Tian Jiu, a Mohist scholar, wished to present his governance strategies to King Hui of Qin. He remained in Qin for three years but never secured an audience.
Someone informed the King of Chu of this situation. The King summoned Tian Jiu, was deeply impressed by his talents, and appointed him as an emissary to Qin. With this new official status, Tian Jiu promptly gained an audience with the King of Qin.
After leaving the Qin palace, Tian Jiu sighed and reflected, "I never imagined that the path to meeting the King of Qin would first lead me through the state of Chu."