The so-called school of the coalition advisors (zonghengjia 縱橫家, literally "criss-cross school") is one of the so-called Hundred Philosophical Schools (baijia 百家) of the Warring States period 戰國 (5th cent.-221 BCE). It was not a systematic tradition, but an aggregation of political strategies from various high ministers or retainers of powerful figures, who often switched their allegiance among the "Warring States." Coalition advisors thus typically served one ruler and one state, only to change sides one day, resulting in intrigues against their former employer.

Their main business was to search for the best methods to strengthen the state they served and to overcome enemies, often by carefully planned coalitions with other states. The coalitions of several weaker states against one militarily superior state (for example, Qin 秦) was called hezong 合縱 "perpendicular confederacy", the strengthening of one state to overcome a multitude of weaker polities was called lianheng 連橫 "horizontal federation". The first method would, as Han Fei 韓非 (c. 281-233 BCE) put it, lead to hegemony (ba 霸), and the latter to kingship (wang 王) or eventually to the rulership over an empire. In contrast to the other schools of political advisors, internal reform was not considered as important as the perfect alliance with or against another state. Their methods were therefore extremely case-related and very superficial compared to the Confucian teaching of a ruler's benevolence towards his own people or the legalist idea of a centralized bureaucracy relying on the power of the objective law.

The most famous coalition advisors were Su Qin 蘇秦 (d. 284) and Zhang Yi 張儀 (373-310).

An overview of coalition advisors (arranged chronologically)

Bao Shen 葆申 was a high minister of King Wen of Chu 楚文王 (r. 689-677). The King never attended the court audiences but preferred to indulge in pleasure. Bao Shen therefore tried to formally punish the king, according to the regulations of his predecessors, with the sound of a whip, but the King was not impressed by this didactic play. Bao Shen then denounced himself openly of incompetence to awaken the king and reclaimed the death penalty for himself. Only then did the king chang his mind and started caring for government affairs.

→ Guiguzi 鬼谷子

Nanwenzi 南文子 was an advisor of Duke Chu of Wei 衛出公 (r. 476-456). The king of Jin 晉 once presented Duke Chu with a white jade and four hundred horses. Everybody at the court acclaimed, but Nanwenzi was the only person perceiving that Jin planned to attack Wei. He suggested that the king make ready his troops for border defence and was thus able to forestall a surprise attack by Jin.

Duan Gui 段規 was an advisor to Han Kangzi 韓康子 (late 5th cent.), the later king of Han 韓. When the three nobles of Han, Wei 魏 and Zhao 趙 divided the territory of their lord, the duke of Jin 晉, Duan Gui urged Han Kangzi to occupy the strategic place of Chenggao 成皋. This place would be an excellent base of operations for later conflicts.

Zhao Li 趙利 advised to Marquis Wen of Wei 魏文侯 (r. 424-387), when the army of Zhao 趙 asked for permittance to march through Wei to attack the state of Zhongshan 中山. Zhao Li stressed that if Zhao was defeated, Wei could become more vigorous, while in case of a victory, Wei would profit because Zhongshan was its neighbour.

→ Chunyu Kun 淳于髡 (c. 386-310)

Yan Chu 顏斶 was an advisor at the court of King Xuan of Qi 齊宣王 (r. 342-324). He was known for his sharp wits and could even make fun of the king. For this esprit the king wanted to make him a mighty minister, but Yan Chu declined and preferred returning to his home village.

Qi Maobian 齊貌辨 was a retainer of Lord Jingguo 靖郭君 of Qi 齊. On the accession of King Xuan 齊宣王 (r. 342-324), discrepancies between the Lord and the King emerged, and Lord Jingguo left the court. Qi Maobian pursuaded the King to receive the Lord again, and he was even made counsellor-in-chief.

Wang Dou 王斗 dared to openly criticise King Xuan of Qi 齊宣王 (r. 342-324) for his luxurious and extravagant lifestyle and that he did not employ men of abilities at the court. The king was deeply moved and ordered Wang Dou to name five persons he should offer a position to. The state of Qi thereafter became a powerful kingdom.

Gongsun Han 公孫閈 was a retainer of Tian Ying 田嬰 of Qi 齊. When King Wei of Qi 齊威王 (r. 378-343) wanted to appoint Tian Ying rulers over the statelet of Xue 薛 in the southwest, King Huai of Chu 楚懷王 (r. 328-299) felt endangered and menaced to attack the region. Gongsun Han was sent to Chu and convinced King Huai of the harmlessness of Tian Ying with the argument that many territories (regional statelets) would weaken Qi instead of strengthening it.

