魏四 THE STRATAGEMS OF WEI IV (A)
獻書秦王
A Memorial is Offered to the King of Qin
獻書秦王曰：「昔竊聞大王之謀出事於梁，謀恐不出於計矣，願大王之熟計之也。梁者，山東之要也。有蛇於此，擊其尾，其首救；擊其首，其尾救；擊其中身，首尾皆救。今梁王，天下之中身也。秦攻梁者，是示天下要斷山東之脊也，是山東首尾皆救中身之時也。山東見亡必恐，恐必大合，山東尚強，臣見秦之必大憂可立而待也。臣竊為大王計，不如南出。事於南方，其兵弱，天下必能救，地可廣大，國可富，兵可強，主可尊。王不聞湯之伐桀乎？試之弱密須氏以為武教，得密須氏而湯之服桀矣。今秦國與山東為讎，不先以弱為武教，兵必大挫，國必大憂。」秦果南攻藍田、鄢、郢。
A memorial was offered[1] to the King of Qin[2], saying, "Your humble servant[3] has heard that your plan is to move into Liang and pursue your interests there, and I am afraid that you will not be able to execute this strategy as planned. I hope that you will consider your projects intensively. Of all the states east of the mountains[4], Liang is the centre. The states are like a snake: if you hit the tail, the head will fight back; if you hit the head, then the tail will fight back; if you hit the middle, then both the head and the tail will fight back[5]. Now Liang[6] is the backbone of All-Under-Heaven[7]; if Qin attacks Liang[8], you will be signalling that you intend to sever the spine of the states east of the mountains. This being so, both head and tail will fight back at once and protect the middle of the body. The states east of the mountain will see their demise approaching and be afraid. This fear will push them to form a grand alliance. There is still some strength among the states east of the mountains and I foresee that Qin will certainly be called upon to endure great afflictions. Your servant has taken the liberty of formulating a strategy for Your Majesty: there would be no better option than to head south[9]. Seek your advantage there, for the southern armies are weak and All-Under-Heaven will not help them[10]. You will be able to expand Qin's territories[11], make the state prosperous, strengthen its armies and win respect for its lord. Has Your Majesty not heard how Tang[12] attacked Jie[13]? He first tested his troops against the weak House of Mixu[14] to improve their military skills. After taking the lands of the House of Mixu, Tang knew[15] he could turn and attack Jie. Now you wish[16] to make enemies of the states east of the mountains, but if you do not first address your weaknesses and correct them through military practice, then your troops will certainly be completely crushed and your state will suffer great misery." As a result of this, Qin turned south and attacked Lantian[17], Yan[18] and Ying[19].
[1] The name of the person who offered it may be missing.
[2] 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.
[3] Reading 臣 for 昔, per the commentaries.
[4] "East of the mountains" refers to all of the states except Qin. The phrase refers to Mount Hua, which marked Qin's eastern border.
[5] The commentaries suggest 俱 for 皆 here.
[6] 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.
[7] Reading 今梁者，天下之中身也 for 今梁王，天下之脊也 here, per the commentaries.
[8] The commentaries suggest 夫秦 for 秦 here.
[9] I.e. in Chu.
[10] The commentaries agree that there should be a 不 in this clause, but they are not sure where.
[11] The commentaries suggest that 大 here is superfluous.
[12] Tang of Shang (c. 1675-1646 BCE) overthrew King Jie to become the first ruler of the Shang Dynasty.
[13] King Jie (c. 1728-1675 BCE) was the tyrannical last ruler of the Xia Dynasty.
[14] The Mixu clan were members of the pre-Zhou nobility. Originally from Gansu, by this point they had moved to rule a state in modern Xinmi, Henan.
[15] Reading 知 for 之, per the commentaries.
[16] Reading 欲 for 國, per the commentaries.
[17] Lantian was in modern Chang'an, Shaanxi. This campaign took place in 278 BCE.
[18] Yan is now Yicheng in Hubei.
[19] Ying was the capital of Chu. It is now Jingzhou in Hubei.
