秦五 THE STRATAGEMS OF QIN V
謂秦王
Speaking to the King of Qin
謂秦王曰：「臣竊惑王之輕齊易楚，而卑畜韓也。臣聞，王兵勝而不驕，伯主約而不忿。勝而不驕，故能服世；約而不忿，故能從鄰。今王廣德魏、趙，而輕失齊，驕也；戰勝宜陽，不恤楚交，忿也。驕忿非伯主之業也。臣竊為大王慮之而不取也。
Someone spoke to the King of Qin[1], saying: "Your humble servant is perplexed as to why Your Majesty would treat Qi lightly, Chu casually, and Han like livestock. Your servant has heard that a true King can win military victories without becoming arrogant, while a true Hegemon can negotiate terms with the feudal lords without resentment. He who can win and not become arrogant can make the whole world submit. He who can negotiate terms without resentment can make followers of his neighbours. Now Your Majesty has paid extensive tribute to Wei and Zhao, but you do not care if you lose Qi. This is arrogance. You fought and won at Yiyang[2], and were pitiless in your treatment of Chu. This shows resentment. To be arrogant and resentful is not the business of a hegemon. Your servant has taken the liberty of considering this on Your Majesty's behalf, and it is unacceptable.
「詩云：『靡不有初，鮮克有終。』故先王之所重者，唯始與終。何以知其然？昔智伯瑤殘范、中行，圍逼晉陽，卒為三家笑；吳王夫差棲越於會稽，勝齊於艾陵，為黃池之遇，無禮於宋，遂與勾踐禽，死於干隧；梁君伐楚勝齊，制趙、韓之兵，驅十二諸侯以朝天子於孟津，後子死，身布冠而拘於秦。三者非無功也，能始而不能終也。
The Book of Poetry says, 'Every enterprise begins well, but few end so.'[3] This was thus taken seriously by the former kings, who looked to beginnings and endings. How do I know this? In former times, Zhi Boyao[4] destroyed the Fan[5] and Zhonghang[6] families, and encircled Jinyang[7], but the Three Families[8] had the last laugh. King Fuchai of Wu[9] made Yue[10] seek refuge at Kuaiji[11] and defeated Qi at Ailing[12], but at the meeting at Huangchi[13] he treated Song with disrespect and as a result was captured[14] by Goujian[15], and died in Gansui[16]. The Lord of Liang[17] attacked Chu and defeated Qi. He brought the armies of Zhao and Han[18] under his control. He compelled twelve feudal lords to attend the court of the Son of Heaven[19] in Mengjin[20], but his son and heir[21] was killed and while he was still in mourning he was captured by Qin. It was not that these three achieved no successes, but that they were capable of beginning enterprises but not of concluding them.
「今王破宜陽，殘三川，而使天下之士不敢言；雍天下之國，徙兩周之疆，而世主不敢交陽侯之塞；取黃棘，而韓、楚之兵不敢進。王若能為此尾，則三王不足四，五伯不足六。王若不能為此尾，而有後患，則臣恐諸侯之君，河、濟之士，以王為吳、智之事也。
Now you have destroyed Yiyang and wiped out Sanchuan[22], leaving the officials of All-Under-Heaven too cowed to speak up. Your state is enveloping All-Under-Heaven and pushing back the borders of the two Zhous, and the sovereigns of the world do not dare glance towards[23] the borders of the River God's domain[24]. Huangji[25] is taken and the troops of Han and Chu do not dare to advance. If Your Majesty is capable of bringing this to a conclusion, then it is certain that the Three Sovereigns[26] will become four, and the Five Hegemons[27] will become six. If you are not capable of bringing it to a conclusion, then disaster will follow, and your servant is afraid that the lords of the feudal states and the officials between the Yellow River and the Ji[28] will serve you in the way they served Wu and Zhi[29].
