Lord Pingyuan Zhao Sheng: One of the Four Lords of the Warring States and Legendary Records in "Records of the Grand Historian"

Brief Introduction

Lord Pingyuan Zhao Sheng (?–251 BC) was a prince of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period and the son of King Wuling of Zhao. He was one of the historically renowned "Four Lords of the Warring States" (the other three being Lord Mengchang of Qi, Lord Xinling of Wei, and Lord Chunshen of Chu). Zhao Sheng was famous for respecting talents and hosting guests; his fiefdom was located in Dongwucheng, hence his title, Lord Pingyuan. He remained active on the political stage of Zhao for many years, experiencing numerous twists and turns, and made significant contributions to the survival of the State of Zhao. He stands as a representative figure of aristocratic politics in the late Warring States period.

Core Knowledge Points

* Prominent Among the Four Lords: Zhao Sheng possessed immense fame among the Four Lords, primarily due to his large number of retainers and strong political influence. He was often viewed as a key coordinator for the Vertical Alliance against Qin.
* Loving Guests, 3,000 Retainers: Zhao Sheng hosted thousands of retainers in his household, regardless of status; anyone with a special skill could enter his estate. This style of "keeping scholars" was a typical characteristic of Warring States aristocratic politics. These guests served not only as strategists but also as symbols of political prestige.
* Three Dismissals and Three Reinstations: Zhao Sheng's political career was not smooth sailing. According to "Records of the Grand Historian," he was dismissed from the position of Prime Minister three times and reinstated three times. This reflects the volatility of ministerial status during the Warring States period, which was often influenced by the harem, imperial relatives, and foreign powers.
* The Idiom of Mao Sui Recommending Himself: The most well-known event occurred when the State of Zhao was besieged by Qin troops at Handan. Zhao Sheng traveled to Qin to seek help. His retainer, Mao Sui, volunteered for the mission and, with his eloquent persuasion, convinced the King of Qin to withdraw his troops. This created the timeless idiom "Mao Sui Recommending Himself" and demonstrated Zhao Sheng's boldness in employing talent at critical moments.

Connection with "Records of the Grand Historian"

Zhao Sheng's life is primarily recorded in the "Biography of Lord Pingyuan and Yu Qing" within "Records of the Grand Historian." Sima Qian not only recorded his achievements in this biography but also provided a profound critical evaluation, showcasing his unique perspective as a historian.

1. The Merit of Saving Zhao and Political Gaming: The book details how Zhao Sheng, facing the Qin siege after the Battle of Changping, allied with Wei and Chu to save Zhao. In particular, the episode of "Mao Sui Recommending Himself" depicts the critical moment of Zhao Sheng's ability to identify and use talent. At the same time, the book records political turmoil where he fell out with the King of Zhao over fiefdom disputes, leading to his "dismissal from office."
2. Sima Qian's Evaluation: In the section "The Grand Historian Says," Sima Qian pointed out that although Zhao Sheng was "blinded by profit" and sometimes harmed the state for private gain, he was willing to stand up during times of national crisis. Sima Qian compared him with Lu Zhonglian (featured in the same biography), believing that Lu Zhonglian's realm of "not boasting about fame and merit" was higher. While Zhao Sheng had fame, he was still bound by fame and profit, failing to achieve complete detachment.
3. Historical Mirror: Through the image of Zhao Sheng, "Records of the Grand Historian" reflects the rise and fall of the aristocratic scholar-keeping system in the late Warring States period. Retainers were not merely decoration but tools for political gaming. Zhao Sheng's "three dismissals and three reinstations" is precisely a manifestation of this dependent relationship.

Summary

Lord Pingyuan Zhao Sheng is a key figure in Warring States history. Through "Records of the Grand Historian," we see not only the image of a nobleman who respected talents but also a politician struggling to survive in chaotic times. His story is both a personal legend and a microcosm of the Warring States political ecology, providing valuable documentary evidence for future research into Warring States history.