“The Rise and Fall of Tian Dan: A Tale of Power and Betrayal”
Tian Dan, also known as Di Ren, hailed from the Di people. According to historical interpretations, he governed the county of Linji, Yue’an in present-day Le’an County. This area was formerly the county seat of the Di people in Gao Yuan County, Zibo Prefecture. Tian Dan belonged to the Tian clan of the Qi kingdom. Tian Dan’s younger brother was Tian Rong, and Rong’s younger brother was Tian Heng; all were valiant and resourceful leaders.
In the early stages of Chen Sheng’s uprising to proclaim himself King of Chu, Zhou Shi was dispatched to survey and establish Wei territory, extending northward to Di where the city was fortified. Tian Dan meticulously bound his slave and brought him to the court of the youth, intending to assassinate him. According to ancient customs, killing slaves or maidservants required reporting to the authorities. Tian Dan wished to eliminate the slave, hence he feigned binding him and then presented himself for an audience with the Di magistrate. There, he seized and killed the magistrate, summoning noble officials and the magistrate’s sons to proclaim, “All vassals are revolting against Qin to establish their own realms. Qi, being an ancient founding state, the Tian clan of Qi is destined to rule.” Thus, Tian Dan declared himself King of Qi, noted to be the first year of the reign of the Second Emperor in September. He deployed troops to attack Zhou Shi. When Zhou Shi’s troops withdrew, Tian Dan then led his army eastward to gradually conquer Qi territory.
Qin General Zhang Han besieged King Wei Jiu at Linji, putting him in urgent danger. King Wei requested assistance from Qi, and King Tian Dan of Qi led troops to rescue Wei. According to interpretations, this occurred in June of the second year. Zhang Han ambushed them at night and decisively defeated the armies of Qi and Wei, killing Tian Dan at Linji. Tian Rong, Tian Dan’s younger brother, gathered the remaining troops and fled east to Dong’a.
Upon hearing of King Tian Dan’s death, the people of Qi crowned Tian Jia, the younger brother of the former King of Qi, Jian, as their new king. Tian Jue was appointed prime minister, and Tian Jian became a general, resisting the vassal states. Tian Rong, fleeing to Dong’a, was pursued and besieged by Zhang Han. Xiang Liang learned of Tian Rong’s plight and dispatched troops to defeat Zhang Han at Dong’a. Zhang Han fled westward, and Xiang Liang pursued him. Outraged by Qi’s crowning of Tian Jia, Tian Rong returned with his troops, attacking and driving out King Tian Jia. Tian Jia fled to Chu. Tian Jue, the prime minister, also fled to Zhao; Tian Jian, his younger brother, sought help from Zhao but remained behind, fearing to return. Tian Rong then proclaimed Tian Dan’s son, Shi, as the new King of Qi, noted to be in August of the second year. Tian Heng served as prime minister, and Tian Heng led the efforts to pacify Qi territory.
After Xiang Liang chased Zhang Han away, his forces grew stronger. Xiang Liang urged Zhao and Qi to join forces to attack Zhang Han. Tian Rong said, “If Chu kills Tian Jia, and Zhao kills Tian Jue and Tian Jian, then they might be willing to send troops.” King Huai of Chu said, “Tian Jia is king of the country, and seeking refuge with us due to distress. Killing him would be unjust.” Zhao also refused to kill Tian Jue and Tian Jian in exchange for Qi. Qi said, “If a viper stings the hand, cut off the hand; if it stings the foot, cut off the foot. Why? Because it harms the body.” According to the interpretation, it is said, “If a viper stings the hand or foot, it will cut off its flesh, or else it will die.” Today, Tian Jia, Tian Jue, and Tian Jian in Chu and Zhao are not close to the hand or foot. Why not kill them? Furthermore, if Qin succeeds in dominating the world, then Qin will use those who bite teeth. Like the tooth ants gnawing the Jinping tomb. One version of the tomb, said, is said.