燕三 THE STRATAGEMS OF YAN III
齊韓魏共攻燕
Qi, Han and Wei Launch a Joint Attack on Yan
齊、韓、魏共攻燕，燕使太子請救於楚。楚王使景陽將而救之。暮舍，使左右司馬各營壁地，已，稙表。景陽怒曰：「女所營者，水皆至滅表。此焉可以舍！」乃令徙。明日大雨，山水大出，所營者，水皆滅表。軍吏乃服。於是遂不救燕，而攻魏雝丘，取之以與宋。三國懼，乃罷兵。魏軍其西，齊軍其東，楚軍欲還不可得也。景陽乃開西和門，晝以車騎，暮以燭見，通使於魏。齊師怪之，以為燕、楚與魏謀之，乃引兵而去。齊兵已去，魏失其與國，無與共擊楚，乃夜遁。楚師乃還。
Qi, Han and Wei launched a joint attack on Yan, and Yan sent its Crown Prince[1] to beg for aid from Chu. The King of Chu[2] appointed Jing Yang[3] as his general and sent him to provide aid. When evening came he sent the cavalry commanders of the left and the right find a place to set up camp. This done, they marked out the boundaries[4], but Jing Yang was annoyed and said, "If you make camp here and there is a flood it will wash the boundary markers away. How can we stay here?" He ordered them to move. The next day a heavy rain fell, and the flood waters poured down from the mountains upon the place where the camp had been, wiping out its outlines. Chu's army and its officials were thoroughly won over. In light of the situation, they did not proceed to assist Yan, but rather attacked Wei at Yongqiu[4], and took it in order to give it to Song. The three states[6] were afraid and halted their troops. Wei's army occupied the west flank and Qi's the east[7], such that when Chu's army wished to return home it could not do so. Jing Yang opened the west gate of the city, allowing carriages and horses to pass in the daytime and lighting lamps to be seen at night, as well as sending envoys to Wei[8]. Qi's officers thought this was strange, and took it to mean that Chu and Wei were conspiring against them. Accordingly, they withdrew their troops and fled. Once Qi's army was gone, Wei was bereft of allies and thus had no one with whom to launch a strike against Chu. As a result, Wei withdrew during the night and Chu's troops were able to return home.
[1] It is not clear who is indicated here.
[2] King Qingxiang of Chu (298–263 BCE) took the throne after his father, King Huai, was held hostage in Qin.
[3] Jing Yang enjoyed a long career as a politician in Chu.
[4] Or possibly raised their standard. The classical Chinese is ambiguous.
[5] Yongqiu was in modern Qi County, Henan.
[6] Han, Wei and Qi.
[7] Of Yongqiu, presumably.
[8] The commentaries dispute the details of this sentence, but the general meaning is clear.
張醜為質於燕
Zhang Chou Serves as a Hostage in Yan
張丑為質於燕，燕王欲殺之，走且出境，境吏得丑。丑曰：「燕王所為將殺我者，人有言我有寶珠也，王欲得之。今我已亡之矣，而燕王不我信。今子且致我，我且言子之奪我珠而吞之，燕王必當殺子，刳子腹及子之腸矣。夫欲得之君，不可說以利。吾要且死，子腸亦且寸絕。」境吏恐而赦之。
Zhang Chou[1] had been serving as a hostage in Yan and the King of Yan[2] had decided to have him killed. He set off to flee across the border, but the customs officials there caught him. Chou said, "If the King of Yan is planning to kill me, it is because people have been saying that I am in possession of a valuable pearl and he wants to take it. I already lost it, but he refuses to believe me. If you hand me over to him now, I will say that you stole the pearl from me and swallowed it. The King of Yan will have you killed and disemboweled to get at it[3]. If you are hoping to find a way to win your lord's favour, then telling him about me is no way to do it. I will be cut in half, but your intestines will be chopped into pieces[4]." The border guard was afraid and let him go.
[1] Zhang Chou crops up repeatedly through the book, and may have been a member of Tian Ying's entourage, but he is not otherwise well-known, nor is it clear why he had value as a hostage.
[2] The commentaries imply that this was King Hui of Yan (278 - 272 BC). King Hui was a largely unsuccessful king, and would later be murdered by one of his generals.
[3] Yao suggests 反子之腸 for 及子之腸 here.
[4] Cutting in half at the waist was a standard punishment in ancient China. At the time people placed significant value on leaving an intact corpse behind them (both for reasons of filial piety and out of a vague belief that one would arrive in the afterlife as one left this one), so while being bisected was a bad death, having one's intestines removed for a forensic search was worse.
燕王喜使栗腹以百金為趙孝成王壽
King Xi of Yan sends Li Fu to King Xiaocheng of Zhao with a hundred gold pieces as a birthday gift
燕王喜使栗腹以百金為趙孝成王壽，酒三日，反報曰：「趙民其狀者睫死於長平，其孤未狀，可伐也。」王乃召昌國君樂間而問曰：「何如？」對曰：「趙，四達之國也，其民皆習於兵，不可與戰。」王曰：「吾以倍攻之，可乎？」曰：「不可。」曰：「以三，可乎？」曰：「不可。」王大怒。左右皆以為趙可伐，遽起六十萬以攻趙。令栗腹以四十萬攻鄗，使慶秦以二十萬攻代。趙使廉頗以八萬遇栗腹於鄗，使樂乘以五萬遇慶秦於代。燕人大敗。樂間入趙。
King Xi of Yan[1] sent Li Fu[2] to King Xiaocheng of Zhao[3] with a hundred gold pieces as a birthday gift. They drank together for three days, and Li Fu sent back a report saying, "Among the citizens of Zhao, the men of military age all died at Changping[4] and their orphans are not yet grown. We can attack."
The King accordingly summoned Yue Jian, Lord Changguo[5], and interrogated him, saying, "How would it be if we did this?"
He replied, "Zhao is a state capable of expanding in all four directions. Its citizens are all knowledgeable in military affairs. We cannot go to war with them."
The King said, "If I doubled our numbers and then attacked, would it be possible then?"
Lord Changguo said, "It would not."
The King said, "If I tripled them, would it be possible?"
He said, "It would not." The King was enraged. Those around him all believed that it would be possible to attack Zhao. Accordingly he raised six hundred thousand troops and attacked Zhao. He ordered Li Fu to take four hundred thousand troops and attack Hao[6], and sent Qing Qin[7] with two hundred thousand to attack Dai. Zhao sent Lian Po[8] with eight hundred thousand troops to meet Li Fu at Hao, and sent Yue Cheng[9] with fifty thousand to meet Qing Qin at Dai. Yan suffered a great defeat and Yue Jian went to Zhao.
