ChinaTalk Son Eating and Prince-Slaying: Stratagems of the Warring States
Nov 24, 2021
Jennifer Dodgson, a scholar and translator, dives into the morally complex tales of the Warring States Period. She explores shocking anecdotes, like the question of whether eating your sons could ever be justified. The discussion highlights the political maneuverings of the Qin against the Zhou, filled with betrayal and ambition. With dramatic readings from ancient texts, Dodgson reveals how these historical narratives emphasize moral ambiguities and familial ties amid political strife.
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Yan Shuai's Cunning
- Qin, nearing victory, demanded nine cauldrons from Zhou, symbolizing rule.
- Yan Shuai, a diplomat, tricked Qi into helping Zhou by offering the cauldrons, knowing delivery was impossible.
Master Sewell's Deception
- East Zhou wanted to grow rice, but West Zhou controlled the water.
- Master Sewell tricked West Zhou into opening channels, claiming it would harm East Zhou's wheat, then profited from both.
Gong Ta's Betrayal and Demise
- Gong Ta defected from West Zhou to East Zhou, carrying secrets.
- Fang Ju, using a deceptive letter and a bribe, framed Gong Ta, leading to his execution by East Zhou.
