齊二 THE STRATAGEMS OF QI II
韓齊為與國
Han and Qi Are Allied States
韓、齊為與國。張儀以秦、魏伐韓。齊王曰：「韓，吾與國也。秦伐之，吾將救之。」田臣思曰：「王之謀過矣，不如聽之。子噲與子之國，百姓不戴，諸侯弗與。秦伐韓，楚、趙必救之，是天下以燕賜我也。」王曰：「善。」乃許韓使者而遣之。
Han and Qi were allied states. Zhang Yi[1] made use of Qin and Wei to attack Han. The King of Qi[2] said, "Han is our ally. Qin has attacked them, so I will help them."
Tian Chensi[3] said, "Your Majesty's strategy is mistaken. It would be better to listen to the arguments. Zikuai[4] has given his state to Zizhi[5]; the hundred clans do not support him and the feudal lords are not on his side. If Qin attacks Han, Chu and Zhao will provide assistance to Han, and thus All-Under-Heaven will make us a gift of Yan."[6]
The King said, "Very well." Consequently he made his promises to Han's envoy and sent him off[7].
韓自以得交於齊，遂與秦戰。楚、趙果遽起兵而救韓，齊因起兵攻燕，三十日而舉燕國。
Han, believing that it had secured its relationship with Qi, proceeded to launch a war on Qin. As a result, Chu and Zhao immediately raised troops and went to Han's aid. Qi took the opportunity to raise its own troops and attack Yan. In thirty days, it had unified the state of Yan with its own.
[1] Zhang Yi was among Qin's most famous diplomats; like Su Qin he was a Guiguzi alumnus.
[2] King Xuan of Qi (319–301 BCE) is best known for receiving advice from Mencius and establishing the Jixia Academy.
[3] Otherwise known as Tian Ji, a celebrated Qi general. With Sun Bin he led the army at the Battle of Guiling.
[4] King Kuai of Yan seems to have believed in Mohist meritocracy, and appointed his son Zizhi as Chancellor before abdicating in his favour.
[5] Zizhi took control of the state of Yan after King Kuai's abdication, but soon faced a rebellion from the former Crown Prince, Ping. Zizhi, King Kuai and the Crown Prince were all killed in the disturbances that followed.
[6] That is to say, they will be too busy fighting Han to assist Yan. The commentaries suggest that 下 here may be superfluous, in which case it should be read "thus Heaven will make us a gift of Yan".
[7] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
張儀事秦惠王
Zhang Yi Serves King Hui of Qin
張儀事秦惠王。惠王死，武王立。左右惡張儀，曰：「儀事先王不忠。」言未已，齊讓又至。
Zhang Yi[1] served King Hui of Qin[2]. King Hui died, and King Wu[3] became King. King Wu's entourage slandered Zhang Yi, saying, "When Yi served the former King he was not loyal." As if they had not said enough, criticisms also arrived from Qi.
張儀聞之，謂武王曰：「儀有愚計，願效之王。」王曰：「奈何？」曰：「為社稷計者，東方有大變，然後王可以多割地。今齊王甚憎張儀，儀之所在，必舉兵而伐之。故儀願乞不肖身而之梁，齊必舉兵而伐之。齊、梁之兵連於城下，不能相去，王以其間伐韓，入三川，出兵函谷而無伐，以臨周，祭器必出，挾天子，案圖籍，此王業也。」王曰：「善。」乃具革車三十乘，納之梁。
Zhang Yi heard about this[4], so he spoke to King Wu, saying, "I have a plan - stupid though it may be - and I would like to have Your Majesty implement it."
The King said, "What do you want to do?"
