趙三 THE STRATAGEMS OF ZHAO III (B)
秦攻趙於長平
Qin Attacks Zhao At changPing
秦攻趙於長平，大破之，引兵而歸。因使人索六城於趙而講。趙計未定。樓緩新從秦來，趙王與樓緩計之曰：「與秦城何如？不與何如？」樓緩辭讓曰：「此非人臣之所能知也。」王曰：「雖然，試言公之私。」樓緩曰：「王亦聞夫公甫文伯母乎？公甫文伯官於魯，病死。婦人為之自殺於房中者二八。其母聞之，不肯哭也。相室曰：『焉有子死而不哭者乎？』其母曰：『孔子，賢人也，逐於魯，是人不隨。今死，而婦人為死者十六人。若是者，其於長者薄，而於婦人厚？』故從母言之，之為賢母也；從婦言之，必不免為妒婦也。故其言一也，言者異，則人心變矣。今臣新從秦來，而言勿與，則非計也；言與之，則恐王以臣之為秦也。故不敢對。使臣得為王計之，不如予之。」王曰：「諾。」
Qin attacked Zhao at Changping[1], inflicting a great defeat. It then withdrew its troops and headed for home, taking the opportunity to send an envoy to demand six fortified cities in return for a peace settlement[2]. Zhao had not yet fixed upon a strategy when Lou Huan[3] arrived in Zhao from Qin. The King of Zhao[4] met with him to make plans, saying, "How will it go for us if we give Qin the cities? How will it go if we don't?"
Lou Huan declined to respond, saying, "This is not something that your servant could possibly know[5]."
The King said, "Even so, please venture to give me your private opinion."
Lou Huan said, "Has Your Majesty heard about Gongfu Wenbo's mother[6]? Gongfu Wenbo was an official in Lu. When he grew ill and died, both of his wives killed themselves right there and then[7], but when his mother heard about it she refused to cry. One of her attendants[8] said, 'Can there be one here who can see a son die and not weep?' Wenbo's mother said, 'Confucius was a sage, but when he was expelled from Lu, none of its people followed him. Now Wenbo has died, and two of his wives have died with him[9]. If this is the case, it is because he gave too little of himself to his seniors and too much to his wives.' Spoken by a mother, these words make her seem like a sage[10], but if they had been said by another wife one could not help but conclude that she was jealous. The words would be the same but the speaker would be different, and it would be the latter that influenced people's minds. Now your servant is newly arrived from Qin, and if I said that you should not hand over the towns, that would not be the right strategic choice, but if I said that you should hand them over then I would be afraid you would believe I was working for Qin. This is why I dare not reply. If it were my job to think up strategies for Your Majesty, however, I could think of no better option than to give them the cities."
The King said, "I will do so."
虞卿聞之，入見王，王以樓緩言告之。虞卿曰：「此飾說也。」秦既解邯鄲之圍，而趙王入朝，使趙郝約事於秦，割六縣而講。王曰：「何謂也？」虞卿曰：「秦之攻趙也，倦而歸乎？王以其力尚能進，愛王而不攻乎？」王曰：「秦之攻我也，不遺餘力矣，必以倦而歸也。」虞卿曰：「秦以其力攻其所不能取，倦而歸。王又以其力之所不能攻以資之，是助秦自攻也。來年秦復攻王，王無以救矣。」
Yu Qing[11] heard about this, and sought an audience with the King. The King reported Lou Huan's comments to him. Yu Qing said, "A well-crafted argument indeed."
The King of Zhao said, "What do you mean[12]?"
Yu Qing said, "Qin attacked Zhao, then got tired and retreated, no? Do you take it that they still have the capacity to advance, and are merely refraining from attacking out of affection for you[13]?"
The King said, "In attacking us Qin spared no effort[14], this obviously tired it out so much that it had to retreat."
Yu Qing said, "Qin used up its strength in attacking a city that it couldn't take, that is what tired it out and made it retreat. Qin's strength having proved inadequate for the attack, you are now proposing to resupply it with your own resources. You are helping Qin to resume its attacks. Next year, Qin will come back and attack you again, and you will have no way to save yourself."
王又以虞卿之言告樓緩。樓緩曰：「虞卿能盡知秦力之所至乎？誠知秦力之不至，此彈丸之地，猶不予也，令秦來年復攻王，得無割其內而媾乎？」王曰：「誠聽子割矣，子能必來年秦之不復攻我乎？」樓緩對曰：「此非臣之所敢任也。昔者三晉之交於秦，相善也。今秦釋韓、魏而獨攻王，王之所以事秦必不如韓、魏也。今臣為足下解負親之攻，啟關通敝，齊交韓、魏。至來年而王獨不取於秦，王之所以事秦者，必在韓、魏之後也。此非臣之所敢任也。」
This time, the King reported Yu Qing's words to Lou Huan. Lou Huan said, "So Yu Qing is an expert on the extent of Qin's capacities? If Qin is not really at the end of its strength and you refuse to give an inch now, then when they return next year how will you avoid giving them all the land they want in exchange for a peaceful settlement?"[15].
The King said, "If I listen to you and offer Qin land, how will you ensure that they do not come back next year and attack me again?"
Lou Huan replied, "This is not something that your servant would dare commit to, but the three Jin once had good relations with Qin and we all treated one another kindly. Now Qin has no entanglements with Han or Wei, and is attacking you alone. Your regard for Qin's interests did not match up to that shown by Han and Wei. Now your servant is in a position to free you from these attacks by your disappointed friend. I will open the borders and dispatch gifts of cash[16] to put us at the same level in Qin's estimations as Han and Wei. If, by next year, you are not one of Qin's allies, then it will be because because the service your provide Qin is still not equal to that of Han and Wei: this the reason why your servant would not dare commit to such an outcome."
