西周 THE STRATAGEMS OF WEST ZHOU (A)
薛公以齊為韓魏攻楚
The Duke of Xue Uses QI to Attack Chu on Behalf of Han and Wei
薛公以齊為韓、魏攻楚，又與韓、攻秦，而藉兵乞食於西周。韓慶為西周謂薛公曰：「君以齊為韓、魏攻楚，九年取宛、葉以北以強韓、魏，今又攻秦以益之。韓、魏南無楚憂，西無秦患，則廣而益重，齊必輕矣。夫本末更盛，虛實有時，竊為君危之。不如令弊邑陰合於秦而君無攻，又無藉兵乞食。君臨函谷而無攻，令弊邑以君之情謂秦王曰：『薛公必破秦以張韓、魏，所以進兵者，王令楚割東國以與齊也。秦王出楚王以為和，君令弊邑以此忠秦，秦得無破，而以楚之東國自免也，必欲之。楚王出，必德齊，齊得東國而益強，而薛世無患。秦不大弱，而處之三晉之西，三晉必重齊。」薛公曰：「善。」因令韓入秦，而使三國無攻秦，而使不藉兵乞食於西周。
The Duke of Xue[1] used Qi to attack Chu on behalf of Han and Wei, while also using Han to attack Qin, relying on West Zhou to provide troops and food supplies.
Han Qing[2] spoke to the Duke of Xue on West Zhou's behalf, saying, "Your Lordship is using Han and Wei to attack Chu. They spent nine years[3] to take Yuan[4] and She[5] in the North of Chu, which strengthened them. Now they are also attacking Qin and will gain from that. Han and Wei will suffer no grief from Chu, nor are they worried by Qin in the West; thus they expand their territory and increase their gains, which will necessarily diminish Qi. First the roots flourish, then the branches. Emptiness and fullness each have their season. I humbly suggest that you are in danger. Rather, it would be better to have our humble state[6] make a secret accord with Qin[7], hold off on your attack, and cease to rely on others for the maintenance of your troops[8]. Have your troops approach the Hangu Pass[9], but do not attack, then have our humble state express your intentions to the King of Qin[10], saying: 'The Duke of Xue will certainly not[11] destroy Qin in order to strengthen Han and Wei. The reason he is advancing his troops is to have you make Chu cede its eastern territories to Qi[13]. Your Majesty should release the King of Chu[14] in order to allow him to negotiate this agreement.'[15] If Your Lordship orders our humble state to do this, this will demonstrate your loyalty to Qin[16]. Qin will avoid being attacked[17], and by taking Chu's eastern territories you yourself will pre-empt future troubles, all of which are to be desired. If the King of Chu is released, he will pay tribute to Qi. By acquiring Chu's eastern territories, Qi will grow in strength, and Xue will be free from troubles for generations. Qin will not be greatly weakened, but will stay west of the Three Jin, increasing Qi's influence with the Three Jin."
The Duke of Xue said, "Very well." He took the opportunity order Han to go to Qin, and had the Three States refrain from attacking Qin, meaning that they ceased to rely on West Zhou for troops and food supplies.
[1] Tian Ying was a member of the Qi royal family, and the father of Lord Mengchang.
[2] Han Qing was a member of the Han ruling house who worked as a politician in West Zhou. The commentaries suggest that the speaker may actually have been Su Dai, a brother of Su Qin and a supporter of his anti-Qin Vertical Alliance.
[3] The commentaries disagree regarding the previse number of years required.
[4] Yuan is now Nanyang in Henan.
[5] She is still called She, and is also in Henan. Both place were located near the intersection of Han, Wei and Chu.
[6] West Zhou, not Han.
[7] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[8] Since this was a public demonstration of weakness.
[9] The Hangu Pass was the main entrance to Qin, and was in Henan.
[10] 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.
[11] Reading 必不 for 必, per the commentaries.
[12] 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.
[13] The commentaries suggest 而 for 也, but modern Chinese translations interpret this as the end of the sentence.
[14] 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.
[15] It is not entirely clear where the closing quotation marks belong here.
[16] The commentaries are not sure whether 忠 (loyalty) should read 惠 (favour) or 患 (trouble), and modern translations leave the sentence vague. The idea may be that Xue can take advantage of actions that Zhou intended to undertake anyway in order to make it appear as though he had ordered it.
[17] The commentaries disagree on the precise wording of this sentence (whether 攻 or 破), but the general sense is clear.