Jiang Yi 江乙, in the service of King Xuan 楚宣王 (r. 370-340) of Chu 楚, was able to overcome his opponent, the Prime Minister (lingyin 令尹) Zhao Xixu 昭奚恤, according to the metaphor "a fox borrowing the tiger's powers". He also suggested to a minister called Tan 壇 how to gain the king's favour. With the help of Jiang Yi, Tan flattered the king and was given the title of Lord Anling 安陵君.

→ Zhang Yi 張儀 (373-310)

Zhang Chou 張丑 warned the king of Wei 魏 to grant a position to the exiled Zhang Yi 張儀 (373-310). Later on, when Zhang Chou was held hostage in Yan 燕, he managed to escape his pursuers with the force of his persuasive power.

Zhou Xin 周訢 admonished the king of Wei 魏 not to travel to the court of the victorious king of Qin 秦.

Tian Jian 田簡 was a retainer of Sima Xi 司馬憙 (also written 司馬喜, late 4th cent.) from the state of Zhongshan 中山. There were discrepancies between Sima Xi and Princess Yin Jian 陰簡, which Tian Jian tried to smoothen. He suggested that Sima Xi praise Yin Jian's beauty in a conversation with the ambassador of Zhao 趙. To the latter, he was to propose a marriage with the king of Zhao. Although the rift between the two persons was closed, the planned marriage was never arranged.

Du He 杜赫 stood in the service of Zhao Yang 昭陽 (late 4th cent.), a general of Chu 楚. Instead of leading the troops of five states against Qin 秦, Chu should better make peace with Qin, as Du He suggested.

→ Sima Cuo 司馬錯 (late 4th cent.)

Mo'ao Zihua 莫敖子華, personal name Zi Zhang 子章, was once asked by King Wei of Chu 楚威王 (r. 339-329), if in the past, there had ever been a worthy that came not from the ranks of the nobility. Zi Zhang thereupon told the king the story of five worthies and admonished him to look at his advisors' talent rather than their status.

Chen Zhen 陳軫 was an advisor at the court of King Hui(wen) of Qin 秦惠文王 (r. 337-311), where he was a competitor to Zhang Yi 張儀 (373-310). When Zhang was made counsellor-in-chief, Chen Zhen left to Chu 楚. He once was, as an ambassador of Qi, able to persuade general Zhao Yang 昭陽 of Chu not to attack Qi further. In the war between Han 韓 and Wei 魏, he stopped the king of Qin to support Han by comparing the king with a hunter regarding two tigers mauling themselves.

→ Gan Mao 甘茂

Tian Xu 田需 (d. 310) was a counsellor-in-chief to King Ai of Wei 魏哀王 (r. 318-296). When the nobleman Guan Yan 管燕 was demoted from office by the king of Qi 齊, he had to leave the country, but nobody of his retainers would assist him in obtaining a new position in another state. Alone Tian Xu dared to criticise Guan Yan for his disrespectful treatment of his retainers.

Chen Ying 陳應 was a son of Chen Zhen 陳軫, a high minister who lost favour with the king of Chu 楚. Zhang Yi 張儀 (373-310) of Wei 魏 wanted to eliminate him by inviting him to become a counsellor to the king of Wei. Yet Chen Ying warned his father not to go to Wei but to Qi 齊 instead, where he would be safe.

Zuo Shuang 左爽, also called Zuo Hua 左華, helped Chen Zhen 陳軫 who was accused of high treason by Zhang Yi 張儀 (373-310) of Wei 魏. Zhang charged that Chen still sided with the king of Chu 楚, his old employer. Zuo Shuang convinced the king of Chu to call Chen Zhen back.

Hu Yan 胡衍, a minister of Wei 衛, travelled to the court of the king of Qin 秦 after his armies had conquered a part of Wei. This occupation, Hu Yan said to King Wu of Qin 秦武王 (r. 310-307), would only profit the state of Wei 魏 but had no advantage for Qin. Counsellor Chulizi 樗里子 (d. 300) thereupon called off the troops of Qin.