八年謂魏王
Speaking the King of Wei in the Eighteenth year of the Present Reign
八年，謂魏王曰：「昔曹恃齊而輕晉，齊伐釐、莒而晉人亡曹。繒恃齊以悍越，齊和子亂而越人亡繒。鄭恃魏以輕韓，伐榆關而韓氏亡鄭。原恃秦、翟以輕晉，秦、翟年穀大凶而晉人亡原。中山恃齊、魏以輕趙，齊、魏伐楚而趙亡中山。此五國所以亡者，皆其所恃也。非獨此五國為然而已也，天下之亡國皆然矣。夫國之所以不可恃者多，其變不可勝數也。或以政教不脩，上下不輯，而不可恃者；或有諸侯鄰國之虞，而不可恃者；或以年穀不登，嘡積竭盡，而不可恃者；或化於利，比於患。臣以此知國之不可必恃也。今王恃楚之強，而信春申君之言，以是質秦，而久不可知。即春申君有變，是王獨受秦患也。即王有萬乘之國，而以一人之心為命也。臣以此為不完，願王之熟計之也。」
In the eighteenth year of the present reign[1], a speech was given[2] before the King of Wei[3]. It went as follows: "In the past, Cao[4] was dependent upon Qi and disdained Jin, but when Qi was busy attacking Lai[5] and Ju[6], Jin's partisans destroyed Cao. Zeng was dependent upon Qi and disdained Yue[7], but when Qi was busy dealing with Prince He's[8] rebellion, Yue's partisans destroyed Zeng. Zheng was dependent upon Wei and disdained Han, but when Wei[9] was busy attacking Yuguan[10], the House of Han destroyed Zheng. Yuan[11] was dependent upon Qin and Di[12] and disdained Jin, but when Qin and Di were incapacitated by famine, Jin's partisans wiped out Yuan. Zhongshan was dependent upon Qi and Wei and disdained Zhao, but when Qi and Wei were busy attacking Chu, Zhao destroyed Zhongshan. The cause of all of these five states' destruction was their dependence upon upon others[13]. It was not just the case with these five states either; such is the way with every state that that is extinguished from within All-Under-Heaven. The reasons why states cannot rely upon others are many and their vacillations are innumerable. If they are politically uncultivated, or if there is no concord between their leaders and their subordinates, then they cannot be depended upon. If they are under pressure from the other sovereign lords on their borders, then they cannot be depended upon. If the year's harvest was insufficient and their livestock have been exhausted[14], then they cannot be depended upon. Thus they transform from sources of profit into sources of misery. This is how your servant knows that a state cannot exist in a state of enforced dependence. Currently you are dependent upon Chu's strength and put your trust in the words of Lord Chunshen[15]. As a result of this your state is at Qin's mercy[16]. It is impossible to know what Lord Chunshen will do in the long run. If his position changes, then you will be the one to suffer a Qin invasion. Even though Your Majesty has a state of ten thousand chariots, your fate is dependent upon the mind of a single man. I believe that this will not end well, and I hope that you will consider your plans intensively."
[1] Reading 十八 for 八 here per the commentaries. Modern translations suggest that this took place in the sixth year of the reign of King Zheng of Qin, in which case the text presumably comes from the official annals of Yan, since the eighteenth year of King Xiao of Yan coincided with the sixth year of King Zheng.
[2] There seems to be a missing character here. If this is indeed an extract from the Yan archives, this person is probably a Yan official.
[3] 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.
[4] Cao was in modern Heze, Shandong.
[5] Reading 萊 for 釐 here, per the commentaries.
[6] The state of Ju.
[7] Reading 而輕 for 以悍, per the commentaries.
[8] The commentaries suggest that this refers to Duke Tai of Qi (386-384 BCE), whose personal name was Tian He. He was the first de jure leader of Qi from the House of Tian following their coup against the House of Jiang.
[9] Reading 魏伐 for 伐, per the commentaries.
[10] Yuguan was in modern Zhongmu County, Henan.
[11] The state of Yuan.
[12] The state of Di.
[13] Reading 有 for 其, per the commentaries.
[14] Reading 畜 for 嘡. The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[15] Lord Chunshen, also known as Huang Xie, was a renowned statesman in Chu. He successfully resisted the Qin advance for many years, before being assassinated on the orders of Li Yuan, a political rival, in 238 BC.
