東周 THE STRATAGEMS OF EAST ZHOU (A)
秦興師臨周而求九鼎
Qin Recruits Troops and Advances on zhou to Demand the Nine Cauldrons
秦興師臨周而求九鼎，周君患之，以告顏率。顏率曰：「大王勿憂，臣請東借救於齊。」顏率至齊，謂齊王曰：「夫秦之為無道也，欲興兵臨周而求九鼎，周之君臣，內自盡計，與秦，不若歸之大國。夫存危國，美名也；得九鼎，厚寶也。願大王圖之。」齊王大悅，發師五萬人，使陳臣思將以救周，而秦兵罷。
Qin recruited troops and advanced on Zhou to demand the Nine Cauldrons[1]. The Lord of Zhou[2] was worried about this and reported it to Yan Shuai[3]. Yan Shuai said, "Your Majesty should not worry. Your servant begs permission to travel east to request aid from Qi."
Yan Shuai arrived in Qi and spoke to the King[4], saying, "Qin has strayed from the proper path[5] and wishes to raise troops and move against Zhou to demand the Nine Cauldrons. The Lord of Zhou and his servants, having deliberated extensively[6], would rather render them to your great state than give them to Qin. By securing the survival of a state in danger you will embellish your good name, and by gaining the Nine Cauldrons you will augment your treasury. I hope that Your Majesty will plan for this." The King of Qi was delighted[7], and dispatched fifty thousand troops, appointing Chen Chensi[8] as general to assist Zhou. As a result, Qin's military gave up.
齊將求九鼎，周君又患之。顏率曰：「大王勿憂，臣請東解之。」顏率至齊，謂齊王曰：「周賴大國之義，得君臣父子相保也，願獻九鼎，不識大國何塗之從而致之齊？」齊王曰：「寡人將寄徑於梁。」顏率曰：「不可。夫梁之君臣欲得九鼎，謀之暉臺之下，少海之上，其日久矣。鼎入梁，必不出。」齊王曰：「寡人將寄徑於楚。」對曰：「不可。楚之君臣欲得九鼎，謀之於葉庭之中，其日久矣。若入楚，鼎必不出。」王曰：「寡人終何塗之從而致之齊？」顏率曰：「弊邑固竊為大王患之。夫鼎者，非效𠄎壺醬甀耳，可懷挾提挈以至齊者；非效鳥集烏飛，兔興馬逝，灕然止於齊者。昔周之伐殷，得九鼎，凡一鼎而九萬人輓之，九九八十一萬人，士卒師徒，器械被具，所以備者稱此。今大王縱有其人，何塗之從而出？臣竊為大王私憂之。」齊王曰：「子之數來者，猶無與耳。」顏率曰：「不敢欺大國，疾定所從出，弊邑遷鼎以待命。」齊王乃止。
Qi's general requested the Nine Cauldrons, and once again the Lord of Zhou was worried. Yan Shuai said, "Do not worry; your servant begs permission to travel east to resolve this."
Yan Shuai arrived in Qi and spoke to the King, saying, "Zhou relies upon the integrity of your great nation, you have secured the protection of our lords and servants, fathers and sons. We wish to offer you the Nine Cauldrons, but do not know which road to use to send them from Zhou to Qi."
The King of Qi said: "We will bring them through Liang."
Yan Shuai replied, "Impossible. The Lord of Liang[9] and those who serve him also want to take them, and have been plotting it for many a long day at the foot of the Hui Tower[10] and on the banks of Lake Shaohai[11]. If the Nine Cauldrons enter Liang, they will not leave."
The King of Qi said, "We will bring them through Chu."
Yan Shuai replied: "Impossible. The Lord of Chu[12] and those who serve him also want to take them, and have been plotting it for many a long day in Yeting[13]. If the Nine Cauldrons enter Chu, they will not leave."
