秦二 THE STRATAGEMS OF QIN II (B)
宜陽未得
Before Yiyang Was Taken
宜陽未得，秦死傷者眾，甘茂欲息兵。左成謂甘茂曰：「公內攻於樗里疾、公孫衍，而外與韓侈為怨，今公用兵無功，公必窮矣。公不如進兵攻宜陽，宜陽拔，則公之功多矣。是樗里疾、公孫衍無事也，秦眾盡怨之深矣。」
Before Yiyang[1] was taken, Qin's dead and injured were numerous and Gan Mao[2] wanted to rest the troops. Zuo Cheng[3] spoke to Gan Mao, saying: "At home you are fighting Chuli Ji[4] and Gongsun Yan[5], and abroad Han Chi[6] bears a grudge. If you now deploy your troops with no success you will certainly be ruined. It would be better to advance the troops and attack Yiyang. When Yiyang has been seized, your achievements will be manifold. This being so, Chuli Ji and Gongsun Yan's plans will come to nothing, and the resentment of the masses against them in Qin will deepen[7]."
[1] Yiyang is now in Yiyang County. At the time it was a border fortress belonging to Han. It was strategically important insofar as that it provided Qin with a base from which to pursue its expansion.
[2] Gan Mao was a politician and General in Qin, and first appeared in the telling of the Yiyang story from the Zhou perspective. This version confirms Zhao Lei's analysis of the situation in that chapter.
[3] Zuo Cheng was a politician in Qin.
[4] Chuli Ji was a son of Duke Xiao of Qin, and served as a General and Chancellor at the same time as Gan Mao. He helped to preside over Qin's expansion. His military and political expertise was such that he is occasionally referred to as "Master Chuli" in literature.
[5] Gongsun Yan 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.
[6] Han Chi was also known as Gongzhong Chi and Gongzhong Peng. He was a politician from Han.
[7] Because they will be perceived as wanting to drag out the conflict.
宜陽之役楚畔秦而合於韓
Chu Abandons Qin and Makes an Accord with Han During the Battle of Yiyang
宜陽之役，楚畔秦而合於韓。秦王懼。甘茂曰：「楚雖合韓，不為韓氏先戰；韓亦恐戰而楚有變其後。韓、楚必相御也。楚言與韓，而不餘怨於秦，臣是以知其御也。」
During the Battle of Yiyang[1], Chu abandoned Qin and made an accord with Han. The King of Qin[2] panicked. Gan Mao[3] said, "Even if Chu allies with Han, they will not advance into battle on behalf of the House of Han, and Han will be afraid to fight given that Chu may subsequently change its position. Han and Chu will necessarily restrain one another. Chu says it is on Han's side, but it has no outstanding grudge against Qin; thus your servant knows that they will restrain one another."
[1] Yiyang is now in Yiyang County. At the time it was a border fortress belonging to Han. It was strategically important insofar as that it provided Qin with a base from which to pursue its expansion.
[2] 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.
[3] Gan Mao was a politician and General in Qin, and first appeared in the telling of the Yiyang story from the Zhou perspective. This version confirms Zhao Lei's analysis of the situation in that chapter.
秦王謂甘茂
The King of Qin Speaks to Gan Mao
秦王謂甘茂曰：「楚客來使者多健，與寡人爭辭，寡人數窮焉，為之奈何？」甘茂對曰：「王勿患也！其健者來使者，則王勿聽其事；其需弱者來使，則王必聽之。然則需弱者用，而健者不用矣！王因而制之。」
The King of Qin[1] spoke to Gan Mao[2], saying, "Among the envoys sent by Chu there are many tenacious individuals, in their arguments with us we repeatedly fall short. How should we deal with this?"
Gan Mao replied, "Your Majesty should not worry. When they send their most tenacious envoys[3], you should refuse to listen to their plans. When they send someone soft and weak[4], then you must pay careful attention to him. This being so, they will employ soft and weak people rather than tenacious ones. Take advantage of this and take control."