[16] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
魏王問張旄
The King of Wei Questions Zhang Mao
魏王問張旄曰：「吾欲與秦攻韓，何如？」張旄對曰：「韓且坐而胥亡乎？且割而從天下乎？」王曰：「韓且割而從天下。」張旄曰：「韓怨魏乎？怨秦乎？」王曰：「怨魏。」張旄曰：「韓強秦乎？強魏乎？」王曰：「強秦。」張旄曰：「韓且割而從其所強，與所不怨乎？且割而從其所不強，與其所怨乎？」王曰：「韓將割而從其所強，與其所不怨。」張旄曰：「攻韓之事，王自知矣。」
The King of Wei[1] questioned Zhang Mao[2], saying, "I wish to join Qin in an attack on Han. How would that be?"
Zhang Mao replied, "And will Han just sit there and willingly allow itself to be exterminated? Or will it offer land in exchange for an alliance with one of the other states in All-Under-Heaven?"
The King said, "Han will offer land in exchange for an alliance with one of the other states in All-Under-Heaven."
Zhang Mao said, "Which of you will Han resent more for this? Wei or Qin?"
The King said, "It will resent Wei more[3]."
Zhang Mao said, "Who does Han consider to be stronger? Wei or Qin?"
The King said, "It considers Qin to be stronger."
Zhang Mao said, "Will Han prefer to offer land for an alliance with a state it considers strong and against which it holds no resentment? Or with a state it considers weak and against which it bears a grudge?"
The King said, "Han will offer land for an alliance with the state it considers strongest and against which it bears no grudge."
Zhang Mao said, "Concerning this attack on Han, you have already worked out the answer for yourself."
[1] It is not clear which King of Wei is indicated here.
[2] Zhang Mao was a politician in Wei.
[3] Because Han and Wei had previously been long-term allies.
客謂司馬食其
A Visitor Speaks to Sima Yiqi
客謂司馬食其曰：「慮久以天下為可一者，是不知天下者也。欲獨以魏支秦者，是又不知魏者也。謂茲公不知此兩者，又不知茲公者也。然而茲公為從，其說何也？從則茲公重，不從則茲公輕，茲公之處重也，不實為期。子何不疾及三國方堅也，自賣於秦，秦必受子。不然，橫者將圖子以合於秦，是取子之資，而以資子之讎也。」
A visitor spoke to Sima Yiqi[1], saying, "If there are those who consider[2] that All-Under-Heaven can be united in a defensive alliance[3], it is because they do not understand All-Under-Heaven. If there is anyone who expects Wei to resist Qin, it is because they do not understand Wei. If there are those who say that Zi Gong[4] does not understand both these things, it is because they do not understand Zi Gong. Why, under the circumstances, is Zi Gong arguing in favour of an alliance? If we are working to build an alliance then Zi Gong's influence will increase; otherwise his influence will diminish. His continued influence lies not in achieving the outcome but in working towards it. Why not do all you can now to reinforce the position of the three states[5] and then sell yourself to Qin, who will certainly be willing to take you in[6]? If not, then some partisan of the Horizontal Alliance will use your actions to negotiate their own accord with Qin. Thus they will take the capital you have built up and and use it to enrich your enemy."
[1] Sima Shiqi was a politician in Wei. Presumably he was pro-Qin.
[2] The commentaries suggest that 久 is superfluous.
[3] Againt Qin.
[4] It is not clear who this was, or even whether it is correctly written.
[5] This would have been an anti-Qin alliance, though it is not clear which states apart from Wei were to be involved in it.
[6] Being worried about the threat from the three states that Sima Yiqi has himself amplified.
魏秦伐楚
Wei and Qin Launch an Attack on Chu
魏、秦伐楚，魏王不欲。樓緩謂魏王曰：「王不與秦攻楚，楚且與秦攻王。王不如令秦、楚戰，王交制之也。」
Wei and Qin[1] launched an attack on Chu despite the King of Wei's[2] reluctance. Lou Huan[3] spoke to him, saying, "If you do not attack Chu with Qin, then Chu will attack you with Qin. The best option would be to have Qin and Chu fight, and then you will have the deciding power in the relationship[4]."
[1] Yao suggests 秦、魏 for 魏、秦 here.
[2] 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.
[3] Lou Huan was dispatched to Qin by King Wuling of Zhao, where he became Chancellor and served as the architect of an alliance between Qin and Zhao.
[4] The commentaries suggest that 也 here is superfluous.
