A Chance Reunion in the Willow Grove

The rustling leaves of the willow grove parted as three horsemen entered, their arrival heralded by a booming laugh that seemed to shake the branches. “Riding through spring greenery – the Su brothers truly embody elegance!” Emerging from the forest path came a tall young scholar dressed in simple blue robes with a bamboo hat, whose confident bearing marked him as no ordinary man.

The lead rider, resplendent in red robes and jade crown, dismounted with practiced ease. “How does responding to a summons become ‘riding through spring greenery’? Brother Zhang always has such clever turns of phrase,” countered Su Qin, the second son of the Su family, as the two clasped hands warmly.

Their rapid-fire exchange of witticisms left the two younger brothers trailing behind in amazement. “Slow down! Is this what passes for learned discourse among famous scholars?” called the elder of the two youths.

Su Qin turned with a laugh, “Ah, let me introduce my younger brothers – Su Dai and Su Li. Brothers, this is the Zhang Yi I’ve often told you about!”

The formal introductions gave way to more laughter as Zhang Yi quipped, “Don’t mock us young sirs. After a decade of verbal sparring with your brother, I’d feel lost if we didn’t exchange a few barbs upon meeting.”

The Hidden Grandeur of the Su Estate

What appeared from outside as an unassuming country manor revealed layer upon layer of surprises. Passing through the modest outer courtyard filled with farming implements, they encountered an astonishing transformation – a shimmering lake surrounding a lush island, framed by weeping willows and elegant rooftructures peeking through the greenery.

“Two worlds separated by a single wall – truly rare under heaven!” Zhang Yi marveled.

Su Qin responded with quiet insight: “The difference between our inner and outer courtyards mirrors the pace of change in our world.” This architectural metaphor spoke volumes about the political transformations sweeping through the Warring States period.

The tour continued to Su Qin’s personal study, marked by an inscription reading “Thunder from a Clay Pot” – a humble yet ambitious declaration that prompted Zhang Yi’s admiration. The spartan furnishings within belied the family’s wealth, embodying the Confucian ideal of refined simplicity.

A Feast of Ideas and Unusual Delicacies

The reunion banquet hosted by Su Qin’s shrewd sister-in-law featured an unexpected culinary treasure – a dish of tender alfalfa greens from the western regions. Su Qin explained how his merchant father had discovered this “immortal grass” during travels beyond the frontier, now cultivated as a family delicacy.

Between bites of the exotic vegetable and sips of wine, the conversation turned to weightier matters. Zhang Yi confessed his dilemma: “My mother presses me to marry, and I seek to avoid it. I thought to visit Qi first, then perhaps Chu if it proves uninteresting.”

Su Qin’s eyes gleamed as he steered the discussion toward statecraft: “Does Brother Zhang not consider Wei worthy of your talents?” Their debate about which states offered the most promising opportunities revealed their differing assessments of the political landscape.

Diverging Paths: Strategic Visions for a Changing World

Zhang Yi advocated for Qi and Chu, praising Qi’s military strength and Chu’s vast potential. But Su Qin challenged this view: “Wei remains central, if only it had talent to revitalize its institutions. With its strategic position, a reformed Wei could dominate the central plains.”

Their playful jousting about who should serve where gave way to deeper analysis when Su Qin revealed his surprising destination: “I intend to go west – to Qin.”

Zhang Yi’s initial skepticism about backward Qin melted before Su Qin’s firsthand account of its transformation under Shang Yang’s reforms. The description of orderly fields, bustling trade, and law-abiding citizens painted a picture of unexpected vitality.

“Though I’ve never visited Qin myself,” Zhang Yi admitted, “your testimony gives me pause. But with that fellow ‘Rhinoceros Chief’ already there as chief minister, what role remains for you?”

Su Qin smiled knowingly: “Do you know of any strategist alive today who surpasses us? With me in Qin, Rhinoceros Chief will find his influence limited.”

A Pact Between Titans

As the wine flowed, the two visionaries made their fateful decision. Su Qin would journey to the rising power of Qin in the west, while Zhang Yi would test his fortunes in Qi to the east. Their goblets met with a resonant clang as they toasted to future triumphs.

“Ten years forging our swords,” Su Qin declared, “now we unsheathe them to see who in this world can match us!”

Zhang Yi, swept up in the moment, laughed heartily: “Su Qin to Qin, Zhang Yi to Qi – let us gallop across the world stage together!”

This historic meeting between two of China’s greatest strategists set in motion events that would shape the Warring States period. Their subsequent careers would validate their early promise – Su Qin pioneering the vertical alliance system against Qin, while Zhang Yi would later serve as Qin’s chancellor, perfecting the horizontal alliance strategy. The willow grove reunion marked the beginning of their legendary rivalry and friendship that would define an era of Chinese history.