diplomatic deception

  • The Reckoning of Fan Ju [Warring States]

    This article details the revenge of Fan Ju, the Chancellor of Qin, against the state of Wei. After surviving torture and betrayal, Fan Ju adopted the alias “Zhang Lu” to rise to power in Qin. When Wei sent the envoy Xu Gu to negotiate peace, Fan Ju orchestrated a dramatic psychological reckoning. He disguised…

  • The Master of Deceit: Zhang Yi [Warring States]

    This article details the masterful deception of Zhang Yi, Chancellor of Qin, during the Warring States period. It recounts his infamous “Sting” against King Huai of Chu, where he falsely promised 600 li of land to break the Chu-Qi alliance, only to renege and provoke a war that cost Chu its territory and generals.…