魏四 THE STRATAGEMS OF WEI IV (B)
成陽君欲以韓魏聽秦
Lord Chengyang Wishes to Place Han and Wei at Qin's COmmand
成陽君欲以韓、魏聽秦，魏王弗利。白圭謂魏王曰：「王不如陰侯人說成陽君曰：『君入秦，秦必留君，而以多割於韓矣。韓不聽，秦必留君，而伐韓矣。故君不如安行求質於秦。』成陽君必不入秦，秦、韓不敢合，則王重矣。」
Lord Chengyang[1] wished to place Han and Wei at Qin's command, but the King of Wei[2] had nothing to gain from this. Bai Gui[3] spoke to the King of Wei, saying, "You had better send[4] someone in secret to persuade Lord Chengyang. He can say, 'If you go to pay respects in Qin, Qin will certainly hold you hostage and extract large gifts of land from Han. If Han does not listen, Qin will detain you and attack Han. Therefore Your Lordship had better delay your trip until you can request hostages from Qin.' Lord Chengyang will certainly not go to Qin, so Qin and Han will not form[5] an accord, thus increasing Your Majesty's influence."
[1] Lord Chengyang was a politician in Han.
[2] Probably King Zhao of Wei (296-277 BCE) found himself subject to an unending series of successful attacks by Qin, losing more and more territory until he finally accepted an alliance with Qin to attack Song. This did not last long, and he soon changed sides to join an alliance with Qi.
[3] Reading 珪 for 圭, per the commentaries. Bai Gui was a politician and engineer in Wei.
[4] Reading 使 for 侯, per the commentaries.
[5] According to the commentaries 敢 here may be superfluous.
秦拔寧邑
Qin Seizes The City of Ning
秦拔寧邑，魏王令之謂秦王曰：「王歸寧邑，吾謂先天下構。」魏魏王曰：「王無聽。魏王見天下之不足恃也，故欲先構。夫亡寧者，宜割二寧以求構；夫得寧者，安能歸寧乎？」
Qin seized the city of Ning[1], and the King of Wei[2] sent one of his people[3] to speak to the King of Qin[4], saying, "If Your Majesty returns Ning, then I tell you now we will be the first in All-Under-Heaven to sue for peace[5]."
Wei Ran[6], said, "Do not listen to them, Your Majesty. As the King of Wei has already seen, relying upon the other states of All-Under-Heaven will not be enough to save him - that is why he wishes to be the first to negotiate. Having already lost Ning, he should offer two Nings if he intends to beg for a peace treaty. Having Ning in our possession, why should we return it?"
[1] Ning was in Huojia County, in Henan. At the time it was in Wei.
[2] It is not clear which King of Wei is indicated here.
[3] Reading 人 for 之, per the commentaries.
[4] 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.
[5] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear. At the time the other states were relatively united in their opposition to Qin, having witnessed it inflict a particularly brutal defeat upon Zhao in the months that preceded the attack on Ning.
[6] Reading 魏冉 for 魏魏王, per the commentaries. Wei Ran (Marquis Rang) was the half-brother of Queen Xuan of Qin and the uncle of King Zhaoxiang. Having backed Zhaoxiang in the struggle for succession that occurred following the death of King Wu, he subsequently became Chancellor. In fact, by the time the events of this story took place, he had already been dismissed from his post.
秦罷邯鄲
Qin Abandons the Siege of Handan
秦罷邯鄲，攻魏，取寧邑。吳慶恐魏王之構於秦也，謂魏王曰：「秦之攻王也，王知其故乎？天下皆曰王近也。王不近秦，秦之所去。皆曰王弱也。王不弱二周，秦人去邯鄲，過二周而攻王者，以王為易制也。王亦知弱之召攻乎？」
Qin abandoned the siege of Handan[1] and attacked Wei, taking the city of Ning[2]. Wu Qing[3] was afraid that the King of Wei[4] would sue for peace[5], and spoke to him, saying, "Qin is attacking Your Majesty[6], do you know the reason? Throughout All-Under-Heaven everyone says that you are seeking a rapprochement with Qin. In fact you are not, and this is why Qin wants rid of you. Everyone says that Your Majesty is weak. In fact, you are not nearly as weak as the two Zhous; if Qin left Handan, crossed the two Zhous, and attacked you, it was because it believed that you would be easy to control. Do you understand how perceived weakness invites attack?"
[1] Handan was the capital of Zhao. It is still called Handan, and is in Hebei.
[2] Ning was in Huojia County, in Henan. At the time it was in Wei.
[3] The commentaries suggest that Wu Qing was a diplomat from Wu.
