東周 THE STRATAGEMS OF EAST ZHOU (B)
石行秦谓大梁造
Officer qin Speaks to the superintendent of works
石行秦謂大梁造曰：「欲決霸王之名，不如備兩周辯知之士。」謂周君曰：「君不如令辯知之士，為君爭於秦。」
Officer Qin[1] spoke to the Superintendent of Works[2], saying, "If we want to be judged worthy of the name of hegemon, the best thing would be to fill our civil service with the most eloquent and knowledgeable officials of the two Zhous."
He also spoke to the Lord of Zhou[3], saying, "The best thing for Your Lordship would be to have your most eloquent and knowledgeable officials argue your case in Qin."
[1] Reading 右行 for 石行. This was an army rank in the Spring and autumn period, but later served as a family name as well. The commentaries suggest that this story refers to an army officer named either Qin or Chu (assuming that 楚 is an error for 秦), but it could also be an individual named either Youhang Qin or Youhang Chu. However, 行秦 also means "goes to Qin", and the story follows an old joke format that is still in use today, hinting that none of these people may actually have existed. Whatever his name or rank may be, he must be from Qin.
[2] 大梁造 (rendered here as "Superintendent of Works") was a mid-level civil service position created by Shang Yang in Qin.
[3] No specific ruler is indicated here.
謂薛公
Speaking to The duke Of xue
謂薛公曰：「周最於齊王也而逐之，聽祝弗，相呂禮者，欲取秦。秦、齊合，弗與禮重矣。有周齊，秦必輕君。君弗如急北兵趨趙以秦、魏，收周最以為後行，且反齊王之信，又禁天下之率。齊無秦，天下果，弗必走，齊王誰與為其國？」
Someone spoke to the Duke of Xue[1], saying: "Zhou Zui[2] was compensated lavishly[3] by the King of Qi[4], and then expelled from Qi. The King listens to Zhu Fu[5] and has made Lü Li[6] Chancellor, hoping to win Qin over[7]. If Qin and Qi form an accord, Fu and Li will be even more influential. If they have Qi and Qin on their side, Your Lordship will be diminished[8]. The best thing would be for you to hurry your army North to threaten Zhao into cooperating with you against Qin and Wei[9]. Receive Zhou Zui into your service and let him act for you[10]. Betray the King of Qi's trust[11], and prevent alliances from forming in All Under Heaven[12]. If Qi does not have Qin on its side, All Under Heaven will unite against Qi[13]. Fu will certainly flee. To whom will the King of Qi entrust his state then[14]?"
[1] There was more than one Duke of Xue, but the one indicated here is probably Tian Wen, whose dramatic career was the source of a large number of persuasions. The content of the story seems to imply that it is taking place after the Duke's position in Qi had begun to decline, but before he switched allegiance to Wei. The army mentioned later thus refers to Tian's personal troops, not the Qi army.
[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] Reading 厚也 for 也, per the commentaries.
[4] King Min of Qi (300–284 BC) 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] This person is known principally via this story and the next one.
[6] Lü Li has appeared in previous chapters. He was born in Qi but later left to take up high office in Qin.
[7] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[8] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[9] This sentence is not clear, and this interpretation follows the analysis given by the commentaries.
[10] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[11] Some modern translations interpret this as "restore the credibility of the King of Qi".
[12] The commentaries disagree as to whether 率 should read 變. In the event that the latter is correct, the sentence should read as "prevent tumult in All Under Heaven".
[13] The commentaries interpret 果 as meaning 集.
[14] I.e. the King would have to rely upon the Duke of Xue.
