zou ji

  • The Strategist’s Revenge: Sun Bin vs. Pang Juan [Warring States]

    Introduction: This article narrates the legendary rivalry and revenge of Sun Bin against his treacherous fellow student, Pang Juan, during the Warring States period. It details Sun Bin’s harrowing escape from Wei, where he faked madness and death to evade Pang Juan’s spies. The narrative highlights two pivotal battles: the Battle of Guiling, where…

  • The admonition of Zou Ji [Warring States]

    Introduction: This article recounts the story of Zou Ji, a master of persuasive statecraft during the Warring States period. It details how he used the metaphor of a silent lute to rouse the indolent King Wei of Qi from nine years of neglect. As Chancellor, Zou Ji instituted radical reforms and transparency, famously using…

  • Which was the more handsome?

    Lord Zou Ji of the state of Qi was six feet tall and a fine figure of a man. One morning he dressed himself smartly, and studied himself in the mirror.