趙一 THE STRATAGEMS OF ZHAO I (C)
蘇秦為趙王使於秦
Su Qin Serves as an Envoy for the King of Zhao in Qin
蘇秦為趙王使於秦，反，三日不得見。謂趙王曰：「秦乃者過柱山，有兩木焉。一蓋呼侶，一蓋哭。問其故，對曰：『吾已大矣，年已長矣，吾苦夫匠人，且以繩墨案婔矩刻鏤我。一蓋曰：『此非吾所苦也，是故吾事也。吾所苦夫鐵鉆然，自入而出夫人者。』今臣使於秦，而三日不見，無有謂臣為鐵鉆者乎？」
Su Qin[1] had been serving as an envoy for the King of Zhao[2] in Qin. Upon his return three days passed before he could secure an audience. When he spoke to the King of Zhao, he said, "I once crossed Zhu Mountain[3], where two trees grow. I heard one of them sighing and the other weeping. I asked them the reason and one replied, 'I have grown tall and my years draw out. I am about to suffer an encounter with the carpenter. He will mark me with an inked cord and a square and rule, and cut and carve me.' The other said, 'This is no source of suffering for me; such is my role in life. What is a source of suffering for me is the iron drill that will be used, which will dig into me and produce only sawdust[4].' Now I served as your envoy to Qin and have gone three days without an audience, have you not simply used me[5] as an iron drill?"
[1] Su Qin was the principal proponent of the anti-Qin vertical alliance.
[2] It is not clear which King of Zhao is indicated here.
[3] It is not clear where Zhu Mountain was.
[4] Reading 屑 for 夫人 as the commentaries suggest. This sentence may be garbled, and this is a best-guess interpretation.
[5] Reading 為 for 謂, per the commentaries.
甘茂為秦約魏以攻韓宜陽
Working on Qin's Behalf, Gan Mao MakeS an Agreement with Wei to Attack the Fortress of Yiyang in Han
甘茂為秦約魏以攻韓宜陽，又北之趙，冷向謂強國曰：「不如令趙拘甘茂，勿出，以與齊、韓、秦市。齊王欲求救宜陽，必效縣狐氏。韓欲有宜陽，必以路涉、端氏賂趙。秦王欲得宜陽，不愛名寶，且拘茂也，且以置公孫赫、樗里疾。」
Working on Qin's behalf, Gan Mao[1] made an agreement with Wei to attack the Fortress of Yiyang[2] in Han and headed north into Zhao. Leng Xiang[3] spoke to Qiang Guo[4], saying, "You had better have Zhao arrest Gan Mao and not let him out, then use him to bargain with Qi, Han and Qin. If the King of Qi[5] wishes to aid Yiyang[6], he must offer up Hushi County[7]. If Han wants to preserve[8] Yiyang[9], it must use Lushe[10] and Duanshi[11] to bribe Zhao. If the King of Qin[12] wants to take Yiyang, then he cannot afford to be parsimonious with his renowned treasures, and with Mao detained he will appoint Gongsun He[13] and Chuli Ji[14]."
[1] Gan Mao was a General and politician in Qin. He would later successfully conquer Yiyang.
[2] Yiyang was a key defensive stronghold preventing the Qin advance. It was in Yiyang County, Henan.
[3] Leng Shang was a politician in Han.
[4] Qiang Guo was a politician in Zhao.
[5] 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.
[6] By maintaining Gan Mao in detention.
[7] It is not clear where this was.
[8] The commentaries suggest 存 for 有 here.
[9] Also by maintaining Gan Mao in detention.
[10] It is not clear where Lushe was.
[11] Duanshi was in modern Qinshui County, Shanxi.
[12] 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.
[13] Also known as Shang Shou, Gongsun He was a relation of King Zhaoxiang's mother, Queen Xuan, and had grown up with the King.
[14] Chuli Ji was a celebrated Qin General.
謂皮相國
Speaking to Chancellor Pi
謂皮相國曰：「以趙之弱而據之建信君，涉孟之讎然者何也？以從為有功也。齊不從，建信君知從之無功。建信者安能以無功惡秦哉？不能以無功惡秦，則且出兵助秦攻魏，以楚、趙分齊，則是強畢矣。建信、春申從，則無功而惡秦。秦分齊，齊亡魏，則有功而善秦。故兩君者，擇有功之無功為知哉？」
Someone spoke to Chancellor Pi[1], saying, "Given Zhao's weakness, why do you rely upon enemies like Lord Jianxin[2] and She Meng[3]? It is because they have achieved success through alliances[4]. Qi will not agree to an alliance, and Lord Jianxin knows that an attempt to make one will not succeed. How could Jianxin[5] use this failure to damage Qin? It is impossible to damage Qin with a failed alliance, so he will dispatch troops to help Qin attack Wei[6], allowing Chu and Zhao to partition Qi between them, and thus, in the end, Zhao will be strengthened[7]. If Jianxin and Chunshen[8] form an alliance, this will then harm Qin, and Qin will have to form an alliance with Qi[9], and Qi would then wipe out Wei, so in this case a successful alliance would benefit Qin. How then are the two lords[10] to discern between success and failure[11]?"
