-
The fatal strength of Meng Ben [Warring States]
This article recounts the tragic story of Meng Ben, a mighty warrior of the State of Qin during the Warring States period. It details his rivalry with King Wu of Qin, a monarch obsessed with martial prowess. In 307 BC, Meng Ben incited the king to lift the Dragon-Patterned Red Cauldron, a symbol of…
-
Mencius – Chapter 3.1 Half the Effort, Double the Glory: The opportunity for Benevolent Rule
Gongsun Chou asked Mencius, “If you should hold the power of government in Qi, could you achieve great deeds like Guan Zhong and Yanzi?”
-
The chicken-crowers and dog-thieves: Lord Mengchang [Warring States]
This article examines the controversial life of Lord Mengchang (Tian Wen), one of the “Four Lords” of the Warring States period. It contrasts his self-serving opportunism against the loyalty of his peers, detailing his betrayals of both Qin and his native Qi. The narrative highlights his famous escape from Qin—aided by retainers skilled in…
-
The peril of the ancestral temple in Xue [Warring States]
This article recounts the diplomatic rescue of Lord Mengchang’s fiefdom of Xue during the Warring States period. When the State of Chu invaded Xue, the renowned diplomat Chunyu Kun was tasked with saving it. Instead of pleading for help, Chunyu Kun used a brilliant rhetorical strategy: he convinced King Min of Qi that the…
-
Mencius – Chapter 2.16 When ritual becomes a political tool: Zang Cang vs. Mencius
Duke Ping of Lu was about to set out when his favorite courtier, Zang Cang, asked: “Usually, Your Lordship informs the officials of your destination before leaving. Now your carriage is ready, yet no one knows where you’re going. May I ask?”