiyuan as his fief. She delegated all state affairs of the kingdom to Lao Ai. Many intellectuals sought patronage or employment from Lao Ai.

    Attendants of the king who had feuds with Lao Ai disclosed that Lao Ai was not an eunuch. The king ordered officials to investigate Lao Ai. Frightened, Lao Ai stole the king’s tally to issue military commands and plotted a coup d’état by seizing the Qinian Palace, where the king was residing. The king ordered the prime minister Lord Changping, and Lord Changwen to mobilize troops to counter Lao Ai. A fight broke out in the capital city of Xianyang, and hundreds of people were beheaded. Lao Ai’s forces were crushed, and he fled. Eventually, Lao Ai was captured.

    In September, Lao Ai and his three associated clans (his father, mother, and wife) were summarily executed. Lao Ai’s confidants were quartered, and their families were all killed. Those followers of Lao Ai with lesser crimes were sentenced to exile in the state of Shu. More than four thousand families had to move. The queen dowager was relocated to the Fuyang Palace in the city of Yong, and her two sons with Lao Ai were killed. The king issued an order: “Whoever pleads on behalf of the queen dowager must be quartered, and their body piled outside the palace door.” Twenty-seven people were killed this way.

    A visitor from Qi named Mao Jiao submitted a note and appealed to the king. The king sent an usher out with a response, “Have you seen the pile of bodies outside the door?” Mao Jiao replied, “I hear there are twenty-eight mansions in the constellation system. There are currently twenty-seven bodies; I came to meet the lucky number. I am not afraid of dying.” The messenger reported what Mao Jiao said. Mao Jiao’s roommates and fellow travelers, seeing this, packed up their belongings and fled from Qin.

    The king was furious: “Who is this guy? He upset me on purpose. Go and set up a big pot to boil him alive. I would not pile him outside the door!” The king sat up with sword in hand, with a scowl on his face and spittle flying. An usher went out to let Mao Jiao in. Mao Jiao walked slowly towards the king and paid homage repeatedly. Then he began to speak: “I hear that a living person does not mind talking about death; a monarch of a state does not mind talking about the perishing of a state. Banning the talk of death would not give you extra life. Banning the talk of the perishing of a state would not make a state prevail. A wise monarch is usually eager to hear about the life or death, the survival or perishing of a state. Would Your Majesty like to hear me out?”

    The king allowed, “What do you want to say?” Mao Jiao continued, “Your Majesty has committed atrocities, did you realize that? You quartered your stepfather; you put your half-brothers in a bag and beat them to death; you put your mother under house arrest; you butchered loyal advisers. Your cruelty surpasses the tyrants in history such as Jie of Xia and Zhou of Shang. When the news is heard by the world, everyone will be disgusted by it. No one will root for the kingdom of Qin. I am really worried for Your Majesty’s wellbeing. That’s all I want to say.” Mao Jiao took off his clothes and laid down to face his death.

    The king got down from his pedestal and helped Mao Jiao to his feet: “Please stand up and put on your clothes, Professor. I will listen to your advice from now on!” The king appointed Mao Jiao as his top adviser. The king then drove his carriage to the city of Yong, with the left seat unoccupied, to welcome back the queen dowager. They mended their relationship as mother and son.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 48): Don’t Kick A Man When He is Down

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Qin Book 1 Scroll 6 (continued)

    Xianyang, Shaanxi Province

    The 53rd year of King Zhaoxiang(254 B.C.)

    General Jiu of Qin attacked the Kingdom of Wei and captured the city of Wucheng. 

    The King of Han then made a pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Qin. The entire Kingdom of Wei came under the influence of Qin, following its orders.

    The 54th year of King Zhaoxiang(253 B.C.)

    The King of Qin traveled to the town of Yong, on the outskirts of Xianyang, to perform a rite of heaven worship. 

    The Kingdom of Chu relocated its capital to the city of Juyang.

    The 55th year of King Zhaoxiang(252 B.C.)

    Lord Huai of Wey made a pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Wei. He was imprisoned and killed by the Wei people, who then installed his younger brother, Lord Yuan, as his successor. Lord Yuan is the son-in-law of the King of Wei.