齊聽祝弗
QI Pays Attention to Zhu Fu
齊聽祝弗，外周最。謂齊王曰：「逐周最、聽祝弗、相呂禮者，欲深取秦也。秦得天下，則伐齊深矣。夫齊合，則趙恐伐，故急兵以示秦。秦以趙攻，與之齊伐趙，其實同理，必不處矣。故用祝弗，即天下之理也。」
Qi listened to Zhu Fu[1] and sent Zhou Zui[2] away. Someone spoke to the King of Qi[3], saying: "If you have expelled Zhou Zui, but you listen to Zhu Fu, and have made Lü Li[4] Chancellor, it is on account of your desire to win Qin over completely, but if Qin gains the backing of All-Under-Heaven, it will certainly strike deeply into Qi, and if Qin and Qi form an accord[5], then Zhao will fear an attack[6] and thus will quickly advance its troops[7] to demonstrate its intentions to Qin. Qin will have Zhao attack you and will push you to attack Zhao, with the same end in mind: that neither of you should be stable. Thus, by employing Zhu Fu you will bring order to All-Under-Heaven[8]."
[1] We first met Zhu Fu in the previous chapter, similarly engaged in frustrating Zhou Zui's career plans.
[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 Min of Qi (300–284 BC) 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.
[4] Lü Li has appeared in previous chapters. He was born in Qi but later left to take up high office in Qin.
[5] Reading 夫秦齊 for 夫齊, per the commentaries.
[6] By Qin.
[7] Against Qi.
[8] Under Qin hegemony.
蘇厲為周最謂蘇秦
Su Li Speaks to Su Qin on Zhou Zui's Behalf
蘇厲為周最謂蘇秦曰：「君不如令王聽最，以地合於魏、趙，故必怒合於齊，是君以合齊與強楚吏產子。君若欲因最之事，則合齊者，君也；割地者，最也。」
Su Li[1] spoke to Su Qin[2] on Zhou Zui's[3] behalf, saying: "Your Lordship could do nothing better than to ensure that the King[4] listens to Zui, and offers land to establish an alliance with Wei. Zhao[5] will certainly be afraid[6] that an accord with Qi is immanent[7]. This being so, you can take advantage of this posited accord[8] with Qi to approach mighty Chu[9], ensuring the future of our descendants. If you are willing to thus seize the opportunity to serve Zui's interests, then the one creating an accord for Qi will be you, and the one distributing domains will be Zui."[8]
[1] Su Li was a brother of Su Qin, one of the most famous "wandering persuaders" of the era.
[2] Su Qin worked for almost all of the states during a long and successful career as the principal proponent of the anti-Qin alliance. He was working for Qi at the time at which this story took place.
[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 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.
[5] The commentaries read 魏。趙 for 魏、趙.
[6] Reading 恐 for 怒, per the commentaries.
[7] As this would allow the Zhou-Wei-Qi alliance to attack Zhao from both sides.
[8] The commentaries suggest 全以 as a possible alternative for 以合, which does not substantially alter the sense.
[9] To give them the opportunity to make Qi a better offer.
[10] The implication is that it is Zhou Zui's goal to create an agreement between Zhou and Wei, and Su Qin's goal to create an alliance between Qi and Chu. If each pursues his own interests, the resulting climate of fear is likely to result in both achieving their ends.
謂周最曰仇赫之相宋
Telling Zhou Zui That Chou He Has Been Made Chancellor of Song
謂周最曰：「仇赫之相宋，將以觀秦之應趙、宋，敗三國。三國不敗，將興趙、宋合於東方以孤秦。亦將觀韓、魏之於齊也。不固，則將與宋敗三國，則賣趙、宋於三國。公何不令人謂韓、魏之王曰：『欲秦、趙之相賣乎？何不合周最兼相，視之不可離，則秦、趙必相賣以合於王也。』」
Someone said to Zhou Zui[1]: "Chou Hao[2] has been made Chancellor of Song. He will be watching Qin to see if it responds to the call from Zhao and Song to defeat the Three States[3]. If the Three States are not defeated, he will aim to create an alliance between Zhao and Song in the East to isolate Qin. He will observe the attitudes of Han and Wei[4]. If they do not show solidarity, then he will find others to join Song[5] with the aim of defeating the Three States, and then try to sell the support of Zhao[6] and Song to the Three States. Why does Your Lordship not send someone to speak to the Kings of Han[7] and Wei[8], saying: 'Do you want Qin and to Zhao sell each other out? Why not appoint Zhou Zui as your joint leader, such that you will not be able to break away from one another. then Qin and Zhao will sell each other out for an alliance with you.'"[9]
[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] Reading 郝 for 赫, per the commentaries. Chou Hao was also known as Chou Ye. Originally from Zhao, he worked as a politician in Song.
