Gongsun Hong 公孫弘, a retainer of Lord Mengchang 孟嘗君, was sent to Qin 秦 in order to conclude an alliance. Yet the arrogant King Zhaoxiang of Qin 秦昭襄王 (r. 306-251) dispised the minor representative of Qi 齊. Gongsun Hong, with the help of his disputative force, highly impressed the king of Qin and managed the conclusion of the alliance.