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秦一 THE STRATAGEMS OF QIN I (B)

司馬錯與張儀爭論於秦惠王前
Sima Cuo Argues With Zhang Yi Before King Hui of Qin

司馬錯與張儀爭論於秦惠王前。司馬錯欲伐蜀,張儀曰:「不如伐韓。」王曰:「請聞其說。」

Sima Cuo[1] and Zhang Yi[2] argued before King Hui of Qin[3]. Sima Cuo wished to attack Shu.

Zhang Yi said, "It would be better to attack Han."

The King said, "We beg to hear[4] your persuasions."

對曰:「親魏善楚,下兵三川,塞轘轅、緱氏之口,當屯留之道,魏絕南陽,楚臨南鄭,秦攻新城、宜陽,以臨二周之郊,誅周主之罪,侵楚、魏之地。周自知不救,九鼎寶器必出。據九鼎,桉圖籍,挾天子以令天下,天下莫敢不聽,此王業也。今夫蜀,西辟之國,而戎狄之長也,弊兵勞眾不足以成名,得其地不足以為利。臣聞:『爭名者於朝,爭利者於市。』今三川、周室,天下之市朝也,而王不爭焉,顧爭於戎狄,去王業遠矣。」

Zhang Yi replied, "If we hold Wei close and ingratiate ourselves with Chu, we can send troops into Sanchuan[5], block the Huanyuan Pass[6] and the Goushi Gate[7], and occupy the road through Tunliu[8]. Wei will be cut off from Nanyang and Chu will advance upon South Zheng[9]. Qin can attack Xincheng[10] and Yiyang[11], using these to advance into the hinterlands of the two Zhous, executing the Lords of Zhou for their crimes[12] and invading the lands of Chu and Wei. Zhou knows that it cannot be saved, and it will certainly give away the Nine Cauldrons[13] and other treasures. We will take possession of the Nine Cauldrons and their maps and records, laying our hands on the Son of Heaven and using him to instruct All-Under-Heaven. None will dare disobey. Such is the work of a true king. Now Shu is a state in the distant West, leader of the Rong confederation[14]. We could exhaust our troops and fatigue our population there and it would not be enough to make a name for ourselves, nor would taking their land provide any profit. Your servant has heard that 'one fights for fame in the palace, and for profit in the marketplace'[15]. Now Sanchuan and the halls of the Zhou are the palace and the marketplace of All-Under-Heaven, but Your Majesty declines to compete for them. You only care to contend against the Rong, avoiding the work of a king entirely[16]."

司馬錯曰:「不然。臣聞之,欲富國者,務廣其地;欲強兵者,務富其民;欲王者,務博其德。三資者備,而王隨之矣。今王之地小民貧,故臣願從事於易。夫蜀,西辟之國也,而戎狄之長也,而有桀、紂之亂。以秦攻之,譬如使豺狼逐群羊也。取其地,足以廣國也;得其財,足以富民;繕兵不傷眾,而彼已服矣。故拔一國,而天下不以為暴;利盡西海,諸侯不以為貪。是我一舉而名實兩附,而又有禁暴正亂之名。今攻韓劫天子,劫天子,惡名也,而未必利也,又有不義之名,而攻天下之所不欲,危!臣請謁其故:周,天下之宗室也;齊,韓、周之與國也。周自知失九鼎,韓自知亡三川,則必將二國并力合謀,以因子齊、趙,而求解乎楚、魏。以鼎與楚,以地與魏,王不能禁。此臣所謂『危』,不如伐蜀之完也。」惠王曰:「善!寡人聽子。」