燕王以書且謝焉，曰：「寡人不佞，不能奉順君意，故君捐國而去，則寡人之不肖明矣。敢端其愿，而君不肯聽，故使使者陳愚意，君試論之。語曰：『仁不輕絕，智不輕怨。』君之於先王也，世之所明知也。寡人望有非則君掩蓋之，不虞君之明罪之也；望有過則君教誨之，不虞君之明罪之也。且寡人之罪，國人莫不知，天下莫不聞，君微出明怨以棄寡人，寡人必有罪矣。雖然，恐君之未盡厚也。諺曰：『厚者不毀人以自益也，仁者不危人以要名。』
The King of Yan apologised to him in a letter, saying, "We were recalcitrant and were unable to follow your Lordship's ideas. Therefore you abandoned our state and fled. We are not distinguished for our intelligence, but we dared to express an idea and you were not willing to listen, therefore we have sent an envoy to explain our simple thinking, in the hope that you will try to understand our reasoning. It is said that 'benevolence is not hasty to sever relations, and wisdom is not quick to anger'. Your relationship with the former King was well known throughout the world. When you see us make mistakes, therefore, you should cover them up and not make apparent the transgressions you have witnessed; when you see us err, you should give us correct instructions and not make apparent the transgressions you have witnessed. There is no one in the state who does not know of our transgressions and no one in All-Under-Heaven who has not heard of them; if you left discreetly, rejecting us out of anger, it must be because we committed some infraction. Even so, we are afraid that you were never sincerely committed to us. A proverb says, 'one who is sincerely committed does not harm others for his personal gain, and one who is benevolent does not put others in danger to make his own name.'
以故掩人之邪者，厚任之行也；救人之過者，仁者之道也。世有掩寡人之邪，救寡人之過，非君心所望之？今君厚受位於先王以成尊，輕棄寡人以快心，則掩邪救過，難得於君矣。且世有薄於故厚施，行有失而故惠用。今使寡人任不肖之罪，而君有失厚之累，於為君擇之也，無所取之。國之有封疆，猶家之有垣墻，所以合好掩惡也。室不能相和，出語鄰家，未為通計也。怨惡未見而明棄之，未盡厚也。寡人雖不肖乎，未如殷紂之亂也；君雖不得意乎，未如商容、箕左之累也。然則不內蓋寡人，而明怨於外，恐其遇足以傷於高而薄於行也，非然也。
This being so, to cover up others' evil deeds is the act of an official who is sincerely committed; to assist others in their errors is the path to benevolence. To hide our evil deeds from the world and to assist us in our errors, is that not what your heart desires? Now Your Lordship's sincere commitment led to you receiving generous promotions from the former King and becoming respected, but you casually abandon us to pursue your own happiness, so we can hardly look to you to to cover up of our evil deeds and assist us in our errors. In this world there are people who behave shabbily and are richly rewarded; there are actions that fail and yet generate benefits. If we are now accused of contemptible behaviour and you have suffered lost gains, it is as a result of your choices. This is an unacceptable situation. If a state has borders, just as a house has walls, it is to bring what is good together and hide what is bad. If those inside cannot agree among themselves and go out to gossip with the neighbours, then there is no strategy yet invented that can deal with this. We had not yet publicly shown any antipathy, but you made it clear you had abandoned us; you not show full and sincere commitment. While we are contemptible, we are hardly as disorderly as Yin Zhou[10]. While we were unreasonable, we have never yet caused you troubles such as were suffered by Shang Rong[11] and Jizi[12]. Even so, you would not give your all[13] in our internal affairs, but rather made our grudges plain abroad. We are afraid that this episode will be sufficient to injure your noble name and diminish your history of good conduct. Is this not so?
「茍可以明君之義，成君之高，雖任惡名，不難受也。本欲以為明寡人之薄，而君不得厚；揚寡人之辱，而君不得榮，此一舉而兩失也。義者不虧人以自益，況傷人以自損乎！愿君無以寡人不肖，累往事之美。昔者，柳下惠吏於魯，三黜而不去。或謂之曰：『可以去。』柳下惠曰：『茍與人之異，惡往而不黜乎？猶且黜乎，寧於國外國爾。』柳下惠不以三黜自累，故前業不忘；不以去為心，故遠近無議。今寡人之罪，國人未知，而語寡人者邊天下。語曰：『論不修心，議不累物，仁不輕絕，智不簡功。』棄大功者，輟也；輕絕厚利者，怨也。輟而棄之，怨而累之，宜在遠者，不望之乎君也。今以寡人無罪，君豈怨之乎？愿君捐怨，追惟先王，復以教寡人！意君曰，餘且慝心以成而過，不顧先王以明而惡，使寡人進不得修功，退不得改過，君之所揣也，唯君圖之！此寡人之愚意也。敬以書謁之。」
If you cause me to suffer slanders so that you can advertise your ethical conduct and create a noble reputation for yourself, are you not unlikely to receive these things? You wanted to make our defects plain, but you were unable to improve your own position. You spread humiliating stories about us, but you gained no honour for yourself. Thus one action created losses on both sides. A principled individual does not harm others in the course of benefiting himself; how much more should he avoid harming others in the course of injuring himself? I hope that your lordship will not let our worthlessness tarnish the beauties of your prior service. In the past, Liuxia Hui[14] was serving as an official in Lu; he was dismissed three times but did not leave. Someone spoke to him, saying, 'It would be appropriate to go.' Liuxia Hui said, 'If there are differences between yourself and others, where can you go and not be dismissed? If I am only going to be dismissed, then I would rather do it in my homeland[15].' For Liuxia Hui, suffering three dismissals was not enough to make him forget his prior achievements; he did not have a mind to flee, and no criticism near or far could touch him. Now our transgressions have not yet come to the knowledge of the people of our state; our critics[16] are abroad. There is a saying: 'Solid logic is not easy to hear, good arguments are not swayed by extraneous matters, the benevolent do not casually sever relationships, and the wise do not abandon achievements unfinished.'[17] When great achievements are abandoned, it is because of some hitch. When fruitful relationships are casually severed, it is because of some grudge. Hitches leading to the abandoning of affairs and grudges that cause trouble are only natural when one absents oneself; you cannot be hoping that this will happen to you? Now that we are no longer committing any infractions, do you still bear a grudge against us? I hope that Your Lordship will abandon your grudge, think only of the former King, and return to instruct us once more. We think you may be saying to yourself that we still harbour some evil thoughts towards you and are trying to entrap you into making some mistake, that we have no regard for the former King's reputation and will slander you. If so, we will be unable to advance and secure our achievements, nor retreat and correct our mistakes. If that the reason you have cut off relations, I only wish that you would think in more depth. Such are my inadequate thoughts on the topic, respectfully expressed in this letter that has been presented to you."