[3] Qi, Han and Wei. The commentaries suggest that there may be a break in this sentence.
[4] Commentaries and modern translations disagree regarding the 之於齊也 ("towards Qi") part. It may be intended to read "towards Qin".
[5] The commentaries assume that this refers to Qin.
[6] The commentaries do not agree whether Zhao belongs in this sentence.
[7] King Xiang of Han (311 - 296 BC) suffered repeated attacks by both Qin and Chu during his reign.
[8] The early fourth century history of Wei is confusing, making it unclear which King is being referenced here. If King Ai existed it was probably him. If not, it would have been King Hui.
[9] I.e. Chou Hao will try to use Qin and Zhao to defeat the Three States' alliance. If this does not succeed, he will try to break up the alliance and bring some or all of its members over to his side, thus creating a new alliance with himself at the centre. The Three States can counter this by putting in place a unified command structure that will make it more difficult for outsiders to profit from splits in the alliance.
為周最謂魏王
Speaking to the King of Wei on Behalf of Zhou Zui
為周最謂魏王曰：「秦知趙之難與齊戰也，將恐齊、趙之合也，必陰勁之。趙不敢戰，恐秦不己收也，先合於齊。秦、趙爭齊，而王無人焉，不可。王不去周最，合與收齊，而以兵之急則伐齊，無因事也。」
Someone spoke to the King of Wei[2] on behalf of Zhou Zui[2], saying: "Qin knows that Zhao will find it difficult to fight Qi[3]. It will be afraid that Qi and Zhao will form an alliance, and will secretly help to strengthen Zhao[4], but Zhao will still not dare risk a pitched battle. It is afraid that Qin will withhold its support and will prioritise an accord with Qi. If Qin and Zhao are competing over Qi[5] and Your Majesty has no one who can approach them, you will be able to do nothing. If you do not send Zhou Zui to make an accord and gain Qi's backing, then when the troops[6] are pressing[7] their attack against Qi you will have no opportunity to favour your own interests."[8]
[1] The early fourth century history of Wei is confusing, making it unclear which King is being referenced here. If King Ai existed it was probably him. If not, it would have been King Xiang.
[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. Presumably he was in Qi at the time of this story.
[3] This is the interpretation given by modern translations. The commentaries suggest that it should be interpreted as "Qin knows that Zhao's relations with Qi are troubled and they will fight".
[4] The commentaries disagree with this suggestion. It is suggested that 勁 could be intended to read 助, in which case Qin will be providing Zhao with military aid.
[5] The commentaries disagree on how to interpret this. Qin and Zhao may be competing for Qi's support, or it might be that Zhao wants Qi's support and Qin is planning to attack it.
[6] The commentaries and modern translations interpret this as referring to Qin's troops.
[7] Reading 急之 for 之急, per the commentaries.
[8] This story is confusing, and seems to be contradicted by the one that follows. The commentaries are unable to provide much help.
謂周最曰魏王以國與先生
Discussing King of Wei's Placing of his State in Zhou Zui's hands
謂周最曰：「魏王以國與先生，貴合於秦以伐齊。薛公故主，輕忘其薛，不顧其先君之丘墓，而公獨脩虛信為茂行，明群臣據故主，不與伐齊者，產以忿強秦，不可。公不如謂魏王、薛公曰：『請為王入齊，天下不能傷齊。而有變，臣請為救之；無變，王遂伐之。且臣為齊奴也，如累王之交於天下，不可。王為臣賜厚矣，臣入齊，則王亦無齊之累也。』」
Someone spoke to Zhou Zui[1], saying: "The King of Wei[2] has placed his state in your hands, Professor, and would value an accord with Qin in order to attack Qi. The Duke of Xue[3] was formerly a sovereign, but he neglects his domains in Xue, showing no care for the tombs of the former lords. Your Lordship is alone in cultivating empty trust and making a virtue of it[5], making it clear to your assembled private secretaries[6] that you still cling to your former sovereign[7]. You will not raise troops to attack Qi, which has angered mighty Qin[8]. This is unacceptable. You would do better to speak to the King of Wei and the Duke of Xue, saying: 'I beg permission to go to Qi on Your Majesty's behalf, then All-Under-Heaven will not be able to harm them. If there is any change, I beg permission to assist them. If there is no change, then Your Majesty may proceed to attack[9]. Your servant[10] was once a slave of Qi, but this cannot be allowed to disrupt[11] your Majesty's diplomacy with All under Heaven. You have rewarded your servant so generously that if I go to Qi then you will have no more troubles from that direction.'"[12]
[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. Presumably he was working in Wei at the time this story took place.