「詩云：『行百里者半於九十。』此言末路之難。今大王皆有驕色，以臣之心觀之，天下之事，依世主之心，非楚受兵，必秦也。何以知其然也？秦人援魏以拒楚，楚人援韓以拒秦，四國之兵敵，而未能復戰也。齊、宋在繩墨之外以為權，故曰先得齊、宋者伐秦。秦先得齊、宋，則韓氏鑠；韓氏鑠，則楚孤而受兵也。楚先得齊，則魏氏鑠；魏氏鑠，則秦孤而受兵矣。若隨此計而行之，則兩國者必為天下笑矣。」
The Book of Poetry says, 'Half of a hundred li is ninety li.'[30] This means that from now on, the road will get ever harder. Now Your Majesty has an arrogant air[31]; your servant has seen and felt it. The affairs of All-Under-Heaven reflect the ideas of the sovereigns of this world[32]. If Chu is not subject to invasion, then Qin must be. How so I know that this is so? Qin's partisans will help Wei defend itself against Chu, and Chu's partisans will help Han defend itself against Qin[33]. The four states' troops are evenly matched, so none will be able to turn the fight in its favour. It is because Qi and Song are not a part of this that they are powers in the world. Therefore I say that if Chu can first obtain the backing of Qi and Song, it will surely attack Qin[34]. If Qin is the first to obtain the backing of Qi and Song, then the Han family's resistance will evaporate. If the Han family's resistance evaporates, then Chu will be left isolated and open to invasion. If Chu is the first to receive Qi's backing[35], then the Wei family's resistance will evaporate. If the Wei family's resistance evaporates, then Qin will be left isolated and open to invasion. In either case, if these strategies are followed, then one of the two states[36] must become the laughing stock of All-Under-Heaven."
[1] The commentaries suggest that this was King Zheng of Qin (247 – 210 BC), but the reference to Yiyang implies King Zhaoxiang (306–251 BC).
[2] Yiyang is now in Yiyang County. At the time it was a border fortress belonging to Han. It was strategically important insofar as that it provided Qin with a base from which to pursue its expansion.
[3] This quote can indeed be found in the Book of Poetry.
[4] Zhi Boyuan or Zhi Bo was head of the Zhi clan, and the last Chancellor of Jin.
[5] The Fan clan had supplied Jin with its high-ranking civil servants for generations.
[6] The Zhonghang clan was another coterie of feudal lords in Jin.
[7] Jinyang is now Taiyuan in Shanxi.
[8] Han, Wei and Zhao.
[9] Fuchai was the last king of Wu. His feud with Yue saw him capture King Goujian of Yue, before being killed by him and his state overrun.
[10] King Goujian of Yue was held captive for three years by Fuchai, and devoted himself to seeking revenge afterwards.
[11] Kuaiji was the capital of Yue, later it became Shaoxing in Zhejiang.
[12] Ailing is now Laiwu in Shandong.
[13] Huangchi was in what is now Fengqiu county, Henan.
[14] Reading 為 for 與, per the commentaries.
[15] King Goujian of Yue (496–465 BC) was captured by King Fuchai of Wu early during his reign and forced to serve him for three years. When he was finally released, he set about political and military reforms in Yue, making it strong enough to attack and wipe out Wu, forcing Fuchai to kill himself.
[16] The characters 干隧 here may be superfluous. Gansui is now Wuxi in Jiangsu.
[17] King Hui of Wei. Liang was an alternative name for Wei.
[18] The commentaries suggest that this may be intended to read 韓、趙 (Han and Zhao) for 趙、韓.
[19] The Son of Heaven was King Xian of Zhou, who still enjoyed the title - but not the powers - of an emperor. Having the ability to summon the leaders of other states to a conference was a marker of Hegemon status.
[20] Mengjin is still called Mengjin, and is in Henan.
[21] This was Prince Shen of Wei.
[22] Sanchuan (or Three Rivers) Commandery, part of modern Henan.
[23] Reading 窺 for 交, per the commentaries.
[24] This seems to refer to the land around the Yellow River.
[25] Huangji is now Xinye in Henan.
[26] The Three Sovereigns were semi-legendary early rulers of China. The precise list of individuals varies according to the source.
[27] The Five Emperors likewise.
[28] The Ji River.
[29] I.e. King Fuchai of Wu and Zhi Boyao.
[30] The current version of the Book of Poetry does not include this line. The implication is that the last 10% of any task requires 50% of the effort.
[31] This sentence is clearly missing something. It may be intended to read that the Kings of Qin and Chu are equally arrogant.
[32] This sentence is not clear, and modern translations disagree regarding the interpretation.
[33] The commentaries suggest that this may be intended to read 秦王 (the King of Qin).
[34] This sentence is a little confusing, and characters may be missing.
[35] The commentaries suggest 齊之 for 齊.
[36] Qin and Chu.
