While the Warring States period is noted for the rise of one state, Qin, to the exclusion of all others, here the relationship of large and small states is seen as complementary, as the union of male and female. This depicts a more ideal relationship than what in fact came to happen with Qin’s direct annexation and obliteration of the smaller states.
A great state is like a river’s lower course,
She is the feminine aspect of the world.
In the mating of the world:
The feminine always conquers the masculine by stillness.
It is because of her stillness that she is apt to take the lower position.*
Therefore,
When a great state is below a small state,
Then she shall take over the small state.
When a small state is below a great state,
Then she shall be taken over* by the great state.
Therefore,
The one is below so as to take over; the other is below and so is taken over.
Therefore,
The great state desires none other than to embrace and feed people,*
The small state desires none other than to enter in and serve people.*
Now for both to obtain what they desire, then the greater is fittingly below.