西周 THE STRATAGEMS OF WEST ZHOU (B)
楚兵在山南
Chu's Troops Camp South of the Mountains
楚兵在山南，吾得將為楚王屬怒於周。或謂周君曰：「不如令太子將軍正迎吾得於境，而君自郊迎，令天下皆知君之重吾得也。因泄之楚，曰：『周君所以事吾得者器，必名曰謀楚。』王必求之，而吾得無效也，王必罪之。」
Chu's troops were camped South of the mountains[1], General Wu De[2] planned to stir up indignation[3] in Zhou on behalf of the King of Chu[4]. Someone spoke to the Lord of Zhou[5], saying: "The best thing would be to send the Crown Prince[6] and one of your Generals[7] to formally welcome Wu De at the border, and go yourself to greet him in the suburbs to let All-Under-Heaven know how much weight Wu De carries with you[8]. Take the opportunity to have someone leak this in Chu, saying that the Lord of Zhou must have given Wu De bronze vessels[9] to advance this affair, being sure to mention that they are inscribed with dedications for Chu[10]. The King of Chu will certainly demand them, and when Wu De is unable to hand them over, the King will certainly hold him criminally responsible."
[1] Commentaries and modern translations disagree regarding which mountains are indicated here.
[2] Wu De was a general from Chu. The precise orthography of his family name is uncertain, and several characters have been proposed.
[3] Reading 怨 for 怒, per the commentaries. The idea seems to be that this is happening during the Battle of Yique, between Qin, Han and Wei. Presumably Chu is aiming to intimidate Zhou into lending its symbolic backing to Han and Wei against Qin.
[4] 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.
[5] King Nan of Zhou (314–256 BCE). King Nan was the last King of Zhou and, in theory at least, the ruler of All-Under-Heaven. In 256 BCE he went to Qin to offer his submission, but was imprisoned and died shortly afterwards. His heir was exiled, and the state annexed.
[6] It is not clear who this was.
[7] The commentaries disagree on whether this is a reference to a specific military official (軍正 - a military judge) or simply to a general leading an honour guard for a formal welcome.
[8] Bao suggests 軍 for 君, implying "how much weight Wu De carries with the army". Modern Chinese translations do not follow this.
[9] Sets of bronze cauldrons, wine jugs etc. were made for ceremonial use or as funeral offerings. They were extremely expensive, and usually carried an inscription relating to the precise circumstances under which they were cast.
[10] This sentence seems garbled, and the commentaries and modern translations disagree regarding the precise reading. This is the interpretation put forward by Bao.
楚請道於二周之間
Chu Requests Passage Through the Two Zhous
楚請道於二周之間，以臨韓、魏，周君患之。蘇秦謂周君曰：「除道屬之於河，韓、魏必惡之。齊、秦恐楚之取九鼎也，必救韓、魏而攻楚。楚不能守方城之外，安能道二周之間。若四國弗惡，君雖不欲與也，楚必將自取之矣。」
Chu requested passage through the two Zhous in order to advance upon Han and Wei, and the Lord of Zhou[1] was worried by this. Master Su[2] spoke[3] to the Lord of Zhou, saying: "If you open a road for Chu by the Yellow River, Han and Wei will certainly gripe about it[4]. Qi and Qin will be afraid that Chu will take the Nine Cauldrons[5], and will certainly ask Han and Wei for help to attack Chu. Then Chu will not even be able to protect its lands beyond Fangcheng[6], how could it cross the two Zhous? If you don't turn the four states[7] against Chu, then even if Your Lordship does not wish to give away the Cauldrons, Chu will certainly take them from you."
[1] King Nan of Zhou (314–256 BCE). King Nan was the last King of Zhou and, in theory at least, the ruler of All-Under-Heaven. In 256 BCE he went to Qin to offer his submission, but was imprisoned and died shortly afterwards. His heir was exiled, and the state annexed.
[2] Reading 子 for 秦, per the commentaries. Su Qin was already dead by this point, so this must refer to one of his brothers - Dai or Li.
[3] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[4] The commentaries suggest interpreting this as generating hatred for Chu in Han and Wei, but the modern Chinese translations disagree.
[5] The nine bronze cauldrons that symbolised the right to rule over all of China. We first encountered them in Chapter One, when Qin was trying to get hold of them.
