official from a foreign state in ancient China
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
official from another feudal state serving in one's own state; foreign minister
archaicA historical administrative term from the Warring States period (475–221 BCE) and beyond, referring to talented individuals from one feudal state who were appointed to official positions in another. It reflects the interstate competition for talent.
Qín秦
guó国
de的
qiáng强
dà大
，
lí离
bù不
kāi开
xǔ许
duō多
kè客
qīng卿
de的
gòng贡
xiàn献
。
The strength of the Qin state was inseparable from the contributions of many foreign ministers.
Zhāng张
Yí仪
zuò作
wéi为
Wèi魏
guó国
rén人
，
zài在
Qín秦
guó国
dān担
rèn任
kè客
qīng卿
。
Zhang Yi, a native of Wei, served as a foreign minister in the Qin state.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Kè客
qīng卿
zhì制
dù度
shì是
Zhàn战
guó国
shí时
qī期
rén人
cái才
liú流
dòng动
de的
zhòng重
yào要
tǐ体
xiàn现
。
The system of appointing foreign ministers was an important manifestation of talent mobility during the Warring States period.