[1] 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.
[2] Gan Mao was a politician and General in Qin, and first appeared in the telling of the Yiyang story from the Zhou perspective. This version confirms Zhao Lei's analysis of the situation in that chapter.
[3] The commentaries suggest that 者 here is superfluous.
[4] Interpreting 需 as 濡, per the commentaries.
甘茂亡秦且之齊
Gan Mao Defects from Qin and Goes to Qi
甘茂亡秦，且之齊，出關遇蘇子，曰：「君聞夫江上之處女乎？」蘇子曰：「不聞。」曰：「夫江上之處女，有家貧而無燭者，處女相與語，欲去之。家貧無燭者將去矣，謂處女曰：『妾以無燭，故常先至，掃室布席，何愛餘明之照四壁者？幸以賜妾，何妨於處女？妾自以有益於處女，何為去我？』處女相語以為然而留之。今臣不肖，棄逐於秦而出關，願為足下掃室布席，幸無我逐也。」蘇子曰：「善。請重公於齊。」
Gan Mao[1] defected from Qin with the intention of going to Qi. Going through the Pass[2] he encountered Master Su[3]. Gan Mao said, "Has Your Lordship ever heard about the girls in Jiangshang[4]?"
Master Su said, "I have not."
Gan Mao said, "Among the girls in Jiangshang, one came from such a poor family that she had no candles. The other girls in the discussed this among themselves and wanted to get rid of her. As the girl who came from too poor a family to buy candles was getting ready to go, she said to one of the other girls, 'Because I have no candles, I always get here first and clean the floors and spread out the mats. Do you so cherish[5] the light that illuminates these four walls that you can spare none? What would it cost you to bestow some upon me?[6] Since my presence is of benefit to all of you, why send me away?' The other girls discussed the matter among themselves, saw the truth of it, and let her stay. Now I am undistinguished, so I have been rejected and expelled by Qin, and sent beyond the Pass. I simply want to clean your[7] floors and spread out your mats, if only you would grant me the favour of not sending me away."
Master Su said, "Very well. Please allow me to use Qi to increase your influence."
乃西說秦王曰：「甘茂，賢人，非恒士也。其居秦累世重矣，自殽塞、谿谷，地形險易盡知之。彼若以齊約韓、魏，反以謀秦，是非秦之利也。」秦王曰：「然則奈何？」蘇代曰：「不如重其贄，厚其祿以迎之。彼來則置之槐谷，終身勿出，天下何從圖秦。」秦王曰：「善」。與之上卿，以相迎之齊。
Master Su accordingly headed West to exercise his persuasions on the King of Qin[8], saying, "Gan Mao is a wise individual, no ordinary official. During his stay in Qin his influence has endured for more than a generation[9]. From the Pass at Xiao[10] and the River Valley[11], he has learnt the dangers and advantages of our terrain. If he has Qi form a treaty with Han and Wei to plot together against Qin, this would not be to your benefit."
The King of Qin said, "If that is the case, how should we deal with it?"
Su Dai said, "Nothing would be better than to reinforce his position by giving him gifts[12], to enrich him with emoluments and then welcome him on his return. When he comes, keep him at Huaigu[13], and he will end his days there without ever leaving. How then will All-Under-Heaven form an alliance to plot against Qin?"
The King of Qin said, "Very well." A high rank was assigned to Gan Mao, and Su Dai took the Chancellor's seals[14] to welcome him back from Qi.
