When a situation develops to its critical point, the true nature or hidden motive is finally revealed, often implying a sinister plot or a treacherous intent.
Era:
Ancient
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Towards the end of the Warring States period, the powerful Qin state, after conquering Han and Zhao, set its sights on Yan. To avert this, Crown Prince Dan of Yan decided to send an assassin to kill the King of Qin, hoping to change the tide.
Prince Dan found a brave warrior named Jing Ke, renowned for his swordsmanship, making him the ideal candidate for the assassination.
To ensure Jing Ke could approach the King of Qin, two items the King desperately desired were prepared: the head of Fan Yuqi, a Qin general who had defected to Yan, and a map of the Dukang region (present-day eastern Zhuoxian, Hebei), indicating Yan's willingness to cede this territory to Qin. These two items were placed in separate boxes. The dagger for the assassination was hidden inside the innermost part of the rolled-up map. Jing Ke was also assigned an assistant, Qin Wuyang.
On the day of their departure, Crown Prince Dan and others, dressed in mourning clothes, saw Jing Ke off at the Yi River.
When the King of Qin learned that Yan had sent envoys bearing the two things he most coveted, he was overjoyed. A grand reception was held in the Xianyang Palace, the Qin capital.
Jing Ke walked in front, holding the box containing Fan Yuqi's head, followed by Qin Wuyang, who carried the box with the map. As Qin Wuyang ascended the steps, he trembled with fear, his face turning pale. Jing Ke quickly offered an explanation and, as per the King's request, took the map box from Qin Wuyang. He opened it on the spot, retrieved the map, and presented it to the King with both hands.
The King slowly unrolled the map, scrutinizing it closely. As he reached the very end, a dagger suddenly appeared. Seeing the dagger revealed, Jing Ke grabbed the King's sleeve with his left hand and raised the dagger with his right to stab. However, Jing Ke missed the King.
The King hurriedly tried to draw his sword for self-defense but struggled to pull it out in time. The two then circled a pillar. The guards, lacking the King's direct command, dared not intervene.
In this tense moment, one of the King's attendants suddenly hit Jing Ke with a medicine bag and reminded the King to push his sword around to his back to draw it. The King instantly realized what to do, swiftly drew his sword, and with one strike, severed Jing Ke's left leg. Jing Ke fell to the ground, threw the dagger at the King, but missed. He was then killed by the swarming guards.