Sima Cuo said, "Not so. Your servant has heard it said that 'If you want a prosperous state, you must strive enlarge your territory[17]; if you want a strong army, you must make your citizens prosperous; if you want to become a true king, you must work to increase your honour.' If you perfect these three resources, then royal status[18] will follow. Now Your Majesty's lands are small and your citizens poor, therefore your servant would like to follow the easiest course in this affair. Shu is a state in the distant West led by the Rong tribes, and it is in a state of disorder similar to that of Jie[19] and Zhou[20]. Using Qin to attack them would be like sending wolves to chase away sheep. Taking their land will suffice to expand our state, and taking their resources will suffice to enrich our citizens. The army may be prepared for such a campaign without adversely affecting the populace[21], and Shu will submit of its own accord. Thus we can take a state without committing any violence within All-Under-Heaven; our gains will stretch to the Western Sea[22], and will be no cause for envy among the sovereign lords. This being so, I can increase both our fame and our fortune at a stroke, gaining a reputation for preventing violence and bringing order to chaos. Now if we attack Han and threaten the Son of Heaven, we will end up with a bad name and moreover make no profit. We will have a reputation for unprincipled behaviour and by attacking what All-Under-Heaven does not wish us to attack, we will be in danger. Your servant therefore begs permission to explain: Zhou is the ancestral hall of All-Under-Heaven; the states of Qi and Han are on Zhou's side. If Zhou knows that it will lose the Nine Cauldrons and Han knows it will lose Sanchuan, they will certainly unite the strength of their two states and make a strategic accord, taking the opportunity to join with[23] Qi and Zhao and beg relief from Chu and Wei. They will give the Nine Cauldrons to Chu and land to Wei, and Your Majesty will be unable to prevent it. This is why your servant says, 'You will be at risk.' This lacks the self-contained perfection of an attack on Shu."

King Hui said, "Very well. We will pay heed to what you say."

卒起兵伐蜀,十月取之,遂定蜀。蜀主更號為侯,而使陳莊相蜀。蜀既屬,秦益強富厚,輕諸侯。

Troops were raised and attacked Shu, taking it in ten months and then stabilising it[24]. The King of Shu[25] was made a Marquis and Chen Zhuang[26] was appointed as Prime Minister of Shu. Thus Shu became Qin's, Qin flourished and grew strong, prosperous and able to disregard the sovereign lords.

[1] Sima Cuo was a politician and military leader in QIn. He would later lead the campaign against Shu and Ba.

[2] Zhang Yi was among Qin's most famous diplomats; like Su Qin he was a Guiguzi alumnus.

[3] King Huiwen of Qin (338–311 BC) began his reign by killing Shang Yang, but maintained his legal and military reforms, using his strengthened state to acquire large tracts of additional land.

[4] Reading 問 for 聞, per the commentaries.

[5] Sanchuan (or Three Rivers) Commandery, was part of modern Henan. It included the city of Yiyang, which Qin would later attack.

[6] Huanyuan Pass provided access to Luoyang, it was famously risky to traverse. 

[7] Goushi is a small town just East of Luoyang.

[8] Tunliu is now a part of Changzhi in Shanxi.

[9] South Zheng was the area in Han formerly occupied by the state of Zheng. In other versions, it is Chu who will attack South Zheng.

[10] Xincheng was in the Southwest of modern-day Yichuan County, Henan.

[11] Yiyang in modern Henan.

[12] The commentaries suggest 討 as a possible alternative for 誅. This does not substantially alter the sense.

[13] The nine ritual vessels that symbolised the authority to rule over the Empire were still held by the state of Zhou, whose royal family had once ruled China but which was now merely one feudal state among many.

[14] The commentaries suggest 偷 as an alternative for 長. The Rong were non-Chinese peoples living West of Qin

[15] This reads like a quotation, but the source is unclear.

[16] Some of the commentaries suggest that the 業 is superfluous here. 

[17] Some of the commentaries suggest 國富 for 富國. This does not substantially change the sense.

[18] King Huiwen began his rule as a mere Duke, taking his royal title later.

[19] Jie was the tyranical and debauched last ruler of the Xia Dynasty, deposed by Tang of Shang.

[20] Zhou (紂) was the final ruler of the Shang Dynasty, defeated by King Wu to found the Zhou (周) Dynasty. 

[21] I.e. the conquest could be achieved without requiring exceptional levies of conscripts or taxes.

[22] At the time it was assumed that the landmass upon which China was situated was surrounded by four seas - one in each cardinal direction - of which only the East Sea was well-known.

