Fan Sui, a man from Wei, whose courtesy name was Shu. He traveled around persuading various lords in hopes of serving Wei, but his family was so poor they couldn't even afford a decent meal. Unable to raise money on his own, he first became an attendant to the minister Xu Jia.
Xu Jia was sent on a mission to the Qi Kingdom by King Zhao of Wei, and Fan Sui followed along. They stayed in Qi for several months but did not receive any orders to return to Wei. When King Xiang of Qi heard about Fan Sui's eloquence, he sent him ten pounds of gold and food and drink, but Fan Sui declined. Xu Jia, upon learning of this, was furious. He suspected Fan Sui of betraying Wei to Qi, assuming that was why he'd been rewarded. Therefore, he forced Fan Sui to accept the food and drink and return the gold.
Upon returning to Wei, Xu Jia was still angry, so he reported the incident to Wei Qi, the prime minister. Wei Qi, in a blind rage, had Fan Sui severely beaten, breaking his ribs and knocking out his teeth. Fan Sui pretended to be dead and was rolled up in a bamboo mat and thrown into a toilet. Guests at the banquet, drunk on wine, took turns urinating on him to humiliate and silence him.
From inside the bamboo mat, Fan Sui said to the guard, "If you can release me, I will surely repay you generously!" The guard asked to get rid of the "body." Drunk, Wei Qi agreed. Fan Sui was then able to escape. Later, Wei Qi regretted his actions and sent people to search for him. Zheng Anping, a man from Wei, heard about this and secretly hid Fan Sui, helping him change his name to Zhang Lu.
Just then, King Zhao of Qin sent an envoy named Wang Ji to the state of Wei. Zheng Anping disguised himself as a soldier and served Wang Ji. Wang Ji asked, "Are there any talented individuals in Wei who can come with me to the west?" Zheng Anping said, "There is a man named Zhang Lu in my hometown who is really keen to meet you and talk about the state of the world. He has made some enemies and dares not show his face during the day." Wang Ji said, "Come over at night." Zheng Anping brought Zhang Lu to meet Wang Ji at night. After chatting for a few moments, Wang Ji recognized Fan Sui as a talented individual and said, "Please wait for me south of the Three Pavilions." They made a secret agreement and left. Wang Ji bid farewell to the state of Wei and took Fan Sui to Qin. When they reached a lake, they saw a carriage procession coming from the west. Fan Sui asked Wang Ji, "Who are those people?" Wang Ji replied, "That's Rang Hou, Qin's Prime Minister, who is touring the eastern region." Fan Sui said, "I heard that Rang Hou holds all the power in Qin and dislikes visiting dignitaries. He might humiliate me, so I'd better hide in the carriage." After a while, Rang Hou arrived and greeted Wang Ji. He then stood on the carriage and asked Wang Ji, "Anything happening in the east?" Wang Ji replied, "No." Rang Hou asked Wang Ji again, "Did you go to see the king with those visiting dignitaries? It's just trouble." Wang Ji said, "I dare not." Then Rang Hou left. Fan Sui said, "I heard that Rang Hou is a clever man, but he doesn't pay attention to details. He suspected someone was in the carriage but didn't bother to check." So Fan Sui quickly got off the carriage and ran, saying, "He'll be sorry!" After walking more than ten miles, indeed, Rang Hou sent cavalry back to search the carriage for guests, only to find none, and then gave up. Finally, Wang Ji and Fan Sui reached Xianyang.
When they arrived in Xianyang, Wang Ji reported to the King of Qin, saying, "There is a scholar named Zhang Lu in the state of Wei, who is a famous debater known throughout the land. He once said, 'Qin's luck is as shaky as a stack of eggs, and stability can be achieved with wise ministers. However, these words should not be conveyed in written letters.' So I brought him along." The King of Qin was skeptical, so he put them up, fed them, and told them to wait for his word, which took over a year.
At that time, King Zhao had been on the throne for thirty-six years. He launched a southern campaign against Chu, conquering its capital, Yan Ying, and eventually imprisoning and killing King Huai of Chu. Qin also crushed Qi, whose king, Min, had briefly declared himself emperor before giving it up. Qin had repeatedly defeated the Three Jins (Han, Zhao, Wei) and had grown tired of all those loudmouth debaters, not trusting anyone.
The Marquis of Rang was the younger brother of Queen Dowager Xuan; the Lords of Jingyang and Gaoling were the younger brothers of King Zhao from the same mother. The Marquis of Rang served as Prime Minister, and these three men took turns leading the troops, each having their own fiefdom. Thanks to the Queen Dowager, they were richer than the royal family. Once the Marquis of Rang became a Qin general, he decided to bypass Han and Wei and attack Qi's Gangshou to expand his own territory. Therefore, Fan Sui wrote a memorial to the King of Qin, saying:
I hear a good ruler rewards the deserving, promotes the talented, pays the hardworking well, and elevates those with great achievements to high office. So, Your Majesty, if you think I'm on the right track, please consider my words; if not, then let's not waste each other's time. As the saying goes: "A bad ruler rewards favorites and punishes enemies; a good ruler rewards merit and punishes guilt." I'm not up to the job, let alone facing execution! I wouldn't dream of risking it, Your Majesty! Even if you think I'm nothing and treat me like dirt, aren't you worried about the loyalty of those I'd work with?