王以樓緩之言告。虞卿曰：「樓緩言不媾，來年秦復攻王，得無更割其內而媾。今媾，樓緩又不能必秦之不復攻也，雖割何益？來年復攻，又割其力之所不能取而媾也，此自盡之術也。不如無媾。秦雖善攻，不能取六城；趙雖不能守，而不至失六城。秦倦而歸，兵必罷。我以五城收天下以攻罷秦，是我失之於天下，而取償於秦也。吾國尚利，孰與坐而割地，自弱以強秦？今樓緩曰：『秦善韓、魏而攻趙者，必王之事秦不如韓、魏也。』是使王歲以六城事秦也，即坐而地盡矣。來年秦復求割地，王將予之乎？不與，則是棄前貴而挑秦禍也；與之，則無地而給之。語曰：『強者善攻，而弱者不能自守。』今坐而聽秦，秦兵不敝而多得地，是強秦而弱趙也。以益愈強之秦，而割愈弱之趙，其計固不止矣。且秦虎狼之國也，無禮義之心。其求無已，而王之地有盡。以有盡之地，給無已之求，其勢必無趙矣。故曰：此飾說也。王必勿與。」王曰：「諾。」
The King reported Lou Huan's speech to Yu Qing, who said[17], "Lou Huan says that if you do not negotiate a settlement then Qin will return and attack Your Majesty, and that the only way to avoid giving them even more land later is to settle now. But if you settle now and Lou Huan still cannot assure you that Qin will not return and attack later, what benefit will this provide? If they return next year and attack us, then we will then be obliged to give up what they could not previously take by force in order reach a settlement. With such schemes you will seal your own fate. It would be better not to negotiate a settlement. However skillfully Qin manages its attack, it cannot gain possession of the six towns, and however incompetently Zhao organises the defence, you cannot lose them[18]. Qin will grow tired and retreat; its troops having ground to a halt. I can take five[19] towns and offer them up to bring All-Under-Heaven to our side and help stop Qin's advance. In that case, what we lose to All-Under-Heaven will be compensated by what we take from Qin, and our state will achieve a net gain. Would it be better to sit passively giving away land, making ourselves weaker and Qin stronger? Now Lou Huan says, 'If Qin favours Han and Wei and attacks Zhao, it must be because your services to Qin have been inferior to those offered by Han and Wei.' Instead he would have you treat Qin to six of your cities a year, simply sitting and waiting for all your land to be exhausted. And when Qin comes back the year after that, demanding even more, what will you give them then? If decide not to give them what they want at that point, then the resources you previously handed over will have been thrown away[20] for nothing[21], and if you do hand it over then you will eventually have no more land to give. There is a saying, 'The strong are skilled in attacking, while the weak cannot even defend themselves.' Now if you sit and follow Qin's orders, Qin will be able to take great swathes of your land without wearying its troops, which will strengthen Qin and weaken Zhao. Every tract of land that Qin gains strengthens it[22], while every tract that we lose weakens us. There will be no end to Lou Huan's strategy, for Qin is a land of tigers and wolves with no respect for protocol or sense of justice.Their demands will never cease, and Your Majesty will run out of land, and when you run out of land you will no longer have any means of satisfying Qin's demands. Qin will gain such momentum that Zhao will cease to exist. That is why I say that Lou Huan's was a well-crafted speech. You should give Qin nothing."
The King said, "You have my assent."
樓緩聞之，入見於王，王又以虞卿言告之。樓緩曰：「不然，虞卿得其一，未知其二也。夫秦、趙構難，而天下皆說，何也？曰『我將因強而乘弱』。今趙兵困於秦，天下之賀戰者，則必盡在於秦矣。故不若亟割地求和，以疑天下，慰秦心。不然，天下將因秦之怒，秦趙之敝而瓜分之。趙且亡，何秦之圖？王以此斷之，勿復計也。」
Lou Huan heard about this, and sought another audience with the King. Once again, the King reported Yu Qing's words to him. Lou Huan said, "Not so. Yu Qing has grasped the first order effects but not the second order ones. If Qin and Zhao remain at odds, then everyone in All-Under-Heaven will be delighted. Why? They will say to themselves, 'We will use the stronger to take advantage of the weaker.' Now Zhao's military is beset by Qin, and All-Under-Heaven is congratulating Qin on its victory[23]; in future they will certainly stand with Qin[24]. Therefore it would be better to offer Qin land immediately and sue for peace, undermining All-Under-Heaven's plans and placating Qin. If not, then the states of All-Under-Heaven will take advantage of Qin's grudge to carve Zhao up between them[25]. Zhao will be doomed; how do you plan to deal with Qin then? Make a decision and do not vacillate in your plans."
虞卿聞之，又入見王曰：「危矣，樓子之為秦也！夫趙兵困於秦，又割地為和，是愈疑天下，而何慰秦心哉？是不亦大示天下弱乎？且臣曰勿予者，非固勿予而已也。秦索六城於王，王以五城賂齊。齊，秦之深讎也，得王五城，并力而西擊秦也，齊之聽王，不待辭之畢也。是王失於齊而取償於秦，一舉結三國之親，而與秦易道也。」趙王曰：「善。」因發虞卿東見齊王，與之謀秦。
Yu Qin heard about this, and returned to see the King, saying, "You are in danger! Master Lou is working for Qin! Zhao's military is beset by Qin; if you cede land in return for peace it will certainly increase All-Under-Heaven's suspicions[26], but why would it placate Qin? Would not not be a glaring demonstration of Zhao's weakness before All-Under-Heaven? If I say that you should not give Qin land, it is not because refusing will put an end to this. Qin has demanded six towns from you; if you use five towns to bribe Qi, then - given that Qi and Qin share a deep rivalry - Qi's acquisition of the five towns will strengthen it such that it will launch an offensive westwards into Qin[27]. Qi will agree to this plan before you even finish speaking. This being so, what you lose to Qi you will gain back from Qin[28], while - at a stroke - improving your relations with the three states[29]. Thus you and Qin will exchange your positions."
The King of Zhao said, "Very well." He then sent Yu Qing east to seek an audience with the King of Qi[30] in order to plot against Qin.
