Guiguzi - 15 for Planning and Conducting Affairs (Graphic Version)

Author: Zhang Yi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: In 329 BC, Zhang Yi arrived in the state of Qin, which was recruiting talents, and was appreciated by King Hui of Qin, participating in state affairs. He broke the alliance of the feudal lords against Qin with his foreign policy of "Hánhé" (alliance with Qin), truly doing a great deal for King Hui of Qin. Throughout his career as a persuader, Zhang Yi had mastered the strategy of "Yīnyáng Bǎihé" to the perfection of an art. In 313 BC, the Qin King wanted to attack Qi but feared that the alliance of Qi and Chu might provoke a powerful Chu army to rescue Qi. Therefore, he sent Zhang Yi to Chu, which became the historical farce known as the "Six Hundred Li" (the Qin demanded six hundred li of land but actually only received six li). After being humiliated, the Chu King was furious and longed to devour Zhang Yi. Later, Chu offered the Qianzhong region to Qin in exchange for Zhang Yi, intending to kill him to vent his anger. However, Zhang Yi had already bribed the favorite minister of the Chu King, Jin Shang, who then persuaded the favorite concubine of the Chu King, Zheng Xiu, to whisper in the King's ear. As a result, not only did the King dare not kill Zhang Yi, but he also treated him with great favor and happily sent the Qianzhong region to Qin to appease them. After escaping from Chu, Zhang Yi resumed his old trade, using his eloquence to exploit contradictions among the feudal states, doing his utmost to disrupt the alliance of the feudal lords against Qin. Zhang Yi happily left Chu and immediately went to Han, where he persuaded the Han King: "The land of Han is mostly rugged mountains, producing little grain. The country does not have enough food reserves for two years, and its army has only 200,000 soldiers. Qin, however, has a million soldiers. For the sake of the King, it would be better to serve Qin and attack Chu. This would not only avoid the disaster of Qin's attack but also win the favor of Qin—there is no better strategy than this!" The Han King foolishly agreed. While the dust from Zhang Yi's trip to Chu and Han had not yet settled, he was sent by the Qin King to travel east to Qi. Upon arriving in Qi, he said to the King: "Those who advocate the Hánhé alliance will surely persuade Your Majesty that Qi, with its three vassal states (Han, Zhao, Wei) as a shield, is vast and populous, with strong armies and brave soldiers. Even a hundred Qin states could not harm Qi. Now, Qin and Chu have become brotherly states, Han has offered the land of Yiyang to Qin, Wei has surrendered the land outside the river to Qin, and Zhao has ceded the land between the rivers to Qin. Only Your Majesty refuses to listen to Qin, and then Qin can let Han, Zhao, and Wei attack Qi. By then, Qi will no longer be able to ally with Qin." The King of Qi listened to Zhang Yi's words and turned toward Qin. Zhang Yi then went west to Zhao, where he said to the King: "Your Majesty has united the strength of the world to resist Qin, and Qin's troops have not crossed the Hangu Pass for 15 years. Your Majesty's prestige has spread across the six states of Shandong (Qi, Chu, Han, Wei, Zhao, Yan). We in Qin are very afraid, preparing our horses and arms, storing grain, and daring not to act rashly. But Your Majesty has gone too far, repeatedly threatening Qin. Although Qin is in a remote and distant land, we have long harbored resentment against Zhao. Now, Qin's troops are stationed in Mianchi. The Qin King has sent me to inform you and your ministers that Chu and Qin have now become brotherly states; Han and Wei have become vassal states of Qin; and Qi has offered the land rich in fish and salt to Qin. In the current situation,