Furthermore, I heard that in the Zhou Dynasty there was a jade stone, in the Song Dynasty there was a green gem, in the Liang Kingdom there was a wild herb, and in the Chu Kingdom there was a precious jade. These four treasures all grew from the earth and were overlooked by craftsmen, but they became famous throughout the world. So, maybe what a great king throws away is exactly what makes a country strong?
I've heard it said that families get rich off the state, and states get rich off the lords. With a smart ruler, the lords can't get rich on their own. Why's that? Because it'd cut into their power and prestige. A good doctor knows who lives and who dies, and a smart ruler knows what works and what doesn't. They do what's good and drop what's bad. Even if Shun and Yu came back to life, it wouldn't change a thing. I dare not write down those profound truths, and those simple truths are not enough for you to listen to. Am I just too dumb for him? Does he think I'm a nobody? If not, I hope the king will allow me to observe a little and see your attitude. If I'm wrong, I'll take the heat.
So, King Zhao of Qin was very happy, thanked Wang Ji, and then sent someone to summon Fan Sui with a carriage. Finally, Fan Sui met with King Zhao. He pretended to be lost and wandered into the palace. When King Zhao arrived, the eunuchs in the palace were angry and drove him out, shouting, "Hey! The King's here!" Fan Sui had a sudden inspiration and said, "Who's the king around here? It's the Queen Mother and Rang Hou who run this place!" He wanted to provoke King Zhao and make him notice himself.
When King Zhao arrived and heard Fan Sui arguing with the eunuchs, he welcomed him in and apologized, saying, "Look, I should've seen you sooner, but Yiqu kept me busy, running to the Queen Mother every day. Now that it's settled, I can finally meet you. Sorry for the delay." Fan Sui modestly declined. Every minister who saw Fan Sui that day changed their tune.
The King of Qin dismissed everyone around him, leaving no one in the palace. The King of Qin knelt down and requested, "Sir, would you be willing to teach your humble servant?" Fan Sui replied, "Indeed, Your Majesty." After a while, the King of Qin knelt down again and said, "Sir, would you be willing to teach your humble servant?" Fan Sui still said, "Indeed, Your Majesty." This repeated three times. The King of Qin knelt down and said, "Sir, are you truly unwilling to teach me?" Fan Sui said, "It's not like that. I heard that when Lv Shang met King Wen in the past, he was just a fisherman by the Wei River. Their relationship was very distant. However, King Wen listened to his advice, made him the Grand Tutor, and even brought him back to his country. This shows how much King Wen valued his words. So King Wen eventually achieved great success and unified the realm. If King Wen had kept Lv Shang at a distance, not engaging in deep conversations with him, then the Zhou Dynasty would not have had such a Son of Heaven, and King Wen and King Wu would not have achieved their royal ambitions. Now I am a minister who has come from afar, and my relationship with Your Majesty is also very distant. The advice I want to offer is all to serve Your Majesty, treading carefully as I navigate between you and your inner circle, wanting to be loyal to the King but not knowing Your Majesty's intentions. That is why you asked me three times, and I dare not answer directly. It is not because I'm afraid to speak. I know that speaking frankly in front of you today may result in being executed tomorrow, but I dare not shy away from it. If Your Majesty accepts my advice, death is not a disaster for me, failure is not a concern for me, even if it means ending up a raving lunatic like Ji Zi or Jie Yu, I would not be ashamed.
Look, even the wisest rulers like the Five Emperors will die, benevolent kings like the Three Kings will die, and even the mightiest warriors like Wu Hou and Ren Bi, or the bravest heroes such as Cheng Jing, Meng Ben, Qing Ji, and Xia Yu, all meet their end. Death is something everyone must experience. If I can be in such an inevitable situation, even if I can make a small contribution to the Qin state, that is my greatest wish. So what's the big deal? Wu Zixu fled Zhao Guan, penniless and on the run. He was reduced to begging in the Wu markets, playing his flute for scraps, but look where he ended up, helping Wu prosper and making King Helu the leader of the vassals. If I can do what Wu Zixu did, even if it means rotting in jail, as long as my plans work, I'm good. Even Ji Zi and Jie Yu, who went mad to make their point, didn't get anywhere. But if I can even make a dent for the monarch I admire, that's an honor!
My only fear is that my death will scare everyone else off. They'll see what happened to me and nobody will dare serve Qin again. Your Majesty, you're surrounded by yes-men and controlled by the Dowager Empress. You're blind to the treachery around you, and that's what worries me. It could destroy the kingdom, or even you. I ain't scared of dying broke or facing danger. If I die and Qin thrives, that's a better legacy than anything.
King Qin knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I'm not sure I understand! The Qin state is remote, and I am foolish and untalented. Yet you have condescended to come here, which must be a sign from Heaven for me to receive your help in preserving our ancestors' shrines! Your guidance is a gift from Heaven, a sign that it protects our dynasty. How can you say such things! From the Dowager Queen to the lowliest minister, I want your complete and honest counsel on every matter, great or small." Fan Sui bowed, and King Qin also bowed.
