The younger brother of Chu’s king was detained in Qin, which refused to release him. A royal bodyguard of Chu said: “Grant me a hundred taels of gold, and I can bring him home.”
He took the gold to Jin and visited Shu Xiang: “Chu’s prince is trapped in Qin; I entrust this gold to you to secure his release.” Shu Xiang accepted the gift and went to Duke Ping of Jin: “We may start building fortifications at Huqiu.”
When the duke asked why, Shu Xiang explained: “Qin’s detention of the Chu prince proves bad Qin-Chu relations; Qin dares not stop our construction. Should Qin protest, we demand they free the prince in exchange for halting works. If Qin yields, Jin earns Chu’s gratitude; if not, Qin’s hostility deepens and it still cannot block us.”
The duke approved the plan. Jin began construction and gave Qin the ultimatum, forcing Qin to send the prince back. Delighted, the King of Chu presented a hundred yi of refined gold to Jin.
Note
Make use of contradictions among multiple powers to accomplish one’s goal without direct military conflict.
Late Warring States Legalist, cites the incident to demonstrate leveraging interstate conflicts for diplomatic gains.
Chu royal bodyguard
Chu’s agent who funded the rescue via Jin diplomacy.
Shu Xiang (Yangshe Xi)
Wise senior minister of State Jin, master of diplomatic bargaining.
Duke Ping of Jin
Ruler of Jin who agreed to construct Huqiu for political leverage.
Kings of Qin and Chu
Leaders stuck in hostage-related diplomatic game.
Royal hostage custom
It was common for princes to stay in foreign states as hostages during Spring and Autumn period.
Interstate geopolitical bargaining
Small-scale construction of border ramparts was used as diplomatic leverage to coerce rival kingdoms.
Ancient weight units
Jin/yi were standard pre-Qin gold measuring units for valuable diplomatic gifts.
荆王弟在秦，秦不出也。中射之士曰：“资臣百金，臣能出之。”因载百金之晋，见叔向，曰：“荆王弟在秦，秦不出也。请以百金委叔向。”叔向受金而以见之晋平公曰：“可以城壶丘矣。”平公曰：“何也？“对曰：“荆王弟在秦，秦不出也，是秦恶荆也，必不敢禁我城壶丘。若禁之，我曰：’为我出荆王之弟，吾不城也。’彼如出之，可以德荆；彼不出，是卒恶也，必不敢禁我城壶丘矣。”公曰：“善。”乃城壶丘。谓秦公曰：“为我出荆王之弟，吾不城也。”秦因出之。荆王大说，以链金百镒遗晋。
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