秦攻魏將犀武軍於伊闕
Qin Attacks the Army of General Xi Wu of Wei at Yique
秦攻魏將屖武軍於伊闕，進兵而攻周。為周最謂李兌曰：「君不如禁秦之攻周。趙之上計，莫如令秦、魏復戰。今秦攻周而得之，則眾必多傷矣。秦欲待周之得，必不攻魏；秦若攻周而不得，前有勝魏之勞，後有攻周之敗，又必不攻魏。今君禁之，而秦未與魏講也。而全趙令其止，必不敢不聽，是君卻秦而定周也。秦去周，必復攻魏，魏不能支，必因君而講，則君重矣。若魏不講，而疾支之，是君存周而戰秦、魏也。重亦盡在趙。」
Qin attacked the army of General Xi Wu[1] of Wei at Yique[2] and then advanced its troops to attack Zhou. Someone spoke to Li Dui[3] on Zhou Zui's[4] behalf, saying: "Your Lordship had better prevent Qin from attacking Zhou. Zhao's best strategy would would be nothing more than to have Qin and Wei return to a state of war. If Qin attacks Zhou and takes it now, its population will suffer greatly. Qin will first want to secure[5] its hold on Zhou; and will certainly not attack Wei in the meantime. If Qin attacks Zhou and cannot take it, it will be because it previously struggled to achieve victory over Wei. If it subsequently attacks Zhou and loses, it certainly will not attack Wei again. Your Lordship can prevent this as long as Qin has not yet entered into peace negotiations with Wei[6]. If[7] the whole of Zhao orders a halt to its attack on Zhou, Qin will not dare to disobey. This being the case, Your Lordship can ensure that Qin will retreat and preserve stability in Zhou. If Qin leaves Zhou, it will certainly renew its attack on Wei. If Wei cannot hold them off, they will certainly want to take advantage of Your Lordship's help to negotiate for peace, thus increasing your influence. If Wei does not choose to negotiate and strives to hold Qin off, you will have secured Zhou's survival while Qin and Wei fight, and Zhao will be in a position of maximal influence."
[1] Xi Wu was a general in Wei. He previously defeated Chu, but was eventually killed by the Qin forces at Yique.
[2] Yique is now Longmen, near Luoyang in Henan.
[3] Li Dui was Chancellor of Zhao under King Huiwen. He worked with Su Qin to oppose Qin expansion, but ended his career in disgrace as a result of internal court politics.
[4] Zhou Zui was a member of the West Zhou ruling family, but worked for various other states at different times. Anti-Qin, he served in Qi for a while before defecting to Wei when Qi and Qin formed an alliance. He later returned to Qi.
[5] Reading 持 for 待, per the commentaries.
[6] The commentaries are not in agreement regarding the precise wording of this sentence. Here I have followed the modern Chinese translations.
[7] Zeng suggests 攻 as a possible alternative for 而. This translation follows the modern Chinese versions.
秦令樗里疾以車百乘入周
Qin Orders Chuli Ji to Enter Zhou with a Hundred Chariots
秦令樗里疾以車百乘入周，周君迎之以卒，甚敬。楚王怒，讓周，以其重秦客。游騰謂楚王曰：「昔智伯欲伐厹由，遺之大鍾，載以廣車，因隨入以兵，厹由卒亡，無備故也。桓公伐蔡也，號言伐楚，其實襲蔡。今秦者，虎狼之國也，兼有吞周之意；使樗里疾以車百乘入周，周君懼焉，以蔡、厹由戒之，故使長兵在前，強弩在後，名曰衛疾，而實囚之也。周君豈能無愛國哉？恐一日之亡國，而憂大王。」楚王乃悅。
Qin ordered Chuli Ji[1] to take a hundred chariots and enter Zhou. The Lord of Zhou[2] went with a hundred troops to welcome him most respectfully. The King of Chu[3] was indignant, and reprimanded Zhou for according its Qin guests such respect. You Teng[4] spoke to the King of Chu, saying: "In the past, when Zhi Bo[5] wanted to attack Qiuyou[6], he sent them a gift of a large bell, transporting it on a large carriage and taking the opportunity to have troops accompany it[7]. If Qiuyou's forces were destroyed, it was because they had not planned or prepared for this. When Duke Huan[8] attacked Cai, he claimed he was going to attack Chu while really planning to raid Cai. Now Qin[9], a state of tigers and wolves, is united around the idea of swallowing Zhou, and has sent Chuli Ji to enter Zhou with a hundred chariots. The Lord of Zhou is afraid of them, and has taken his warning from Cai and Qiuyou, so he sent out his troops with pole arms in front and crossbows at the rear[10]. In name it was an honour guard for Ji, in reality they were containing him. How could the Lord of Zhou not favour his own state? He fears losing his whole state in a single day, and that would grieve Your Majesty." Thus the King of Chu was contented.
[1] 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.
[2] It is not clear which Lord of Zhou is inidcated here.
[3] It is not clear which King of Chu is indicated here.
[4] You Teng was a politician in West Zhou.
[5] Zhi Bo was Jin's last Chancellor before it was broken up by Han, Wei and Zhao in the mid fifth century BCE.