The King said, "Well then, what road shall we use to transport them to Qi?"[14]
Yan Shuai said, "Our humble city[15] has the temerity to be worried on Your Majesty's behalf. The Nine Cauldrons cannot be treated like vinegar jars or sauce bottles - they cannot simply be carried into Qi in one's hands. Nor are they a flock of birds startled by a crow, or running rabbits or ducks on the wing[16], able to slip into Qi of their own accord[17]. In the past, when Zhou attacked Yin[18] and took the Nine Cauldrons[19], ninety thousand men were used to transport one vessel[20], and eight hundred and ten thousand for all nine. Every officer brought his infantry and camp followers, and prepared his equipment[21] such that it could be called adequate to the task[22]. Even if you now lavished all your people on this, which road could they take? Your servant has the temerity[23] to harbour private concerns on Your Majesty's behalf."
The King of Qi said, "You come here time and time again[24] only to offer us nothing."
Yan Shuai said, "I would not dare to deceive such a great state. Make haste and settle upon a road for us to take; our humble city awaits your orders." Consequently the King of Qi abandoned his efforts.
[1] The nine ritual vessels that symbolised the authority to rule over the Empire were still held by the state of Zhou, whose royal family had once ruled China but which was now merely one feudal state among many.
[2] King Xian of Zhou (368–321 BC) was the 35th Zhou sovereign. Under his reign the other feudal states began to refuse to recognise Zhou sovereignty.
[3] Yan Shuai is principally via this story, but his name has become a byword for intelligent use of language as a result of this story.
[4] The commentaries suggest either King Xuan or King Min, but both of these ruled after the death of King Xian of Zhou. If this did happen under the reign of King Xian of Zhou, it presumably refers to King Wei of Qi (356–320 BC), who was widely regarded as an exemplary ruler.
[5] Reading 於 for 為, per the commentaries.
[6] The commentaries disagree on the precise wording here, but the general sense is clear.
[7] The commentaries disagree on whether the part about being delighted belongs here.
[8] Chen Chensi was also known as Tian Ji (田忌). A member of Qi's ruling family, he employed Sun Bin for a time.
[9] Probably King Hui of Wei (344 - 319 BC) succeeded Marquis Wu following a violent succession conflict during which Wei was almost conquered by Han and Zhao. He conducted several discussions with Mencius and exchanged territory with Han, making his state easier to defend.
[10] The name Huitai implies a palace, but the location is unclear.
[11] Reading 沙 for 少, per the commentaries. Shaohai was near Kaifeng.
[12] It is not clear which King of Chu is indicated here.
[13] Yeting is now Huarong in Hubei.
[14] At the time the only way to get from Zhou to Qi was via Wei or Chu (or Qin, which route was not an option for obvious reasons).
[15] By this point Zhou's territory had been reduced to the areas immediately surrounding the old capital.
[16] Reading 鳧 for 馬, per the commentaries.
[17] The commentaries disagree about the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[18] Yin was another name for the Shang dynasty, which was conquered by Zhou.
[19] Reading 凡得 for 得, per the commentaries.
[20] Reading 而鼎 for 凡一鼎而, per the commentaries.
[21] Reading 械器 for 器械, per the commentaries.
[22] The commentaries suggest 已 for 以.
[23] The commentaries suggest 切 for 竊, but modern translations use the original version.
[24] The commentaries suggest that the 者 here is superfluous.
秦攻宜陽
Qin attacks yiyang
秦攻宜陽，周君謂趙累曰：「子以為何如？」對曰：「宜陽必拔也。」君曰：「宜陽城方八里，材士十萬，粟支數年，公仲之軍二十萬，景翠以楚之眾，臨山而救之，秦必無功。」對曰：「甘茂，羈旅也，攻宜陽而有功，則周公旦也；無功，則削跡於秦。秦王不聽群臣父兄之義而攻宜陽，宜陽不拔，秦王恥之。臣故曰拔。」君曰：「子為寡人謀，且柰何？」對曰：「君謂景翠曰：『公爵為執圭，官為柱國，戰而勝，則無加焉矣；不勝，則死。不如背秦援宜陽。公進兵，秦恐公之乘其弊也，必以寶事公；公中慕公之為己乘秦也，亦必盡其寶。』」
Qin attacked Yiyang[1]. The Lord of Zhou[2] summoned Zhao Lei[3] and said, "What do you make of this?"
Zhao Lei replied: "Yiyang will certainly be taken."