虞卿未反，秦之使者已在趙矣。樓緩聞之，逃去。
Yu Qing had not yet returned when a Qin envoy arrived in Zhao. Lou Huan heard about this and fled[31].
[1] This was the Battle of Changping, a famously bloody defeat for Zhao.
[2] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[3] Lou Huan was dispatched to Qin by King Wuling of Zhao, where he became Chancellor and served as the architect of an alliance between Qin and Zhao.
[4] King Xiaocheng of Zhao (265-245 BCE) inherited the throne at a young age, and almost immediately oversaw Zhao's greatest defeat by Qin at the Battle of Changping. While the state survived, it never regained its previous status.
[5] Reading 臣 for 人臣, per the commentaries.
[6] There are many stories about the lessons in Confucian rectitude delivered to Gongfu Wenbo by his mother. Both lived in Lu.
[7] The original has "sixteen" (written as 二八 and later 十六人, and the commentaries suggest that this may be a corruption for 二人 (two). Two is more plausible, so we have followed this interpretation.
[8] Commentaries and translations disagree regarding who exactly was involved here - "attendant" covers all possibilities.
[9] See above regarding the number of people involved here.
[10] According to the commentaries, the second 之 here is superfluous.
[11] Yu Qing was a writer and politician who served as Chancellor of Zhao.
[12] The commentaries and modern translations suggest that the section "秦既解邯鄲之圍，而趙王入朝，使趙郝約事於秦，割六縣而講" (Qin lifted the siege of Handan, and the King of Zhao intended to go an pay his respects at the court of Qin, with a treaty offering Zhao's apologies and promises to serve Qin, as well as six counties as a basis for opening peace negotiations.) is an interpolation. If it is not, the King is asking what Yu Qing thinks of the situation.
[13] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[14] The commentaries suggest 伐 for 攻 here.
[15] This sentence seems garbled, and the commentaries and translations interpret it differently. This is a best guess.
[16] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[17] The commentaries suggest that the 虞卿 here should be repeated.
[18] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[19] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[20] Reading 資 for 貴 here, per the commentaries.
[21] I.e. if they are going to be obliged to fight later anyway, there is no point giving away land in an attempt to placate Qin now.
[22] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[23] Reading 勝者 for 者 here, per the commentaries.
[24] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[25] Reading 乘 for 秦 here, per the commentaries.
[26] I.e. the other states will be suspicious that Zhao is planning to form an alliance with Qin.
[27] Liu suggests that 也 here may be superfluous.
[28] The section 是王失於齊而取償於秦 may be superfluous according to Liu.
[29] Qi, Han and Wei.
[30] King Jian of Qi (264–221 BCE) was the last king of his state, finally surrendering to Qin and being starved in internal exile.
[31] The envoy has arrived to negotiate a peace settlement, despite not having been given formal possession of the six towns. Lou Huan is forced to flee as Qin's willingness to negotiate without a land transaction has proven his advice wrong.
秦攻趙平原君使人請救於魏
Qin Attacks Zhao And Lord Pingyuan sENDS an Envoy to Beg Aid from Wei
秦攻趙，平原君使人請救於魏。信陵君發兵至邯鄲城下，秦兵罷。虞卿為平原君請益地，謂趙王曰：「夫不鬥一卒，不頓一戟，而解二國患者，平原君之力也。用人之力，而忘人之功，不可。」趙王曰：「善。」將益之地。公孫龍聞之，見平原君曰：「君無覆軍殺將之功，而封以東武城。趙國豪傑之士，多在君之右，而君為相國者以親故。夫君封以東武城不讓無功，佩趙國相印不辭無能，一解國患，欲求益地，是親戚受封，而國人計功也。為君計者，不如勿受便。」平原君曰：「謹受令。」乃不受封。
Qin attacked Zhao[1], and Lord Pingyuan[2] sent an envoy to beg aid from Wei. Lord Xinling[3] dispatched his troops and, arriving at the foot of Handan's[4] city walls, halted the advance of Qin's armies. Yu Qing[5] begged on Lord Pingyuan's behalf that he be endowed with lands for this, saying to the King of Zhao[6], "Lord Pingyuan was strong enough to release two states from their misfortunes without sending a single infantryman into battle[7] or breaking a single halberd[8]. To take advantage of your people's strength and then forget their achievements is impermissible."
The King of Zhao said, "Very well." He thus prepared to endow Lord Pingyuan with land. Gongsun Long[9] heard about this[10], and sought an audience with Lord Pingyuan, saying, "You do not have the merit of having turned back an army or killed its general, and yet you have been granted you the city of Dongwu[11] as your domain. Zhao has heroic officers, of whom some are your superiors; if you have been made Chancellor, it is because you are close to the ruling house[12]. You have accepted Dongwu rather than declining for lack of merit, and you have accepted the Chancellor's seals rather than excusing yourself for lack of capability. To release a state from its misfortunes once and then demand land is only possible when you have powerful relatives ready to grant you domains. while ordinary citizens must accumulate achievements[13]. Given the extent of your own achievements, it would be best to refuse."
Lord Pingyuan said, "I respectfully receive your instructions." Consequently he refused to accept the domain.
[1] This was the Battle of Changping, a famously bloody defeat for Zhao.
[2] Lord Pingyuan, also known as Zhao Sheng, was a politician and a member of the Zhao royal house.
[3] Lord Xinling was also known as Wei Wuji. He was a member of the Wei royal house, and also one of the great politicians and generals of his age.
[4] Handan was the capital of Zhao. It is still called Handan, and is in Hebei.
[5] Yu Qing was a writer and politician who served as Chancellor of Zhao.
[6] King Xiaocheng of Zhao (265-245 BCE) inherited the throne at a young age, and almost immediately oversaw Zhao's greatest defeat by Qin at the Battle of Changping. While the state survived, it never regained its previous status.
[7] The implication is that Qin retreated without a pitched battle.