[4] King Anxi of Wei (276-243 BCE) suffered repeated attacks by Qin during his reign.
[5] Thereby breaking the anti-Qin Vertical Alliance that had formed in the wake of the Battle of Changping. The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[6] Yao suggests 之 is superfluous here.
魏王欲攻邯鄲
The King of Wei Wishes to Attack Handan
魏王欲攻邯鄲，季梁聞之，中道而反，衣焦不申，頭塵不去，往見王曰：「今者臣來，見人於大行，方北面而持其駕，告臣曰：『我欲之楚。』臣曰：『君之楚，將奚為北面？』曰：『吾馬良。』臣曰：『馬雖良，此非楚之路也。』曰：『吾用多。』臣曰：『用雖多，此非楚之路也。』曰：『吾御者善。』『此數者愈善，而離楚愈遠耳。』今王動欲成霸王，舉欲信於天下。恃王國之大，兵之精銳，而攻邯鄲，以廣地尊名，王之動愈數，而離王愈遠耳。猶至楚而北行也。」
The King of Wei[1] wished to attack Handan[2]. Ji Liang[3] was on the road when he heard about this and immediately turned back. Without pausing to shake the creases out of his clothes or brush the dust from his hair he went straight to see the King[4], to whom he said, "On my way here I saw someone on the highway heading north. He said to me, 'I'm going to Chu.' I said, 'But you are heading north. How will you get to Chu[5]?' He said, 'I have an excellent horse.' I said, 'However good your horse is, this isn't the way to Chu.' He said, 'I have more than enough to cover my expenses.' I said, 'However much you have, this is not the way to Chu.' He said, 'I have a good driver.' I said, 'That may be so, but the better he is, the further you will end up from Chu.' Now you behave as though you desire hegemony and act as though you wish to gain the trust of All-Under-Heaven. Your goal may be to expand your territories and secure your prestige, but if you rely upon the size of your state and the efficacy of your armies to attack Handan, then the more you do, the further you will be from achieving your goal. It is as if you were trying to reach Chu by travelling north."
[1] It is not clear which King of Wei is intended here.
[2] Handan was the capital of Zhao. It is still called Handan, and is in Hebei.
[3] Ji Liang was a politician in Wei.
[4] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[5] Chu was to the south of Wei.
周肖謂宮他
Zhou Xiao Speaks To Gong Ta
周肖謂宮他曰：「子為肖謂齊王曰，肖願為外臣。令齊資我於魏。」宮他曰：「不可，是示齊輕也。夫齊不以無魏者以害有魏者，故公不如示有魏。公曰：『王之所求於魏者，臣請以魏聽。』齊必資公矣，是公有齊，以齊有魏也。」
Zhou Xiao[1] spoke to Gong Ta[2], saying, "Would you speak to the King of Qi[3] for me? Tell him that I would like to become one of his agents in Wei and have him supply me with resources to do this."
Gong Ta said, "That is the wrong approach; it simply demonstrates to Qi how inconsequential you are. Qi will not hire someone who clearly lacks the capacity to to exert any hold on Wei over someone who possesses it. Therefore, you would do better to to show them that you already have Wei at your command. You should say, 'Whatever your Majesty may want from Wei, your servant begs to make sure that you will be listened to.' Qi will certainly supply you with resources then. That is how you can obtain Qi's support, and then use Qi's support to obtain Wei's."
[1] The commentaries suggest 霄 for 肖. The transliteration is identical. Zhou Xiao seems to have been a politician in Wei.
[2] Gong Ta was also a politician in West Zhou. He was also known as Chang Ta.
[3] It is not clear which King of Qi is intended here.
周最善齊
Zhou Zui Ingratiates Himself in Qi
周最善齊，翟強善楚。二子者，欲傷張儀於魏。張子聞之，因使其人為見者嗇夫聞見者，因無敢傷張子。
Zhou Zui[1] had succeeded in ingratiating himself in Qi and Di Qiang[2] in Chu. Both wanted to undermine Zhang Yi[3] in Wei. Master Zhang heard of this, and thus he had one of his people appointed to the palace gatekeepers' office[4], allowing him to see everyone who arrived[5]. Because of this no one dared attempt anything against Master Zhang.
[1] Zhou Zui was a member of the West Zhou ruling family, but worked for various other states at different times, taking an anti-Qin position.
[2] Zhai Qiang was a pro-Qin politician in Wei and served as the Chancellor for a while.
[3] Zhang Yi was a politician and general in Qin, and the principal proponent of Qin's Horizontal Alliance, the aim of which was to prevent the other states from unifying against Qin. The commentaries suggest that at this point he was serving as Chancellor of Wei, however.