Zhang Yi said, "The right strategy for the spirits of earth and grain would be to produce great tumults in the East. If this happens, you will be able to use the fact to acquire much land. Now the King of Qi[5] loathes me[6], and wherever I am, he will certainly raise troops and[7] attack it. Therefore I beg leave to take my worthless self to Liang. Qi will certainly raise troops and[8] attack it. When the troops of of Qi and Liang are tied up with one another beneath the city walls and are unable to disengage, Your Majesty can use that interval to attack Han, entering Sanchuan[9] and dispatching troops via Hangu[10], not attacking, but rather moving against Zhou, which will certainly surrender the Nine Cauldrons[11]. To get your hands on the Son of Heaven[12] and all of his records, maps and agreements would be the act of a true king."
The King said, "Very well." Accordingly thirty chariots were prepared to convey Zhang Yi to Liang.
齊果舉兵伐之。梁王大恐。張儀曰：「王勿患，請令罷齊兵。」乃使其舍人馮喜之楚，藉使之齊。齊、楚之事已畢，因謂齊王：「王甚憎張儀，雖然，厚矣王之託儀於秦王也。」齊王曰：「寡人甚憎儀，儀之所在，必舉兵伐之，何以託儀也？」對曰：「是乃王之託儀也。儀之出秦，因與秦王約曰：『為王計者，東方有大變，然後王可以多割地。齊王甚憎儀，儀之所在，必舉兵伐之。故儀願乞不肖身而之梁，齊必舉兵伐梁。梁、齊之兵連於城下不能去，王以其間伐韓，入三川，出兵函谷而無伐，以臨周，祭器必出，挾天子，案圖籍，是王業也。』秦王以為然，與革車三十乘而納儀於梁。而果伐之，是王內自罷而伐與國，廣鄰敵以自臨，而信儀於秦王也。此臣之所謂託儀也。」王曰：「善。」乃止。
As a result, Qi raised troops and attacked Liang. The King of Liang[13] was terrified. Zhang Yi said, "Your Majesty should not worry. I beg permission to halt the advance of Qi's troops." Accordingly, he sent a member of his household, Feng Xi[14], to Chu so that he could then go onwards to Qi in the guise of an envoy from Chu. After completing the business entrusted to him by Qi and Chu, he took the opportunity to address the King of Qi.
"Your Majesty loathes Zhang Yi; nevertheless, you are generous enough to support his career with the King of Qin?"
The King of Qi said, "We do indeed loathe Zhang Yi[15]; wherever he is, we will raise troops and attack it. Why would we support him?"
Feng Xi replied, "As things stand, you are supporting him. When he left Qin he took the opportunity[16] to make an agreement with the King, saying, 'The right strategy for Your Majesty would be to produce great tumults in the East. If this happens, you will be able to use the fact to peel away much of their land. The King of Qi loathes me, and wherever I am, he will certainly raise troops and attack it. Therefore I beg leave to take my worthless self[17] to Liang. Qi will certainly raise troops and attack it. When the troops of of Qi and Liang are tied up with one another beneath the city walls and are unable to disengage, Your Majesty can use that interval to attack Han, entering Sanchuan[9] and dispatching troops via Hangu[10], not attacking, but rather moving against Zhou, which will certainly surrender the Nine Cauldrons[11]. To get your hands on the Son of Heaven[12] and all of his records, maps and agreements would be the act of a true king.' The King recognised the truth of this, and so thirty chariots were made ready to convey Zhang Yi to Liang and - as a result of this - you attacked. This being so, you are wearing yourself out internally while attacking your allies. Enemies far and near will rise against you, and you will make the King of Qin trust Yi even more. That is why your servant said that you were supporting Zhang Yi."
The King said, "Very well," and ceased his preparations.[18]
[1] Zhang Yi was among Qin's most famous diplomats; like Su Qin he was a Guiguzi alumnus.
[2] Or King Huiwen of Qin (338–311 BCE) began his reign by killing Shang Yang, but maintained his legal and military reforms, using his strengthened state to acquire large tracts of additional land.
[3] King Wu of Qin (310–307 BCE) was only king for a short time, but managed to expand Qin's territory via wars with Han and Wei. He died after breaking his shins while trying to lift a heavy bronze cauldron in the Zhou palace on a bet.
[4] The commentaries suggest that 聞之 here may be superfluous.
