楚一 THE STRATAGEMS OF CHU I (A)
齊楚構難
Qi and Chu Form a Mutual Enmity
齊、楚構難，宋請中立。齊急宋，宋許之。子象為楚謂宋王曰：「楚以緩失宋，將法齊之急也。齊以急得宋，後將常急矣。是從齊而攻楚，未必利也。齊戰勝楚，勢必危宋；不勝，是以弱宋干強楚也。而令兩萬乘之國，常以急求所欲，國必危矣。」
Qi and Chu had formed a mutual enmity. Song begged to remain neutral, but Qi applied pressure and Song finally promised Qi its support. Zi Xiang[1] spoke to the King of Song[2] on Chu's behalf, saying, "It was Chu's kindness that lost us Song; now we will take Qi as our model and apply some pressure. Qi applied pressure and gained Song's support, so from now on you will experience nothing else. This being so, the choice to follow Qi and attack Chu will certainly never[3] benefit Song. If Qi fights and defeats Chu, then Qi's growing power will certainly put Song in danger. If Qi does not win, then weak Song will have offended mighty Chu. You have ensured that two states of ten thousand chariots will rely on the application of pressure every time they wish to obtain their ends with you. Your state is in danger."
[1] A politician from Chu.
[2] The commentaries suggest that 宋 here may be superfluous. At the time, Song was going through a period of political turmoil. This may refer to Duke Huan II or Lord Ticheng.
[3] Reading 之未 for 未, per the commentaries.
五國約以伐齊
Five States Make A Treaty To Attack Qi
五國約以伐齊。昭陽謂楚王曰：「五國以破齊秦，必南圖楚。」王曰：「然則奈何？」對曰：「韓氏輔國也，好利而惡難。好利，可營也；惡難，可懼也。我厚賂之以利，其心必營。我悉兵以臨之，其心必懼我。彼懼吾兵而營我利，五國之事必可敗也。約絕之後，雖勿與地可。」
Five states[1] made a treaty to attack Qi. Zhao Yang[2] spoke to the King of Chu[3], saying, "If the five states attack Qi[4], then Qin will certainly make plans against Chu in the South."
The King said, "If so, how should we deal with this?"
He replied, "Whenever the House of Han[5] assists another state, it is from a love of profit and a dislike of adversity. Because they love profit, they can be tempted; because they dislike adversity, they can be intimidated. If I offer them abundant bribes from which they may profit, then - in their minds - they will surely be tempted. If I deploy troops in their direction, then - in their hearts - they will certainly be intimidated[6]. If they are afraid of my troops and tempted by the profits I hold out, then the affairs of the five states can certainly be made to fail. We can break the treaty without offering them land."
楚王曰：「善。」乃命大公事之韓，見公仲曰：「夫牛闌之事，馬陵之難，親王之所見也。王苟無以五國用兵，請效列城五，請悉楚國之眾也，以廧於齊。」
The King of Chu said, "Very well."
Accordingly, he ordered Dagong Shi[7] to go to Han, where he secured an audience with Gongzhong[8] and said, "The affair at Niulan[9] and the trouble at Maling[10]... You saw those things yourself[11]. If your King will only refrain from deploying troops on behalf of the five states, I will beg to offer him five fortified cities and mobilise Chu's battalions[12], and together we will scheme against Qi."
齊之反趙、魏之後，而楚果弗與地，則五國之事困也。
After the people[13] of Han[14] had turned against Zhao and Wei, Chu then refused to hand over the land. Thus this enterprise on the part of the five states was frustrated.
[1] It is not entirely clear which states made up the five. Zhao, Han, Wei and Yan seem to have been involved.
[2] Zhao Yang served as Chancellor of Chu.
[3] King Huai of Chu (328-299 BCE) was known for having been the object of various poetic complaints by Qu Yuan. He was captured by Qin in 299 BCE and his son King Qingxiang took the throne. He made one attempt to escape, but was recaptured and died in 296 BCE.
[4] The commentaries disagree on the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[5] Modern translations suggest that this is a reference to Han Min, also known as Gongzhong Min, who served in the Han government and as Chancellor of Qi under King Min.
[6] The commentaries suggest that 我 here is superfluous.
[7] Dagong Shi was a politician from Chu.
[8] Modern translations suggest that this is a reference to Han Min, also known as Gongzhong Min, Han Lie and Han Liang, who served as Chancellor of both Han and Qi at different times. If he witnessed the Battle of Maling (as described below), it must have been when he was very young.