    The 56th year of King Zhaoxiang(251 B.C.)

    In late September, during the autumn, King Zhaoxiang of Qin passed away. His son Zhu ascended to the throne as King Xiaowen of Qin. He posthumously honored his late mother, Bazi Tang, with the title of Queen Dowager Tang. King Xiaowen designated Prince Zichu as the crown prince and brought his wife and son from the Kingdom of Zhao to Qin. The King of Han paid tribute to the late king, wearing a full mourning dress.

    The King of Yan, Xi, sent his prime minister, Li Fu, to the Kingdom of Zhao to form an alliance. Li Fu contributed five hundred catties of gold to the King of Yan and spent the entire day drinking with him. Upon returning home, Li Fu advised the King of Yan: “The adults of Zhao were all killed in the Battle of Changping. Their orphans are still too young. Now is a good time to attack.” The King of Yan then summoned Lord Changguo, Yue Jian, for advice. Yue Jian responded, “Zhao is a kingdom surrounded on four sides by adversaries and survives. Their people are accustomed to and skilled in warfare. We should not attack them.” The King asked, “What if we send in troops five times their number?” Yue Jian’s answer remained, “No.” The King was irked, but his subordinates all agreed to the attack. Consequently, he mobilized two thousand chariots. Li Fu led the attack on the city of Hao, while Qing Qin attacked the city of Dai.

    Jiang Qu, an official of Yan, spoke against the war: “We made an alliance with them; we paid five hundred catties of gold to drink with their king; our envoy reported on them, and now we will attack them. I do not feel promising about this and am afraid it won’t be successful.” The King of Yan refused to listen and led the second group of troops behind the first group. Jiang Qu held the king’s ribbon and would not let go. The king kicked him off, but Jiang Qu cried out, “I am not doing this for myself. I am doing it for the king.” The troops of Yan went to Songzi county, were counterattacked by an army led by General Lian Po. Li Fu was defeated at the city of Hao, while Qing Qin was defeated by an army led by Yue Sheng at the city of Dai. The troops of Yan were chased five hundred miles northward, and the capital of Yan was besieged by the army of Zhao. The Kingdom of Yan sued for peace, with Zhao demanding, “You must have Jiang Qu come to talk about peace.” The King of Yan appointed Jiang Qu as prime minister and sent him to negotiate the peace treaty. Subsequently, the troops of Zhao withdrew.

    Lord Pingyuan of Zhao died this year.

    The 1st year of King Xiaowen(250 B.C.) 

    In the winter of October, King Xiaowen was installed, but he died after only three days on the throne. His son Zichu succeeded him as King Zhuangxiang of Qin. He bestowed the title of Queen Dowager Huayang upon Madame Huayang and Queen Dowager Xia upon his birth mother, Lady Xia.

    A general from Yan conquered the city of Liaocheng from the Kingdom of Qi. Someone bad-mouthed him before the King of Yan, making the general fear returning home, forcing him to defend the city instead. Tian Dan led troops of Qi to lay siege to Liaocheng, but after more than a year, the city had not fallen. Lu Zhonglian wrote a letter, attached it to an arrow, and shot it over to the general. In the letter, he outlined the pros and cons: “From your point of view, you can either return to Yan or surrender to Qi. Now, you are defending a besieged city with increasing Qi forces and no aid from Yan. What will you do?”

    The general read the letter and sobbed for three days, unable to decide. Returning to Yan meant facing discord, while surrendering to Qi meant risking abuse for having killed many prisoners of war. He finally lamented, “I would rather slash my throat myself than be slashed by others!” He committed suicide, and Liaocheng descended into chaos. Tian Dan broke in and took the city. Upon his return to Qi, he credited Lu Zhonglian for the victory. The King of Qi wished to award Lu Zhonglian a knighthood, but Lu Zhonglian fled to the sea, saying, “I would rather live lowly and poorly yet freely, ignoring secular affairs, than live rich and famous but succumb to others.”