[4] "Sefu" was a low-ranking official title, apparently little higher than a yamen runner in later dynasties and fulfilling a similar role - incorporating law-enforcement, tax collecting and security guard duties.
[5] Reading 間 for 聞, per the commentaries.
周為入齊
Zhou Zui Goes to Pay Respects in Qi
周最入齊，秦王怒，令姚賈讓魏王。魏王為之謂秦王曰：「魏之所以為王通天下者，以周最也。今周最遁寡人入齊，齊無通於天下矣。敝邑之事王，亦無齊累矣。大國欲急兵，則趣趙而已。」
Zhou Zui[1] went to pay his respects in Qi. This angered the King of Qin[2], who sent Yao Jia[3] to reproach the King of Wei[4]. The King of Wei told him to tell the King of Qin: "If Wei's diplomats have been so active within All-Under-Heaven[5], it was on Zhou Zui's account. Now Zhou Zui has abandonned us to pay his respects in Qi, but he will not be able to pull the same thing off there[6]. Our humble state is at Your Majesty's service, and we seek no encumbrances with Qi. However, if the great state of Qin wishes to dispatch troops against Qi, then that will attract Zhao's interest."
[1] Reading 最 for 為, per the commentaries. Zhou Zui was a member of the West Zhou ruling family, but worked for various other states at different times, taking an anti-Qin position. Presumably he was working for Wei at the time of this story.
[2] It is not clear which King of Qin is indicated here. A Yao Jia worked for Qin Shihuang, but this story seems to refer to events that took place prior to Qin Shihuang's reign. This may refer to a different Yao Jia, or be an amalgamation of multiple stories.
[3] Yao Jia was a Qin diplomat.
[4] King Anxi of Wei (276-243 BCE) suffered repeated attacks by Qin throughout his reign.
[5] Wei had managed to put together an anti-Qin alliance in the wake of the Battle of Changping.
[6] Presumably because Wei (and possibly other states) no longer trust him, so his embassies will be ignored.
秦魏為與國
Qin and Wei are Allies
秦、魏為與國。齊、楚約而欲攻魏，魏使人求救於秦，冠蓋相望，秦救不出。
Qin and Wei were allies. Qi and Chu made an agreement with the goal of launching an attack on Wei, so Wei sent envoys to request help from Qin. So many officials were dispatched that their parties were never out of sight of one another on the road, but still Qin did not send help.
魏人有唐且者，年九十餘，謂魏王曰：「老臣請出西說秦，令兵先臣出可乎？」魏王曰：「敬諾。」遂約車而遣之。唐且見秦王，秦王曰：「丈人芒然乃遠至此，甚苦矣。魏來求救數矣，寡人知魏之急矣。」唐且對曰：「大王已知魏之急而救不至者，是大王籌筴之臣無任矣。且夫魏一萬乘之國，稱東藩，受冠帶，祠春秋者，以為秦之強足以為與也。今齊、楚之兵已在魏郊矣，大王之救不至，魏急則且割地而約齊、楚，王雖欲救之，豈有及哉？是亡一萬乘之魏，而強二敵之齊、楚也。竊以為大王籌筴之臣無任矣。」
Among Wei's partisans was a certain Tang Ju[1], who was over ninety years old. He spoke to the King of Wei[2], saying, "Your old servant[3] begs permission to go West and persuade Qin. I will ensure that Qin's troops depart for Wei before I return."
The King of Wei said, "We respectfully assent." Carriages were prepared accordingly and Tang Ju was dispatched.
He sought an audience with the King of Qin[3], who said, "For an elder statesman such as yourself to have come so far must have been extremely wearing; Wei's representatives have come time and time again to request help, we are aware of the urgency of your situation."
Tang Ju replied, "If Your Majesty is aware of Wei's desperation and you have not yet sent aid, it can only be due to the incompetence of your strategists. Wei is a state of ten thousand chariots that calls itself your vassal in the east, we wear your livery and make sacrifices at your altars in Spring and Autumn. It was on account of Qin's strength alone that we accepted this. Now the armies of Qi and Chu are already camped in the outlying parts of Wei, no aid from Your Majesty has arrived and we are desperate, so we are going to offer land in return for a treaty with Qi and Chu. This done, even if you decide you wish to send aid, how will you do it? You will lose the support of Wei with its ten thousand chariots, and strengthen your two rivals, Qi and Chu. Thus I humbly suggest that your strategists must be incompetent."
