Yanzi, whose given name was Ying and courtesy name Pingzhong, served as the Grand Master of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period, historically known as "Yan Pingzhong," and was another renowned prime minister of Qi after Guan Zhong. Yan Ying assisted in governing Qi for over 50 years, holding the position of high minister under three rulers—Duke Ling, Duke Zhuang, and Duke Jing of Qi—and was famous among the feudal lords for his eloquence and quick wit, making him a distinguished statesman and diplomat of the Spring and Autumn period.
When Yan Ying assumed the position of Senior Minister, it was already the final years of Duke Ling of Qi. At that time, the state of Qi was in gradual decline, far from its former glory as the hegemon of the Central Plains. Duke Ling of Qi was fatuous and incompetent, given to reckless military campaigns. He wished to install his favored concubine's son, Prince Ya, as the crown prince, so he sent the original crown prince, Prince Guang, to guard Jimo and appointed Prince Ya as the new crown prince. To eliminate Prince Guang, he also launched an attack on the state of Lu, exhausting the state's resources and bringing hardship to the people. Yan Ying assisted in domestic governance and repeatedly offered loyal advice, but Duke Ling of Qi turned a deaf ear. In 555 BCE, Jin led a coalition of feudal lords against Duke Ling of Qi at the Battle of Pingyin, resulting in Duke Ling's defeat and flight. The following year, he fell gravely ill. Senior officials Cui Zhu and Qing Feng welcomed Prince Guang back from Jimo and killed Prince Ya and his mother. Upon hearing the news, Duke Ling of Qi vomited blood and died, and Prince Guang ascended the throne as Duke Zhuang of Qi. To enhance his prestige, Duke Zhuang ignored Yan Ying's counsel and insisted on launching military campaigns abroad. Later, Duke Zhuang had an affair with Cui Zhu's wife, and when Cui Zhu discovered this, he plotted to kill him. Subsequently, Cui Zhu and Qing Feng installed Duke Zhuang's half-brother, Chujiu, as the ruler, known as Duke Jing of Qi. Yan Ying continued to assist Duke Jing of Qi, exerting all his efforts to rescue Qi from its internal and external troubles. On multiple diplomatic missions, he relied on his eloquence and quick wit to fulfill his duties without disgrace, safeguarding Qi's national dignity and prestige.
Once, Duke Jing of Qi sent Yanzi as an envoy to the state of Chu. When the King of Chu learned of this, he wanted to humiliate Yanzi and diminish Qi's prestige, so he made preparations in advance. Knowing that Yanzi was short in stature, he ordered a small gate five feet high to be opened next to the city gate overnight, and instructed the soldiers not to open the main gate when the Qi envoy arrived, but to make him enter through the small gate.
The next morning, Yan Ying arrived at the gates of the Chu capital and, seeing the city gates tightly shut, stopped his carriage and sent someone to call for entry. The guard said, "I hear the Qi envoy is short in stature; the small side gate by the wall is enough for you to enter, so we haven't opened the main gate." Yan Ying immediately understood the Chu king's intention, smiled slightly, and said loudly to the guard, "Only those sent to a dog kingdom enter through a dog gate. Please report to the king and ask him what kind of place this is. If I am on a mission to a dog kingdom, I will naturally enter through this small gate; but if this is not a dog kingdom, then I should not enter through this dog gate, should I?"
The guard relayed the message to the King of Chu, who had no choice but to change the route and allow Yanzi to enter the city through the main gate. When Yanzi arrived at the court, the King of Chu deliberately ordered tall, strong warriors to line up on both sides to greet him, mocking Yanzi's short stature. Yanzi then said to the ceremonial officer receiving him, "I have come to the State of Chu on this mission to foster friendly relations between Qi and Chu, not to declare war—there is no need to have these warriors welcome me!" The ceremonial officer, realizing the awkwardness, quickly and embarrassingly ordered the warriors to withdraw.
Yanzi entered the capital of Chu and arrived at his lodging. The Chu ministers hosted a banquet for him, where a heated debate ensued.