樂間、樂乘怨不用其計二人卒留趙，不報。
Yue Jian and Yue Cheng were resentful that their strategies had not been employed, and both remained in Zhao, sending no reply.
[1] King Xi of Yan (255 – 222 BC) was the last King of Yan. King Xi's son, Prince Dan, attempted to assassinate King Zheng of Qin (the future Qin Shihuang). King Zheng attacked Yan, and King Xi sent him is son's head in an attempt to placate him. It did not work and King Xi's fate is unknown.
[2] Li Fu served as Chancellor of Yan for a time, but was killed in 251 BC fighting against Zhao.
[3] 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.
[4] The Battle of Changping was a famously bloody defeat of Zhao by Qin.
[5] Yue Jian was the son of the former Lord Changguo, Yue Yi. Both served in both Yan and Zhao at different points of their career.
[6] Hao was in modern Gaoyi County, Hebei. This refers to the Battle of Haodai in 251 BC.
[7] This person is not otherwise well-known.
[8] Lian Po was one of the greatest generals in Zhao's history, but was eventually replaced in his command by Zhao Kuo and saw his state defeated from his exile in Chu.
[9] Yue Cheng was another member of the Yue family and also served in Yan and Zhao.
[10] King Zhou (1075-1046 BC) was the tyrannical last King of the Shang Dynasty.
[11] Shang Rong attempted to advise King Zhou to correct his behaviour, but was rebuffed and became a hermit.
[12] Jizi also tried and failed to change King Zhou's behaviour. He was later recognised as a Korean founding father under the name of Gija.
[13] Reading 盡 for 蓋, per the commentaries.
[14] Liuxia Hui was also known as Zhan Huo. He was a politician in Lu, famous for his virtue.
[15] Reading 故 for 國外 as in other versions.
[16] Reading 議 for 語, as in other versions.
[17] There seems to be more than one error in this saying, but it is not entirely clear how the correct version would have read.
秦并趙北向迎燕
Qin and Zhao Are United and Zhao's Troops Head North to Meet Yan
秦并趙，北向迎燕。燕王聞之，使人賀秦王。使者過趙，趙王繫之。使者曰：「秦、趙為一，而天下服矣。茲之所以受命於趙者，為秦也。今臣使秦，而趙繫之，是秦、趙有。秦、趙有，天下必不服，而燕不受命矣。且臣之使秦，無妨於趙之伐燕也。」趙王以為然而遣之。
Qin incorporated Zhao within its alliance and then sent Zhao's troops north to meet Yan's[1]. The King of Yan[2] heard about this and sent an envoy to congratulate the King of Qin[3], but when the envoy was crossing Zhao, the King of Zhao[4] imprisoned him. The envoy said, "Qin and Zhao are now as one, and thus All-Under-Heaven submits. If Yan is now waiting upon Zhao's orders[5], it is only on account of Qin. Now I am on a mission to Qin and you are imprisoning me. If this is so, it can only be because some division has arisen between Qin and Zhao[6], in which case All-Under-Heaven will withdraw its submission and Yan will refuse your orders. The mere fact of your servant's mission to Qin will not be sufficient to prevent Zhao from attacking Yan[7]." The King acknowledged the truth of this, and let the envoy go.
使者見秦王曰：「燕王竊聞秦并趙，燕王使使者賀千金。」秦王曰：「夫燕無道，吾使趙有之，子何賀？」使者曰：「臣聞全趙之時，南鄰為秦，北下曲陽為燕，趙廣三百里，而與秦相距五十餘年矣，所以不能反勝秦者，國小而地無所取。今王使趙北并燕，燕、趙同力，必不復受於秦矣。臣切為王患之。」秦王以為然，起兵而救燕。
The envoy then secured an audience with the King of Qin, at which he said, "The King of Yan, from his humble position, has heard about the unification of Qin and Zhao, and he has sent me as with a thousand gold pieces to congratulate you."
The King of Qin said, "Yan has strayed and I have sent Zhao to take possession of it. Why congratulate me?"
The envoy said, "Your servant has heard that when Zhao was still whole, Qin was its neighbour to the South, and Xiaquyang[8] and Yan were its neighbours to the North. Zhao's territory covered three hundred li, and it held Qin at bay for over fifty years. The only reason it was unable to succeed in defeating you and driving you back was because it was small and lacked resources to draw upon. If Your Majesty now orders Zhao to turn north and incorporate Yan within your alliance, then Yan and Zhao will have a combined strength equal to your own. Never again will they accept Qin's orders[9]. Your servant dares[10] to express concern on Your Majesty's behalf." The King of Qin acknowledged the truth of this, and raised troops to aid Yan[11].
[1] This sentence is ambiguous and the commentaries and modern translations differ in their interpretations. The commentaries interpret this as taking place prior to Zhao's annexation when Qin and Zhao were still on good terms, while modern translations present it as taking place after the annexation of Zhao. I have tried to preserve the ambiguity, given that Zhao's annexation was a progressive and often ambiguous process. Moreover, observers at the time saw alliance and annexation as being on a continuum of submission rather than as being antithetical.
[2] King Xi of Yan (255 – 222 BC) was the last King of Yan. King Xi's son, Prince Dan, attempted to assassinate King Zheng of Qin (the future Qin Shihuang). King Zheng attacked Yan, and King Xi sent him is son's head in an attempt to placate him. It did not work and King Xi's fate is unknown.
[3] King Zheng of Qin (247 – 210 BC) would later conquer the other states and rule the empire under the name of Qin Shihuang.
[4] The commentaries suggest that this was King Daoxiang of Zhao (244 – 236 BC) was placed on the throne by Zhao bureaucrats worried that the Crown Prince showed pro-Qin sympathies. He won significant victories against Yan, taking land, but died in the midst of Qin's final invasion of his state.
[5] Reading 燕 for 茲, per the commentaries.
[6] Reading 有隙 for 有, per the commentaries.
[7] Presumably the King of Zhao is worried that the envoy will persuade Qin to cancel its planned joint attack on Yan.
[8] Xiaquyang was in modern Julu County, Hebei.
[9] Reading 受命 for 受, per the commentaries.
[10] Reading 竊 for 切, per the commentaries.
[11] Yao suggests 攻 for 救 here, confusingly. It is not clear why Qin would need to help Yan, given that it had seemingly been Qin who ordered the invasion in the first place.
