jiān坚jiǎ甲lì利bīng兵
Strong armor and sharp weapons; refers to a well-equipped and formidable military force or elite troops.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Warring States period, King Hui of Liang consulted Mencius on state governance strategies.
The King lamented that Wei, once a powerful state, had lost 700 li of land west of the river to Qin, and eight cities to Chu.
He asked Mencius what should be done.
Mencius advised that the King must implement benevolent governance, reducing the people's taxes. Only then, he explained, could they withstand the formidable forces ('坚甲利兵') of Qin and Chu.