[1] Chancellor Pi served in Zhao, but his given name is unknown.
[2] Lord Jianxin was a businessman and a rival of Lü Buwei. He also had a political career in Zhao.
[3] She Meng is not otherwise well-known.
[4] The commentaries disagree as to the precise reading of these sentences, but the general sense is clear.
[5] Yao suggests 君 for 者 here.
[6] Presumably without the benefit of a formal alliance.
[7] That is, Zhao will make an agreement with Chu to distract Qin while Chu invades Qi, with Zhao then getting a share in the spoils from Qin's attack on Wei and Chu's attack on Qi.
[8] Lord Chunshen was Chancellor of Chu.
[9] Reading 合 for 分, per the commentaries.
[10] It is not clear which two are being referred to here.
[11] This is clearly deliberately written to be confusing - the idea seems to be that the short term beneficiaries of any plan will be the long term victims and vice versa, but it seems that the text may have been corrupted at some point, making it difficult to follow the thread.
或謂皮相國
Someone Speaks to Chancellor Pi
或謂皮相國曰：「魏殺呂遼而衛兵，亡其北陽而梁危，河間封不定而齊危，文信不得志，三晉倍之憂也。今魏恥未滅，趙患又起，文信侯之憂大矣。齊不從，三晉之心疑矣。憂大者不計而構，心疑者事秦急。秦、魏之構，不待割而成。秦從楚、魏攻齊，獨吞趙，齊、趙必俱亡矣。」
Someone[1] spoke to Chancellor Pi[1], saying, "Wei killed Lü Liao[3] so Wey's troops appropriated Wei's city of Beiyang[4], putting Liang[5] in danger. Domains in Hejian[6] are no longer secure, and Zhao[7] is at risk. Though Wenxin[8] has still not attained his desire, the three Jin[9] have been brought to grief[10]. Now Wei's shame[11] has not yet been extinguished, and Zhao's troubles have returned, with Marquis Wenxin adding to their suffering[12]. Without Qi to form them into an alliance, the three Jin remain suspicious of one another in their hearts. Being in great distress with no strategy, they are suing for peace; being filled with mutual suspicion, they are rushing to serve Qin. Qin and Wei are negotiating an accord without bothering to wait on the completion of a land-exchange[13]. If Qin makes followers of Chu and Wei and has them attack Qi, then Qin alone will be able to engulf Zhao, and Qi and Zhao will both be doomed."
[1] Bao suggests that 或 here is superfluous, but then the title of this chapter would be identical to the previous one.
[2] Chancellor Pi served in Zhao, but his given name is unknown.
[3] Lü Liao was a Wei politician with influence in Qin.
[4] This may be intended to read 比陽, in which case it would be transcribed as Biyang. It was in Nanyang in modern Henan. This follows the interpretation given by the commentaries, which suggest that Wey was a Qin ally at the time, so when Wei killed Lü Liao, Qin had Wey seek revenge on Wei.
[5] Liang was an alternative name for Wei.
[6] Hejian Commandery was in modern Hebei. At the time Lü Buwei had a domain there and had been scheming to expand it.
[7] Reading 趙 for 齊.
[8] Marquis Wenxin was the title of Lü Buwei, Chancellor of Qin.
[9] Han, Wei and Zhao.
[10] This sentence seems garbled and the commentaries and translations degree regarding the interpretation. This is a best guess.
[11] Resulting from a previous defeat by Qin.
[12] This sentence also seems corrupt. This interpretation follows the commentaries.
[13] Normally a diplomatic agreement would involve an exchange of land to symbolise the relative value being gained by each party. Proceeding with the accord before negotiations were complete was a sign of urgency.
趙王封孟嘗君以武城
The King of Zhao Grants Lord Mengchang the Domain of Wucheng
趙王封孟嘗君以武城。孟嘗君擇舍人以為武城吏，而遣之曰：「鄙語豈不曰，借車者馳之，借衣者被之哉？」皆對曰：「有之。」孟嘗君曰：「文甚不取也。夫所借衣車者，非親友，則兄弟也。夫馳親友之車，被兄弟之衣，文以為不可。今趙王不知文不肖，而封之以武城，願大夫之往也，毋伐樹木，毋發屋室，訾然使趙王悟而知文也。謹使可全而歸之。」
The King of Zhao[1] granted Lord Mengchang[2] the domain of Wucheng[3]. Lord Mengchang chose members of his household to serve as his representatives in Wucheng, and sent them off, saying, "Is there not a common proverb saying that borrowed carriages are driven hard and borrowed robes worn on the outside[4]?"