[6] This was a border area to the north of Chu, a mixture of wilderness, forts and other defensive architecture.
[7] Han, Qi, Qin and Wei.
司寇布為周最謂周君
Sikou Bu Speaks to the Lord of Zhou on Zhou Zui's Behalf
司寇布為周最謂周君曰：「君使人告齊王以周最不肯為太子也，臣為君不取也。函冶氏為齊太公買良劍，公不知善，歸其劍而責之金。越人請買之千金，折而不賣。將死，而屬其子曰：『必無獨知。』今君之使最為太子，獨知之契也，天下未有信之者也。臣恐齊王之為君實立果而讓之於最，以嫁之齊也。君為多巧，最為多詐，君何不買信貨哉？奉養無有愛於最也，使天下見之。」
Sikou Bu[1] spoke to the Lord of Zhou[3] on Zhou Zui's[3] behalf, saying: "You have sent someone to tell the King of Qi[4] that Zhou Zui is unwilling to take up the position of Crown Prince[5]; your servant believes this is an inappropriate approach. A man of the Hanye family[6] bought a good quality sword for the Grand Duke of Qi[7], but the Grand Duke did not recognise its quality and gave it back, demanding the equivalent sum in gold. Later, when someone from Yue[8] asked to buy the sword for a thousand gold pieces, but he broke off negotiations and refused to sell. When he was dying, he left a message for his his son, saying, 'Never be the only one who knows.'[9] Now Your Lordship intends to make Zhou Zui Crown Prince, but you are the only one who knows of this arrangement, so no one in All-Under-Heaven yet feels that they can rely on him. Your servant is afraid that the King of Qi will believe that you are really intending to raise Prince Guo[10] to the position, and that you are only offering it to Zui in order to foist him upon Qi[11]. You are seen as being extremely crafty, and Zui is seen as being extremely deceptive. Why would Your Lordship not buy a reliable product? Of all those you have raised and supported, there are none you hold in greater affection than Zui, so send messengers to tell it to the world."
[1] Sikou Bu was a politician in Zhou.
[2] Probably Duke Hui of West Zhou (367-? BCE). It is known that Zhou Zui was a son of one of the Lords of West Zhou, and Hui seems to be the most likely candidate.
[3] 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.
[4] 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.
[5] And hence that he will almost certainly take up the position shortly, once his polite formal demurrals have been overcome. The point of the story is that the King of Qi is unlikely to believe this as long as it has not yet been publicly announced.
[6] Hanye is not otherwise well-known. The story format is similar to the tale of the Heshibi jade, which is much more famous.
[7] Tian He (404–384 BCE), also known as Duke Tai of Qi, was the first member of the Tian family to rule Qi after deposing the House of Jiang.
[8] Yue was famous for the quality of its swords.
[9] I.e. a thing has no value if you are the only one who knows how valuable it is.
[10] Zhou Guo, a brother of Zhou Zui.
[11] The commentaries suggest that 也 here is superfluous. The idea seems to be that Qi will believe that Duke Hui is merely talking up Zhou Zui's value in order to win him a position in Qi, following which he will make Guo the Crown Prince.
秦召周君
Qin Summons the Lord of Zhou
秦召周君，周君難往。或為周君謂魏王曰：「秦召周君，將以使攻魏之南陽。王何不出於河南？周君聞之，將以為辭於秦而不往。周君不入秦，秦必不敢越河而攻南陽。」
Qin summoned the Lord of Zhou[1], and the Lord of Zhou foresaw difficulties in the trip. Someone spoke to the King of Wei[2] on his behalf, saying; "Qin has sent for the Lord of Zhou; they will be planning to have him attack Nanyang[3] in Wei. Why does Your Majesty not send troops[4] south of the Yellow River[5]? When the Lord of Zhou hears about it, he will make his excuses to Qin and not go. If the Lord of Zhou does not go to Qin, Qin will not dare to cross the Yellow River and attack Nanyang alone."
[1] It is not clear which Lord of Zhou is intended here.
[2] This may refer to King Anxi of Wei (276-243 BCE), but the commentaries also speculate that "Wei" may be intended to read "Han", in which case it is probably King Huanhui (272-239 BCE).
[3] Nanyang is still called Nanyang, and is in Henan.
[4] Reading 出兵 for 出, per the commentaries.