[9] It is not known where this was.
[10] This refers to the Battle of Maling, which took place in 342 BCE.
[11] The commentaries disagree on the precise reading of this sentence, and this translation follows other modern interpretations.
[12] According to the commentaries 也 here is superfluous.
[13] Reading 韓 for 齊 here, as in modern translations.
荊宣王問群臣
King Xuan of Jing Questions His Private Secretaries
荊宣王問群臣曰：「吾聞北方之畏昭奚恤也，果誠何如？」群臣莫對。江一對曰：「虎求百獸而食之，得狐。狐曰：『子無敢食我也。天帝使我長百獸，今子食我，是逆天帝命也。子以我為不信，吾為子先行，子隨我後，觀百獸之見我而敢不走乎？』虎以為然，故遂與之行。獸見之皆走。虎不知獸畏己而走也，以為畏狐也。今王之地方五千里，帶甲百萬，而專屬之昭奚恤；故北方之畏奚恤也，其實畏王之甲兵也，猶百獸之畏虎也。」
King Xuan of Jing[1] questioned his private secretaries, saying, "I have heard that the North is afraid of Zhao Xuxi[2]. Is this really the case?"
The assembled private secretaries had no reply, but Jiang Yi[3] answered, saying, "A tiger went out searching for one of the hundred beasts to eat, and caught a fox. The fox said, 'You would not dare to eat me. Tiandi[4] has made me chief of the hundred beasts. If you eat me now, then in the circumstances you will be going against Tiandi's orders. If you do not believe me, I will go out walking ahead of you and you can follow on behind. Watch the hundred beasts and observe if any of them, having set eyes upon me, is brave enough not to flee.' The tiger did so, and followed in the fox's tracks. The beasts saw them and all fled. The tiger did not realise that they were running because they were afraid of him, but believed that they were afraid of the fox. Now Your Majesty's lands are five thousand square li, guarded by a million men-at-arms, and Zhao Xuxi has full control over it all. Therefore, when the North is afraid of Zhao Xuxi, in reality, they are afraid of Your Majesty's troops, just as the hundred beasts were afraid of the tiger."
[1] King Xuan of Chu (369–340 BCE). The fact that Jing is used to refer to Chu in this chapter hints that it was likely written in Qin, where the character for Chu was under a naming taboo during the later years of the Warring States era, having formed a part of King Zhuangxiang's personal name.
[2] Zhao Xuxi served as Prime Minister of Chu.
[3] Reading 乙 for 一, per the commentaries. Jiang Yi was from Wei but worked in Chu.
[4] Tiandi or Shangdi was the closest thing ancient China had to a supreme creator god, though there is little clarity on his attributes. He seems to have been a hypothetical "earliest ancestor".
昭奚恤與彭城君議於王前
Zhao Xixu Debates With Lord Pengcheng Before the King
昭奚恤與彭城君議於王前，王召江乙而問焉。江乙曰：「二人之言皆善也，臣不敢言其後。此謂慮賢也。」
Zhao Xixu[1] and Lord Pengchang[2] debated before the King[3], and the King summoned Jiang Yi[4] to ask him about it. Jiang Yi said, "Both of their speeches were excellent; your servant would not dare to speak after them[5]. This is called consideration for sages."
[1] Zhao Yixu served as Prime Minister of Chu.
[2] Lord Pengchang was a politician in Chu.
[3] King Xuan of Chu (369–340 BCE) assisted Zhao in repelling an attack by Wei and died without issue.
[4] Jiang Yi was from Wei but worked in Chu.
[5] Yao suggests that 言其後 here is superfluous, in which case the sentence simply reads "your servant would not dare".
邯鄲之難
Trouble at Handan
邯鄲之難，昭奚恤謂楚王曰：「王不如無救趙，而以強魏。魏強，其割趙必深矣。趙不能聽，則必堅守，是兩弊也。」
During the trouble at Handan[1], Zhao Xixu[2] spoke to the King of Chu[3], saying, "Your Majesty had better refrain from aiding Zhao and thus strengthen Wei. If Wei is strengthened, it will certainly make steep demands for land from Zhao. Zhao will not listen, but rather will reinforce its defences. This being so, both will end up exhausted."
