Prince Dan of Yan《燕丹子》is a story by an anonymous author (or authors) that relates the famous story of Jing Ke and his failed attempt to assassinate Ying Zheng, the king of the state of Qin during the late Warring States period (227 BCE to be exact).

This was an historical event, attested in Sima Qian’s monumental Historical Records《史記》, which was completed around 91 BCE. There is also mention of Jing Ke in the Huainanzi《淮南子》. It is not known when precisely Prince Dan of Yan first appeared, but it is surmised to have been composed sometime between the late Eastern Han and Early Western Jin, or about 150 CE to 200 CE.¹ Its contents are a bit different from the historical accounts in Sima Qian’s work, the latter omitting some incidents because Sima Qian did not find them credible. An example is when a crow’s head turns white and a horse grows horns. Prince Dan of Yan also excludes some scenes that Sima Qian’s biography of Jing Ke includes, such as Jing Ke’s background, his travels before he arrives in Yan, and the subplot with Gao Jianli and his assassination attempt on Ying Zheng.² Prince Dan of Yan is also narrated more like a work of fiction than the traditional biographical style, omitting precise dates and background information. Prince Dan of Yan adds other scenes to show Jing Ke’s personality and his testing of Prince Dan’s understanding and appreciation.

In this story we see the original spirit of the xia 俠. Individual, willing to give one’s life for one who appreciates him, not conforming to social protocol, caring nothing for wealth. But a fuller treatment of xia will have to wait for another time.

Prince Dan of Yan has been called the first work of wuxia fiction³ as well as the first work of fiction in Chinese history.⁴ The version we know today is preseved in the Yongle Encyclopedia《永樂大典》of the Ming Dynasty in three fascicles.

This was one of the first translations I ever did, back in 2011. I remember pouring over Classical Chinese textbooks and working for many hours straight for a full week to finish this relatively short story. And I was using an existing English translation⁵ as a crib to help me understand it better. I would not go on to the next line until I had understood how to parse the Chinese. I have revised my translation now, eleven years later, before posting it here. I checked my translation against a modern edition of the Chinese text published by 三民書局 (1995).

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Prince Dan of Yan

Part 1

When Crown Prince Dan of Yan was held hostage⁶ in the state of Qin, the king of Qin treated him unceremoniously. Not pleased with this, the prince wanted to return home. The king of Qin wouldn’t hear it, and said facetiously, “If you can make a crow’s head turn white and and a horse grow horns, then I will allow it.”⁷ Dan looked up to the heavens and sighed, and a crow was found with a white head, and a horse that had grown horns. The king of Qin had a bridge booby-trapped, hoping to trap Dan as he left. But Dan passed the bridge with no problem, the trapdoor not deploying. At night, he reached a pass, but the gates were closed. Dan mimicked a cock’s crow, and the other roosters nearby joined in. So he was able to make his escape and return home.⁸

He felt deep resentment toward Qin and wanted to seek revenge. He stopped at nothing to offer support to brave warriors. Dan wrote his tutor, Qu Wu, a letter, which said:

I, Dan, am unworthy, and was born in a rustic, humble country, and grew up in a barren land. I have not had the opportunity to see a proper, noble man and learn from him, or learn the way of an enlightened man. However, I humbly wish to set out a plan; I would be fortunate if Teacher would condescend to read it. I have heard that the cause of a man’s shame is to be disgraced yet live on as if it were no concern; a chaste woman is shamed by having her chastity robbed from her. And so there are those who can cut one’s throat without regard, or will not try to avoid the cauldron. Do you think it’s because they love death and hate life? It’s because of the principles they hold dear. Currently, the king of Qin violates the will of Heaven, and behaves like a tiger or a wolf. Of all the feudal princes, he has treated me the most unceremoniously. Every time I think about it, I feel bitter down to the marrow of my bones. I have gauged that the people of Yan are not able to oppose Qin, and our strength is not enough to guard against them in the long run. I wish to round up the brave warriors under Heaven and gather all the heroes throughout the land, and empty the state’s storehouses in order to support them. With a lot of money and sweet words, we can win over Qin. If Qin covets our gifts and believes our words, then one sword will be as good as an army of a million. In a flash, ten-thousand lifetimes of shame will be removed. If it’s otherwise, I won’t be able to face the world, and will die and still be nursing a grudge from the Nine Springs.⁹ This will certainly cause the feudal princes to laugh at me, and the land north of the Yi River¹⁰, who knows who will possess it. This will also cover you and the other state officials with shame. I sincerely send this letter in the hope that you will give this matter some thought.