燕太子丹質於秦亡歸
Crown Prince Dan of Yan, a Hostage in Qin, Escapes and Returns to Yan
燕太子丹質於秦，亡歸。見秦且滅六國，兵以臨易水，恐其禍至。太子丹患之，謂其太傅鞫武曰：「燕、秦不兩立，願太傅幸而圖之。」武對曰：「秦地遍天下，威脅韓、魏、趙氏，則易水以北，未有所定也。柰何以見陵之怨，欲排其逆鱗哉？」太子曰：「然則何由？」太傅曰：「請入，圖之。」
Crown Prince Dan of Yan[1] had been serving as a hostage in Qin, but escaped and returned home. He had seen that Qin was on the point of wiping out all of the six states and that, this done[2], it troops would arrive at the banks of the River Yi[3]. He feared the catastrophe to come and spoke of his worries to his preceptor, Ju Wu[4], saying, "Yan and Qin cannot coexist. I hope that you will favour me with a plan to deal with this."
Wu replied, "Qin's dominion is spreading across All-Under-Heaven, and if it has succeeded in intimidating the Han, Wei and Zhao clans then those of us north of the River Yi will never again know safety. Why seek to ruffle Qin's feathers simply because you resent its poor treatment of you?"
The Crown Prince said, "Suppose I do, then what can I do?"
The tutor said, "Bring me into your household and I will make a plan for you[5]."
居之有間，樊將軍亡秦之燕，太子容之。太傅鞫武諫曰：「不可。夫秦王之暴，而積怨於燕，足為寒心，又況聞樊將軍之在乎！是以委肉當餓虎之蹊，禍必不振矣！雖有管、晏，不能為謀。願太子急遣樊將軍入匈奴以滅口。請西約三晉，南連齊、楚，北講於單于，然後乃可圖也。」
太子丹曰：「太傅之計，曠日彌久，心惛然，恐不能須臾。且非獨於此也。夫樊將軍困窮於天下，歸身於丹，丹終不迫於強秦，而棄所哀憐之交置之匈奴，是丹命固卒之時也。願太傅更慮之。」鞫武曰：「燕有田光先生者，其智深，其勇沉，可與之謀也。」太子曰：「願因太傅交於田先生，可乎？」鞫武曰：「敬諾。」出見田光，道太子曰：「願圖國事於先生。」田光曰：「敬奉教。」乃造焉。
Some time later, General Fan[6] defected from Qin and arrived in Yan. The Crown Prince welcomed him as a guest[7]. Preceptor Ju admonished the Prince, saying, "This is unacceptable. The King of Qin's[8] violence and his accumulated resentment against Yan are enough to make the blood run cold. How much worse will things be when he hears that General Fan is here? I say you may as well throw meat in the path of a hungry tiger[9]. There will be no saving us from the coming disaster. Had you a Guan[10] or a Yan[11], even they could elaborate no scheme adequate to such a situation[12]. I hope that Your Majesty will send General Fan into the territory of the Xiongnu immediately to prevent people from gossiping. I beg permission to make a treaty with the three Jin in the West, to go south to form a ties with Qi and Chu, and to go north to negotiate with the Chanyu[13]. This is done, then we can begin to make plans." The Crown Prince said, "Your scheme will take many a long day to come to fruition, and my mind is whirling. I am afraid that we do not have the time for this, and that is not the only thing. When General Fan was beset on all sides and thoroughly ruined, he flung himself upon my mercy because I refused to allow myself to be bullied by mighty Qin. If I abandon a dear friend in a desperate situation and send him to the Xiongnu, then that will be the moment that decides my fate[14]. I hope that you will reconsider."
Ju Wu said, "Yan has Professor Tian Guang[15]. He is highly intelligent and extremely brave[16] - someone with whom one may make plans."
The Crown Prince said, "I would like to take advantage of your connections to get to know Professor Tian. Can you arrange for it?"
Ju Wu said, "I respectfully assent."
He left and sought an audience with Tian Guang[17], repeating what the Crown Prince had said: "We would like to hand the planning of this affair of state over to you, Professor."
Tian Guang said, "I shall respectfully obey your instructions." Accordingly, he went to pay a call on the Prince.
太子跪而逢迎，卻行為道，跪而拂席。田先生坐定，左右無人，太子避席而請曰：「燕、秦不兩立，願先生留意也。」田光曰：「臣聞騏驥盛壯之時，一日而馳千里。至其衰也，駑馬先之。今太子聞光壯盛之時，不知吾精已消亡矣。雖然，光不敢以乏國事也。所善荊軻，可使也。」太子曰：「願因先生得願交於荊軻，可乎？」田光曰：「敬諾。」即起，趨出。太子送之至門，曰：「丹所報，先生所言者，國大事也，願先生勿泄也。」田光俛而笑曰：「諾。」
The Crown Prince welcomed him on his knees, before ushering him in and kneeling to brush his mat clean for him. When Professor Tian had taken a seat and there were no members of the Crown Prince's entourage nearby, the Prince left his own mat to speak to the Professor, saying, "Yan and Qin can no longer coexist. I hope that you will allow your thoughts to linger on this matter."
Tian Guang said, "Your servant has heard that when a thoroughbred is young and strong it can cover a thousand li in a day, but when it grows old any nag can beat it. Your Majesty must have heard about me as I was in my prime; apparently no one informed you that my vital energy is long gone. This being so, I would not dare risk falling short in an affair of state, but if you ingratiate yourself with Jing Ke[18], you may assign this mission to him[19]."
The Crown Prince said, "I would like to take advantage of your connections to satisfy my desire to get to know Jing Ke[20]. Can you arrange for it?"
Tian Guang said, "I respectfully assent." He thus rose and hurried out.
However, the Crown Prince accompanied him to the gate with a warning[21], saying, "The things I have told you and what you yourself have said are matters of national importance, I hope that you will not allow them to leak out."
Tian Guang inclined his head[22] and smiled, saying, "You have my promise."
僂行見荊軻，曰：「光與子相善，燕國莫不知。今太子聞光壯盛之時，不知吾形已不逮也，幸而教之曰：『燕、秦不兩立，願先生留意也。』光竊不自外，言足下於太子，願足下過太子於宮。」荊軻曰：「謹奉教。」田光曰：「光聞長者之行，不使人疑之，今太子約光曰：『所言者，國之大事也，願先生勿泄也。』是太子疑光也。夫為行使人疑之，非節俠士也。」欲自殺以激荊軻，曰：「願足下急過太子，言光已死，明不言也。」遂自剄而死。
Tian Guang sought an audience with Jing Ke, bowing low and saying, "We are good friends, and there is no one in Yan who is not aware of this. Now the Crown Prince apparently heard about me as I was in my prime, and - unaware that I am no longer what I once was - he favoured me with his instructions, saying, 'Yan and Qin cannot coexist; I hope that you will allow your thoughts to linger on this matter.'
There has never been any rift between us, so I spoke of you to the Crown Prince. I hope that you will come to his palace with me."
Jing Ke said, "I respectfully receive your instructions."