[8] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[9] The commentaries are somewhat uncertain over whether this refers to the Gongsun Long who was principally known as a philosopher and a member of the School of Names. That Gongsun Long also seems to have served as a politician and general in Zhao around this time, so it does not seem implausible.
[10] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[11] Dongwu was in modern Hengshui, Hebei.
[12] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[13] There would have been a set reward scheme for given military achievements, and citizens could rise through the ranks by taking enemy heads etc.
秦趙戰於長平
Qin and Zhao Fight at Changping
秦、趙戰於長平，趙不勝，亡一都尉。趙王召樓昌與虞卿曰：「軍戰不勝，尉復死，寡人使卷甲而趍之，何如？」樓昌曰：「無益也，不如發重使而為媾。」虞卿曰：「夫言媾者，以為不媾者軍必破，而制媾者在秦。且王之論秦也，欲破王之軍乎？其不邪？」王曰：「秦不遺餘力矣，必且破趙軍。」虞卿曰：「王聊聽臣，發使出重寶以附楚、魏。楚、魏欲得王之重寶，必入吾使。趙使入楚、魏，秦必疑天下合從也，且必恐。如此，則媾乃可為也。」
Qin and Zhao fought at Changping[1]. Zhao could not prevail, and lost one of its commanders[2]. The King of Zhao[3] summoned Lou Chang[4] and Yu Qing[5], saying, "Our army did not win, and one of our commanders is dead[6]. Should we send reinforcements post-haste?"
Lou Chang said, "There would be no benefit in it. It would be better to send a high-ranking envoys to negotiate for peace[7]."
Yu Qing said, "Those who talk about peace settlements believe that if we do not negotiate the army will be destroyed, but the power to decide the outcome of the negotiations lies with Qin. If it were up to Qin, would it choose to allow your army to survive or not[8]?"
The King said, "Qin has spared no effort, and is poised to destroy our army."
Yu Qing said, "If you pay even the slightest attention to my advice, then you will send your highest-ranking envoys to approach Chu and Wei with impressive gifts of treasure. If Chu and Wei wish to get their hands on Your Majesty's gifts, they will have to allow our envoys in. If Chu and Wei receive our envoys then Qin will certainly suspect that All-Under-Heaven is aligning against it, and will be afraid. In this way, we will be able to take charge of the negotiations."
趙王不聽，與平陽君為媾，發鄭朱入秦，秦內之。趙王召虞卿曰：「寡人使平陽君媾秦，秦已內鄭朱矣，子以為奚如？」虞卿曰：「王必不得媾，軍必破矣，天下之賀戰勝者皆在秦矣。鄭朱，趙之貴人也，而入於秦，秦王與應侯必顯重以示天下。楚、魏以趙為媾，必不救王。秦知天下不救王，則媾不可得成也。」趙卒不得媾，軍果大敗。王入秦，秦留趙王而后許之媾。
The King of Zhao did not listen. He followed Lord Pingyang's[9] advice to negotiate a settlement and sent Zheng Zhu[10] to Qin. Qin allowed him entry. The King of Zhao summoned Yu Qing, saying, "We have appointed Lord Pingchang to handle the negotiations and Zheng Zhu has already arrived in Qin. What do you make of that?"
Yu Qing said, "You will certainly not get a peace settlement and your army will be destroyed. All-Under-Heaven has flocked to Qin to congratulate it on its victory; Zheng Zhu holds an elevated position in Zhao, and now he has gone to Qin, the King of Qin[11] and Marquis Ying[12] will make much of this, putting him on display before the representatives of All-Under-Heaven. Chu and Wei will conclude that Zhao intends to negotiate an accord with Qin and will certainly refuse to help you. As long as Qin knows[13] that All-Under-Heaven will not help you then your negotiations will never succeed[14]." In the end, Zhao was unable to obtain a settlement, and its army suffered a great defeat. The King of Zhao had to go and pay his respects in Qin, and Qin detained him for some time before consenting to a peace settlement.
[1] This was the Battle of Changping, a famously bloody defeat for Zhao.
[2] This story seems to be taking place after the initial battle, when Zhao Kuo, the Zhao General, was still besieged in Changping. 都尉 refers to a military rank below that of general.
[3] King Xiaocheng of Zhao (265-245 BCE) inherited the throne at a young age, and almost immediately oversaw Zhao's greatest defeat by Qin at the Battle of Changping. While the state survived, it never regained its previous status.
[4] Lou Chang was a politician in Zhao.
[5] Yu Qing was a writer and politician who served as Chancellor of Zhao.
[6] Reading 係 for 復, per the commentaries.
[7] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[8] This sentence is a little confusing, and modern translations do not agree on the correct interpretation. This is a best guess.
[9] Lord Pingyang was also known as Zhao Bao, and was a member of the Zhao royal house.
[10] Zheng Zhu was a politician from Qin.
[11] King Zhaoxiang of Qin (306–251 BCE) began life as a relatively minor prince, and served as a child hostage in Zhao before being sneaked out by Queen Xuan (his mother), her brother Wei Ran, and King Wuling of Zhao to assume the throne following the premature death of his brother, King Wu. Upon coming of age, he exiled Queen Xuan and Wei Ran, and worked with a succession of important figures of the age (Gan Mao, Fan Ju, Bai Qi...) to expand Qin's territory during the course of a long and successful reign.
[12] Marquis Ying was Fan Ju. He had fled Wei after being accused of treachery and tortured, sneaking into Qin illegally and eventually rising to become Chancellor.
[13] Yao suggests that the characters 秦知 may be superfluous.
[14] Yao suggests that 成 here is superfluous.
