无妄之灾 — “Unlooked-for calamity”

During the Warring States period, King Kaolie of Chu had no sons. Lord Chunshen, the prime minister, presented many fertile women to the king, but still no heir was born. A man from Zhao named Li Yuan wished to offer his beautiful sister to the King. However, learning of the King's inability to have children, he feared his sister would eventually fall out of favor.

So, Li Yuan cunningly manipulated Lord Chunshen into taking his sister as a concubine. When she became pregnant with Chunshen's child, Li Yuan and his sister secretly conspired.

His sister then advised Chunshen, saying, 'The King trusts you more than his own brothers. You've been prime minister for over twenty years, and the King has no son. If he dies, his brothers will succeed him, and they will have their own favorites. How long can you maintain your wealth and status? Moreover, you've held power for so long and may have inadvertently offended the King's brothers, which could lead to great misfortune for you.' She then revealed her pregnancy and suggested, 'Since I am now pregnant, you can present me to the King. If I am fortunate enough to bear a son, he will be your child and also the future King of Chu. Wouldn't that be better than constantly fearing unpredictable calamities under others' rule?'

Lord Chunshen thought her words made sense and presented her to King Kaolie. Indeed, she gave birth to a boy who was named Crown Prince. Li Yuan's sister became the Queen, and Li Yuan himself gained significant power and influence.

Later, as King Kaolie fell ill, a man named Zhu Ying warned Lord Chunshen, 'People experience both unforeseen blessings and undeserved calamities (无妄之灾). You are now in an unpredictable world, serving an unpredictable king, so how can you not be surrounded by unpredictable people?' Chunshen asked, 'What do you mean by unforeseen blessings?'

Zhu Ying replied, 'You have been prime minister for over twenty years, effectively ruling Chu. Now the King is gravely ill, and the Crown Prince is young. Once the King dies, you could either assist the young ruler like Duke of Zhou in ancient times, or even claim the throne for yourself, thereby possessing the entire state of Chu. This is what I mean by unforeseen blessings.' Zhu Ying continued, 'What do you mean by undeserved calamities?' He warned, 'Although Li Yuan is not yet in power, he is the Queen's brother. He doesn't command an army, yet he has secretly amassed a loyal group of soldiers. Once the King dies, Li Yuan will surely rush into the palace first, fabricate a royal decree, seize power, and then assassinate you to eliminate a witness. This is what I mean by undeserved calamity.'

Zhu Ying then offered, 'What do you mean by unpredictable people? Appoint me as a palace guard now. If Li Yuan indeed rushes into the palace after the King's death, I will help you kill him. This is what I mean by unpredictable people.'

Lord Chunshen shook his head, saying, 'Sir, please stop. Li Yuan is a weak man, and I have treated him very well. How could he do such a thing?' Zhu Ying, seeing that Chunshen would not heed his warning, feared future repercussions and fled.

Seventeen days later, King Kaolie died. Li Yuan, just as predicted, rushed into the palace, ambushed Lord Chunshen, and had him assassinated. Chunshen's head was cut off and thrown outside the palace gate. Li Yuan then ordered the entire family of Lord Chunshen to be killed. The boy born to Li Yuan's sister (Chunshen's biological son) later ascended the throne as King You of Chu.