Lord Pingyuan vs Otanes

When a crippled man complained that Lord Pingyuan's concubine had mocked him, Lord Pingyuan executed the concubine to demonstrate his commitment to justice. This act enhanced his reputation for fairness and attracted many retainers to his service.

During the siege of Handan by Qin, Lord Pingyuan, as chancellor of Zhao, organized the city's defense. He personally appealed to the nobility and commoners for resources, raising a force of 3,000 volunteers to supplement the regular army.

Lord Pingyuan sent envoys to Wei and Chu to request military assistance against the Qin siege. His diplomatic efforts, including a famous debate with the Chu king, resulted in joint Wei-Chu forces coming to Zhao's relief, lifting the siege.

Lord Pingyuan maintained a household of 3,000 retainers, including scholars, strategists, and adventurers. This practice, common among the Four Lords, made his court a center of political and intellectual activity during the Warring States period.

Otanes was a leading figure in the conspiracy of the Seven Persian nobles who overthrew the Magian usurper Gaumata. He advocated for the assassination of the false king and helped secure the throne for Darius I.

After the overthrow of the Magi, Otanes proposed a debate among the conspirators on the best form of government for Persia. He argued for democracy, but the group ultimately chose monarchy, with Darius I as king.

After the debate, Otanes chose to retire from political life rather than serve under a monarch. He was granted special privileges by Darius I, including exemption from certain taxes, as a reward for his role in the conspiracy.

Otanes died around 490 BC. He is remembered for his role in the founding of the Achaemenid dynasty under Darius I and for his advocacy of democratic principles, which was unusual for the time.