    King Anxi of Wei sought a recommendation for a noble person from Zishun. Zishun replied, “There is no such person. If you consider the next best, it would be Lu Zhonglian.” The king said, “Lu Zhonglian seems make-believe, not natural to me.” Zishun responded, “All men make-believe to do good. If he continues to do good, then he becomes a nobleman. When good deeds become habitual, then they are natural.”

    The 1st year of King Zhuangxiang(249 B.C.)

    Lv Buwei became the Chancellor of Qin. 

    The Lord of East Zhou conspired with other monarchs to plot attacks on the Kingdom of Qin. The King of Qin ordered the Chancellor to lead a campaign to annex the state. The Lord of East Zhou was forced to settle in the village of Yangrenju. The rituals of praying for the progenitors of the Zhou dynasty were discontinued thereafter. By the time the Zhou dynasty ended, it still had seven cities: Henan, Luoyang, Gucheng, Pingyin, Yanshi, Gong, and Goushi.

    The King of Qin awarded one hundred thousand families in the cities of Henan and Luoyang to Chancellor Lv Buwei as a fief and granted him the title Marquis Wenxin. 

    General Meng Ao of Qin raided the Kingdom of Han, capturing the cities of Chenggao and Xingyang. He established the prefecture of Sanchuan (Three Rivers) to govern these two cities. 

    The Kingdom of Chu annexed the state of Lu and relocated Duke Qing of Lu to the town of Bian, where he became a domestic helper.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 46): Never Overstay Your Welcome

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Qin Book 1 Scroll 6

    Duration of 28 years

    Marquis Ying, Fan Ju

    The 52nd year of King Zhaoxiang(255 B.C.)

    The governor of the province of Hedong in Qin, Wang Ji, had been secretly communicating with other kingdoms and was publicly executed for his betrayal. Marquis Ying, who had been helped by Wang Ji during his escape to Qin, had been feeling uneasy these days. One day, the king of Qin sighed in court. Marquis Ying inquired about the reason. The king lamented, “Lord Wu’an is dead, and Zheng Anping and Wang Ji have defected. I am so worried that we lack excellent commanders in the court while facing many enemies from around the world.” Marquis Ying was frightened and did not know what to say.

    There was a scholar named Cai Ze from Yan who heard about the awkward position of Marquis Ying. He traveled westward to the kingdom of Qin. Before his arrival, he sent word to Marquis Ying: “Mr. Cai Ze is a world-renowned debater. When he sees the king of Qin, he will challenge you in front of the king, and take over your job.” Marquis Ying was offended and summoned Cai Ze. When they met, Cai Ze was haughty and rude. Marquis Ying, displeased, admonished him, “You announced that you would replace me as the prime minister. Let me hear what you have to say.”

    Cai Ze retorted, “Ah! Your idea is so outdated. Just like the four seasons come and go, a winner should leave when the mission is accomplished. Have you learned about Lord Shang of Qin, Wu Qi of Chu, and Wen Zhong of Yue? Do you wish to end your career like them?”

    Marquis Ying taunted him, “Why not follow them? The three persons you mentioned maintained the utmost integrity and complete loyalty. A nobleman gains fame by giving his life. They died with no regret.”

    Cai Ze countered, “Why wouldn’t an overachiever want a perfect ending? A winner with both fame and a happy life is the top choice; winning the admiration of posterity by giving away his life is the second choice; being humiliated and assaulted but staying alive is the lowest choice. Lord Shang, Wu Qi, and Wen Zhong were loyal officers to their lords and they were exemplary. But what about Hong Yao and the Duke of Zhou? They were loyal and also respected as saints. Are these three gentlemen on the same level as Hong Yao and the Duke of Zhou?”

    Marquis Ying replied, “You are right.”

    Cai Ze continued, “Is your lord kind and magnanimous towards veterans, who has never turned his back on high achievers, compared to Duke Xiao of Qin, the King of Chu, or the King of Yue?”

    Marquis Ying said, “I don’t know.”

    Cai Ze posed another question, “How are your achievements compared to those three gentlemen?”

    Marquis Ying conceded, “Mine are not as great.”