Tian Guang said, "Your servant has heard that when a man of quality acts[23], there is no cause for suspicion. Now the Crown Prince has imposed an obligation upon me, saying, 'What has been said here is a great affair of state, I hope that you will not allow it to leak out.' If he said such a thing, it must mean that he suspects me. If my actions have made others suspicious, it must be because I am not regarded as either virtuous or chivalrous.' Because he wanted his death to spur Jing Ke to action, he said, 'I hope that you will hurry to tell Crown Prince that Guang is dead, and did not let slip one word of his affairs.' Thereupon he cut his own throat and died.
軻見太子，言田光已死，明不言也。太子再拜而跪，膝下行流涕，有頃而後言曰：「丹所請田先生無言者，欲以成大事之謀，今田先生以死明不泄言，豈丹之心哉？」荊軻坐定，太子避席頓首曰：「田先生不知丹不肖，使得至前，願有所道，此天所以哀燕不棄其孤也。今秦有貪饕之心，而欲不可足也。非盡天下之地，臣海內之王者，其意不饜。今秦已虜韓王，盡納其地，又舉兵南伐楚，北臨趙。王翦將數十萬之眾臨漳、鄴，而李信出太原、雲中。趙不能支秦，必入臣。入臣，則禍至燕。燕小弱，數困於兵，今計舉國不足以當秦。諸侯服秦，莫敢合從。丹之私計，愚以為誠得天下之勇士，使於秦，窺以重利，秦王貪其贄，必得所願矣。誠得劫秦王，使悉反諸侯之侵地，若曹沫之與齊桓公，則大善矣；則不可，因而刺殺之。彼大將擅兵於外，而內有大亂，則君臣相疑。以其間諸侯，諸侯得合從，其償破秦必矣。此丹之上願，而不知所以委命，唯荊卿留意焉。」久之，荊軻曰：「此國之大事，臣駑下，恐不足任使。」太子前頓首，固請無讓。然後許諾。於是尊荊軻為上卿，舍上舍，太子日日造問，供太牢異物，間進車騎美女，恣荊軻所欲，以順適其意。
Jing Ke sought an audience with the Crown Prince, at which he announced that Guang was dead but had passed on his message[24]. The Crown Prince bowed twice, fell to his knees and burst into tears, blurting out that, "If I asked Professor Tian not to talk it was because I wished to employ his strategies to bring a great plan to success, and now he has put an end to his life rather than allow word of it to leak out. How am I supposed to feel now?"
Jing Ke took a seat and the Crown Prince advanced to speak to him, bowing his head and saying, "Professor Tian, not knowing how worthless I really am, arranged that you should appear before me. I hope that you can propose a way forward, thus proving that Heaven has some pity for Yan[25] and has not abandoned its orphan son. Qin's heart is greedy for profit[26] now, and its desires will never be satisfied. As long as it has not yet overrun the lands of All-Under-Heaven and made all the kings within the four seas its servants, its will remains unfulfilled. Qin has already captured the King of Han and incorporated his lands within its own territory. It has raised troops and sent them south to attack Chu, and north against Zhao. Wang Jian[27] is leading battalions[28] several hundred thousand strong in Linzhang[29] and Ye[30], and Li Xin[31] has dispatched his own troops to Taiyuan[32] and Yunzhong[33]. Zhao will not be able to resist[34], and will thus approach Qin as a servant. If Zhao goes to Qin as a servant, then disaster will befall us. We are small and weak, and our troops are beset on all sides. Even if we now organise a general mobilisation, we will not equal Qin. As more and more of the sovereign lords submit to Qin, there will be none left who dare ally with us. I have been making my own plans, however. In fact, I had a ill-advised plan to win over the bravest official in All-Under-Heaven and send him to Qin, making sure he would be seen to be carrying something of great value. The King of Qin will so covet this gift that he will let our messenger do as he desires. We will get a real chance to threaten the King of Qin and force him to return all the land that he has stolen from the sovereign lords, just as Cao Mo[35] threatened Duke Huan of Qi[36]. If he agrees, then all will be well. If he does not agree, our agent will be ideally placed to stab him to death. His generals will mutiny abroad and there will be a vast internal insurrection, fomenting suspicion between Qin's leaders and their underlings. This will give the feudal lords a breathing space, and if they manage to form a defensive alliance, they will certainly pay Qin back for what it has done[37]. This is my greatest wish, but I know of no one who would devote his life to this task. Secretary of State Jing[38], would you turn your attention to the matter?" After some time, Jing Ke said, "This is a great affair of state[39] and I am a worn out old nag, I am afraid that I would be inadequate to such a responsibility." The Crown Prince prostrated himself before Jing Ke, refusing to rise and begging that he not decline the task, following which Jing Ke gave his word. Having accepted, he was treated with the utmost respect, given a high ranking official position and lodged in the best apartments. The Crown Prince presented himself before Jing Ke's gates every day[40], bringing him meat from the great sacrifices on bronze dishes[41] as well as chariots, horses and beautiful women. He satisfied Jing Ke's every desire and fulfilled his every wish.
久之，荊卿未有行意。秦將王翦破趙，虜趙王，盡收其地，進兵北略地，至燕南界。太子丹恐懼，乃請荊卿曰：「秦兵旦暮渡易水，則雖欲長侍足下，豈可得哉？」荊卿曰：「微太子言，臣願得謁之。今行而無信，則秦未可親也。夫今樊將軍，秦王購之金千斤，邑萬家。誠能得樊將軍首，與燕督亢之地圖獻秦王，秦王必說見臣，臣乃得有以報太子。」太子曰：「樊將軍以窮困來歸丹，丹不忍以己之私，而傷長者之意，願足下更慮之。」
Time passed, however, and Jing Ke still seemingly had no mind to set out. The Qin general, Wang Jian, had broken Zhao, taking the King of Zhao captive[42] and assuming possession of all his lands. Qin's troops were advancing northwards, occupying land as they went and finally arriving at Yan's border. Crown Prince Dan panicked, and he pleaded with Private Secretary Jing, saying, "Any day now Qin's troops could cross the River Yi. If that happens, much as I would like to continue to await your pleasure, how will I be able to do so?" Secretary of State Jing said, "Even if Your Majesty had not been so discreet on the matter, I would have come to discuss it with you. If I go now with no token of my good faith[43], there will be no way for me to form ties in Qin. The King of Qin is currently offering a thousand catties of gold and a city of ten thousand households[44] to whoever brings him General Fan[45]. If I could obtain General Fan's head and a map of Yan's lands in Dukang[46] to offer to the King of Qin, then he would certainly be delighted to receive me. Thus I will secure an opportunity to avenge Your Majesty."
The Crown Prince said, "General Fan came to me ruined and beset on all sides, I could not bring myself to use him for my own private ends, destroying such an exceptional individual to attain my desires. I hope you will think again."