秦圍趙之邯鄲
Qin Encircles Handan in Zhao
秦圍趙之邯鄲。魏安釐王使將軍晉鄙救趙。畏秦，止於蕩陰，不進。魏王使客將軍新垣衍間入邯鄲，因平原君謂趙王曰：「秦所以急圍趙者，前與齊湣王爭強為帝，已而復歸帝，以齊故。今齊湣王已益弱。方今唯秦雄天下，此非必貪邯鄲，其意欲求為帝。趙誠發使尊秦昭王為帝，秦必喜，罷兵去。」平原君猶豫未有所決。
Qin encircled Handan[1] in Zhao. King Anxi of Wei[2] sent General Jin Bi[3] to aid Zhao, but, afraid of Qin, he halted at Tangyin[4] and would advance no further. The King of Wei sent one of his guests, General Xinyuan Yan[5], to infiltrate Handan to push Lord Pingyuan[6] speak to the King of Zhao[7]. Lord Pingyuan said, "If Qin is pressing its siege in Zhao, it is on account of its previous struggle with King Min[8] of Qi[9] for imperial honours. If Qin acquired and then had to renounce the title of emperor, it was all down to Qi[10]. Nevertheless, King Min of Qi grows ever weaker[11], and Qin is now preeminent within All-Under-Heaven. It is not Handan that Qin covets - what the King[12] wants is to be acclaimed Emperor. If Zhao sends an envoy to pay its sincerest respects to King Zhao of Qin, according him imperial honours, then Qin will be delighted and will demobilise its troops and leave." Lord Pingyuan was nevertheless hesitant to make a decision on the matter.
此時魯仲連適游趙，會秦圍趙。聞魏將欲令趙尊秦為帝，乃見平原君曰：「事將奈何矣？」平原君曰：「勝也何敢言事？百萬之眾折於外，今又內圍邯鄲而不能去。魏王使將軍辛垣衍令趙帝秦。今其人在是，勝也何敢言事？」魯連曰：「始吾以君為天下之賢公子也，吾乃今然后知君非天下之賢公子也。梁客辛垣衍安在？吾請為君責而歸之。」平原君曰：「勝請召而見之於先生。」平原君遂見辛垣衍曰：「東國有魯連先生，其人在此，勝請為紹介而見之於將軍。」辛垣衍曰：「吾聞魯連先生，齊國之高士也。衍，人臣也，使事有職。吾不願見魯連先生也。」平原君曰：「勝已泄之矣。」辛垣衍許諾。
At the time, Lu Zhonglian[13] had paused in Zhao on his travels. After Qin encircled Zhao, he heard that Wei wished to have Zhao go and pay hommage to Qin, granting it imperial honours. Consequently he sought an audience with Lord Pingyuan, saying, "How will you handle this affair?"
Lord Pingyuan said, "How could someone like me dare speak on this[14]? A Zhao army a million strong has been left cut off abroad; now the enemy has entered Zhao, encircling Handan, and we cannot get rid of them[15]. The King of Wei has sent his guest[16], General Xinyuan Yan, to ensure that Zhao will recognise Qin's imperium. With him still here in Zhao, how could I dare speak on this now?"
Lu Lian[17] said, "I originally thought that Your Lordship was the wisest prince in All-Under-Heaven, but it appears not. Where is this guest of Liang's, Xinyuan Yan? I beg to send him packing for you."
Lord Pingyuan said, "Allow me to summon him to meet you[18]."
Lord Pingyuan consequently obtained an audience with Xinyuan Yan, saying, "There is a certain scholar from the eastern states staying here - Lu Lian[19]. Allow me to introduce you to him, and arrange a meeting between you[20]."
Xinyuan Yan said, "I have heard of this Lu Lian - he is the greatest scholar in Qi. However, I am a public servant and I came here with specific duties. I would prefer not to encounter him."
Lord Pingyuan said, "But I have already let slip that you are here!" Xinyuan Yan had to accept.
魯連見辛垣衍而無言。辛垣衍曰：「吾視居北圍城之中者，皆有求於平原君者也。今吾視先生之玉貌，非有求於平原君者，曷為久居此圍城之中而不去也？」魯連曰：「世以鮑焦無從容而死者，皆非也。今眾人不知，則為一身。彼秦者，棄禮義而上首功之國也。權使其士，虜使其民。彼則肆然而為帝，過而遂正於天下，則連有赴東海而死矣。吾不忍為之民也！所為見將軍者，欲以助趙也。」辛垣衍曰：「先生助之奈何？」魯連曰：「吾將使梁及燕助之。齊、楚則固助之矣。」辛垣衍曰：「燕則吾請以從矣。若乃梁，則吾乃梁人也，先生惡能使梁助之耶？」魯連曰：「梁未睹秦稱帝之害故也，使梁睹秦稱帝之害，則必助趙矣。」辛垣衍曰：「秦稱帝之害將奈何？」魯仲連曰：「昔齊威王嘗為仁義矣，率天下諸侯而朝周。周貧且微，諸侯莫朝，而齊獨朝之。居歲餘，周烈王崩，諸侯皆弔，齊後往。周怒，赴於齊曰：『天崩地坼，天子下席。東藩之臣田嬰齊後至，則斮之。』威王勃然怒曰：『叱嗟，而母婢也。』卒為天下笑。故生則朝周，死則叱之，誠不忍其求也。彼天子固然，其無足怪。」辛垣衍曰：「先生獨未見夫僕乎？十人而從一人者，寧力不勝，智不若耶？畏之也。」魯仲連曰：「然梁之比於秦若僕耶？」辛垣衍曰：「然。」魯仲連曰：「然吾將使秦王烹醢梁王。」辛垣衍怏然不悅曰：「嘻，亦太甚矣，先生之言也！先生又惡能使秦王烹醢梁王？」
When Lu Lian saw Xinyuan Yan he said nothing, so Xin Yuanyan said, "While staying in this[21] besieged city, it has been my observation that everyone here has something to request of Lord Pingyuan. I have now had the privilege of seeing your face and you do not have the air of one who is begging for help. Why are you remaining here in a city that is surrounded[22], rather than fleeing?"
