趙三 THE STRATAGEMS OF ZHAO III (A)
趙惠文王三十年
In King Huiwen of Zhao's Thirtieth Year
趙惠文王三十年，相都平君田單問趙奢曰：「吾非不說將軍之兵法也，所以不服者，獨將軍之用眾。用眾者，使民不得耕作，糧食輓賃不可給也。此坐而自破之道也，非單之所為也。單聞之，帝王之兵，所用者不過三萬，而天下服矣。今將軍必負十萬、二十萬之眾乃用之，此單之所不服也。」
In King Huiwen of Zhao's[1] thirtieth year, Chancellor Tian Dan[2], the Lord of Pingdu[3], questioned Zhao She[4], saying, "It is not that I am not happy with your military methods; if they fail to win me over it is only because you use so many troops in your manoeuvres. This means that citizens cannot get to grips with their farm work, and you must transport grain from abroad or you end up with nothing to feed them. Thus, before you take any military action you have already set yourself on the path to destruction. It is not a course I would take. I have heard that when the ancient kings and emperors had recourse to military means, they deployed no more than thirty thousand troops and yet All-Under-Heaven submitted. Nowadays, generals are obliged to take responsibility for maneuvring armies two or three hundred thousand strong. This does not win my approval."
馬服曰：「君非徒不達於兵也，又不明其時勢。夫吳干之劍，肉試則斷牛馬，金試則截盤匜；薄之柱上而擊之，則折為三，質之石上而擊之，則碎為百。今以三萬之眾而應強國之兵，是薄柱擊石之類也。且夫吳干之劍材，難夫毋脊之厚，而鋒不入；無脾之薄，而刃不斷。兼有是兩者，無釣咢鐔蒙須之便，操其刃而刺，則未入而手斷。君無十餘、二十萬之眾，而為此釣咢鐔蒙須之便，而徒以三萬行於天下，君焉能乎？且古者，四海之內，分為萬國。城雖大，無過三百丈者；人雖眾，無過三千家者。而以集兵三萬，距此奚難哉！今取古之為萬國者，分以為戰國七，能具數十萬之兵，曠日持久，數歲，即君之齊已。齊以二十萬之眾攻荊，五年乃罷。趙以二十萬之眾攻中山，五年乃歸。今者，齊、韓相方，而國圍攻焉，豈有敢曰，我其以三萬救是者乎哉？今千丈之城，萬家之邑相望也，而索以三萬之眾，圍千丈之城，不存其一角，而野戰不足用也，君將以此何之？」都平君喟然太息曰：「單不至也！」
Lord[5] Mafu[6] said, "Not only is Your Lordship incapable of following military affairs, but you have no awareness of the sweep of history[7]. A Wu general's sword[8], when tested on flesh, can cut cows and horses in half; when tested on metal it can cut through bronze dishes and bowls. But if you used it to strike a pillar with full force, then it would break into three, and if you struck an executioner's block, it would shatter into a hundred pieces. If you were to use an army thirty thousand strong to attack the troops of a major state nowadays, people would say you were striking a pillar or a block with your sword[9]. Even if you manage to get a Wu general's sword, it is even harder to find one whose ridge is not too thin, or whose stabbing point[10] is not too blunt, or whose edge is not too thick, and which - therefore - will cut nothing. Even if you have all of these things[11], but no hook[12], grip[13], hilt, or bindings[14], you will have to hold the live blade to use it, and so you will cut nothing but your hand. If you do not have one or two hundred thousand spare troops to serve as your ring, grip, hilt and binding; nevertheless, with thirty thousand you propose to move against All-Under-Heaven, how can you succeed? In the past, the land within the four seas was divided into ten thousand states; even the biggest fortified cities had walls not more than three hundred zhang[15] long, and the most populous among them had no more than three thousand households. If you raised an army of thirty thousand men, then how hard these states would find it to mount a resistance! Now the ten thousand ancient states have been taken and divided up among the seven remaining warring states - they were unable[16] to keep hundreds of thousands of troops in the field as the long days stretched out into years, as Your Lordship's state of Qi has done[17]. Qi deployed an army two hundred thousand strong to attack Jing, and it knew no repose for five years. Zhao deployed an army two hundred thousand strong to attack Zhongshan, and they it not return for five years. Now Qi and Han are evenly matched; if one besieged or raided the other, who would have the temerity to say, 'Given thirty thousand troops I can swing the balance'? Nowadays there are fortified cities facing off against one another that have walls thousands of zhang long and hold tens of thousands of households, and you - with your horde of thirty thousand - want to encircle a thousand-zhang fortress. You will not cover one corner, and in a pitched battle they will be useless. What will you do with them now?"