The Lord of Zhou said, "Yiyang is a walled city of eight square li[4], it has a hundred thousand brave men and several years' grain stored. Han Gongzhong's[5] army is two hundred thousand strong. Jing Cui[6] has Chu's battalions and they are approaching the mountains[7] to provide assistance. Qin will certainly not succeed."
Zhao Lei replied, "Gan Mao[8] has paused in Qin on his travels. If he attacks Yiyang and encounters success then he will be like Duke Wen of Zhou[9]. If he does not succeed then all trace of him will be wiped from Qin. The King of Qin[10] refused to listen to the reasoning[11] of his assembled private secretaries or his family. If Yiyang is not taken, it will be a humiliation for him. Your servant therefore says that it will be taken."
The Lord of Zhou said, "If you were tasked with formulating a strategy for us[12], how would you handle this?"
Zhao Lei replied, "Your Lordship should speak to Jing Cui, saying, 'You have already been given the rank of Consul General and the post of Generalissimo[13]. If you fight and win, then there is no further reward that can be added to this. If you fight and do not win, then you will die. It would be better wait behind the Qin lines until Qin takes Yiyang[14] and then advance your troops. Qin will be afraid that you are about to take advantage of its exhaustion, and will certainly use its treasures to serve your interests. Gongzhong[15] will be grateful to you for taking advantage of Qin on his behalf, and will and will certainly give you as much of his own treasury as he can.'"
秦拔宜陽，景翠果進兵。秦懼，遽效煮棗，韓氏果亦效重寶。景翠得城於秦，受寶於韓，而德東周。
Qin took Yiyang and Jing Cui advanced his troops. Qin was afraid and offered him Zhuzao[16]. As a result of this, the Han family also offered him significant treasures. Jing Cui received a fortified city from Qin and treasure from Han, and East Zhou paid tribute to him.
[1] Yiyang is now in Yiyang County. At the time it was a border fortress belonging to Han. It was strategically important insofar as that it provided Qin with a base from which to pursue its expansion.
[2] Probably Lord Wu of East Zhou (315 - 256 BC), the third ruler of East Zhou.
[3] Zhao Lei was famous for his perspicacity, but this is the only concrete example remaining.
[4] The length of a li varied across time and place, but was usually around a third of a mile.
[5] Han Gongzhong was a member of the Han royal house. He served as Chancellor of Han for a time, before being killed as a result of his feud with Han Gongshu.
[6] Jing Cui was a general from Chu. He came from an aristocratic background and served successive sovereigns.
[7] Yiyang was at the eastern end of the Qinling Mountains.
[8] Gan Mao was originally from Chu. He was serving as a high-ranking minister in the Qin government at the time.
[9] Duke Wen of Zhou consolidated his brother's conquest of the Shang Dynasty. He was considered a model of military and civil excellence.
[10] King Zhaoxiang of Qin (306–251 BC) 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 議 for 義, per the commentaries.
[12] The commentaries suggest 曰 as an alternative for 為.
[13] Literally "jade sceptre" and "pillar of the state" - these titles were specific to Chu.
[15] This sentence is clearly incorrect, but the commentaries are not sure how it should read, suggesting 背之秦， 秦拔宜陽. This is a best guess interpretation.
[16] Reading 公仲 for 公中, per the commentaries.
[17] Zhuzao was near Heze in Shandong.
東周與西周戰
east Zhou goes to war With west zhou
東周與西周戰，韓救西周。為東周謂韓王曰：「西周者，故天子之國也，多名器重寶。案兵而勿出，可以德東周，西周之寶可盡矣。」
East Zhou went to war with West Zhou and Han assisted West Zhou. Someone spoke to the King of Han[1] on behalf of East Zhou, saying: "West Zhou was formerly the Son of Heaven's state, and has many famous objects and weighty treasures. If you raise an army but do not deploy it, you can ensure that East Zhou pays tribute to you and make West Zhou exhaust its treasures."[2]
[1] King Xiang of Han (311 - 296 BC) suffered repeated attacks by both Qin and Chu during his reign.
[2] I.e. both will attempt to bribe Han.