穰侯攻大梁
Marquis Rang Attacks Daliang
穰侯攻大梁，乘北郢，魏王且從。謂穰侯曰：「君攻楚得宛、穰以廣陶，得許、鄢陵以廣陶，秦王不問者，何也？以大梁之未亡也。今日大梁亡，許、鄢陵必議，議則君必窮。為君計者，勿攻便。」
Marquis Rang[1] attacked Daliang[2] and overran the lands to the north[3]. The King of Wei[4] went to beg to join Qin's alliance, saying to Marquis Rang, "Your Lordship has attacked Chu and taken Wan[5] and Rang[6], thus expanding your domains beyond Tao[7]. You attacked Qi and took Gang[7] and Bo[8], and thus further expanded your domains. You attacked Wei[9] and took Xu[10] and Yanling[11], enlarging your domains even further. The King of Qin[12] has not questioned you about this. Why? Because Daliang has not yet been wiped out. The day that Daliang is extinguished, he will certainly have something to say regarding Xu and Yanling, and when he does you will will be finished. Strategically speaking, it would be better for you if your attack did not succeed."[13]
[1] 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.
[2] Daliang was the capital of Wei. It is now Kaifeng in Henan.
[3] The commentaries give different possible readings for this sentence, but tend to agree that 郢 is either an error or a reference to a region in Wei, rather than to the capital of Chu.
[4] 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.
[4] Wan was in modern Nanyang, Henan.
[5] Rang was in modern Dengzhou, Henan.
[6] Tao was Marquis Rang's existing fiefdom. It was in modern Heze, Shandong.
[7] Gang was in modern Ningyang County, Shandong.
[8] Bo was in modern Yuncheng County, Shandong.
[9] Reading 攻魏得許for 得許, per the commentaries.
[10] Xu is now Xuchang in Hunan.
[11] Yanling is still called Yanling, and is in Hunan.
[12] King Zhaoxiang of Qin (306-251 BCE) began life as a relatively minor prince, and served as a child hostage in Zhao before being sneaked out by Queen Xuan (his mother), her brother Wei Ran, and King Wuling of Zhao to assume the throne following the premature death of his brother, King Wu. Upon coming of age, he exiled Queen Xuan and Wei Ran, and worked with a succession of important figures of the age (Gan Mao, Fan Ju, Bai Qi...) to expand Qin's territory during the course of a long and successful reign.
[13] The point of this story is that Wei Ran had been taking advantage of his conquests to add to his own personal lands, but this was tolerated because the state depended upon him to destroy Wei. Once Wei has been taken, the Qin authorities will grow tired of his acquisitiveness and get rid of him.
白珪謂新城君
Bai Gui Speaks to Lord Xincheng
白珪謂新城君曰：「夜行者能無為姦，不能禁狗使無吠己也。故臣能無議君於王，不能禁人議臣於君也。」
Bai Gui[1] spoke to Lord Xincheng[2], saying[3], "Someone who goes out at night may not be doing anything criminal, but that will not stop the watchdogs from barking at him. Likewise, while I may not be gossiping about you with the King[4], that will not stop others gossiping about me with you[5]."
[1] Bai Gui was a politician and engineer in Wei. Elsewhere this argument is attributed to Duan Chan.
[2] Also known as Mi Rong and Lord Huayang, Lord Xincheng was the brother of Queen Xuan of Qin and the uncle of King Zhaoxiang.
[3] Liu suggests 圭 for 珪 here.
[4] It is not clear which king is indicated here.
[5] The commentaries suggest that 臣 here may be superfluous.
秦攻韓之管
Qin Attacks Guan in Han
秦攻韓之管，魏王發兵救之。昭忌曰：「夫秦強國也，而韓、魏壤梁，不出攻則已，若出攻，非於韓也必魏也。今幸而於韓，此魏之福也。王若救之，夫解攻者，必韓之管也；致攻者，必魏之梁也。」魏王不聽，曰：「若不因救韓，韓怨魏，西合於秦，秦、韓為一，則魏危。」遂救之。
Qin attacked Guan[1] in Han and the King of Wei[2] was preparing to send troops to Han's aid. Zhao Ji[3] said, "Qin is a strong state, and both Han and Wei share borders with it[4]. If Qin does not launch a new attack then that will be the end of it, but in the event that it does, if it does not target Han it will certainly target Wei[5]. It is Wei's good fortune that Qin's attentions are currently focused on Han. If you send aid then Qin will lift its siege on Guan and attack your city of Daliang instead."