景舍曰：「不然。昭奚恤不知也。夫魏之攻趙也，恐楚之攻其後。今不救趙，趙有亡形，而魏無楚憂，是楚、魏共趙也，害必深矣！何以兩弊也？且魏令兵以深割趙，趙見亡形，而有楚之不救己也，必與魏合而以謀楚。故王不如少出兵，以為趙援。趙恃楚勁，必與魏戰。魏怒於趙之勁，而見楚救之不足畏也，必不釋趙。趙、魏相弊，而齊、秦應楚，則魏可破也。」
Jing She[4] said, "Not so. Zhao Xixu lacks awareness. Because it is attacking Zhao, Wei is afraid that Chu will attack its rear[5]. If we do not help Zhao now, Zhao will be doomed, and Wei will cease worrying about us. This being so, it will be as if both Chu and Wei were attacking Zhao together - the harm it suffers will certainly be serious. How will this exhaust both states? If Wei has its troops force Zhao to cede so much land[6], then Zhao will see this as a precursor of its demise, and if it knows that Chu will not help[7], then it will certainly propose an accord with Wei for the purpose of scheming against Chu. Therefore Your Majesty could do no better than to send out a small detachment of troops to assist Zhao. If Zhao has Chu's strength to rely upon, it will certainly go to war with Wei. Wei's grudge against Zhao is intense; if it sees that Chu is not providing Zhao with sufficiently intimidating reinforcements, it will certainly not disengage. Zhao and Wei will exhaust one another, and Qin and Qi be spurred into action by Chu[8]; thus Wei can be destroyed."
楚因使景舍起兵救趙。邯鄲拔，楚取睢、濊之間 。
Chu seized the opportunity to send Jing She to raise troops and aid Zhao. Handan fell[9], and Chu took the area between the Sui River[10] and the Huo[11].
[1] Not the famous Battle of Handan, an earlier conflict, in which Wei invaded Zhao in 354 BCE.
[2] Zhao Xixu served as Chancellor of Chu.
[3] King Xuan of Chu (369–340 BCE) assisted Zhao in repelling an attack by Wei and died without issue.
[4] Jing She is known mainly via this story.
[5] The commentaries suggest reading 後也 for 後 here.
[6] The commentaries suggest that 深 here may be superfluous.
[7] Reading 知 for 有 here, per the commentaries.
[8] I.e. they will see this as a good opportunity to gang up on Wei and take some land.
[9] To Wei, on account of Chu's ineffectual assistance.
[10] The Sui River rose near Kaifeng in Henan.
[11] It is not clear where this was.
江尹欲惡昭奚恤於楚王
Jiang Yi WIshes To Disparage Zhao xixu Before the King of CHu
江尹欲惡昭奚恤於楚王，而力不能，故為梁山陽君請封於楚。楚王曰：「諾。」昭奚恤曰：「山陽君無功於楚國，不當封。」江尹因得山陽君與之共惡昭奚恤。
Jiang Yi[1] wished to disparage Zhao Xixu[2] before the King of Chu[3], but was not powerful enough to be able to get away with it. Therefore he requested a domain in Chu on behalf of Lord Shanyang of Liang[4]. The King of Chu said, "I accede."
Zhao Xixu said, "Lord Shanyang has accomplished nothing for Chu. He does not merit a domain." Jiang Yi took advantage of this to bring Lord Shanyang over to his side, and then they both disparaged Zhao Xixu.
[1] Jiang Yi was from Wei but worked in Chu.
[2] Zhao Xuxi served as Chancellor of Chu.
[3] King Xuan of Chu (369–340 BCE) assisted Zhao in repelling an attack by Wei and died without issue.
[4] Lord Shanyang was a politician in Wei.
魏氏惡昭奚恤於楚王
A member of The House of Wei Disparages Zhao Xixu Before the King of Chu
魏氏惡昭奚恤於楚王，楚王告昭子。昭子曰：「臣朝夕以事聽命，而魏入吾君臣之間，臣大懼。臣非畏魏也！夫泄吾君臣之交，而天下信之，是其為人也近苦矣。夫苟不難為之外，豈忘為之內乎？臣之得罪無日矣。」王曰：「寡人知之，大夫何患？」
A member of the House of Wei[1] disparaged Zhao Xixu[1] before the King of Chu[2]. The King of Chu reported this to Master Zhao[3]. Master Zhao said, "Your servant exerts himself from morning until night to fulfil your orders obediently, but Wei is interposing itself between my Lord and myself. I am greatly afraid, but I am not intimidated by Wei. If they babble about our relationship and All-Under-Heaven believes them, it is only because they are bitter by nature. However, if it is so easy to do this abroad, how could it not be happening at home too? It has not been more than a few days since I offended against him..."
