After Yue conquered Wu, it requested troops from Chu to launch an attack on Jin. Yi Xiang, the Left Royal Historian, advised the King of Chu: “Yue exhausted its elite soldiers and armors in defeating Wu. Its request for troops against Jin is merely a pretense of full strength to hide its weakness. We ought to send troops to seize part of former Wu’s territory.”
The king agreed and dispatched troops following Yue’s army. Enraged, the King of Yue planned to strike Chu. Minister Wen Zhong dissuaded him: “Our army is depleted and poorly equipped; battle will end in defeat. We should offer land as tribute instead.” Finally Yue ceded five hundred li of land north of Lushan to Chu.
Note
Boasting superficial prosperity cannot conceal domestic depletion; shrewd rivals will take advantage of your exhaustion to grab benefits.
Late Warring States Legalist, uses this interstate event to elaborate strategic judgment on rival’s real strength.
Yi Xiang (Left Historian)
Wise Chu official good at discerning the hidden weakness of Yue.
King of Chu
Accepted strategic advice to send troops for territorial gains.
King of Yue (King Goujian of Yue)
The final hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Period. He endured years of humiliation, rebuilt his state, and conquered Wu. Arrogant after conquering Wu and underestimated Chu’s intention.
Wen Zhong
Famous Yue minister who persuaded his lord to avoid war and cede land. Unfortunately, he was forced to commit suicide by the King Goujian later.
Post-Wu-downfall geopolitics
After Gou Jian destroyed Wu, Yue’s national strength was severely consumed despite victory, becoming vulnerable to peripheral powers.
Pre-Qin interstate trick
Judge opponents’ actual military power from their abnormal diplomatic demands and take timely territorial advantage.
Land cession diplomacy
Ceding vast territory was a common way to cease hostile military conflict in Warring States Period.
越已勝吳，又索卒於荊而攻晉，左史倚相謂荊王曰：「夫越破吳，豪士死，銳卒盡，大甲傷，今又索卒以攻晉，示我不病也，不如起師與分吳。」荊王曰：「善。」因起師而從越，越王怒，將擊之，大夫種曰：「不可。吾豪士盡，大甲傷，我與戰必不剋，不如賂之。」乃割露山之陰五百里以賂之。
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