战国策·魏 Strategies of the Warring States

The Strategies of the Warring States is a collection of stories, speeches, and historical records from the Warring States period (490-221 BC), compiled by Han dynasty scholar Liu Xiang. The characteristics of the Strategies of the Warring States are compiled according to the country. In this project, we will focus on the Country Wei and translated 7 stories which are happen between the monarch of Wei and his officials. 

Story 1

Zhi Bo asked Wei Xuanzi for land, but Wei Xuanzi disagreed. Ren Zhang asked: Why not give the land to Zhi Bo? Wei Xuanzi said: He asked for land for no reason, so I won't give it to him. Ren Zhang said: If Zhi Bo ask for land for no reason, neighboring countries will definitely be frightened, Zhi Bo is insatiable, and neighboring countries will definitely fear him. If you give him land, Zhi Bo will definitely be proud and underestimate the enemy. The neighboring countries will definitely unite because of their fear of Zhi Bo. By that time, you and your neighboring countries will join forces to deal with the enemy Zhi Bo who underestimates the enemy. Then, Zhi Bo will probably be defeated and lose his life soon.The book of ZhouShu says: If you want to defeat someone, you must first help him, if you want to take him, you must give him temporarily. Lord, you might as well give Zhi Bo land to make him proud. And why do you give up the opportunity to use the power of the world to jointly to defeat Zhi Bo, and make our country the single target of Zhi Bo's attack? " Wei Xuanzi said, "Okay." "Then gave Zhibo a big town with 10,000 people, and Zhibo was very happy. Then Zhi Bo asked Country Zhao for land. Country Zhao disagree, so Zhi Bo sent troops to surround the capital of Country Zhao Jinyang. At this time, the army of Country Han and Country Wei outside Jinyang City unite the army of Country Zhao in Jinyang City attack Zhi Bo together. Zhi Bo was defeated，Zhi Bo's greed and arrogance killed himself.

Story 2

Han and Zhao will go to war with each other. Han asked army from Wei and said: "I hope that we can borrow troops to fight against Zhao." Wei Wenhou said: "Our country and Zhao are brother countries and cannot obey your request." Zhao again asked army from Wei to attack Han. Wei Wenhou said: "Our country is a fraternal country with Han and cannot obey your request." Zhao and Han did not borrow soldiers and returned angrily. Later they learned that Wei Wenhou described himself as a brother, and they were all convinced and worshipped Wei.

Story 3

As a general of Wei, Le Yang attacked Zhongshan. At that time, his son was in Zhongshan, and the monarch of Zhongshan boiled his son and give the meat soup to him. Le Yang sat in the army tent and drank the meat soup, and drank a cup of it. Wei Wenhou said to Du Shizan: "Le Yang ate his son's meat for my country." Du Shizan said, "Even his son's meat was eaten by him, who else would he dare not eat?" After Le Yang captured Zhongshan, although Wei Wenhou rewarded him for his military exploits, he doubted his loyalty.

Story 4

Ximen Bao was appointed as the head of Ye (a place’s name), and he said goodbye to Wei Wenhou. Wei Wenhou said: "You go there and I am sure you will be able to accomplish your accomplishments and your reputation." Ximen Bao said: "May I ask that is there a way to achieve fame?" Wenhou said: "There is a way. For those who are old and seat in front of others, you go to ask the virtuous among them and treat them as a teacher, and then find some people who like to cover up the strengths of others but like to publicize the shortcomings of others to refer to and test them. Things are similar but actually different. Setaria resembles seedlings when it is young, black-yellow cattle resemble tigers because of its yellow color, white bones are often suspected of ivory, and Wufu is similar to beautiful jade. These are all similar but actually different."

Story 5

Wei Wenhou agreed with Yuren (the official in charge of mountain and river) to go hunting. On this day, Wei Wenhou drank alcohol and was very happy, and it was raining. Wenhou was about to go out. The attendant said: "Drinking is so happy today, and it's also raining, where are you going?" Wei Wenhou said, "I made an appointment with Yuren to go hunting. Although I am very happy here, how can I not go to the appointment?" So he went to the agreed place and cancelled the banquet in person. From then on Wei became powerful.

Story 6

Wei Wenhou and Tian Zifang have a drink and talk about music. Wei Wenhou said: "The bells are out of harmony, right? The voice on the left is high." Tian Zifang laughed. Wei Wenhou said: "Why do you laugh?" Tian Zifang said, "I heard that a good monarch likes the way of governing officials: while a bad monarch prefer music. Now you have a clear distinction between music, and I am afraid you are kind of deaf in governing officials." Wei Wenhou said, "Yes, I respectfully listen to your teachings."

Story 7

Wei Wuhou and his ministers were playing on the West River by boat. Wei Wuhou admired, "Isn't the border defense very strong because the rivers and mountains are so steep?" Minister Wang Zhong sat beside him and said, "This is the reason why Jin is strong. If we also make policy better, then we have the conditions for Wei to dominate the world." Wu Qi replied: "Our monarch's words are dangerous for the country; but you come to agree, which is even more dangerous."