Fan Sui said, "Your Majesty's kingdom is strategically situated, a fortress easily defended, difficult to conquer. To the north lie Ganquan and Gu Kou; the Jing and Wei Rivers flow to the south; the Long Mountains and Shu command the east; and the Han Guan Pass and its mountain passes guard the west. You command a million-strong army and thousands of chariots, able to seize the initiative when the time is right and hold firm when it is not. This is the hallmark of an imperial domain! Your people, though peaceable in times of calm, are fiercely loyal and courageous when the kingdom is threatened. With the Qin army's strength and your vast war chariots and cavalry, subduing the other states will be as easy as hunting a crippled hare. The great achievement of dominating the world can be fully realized, but the ministers have not been able to fulfill their duties. We've been practicing isolationism for fifteen years, and the vassal states in Shandong dare not easily go to war. This stems from Rang Hou's flawed advice, and also from some errors in your own strategic decisions, Your Majesty!"
King Qin knelt down and said, "Tell me where I've made mistakes."
So, when Fan Sui was talking to King Zhao, a crowd eavesdropped nearby. Fan Sui was a little afraid and didn't dare to get straight to the point. He first danced around the subject, talking about some irrelevant matters to gauge King Zhao's attitude. Then he said, "My Lord, the Marquis of Rang leading troops to attack the cities of Gang and Shou in Qi is a pretty clumsy plan. With few troops, they can't win against Qi; with many troops, it will harm Qin itself. In my opinion, you want to use a small number of Qin troops, along with Han and Wei forces, to attack Qi. That's not fair. The relationship with Han and Wei isn't close, and using their territory to attack Qi isn't appropriate. Furthermore, when King Min of Qi marched south to attack Chu, he defeated the Chu army, killed their generals, and expanded his territory by a thousand li. However, Qi didn't gain an inch of land. Doesn't King Min want to acquire land? The key is that the situation just wouldn't allow it! Later, when the vassals saw Qi in decline and King Min and his ministers in internal strife, they all sent troops to attack Qi, leading to its defeat. The Qi soldiers were humiliated, the Qi army suffered heavy losses, and everyone blamed the king, saying, 'Who cooked up this mess?' The king replied, 'It was Wenzhi.' As a result, the ministers rebelled, and Wenzhi fled. Therefore, Qi was defeated because it attacked Chu while letting Han and Wei benefit. This is what they call letting others do the fighting while you reap the rewards! You should make friends with those nearby and attack those far away. Every inch of land gained is yours. Giving up the nearby Han and Wei to attack distant Qi is ridiculous, isn't it? Furthermore, in the past, the state of Zhongshan, with a territory of only five hundred li, was annexed by Zhao, which brought fame and fortune to Zhao, and no one dared to provoke it. Now, Han and Wei, located in the Central Plains, are the key to the world. If you want to dominate, you must first control the Central Plains to deter Chu and Zhao. If Chu becomes powerful, it will rely on Zhao; if Zhao becomes powerful, it will rely on Chu. Both Chu and Zhao will rely on Qin, and Qi will definitely be afraid. If Qi is afraid, it will be humble and use heavy bribes to appease Qin. Get Han and Wei under your thumb, and the rest will fall into place."
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King Zhao of Qin said, "I have always wanted to ally with the state of Wei, but Wei is unpredictable, and I can't comprehend its intentions. How can I befriend Wei?" Fan Sui replied, "Your Majesty should use deferential language and bribe it with lavish gifts; if that doesn't work, cede territory and pay indemnity; if that still doesn't work, then attack it with troops!" King Zhao of Qin said, "I understand!" So he appointed Fan Sui as a strategist in charge of military planning. Eventually, he adopted Fan Sui's strategy, sent a detachment of troops to attack the state of Wei, and captured the city of Huaicheng. Two years later, they also captured Xingqiu.
Fan Sui then said to King Zhao, "The terrain of Qin and Han is intricate, like a finely woven tapestry. If Qin possesses Han, it's like trees having a cancer, people suffering from a fatal weakness. It's fine when the world is at peace, but if chaos breaks out, who poses a greater threat to Qin than Han? Your Majesty should conquer Han sooner rather than later."
King Zhao said, "I already wanted to conquer Han, but Han defies our authority. What should I do?" Fan Sui replied, "How could Han not obey? Your Majesty just needs to send troops to attack Xingyang; by doing so, we'll sever Han's communication lines and isolate its armies, leaving it vulnerable and ripe for conquest. Once you attack Xingyang, Han's territory will be divided into three. Han will see its certain ruin, how could it not obey? If Han obediently listens, then the matter of conquering all under heaven can be considered."
King Zhao said, "Good!" and decided to send emissaries to Han immediately.
