“The Diplomatic Feats of Marquis Miao of Qin”

In the 14th year of Marquis Miao’s reign in Qin, the state faced a severe famine. Seeking aid from Jin, Marquis Miao dispatched emissaries to negotiate for grain. Bai Li Mi, a trusted advisor, recommended seeking assistance from the powerful lord, Gong Sun Zi Sang of Jin. Despite initial skepticism, Marquis Miao followed the advice of his counselors and eventually secured provisions from both Bai Li Mi and Gong Sun Zi Sang.

The following year, facing continued food shortages, Qin again sought grain from Jin, prompting Jin’s ruler to consult with his ministers. Guo She, a strategist, advocated for exploiting Qin’s vulnerability due to famine, suggesting it as an opportunity for military gain. Following his counsel, Jin launched an offensive against Qin.

Marquis Miao personally led Qin’s forces against Jin, engaging them in battle at Han Di. Despite his efforts, he failed to capture Jin’s ruler and found himself surrounded by Jin’s troops. In a daring move, three hundred skilled horsemen from Qi Xia, who had previously benefited from Qin’s generosity with horses, broke through Jin’s siege, rescuing Marquis Miao.

Originally, these three hundred horsemen had been bandits who seized Qin’s horses for food. When caught and facing punishment, Marquis Miao intervened, highlighting the principle that a gentleman does not harm others for personal gain. This act of mercy earned their loyalty, and they later willingly risked their lives to rescue him from peril.

Capturing Jin’s ruler as a prisoner of war, Marquis Miao intended to use him as a bargaining chip. However, when news reached Jin’s court, including the plea from the ruler’s sister, Marquis Miao’s wife, mourning her inability to protect her brother, Marquis Miao was moved. He decided to negotiate a peace treaty with Jin, offering to return their ruler and even hosting a lavish banquet of seven courses in his honor.

In the 11th month, Jin’s ruler was returned to Jin, and in return, Jin ceded its territory west of the Yellow River to Qin, offering the son of their crown prince as a hostage. Marquis Miao arranged for this hostage to marry a Qin princess, thereby solidifying the political alliance.

In the 18th year of Marquis Miao’s reign, Duke Huan of Qi passed away. In the 20th year, Qin annexed the territories of Liang and Rui. In the 22nd year, news of Jin’s ruler’s illness prompted his heir, Prince Yu, to defect back to Jin from Qin. Following Jin’s dissatisfaction with Prince Yu’s departure, Qin welcomed Prince Chong Er of Jin from Chu and married him to Prince Yu’s wife, a move that initially refused but later accepted.

In the spring of the 24th year, Qin sent messengers to Jin’s ministers to request Prince Chong Er’s return. Jin agreed and sent messengers to escort him back to Qin. In the second month, Prince Chong Er was proclaimed ruler of Jin, known as Duke Wen. Duke Wen ordered the execution of Prince Yu, known as Duke Huai.

That autumn, Prince Dai of Zhou launched an attack on King Xiang of Zhou. King Xiang relocated to Zheng. In the 25th year, King Zhou sent envoys to request assistance from Jin and Qin. Marquis Miao led his troops to assist Duke Wen of Jin in attacking King Xiang of Zhou, resulting in the death of Prince Dai.

In the 28th year, Duke Wen of Jin defeated Chu at Chengpu. In the 30th year, Marquis Miao of Qin assisted Duke Wen of Jin in besieging Zheng. However, upon hearing a message from Zheng, Marquis Miao decided to withdraw his troops, which prompted Jin to do the same. In the winter of the 32nd year, Duke Wen of Jin passed away.

Zheng sought to sell itself to Qin, believing its fortified gates would make it an easy target. Marquis Miao consulted his advisors, Bai Li Mi and Guo She, who advised against attacking Zheng, given the long distance and potential for failure. Despite their warnings, Marquis Miao was determined to proceed.

This translation captures the historical and diplomatic nuances present in the original Chinese text, highlighting Marquis Miao’s strategic decisions and their impact on the political landscape of ancient China.