Read the classics

A simple translation: Today's ministers say when talking about Lian Heng: "If you don't rely on a big country, you will suffer disaster when you encounter a strong enemy." Serving a big country does not necessarily mean serving a big country. There are no practical benefits, but you must submit the national map to a big country and submit the national seal before requesting military assistance.

A simple translation: If you present a map, your country's territory will be reduced; if you present a seal, the monarch's reputation will be reduced. If the territory is reduced, the country will be weakened; if the prestige is reduced, the political affairs will be chaotic.

A simple translation: Serving a big country for the sake of Lianheng, I have not seen any benefits, but I have lost my territory and messed up the political affairs.

Discussing the experience

Han Fei further analyzed the popular policy of Lian Heng at that time, pointing out that when the subjects approved of Lian Heng, they felt that "if it is not a big deal, they will suffer disaster when encountering the enemy", that is, He said that if he did not rely on the protection of a big country, other powerful countries would attack the country and cause harm. Han Fei severely criticized this kind of thinking and mentality.

Han Fei said, "If the matter is big, it may not be real, so you can entrust it with a map, and call for soldiers according to the seal." That is to say, serving a big country may not be beneficial, but he wants to dedicate his country's map and submit it. National seal, because no big country will protect a small country unconditionally, and the conditions for serving a big country are very harsh.

And once this is done, the harm will be very serious. "If you offer a map, the land will be reduced; if you follow the seal, your reputation will be humbled; if the land is reduced, the country will be degraded; if your reputation is humble, the government will be in chaos." It is not known whether the "Tuxiao Seal" will be protected by the big powers, but the country will be weakened and political chaos is certain. This is completely opposite to the purpose of using Lianheng.

Therefore, Han Fei’s conclusion on Lianheng’s strategy is that “the situation is too balanced, and the benefits are not seen, but the country will be destroyed and the government will be chaotic.” The cost of relying on a big country to do Lianheng is too high. When it is still uncertain whether the benefits will be gained, the destruction of the land and the chaos in the government are inevitable serious disasters.

In the feudal period, land was the foundation of a country and a symbol of national development and strength. All wise kings were eager to expand their territory. Because the country is weak and afraid of invasion by other powerful countries, it is extremely unwise to serve a big country and offer a map and seal. This is extremely unwise behavior in Han Fei's opinion.

Not to mention whether the big country sincerely protects itself, "presenting pictures and imitating seals" actually loses the strong initiative of the country. The so-called Lian Heng actually loses the protection fee. Presenting the country's seal also gave up military leadership. On the surface, it was to win the trust and support of the great powers, but in fact it was an out-and-out act of national subjugation.

Han Fei warned the monarch that this seemingly reasonable Lianheng strategy was mixed with the personal interests of too many unscrupulous ministers and was of no benefit to the monarch. It only provided the powerful ministers who manipulated Lianheng with a way to form a party for their own gain. platforms and opportunities. As a small country, if it wants to survive, it must rely on its own characteristics and resources to adopt corresponding diplomatic methods. The core is to give full play to its own advantages.

There is a bigger problem with the Lianheng policy. After a small country adopts the Lianheng policy, even if it successfully obtains the protection of a big country, if the next step is to enrich the country and strengthen its army, the big country will definitely come first. They stood up to oppose, because what they needed was a weak and obedient vassal, not a strong opponent.