甘茂辭不往，蘇秦偽謂王曰：「甘茂，賢人也。今秦與之上卿，以相迎之，茂德王之賜，故不往，願為王臣。今王何以禮之？王若不留，必不德王。彼以甘茂之賢，得擅用強秦之眾，則難圖也！」齊王曰：「善。」賜之上卿，命而處之。
Gan Mao declined and refused to leave, so Su Dai[15] spoke to[16] the King of Qi[17], saying: "Gan Mao is a wise individual. Now Qin has awarded him a noble rank and is offering the Chancellor's seals to welcome him back[18]. Gan Mao honours the gifts Your Majesty has bestowed upon him so he is not going to return. He wishes to serve you, now how will you thank him? If you do not give the impression of wanting him to stay, he will certainly honour you no longer. If someone of Gan Mao's wisdom were to gain control of a force with the strength of Qin's battalions, that would be difficult to plan for."
The King of Qi said, "Very well," and he awarded Gan Mao a high rank, an appointment and lodgings.
[1] Gan Mao was a politician and General in Qin.
[2] The Hangu Pass, in modern Xin'an County, Henan. It marked the border of Qin.
[3] Su Dai was Su Qin's younger brother.
[4] 江上 (Jiangshang) literally means "by the river". It may have been a place name or a generic reference to the sex trade; I can find no supporting evidence for either hypothesis. While the girl's precise job is never made explicit in the story, the fact that the majority of the transactions required candlelight implies a restricted set of industries.
[5] Reading 愛於 for 愛, per the commentaries.
[6] I.e. the other girls all contribute to the expenses of lighting the place equally, and object to this girl's inability to contribute. She argues that whether she is there or not they will still be paying to light the house, and with her there they gain free cleaning services.
[7] Presumably Su Dai was holding a position in Qin at the time.
[8] 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.
[9] I.e. he served under multiple rulers.
[10] The Xiao Pass was in modern Mianchi County, Henan.
[11] This seems to refer to the Hangu Pass, in modern Xin'an County, Henan, which marked the traditional border of Qin.
[12] The commentaries disagree on the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[13] Huaigu is in modern Xingping County, Shaanxi. The implication seems to be that Gan Mao would be kept in a state of quasi house arrest until he either chose to end his own life or had it ended for him by an agent of the state.
[14] Reading 相印迎之 for 相迎之, per the commentaries.
[15] Reading 代 for 秦, per the commentaries.
[16] The commentaries disagree over the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[17] Reading 齊王 for 王, per the commentaries. 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.
[18] Reading 相印迎之 for 相迎之, per the commentaries.
甘茂相秦
Gan Mao Serves as CHancellor of Qin
甘茂相秦。秦王愛公孫衍，與之間有所立，因自謂之曰：「寡人且相子。」甘茂之吏道而聞之，以告甘茂。甘茂因入見王曰：「王得賢相，敢再拜賀。」王曰：「寡人託國於子，焉更得賢相？」對曰：「王且相犀首。」王曰：「子焉聞之？」對曰：「犀首告臣。」王怒於犀首之泄也，乃逐之。
Gan Mao[1] served as Chancellor of Qin. The King of Qin[2] was partial to Gongsun Yan[3], and was looking to appoint him to a position as soon as he had an occasion. He took the opportunity to speak to Gongsun Yan personally, saying, "We wish to make you Chancellor." One of Gan Mao's officials heard[4] this and told Gan Mao.
As a result of this, Gan Mao went to see the King, saying, "Your Majesty has acquired a wise Chancellor; may I be so bold as to bow and offer my congratulations?"
The King said, "We have placed the state in your hands; what wiser Chancellor could there be?"
Gan Mao replied, "Your Majesty is appointing the Xishou General[5]."
The King said, "Where did you hear this?"
Gan Mao replied, "The Xishou General told me." The King was angry with the Xishou General for letting this leak out and expelled him[6].
[1] Gan Mao was a politician and General in Qin.
[2] It is not clear which king is indicated here.
[3] Gongsun Yan 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.
[4] The commentaries suggest that 道而 here is superfluous. The Han Feizi version of this story has 道穴 for 道而, which implies that the official bored a hole in the wall to eavesdrop through.
[5] This was another name for Gongsun Yan.
[6] The commentaries disagree on whether or not the here is superfluous.