秦王與中期爭論
The King Of Qin Argues with Zhong Qi
秦王與中期爭論，不勝。秦王大怒，中期徐行而去。或為中期說秦王曰：「悍人也。中期適遇明君故也，向者遇桀、紂，必殺之矣〔四〕。」秦王因不罪。
The King of Qin[1] argued with Zhong Qi[2] and did not win. The King of Qin was angry, so Zhong Qi quietly got up and left. Someone spoke to[3] the King of Qin on Zhong Qi's behalf: "How brave he is! He is lucky to have encountered such an enlightened ruler. If he had run into Jie[4] or Zhou[5], they would certainly have killed him." In the circumstances, the King of Qin did not hold the transgression against him.
[1] 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.
[2] We met Zhong Qi earlier playing the zither in the Qin court.
[3] Reading 與 for 為, per the commentaries.
[4] King Jie (c. 1728 – 1675 BC) was the tyrannical last ruler of the Xia Dynasty.
[5] King Zhou (1075-1046 BC) was the last King of the Shang Dynasty.
獻則謂公孫消
Xian Ze Speaks to Gongsun Xiao
獻則謂公孫消曰：「公，大臣之尊者也，數伐有功。所以不為相者，太后不善公也。辛戎者，太后之所親也。今亡於楚，在東周。公何不以秦、楚之重，資而相之於周乎？楚必便之矣。是辛戎有秦、楚之重，太后必悅公，公相必矣。」
Xian Ze[1] spoke to Gongsun Xiao[2], saying, "Your Lordship has the respect of the great servants of the state, you have earned achievements in numerous battles, if this has not been enough to see you made Chancellor, it is because the Queen Dowager[3] does not favour you. Xin Rong[4] is close to the Queen Dowager. He has now defected from Chu and is in East Zhou. Why do you not use your influence in Qin and Chu to provide him with resources and get him made Chancellor in Zhou? Chu will certainly facilitate it[5]. Xin Rong will have influence in Qin and Chu and the Queen Dowager will certainly be delighted. You will definitely be made Chancellor[6]."
[1] Xian Ze was a politician from Chu, apparently a member of Mi Rong's entourage.
[2] Gongsun Xiao was a politician in Qin.
[3] Queen Dowager Xuan, the mother of King Zhaoxiang. With her family and the aid of King Wuling of Zhao she managed to ensure that her son took the throne following the unexpected death of his older brother, King Wu. With her brother, Marquis Rang, she ruled while Zhaoxiang was still underage, but he eventually succeeded in forcing both out after he attained maturity.
[4] Xin Rong is an alternative name for Mi Rong, Queen Dowager Xuan's half-brother. Both were from Chu; Mi Rong later ended up working for Qin, along with many of Xuan's relations.
[5] While Xin Rong is currently out of favour in Chu, the leadership will be willing to favour his employment abroad if they think he will advance their interests there.
[6] In Qin.
樓啎約秦魏
Lou Wu Brokers an Agreement Between Qin and Wei
樓梧約秦、魏，魏太子為質，紛彊欲敗之。謂太后曰：「國與還者也，敗秦而利魏，魏必負之，負秦之日，太子為糞矣。」太后坐王而泣。王因疑於太子，令之留於酸棗。樓子患之。昭衍為周之梁，樓子告之。昭衍見梁王，梁王曰：「何聞？」曰：「聞秦且伐魏。」王曰：「為期與我約矣。」曰：「秦疑於王之約，以太子之留酸棗而不之秦。秦王之計曰：『魏不與我約，必攻我；我與其處而待之見攻，不如先伐之。』以秦彊折節而下與國，臣恐其害於東周。」
Lou Wu[1] brokered an agreement between Qin and Wei, under which the Crown Prince of Wei[2] would serve as a hostage in Qin. Fen Jiang[3] wanted to ensure that the agreement would fail. He spoke to the Queen Dowager of Wei[4], saying: "States are changeable creatures. If it would result in a loss for Qin and a gain for Wei, we would certainly turn our backs on them. The day we turn our backs on Qin, he won't be worth shit." The Queen Dowager sat the King[5] down and wept. As a result, the King grew nervous about the Crown Prince, who was ordered to remain in Suanzao[6]. Master Lou was troubled by this. Zhao Yan[7] had come to Liang on behalf of Zhou, so Master Lou told him about it.
Zhao Yan went to see the King of Liang, and the King of Liang said, "What news have you heard?"
He said, "I have heard that Qin is going to attack Wei."
The King said, "I have an agreement with them that is to be implemented shortly."[8]
Zhao Yan said, "Qin is suspicious of your agreement because the Crown Prince has remained in Suanzao and is not setting off for Qin. The King of Qin[9] is plotting, saying, 'If Wei is not implementing our agreement, it must be going to attack us. Rather than staying here and waiting to be attacked, I should attack them first.' He will force Qin to fold and it will approach the other states for support. I am afraid he will harm East Zhou[10]."
