As an ally, King Qin talks about copywriting.

This is a story about Su Qin, but we have to start with Zhang Yi.

In 333 BC, the hot state of Chu. Zhang Yi, a sweaty young man, received a letter. This letter is from his classmate Sugar Singing.

In his early years, Zhang Yi and Su Qin learned vertical and horizontal techniques from Guiguzi. After graduation, Zhang Yi traveled around the world, but found nothing. He was trapped in a miserable place in Chu, down and out, wasting his life.

At this time, he has no money, no stable job and no decent life; At this point, Su Qin is Zhao's senior cadres, is in front of the red man.

We don't know what this letter is about, but as you can imagine, Su Qin boasts that he is developed now, and wants to help his younger brother and invite Zhang Yi to develop in Zhao.

For Yi Chang, this letter from Su Qin is a lifesaver, and he has no reason to refuse. He made a decisive decision, immediately packed his bags and went to find Zhao.

Zhang Yi thinks that what awaits him in Zhao is an opportunity to make a fortune. But what he didn't expect was that when he arrived in Zhao, he was severely humiliated by Su Qin.

Zhang Yi was surprised and angry, and vowed to repay him. But Su Qin is already a senior cadre of Zhao, and he wants revenge. Only in a country that is stronger than Zhao Can can he gain a higher status than Su Qin. Zhang Yi decided to go to the State of Qin.

But he has no money, not even basic travel expenses. What's more, in Qin, you need money to make some connections. Don't think that there were talents in that era. People who have no money may not even see the boss.

At this time, a local tyrant appeared at the right time. Local tyrants helped Zhang Yi move from Zhao to Qin, where she managed her relationship until Zhang Yi met the king of Qin, who appreciated her and made her a guest.

However, just as Zhang Yi was preparing to repay the local tyrant, the local tyrant revealed his identity: he was sent by Su Qin. And all this was arranged by Su Qin.

It turns out that Su Qin is playing a big chess game, and Yi Cheung is just a pawn in Su Qin's big chess game.

two

This big chess game that Su Qin is playing has a famous name in the history of China-Zonghe.

What is union? During the Warring States Period, there were seven heroes, Qi Chu, Han Yan and Zhao Weiqin. Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao and Wei joined forces against Qin.

This is one of the most magnificent scenes on the stage of the Warring States Period.

United Su Qin. At its peak, it was the secretary-general of the "vertical and horizontal alliance"-the vertical and horizontal alliance, which was comparable to the martial arts champion in martial arts novels. He also "merged the six countries"-he also served as the six countries. His treatment and ceremonial travel are "meaning is king"-equal to Wang.

There is no doubt that he is an enviable success, and the story about Su Qin is also a success story.

However, there is a lingering sadness and bitterness in Su Qin's story. This is not only because his success comes and goes quickly. More importantly, he tried to fight the irrationality of the world with reason, so he was doomed to fail.

His failure is more worth mentioning than his success.

Zhang Yi's story shows the fragility and death of Su Qin's great cause.

three

Su Qin is from Luoyang. At that time, Luoyang was the seat of the Zhou Emperor, that is, the capital. So Su Qin has a capital account.

However, this capital account really has no gold content. Because Zhou, the world's nominally supreme leader in Luoyang City, leads a precarious life, the people in the capital really have no privileges and benefits.

Vanity Fair has already moved to Xianyang, Linzi, Handan and other big cities.

So, after graduating from Guiguzi, Su Qin chose the State of Qin and went to Xianyang to become a "salty drifter". Because at that time, many people had realized that Qin was probably the ultimate winner, and Su Qin probably thought so.

Traditionally, Su Qin presented the grand plan of unifying the whole country and destroying the six countries to the King of Qin.

But all he got was "Hehe" from the king of Qin. The history book says, "The king of Qin need not speak." -Su Qin's suggestion was not adopted. It's as simple as that. Without the appreciation and admiration of the imaginary king, there would be no legendary rocket promotion, even the most basic respect.

In fact, we should understand the king of Qin. At this time, the king of Qin was the king of Qin Huiwen and killed Shang Yang. Shang Yang hurt King Qin Huiwen deeply. Although Wang cracked Shang Yang's car and destroyed Shang Yang's family, he still didn't feel wronged. He even had opinions on the people of the six countries, especially boasting about flattening the six countries and unifying the world.

But for Su Qin, this means that in Qin, the future is basically over.

four

Su Qin left the State of Qin and came to the State of Yan. In Yan State, he began to plan his chess game.

This big chess game is dazzling. But if disassembled, it can be roughly divided into four steps.

The first step is to get a proper identity. In this step, Su Qin chose Yan State.