They all replied, "There is."
Lord Mengchang said, "I find this profoundly unacceptable. When you borrow clothes or a carriage, if it is not from a friend it is from a brother. Galloping a friend's carriage or wearing a brother's robes to cover one's own is something I find inadmissible. Now the King of Zhao, being unaware of my worthlessness, has granted me the domain of Wucheng. I hope that when my counsellors go there they will not cut down any trees or requisition[5] any houses. Anything that opens us to criticism will be brought to the attention of the King of Zhao, and this is how he will learn who I am[6]. Take care to fulfil your mission as if you could be asked to return your entire charge."
[1] Probably 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.
[2] Lord Mengchang was a member of the Qi royal house and a celebrated politician and general.
[3] Wucheng is in modern Shandong.
[4] Wealthy individuals at the time would have worn several layers, with the outer layer getting dusty first.
[5] According to the commentaries this may be intended to read "demolish" (廢).
[6] The commentaries suggest that 也 here may be superfluous.
謂趙王曰三晉合而秦弱
Talking to the King of Zhao about the Alliance of the THree Jin and the Weakening of Qin
謂趙王曰：「三晉合而秦弱，三晉離而秦強，此天下之所明也。秦之有燕而伐趙，有趙而伐燕；有梁而伐趙，有趙而伐梁；有楚而伐韓，有韓而伐楚；此下之所明見也。然山東不能易其路，兵弱也。弱而不能相壹，是何楚之知，山東之愚也。是臣所為山東之憂也。虎將即禽，禽不知虎之即己也，而相鬥兩罷，而歸其死於虎。故使禽知虎之即己，決不相鬥矣。今山東之主不知秦之即己也，而尚相鬥兩敝，而歸其國於秦，知不如禽遠矣。願王熟慮之也。
Someone spoke to the King of Zhao[1], saying, " If the three Jin come together, Qin will be weakened. If the three Jin disperse, then Qin will be strengthened. This is something that All-Under-Heaven understands[2]. If Qin acquires Yan's support it will attack Zhao. If Qin acquires Zhao's support it will attack Yan. If Qin acquires Liang's[3] support it will attack Zhao. If Qin acquires Zhao's support it will attack Liang. If Qin acquires Chu's support it will attack Han. If Qin acquires Han's support it will attack Chu. All-Under-Heaven perceives this clearly. Nevertheless, the states east of the mountain[4] cannot divert Qin from its path; their troops are too weak. Because they are weak, they they are unable to unite with each other. Observe Qin's[5] perspicacity, and the stupidity of the states east of the mountain! This being so, your servant grieves for the states east of the mountain. A tiger can stalk its prey because the prey does not realise that the tiger is drawing near; the flocks exhaust themselves with internal sparring, but they will all end up inside the tiger; if they were aware that a tiger was approaching they would not squabble among themselves. Now the sovereigns of the states east of the mountain seem unaware that Qin is approaching, and turn upon one another to fight to their mutual ruin; all of them will be eaten alive by Qin. Their intelligence does not match that of animals. I hope that Your Majesty will consider this urgently.