[6] Qiuyou was a vassal state belonging to Zhongshan, inhabited by Northern Di barbarians. Its name is also given variously as Qiuyao (厹繇) and Chouyou (仇由). It was in modern-day Yu County, in Shanxi.
[7] The size of the carriage necessitated the widening of the roads, which was carried out by military engineers, who then attacked Qiuyou.
[8] Duke Huan of Xi was married to Xi Gui and overthrew Cai, before being conquered by Chu.
[9] According to the commentaries 者 is superfluous.
[10] I.e. in combat formation.
雍氏之役
During the Battle of Yongshi
雍氏之役，韓徵甲與粟於周。周君之，告蘇代。蘇代曰：「何患焉？代能為君令韓不徵甲與粟於周，又能為君得高都。」君大悅曰：「子苟能，寡人請以國聽。」蘇代遂往見韓相國公中曰：「公不聞楚計乎？昭應謂楚王曰：『韓氏罷於兵，倉廩空，無以守城，吾收之以飢，不過一月必拔之。今圍雍氏五月不能拔，是楚病也。楚王始不信昭應之計矣，今公乃徵甲及粟於周，此告楚病也。昭應聞此，必勸楚王益兵守雍氏，雍氏必拔。」公中曰：「善。然吾使者已行矣。」代曰：「何不以高都與周。」公中怒曰：「吾無徵甲與粟於周，亦已多矣。何為與高都？」代曰：「與之高都，則周折而入於韓，秦聞之必大怒，而焚周之節，不通其使，是公以弊高都得完周也，何不與也？」公中曰：「善。」不徵甲與粟於周而與高都，楚卒不拔雍氏而去。
During the battle of Yongshi[1] Han requisitioned men and grain from Zhou[2]. The Lord of Zhou[3] reported this to Su Dai[4]. Su Dai said, "Why trouble yourself over this? I can see to it for Your Lordship that Han does not requisition more men or grain in Zhou, while also taking possession of Gaodu[5].
The Lord of Zhou was overjoyed and said: "If you can do this, we will beg to put our state under your command."
Accordingly, Su Dai went to see the Chancellor of Han, Gongzhong[6], saying, "Has Your Lordship not heard about Chu's plans? Zhao Ying[7] spoke to the King of Chu[8], saying, 'The House of Han has reached the limit of its military capacity and its granaries are empty; they have no way to protect their fortresses. I will attack[9], taking advantage of their famine; it will not take more than a month to destroy them.'[10] But if Chu has now had Yongshi surrounded for five months without being able to capture them, this is because Chu is also suffering. The King of Chu has begun to lose faith in Zhao Ying's plan. Now that Your Lordship is trying to requisition arms and grain in Zhou, you are thus telling Chu how much you yourselves are suffering. When Zhao Ying hears of this, he will influence the King of Chu to increase the the troops surrounding Yongshi, which will certainly be wiped out."
Gongzhong said: "Very well. Nevertheless, my envoy has already left[11]."
Dai said, "Why not give Zhou Gaodu?"[12]
Gongzhong was irritated and said, "I am going to refrain from collecting men and grain in Zhou, which should be more than enough. Why should I give them Gaodu as well?"
Dai said, "If you give them Gaodu, then Zhou will have to bow to you in order to enter it via Han. When Qin hears about this, they will be enraged, burn their agreements with Zhou, and bar the road to Zhou's envoys. This being the case, you can use worthless Gaodu to gain complete control over Zhou. Why not give it to them?"
Gongzhong said, "Very well." He stopped requisitioning troops and grain in Zhou and handed over Gaodu. Chu's battalions failed to conquer Yongshi and left.
[1] Yongshi was north of modern Yuzhou, in Henan.
[2] Between Han and Chu.
[3] It is not clear which Lord of Zhou is indicated here. Modern translations suggest that it refers to the Duchy of West Zhou.
[4] Su Dai was a brother of Su Qin. He worked for numerous different states at various points in his career.
[5] Gaodu is now Jincheng in Shanxi. At the time it belonged to Han.
[6] Reading 仲 for 中 here and throughout, per the commentaries. Gongzhong Chi was also known as Han Chi and Gongzhong Peng. He was a pro-Qin politician in Han.
[7] Zhao Ying was a general in Chu.
[8] 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.
[9] Reading 攻 for 收, per the commentaries.
[10] The punctuation here follows modern translations.
[11] I.e. the envoy dispatched to requisition troops and supplies from Zhou.
[12] Presumably as compensatory gesture of liberality, aimed at showing how well they are doing.
