163 Jia Yi on Qin 2

A6.62

Qin is backed by mountains and surrounded by the Yellow River. It is a country with barriers on all sides. Since Duke Mu, up to the King of Qin, more than 20 monarchs have dominated the vassal states. Did Qin have wise monarchs from generation to generation? It was determined by its geographical situation. Moreover, the vassal states once worked together to attack Qin. At this time, virtuous men and wise men emerged at the same time, excellent generals led soldiers, and a wise prime ministers offered strategies. However, because of the rugged terrain, they could not advance. Qin was able to open the pass to the armies of various countries and let them penetrate deep into the hinterland. As a result, millions of soldiers retreated and perished. Was it because the six countries were not strong enough in force and wisdom? This was because of the unfavorable terrain and inconvenient situation. Qin merged small towns into large cities, stationed troops in dangerous places for defense, built high camps to avoid fighting, closed the pass to resist the dangerous passes, and soldiers guarded with spears. The vassal states raised troops as civilians and formed an alliance for the sake of interests, and did not have the virtues of an emperor. The friendship between them was not deep, and the subordinates were not sincere in their submission. In name, they wanted to destroy Qin, but in reality, they wanted to profit from it. When they saw that Qin was difficult to invade due to its rugged terrain, they would definitely withdraw their troops. If Qin had rested and recuperated, waited for the princes to decline on their own, and then adopted and supported their poor people, and then issued orders to the king of the great country, there would be no worry that they would not be able to realize their ambitions throughout the world. Although he was the emperor and the richest man in the world, he was captured because his strategy to save himself from defeat was wrong. 

秦地被山带河以为固，四塞之国也。自缪公以来，至于秦王，二十余君，常为诸侯雄。岂世世贤哉？其势居然也。且天下尝同心并力而攻秦矣。当此之世，贤智并列，良将行其师，贤相通其谋，然困于阻险而不能进，秦乃延入战而为之开关，百万之徒逃北而遂坏。岂勇力智慧不足哉？形不利，势不便也。秦小邑并大城，守险塞而军，高垒毋战，闭关据阨，荷戟而守之。诸侯起于匹夫，以利合，非有素王之行也。其交未亲，其下未附，名为亡秦，其实利之也。彼见秦阻之难犯也，必退师。安土息民，以待其敝，收弱扶罢，以令大国之君，不患不得意于海内。贵为天子，富有天下，而身为禽者，其救败非也。