東周與西周爭
east Zhou Vies for Power with west zhou
東周與西周爭，西周欲和於楚、韓。齊明謂東周君曰：「臣恐西周之與楚、韓寶，令之為己求地於東周也。不如謂楚、韓曰，西周之欲入寶，持二端。今東周之兵不急西周，西周之寶不入楚、韓。楚、韓欲得寶，即且趣我攻西周。西周寶出，是我為楚、韓取寶以德之也，西周弱矣。」
When East Zhou was vying for power with West Zhou, West Zhou wanted a peace agreement with Chu and Han. Qi Ming[1] spoke to the Lord of East Zhou[1], saying: "Your servant is afraid that West Zhou will give Chu and Han treasures, and will have them demand lands in East Zhou on its behalf. It would be better for you to speak to Chu and Han, saying: 'If West Zhou is to send you treasures, it will have to be squeezed on both sides, but now the troops of East Zhou are not putting any pressure on West Zhou, so West Zhou's treasures will never end up in Chu or Han.' If Chu and Han want to get hold of these treasures, they will thus have push us to attack West Zhou. West Zhou will send out its treasure and we will take the treasure taken by Chu and Han as a tribute to us, weakening West Zhou."[3]
[1] Qi Ming seems to have been a politician from Chu.
[2] Duke Wu of East Zhou (315 - 256 BC) was the second ruler of the Duchy of East Zhou.
[3] That is, if East Zhou threatens West Zhou, West Zhou will pay Chu and Han for their support, and a part of the money will then be transferred to East Zhou in recognition for its help in creating the situation in the first place.
東周欲為稻
east Zhou wishes to grow rice
東周欲為稻，西周不下水，東周患之。蘇子謂東周君曰：「臣請使西周下水可乎？」乃往見西周之君曰：「君之謀過矣！今不下水，所以富東周也。今其民皆種麥，無他種矣。君若欲害之，不若一為下水，以病其所種。下水，東周必復種稻；種稻而復奪之。若是，則東周之民可令一仰西周，而受命於君矣。」西周君曰：「善。」遂下水。蘇子亦得兩國之金也。
East Zhou wished to grow rice, but West Zhou refused to open the irrigation channels. This worried East Zhou. Master Su[1] spoke to the Lord of East Zhou[2], saying, "Your servant begs permission to make West Zhou open the irrigation channels."
Consequently, he went to see the Lord of West Zhou[3], and said, "Your Lordship is following the wrong strategy. If you do not open the channels now, you will simply be enriching East Zhou. Currently their people are all planting wheat and nothing else. If Your Lordship wants to injure them, there would be no better course of action than to open the irrigation channels and thereby blight the crops they have planted[4]. If you let the water through, East Zhou will have to return to planting rice, and after they plant the rice you can once again deprive them of it. This being so, the citizens of East Zhou can be made to turn to West Zhou, their fates being in Your Lordship's hands."
The Lord of West Zhou said, "Very well."[4]. Master Su received money from both states.
[1] Su Li, a brother of Su Qin, one of the most famous "wandering persuaders" of the era.
[2] Probably Lord Wu of East Zhou (315 - 256 BC), the third ruler of East Zhou.
[3] Duke Wu of West Zhou (? - 256 BC) was the penultimate ruler of West Zhou.
[4] The channels would overflow into the fields, creating a good environment for growing rice but killing any wheat that had already been planted.
[5] The commentaries suggest that the characters 遂下水 here are superfluous.
昭獻在陽翟
Zhao Xian Visits Yangdi
昭獻在陽翟，周君將令相國往，相國將不欲。蘇厲為之謂周君曰：「楚王與魏王遇也，主君令陳封之楚，令向公之魏。楚、韓之遇也，主君令許公之楚，令向公之韓。今昭獻非人主也，而主君令相國往；若其王在陽翟，主君將令誰往？」周君曰：「善。」乃止其行。
Zhao Xian[1] was in Yangdi[2]. The Lord of Zhou[3] was going to send his Chancellor[4] to meet him, but the latter did not wish to go. Su Li[5] addressed the Lord of Zhou on his behalf, saying, "When the King of Chu[6] was going to meet the King of Wei[7], our sovereign first sent Chen Feng[8] to Chu and Duke Xiang[9] to Wei. When Chu and Han were going to meet, our sovereign first sent Duke Xu[10] to Chu and Duke Xiang to Han. Zhao Xian is not a ruler of men and yet our sovereign is ordering the Chancellor to meet him. If his King comes to Yangdi, who then will you send to meet him?"
