折冲樽俎 negotiating at the table
Explanation
指不用武力而在酒宴谈判中制敌取胜。体现了智慧和策略的重要性。
It means to defeat the enemy by skillful negotiation at a banquet without resorting to military force. It reflects the importance of wisdom and strategy.
Origin Story
战国时期，齐国有个非常能干的 diplomate叫苏秦。他游说各国君主，希望促成合纵抗秦。一次，他来到魏国，魏王对合纵抗秦持怀疑态度，苏秦就巧妙地运用外交策略，与魏王在一次宴会上进行了长达数小时的谈判。他凭借雄辩的口才，以及对国际形势的精准分析，最终说服魏王加入合纵联盟，促成了合纵抗秦的成功。苏秦在酒宴上，不战而屈人之兵，以智谋取胜，这正是“折冲樽俎”的最佳诠释。
During the Warring States period, there was a highly capable diplomat named Su Qin in the State of Qi. He lobbied various monarchs to form an alliance against Qin. Once, he came to Wei, where the king was skeptical about allying against Qin. Su Qin cleverly used diplomatic strategies and engaged in hours of negotiations with the king at a banquet. With his eloquent speeches and precise analysis of the international situation, he finally persuaded the king to join the alliance, leading to the success of the alliance against Qin. Su Qin's victory at the banquet without fighting, achieved through strategy and intellect, is the perfect example of “zhé chōng zūn zǔ”.
Usage
多用于书面语，形容在谈判中运用智慧和策略取得胜利。
Mostly used in written language, to describe how to win in negotiations by using wisdom and strategy.
Examples
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他外交手段高明，在谈判桌上就能折冲樽俎，取得胜利。
ta waijiao shouduan gaoming,zai tanpan zhuoshang jiu neng zhechong zunzu,qude shengli.
His diplomatic skills were so extraordinary that he could win in negotiations.
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这次国际会议上，我国代表折冲樽俎，维护了国家利益。
zici guoji huiyi shang,women daibiao zhechong zunzu,weihu le guojia liyi
At this international conference, our representative successfully protected national interests by deft diplomacy.