荊軻知太子不忍，乃遂私見樊於期曰：「秦之遇將軍，可謂深矣。父母宗族，皆為戮沒。今聞購將軍之首，金千斤，邑萬家，將柰何？」
樊將軍仰天太息流涕曰：「吾每念，常痛於骨髓，顧計不知所出耳。」軻曰：「今有一言，可以解燕國之患，而報將軍之仇者，何如？」樊於期乃前曰：「為之柰何？」荊軻曰：「願得將軍之首以獻秦，秦王必喜而善見臣，臣左手把其袖，而右手揕抗其胸，然則將軍之仇報，而燕國見陵之恥除矣。將軍豈有意乎？」樊於期偏袒扼腕而進曰：「此臣日夜切齒拊心也，乃今得聞教。」遂自刎。太子聞之，馳往，伏屍而哭，極哀。既已，無可柰何，乃遂收盛樊於期之首，函封之。
Jing Ke realised that the Crown Prince did not have the ruthlessness necessary for the task, and so he sought a private audience with Fan Wuji, saying, "Qin's treatment of you could well be described as excessively harsh. It massacred your mother, your father and all your clan. Now they are offering a thousand catties of gold and a city of ten thousand households in exchange for your head. What are you going to do about this?"
General Fan gazed up to heaven, gave a great sigh and wept, saying, "Every time I think of this the pain cuts me to the bone, I have searched for a plan but I know of no way out."
Ke said, "If I could now - in one short speech - provide a way for you to resolve Yan's troubles and gain revenge on your enemies, what then?"
Fan Wuji moved forward and said, "What should I do[47]?"
Jing Ke said, "Your servant would like to take your head and offer it to Qin. The King of Qin will undoubtedly be delighted and grant me a friendly audience. With my left hand I will grab his sleeve, and with my right I will stab him in the chest[48]. In this way you will have revenge on your enemy and Yan's humiliation will be erased. What do you think?"
Fan Wuji rolled up his sleeves and wrung his hands[49], leaning in and saying, "I have ground my teeth over this day and night, such did it eat away at my heart[50]. I shall now thus accept your advice." Accordingly he cut his own throat. The Crown Prince heard what had happened and hurried to the spot, where knelt over the corpse and wept, filled with grief. However, Fan Wuji's life was over, and - there being nothing else to do - he took Fan Wuji's head and sealed it in a box[51].
於是，太子預求天下之利匕首，得趙人徐夫人之匕首，取之百金，使工以藥淬之，以試人，血濡縷，人無不立死者。乃為裝遣荊軻。燕國有勇士秦武陽，年十二，殺人，人不敢與忤視。乃令秦武陽為副。荊軻有所待，欲與俱，其人居遠未來，而為留待。頃之未發。太子遲之，疑其有改悔，乃復請之曰：「日以盡矣，荊卿豈無意哉？丹請先遣秦武陽。」荊軻怒，叱太子曰：「今日往而不反者，豎子也！今提一匕首入不測之強秦，僕所以留者，待吾客與俱。今太子遲之，請辭決矣！」遂發。
This done, he sought out the sharpest dagger in All-Under-Heaven, obtaining it from a person in Zhao named Xu Furen[52], who took a hundred gold pieces in return. He had an artisan quench it in poison and tested it on human subjects[53]; of whom there were none who did not die, even from a cut that produced only a trickle of blood. It was thus packed up to be dispatched along with Jing Ke. In Yan there was a desperado, Qin Wuyang[54], who - at the age of twelve - had killed a person[55]. No one dared meet his gaze[56]. This Qin Wuyang was ordered to serve as Jing Ke's back-up[57], but Jing Ke was still waiting for another member of his retinue. This person resided far away and had not yet arrived, so Jing Ke delayed his trip in order to wait for him. Time passed and he still had not left[58]. The Crown Prince noted the delay, and suspected that Jing Ke was regretting his choice and was about to change his mind. Thus he returned to plead with Jing Ke, saying, "Our time is already running out[59]. Have you not made up your mind? I beg your leave to send Qin Wuyang on ahead."
Jing Ke was furious and berated the Crown Prince, saying, "To leave immediately and never return, any idiot could do that! Now I must carry a dagger into the mighty and unpredictable state of Qin, and if I have delayed my trip, it was because I am waiting on my retinue. However, if Your Majesty feels like I am procrastinating, I hereby beg permission to take my leave." Thus he departed.
太子及賓客知其事者，皆白衣冠以送之。至易水上，既祖，取道。高漸離擊筑，荊軻和而歌，為變徵之聲，士皆垂㶈涕泣。又前而為歌曰：「風蕭蕭兮易水寒，壯士一去兮不復還！」復為柾慨羽聲，士皆瞋目，髮盡上指冠。於是荊軻遂就車而去，終已不顧。
The Crown Prince and those among his household guests who were aware of the affair all wore white mourning dress to see him off[60]. They arrived at the banks of the Yi River and conducted the sacrifices appropriate for one setting out on a journey. Gao Jianli[61] played the zhu[62] and when Jing Ke joined in singing[63], changing the tune[64] to one in the mode of zhi[65], everyone fell to weeping. Jing Ke then stepped forward and sang, "The wind is sighing and the Yi is cold, a man in his prime is leaving and will not return." Gao Jianli then returned to a stirring melody[66] in the mode of yu[67], at which the mens' eyes blazed and their hackles rose, whereupon Jing Ke climbed into his carriage and departed without a backward glance.
既至秦，持千金之資幣物，厚遺秦王寵臣中庶子蒙嘉。嘉為先言於秦王曰：「燕王誠振畏慕大王之威，不敢興兵以拒大王，願舉國為內臣，比諸侯之列，給貢職如郡縣，而得奉守先王之宗廟。恐懼不敢自陳，謹斬樊於期頭，及獻燕之督亢之地圖，函封，燕王拜送于庭，使使以聞大王。唯大王命之。」
Upon his arrival in Qin, Jing Ke took cash and gifts worth a thousand gold pieces and bestowed them upon one of the King of Qin's favourites, the attendant Meng Jia[68]. Jia thus announced his arrival to King of Qin, saying, "The King of Yan[69] is deeply shaken - terrified by Your Majesty's power[70]. He dares not dispatch any troops to defy your officials[71], rather he desires to offer up his state in exchange for the right to serve you, just as the other sovereign lords have done, one after the other. He will offer tribute just like one of your own counties or commanderies if this will secure the preservation of his ancestral temples. He is too terrified to present his gift in person, but he has had the prudence to behead Fan Wuji, and wishes to offer you his head along with a map of Yan's land in Dukang, sealed in a box. The King of Yan bowed within his court as he saw his envoy off, instructing him to obey Your Majesty and do whatever you order."