[5] King Xuan of Qi (319–301 BCE) is best known for receiving advice from Mencius and establishing the Jixia Academy.
[6] According to the commentaries 張 here is superfluous.
[7] According to the commentaries 而 here is superfluous.
[8] According to the commentaries 而 here is superfluous.
[9] Sanchuan (or Three Rivers) Commandery, part of modern Henan.
[10] The Hangu Pass.
[11] The nine bronze cauldrons that symbolised imperium.
[12] King Weilie of Zhou. The ruler of Zhou still enjoyed the title of Emperor, despite having none of the powers.
[13] King Xiang of Wei (318-296 BCE) he spent his entire reign switching between anti-Qin and anti-Chu alliances in an attempt to preserve his territory against larger neighbours.
[14] This person is not otherwise well-known.
[15] Reading 張儀 for 儀, per the commentaries.
[16] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[17] Reading 之身 for 身, per the commentaries.
[18] Zhang Yi's goal in this chapter is to spend some time out of Qin - where he would have been at risk of being being murdered or executed on trumped up charges - while making some money by playing the three states off against one another. As a result of this plan, he will be rewarded by Qin (for having stirred up trouble in the East), Wei (for preventing Qi's attack) and Qi (for stopping it from waging an ill-advised war).
犀首以梁為齊戰於承匡而不勝
The Xishou General Has Liang Join Qi in an Attack on Chengkuang and Loses
犀首以梁為齊戰於承匡而不勝。張儀謂梁王不用臣言以危國。梁王因相儀，儀以秦、梁之齊合橫親。犀首欲敗，謂衛君曰：「衍非有怨於儀也，值所以為國者不同耳。君必解衍。」衛君為告儀，儀許諾，因與之參坐於衛君之前。犀首跪行，為儀千秋之祝。明日張子行，犀首送之至於齊疆。齊王聞之，怒於儀，曰：「衍也吾讎，而儀與之俱，是必與衍鬻吾國矣。」遂不聽。
The Xishou General[1] had Liang join[2] Qi in an attack on Chengkuang[3]; they did not emerge victorious. Zhang Yi[4] told the King of Liang[5] that it was his failure to follow advice that was putting the state in danger. The King of Liang[6] consequently made Yi Chancellor, and Yi had Qin and Liang form a close alliance with Qi. Xishou wanted to ensure that it would fail, so he spoke to the Lord of Wey[7], saying, "It is not that I have a grudge against Yi[8], we merely differ regarding the methods that should be used to run the country. You must explain my position to him." The Lord of Wey reported this to Yi on his behalf, Yi assented, and they took the opportunity to sit down together before the Lord of Wey. Xishou fell to his knees and prayed that Yi would live to see a thousand Autumns. The next day, Master Zhang left and Xishou accompanied him to the border of Qi.
When the King of Qi[7] heard about this he was angry with Yi, and said, "This is Yan[8], my enemy, and Yi is consorting with him. If this is the case, it must be because he intends to work with Yan to sell our state out." Following this, he would not listen to Zhang Yi[9].
[1] Also known as Gongsun Yan, he worked for both Qin and Wei at various points. He led Qin troops to a famous victory, taking Xihe Commandery in the face of superior numbers.
[2] Reading 與 for 為, per the commentaries.
[3] Chengkuang was in what is now Sui County, Henan.
[4] Zhang Yi was among Qin's most famous diplomats; like Su Qin he was a Guiguzi alumnus.
[5] The Wei succession in the late fourth century is not entirely clear. This may have been King Ai (if he existed), or King Xiang (if not).
[6] The commentaries suggest 魏王 as a possible alternative for 梁王 here.
[7] Lord Si of Wey, who voluntarily reduced his own status from King to Duke in an attempt to preempt attacks from other states.
[8] I.e. the Xishou General.
[9] The commentaries suggest reading 聽也 for 聽.