Lu Lian said, "All the world believes that Bao Jiao[23] died of stubbornness. They are all wrong. These days, what people do not understand they attibute to egoism[24]. Now Qin[25] is a state that has abandoned propriety and rectitude; it assesses merit based on the number of heads a person has taken. It uses power to control its officials and shackles to control its citizens. If rapacity is now the way to win imperium and excess the way to regulate All-Under-Heaven, then I will simply walk into the Eastern Sea to die[26]. I could not bear to be a citizen of Qin. The reason I wished to see you was on account of my desire to help Zhao."
Xin Yuanyan said, "How do you intend to help Zhao?"
Lu Lian said, "I will have Liang and Yan provide help. Qi and Chu will then also resolve to provide help[27]."
Xin Yuanyan said, "Regarding Yan, I have already requested that they join us. As for Liang, I am from Liang myself, so how do you intend to make us help?"
Lu Lian said, "Liang has not yet perceived the harm that will result if Qin assumes imperial honours. When I make them see this, then they will certainly help Zhao."
Xin Yuanyan said, "And even if Qin does assume imperial honours, what harm will come of it?"
Lu Zhonglian said, "In the past, King Wei of Qi[28] was benevolent and just, and led the sovereign lords of All-Under-Heaven to pay homage in the court of Zhou, though Zhou was poor and unimportant and none of the sovereign lords were to be found in its courtyards. Only Qi went to pay respects. A year or so later, King Lie of Zhou[29] passed away. The sovereign lords all came to mourn, but Qi's envoy arrived late. Zhou was annoyed, and sent a message to Qi, saying, 'Like heaven's collapse and earth's disintegration is the passing of the Son of Heaven, and yet Tian Ying[30], our servant from the eastern marches, arrived late. Execute him.' King Wei was immediately enraged and said, 'Bah. And your mother was a slave.' And All-Under-Heaven laughed. King Wei paid hommage to Zhou when King Lie was alive but insulted it after he died, so insufferable were its demands. Such is invariably the way with emperors, it is nothing unusual[31]."
Xin Yuanyan said, "Have you never yet seen ten serfs following one master? Is it because he is so strong that they cannot fight him, or because their intelligence does not match his? It is because they are afraid of him."
Lu Zhonglian said, "Then Liang is on a level with Qin's servants?"
Xin Yuanyan said, "That is so."
Lu Zhonglian said, "In that case I'll let Qin boil the King of Liang into a stew[32]."
Xin Yuanyan was dismayed and said, "Ah, you're letting your words run away with you. How could you decide whether Qin boils the King of Liang into a stew?"
魯仲連曰：「固也，待吾言之。昔者，鬼侯之鄂侯、文王，紂之三公也。鬼侯有子而好，故入之於紂，紂以為惡，醢鬼侯。鄂侯爭之急，辨之疾，故脯鄂侯。文王聞之，喟然而歎，故拘之於牖里之車，百日而欲舍之死。曷為與人俱稱帝王，卒就脯醢之地也？齊閔王將之魯，夷維子執策而從，謂魯人曰：『子將何以待吾君？』魯人曰：『吾將以十太牢待子之君。』維子曰：『子安取禮而來待吾君？彼吾君者，天子也。天子巡狩，諸侯辟舍，納於筦鍵，攝衽抱几，視膳於堂下，天子已食，退而聽朝也。』魯人投其籥，不果納。不得入於魯，將之薛，假塗於鄒。當是時，鄒君死，閔王欲入弔。夷維子謂鄒之孤曰：『天子弔，主人必將倍殯柩，設北面於南方，然后天子南面弔也。』鄒之群臣曰：『必若此，吾將伏劍而死。』故不敢入於鄒。鄒、魯之臣，生則不得事養，死則不得飯含。然且欲行天子之禮於鄒、魯之臣，不果納。今秦萬乘之國，梁亦萬乘之國。俱據萬乘之國，交有稱王之名，賭其一戰而勝，欲從而帝之，是使三晉之大臣不如鄒、魯之僕妾也。且秦無已而帝，則且變易諸侯之大臣。彼將奪其所謂不肖，而予其所謂賢；奪其所憎，而與其所愛。彼又將使其子女讒妾為諸侯妃姬，處梁之宮，梁王安得晏然而已乎？而將軍又何以得故寵乎？」
Lu Zhonglian said, "I certainly could - wait and I will tell you. In the past, Marquis Gui[33], Marquis E[34] and[35] King Wen[36] were the Three Dukes[37] of King Zhou[38]. Marquis Gui had a child of whom he was very fond, so he sent her to Zhou, but Zhou was revolted and had Marquis Gui chopped into mincemeat. Marquis E immediately expressed his opposition to this, arguing vociferously, but he too was chopped into mincemeat. King Wen heard of this and sighed. Thus he was detained for a hundred days in a storehouse[39] in Youli[40], awaiting the order[41] for his execution. What decides whether a person will be acclaimed king or emperor, or made into mincemeat? King Min of Qi[42] was heading for Lu, with Yi Weizi[43], a member of his entourage, holding the whip of his chariot. Weizi spoke to the people of Lu, saying, 'How do you intend to receive us?' The people of Lu said, 'We will sacrifice ten oxen, sheep and pigs for your lord.' Yi Weizi[44] said, 'Are such rites really suitable to welcome my lord? My lord is the Son of Heaven. When the Son of Heaven is touring his domains, the sovereign lords should leave their residences and hand over the keys[45], straightening their clothes respectfully and watching from the outer rooms while he eats. Only when the Son of Heaven has finished eating and withdraws may they come and pay court to him[46].' The people of Lu hid their keys so that King Min could not enter. Unable to enter Lu, he headed for Xue[47], taking the route through Zou. At that time, the Lord of Zou had just died and King Min wished to attend the funeral ceremonies. Yi Weizi spoke to the Lord of Zou's bereaved children, saying, 'The Son of Heaven is coming to the funeral. The master of ceremonies must turn the coffin around to face north, and set it on the south side of the palace. Then the Son of Heaven can face south to mourn him[48].' The assembled servants of Zou said, 'If it must be so then we will draw our swords and face death instead[49].' Thus King Min did not dare enter Zou. The servants of Zou and Lu may not have been able to feed their living dependents or make the requisite offerings to them after death[50], but when someone came along wanting to receive the ceremonial due to an emperor, they refused to admit him[51]. Now Qin is a state of ten thousand chariots, as is Liang; their rulers are addressed as kings in their dealings[52], but now Wei sees Qin win one battle and is willing to fall in line behind it and grant it the empire. If this is so, it is because the great officials of the Three Jin are no match for the serfs and and handmaids of Zou and Lu. Qin will stop at nothing short of imperium, thus it seeks to replace the great officials of the sovereign lords. Qin will dispossess those it calls unworthy, giving their appointments to those it calls sages[53]; it will appropriate from its enemies to give to its friends. Qin will send its own daughters as concubines to scheme against the sovereign lords. If one of them takes up residence in the palace of Wei, how will the King ever have a moment's peace[54]? And you, General, will you keep your long-held position as a royal favourite?"