The King of Wei would not listen, saying, "If we do not help Han when we can[6] then Han will bear a grudge. It will turn west and make an accord with Qin. With Qin and Han working together Wei will be in danger." Accordingly, he sent aid.
秦果釋管而攻魏。魏王大恐，謂昭忌曰：「不用子之計而禍至，為之奈何？」昭忌乃為之見秦王曰：「臣聞明主之聽也，不以挾私為政，是參行也。願大王無攻魏，聽臣也。」秦王曰：「何也？」昭忌曰：「山東之從，時合時離，何也哉？」秦王曰：「不識也。」曰：「天下之合也，以王之不必也；其離也，以王之必也。今攻韓之管，國危矣，未卒而移兵於梁，合天下之從，無精於此者矣。以為秦之求索，必不可支也。故為王計者，不如齊趙。秦已制趙，則燕不敢不事秦，荊、齊不能獨從。天下爭敵於秦，則弱矣。」秦王乃止。
The result of this was that Qin gave up on Guan and attacked Wei. The King of Wei was terrified, and spoke to Zhao Ji, saying, "We did not make use of your advice and now we are suffering for it. What should we do about this?"
Consequently, Zhao Ji sought an audience with the King of Qin[7] on the King of Wei's behalf. He said, "Your servant has heard that an intelligent sovereign governs by listening to others and not clinging to his own preferences. Thus he acts consultatitively. I hope that Your Majesty will refrain from attacking Wei and listen to what I have to say."
The King of Qin said, "Why?"
Zhao Ji said, "The states east of the mountains[8] are sometimes united and sometimes divided. Why is this so[9]?"
The King of Qin said, "I do not know."
Zhao Ji said, "They unite when you vacillate[10]; they divide when you are resolute. You just attacked Guan in Han. The state of Han was in mortal danger, but before your troops could finish it off you moved them to Liang. Nothing could do more to favour an accord within All-Under-Heaven than this, given that the other states feel Qin's demands to be unendurable. Therefore I have come up with a plan for Your Majesty. You could do no better than to take control of Zhao[11]. This done, Yan will not dare to refuse to serve your interests, and neither Jing nor Qi will be able to form an alliance alone[12]. The states of All-Under-Heaven will vie among themselves in their opposition to you, and so will be weakened." Accordingly the King of Qin halted his former plans.
[1] Guan is now called Guancheng, and it is in Henan.
[2] It is not clear which King of Wei is indicated here.
[3] Zhao Ji was a politician in Wei.
[4] Reading 秦 for 梁 here, per the commentaries.
[5] Reading 必於 for 必 here, per the commentaries.
[6] According to the commentaries 因 here may be superfluous.
[7] 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.
[8] This refers to Mount Hua, which marked Qin's eastern border.
[9] The commentaries suggest that 哉 here may be superfluous.
[10] The commentaries suggest that 也 here may be superfluous.
[11] Reading 制 for 齊, per the commentaries.
[12] The commentaries suggest 濟 for 齊 here, but modern translations do not accept the modification.
秦趙構難而戰
Relations between Qin and Zhao Degenerate and they go to War
秦、趙構難而戰。謂魏王曰：「不如齊、趙而構之秦。王不構趙，趙不以毀構矣；而構之秦，趙必復鬥，必重魏；是并制秦、趙之事也。王欲焉而收齊、趙攻荊，欲焉而收荊、趙攻齊，欲王之東長之待之也。」
Relations between Qin and Zhao had degenerated, and thus they went to war[1]. Someone spoke to the King of Wei[2], saying, "The best thing would be for you to accept Zhao as a supplicant[3] and escalate your conflict with Qin. If you do not come to terms with Zhao, then it will not be able - in its broken state - to pursue its grievance against Qin[4]. But if we take the initiative in the fight with Qin, then Zhao will certainly turn and join us in the fight, reinforcing our efforts[5]. In that case, we will have control over the affairs of both Qin and Zhao. If you so wish, you will then be able to secure the assistance of Qi and Zhao to attack Jing. They want you to dominate the east, and are waiting for this[6]."
[1] This refers to the events that led up to the Battle of Changping in 262 BCE.
[2] King Anxi of Wei (276-243 BCE) suffered repeated attacks by Qin throughout his reign.
[3] Reading 收 for 齊, per the commentaries.
[4] Following the interpretation given by the commentaries.