昭陽為楚伐魏
Zhao Yang Attacks Wei on Chu's Behalf
昭陽為楚伐魏，覆軍殺將得八城，移兵而攻齊。陳軫為齊王使，見昭陽，再拜賀戰勝，起而問：「楚之法，覆軍殺將，其官爵何也？」昭陽曰：「官為上柱國，爵為上執珪。」陳軫曰：「異貴於此者何也？」曰：「唯令尹耳。」陳軫曰：「令尹貴矣！王非置兩令尹也，臣竊為公譬可也。楚有祠者，賜其舍人卮酒。舍人相謂曰：『數人飲之不足，一人飲之有餘。請畫地為蛇，先成者飲酒。』一人蛇先成，引酒且飲之，乃左手持卮，右手畫蛇，曰：『吾能為之足。』未成，一人之蛇成，奪其卮曰：『蛇固無足，子安能為之足。』遂飲其酒。為蛇足者，終亡其酒。今君相楚而攻魏，破軍殺將得八城，不弱兵，欲攻齊，齊畏公甚，公以是為名居足矣，官之上非可重也。戰無不勝而不知止者，身且死，爵且後歸，猶為蛇足也。」昭陽以為然，解軍而去。
Zhao Yang[1] attacked Wei on Chu's behalf. He routed their army, killed their general and took eight towns[2], then advanced his troops and attacked Qi. Chen Zhen[3] was serving as an envoy[4] for the King of Qi[5]. He went to see Zhao Yang, bowing repeatedly and congratulating him on his victory. When he got up he said, "Under Chu law, what are the office and title assigned to one who routs an army and kills its general?"
Zhao Yang said, "He would receive the office of Supreme Generalissimo and the title Consul General[6]."
Chen Zhen said, "Is there anything else more noble than this?"
Zhao Yang said, "Only to be Prime Minister[7]."
Chen Zhen said, "To be Prime Minister is noble indeed; the sovereign[8] never appoints two at once. Your servant will humbly draw a comparison for you[9]. In Chu there was once a man who was holding a sacrifice and gave the members of his household a pitcher of wine. They spoke to one another, saying, 'This is not enough for several people to drink, though it is too much for one person. Let us all draw a snake, and whoever finishes first will drink it.' One person finished his drawing first and took the pitcher, ready to to drink from it. With the cup in his left hand and drawing with his right hand, he said, 'I can give it legs, too.' Before he was finished, another person completed his snake and snatched the pitcher from him, saying, 'Snakes don't have legs; why would you add legs?' Consequently, he got the wine and the one who put legs on his snake lost it. Now Your Lordship is Chancellor of Chu and has attacked Wei, destroying their chariots, killing their general and taking eight towns. With your troops still fresh you wish to attack Qi, and Qi is profoundly afraid of you. This fact alone is enough to make your name[10]. Your rank can get no higher. If you never lose a battle but you do not know when to stop the war, then you will end up dead all the same and your titles will revert to the state - just as if you had drawn legs on your snake.' Zhao Yang recognised the truth of this, demobbed his army and left.
[1] Zhao Yang was Chancellor of Chu. He and Chen Zhen were united by their dislike of Zhang Yi.
[2] The Battle of Xiangling in 323 BCE.
[3] Chen Zhen also served as an advisor in Qin and Chu.
[4] According to the commentaries 使 here may be superfluous.
[5] 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.
[6] Literally "pillar of the state" and "jade tablet". These were high-ranking offices and titles specific to Chu.
[7] This is another Chu-specific position, the equivalent of the role translated as Chancellor elsewhere.
[8] Reading 主 for 王, per the commentaries.
[9] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise meaning of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[10] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise meaning of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[3] That is to say, no way that they can be promoted any higher without taking Zhao Yang's job.