Qu Wu replied in a letter, which said:

Your servant has heard that “those who make rash decisions will suffer losses, and those who indulge their heart will injure their character”. Right now you wish to extinguish your anger and shame and get rid of this hate you have harbored for so long. This is truly something your servant should not avoid, even if it means his body and head are smashed to pieces. Personally, I think that the wise do not hope for luck to provide them with their result, and the clearheaded do not casually follow their ambitions to satisfy their hearts. Only when a matter is certain to be accomplished does one go ahead with it, and only when one’s safety is certain does one act. That is how one can start without failing and can move without stumbling. The crown prince is being foolhardy, believing one sword is enough and desiring achievements; that is what your servant thinks. Your servants thinks it best to join with Chu, combine our forces with Zhao, and unite with Han and Wei, then seek Qin. Then Qin can be broken. Yet though it seems Han and Wei are on good terms with Qin on the surface, but on the inside this is not the case. If we initiate the advance with troops, and then Chu supports us, then Han and Wei will certainly follow. You can see the strength of such a force. If you follow your servant’s strategy, then the crown prince will be rid of his shame, and my humble self will be relieved of my worry.

The crown prince received the letter and was not happy. He summoned Qu Wu to ask him about it. Wu said, “Your servant thinks that if the crown prince follows your servant’s plan, then north of the Yi River will never have to worry about Qin again, and our neighboring feudal princes will certainly seek us out.”

The crown prince said, “This plan is slow and drawn out, my heart can’t wait that long!”

Qu Wu said, “Your servant has thought this strategy through. Now then, in regards to Qin, rapid is not as good as slow; running is not as good as sitting. Join with Chu and Zhao, combine with Han and Wei; then, even if it takes years, our aim will certainly be accomplished. Your servant thinks this is best.”

The crown prince was dozing, lying down, not listening. Qu Wu said, “Your servant cannot plan for the crown prince. Your servant knows of one Tian Guang. This man is a profound strategist. I would like to set up a meeting for you with him.”

The crown prince said, “I respectfully consent!”

Part 2

Tian Guang came to see the crown prince, and the prince received him by the side of the steps and bowed. They took their seats and Crown Prince Dan said, “This is a barbaric region, and I am unworthy, yet Teacher was good enough to come here to this lowly land. Yan is a rustic place in the northern frontier near barbarian territory, yet you felt no shame to visit me. Now I can wait on you and look upon your jade countenance only because of the blessing from my ancestors’ spirits, who arranged for you to come here.”

Tian Guang said, “Since my hair was tied up in a knot until today¹¹, I have admired the crown prince’s lofty conduct and his good name. What instructions does the crown prince have for me?”

The crown prince advanced on his knees, tears streaming down his face, and said, “In the past, I was held hostage in Qin and was treated most insultingly. Day and night this has nagged at my heart. I desire to seek revenge. In terms of population, Qin has more. If you calculate strength, then Yan is decidedly weaker. I want to talk about joining forces, but my heart is set on revenge and I cannot. I often eat without tasting and sleep restlessly. Even if Yan and Qin were to be lost on the same day, it would be like dead ashes rekindling, like the bones of the dead resurrected. I wish Teacher could think of a plan.”

Tian Guang said, “This matter of state affairs will require some thought.” So Tian Guang was put up in the best quarters. The crown prince brought food to him three times a day, and whatever needs he had were met. In this way, three months passed.

The crown prince thought it strange that he hadn’t spoken about the matter, so he went to see Tian Guang, dismissed the retainers, and said, “Teacher has already condescended to take pity on me and promised to think up a beneficial plan. I’ve been listening attentively for three months now, does Teacher have any ideas?”