[5] I.e. to Nanyang, thus pre-empting the attack.
犀武敗於伊闕
Xi Wu is Defeated at Yique
屖武敗於伊闕，周君之魏求救，魏王以上黨之急辭之。周君反，見梁囿而樂之也。綦母恢謂周君曰：「溫囿不下此，而又近。臣能為君取之。」反見魏王，王曰：「周君怨寡人乎？」對曰：「不怨。且誰怨王？臣為王有患也。周君，謀主也。而設以國為王扞秦，而王無之扞也。臣見其必以國事秦也，秦悉塞外之兵，與周之眾，以攻南陽，而兩上黨絕矣。」魏王曰：「然則柰何？」綦母恢曰：「周君形不小利，事秦而好小利。今王許戍三萬人與溫囿，周君得以為辭於父兄百姓，而利溫囿以為樂，必不合於秦。臣嘗聞溫囿之利，歲八十金，周君得溫囿，其以事王者，歲百二十金，是上黨每患而贏四十金。」魏王因使孟卯致溫囿於周君而許之戍也。
Xi Wu[1] was defeated at Yique[2]. The Lord of Zhou[3] requested help from Wei[4], but the King of Wei[5] declined on account of the emergency in Shangdang[6]. On his way home, the Lord of Zhou saw the Parklands of Liang[7] and was delighted by them.
Qimu Hui spoke to the Lord of Zhou, saying, "The Parklands of Wen[8] are not inferior to these, and are closer to Zhou. Your servant can acquire them on your behalf[9]."
He went back to see the King of Wei, who said to him, "Does the Lord of Zhou bear a grudge against us?"
He replied, "Not at all; who could bear a grudge against Your Majesty[10]? Your servant is worried on Your Majesty's behalf. The Lord of Zhou is a master strategist, and he has shown that he will use his state to protect Your Majesty[11] from Qin, but still you make no attempt to defend yourself. I can foresee him deciding that he has no choice but to become Qin's agent. If all of Qin's troops beyond the Pass[12] join with Zhou's battalions to attack Nanyang[13], then it will be able to cut off both parts of Shangdang[14]."
The King of Wei said, "If that is so, how can we deal with it?"
Qimu Hui said, "The Lord of Zhou's current situation is such that not even the smallest profit can be gained from it, while if he served Qin's interests there would be some small gain to be enjoyed[15]. Now if Your Majesty promised him thirty thousand border guards and the Parklands of Wen, the Lord of Zhou would have something with which to counter the criticisms of his family and of the hundred clans. Having acquired the Parklands of Wen for their delight[16], they will certainly not form an accord with Qin. Your servant has already heard that the revenue to be had from the Parklands of Wen adds up to[17] eighty gold pieces a year. If the Lord of Zhou gains possession of them he will offer Your Majesty a hundred and twenty gold pieces a year to further your affairs. This being done, you will have no more[18] worries in Shangdang and will make a profit of forty gold pieces." The King of Wei sent Meng Mao[19] to deliver ownership of the Parklands of Wen to the Lord of Zhou and promised him border guards for his defence[20].
[1] Xi Wu was a general in Wei. He previously defeated Chu, but was eventually killed by the Qin forces under Bai Qi at Yique.
[2] Yique was near the modern town of Luoyang in Henan. This refers to the Battle of Yique in 293 BCE.
[3] It is not clear which Lord of Zhou is indicated here.
[4] Presumably because Qin was now threatening his own territory.
[5] 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.
[5] Shangdang Commandery was a key strategic area during the Warring States era, being fought over between Han, Wei, Zhao, Zheng and Qin.
[6] These would have been near Daliang, the Wei capital at the time. This would place it in the vicinity of modern day Kaifeng, Henan.
[7] Qimu Hui was a politician in Zhou.
[8] Wen was a town in Wei, but its precise location in unknown.
[9] According to the commentaries 君 here may be superfluous.
[10] Bao suggests 怨乎 for 怨王, but modern Chinese translations follow the version given here.
[11] The commentaries suggest 乎 for 王, in which case the sentence would read "in defence against Qin".
[12] The Hangu Pass, in modern Xin'an County, Henan, marked the traditional border of Qin.
[13] Nanyang is still called Nanyang, and is situated in Henan.
