Zhan Guo Ce

Author: Liu Xiang compiled / Jiang Xinhai revised
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The War States Strategy is an compiled historical work, with its main materials originating from the Warring States period. It includes writings by strategists and records by historians, compiled into a book after the unification of Qin. The original title of the book was uncertain. Liu Xiang of the Western Han Dynasty examined and organized it, naming it The War States Strategy. The book consists of thirty-three chapters, organized by state, including: Eastern Zhou (1), Western Zhou (1), Qin (5), Qi (6), Chu (4), Zhao (4), Wei (4), Han (3), Yan (3), Song and Wei combined (1), and Zhongshan (1). The chronological scope of the events recorded roughly extends from the Spring and Autumn Annals to the unification of Qin. Centered on the activities of strategists, it reflects the political and diplomatic situations of the various states during this period. The book lacks a systematic and complete structure, with each chapter being an independent piece. Although traditionally classified as a historical work, The War States Strategy differs significantly from works like Zuo Zhuan and Guoyu. Many of its records, when viewed as historical facts, are unreliable. For example, the famous "Tang Ju blackmailing the Qin King" in The Wei Strategy describes Tang Ju brandishing a sword in the Qin court to threaten Qin Shi Huang (the First Emperor of Qin), an event that is fundamentally impossible. Content like this is better described as stories rather than history. The ideological concepts of The War States Strategy also differ significantly from those of works like Zuo Zhuan, among others. The book also enthusiastically praises the heroic deeds of many chivalrous figures. The author selected some of the most compelling chapters from the original work, compiled them into this small book, and translated them into modern prose while remaining as faithful as possible to the original. Annotations are provided for some words in the text, and at the end of each chapter, there are more emotive commentaries to help readers better understand the ideological content and appreciate the charm and essence of this classical masterpiece.