Hanzi

During the mid-Spring and Autumn period, the state of Chu dominated the Central Plains, with King Zhuang of Chu holding little regard for neighboring smaller states. On one occasion, he sent his minister Shen Zhou as an envoy to the state of Qi, instructing him not to ask for passage when passing through the state of Song. Shen Zhou anticipated that this act would surely anger Song and might even lead to his death. However, King Zhuang insisted, promising that if Shen Zhou were killed by Song, he would launch an expedition against Song for revenge. Having no other choice, Shen Zhou entrusted his son Shen Xi to King Zhuang and then departed.

As Shen Zhou had expected, he was apprehended by Song for not requesting passage. Hua Yuan, a high-ranking official in Song, was furious at King Zhuang's impudence after learning the situation. He told Duke Wen of Song, 'To pass through our state without informing us is to treat Song as a vassal state. To be a vassal state is tantamount to national demise. If we kill the Chu envoy, Chu will attack us, but that also means national demise. Rather than that, it would be better to kill the Chu envoy!' Duke Wen of Song agreed with Hua Yuan and ordered Shen Zhou's execution.

News reached Chu, and King Zhuang, enraged, rushed out without even putting on his shoes or sword, ordering an attack on Song. However, despite being a small state, Song was not easily conquered. King Zhuang's forces besieged Song's capital from the autumn of 595 BC until the summer of the following year, yet they still could not take the city.

King Zhuang's spirits significantly dampened, and he decided to lift the siege and return home. Upon hearing this, Shen Xi, Shen Zhou's son, prostrated himself before King Zhuang's horse, saying, 'My father knew he would die, yet he dared not disobey your command. Now, you are abandoning your former words.' King Zhuang was unable to respond. At this moment, Shen Shu Shi, the charioteer, offered a strategy: 'We can have the soldiers build shelters and plant crops here, making it appear as if we intend to stay long-term. This will frighten Song into surrender.' King Zhuang adopted Shen Shu Shi's plan and implemented it.

The people of Song were indeed terrified. However, Hua Yuan encouraged the defending soldiers and civilians to prefer death in battle or starvation over surrender. One late night, Hua Yuan stealthily infiltrated the Chu army camp and crept into the tent of the Chu commander, Zi Fan. He woke Zi Fan, saying, 'Our sovereign asked me to convey Song's current plight to you: our provisions ran out long ago, and people are now exchanging their dead children to eat. Firewood has also been exhausted, and people are using scattered bones as fuel. Despite this, if you think you can use this to force us into a humiliating treaty at the city gates, we would rather perish than accept. If you can withdraw your troops thirty li, then whatever you command, I will do!'

Zi Fan was frightened by these words and immediately made a private agreement with Hua Yuan before reporting to King Zhuang. King Zhuang, who already wished to withdraw, naturally agreed. The next day, King Zhuang ordered the Chu army to retreat thirty li. Thus, Song and Chu restored peace. Hua Yuan went to the Chu camp to sign the alliance agreement and remained as a hostage in Chu. The treaty stated: 'I will not deceive you, and you need not guard against me!'