Lord Pingdu sighed and took a deep breath, saying, "You have left me far behind!"
[1] King Huiwen of Zhao (298 – 266 BC) was a younger son of King Wuling of Zhao, who abdicated in Huiwen's favour. Wuling's elder son, Zhao Zhang, rebelled, but was defeated and pursued by Huiwen's Chancellor, Li Dui. Zhao Zhang fled to his father's residence, where Li Dui besieged them. Wuling killed Zhang in an attempt to convince Li Dui to let him out, but Li Dui starved him to death. King Huiwen had a successful reign, defeating Qin more than once.
[2] Tian Dan was a Qi General and a member of the royal house.
[3] Following the commentaries' interpretation and reading this as 平都 for 都平. Other commentaries suggest that it should read Anping (安平).
[4] Zhao She, also known as Lord Mafu, was a son of King Huiwen and a Zhao General.
[5] Reading 馬服君 for 馬服, per the commentaries.
[6] Lord Mafu was Zhao She's title.
[7] I.e. the consolidation of small states into large ones.
[8] Wu and Yue were famous for crafting top quality swords. This follows modern Chinese interpretations. 吳干 could refer to a specific sword or even be a person's name.
[9] Reading 謂 for 類 per the commentaries.
[10] Reading 無 for 毋, per the commentaries.
[11] The commentaries suggest 二 for 兩 here. In the conext, however, it sounds odd to give it as "both" in English.
[12] Reading 鉤 for 釣 per the commentaries. It is not entirely clear what this refers to. The commentaries suggest it should be interpreted as "ring", but this could potentially refer to the pomel or rainguard, or to a ring wrapped around the hilt or attached to the pomel. Alternatively, it could refer to the "wugou" (吳鈎), a curved, one-sided Wu sword intended for slashing rather than stabbing. (The previous sentence refers to a "jian", a straight, two-sided Huaxia sword design.)
[13] Reading 竿 for 咢, per the commentaries.
[14] Cord wrapped around the handle to improve the grip.
[15] Yao suggests 三丈 for 三百丈.
[16] Reading 不能 for 能, per the commentaries.
[17] At the time Qi was engaged in a protracted conflict with Yan.
趙使機郝之秦
Zhao Sends Qiu Hao as an Envoy to Qin
趙使机郝之秦，請相魏冉。宋突謂机郝曰：「秦不聽，樓緩必怨公。公不若陰辭樓子曰：『請無急秦王。』秦王見趙之相魏冉之不急也，且不聽公言也，是事而不成，魏冉固德公矣。」
Zhao sent Qiu Hao[1] as an envoy to Qin, to request that Wei Ran[2] be made Chancellor. Song Tu[4] spoke to Qiu Hao, saying, "Even if Qin does not listen, Lou Huan[5] will still bear a grudge against you. You would be better off talking to Master Lou in secret and saying 'Please do not press the King of Qin[6] on this matter.'[7] The King of Qin will conclude that Zhao is in no hurry to have Wei Ran appointed[8], and not listen to you. Thus, if your mission succeeds Wei Ran will pay you appropriate tribute and if it fails Lou Huan will do likewise[9]."
[1] Reading 仇郝 for 機郝, per the commentaries. Qiu Hao was also known as Qiu Ye, and was a Zhao diplomat.
[3] Wei Ran (Marquess Rang) was the half-brother of Queen Xuan of Qin and the uncle of King Zhaoxiang. Having backed Zhaoxiang in the struggle for succession that occurred following the death of King Wu, he subsequently became Chancellor.
[4] Song Tu was a politician from Qi and one of Qiu Hao's clients.
[5] Lou Huan was dispatched to Qin by King Wuling of Zhao, where he became Chancellor and served as the architect of an alliance between Qin and Zhao.
[6] 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.
[7] This seems to be implying that Qiu Hao should act as though he is unaware that Lou Huan also wants the job assumes that he would otherwise favour Qin's request. The request to refrain will filter back to the King as Lou Huan seizes upon it to imply that Zhao does not actually want Wei Ran to be made Chancellor.
