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Mo-tse, also known as Mo Di, lived in the State of Song (11th Century BC -- 286 BC) during the Warring States Period. He served as Da Fu (Great Officer) of the Song state. Mo Di devoted much of his life to writing and editing. He was also a Taoist cultivator and led a simple and thrifty lifestyle. He wrote ten books during his lifetime. He was later known as Mo-tse, a special name granted to him in honor of his achievements.
Mo-tse Averts War
One day, Mo-tse heard some bad news: the State of Chu was planning to launch a war against the State of Song. He was very concerned because Song was no match against Chu. If war broke out, Song would be conquered by Chu. Mo-tse felt he had a responsibility to safeguard Song's future, so he decided to travel to Chu to try to persuade the King of Chu to give up the thought of war.
After a seven-day journey, Mo-tse arrived in Chu. He first met with Gongshu Ban, a talented expert in charge of making ladders to attack fortresses. Mo-tse said to Gongshu Ban, "You are making ladders for the State of Chu to attack Song, but what did the State of Song do wrong to deserve this? Chu has vast and fertile land, but the people in Song do not have enough land to even meet their basic needs. Robbing Song, a poor state, to increase the already-rich Chu is not a wise move. Song has not done anything to offend Chu. Attacking Song is not morally justified. You know the situation perfectly. If you choose not to tell your king, you are not truly loyal to him. If you tell him but he does not listen, I would say you are not determined enough and not very persuasive."
Gongshu Ban told Mo-tse that the King's mind was not easily changed. In addition, as the King of Chu had announced it to his officials, it was very hard for him to reverse his decision to attack the State of Song. Mo-tse realized that he had to meet with the King of Chu in person and talk him out of war.
When Mo-tse finally met the King of Chu, he did not bring up his initial business right away. Instead, he made an analogy, saying, "If a rich man abandons his expensive horse wagon in order to steal his poor neighbor's broken trolley; if he does not wear his own elegant attire, but prefers instead to steal a shirt from a poor neighbor; if he overlooks his own delicious seafood and steak and steals his poor neighbor's food made from chaff and wild vegetables, what kind of man is he Your Majesty?"
The King answered, "If such a man exists, I think he must be mad."
Mo-tse then said, "The State of Chu is full of the best crops and animals. For example, the huge elk population in Yunmeng swamp and fish and turtles in the Yangtze River are abundant. Chu is the richest kingdom in the world. Look at our State of Song--it is so poor that the hunters cannot even find a quail, a carp, or even a rabbit. The contrast is the same as comparing fish and steak to chaff and wild vegetables. Your state is covered with lush forests, but the Song does not have many trees; it is just like comparing elegant attire with a simple shirt. I heard that Your Majesty was planning to attack Song. Isn't that a crazy thing to do?"
The King of Chu said, "What you have said is very good. But Gongshu Ban has prepared the ladders to attack fortresses, and he said we could certainly conquer Song."
Sensing a slight hope, Mo-tse asked to see Gongshu Ban again. When he arrived, Mo-tse took off his robe and laid it on a table, pretending it was the fortress of Song, and he removed his headband and pretended it was the soldiers and weapons of Song. Gongshu Ban then went on to play a war game with Mo-tse at the table. After nine rounds of war games, Gongshu Ban could not find a way to break Mo-tse's defense. Gongshu Ban became frantic.
Gongshu Ban said, "I know of a way to break Song's defense, but I am not revealing it." Mo-tse answered, "I also know what attack method you have in mind, but I am not revealing it either." The King was very curious and asked Mo-tse what was going on. Mo-tse said, "Gongshu Ban means to kill me, so the State of Song can be conquered. But he has no idea that my student, Qin Huali, and his 300 soldiers are waiting to repel his attack with heavy arms. Even if he kills me, Song's defense will remain intact and Chu will not succeed." The King of Chu was convinced by Mo-tse and gave up the war plan.
(Based on Records of the Taiping Era)
Read the original Chinese article.
