合縱連橫 hé zòng lián héng

DEFINITIONS

  1. Vertical and Horizontal Alliance, opposing stratagems devised by the School of Diplomacy 縱橫家|纵横家[Zong4 heng2 jia1] during the Warring States Period (425-221 BC)

CHARACTERS

合 hé combine, unite, join; gather
縱 zòng indulge in, give free reign to
連 lián join, connect; continuous; even
橫 héng across, horizontal, lateral