Qu Yuan vs Su Qin

Qu Yuan was banished from the Chu court by King Huai of Chu due to slander from rival officials. This exile removed him from political influence and led to his wandering in the southern regions of Chu.

During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote the Li Sao, a long autobiographical poem expressing his sorrow and loyalty to Chu. This work became a foundational text of Chinese literature and the Chu Ci anthology.

Upon hearing that the Qin army had captured the Chu capital Ying, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River. This act of protest against political corruption is commemorated annually by the Dragon Boat Festival.

Su Qin, a strategist from the School of Diplomacy, traveled to the courts of Zhao, Han, Wei, Yan, Qi, and Chu, persuading them to form a 'Vertical Alliance' (hezong) against the expansionist state of Qin. This alliance temporarily united the six states and checked Qin's aggression.

Su Qin was appointed chancellor of all six allied states simultaneously, a unique achievement in Chinese history. He coordinated their military and diplomatic strategies, though the alliance was fragile and ultimately failed due to internal rivalries.

Su Qin's career exemplified the School of Diplomacy (Zonghengjia), which emphasized persuasion and alliance-building over military force. His strategies influenced later diplomatic thought and were recorded in the 'Intrigues of the Warring States'.

Su Qin was assassinated by rivals in Qi who accused him of being a spy for Yan. According to some accounts, he had himself publicly executed to expose the assassins, a ruse that led to their capture and execution after his death.