秦王喟然愁悟，遽發兵，日夜赴魏。齊、楚聞之，乃引兵而去。魏氏復全，唐且之說也。
The King of Qin sighed as the gloomy realisation dawned. Consequently he dispatched his troops[4] and they travelled day and night to reach Wei. Qi and Chu heard about this, withdrew their own troops and left. The House of Wei was able to reestablish its position thanks to Tang Ju's persuasions.
[1] Reading 唐雎 for 唐且, per the commentaries. Tang Ju was a politician in Wei, and a client of Lord Xinling.
[2] King Anxi of Wei (276-243 BCE) suffered repeated attacks by Qin throughout his reign.
[3] Probably ] King Zhaoxiang of Qin (306–251 BCE), who 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.
[4] Yao suggests 遂 for 遽 here.
信陵君殺晉鄙
Lord Xinling Kills Jin Bi
信陵君殺晉鄙，救邯鄲，破秦人，存趙國，趙王自郊迎。唐且謂信陵君曰：「臣聞之曰，事有不可知者，有不可不知者；有不可忘者，有不可不忘者。」信陵君曰：「何謂也？」對曰：「人之憎我也，不可不知也；吾憎人也，不可得而知也。人之有德於我也，不可忘也；吾有德於人也，不可不忘也。今君殺晉鄙，救邯鄲，破秦人，存趙國，此大德也。今趙王自郊迎，卒然見趙王，臣願君之忘之也。」信陵君曰：「無忌謹受教。」
Lord Xinling[1] had killed Jin Bi[2], relieved the siege of Handan[3], wiped out Qin's partisans, and assured the survival of Zhao. Upon his return, the King of Zhao[4] went out beyond the city walls to welcome him home in person. Tang Ju[5] spoke to Lord Xinling, saying, "Your servant has heard it said that in every affair there are matters that must not be known and matters that must not be unknown, matters that should not be forgotten and matters that should not be remembered."
Lord Xinling said, "What do you mean?"
He replied, "When others dislike me, that is something I cannot afford to be unaware of. When I hate others, that is something I cannot afford them to be aware of. When I owe others a debt of honor[6], that is something I should not forget. When others owe me a debt of honour, that is something I should not remember. Now you have killed Jin Bi, relieved the siege of Handan, wiped out Qin's partisans, and assured Zhao's survival. You have accumulated a great debt of honour, and now the King himself is coming out beyond the city walls to welcome you home. He will soon summon you for an audience. I hope, then, that you will forget the honour you are owed."
Lord Xinling said, "I will not neglect to pay careful attention to the advice I have received."[7]
[1] 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.
[2] Jin Bi was the Wei General in charge of the troops at the siege of Handan. Zhao had requested help from Prince Wuji, but he could not convince the King of Wei to provide it. He persuaded the King's wife to steal the royal seal and then used it to get into the army camp, kill Jin Bi, and assume command. He then led the army against Qin and succeeded in freeing Handan.
[3] Handan was the capital of Zhao. It is still called Handan, and is in Hebei.
[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 雎 for 且, per the commentaries. Tang Ju was a politician in Wei and a client of Lord Xinling.
[6] At the time 德 implied a mafia-like idea of honour and respect that was closely tied to gifts of land. According someone 德 often meant giving him land, a gesture made by a sovereign to a vassal who had achieved something significant or by the loser in a battle to the victor. Often (but not always) there was an element of compulsion and loss-of-status on the part of the giver.
[7] This flowery response mirroring Tang Ju's phrasing may be sarcastic. 忌 may possibly be an error for 忘, in which case it would be "I will not forget to pay careful attention to the advice I have received."
魏攻管而不下
Wei Attacks Guan But Fails to Take it
魏攻管而不下。安陵人縮高，其子為管守。信陵君使人謂安陵君曰：「君其遣縮高，吾將仕之以五大夫，使為持節尉。」安陵君曰：「安陵，小國也，不能必使其民。使者自往，請使道使者至縞高之所，復信陵君之命。」縮高曰：「君之幸高也，將使高攻管也。夫以父攻子守，人大笑也。是臣而下，是倍主也。父教子倍，亦非君之所喜也。敢再拜辭。」
Wei attacked Guan[1] but failed to take it. The son of Suo Gao[2], a man from Anling[3], was in charge of the defence of Guan[4]. Lord Xinling[5] sent an envoy to speak to the Lord of Anling[6], saying, "Your Lordship should send Suo Gao to me[7], I will make him a minister of state and appoint to the military records office."
The Lord of Anling said, "Anling is a small state, and we cannot compel our citizens to go anywhere - they go where they please. But by all means send someone to seek out Suo Gao wherever he is and transmit Lord Xinling's decree."
