Pricking the thighs
Su Qin during the Warring States Period was so tired after studying day and night that he stabbed his legs with an awl to clear his mind; Sun Jing in the Han Dynasty, in order to prevent drowsiness while studying , so he tied his hair to the beam with a rope, and would be woken up whenever he fell asleep. This is the story of "thorns hanging on the beam" in history.
Su Qin (? - 284 BC), courtesy name Jizi, was born in Luoyang (now Luoyang, Henan). He was a famous strategist, diplomat and strategist during the Warring States Period.
Su Qin and Zhang Yi both came from Guiguzi’s sect and learned the art of vertical and horizontal movements from Guiguzi. After completing his studies, he traveled for many years and returned home destitute. Then he studied "Yin Fu" assiduously. A year later, he lobbied other countries and was appreciated by Duke Wen of Yan, who sent him as an envoy to Zhao. After Su Qin arrived in the State of Zhao, he proposed the strategic idea of ??uniting the six countries to resist Qin, and eventually formed a joint alliance, serving as the "Commander of the Agreement" and admiring the seals of the six countries, so that Qin did not dare to leave Hangu Pass for fifteen years. .
After the alliance was disbanded, Qi attacked Yan, and Su Qin asked Qi to return Yan's city. Later, from Yan to Qi, he engaged in anti-insurgency activities and was appointed as a guest minister by Qi State. The officials of Qi State sent assassins to assassinate him because of competition for favor. Su Qin made suggestions to kill the assassin before his death.