The King said, "We are aware of this. Why would you worry?"[4]
[1] This chapter may follow on directly from the previous one. If so 魏氏 refers to Jiang Yi and Lord Shanyang.
[1] Zhao Xixu served as Chancellor of Chu.
[2] King Xuan of Chu (369–340 BC) assisted Zhao in repelling an attack by Wei and died without issue.
[3] I.e. Zhao Xixu.
[4] This story is extremely confusing, and modern translations interpret it in very different ways. This version attempts to allow for as many possible interpretations as possible.
江乙惡昭奚恤
Jiang Yi Disparages Zhao Xixu
江乙惡昭奚恤，謂楚王曰：「人有以其狗為有執而愛之。其狗嘗溺井。其鄰人見狗之溺井也，欲入言之。狗惡之，當門而噬之。鄰人憚之，遂不得入言。邯鄲之難，楚進兵大梁，取矣。昭奚恤取魏之寶器，以居魏知之，故昭奚恤常惡臣之見王。」
Jiang Yi[1] disparaged Zhao Xixu[2] while speaking to the King of Chu[3], saying, "A man had a guard dog that he was very fond of. One day his dog pissed in the well. His neighbour saw it and wanted to go into the courtyard and mention it, but the dog hated him and when he approached the gate it snapped at him. The neighbour shrank back and could not enter. When Chu's troops advanced on Daliang[4] and took it[5] during the troubles in Handan[6], Zhao Xixu stole Wei's royal treasures. Being resident in Wei at the time, I learned of this[7]. Thus he disparages me every time I come to see Your Majesty."
[1] Zhao Xixu served as Chancellor of Chu.
[2] Jiang Yi was from Wei but worked in Chu.
[3] King Xuan of Chu (369–340 BCE) assisted Zhao in repelling an attack by Wei and died without issue.
[4] Daliang was the capital of Wei, modern Kaifeng in Henan.
[5] Yao suggests 拔 for 取 here.
[6] Not the famous Battle of Handan, an earlier conflict, in which Wei invaded Zhao in 354 BCE.
[7] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
江乙欲惡昭奚恤於楚
Jiang Yi Seeks to Discredit Zhao Xixu in Chu
江乙欲惡昭奚恤於楚，謂楚王曰：「下比周，則上危；下分爭，則上安。王亦知之乎？願王勿忘也。且人有好揚人之善者，於王何如？」王曰：「此君子也，近之。」江乙曰：「有人好揚人之惡者，於王何如？」王曰：「此小人也，遠之。」江乙曰：「然則且有子殺其父，臣弒其主者，而王終已不知者，何也？以王好聞人之美而惡聞人之惡也。」王曰：「善。寡人願兩聞之。」
Jiang Yi[1] sought to discredit Zhao Xixu[2] in Chu, so he spoke to the King of Chu[3], saying, "When those below collude, then those above are in danger. When those below are at odds with one another, then those above are safe. Were you aware of this? I hope that Your Majesty will not forget it. Take someone who likes to talk about others' good points; what would you make of him?"
The King said, "He is a gentleman, I would hold him close."
Jiang Yi said, "Take someone who likes to talk about others' bad points; what would you make of him?"
The King said, "He is a peasant, I would keep him at a distance."
Jiang Yi said, "This being so, if there is a son who kills his father, or a servant who kills his lord, Your Majesty will never be aware of it[4]. Why? Because you only like to hear pleasant things about people, and hate to hear evil spoken of them."
The King said, "Very well. We will listen to both sides."
[1] Jiang Yi was from Wei but worked in Chu.
[2] Zhao Xixu served as Chancellor of Chu.
[3] King Xuan of Chu (369–340 BCE) assisted Zhao in repelling an attack by Wei and died without issue.
[4] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
江乙說於安陵君
Jiang Yi Exercises his Persuasions on Lord Anling
江乙說於安陵君曰：「君無咫尺之地，骨肉之親，處尊位，受厚祿，一國之眾，見君莫不斂衽而拜，撫委而服，何以也？」曰：「王過舉而已。不然，無以至此。」
Jiang Yi[1] exercised his persuasions on Lord Anling[2], saying: "Your Lordship has not accomplished anything at all[3], nor have you any significant blood relations, but you occupy a respectable civil service position[4] and receive generous emoluments. Among the population of the entire state, there are none who do not see you and fold back their sleeves to bow, removing their hats out of deference. Why is this?"