[1] Lou Wu seems to have been related to Lou Huan, a pro-Qin politician active in Wei. It is not clear whether this is the correct character for his personal name.
[2] It is not clear which prince is indicated here. Possibly the future King Zhao of Wei (296 BC to 277 BC).
[3] Fen Jiang was a politician in Wei.
[4] This person's name is not known.
[5] Possibly King Xiang of Wei (318 - 296 BC). He spent his entire reign switching between anti-Qin and anti-Chu alliances in an attempt to preserve his territory against larger neighbours.
[6] Suanzao is now in Yanjin Coutny, Henan.
[7] Zhao Yan is not otherwise well-known.
[8] The commentaries and modern translations disagree regarding the reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[9] Possibly King Zhaoxiang of Qin (306–251 BC). He 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.
[9] Qin would need to traverse East Zhou to attack Wei.
濮陽人呂不韋賈於邯鄲
Lü Buwei of Puyang Does Business in Handan
濮陽人呂不韋賈於邯鄲，見秦質子異人，歸而謂父曰：「耕田之利幾倍？」曰：「十倍。」「珠玉之贏幾倍？」曰：「百倍。」「立國家之主贏幾倍？」曰：「無數。」曰：「今力田疾作，不得煖衣餘食；今建國立君，澤可以遺世。願往事之。
An individual from Puyang[1], Lü Buwei[2], was doing business in Handan[3], where he met Yiren[4], a royal hostage from Qin. He returned home and spoke to his father[5], saying: "What is the return on investment from arable farming?"
His father said, "Ten times."
"What is the return on investment from trading in pearls and jewels?"
"One hundred times."
"And what is the return on investment from establishing a sovereign within a state?"
"Incalculable."
"If I were now to exhaust my strength in the fields, I would not have warm clothes or surplus food. But if I were now to build up a state and place a lord on its throne, then my fortune will flow down through the generations of our family. I want to pursue this enterprise."
秦子異人質於趙，處於聊城。故往說之曰：「子傒有承國之業，又有母在中。今子無母於中，外託於不可知之國，一日倍約，身為糞土。今子聽吾計事，求歸，可以有秦國。吾為子使秦，必來請子。」
Prince Yiren of Qin was serving as a hostage in Zhao, residing at Liaocheng[6]. Therefore Lü Buwei went to exercise his persuasions upon him, saying, "It is Zixi's[7] destiny to inherit the state, and his mother[8] resides in the palace. Now you have no mother in the palace, and you reside in an unpredictable foreign state[9]. In one day alliances may change, and your body will fertilise Zhao's soil. Now if you pay attention to my plans in this affair, you will be requested to return to Qin and you can then take possession of the state. If I go to Qin as your representative, a message will certainly come begging you to return."
乃說秦王后弟陽泉君曰：「君之罪至死，君知之乎？君之門下無不居高尊位，太子門下無貴者。君之府藏珍珠寶玉，君之駿馬盈外廄，美女充後庭。王之春秋高，一日山陵崩，太子用事，君危於累卵，而不壽於朝生。說有可以一切而使君富貴千萬歲，其寧於太山四維，必無危亡之患矣。」陽泉君避席，請聞其說。不韋曰：「王年高矣，王后無子，子傒有承國之業，士倉又輔之。王一日山陵崩，子傒立，士倉用事，王后之門，必生蓬蒿。子異人賢材也，棄在於趙，無母於內，引領西望，而願一得歸。王后誠請而立之，是子異人無國而有國，王后無子而有子也。」陽泉君曰：「然。」入說王后，王后乃請趙而歸之。
Consequently, Lü Buwei went to exercise his persuasions on the younger brother of the Queen Consort of Qin[10], Lord Yangquan[11], saying, "Your transgressions are such that they will end in your death, is Your Lordship aware of this? Among the guests at your gate there are none who are not respected individuals of high rank, while the guests at the Crown Prince's gate lack such nobility[12]. Your palace is a treasury of pearls and jade, your thoroughbred horses overflow their stables, and your inner courtyard is full of beautiful women. The King's[13] springs and autumns are mounting up, and on the day his tomb is raised, the Crown Prince will take charge of affairs. Then your life will be in danger and your fate precariously balanced. You will not outlast the morning glory[14]. The argument I am able to offer you contains an expedient solution to ensure that Your Lordship will enjoy endless years of prosperity and honour, in[15] sedate repose like the four peaks of Mount Tai[16], with no danger of death to trouble you." Lord Yangquan got up from his mat, and begged to listen to his argument. Buwei said, "The King's years are mounting up, and the Queen Consort has no children. It is Zixi's destiny to inherit the obligations of the state, with Shi Cang[17] to assist him. On the day the King's tomb is raised, Zixi will take his place, Shi Cang will take charge of his affairs, and the Queen Consort's gate will be overgrown with wild daisies. Prince Yiren is wise and talented, but has been abandoned in Zhao without a mother in the palace. He turns his head to gaze westwards[18], and his only wish is to be able to return. If the Queen Consort were to send him a sincere invitation to return, and then establish him as Crown Prince, then Prince Yiren would go from possessing no state to possessing one, and the Queen Consort would go from having no son to having one."