[2] The early fourth century history of Wei is confusing, making it unclear which King is being referenced here. If King Ai (319 - 296 BC) existed it was probably him. If not, it would have been King Hui (370 – 319 BC).
[3] Lord Mengchang, also known as Tian Wen, was Qi's greatest general at the time. He served most of his career in Qi, but left to work in Wei for some years in response to King Min's poor human resources policy. At the time of this story he would have been working in Wei.
[4] King Min of Qi (300–284 BC) 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] The commentaries do no agree on the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[6] In Wei.
[7] I.e. the King of Qi.
[8] The commentaries disagree on the precise implications of this sentence. This is a best guess interpretation.
[9] To attack Qi.
[10] The commentaries suggest 秦 for 臣, in which case it would read "Qin will be made a slave of Qi; it is impermissible that Your Majesty's diplomatic relations with All-Under-Heaven be disrupted".
[11] The commentaries disagree regarding the interpretation of this sentence.
[12] The text seems to be corrupt and the logic of this plan is not clear, but the general idea seems to be that Zhou Zui should demonstrate his willingness to betray Qi while still retaining the option to switch sides and revert to Qi if this seems beneficial.
趙取周之祭地
Zhao Captures the Altars of Zhou
趙取周之祭地，周君患之，告於鄭朝。鄭朝曰：「君勿患也，臣請以三十金復取之。」周君予之，鄭朝獻之趙太卜，因告以祭地事。及王病，使卜之。太卜譴之曰：「周之祭地為祟。」趙乃還之。
Zhao captured the altars of Zhou, and the Lord of Zhou[1] was vexed by this. He reported it to Zheng Chao[2], who said: “Do not worry, My Lord. I beg permission to spend thirty gold pieces to get them back." The Lord of Zhou gave him the money, and Zheng Chao offered it to the Palace Diviner of Zhao, taking the opportunity to tell him how to pursue the affair of the altars.
Eventually the King of Zhao[3] fell ill and commissioned a reading of the omens. The Palace Diviner rebuked him, saying: "The altars of Zhou are exerting a malevolent influence." Accordingly Zhao returned them.
[1] It is not clear which Lord of Zhou is indicated here.
[2] Zheng Chao was a politician originally from Zheng.
[3] It is not clear which King of Zhao is indicated here.
杜赫欲重景翠於周
Du He wishes to Increase Jing Cui's Influence in Zhou
杜赫欲重景翠於周，謂周君曰：「君之國小，盡君子重寶珠玉以事諸侯，不可不察也。譬之如張羅者，張於無鳥之所，則終日無所得矣；張於多鳥處，則又駭鳥〔四〕矣；必張於有鳥無鳥之際，然後能多得鳥矣。今君將施於大人，大人輕君；施於小人，小人無可以求，又費財焉。君必施於今之窮士，不必且為大人者，故能得欲矣。」
Du He[1] wished to increase Jing Cui[2]'s influence in Zhou. He spoke to the Lord of Zhou[3], saying: "Your Lordship's state is small; you[4] are expending significant amounts of treasure, jewels and jade to promote your affairs among the sovereign lords. This cannot go unquestioned. It is like stretching out nets to hunt birds: if you arrange them in a place where no birds go, then by the end of the day you will still not have caught anything. If you arrange them in a place with lots of birds, then you will frighten them away[4]. You must stretch out your nets on the boundary between places with many birds and places with none; then you will catch plenty. Currently you are offering gifts to grandees who treat you lightly, and to ordinary men who are incapable of providing assistance, thereby squandering resources. Your Lordship must give them to temporarily embarrassed officials whose future is uncertain, and whom you can transform into influential individuals. Thus you will be able to attain your desires."