Lord Anling said, "The King[5] promoted me erroneously, that is all[6]. Otherwise I would never have come to this point."
江乙曰：「以財交者，財盡而交絕；以色交者，華落而愛渝。是以嬖女不敝席，寵臣不避軒。今君擅楚國之勢，而無以深自結於王，竊為君危之。」安陵君曰：「然則奈何？」「願君必請從死，以身為殉，如是必長得重於楚國。」曰：「謹受令。」
Jiang Yi said, "If a relationship is based upon money, when the money runs out then the relationship is severed. If a relationship is based upon physical attractions, when the bloom falls then feelings change. This being so, pretty wenches[7] do not wear out their mats, nor royal favourites their carriages[8]. Now Your Lordship has a monopoly on state power in Chu, but there are no formal ties between yourself and the King[9]. I humbly suggest that you are in danger."
Lord Anling said, "This being so, how should I handle it?"
"I[10] would like Your Lordship to request to follow the King in death, and offer yourself as a sacrifice. If you do that, then you will prolong your influence in the state of Chu."
Lord Anling said, "I respectfully accept your advice."
三年而弗言。江乙復見曰：「臣所為君道，至今未效。君不用臣之計，臣請不敢復見矣。」安陵君曰：「不敢忘先生之言，未得間也。」
Three years passed, and they did not speak of it again. Then Jiang Yi returned to see Lord Anling, saying, "Your servant provided you with a path to follow, and so far you have not put it into effect. If Your Lordship is not going to use my strategies, then I request permission to leave, as I would not have the temerity to appear before you again."[11]
Lord Anling said, "I would not dare to neglect Your Excellency's words, but I have not yet found the right moment."
於是，楚王游於雲夢，結駟千乘，旌旗蔽日，野火之起也若雲蜺，兕虎嗥之聲若雷霆，有狂兕崕車依輪而至，王親引弓而射，壹發而殪。王抽旃旄而抑兕首，仰天而笑曰：「樂矣，今日之游也。寡人萬歲千秋之後，誰與樂此矣？」安陵君泣數行而進曰：「臣入則編席，出則陪乘。大王萬歲千秋之後，願得以身試黃泉，蓐螻蟻，又何如得此樂而樂之。」王大說，乃封壇為安陵君。
After this, the King of Chu went hunting in Yunmeng[12]. Four-horse teams were harnessed to a thousand chariots, banners and streamers flying so thickly that they blocked out the sky[13]. The fire that rose from the grasslands shone like rainbow clouds[14], and the roaring of the animals was like thunder. A frenzied rhinoceros rushed the King's chariot and rammed the wheel[15]. The King grabbed a bow and arrow and fired, slaughtering it with a single shot[16]. He took an oxtail pennant[17] and marked the rhinoceros' head as his own. He gazed up to heaven and laughed, saying, "What fun today's hunting has been! After ten thousand years or a thousand autumns have passed[18], with whom will I share such happiness?"
Lord Anling, sobbing, stepped forward a few paces[19], saying as he advanced, "Indoors our mats are next to one another; outdoors I ride by your side in your carriage. After your ten thousand years or thousand autumns have passed, I hope I will be able to give my life in order to precede you[20] to Yellow Springs[21] and lay out straw mats to keep away the insects. Now how could any happiness be happier than that?"
The King was overjoyed. Consequently he gave Tan a domain and made him Lord Anling.
君子聞之曰：「江乙可謂善謀，安陵君可謂知時矣。」
The gentlemen of the court heard about it, and said, "Jiang Yi can be described as a skilful planner, and Lord Anling as one who understood when to execute those plans."
[1] Jiang Yi was from Wei but worked in Chu.
[2] There were two Lord Anlings. This one was famously good-looking and gained money and power as a favourite of King Xuan of Chu. At this point he had not yet received his title, but it is applied retroactively, per convention.
[3] Reading 功 for 地 here, per the commentaries.
[4] This sentence can be punctuated in various ways. This follows modern Chinese translations.
[5] King Xuan of Chu (369–340 BCE) assisted Zhao in repelling an attack by Wei and died without issue.
[6] The commentaries disagree regarding the proper reading of this sentence. It may be intended to read 己 for 已 - "His Majesty made an erroneous promotion and it happened to be me" - or 以色 for 而已 - "His Majesty makes erroneous promotions on account of others' physical attractions".
[7] Reading 色 for 女 here, per the commentaries.