The Lord of Zhou replied, "Very well." Accordingly the mission was cancelled.[12]
[1] Zhao Xian belonged to the lineage that traditionally provided Chu's Prime Ministers, and he served in this position for a time.
[2] Yangdi is now Yuzhou in Henan.
[3] Probably King Nan of Zhou (314–256 BC). King Nan was the last King of Zhou and, in theory at least, the ruler of All-Under-Heaven. In 256 BC he went to Qin to offer his submission, but was imprisoned and died shortly afterwards. His heir was exiled, and the state annexed.
[4] It is unclear who is indicated here.
[5] Su Li, a brother of Su Qin, one of the most famous "wandering persuaders" of the era.
[6] It is not clear which King of Chu is indicated here.
[7] It is not clear which King of Wei is indicated here.
[8] According to the commentaries, Chen Feng was a politician in Zhou.
[9] According to the commentaries, Duke Xiang was a politician in Zhou.
[10] The commentaries are not clear whether this should read 葉公 (Duke Ye) for 許公. Duke Ye was a grandson of King Zhuang of Chu (613–591 BC) and successfully put down a rebellion in Chu. He spent the major part of his career in Chu, and it is not clear why he would have been working for Zhou.
[11] Duke Xiang was a politician in Zhou.
[12] Su Li is arguing that sending the Chancellor on such a mission will create protocol problems later, if a higher-ranking visitor arrives and they have no one left above the rank of Chancellor to send out to meet him.
秦假道於周以伐韓
Qin Plans to Use the Road Through Zhou to Attack Han
秦假道於周以伐韓，周恐假之而惡於韓，不假而惡於秦。史黶謂周君曰：「君何不令人謂韓公叔曰：『秦敢絕塞而伐韓者，信東周也。公何不與周地，發重使使之楚，秦必疑，不信周，是韓不伐也。』又謂秦王曰：『韓強與周地，將以疑周於秦，寡人不敢弗受。』秦必無辭而令周弗受，是得地於韓而聽於秦也。」
Qin planned to make use of the road through Zhou in order to attack Han. Zhou was afraid to allow Qin to use the road and be resented by Han or to refuse and be resented by Qin. Shi Yan[1] spoke to the Lord of Zhou[2], saying, "Why does Your Lordship not send someone to speak to Han Gongshu[3], saying to him: 'If Qin dares to violate our borders and attack Han, it is because it trusts East Zhou[4]. Why not offer Zhou land and have them send an high-ranking envoy to Chu? Qin will certainly be suspicious and cease trusting Zhou. This being so, Han will not be attacked.' At the same time, speak to the King of Qin[5], saying: 'Han is forcing Zhou to accept a gift of land in order to create suspicion between Zhou and Qin. We dare not refuse.' There is no way for the King of Qin to reject this explanation and order Zhou not to accept the gift. This being so, we will receive land from Han while remaining obedient to Qin."
[1] Shi Yan is known principally via this text. He also makes a brief appearance in one of Liu Xiang's other collections, the Garden of Persuasions, chatting with Marquis Wen of Wei.
[2] Probably King Nan of Zhou (314–256 BC). King Nan was the last King of Zhou and, in theory at least, the ruler of All-Under-Heaven. In 256 BC he went to Qin to offer his submission, but was imprisoned and died shortly afterwards. His heir was exiled, and the state annexed.
[3] Han Gongshu served as Chancellor of Han for a time, having defeated Han Gongshu in an internal power struggle.
[4] East Zhou was, in theory, subject to Nan's control, but in practice functioned as an independent polity.
[5] King Wu of Qin (310–307 BC) 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 on a bet.
楚攻雍氏
Chu Attacks the Yong
Family
楚攻雍氏，周粻秦、韓，楚王怒周，周之君患之。為周謂楚王曰：「以王之強而怒周，周恐，必以國合於所與粟之國，則是勁王之敵也。故王不如速解周恐，彼前得罪而後得解，必厚事王矣。」
Chu attacked the Yong family[1], Zhou sent grain to support Qin and Han[2]. The King of Chu[3] was angry with Zhou, and this worried the Lord of Zhou[4]. Someone spoke to the King of Chu on Zhou's behalf, saying, "On account of Your Majesty's strength and your indignation against Zhou, Zhou will be afraid and will certainly make an accord between its state and those to which it provided grain, thus reinforcing your enemies. Therefore, it would be better for Your Majesty to quickly relieve Zhou of its fears. If they were the first to transgress and you still forgive them, they will certainly be prodigal in their service to you."