    Cai Ze concluded, “Then your troubles might be greater than theirs if you don’t retire soon. There is a saying: ‘The sun goes to the meridian only to decline; the moon becomes full only to wane.’ Things rise and fall, expand and contract—the sages know this way. Now you have avenged your hatred and repaid the kindness that you owed. I am starting to worry about your well-being if you don’t change your course.”

    Marquis Ying invited Cai Ze to be his top adviser and recommended him to the king of Qin. The king had conversations with Cai Ze and was very impressed. He appointed Cai Ze as his guest adviser. Marquis Ying resigned due to illness, and the king of Qin, intrigued by Cai Ze‘s new strategies, appointed him as prime minister. However, Cai Ze was dismissed after several months on the job.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 44): Lord Xinling and Tiger Tally

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Zhou Book 5 Scroll 5 (continued)

    Tiger Tally

    The 57th year of King Nan(258 B.C. continued)

    After the passing of King Wucheng of Yan, his son, King Xiao of Yan, ascended to the throne.

    Wei Wuji, a prince of Wei renowned for his reverence towards scholars, employed up to three thousand dependents in his household. Among them was a hermit named Hou Ying, who, at the age of seventy, served as the gatekeeper of the Yi Gate in Daliang, Wei‘s capital city.

    One day, Prince Wuji hosted a grand banquet and invited numerous esteemed guests. As the guests were seated, the prince personally drove his carriage to pick up Professor Hou, reserving the left seat for him. Without hesitation, Hou Ying donned his humble attire and took his place beside the prince. The prince, showing deference, held the reins of the carriage as they set off.

    During the journey, Hou Ying requested a detour to visit a friend working in the market. The prince complied, and upon arriving, Hou Ying engaged in a lengthy conversation with his friend Zhu Hai, surreptitiously observing the prince’s reaction. Witnessing the prince’s expression became even more gracious, Hou Ying eventually concluded the conversation and returned to the carriage.

    Upon reaching the prince’s residence, Wuji invited Hou Ying to sit beside him and praised him highly to all the guests. The unexpected display of admiration left the guests astonished and impressed by the prince’s unexpected humility and respect for Hou Ying.

    Lord Ping’yuan‘s wife is Prince Wuji‘s elder sister. As the Qin troops besieged the capital of Zhao, wagons carrying messages from Lord Ping’yuan arrived one after another at Prince Wuji‘s residence. Lord Pingyuan‘s messages were poignant: “I was honored to be part of your sister’s marriage due to your noble morality and empathy, which considers others’ suffering as your own. Now, as the city of Handan is on the brink of surrender with no relief from Wei in sight, even if you disregard me, can you ignore the plight of your own sister?”

    Deeply troubled, Prince Wuji made repeated appeals to the king of Wei, urging him to command General Jin Bi to come to the rescue of the people of Zhao. Despite the efforts of his dependents and other scholars to advocate for Zhao, the king of Wei remained unmoved. Frustrated by the lack of action, Prince Wuji assembled his dependents, equipped with over a hundred chariots, and led them to the front lines, prepared to fight to the death.

    During their passage through the Yi Gate, they encountered Hou Ying. Observing Prince Wuji‘s determined efforts, Hou Ying remarked, “The prince is making a valiant effort. However, I am too old for such endeavors.” Prince Wuji, feeling disheartened by the encounter, turned back and approached Hou Ying once more.

    Anticipating the prince’s return, Hou Ying chuckled, “I knew you would come back. Your only idea seems to be seeking death on the battlefield. But what do you hope to achieve by throwing yourself into the jaws of hungry tigers?” Prince Wuji humbly bowed to Hou Ying again, seeking guidance.

    Dismissing the prince’s attendants, Hou Ying shared a plan with Prince Wuji: he revealed that half of General Jin Bi’s command tally was kept in the king’s bedroom, accessible to Ruji, the king’s favored concubine. Knowing that Prince Wuji had previously avenged the murder of Ruji’s father and that she would do anything for him, Hou Ying suggested that Prince Wuji enlist Ruji’s help to acquire the command tally, “I learned that half of General Jin Bi’s command tally is kept in the king’s bedroom. Ruji, the king’s favorite concubine, has access to steal it from him. Furthermore, I am aware that the prince avenged the murderer of Ruji’s father, and she holds deep loyalty and affection towards you. If the prince requests her assistance, she will undoubtedly obtain the commander’s tally for you. With it in your possession, you can assume command from Jin Bi, lead his troops northward, and then westward to expel the Qin army. This achievement would be on par with the feats of the five legendary hegemons.”  Embracing this plan, Prince Wuji obtained the command tally as advised by Hou Ying.

