English Edition
History
Strategies of the Warring States Volumes I–XVII
English BooksWhale Edition by Liu Xiang
Original title: 战国策
Diplomats and rulers debate alliances, warfare, persuasion, and political survival in the Eastern Zhou through Chu sections of Zhanguo Ce.
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Book introduction
Strategies of the Warring States Volumes I–XVII
Compiled by Liu Xiang, Strategies of the Warring States preserves speeches and political narratives from the rival states of ancient China. This new English translation covers volumes I–XVII, from Eastern and Western Zhou through Qin, Qi, and Chu. Its encounters reveal strategies of alliance, military pressure, court rivalry, and persuasion. The volume range defines the scope of this edition.
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This edition is an AI-assisted, human-reviewed translation prepared by BooksWhale. It has been reviewed for readability, formatting, and consistency.
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Why this edition can be shared
The ancient Chinese source text is in the public domain. This edition is an independently prepared, human-corrected AI-assisted English translation commissioned by the publisher.
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Preview chapterVolume One: Eastern ZhouRead preview
Volume One: Eastern Zhou
Preview chapterQin Raises an Army Against Zhou and Demands the Nine Tripod CauldronsPreview
The State of Qin dispatched troops toward the borders of Zhou and demanded possession of the Nine Tripod Cauldrons. The ruler of Zhou became deeply concerned and discussed the matter with Yan Shuai.
Yan Shuai said, “Your Majesty need not worry. I am willing to travel east to Qi and request military assistance.”
Yan Shuai went to Qi and addressed the King of Qi:
“Qin has acted without righteousness. It intends to seize Zhou’s Nine Tripod Cauldrons by force. The ruler and ministers of Zhou have considered the matter and concluded that, rather than surrendering them to Qin, it would be better to present them to your esteemed state. Preserving a country on the brink of destruction will bring you a noble reputation, while acquiring the Nine Tripod Cauldrons will bring substantial material benefit. I hope Your Majesty will give this proposal due consideration.”
The King of Qi was delighted. He dispatched fifty thousand troops under the command of General Chen Chensi to rescue Zhou. Consequently, the Qin army withdrew.
Qi then demanded that Eastern Zhou hand over the Nine Tripod Cauldrons. The ruler of Zhou again grew anxious.
Yan Shuai said, “Your Majesty need not be distressed. I shall travel east and settle this matter.”
Upon arriving in Qi, Yan Shuai said to the King of Qi:
“Thanks to the righteous assistance of your great state, the ruler and people of Zhou have been preserved. We are willing to offer the Nine Tripod Cauldrons. May I ask which route Your Majesty intends to use to transport them to Qi?”
The King of Qi replied, “I intend to request passage through Wei.”
Yan Shuai said, “That would not be possible. The ruler and ministers of Wei have long desired the Nine Tripod Cauldrons. For a considerable time, they have repeatedly plotted to acquire them, making plans beneath the Hui Terrace and beside the Sea of Sand. Once the cauldrons enter Wei, they will certainly never come out.”
The King of Qi said, “Then I shall request passage through Chu instead.”
Yan Shuai replied, “That will not do either. The ruler and ministers of Chu have also been conspiring for a long time to obtain the Nine Tripod Cauldrons, secretly making plans in the Ye Court. Once the cauldrons enter Chu, they will never emerge.”
The King of Qi asked, “Then by what route can I transport them to Qi?”
Yan Shuai replied:
“My humble state is privately concerned on Your Majesty’s behalf. The Nine Tripod Cauldrons are not like bottles of vinegar or jars of sauce that can be carried in one's arms or hands all the way to Qi. Nor are they like gathering birds, flying crows, running rabbits, or galloping horses that can reach Qi in an instant.
“In former times, when the people of Zhou attacked Yin and acquired the Nine Tripod Cauldrons, each cauldron required ninety thousand men to haul it. Altogether, the nine cauldrons required eight hundred and ten thousand men, while the number of supporting soldiers and the quantity of equipment were approximately equal to that figure.