[23] Reading 於 for 子 as in other versions.

[24] If Zhang Yi was genuinely opposed to the campaign, he did not let it stand in his way. He and Sima Cuo were the generals who led the invasion.

[25] Actually the son of the twelfth and last Kaiming King of Shu (dates unknown).

[26] Chen Zhuang was a politician in Qin. He would later start a rebellion in Shu and was killed by an army led by Sima Cuo and Zhang Yi.

張儀之殘樗裡疾
How Zhang Yi Injured Chuli Ji

張儀之殘樗里疾也,重而使之楚。因令楚王為之請相於秦。張子謂秦王曰:「重樗里疾而使之者,將以為國交也。今身在楚,楚王因為請相於秦。臣聞其言曰:『王欲窮儀於秦乎?臣請助王。』楚王以為然,故為請相也。今王誠聽之,彼必以國事楚王。」秦王大怒,樗里疾出走。

 

This is how Zhang Yi[1] injured Chuli Ji[2]: by having him elevated in rank and made envoy to Chu. Zhang Yi took the opportunity to have the King of Chu[3] request that Chuli Ji be made Chancellor of Qin. Then Master Zhang spoke to the King of Qin[4], saying: "You have elevated Chuli Ji and made him your envoy, with the aim of improving our state's foreign relations. Now he has gone to Chu in person, and as a result the King of Chu has requested that he be made Chancellor of Qin. Your servant has heard that he said: 'Do you wish to ruin Yi in Qin? Your servant begs permission to help Your Majesty.' The King of Chu believed him, and that is why he requested the post of Chancellor. If you now listen to him in earnest, he will use our state to serve the King of Chu's interests." The King was enraged and Chuli Ji fled the country.

 

[1] Zhang Yi was among Qin's most famous diplomats; like Su Qin he was a Guiguzi alumnus.

[2]  Chuli Ji was a son of Duke Xiao of Qin, and served as a General and Prime Minister at the same time as Gan Mao. He helped to preside over Qin's expansion. His military and political expertise was such that he is occasionally referred to as "Master Chuli" in literature.

[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] 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.

張儀欲以漢中與楚

Zhang Yi Wishes to Give Hanzhong to Chu

張儀欲以漢中與楚,請秦王曰:「有漢中,蠹。種樹不處者,人必害之;家有不宜之財,則傷本。漢中南邊為楚利,此國累也。」甘茂謂王曰:「地大者,固多憂乎!天下有變,王割漢中以為和楚,楚必畔天下而與王。王今以漢中與楚,即天下有變,王何以市楚也?」

Zhang Yi[1] wanted to give Hanzhong[2] to Chu, and spoke to[3] the King of Qin[4], saying: "Having Hanzhong is like having a termite infestation. When a tree is planted in the wrong place, someone will certainly cut it down; when a household possesses an unsuitable asset, it will suffer. Now the borderlands south of Hanzhong[5] are a source of benefit to Chu, but will be a source of difficulties for our state."

Gan Mao[6] spoke to the King, saying: "A large territory is truly a misery! If there are disturbances in All-Under-Heaven, Your Majesty can offer the domain of Hanzhong in return for peace[6] with Chu, then Chu will draw a line between itself and All-Under-Heaven, and come to your side. If you give Hanzhong to Chu now, what will you have to trade with them when there are disturbances in All-Under-Heaven?"

[1] Zhang Yi was among Qin's most famous diplomats; like Su Qin he was a Guiguzi alumnus.

[2] Hanzhong is still called Hanzhong, and is in Shaanxi. At the time it would have been between Qin and Chu, and seems at one point to have been home to an independent state, Bao. At the time of the story, Qin had just conquered Hanzhong from Chu.

[3] Reading 謂 for 請, per the commentaries.

[4] 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.

[5] Reading 傷。今漢中 for 傷本。漢中, per the commentaries.

[6] The commentaries suggest that the 為 here may be superfluous.

