During the Warring States period, Qin forces besieged the Zhao capital of Handan. Zhao, recently defeated by Qin, was weakened and in grave danger. The state of Wei sent General Jin Bi to aid Zhao, but also dispatched Xin Yuan Yan secretly into Handan to suggest that Zhao support King Zhaoxiang of Qin as emperor. Xin Yuan Yan urged the Zhao king, "Qin surrounds Handan to compete with the Qi king for the imperial title. Now Qi is weak while Qin is mighty, seeking hegemony. If Zhao backs King Zhaoxiang as emperor, he will surely be pleased and immediately withdraw his troops."
While King Zhao of Zhao was hesitating over a critical decision, the renowned scholar Lu Zhonglian happened to be traveling through the state. Known for his lofty character and great prestige, Lu Zhonglian heard of the matter and went to visit Xin Yuanyan.
After Lu Zhonglian met Xin Yuanyan, he did not speak. Xin Yuanyan could not help but ask first, "I see that everyone who comes to this besieged city has a request of the state of Zhao; but judging by your appearance, sir, you do not seem to be that kind of person. Why do you stay so long in this besieged city and not leave?"
Lu Zhonglian declared, 'People today only calculate their own gains, never understanding how to uphold justice. Qin has abandoned all rites and righteousness, counting merit by the number of killings, treating scholars with deceit, and oppressing the common people with brutal punishments. If such a tyrant ever claims the throne, I, Lu Zhonglian, would rather leap into the East Sea and die than become a subject of Qin. The reason I stayed within this besieged city to meet you is solely to help Zhao stand together against the violent Qin.'
Xin Yanyan asked, "Sir, you say you want to help Zhao—what is your plan?" Lu Zhonglian replied, "I will persuade Wei and Yan to aid Zhao first; then Qi and Chu will surely follow in helping your king." Puzzled, Xin Yanyan pressed, "I can believe Yan might help, but Wei is another matter—I was sent by the King of Wei himself. How can you make him assist Zhao?" Lu Zhonglian answered confidently, "If the King of Wei sees the harm of Qin's emperor claiming the title 'Di,' he will turn to resist Qin and aid Zhao instead." "So," Xin Yanyan asked, "what exactly are the harms of Qin's emperor claiming that title?"
Lu Zhonglian explained, 'In the past, King Wei of Qi championed benevolence and righteousness. At that time, the Zhou treasury was empty and the dynasty weak; no feudal lord was willing to pay homage, but King Wei of Qi was the first to do so. Over a year later, King Lie of Zhou died, and all states went to mourn. King Wei of Qi also went, but arrived a bit late. The newly enthroned Zhou emperor was furious and sent a message to Qi: "The emperor's death is like the sky falling and the earth cracking. The successor is in mourning, yet your state of Qi arrived last—this deserves severe punishment." Upon hearing this, King Wei of Qi flew into a rage and cursed King Lie of Zhou. This earned him ridicule from the entire realm. He simply could not endure the Zhou court's unreasonable demands! In truth, those who claim to be sons of heaven are fickle and tyrannical. If the King of Qin were to become emperor, would he show any regard for Wei? Do not harbor any illusions about Qin.'
Xin Yanyan said, "You make a good point, sir, but haven't you seen this? Ten servants follow one master—not because their strength or intelligence is inferior to his, but because they fear his power, and so they obediently submit to him."
Lu Zhonglian sighed and asked, "Is the King of Wei a servant to the King of Qin? Both are great states with ten thousand war chariots and the title of king. Just because Qin won one battle against Zhao, must we now urge Zhao to bow in submission? Besides, the King of Qin's ambitions won't end with claiming the title of emperor—when that time comes, will the King of Wei remain safe?"
After hearing these words, Xin Yanyan's face was full of shame. He quickly stood up and bowed repeatedly to Lu Zhonglian, saying, "At first, I thought you were an ordinary man. Now I know you are a true sage. I will return at once and dare not mention making Qin emperor again."
Upon hearing this, the Qin general withdrew his troops fifty li, and by then Lord Xinling of Wei had seized General Jinbi's tiger tally, leading a massive army to reinforce Zhao, forcing the Qin forces to retreat.
Later, the idiom "Heaven Cracks, Earth Splits" came to describe the earth-shattering changes in nature.
Source: *Records of the Grand Historian*, "Biography of Lu Zhonglian"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "天崩地裂" came to describe how the earth-shattering changes in nature.