[14] I.e. the sectors belonging to both Han and Wei.
[15] This sentence is not clear and the commentaries disagree regarding the correct reading. This interpretation follows modern Chinese translations.
[16] Some commentaries suggest 私 for 利. The interpretations are relatively close, and I have translated it in such a way as to attempt to include both senses.
[17] Reading 計歲 for 歲, per the commentaries.
[18] Reading 無 for 每, per the commentaries.
[19] Meng Mao [孟卯] is an alternative name for Mang Mao [芒卯], who was prized by the Wei leadership for his deviousness. He helped to expand Wei territory, before losing the battle of Huayang to Qin forces under Bai Qi. He fled after the battle and disappeared.
[20] According to the commentaries 也 here is superfluous.
韓魏易地
Han and Wei Exchange Land
韓、魏易地，西周弗利。樊餘謂楚王曰：「周必亡矣。韓、魏之易地，韓得二縣，魏亡二縣。所以為之者，盡包二周，多於二縣，九鼎存焉。且魏有南陽、鄭地、三川而包二周，則楚方城之外危；韓兼兩上黨以臨趙，即趙羊腸以上危。故易成之曰，楚、趙皆輕。」楚王恐，因趙以止易也。
Han and Wei were exchanging land[1], and Zhou would gain no advantage from it. Fan Yu[2] spoke to[3] the King of Chu[4], saying: "Zhou is certainly doomed. In Han and Wei's exchange of land, Han will gain two counties and Wei will lose two. Wei's reason for doing this is that it will allow it to entirely encircle Zhou - a large gain for just two counties, since the Nine Cauldrons[4] are there. Moreover, Wei will have possession of Nanyang[6] and the lands of Zheng[7] and Sanchuan[8], and surround the two Zhou, meaning that Chu's lands beyond Fangcheng[9] will be at risk. Han will incorporate the two counties of Shangdang[10] within its territory, and they can be used to advance upon Zhao. Then Yangchang[11] in upper Zhao will be in danger. Thus, the day[12] that the exchange is completed, Chu and Zhao will lose all their influence." The King of Chu was afraid, and as a result had Zhao's troops[13] prevent the exchange[14].
[1] Following the Battle of Yique.
[2] Fan Yu was a politician in Zhou.
[3] Some of the commentaries suggest that this should read 為周謂 for 謂, in which case Fan Yu would be serving as an official envoy from Zhou.
[4] 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.
[5] The nine bronze cauldrons that symbolised the right to rule All-Under-Heaven. We first met them in Chapter One, when Qin was trying to obtain possession of them.
[6] Nanyang is still called Nanyang, and is situated in Henan.
[7] Zheng had been annexed by Han in 375 BCE, with parts of its former territory changing hands repeatedly in the years that followed.
[8] Henan Commandery, known as "Three Rivers" because the Yellow, Yi and Luo Rivers flowed through it.
[9] This was a border area to the north of Chu, populated with forts and other defensive architecture.
[10] Shangdang Commandery was a key strategic area during the Warring States era, being fought over between Han, Wei, Zhao, Zheng and Qin.
[11] Yangchang was the name of a mountain somewhere in modern Shanxi, but there are several candidates for the actual location. It provided a natural barrier, protecting Zhao from invasion.
[12] Reading 日 for 曰, per the commentaries.
[13] Reading 趙兵 for 趙, per the commentaries.
[14] The commentaries suggest that the 也 here is superfluous.
秦欲攻周
Qin Wishes to Attack Zhou
秦欲攻周，周最謂秦王曰：「為王之國計者，不攻周。攻周，實不足以利國，而聲畏天下。天下以聲畏秦，必東合於齊。兵弊於周而合天下於齊，則秦孤而不王矣。是天下欲罷秦，故勸王攻周。秦與天下俱罷，則令不橫行於周矣。」
Qin wished to attack Zhou. Zhou Zui[1] spoke to the King of Qin[2], saying: "I have devised a plan for Your Majesty's state[3]. Do not attack Zhou. If you attack Zhou, the gains will not be sufficient to benefit your state, and you will acquire a fearful reputation throughout All-Under-Heaven[4]. If Qin acquires a fearful reputation throughout All-Under-Heaven, an accord will certainly form in the East around Qi. If your troops are worn down by Zhou and All-Under-Heaven has an accord with Qi, then Qin will be left isolated rather than becoming a hegemon. It is because the states of All-Under-Heaven wish to halt Qin's advance that they have been pushing Your Majesty to attack Zhou. If both Qin and the rest of All-Under-Heaven have exhausted their momentum, then even if the order is given no one will be able to march out across Zhou."