    Before the Prince departed, Hou Ying offered him advice: “A commander on the battlefield is not obliged to follow the king’s direct orders. If Jin Bi verifies the two halves of the tally and still refuses to relinquish command, trouble will arise when he consults the king. My associate, Zhu Hai, is a strong man. He can accompany you. If Jin Bi cooperates, excellent. If not, let Zhu Hai deal with him!”

    Upon hearing this, Prince Wuji invited Zhu Hai to accompany him to the city of Ye. When General Jin Bi assembled the two halves of the commander’s tally and found them to fit perfectly, he remained suspicious. Clutching the tally tightly, he scrutinized it, questioning the Prince’s sudden assumption of command with just a single chariot.

    In response, Zhu Hai swiftly produced a hefty awl weighing twenty kilograms from his sleeve and struck Jin Bi, causing his demise. With Jin Bi eliminated, Prince Wuji swiftly rallied all the troops under his command, issuing orders: “Those with family members in the army may return home. Likewise, those with siblings serving alongside them may also depart. If you are the sole son of your family, return home to tend to your household affairs.” With eighty thousand soldiers under his command, Prince Wuji set out for the city of Handan.

    Wang He, the Qin general, faced insurmountable resistance at Handan. Despite his efforts, the reinforcements from neighboring kingdoms closed in on Handan, thwarting Wang He’s advances multiple times. Upon hearing this news, Lord Wu’an expressed his dissatisfaction: “Your Majesty chose not to heed my counsel. What course of action do you plan to take now?”

    Infuriated by Lord Wu’an‘s remarks, the king of Qin attempted to compel him to assume command. However, Lord Wu’an declined the appointment, citing a worsening illness as his reason.   

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 34): The Prognosis of Lu Zhonglian

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Zhou Book 4 Scroll 4 (continued)

    Lu Zhonglian

    The 36th year of King Nan(279 B.C.) (continued)

    Tian Dan was on the brink of attacking Di, a small state, when he consulted Lu Zhonglian, a renowned intellectual and lobbyist. Lu Zhonglian cautioned, “General, breaking through the city of Di will prove challenging.” Dismissing the advice, Tian Dan asserted his previous triumph over the larger forces of Yan with a meager army in Jimo. Without bidding farewell, he mounted his chariot and commenced the siege on the city of Di.

    After three months of unsuccessful attempts, He caught wind of the children of Qi singing a taunting rhyme: “A hat as big as a winnow basket, a sword as long as it touches the chops; the city of Di stands impregnable, with carcasses piled up to the hilltop.” Concerned, Tian Dan sought out Lu Zhonglian for guidance. He acknowledged, “Professor, you foresaw my failure in breaking through the city of Di. Please enlighten me on the reasons.”

    Lu Zhonglian explained, “During the siege at Jimo, General, you exhibited an unwavering commitment – weaving brackets upon sitting down, and leaning on a shovel upon standing up. You led the soldiers in songs, urging them to ‘Rush forward when the temple where we worship is gone! Where do we belong when the spirits of our ancestors are homeless?’ At that time, General, you held a resolute determination to fight to the death, with soldiers fully expecting not to return alive. Every one of them fought with utmost intensity, tears in their eyes. This was the spirit that led to the victory over the Yan army.”

    “Nowadays, General, you enjoy the enfeoffments from Ye in the east and entertainment from Zishang in the west. You traverse between the rivers Zi and Sheng, adorned with a gold belt, leading a life filled with happiness and devoid of any immediate threat of death. This stark contrast in circumstances is why the siege of Di has met with failure.”

