A Prime Minister Who Carries Seals of Six Hostile Kingdoms

This play is another story of Su Qin (see also the entry for Mr. Su Qin's Comments on Six Kingdoms in this collection) who was a renowned politician during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.). This play is often performed during Chinese holidays such as the Spring Festival, because of its performance style. Because of the play's positive outcome — Su Qin becomes Prime Minister of the six unified states — all actors in the troupe are onstage to celebrate the power of unity and a spirit of collaboration against violence and dictatorship. Su Qin's political appeal was called the Vertical Alliance, which was a strategy designed to unite six relatively weak states in order to fight the State of Qin, the most powerful state of the period. The costumes are colourful and elaborate, percussion instruments serve as the play's primary music, and the performance style involves high-pitched singing and a formal way of speaking. The atmosphere of the play is quite lively and lasts approximately one hour.

Su Qin has been raised by his elder brother, following the deaths of both parents when Su Qin was quite young. He has a talent for political studies, and spends all of his time and money on his education. His sister-in-law sees no future in this, and would prefer that he earn money for the family instead of spending it. She refuses to accept Su Qin, and will not give him food when he comes home from school. His brother and friends secretly feed Su Qin. Su Qin does not give up his political ambitions, and in 331 B.C. successfully persuades the monarchs of all six states to form a union, himself becoming Prime Minister of the unified states. He is later appointed an important consultant to the union's armed forces in their war against the State of Qin.