Fan Sui became increasingly close to King Zhao of Qin, and after years of close counsel, he took the opportunity to say to King Zhao: "When I was in Shandong, I heard about Tian Wen in the Qi State, but I never heard of a Qi King; I heard about the Queen Mother, Rang Hou, Huayang, Jingyang, and Gaoling in the Qin State, but I never heard of a Qin King. A true king is one who holds absolute power over the life and death of his people. Now the Queen Mother acts arbitrarily, disregarding the king entirely; Rang Hou goes on missions without reporting to the king; Huayang, Jingyang, and others fight without consulting the king; Gaoling makes decisions without consulting the king. Astonishingly, the state endures despite these four powerful figures! Under these four powerful figures, where is the king's authority? How can the king's authority not collapse? How can the king's orders still be carried out? I have heard that the way to govern a country well is to first consolidate the king's authority, then enhance the prestige of the royal family. When Rang Hou goes on missions, he uses the king's seal to issue commands in front of the vassals and promulgate orders throughout the kingdom. Who dares not to obey? If he wins battles, the benefits all go to Rang Hou's fiefdom, while the country has to bear the resentment of the vassals; if he loses, the people will resent it, and the calamity will fall on the country. An old saying goes: 'When a tree bears too much fruit, its branches will break; when the branches break, the heart of the tree will be hurt; when the capital is too big, the country will be in danger; when the ministers have too much power, the monarch's status will be lowered.' Cui Zhu and Nao Chi seized control, shooting the Qi King in the thigh, severing his tendons, and hanging him from a temple beam – all in a single night! Li Dui controlled the political power of the Zhao State, holding the Zhao King captive at Shaqiu, where he starved to death in a hundred days. Now I hear that the Queen Mother and Rang Hou of Qin hold great power, with Gaoling, Huayang, and Jingyang assisting them, and the Qin King is nothing more than a powerless figurehead, just like the situations of Nao Chi and Li Dui! Moreover, the reason why the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties perished was that the monarchs handed over power to others, indulging in wine, lust, hunting, and leisure, neglecting court affairs. Those entrusted with important tasks by the monarchs were jealous of talent, deceived the monarchs, sought only personal gain without considering the monarchs, and the monarchs were unaware, which led to the loss of their kingdoms. From high-ranking officials to the king's own attendants, everyone is beholden to the Prime Minister. Seeing the king isolated in the court, I privately worry for the king, fearing for the future of the Qin dynasty and your descendants, Your Majesty!"
There is no text provided for translation.
King Zhao of Qin freaked out and said, "Right you are!" He then booted Duke Rang, Duke Gaoling, Lord Huayang, and Lord Jingyang out past Hangu Pass. King Zhao of Qin appointed Fan Sui as the Prime Minister. He took back Duke Rang's seal, let him return to his hometown of Tao, and ordered the government to provide vehicles and livestock for him to move, with a thousand-plus-carriage entourage. At the Hangu Pass, the officials inspected his belongings and found he had more bling than the royal family.
Qin appointed Fan Sui as the Marquis of Ying, which happened in the forty-first year of King Zhao of Qin's reign.
Fan Sui became the Prime Minister of Qin, and Qin publicly claimed that his name was Zhang Lu, but Wei did not know this, believing Fan Sui had long since died. When Wei heard Qin was planning to invade Han and Wei, they sent Xu Jia to Qin. When Fan Sui heard about this, he went undercover, rocking some seriously ratty clothes, and walked to the inn, where he met Xu Jia. Xu Jia was surprised to see him and asked, "Fan, are you okay?" Fan Sui replied, "I'm fine." Xu Jia smiled and asked, "Is there any talk about you in Qin?" Fan Sui said, "No. I offended the Prime Minister of Wei a few days ago, so I escaped here. I dare not make any noise." Xu Jia asked, "What are you doing now?" Fan Sui said, "I'm scraping by." Xu Jia felt sorry for him and invited him to eat and drink together, saying, "Fan, why are you so broke?" He then gave him a fine fur robe. Xu Jia continued, "Do you know the Prime Minister Zhang in Qin? I heard he's highly favored in front of the King, and it all hinges on him. Do you know anyone around Zhang?" Fan Sui said, "My boss knows him. I can also go and meet him. I can help introduce you to Zhang." Xu Jia said, "My horse is sick, and the cart axle is broken. Without a large cart and four horses, I can't go anywhere." Fan Sui said, "I'll help you borrow a carriage and team from my boss."
Fan Sui brought a swanky carriage and asked Xu Jia to drive him straight to the Qin PM's place. When people in the mansion saw them, those who recognized Fan Sui hid, which left Xu Jia totally confused. When they arrived at the gate, Fan Sui said to Xu Jia, "Hang on, I'll go tell the PM." Xu Jia waited outside for a long time and couldn't help but ask the gatekeeper, "Why hasn't Fan come out yet?" The gatekeeper replied, "There's no one named Fan here." Xu Jia said, "The guy who came in the carriage with me just now!" The gatekeeper said, "That's our Prime Minister, Zhang!" Xu Jia's jaw dropped. Fan Sui had totally played him! He whipped off his shirt, ran to the gate, and apologized to Fan Sui through the gatekeeper.
At this time, the house of Fan Sui was magnificent, with many attendants. Xu Jia knelt on the ground, trembling and bowing repeatedly, admitting his guilt: "I never thought you'd get so big. I’m dead meat. Please send me off to some godforsaken place, and my life and death will be at your disposal!" Fan Sui asked him, "What's your rap sheet?" Xu Jia replied, "My sins are too many to count!" Fan Sui said, "You have three sins. During the reign of King Zhao of Chu, Shen Baoxu helped Chu, and when the king offered him land, he just wanted a place to be buried. My ancestral tomb is also in the Wei Kingdom. You said I was playing both sides, Wei and Qi. This is your first crime. You let them humiliate me in the latrine in Wei; this is your second crime. And you almost drowned me when you got me drunk! This is your third crime! However, that old robe reminded me of old times, so I let you live." After speaking, Fan Sui sent Xu Jia away. Then, Fan Sui told King Zhao of Qin about this matter, and King Zhao of Qin did not pursue Xu Jia's responsibility further.
