Illustration of Killing Three Warriors with Two Peaches

This rubbing may feature a scene from the story “Killing Three Warriors with Two Peaches,” which often appeared on low-relief stone tomb carvings during the Han dynasty (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.). In this tale, a witty minister offers the king a strategy to remove three haughty warriors. The minister summons the warriors to court and offers two peaches to the two most worthy. Viewed from right to left, the scene depicts the short minister keeping his distance as the warriors fight over the fruits. The three warriors finally realize the humiliation they bring to themselves, so they take their own lives.