[8] The commentaries suggest that the 也 here is superfluous.
[9] The commentaries suggest reading 成以德樓子事成 for 成 here.
齊破燕趙欲存之
Qi Ravages Yan And Zhao Wishes to Ensure its Survival
齊破燕，趙欲存之。樂毅謂趙王曰：「今無約而攻齊，齊必讎趙。不如請以河東易燕地於齊。趙有河北，齊有河東，燕、趙必不爭矣。是二國親也。以河東之地強齊，以燕以趙輔之，天下憎之，必皆事王以伐齊。是因天下以破齊也。」王曰：「善。」乃以河東易齊，楚、魏憎之，令淖滑、惠施之趙，請伐齊而存燕。
Qi was ravaging Yan[1] and Zhao wished to ensure its survival. Yue Yi[2] spoke to the King of Zhao[3], saying, "If you attack Qi now, even though you have no treaty obligations, then Qi certainly bear a grudge. It would be better to request that Qi exchange the lands it is currently occupying in Yan for yours east of the Yellow River. When we possess the land north of the Yellow River and Qi has the land to the east, then Yan and Zhao will have no reason to fight as this will bring our two states together[4]. The lands we provide east of the river will strengthen Qi. The states of All-Under-Heaven, believing that Qi will soon have Yan and[5] Zhao on its side[6], will grow increasingly hostile towards Qi; they will all come together to attack Qi, thus serving your interests. Thus you can take advantage of the lords of All-Under-Heaven to break Qi."
The King said, "Very well." Accordingly, Zhao's land east of the River was exchanged with Qi. Chu and Wei grew increasingly hostile towards Qi, and sent Nao Hua[7] and Hui Shi[8] to Zhao to beg its participation in an attack on Qi to preserve Yan.
[1] During the years of internal insurrection that followed King Kuai of Yan's abdication in favour of his chancellor, Zizhi.
[3] Yue Yi had relatives in Wei and Zhongshan, and had a successful career as a military and political leader in Yan before fleeing to Zhao after falling out of favour.
[3] King Wuling of Zhao (325 – 299 BC) oversaw Zhao's transition to light cavalry tactics, a move that won them several significant victories and was rapidly followed by the other states. He later abdicated in favour of his son, King Huiwen, but continued to take an active part in politics. Eventually, his younger son, Zhao Zhang, rebelled and then took refuge with Wuling following a defeat by Huiwen and his Chancellor, Li Dui. Li Dui then proceeded to besiege both of them. Wuling killed Zhang in an attempt to life the siege. It did not work and he was starved to death.
[4] It is not entirely clear why
[5] Liu suggests that the 以 here may be superfluous.
[6] That is, Yan will accept its status as Qi's subordinate and so will support its military endeavours, while Zhao will do so as a result of the good will engendered by the land exchange.
[7] Nao Hua was a politician in Chu.
[8] Hui Shi was a philosopher belonging to the School of Names and a friend of Zhuangzi.
秦攻趙藺離石祁拔
Qin Attacks Zhao, Conquering Lin, Lishi and Qi
秦攻趙，藺、離石、祁拔。趙以公子郚為質於秦，而請內焦、黎、牛狐之城，以易藺、離石、祁於趙。趙背秦，不予焦、黎、牛狐。秦王怒，令公子繒請地。趙王乃令鄭朱對曰：「夫藺、離石、祁之地，曠遠於趙，而近於大國。有先王之明與先臣之力，故能有之。今寡人不逮，其社稷之不能恤，安能收恤藺、離石、祁乎？寡人有不令之臣，實為此事也，非寡人之所敢知。」卒倍秦。
Qin attacked Zhao, and conquered the cities of Lin[1], Lishi[2] and Qi[3]. Zhao sent Prince Jun[4] as a hostage to Qin, and begged to exchange Jiao[5], Li[6] and Niuhu[7] for Lin, Lishi and Qi[8]. Zhao then betrayed Qin, refusing to hand over Jiao, Li and Niuhu. The King of Qin[9] was outraged, and ordered Prince Zeng[10] to go and request the land.
