难说其中没有以他为质
“and it is hard to say this does not also mean”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
旨令他长留长安
“under the guise of cultural exchange,”
难说 其中 没有 以 他 为质
“and it is hard to say this does not also mean”
约束南赵王的考虑
“using him as leverage over the Nanzhao King.”
“Let us be realistic: keeping him in the capital is clearly a calculated move to hold him hostage.”
In imperial Chinese history, sons or relatives of vassal kings were often kept in the imperial capital as hostages to enforce loyalty.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
it is hard to say; quite possibly
Used to introduce a tactful deduction or strong suspicion without stating it as an absolute accusation.
to take or use someone as a hostage
Classical phrasing used in political, military, and historical contexts regarding hostage diplomacy.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“that he must have his own reasons for not saying it.”
“His words did not ring true to me.”
“It's not just his call.”
“He must have his reasons.”
“How could he be lying to me?”
“Isn't he Nie Hengcheng's most trusted”