A State in Peril
The year was around 257 BC. China was a patchwork quilt of warring states, each vying for supremacy. The State of Zhao found itself in a tight spot. Its powerful neighbor, the State of Qin, had laid siege to its capital, Handan. The situation was grim. The city walls were weakening, supplies dwindling, and hope was fading fast.
Lord Pingyuan, a respected statesman and one of the Four Lords of the Warring States, knew drastic action was needed. He decided on a perilous mission: travel to the State of Chu and persuade its king to form an alliance against Qin. It was Zhao's last hope. Failure meant annihilation.
To undertake such a crucial diplomatic mission, Lord Pingyuan needed a retinue of twenty highly capable men. They had to be sharp, eloquent, and brave. They needed to impress the King of Chu and withstand the political pressures of a foreign court. Lord Pingyuan, known for his patronage of scholars and warriors, began to assemble his team.
He scoured his palace, interviewing countless retainers. One by one, he found men of talent, wisdom, and courage. Nineteen spots were filled. But as the deadline loomed, the twentieth position remained stubbornly empty. The Lord paced, his brow furrowed. Time was running out, and a team of nineteen felt incomplete, a bad omen.
The Unseen Awl
It was then that a voice, calm but insistent, broke the silence. 'My Lord, I am willing to go.' Lord Pingyuan looked up. Standing before him was a man named Mao Sui, a minor retainer he barely knew. Mao Sui had served him for three years, yet had never once distinguished himself. He was, by all accounts, a quiet, unremarkable presence.
Lord Pingyuan frowned. 'Mao Sui? I have over three thousand retainers. A truly capable man is like an awl in a bag – its sharp point will always pierce through and show itself. You have been in my service for three years, yet I have never heard of your accomplishments. You haven’t shown any 'point' at all. What makes you think you can handle such an important task?'
Mao Sui didn't flinch. He met his Lord's gaze directly. 'My Lord,' he replied, 'the reason your servant has not revealed his 'point' is that I have never been placed in a bag! If I had been put in a bag earlier, not only would my point have pierced through, but the entire awl would have revealed itself long ago!'
The analogy struck Lord Pingyuan. There was a boldness, a hidden confidence, in Mao Sui's words. Perhaps he had misjudged him. Perhaps, indeed, some talents simply needed the right opportunity to shine. He still had reservations, but with no other candidates, and a curious spark ignited by Mao Sui's retort, Lord Pingyuan agreed. Mao Sui would be the twentieth man.
The Stalled Alliance
The delegation, now complete, journeyed to Chu. They arrived at the magnificent palace, a place of opulence and intricate court politics. Lord Pingyuan presented his case to the King of Chu, emphasizing the shared threat of Qin and the mutual benefits of an alliance. The discussions began.
However, things did not go smoothly. The King of Chu was indecisive, prone to procrastination, and swayed by his own cautious advisors. The nineteen 'experts' from Zhao, despite their eloquence and training, found themselves trapped in polite but endless debate. The hours dragged on. Morning turned to afternoon, afternoon faded into evening.
Lord Pingyuan grew increasingly anxious. The fate of Zhao hung in the balance, and his highly esteemed retainers were making no headway. He could hear their formal arguments, their respectful appeals, but he could also sense the King's wavering resolve. Zhao couldn't afford a 'maybe.' It needed a 'yes'.