The King of Zhao[11] sent Zheng Zhu[12] to deliver his reply, saying,"The regions of Lin, Lishi and Qi are far from Zhao and close to your mighty state. It was thanks to the wisdom of our former kings and the strength of those who served them that we were able to take possession of them. Now we cannot equal our ancestors or serve the altars of earth and grain in the same way they did. How could we hold and protect Lin, Lishi and Qi? Our servants are incorrigible, and requested them on their own initiative. This is not something I would knowingly dare to do." Thus Zhao reaffirmed its betrayal of Qin.
秦王大怒，令衛胡易伐趙，攻閼與。趙奢將救之。魏令公子咎以銳師居安邑，以挾秦。秦敗於閼與，反攻魏幾，廉頗救幾，大敗秦師。
The King of Qin was enraged, and ordered Wei Huyi[13] to launch an offensive against Zhao, attacking Eyu[14]. Zhao She[15] led the relief effort. Wei sent Prince Jiu[16] with a detachment of elite troops to take up position in Anyi[17] and contain Qin. Qin was defeated at Eyu, and turned back to attack Ji[18] in Wei, but Lian Po[19] relieved Ji, inflicting a great defeat on Qin's troops.
[1] Lin was in modern Liulin County, Shanxi.
[2] Lishi was in modern Lüliang, Shaanxi.
[3] This does not refer to the state of Qi, which uses a different character. The town was in modern Qi County, Shanxi.
[4] Prince Wu was a brother of King Xiaocheng of Zhao, but Yao suggests that this may be intended to read 應, in which case the person's name is Ying.
[5] According to the commentaries, this town was in Hongnong Commandery, near Hangu. It is possible that it should be read as 應 instead of 焦.
[6] Li was in Wei Commandery, which was centred on Xun County, Henan.
[7] It is not clear where this was.
[8] Reading 秦 for 趙 per the commentaries.
[9] King Huiwen of Zhao (298 – 266 BC) was a younger son of King Wuling of Zhao, who abdicated in Huiwen's favour. These events took place in 271 BC, towards the end of his reign.
[11] King Xiaocheng of Zhao (265 BC – 245 BC) inherited the throne at a young age, and almost immediately oversaw Zhao's greatest defeat by Qin at the Battle of Changping. While the state survived, it never regained its previous status.
[12] Zheng Zhu was a politician and diplomat in Zhao.
[13] The correct reading of this person's name is unclear. He may actually have been called Hu Yi, or Hu Yang or Hu Shang or any combination of the above.
[14] Eyu was in modern Heshun County, Shanxi.
[15] Zhao She was a celebrated general in Zhao.
[16] Prince Jiu was a member of the Wei royal house and a military leader.
[17] Anyi is now Yuncheng in Shanxi.
[19] It is not clear where this was, or whether this is even the right character.
[20] Lian Po was a celebrated Zhao general.
富丁欲以趙合齊魏
Fu Ding Wishes to Ensure that Zhao Will Join The Alliance Between Qi and Wei
富丁欲以趙合齊、魏，樓緩欲以趙合秦、楚。富丁恐主父之聽樓緩而合秦、楚也。
Fu Ding[1] wished to ensure that Zhao would join the Qi-Wei alliance, while Lou Huan[2] hoped Zhao would join the alliance between Qin and Chu. Fu Ding was afraid that the King's father[3] would listen to Lou Huan and ally himself with Qin and Chu.
