Zhao Sheng, also known as Pingyuan Jun, was a prince of the Zhao state and the most outstanding among his brothers. He particularly enjoyed entertaining guests, and his household had thousands of retainers. He served as a prime minister during the reigns of King Huiwen of Zhao and King Xiaocheng of Zhao, being dismissed and reinstated three times before eventually being appointed to Dongwucheng.
The buildings in Pingyuan Jun's household were constructed atop the homes of commoners. One day, a disabled man went to fetch water with a cane. Pingyuan Jun's beautiful concubine saw him from upstairs and howled with laughter. The next day, the disabled man went to Pingyuan Jun's door and said, "I hear you're a big deal when it comes to talent, and folks travel miles to work for you because you value brains, not looks. But your concubine mocked me, and I want her head!" Pingyuan Jun smiled and agreed, saying, "Okay." The disabled man left, and Pingyuan Jun remarked, "The nerve of that fellow! Wanting me to kill my concubine just because of one mockery—how excessive!" In the end, he did not kill the concubine.
Over a year later, most of the guests and attendants in Pingyuan Jun's household had left, leaving him puzzled. He wondered, "I have always treated them well; why did so many people leave?" A servant stepped forward and replied, "Because you did not kill the concubine who mocked the disabled man, everyone thinks you favor beauty over merit, so the talented individuals have left." Therefore, Pingyuan Jun killed the concubine who mocked the disabled man, personally welcoming the disabled man at the door and apologizing to him. After that, the number of guests and attendants in his household gradually increased. At that time, there were Lord Mengchang of the Qi state, Lord Xinling of the Wei state, and Lord Chunshen of the Chu state, all vying to outdo each other in generosity to their retainers.
The state of Qin surrounded Handan, and the state of Zhao sent Lord Pingyuan to the state of Chu for help, agreeing to bring twenty top-notch guys, brainy and brawny, along. Lord Pingyuan said, "If brains win the day, great! If that doesn't work, we'll seal a blood pact under the Hua House and make sure to get the job done before returning. I've got enough talent right here; no need to look elsewhere." He found nineteen guys but couldn't find that twentieth guy.
At this time, a follower named Mao Sui stepped forward and volunteered himself to Lord Pingyuan, saying, "I heard you're heading to Chu to team up against Qin, and you need twenty guys. You're not looking outside, right? Now there is one person missing; I hope you will take me with you!" Lord Pingyuan asked him, "How long have you been one of my guys?" Mao Sui replied, "Three years." Lord Pingyuan said, "A sharp guy'll always make himself known, like a needle in a haystack. You've been with me three years, and nobody's mentioned you. Sounds like you're not much of a player. You are not suitable; stay here."
Mao Sui said, "I'm just now asking to join the game! If I'd been in the mix earlier, you'd have seen more than just a glimpse of what I can do!" Lord Pingyuan ultimately took Mao Sui with him. The other nineteen guys exchanged glances, grinned, and shrugged. Fine by them.
Mao Sui followed Lord Pingyuan to the state of Chu, negotiating with the Chu guys along with the other nineteen. Those nineteen guys were blown away by Mao Sui's smooth talking. Lord Pingyuan spent the morning talking alliance with the King of Chu, laying out the pros and cons, but they didn't get anywhere by lunchtime. The other nineteen guys saw it wasn't working, so they said, "Hey, Mao Sui, give it a shot!"