“Even if Your Majesty possessed all these men today, by which route could they travel? I am truly concerned for Your Majesty!”
The King of Qi said, “You have come here repeatedly, but your real intention is simply to avoid giving the cauldrons to Qi.”
Yan Shuai replied, “I would never dare deceive your great state. Please decide upon the transportation route as soon as possible. My humble state will move the cauldrons out and have them ready for collection at any time.”
The King of Qi had no choice but to abandon his demand.
Preview chapterQin Attacks YiyangPreview
When Qin attacked Yiyang, the ruler of Zhou asked Zhao Lei, “What do you think the outcome of this war will be?”
Zhao Lei replied, “Yiyang will certainly fall.”
The ruler of Zhou said:
“Yiyang is a city eight li in circumference. It has one hundred thousand brave warriors and enough stored grain to last for several years. Gongzhong, the chancellor of Han, commands another two hundred thousand troops, while the Chu general Jing Cui is leading his army toward Mount Funiu to provide reinforcements. The Qin army will surely return without accomplishing anything.”
Zhao Lei replied:
“Gan Mao has taken refuge in Qin. If he captures Yiyang and establishes military merit, he will be able to hold power for a long time, like the Duke of Zhou, Dan. If he fails, he will no longer have a place in Qin.
“The King of Qin insisted on attacking Yiyang despite the objections of his ministers. If Yiyang is not captured, he will regard it as a humiliation. Therefore, I believe Yiyang is certain to fall.”
The ruler of Zhou asked, “What should I do, then?”
Zhao Lei said:
“Your Majesty may speak to Jing Cui as follows:
“‘General, your noble rank has already reached that of Zhigui, and your official position has risen to Shangzhuguo. Even if you win a victory, there is little further promotion or reward that can be bestowed upon you. But if you are defeated, you will hardly escape death.
“‘It would be better for you to take a position against Qin while waiting until its army has captured Yiyang before advancing your own troops. Qin will fear that you intend to attack its exhausted army and will certainly offer you precious gifts. Gongzhong, the chancellor of Han, will also believe that you are attacking Qin to rescue Han, and he too will surely present you with all manner of treasures.’”
The Qin army captured Yiyang, and Jing Cui indeed dispatched his troops.
Qin became frightened and immediately offered the city of Zhuzao. Han likewise presented valuable objects.
Having acquired Zhuzao from Qin and treasures from Han, Jing Cui was extremely grateful to Eastern Zhou.
Table of contents
Inside this edition
- 01Volume One: Eastern Zhou
- 02Qin Raises an Army Against Zhou and Demands the Nine Tripod Cauldrons
- 03Qin Attacks Yiyang
- 04Eastern Zhou Goes to War with Western Zhou
- 05Eastern Zhou and Western Zhou Contend
- 06Eastern Zhou Wishes to Cultivate Rice
- 07Zhao Yu Is in Yangdi
- 08Qin Requests Passage Through Zhou to Attack Han
- 09Chu Attacks Yongshi
- 10Zhou Zui Speaks to Lü Li
