1.       Bao Si and Xi Shi: 

              Beautiful Women, Sources of Disaster?

        In ancient societies, women were always objects, tools, and commodities centered around male dominance. This seemed to be a political reality that no one could change. 

        Bao Si（褒姒）is a prime example. King You of Zhou, in his pursuit of her captivating smile, recklessly lit the beacon fires, a signal of invasion, to make her laugh. This ultimately led to the downfall of his kingdom and his own demise. 

        Xi Shi（西施）was presented to King Fuchai of Wu as a beautiful spy. From Wu's perspective, she was a source of disaster. From Yue's perspective, she contributed to her country's victory, adding a touch of righteousness. But reading the story, it seems she was more concerned with vying for favor with Zheng Dan, making the Gusu Terrace her home, enjoying scenic views, playing and having fun. The thick layer of rouge couldn't conceal the emptiness of her soul. To portray her as a patriotic woman with a strong desire for revenge is likely wishful thinking on the part of the storyteller.

2.   Heartless? 

       ——The Mother of Zhuan Zhu（专诸） and the Wife of Chong'er（重耳）

        Women sometimes gained fame not through their beauty. Before setting out on his mission, the assassin Zhuan Zhu bid farewell to his mother. To ensure her son's peace of mind, she sent him to fetch a final bucket of clear spring water, and while he was gone, she calmly took her own life. This reveals the conflict and choice between filial piety and political ambition. 

        During the turmoil in Qi, Chong'er's officials, to protect him and encourage his ambition, urged him to leave Qi. Chong'er refused. His wife, Jiang, from Qi, did not complain but instead repeatedly urged him to drink: “To go is your ambition, to stay is your affection. But this wine must be drunk.” Jiang cleverly got Chong'er drunk and then sent him away. This reveals the conflict and choice between marital love and political ambition. 

        However, regardless of their beauty, women's lives remained subservient to men's political needs. Don't think that Bao Si and Xi Shi were the main characters; they were merely pawns in political struggles, mere passing figures, tragic figures in history, without lives of their own. 

        Zhuan Zhu fetching water and bidding farewell to his mother was an act of filial piety. In Eastern society, a mother would not ask her child to sacrifice his chance to achieve glory for her sake. Perhaps, even if his mother had refused, Zhuan Zhu would have still left. He was paid to serve and to alleviate suffering. But leaving brought a tinge of regret. 

        Jiang（姜氏） sending Chong'er away, encouraging her husband to pursue his ambitions and leave her behind, while she remained in the politically volatile Qi, her fate uncertain, speaks volumes about the helplessness and low status of women. 

        The mother of Zhuan Zhu and Jiang never truly influenced politics with their own opinions; they merely followed societal norms and fulfilled their social roles. However, the Spring and Autumn Period had a woman named Lady Boji who truly shone. Here is her story......

3. Lady Boji（伯姬）: 

         A Person of Benevolence, 

        Though Grieving, Does Not Forget Their Kin, Though Angry, Does Not Abandon Propriety. 

        When Qin and Jin were on good terms, Duke Xian of Jin married his daughter, Lady Boji, to Duke Mu of Qin. 

          Years later, Lady Boji's brother ascended the throne as Duke Hui of Jin. 

        Years passed, and Qin and Jin fell into conflict. Duke Mu of Qin captured Duke Hui of Jin on the battlefield. 

         Lady Boji then ordered her son and the palace attendants to wear mourning clothes. She ascended a wooden platform and declared that whenever Duke Mu of Qin executed Duke Hui, she would immolate herself as a gesture of deep familial love. 

        The attendants asked her, “Your brother is a man who forgets kindness and is now reaping what he sowed. Why would you sacrifice yourself for him?” 

        Lady Boji replied, “A person of benevolence, though grieving, does not forget their kin, though angry, does not abandon propriety.” 

        Duke Mu of Qin, who deeply cared for Lady Boji, was moved by her words and pardoned Duke Hui. Lady Boji must have been a beautiful princess of Jin, for Qin sent a matchmaker to propose. 

        Lady Boji did not use her beauty to beguile the King of Qin, nor did she influence politics. Lady Boji must have been a learned and talented woman, but she did not stage a coup or seize power. 

        Lady Boji simply stood on the pyre, ready to set herself ablaze. Her motivation was not political; her primary desire was to fulfill her own sense of humanity, ethics, and culture. It was precisely this humanity, ethics, and culture that changed the political fate of Jin. Lady Boji intervened in politics in her own unique way. Lady Boji, through her uniquely feminine subtlety, delicacy, inclusiveness, composure, sensitivity, firmness, and even silence, expressed her powerful psychological needs. Humanity, ethics, and culture are not subservient to politics. 

        Humanity, ethics, and culture can speak for themselves, and the energy they release is sometimes more powerful and more intimidating than rigid political declarations or movements.