甘茂約秦魏而攻楚
Gan Mao Brokers an Agreement Between Qin and Wei to Attack Chu
甘茂約秦、魏而攻楚。楚之相秦者屈蓋，為楚和於秦，秦啟關而聽楚使。甘茂謂秦王曰：「怵於楚而不使魏制和，楚必曰『秦鬻魏』。不悅而合於楚，楚、魏為一，國恐傷矣。王不如使魏制和，魏制和必悅。王不惡於魏，則寄地必多矣。」
Gan Mao[1] brokered an agreement between Qin and Wei and they attacked Chu. Qu Gai[2], whom Chu had made Chancellor of Qin, was working on a peace agreement with Qin on Chu's behalf. Qin had opened the Pass, and was listening to envoys from Chu. Gan Mao addressed the King of Qin[3], saying, "If we are seduced by[4] Chu and do not engage Wei to preside over the peace negotiations, Chu will surely say, 'Qin has sold Wei out.' Wei[5] will not be happy, and will make an accord with Chu. When Chu and Wei are united, Qin should fear harm. It would be better to have Wei preside over the accord. If Wei is appointed to preside over the accord, it will certainly be contented. Your Majesty will suffer no grudge from Wei, and the land transferred to you will be extensive[6]."
[1] Gan Mao was a politician and General in Qin.
[2] Qu Gai was a politician from Chu who had been lent to Qin at the time
[3] It is not clear which King of Qin is indicated here.
[4] Reading 訹 for 怵, per the commentaries.
[5] Reading 魏不 for 不, per the commentaries.
[6] I.e. Wei will give Qin land in return for the right to participate in the negotiations.
陘山之事
The Xing Mountain Incident
陘山之事，趙且與秦伐齊。齊懼，令田章以陽武合於趙，而以順子為質。趙王喜，乃案兵告於秦曰：「齊以陽武賜弊邑而納順子，欲以解伐。敢告下吏。」
During the incident at Xing Mountain[1], Zhao joined Qin to attack Qi. Qi was afraid and ordered Tian Zhang[2] to use Yangwu[3] to bribe Zhao to come to an agreement, also offering Shunzi[4] as a bargaining chip. The King of Zhao[5] was delighted, and held back his troops while telling Qin, "Qi is offering Yangwu to our humble state as a gift, and we will also be receiving Shunzi. We wish to lift the pressure on Qi, and have taken the liberty of informing your officials."
秦王使公子他之趙，謂趙王曰：「齊與大國救魏而倍約，不可信恃，大國不義，以告弊邑，而賜之二社之地，以奉祭祀。今又案兵，且欲合齊而受其地，非使臣之所知也。請益甲四萬，大國裁之。」
The King of Qin[6] sent Prince Ta[7] to Zhao, where he spoke to the King, saying, "Qi and your own great state were providing aid to Wei, but Qi betrayed your agreement. They cannot be relied upon, you have observed their lack of principles[8] - you told our humble state as much, and provided two earth spirit altars at which to offer sacrifices preparatory to attacking them[9]. Now[10] you are holding back your troops, and wish to come to an accord with Qi and accept their land. This is beyond your servant's understanding. I would request that you allow us to enrich you by forty thousand men-at-arms, and your great state can then decide what to do."
