In the fifth century B.C., Zhao was a small state and Empress Dowager Zhao took charge of the state affairs. The strong state of Qin was about to wage war against it. Zhao asked help from another stronger state, Qi. However, Qi asked the Empress Dowager to send over Prince Changan, her youngest son to serve as a hostige in Qi as a condition. Empress Dowager was very fond of her youngest son and feared he'd have any danger as a hostage and was very hesitated. She was also angry at those who tried to persuade her to accept Qi's condition, adding she'd spit in his face if anyone tried again to persuade her on the matter.

Chu Long, an esteemed official came to see the Empress Dowager. To her surprise, he seemed to have come to just have a chat with her, inquiring about her health. He also asked a position in the royal court for his youngest son. The Empress Dowager laughed that a man could also extend more fondness to his youngest. Chu Long said man could do it even more so than a woman does. The chat continued.

"Parents all want to pave the way for their siblings' future." He said, which the Dowager agreed. "But I'm afraid you haven't paved the way well for Prince Changan."

"How come?" The Dowager was again surprised.

"You can see in history that the crowns have always changing names and it have never been kept to one family. It's not that the princes did not possess the quality of a King, but that they did not make much contribution to the state and no one respect or support them when they get crowned. So they couldn't last long. It's the same for prince Changan. You gave him too much prestige, wealth and land but not any chance of making contributions to his state. He'd find it hard to keep it once you're gone."
The Empress Dowager was touched and finally agreed to send Prince Changan to Qi to be a hostage. In exchange, Qi promised it will come to the rescue if Zhao was attacked.