→ Gongsun Yan 公孫衍 (c. 360-c. 300)

Guo Wei 郭隗 (c. 351-297) was an advisor of King Zhao of Yan 燕昭王 (r. 311-279) who wanted to attract worthy advisors to rebuild a strong state that would be able to take revenge for the earlier defeat by the armies of Qi 齊. Guo Wei underlined that a powerful ruler used the worthies as his teachers and not only as friends or subjects. The king took Guo Wei as his teacher and built a palace for him. With the help of this gesture, the state of Yan attracted a lot of capable scholars, like Yue Yi 樂毅 (c. 300-c. 260), Zou Yan 鄒衍 (c. 305-240) or Ju Xin 劇辛 (c. 242), and Yan became a strong state.

→ Zou Ji 鄒忌

Ying Qian 營淺 (Guan Qian 管淺) was an advisor to the king of Qin 秦. Qin demanded the territory of Shangluo 上洛 from Wei 魏, but Wei, victorious in a battle with Chu 楚, refused to cede the region. Ying Qian suggested creating an alliance with Chu to weaken Wei. The frightened king of Wei thereupon gave up Shangluo.

Lou Huan 樓緩 was, in the beginning, a high minister of King Wuling of Zhao 趙武靈王 (r. 325-299). He strengthened Zhao's army by integrating barbarian-style cavalry units. Later on he became counsellor-in-chief of King Zhaoxiang of Qin 秦昭襄王 (r. 306-251). In this position he created an alliance with Zhao and Song 宋 against the powerful union of Qi 齊, Wei 魏 and Han 韓. Qin was severely defeated, and Lou Huan had to resign his post. A later effort to subdue Zhao proved unsuccessful.

Sima Qian 司馬淺 served King Wuling of Zhao 趙武靈王 (r. 325-299). There was a dispute at the court about whether to ally with Qi 齊 and Wei 魏 or with Qin 秦 and Chu 楚. Sima Qian supported the position of Fu Ding 富丁. He convinced the King that an alliance with Qi and Wei would bring territorial benefits for Zhao by occupying areas of Qin and Zhongshan 中山.

Fei Yi 肥義 (d. 295) served King Wuling of Zhao 趙武靈王 (r. 325-299) and suggested to him strengthening the military. Under the reign of King Huiwen 趙惠文王 (r. 298-266), Fei Yi served as counsellor-in-chief. During the rebellion of Prince Zhang 公子章 (d. 295) and Tian Buli 田不禮 (d. 295), he was killed.

Zhou Zui 周最 (also read Zhou Xu) was a prince of the younger royal line of Western Zhou 西周 (not the ancient Western Zhou!). He served King Min of Qi 齊湣王 (r. 323-284) and suggested confederating with Wei 魏 against Qin 秦. Later on, the king allied with Qin, and Zhou Zui had to leave. He became a minister in Wei but returned to Qi to support this state.

Su Dai 蘇代 was an older brother of Su Qin 蘇秦 (d. 284). He advised the king of Yan 燕 and suggested creating an alliance with Chu 楚 and Wei 魏 to withstand the growing power of the states Qin 秦 and Qi 齊. The alliance was made, and in a joint attack the state of Qi was brought to the brink of destruction.

→ Su Qin 蘇秦 (d. 284)

Su Li 蘇厲 was a younger brother of Su Qin 蘇秦 (d. 284). He helped his brother when the latter was arrested by the king of Wei 魏, and managed to get him released. Later, Su Li tried to persuade the king of Qin 秦, not to have the notorious general Bai Qi 白起 undertake another campaign against Wei. Su Li also supported his brother to recommend Zhou Zui 周最 to King Min of Qi 齊湣王 (r. 323-284).

→ Tian Wen 田文, i.e., Lord Mengchang 孟嘗君 (d. 279)

Gongsun Shu 公孫戍 was a retainer of Lord Mengchang 孟嘗君 (d. 279) and accompanied him to Chu 楚. The king of Chu wished to present the king of Qi 齊 with a bed made of ivory and ordered Deng Tu 登徒 to bring the present to Qi. Deng, however, was too afraid to take over the responsibility for such a precious object. Instead, he promised an ancient sword to Gongshun Shu if he would be spared to transport the couch. Gongsun thereupon persuaded Lord Mengchang of Qi not to accept the luxury item and, at the same time, was given the sword by Deng Tu.

Feng Xuan 馮諼 was a retainer of Lord Mengchang 孟嘗君 (d. 279). Feng was sent out to collect debts from peasants. With the money, he was to buy anything that was missing in the Lord's house. Arrived in the villages, he collected the rich's debts and burned the indebted poor's promissory notes. When he returned, he presented the Lord with what he had bought: benevolence, the only missing item in his household. When the Lord was dismissed by King Min of Qi 齊湣王 (r. 323-284) and returned to his territory of Xue 薛, he found himself cheered by the people. Feng Xuan was also able to have the king repent the dismission of Lord Mengchang, and the latter was again appointed counsellor-in-chief.