蘇代為齊獻書穰侯曰：「臣聞往來之者言曰：『秦且益趙甲四萬人以伐齊。』臣竊必之弊邑之王曰：『秦王明而熟於計，穰侯智而習於事，必不益趙甲四萬人以伐齊。』是何也？夫三晉相結，秦之深讎也。三晉百背秦，百欺秦，不為不信，不為無行。今破齊以肥趙，趙，秦之深讎，不利於秦。一也。秦之謀者必曰：『破齊弊晉，而後制晉、楚之勝。』夫齊，罷國也，以天下擊之，譬猶以千鈞之弩潰癰也。秦王安能制晉、楚哉！二也。秦少出兵，則晉、楚不信；多出兵，則晉、楚為制於秦。齊恐，則不走於秦且走晉、楚。三也。齊割地以實晉、楚，則晉、楚安。齊舉兵而為之頓劍，則秦反受兵。四也。是晉、楚以秦破齊，以齊破秦，何晉、楚之智而齊、秦之愚！五也。秦得安邑，善齊以安之，亦必無患矣。秦有安邑，則韓、魏必無上黨哉。夫取三晉之腸胃與出兵而懼其不反也，孰利？故臣竊必之弊邑之王曰：『秦王明而熟於計，穰侯智而習於事，必不益趙甲四萬人以伐齊矣。』」
On Qi's behalf, Su Dai[11] presented a memorial to Marquess Rang[12], saying, "Your servant has heard the talk among those who travel back and forth[13]. They say, 'Qin intends to enrich Zhao by forty thousand men-at-arms in order to attack Qi.' I discreetly spoke to the King of our humble state[14], saying, 'The King of Qin is intelligent and well-versed in strategy; Marquis Rang is wise and has studied the conduct of affairs. They cannot be intending to enrich Zhao with forty thousand men-at-arms in order to attack Qi.' Why is this so? If the Three Jins have come to an agreement, it is because of their profound antipathy against Qin. The Three Jin have betrayed Qin a hundred times, a hundred times they have deceived Qin, but Qin does not treat them as untrustworthy interlocutors, it does not treat them as guilty of bad conduct[15]. If Qin now breaks Qi this will serve to fatten Zhao. The enmity between Zhao and Qin runs very deep; this will be of no profit to Qin. This is point number one. Qin's strategists will surely say, 'If we destroy Qi and weaken the Jins, victory over the Jins and Chu will then be in our hands.' But Qi is a spent state, and using All-Under-Heaven to strike against it is comparable to using a thousand-jun crossbow[16] to burst one's boils[17]. How then could the King of Qin take control over the Jins and Chu? This is point number two. If Qin sends out only a few troops, then the Jins and Chu will not trust them[18]. If Qin sends out many troops, then the Jins and Chu will surrender control to Qin. Qi is afraid of this, and so will not[19] run to Qin for help, but rather will run to the Jins and Chu. This is point number three. If Qi bestows domains upon the Jins and Chu, the Jins and Chu will remain quiet. Then when Qi raises troops and rattles its swords, it is Qin that will be on the receiving end. This is point number four. This being so, the Jins and Chu will use Qin to attack Qi, and use Qi to attack[20] Qin. How could the Jins and Chu be so intelligent and Qi and Qin so stupid? This is point number five. If Qin takes Anyi[21] and placates Qi while it secures the city, then nothing can trouble it. When Qin has Anyi, then Han and Wei will no longer have Shangdang[22]. To rip the guts out of the Three Jin, or dispatch an army in fear that it will not return, where is the greatest benefit? Therefore your servant could not but say discreetly to the King of our humble state[23], 'The King of Qin is intelligent and well-versed in strategy; Marquess Rang is wise and has studied the conduct of affairs. They cannot be intending to enrich Zhao with forty thousand men-at-arms in order to attack Qi.'"
[1] Xing Mountain was an ancestral burial ground for the Zheng royal house, later a part of Han territory after the annexation of Zheng. It later became a part of Chu territory. It is not entirely clear which episode is being referred to here. Chu and Wei fought a battle there in 329 BCE, but Marquess Rang, who is referred to later in the text, did not become a power in Qin until the accession of King Zhaoxiang in 306 BC.
[2] Tian Zhang was a member of the Qi royal house and studied under Mencius, something that did not prevent him from cutting a swathe through the central states. His military career featured several notable victories, culminating when he led a coalition to break through the Hangu Pass and force Qin to sue for peace in 298 BCE.
[3] Yangwu is now in Yuanyang County, Henan.