[5] The commentaries suggest reading 鬥，鬥 for 鬥 here.
[6] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
長平之役
The Battle of Changping
長平之役，平都君說魏王曰：「王胡不為從？」魏王曰：「秦許吾以垣雍。」平都君曰：「臣以垣雍為空割也。」魏王曰：「何謂也？」平都君曰：「秦、趙久相持於長平之下而無決。天下合於秦，則無趙；合於趙，則無秦。秦恐王之變也，故以垣雍餌王也。秦戰勝趙，王敢責垣雍之割乎？」王曰：「不敢。」「秦戰不勝趙，王能令韓出垣雍之割乎？王曰「不能。」「臣故曰，垣雍空割也。」魏王曰：「善。」
During the Battle of Changping[1] Lord Pingdu[2] exercised his persuasions on the King of Wei[3], saying, "Why does Your Majesty not form an alliance against Qin?"
The King of Wei said, "Qin promised me Yuanyong[4]."
Lord Pingdu said, "Your servant considers Yuanyong a worthless concession."
The King of Wei said, "Why do you call it such?"
Lord Pingdu said, "Qin and Zhao have long been locked in stalemate beneath the walls of Changping with neither able to secure a decisive victory. If All-Under-Heaven allies with Qin, then Zhao will be no more. If All-Under-Heaven allies with Zhao, then Qin will be no more.
Qin is afraid that you will switch sides so it is offering you Yuanyong as bait, but if Qin fights and defeats Zhao, would you dare to take it?"
The King said, "I would not."
"If Qin fights and cannot defeat Zhao, would you be able to make Han give you Yuanyong?"
The King said, "I would not."
"This is why your servant says that Yuanyong is a worthless concession."
The King of Wei said, "Very well."
[1] The Battle of Changping was a massive defeat of Zhao by Qin, taking place in the years 262-260 BCE.
[2] Lord Pingdu was a politician in Wei, and a partisan of war with Qin.
[3] King Anxi of Wei (276-243 BCE) suffered repeated attacks by Qin throughout his reign.
[4] Yuanyong was in modern Yuanyang County, Henan. Han had previously acquired it from Wei, and Qin was promising to return it in return for Wei's neutrality in its conflict with Han.
樓梧約秦魏
Lou Wu Brokers an Agreement between Qin and Wei
樓梧約秦、魏，將令秦王遇於境。謂魏王曰：「遇而無相，秦必置相。不聽之，則交惡於秦；聽之，則後王之臣，將皆務事諸侯之能令於王之上者。且遇於秦而相秦者，是無齊也，秦必輕王之強矣。有齊者，不若相之，齊必喜，是以有雍者與秦遇，秦必重王矣。」
Lou Wu[1] brokered an agreement between Qin and Wei, and planned to have the King of Qin[2] attend a meeting on the border. Someone spoke to the King of Wei[3], saying, "If you go to the meeting without a Chancellor, then Qin will certainly oblige you to appoint one of its choosing. If you do not listen to Qin's suggestion[4], then your relations will degenerate. If you do listen, then Your Majesty's advisors will all devote themselves to serving the interests of whichever of the other sovereign lords is able to ensure that his orders are prioritised above yours[5]. Moreover, if you meet with Qin and then appoint Qin's preferred candidate as Chancellor, then you will lose Qi's support, and Qin will despise you for your weakness. If one of Qi's partisans is available, nothing would be better than to appoint him Chancellor now[6]. Qi will be delighted, and thus you will be able to meet Qin with Qi[7] at your side. Qin will certainly treat you with more respect."
[1] This person is not otherwise well-known, but the text implies that he was working for Wei. The commentaries disagree regarding the correct orthography of his name.
[2] 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.
[3] It is not clear which King of Wei is intended here.
[4] Yao suggests that 之 here may be superfluous.
[5] The commentaries suggest that 之 here is superfluous.
[6] The commentaries suggest 王不 for 王 here.
[7] Reading 齊 for 雍, per the commentaries.
