Recap: -Canonization of Confucian thought:-Complex relations between the emperor and the literati:-The literary arena:-The cost:-Individual resistanceINTELLECTUAL DILEMMACourage to face the Tyranyt The Grand HistorianContextual Reference-The function of historical writings:-“To impart tradition and provide edifying moral examples” from theclassics (CP 68/368a. Record:b. Illustrate moral principles:How do they achieve this goal?-Deduce the underlying principle an descry the pattern hidden beneath Re-define historical writings-Accentuate the personal experience of individual characters in the past:-Focus on historical figures who dare to interact with doctrinaire powers:-Highlight specific characteristics of the historical characters:-Inject his view into descriptions and comments:-Emphasize the choice made by courageous contenders:Grand Historian, Sima Qian (ca. 145-86 BC)-Born in Shaanxi-Traveled and collected local legends and customers-Entered the government services-Inherited his father post and project-Defended Li ling in 98BC-Unable to buy his way out-Suffered the punishment-Completed ?The Letter (93/91 BC)-What are the reasons for the Grand Historian to defend Li Ling?1. A brave general without sufficient troops; soldiers used up all arrows butthe relief never came (CP 65/138):2. How to view his defeat in the context of his contributions (CP 65/138)3. Intent to set the Emperor’s mind to rest and stop malicious plots (CP65/138-9) Reason to choose life“The difference lies in what is done by dying…Courage and fearfulness depend onthe situation…”(ibid.,139-140).1. His refusal to accept the accusation (64/139)2. He could not leave the work of personal importance unfinished (CP 66/141)3. His independent writing would vindicate his character (IBID.,141-142)What DOES he try to achieve?a. Compile neglected knowledge of former times (CP 66/141)b. Draw the principles behind success and defeat (ibid .141)c. Explored the interactions in power polities (ibid.141)The irony:“Bian He’s Jade”-Why is the man of Chu sad?a) This precious “Jade has been judged a mere stone”(CP70)b) A “most honorable gentleman has been called a fraud”(CP 70)What can we learn from this story?No judge the book by the coverThe general (Lien Po) and The Retainer (Lin Xiangru)I. The first round of interactions:-What is the problem for the king of Zhao to face at the beginning?-What is the suggestion by the Chief Eunuch?-How does he justify his commendation of his Retainer? (ibid., CP 72/653)-What is the central message of his personal story?Two reasons they cannot refuse1) Comparison of two states:“Qin is strong, we are weak”(ibid.,653”)2) The choice of conscience:The refusal would “put us in the wrong”(ibid.,653)What is his promise to his king?Interactions-How does the Retainer get the jade back?-What are his words while standing against a pillar?Interpretations-What may have empowered the Retainer?-Can the Retainer succeed if he views the king of Qin superior to him?1) Courage2) Intelligence3) View both as able players-Is the Retainer determined by his state (Zhao) which is weak?II. The second round:-What is the reason for the retainer to ask the king of Qin to play thepitcher? (ibid.,661)-How does the Retainer threaten the king of Qin? (ibid.,663)-Why does the king of Qin give in?-III. The third round:-What is the reason for the General to humiliate the Retainer?-Is the General more powerful than the king of Qin?-What do you think of the choice made by the Retainer?-?what do you think of his character?His character is not corrupted by powers.The Historian’s comment-Highlight the courageous Retainer:-“A man who knows he must die acts courageously, for it is not hard to die, onlyhard to face death… Other men, of course, might have been paralyzed with fear,but he summoned up courage to strike awe into the enemy” Beyond-Does the collapse of Zhao demolish the significance of his story?-No. the state can demolish. The significance is what?-Is the story relevant to US? Courage/ equivalent allTalk to us, make us