Mao Sui whipped out his sword, strode up the steps, and said to the King: "The matter of this alliance can actually be explained in just two sentences. You've been yapping all morning and still haven't gotten anywhere. What gives?" The King looked and asked Prime Minister Ping: "Who is this?" Prime Minister Ping replied: "Just a nobody from my retinue." Upon hearing this, the King scolded: "Why are you still standing? I'm talking to your master, who do you think you are?" Mao Sui didn't even sheathe his sword, took a step forward, and said: "Your Majesty, you scold me because you rely on the strength of the people of Chu. But now, within ten paces, don't even think about using your numbers to bully me! Your life and death are now in my hands! My master is right here, and you dare to speak to me like this? Furthermore, I heard that King Shang Tang unified the world with only seventy miles of territory, and King Wen of Zhou made the vassals submit with just a hundred miles of land. Was it because they had many soldiers? No, it was because they seized the opportunity and demonstrated their strength! Now Chu has a territory of five thousand miles and a million soldiers—this is the capital to dominate the world! Chu is so powerful, no one can rival it! Bai Qi, a mere youngster, humiliated your ancestors in three swift campaigns, capturing Yan Ying, burning Yi Ling, and leaving your dynasty in disgrace! This is a blood feud of hundreds of years, a permanent shame for Zhao, yet you don't even remember it! This alliance is for *your* benefit, not ours! With my lord standing right here, you dare to talk to me like that?!"
King Chu was shocked by Mao Sui's powerful argument, nodding repeatedly and saying, "Absolutely, absolutely, you are quite right! I will definitely prioritize the kingdom and agree to your alliance!" Mao Sui asked, "So is the alliance settled?" King Chu replied, "It is settled!" Mao Sui immediately ordered King Chu's guards, "Quickly bring the blood of chickens, dogs, and horses!" Mao Sui knelt down, holding a copper plate, and handed it to King Chu, saying, "Your Majesty should first swear an oath of alliance with the blood, then it will be my lord, and finally me." In this way, Mao Sui completed the alliance ceremony in the palace. Holding the blood plate in his left hand, Mao Sui gestured to the nineteen envoys with his right hand, saying, "Right then, gentlemen, let us also swear an oath of alliance! This time, you have benefited from me, and it is thanks to me that we have achieved great things!"
Lord Pingyuan finally resolved the matter, returned to the state of Zhao, and said, "I've learned my lesson about judging talent. I have evaluated thousands of people in the past, thinking I have not missed any talents in the world, but I never expected to stumble on Mao's talent. As soon as Mao arrived in the state of Chu, the status of Zhao became even more significant than the legendary Nine Cauldrons. With just his eloquent speech, Mao is more formidable than a million soldiers. From now on, I'll think twice before judging anyone's abilities." So, he treated Mao as an honored guest.
After Pingyuan Jun returned to the State of Zhao, Chunshen Jun of the State of Chu led troops to rescue Zhao, and Xinling Jun of the State of Wei also took the army of Jinbi to rescue Zhao, but they did not arrive in time. The State of Qin tightly surrounded Handan, and the situation in Handan was critical. It seemed like they were about to surrender, and Pingyuan Jun was extremely anxious. Li Tong, the son of a messenger in Handan, said to Pingyuan Jun, "Aren't you worried about the destruction of Zhao?" Pingyuan Jun replied, "If Zhao is destroyed, I will be taken as a captive. How could I not be worried?" Li Tong continued, "The people of Handan are so desperate that they are reduced to eating bones and trading their children for food. The situation is desperate. However, in your harem, there are over a hundred concubines, dressed in silk and satin, eating scraps, while the common people are wearing tattered clothes and cannot even eat their fill of gruel. Now the common people are almost exhausted, and the soldiers are nearly out of strength. Some are even making makeshift spears and arrows from sharpened wood, while your household valuables and ceremonial bells are safe and sound. If the State of Qin conquers Zhao, you'll lose all this; if Zhao survives, you won't lack for anything. If you could order your wife and all those below her to go among the soldiers, work together, and distribute everything in the house to the soldiers to eat, the soldiers are in a desperate situation and will be easily moved by your actions."
So Pingyuan Jun followed his advice and gained three thousand volunteers ready to die for the cause. Li Tong led these three thousand men to charge at the Qin army, routing them for thirty miles in terror. At this time, the reinforcements from the States of Chu and Wei also arrived, and the Qin army had to retreat, saving Handan. Li Tong died in battle, and the Zhao king made his old man a marquis.
