Brief: This article recounts the famous Warring States story of Mao Sui, a retainer who “recommended himself” to join Lord Pingyuan’s diplomatic mission to Chu. Faced with Qin’s siege of Handan, Lord Pingyuan struggled to find twenty capable men, mocking Mao Sui’s three years of obscurity. Mao Sui retorted that a needle thrusts through a sack immediately, and boldly seized the moment. During the stalemate negotiations, he drew his sword before King Kaolie of Chu, shaming the monarch with the memory of Chu’s past humiliations by Qin. His audacity secured the vertical alliance, saving Zhao from annihilation.
A diplomat’s gambit
In 260 BCE, the Battle of Changping ended in catastrophic defeat for Zhao. Over 450,000 Zhao soldiers – many buried alive – were annihilated by Qin forces under General Bai Qi. Flush with victory, Bai Qi sent word to King Zhaoxiang of Qin, requesting reinforcements and supplies to march on Handan and extinguish Zhao entirely.
But fate – and diplomacy – intervened.
At that moment, Su Dai, a Yan minister and cousin of the famed strategist Su Qin, was staying at the residence of Lord Pingyuan of Zhao. Determined to save Zhao, Su Dai volunteered to travel to Qin and plead with Chancellor Fan Ju.
Fan Ju, wary of Bai Qi’s rising power and mindful that Qin’s armies were exhausted after years of war, saw an opportunity. He persuaded King Zhaoxiang to accept territorial concessions from Zhao and Han in exchange for peace. The king agreed and ordered Bai Qi to withdraw.
But Zhao soon reneged – refusing to cede six promised cities and instead allying with Chu state, offering land to seal a new coalition. Enraged, King Zhaoxiang of Qin launched a fresh invasion in 259 BCE, sending General Wang Ling with 100,000 troops to besiege Handan.
This time, however, Zhao was not led by the reckless Zhao Kuo, but by the seasoned General Lian Po. Wang Ling suffered repeated defeats and urgently requested reinforcements.
Bai Qi’s refusal
King Zhaoxiang turned to Bai Qi to replace Wang Ling – but the great general refused. He argued the war was now unwinnable: Zhao was united in defense, and other states might intervene. When pressed, Bai Qi feigned illness and withdrew from court.
The king then appointed Wang He (the same general from Changping) to lead the siege. Yet again, Qin made little progress. Desperate, the king dispatched Zheng Anping – a trusted officer – with 50,000 elite troops to reinforce the campaign.
As Qin tightened its grip on Handan, Zhao sent envoys across the realm, begging for aid.
The Nineteen and the Twentieth
Lord Pingyuan (Pingyuan Jun) resolved to journey to Chu to secure an alliance. He planned to bring twenty men of both literary and martial talent – a standard entourage for such a mission. Though he maintained over 3,000 retainers, finding true polymaths proved difficult.
After days of selection, he had only nineteen. Frustrated, he lamented:
“I’ve spent decades gathering talent – yet can’t find twenty worthy men!”
Then, from the back of the hall, a voice spoke up:
“May I fill the last spot?”
Laughter and scorn followed. But Lord Pingyuan asked,
“Your name?”
“Mao Sui, from Daliang. I’ve served you three years.”
Pingyuan Jun scoffed:
“A talented man is like a needle in a sack – his point soon pierces through. Yet in three years, I’ve never seen yours.”
Mao Sui replied sharply:
“If you’d put me in the sack sooner, the whole needle would have thrust out – not just the tip!”
Impressed by his boldness and wit, Lord Pingyuan added him to the delegation. They set off immediately for Chen (Chu’s capital, modern Huaiyang, Henan).
Stalemate in the Court of Chu
At court, Lord Pingyuan pleaded with King Kaolie of Chu to join a vertical alliance (hezong) against Qin. For hours, he argued:
“After the Huan River covenant, Qin dared not cross Hangu Pass! It was betrayal – not the alliance – that failed. Now, with Zhao holding Handan against 200,000 Qin troops for a year, a united front can crush them!”
But King Kaolie refused, citing past disasters:
“My grandfather, King Huai, died in Qin captivity. Qi’s King Min sought hegemony and was murdered. Who dares challenge Qin now?”
He added:
“Qin and Chu are at peace. If I join you, Qin will turn on me – making Chu suffer for Zhao’s sake!”
Lord Pingyuan countered:
“Qin befriends you only to destroy the Three Jin (Han, Zhao, Wei). Once they fall, will Chu survive?”
Still, the king hesitated – frowning, scratching his head, avoiding eye contact.
The needle thrusts through
Suddenly, Mao Sui strode up the steps, sword in hand, and shouted:
“This alliance needs but one word – ‘yes’ or ‘no’! Why waste the whole morning in endless talk?”
King Kaolie of Chu glared:
“Who are you? How dare you interrupt state affairs!”
“I am Mao Sui, retainer of Lord Pingyuan.”
“Get out!” the king snapped.
But Mao Sui stepped closer, blade glinting:
“The fate of all under heaven concerns all under heaven! Is this ‘meddling’ – or duty?”
Intimidated yet intrigued, the king softened:
“Speak, then.”
Mao Sui delivered a thunderous rebuke:
“Chu commands 5,000 li of land and a million armored troops! Yet Qin humiliated you – your king died captive in Xianyang! Bai Qi sacked your capital Ying, turning it into Qin’s Nan Commandery, forcing you to flee to this very city! Can you forget such shame? Even children weep at this history – yet their king hesitates to avenge it?
Today, Lord Pingyuan doesn’t come for Zhao alone – he comes for Chu’s honor!”
Each word struck like a needle. King Kaolie blushed, stammered,
“Yes… yes!”
Mao Sui pressed:
“Then you’ve decided?”
“Decided!”
The Siege Lifted
True to his word, King Kaolie dispatched troops. Soon, Chu and Wei formed a relief army that marched on Handan. In 257 BCE, the allied forces crushed the Qin besiegers, lifting the siege and saving Zhao from annihilation.
Thus, the boldness of a single retainer – armed not just with a sword, but with unflinching truth – altered the course of history.
Note
Mao Sui
A retainer of Lord Pingyuan who volunteered himself for a critical diplomatic mission. He used courage and rhetoric to persuade Chu to save Zhao.
Lord Pingyuan (Zhao Sheng)
One of the Four Lords of the Warring States; ruler of Zhao’s royal clan who sought alliance with Chu against Qin.
King Kaolie of Chu
King of Chu who was shamed into joining the anti‑Qin alliance by Mao Sui’s bold speech.
Bai Qi
Qin’s top general who won the Battle of Changping but later refused to attack Handan.
Lian Po
Experienced Zhao general who defended Handan during the long siege.
Mao Sui Zi Jian / Mao Sui Recommends Himself
A famous idiom meaning: to volunteer bravely for an important task when no one else steps up.
Needle in a Sack
Mao Sui’s metaphor: a truly talented person will soon stand out, like a needle piercing a cloth sack.
Siege of Handan (259–257 BCE)
Qin’s attempt to destroy Zhao after the Battle of Changping; saved by Chu and Wei’s reinforcements.
Vertical Alliance (Hezong)
The coalition of eastern states united to resist Qin’s expansion.
One word decides the nation
Mao Sui forced the king to make a quick, bold choice.
Shame awakens courage
Mao Sui used Chu’s past humiliations by Qin to stir the king’s pride.
A needle pierces the sack
Symbolizes a hidden talent finally showing his ability.
Volunteer to save the state
Mao Sui became the model for self‑motivated heroism.
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