楚攻魏張儀謂秦王
Chu Attacks Wei and Zhang Yi Speaks to the King of Qin

楚攻魏。張儀謂秦王曰:「不如與魏以勁之,魏戰勝,復聽於秦,必入西河之外;不勝,魏不能守,王必取之。」

Chu attacked Wei and Zhang Yi[1] spoke to the King of Qin[2], saying, "It would be best to join Wei and strengthen it. If Wei fights and wins, they will begin listen to Qin once again, and will transfer Outer Xihe[4] to us. If they do not win, they will be incapable of defending it, and Your Majesty will certainly be able to take it."

王用儀言,取皮氏卒萬人,車百乘,以與魏。犀首戰勝威王,魏兵罷弊,恐畏秦,果獻西河之外。

The King used Yi's advice, taking ten thousand troops from Pishi[5] and a hundred chariots to Wei. The Xishou General[6] fought and won a victory over King Wei[7]. Wei's troops gave up, exhausted and terrified of Qin, and as a result they offered Outer Xihe to Qin.

[1] Zhang Yi was among Qin's most famous diplomats; like Su Qin he was a Guiguzi alumnus.

[2] King Huiwen of Qin (338–311 BC) began his reign by killing Shang Yang, but maintained his legal and military reforms, using his strengthened state to acquire large tracts of additional land. 

[3] Some of the commentaries suggest 德於秦 for 聽於秦 - "pay tribute to Qin".

[4] Xihe Commandery, in Southeast Ordos, Inner Mongolia.

[5] This refers to the former fiefdom of the Pi family. It is now Hejin in Shanxi. At the time it belonged to Wei, something that the commentaries cannot explain.

[6] "Xishou" was originally an official title, but was also used as a personal name by Gongsun Yan, who worked as a politician in Qin, Wei and Han. He was another opponent of Zhang Yi.

[7] King Wei of Chu (339–329 BC) enjoyed a quiet reign.

田莘之為陳軫說秦惠王
Tian Hua Exercises his Persuasions on King Hui of Qin on Behalf of Chen Zhen

田莘之為陳軫說秦惠王曰:「臣恐王之如郭君。夫晉獻公欲伐郭,而憚舟之僑存。荀息曰:『周書有言,美女破舌。』乃遺之女樂,以亂其政。舟之僑諫而不聽,遂去。因而伐郭,遂破之。又欲伐虞,而憚宮之奇存。荀息曰:『周書有言,美男破老。』乃遺之美男,教之惡宮之奇。宮之奇以諫而不聽,遂亡。因而伐虞,遂取之。今秦自以為王,能害王者之國者,楚也。楚智橫君之善用兵,用兵與陳軫之智,故驕張儀以五國。來,必惡是二人。願王勿聽也。」張儀果來辭,因言軫也,王怒而不聽。

Tian Hua[1] exercised his persuasions on King Hui of Qin[2] on behalf of Chen Zhen[3], saying: "Your servant is afraid that Your Majesty will end up like the Lord of Guo[4]. Duke Xian of Jin[5] wished to attack Guo, but shrank back because Zhou Zhiqiao[6] was there. Xun Xi[7] said, 'The Book of Zhou has a line: female beauty is the downfall of the eloquent.'[8] So Jin sent female musicians to Guo to spread disorder in its political affairs. Whenever Zhou Zhiqiao raised criticisms he was ignored, and as a consequence he left. Consequently, Jin destroyed Guo. Jin also wished to attack Yu, but shrank back because Gong Zhiqi[9] was there. Xun Xi said, 'The Book of Zhou has a line: male beauty is the downfall of the old.' So Jin sent some attractive young men to Yu to spread rumours about Gong Zhiqi. Whenever Gong Zhiqi raised criticisms, he was was ignored, so he defected. Jin seized the opportunity and attacked Yu, taking it as a result. Now you have assumed the position of King in Qin[10], and the only state that can harm a king is Chu[11]. Chu is aware[12] that Lord Hengmen[13] is skilled in the use of troops and that Chen Zhen is intelligent[14], so it wants a show pony like Zhang Yi[15] as your go-between with the Five States[16]. When he comes back, he will surely denigrate both of them on this account. I hope that Your Majesty will pay no attention." Zhang Yi then came to report to the King, taking the opportunity to comment on Zhen. The King was irritated and did not pay attention.

