First Prime Minister of the State of Qin — Bili Xi: Bili Xi

Author: Xue Ting
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Historically, Zhuge Liang and Bi Li were both renowned statesmen, one described as "renowned throughout the world," and the other as "famous across the heavens." This book also features many classic events from the Spring and Autumn period, as well as the origins of idioms such as "when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold," "retreat three times," and "the alliance between Qin and Jin," all of which are worth reflecting on. Bi Li is the pride of Nanyang. The relentless passage of time can change mountains and rivers, ancient roads, but it cannot erase the grooves of historical memory. In the early Spring and Autumn period, more than four hundred years before Qin Shi Huang unified China, the state of Qin was still a semi-barbaric small kingdom in the western region, plagued by external worries and internal troubles, with weak national strength. Faced with the aggressive ambitions of the Central Plains vassal states to dominate, the ruler of Qin, Duke Mu, turned his attention to a fifty-year-old slave from the state of Chu—Bi Li. Throughout his half-life, he endured humiliation and disgrace from repeatedly failing to secure a position, from the fall of his homeland, the loss of his family, and servitude. Yet, he achieved profound enlightenment about human affairs, state affairs, and worldly matters. After being purchased by Duke Mu of Qin for five pieces of sheepskin, he transformed the state, achieving Qin's second leap forward. Qin quickly rose to become one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period, laying the foundation for Qin Shi Huang to unify China. In the subsequent two thousand six hundred years, figures such as Confucius, Zhuangzi, Li Si, Sima Qian, Li Bai, and Zhuge Liang occasionally mentioned him—was it because of his wisdom and insight, or because of his noble character and integrity?