[1] Du He may have been from Chu or Zhou.
[2] Jing Cui was a General from Chu.
[3] It is not clear which Lord of Zhou is indicated here.
[4] Reading 之 for 子, per the commentaries.
[4] I.e. the act of putting up the nets will spook the birds and they will fly away before any can be caught.
周共太子死
The Death of the Heir Apparent to the Duke of Zhou
周共太子死，有五庶子，皆愛之，而無適立也。司馬翦謂楚王曰：「何不封公子咎，而為之請太子？」左成謂司馬翦曰：「周君不聽，是公之知困而交絕於周也。不如謂周君曰：『孰欲立也？微告翦，翦今楚王資之以地。』公若欲為太子，因令人謂相國御展子、廧夫空曰：『王類欲令若為之，此健士也，居中不便於相國。』」相國令之為太子。
The heir apparent to the Duke of Zhou[1] died. He had five additional sons, and was fond of all of them, but none was appointed to the position. Sima Jian[2] spoke to the King of Chu[3], saying, "Why not bestow a domain upon Prince Jiu[4] and and beg that on his behalf that he be made the heir?"
Zuo Cheng[5] spoke to Sima Jian, saying, "The Lord of Zhou will not listen and thus you will discover the problem with your plan as our diplomatic relations with Zhou are severed. It would be better to say to the Lord of Zhou: 'Whom do you want to make your heir? Whisper it to me and I will have[6] the King of Chu offer[7] him land[8].' If you want this person to be made the heir, you can take the opportunity to have someone speak to the Chancellor's[9] drivers, Master Zhan[10] and Under-Secretary Kong[11], saying: 'The King[12] seems to prefer this person. He is an obstreperous individual, and if he is appointed I will never be made Chancellor[13].' Thus the Chancellor of Chu appointed the Crown Prince of Zhou.[14]
[1] The son of Duke Wu of West Zhou (315 - 256 BC).
[2] Sima Jian was a politician from Chu. He may have belonged to the Zhao family, which traditionally provided Chu's Prime Ministers.
[3] King Huai of Chu (328 - 299 BC) was known for having been the object of various poetic complaints by Qu Yuan. He was captured by Qin in 299 BC and his son King Qingxiang took the throne. He made one attempt to escape, but was recaptured and died in 296 BC.
[4] Prince Jiu later ruled West Zhou under the name Duke Wen (256 BC).
[5] Reading 右 for 左, per the commentaries. You Cheng was a politician from Chu.
[6] Reading 令 for 今, per the commentaries.
[7] Reading 奉 for 資 per the commentaries.
[8] In order to help increase his influence within the state of Zhou - the King would be more or less compelled to appoint the son with the greatest resources to the position, or risk insurrection.
[9] The commentaries suggest that this refers to a public servant in Chu. However, Chu traditionally used the word 尹 or 令尹 to refer to its chief bureaucrats (translated throughout this book as Prime Minister) while the other states used 相 (translated throughout this book as Chancellor).
[10] This person is not otherwise well-known.
[11] This person is not otherwise well-known.
[12] The King of Chu.
[13] Reading 使 for 便, per Liu, and following the interpretation given by Bao. The idea seems to be that if the heir to the Duke of Zhou is a difficult person then Sima Jian's post as ambassador will be made permanent and he will not be permitted to return to Chu to pursue his own political ambitions.
[14] This text is highly corrupt and difficult to understand. The general idea seems to be that Sima Jian should tell the Chancellor's drivers that if Prince Jiu is appointed then Sima Jian will be forced to remain in his current post and will not be able to challenge the Chancellor for his position. However, the text is extremely corrupt, and the commentaries and modern translations disagree regarding the precise meaning. The Records of the Grand Historian gives a far simpler version of this story, in which Sima Jian is advised to find out whom the Duke intends to make his heir and then have Chu bribe this person.