When contacted, Suo Gao said, "His Lordship honours me with his desire to have me lead the attack on Guan, and if he employs a father to attack his own son this will certainly give everyone something to laugh at. Even so, if you appoint me and Guan falls, then my son will be perceived as having betrayed his sovereign[8]. The sight of a father instructing his son in the business of betrayal should not cause his Lord to rejoice. Thus I will take the liberty of declining."
使者以報信陵君，信陵君大怒，遣大使之安陵曰：「安陵之地，亦猶魏也。今吾攻管而不下，則秦兵及我，社稷必危矣。願君之生束縮高而致之。若君弗致也，無忌將發十萬之師，以造安陵之城。」安陵君曰：「吾先君成侯，受詔襄王以守此地也，手受大府之憲。憲之上篇曰：『子弒父，臣弒君，有常不赦。國雖大赦，降城亡子不得與焉。』今縮高謹解大位，以全父子之義，而君曰『必生致之』，是使我負襄王詔而廢大府之憲也，雖死終不敢行。」
The envoy reported this to Lord Xinling, who was enraged. He sent a plenipotentiary ambassador to Anling to say, "There is no distinction between the lands of Anling and Wei. Now I have attacked Guan and it has not fallen. Qin's troops are bearing down upon us and our altars of earth and grain are in danger. I would like Your Lordship to deliver Suo Gao to me, alive and in chains. If not[9] then I will dispatch a hundred thousand troops to pay you a visit forthwith[10]."
The Lord of Anling said, "My former Lord, Marquis Cheng[11], accepted his commission to defend these lands from Lord Xiang[12], receiving the deeds with his own hands. The first line of the statutes says, 'For a son to kill his father or a servant to kill his lord is an unpardonable offense[13], even when the state holds a great amnesty. Better to let the city fall and its children scatter than forgive such things.' Now Suo Gao has prudently declined a great office of state[14] to more perfectly fulfill his fatherly duties, and Your Lordship says, 'Deliver him to me captive.' You would have me turn my back upon King Xiang[15] and cast away the statutes. Even if it kills me, I dare not follow such a course."
縮高聞之曰：「信陵君為人，悍而自用也。此辭反，必為國禍。吾已全己，無為人臣之義矣，豈可使吾君有魏患也。」乃之使者之舍，刎頸而死。
Suo Gao heard of this, and said, "In his conduct towards others Lord Xinling is violent and self-serving. If these comments get back to him it will be a disaster for our state. In preserving my integrity[16] I have failed in my duties as a public servant[17]. How could I bear to be the cause of the suffering Wei will inflict upon my lord?" Accordingly he cut his own throat before the plenipotentiary's residence and died.
信陵君聞縮高死，素服縞素辟舍，使使者謝安陵君曰：「無忌，小人也，困於思慮，失言於君，敢再拜釋罪。」
When Lord Xinling heard about the death of Suo Gao he outfitted his household in white mourning dress[12] and vacated his residence[13], sending an envoy to apologise to Lord Anling, saying, "I am a peasant. Harassed on all sides by my concerns, I spoke heedlessly to Your Lordship. Dare I bow my head before you and beg forgiveness?"
[1] Guan is now called Guancheng, and it is in Henan. Originally a Han stronghold, it had recently been captured by Qin.
[2] Suo Gao is known principally for this story.
[3] Anling seems to have been in modern Luohe, in Henan.
[4] I.e. Suo Gao's son had been appointed governor of Guan by Qin.
[5] 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.
[6] This refers to the Anling clan that were vassals of Wei, rather than to the Lord Anling who was a favourite of King Xuan of Chu.
[7] Yao suggests that 君 here is superfluous.
[8] Reading 見背 for 是倍 here, per the commentaries.
[9] The commentaries suggest that 也 here is superfluous.
[10] Reading 告 for 造.
[11] This person is not otherwise well-known.
[12] Reading 襄主 for 襄王, per the commentaries. Zhao Xiangzi (458-425 BCE) led the House of Zhao in its overthrow of the Jin royal house. The crux of this story seems to be a feudal conflict of interests. The commentaries suggest that while the fiefdom of Anling was originally granted by the Kings of Zhao, by this point it was subordinate to Zhaoling, which in turn was a vassal of the Kings of Wei.
[13] The commentaries suggest 常刑 for 常 here.
[14] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[15] Reading 之詔 for 詔.
[16] Yao suggests 己之 for 己 here.
[17] Reading 違 for 為 here, per the commentaries.
[18] According to the commentaries, the first 素 may be superfluous.
[13] People in mourning for a parent were expected to live in a specially-constructed hut rather than their own home.