Wei Chu 魏處 was an advisor to the counsellor-in-chief of Qi 齊, Lord Mengchang 孟嘗君 (d. 279), during a war between Qi and Yan 燕. The king of Qin wanted the state of Zhao 趙 to support Yan, which Qi wanted to prevent. Lord Mengchang therefore sent Wei Chu to Zhao. Wei Chu suggested to Li Dui 李兌, a general of Zhao, not to engage in the conflict because Zhao would profit in any case.

Gongsun Hong 公孫弘, a retainer of Lord Mengchang 孟嘗君 (d. 279), was sent to Qin 秦 in order to conclude an alliance. Yet the arrogant King Zhaoxiang of Qin 秦昭襄王 (r. 306-251) despised the minor representative of Qi 齊. Gongsun Hong, with the help of his disputative force, highly impressed the king of Qin and managed the conclusion of the alliance.

Mang Mao 芒卯, also called Meng Mao 卯 or Meng Qing 孟卿, hailed from Qi 齊 and was counsellor-in-chief of Wei 魏. When the states of Qin 秦 and Zhao 趙 allied to attack Wei, Mang Mao offered the territory of Ye 鄴 to Zhao. Zhao dissolved the alliance with Qin and, fearing that Wei had now created an alliance with Qin, dared not to occupy Ye. Zhao furthermore offered to cede some territory to Wei with the offer to form a coalition against Qin.

Wei Shun 魏順 pursued King Qingxiang of Chu 楚頃襄王 (r. 298-263) to participate in an alliance against Qin 秦. He used the city of Shiqiu 市丘 as an instrument to menace the king. If he would not command the army of the allies, the troops would have to plunder Shiqiu. The King conceded, and Wei Shun was highly rewarded by the governor of Shiqiu.

Zhuang Xin 莊辛 warned King Qingxiang of Chu 楚頃襄王 (r. 298-263) that he had to keep an eye on the safety of his country. The king ignored his warning, and only in imminent danger did he call back Zhuang Xin from his exile in Zhao 趙. Zhuang was rewarded with the title of Lord Yangling 陽陵君.

Tan Shizi 譚拾子 (d. 226) was a man from Qi 齊 and a close friend to Lord Mengchang 孟嘗君 (d. 279). When the Lord, after his exile in Xue 薛, returned to Qi, Tan welcomed him. The Lord was eager to take revenge for the humiliation he had suffered by being exiled, but Tan Shizi persuaded him to refrain from such thoughts.

Zhang Gai 張丐 served the king of Qi 齊 and was sent to Lu 魯 to persuade its ruler to stay neutral and not to side with the powerful state of Chu 楚 that pushed towards the borders of Qi.

Pang Cong 龐蔥, also known as Pang Gong 龐恭, was an advisor of the king of Wei 魏. When his son was to be sent to Zhao 趙 as a hostage, Pang Cong accompanied the prince and calmed the king with the metaphor of three persons saying that there was a tiger in the marketplace. Pang Cong thus expressed that the king should not be disturbed by rumours.

Zhao Ji 昭忌 was a minister of Wei 魏. When Qin 秦 attacked Han, King Zhao of Wei 魏昭王 (r. 295-277) wanted to support Han, but Zhao Ji warned him. The king did not listen to his warnings, supported Han, and Wei was subsequently endangered by the victorious Qin. Zhao Ji was sent to the court of King Zhaoxiang of Qin 秦昭襄王 (r. 306-251) to ask for a halt of the campaign against Wei.

Xu Jia 須賈 was a noble of the state of Wei 魏. After the battle of Huayang 華陽, the army of Qin 秦 endangered the capital of Wei, Liang 梁. While the other ministers suggested ceasing some territory to Qin, Xu Jia was sent to the mighty counsellor of Qin, Marquis Rang 穰侯 (335-266). Xu was able to pursue the Marquis to lift the siege of Liang.

Keqing Zao 客卿造 was an advisor of Marquis Rang 穰侯 (335-266) of Qin 秦. He strongly suggested that Marquis Rang might command an army to conquer more territory in the east, to enhance the status of the state of Qin and to change it from "a potters' country" to a powerful state.

Diao Bo 貂勃 warned King Xiang of Qi 齊襄王 (r. 283-265) to kill his minister Lord Anping 安平君 (i.e., Tian Dan 田單) in spite of his high merits. The King thereupon had killed the Lord's enemies, a party of nine nobles.

