Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 危如累卵Pinyin: wēi rú lěi luǎnLiteral Meaning: As dangerous as eggs piled one on top of another.Figurative Meaning: A situation is extremely precarious and likely to collapse or fail at any moment. Extended Background & Usage Notes This ancient Chinese idiom uses a vivid visual metaphor. Stacking eggs is extremely unstable…
Now I offer my humble strategy: send envoys to the State of Chu, lavish generous gifts on its influential ministers, and clarify how Zhao has deceived Qin. Exchange hostages with Wei to calm its intentions, then align with Han to campaign against Zhao. Even if Zhao unites with Qi, it will pose no grave…
For more than thirty years, Han has served Qin. Externally, it acts as Qin’s defensive shield; internally, it serves like a mat and cushion for Qin. Whenever Qin sends elite troops to seize Han’s land, the resentment incurred falls upon the other states, while all merit belongs solely to powerful Qin. Moreover, Han pays…
Moreover, I have heard an old saying: Be cautious and trembling in mind, growing more prudent day by day. If one upholds the right way with caution, the whole realm may be obtained.
The State of Zhao lay in the central plain, a land inhabited by mixed peoples. Its folk were frivolous and hard to command. Its government decrees were ill‑regulated, rewards and punishments lacked credibility, its terrain offered no strategic advantage, and its ruler could not fully mobilize the strength of the people. Zhao already bore…
Now Qin issues decrees and enforces rewards and punishments, distinguishing clearly between those with merit and those without.
I have heard that the feudal states secretly favor Yan and side with Wei, ally with Chu and stabilize Qi, win over Han to form the vertical alliance. They intend to march westward to confront the powerful State of Qin, yet I secretly laugh at their attempt.