魏與龍陽君共船而釣
The King of Wei And Lord Longyang Go Fishing Together
魏王與龍陽君共船而釣，龍陽君得十餘魚而涕下。王曰：「有所不安乎？如是，何不相告也？」對曰：「臣無敢不安也。」王曰：「然則何為涕出？」曰：「臣為王之所得魚也。」王曰：「何謂也？」對曰：「臣之始得魚也，臣甚喜，後得又益大，今臣直欲棄臣前之所得矣。今以臣凶惡，而得為王拂枕席。今臣爵至人君，走人於庭，辟人於途。四海之內，美人亦甚多矣，聞臣之得幸於王也，必褰裳而趨王。臣亦猶曩臣之前所得魚也，臣亦將棄矣，臣安能無涕出乎？」魏王曰：「誤！有是心也，何不相告也？」於是布令於四境之內曰：「有敢言美人者族。」
The King of Wei[1] and Lord Longyang[2] were fishing from a boat together. When Lord Longyang had caught ten or more fish he began to weep. The King of Wei said, “Is there something worrying you? If so, then why don't we discuss it?"
He replied, "Your servant would not have the temerity to worry in your presence."
The King said, "In that case, why are you crying?"
He replied, "On account of the fish that I have caught[3]."
The King said, "What do you mean?"
He replied, "When I caught my first fish I was so happy, but then I caught a bigger one, and immediately decided to throw the first one back. Now, unloveable though I am[4], I have obtained the honour of being permitted to occupy myself taking care of Your Majesty's sleeping arrangements. My rank has been elevated to that of a lord of men; people run to do my bidding in the court[5] and open a path for me in the street[6]. But within the four seas beauty abounds, and when others hear that I have received Your Majesty's favours, they will gather up their robes and hurry to you[7]. Then, like the fish that I caught earlier, I will be thrown back. How could I not weep?"
The King said, "Oh, if that's what is on your mind, then why did you not discuss it with me[8]?" As a result of this, he had a decree published throughout the state, saying, "If anyone dares speak to me of the attractions of others their entire family will pay for it."
由是觀之，近習之人，其摯諂也固矣，其自纂繁也完矣。今由千里之外，欲進美人，所效者庸必得幸乎？假之得幸，庸必為我用乎？而近習之人相與怨，我見有禍，未見有福；見有怨，未見有德，非用知之術也。
Thus we see how intimates establish their position through elegant flattery and secure them through determined obfuscation[9]. Even if I supply you with beauties from a thousand li away, will this ensure that they enjoy your favours? And even if they are thus favoured, will they continue to work on my behalf? If this stirs up squabbles among your intimates, this will bring disaster rather than blessings down upon me. I will be resented rather than honoured. This there is no intelligence in the use of such a technique.[10]
[1] King Anxi of Wei (276-243 BCE) suffered repeated attacks by Qin throughout his reign.
[2] Lord Longyang is known principally for this story.
[3] Reading 臣 for 王 here, per the commentaries.
[4] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[5] This refers to 趨走 (quzou) a particular nervous shuffling walk adopted to show deference in official settings.
[6] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[7] Reading 大王 for 王 here, per the commentaries.
[9] Reading 羃繫 for 篡繁 per the commentaries. It is not entirely clear what this sentence is getting at, and this is a best guess.
[10] This last paragraph is probably a later commentary accidentally copied into the text.
秦攻魏急
Qin Presses its Assault on Wei
秦攻魏急。或謂魏王曰：「棄之不如用之之易也，死之不如棄之之易也。能棄之弗能用之，能死之弗能棄之，此人之大過也。今王亡地數百里，亡城數十，而國患不解，是王棄之，非用之也。今秦之強也，天下無敵，而魏之弱也甚，而王以是質秦，王又能死而弗能棄之，此重過也。今王能用臣之計，虧地不足以傷國，卑體不足以苦身，解患而怨報。
As Qin was pressing its assault on Wei[1], someone spoke to the King of Wei[2], saying, "Using land to bargain with is easier than being forced to surrender it, while surrendering it is easier than dying in its defence. You can surrender your land, but then you will not be able to use it as a bribe, and you can die in its defence, but then you will not be able to surrender it[3]. This is the greatest error a person can make. Your Majesty has surrendered hundreds of li of land and tens of cities, but this has still not relieved your state of its troubles and - having given your land away - you will not now be able to use it to bargain with. Qin's strength is such that it currently has no equal within All-Under-Heaven, while Wei's weakness is such that it has attracted Qin's attentions[4]. If you are now preparing to die for your land rather than surrendering it, you will be compounding your error[5]. But if you are able to deploy my strategies, then no loss of land will be sufficient to harm to the state and no humiliation will be sufficient to injure you. I will resolve your problems and avenge your grudges[6].