三國隘秦
Three States Block the Way Into Qin
三國隘秦，周令其相之秦，以秦之輕也，留其行。有人謂相國曰：「秦之輕重，未可知也。秦欲知三國之情，公不如遂見秦王曰：『請謂王聽東方之處。』秦必重公。是公重周，重周以取秦也。齊重故有周，而已取齊，是周常不失重國之交也。」
The Three States[1] blocked the way into Qin, and Zhou sent its Chancellor[2] to Qin. Because he was afraid of being treated with contempt by Qin, he delayed his journey. Someone spoke to the Chancellor, saying, " Qin's respect and contempt are impossible to anticipate. As Qin wishes to know the positions of the three states[3], the best thing would thus be to seek an audience with the King of Qin[4] and say: 'I request permission to eavesdrop on those in the East on your behalf[5].' Qin will certainly treat you with respect. This being the case, you can increase Zhou's influence, and if you increase Zhou's influence[6] you can use this to win Qin over to its side. Qi previously treated Zhou with respect and and ingratiated itself, thus Zhou bolstered itself by means of Qi's[7] support; in this way, Zhou can maintain its position and not lose its influence in the diplomacy between the states[8]."
[1] Han, Zhao and Wei.
[2] It is unclear which Chancellor this was. Modern translations suggest that the Zhou referred to was East Zhou.
[3] Some of the commentaries suggest 亡國 for 三國, in which case it would read "Qin wishes to know the positions of the doomed states".
[4] 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.
[5] Reading 為 for 謂, per the commentaries.
[6] Bao's commentary suggests that the characters 重周 are superfluous. This does not change the overall sense of the sentence.
[7] Another version gives Qin for Qi.
[8] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence. This interpretation follows modern Chinese translations.
昌他亡西周
Gong Ta Defects from West Zhou
昌他亡西周，之東周，盡輸西周之情於東周。東周大喜，西周大怒。馮且曰：「臣能殺之。」君予金三十斤。馮且使人操金與書，間遺昌他書曰：「告昌他，事可成，勉成之；不可成，亟亡來亡來。事久且泄，自令身死。」因使人告東周之候曰：「今夕有姦人當入者矣。」候得而獻東周，東周立殺昌他。
Gong Ta[1] defected from West Zhou and headed for East Zhou, bringing with him complete information about West Zhou's positions. East Zhou was delighted, West Zhou was enraged. Feng Ju[2] said, "Your servant can kill him." The Lord of West Zhou[3] gave him 30 catties of gold.
Feng Ju had someone take the gold with a letter, crossing into the borderlands and giving it to Gong Ta. The letter[4] said, "To Gong Ta: If it is possible to bring your business to a successful conclusion, endeavour to do so. If not, flee immediately and return[5]. If things drag on too long[6] information will leak and you will sign your own death warrant."
He then took the opportunity to send someone to report this to East Zhou's investigative agents[7], saying: "Tonight someone ill-intentioned will try to enter your domain." The police caught Gong Ta and gave him to East Zhou, which immediately executed him.[8]
[1] Reading 宮他 for 昌他, per the commentaries. Gong Ta was a politician who worked for both Zhou and Yan.
[2] Reading 馮雎 for 馮且 here and throughout, per the commentaries. Feng Ju was a politician from West Zhou.
[3] It is not clear which ruler is indicated here.
[4] The commentaries suggest that the 書 here may be superfluous. This does not change the sense.
[5] Reading 亡來 for 亡來亡來, per the commentaries.
[6] The commentaries suggest that the 久 may be superfluous, in which case the sentence would read "If information leaks you will sign your own death warrant."
[7] Following the interpretation given by Bao.
[8] Because he had a letter in his possession implying that he was up to no good.