Why did you choose Yan State? Because Yan is not small, he ranks among the seven heroes of the Warring States, and it is enough to do things; But it's not big, and it ranks at the bottom of the Seven Heroes. There are few talents in such a country, and when Su Qin goes, it can be reused.

Su Qin then did the work of Yan Wengong, the monarch of Yan State.

We know that to convince a person, we can turn to two points: fear and desire. This is basic human nature. Countries are made up of people, so countries also have fears and desires.

Yan is a small country and has no great desire for this fashion. It only has the fear of destroying the country. In fact, this is the fear that all countries had to face on that stage during the Warring States period.

Su Qin said, I can help Yan achieve permanent peace. Yan is too far away from Qin, so don't worry about the threat of Qin. What Yan should be worried about is Zhao. Therefore, for Yan, an alliance with Zhao is the most favorable. I can help Yan persuade Zhao to unify the two countries. Since then, there has been no merger dispute between Yan and Zhao.

What Su Qin wants is very simple, just the identity of an envoy of Yan State.

In that case, for Yan Wengong, why not do such a good business without money?

So Yan brought Su Qin to Zhao. This is the second and most important step of Su Qin's big game. Because Su Qin's alliance is centered on Zhao.

So how to convince Zhao Guo? Actually, it's not difficult Because Zhao is the biggest beneficiary of the vertical integration strategy.

Zhao fought for a long time in the forefront of the fight against Qin. If the six countries unite against Qin, it will be the best situation for Zhao.

So, when Su Qin patted his chest in front of him and volunteered to help Zhao unify the six countries, he was overjoyed and gave him a big official with generous salary and funds.

Su Qin has become a senior cadre of Zhao. If we follow his plan, it will not be far from the position of the country.

Next, Su Qin will convince Han, Wei, Qi and Chu.

five

These four countries can be divided into two categories. South Korea and Wei belong to the same category, and Qi and Chu belong to the same category. Korea and Wei have the same characteristics. They are weak and often bullied by Qin.

It stands to reason that being bullied by the state of Qin should be easily persuaded. Actually, it is not. Often bullied, in the face of bullies, it is actually more difficult to give birth to the idea of resistance. There is a simple reason. I'm afraid of being beaten.

Bullies will be grateful if they occasionally release a little kindness and throw a little sweetness between their fists. This is the state of Qin. For Han and Wei, Qin did not blindly ask for it, but spit out some benefits from time to time. Under the attack of boxing and sweetness, Han and Wei became the most loyal enemies of Qin.

Su Qin is well aware of the weaknesses of Korea and Wei, so we should first establish their confidence in these two countries.

Su Qin said, your two countries are actually very strong, very strong. Then, Su Qin compared them with Qin in population, technology and data, and finally came to the conclusion that you are very powerful, so don't be afraid of Qin.

Then strike while the iron is hot, and say to Su Qin, You are so powerful that you still follow Qin as an emissary all day. I am ashamed of you.

Han and Wei both gritted their teeth. Isn't it Qin? Dry.

Next is qi. Qi has one characteristic. The country is very strong and far away from Qin. You should not be afraid of Qin. However, the relationship between Qi and Qin has always been very good, and they are willing to act as pawns of Qin.

But everyone feels ashamed. Qi is so powerful that it naturally doesn't want to be regarded as a follower of Qin all the time, but also hopes to have a reputation that matches its strength.

Starting from this point, Su Qin successfully won Qi.

Finally, the state of Chu. Chu is as powerful as Qi. It can be said that outside the state of Qin at that time, it was the State of Chu. There is even a feeling that if the world is unified, it will be realized in the hands of Qin or Chu.

If for Han, Zhao and Wei, resisting Qin is a realistic need for survival, and for Qi, it is a need for fame, then for Chu, resisting Qin is the need of the future trend. So it is not difficult to convince Chu.

six

Let's see, what is the key to Su Qin's success? Or what did he rely on to persuade the six heavenly kings to obey him?

Later Confucianism thought it was Su Qin's clever tongue. That is to say, Su Qin rose to a very high position by playing tricks and achieved great fame. So they refused, and they were angry. They denounced Su Qin as a fickle and ungrateful villain, nailed to the historical shame column written by Confucianism.

Of course it's not that simple. The power of words must come from hitting the real problem. Inevitably, it provides a solution to the problem.

Su Qin's words hit the fears and desires of the six countries.

At that time, it was an unprecedented desire expansion, but it was also an unprecedented fear. Everyone was involved, and no one was spared. All countries suffer from fear and desire.

Su Qin made the most rational strategy to deal with their desires and fears-unite against the State of Qin. Established a mechanism and platform for cooperation between countries. This is a scheme provided by Su Qin.

From the perspective of our descendants, for the six countries, integration was undoubtedly the best and most rational choice at that time.

