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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…
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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.