司馬淺為富丁謂主父曰：「不如以順齊。今我不順齊伐秦，秦、楚必合而攻韓、魏。韓、魏告急於齊，齊不欲伐秦，必以趙為辭，則伐秦者趙也，韓、魏必怨趙。齊之兵不西，韓必聽秦違齊。違齊而親，兵必歸於趙矣。今我順而齊不西，韓、魏必絕齊，絕齊則皆事我。且我順齊，齊無而西。日者，樓緩坐魏三月，不能散齊、魏之交。今我順而齊、魏果西，是罷齊敝秦也，趙必為天下重國。」主父曰：「我與三國攻秦，是俱敝也」。曰：「不然。我約三國而告之秦，以未構中山也。三國欲伐秦之果也，必聽我，欲和我。中山聽之，是我以王因饒中山而取地也。中山不聽，三國必絕之，是中山孤也。三國不能和我，雖少出兵可也。我分兵而孤樂中山，中山必亡。我已亡中山，而以餘兵與三國攻秦，是我一舉而兩取地於秦、中山也。」
Sima Qian[4] spoke to the King's father on Fu Ding's behalf, saying, "It would be better to follow Qi. If we do not now follow Qi and attack Qin, then Qin and Chu will certainly form an alliance and attack Han and Wei. Han and Wei will immediately report this to Qi, If Qi does not wish to fight Qin on their behalf, it will use Zhao's lack of support[5] as an excuse, and therefore Zhao will be seen to be assisting Qin, meaning that Han and Wei will resent Zhao. If Qi's troops do not move west[6], then Han will be forced to listen to Qin and distance itself from Qi[7]. If Han distances itself from Qi and draws closer to Qin[8], then it will certainly turn its troops against Zhao. Now if we follow Qi[7] and Qi does not advance westwards, then Han and Wei would certainly cut themselves off from Qi, and they cut themselves off from Qi, then they will both turn and serve our interests instead, so if we follow Qi, then Qi will not be able to avoid[9] advancing westwards. Back in the day[10], Lou Huan sat around doing nothing in Wei for three months, and was unable to dissolve the relationship between Qi and Wei. But if we now follow Qi, then Qi and Wei will, as a result, advance westwards. This will exhaust Qi and wear out Qin, and Zhao will certainly become the most influential state within All-Under-Heaven."
The King's father said, "If we join a three-state alliance to attack Qin, it will end up wearing us all out."
Sima Qian said, "Not so. We can form an alliance with the Three States and then inform them[11] that we can do nothing until Zhongshan has been made to sue for peace[12]. If the Three States wish our alliance to attack Qin, they will have to listen to us on this matter. If Zhongshan wants peace, it will have to listen to us too. Thus we will have used the Three States[13] to grow fat upon Zhongshan's land. If Zhongshan does not listen, then the Three States will have to sever their ties with it, and Zhongshan will be left isolated. If the Three States cannot make Zhongshan sue for peace, then we can just send them fewer troops[14]. Even if we divide our troops, as long as Zhongshan is isolated[15] then it is surely doomed[16]. Once Zhongshan has been wiped out, then we can send the surplus troops to join the Three States in their attack on Qin. Thus we can take land from both Qin and Zhongshan at a single stroke."
[1] Fu Ding was a politician from Zhao.
[2] Lou Huan was dispatched to Qin by King Wuling of Zhao, where he became Chancellor and served as the architect of an alliance between Qin and Zhao.
[3] King Wuling (325 – 299 BC) had abdicated in favour of his son, King Huiwen.
[4] A politician from Zhao, not the Han dynasty historian.
[5] Reading 不則 for 則, per the commentaries.
[6] I.e. to attack Qin.
[7] Or risk invasion by Qin.
[8] Following the interpretation given by the commentaries.
[9] Reading 不 for 而, per the commentaries.
[10] Following the interpretation given by the commentaries.
[11] The commentaries suggest that the 秦 here is superfluous, and the "them" in question refers to the three states.
[12] Reading 講 for 構, per the commentaries.
[13] Reading 三國 for 王因, per the commentaries.
[14] This sentence is somewhat obscure and modern translations disagree on the interpretation. This is a best guess.
[15] The commentaries suggest that the 樂 here is superfluous.
[16] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
魏因富丁且合於秦
Wei Takes Advantage of Fu Ding's Diplomacy to make an Accord with Qin
魏因富丁且合於秦，趙恐，請效地於魏而聽薛公。教子欬謂李兌曰：「趙畏橫之合也，故欲效地於魏而聽薛公。公不如令主父以地資周最，而請相之於魏。周最以天下辱秦者也，今相魏，魏、秦必虛矣。齊、魏雖勁，無秦不能傷趙。魏王聽，是輕齊也。秦、魏雖勁，無齊不能得趙。此利於趙而便於周最也。」
Wei used Fu Ding[1] to make an accord with Qin[2]. Zhao was afraid, and begged to enrich Wei with gifts of land and accept the Duke of Xue's[2] instructions. Jiao Zikai[4] spoke to Li Dui[5], saying, "You are afraid of the Horizontal Alliance, therefore you intend to give land to Wei and accept the Duke of Xue's instructions. You would be better off having the King's father[6] increase Zhou Zui's[7] land holdings[8] and request that he be made Chancellor of Wei. Zhou Zui has been defaming Qin throughout All-Under-Heaven[9]. If he now becomes Chancellor of Wei, the accord between Wei and Qin will be void. However powerful Qi and Wei may be, without Qin by their side they cannot harm Zhao. Moreover, if the King of Wei[10] listens to us, then this will constitute a slight against Qi. However powerful Qin and Wei may be, without Qi by their side they cannot take possession of Zhao. This will be profitable for Zhao and useful for Zhou Zui."