Yu Qing wanted to take advantage of the fact that Lord Xinling was safe and sound in Handan to request land for Pingyuan Jun. When Gongsun Long heard about this, he hurried to see Pingyuan Jun that very night and said, "I heard that Yu Qing wants to use the fact that Lord Xinling is safe and sound in Handan to request land for you. Is this true?" Pingyuan Jun said, "Yes." Gongsun Long said, "That's absolutely out of the question! When the King appointed you as the prime minister of Zhao, it was not because of your outstanding talent, but because Zhao had no one else to use. Being granted Dongwu City was not because of your great achievements, but because there was no one else in the country who had merit; it was only because you were a relative of the royal family. When you accepted the seal of prime minister, you did not say you were incompetent, and when you accepted the land, you did not say you had no merit; it was also because you were a relative of the royal family. Now, requesting land just because Lord Xinling is safe and sound in Handan has become a matter of rewarding relatives of the royal family, while commoners have to earn their rewards, which is inappropriate! Besides, Yu Qing is playing both sides—if things are done, he'll demand a reward; if things are not done, he'll just flatter you. You must not listen to him!" In the end, Pingyuan Jun did not listen to Yu Qing.
Pingyuan Jun died in the fifteenth year of King Xiaocheng of Zhao. His descendants inherited his title, but eventually fell with Zhao. "Pingyuan Jun treated Gongsun Long very well. Gongsun Long was a master debater, but when Zou Yan passed through Zhao and spread his philosophy, Gongsun Long's reputation was surpassed."
Yu Qing was a lobbyist. He wore humble shoes, carried an umbrella, and went to lobby King Xiaocheng of Zhao. The first time they met, he received rewards: a hundred gold ingots and a pair of jade bi; the second time they met, he became the highest-ranking minister of Zhao, hence the name Yu Qing.
So, the story goes, the states of Qin and Zhao were at war in Changping, and Zhao lost the battle, losing a commander as well. King Zhao called Lou Chang and Yu Qing and asked, "We lost the battle and the commander died. If I personally lead the troops to charge, what’s your take?" Lou Chang said, "It's useless; better to send a top envoy for peace talks." Yu Qing said, "Lou Chang suggests peace talks because he thinks that if we don't negotiate, the army will definitely be defeated. However, Your Highness, what's Qin's game plan? Are they out to crush us?" King Zhao said, "Qin has already pulled out all the stops; they definitely want to defeat Zhao's army." Yu Qing said, "Listen to me, send an envoy with many treasures to sweet-talk Chu and Wei. If Chu and Wei get the treasures, they will definitely meet our envoy. The moment our envoy hits Chu and Wei, Qin will suspect that the whole world's ganging up on them and will be afraid. We've got a shot at peace talks."
King Zhao did not listen to Yu Qing; he sent Lord Pingyang to negotiate with Qin and also sent Zheng and Zhu as envoys to Qin. Qin accepted them. King Zhao called Yu Qing again and said, "I have sent Lord Pingyang to negotiate with Qin, and Qin has accepted Zheng and Zhu. What do you reckon?" Yu Qing replied, "Your Majesty, you cannot succeed in peace talks; the army will definitely be defeated. Everyone's waiting to celebrate Qin's victory. Zheng and Zhu are nobles. When they go to Qin, the Qin king will roll out the red carpet, rubbing it in everyone's face. When Chu and Wei see that Zhao has started negotiations, they will not come to rescue Zhao. Qin knows that the countries of the world will not save Zhao, so peace talks are even less likely to succeed."
Indeed, the Marquis of Ying welcomed Zheng and Zhu grandly, showing off their win to the world, and ultimately refused to negotiate. Zhao got totally crushed at Changping, then Qin surrounded Handan, making them the laughingstock of the whole world.