Lord Yangquan said, "True." He went to persuade the Queen Consort. Consequently, the Queen Consort sent her request to Zhao to have him returned.
趙未之遣，不韋說趙曰：「子異人，秦之寵子也，無母於中，王后欲取而子之。使秦而欲屠趙，不顧一子以留計，是抱空質也。若使子異人歸而得立，趙厚送遣之，是不敢倍德畔施，是自為德講。秦王老矣，一日晏駕，雖有子異人，不足以結秦。」趙乃遣之。異人至，不韋使楚服而見。王后悅其狀，高其知，曰：「吾楚人也。」而自子之，乃變其名曰楚。
Before Yiren was sent home, Buwei had to exercise his persuasions in Zhao[19], saying, "Prince Yiren is the son of a concubine, without a mother in the palace, but the Queen Consort would like to adopt him as her son. If Qin really wished to butcher Zhao, it would not delay its plans out of concern for one minor prince[20]. This being so, you are holding onto a worthless hostage. If you send Yiren home and he is made Crown Prince, he will not dare neglect to offer land as a tribute to Zhao's generosity in sending him back - such is the integrity with which he conducts his affairs[21]. The King of Qin is old and will one day be carried into the darkness, and then even if you have his son, Yiren, this will not be enough to maintain your ties with Qin." Consequently Zhao sent Yiren back to Qin. Yiren arrived in Qin, and Buwei had him dress in Chu clothes for his first audience. The Queen Consort was delighted by his outfit, appraising his awareness highly. She said, "I am from Chu," and adopted him as her own son, changing his name accordingly to Chu[22].
王使子誦，子曰：「少棄捐在外，嘗無師傅所教學，不習於誦。」王罷之，乃留止。間曰：「陛下嘗軔車於趙矣，趙之豪桀，得知名者不少。今大王反國，皆西面而望。大王無一介之使以存之，臣恐其皆有怨心。使邊境早閉晚開。」王以為然，奇其計。王后勸立之。王乃召相，令之曰：「寡人子莫若楚。」立以為太子。
The King asked his son to recite[23], but he said, "When I was a child I was abandoned in a foreign land. Having had no teachers to train me, I am not practiced in recitation." The King of Qin desisted and then asked Zichu to stay with them in the palace. After a while, he said, "Your Majesty previously halted his carriage[24] in Zhao, and the grandees of Zhao who are aware of your reputation are not few in number. Now that you have returned to your state, they are all gazing westwards[25]. You have not yet sent a single envoy to acknowledge them. Your servant is afraid that they will all begin to hold a grudge in their hearts. If the border gates were left closed in the morning, they should be left open in the evening[26]." The King recognised the truth of this, and was impressed by the Prince's reasoning. The Queen Consort recommended that he be made Crown Prince. The King summoned the Chancellor[27] and gave him the order, saying, "Among our princes, there is none to equal Chu." Chu was made Crown Prince.
子楚立，以不韋為相，號曰文信侯，食藍田十二縣。王后為華陽太后，諸侯皆致秦邑。
Prince Chu was made Crown Prince, and had Lü Buwei made Chancellor, with the title Marquis Wenxin and the revenue of the twelve counties of Lantian[28]. The Queen Consort became Queen Dowager Huayang in due course, and the lords of All-Under-Heaven all gave Qin domains[29].
[1] Puyang is still called Puyang, and is in Henan. At the time it was the capital of Wey.
[2] Lü Buwei went on to have a long and exciting career in Qin, as a result of the events described in this chapter.
[3] Handan is still called Handan, and is in Hebei. At the time it was the capital of Zhao.
