The Beauty Trap
What if the most dangerous weapon is not a sword, but a smile? "美人计" is one of China's Thirty-Six Stratagems—a strategy that uses beauty to weaken an enemy's mind. This HSK 5 reading explores its famous history, its psychology, and the warning it still gives us today.
翻译 Translation
“美人计”是中国古代“三十六计”中的一计。它的意思是利用美女来引诱敌人，让对方沉迷于享乐，从而失去警惕和战斗力。表面上看，这是一种针对个人感情的手段，实际上，它包含了深刻的政治和军事智慧。并非所有的战争都需要刀剑，有时候，温柔的陷阱比坚硬的武器更具有杀伤力。
The "beauty trap" is one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems of ancient China. It means using a beautiful woman to lure the enemy, making the other side indulge in pleasure and thereby lose vigilance and fighting power. On the surface, it is a method aimed at personal feelings. In reality, it contains deep political and military wisdom. Not all wars require swords. Sometimes a gentle trap is more destructive than a hard weapon.
历史上最著名的“美人计”案例发生在春秋时期。越王勾践被吴王夫差打败后，为了复仇，精心挑选了美女西施献给夫差。西施凭借她的美貌和才华，成功赢得了夫差的宠爱。夫差从此沉迷于美色，忽视了国家大事，最终被越国消灭。这个故事告诉我们，美丽的外表往往隐藏着危险。同时，它也证明了智慧有时候比力量更重要。
The most famous case of the "beauty trap" in history took place during the Spring and Autumn period. After King Goujian of Yue was defeated by King Fuchai of Wu, he carefully selected the beauty Xi Shi and presented her to Fuchai in order to take revenge. With her beauty and talent, Xi Shi successfully won Fuchai's favor. From then on, Fuchai indulged in beauty, ignored important state affairs, and was eventually destroyed by the state of Yue. This story tells us that a beautiful appearance often hides danger. At the same time, it also proves that wisdom is sometimes more important than strength.
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美人计
beauty trap; a stratagem using beauty
noun
这个故事里的美人计非常有名。
The beauty trap in this story is very famous.
古代
ancient times
noun
古代的人没有手机，但是也生活得很快乐。
People in ancient times did not have mobile phones, but they also lived happily.
三十六计
Thirty-Six Stratagems
noun
“三十六计”是中国古代很有名的一本书。
The Thirty-Six Stratagems is a very famous book from ancient China.
利用
to use; to exploit
verb
我们应该利用周末时间多读一些书。
We should use weekend time to read more books.
引诱
to lure; to tempt
verb
他用礼物引诱孩子跟他走。
He used gifts to lure the child into going with him.
敌人
enemy
noun
面对敌人，他们一点也不害怕。
Facing the enemy, they were not afraid at all.
沉迷
to indulge in; to be addicted to
verb
他常常沉迷于网络游戏，忘了做作业。
He often indulges in online games and forgets to do his homework.
享乐
to enjoy pleasure; pleasure
verb/noun
年轻时不能只知道享乐，还要努力学习。
When young, you cannot only seek pleasure; you must also study hard.
警惕
to be vigilant; vigilance
verb/noun
出门在外，我们要提高警惕。
When out and about, we should raise our vigilance.
战斗力
fighting power; combat effectiveness
noun
这支球队的战斗力很强。
This team's fighting power is very strong.
表面
surface; appearance
noun
看事情不能只看表面。
You cannot judge things only by appearance.
针对
to target; aimed at
verb/preposition
这次活动是针对新员工设计的。
This activity was designed for new employees.
手段
method; means
noun
为了达到目的，他用了各种手段。
In order to achieve his goal, he used various methods.
实际
reality; actual
noun/adjective
实际情况比我们想的要复杂。
The actual situation is more complex than we thought.
包含
to contain; to include
verb
这个价格包含早餐。
This price includes breakfast.
深刻
deep; profound
adjective
这部电影给我留下了深刻的印象。
This movie left a deep impression on me.
政治
politics
noun
他对政治不太感兴趣。
He is not very interested in politics.
军事
military affairs; military
noun/adjective
这本书介绍了中国古代的军事智慧。
This book introduces ancient Chinese military wisdom.
智慧
wisdom
noun
遇到问题时，智慧比力气更重要。
When encountering problems, wisdom is more important than strength.
战争
war
noun
战争会给人们带来很多痛苦。
War brings a lot of suffering to people.
温柔
gentle; soft
adjective
她说话的声音很温柔。
Her voice is very gentle.
陷阱
trap
noun
这个看起来很简单的任务，其实是一个陷阱。
This task, which looks very simple, is actually a trap.
武器
weapon
noun
知识是我们最重要的武器。
Knowledge is our most important weapon.
杀伤力
destructive power; lethality
noun
这种病毒的杀伤力很强。
This virus has strong destructive power.
历史
history
noun
我很喜欢读中国历史。
I really like reading Chinese history.
著名
famous
adjective
他是中国著名的科学家。
He is a famous Chinese scientist.