王聞之，大喜。乃朝服，設九賓，見燕使者咸陽宮。荊軻奉樊於期頭函，而秦武陽奉地圖匣，以次進至陛下。秦武陽色變振恐，群臣怪之，荊軻顧笑武陽，前為謝曰：「北蠻夷之鄙人，未嘗見天子，故振慴，願大王少假借之，使畢使於前。」秦王謂軻曰：「起，取武陽所持圖。」軻既取圖奉之，發圖，圖窮而匕首見。因左手把秦王之袖，而右手持匕首揕抗之。未至身，秦王驚，自引而起，絕袖。拔劍，劍長，摻其室。荊軻逐秦王，秦王還柱而走。群臣驚愕，卒起不意，盡失其度。而秦法，群臣侍殿上者，不得持尺兵。諸郎中執兵，皆陳殿下，非有詔不得上。方急時，不及召下兵，以故荊軻逐秦王，而卒惶急無以擊軻，而乃以手共搏之。是時侍醫夏無且，以其所奉藥囊提軻。秦王之方還柱走，卒惶急不知所為，左右乃曰：「王負劍！王負劍！」遂拔以擊荊軻，斷其左股。荊軻廢，乃引其匕首提秦王，不中，中柱。秦王復擊軻，被八創。軻自知事不就，倚柱而笑，箕踞以罵曰：「事所以不成者，乃欲以生劫之，必得約契以報太子也。」左右既前斬荊軻，秦王目眩良久。而論功賞群臣及當坐者，各有差。而賜夏無且黃金二百鎰，曰：「無且愛我，乃以藥囊提軻也。」
The King of Qin heard this and was delighted. Accordingly he put on his court dress and ordered a solemn diplomatic welcoming ceremony[72], during which the King of Yan's envoy would be granted an audience within the palace at Xianyang[73]. As Jing Ke, carrying the box containing Fan Wuji's head, and Qin Wuyang, carrying the case containing the map of Yan's lands, approached the steps up to the throne[74], Qin Wuyang's expression changed, showing his anxiety. The king's private secretaries found this strange, but Jing Ke looked back and laughed at Wuyang's fear, advancing to apologise, saying, "He is a simple northern Manyi tribesman; he has never seen the Son of Heaven before and so he is shaking with fear. I hope that Your Majesty will make allowances for him and permit him to complete his mission in your presence[75]."
The King spoke to Jing Ke, saying[76], "Come up here. Bring me the map that he is carrying." Ke thus took the map, presenting it to the King[77], who unrolled it. When the map had been unrolled the King saw the dagger and Jing Ke seized his chance to grab the King's sleeve with his left hand and take the dagger in his right hand to strike[78]. The King was surprised and - before Jing Ke could land a blow - he started up, tearing his sleeve away[79]. The King reached for his sword, but it was too long and got caught in the scabbard[80]. Despite the urgency of the situation[81], the sword remained stuck[82] and could not be drawn properly. Jing Ke pursued the King, who circled around[83] a pillar to escape. His private secretaries were stunned: this was thoroughly unexpected and completely beyond them. According to Qin law, those in attendance within the palace were not permitted to bring to bring any weapons with them, be they a chi or a cun in length[84]. The guards were armed, but they were all stationed outside the hall[85] and not allowed to to enter as long as there had been no official summons. In such a desperate situation there was no time to call down to them. Thus Jing Ke pursued the King while those present panicked. No one had anything with which to strike at Ke, so so they grabbed at him with their hands, and at the same time the palace physician, Xia Wuju[86] took the bag he used to carry his supplies and threw it at Jing Ke[87].
The King was still circling around the pillar[88], panicked and not knowing what to do, but his entourage called out, "Your sword is behind you! Draw it from behind your back[89]!" Thus the King drew his sword and struck at Jing Ke, cutting his left thigh. Jing Ke collapsed and raised his arm to throw the dagger at the King[90], but missed, hitting the pillar instead. The King of Qin stabbed Ke repeatedly, striking him eight times[91]. Ke realised that his mission would never be completed, and leaned against the pillar laughing, before sinking to the ground, stretching out his legs and cursing at the King[92], saying, "If this business failed, it was because we wanted to keep you alive in order to threaten you, needing a treaty that could be taken back to the Crown Prince." The King's attendants advanced and beheaded Jing Ke, and all the while he stood staring blankly. When it was all over[93], he announced rewards for those among his servants who had merited it; all those who had sat and done nothing were found wanting, while Xia Wuqi was rewarded with two hundred yi of gold.
The King said, "Wuju had enough affection for me to throw his medicine bag at Jing Ke[94]."
於是，秦大怒燕，益發兵詣趙，詔王翦軍以伐燕。十月而拔燕薊城。燕王喜、太子丹等，皆率其精兵東保於遼東。秦將李信追擊燕王，王急，用代王嘉計，殺太子丹，欲獻之秦。秦復進兵攻之。五歲而卒滅燕國，而虜燕王喜。秦兼天下。
Qin was furious with Yan on account of this and increased its troop deployment in Zhao, ordering Wang Jian to use the new forces to attack Yan. After ten months they seized Yan's capital, Ji[95]. King Xi of Yan, Crown Prince Dan and various others led Yan's elite troops eastwards to establish a defensive position in Liaodong[95]. The Qin general, Li Xin, pursued them and launched a strike against the King of Yan. The King was hard pressed, and accordingly he adopted a plan conceived by King Jia of Dai[87] to kill Crown Prince Dan and offer up his corpse to Qin. Qin simply redoubled its attack. Within five years it had wiped out the state of Yan and captured King Xi, and eventually unified All-Under-Heaven.
其後荊軻客高漸離以擊筑見秦皇帝，而以筑擊秦皇帝，為燕報仇，不中而死。
After this, Jing Ke's former guest, Gao Jianli, used his skill in playing the zhu to obtain an audience with Qin Huangdi. He tried to strike the Emperor down with the zhu to get vengeance for Yan, but failed and was killed.
[1] Crown Prince Dan was the son of King Xi of Yan.
[2] Reading 已 for 以, per the commentaries.
[3] The commentaries disagree regarding the reading of this sentence. This version follows modern translations. The Yi River is now known as the Yishui River, and it is in Hebei.
[4] Ju Wu is known principally via this story. It is not clear if his name was written 鞫 or 鞠.
[5] He is requesting that Dan cover his living expenses, presumably in addition to paying him for his Confucian teachings.
[6] Fan Wuqi had been a General in Qin but fled after having irritated King Zheng.
[7] Reading 客 for 容, per the commentaries.
[8] King Zheng of Qin (247 – 210 BC) would later conquer the other states and rule the empire under the name of Qin Shihuang.