[4] Yiren was a younger son of Lord Anguo of Qin, which he would later rule Qin under the name Zhuangxiang.
[5] Yao suggests that it was actually his mother.
[6] Liaocheng still exists, and is in Shandong.
[7] Zixi was another of Lord Anguo's sons, and Yiren's half-brother. At the time he was Crown Prince of Qin.
[8] Zixi was the son of a lady named Consort Xia.
[9] This may refer to Qin or Zhao - the actions of either could result in Yiren's death at any moment.
[10] Lady Huayang was the wife of King Xiaowen. She was another member of the ruling Mi family of Chu, which also provided Queen Xuan. In ancient China it was the King's/Emperor's mother who occupied the position usually held by Queens in Anglo-European culture, which is why I have translated 太后 as "Queen" throughout. Other translators give it as Queen Dowager or Queen Mother, which I feel does not necessarily convey the power of the role to an audience not familiar with Chinese protocol. The King's wives and concubines were of much lesser importance, even after having produced a prince. Their position was only safe after their son had inherited the throne - something that accounts for the traditional viciousness of harem politics. I have thus rendered 王后 as Queen Consort, as an attempt to convey the subordinate position she held.
[11] Lord Yangquan is not otherwise well-known.
[12] A key measure of one's power and influence in China - much as in ancient Rome - was the number of clients or prospective clients queuing at one's gate or hanging around one's courtyard. These could be gained through the liberal distribution of gifts or political offices, as well as by providing a recognised education - a renowned philosopher could have a significant entourage despite not being exceptionally wealthy.
[13] It is implied by the titles used in the story that this is King Xiaowen. The problem with this is that Xiaowen had an exceptionally short reign, and in reality Lü Buwei's plot was already well-advanced by the time he took the throne. (Indeed, the extensive travelling required would have been hard to accomplish in the short time that Xiaowen held power.) I suspect that the author has simplified events to avoid confusion. In fact, much of this was happening while King Zhaoxiang (Xiaowen's father) was still on the throne. This means that Lü Buwei's calculations were looking two generations ahead, being dependent on Xiaowen inheriting the throne following Zhaoxiang's death, and subsequently agreeing to name Yiren as Crown Prince rather than Zixi.
[14] The original gives a hibiscus flower, a simile which does not work in English.
[15] According to the commentaries, the 其 here is superfluous.
[16] Mount Tai is a celebrated mountain in modern Shandong.
[17] Shi Cang was a politician in Qin.
[18] Towards Qin.
[19] I.e. upon the Zhao leadership.
[20] In other versions of the story, Lü Buwei has to pay bribes to sneak Yiren and his family out of Handan while it was being besieged by Qin. In this version it appears that Qin is merely threatening Zhao, not actively attacking.
[21] Reading 誠講 for 德講, per Zeng.
[22] This is generally given as Zichu - "Child of Chu".
[23] I.e. to demonstrate his erudition by reciting from the classics.
[24] This implies that King Xiaowen also served as a hostage in Qin for a time.
[25] That is, towards Qin.
[26] Interpretations of this sentence vary. I am assuming that the Prince is suggesting that Xiaowen should make up for his earlier negligence by being extremely generous now.
[27] It is not clear which Chancellor is indicated here.
[28] Lantian was Southeast of Xianyang (modern Xi'an).
[29] I.e. they offered Qin the revenues from particular cities to be used to support the Queen Dowager's household.
文信侯欲攻趙以廣河間
Marquis Wenxin Wishes to Attack Zhao to Expand his Lands by the Yellow River
文信侯欲攻趙以廣河間，使剛成君蔡澤事燕三年，而燕太子質於秦。文信侯因請張唐相燕，欲與燕共伐趙，以廣河間之地。張唐辭曰：「燕者必徑於趙，趙人得唐者，受百里之地。」文信侯去而不快。少庶子甘羅曰：「君侯何不快甚也？」文信侯曰：「吾令剛成君蔡澤事燕三年，而燕太子已入質矣。今吾自請張卿相燕，而不肯行。」甘羅曰：「臣行之。」文信君叱去曰：「我自行之而不肯，汝安能行之也？」甘羅曰：「夫項櫜生七歲而為孔子師，今臣生十二歲於茲矣！君其試臣，奚以遽言叱也？
Marquis Wenxin[1] wished to attack Zhao to expand his lands by the Yellow River, so he sent Cai Ze, Lord Gangcheng[2], to serve as an envoy in Yan; after three years the Crown Prince of Yan[3] was assigned to serve as a hostage in Qin. Marquis Wenxin intended to take the opportunity to have Cai Ze request that Zhang Tang[4] be made Chancellor of Yan[5], because he wanted to partner Yan in a joint attack on Zhao in order to expand his lands by the Yellow River[6]. Zhang Tang declined, saying: "Anyone going to Yan must take the road through Zhao, and any citizen of Zhao who captures me will receive a hundred li of land[7]." Marquis Wenxin left discontented.