The Qin army lifted the siege of Handan, and the King of Zhao went to the Qin capital to pay his respects to King Qin. He sent Zhao Hao to negotiate with the Qin and prepared to cede six counties in exchange for peace. Yu Qing said to the King of Zhao, "Were they really just tired, or did they pull back because they *liked* you, despite still having plenty of fight left in them?" The King of Zhao said, "The Qin attacked me with all their might; they must have withdrawn because they were tired." Yu Qing said, "They threw everything they had at you and still couldn't crack you. They only retreated because they were worn out. Now you are giving them what they couldn't take. Isn't that like shooting yourself in the foot? If they come back next year, you'll be toast." The King of Zhao told Zhao Hao about Yu Qing's words. Zhao Hao said, "Does Yu Qing really know the Qin's capabilities? Does he really know what they *can't* conquer? If you won't give up this little bit of land, and they attack again next year, you'll be giving up a whole lot more to buy peace, won't you?" The King of Zhao said, "Okay, I'll cede the land. Can you guarantee that the Qin won't attack me again next year?" Zhao Hao replied, "Look, I can't guarantee anything. You've been playing second fiddle to Han and Wei with the Qin. This gets you out of this mess, but you'll still be playing catch-up next year."
Wang filled Yu Qing in on the matter. Yu Qing said, "Old Hao said, 'If we don't make peace now, the Qin will be back next year, forcing us to cede land. And even if we cede six cities now—what good would that do? When they come back to attack next year, we’ll have to give up lands we can’t defend to seek peace. That's a recipe for disaster; better to hold firm. The Qin are strong attackers, but taking six cities won't be a cakewalk; and while our defenses are weak, they won't just waltz in and grab them. When the Qin get tired, they will retreat, and their army will surely be exhausted. By sacrificing six cities, we rally support and face the exhausted Qin army. It's a small loss for a huge gain! We're playing the long game here. Giving up land just makes us weaker and them stronger—that's nuts!
Now Old Hao says, 'The Qin are cozying up to Han and Wei but picking on us because we're not kissing up enough.' This means handing over land year after year—until we've got nothing left! Next year, they'll be back for more. Give in, and we're done for. Refuse, and we've wasted everything. It's always the strong who attack, the weak who defend—that's just how it is. Letting them walk all over us—that's how they get stronger and we get weaker. They'll keep pushing us until we're gone. They've got endless greed, and we've only got so much to give. It's a losing game."
Yu Qing continued, "So, instead of sitting around waiting for the axe to fall, it's better to actively prepare for war, build up our forces, and wait for the opportunity to counterattack. Instead of passively ceding territory and seeking peace, we should seize the initiative and take the lead. The reason why the Qin State dares to be so arrogant is that we have been retreating and playing right into their hands. We should change our strategy and stand up to Qin's aggression in order to protect the Zhao State."
King Zhao was indecisive, and at that moment, Lou Huan returned from the Qin State. King Zhao discussed with Lou Huan, saying, "Should I give the land to Qin State or not? Which is better?" Lou Huan declined, saying, "I really don't know." King Zhao said, "Well, then tell me your personal thoughts." Lou Huan replied, "Have you heard the story of Gongfu Wenbo's mother? Gongfu Wenbo was an official in the State of Lu, and when he died, his two sons' wives committed suicide for him. His mother, upon hearing this, did not cry. Her steward asked, 'Is there anyone who doesn't cry when their son dies?' She replied, 'Confucius, such a virtuous person, was driven out of Lu, but these people did not follow him. Now that my son has died, his wives have committed suicide for him. These people must be disrespectful to their elders but very kind to their wives.' So, from the mother's perspective, she is a virtuous mother; from the wives' perspective, this mother is definitely a jealous wife. It all depends on who's saying it, doesn't it? The same words can mean completely different things. If I'd just gotten back from Qin and told you not to give them the land, you'd think I was crazy; if I said to give the land, you'd think I was in Qin's pocket. If you want me to give you advice, it's better to give the land to the Qin State." King Zhao nodded.