Tian Guang said, “Even if you didn’t say anything, I would assuredly put forth all my effort. Your servant has heard that a fine young steed has the strength to run a thousand miles without a problem, but when it gets old and worn out, it cannot even walk. By the time the crown prince heard of me, your servant was already old. I hope to give the crown prince a good plan, but maybe the crown prince will not find it doable. I wish to exert my strength, but your servant cannot. I’ve had a look at the crown prince’s guests, but none of them are suitable. Xia Fu is a man of courageous blood; when he is angered, his face turns red. Song Yi’s valor is in his veins; when he’s angry, his face turns blue. Wu Yang’s bravery is in his bones; when he is angered, his face turns white. I know of one Jing Ke, a man of divine courage; when he is angered, his color doesn’t change. He is a man of extensive learning with a retentive memory. He has a sturdy body and strong bones, and he doesn’t bother about trifles. He desires to accomplish great feats. He once made his home in the state of Wei, and because of him, over ten high ranking officials out of difficulties. The rest are just mediocre; we can’t call on them. If the crown prince wishes to consider this matter, then if not this person, there is no one.”

The crown prince got up from his mat and bowed, saying, “If I could receive Teacher’s blessing and make friends with Jing Ke, then the state of Yan will never perish. I hope Teacher can accomplish this.” Tian Guang was on his way out, the crown prince seeing him off personally, when the crown prince took Tian Guang’s hand and said, “This matter of state must not leak out!”

Tian Guang smiled and said, “I promise.”

Thereupon, Tian Guang went to see Jing Ke, and said, “I may have overstepped my bounds by recommending you to the crown prince. The crown prince of Yan is a true gentleman, and he admires you. I hope you won’t doubt me.”

Jing Ke said, “I am a man of humble ambition, but I often say that for one who appreciates me I will give my everything to him without regard for my person. But for one whose feelings are different I will not pluck out even a single hair. Now, since you want me to associate with the crown prince, then I respectfully consent to your wish.”

Tian Guang said to Jing Ke, “No doubt you’ve heard that a gentleman should not give another a reason to doubt him. When the crown prince saw me out, he brought up this affair of state and wished I would keep it a secret; this shows that he doubts me. To be distrusted and live in this world is my shame.” He faced Jing Ke, swallowed his tongue and died.¹² Jing Ke proceeded to Yan.

Part 3

Upon his arrival in the state of Yan, Jing Ke was picked up in a carriage driven by the crown prince himself. The crown prince vacated the seat on the left, and Jing Ke pulled himself up by the carriage strap without reservation.¹³ After they had arrived in the reception hall and were seated, and all the guests filled the room as well, Jing Ke said, “Tian Guang praised the crown prince’s benevolent manner and spoke of the crown prince’s unworldly ability and of your lofty conduct which reaches the heavens, and your reputation which fills mens’ ears. When I left the Wei capital on the road toward Yan, every danger undergone was a trifle, and the distance did not seem far. Today, the crown prince’s courtesy is like the kindness of an old friend, and you have received me with the respect of a new guest. The reason I didn’t stand on ceremony was due to the fact that I trust one who understands me.”

The crown prince said, “Is Teacher Tian in good health?”

Jing Ke said, “Just before he was about to see me off, he said that the crown prince had warned him about a matter of state affairs and was shamed to not be trusted with such matters. He faced me, swallowed his tongue, and died.”

The crown prince was stunned, and all the color drained from his face. Sobbing and weeping, he said, “I just cautioned him, how could I ever distrust Teacher! Now he has committed suicide, I can’t go on any more!” He was at a loss for a long time, and was unhappy for days.

One day, the crown prince invited Jing Ke to a banquet. Feeling merry from the wine, the crown prince rose to propose a toast. Xia Fu came forward and said, “I’ve heard that if a gentleman is not praised in his hometown, then one cannot evaluate about his conduct; if a horse has never pulled a cart, then you can’t determine its quality. Recently, Lord Jing has come from afar; how is he to instruct the crown prince?” His wanted to provoke Jing Ke.

Jing Ke said, “A gentleman of superior conduct is not necessarily appreciated in his hometown; for a horse that can run a thousand miles, why must it be hitched to a cart in order to reveal its talent? In former times, when Lǚ Wang¹⁴ was a butcher and fisherman, his station in the world was low, but then he met King Wen and became a consultant to the Zhou. If a fine steed is hitched to a salt cart, then it will be like any other worn-out horse, but if it happens to encounter Bo Le, then it will be able to run a thousand miles. Must it be that one’s hometown sings praises and then one is considered good, a horse pulls a cart and then is considered quality?”

Xia Fu asked Jing Ke, “How can you instruct the crown prince?”