[1] 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.
[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] The commentaries disagree on the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[4] While Zhou no longer retained any of the practical attributes of imperial power, an attack against it would constitute the symbolic destruction of the old order.
宮他謂周君
Gong Ta Speaks to the Lord of Zhou
宮他謂周君曰：「宛恃秦而輕晉，秦飢而宛亡。鄭恃魏而輕韓，魏攻蔡而鄭亡。邾、莒亡於齊，陳、蔡亡於楚。此皆恃援國而輕近敵也。今君恃韓、魏而輕秦，國恐傷矣。君不如使周最陰合於趙以備秦，則不毀。」
Gong Ta[1] spoke to the Lord of Zhou[2], saying: "Yuan[3] relied upon Qin and treated Jin lightly; when Qin suffered a famine, Yuan was doomed[4]. Zheng relied upon Wei and treated Han lightly; when Wei attacked Cai[4], Zheng was doomed. Zhu[5] and Ju[6] were exterminated by Qi; Chen[7] and Cai[8] were exterminated by Chu. All of them relied on states that had helped them and made light of their enemies. Now you are relying upon Han and Wei and making light of Qin; I am afraid that your state will be harmed. It would be better for Your Lordship to send Zhou Zui[9] to form a secret accord with Zhao in order to take precautions against Qin, then you will not be wiped out."
[1] Gong Ta was a politician who worked for both Zhou and Yan. At the time of this story he was working for West Zhou.
[2] It is unclear which Lord of Zhou is intended.
[3] Yuan was another name for the area around Nanyang.
[4] Because Qin was unable to come to its aid.
[5] Cai was a semi-independent feudal domain to the North of Chu during the Western Zhou and Spring and Autumn Periods, finally being annexed by Chu in 447 BCE. In the episode referred to here, Wei attacked Cai and Han took the opportunity to annex Zheng, which had been under Wei's protection at the time.
[6] Zhu had been an independent state in Southern Shandong during the Spring and Autumn period, but gradually declined , destroyed by King Xuan of Chu in the mid-fourth century BCE. Prior to this it seems to have been under Qi protection.
[7] Ju began its existence as a Dongyi barbarian state in Shandong, but fell victim to the ongoing conflicts between Chu, Lu and Qi. It was caputred by Chu in 431 BCE, but was too far from the Chu heartlands and later fell to Qi, which made it an important military stronghold.
[8] Chen was North of Cai. Under attack by Wu, it appealed for help to Chu. Chu provided assistance and then annexed Chen.
[9] This refers to Chu's original annexation of Cai. In the mid-seventh century BCE, the Duke of Xi, after Duke Ai of Cai slept with his wife, asked Chu to feign an attack on Xi so that he could request help from Cai and then ambush the Cai troops. As a result of the conflict, both states were wiped out by Chu.
[10] 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.
謂齊王
Speaking to the King of Qi
謂齊王曰：「王何不以地齎周最以為太子也。」齊王令司馬悍以賂進周最於周。左尚謂司馬悍曰：「周不聽，是公之知困而交絕於周也。公不如謂周君曰：『何欲置？令人微告悍，悍請令王進之以地。』」左尚以此得事。
Someone spoke to the King of Qi[1], saying, "Why does Your Majesty not offer land to Zhou Zui[2] to help him become Crown Prince?"[3] The King of Qi sent Sima Han[4] make the gift[5] and thereby advance Zhou Zui's position in Zhou.
Zuo Shang[6] spoke to Sima Han, saying, "Zhou will not listen to you and thus you will discover the problems with your plans as our diplomatic relations with Zhou are cut off. You would do better to speak to the Lord of Zhou, saying, 'Whom do you wish to establish as Crown Prince? Have someone whisper it to Han, who will have the King[7] offer him land.'" In this way Zuo Shang successfully obtained his ends.
[1] 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.
[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] This is essentially the same story as the Death of the Crown Prince of Zhou chapter. Either the Zhou royal family had short memories, or this was considered such a good anecdote that it ended up attached to multiple individuals.