周君之秦
The Lord of Zhou Goes to Qin
周君之秦。謂周最曰：「不如譽秦王之孝也，因以應為太后養地。秦王、太后必喜，是公有秦也。交善，周君必以為公功；交惡，勸周君入秦者，必有罪矣。」
The Lord of Zhou[1] was going to Qin, and someone spoke to Zhou Zui[2], saying: "You could do no better than to praise the filial piety of the King of Qin[3], and take the opportunity to provide land to support the Queen Dowager[4]. The King of Qin and the Queen Dowager will certainly be pleased, and this being so you will gain Qin's support. If relations improve, the Lord of Zhou will attribute the success to you. If they decline, whoever prompted him to go to Qin will certainly be blamed."
[1] It is unclear which Lord of Zhou is intended here.
[2] Zhou Zui was a member of the West Zhou ruling family, but worked for various other states at different times. Anti-Qin, he served in Qi for a while before defecting to Wei when Qi and Qin formed an alliance. He later returned to Qi.
[3] King Zhaoxiang of Qin (306–251 BCE) began life as a relatively minor prince, and served as a child hostage in Zhao before being sneaked out by Queen 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 Queen Xuan and Wei Ran, and worked with a succession of important figures of the age (Gan Mao, Fan Ju, Bai Qi...) to expand Qin's territory during the course of a long and successful reign.
[4] 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.
蘇厲謂周君
Su Li Speaks to the Lord of Zhou
蘇厲謂周君曰：「敗韓、魏，殺屖武，攻趙，取藺、離石、祁者，皆白起。是攻用兵，又有天命也。今攻梁，梁必破，破則周危，君不若止之。謂白起曰：『楚有養由基者，善射；去柳葉者百步而射之，百發百中。左右皆曰善。有一人過曰，善射，可教射也矣。養由基曰，人皆善，子乃曰可教射，子何不代我射之也。客曰，我不能教子支左屈右。夫射柳葉者，百發百中，而不已善息，少焉氣力倦，弓撥矢鉤，一發不中，前功盡矣。今公破韓、魏，殺屖武，而北攻趙，取藺、離石、祁者，公也。公之功甚多。今公又以秦兵出塞，過兩周，踐韓而以攻梁，一攻而不得，前功盡滅，公不若稱病不出也。』」
Su Li[1] spoke to the Lord of Zhou[2], saying: "The defeat of Wei and Han, the killing of Xi Wu[3], the attack on Zhao, and the acquisition of Lin[4], Lishi[5] and Qi[6]: all were the work of Bai Qi[7]. He has truly an expert in the use of troops, and also has the will of heaven on his side[8]. Now he is attacking Liang, and Liang will certainly break. When it breaks, Zhou will be at risk,. Your Lordship had better stop him. We should speak to Bai Qi, saying, 'In Chu there was a man called Yang Youji[9], who was an excellent archer. If there was a willow leaf a hundred paces away and he shot a hundred arrows at it, he would hit it a hundred times. Everyone around said how good he was. A passer-by said, 'You are a good shot, but I can still teach you something about archery[10].' Yang Youji said, 'Everyone says[11] how good I am, and still you say you can teach me to shoot. Why not take my place and make this shot?' The passer-by said: 'I can teach you nothing about how to hold your left hand or bend your right hand, but if there is a willow leaf a hundred paces away and you can shoot a hundred arrows at it and hit it a hundred times, and thus you demonstrate your skill[12] without resting, then after a while your strength will tire itself out. The bow will not bend and the arrows will shake[13], until finally you miss a shot, and your formerly perfect record will be extinguished.' You have broken Han and Wei. The killing of Xi Wu, the attack on Zhao in the North, and the acquisition of Lin, Lishi and Qi, all were down to you. Your successes are manifold. Now, once again, you intend to lead Qin's soldiers beyond its borders, crossing[14] the two Zhous and trampling Han to attack Liang. If this one attack fails, your formerly perfect record will be extinguished. Better to claim illness and refrain from going."
[1] Su Li was Su Qin's younger brother. Like Su Qin, he served in multiple states, and generally took an anti-Qin position.
[2] It is not clear which Lord of Zhou is being referred to here.
[3] Xi Wu was a general in Wei. He previously defeated Chu, but was eventually killed by the Qin forces at Yique.
[4] Lishi is now in Shanxi and is still called Lishi.
[5] Lin is now Mengmen, a small town to the West of Lishi.
[6] Qi is now Qi County, also in Shanxi. This does not refer to the state of Qi.
[7] Bai Qi was one of Qin's greatest generals. This persuasion may possibly have been successful; towards the end of his career he was accused by his superiors of feigning illness to avoid combat for fear of breaking his winning streak.
[8] This is a slightly unconventional interpretation of the term "Mandate of Heaven", but reflects the ethos of the times.
[9] Yang Youji was a General in Chu during the Spring and Autumn period, as well as being a famous archer.
[10] The commentaries suggest that 也 may be superfluous here.
[11] Reading 皆曰 for 皆, per the commentaries.
[12] Reading 以 for 已, per the commentaries.
[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.