The Warring States Strategies (Basic Collection of Chinese Family Classics. Volume of the Hundred Schools of Thought)

Author: Song Tao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: At this time, some lobbyists advised the six states to unite against Qin, while others advised them to align with Qin. The former were known as the "Vertical Alliance" (), meaning uniting the northern and southern states, while the latter were called the "Horizontal Alliance" (), meaning uniting the eastern and western states—with Qin being the only western state. The representative of the Vertical Alliance was Su Qin, and the Horizontal Alliance was represented by Zhang Yi; they could represent all the lobbyists of the Warring States period. —Zhu Ziqing, Classics for Beginners
When Su Qin was piercing his leg with a needle, he fiercely declared, "How could a lobbyist fail to win gold, jade, brocade, and silk, or fail to attain the status of a minister?" This perfectly reflected the mindset of the Warring States strategists. Relying on their wisdom and eloquence, they devised strategies and handled diplomacy; whichever ruler employed them, they would assist. They were professionals, seeking personal fame and fortune; they might help you when you needed it, but when you didn’t, they might harm you. —Zhu Ziqing, Classics for Beginners