[9] Reading 謂 for 以, per the commentaries.
[10] Guan Zhong served as Chancellor of Qi under Duke Huan and helped him achieve hegemony.
[11] Yan Ying, also known as Ping Zhong, was another Qi politician of the Spring and Autumn period celebrated for his wisdom.
[12] Reading 不能為之謀也 for 不能為謀, per the commentaries.
[13] The name of this Xiongnu leader is not known. He was probably the father of Touman Chanyu.
[14] Because he will have lost his only major asset - his reputation as someone willing to stand up to Qin, come what may.
[15] Tian Guang was a politician in Yan.
[16] Bao suggests 而慮 for 其勇, in which case the sentence would read "He is highly intelligent and a deep thinker."
[17] According to the commentaries, the 曰 here is superfluous.
[18] Jing Ke was famous principally for this story.
[19] Tian Guang has guessed that he is about to be offered a suicide mission and is doing his best to palm it off on someone else.
[20] The commentaries suggest that 於 here is superfluous.
[21] Reading 戒曰 for 曰, per the commentaries.
[22] The commentaries disagree regarding the reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[23] Reading 為 for 之, per the commentaries.
[24] Reading 致光之言 for 明不言也, per the commentaries.
[25] Reading 而不 for 不, per the commentaries.
[26] Reading 利 for 饕, per the commentaries.
[27] Wang Jian was a celebrated Qin general. The commentaries disagree regarding the reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[28] The comentaries suggest that 將 here is superfluous.
[29] Linzhang was in modern Hebei.
[30] Ye was in Linzhang.
[31] Li Xin was another celebrated Qin general.
[32] Taiyuan is still called Taiyuan, and it is in Shanxi.
[33] Yunzhong was near Wuhai in modern Inner Mongolia.
[34] The commentaries suggest that 能 here is superfluous.
[35] Cao Mo was an unsuccessful general in Lu, repeatedly losing land to Qi. When the leadership of the two states met to sign a treaty formalising the outcome of the conflict, Cao Mo grabbed Duke Huan of Qi and threatened him with a knife, forcing him to return the land.
[36] 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.
[37] The commentaries suggest that 破 here is superfluous.
[38] This is not a title that Jing Ke already possessed. Crown Prince Dan is holding it - and the corresponding stipend - out as a bribe.
[39] The commentaries suggest 事也 for 事 here.
[40] Reading 太子日造門下 for 太子日日造問, per the commentaries. This may be a violation of protocol intended to impress Jing Ke. Traditionally only grains and alcohol were served on bronze sacrificial dishes, with meat being presented in ordinary clay bowls.
[41] Reading 具異 for 異, per the commentaries.
[42] The commentaries suggest 王遷 for 王 here.
[43] According to the commentaries, the 今 here may be superfluous.
[44] Yao suggests 秦王懸金 for 秦王購之金 here.
[45] Fan Wuji is known principally via this episode. He may possibly have been the same person as the Qin general Huan Yi.
[46] Dukang was in modern Zhuozhou, Hebei. At the time it was in the far North of Zhao, presumably lands that were previously relatively unexplored.
[47] The commentaries suggest that 為之 here may be superfluous.
[48] The commentaries disagree regarding the reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[49] Literally gripped his right wrist in his left hand, an apparent indicator of determination in classical times.
[50] The commentaries disagree regarding the reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[51] The commentaries suggest that 收 here is superfluous.
[52] The commentaries suggest that his family name was Xu and his given name was Furen. Other versions interpret 夫人 (furen) as an honorific.
[53] The implication is that the artisan somehow imbued the metal itself with poison.
[54] This person is known principally via this story.
[55] The commentaries suggest that this may be an error for either eleven or thirteen.
[56] The commentaries disagree regarding the reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[57] The goal in this is more to prevent Jing Ke from fleeing than anything else.
[58] Yao suggests 不 for 未 here.
[59] Reading 已 for 以, per the commentaries.
[60] The commentaries suggest that the 及 here may be superfluous.
[61] Gao Jianli would later go into hiding as a result of this affair. Qin Shihuang tracked him down, had him blinded and brought him to the court of Qin to serve as a musician there. Gao Jianli attempted to kill him nevertheless and was executed as a result.
[62] The zhu was an early version of the guqin/zither.
[63] Yao suggests that 而 here is superflous.
[64] Yao suggests 濮上 for 變徵 here.
[65] Zhi is the fourth note on the pentatonic scale. Apparently this was a tragic-sounding minor key.
[66] Yao suggests 後 for 復 here.
[67] Yu is the fifth note on the pentatonic scale.
[68] Meng Jia is known principally for this story. He would later be punished for his role in it. His precise relationships with other people around at the time are unclear; it is possible that he was General Meng Ao's younger brother.
[69] King Xi of Yan (255 – 222 BC) was the last King of Yan.
[70] Reading 怖 for 畏慕, per the commentaries.
[71] Reading 逆軍吏 for 拒大王, per the commentaries.
[72] Literally the "Nine Guests Ceremony", apparently this was standard at all levels of society, but it is not entirely clear what it involved.
[73] Xianyang is still called Xianyang and it is in Shaanxi.
[74] According to the commentaries, the 下 here is superfluous.
[75] Reading 使得 for 使, per the commentaries.
[76] According to the commentaries, the 曰 here may be surperfluous.
[77] Reading 之秦王 for 之, per the commentaries.
[78] According to the commentaries, the 抗 here is superfluous.
[79] Reading 袖絕 for 絕袖, per the commentaries.
[80] By this point ceremonial swords were much longer than military ones, being long enough to make drawing one difficult in an emergency.
[81] The commentaries are divided, with some reading 惶急 and others 恐急.
[82] Yao suggests that 劍 here may be superfluous.
[83] Reading 環 for 還, per the commentaries.
[84] Reading 尺寸之 for 尺, per the commentaries.
[85] Reading 陳於 for 陳, per the commentaries.
[86] Xia Wuju is known principally via this story.
[87] Reading 提荊軻 for 提軻, per the commentaries.
[88] According to the commentaries, the 之 here is superfluous.
[89] The Chinese can be read in either sense.
[90] The commentaries disagree regarding the reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[91] Reading 軻 ，軻 for 軻, per the commentaries.
[92] Showing the soles of one's feet remains an offensive gesture in China to this day.
[93] Reading 而已 for 而, per the commentaries.
[94] Reading 提荊軻 for 提軻, per the commentaries.
[95] Ji is now Xicheng, Beijing. At the time it was the capital of Yan.
[96] The Liaodong Peninsula is in southern Liaoning.
[97] King Jia of Dai (227-223 BC) was also known as King Jia of Zhao. Technically the last ruler of Zhao, his actual territory included only a small rump state on former Dai land.