於是，辛垣衍起，再拜謝曰：「始以先生為庸人，吾乃今日而知先生為天下之士也。吾請去，不敢復言帝秦。」秦將聞之，為郤軍五十里。
Upon hearing this, Xinyuan Yan got up, and bowed repeatedly in thanks, saying, "At first I took you for a mediocre individual. Today[55] I learnt that you are among the most outstanding scholars within All-Under-Heaven. I beg your leave to depart, I dare not discuss Qin's imperium any further." The Qin generals heard about this, and pulled their troops back fifty li.
適會魏公子無忌奪晉鄙軍以救趙擊秦，秦軍引而去。於是平原君欲封魯仲連。魯仲連辭讓者三，終不肯受。平原君乃置酒，酒酣，起前以千金為魯連壽。魯連笑曰：「所貴於天下之士者，為人排患、釋難、解紛亂而無所取也。即有所取者，是商賈之人也，仲連不忍為也。」遂辭平原君而去，終身不復見。
It was at this moment that Prince Wuji[56] of Wei[57] seized control of Jin Bi's army and used it in Zhao's defence, launching an assault on Qin's forces. The Qin army withdrew and fled. In the aftermath Lord Pingyuan sought to bestow a domain upon Lu Zhonglian, but Lu Zhonglian declined three times, being unwilling to accept it. Lord Pingyuan subsequently held a banquet in his honour, and when the wine was flowing he stood up, wished long life to Lu Zhonglian, and offered him a thousand gold pieces. Lu Zhonglian laughed and said, "What is most precious to an outstanding scholar[58] is to be able to eliminate others' miseries, resolve their difficulties and untangle their troubles, all without taking anything in return. Accepting remuneration would make me a tradesman and I could not ensure such a thing." With that he thanked Lord Pingyuan and left, never to be seen again.
[1] Handan was the capital of Zhao. It is still called Handan, and is in Hebei.
[2] King Anxi of Wei (276-243 BCE) suffered repeated attacks by Qin throughout his reign.
[3] Jin Bi was Wei's most celebrated general at the time, but is known principally for this story.
[4] Reading 湯陰 for 蕩陰, per the commentaries. Tangyin is still called Tangyin, and is in Henan.
[5] Xinyuan Yan is known principally via this story. His family name may in fact have been 辛垣 (same transcription) as later in the chapter.
[6] Lord Pingyuan, also known as Zhao Sheng, was a well-known politician and general in Zhao.
[7] King Xiaocheng of Zhao (265–245 BCE) inherited the throne at a young age, and almost immediately oversaw Zhao's greatest defeat by Qin at the Battle of Changping. While the state survived, it never regained its previous status.
[8] Reading 閔 for 湣 per the commentaries.
[9] King Min of Qi (300–284 BCE) was famously bad at managing his subordinates, and almost lost his state following an invasion by Yan. His own generals eventually turned upon him and one of them, Nao Chi, killed him.
[10] King Min of Qi and King Zhaoxiang of Qin agreed that they would both adopt imperial honours, which antagonised the other states. Min was convinced to backtrack as a public relations move, and Zhaoxiang was forced to follow suit.
[11] The commentaries disagree regarding the correct reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[12] King Zhaoxiang of Qin (306–251 BCE) began life as a relatively minor prince, and served as a child hostage in Zhao before being sneaked out by Queen Xuan (his mother), her brother Wei Ran, and King Wuling of Zhao to assume the throne following the premature death of his brother, King Wu. Upon coming of age, he exiled Queen Xuan and Wei Ran, and worked with a succession of important figures of the age (Gan Mao, Fan Ju, Bai Qi...) to expand Qin's territory during the course of a long and successful reign.
[13] Lu Zhonglian was a scholar of the Jixia Academy. He was famous for his diplomatic skills, but always refused to take an official post.
[14] He is implying that he is merely a private citizen, unentitled to hold an opinion on such things.
[15] The commentaries suggest that 能 here may be superfluous.
[16] Reading 使客 for 使, per the commentaries.
[17] Lu Lian was an alternative name for Lu Zhonglian.
[18] Reading 為召 for 召, per the commentaries.
[19] The commentaries suggest reading 先生者 here for 先生.
[20] The commentaries suggest 請為紹交之於將軍 for 紹介而見之於將軍 here.
[21] Reading 此 for 北, per the commentaries.
[22] The commentaries disagree regarding the exact reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[23] Bao Jiao was a hermit during the Zhou Dynasty.
[24] This section is somewhat confusing, and modern translations give different interpretations. The Records of the Grand Historian go into more detail on this, recounting that Bao Jiao had been spurred to starve himselve to death by Zigong, one of Confucius' disciple. Faced with the decline of the Zhou dynasty, he had gone to live as a hermit in the mountains. Zigong had retorted that as long as he was resident within Zhou domains he was benefiting from their leadership, so his criticisms were hypocritical. Bao Jiao acknowledged this, and resolved to die to demonstrate his integrity. Lu Zhonglian seems to be suggesting that the majority of readers interpret this as a demonstration of extreme stubbornness, whereas he sees it as an equanimous acceptance of a good point well made.