A young attendant, Gan Luo[8], said, "Why is Your Lordship so discontented?"
Marquis Wenxin said, "I ordered Cai Ze, Lord Gangcheng, to serve in Yan for three years, and the Crown Prince of Yan has already arrived here to serve as a hostage[9]. Now I have asked Counsellor Zhang to go to Yan and take up the post of Chancellor, and he is unwilling to go."
Gan Luo said, "I beg permission to make him go[10]."
Marquis Wenxin snapped at him, saying[11], "Get out of here. I tried to make him go myself, and he still wasn't willing. How can you make him go?"
Gan Luo said, "Xiang Gao[12] was seven years old when he became Confucius' teacher. Your servant is now twelve years old. What if you were to put me to the test, rather than snapping?"
甘羅見張唐曰：「卿之功，孰與武安君？」唐曰：「武安君戰勝攻取，不知其數；攻城墮邑，不知其數。臣之功不如武安君也。」甘羅曰：「卿明知功之不如武安君歟？」曰：「知之。」「應侯之用秦也，孰與文信侯專？」曰：「應侯不如文信侯專。」曰：「卿明知為不如文信侯專歟？」曰：「知之。」甘羅曰：「應侯欲伐趙，武安君難之，去咸陽七里，絞而殺之。今文信侯自請卿相燕，而卿不肯行，臣不知卿所死之處矣！」唐曰：「請因孺子而行！」令庫具車，廄具馬，府具幣，行有日矣。甘羅謂文信侯曰：「借臣車五乘，請為張唐先報趙。」
Gan Luo went to see Zhang Tang, saying, "You have achievements; how do they compare to those of Lord Wu'an[13]?"
Tang said, "Lord Wu'an's victories and conquests... I would not be able to count them. The towns he has attacked and the cities he has brought down... I would not be able to count them. Your servant's achievements do not compare to Lord Wu'an's."
Gan Luo said, "You are clearly aware that your achievements do not compare to Lord Wu'an's?"
"I am."
"And Marquis Ying's[14] handling of Qin, how did it compare to Marquis Wenxin's control over it?"
"Marquis Ying does not compare to Marquis Wenxin."
Gan Luo said, "You are clearly aware that Marquis Ying's control does not compare with Marquis Wenxin's?"
Zhang Tang said, "I am."
Gan Luo said, "Marquis Ying wished to attack Zhao, and Lord Wu'an frustrated his wishes. Lord Wu'an was just seven li outside of Xianyang[15] when he was hanged[16]. Now Marquis Wenxin himself has asked you to take up the position of Chancellor in Yan, and yet you are unwilling to go. I wonder where you will die..."
Tang said, "Then allow me to take advantage of your advice, kid. I'll go." The order was given to fetch chariots from the armory, horses from the stables and money from the treasury, and he left the next day.
Gan Luo spoke to Marquis Wenxin, saying, "Lend me five chariots, I beg permission to go ahead of Zhang Tang and inform Zhao of his arrival."
見趙王，趙王郊迎。謂趙王曰：「聞燕太子丹之入秦與？」曰：「聞之。」「聞張唐之相燕與？」曰：「聞之。」「燕太子入秦者，燕不欺秦也。張唐相燕者，秦不欺燕也。秦、燕不相欺，則伐趙，危矣。燕、秦所以不相欺者，無異故，欲攻趙而廣河間也。今王齎臣五城以廣河間，請歸燕太子，與強趙攻弱燕。」趙王立割五城以廣河間，歸燕太子。趙攻燕，得上谷三十六縣，與秦什一。
Gan Luo had an audience with the King of Zhao[17], who traveled out into the suburbs of the capital to meet him. He spoke to the King of Zhao, saying, "You have heard that Crown Prince Dan of Yan has arrived in Qin?"
The King said: "I have heard."
"You have heard that Zhang Tang will become Chancellor of Yan?"
The King said, "I have heard."