「今事有可急者，秦之欲伐韓、梁，東闚於周室甚，惟寐亡之。今南攻楚者，惡三晉之大合也。今攻楚休而復之，已五年矣，攘地千餘里。今謂楚王：『苟來舉玉趾而見寡人，必與楚為兄弟之國，必為楚攻韓、梁，反楚之故地。』楚王美秦之語，怒韓、梁之不救己，必入於秦。有謀故殺使之趙，以燕餌趙，而離三晉。今王美秦之言，而欲攻燕，攻燕，食未飽而禍已及矣。楚王入秦，秦、楚為一，東面而攻韓。韓南無楚，北無趙，韓不待伐，割挈馬兔而西走。秦與韓為上交，秦禍安移於梁矣。以秦之強，有楚、韓之用，梁不待伐矣。割挈馬兔而西走，秦與梁為上交，秦禍案攘於趙矣。以強秦之有韓、梁、楚，與燕之怒，割必深矣。國之舉此，臣之所為來。臣故曰：事有可急為者。
"Now we have here an affair that should be considered urgent. The King of Qin[6] wishes to attack Han and Liang, and is avidly observing the goings on it the halls of Zhou. It does not leave his mind as long as he is awake[7]. If he is now striking southwards into Chu, it is on account of his animosity towards the alliance[8] of the Three Jin. Five years have already passed since Qin demobilised its troops and allowed them to return home after attacking Chu, having taken over a thousand li of land[9]. Now Qin is speaking to the King of Chu[10], saying: 'If you will honour our land with your illustrious footsteps and seek an audience with us, then we will be as brothers to the state of Chu. We will attack Han and Wei for you, and return Chu's former lands.' The King of Chu is being seduced by these speeches, and is angry that Han and Liang failed to send aid, so he will certainly travel to Qin to pay his respects. Qin is simultaneously plotting to wipe out Zhao[11], using Yan as bait to break up the Three Jin[12]. Now you are being seduced by Qin's words, and wish to attack Yan. If you attack Yan, then before you can eat your fill you will be overwhelmed by disaster. When the King of Chu goes to pay his respects in Qin, then Qin and Chu will be as one. They will turn East and attack Han. If Han cannot rely upon Chu in the South or Zhao in the North, it will not wait for an attack. It will set aside a tranche of land and, quick as a horse or a hare, hurry westwards to offer it to Qin[13]. If Qin and Han then build a better relationship, Qin's malevolence will be diverted onto Wei[14]. Given Qin's strength, and its ability to deploy Chu and Han's resources, Liang will not wait for an attack. It will set aside a tranche of land and, quick as a horse or a hare, hurry westwards to offer it to Qin. If Qin and Liang then build a better relationship, Qin's malevolence will turn towards an invasion of Zhao. Given Qin's strength, and its backing from Han, Liang and Chu, as well as Yan's indignation towards Zhao, you will have to dig deep into your land reserves[15]. If your servant has come here, it because your state is inviting this[16]. Thus I say we have here an affair that should be dealt with urgently.
「及楚王之未入也，三晉相親相堅，出銳師以戍韓、梁西邊，楚王聞之，必不入秦，秦必怒而循攻楚，是秦禍不離楚也，便於三晉。若楚王入，秦見三晉之大合而堅也，必不出楚王，即多割，是秦禍不離楚也，有利於三晉。願王之熟計之也急！」
If, before the King of Chu can go and pay his respects in Qin, the Three Jin grow closer and more resolute, and dispatch elite troops to defend the Western borders of Han and Liang, the King of Chu will hear of it and refuse to go to Qin. Qin will certainly be indignant and pursue its former plan to attack Chu. Thus Qin's malevolent intentions will not be diverted away from Chu, which will be convenient for the Three Jin. If the King of Chu goes to pay his respects to Qin anyway[17], and Qin observes the Three Jin forming a grand alliance and consolidating it, then Qin will certainly not allow the King of Chu to leave until he has ceded much land. Thus Qin's malevolent intentions will not be diverted away from Chu, which will to the benefit of the Three Jin. I hope that your Majesty will plan intensively for this, and soon[18]."
趙王因起兵南戍韓、梁之西邊。秦見三晉之堅也，果不出楚王卬，而多求地。
The King of Zhao thus took the opportunity to raise an army and sent it South to defend the western borders of Han and Liang[19]. Qin saw that the Three Jin were reinforcing their position, and, as a result, did not allow the King of Chu to leave[20], instead demanding much land from him.
[1] King Wuling of Zhao (325-299 BCE) oversaw Zhao's transition to light cavalry tactics, a move that won them several significant victories and was rapidly followed by the other states. He later abdicated in favour of his son, King Huiwen, but continued to take an active part in politics. Eventually, his younger son, Zhao Zhang, rebelled and then took refuge with Wuling following a defeat by Huiwen and his Chancellor, Li Dui. Li Dui then proceeded to besiege both of them. Wuling killed Zhang in an attempt to life the siege. It did not work and he was starved to death.
[2] The commentaries suggest that there may be a character missing here, but the general sense is clear.
[3] Liang was an alternative name for Wei.
[4] Mount Hua marked the border of Qin. It is in modern Shaanxi.
[5] Reading 楚 for 秦, per the commentaries.
[6] 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.
[7] Reading 忘 for 亡, per the commentaries.
[8] Reading 相 for 大, per the commentaries.
[9] During this campaign Qin had taken Hanzhong and compelled Chu to sue for peace.
[10] 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.
[11] Reading 發 for 殺 here, per the commentaries. The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[12] I.e. Qin will tempt Zhao to abandon Han and Wei with the promise of a joint attack on Yan. Once the Three Jin have been separated, Qin can then pick Han and Wei off while Zhao is distracted and then sweep in and wipe out an exhausted Zhao.
[13] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[14] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[15] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[16] Following the interpretation given by the commentaries.
[17] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[18] According to the commentaries 急 here may be superfluous.
[19] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[20] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.