秦攻趙
Qin Attacks Zhao
秦攻趙。趙令樓緩以五城求講於秦，而與之伐齊。齊王恐，因使人以十城求講於秦。樓子恐，因以上黨二十四縣許秦王。趙足之齊，謂齊王曰：「王欲秦、趙之解乎？不如從合於趙，趙必倍秦。倍秦則齊無患矣。」
Qin attacked Zhao. Zhao sent Lou Huan[1] to offer five fortified cities to open peace negotiations with Qin, proposing a joint attack on Qi. The King of Qi[2] was afraid. As a result, he sent one of his people to offer ten fortified cities to open peace negotiations with Qin. Master Lou was afraid. As a result, he promised twenty-four counties in Shangdang[3] to the King of Qin[4]. Zhao Zu[5] went to Qi and spoke to the King of Qi, saying, "Does Your Majesty wish for relief from Qin and Zhao? Nothing would be better than to join Zhao's alliance. Then Zhao will certainly betray Qin. If it betrays Qin, then Qi will have no more worries."
[1] Lou Huan was from Zhao and enjoyed a long career of Qin-Zhao diplomacy.
[2] 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.
[3] Shangdang Commandery was a key strategic area during the Warring States era, being fought over between Han, Wei, Zhao, Zheng and Qin.
[4] King Huiwen of Qin (338–311 BCE) began his reign by killing Shang Yang, but maintained his legal and military reforms, using his strengthened state to acquire large tracts of additional land.
[5] Zhao Zu was a politician from Zhao.
權之難齊燕戰
Qi and Zhao Meet in Battle During the Troubles at Quan
權之難，齊、燕戰。秦使魏冉之趙，出兵助燕擊齊。薛公使魏處之趙，謂李向曰：「君助燕擊齊，齊必急。急必以地和於燕，而身與趙戰矣。然則是君自為燕東兵，為燕取地也。故為君計者，不如按兵勿出。齊必緩，緩必復與燕戰。戰而勝，兵罷弊，趙可取唐、曲逆；戰而不勝，命懸於趙。然則吾中立而割窮齊與疲燕也，兩國之權，歸於君矣。」
During the troubles at Quan[1], Qi and Yan met in battle. Qin sent Wei Ran[2] as an envoy to Zhao and dispatched troops to assist Yan in a strike against Qi. Duke Xue[3] sent Wei Chu[4] as an envoy to Zhao, where he spoke to Li Xiang[5], saying, "If Your Lordship helps Yan in a strike against Qi, Qi will certainly be hard pressed. If it is hard pressed, it will offer land for an accord with Yan and I myself[6] will go to war against Zhao. In the circumstances, Your Lordship will be acting like part of Yan's army, taking land on its behalf[7]. Therefore, I have come up with another strategy for Your Lordship: nothing would be better than to rest your troops and refrain from dispatching them. Qi will certainly relax, and having relaxed will return to its war with Yan. If Qi fights and wins, its troops will be exhausted and Zhao can take Tang[9] and Quni[10]. If Qi fights and loses, then its fate in is Zhao's hands. This being so, we can remain neutral, receiving gifts of land that will impoverish Qi and break Yan. Power over both states will fall to Your Lordship."
[1] It is not clear where this was.
[2] Wei Ran (Marquess 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.
[3] Tian Wen, also known as Lord Mengchang, whose dramatic career was the source of a large number of persuasions. A member of the Qi royal house, he enjoyed a successful political and military career in Qi before leaving for Wei in protest at King Min's human resources policies. Presumably he was in Wei at the time of this story, since he later uses the word "we" in such a way as to exclude Qi.
[4] Wei Chu was a politician in Qi.
[5] Li Xiang was a politician in Zhao.
[6] I.e. Duke Xue, on whose behalf Wei Chu is speaking.
[7] Reading 束 for 東, per the commentaries.
[8] From Qi.
[9] Tang was in modern Changqing District, Shandong.
[5] Quni was in modern Shunping County, Hebei.