[1] Fu Ding was a politician from Zhao. We encountered him in the previous chapter, trying to persuade the Zhao leadership to form an alliance with Qi and Wei to attack Qin.
[2] Presumably Zhao agreed to an in-principle agreement with Qi at the end of the previous chapter, and Wei passed this news on to Qin to see whether it would be willing to outbid Zhao.
[3] The Duke of Xue was otherwise known as Lord Mengchang. He was a celebrated general, working for Qi for most of his career, with a brief stint in Wei. This story must have been taking place while he was in Wei.
[4] The commentaries suggest 教之欬 (Jiao Zhikai), Crump suggests "Zi Ke", while the standard modern Chinese translation gives 李款 (Li Kuan). None of these people are otherwise well-known.
[5] Li Dui was Chancellor of Zhao under King Huiwen.
[6] King Wuling abdicated in favour of his son, King Huiwen.
[7] Zhou Zui was a Prince in West Zhou who opposed Qin's expansion. When West Zhou formed an alliance with Qin, he left to work for Qi and Wei.
[8] Giving Zhou Zui land would make him more influential, and hence boost his chances of getting the job.
[9] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[10] ] King Zhao of Wei (296 BC to 277 BC) 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.
魏使人因平原君請從於趙
A Wei Envoy Uses Lord Pingyuan to Request an Alliance with Zhao
魏使人因平原君請從於趙。三言之，趙王不聽。出遇虞卿曰：「為入必語從。」虞卿入，王曰：「今者平原君為魏請從，寡人不聽。其於子何如？」虞卿曰：「魏過矣。」王曰：「然，國外寡人不聽。」虞卿曰：「王亦過矣。」王曰：「何也？」曰：「凡強弱之舉事，強受其利，弱受其害。今魏求從，而王不聽，是魏求害，而王辭利也。臣故曰，魏過，王亦過矣。」
An envoy from Wei sought to make use of Lord Pingyuan[1] to request an alliance with Zhao against Qin. Lord Pingyuan spoke to the King of Zhao[2] about this three times, but the King did not listen. On his way out, Lord Pingyuan ran into Yu Qing[3] and said, "Go and talk to him about the anti-Qin alliance for me."
Yu Qing headed inside, and the King said to him, "Lord Pingyuan was in here just now requesting an alliance on Wei's behalf. We did not listen to him. What do you think?"
Yu Qing said, "Wei is making a mistake."
The King said, "Correct. That is why[4] we did not listen to him."
Yu Qing said, "Your Majesty is also making a mistake."
The King said, "Why?"
Yu Qing said, "In any affair involving a strong party and a weak one, it is the stronger that gains all the benefits and the weaker that suffers all the harm. Now Wei is asking us to join an alliance and you are ignoring them. This being so, Wei is begging to suffer and you are politely refusing to profit from this[5]. That is why your servant says that Wei is making a mistake and that you are also making a mistake."
[1] Lord Pingyang, also known as Zhao Sheng, was a politician and a member of the Zhao royal house.
[2] Probably King Huiwen (298 – 266 BC).
[3] Yu Qing was a politician and author in Zhao.
[4] Interpreting 國外 as 故, following modern translations.
[5] Wei was closer to Qin than Zhao, so would have borne the brunt of any conflict with Qin. The alliance would have protected Zhao at relatively little cost to itself.
平原君請馮忌
Lord Pingyuan Speaks to Feng Ji
平原君請馮忌曰：「吾欲北伐上黨，出兵攻燕，何如？」馮忌對曰：「不可。夫以秦將武安君公孫起乘七勝之威，而與馬服之子戰於長平之下，大敗趙師，因以其餘兵，圍邯鄲之城。趙以亡敗之餘眾，收破軍之敝守，而秦罷於邯鄲之下，趙守而不可拔者，以攻難而守者易也。今趙非有七克之威也，而燕非有長平之禍也。今七敗之禍未復，而欲以罷趙攻強燕，是使弱趙為強秦之所以攻，而使強燕為弱趙之所以守。而強秦以休兵承趙之敝，此乃強吳之所以亡，而弱越之所以霸。故臣未見燕之可攻也。」平原君曰：「善哉！」
Lord Pingyuan[1] spoke to[2] Feng Ji[3], saying, "I wish to go north and attack Shangdang[4], and then send troops to launch an offensive against Yan. What do you think?"