昭翦與東周惡
Zhao Jian has Poor Relations with East Zhou
昭翦與東周惡，或謂照翦曰：「為公畫陰計。」照翦曰：「何也？」「西周甚憎東周，嘗欲東周與楚惡，西周必令賊賊公，因宣言東周也，以西周之於王也。」照翦曰：「善。吾又恐東周之賊己而以輕西周惡之於楚。」遽和東周。
Zhao Jian[1] had poor relations with East Zhou, so someone spoke to him[2], saying, "I will lay out a secret scheme for you."
Zhao Jian said, "What kind?"
"West Zhou[3] detests East Zhou, and has wished to sour relations between East Zhou and Chu for some time[4]. West Zhou will certainly send an assassin to attack you, providing an opportunity to spread the word that he was sent by East Zhou and enabling West Zhou to grow closer to the King[6]."
Zhao Jian said, "Good. I was also afraid that East Zhou would really assassinate in order to worsen relations between West Zhou and Chu[7]." Accordingly he reconciled with East Zhou.[8]
[1] Zhao Jian may be the same person as Sima Jian, mentioned previously. He was a politician in Chu.
[2] Reading 昭 for 照 here and throughout, per the commentaries.
[3] Bao suggests that 西 may be intended to read 曰, in which case the sentence would read "It is said that Zhou already detests East Zhou".
[4] Reading 常 for 嘗, per the commentaries.
[5] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence. This follows the current text and modern Chinese translations.
[6] King Huai of Chu (328 - 299 BC) was known for having been the object of various poetic complaints by Qu Yuan. He was captured by Qin in 299 BC and his son King Qingxiang took the throne. He made one attempt to escape, but was recaptured and died in 296 BC.
[7] Bao interprets this sentence thus: "Jian hates East Zhou so must favour West Zhou. West Zhou favours Jian therefore he will want to increase its influence in Chu. East Zhou wishes to harm their relations so will try to assassinate Jian. If Jian is dead, West will have no one on its side in Chu."
Dong will take advantage of this to send people to Chu to denigrate Xi.
[8] Commentaries and translations all disagree on the exact implications of this story. I have tried to retain the ambiguity of the original.
嚴氏為賊
The Yan Family Carries Out an Assassination
嚴氏為賊，而陽豎與焉。道周，周君留之十四日，載以乘車駟馬而遣之。韓使人讓周，周君患之。客謂周君曰：「正語之曰：『寡人知嚴氏之為賊，而陽豎與之，故留之十四日以待命也。小國不足亦以容賊，君之使又不至，是以遣之也。』」
The Yan family[1] carried out an assassination[2], and Yang Jian[3] participated. As he travelled through Zhou[4], the Lord of Zhou[5] detained him for fourteen days and then sent him on his way with a gift of a chariot and four horses. Han sent people to recall Zhou to its responsibilities[6], and the Lord of Zhou[7] was worried by this. A guest spoke to him[8], saying, "Simply say bluntly, 'We[9] knew that the Yan family carried out the assassination, and that Yang Jian took part in it, so we detained him for fourteen days while we waited for your instructions. As a small state, we lack the capacity to detain people merely on suspicion. Your Lordship's envoys still did not arrive, so we sent him on his way.'"
[1] The Yan family was influential in Han.
[2] This story refers to Han Xialei's assassination by Yan Sui, whom he had defeated in a struggle for the position of Chancellor.
[3] Reading 陽堅 for 陽豎, per the commentaries. Yang Jian is known principally via this story.
[4] In the course of his escape.
[5] Probably King An of Zhou (401–376 BC), the twenty-first Zhou sovereign. The commentaries suggest that one of the Lords of East Zhou was involved, but the Duchy was not founded until after the assassination of Han Xialei.
[6] I.e. to complain that Zhou had not held Yang Jian up until Han could send someone to collect him and bring him back to Han for trial and execution.
[7] Bao suggests 客謂周君正語之曰 for 客謂周君曰：「正語之曰, but modern Chinese translations do not follow this.
[8] This speech uses royal pronouns, to which the rulers of Han had no entitlement at the time. This indicates that it was most likely written long after.
[9] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.