The King of Chu launched an invasion against Wu. Wu dispatched Juwei and Curong to bring gifts and console the Chu army. The Chu general ordered: “Bind them and slay their blood to consecrate war drums.”
The general asked: “Did you practice divination before setting out?” They replied: “We did.”
“Was the omen auspicious?” “Yes.”
Chu’s men questioned: “You are to be killed for drum consecration; how can it be lucky?”
The envoys answered: “This is exactly why the divination foretold good fortune. Wu sent us to observe your mood. If you fly into rage, Wu will reinforce ramparts and trenches; if you stay calm, Wu grows careless. Killing us makes Wu strictly guard its borders, safeguarding our kingdom at the cost of two lives – surely lucky. Besides, if the dead have no spirit, sacrificing us brings no benefit; if spirits exist, I shall silence your drums amid combat.”
The Chu commander spared their lives.
Note
Logical analysis of pros and cons can defuse mortal danger; arbitrary killing harms the killer’s own military interests.
Late Warring States Legalist, cites the tale to illustrate persuasive rhetoric and cost-benefit analysis in military decision-making.
Chu general
Commanding officer who intended human sacrifice for ritual drum-blessing.
Juwei (Ju Wei) & Curong (Cu Rong or Jue Rong)
Two diplomatic envoys of Wu skilled in crisis debate.
Blood consecration of drums
An ancient pre-war sacrificial custom in ancient China, killing captives to smear blood on battle drums for divine blessing before combat.
Divination tradition
Divination was still widely used for matters of state and military affairs as well as for personal decisions during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
Diplomatic wisdom of Warring States
Envoys used rational analysis of military pros and cons to escape execution, a typical feature of ancient lobby culture.
荊王伐吳，吳使沮衛蹙融犒於荊師而將軍曰「縛之，殺以釁鼓。」問之曰：「汝來卜乎？」答曰：「卜。」「卜吉乎？」曰：「吉。」荊人曰：「今荊將與女釁鼓其何也？」答曰：「是故其所以吉也。吳使人來也，固視將軍怒。將軍怒，將深溝高壘；將軍不怒，將懈怠。今也將軍殺臣，則吳必警守矣。且國之卜，非為一臣卜。夫殺一臣而存一國，其不言吉何也？且死者無知，則以臣釁鼓無益也；死者有知也，臣將當戰之時，臣使鼓不鳴。」荊人因不殺也。
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