[4] 悍 may actually read 稈, in which case this person is called Sima Gan. He was a politician in Qi.
[5] The commentaries disagree on the precise reading of this sentence, though the general sense is clear.
[6] Zuo Shang was a politician from Qi.
[7] The commentaries disagree on the precise reading of this sentence, though the general sense is clear.
三國攻秦反
The Three States Fight Qin and Return Home
三國攻秦反，西周恐魏之藉道也。為西周謂魏王曰：「楚、宋不利秦之德三國也，彼且攻王之聚以利秦。」魏王懼，令軍設舍速東。
The Three States[1] had fought Qin and were returning home, West Zhou was afraid that Wei would use its roads. Someone addressed the King of Wei[2] on West Zhou's behalf, saying: "Chu and Song did not benefit from the tribute paid by Qin to the Three States[3], they will attack Your Majesty's settlements to benefit Qin[4]." The King of Wei was afraid and ordered his chariots to make a temporary camp and then hurry east[5].
[1] Han, Wei and Qi.
[2] The early fourth century history of Wei is confusing, making it unclear which King is being referenced here. If King Ai (319-296 BCE) existed it was probably him. If not, it would have been King Hui (370-319 BCE).
[3] The word used here (德) refers to a Mafia-like concept of honour that prevailed at the time, which was dependent upon others' reactions to one's conduct, rather than the conduct itself. In this case, Qin was not in a position to fight and paid Han, Wei and Zhao off. Thus, as a corollary of the financial/land transaction, Qin's stock of 德 was depleted while Han and Wei's increased.
[4] I.e. Wei did not share the gifts presented by Qin as a bribe to convince it to retreat, so Chu and Song will strike up a deal with Qin to take land from Wei and share it among the three.
[5] The idea seems to be to minimise the cost that will fall upon Zhou as Wei's troops pass through its territory by arranging to camp before crossing the border and then traversing the small state as quickly as possible.
犀武敗
Xi Wu is Defeated
屖武敗，周使周足之秦。或謂周足曰：「何不謂周君曰：『臣之秦，秦、周之交必惡。主君之臣，又秦重而欲相者，且惡臣於秦，而臣為不能使矣。臣願免而行。君因相之，彼得相，不惡周於秦矣。』君重秦，故使相往，行而免，且輕秦也，公必不免。公言是而行，交善於秦，且公之成事也；交惡於秦，不善於公且誅矣。」
When Xi Wu[1] was defeated. Zhou sent Zhou Zu[2] to Qin[3]. Someone spoke to him, saying, "Why not speak to the Lord of Zhou[4]? Say, 'If your servant goes to Qin, relations between Qin and Zhou will certainly decline. Among Your Lordship's private secretaries is one whose influence has been bolstered by Qin and who wishes to replace me as Chancellor[5]; he will slander me in Qin, so I will not be able to complete my mission[6]. I would like to be relieved of my position[7] and then I can go. If Your Lordship takes the opportunity to make him Chancellor, then once he has the position, he will not slander Zhou in Qin.' His Lordship regards Qin as important, so must send his Chancellor; if he were to send someone he had just dismissed, this[8] would be a sign of contempt for Qin, so you will certainly not be dismissed. If you say this before leaving, then if relations with Qin improve then the success in this affair will be yours[9] and if relations with Qin worsen, the one who bears you ill will[10] will be executed."
[1] Xi Wu was a general working for Wei. His defeat at Yique has been discussed before.
[2] Zhou Zu was Chancellor of Zhou at the time.
[3] The commentaries disagree on the precise reading of this sentence, though the general sense is clear.
[4] King Nan of Zhou (314–256 BCE). King Nan was the last King of Zhou and, in theory at least, the ruler of All-Under-Heaven. In 256 BCE he went to Qin to offer his submission, but was imprisoned and died shortly afterwards. His heir was exiled, and the state annexed.
[5] It is not known who this person was.
[6] Reading 臣不能為使矣 for 臣為不能使矣, per the commentaries.
[7] I.e. the position of Chancellor.
[8] Reading 是 for 且, per the commentaries.
[9] Reading 是公之事成 for 且公之成事, per the commentaries.
[10] Reading 公者 for 公, per the commentaries.