或謂齊王
Speaking to the King of Qi
或謂齊王曰：「周、韓西有強秦，東有趙、魏。秦伐周、韓之西，趙、魏不伐，周、韓為割，韓卻周害也。及韓卻周割之，趙、魏亦不免與秦為患矣。今齊、秦伐趙、魏，則亦不果於趙、魏之應秦而伐周、韓。令齊入於秦而伐趙、魏，趙、魏亡之後，秦東面而伐齊，齊安得救天下乎！」
Someone spoke to the King of Qi[1], saying, "Zhou and Han have mighty Qin to their west, and Zhao and Wei to their east[2]. If Qin attacks Zhou and Han from the west, then to ensure that Zhao and Wei do not also attack, Zhou and Han will have to give them land. Han will retreat and Zhou will be injured. After[3] Han has been made to retreat and Zhou has been injured[3], then Zhao and Wei will not be able to avoid trouble from Qin. If Qi[5] and Qin now attack Zhao and Wei, then it can result in nothing other Zhao and Wei responding to Qin by attacking Zhou and Han. If you have Qi pay homage to Qin and attack Zhao and Wei, then after Zhao and Wei have been extinguished Qin will turn East and attack Qi, and how can Qi expect to get assistance from All-Under-Heaven then[6]?"
[1] It is not clear which king is indicated here.
[2] The commentaries suggest that this may be intended to read 東北 - northeast.
[3] Reading 之後 for 之, per the commentaries.
[4] Reading 害 for 割, per the commentaries.
[5] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[6] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
秦攻趙長平
Qin Attacks Changping in Zhao
秦攻趙長平，齊、楚救之。秦計曰：「齊、楚救趙，親，則將退兵；不親，則且遂攻之。」
Qin attacked Changping[1] in Zhao. Qi and Yan[2] provided aid to Zhao. The King of Qin[3] made his calculations, saying, "If Qi and Yan come to Zhao's aid and they form a close relationship, then we will have our troops withdraw. If they do not, then we can attack."
趙無以食，請粟於齊，而齊不聽。蘇秦謂齊王曰：「不如聽之以卻秦兵，不聽則秦兵不卻，是秦之計中，而齊、燕之計過矣。且趙之於燕、齊，隱蔽也，齒之有脣也，脣亡則齒寒。今日亡趙，則明日及齊、楚矣。且夫救趙之務，宜若奉漏壅，沃焦釜。夫救趙，高義也；卻秦兵，顯名也。義救亡趙，威卻強秦兵，不務為此，而務愛粟，則為國計者過矣。」
Zhao had nothing to eat, and begged for grain from Qi, but Qi did not listen.
Su Qin[4] spoke to the King of Qi[5], saying: "It would be better to listen to them; this will make Qin's troops retreat. If you do not listen, then Qin's troops will not retreat. Thus, Qin's strategy will turn out to have been on the mark, and Qi and Yan's mistaken. Zhao is a shield to Yan and Qi, as the lips are to the teeth: without the lips, the teeth get cold[6]. Today Zhao is at risk, but tomorrow it will be Qi and Yan. Striving to help Zhao is like using a leaky pot to stop your cauldron from boiling dry[7], but by helping Zhao you will be fulfilling your duty to the utmost, by pushing back Qin's troops[8] you will burnish your good name. If you intend to put no effort into your fulfilling duty to help Zhao when it is on the verge of extinction or to the glory you would gain from having made mighty Qin's troops retreat, but devote it all to preserving your precious grain, then that is a mistake on the part of your state's strategists."
[1] The characters 長平 here may be superfluous. This may also be intended to read 破 for 攻. The Battle of Changping was a famous bloodbath in the late 260s, which Qin won. It signaled the beginning of the end for Zhao. Changping was in what is now Gaoping, in Shanxi.
[2] It is possible that every incidence of "Chu" in this story is intended to read "Yan", or vice versa. Here all have been normalised to "Yan" for the sake of intelligibility, and because this seems like the most probable interpretation.
[3] 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.
[4] This may actually be intended to read 周子 - a reference to Zhou Zui.
[5] King Jian of Qi (264–221 BCE) was the final king of Qi, starving to death in internal exile following the unification of China.
[6] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[7] That is, making use of what is available in an emergency, even if it is not ideal.
[8] The commentaries suggest that 兵 here may be superfluous.