“先发制人”（“Xiān Fā Zhì Rén”）:First to Strike, First to Gain
Definition: The idiom “Xiān Fā Zhì Rén” means “to gain the initiative by striking first” or “be beforehand with someone.”
Historical figures: Yin Tong, Xiang Liang
Origin: The idiom takes its origin in two books. One is “Benji (Annals) of Xiang Yu” of Records of the Historian, in which there is such a line: “I’ve learnt that whoever acts first controls others, while whoever acts later will be controlled.” The other is “Biography of Xiang Ji” in History of Han. There is a similar expression: “to gain the initiative by striking first and lose the advantage of the initial attack by striking only after the enemy has launched an attack.”
As the saying goes, “He who strikes first gains the advantage; he who strikes late suffers the consequences.” This wise strategic philosophy has been applied to numerous cases in fields such as military affairs, business competition, and sports contests. Some of them have evolved into time-honored models for people to follow. In fact, this philosophy originated more than 2,200 years ago in Suzhou.
In July of the first year of Emperor Qin Er Shi’s reign (209 BC), Chen Sheng and Wu Guang led a peasant uprising in Dazexiang, which marked the beginning of nationwide peasant uprisings at the end of the Qin Dynasty. When the news about the uprising spread to all the commanderies and counties, those who had long suffered under the tyrannical rule, rose up to join the rebellion one after another. At that time, undercurrents of dissent were also stirring in the region of Wu. Xiang Liang, son of the renowned general Xiang Yan of the State of Chu, had fled to Wu area with his nephew Xiang Ji (better known as Xiang Yu) to avoid revenge after committing a murder. (After unifying the whole country, the Qin government established the Prefect of Wu in 222 BC and designated it as the administrative seat of Kuaiji Commandery.) His father Xiang Yan lost his life in Qin’s campaign to conquer the State of Chu. As the descendant of a Chu general, Xiang Liang had long entertained the idea to rebel against the Qin Dynasty. According to “Benji of Xiang Yu” of Records of the Historian, Xiang Liang was an outstanding and talented man during his stay in Wu Prefect. Whenever large-scale projects of compulsory labor or grand funerals were held in the prefect, he tended to serve as the organizer. In secret, he arranged his guests and young followers in accordance with military tactics. Xiang took these opportunities to assess their talents and capabilities. Xiang Ji, Xiang Liang’s nephew, was over eight chi tall (an ancient Chinese unit of length). He was so strong that he could lift a large bronze cauldron, and his talent far exceeded that of ordinary people. All the young men in Wu Prefect held him in awe. It was for these reasons that Yin Tong, Governor of Kuaiji Commandery at that time, thought highly of the uncle Xiang Liang and the nephew Xiang Ji.
As uprisings broke out across the state, Yin Tong thought he himself also had an opportunity to launch one and fight for the throne. He summoned Xiang Liang to discuss starting a rebellion. According to “Benji of Xiang Yu” in Records of the Historian, “In the ninth month (referring to the 9th lunar month of the first year of Emperor Qin Er Shi’s reign.), Yin Tong, Governor of Kuaiji Commandery, said to Xiang Liang: ‘The entire region west of the Yangtze River has risen in rebellion. It is truly Heaven’s will to put an end to the Qin Dynasty. I have learnt that he who strikes first gains the upper hand and can control others, while he who acts at a later time can do nothing but be at the mercy of others. I intend to raise an army against Qin. Could you and Huan Chu be my commanders?’” Upon hearing Yin’s words, Xiang Liang replied: “Huan Chu is a fugitive on the run now. Only my nephew Xiang Ji knows where he is.” Xiang Liang then walked out of the room and instructed Xiang Ji to be on guard with a sword. Then he re-entered shortly after and requested permission from Yin Tong to let Xiang Ji in, so the young man could receive orders to seek Huan Chu. As soon as Xiang Ji entered the room, Xiang Liang gave him a subtle yet meaningful look. Xiang Ji, a mighty warrior whose strength could “uplift mountains and whose charisma could overshadow the world,” quickly drew out his sword and cut off Yin Tong’s head on the spot. He then went on to slay about a hundred of Yin Tong’s attendants and escorts. After that, Xiang Liang set up himself as the new Governor of Kuaiji Commandery, and promoted Xiang Ji to be his deputy general. They recruited 8,000 excellent soldiers and launched their uprising in the Wu Prefect. Yin Tong, who had attempted to strike first and seize the chance to compete for the imperial throne on an impulse, had never imagined that he would fall victim to the very same tactic. It was adopted and successfully applied by Xiang Liang and Xiang Ji, who had long nursed great ambitions and been planning secretly. Since then, the uncle and the nephew jointly led a group of young warriors from the Jiangdong region (the area east of the Yangtze River) and launched their anti-Qin campaign. Thus the legendary Hegemon-King made his entrance onto the historical scene.
Unlike what is recorded in “Benji of Xiang Yu” of Records of the Historian, “Biography of Xiang Ji” of Book of Han noted that it was not Yin Tong but Xiang Liang who made the remark. The account of the incident is as follows: “In the ninth month, Yin Tong, the acting governor of Kuaiji, had long admired Xiang Liang for his talent, so he summoned Xiang to discuss affairs of state. Xiang Liang said: ‘At present, all regions west of the Yangtze River have risen in rebellion against Qin. This is indeed the time when Heaven intends to destroy Qin. He who strikes first gains the upper hand and controls others, while he who acts at a later time can do nothing but be at the mercy of others.’’’ Why did Book of Han, a historical text compiled later, make such a modification? Perhaps the compilers thought that it would be more believable if such a word of wisdom was uttered by Xiang Liang, a formidable and ambitious warlord.
Two thousand and two hundred years later, we can no longer judge which of these slightly different accounts offered by Records of the Historian and Book of Han is factually correct. What really matters now is that the tactic of “being the first to strike and then the first to gain the advantage”, which originated in the area of ancient Wu Prefect, has long since become an essential part of the strategic wisdom of the traditional Chinese culture.