「秦自四境之內，執法以下至於長輓者，故畢曰：『與嫪氏乎？與呂氏乎？』雖至於門閭之下，廊廟之上，猶之如是也。今王割地以賂秦，以為嫪毐功；卑體以尊秦，以因嫪毐。王以國贊嫪毐，以嫪毐勝矣。王以國贊嫪氏，太后之德王也，深於骨髓，王之交最為天下上矣。秦、魏百相交也，百相欺也。今由嫪氏善秦而交為天下上，天下孰不棄呂氏而從嫪氏？天下必合呂氏而從嫪氏，則王之怨報矣。」
Within Qin's borders, everyone from those who hold the reins of the state down to those who hold the reins of their ox-carts are all saying, 'Are you with the Lao faction[7]? Are you with the Lü[8] faction?' Whether at the village gates or in the palace courtyard, everywhere it is the same. If you now have set aside a portion of land with which to bribe Qin and thereby ensure Lao Ai's victory - if you humble yourself and demonstrate your respect for Qin - then you will be able to take advantage of Lao Ai. If you use your state to support Lao Ai, you can secure his triumph and[9] then the Queen Dowager[10] will pay you due tribute[11]. You will earn her heartfelt gratitude and improve your relations with the rest of All-Under-Heaven[12]. Qin and Wei have formed a hundred accords and betrayed each other a hundred times. If you use the Lao faction to secure Qin's goodwill and ameliorate your relations with the other states in All-Under-Heaven, then which among them will not abandon Lü and join Lao? If All-Under-Heaven abandons[13] Lü and joins Lao, you will have your revenge."[14]
[1] This happened in 242 BC. In the years immediately prior to this, Qin under Lü Buwei had launched several successful attacks on Wei.
[2] King Jingmin of Wei (242-228 BCE) formed an alliance with Han, Zhao, Yan and Chu to resist Qin, but this collapsed with the conquest of Han.
[3] Yao suggests that both 之 here are superfluous.
[4] Reading 賓 for 質, per the commentaries and following the interpretation given by modern Chinese translations.
[5] Yao suggests that 也 here is superfluous.
[6] Against Lü Buwei for his repeated attacks.
[7] Lao Ai was the lover of Queen Dowager Zhao, a former concubine of Lü Buwei and the mother of King Zheng. He became a political rival of Lü Buwei and had two children with Zhao, but was executed by Zheng after leading a rebellion.
[8] Lü Buwei was a businessman from Wey who supported the rise of King Zhuangxiang of Qin, and serving as his Chancellor and then as regent for his son, King Zheng. After Zheng reached the age of majority he forced Buwei into exile.
[9] Reading 毐 for 氏 here, per the commentaries.
[10] Queen Dowager Zhao, mother of King Zheng, former concubine of Lü Buwei and lover of Lao Ai.
[11] Honour usually went hand-in-hand with gifts of land.
[12] I.e. the other states will not dare to attack Wei if Qin owes it a favour.
[13] Reading 舍 for 合, per the commentaries.
[14] That is, he will have his revenge against Lü Buwei for its previous victories over Wei's armies. In fact, the power struggle between Lao Ai and Lü Buwei was won by King Zheng, who executed the former and sent the latter into exile, taking control of the state himself.
秦王使人謂安陵君
The King of Qin Sends an Envoy to Talk to The Lord of Anling
秦王使人謂安陵君曰：「寡人欲以五百里之地易安陵，安陵君其許寡人。」安陵君曰：「大王加惠，以大易小，甚善。雖然，受地於先生，願終守之，弗敢易。」秦王不說。安陵君因使唐且使於秦。秦王謂唐且曰：「寡人以五百里之地易安陵，安陵君不聽寡人，何也？且秦滅韓亡魏，而君以五十里之地存者，以君為長者，故不錯意也。今吾以十倍之地，請廣於君，而君逆寡人者，輕寡人與？」唐且對曰：「否，非若是也。安陵君受地於先生而守之，雖千里不敢易也，豈直五百里哉？」秦王怫然怒，謂唐且曰：「公亦嘗聞天子之怒乎？」唐且對曰：「臣未嘗聞也。」秦王曰：「天子之怒，伏屍百萬，流血千里。」唐且曰：「大王嘗聞布衣之怒乎？」秦王曰：「布衣之怒，亦免冠徒跣，以頭搶地爾。」唐且曰：「此庸夫之怒也，非士之怒也。夫專諸之刺王僚也，彗星襲月；聶政之刺韓傀也，白虹貫日；要離之刺慶忌也，倉鷹擊於殿上。此三子者，皆布衣之士也，懷怒未發，休祲降於天，與臣而將四矣。若士必怒，伏屍二人，流血五步，天下縞素，今日是也。」挺劍而起。秦王色撓，長跪而謝之曰：「先生坐，何至於此，寡人諭矣。夫韓、魏滅亡，而安陵以五十里之地存者，徒以有先生也。」
The King of Qin[1] sent an envoy to speak to the Lord of Anling[2], saying, "We wish to exchange five hundred li of land for the deeds to Anling. The Lord of Anling to consent by reply."