Jing Ke said, “I shall make the state of Yan continue in the manner of Duke Shao¹⁵, seeking to match his influence. My highest desire is to add a fourth to the Three Kings, or failing that, add a sixth to the Five Hegemons. What do you think about that?” All present approved, and indeed, no one could could outdo him. The crown prince was delighted; having obtained Jing Ke, he needn’t worry about Qin anymore.

One time, the crown prince went with Jing Ke to the Eastern Palace where they gazed out at the pond. Jing Ke picked up a roof tile and flung it at a turtle.¹⁶ The crown prince ordered for a tray of gold to be brought out. Jing Ke then used these to throw at the turtles instead of the roof tiles. When he had thrown all the gold and was offered another tray, he said, “It’s not for the sake of the crown prince’s gold that I stop, it’s only that my arm is aching.”¹⁷

Another time, the pair were out riding on some fine steeds. Jing Ke said, “I’ve heard the liver of a fine thousand-mile steed like this is pretty tasty.” The crown prince immediately killed one of the horses and presented its liver to Jing Ke.

Later, General Fan of Qin, who had committed some offense, was pursued by Qin and fled and came under the charge of the crown prince. The crown prince threw him a banquet on a terrace in Huayang. During the banquet, the crown prince called out a beautiful woman skilled on the zither¹⁸. Jing Ke said, “this zither player has excellent hands!” The crown prince immediately presented her to him. Jing Ke said, “I only cherish her hands.” The crown prince at once cut off her hands and placed them on a jade tray and offered them to Jing Ke. The crown prince and Jing Ke often ate at the same table together and slept in the same bed together.

Another time, Jing Ke calmly said, “I’ve been in your service for three years, and you have treated me very generously. The gold I threw at the turtles, the horse liver, and the entertainer’s hands you presented me on a jade tray. Even an ordinary person would be exceptionally happy and would be willing to be used as one would use a dog or a horse. I have been serving at the side of a gentleman; I have heard that, in regards to a hero’s moral code, death can be as heavy as Mt. Tai or as light as goose feathers. It’s only a matter of what one is asked to do. I am fortunate to be able to await the crown prince’s instructions.”

The crown prince straightened his sleeves and with a serious expression, said, “In the past I traveled to Qin, but I was treated inappropriately. It’s a discgrace to have to live alongside them. Now Lord Jing has not considered me unworthy and has lowered himself to come to this small state. I would like to ask you, noble man as you are, to handle this state affair; I just can’t find the right words.”

Jing Ke said, “Of all the states under Heaven, none is equal to Qin. The crown prince’s strength is not formidable to the other feudal princes; they wouldn’t be willing to come under your service. If the crown prince were to lead the Yan army, it would be like using a sheep to lead a wolf, or a wolf to chase after a tiger.”

The crown prince said, “I’ve worried about this plan for a long time, but I don’t know a good plan.”

Jing Ke said, “Fan Wuqi offended Qin, causing Qin to come after him. Qin also covets the region of Dukang. If I can obtain Fan Wuqi’s head and a map of Dukang, then this matter can be accomplished.”

The crown prince said, “If this matter could be settled, I would be willing to offer the state of Yan. General Fan took refuge here in desperate straits. I couldn’t bear to betray him.” Jing Ke was silent and did not respond.

Five months passed. The crown prince feared that Jing Ke might be having second thoughts, so he went to see him and said, “Qin has already destroyed the state of Zhao; now the army approaches Yan. This matter is all the more urgent. Although I want to support and serve you, how can I put your plan into action? I want to first send Wu Yang. What do you think?”

Jing Ke said angrily, “Why is the crown prince sending him? Whoever goes will not return and this is just a boy! The reason I haven’t gone yet is that I was waiting for a friend.”

Thereupon, Jing Ke went in secret to see Fan Wuqi, and said, “I’ve heard the general has committed some offense in Qin, and your parents, wife, and children were all burned to death. There is a bounty on your head of ten-thousand fiefs and a thousand catties of gold. I feel for you. I know a way to rid the general of his disgrace and also remove the state of Yan’s shame. I wonder if the general is interested in hearing it?”

Fan Wuqi said, “I think of this often; day and night I drink my own tears. I don’t know a way out. If I am fortunate enough to receive Lord Jing’s instructions, then I wish to hear your command!”