→ Yue Yi 樂毅 (c. 300-c. 260)

→ Cai Ze 蔡澤

→ Fan Ju 范雎 (d. 255)

→ Yu Qing 虞卿

Zhong Qi 中期 warned King Zhaoxiang of Qin 秦昭襄王 (r. 306-251) to overestimate the strength of his state. He was the only advisor on the royal court who dared to say so, and therefore convinced the king to further consolidate his state.

Mao Sui 毛遂 was a retainer of Lord Pingyuan 平原君 (d. 251) of Zhao 趙. He was sent to the state of Chu 楚 to ask for support against the army of Qin 秦 that besieged the capital of Zhao, Handan 邯鄲. Mao Sui succeeded in persading the king of Chu to forge a blood alliance with Zhao. This story is recorded in the Shiji 史記, but not in the Zhanguoce 戰國策.

Gongsun Long 公孫龍 (320-250) is known as a philosopher of the school of dialecticians (mingjia 名家). He was a retainer of Lord Pingyuan 平原君 (d. 251) from Zhao 趙, but also served as an advisor to King Zhao of Yan 燕昭王 (r. 311-279). One story in the Shiji 史記 says that when Yu Qing 虞卿 suggested offering Lord Pingyuan a territory because Lord Xinling had liberated the city of Handan 邯鄲, Gongsun Long persuaded Lord Pingyuan not to accept the unjustified merit. This episode demonstrates Gongsun Long's feeling for right and wrong, which is reflected in his philosophical theories.

Leng Xiang 冷向 was a high minister in Qin 秦. Once, Zheng Qian 鄭強, an exiled minister of Han 韓, wanted to take revenge and offered a bribe to the king of Qin to attack its ally, the state of Han. Leng Xiang suggested that he cause internal quarrel between the counsellor Prince Gong Shu 公叔 and his competitor to the throne, Prince Ji Se 幾瑟 (Ji Shi 蟣虱), who dwelled as a hostage in Chu 楚. Fearing a conflict with Chu, Han would not attack Chu, which would cause the king of Qin to doubt Han's sincerity.

Feng Ji 馮忌 helped Lord Luling 廬陵君 to regain the favour of King Xiaocheng of Zhao 趙孝成王 (r. 265-245), who wanted to send the Lord into exile.

Chu Zhuo 觸讋 or Chu Long 觸龍 was a minister of Zhao 趙. Just after the accession of King Xiaocheng 趙孝成王 (r. 265-245) to the throne, when Queen Dowager Wei 趙威后 still reigned for him, Qin 秦 wanted to attack Zhao. Zhao called for help with Qi 齊, but the king of Qi asked to hand over Prince Chang'an 長安君 as a hostage. The Queen dowager wanted to decline, but Chu Long persuaded her to do so for the country's sake.

→ Lu Zhonglian 魯仲連 (c. 305-245)

→ Zhu Ji 朱己 is another name for Gongsun Wuji 公孫無忌, Lord Xinling 信陵君 (d. 243).

Fan Zuo 范座 was a counsellor-in-chief of Wei 魏. Yu Qing 虞卿, a minister of Zhao 趙, intrigued against Fan Zuo and caused the King Anxi of Wei 魏安釐王 (r. 276-243) to arrest Fan Zuo. From the jail, Fan Zuo sent a letter to Lord Xinling 信陵君 (d. 243) and warned him of Yu Qing's machinations that would endanger Wei's safety. Lord Xinling thereupon asked the King Anxi to set Fan Zuo free.

Anling Jun 安陵君, Lord Anling. His fief was once attacked by the state of Wei 魏, but stubbornly defended by Suo Gao 縮高. The commander of the Wei troops, Lord Xinling 信陵君 (d. 243), tried to corrupt Suo Gao by offering him a title of nobility. Yet Suo Gao, loyal to his lord, committed suicide. Lord Xinling was so moved by this expression of utmost fidelity that he released the city of Anling.

Zhi Qi 支期 warned the king of Wei 魏 to travel to the court of Qin 秦 to keep an earlier promise to render a visit and pay homage to Qin. Instead, Zhi Qi persuaded the Marquis of Changxin 長信侯 to take over the visit to Qin.

Sun Chen 孫臣 warned the king of Wei 魏 to cede territory to the victorious state of Qin 秦. This would be like extinguishing fire by adding fuel.