[1] Reading 田莘 for 田莘 per the commentaries. This person is not otherwise well-known.

[2] King Huiwen of Qin (338–311 BC) began his reign by killing Shang Yang, but maintained his legal and military reforms, using his strengthened state to acquire large tracts of additional land.

[3] Chen Zhen came from Qi and was the source of several famous persuasions. He competed with Zhang Yi for position at the Qin court, before leaving to bolster the vertical alliance. 

[4] Duke Chou of Guo (? - 665 BC). The state of Guo is more usually given as 虢. 

[5] Duke Xian (676–651 BC) strenghtened Jin to make it one of the dominant states during the seventh century BC, but also ruled a court that was riddled with murderous harem politics and family infighting, the impact of which favoured the rise of the Zhao clan within the state.

[6] Zhou Zhiqiao was a powerful advisor within the Guo state. He later defected to Jin and was killed for his betrayal.

[7] Xun Xi was a minister in Jin, famous for his intelligence. 

[8] This line and the following one come from the Lost Book of Zhou, in a section describing the pitfalls of government.

[9] Gong Zhiqi was an advisor to the state of Yu. Like Zhou Zhiqiao he warned his sovereign of Jin's plans, being ignored and finally choosing to flee.

[10] When Huiwen took power he was a Duke, he arrogated the royal title to himself during his reign.

[11] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.

[12] Reading 知 for 智, per the commentaries.

[13] Reading 橫門君 for 橫君, per the commentaries. Lord Hengmen was a relation of King Huiwen.

[14] The commentaries suggest that one incidence of the characters 用兵 is superfluous.

[15]  Zhang Yi was among Qin's most famous diplomats; like Su Qin he was a Guiguzi alumnus.

[16] Han, Qi, Wei, Zhao and Yan. At the time Chu was leading a confederation made up of these states.

張儀又惡陳軫於秦王
Zhang Yi Repeatedly Denigrates Chen Zhen to the King of Qin

張儀又惡陳軫於秦王,曰:「軫馳楚、秦之間,今楚不加善秦而善軫,然則是軫自為而不為國也。且軫欲去秦而之楚,王何不聽乎?」

Zhang Yi[1] repeatedly[2] denigrated Chen Zhen[3] to the King of Qin[4], saying, "Zhen gallops back and forth between Chu and Qin[5]. Now Chu's treatment of Qin is growing no better, but its treatment of Zhen is improving[6]. If this is so, it must be because Zhen is working for himself and not for the state. Zhen wishes to abandon Qin and go to Chu. Why does Your Majesty pay no attention to this?"

王謂陳軫曰:「吾聞子欲去秦而之楚,信乎?」陳軫曰:「然。」王曰:「儀之言果信也。」曰:「非獨儀知之也,行道之人皆知之。曰:『孝己愛其親,天下欲以為子;子胥忠乎其君,天下欲以為臣。賣僕妾售乎閭巷者,僕妾也;出婦嫁鄉曲者,良婦也。』吾不忠於君,楚亦何以軫為忠乎?忠且見棄,吾不之楚,何適乎?」秦王曰:「善。」乃必之也。

The King spoke to Chen Zhen, saying, "I have heard that you want to abandon Qin and go to Chu; is this credible information?"

Chen Zhen said, "It is."

The King said, "So Yi's words have averred themselves to be trustworthy."

Chen Zhen said, "It is not just Yi who knows; everyone in the streets knows too. They say, 'Xiao Ji[7] loved his family - All-Under-Heaven would want such a son; Zixu[8] was loyal to his lord[9] - All-Under-Heaven would want such a servant. A concubine who can be sold in her home town must be a good concubine; a divorcee who can remarry in her home village must be a good wife.' If I were not loyal to you, what loyalty could Chu expect from me?[10] On the other hand, being loyal and having been rejected, what should I do but go to Chu?"