- 11Zhou Chancellor Lü Cang Introduces a Visitor to the Ruler of Zhou
- 12A Man from Wen Comes to Zhou
- 13Someone Speaks to Jin Tou on Behalf of Zhou Zui
- 14Zhou Zui Speaks to Jin Tou
- 15Youxing Qin Speaks to the Daliangzao
- 16Someone Speaks to Lord Xue
- 17Qi Listens to Zhu Fu
- 18Su Li Speaks to Su Qin on Behalf of Zhou Zui
- 19Someone Speaks to Zhou Zui
- 20Someone Speaks to the King of Wei on Behalf of Zhou Zui
- 21Someone Speaks to Zhou Zui
- 22Zhao Seizes Zhou’s Sacrificial Territory
- 23Du He Wishes to Increase Jing Cui’s Importance in Zhou
- 24The Death of Crown Prince Gong of Zhou
- 25The Three States Confront Qin
- 26Chang Ta Flees from Western Zhou to Eastern Zhou
- 27Zhao Jian Falls Out with Eastern Zhou
- 28The Assassination Plot of the Yan Family
- 29Volume Two: Western Zhou
- 30Lord Xue Uses Qi, Han, and Wei to Attack Chu
- 31Qin Defeats the Army of Wei General Xi Wu at Yique
- 32Qin Orders Chuli Ji to Enter Zhou with One Hundred Chariots
- 33The Campaign at Yongshi
- 34The Ruler of Zhou Goes to Qin
- 35Su Li Speaks to the Ruler of Zhou
- 36The Chu Army Is South of the Mountain
- 37Chu Requests Passage Between Eastern and Western Zhou to Threaten Han and Wei
- 38Sikou Bu Speaks to the Ruler of Zhou on Behalf of Zhou Zui
- 39Qin Summons the Ruler of Zhou
- 40Xi Wu Is Defeated at Yique
- 41Han and Wei Exchange Territory
- 42Qin Wishes to Attack Zhou
- 43Gong Ta Speaks to the Ruler of Zhou
- 44Someone Speaks to the King of Qi
- 45The Three States Return After Attacking Qin
- 46The Defeat of Xi Wu
- 47Volume Three: Qin
- 48Wei Yang Flees from Wei to Qin
- 49Su Qin First Advocates the Horizontal Alliance to King Hui of Qin
- 50King Hui of Qin Speaks to Hanquanzi
- 51Leng Xiang Speaks to the King of Qin
- 52Someone Persuades the King of Qin
- 53Zhang Yi Wishes to Borrow Qin Troops to Rescue Wei
- 54Sima Cuo and Zhang Yi Debate Before King Hui of Qin
- 55Zhang Yi Schemes Against Chuli Ji
- 56Zhang Yi Wishes to Give Hanzhong to Chu
- 57Chu Attacks Wei
- 58Tian Xin Speaks to King Hui of Qin on Behalf of Chen Zhen
- 59Zhang Yi Again Slanders Chen Zhen Before the King of Qin
- 60Chen Zhen Leaves Chu and Goes to Qin
- 61Volume Four: Qin
- 62Qi Assists Chu in Attacking Qin
- 63Chu Severs Relations with Qi
- 64King Hui of Qin Dies
- 65The Ruler of Yiqu Goes to Wei
- 66The Physician Bian Que Visits King Wu of Qin
- 67King Wu of Qin Speaks to Gan Mao
- 68The Campaign at Yiyang
- 69Gan Mao Attacks Yiyang
- 70Yiyang Has Not Yet Been Captured
- 71The Campaign at Yiyang
- 72The King of Qin Speaks to Gan Mao
- 73Gan Mao Flees Qin and Intends to Go to Qi
- 74Gan Mao Serves as Chancellor of Qin
- 75Gan Mao Arranges for Qin and Wei to Attack Chu
- 76The Affair at Mount Xing
- 77Queen Dowager Xuan of Qin Loves Wei Choufu
- 78Volume Five: Qin
- 79Lord Xue Speaks to Wei Ran on Behalf of Wei
- 80Guest Minister Zao of Qin Speaks to the Marquis of Rang
- 81Someone Speaks to Wei Ran on Behalf of Wei
- 82Someone Speaks to the Marquis of Ying
- 83Someone Speaks to the Marquis of Rang
- 84Someone Speaks to Wei Ran