Jing Ke said, “I wish to take your head, along with a map of Dukang, and present it to the king of Qin, which will certainly make him happy, and he’ll no doubt receive me. Then, with my left hand I will grab his sleeve, and with my right I will stab him in the chest. I will enumerate all of his ill-treatments of Yan and get revenge on him on your behalf. Yan will see it’s shame wiped away, and the general will be rid of his long-standing anger.”

Fan Wuqi rose, gripped his wrist with his other hand¹⁹, and grabbing a knife, said, “Day and night this is what I have wanted to do, and now I have heard your command!” Thereupon, he cut his own throat and his head fell behind his back, his eyes not closed. When the crown prince heard of this, he rushed over, fell over Fan Wuqi’s dead body, and cried, unable to control his grief. He was like this for a good while, but there was nothing to be done about it, so he had Fan Wuqi’s head placed in a box along with a map of Dukang, which were to be presented to Qin. Wu Yang was to be Jing Ke’s assistant.²⁰

Jing Ke entered Qin, starting out without first selecting an auspicious day. The crown prince, along with everyone else who was in on the plan, wore mourning clothes when they saw them off at the bank of the Yi River. Jing Ke rose to offer a toast, singing:

The wind sighs mournfully;
Cold are the waters of the Yi.
A brave warrior departs,
Never to return.

Gao Jianli struck the bamboo zither²¹ and Song Yi joined in the singing. Their boisterous singing reached such heights that the hair of those present stood up against their caps in righteous indignation, and the sad tune brought them all to tears. The two men mounted the carriage and did not look back. As the two men passed by in the carriage, Xia Fu stepped forward and cut his own throat by way of seeing them off.

The two passed through Yangdi and Jing Ke bought some meat. There was an argument over the weight, and the butcher insulted them. Wu Yang wanted to strike him, but Jing Ke stopped him.

Heading west, they entered Qin and reached Xianyang. They delivered their message through Meng Jia, the chamberlain. The message said:

“Crown Prince Dan of Yan, awestruck by the king’s power, hereby presents the head of Fan Wuqi along with a map of Dukang and wishes to be your servant in the north.”

The king of Qin was delighted. Accompanied by a hundred officials and armed soldiers, he received the Yan envoy. Jing Ke presented the head of Fan Wuqi, and Wu Yang presented the map. Bells and drums sounded together, and the multitude all shouted “Long live the king!” Wu Yang was very afraid; he couldn’t move his feet, and his face turned ashen. The king thought this was strange. Jing Ke looked back at Wu Yang, then stepped forward and apologized, saying, “He is a low, uneducated barbarian from the north; he’s never before seen the Son of Heaven. I hope Your Majesty will excuse him so that we may complete our business before you.”

The king of Qin said to Jing Ke, “Bring the map and advance.” The king of Qin spread open the map; once the map had been completely unrolled, the dagger was revealed. Jing Ke grabbed the king of Qin’s sleeve with his left hand, and with his right he readied to stab at the king’s chest. He denounced the king, saying, “You’ve long bullied Yan and brutally coveted everywhere within the four seas, your greed never satisfied. Fan Wuqi was innocent, yet you exterminated his entire clan. I seek revenge on behalf of all lands within the four seas. Now the king of Yan’s mother is sick, and I have been given a deadline. If you follow my orders, then you will live. If you don’t, then you will die.”²²

The king of Qin said, “This matter is in your hands now. I impore you to allow me to listen to some zither music before I die.” A palace lady was summoned to play the zither. The song went like this:

An unlined garment of gossamer silk
Can be pulled and torn.
An eight-span long screen
Can be leapt over.
A windlass-headed sword
Can be drawn from the back.

Jing Ke was unaware of the meaning of the song. The king of Qin, following the song, pushed his sword to his back and drew it, jerked his sleeve away, jumped over the screen and fled. Jing Ke drew his dagger and threw it. The dagger sliced the king of Qin’s ear and struck a bronze pillar, emitting sparks. The king of Qin turned back and cut off both of Jing Ke’s hands. Jing Ke leaned against the pillar and laughed, sitting down with his legs stretched out.²³ He cursed the king, saying, “It was only because I took this undertaking too lightly that i was tricked by you, you nobody²⁴. The state of Yan has not been avenged, my mission was not a success!”