[1] The Yong clan had had a state of their own up to the middle of the Spring and Autumn period, when it was annexed by Jin. It occupied an important strategic location, and saw much military action.
[2] Which were backing the Yong family.
[3] King Qingxiang of Chu (298–263 BC) was the son of King Huai, and ascended the throne while his father was still held prisoner in Qin.
[4] King Nan of Zhou (314–256 BC). King Nan was the last King of Zhou and, in theory at least, the ruler of All-Under-Heaven. In 256 BC he went to Qin to offer his submission, but was imprisoned and died shortly afterwards. His heir was exiled, and the state annexed.
周最謂石禮
Zhou Zui Speaks to Lü Li
周最謂石禮曰：「子何不以秦攻齊？臣請令齊相子，子以齊事秦，必無處矣。子因令周最居魏以共之，是天下制於子也。子東重於齊，西貴於秦，秦、齊合，則子常重矣。」
Zhou Zui[1] spoke to Lü Li[2], saying: "Why do you not use Qin to attack Qi? Your servant begs permission to have Qi appoint you as Chancellor. You can thus use Qi to serve Qin, and will certainly have no further worries[3]. You can take the opportunity to get Zhou[4] to have me appointed to a position in Wei so that we can work together. This being done, control of All Under Heaven will be yours. In the East you will be influential in Qi, and in the West you will be honoured in Qin. By forming an accord between Qin and Qi, your influence will endure."
[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. When this story took place he was working for Qi.
[2] Reading 呂禮 for 石禮, per the commentaries. Lü Li was a distant relation of the Qi ruling family who later rose to high office in Qin.
[3] Reading 慮 for 處
[4] Reading 令周 for 令, per the commentaries.
周相呂倉見客於周君
Chancellor Lü Cang Brings a Guest to See the lord of zhou
周相呂倉見客於周君。前相工師藉恐客之傷己也，因令人謂周君曰：「客者，辯士也，然而所以不可者，好毀人。」
Chancellor Lü Cang[1] of Zhou brought a visitor to see the Lord of Zhou[2]. The former Chancellor, Gong Shijie[3], was afraid that the visitor would do him ill, so he took the opportunity to send someone to speak to the Lord of Zhou, saying: "To make a living as a guest of others[4], one must be a devious persuader; this being so, his proposals will be unusable, since he must be prone to lying about others."
[1] Lü Cang was a politician in Zhou and also seems to have worked in Wei.
[2] King Hui of Zhou (255–249 BC). He began his career as Duke Zhaowen of East Zhou. By the time he took the throne, the majority of Zhou's land had already been annexed and he only had control over his personal domain in Chengzhou. He was finally hunted down and executed by Qin's troops, and his lands given to Lü Buwei.
[3] Gong Shijie is known principally via this story and the next one.
[4] This role was similar to that of a client in ancient Rome. A poor-but-educated individual would receive a stipend from a politician to bolster his entourage.
周文君免士工師籍
Lord Wen of Zhou Dismisses Gong Shijie
周文君免士工師藉，相呂倉，國人不說也。君有閔閔之心。
Lord Wen of Zhou[1] dismissed Gong Shijie[2], and made Lü Cang[3] Chancellor instead. The people of the country were not pleased, and the Lord of Zhou's mind was troubled.