- 85The Five States Cease Fighting at Chenggao
- 86Fan Ju Enters Qin Through Wang Ji
- 87Fan Ju Arrives in Qin
- 88Fan Ju Speaks
- 89The Marquis of Ying Speaks to King Zhao
- 90Qin Attacks Han
- 91The Marquis of Ying Speaks
- 92Advocates of the Vertical Alliance Gather in Zhao
- 93Someone Speaks to the Marquis of Ying
- 94The Marquis of Ying Loses His Fief of Runan in Han
- 95Qin Attacks Handan
- 96Cai Ze Is Expelled from Zhao
- 97Volume Six: Qin
- 98Qin Seizes Hanzhong from Chu
- 99Lord Xue Enters Wei and Has a Woman from Qi Dismissed
- 100The Three States Attack Qin
- 101King Zhao of Qin Speaks to His Attendants
- 102Chu and Wei Fight at Mount Xing
- 103The Chu Envoy Jing Li Is in Qin
- 104The King of Chu Sends Jing Li to Qin
- 105The King of Qin Wishes to Meet Dun Ruo
- 106Someone Persuades the King of Qin
- 107Someone Speaks to the King of Qin on Behalf of the Six States
- 108Volume Seven: Qin
- 109Someone Speaks to the King of Qin
- 110The King of Qin Debates with Zhongqi
- 111Xian Ze Speaks to Gongsun Xiao
- 112Lou Arranges an Alliance Between Qin and Wei
- 113Lü Buwei of Puyang Trades in Handan
- 114Marquis Wenxin Wishes to Attack Zhao to Expand His Fief in Hejian
- 115Marquis Wenxin Is Driven into Exile
- 116The Four States Unite
- 117Volume Eight: Qi
- 118King Wei of Chu Wins a Victory at Xuzhou
- 119Qi Intends to Grant Xue to Tian Ying
- 120Lord Jingguo Intends to Fortify Xue
- 121Lord Jingguo Speaks to the King of Qi
- 122Lord Jingguo Favors Qi Maobian
- 123The Crisis at Handan
- 124The Crisis at Nanliang
- 125Marquis Cheng, Zou Ji, Serves as Chancellor of Qi
- 126Tian Ji Serves as a General of Qi
- 127Tian Ji Flees from Qi to Chu
- 128Zou Ji Serves King Xuan
- 129Zou Ji Is More Than Eight Feet Tall
- 130Qin Requests Passage Through Han and Wei to Attack Qi
- 131Chu Prepares to Attack Qi
- 132Qin Attacks Wei
- 133Su Qin Organizes a Vertical Alliance for Zhao
- 134Zhang Yi Advocates the Horizontal Alliance to the King of Qi on Behalf of Qin
- 135Volume Nine: Qi
- 136Han and Qi Form an Alliance
- 137Zhang Yi Serves King Hui of Qin
- 138Xishou Leads Wei Against Chu at Chengkuang but Fails to Win
- 139Zhao Yang Attacks Wei on Behalf of Chu
- 140Qin Attacks Zhao
- 141The Crisis at Quan
- 142Qin Attacks Changping in Zhao
- 143Someone Speaks to King Jian of Qi
- 144Volume Ten: Qi
- 145The King of Chu Dies
- 146The Wife of the King of Qi Dies
- 147Lord Mengchang Intends to Enter Qin
- 148Lord Mengchang Is in Xue
- 149Lord Mengchang Provides Xiahou Zhang with Four Horses and Provisions for One Hundred Men
- 150Lord Mengchang Sits with Three Gentlemen
- 151A Retainer of Lord Mengchang Has an Affair with His Wife
- 152Lord Mengchang Dislikes One of His Retainers
- 153Lord Mengchang Travels Abroad
- 154Chunyu Kun Recommends Seven Men to King Xuan in One Day
- 155Qi Wishes to Attack Wei
- 156Master Guo Speaks
- 157Volume Eleven: Qi
- 158A Man of Qi Named Feng Xuan
- 159Lord Mengchang Plans a Vertical Alliance
- 160Lu Zhonglian Speaks to Lord Mengchang
- 161Lord Mengchang Is Expelled from Qi and Later Returns
- 162King Xuan of Qi Meets Yan Chu