The King said, "Very well." Accordingly, nothing more was done[11] on the matter.

[1] Zhang Yi was among Qin's most famous diplomats; like Su Qin he was a Guiguzi alumnus.

[2] The commentaries suggest that this may belong with the previous chapter, in which case this would read "Zhang Yi once again criticised Chen Zhen". 

[3] Chen Zhen came from Qi and was the source of several famous persuasions. He competed with Zhang Yi for position at the Qin court, before leaving to bolster the vertical alliance. 

[4] King Huiwen of Qin (338–311 BC) began his reign by killing Shang Yang, but maintained his legal and military reforms, using his strengthened state to acquire large tracts of additional land.

[5] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.

[6] The commentaries disagree regarding this sentence. Bao suggests 遂 for 楚, in which case the sentence would read "and now, as a consequence, Qin has gained no favours while Zhen has".

[7] Xiao Ji was the eldest son of King Wu Ding of Shang, but did not succeed the throne, having been rejected by his father after the death of his mother. 

[8] Wu Zixu​ was a minister in Wu in the early fifth century BC. Early in his life he was faced with the choice of dying with his father, who had been wrongly accused of treason, or staying alive to attempt to avenge him, a dilemma which became something of a Confucian equivalent of the trolley problem. After various escapades he was obliged to commit suicide on a false charge, and was held up as a model of loyalty.

[9] The commentaries suggest that the 乎 here is superfluous. Wu Zixu was loyal to successive lords.

[10] The commentaries suggest that the 乎 here is superfluous.

[11] Reading 乃止之 for 乃必之也, per the commentaries.

陳軫去楚之秦
Chen Zhen Leaves Chu for Qin

陳軫去楚之秦。張儀謂秦王曰:「陳軫為王臣,常以國情輸楚。儀不能與從事,願王逐之。即復之楚,願王殺之。」王曰:「軫安敢之楚也。」

Chen Zhen[1] left Chu for Qin. Zhang Yi[2] spoke to the King of Qin[3], saying, "Chen Zhen is working as a private secretary to Your Majesty, but he is constantly conveying state secrets to Chu. I cannot be a party to his affairs, and I hope Your Majesty will expel him. If he then immediately returns to Chu, I hope you will have him killed."

The King said, "How would Zhen dare go to Chu?"

王召陳軫告之曰:「吾能聽子,子欲何之?請為子車約。」對曰:「臣願之楚。」王曰:「儀以子為之楚,吾又自知子之楚。子非楚,且安之也!」軫曰:「臣出,必故之楚,以順王與儀之策,而明臣之楚與不也。楚人有兩妻者,人誂其長者,詈之;誂其少者,少者許之。居無幾何,有兩妻者死。客謂誂者曰:『汝取長者乎?少者乎?』『取長者。』客曰:『長者詈汝,少者和汝,汝何為取長者?』曰:『居彼人之所,則欲其許我也。今為我妻,則欲其為我詈人也。』今楚王明主也,而昭陽賢相也。軫為人臣,而常以國輸楚王,王必不留臣,昭陽將不與臣從事矣。以此明臣之楚與不。」

The King summoned Chen Zhen and reported this to him, saying, "I am willing to hear you out[4]. Where do you want to go?[5] I beg permission to have a carriage prepared for you.[6]"

He replied: "Your servant would like to go to Chu."

The King said, "Yi gave out that you were leaning towards Chu, and now I know it for myself. If not Chu, then where else would you go?[7]"

Zhen said, "If I leave, it can only be to go to Chu, in accordance with your and Yi's plans. Thus it will be clear whether I am Chu's or not[8]. There was a man from Chu with two wives. When someone tried to steal away[9] the older one, she cursed at him; when someone tried carry off the younger one, she let him do it. Not long afterwards, the man died. One of his clients spoke to the seducer, saying, 'Now do you intend to take the older one or the younger?'[10] 'The older one.' The client said, 'The older one insulted you while the younger went along with you. Why are you taking the older one?' He said, 'When it comes to other men's wives, I want the ones who let me do what I like with them. When it comes to my own, I want the ones tell people like me to go to hell[11].' Now the King of Chu[12] is an enlightened sovereign and Zhao Yang[13] a wise Chancellor. If I were your private secretary and constantly conveyed state secrets to the King of Chu, he would not permit me to remain in his court, nor would Zhao Yang tolerate being a party to my affairs. This will show whether I am Chu's or not."