芮宋欲絕秦趙之交
Rui Song Wishes to Sever the relationship Between Qin and Zhao
芮宋欲絕秦、趙之交，故令魏氏收秦太后之養地秦王於秦。芮宋謂秦王曰：「魏委國於王，而王不受，故委國於趙也。李郝謂臣曰：『子言無秦，而養秦太后以地，是欺我也，故敝邑收之。』」秦王怒，遂絕趙也。
Rui Song[1] wished to sever the relationship between Qin and Zhao, so he had the House of Wei take back the domain it had offered to provide an income for the Queen Dowager of Qin[2], which angered[3] the King of Qin[4]. Rui Song spoke to the King of Qin, saying, "We put our state at your disposal, but you would not accept our offer so we offered ourselves to Zhao instead, upon which Li Hao[5] spoke to your servant, saying, 'You say that Qin is not your ally, and yet you are providing an income to the Queen Dowager. Obviously you have deceived me.' Therefore our humble state is taking it back."[6] The King of Qin was irate and consequently broke off relations with Zhao[7].
[1] Rui Song was a politician from Wei.
[2] Queen Dowager Xuan, the mother of King Zhaoxiang. With her family and the aid of King Wuling of Zhao she managed to ensure that her son took the throne following the unexpected death of his older brother, King Wu. With her brother, Marquis Rang, she ruled while Zhaoxiang was still underage, but he eventually succeeded in forcing both out after he attained maturity.
[3] Reading 怒 for
[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 Dowager 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 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] Li Hao was a politician in Zhao.
[6] This only makes sense if punctuated as 是欺我也。』故敝邑收之」rather than 是欺我也，故敝邑收之。』」 Modern translations follow this interpretation.
[7] The commentaries suggest that 也 here may be superfluous.
為魏謂楚王
Speaking to the King of Chu on Wei's Behalf
為魏謂楚王曰：「索攻魏於秦，秦必不聽王矣，是智困於秦，而交疏於魏也。楚、魏有怨，則秦重矣。故王不如順天下，遂伐齊，與魏便地，兵不傷，交不變，所欲必得矣。」
Someone spoke to the King of Chu[1] on Wei's behalf, saying, "You are seeking to have Qin attack Wei[2], but Qin will certainly not listen to you. This being so, your capacities will be circumscribed in Qin, while your relations with Wei decline. Resentment between Chu and Wei will grow, and this will bolster Qin's influence. Therefore, nothing would be better than for you to follow the other states in All-Under-Heaven and attack Qi, offering a suitable amount of the land you gain to Wei. Your soldiers will suffer no harm, your relations will not change, and you will certainly get what you want."
[1] King Qingxiang of Chu (298–263 BCE) was the son of King Huai, and ascended the throne while his father was still held prisoner in Qin.
[2] Presumably, given the context described in the second part of the argument, to prevent Wei from attacking Chu.
管鼻之令翟強與秦事
Guan Bizhi Sends Di Qiang to Qin to Serve as his Agent There
管鼻之令翟強與秦事，謂魏王曰：「鼻之與強，猶晉人之與楚人也。晉人見楚人之急，帶劍而緩之；楚人惡其緩而急之。令鼻之入秦之傳舍，舍不足以舍之。強之入，無蔽於秦者。強，王貴臣也，而秦若此其甚，安可？」
Guan Bizhi[1] sent Di Qiang[2] to Qin to serve as his agent there. He[3] then spoke to the King of Wei[4], saying, "I am to Di as Jin's[5] partisans were to Chu's. Jin's partisans saw that Chu's were fast approaching and strapped on their swords to slow down the advance. Chu's partisans resented this attempt to delay them, and pressed their advance all the more. Bizhi is currently[6] resident in Qin's official guesthouse, but it is insufficient to house his entourage. Now Zhai has installed himself there, but there is no one to keep an eye on him[7]. Zhai is your honoured minister. Will Qin will treat him with the same regard?"[8]
[1] It is not entirely clear whether this person was called Bi or Bizhi. The commentaries suggest the latter, modern translations the former. He was a politician in Wei, and favoured an alliance between Chu, Qin and Wei, excluding Chu, which made him an opponent of Di Qiang.
[2] Di Qiang was a politician in Wei and served as Chancellor for a time. He favoured an alliance between Qi, Qin and Wei, excluding Chu, which made him an opponent of Lou Bizhi.
[3] Following the interpretation given by the commentaries.
[4] 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.
[5] I.e. Wei's.
[6] Reading 今 for 令, per the commentaries.
[7] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[8] Guan Bizhi seems to be implying that he attempted to prevent Di Qiang from going to sell his services in Qin, but his efforts simply served to encourage Qiang, who - being in Qin and unobserved - is now susceptible to being bought.