- 163Master Wang Dou Comes to Visit King Xuan of Qi
- 164The King of Qi Sends an Envoy to Inquire After Queen Dowager Wei of Zhao
- 165A Man of Qi Visits Tian Pian
- 166Guan Yan Offends the King of Qi
- 167Su Qin Comes from Yan to Qi
- 168Su Qin Speaks to the King of Qi
- 169Volume Twelve: Qi
- 170Su Qin Persuades King Min of Qi
- 171Volume Thirteen: Qi
- 172Hu Xuan, a Resident of the Outskirts of Qi, Offers Frank Criticism
- 173Wangsun Jia Is Fifteen Years Old
- 174Yan Attacks Qi
- 175Yan Attacks Qi
- 176Diao Bo Frequently Criticizes Tian Dan
- 177Tian Dan Prepares to Attack Di
- 178The Affair at Pushang
- 179The Death of King Min of Qi
- 180King Jian of Qi Goes to Qin to Pay Court
- 181Qi Hates Chu Because of the Disorder Caused by Lord Nao
- 182Volume Fourteen: Chu
- 183Qi and Chu Come into Conflict
- 184Five States Form an Alliance to Attack Qi
- 185King Xuan of Chu Questions His Ministers
- 186Zhao Xixu and Lord Pengcheng Debate Before the King
- 187The Crisis at Handan
- 188Jiang Yin Wishes to Slander Zhao Xixu but Lacks the Strength
- 189Wei Slanders Zhao Xixu Before the King of Chu
- 190Jiang Yi Slanders Zhao Xixu
- 191Jiang Yi Wishes to Slander Zhao Xixu in Chu
- 192Jiang Yi Speaks to Lord Anling
- 193Jiang Yi Serves as an Envoy from Wei to Chu
- 194A Lawsuit in Ying Remains Unresolved for Three Years
- 195Cheng Hun Leaves Zhou
- 196Gongshu of Han Has the Support of Qi and Wei
- 197Du He Persuades the King of Chu to Win Over Zhao
- 198The King of Chu Questions Fan Huan
- 199Su Qin Organizes a Vertical Alliance on Behalf of Zhao
- 200Zhang Yi Breaks the Vertical Alliance and Promotes the Horizontal Alliance for Qin
- 201Zhang Yi Serves as Chancellor of Qin
- 202King Wei Questions Moao Zihua
- 203Volume Fifteen: Chu
- 204Zhai Qiang, Chancellor of Wei, Dies
- 205Qi and Qin Agree to Attack Chu
- 206Shu Shi Attacks Chu
- 207Four States Attack Chu
- 208King Huai of Chu Imprisons Zhang Yi
- 209The King of Chu Intends to Release Zhang Yi
- 210Qin Defeats Chu in Hanzhong
- 211When King Xiang of Chu Was Crown Prince
- 212Nü A Speaks to Master Su
- 213Volume Sixteen: Chu
- 214Master Su Speaks to the King of Chu
- 215Su Qin Goes to Chu
- 216The King of Chu Wishes Wei to Expel Zhang Yi
- 217Zhang Yi Arrives in Chu in Poverty
- 218The King of Chu Sends Zhao Ju to Qin to Restore Zhang Yi’s Influence
- 219Zhang Yi Expels Hui Shi from Wei
- 220Five States Attack Qin
- 221Chen Zhen Leaves Chu for Wei
- 222Qin Attacks Yiyang
- 223Tang Ju Visits Lord Chunshen
- 224Volume Seventeen: Chu
- 225Someone Speaks to the King of Chu
- 226The King of Wei Presents a Beautiful Woman to the King of Chu
- 227The Queen of Chu Dies
- 228Zhuang Xin Admonishes King Xiang of Chu
- 229Qi Ming Persuades Zhuo Hua to Attack Qin
- 230Someone Speaks to Huang Qi
- 231The Crisis at Chuisha
- 232Someone Presents the King of Chu with an Elixir of Immortality
- 233A Visitor Speaks to Lord Chunshen
- 234The States Form a Vertical Alliance
- 235Han Ming Visits Lord Chunshen
- 236King Kaolie of Chu Has No Son
- 237Yu Qing Speaks to Lord Chunshen