[8] Reading 敝 for 避. The implication is that they are not around long enough to get full use out of the gifts they receive.
[9] The commentaries suggest that 深 here is superfluous.
[10] The commentaries suggest reading 江乙曰：「願 here for ：「願.
[11] Requesting an audience to ask permission to leave after not having spoken to someone for three years seems a little odd from a modern perspective. The assumption is that Jiang Yi is being kept on a retainer as part of Lord Anling's entourage, but sees little potential for advancement in the role and so would prefer to look for other career opportunities elsewhere.
[12] Yunmeng is still called Yunmeng, and is in Hubei.
[13] Reading 天 for 日 here, per the commentaries.
[14] A controlled burn aimed at flushing out game.
[15] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[16] The commentaries suggest reading 一 for 壹 here.
[17] Following the explanation given by the commentaries.
[18] This seems to be a reference to the King's natural lifespan, and should not be read literally.
[19] Reading 行下 for 行 here, per the commentaries.
[20] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence; this is a best-guess interpretation.
[20] Yellow Springs was the ancient Chinese underworld.
[10] Reading 悦 for 說.
江乙為魏使於楚
Jiang Yi Serves as an Envoy For Wei in Chu
江乙為魏使於楚，謂楚王曰：「臣入竟，聞楚之俗，不蔽人之善，不言人之惡，誠有之乎？」王曰：「誠有之。」江乙曰：「然則白公之亂，得無遂乎？誠如是，臣等之罪免矣。」楚王曰：「何也？」江乙曰：「州侯相楚，貴甚矣而主斷，左右俱曰『無有』，如出一口矣。」
Jiang Yi[1] served as an envoy for Wei in Chu. He spoke to the King of Chu[2], saying, "When I crossed your border, I heard that Chu has a custom of not concealing the good that people do and not talking about their bad points. Do you really have such a custom?" The King said, "We really do."
Jiang Yi said, "Can it be, then, that Baigong's[3] insurrection succeeded? If things are really thus, then the offenses of the lower ranks will be overlooked."
The King of Chu said, "How so?"
Jiang Yi said, "Marquis Zhou[4] is Chancellor of Chu, he has attained the highest rank and governs arbitrarily, but your entourage all say 'there is no one like him', as if with one voice"
[1] Jiang Yi was from Wei but worked in Chu.
[2] King Xuan of Chu (369–340 BCE) assisted Zhao in repelling an attack by Wei and died without issue.
[3] Baigong Sheng, a member of the Chu royal house, rebelled against King Hui of Chu in 478 BCE.
[4] Marquis Zhou is not otherwise well-known.
郢人有獄三年不決
A Citizen of Ying Spends Three Years On Remand
郢人有獄三年不決者，故令請其宅，以卜其罪。客因為之謂昭奚恤曰：「郢人某氏之宅，臣願之。」昭奚恤曰：「郢人某氏，不當服罪，故其宅不得。」
There was a citizen of Ying[1] who had spent three years in prison on remand. Therefore he had one of his people[2] request permission to acquire his house, in order to work out whether he would be found guilty[3]. His guest found an opportunity to speak to Zhao Xixu[4] about it, saying[5], "Mr. Such-and-Such of Ying has a house, and your servant would like to take possession of it."
Zhao Xixu said, "Mr. Such-and-Such of Ying will not be subjected to any sentence, so you will not get his house[6]."
客辭而去。昭奚恤已而悔之，因謂客曰：「奚恤得事公，公何為以故與奚恤？」客曰：「非用故也。」曰：「謂而不得，有說色，非故如何也？」
The guest thanked him and was leaving, but then Zhao Xixu had second thoughts, and seized the opportunity to speak to visitor again, saying, "I would have helped you with this business anyway. Why use schemes to drag it out of me?"
The guest said, "I did not use any schemes."
Zhao Xixu said, "You requested[7] something and did not get it, yet you wear a delighted expression. Is this the behaviour of someone with no ulterior motives[8]?"
[1] Ying was the capital of Chu, in Jingzhou, modern Hubei.
[2] Reading 令人 here for 令, per the commentaries.
[3] If he is guilty his property will be forfeited to the state, and thus his client will not be able to buy it from him.
[4] Zhao Xixu served as Chancellor of Chu.
[5] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[6] Yao suggests 不可得 for 宅不得.
[7] Reading 請 for 謂 per the commentaries.
[8] The commentaries suggest that 故 here may be superfluous.