Chu's suburban official Yin Dou Chengrang was the first to speak out, saying: "I have heard that when Jiang Taigong was enfeoffed to the State of Qi, it was stronger than both Qin and Chu, and its goods were sold all the way to Lu and Wei. But after Duke Huan of Qi passed away, Qi was repeatedly invaded by Song and Jin, forming alliances with Jin in the morning and with Chu by evening. The rulers and ministers of Qi scurried about, seeking support from powerful states. Duke Jing's ambitions and Yan Ying's talents were no less than those of Duke Huan and Guan Zhong—how then did Qi fall to such a state?"
Yanzi calmly said, "The Zhou royal house is in decline, and the feudal lords have been at war for years, with the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period rising one after another. Rise and fall, success and failure—these are the laws of every state's development: before Jin became hegemon, Duke Wen of Jin wandered in exile for nineteen years; Duke Mu of Qin once awed the Western Rong, but after his death, Qin could never regain its former glory; and take Chu, for example—since King Zhuang of Chu, hasn't it been repeatedly harassed by Jin and Wu, suffering greatly? A wise man adapts to the times. Our Duke Jing recognized this and thus fostered good relations with the other lords—how can this be called seeking a patron or relying on others? You are a renowned minister of Chu—surely you understand the need to adapt to circumstances? How could you ask such a foolish question?" Dou Chengran was left speechless and retreated in shame.
Then, the minister Yang Gai stepped forward, greatly unconvinced, and challenged, "I have heard that you are a quick-witted, brave, and loyal person. Yet when Cui Zhu and Qing Feng brought chaos to the state of Qi, countless loyal ministers and righteous men gave their lives to punish these two villains. You, being from a prominent noble family of Qi, neither went to punish the rebels, nor resigned from office to make your stance clear, nor fought to the death to protect your ruler. Instead, you clung to your high position and remained at court—do you not feel ashamed?"
Yanzi said: "A man of great ambition is not bound by trivial formalities; a worthy minister dies for the state, but those who die for a foolish ruler are merely seeking fame, not true loyalty. Now, our late ruler did not die for the nation or the state. Though I am unworthy, how could I casually throw away my life? Moreover, when the country faced turmoil, I did not leave because I needed to welcome a new ruler and restore the state—not because I coveted a high position. If at such a time all the ministers either died or fled, who would handle the affairs of the state? Besides, which country has never experienced internal strife? Has the state of Chu never had such troubles? Why then do you single us out for blame?" Yang Gai, having been put in his place, withdrew as well.
The Right Minister of Chu, Zheng Dan, pressed forward and asked, "These are just your high-sounding excuses. Qi has experienced many internal revolts, yet you merely watched from a safe distance, protecting yourself without any real skill, relying solely on your glib tongue to deceive the world and steal fame—do you not feel ashamed?" Yanzi replied, "I took no part in those rebellions, and I have done my utmost to protect the ruler. This is merely a matter of bending when necessary, not a case of being indifferent or simply standing by! As you say, I admit my talents are ordinary and that I am unworthy of my high position, but I have no intention of engaging in a war of words here—I only answer what is asked. Since you all eagerly pose questions, would it not be rude of me to refuse to respond?" Zheng Dan had nothing more to say.
The Grand Chancellor of Chu, Qi Jiang, further questioned: "You, honored as Prime Minister, represent the dignity of the State of Qi—should you not wear more respectable clothing and ride in more luxurious carriages? Yet your garments are worn and your carriage is humble; I hear that the fox-fur robe you wear has been used for thirty years. Is this not far too stingy?"
Yanzi replied with a smile, "How can your insight be so shallow? Since I have held the position of prime minister, my parents, wife, and clan have all had ample food and clothing, and moreover, I have been able to support the livelihoods of over seventy households. Though my own life is simple, I can aid those in danger and relieve the needy, helping many people—doesn't this better highlight the virtuous governance of our ruler?" Qijiang sighed in admiration.