謂周文君曰：「國必有誹譽，忠臣令誹在己，譽在上。宋君奪民時以為臺，而民非之，無忠臣以掩蓋之也。子罕釋相為司空，民非子罕而善其君。齊桓公宮中七市，女閭七百，國人非之。管仲故為三歸之家，以掩桓公，非自傷於民也？春秋記臣弒君者以百數，皆大臣見譽者也。故大臣得譽，非國家之美也。故眾庶成彊，增積成山。」周君遂不免。
Someone[4] spoke to him, saying: "A state must assign blame and praise. A loyal servant should take criticism upon themselves, while praise goes to their superior. The Lord of Song[5] impinged upon the people's time by making them build him a tower[5]. The people criticised him as he had no loyal servant to protect him, but Zi Han[6] resigned his position as Chancellor to serve as the Minister of Works, so the people criticised him and praised the Lord of Song. Duke Huan of Qi's[7] palace contained plenty of women[8], but he bought seven hundred more[9], and the people of the state criticised him for it. Therefore, Guan Zhong[10] built the Hall of Three Returns to deflect criticism from Duke Huan and suffer the people's opprobrium himself. The Spring and Autumn Annals records hundreds of servants who killed their lords, and all of them enjoyed a good reputation. So it is that when high-ranking public servants acquire a good reputation, it is not to the state's benefit, since many individuals make a mob[11], just as[12] many grains of sand make a mountain[13]." The Lord of Zhou accordingly refrained from dismissing Lü Cang.
[1] King Hui of Zhou (255–249 BC). He began his career as Duke Zhaowen of East Zhou. By the time he took the throne, the majority of Zhou's land had already been annexed and he only had control over his personal domain in Chengzhou. He was finally hunted down and executed by Qin's troops, and his lands given to Lü Buwei.
[2] Gong Shijie is known principally via this story and the next one.
[3] Lü Cang was a politician in Zhou and also seems to have worked in Wei.
[4] I.e. someone speaking on Lü Cang's behalf.
[5] Duke Ping of Song (575 - 532 BC).
[6] Zi Han lived in the Spring and Autumn period and had become a byword for official virtue by this point.
[7] Duke Huan of Qi (685–643 BC) was the greatest ruler of Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period, and with his Chancellor Guan Zhong led the state to a position of hegemony over the other states.
[8] Reading 女 for 七, per the commentaries.
[9] This sentence is confusing and subject to multiple interpretations. Duke Huan enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, but he also instituted state-owned brothels as a source of revenue. This story seems to be a garbled amalgamation of the two. Here it has been rendered so as to accommodate as many of the existing interpretations as possible.
[10] Guan Zhong served as Chancellor of Qi under Duke Huan and helped him achieve hegemony. He kept a large entourage, but also argued in favour of prodigal state spending for Keynesian reasons.
[11] Reading 強 for 彊, per the commentaries.
[12] Reading 如 for 成, per the commentaries.
[13] I.e. the more supporters a politician has, the more likely he is to attempt a coup.
温人之周
A Traveler from Wen Visits Zhou
溫人之周，周不納。客即對曰：「主人也。」問其巷而不知也，吏因囚之。君使人問之曰：「子非周人，而自謂非客何也？」對曰：「臣少而誦詩，詩曰：『普天之下，莫非王土；率土之濱，莫非王臣。』今周君天下，則我天子之臣，而又為客哉？故曰主人。」君乃使吏出之。
A traveler from Wen[1] came to Zhou. Zhou would not allow him in, asking, "Are you a guest?"[2]
He replied, saying, "This is my home." They asked which street he lived in and he did not know, so he was imprisoned.
The Lord of Zhou[3] sent someone to interrogate him, saying, "You are not from Zhou, why did you say that you are not a guest?"
He replied: "When I was small, I learnt to recite the Book of Poetry, and the Book of Poetry says, 'Of all that is under the heavens, there is nothing that is not the King's land; within the boundaries formed by the sea, there is no one who is not the King's servant.'[4]. Now Zhou is Lord over All Under Heaven, and I am the Son of Heaven's servant, so how can I also be a visitor in his land?[5] That is why I say this is my home." Accordingly the Lord of Zhou had the officials release him.
[1] A city in Wei, it is not clear exactly where it was.
[2] Reading 周不內，問曰：「客耶？」對曰 for 周不納。客即對曰, per the commentaries.
[3] It is not clear which ruler is indicated here.
[4] The wording is slightly different in the current standard version, but the sentiment is the same. A translation is available here.
[5] All Under Heaven (天下) was the term used to refer to the whole of the Chinese cultural sphere, with the rightful Emperor being the Son of Heaven (天子). While the Zhou ruling family had once controlled the former under the latter title, that era had long passed by the time that this story is supposed to have taken place. It is generous of Liu Xiang to accept the traveler's self-assessment and place this persuasion among the Zhou chapters rather than in the Wei section.
