The Decline of Chu and the Rise of Lord Chunshen

For decades, the once-mighty state of Chu had languished in obscurity. Since the devastating loss of their old capital Ying to Bai Qi’s Qin forces and their subsequent retreat east of the Huai River, Chu had become a shadow of its former self. Under the reigns of King Qingxiang and his successor King Kaolie, the kingdom had adopted a policy of cautious neutrality – maintaining nominal allegiance to the eastern alliance while avoiding direct confrontation with Qin. This strategy, though humiliating, had allowed Chu to gradually rebuild its strength while avoiding further catastrophic defeats.

The political landscape of Chu was transformed by the remarkable ascent of Lord Chunshen (Huang Xie). Unlike the other three famous lords of the Warring States period who held ministerial positions, Chunshen had long been a peripheral figure in Chu politics. His fortunes changed dramatically fifteen years earlier when he accompanied Crown Prince Mi Wan to Qin as a hostage. Through quick thinking and daring action, Chunshen engineered the prince’s escape back to Chu just before King Qingxiang’s death, ensuring Mi Wan’s succession as King Kaolie. As reward, the new king appointed Chunshen as chancellor and granted him twelve counties in Huaibei, making him one of the most powerful figures in Chu.

The Catalyst for Change: Lord Xinling’s Return

The political climate in Chu shifted dramatically with news that Lord Xinling (Wei Wuji) of Wei had been appointed as supreme commander. This development sent shockwaves through the Chu court, as Xinling was the only commander who had ever defeated Qin forces in battle. The prospect of his leadership in a new anti-Qin alliance rekindled Chu’s long-dormant ambitions.

Court officials became increasingly vocal about Chu taking a leading role in the coalition. They argued that with Bai Qi dead, Fan Ju retired, and King Zhaoxiang of Qin recently deceased, the time was ripe for action against Qin’s aggressive expansion. The enthusiasm reached such heights that ministers began petitioning King Kaolie to appoint Lord Chunshen as chief envoy to organize the alliance.

Chunshen, however, remained cautious. Having witnessed the failures of previous coalitions, he understood the risks of taking visible leadership. His strategy was to let the enthusiasm build organically while positioning himself as a reluctant participant, ensuring he wouldn’t bear sole responsibility if the alliance failed.

The Secret Meeting That Changed Everything

One evening, King Kaolie summoned Chunshen to a private audience. The king, sensing an opportunity to restore Chu’s former glory, was direct: “If we lead this alliance, what can Chu gain?”

Chunshen laid out two scenarios: a minimal commitment would secure Chu’s borders for a decade and possibly gain a few cities; full leadership could win Chu territory from Luoyang to Hangu Pass and potentially establish Chu as co-hegemon of the central states with Zhao and Wei.

King Kaolie’s ambition was stirred. That very night, he issued an unprecedented edict appointing Chunshen as special envoy with authority to mobilize Chu’s entire military and resources for the alliance, threatening execution for any who disobeyed.

Building the Coalition: Diplomacy Across the States

With royal mandate in hand, Chunshen embarked on a whirlwind diplomatic tour. His first stop was Wei to coordinate with Lord Xinling. Their meeting was brief but productive – Xinling provided detailed troop deployment plans and urged Chunshen to proceed to Zhao to reconcile with Lord Pingyuan (Zhao Sheng).

In Zhao, Chunshen found initial resistance. Lord Pingyuan revealed Zhao’s hesitation stemmed from fear of Yan attacking their rear while Zhao forces were engaged against Qin. Chunshen assured him he would secure Yan’s participation, prompting Pingyuan to commit Zhao as a principal force in the coalition if Yan cooperated.

The Yan court presented a more complex challenge. King Xi of Yan harbored centuries-old grievances against Zhao and demanded the return of former Yan territories as condition for joining. Chunshen countered with stark realism, warning that Qin’s expansion threatened all states equally. When young Crown Prince Dan intervened dramatically – nearly killing the incompetent general Li Fu in protest – King Xi reluctantly agreed to contribute 80,000 cavalry under competent commanders.

Qi proved the most bizarre case. The reclusive King Jian, who had ruled under his mother’s shadow until her death two years prior, was paralyzed with indecision. Chunshen’s warning about Qin troops massing near Qi’s borders finally spurred the king to action. Qi would contribute forces under a newly appointed general, with the promise of making him supreme commander if victorious.

The Farce in Han: A Kingdom of Absurdity

Chunshen’s final stop in Han revealed the depth of decay in some states. The Han court discussion on long-term strategy devolved into ludicrous proposals: sending water engineers to exhaust Qin’s manpower on massive projects; deploying thousands of Han women to seduce Qin officials into complacency; presenting parched grain as seed to ruin Qin’s agriculture; even burning Xianyang and assassinating the Qin king.

The proceedings were interrupted by a stuttering young scholar, Han Fei, who delivered a scathing critique of Han’s governance. His call for legal reforms, meritocratic appointments, and practical policies was met with outrage from the elderly ministers and the king himself, who dismissed him as impertinent.

Reflections on a Fragmented World

As Chunshen departed Han, the contrast between the visionary Han Fei and the complacent Han court haunted him. The episode crystallized the fundamental challenge facing the eastern states: their systemic inability to reform even when faced with existential threats. While the coalition against Qin was now formally established, Chunshen couldn’t shake doubts about its prospects given the profound dysfunction he had witnessed across the states.

The coalition represented more than military cooperation – it was a final chance for the eastern states to overcome their divisions and shortsightedness before Qin’s relentless advance. Whether they could rise to this challenge remained to be seen, but Chunshen’s diplomatic journey had laid bare both the possibilities and profound limitations of the Warring States system in its twilight years.