Feng Ji replied, "Impossible. Qin's general, Lord Wu'an[5], riding high on the glory of his last seven victories, then fought Mafu's boy[6] beneath the walls of Changping[7], where our armies suffered a great defeat. Gongsun Qi then seized the opportunity to take his remaining troops and surround the fortress of Handan[8]. We took the scattered survivors of the rout, collecting our broken army together to defend what was left of the state, bringing Qin to a standstill beneath the walls of Handan. If Zhao was able to hold Handan and prevent it from falling to fire and the sword[9], it was because[10] attacking is hard and defending is easy. Now Zhao is not coming fresh from the glory of seven victories, and Yan has not suffered the misery of defeat at Changping. We have not yet recovered from the pain of those seven defeats, and yet you wish to exhaust Zhao with an attack on mighty Yan. You will thus be making Zhao - a weak state - adopt the same attacking strategy as Qin - a strong one. You will be pushing Yan - a strong state - to adopt the same defensive strategy as worked for Zhao - a weak one. Mighty Qin will rest its troops and inherit the remnants of Zhao. It was in just such a way that mighty Wu was destroyed and weak Yue and became a hegemon. Therefore, your servant cannot see how you can possibly launch an offensive against Yan."
Lord Pingyuan said, "Well said!"
[1] Lord Pingyuan, also known as Zhao Sheng, was a politician and a member of the Zhao royal house.
[2] Reading 謂 for 請, per the commentaries.
[3] Feng Ji was a Zhao general.
[4] Shangdang Commandery was a key strategic area on the border between several states.
[5] Bai Qi, Qin's most celebrated general at the time.
[6] Zhao Kuo, the son of Zhao She. Both used the title Lord Mafu.
[7] Changping was near modern Gaoping, in Shanxi. Zhao Kuo was defeated and killed at the Battle of Changping by Bai Qi.
[8] Handan was the capital of Zhao. It is still called Handan and is in Hebei.
[9] Reading 拔然 for 拔 here, per the commentaries.
[10] The commentaries suggest that the 以 here may be superfluous.
平原君謂平陽君
Lord Pingyuan Speaks to Lord Pingyang
平原君謂平陽君曰：「公子牟游於秦，且東，而辭應侯。應侯曰：『公子將行矣，獨無以教之乎？』曰：『且微君之命命之也，臣固且有效於君。夫貴不與富期，而富至；富不與粱肉期，而粱肉至；粱肉不與驕奢期，而驕奢至；驕奢不與死亡期，而死亡至。累世以前，坐此者多矣。』應侯曰：『公子之所以教之者厚矣。』僕得聞此，不忘於心。願君之亦勿忘也。」
Lord Pingyuan[1] spoke to Lord Pingyang[2], saying: "Prince Mou[3] lingered in Qin on his travels. Planning to return east, he went to bid farewell to Marquis Ying[4], who said, 'You are about to leave without sharing any teachings with me?' Prince Mou said, 'Even if I had not received your request I had already formed an intention to offer Your Lordship the following: The noble do not seek to grow wealthy, but wealth comes to them anyway. The wealthy do not seek to eat well, but good food comes to them anyway. The well-fed do not seek to become haughty and self-indulgent, but haughtiness and self-indulgence come to them anyway. The haughty and self-indulgent do not seek to die of it, but death comes to them anyway. Generation upon generation, many have suffered this.' Marquis Ying said, 'Your teachings are prodigious.' I had the good fortune to hear this and never forgot it. I hope you too will not forget it.'
Lord Pingyang said, "I promise not to."
[1] Lord Pingyuan, also known as Zhao Sheng, was a politician and a member of the Zhao royal house.
[2] Lord Pingyang was also known as Zhao Bao. He was a brother of King Huiwen of Zhao.
[3] Prince Mou was also known as Wei Mou, and was a writer, philosopher and member of the Zhongshan royal house.
[4] Marquis Ying, also known as Fan Ju, was the Chancellor of Qin.