    Touched by Lu Zhonglian‘s insight, Tian Dan declared, “I still possess the will to succeed; Professor has reignited my motivation.” The next day, he toured the battlefield, standing shoulder to shoulder with his soldiers, invoking their fighting spirit with drumsticks. Finally, the people of Di capitulated, yielding to Tian Dan‘s renewed determination and leadership.

    King Min of Qi sought to eliminate Lord Mengchang following the annexation of the kingdom of Song. Fleeing to the kingdom of Wei, Lord Mengchang was appointed as the prime minister by the Wei king. Lord Mengchang, in turn, orchestrated an alliance among several kingdoms to launch an attack on Qi. With King Min’s death, his son, King Xiang of Qi, restored the kingdom, prompting Lord Mengchang to withdraw to his fief, the state of Xue. There, he maintained a neutral stance, detached from other kingdoms.

    Wary of Lord Mengchang, King Xiang of Qi, upon his inauguration, pursued an alliance with him. Meanwhile, internal strife arose as Lord Mengchang‘s sons vied for the inheritance of their father’s title and land. The kingdoms of Qi and Wei joined forces, ultimately extinguishing the state of Xue. Regrettably, Lord Mengchang passed away without any descendants.

    The Duke Min of Lu passed away, and his son Chou succeeded him, assuming the title of Duke Qing of Lu.

    The 37th year of King Nan(278 B.C.)

    The foremost military commander of the Qin Kingdom, Bai Qi, holding the esteemed title of Daliangzao, spearheaded a military campaign against the Kingdom of Chu. Under his command, the city of Ying, which served as the capital of Chu, fell into Qin‘s control. Additionally, he orchestrated the destruction of the city of Yiling. The armed forces led by King Xiang of Chu crumbled, rendering them incapable of further resistance. Consequently, the King of Chu relocated the capital to the northeastern city of Chen. The Kingdom of Qin subsequently renamed Ying as Nanjun. In recognition of his achievements, Bai Qi was honored with the distinguished title of Lord Wu’an.

    The 38th year of King Nan(277 B.C.)

    Lord Wu’an of Qin successfully captured both the city of Wu and the region of Qianzhong, solidifying Qin‘s control over these territories. As a strategic move, he went on to establish the commandery of Qianzhong to consolidate administrative control.

    Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Wei, King Zhao passed away. Following his demise, his son Yu ascended to the throne and assumed the title of King Anxi of Wei.

    The 39th year of King Nan(276 B.C.)

    Lord Wu’an of Qin launched an offensive against the Kingdom of Wei, resulting in the conquest of two cities under Qin‘s dominion.

    In the Kingdom of Chu, the king integrated the armed forces of the eastern territory, amassing an additional one hundred thousand soldiers. He strategically directed this potent force westwards, successfully conquering fifteen towns situated to the south of the Yangtze River.

    In the Kingdom of Wei, King Anxi bestowed the title of Lord Xinling upon his brother Wuji.

    The 40th year of King Nan(275 B.C.)

    The Marquis Rang, who held the esteemed position of prime minister in the Qin Kingdom, spearheaded a military campaign against the Kingdom of Wei. In response, General Pu Yuan from the Kingdom of Han intervened in support of Wei. However, Marquis Rang‘s forces triumphed decisively, resulting in the beheading of forty thousand soldiers from the Han army. Pu Yuan, in retreat, sought refuge in the city of Qifeng. To secure peace, the Kingdom of Wei conceded eight cities to the Kingdom of Qin.

    Undeterred, the Marquis Rang initiated another assault on the Kingdom of Wei, this time defeating General Mang Mou. The Qin forces subsequently entered the city of Beizhai and proceeded to lay siege to Daliang, the capital of Wei. Faced with the relentless pressure, the Kingdom of Wei ceded the Wen area in pursuit of a peaceful resolution.

    The 41st year of King Nan(274 B.C.)

    Once again, the Kingdom of Wei forged an alliance with the Kingdom of Qi. In response, Marquis Rang of Qin orchestrated another military campaign against Wei. The Qin forces, displaying formidable prowess, successfully captured four cities and inflicted heavy casualties by beheading forty thousand soldiers from the Wei army.