或為周最謂金投
someone Speaks to to Jin Tou on Behalf of Zhou Zui
或為周最謂金投曰：「秦以周最之齊疑天下，而又知趙之難子齊人戰，恐齊、韓之合，必先合於秦。秦、齊合，則公之國虛矣。公不如救齊，因佐秦而伐韓、魏，上黨長子趙之有。公東收寶於秦，南取地於韓，魏因以因，徐為之東，則有合矣。」
Someone spoke to Jin Tou[1] on behalf of Zhou Zui[2], saying: "Qin is using Zhou Zui's journey to Qi to create suspicion among All-Under-Heaven. Qin also knows that it will be difficult to for Zhao go to war against the people of Qi. If Zhao is afraid that Qi and Han will form an accord, it will pre-empt this via an accord with Qin[3], as a Qin-Qi alliance would leave your state in ruins[4]. There is no better option than for you to aid Qi, taking the opportunity to assist Qin in an attack on Han and Wei and gaining possession of Shangdang[5] and Zhangzi[6] for Zhao. You will receive treasures from Qin in the East[7], and land from Han in the South. As a result, Wei will be encircled[8] and slowly move eastwards, and so you will gain an alliance[9]."
[1] Jin Tou was also known as Jin Shou. At the time of this story he was serving in the Zhao government; he later took up an official position in Qin.
[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. It is not clear where he was working at the time of this story.
[3] The commentaries suggest that these two sentences contain multiple errors, and differ regarding the correct reading. This version is a best guess attempt.
[4] Reading 墟 for 虛 as the commentaries suggest.
[5] Shangdang Commandery was a key strategic location, regularly fought over by Zhao, Wei, Han and Qin.
[6] Zhangzi was towards the South of the old Shangdang Commandery, in modern Changzhi, Shanxi.
[7] This statement is somewhat puzzling, given that Qin was to the West of Zhao.
[8] Reading 魏因以困 for 魏因以因, per the commentaries.
[9] I.e. an alliance between Zhao and Qi, since Qi will be worried about the threat from Wei.
周最謂金投
Zhou Zui Speaks to Jin Tou
周最謂金投曰：「公負令秦與強齊戰。戰勝，秦且收齊而封之，使無多割，而聽天下之戰；不勝，國大傷，不得不聽秦。秦盡韓、魏之上黨太原，西止秦之有已。秦地，天下之半也，制齊、楚、三晉之命，復國且身危，是何計之道也。」
Zhou Zui[1] spoke to Jin Tou[2], saying: "You are relying upon Qin's strength against mighty Qi[3]. If you fight and win, Qin will receive Qi as a vassal, ensure that little of their land is bestowed upon you, and wait to hear news of war throughout All-Under-Heaven[4]. If you do not win, your state will be seriously harmed and you will have no choice but to obey Qin. Qin has reached Shangdang[3] and Taiyuan[4] in the territories of Han and Wei, and now all the lands[7] in the West are the property of Qin. Qin lands now account for half of All-Under-Heaven, and when it gains control over the fates of Qi, Chu and the Three Jin, any attempt to protect[8] your own state will put your life in danger. This being so, how can you plan to follow such a path?"
[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] Jin Tou was also known as Jin Shou. At the time of this story he was serving in the Zhao government; he later took up an official position in Qin.
[3] This sentence is not clear, and the commentaries differ regarding the correct reading.
[4] The commentaries suggest that multiple states were hoping for land from Qi, and if Qin prevented them from getting it it they would go to war for it, thus weakening Qi.
[5] Shangdang Commandery was an important strategic location, regularly fought over by Zhao, Han, Wei and - later - Qin. It would later be the location of the Battle of Changping, when Qin finally defeated Zhao.
[6] Taiyuan is still called Taiyuan, and lies to the North of the former Shangdang Commandery.
[7] Reading 土 for 止, per the commentaries. Some commentaries also suggest that 秦 should be 而, in which case the sentence would read "and now their lands are the property of Qin".
[8] Reading 覆 for 復, per the commentaries.