Yu Qing heard about this, so he went to the palace to see King Zhao and said, "This is just sweet-talking nonsense, Your Majesty, don't give an inch to Qin!" Upon hearing this, Lou Huan went to see King Zhao. King Zhao then told Lou Huan about Yu Qing's words. Lou Huan replied, "No. Yu Qing only sees one aspect, but he's missing the bigger picture. When Qin and Zhao are at war, everyone's rubbing their hands with glee. Why is that? Because everyone thinks, 'I should take advantage of Qin's strength and Zhao's weakness, and reap the benefits.' Now that Zhao's army is losing to Qin, all the congrats will be going Qin's way. So it's better to quickly hand over some land and call it a day, throw them off the scent, and keep Qin sweet. Otherwise, when Qin is angry and Zhao is weak, everyone will be carving up Zhao. If we're about to go under, who cares what Qin's up to? Therefore, Yu Qing only sees one aspect, but he's not seeing the wood for the trees. So, Your Majesty, I urge you to act decisively."
After Yu Qing heard about this matter, he hurried to find the King of Zhao and said, "Your Majesty, giving away six cities to appease Qin is a terrible risk! That'll just make everyone think you're weak, and it won't make Qin trust you any more. Shouldn't we play it like we're weak? And look, it's not just about keeping the cities. You're giving Qin six cities, but you're giving them to Qi, who's Qin's sworn enemy! If Qi gets those cities, they'll be all over Qin like white on rice—no need for us to lift a finger. So you're handing Qi the cities and expecting Qin to give you something? Doesn't make sense, right? Qi and Zhao have been at each other's throats forever. Now Qi gets its revenge and shows off its power. If you do this, even before Qin sends troops, they'll be showering you with gifts to make amends. If you make up with Qin, Han and Wei will be all over you, throwing you gifts left and right. Boom, you're buddies with three countries and cozy with Qin." King Zhao said, "Good!" So he sent Yu Qing east to meet with the King of Qi and hash out a plan against Qin. Before Yu Qing got back, Qin's envoy showed up. Lou Huan heard, and hightailed it out of there. Zhao gave Yu Qing a city as a reward.
Some time later, Wei requested to join the alliance against Qin. King Zhao Xiaocheng called Yu Qing in for a chat. Passing by Pingyuan Jun's home, Pingyuan Jun said, "I hope they take your advice." Yu Qing entered the palace to meet King Zhao, who said, "Wei has requested to join." Yu Qing replied, "Wei's got it all wrong." King Zhao said, "I haven't agreed to them yet." Yu Qing said, "You're wrong, too." King Zhao asked, "Wei has requested to join, you say they're wrong, I haven't agreed yet, and you say I'm wrong. So can we let them join or not?" Yu Qing responded, "I've heard that when small countries deal with big ones, the big ones get the perks, and the small ones get stuck with the problems. Wei's taking the risk, and you're giving up the rewards – that's why you're both wrong. Let them join." King Zhao said, "Very well!" So he agreed to let Wei join the alliance.
Because he'd teamed up with Qi and Wei against Qin, Yu Qing scoffed at titles and ranks. He went underground with the Qi and Wei people and eventually left Zhao, getting stuck in Liang. Later, Wei and Qi fell, and Yu Qing never got what he wanted. He then wrote a book, following the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, observing recent times, and wrote eight essays, including "Loyalty and Righteousness," "Titles," "Reflections," and "Political Strategies," which criticized the country's successes and failures. This collection became known as the *Yu Shi Chunqiu*.
Sima Qian said, Pingyuan Jun was a real charmer in troubled times, but unfortunately, he didn't think big enough. As the saying goes, "power corrupts," Pingyuan Jun was misled by Feng Ting's load of crap, resulting in the loss of more than 400,000 troops in the Battle of Changping, and the city of Handan was almost breached. Think about Yu Qing; he had a knack for seeing things coming and was a brilliant strategist for the Zhao Kingdom! Sadly, he was too soft-hearted and couldn't bring himself to deal with Wei Qi, ending up trapped in Daliang. Even the average Joe knew this was a bad idea, let alone smart folks. But then again, if Yu Qing hadn't experienced the hardships of poverty, he might not have been able to write those works that are still around today.
So, Sima Qian's basically saying Pingyuan Jun was a good-looking guy who messed up big time, while Yu Qing was brilliant but too nice for his own good. And hey, that's life, right?