Xu Jia said goodbye, and Fan Sui threw a huge party, inviting envoys from various vassal states to sit at the hall and enjoy a sumptuous feast. But Xu Jia was stuck down below, eating slop while two convicts with face tats fed him like a pig. Fan Sui said in front of everyone, "Tell King Wei to send Wei Qi's head, or I'll wipe out Daliang!" Xu Jia returned and relayed these words to the King of Wei and Qi. Scared stiff, Wei Qi ran off to Zhao and hid with Lord Pingyuan.
After Fan Sui became the Prime Minister, Wang Ji said to him, "There are three things that are unpredictable, and three things that are inevitable. First, the sudden death of a king, which no one can foresee; second, your sudden death, which no one can predict; third, my sudden death, which no one can predict. If the king suddenly dies, even if you hate me, there’s nothing you can do; if you suddenly die, even if you hate me, there’s nothing you can do; if I suddenly die, even if you hate me, there’s nothing you can do." Fan Sui was very unhappy after hearing this, so he went to complain to King Zhao of Qin, "If Wang Ji hadn't recommended me to the Hangu Pass in the first place, how could I have entered the state of Qin? If it weren't for your wise promotion, how could I have become the Prime Minister, given a high-ranking title? Now that I am the Prime Minister and have a high title, while Wang Ji is still just a low-level official, it's obvious he wasn't really on my side!" King Zhao of Qin summoned Wang Ji and appointed him as the governor of Hedong County, not making him report in for three years. He also promoted Zheng Anping to the position of general. At this time, Fan Sui distributed all his family's wealth to repay those who had helped him in the past. He lived by the motto: "A kindness repaid, a grudge settled." Two years after becoming the Prime Minister of Qin, in the forty-second year of King Zhao of Qin, the Qin army attacked the Han state to the east, capturing the cities of Shaoqu and Gaoping. When King Zhao of Qin heard that Wei Qi was with Lord Pingyuan, seeking revenge for Fan Ju, he pretended to write a friendly letter to Lord Pingyuan, saying, "I hear you're a stand-up guy, and I'd like to be friends. If you come to Qin, I’m willing to drink with you for ten days." Lord Pingyuan was scared of Qin, but King Zhao's offer sounded pretty good, so he went to Qin to see King Zhao.
King Zhao and Lord Pingyuan drank for several days. King Zhao said to Lord Pingyuan, "In the past, King Wen of Zhou had Lv Shang as his Grand Tutor, and Duke Huan of Qi had Guan Yiwu as his Prime Minister. Now, Fan Ju is also my chief minister. Fan Ju's enemy Wei Qi is at your house. Get me his head, or you're not leaving." Lord Pingyuan replied, "Look, powerful people make friends with the less powerful, and rich people make friends with the poor. Wei Qi's my friend, and he wasn't here to begin with, let alone now." King Zhao of Qin then wrote to King Zhao of Zhao, "Your brother is with me, and Fan Ju's enemy Wei Qi is at Lord Pingyuan's house. Send someone quickly to bring Wei Qi's head to me; otherwise, I will march to attack the state of Zhao and will not let your brother return home." King Zhao of Zhao sent troops to surround Lord Pingyuan's house. Things were getting desperate, and Wei Qi escaped at night, finding the Prime Minister of Zhao, Yu Qing. Yu Qing figured King Zhao wouldn't help, so he removed his seal as Prime Minister and fled with Wei Qi. They went underground, figuring out which prince could get them out of trouble fastest. In the end, they arrived in the Wei capital and hoped Xinling Jun could get them to Chu.
After Lord Xinling heard about it, he was afraid of the Qin State and hesitated to see them, asking, "What kind of person is Yu Qing?" At that time, Yu Qing was standing nearby and said, "It's hard to know people, and even harder to be known. Yu Qing wore simple shoes and a simple hat. The first time he met King Zhao, he received a pair of white jade bi and one hundred *jin* (approximately 120 pounds) of gold. The second time they met, he was appointed as a high-ranking official. The third time they met, he became the Prime Minister and was granted the title of Marquis of ten thousand households. At that time, everyone in the world knew him. When Wei Qi fell on hard times, he sought refuge with Yu Qing. However, Yu Qing did not dare to abandon him to die because of his high position and wealth. He removed the seal of the Prime Minister, gave up the title of Marquis of ten thousand households, and secretly fled. Now, Yu Qing, who is desperate to survive, seeks refuge with you, and yet you ask, 'What kind of person is he?' People are hard to understand." Lord Xinling felt ashamed and immediately went out to greet them. When Wei Qi heard that Lord Xinling initially refused to see him, he was so angry that he committed suicide. King Zhao, upon hearing this, eventually gave Wei Qi's head to Qin. Only then did King Zhao let Pingyuan Jun return to the state of Zhao. In 273 BC, Qin smashed Fenxing in Han, then built Guangwu City right on the Yellow River.
