The Bond of Shared Suffering: Two Princes in Exile

In the turbulent Warring States period (475–221 BCE), two royal hostages formed an unlikely friendship that would later shape the course of Chinese history. Ying Zheng, the future First Emperor of Qin, and Ji Dan, Crown Prince of Yan, first met as adolescent hostages in the Zhao capital of Handan – a city notorious for its harsh treatment of foreign dignitaries.

Historical records suggest both princes endured daily humiliations from their Zhao captors. The shared trauma created an intense bond between the contrasting personalities: Ying Zheng displayed the cold pragmatism that would later define his rule, while Ji Dan maintained an optimistic, compassionate worldview. Their friendship reached its symbolic peak when they allegedly swore an oath that their states, Qin and Yan, would never war against each other – though contemporary historians question whether Ying Zheng ever genuinely intended to honor this childhood pact.

The Fractured Friendship: When Power Changes Everything

The dynamics shifted dramatically when Ying Zheng ascended the Qin throne in 246 BCE. Ji Dan, operating under the naive assumption their personal friendship transcended geopolitics, volunteered as Yan’s hostage to Qin – expecting warm reunion but receiving brutal reality.

Ying Zheng’s treatment of his former friend shocked observers. He subjected Ji Dan to the same humiliations they’d suffered together in Zhao, culminating in the cruel metaphorical refusal of repatriation: “When crows turn white and horses grow horns.” This proverbial impossibility revealed Ying Zheng’s complete transformation from suffering companion to ruthless ruler. Modern psychologists might interpret this as a classic case of “identification with the aggressor,” where victims of abuse later replicate abusive behaviors when gaining power.

The Yan Counterplot: Desperation Breeds Radical Solutions

Ji Dan’s dramatic escape from Qin (reportedly aided by circus performers) marked a turning point. Unlike Ying Zheng who sought vengeance against all who wronged him, Ji Dan focused solely on his former friend – a distinction revealing their fundamental philosophical differences about justice and retribution.

Upon returning to Yan, Ji Dan inherited a weakened state with limited military options against the rising Qin juggernaut. His solution reflected Yan’s unique cultural position: rather than conventional military buildup, he turned to unconventional warriors and political exiles. This decision stemmed from both practical necessity (Yan couldn’t match Qin’s military might) and cultural tradition (Yan’s long history of valuing individual heroism over systemic strength).

The Fateful Alliance: Fan Yuqi’s Arrival

The arrival of Fan Yuqi, a Qin general turned fugitive after military failure, presented Ji Dan with his opportunity. Fan’s entire family had been executed by Ying Zheng, creating the perfect candidate for anti-Qin operations. Despite advisor Ju Wu’s warnings about provoking Qin, Ji Dan saw Fan as both a kindred spirit and strategic asset.

Their alliance would eventually lead to the most famous assassination attempt in Chinese history – the Jing Ke plot immortalized in Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian. This event encapsulates the tragic irony of their story: Ji Dan’s compassionate nature, which drove him to shelter Fan Yuqi, ultimately led to Yan’s destruction when the assassination failed and Qin retaliated with overwhelming force.

Legacy of a Broken Bond

The Ying Zheng-Ji Dan relationship offers profound insights into power dynamics and human nature:

1. The psychology of power: Ying Zheng exemplifies how childhood trauma can manifest in authoritarian leadership, while Ji Dan demonstrates how suffering can foster empathy

2. Ancient Chinese statecraft: Their conflict highlights the transition from personal ruler relationships to institutionalized interstate relations during the Warring States period

3. Cultural memory: Their story became a cautionary tale about the perils of personalizing political relationships, influencing Chinese diplomatic thought for centuries

Modern readers might see parallels in how childhood experiences shape leadership styles today. The fundamental question their story poses – whether power corrupts or reveals one’s true nature – remains as relevant now as in third century BCE China. The tragic arc of their friendship serves as an eternal reminder that the personal and political can never be fully separated, and that the wounds of youth often shape the decisions of rulers.