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1. The Early Xia Tradition: Historicity and Topos, Jian Zhao, 1997. Ph.D Thesis. pg.212.
2. Interestingly, the Gao Jianli assassination attempt is not recorded in the Qin Annals, though Jing Ke’s is. I suspect the Gao Jianli episode is fiction because of this, since the Qin Annals list other assassination attempts. If Gao’s really happened, why wasn’t it recorded there?
3. 林遙, 挑燈看劍：武俠小說史話, 2021, pg.81-87. Also James J.Y. Liu, The Chinese Knight-Errant, 1967, pg.82.
4. See The Early Xia Tradition mentioned above, pg. 212.
5. Translated by Peter Rushton and the editors of Traditional Chinese Stories: Themes and Variations, ed. Y.W. Ma and Joseph S.M. Lau, 1978, pg. 43-49.
6. During the Spring & Autumn and Warring States periods, lords would often exchange sons as security, a kind of mutual security pact. They were not prisoners the way a criminal is a prisoner, but they could not leave without permission. According to Sima Qian’s Historical Record, Ying Zheng, the king of Qin and future first emperor of China, had been born in the state of Zhao, and Crown Prince Dan had once been a hostage in Zhao as a boy. The two of them got on well there, so later on Dan was sent as a hostage to Qin, now ruled by his boyhood friend, Ying Zheng (who was now not so friendly to him).
7. In other words, “when pigs fly” since he was intentionally making an impossible condition.
8. Because the gates open at sunrise, so the crowing of the cocks made the guards think it was time to open the gates for the morning.
9. i.e. the netherworld.
10. i.e. the state of Yan
11. Since he became an adult. A rite of passage that happened for boys at the age of 20. For girls, they put their hair up with a hairpin at the age of 15.
12. He bit his tongue and swallowed it to presumably choke himself? Or bleed to death? In Sima Qian’s Historical Record it says he cut his throat.
13. Prince Dan yielded the seat of honor and Jing Ke did not stand on ceremony but took it. The rope is to pull himself up into the seat.
14. aka Jiang Ziya, a minister of King Wen of Zhou.
15. Younger brother of King Wu of Zhou and one of the ancestors of the rulers of the state of Yan.
16. Alright so the original text has 鼃 (wa), which is an old variant of 蛙, frog. The footnote of the modern edition I am checking my translation against says that one edition has 龜 (gui), turtle. Now, I’m from rural Kentucky, I’ve been frog gigging. I know a thing or two about frongs and turtles and ponds. They are admiring the pond, so it must be daytime, meaning no frogs will be out. When frogs do come out, at night to catch insects, they hang around mostly at the edges of the pond, just sticking their heads up out of the water at the very margin of the water, though sometimes they do hop around on the bank. But to me it makes much more sense for it to be a turtle, because turtles can be seen during the day, in the middle of the pond, and all you’ll see is its little stick up out of the water. A hard target to hit for sure if throwing a roof tile at it, especially since they only leave their heads up for a short time before going underwater again. The point of this scene is to show Jing Ke’s skill. So turtle makes much more sense to me than frog. Also, an old variant of turtle is written 亀 which looks similar to 鼃, so I have changed it to turtle.
17. So the gold was originally intended as a reward for his skill, but by throwing the gold itself, Jing Ke is showing that he doesn’t care about wealth, and he’s not being polite about wasting the gold because he’s showing that he knows the prince appreciates and understands him. These are classic xia 俠 traits.
18. The guqin 古琴, a seven-stringed zither.
19. Seizing one’s wrist like this was an expression of extreme emotion, indignance in his case. Basically he is steeling himself, determined to give his head for this cause.
20. Note here how Jing Ke earlier dismissed Wu Yang as just a boy, meaning he was worthless for such a cause. Jing Ke was actually waiting on his friend to arrive but the friend had not shown up yet when the crown prince pressured him to act. So Jing Ke is actually acting sooner than he wished and now has to have an inferior assistant to go with him. This will lead to disaster.
21. This is a different kind of zither than the one mentioned earlier. This one has been lost to history but was a five-stringed zither played using a bamboo plectrum.
22. According to Sima Qian’s Historical Record, the crown prince had hoped to coerce the king of Qin to give back all the land he had conquered from each state, and only if he didn’t agree would he be assassinated.
23. Sitting in this manner was an arrogant show of disrespect.
24. He says 豎子 which means boy, adolescent. It’s like 小子 in modern Chinese, a pejorative. It is used to say someone is worthless, a good-for-nothing.