Five years later, King Zhao followed the advice of the Marquis of Ying, Fan Ju, and deliberately spread rumors to stir up trouble in the State of Zhao. As a result, Zhao replaced Lian Po with Zhao Kuo (also known as Ma Fu Zi) to take command of the army. Qin defeated the Zhao army at Changping and then besieged Handan. Later, Fan Ju had a falling out with Bai Qi and got Bai Qi killed. Fan Ju then promoted Zheng Anping to attack the State of Zhao. Zheng Anping got surrounded by the Zhao army, and with his back against the wall, surrendered with twenty thousand soldiers. As a result, the Marquis of Ying, Fan Ju, requested to take responsibility. According to Qin's laws, if a person promoted does not perform well, the responsibility falls on the promoter. Following this rule, Fan Ju should have been executed, along with his whole clan. King Zhao, fearing to discourage Fan Ju, issued an order throughout the country: "Don't even think about talking about Zheng Anping!" He also lavished Fan Ju with extra food to keep him sweet. Two years later, Wang Ji became the governor of Hedong County and was secretly in cahoots with other lords, resulting in his conviction and execution. But it didn't make Fan Ju any happier.
During King Zhao of Qin's court session, he was looking glum. Fan Ju stepped forward and said, "I've heard the saying, 'When the king's down, his ministers should share the blame; when the king's disgraced, his ministers should pay the price.' You look pretty worried, Your Majesty. I request to take responsibility." King Zhao of Qin replied, "I’ve heard that the swords of Chu are sharp, but their actors are clumsy. A sharp sword makes for a brave soldier; a clumsy actor? That’s deep strategy. I fear Chu is plotting against Qin with their clever tactics to deal with our brave soldiers. You can't handle surprises without being prepared. Now that Bai Qi is dead, Zheng Anping and others have betrayed us, there are no outstanding generals in the country, and many hostile nations abroad. That’s why I’m worried." King Zhao was trying to motivate Fan Ju. Fan Ju was scared and didn’t know what to do. At this time, Cai Ze heard about this matter and went to Qin.
Cai Ze was a man from Yan, who traveled and visited many feudal lords and officials but hadn’t yet made a name for himself. Later, he visited Tang Ju, who was the Prime Minister at the time. Cai Ze said, "I heard that when you assisted Li Dui, you said, 'Within a hundred days, you can grasp the power of the country.' Is that true?" Tang Ju replied, "It is true." Cai Ze then asked, "What about someone like me?" Tang Ju carefully examined Cai Ze and then laughed heartily, saying, "Sir, you've got a honker of a nose, broad shoulders, hair like a bird's nest, a face like a crumpled washcloth, and knees that bend like old willow branches. I heard that sages don’t need assistance. So you’re a sage, then?"
Cai Ze knew that Tang Ju was mocking him, so he said, "I have always aimed for glory and wealth. The only thing I don't know is how long I will live. I would like to ask you." Tang Ju replied, "You will live for another forty-three years." Cai Ze thanked him with a smile and left, then said to his charioteer, "I will live it up, ride a fast horse, wear a gold seal, tie a purple sash, advise the king, and enjoy glory and wealth. Forty-three years is enough!"
Later, he went to the state of Zhao and got the boot. He bounced around to the states of Han and Wei, even getting his cooking stuff robbed along the way.
Afterwards, he heard that the Marquis of Ying in the state of Qin felt guilty and uneasy because of the great crimes committed by Zheng Anping and Wang Ji. Cai Ze seized this opportunity and went west to Qin.
I heard that King Zhao wants to see you. He sent someone to warn you, saying, "Cai Ze, a guest from Yan, is one of the smartest guys around, a brilliant speaker. If he meets the King of Qin, he will surely knock you off your perch and take your job!" What did you say when you heard this?
You replied at the time, "I understand the history of the Five Emperors and Three Dynasties (the legendary rulers of ancient China), as well as various schools of thought. I can refute those hot air artists. How could Cai Ze defeat me and take my position?" Then you had Cai Ze summoned. When Cai Ze arrived, he bowed to you. Feeling pissed off, you acted all high and mighty and directly asked him, "Didn't you say you'd help me replace the King of Qin? Is that for real?" Cai Ze replied, "Yes." You then asked him, "Tell me your reasons."
Cai Ze said, "My Lord, why did you come to see me so late? It's like a fleeting opportunity; once it's gone, it's gone. When a person is born with a strong, healthy body, a sharp mind, and keen senses, isn't this what all scholars desire?" You simply replied, "Yes." Cai Ze continued, "To be honest and kind, uphold justice, practice benevolent governance, and possess such virtue that all admire and willingly crown him king—this is the goal of a wise person." You nodded in agreement. Cai Ze went on, "To be wealthy and honored, govern all things in the world well so that each person receives what they deserve; to live a long and fulfilling life; for the country to endure, allowing future generations to inherit his legacy; for reputation to match reality, with blessings spreading far and wide, praised by people for generations to come, lasting forever in harmony with heaven and earth—does this not align with moral standards and the auspicious deeds spoken of by sages?" You again affirmed, "Yes."