[25] The commentaries suggest that 者 here may be superfluous.
[26] Reading 耳 for 矣, per the commentaries.
[27] The commentaries suggest that 則 here may be superfluous.
[28] King Wei of Qi (356–320 BCE) was the father of Tian Ying and the grandfather of Tian Wen. He enjoyed a successful reign and was well-respected.The point of this and the following stories seems to be that titles have a power of their own, even if people do not respect the bearers, though this power only goes so far.
[29] King Lie of Zhou (375–369 BCE) had a nondescript reign.
[30] Tian Ying was King Wei's son.
[31] This sentence is a little confusing, and modern translations disagree regarding the correct interpretation. This is a best guess.
[32] The commentaries disagree regarding the exact reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[33] Marquis Gui was also known as Marquis Jiu, a politician during the Shang Dynasty.
[34] The commentaries suggest that 之 here is superfluous.
[35] Marquis E was another Shang politician, later executed by King Zhou.
[56] King Wen of Zhou, one of the founders of the Zhou Dynasty.
[37] The three dukes represented the heads of government in early dynastic China.
[38] King Zhou of Shang (1075–1046 BCE) was the tyrannical last king of the Shang dynasty, defeated in battle by King Wu of Zhou.
[39] Reading 庫 for 車, per the commentaries.
[40] Youli was in modern Tangyin, Henan.
[41] Reading 令 for 舍, per the commentaries.
[42] King Min of Qi (300–284 BCE) was famously bad at managing his subordinates, and almost lost his state following an invasion by Yan. His own generals eventually turned upon him and one of them, Nao Chi, killed him.
[43] Yi Weizi is not otherwise well-known.
[44] Reading 夷維子 for 維子, per the commentaries.
[45] The commentaries suggest that 於 here may be superfluous.
[46] The commentaries and translations disagree regarding the correct interpretation of this sentence. This is a best guess.
[47] Xue was centred on Zaozhuang in Shandong.
[48] The precise actions involved here are not entirely clear, but the implication is that they will have to change the layout of the lying in state to accommodate the presence of someone with a higher rank than the deceased. Traditionally a sovereign would sit facing south.
[49] Modern translations disagree on whether they are threatening to kill themselves or Min.
[50] This referred to placing jade, money or rice into the mouth of the deceased.
[51] The point of these stories may be that Zhou was able to get away with his behaviour because his imperial title was universally recognised at the time, while Min's was not. If the other states resist Qin now the result will be similar to Zou and Lu's resistance to Min, while if they wait until Qin has gained the appropriate titles any effort at resistance will likely end similarly to that of Gui and E. The analogy is a somewhat leaky one, and this is just a guess at an interpretation.e
[52] The commentaries suggest that the characters 俱據萬乘之國 here are superfluous.
[53] An influential state could request that a protégé be appointed to high office in a weaker state.
[54] This appears to be the opposite of the initial argument made by Lu Lian. The overall logic of the passage is a little difficult to follow.
[55] The commentaries suggest that 而 here may be superfluous.
[56] The commentaries suggest that 魏 here may be superfluous.
[57] Prince Wuji was also known as Lord Xingling. He famously convinced one of the King's concubines to steal the royal seal, and used it to try to take control over Jin Bi's army. Jin Bi realised that the seal was stolen, but Wuji killed him and took control of the army anyway.
[58] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
說張相國
Persuading Chancellor Zhang
說張相國曰：「君安能少趙人，而令趙人多君？君安能憎趙人，而令趙人愛君乎？夫膠漆，至黏也，而不能合遠；鴻毛，至輕也，而不能自舉。夫飄於清風，則橫行四海。故事有簡而功成者，因也。今趙萬乘之強國也，前漳、滏，右常山，左河間，北有代，帶甲百萬，嘗抑強齊，四十餘年而秦不能得所欲。由是觀之，趙之於天下也不輕。今君易萬乘之強趙，而慕思不可得之小梁，臣竊為君不取也。」君曰：「善。」自是之後，眾人廣坐之中，未嘗不言趙人之長者也，未嘗不言趙俗之善者也。
Someone came to exercise their persuasions upon Chancellor Zhang[1], saying, "How can you treat Zhao's people as if they were nothing to you and expect to have them treat you as though are everything to them? How can you hate the people of Zhao and expect to have them love you? Lacquer as sticky as sticky can be, but it cannot unite two things that are far apart. A goose feather is as light as light can be, but it cannot lift itself off the ground, though when it floats upon the breeze it can cross the four seas. The enterprises that succeed most easily are those that take advantage their circumstances. Now Zhao is a state with a strength of ten thousand chariots; before you[2] are the Zhang River[3] and the Fu[4]. To your right you have Mount Chang[5] and to your left you have your lands on the banks of the Yellow River, with Dai[6] to the north. You are protected by a million men-at-arms and you have already managed to contain mighty Qin[7], preventing it from obtaining its desires for these past forty years. If we look at it this way, Zhao is no insignificant power within All-Under-Heaven, but you are currently treating mighty Zhao's ten thousand chariots as if they were nothing, and thinking longingly of little Liang, just because it is beyond your grasp[8]. Your servant humbly suggests that Your Lordship's conduct is unacceptable."
The Chancellor said[9], "Very well." From this point on, whenever he was seated in public assemblies, he never omitted to speak of the excellence of Zhao's people and the admirable qualities of its customs.
[1] Zhang appears to have been a politician from Wei working in Zhao.
[2] I.e. to the South.
[3] The Zhang River flowed through modern Hebei and Henan.
[4] The Fu River is now known as the Fuyang, and is in Hebei.
[5] Reading 常山 for 常釤, as in other versions. Mount Chang is better known as Mount Heng, and is in Shanxi.
[6] Dai Commandery covered parts of Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia.
[7] Reading 秦 for 齊 here, per the commentaries.
[8] The commentaries suggest that Zhang may have been exiled from Wei.