案例
case; example
noun
老师给我们分析了一个真实的案例。
The teacher analyzed a real case for us.
发生
to happen; to occur
verb
这件事发生在我上小学的时候。
This happened when I was in elementary school.
打败
to defeat; to beat
verb
我们队在比赛中打败了对手。
Our team defeated the opponent in the competition.
复仇
to take revenge
verb
他花了十年时间，只为复仇。
He spent ten years just to take revenge.
精心
carefully; meticulous
adverb/adjective
妈妈精心准备了生日晚餐。
Mom carefully prepared a birthday dinner.
挑选
to select; to choose
verb
请从这些书里挑选一本你最喜欢的。
Please choose your favorite one from these books.
美貌
beauty; good looks
noun
她的美貌让人印象深刻。
Her beauty leaves a deep impression.
才华
talent
noun
他不仅聪明，而且很有才华。
He is not only smart but also very talented.
赢得
to win; to gain
verb
她用自己的努力赢得了大家的尊重。
She won everyone's respect through her own efforts.
宠爱
to dote on; favor
verb/noun
爷爷非常宠爱他的小孙子。
Grandpa dotes on his little grandson very much.
忽视
to ignore; to neglect
verb
我们不能忽视健康问题。
We cannot ignore health problems.
消灭
to eliminate; to wipe out
verb
科学家们正在努力消灭这种疾病。
Scientists are working hard to eliminate this disease.
外表
appearance; exterior
noun
看人不能只看外表。
You cannot judge a person only by appearance.
隐藏
to hide; to conceal
verb
他的心里隐藏着一个秘密。
A secret is hidden in his heart.
危险
danger; dangerous
noun/adjective
一个人去那儿很危险。
It is dangerous to go there alone.
证明
to prove; proof
verb/noun
他的成功证明了努力的重要性。
His success proved the importance of hard work.
力量
strength; power
noun
团结就是力量。
Unity is strength.
有效
effective
adjective
这种学习方法很有效。
This learning method is very effective.
人性
human nature
noun
这部电影讨论了人性中的善与恶。
This movie discusses good and evil in human nature.
弱点
weakness; weak point
noun
每个人都有自己的弱点。
Everyone has their own weaknesses.
好感
good feeling; favorable impression
noun
第一次见面，她对他就有好感。
The first time they met, she already had a good feeling toward him.
判断力
judgment
noun
遇到大事时，判断力非常重要。
When facing important matters, judgment is very important.
依靠
to rely on; reliance
verb/noun
我们不能总是依靠父母。
We cannot always rely on our parents.
攻击
to attack; attack
verb/noun
在网上攻击别人是不对的。
Attacking others online is wrong.
心理
psychology; mentality
noun
保持健康的心理很重要。
Maintaining a healthy mentality is important.
漏洞
loophole; flaw
noun
这个计划有一个很大的漏洞。
This plan has a very big flaw.
控制
to control; control
verb/noun
我们要学会控制自己的情绪。
We must learn to control our emotions.
欲望
desire
noun
人的欲望是无限的。
Human desires are endless.
削弱
to weaken
verb
长期不运动会使身体变弱。
Not exercising for a long time will weaken the body.
意志
will; willpower
noun
他的意志非常坚强。
His willpower is very strong.
达到
to reach; to achieve
verb
他终于达到了自己的目标。
He finally reached his goal.
目的
purpose; goal
noun
学习的目的不只是考试。
The purpose of learning is not only to take exams.
讨论
to discuss; discussion
verb/noun
我们一起讨论这个问题吧。
Let's discuss this problem together.
欺骗
to deceive; to cheat
verb
欺骗别人是不对的。
Deceiving others is wrong.
说明
to explain; explanation
verb/noun
这个例子说明了努力的重要性。
This example explains the importance of hard work.
竞争
to compete; competition
verb/noun
现在的竞争越来越激烈。
Competition nowadays is becoming more and more fierce.
激烈
fierce; intense
adjective
比赛进行得非常激烈。
The competition was very intense.
环境
environment
noun
我们要保护环境。
We must protect the environment.
理智
rationality; rational
noun/adjective
遇到问题时，一定要保持理智。
When encountering problems, you must stay rational.
职场
workplace
noun
在职场中，沟通能力很重要。
In the workplace, communication skills are very important.
保持
to maintain; to keep
verb
请保持安静。
Please keep quiet.
清醒
clear-headed; sober
adjective
早上起床后，我头脑很清醒。
After getting up in the morning, my mind is very clear.
独立
independent; to be independent
adjective/verb
我们应该学会独立思考。
We should learn to think independently.
迷惑
to confuse; confused
verb/adjective
他的花言巧语迷惑了很多人。
His sweet words confused many people.
付出
to pay; to devote
verb
只有付出努力，才会有收获。
Only by putting in effort will you gain something.
代价
price; cost
noun
他为自己错误的选择付出了代价。
He paid the price for his wrong choice.
提醒
to remind
verb
请提醒我明天带书。
Please remind me to bring the book tomorrow.
美人计
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