Lady Zhao just came to power and the State of Qin already started an offensive against her state. She sought help from the State of Qi. Qi said they could send an army only on condition that her son be sent to Qi as hostage. Lady Zhao was unwilling. The ministers all tried to persuade her, but she said to them clearly: “Whoever mention是 this anymore will be spat upon by me!”
Chu Zhe was willing to have a word with the lady, who received him with much arrogance. He entered slowly and apologized when he was in front of Lady Zhao: “Sorry, I am suffering from ailment in my foot and cannot walk fast. It has been a long time since we met. I am afraid your health might not be so good, so I come to see you.” Lady Zhao said: “I walk with a cart.” Chu Zhe asked: “How about your daily eating. Same as before?” Lady Zhao said: “ I ate nothing but porridge.” Chu Zhe said: “I have no appetite nowadays, but after I force myself to walk three or four li, I feel like eating and my body feels good too.” Lady Zhao said: “ I cannot do that.” She appeared less hostile now.
Chu Zhe then said: “ My youngest son is a good-for-nothing and I am getting old. I love him and wish him to accomplish something. I wish you could allow him to serve as a guard in the royal palace. It is for this matter that I risk my life today to present this request to you.” Lady Zhao said: “with respect, I grant your request. May I ask how old he is?” Answered Chu Zhe:” 15 years old. Although he is still young, I would rather entrust him to you before I am buried in my grave.” Lady Zhao then asked: “Does a man also love his son?” “Well, more than a woman,” Chu Zhe said. Zhao laughed:” no way! A woman loves her son more.” Chu Zhe said: “ In my humble opinion, you love your daughter more than you love your son.” “ You are wrong,” Lady Zhao denied. “I do not love her more than I love my son.” Chu Zhe said:” When parents love their children, they have plans for their great future. When you saw your daughter off, you wept at the sad thought that she was married to a far away place. After she had left, you kept thinking of her and prayed for her staying long at her new home. Aren’t your hoping that she would bear children and grandchildren to become future kings of her husband’s state?” “Yes, indeed, “ said Lady Zhao.
左师公曰:“今三世以前,至于赵之为赵,赵王之子孙侯者,其继有在者乎?”曰:“无有。”曰:“微独赵,诸侯有在者乎?”曰:“老妇不闻也。”“此其近者祸及身,远者及其子孙。岂人主之子孙则必不善哉?位尊而无功,奉厚而无劳,而挟重器多也。今媪尊长安君之位,而封之以膏腴之地,多予之重器,而不及今令有功于国,—旦山陵崩,长安君何以自托于赵?老臣以媪为长安君计短也,故以为其爱不若燕后。”太后曰:“诺,恣君之所使之。”于是为长安君约车百乘,质于齐,齐兵乃出。
子义闻之,曰:“人主之子也,骨肉之亲也,犹不能恃无功之尊,无劳之奉,而守金玉之重也,况人臣乎!”
Chu Zhe asked:” Let’s count three generations back till the Zhao family started ruling this state. Do the king’s sons and grandsons who were bestowed noble titles still have their own sons and grandsons who inherit those titles?” “No,” Lady Zhao said. “What about other states?” “Not that I am aware of, “said Lady Zhao.