Qin then sent Li Si as an envoy to the State of Han.
Li Si went to seek an audience with the King of Han but was not admitted. He therefore submitted a memorial, stating:
“In former times, Qin and Han united with one heart and agreed not to invade each other. No state under heaven dared to assault them, and this peaceful alliance lasted for generations.
Once the five feudal lords joined forces to attack Han, and Qin dispatched troops to rescue it. Lying in the Central Plains, Han’s territory was less than a thousand li in extent. Yet it could stand side by side with other states and keep its ruler and ministers safe, solely because it had served Qin faithfully for generations.
Later, the five feudal lords campaigned against Qin together. Han even took the lead among the allies, marching toward the Qin border pass. When the allied armies grew exhausted and helpless, they finally withdrew.
When Ducang served as prime minister of Qin, he raised troops and appointed generals to avenge the grievances of Qin against the world, planning to attack Chu first. The Prime Minister of Chu worried and said:
‘Han condemns Qin as unrighteous, yet once stood with Qin like brothers to share the troubles of the realm. Then it betrayed Qin and led the allied advance to the border pass. Dwelling in the Central Plains, Han is fickle and unpredictable.’
Subsequently, all the states jointly ceded ten cities from Han to apologize to Qin, persuading Qin to halt its military campaign.
Because of this single betrayal of Qin, Han fell into peril, lost territory, and its military remained weak to this day. This misfortune came from heeding the empty words of treacherous ministers and failing to weigh actual circumstances. Even executing those corrupt ministers afterward could never restore Han’s former strength.”
Note
This letter uses historical facts to warn the King of Han: Fickle diplomacy and trusting corrupt ministers bring ruin; only stable submission to Qin can preserve Han’s existence. It is both persuasion and veiled political pressure.
Li Si
Prime Minister of Qin, renowned Legalist statesman. Sent by Qin as an envoy to Han, he wrote this letter to persuade and pressure the King of Han into submitting to Qin.
King of Han
Ruler of the weak Central Plains state Han, hesitant in foreign policy and easily influenced by court ministers.
Ducang
A prime minister of Qin during the late Warring States period, who advocated military retaliation against the allied feudal states.
Prime Minister of Chu (Lingyin)
The highest official in the State of Chu, in charge of state affairs and foreign strategy, who criticized Han’s inconsistent diplomatic stance.
Alliance and Betrayal in Warring States Diplomacy
States frequently formed temporary alliances and broke promises for self-interest. Han’s shifting allegiance between Qin and the coalition made it distrusted by all sides.
Central Plains Geopolitics
Small states located in the Central Plains were sandwiched between powerful rivals, forced to rely on stronger powers for survival yet vulnerable to retaliation if they switched sides.
Ceding Cities as Apology
A common diplomatic practice in the Warring States: weaker states or wrongdoers would offer cities and land to a powerful state to end conflict and make peace.
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