S6E06 | Looks Good On Paper
Saying: “theorize without real action”
Pinyin: Zhǐshàng Tánbīng
Chinese: 紙上談兵
This week's Chinese Saying is a well-worn one brought to us by none other than Sima Qian, the Grand Historian. Featured in this story are Lian Po, Zhao She, Zhao Kuo, Bai Qi and the whole Battle of Changping. This is the story of Zhǐshàng Tánbīng 紙上談兵, a useful chengyu for all kinds of occasions where the end result doesn't necessarily go according to the carefully crafted plan.
Listen On Your Favorite Podcast Player
Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Zhǐ Shàng Tán Bīng | 纸上谈兵 | To fight only on paper, an armchair strategist, idle theorizing, impracticle |
| Zhǐ Shàng | 纸上 | On paper |
| tán | 谈 | Discuss |
| bīng | 兵 | Soldier, military affairs |
| Chéngyǔ | 成语 | A Chinese Saying or Idiom |
| Shǐjì | 史记 | The Record of the Grand Historian |
| Zhào State | 赵国 | One of the Seven Warring States |
| Lián Pō | 廉颇 | 327-243 BC, noted Zhao general famous for his many victories over Qin |
| Fù Jīng Qǐng Zuì | 负荆请罪 | Proffer a branch and ask for a flogging, offer a humble apology |
| Lián Pō Lìn Xiàngrú Lièzhuàn | 廉颇蔺相如列传 | The Chronicles of Lián Pō and Lìn Xiàngrú, from the Record of the Grand Historian |
| Sān Jiā Fēn Jìn | 三家分晋 | Partition of Jìn, the watershed between the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, refers to the division of the State of Jin between rival families into the three states of Han, Zhao and Wei. As a result, the three states were often referred to as the "Three Jins" |
| Shānxī | 山西 | Province in north China |
| Shǎnxī | 陕西 | Province in north China, located west of Shanxi |
| Héběi | 河北 | Province in north China |
| Zhōu Dynasty | 周朝 | Bronze age dynasty that lasted 1046 to 256 BC |
| Zhào Shē | 赵奢 | Chinese bureaucrat and general for the State of Zhao during the Warring States period. |
| Zhào Kuò | 赵括 | Son of Zhao She, he went down hard at the Battle of Changping |
| Qín | 秦国 | The Qin State that prevailed over the other six warring states |
| Bái Qǐ | 白起 | c. 332-257 BC, great Qin general for more than 30 years |
| Hán | 韩国 | One of the Seven Warring States |
| Shàngdǎng | 上党 | an administrative subdivision of ancient China from the time of the Spring and Autumn period (771–403 BCE). Consisting of a number of districts or Zhōu (州, or prefecture),the prefecture covered roughly the area of modern-day Changzhi City in south east Shanxi Province |
| Chángpíng | 长平 | A military campaign during the Warring States period which took place from 262 BC to 260 BC at Changping (northwest of present-day Gaoping, Shanxi province),between Qin and Zhao. After a bitter two-year stalemate, the battle ended in a decisive victory for Qin forces and the ruthless execution of most of the Zhao captives, resulting in an unrecoverable loss of manpower and strategic reserve for the Zhao state. |
| Wáng Hé | 王龁 | Qin general who fought at the Battle of Changping |
| Luòyáng | 洛阳 | City in Henan, served as the capital of a number fo dynasties |
| King Zhāoxiāng of Qín | 秦照相 | Long reiging (57 years) king of Qin from 306 BC to 251 BC |
| Fàn Jū | 范雎 | Qin prime minister and and advisor who died 255 BCE. He gave King Zhaoxiang the winning strategy |
| Yíng Zhèng | 嬴政 | Qin King who lived 259–210. He defeated the other six warring states and unified China in 221 BC, becoming the first emperor of China, Qin Shihuang |
| Chéngyǔ Yánjiū Zhōngxīn | 成语研究中心 | The Teacup Chengyu Research Center, located wherever Emma resides |