The Lord of Anling said, "Your Majesty is too kind; to propose to exchange something so large for something so small is extremely good of you. Nevertheless, we received our lands from the former[3] King and we intend to protect them to the end. We would not dare to assent to any exchange." The King of Qin was not happy, so the Lord of Anling appointed Tang Ju[4] as his envoy to Qin.
The King of Qin spoke to Tang Ju, saying, "We offered five hundred li of land in exchange for the deeds to Anling, and the Lord of Anling would not hear of it. Why? Qin has wiped out Han and extinguished Wei, and yet his Lordship's fifty li of land remain, simply because we recognised his leadership and had no reason to pay him any mind. Now I am begging to expand his domain with lands ten times the size of his and he rejects us. Does he hold us in contempt?"
Tang Ju replied, "Quite the contrary. The Lord of Anling received his land from the former King[5] and intends to preserve it. Even for a thousand li, he would not dare to exchange it. How could you move him with five hundred?"
The King of Qin was intensely irritated and spoke to Tang Ju, saying, "Have you never heard what happens when you anger the Son of Heaven?"
Tang Ju replied, "Your servant never has."
The King of Qin said, "When you anger the Son of Heaven corpses are scattered over a million li and the blood flows for ten million li."
Tang Ju said, "Has Your Majesty never heard what happens when you anger the lower ranks?"
The King of Qin said, "When you anger the lower ranks they turn up hatless and bare-footed to grovel[6]."
Tang Ju said, "That is what happens when you anger the common people, not when you anger the scholars. When Zhuan Zhu[7] assassinated King Liao[8] a comet struck the moon. When Nie Zheng[9] assassinated Han Gui[10], glowing rainbow pierced the sun. When Yao Li[11] assassinated Qingji[12] a goshawk crashed through the palace roof. These three were all scholars from the lower ranks[13], but before they vented the anger in their hearts evil omens appeared in the sky. Your servant will be the fourth. If this scholar is angered, he will leave only two corpses, and the blood will flow just five paces, but All-Under-Heaven will wear white in mourning this very day[14]." He rose and drew his sword. The King of Qin was visibly intimidated and knelt to apologise, saying, "Sit down, your excellency. Why take on this way? Consider us told! Han and Wei have been exterminated, but Anling's fifty li will remain, purely because they have you on their side."
[1] King Zheng of Qin (247-210 BCE) would later become the first Emperor of China, under the title Qin Shihuang.
[2] The Lord of Anling has featured before, attempting to preserve his fiefdom against encroachments by Wei.
[3] Reading 先王 for 先生, per the commentaries.
[4] Reading 雎 for 且, per the commentaries. Tang Ju was a politician in Wei.
[5] The fiefdom of Anling seems orginally to have been granted by Zhao Xiangzi, then become a vassal of the lord of Zhaoling, who himself was a Wei vassal.
[6] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[7] Zhuan Zhu was an assassin employed by Prince Guang of Wu (later King Helü) to kill his cousin, King Liao, in order to permit Guang to take over the throne.
[8] King Liao of Wu (526-515 BCE) fought several battles against Chu before being assassinated by his cousin.
[9] Nie Zheng enjoyed a colourful career as a musician, a dog butcher and an assassin, finally killing the Chancellor of Han, Han Gui, at the orders of Yan Sui.
[10] Han Gui was also known as Han Xialei. He served as Chancellor of Han, and was assassinated following a power struggle with another Han politician, Yan Sui.
[11] Yao Li was hired by King Helü to kill Prince Qingji. He is said to have killed his own family and cut off his hand, the better to pass as someone wronged by and resentful of King Helü.
[12] Prince Qingji, was a member of the Wu royal house. Worried by his competence, King Helü had him assassinated prior to attempting an invasion of Wu.
[13] According to the commentaries 者 here may be superfluous.
[14] This ressembles poetic metre and the Crump translation gives it as such.