Cheng Hun 城渾 found out that the city of Xincheng 新城 was an excellent spot to serve as the new capital of Chu 楚. The commander of Xincheng bestowed him a cart so that he would be able to travel to the court of the king of Chu to submit his proposal.

Sikong Ma 司空馬 served King Youmiu of Zhao 趙幽繆王 (r. 235-228) as counsellor-in-chief. When Qin 秦 defeated Zhao, Sikong Ma suggested that the king cede a large part of his territory to Qin to appease the stronger. Yet the king did not accept his proposal, so Sikong Ma asked to leave his post. Half a year later, Qin conquered Zhao and destroyed it.

→ Huang Xie 黃歇, better known as Lord Chunshen 春申君 (d. 238)

Tang Qie 唐且 (Tang Ju 唐雎) was a retainer of Lord Anling 安陵君 in Chu 楚. The Lord, endangered by the king of Qin's 秦 request to cede his territory to him, sent Tang Qie to the court of the king of Qin, with whom Tang started a political dispute. He convinced the king, and Lord Anling was spared. Tang Qie also served the lords Chunshen 春申君 (d. 238) of Chu 楚 and Xinling 信陵君 (d. 243) of Wei 魏.

Han Ming 汗明 was a very astute retainer of Lord Chunshen 春申君 (d. 238) of Chu 楚 who liked to make use of parables.

Wei Jia 魏加 was a minister of Zhao 趙. When Chu 楚 took over the leadership of an alliance against Qin 秦, Wei Jia pursued Lord Chunshen 春申君 (d. 238) of Chu 楚 to give up the campaign because he was not confident in the abilities of the general, Lord Linwu 臨武君.

→ Lü Buwei 呂不韋 (d. 235)

→ Han Fei 韓非 (c. 281-233)

Li Yuan 李園 (d. 228) was a counsellor-in-chief of the state of Chu 楚. When Qin 秦 allied with Wei 魏 and sent out general Xin Wu 辛梧 to attack Chu, Li Yuan travelled to Qin and persuaded Xin Wu to call off the campaign.

Yao Jia 姚賈 hailed from Wei 魏 and served the states of Zhao 趙 and Qin 秦. In Qin, he conspired with counsellor-in-chief, Li Si 李斯 (280-208), against Han Fei 韓非 (c. 281-233) and manged to have him charged for high treason as a spy of Han 韓. In jail, Han Fei committed suicide.

Dun Ruo 頓弱 (dates unknown), known as Dunzi 頓子, suggested to the king of Qin 秦, Ying Zheng (the eventual First Emperor of Qin) to adopt the title of emperor. To do this, he would have to conquer the states of Han 韓 and Wei 魏. Only with the help of bribes would the other states allow Qin to destroy the two states. Dun Ruo then traveled to the various states and tried to appease them.

Xi Xie 希寫 consoled Lord Jianxin 建信君of Zhao 趙 who felt despised by Lord Wenxin 文信君 (i.e., Lü Buwei 呂不韋) of Qin 秦. The advantage of this situation was, said Xi Xie, that Qin underestimated the strength of Zhao and would not attack it as its prime enemy.

Wei Qi 魏鬿 or Wei Ga 魏尬 was a political advisor of Lord Jianxin 建信君 of Zhao 趙 and stressed that a good politician should have an eye on all aspects of government.

Gan Luo 甘羅 (b. 257) was a grandson of Gan Mao 甘茂, counsellor in Qin 秦. When Lü Buwei 呂不韋 (d. 235), counsellor-in-chief of Qin 秦, planned to conquer more territory in the east, Gan Luo offered to go to Zhao 趙, the state whose territory should be attacked. Gan Luo convinced King Daoxiang of Zhao 趙悼襄王 (r. 244-236) to rather cede territory than to risk a war. He also pursued the king to unite with Qin to an alliance against Yan 燕, a state that had declined to wage war against Zhao.

Chunyu Yue 淳于越 warned the First Emperor of Qin 秦始皇 (r. 246-210) against the flattering words of many persons at his court, especially Zhou Qingchen 周青臣. The Emperor should, he suggested, keep to the traditional Zhou-period system of local administration by giving the government of commanderies into the hands of princes or supporters that had earned merits. Yet counsellor-in-chief Li Si 李斯 (280-208) countered that the times of the ancient Zhou-period system were over and that the empire would have to rely on a more bureaucratic apparatus. This story is recorded in the Shiji 史記, but not in the Zhanguoce 戰國策.

→ Li Si 李斯 (280-208)