Zhan Guo Ce

Author: Zhong Lei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The War States Strategy, a unique national history compiled by the Han scholar Liu Xiang from the writings of strategists during the Warring States period, records the wise and insightful words of these strategists. They cited extensively, demonstrated sharp wit, and to some extent influenced the rise and fall of states and the direction of history in their era. It fully showcases the high level of ancient sages' mastery in language and strategy, brimming with life wisdom that leaves modern readers in awe and possessing a unique artistic charm. The War States Strategy consists of 33 chapters, covering 245 years of history from the period following the Spring and Autumn Annals to the rise of the Chu and Han dynasties. Due to its active and often conspiratorial strategies, which clashed with Confucian thought, it was rejected by Confucians and did not gain widespread dissemination during its time, gradually becoming fragmented. For example, one chapter titled Ku Tong's Persuasion of Han Xin to Establish Himself was cited in Sima Zhen's Annotations to the Records of the Grand Historian but later lost from The War States Strategy. The Complete Catalogue of the Chongwen Academy mentions that 11 chapters were lost. The famous Northern Song litterateur Zeng Gong searched for books in the private collections of officials and scholars, corrected errors, and restored the text to its original 33 chapters. However, due to historical reasons, the War States Strategy revised by Zeng Gong differs in chapters from the one compiled by Liu Xiang. As a result, two versions of The War States Strategy have been preserved in history: the one compiled by Liu Xiang is the ancient version, while the one revised and supplemented by Zeng Gong is the new version.