軫出,張儀入,問王曰:「陳軫果安之?」王曰:「夫軫天下之辯士也,孰視寡人曰:『軫必之楚。』寡人遂無柰何也。寡人因問曰:『子必之楚也,則儀之言果信矣!』軫曰:『非獨儀之言也,行道之人皆知之。昔者子胥忠其君,天下皆欲以為臣;孝己愛其親,天下皆欲以為子。故賣僕妾不出里巷而取者,良僕妾也;出婦嫁於鄉里者,善婦也。臣不忠於王,楚何以軫為?忠尚見棄,軫不之楚,而何之乎?』」王以為然,遂善待之。

As Zhen left, Zhang Yi entered and questioned the King, saying, "What was the outcome with Chen Zhen?"

The King said: "Zhen is the greatest orator in All-Under-Heaven. He looked us straight in[14] the eye and said, 'I have no choice but to go to Chu.' What can we do with such as him[15]? We took the opportunity to question him, saying, 'If you have no choice but to go to Chu, then that must mean that Yi's words were trustworthy.' He said, 'It is not only Yi who says so[16]; everyone in the streets is aware of this. They say, 'Zixu[17] was loyal to his lord[18] - All-Under-Heaven would want such a servant; Xiao Ji[19] loved his family - All-Under-Heaven would want such a son. Thus, if you can buy and sell concubine in her home town, she must be a good concubine; a divorcee who can remarry in her home village must be a good wife.' If I were not loyal to my Lord now, what loyalty could Chu hope to expect from me[20]? Being faithful and having been rejected by Your Majesty, if I did not go to Chu, what else could I do[21]'" The King had accepted the truth of this, and consequently waited graciously upon Chen Zhen.

[1] Chen Zhen was the source of several famous persuasions. He competed with Zhang Yi for position at the Qin court, before leaving to bolster the vertical alliance. 

[2] Zhang Yi was among Qin's most famous diplomats; like Su Qin he was a Guiguzi alumnus.

[3] King Huiwen of Qin (338–311 BC) began his reign by killing Shang Yang, but maintained his legal and military reforms, using his strengthened state to acquire large tracts of additional land.

[4] According to the commentaries, the 言 here is superfluous. 

[5] Zeng suggests 子欲何適 for 子欲何之. 

[6] The commentaries suggest 約車 for 車約.

[7] Reading 宜 for 且, per the commentaries. 

[8] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.

[9] Reading 挑 for 誂 here and in the next case, per the commentaries. 

[10] The commentaries suggest that 長者 should be repeated.

[10] Some of the commentaries suggest that the entire question was reported speech. 

[11] According to the commentaries, the 我 here is superfluous.

[12] 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.

[13] Zhao Yang was Prime Minister of Chu, and a celebrated general. He also came close to having Zhang Yi beaten to death after the Heshibi jade vanished during a banquet that he attended.

[14] Reading 熟 for 孰, per the commentaries. 

[15] Reading 奈 for 柰 here, as in other versions of the text. 

[16] According to the commentaries, the 也 is superfluous. 

[17] Wu Zixu​ was a minister in Wu in the early fifth century BC. Early in his life he was faced with the choice of dying with his father, who had been wrongly accused of treason, or staying alive to attempt to avenge him, a dilemma which became something of a Confucian equivalent of the trolley problem. After various escapades he was obliged to commit suicide on a false charge, and was held up as a model of loyalty.

[18] Wu Zixu was loyal to successive lords.

[19] Xiao Ji was the eldest son of King Wu Ding of Shang, but did not succeed the throne, having been rejected by his father after the death of his mother. 

[20] Some of the commentaries suggest 為忠 for 為. This does not substantially change the sense.

[21] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise wording of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.

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