Cai Ze said, "Like Shang Yang of Qin, Wu Qi of Chu, and Daifu Zhong of Yue, would you be willing to end up like them?" Ying Hou knew that Cai Ze was trying to trap him with this approach, so he deliberately said, "Why not? Shang Yang assisted Duke Xiao, was utterly loyal and selfless in his service; he ruled fairly, rewarding merit and punishing wrongdoing. He treated people sincerely, expressed his loyalty, even if he suffered injustice, bore insults, abandoned old friends, seized land from Wei's Prince Ang, stabilized Qin, benefited the people, and eventually became a famous general of Qin, winning countless battles and expanding the Qin empire. Wu Qi assisted King Dao, ensured public good always came before personal gain, never letting slander outweigh truth, acted decisively, undeterred by hardship, and made Chu a dominant power, at any cost. Daifu Zhong assisted the King of Yue; even in difficult circumstances, he remained loyal, even facing destruction, he did his best, never left, did not become arrogant even after success, and did not indulge in luxury even in wealth. These three individuals are perfect examples of loyalty and righteousness! Therefore, a nobleman can sacrifice his life for justice, seeing death as a return home, it is better to die honorably than to live in disgrace. Men of virtue are willing to sacrifice their lives for justice; as long as it is for what is right, even if they die, they have no regrets. So, what's wrong with that?"
Cai Ze said, "A wise monarch and capable ministers are a blessing for the world; a wise monarch and upright ministers are good for the country; a loving dad, kids who respect him, an honest husband, and a faithful wife make for a happy family. However, even with loyal ministers and filial sons like Bi Gan, the Yin Dynasty could not be saved; with wise strategists like Wu Zixu, the Wu Kingdom could not be preserved; and with filial sons like Shen Sheng, chaos ensued in the Jin Dynasty. So why did countries fall apart even when they had loyal ministers and filial sons? It is because there are no wise monarchs and wise fathers to heed their advice, so the people sympathize with these loyal ministers and filial sons, but despise their monarchs and fathers. Take Shang Yang, Wu Qi, and Lord Zhong, for example; they are loyal and righteous as ministers, but their monarchs are not wise rulers. Therefore, while people praise their great achievements, they fail to see their virtues. Did they die for nothing? It's only after they're dead that people remember them as loyal and righteous. If that's the case, then Wei Zi wasn't really all that benevolent, Confucius wasn't so wise, and Guan Zhong wasn't so great. People strive for success and fame, don't they? Best case scenario: success and fame. Second best: dying a hero. Worst case: living with a bad reputation." Yinghou agreed after hearing this. When Cai Ze was young, he once said, "Shang Yang, Wu Qi, and Lord Zhong, as loyal ministers, deserve praise for their contributions. However, did Hong Yao serving King Wen and Zhou Gong assisting King Cheng not also show loyalty to wise rulers? As far as being a good minister goes, can Shang Yang, Wu Qi, and Lord Zhong compare to Hong Yao and Zhou Gong?" Yinghou replied, "Shang Yang, Wu Qi, and Lord Zhong cannot compare to them." Cai Ze continued, "So, if your monarch is kind to the people, trusts loyal ministers, values old friends, treats capable and virtuous individuals like brothers, and never forgets the contributions of heroes, how does he stack up against those guys—King Xiaogong of Qin, King Dao of Chu, and the King of Yue?" Yinghou said, "I do not know who is better."
Cai Ze continued, "Now your monarch is close to loyal ministers and does not forget old friends, but in this aspect, you are not as good as Qin Xiaogong, Chu Daowang, and Goujian. Your accomplishments, influence, connections, and favor are also not as good as Shang Yang, Wu Qi, and Zhizhu. However, your noble title and wealth exceed those three, yet you are unwilling to step down, fearing that the danger you face is greater than theirs. As the saying goes, 'What goes up must come down.' When things prosper to the extreme, they will decline, which is an unchanging law of the world. That's just how things go; this is the constant way of the sage. Therefore, it is said, 'Serve a good government, leave a bad one.' The sage said, 'Greatness is recognized by those in power.' 'Ill-gotten gains mean nothing to me.' Your hatred has been avenged, your grace has been bestowed, your wishes have been fulfilled, yet you still do not change your strategy, and I worry for you! Furthermore, the position of birds of paradise, swans, rhinos, and elephants is not easily lost, but they die because they are deceived by bait. Can the wisdom of Su Qin and Zhizhu avoid shame and death? But they died because they were inherently greedy and did not know when to stop. Therefore, the sage established rituals and norms for desires, sought limited demands from the people, used them at the right time, and used them in moderation, so that aspirations would not swell, behavior would not be arrogant, and one would always walk with the Way without losing their way, ensuring lasting prosperity."