King of Chu's right-hand chariot guard Nang Wa said discontentedly: "Kings and ministers must have extraordinary appearances and be immensely majestic, only then can they achieve merit in their time and leave a name for posterity. But now you, Prime Minister, stand less than five feet tall with no strength to truss a chicken—do you not feel ashamed of your own inferiority?"
Yanzi calmly replied, "Though a counterweight is small, it can balance a thousand pounds; though an oar is long, it must rely on water to function. King Zhou of Shang was unmatched in bravery and strength, yet he still met with the downfall of his kingdom and his own death. You pride yourself on your height, but all you can do is drive a chariot for the King of Chu. I, though short in stature, am capable of standing on my own and serving my country and its altars." Nang Wa blushed and fell silent.
Chu official Wu Ju, seeing that so many people could not out-argue Yanzi, quickly stepped in to defuse the situation, saying, "Yan Pingzhong is a rare genius; the King of Chu is still waiting to receive him, so gentlemen, please stop sparring with him."
The Chu ministers gained no advantage and returned displeased.
Yan Ying went to visit King Ling of Chu. King Ling of Chu glanced at him and, seeing that he was indeed short, said arrogantly in a loud voice, "Is the mighty state of Qi already devoid of people?" Yanzi knew the king was deliberately trying to make things difficult, so he simply went along with the situation and replied, "Our country has a thriving population. The capital city of Linzi is densely populated. If everyone spread out their sleeves, they could block out the sun; if everyone wiped off their sweat, it would be like a heavy downpour. The streets are bustling with people, crowded and lively, with shoulders rubbing against heels as they walk. How could it be said that there are no people?"
King Ling of Chu then asked with a smile: "If that's the case, why send someone like you as an envoy?"
Yanzi calmly replied, "You may not know this, but in our state of Qi, we are very particular about the envoys we send—virtuous and talented people are dispatched to worthy states, while foolish and incompetent ones are sent to unworthy states. Among all our envoys, I am the most insignificant and lacking in ability, so I was sent to Chu." The King of Chu had intended to humiliate him but ended up humiliating himself; he was speechless for a long time, unable to rebuke Yanzi, and could only treat him with courtesy.
Yanzi used his wit to prevent Qi from being humiliated. King Ling of Chu, having been snubbed, was very unwilling to accept defeat.
The following winter, Yan Ying was sent as an envoy to Chu again. King Ling of Chu, hearing that it was still Yan Ying, wanted to take this opportunity to vent his anger from being outdone last time.
When Yanzi arrived in the state of Chu, King Ling of Chu ordered a banquet to be prepared and personally hosted him. During the feast, as host and guest were enjoying a pleasant conversation, they suddenly saw two officers escorting a bound man passing by the hall. The King of Chu deliberately said angrily, "What is this? Can't you see I am entertaining an honored guest?" The two officers replied, "He has committed theft and is awaiting punishment." The King of Chu then asked in a seemingly casual tone, "Where is he from?" The soldier answered, "He is from the state of Qi." The King of Chu looked at Yanzi and asked with feigned confusion, "Is it that the people of Qi are fond of being thieves?"
Yanzi rose from his seat and said with utmost seriousness, "I have heard that when an orange tree grows south of the Huai River, it bears sweet oranges, but if transplanted north of the Huai River, it yields only bitter and astringent trifoliate oranges. They look the same, yet their tastes are vastly different. Why is this? Because the soil and water are different. The people of Qi live peacefully and contentedly in their own state, but when they come to Chu, they turn into thieves. Could it be that the soil and water of Chu are prone to making people steal?"
King Ling of Chu was immediately left speechless. After a long silence, he gave a wry smile and said, "One should not jest with a sage. I have brought this humiliation upon myself..." Following this, the King of Chu received Yanzi with great respect.
Yanzi was truly an outstanding diplomat; when faced with the reproaches and humiliations of a powerful state, he adhered to his principles and responded flexibly, not only earning himself a lofty reputation among the feudal states but also repeatedly upholding the dignity of the State of Qi.