Duke Kang of Qin spent three years building a terrace. Meanwhile, the State of Chu raised troops, claiming to attack Qi. Ren Wang warned: “Famine, plague, public toil and internal chaos all invite enemy invasion. You have kept people working on the terrace for three years. I fear Chu uses the attack on Qi as a cover, and intends to raid Qin instead. We had better stand on guard.”
Qin then dispatched soldiers to defend its eastern border. Seeing this, Chu abandoned the march.
Note
This text is excerpted from Han Feizi, Chapter: The Forest of Persuasions (Part I). It tells us that excessive construction and heavy labor will weaken a state and attract invaders. Wise officials can see through false military moves, and timely defense can defuse hidden dangers.
Late Warring States Legalist philosopher. He uses this story to illustrate crisis awareness and state governance.
Duke Kang of Qin
Ruler of Qin, who exhausted national manpower on long-term construction projects.
Ren Wang
A perceptive official of Qin, good at analyzing military tricks and potential dangers.
Large-scale Royal Construction
Building terraces, palaces and gardens was common for ancient nobles. Long-term corvee would drain national strength and disturb people’s lives.
Feint Military Maneuver
A classic military tactic: disguise the real target with a false campaign to launch a surprise attack.
National Security Principle
A nation weakened by civil toil becomes vulnerable. Rulers should avoid exhausting their people and stay alert to external threats.
秦康公築臺三年，荊人起兵，將欲以兵攻齊，任妄曰：「饑召兵，疾召兵，勞召兵，亂召兵。君築臺三年，今荊人起兵將攻齊，臣恐其攻齊為聲，而以襲秦為實也，不如備之。」戍東邊，荊人輟行。
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