In the past, Duke Huan of Qi brought together the feudal lords nine times to support the world, but at the meeting at Kuiqiu, he became arrogant and ended up dead and his country destroyed. King Fuchai of Wu had an invincible army, looked down on the vassal states, oppressed the states of Qi and Jin, and ultimately met his end. Xia Yu and Tai Shi Xiao commanded the troops but died at the hands of ordinary individuals. All of this was because they became complacent, did not follow the rules, did not prepare for danger in times of peace, and were not frugal, which brought disaster upon them. Shang Yang established strict laws for Duke Xiao of Qin, prohibiting evil deeds, honoring the meritorious, clearly rewarding and punishing, unifying weights and measures, cultivating fields, ensuring the people's well-being, unifying customs, encouraging families to stick to one line of work, working hard to cultivate fields and save grain, and learning the art of war. Therefore, Qin's army was strong, its economy prosperous, making it invincible in the world, intimidating the vassal states and achieving the hegemony of Qin. Despite his accomplishments, he was ultimately forced to commit suicide. The land of Chu was thousands of miles in circumference, with a million troops. Bai Qi led tens of thousands of troops to fight against Chu, capturing Yan Ying in one battle, burning down Yiling in another, and then annexing Shu and Han Wei, attacking the powerful state of Zhao, killing over four hundred thousand Zhao soldiers at the Battle of Changping, surrounding Handan, laying the foundation for Qin to become an empire. Chu and Zhao were powerful states in the world and enemies of Qin. From then on, Chu and Zhao were both deterred from attacking Qin, which was the power of Bai Qi. He conquered more than seventy cities, but was ultimately ordered to kill himself in Du You. Wu Qi established laws for King Dao of Chu, reducing the power and status of his ministers, removing the incompetent, abolishing useless offices, stopping backdoor deals, unifying the customs of Chu, prohibiting idlers, training strong soldiers, conquering Yang Yue in the south, annexing Chen and Cai in the north, suppressing lobbyists, prohibiting factions from inciting the people, stabilizing the political situation of Chu, and his army was so powerful that the other feudal lords submitted. Despite his achievements, he was eventually dismembered. Dai Zhuang advised King Goujian of Yue, resolved the crisis in Kuaiji, transformed danger into safety and humiliation into honor, cultivated barren land, developed agriculture, led soldiers from all over the country, concentrated national strength, assisted Goujian in becoming the hegemon, avenged Fuchai, and finally captured the powerful state of Wu, making Yue the master. His accomplishments were renowned, but Goujian eventually became suspicious of him and killed him. These four people achieved fame and success but did not retire, and eventually all met with disaster. This is what is meant by 'unable to back down or turn back'! Fan Li saw through this and resolutely withdrew from his career, eventually becoming the famous Tao Zhu Gong. Haven't you ever seen a gambler? Some gamble for the big win, others just want a share of the spoils; you should understand all of this. Now you are assisting Qin, devising strategies without leaving the study, controlling the vassal states, benefiting the Three Rivers, consolidating Yiyang, breaking through the treacherous paths of Yangchang, blocking the way of Taihang, cutting off the paths of the Fan and Zhonghang families, keeping the six states from forming an alliance against Qin, building a thousand-mile plank road, connecting with Shu Han, making the world fear Qin, Qin's wishes have been fulfilled, and your achievements have reached their peak; it is also time for Qin to share the credit. If you do not retire at this time, you will end up like Shang Jun, Bai Qi, Wu Qi, and Dai Zhuang. I have heard that 'looking in the mirror can see one's appearance, observing people can know good and bad'. The Book of Documents says 'after success, one should not stay in one's position for long'. Do you not understand the disasters suffered by those four people? Why don't you hand over your seal of authority now, give power to capable men, and then retire to the mountains and forests? You will definitely be as honest as Boyi, forever an outstanding lord. Generation after generation will be praised, noble like Xu You and Yan Ling Jizi, with a long life like Qiao Song; isn't that better than ending in disaster? Why can't you leave voluntarily? Hesitating, you will definitely follow in the footsteps of those four. The I Ching warns that a dragon that reaches too high will regret it. I hope you will consider this carefully!" Yinghou said: "Very well. I have heard that 'desiring without knowing satisfaction, losing what one desires; having without knowing moderation, losing what one has'. Sir, you have taught me in this way, and I respectfully accept your teachings." So he had Cai Ze sit down and treated him like royalty.
After a few days, Cai Ze went to see King Zhao of Qin and said, "Recently, I met a fellow from Shandong named Cai Ze. This bloke's a real smooth talker, and he knew everything about ancient history, the Warring States, and the whole political landscape. He could be a real asset to Qin. I've met many people, but none can compare to him. I feel like a right donkey compared to him! I dare to tell you." King Zhao of Qin summoned Cai Ze straight away; after a quick chat, he was so impressed he made him a guest minister. Seeing his chance, Prime Minister Ying Hou (Fan Ju) feigned illness and tried to resign. King Zhao told him to stay put, but Ying Hou played up his illness. Fan Ju was dismissed, and King Zhao was very pleased with Cai Ze's strategies, so he appointed him as the Prime Minister of Qin and began to conquer the land of the Zhou Dynasty to the east.
After a few months as Prime Minister, people started getting nervous about him and worried he'd come down on them. So, Cai Ze did the same as Fan Ju – faked an illness and resigned, styling himself 'Lord Gangcheng.' He stayed in Qin for more than ten years, assisting Kings Zhao, Xiaowen, and Zhuangxiang of Qin. Later, he also served Emperor Qin Shi Huang, went to Yan as an envoy, and three years later, he had Prince Dan of Yan as a hostage in Qin.
Sima Qian said: Han Feizi once said, "It takes skill to succeed, whether you're a dancer or a trader." This is really true! Fan Ju and Cai Ze were famous debaters at the time, but despite their persuasions to various feudal lords, they didn't achieve much in their old age. It wasn't that their plans were bad, it's just they weren't forceful enough in pushing them. When they both went to Qin, they successively became Prime Ministers and had an influence on the overall situation, all because of the great power of Qin. But you never know your luck, do you? Even clever blokes like Fan Ju and Cai Ze often can't fulfill their ambitions. It's a real shame, innit? If they'd never had any luck, how would they have ever found the guts to keep going?