[4] Shunzi was a Prince in Qi.
[5] King Huiwen of Zhao (298-266 BCE) was a younger son of King Wuling of Zhao, who abdicated in Huiwen's favour. Wuling's elder son, Zhao Zhang, rebelled, but was defeated and pursued by Huiwen's Chancellor, Li Dui. Zhao Zhang fled to his father's residence, where Li Dui besieged them. Wuling killed Zhang in an attempt to convince Li Dui to let him out, but Li Dui starved him to death. King Huiwen had a successful reign, defeating Qin more than once.
[6] King Zhaoxiang of Qin (306–251 BCE). He began his life as a minor prince, serving as a hostage in Yan. When his half-brother, King Wu, died young, King Wuling of Zhao decided to endorse his bid for the throne, smuggling him out of Yan as Wei Ran (the future Marquess Rang) and Lady Mi (the future Queen Xuan) fought off rival candidates internally to make Zhaoxiang King aged only 18.
[7] Prince Ta was a member of the Qin royal house.
[8] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[9] Zhao seems to have offered Qin two towns in return for its assistance in attacking Qi. These are described as being the territories of two different earth spirits, to whom offerings are to be made before beginning the campaign.
[10] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[11] Su Dai was one of Su Qin's brothers.
[12] Marquis Rang (Wei Ran) was the half-brother of Queen Xuan, and thus 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.
[13] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[14] King Xiang of Qi (283–265 BCE) was the son of King Min and married Queen Jun after the former was overthrown. Queen Jun would do much to ensure that Qi would be the last of the states to be conquered by Qin.
[15] Because overt hostility would cause them to unite against Qin.
[16] The commentaries suggest 弩射 for 射, per the commentaries.
[17] I.e. it will end up killing the person who tries it.
[18] I.e. they will not believe that Qin really intends to attack Qi.
[19] According to the commentaries 必 here is superfluous.
[20] Reading 伐 for 破 in both cases, per the commentaries.
[21] Anyi is now Yuncheng, in Shanxi. For a time it was the capital of Wei.
[22] Reading 矣 for 哉, per the commentaries. Shangdang Commandery was an important strategic region on the border between several states.
[23] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
秦宣太后愛魏丑夫
Queen Dowager Xuan of Qin is Partial to Wei Choufu
秦宣太后愛魏醜夫。太后病將死，出令曰：「為我葬，必以魏子為殉。」魏子患之。庸芮為魏子說太后曰：「以死者為有知乎？」太后曰：「無知也。」曰：「若太后之神靈，明知死者之無知矣，何為空以生所愛，葬於無知之死人哉！若死者有知，先王積怒之日久矣，太后救過不贍，何暇乃私魏醜夫乎？」太后曰：「善。」乃止。
Queen Dowager Xuan of Qin[1] was partial to Wei Choufu[2]. When the Queen Dowager was sick and on the verge of death, she issued an order, saying, "When you bury me, Master Wei must be sacrificed to accompany me." Master Wei was troubled.
Yong Rui[3] exercised his persuasions on the Queen Dowager on Master Wei's behalf, saying, "Do you take it that the dead retain their awareness?"
The Queen Dowager said, "Not at all."
He said, "As Your Majesty's metaphysical position is thus, and you know well that the dead have no awareness, why expend the life of a loved one in a meaningless gesture, burying him next to an oblivious corpse? If the dead have any awareness, the former King will have been storing up his anger for many a long day, and even if you beg for a reprieve for your transgressions, none will come. How could you hope to keep Wei Choufu a secret pleasure[4]?"
The Queen Dowager said, "Very well," and abandoned her plan.
[1] Queen Xuan of Qin began her career as a low-ranking concubine, being elevated after her son became King Zhaoxiang.
[2] Wei Choufu was originally from Wei, but worked as a politician in Qin.
[3] Yong Rui was a politician in Qin.
[4] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.