(*) Her = the imperialist state of Ch’in

Background information

– On the Warring States Period – Maps
– On the Chan-kuo Ts’e

During the Warring States period (5th-3rd century BCE), the expansionist state of Qin fought the six states of Zhao, Yan, Qi, Chu, Wei, and Han.
The following passage is taken from the « Chan-kuo Tse« ,also known as the « Annals of the Warring States » or « Strategies of the Warring States.« 
Su Chin is one of the most famous « wandering persuaders » of that era. In this passage, he persuades the King of Han to join the state of Chao and the « vertical alliance ».

1. When Su Ch’in formed the alliance for Chao, he persuaded the King of Han thus:

§2-§3: Su Ch’in boosts the self confidence of the king of Han 
— Its  system of defense and its natural protection:
“In the North of Han there are the bastions of Kung-lo and Ch’eng-kao …

— The quality of its archery
The most powerful bows and the staunchest crossbows in the world come from Han. …
Used against an ennemy, they can cleave asunder the stoutest armour, shields, leather boots, and helmets. …

—The quality of her troops:
Given the bravery of Han troops, their stout armour, their staunch crossbows and their keen blades, no one will deny that one Han soldier can withstand a hundred men from elsewhere!

§4-10 Facing the consequences of a surrender to Chin:
4. Now, taking into account the strength of Chao and Your Majesty’s merit, why should you face West and serve Ch’in , proclaim yoursel her eastern bulwark? Wherefore should you built her a palace fit for imperial dignity, accept Chin’s cap and sash, supply her needs for spring and autumn sacrifice, and submit to her with folded arms? No action could bring greater shame to your state, or more derision from the empire! It is for these reasons that I would have Your Majesty make careful plans here.

A slippery slope
5. If Your Majesty serve Ch’in, she will certainly ask for territories of Yi-yang and Ch’ebg-kao. If today you do as you are bidden, next year there will be greater exaction. If you cede land to Ch’in once, you will soon lack land enough to satisfy her. Yet if you refuse her but a single time, you forfeit all your previous merit and will suffer even greater calamity at her hand. 

6. Now, since Your Majesty’s lands are  limited and Ch’in’s demand are not, the use of limited resources to head off limitless demand,  can be called ‘going to the market for ill will and buying calamity’  — all your territory will be lost bCh’in, she will certainly ask for your territories will be lost before you have fought a single battle.

Authority of popular saying
7. I have heard a vulgar saying which goes: ‘Better to be the beak of a chicken than the rump-end of an ox.’

8. Presently, your majesty has drawn close to Ch’in. You face the West, submit to and serve Ch’in — how does this differ from playing the rump of the ox? I find it shameful that a ruler of Your Majesty’s worth who controls a state with the power Han has should yet have a name for acting the ox’s rump.

The king of Han is persuaded
9. The king of Han colored in anger, pushed back his sleeves, put his hand on his sword, raised his face to the heavens, and with a sigh said:

10. “Though I die for it, I shall never submit to Ch’in. Now that you have come to me and instructed me on what the king of Chao requires, I respectfully offer you my state in compliance.”