We are all smart people. No one will miss such an opportunity. So it is not difficult to promote alliance.

I even think that the ultimate goal of Su Qin's reunification is to solve the contradictions and disputes between countries through diplomatic means, rather than resorting to force to achieve permanent world peace.

It can be said that Su Qin's success is the victory of reason.

seven

Everything is reasonable. Under the vertical integration mechanism, Qin threatened the six countries, and the six countries jointly opposed Qin. The two sides maintained a general balance, and from then on, the world was peaceful and the years were quiet.

However, the paradox of history is that rationality is often defeated by irrationality.

This is not surprising. The reasonable part is rationality, and the unreasonable part is human nature. So irrationality is human nature. As we all know, it is irrational humanity that dominates the world instead of rationality. In the game between the two sides, irrational human nature often wins.

Therefore, although it is not difficult to promote the combination of rationality, irrational human nature makes it very difficult to maintain it.

Su Qin's marriage is only a verbal commitment, and nothing needs to be paid. Why not? Verbal commitment is easy, but once it is put into practice, it is difficult. Verbal promises don't cost anything, but if they are put into practice, we may have to go to war with Qin, so of course we have to weigh them.

One more thing, theoretically, in the long run, integration is beneficial to everyone. But once rationality and foresight often fail in specific events, people are generally affected by emotional factors and short-term interests.

It takes great wisdom and perseverance to give up immediate interests and pursue long-term interests, endure immediate small crises and focus on future big crises.

To put it bluntly, human nature is unreasonable, too fickle, too vulnerable to wind and grass, too easily shaken by immediate interests and fears. The combination based on rationality will be destroyed by the weakness of human nature.

eight

Su Qin understood these problems from beginning to end. The story of Zhang Yi at the beginning of this article is an adventurous attempt by Su Qin to solve and confront the potential crisis of the United Front.

At this time, Su Qin is about to launch the third step of his alliance to convince Han and Wei. Qin suddenly sent his troops to attack Wei. After defeating Wei, the State of Qin had a tendency to continue eastward. Su Qin knew that once Qin spread the Warring States to the eastern countries, the pressure of Qin would not promote the alliance, but would destroy it.

Su Qin's solution was to induce Zhang Yi to go to Qin, hoping that Zhang Yi would stabilize Qin and give him enough time to realize the alliance. Su Qin may be optimistic that as long as a stable vertical and horizontal mechanism is established, it can resist the unstable and fickle human nature.

History doesn't tell us whether Zhang Yi played a role or not. But in the following period of time, Qin didn't attack again, which left Su Qin plenty of time to promote the alliance.

But history has proved that the stable vertical and horizontal mechanism is also fragile and can't stand any trouble. Su Qin is still too optimistic. He underestimated the power of human nature.

As for "Historical Records", it says: "In the fifteenth year of Qin Dynasty, I didn't dare to peek at Hangu Pass." In other words, the Su Qin League has maintained world peace for fifteen years. If it is, it is not a failure. You know, fifteen years of peace can be said to be a miracle in such an environment as the Warring States Period.

Unfortunately, in Zi Tong Zhi Jian, Mr. Sima thought that Sima Qian was wrong, and Su Qin's alliance only lasted for one year.

In the following year, Qin used his usual means to win over his traditional ally Qi and loyal messenger Wei to attack Zhao. Zhao Suhou was angry, and a cavity of resentment slapped Su Qin's head: The vertical and horizontal alliance you established is too unreliable.

Su Qin was afraid, fled from Zhao, and returned to the place where he made his first fortune-Yan State.

"Su Qin went to see Zhao and all the agreements were settled."

-Su Qin from zhao, alliance collapse. The prince of Zhao simply let go of his hands and feet and drowned Wei Qijun. The six countries broke out of control.

nine

Su Qin, who lost his trade union, has lived a poor life ever since.

In the state of Yan, he hooked up with the mother of the prince. According to historical records, he was afraid that the prince would give him trouble, but I suspect that he wanted to get rid of such a dangerous relationship. He applied for a post in Qi State.

In the state of Qi, as an envoy of Yan, he became a red man around the king of Qi. This caused the envy of Qi officials and dignitaries. When they were in a hurry, they simply assassinated Su Qin on the field.

In this way, in a pool of blood in Linzi, Qi and Su Qin died, timid and pitiful, like the same wild dog.

At that time, I believe no one realized what Su Qin's death meant to the world.

But in a few years, Su Qin will once again enter the world's field of vision. At that time, 300,000 soldiers of the State of Zhao were buried alive in Changping by the State of Qin, and the world finally realized that alliance might be their only way out.

However, it was too late, and the Qin chariot ship had arrived, and everything was irreparable.