"After the Crown Prince of Yan goes to Qin, Yan will not betray Qin. After Zhang Tang is made Chancellor of Yan, Qin not betray Yan. When Qin and Yan are unable to betray one another, then they will attack Zhao, so you will be in danger. It is not surprising that Yan and Qin are using such a method to prevent mutual betrayals: they wish to attack Zhao and enlarge their lands by the Yellow River. Now if you were to offer me five towns and thereby enlarge our lands by the Yellow River, I will beg permission for the Crown Prince of Yan to return home, and we will join a strengthened Zhao in an attack on a weakened Yan." The King of Zhao immediately ceded five towns, expanding Qin's territory by the Yellow River, and the Crown Prince returned home. Zhao[18] attacked Yan, taking the thirty-six counties of Shanggu[19], of which eleven[20] were given to Qin.
[1] Marquis Wenxin is Lü Buwei whom we first met deciding the fate of the Qin royal house in the previous chapter.
[2] Cai Ze served as Chancellor of Qin for a few months, after persuading Fan Ju to retire. He later served as a diplomat in various states.
[3] Crown Prince Dan, who would later try to assassinate King Zheng of Qin.
[4] Zhang Tang was a Qin General who had repeatedly led bloody attacks against Wei and Zhao.
[5] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[6] According to the commentaries, the 欲與燕共伐趙，以廣河間之地 here may be superfluous.
[7] I.e. Zhao has a standing bounty on him.
[8] Gan Luo was a grandson of Gan Mao, who appeared in earlier chapters. He won a place in Marquis Wenxin's entourage through his precocious intelligence.
[9] I.e. Cai Ze has done his job and has earned some time off, but Zhang Tang refused to relieve him.
[10] Reading 臣請 for 臣, per the commentaries.
[11] Reading 文信侯叱曰去 for 文信君叱去曰, per the commentaries.
[12] Reading 橐 for 櫜, per the commentaries. This story is referenced in multiple Warring States and Han texts, but the original version has been lost, so we have no idea what Confucius actually learnt from Xiang Gao.
[13] Bai Qi, one of Qin's greatest generals.
[14] Marquis Ying was also known as Fan Ju. He was a former Chancellor of Qin.
[15] Xianyang is now a suburb of Xi'an in Shaanxi.
[16] The Sima Qian version of this story says that Bai Qi killed himself, heavily implying that he cut his own throat.
[17] King Diaoxiang of Zhao (244 – 236 BC) was substituted for the original Crown Prince as a result of internal court intrigue, and led successful wars against Yan before being attacked by Qin.
[18] The commentaries suggest reading 與趙 for 趙, implying a joint attack between Zhao and Qin.
[19] Shanggu Commandery, now in Hebei and Beijing.
[20] The commentaries are not sure whether it was ten or eleven cities.
文信侯出走
Marquis Wenxin Flees
文信侯出走，與司空馬之趙，趙以為守相。秦下甲而攻趙。
When Marquis Wenxin[1] fled, Sikong Ma[2] went to Zhao, and Zhao employed him as Honorary Chancellor. Qin dispatched its men-at-arms and attacked Zhao.
司空馬說趙王曰：「文信侯相秦，臣事之，為尚書，習秦事。今大王使守小官，習趙事。請為大王設秦、趙之戰，而親觀其孰勝。趙孰與秦大？」曰：「不如。」「民孰與之眾？」曰：「不如。」「金錢粟孰與之富？」曰：「弗如。」「國孰與之治？」曰：「不如。」「相孰與之賢？」曰：「不如。」「將孰與之武？」曰：「不如。」「律令孰與之明？」曰：「不如。」司空馬曰：「然則大王之國，百舉而無及秦者，大王之國亡。」趙王曰：「卿不遠趙，而悉教以國事，願於因計。」司空馬曰：「大王裂趙之半以賂秦，秦不接刃而得趙之半，秦必悅。內惡趙之守，外恐諸侯之救，秦必受之。秦受地而]兵，趙守半國以自存。秦銜賂以自強，山東必恐；亡趙自危，諸侯必懼。懼而相救，則從事可成。臣請大王約從。從事成，則是大王名亡趙之半，實得山東以敵秦，秦不足亡。」趙王曰：「前日秦下甲攻趙，趙賂以河間十二縣，地削兵弱，卒不免秦患。今又割趙之半以強秦，力不能自存，因以亡矣。願卿之更計。」司空馬曰：「臣少為秦刀筆，以官長而守小官，未嘗為兵首，請為大王悉趙兵以遇。」趙王不能將。司空馬曰：「臣效愚計，大王不用，是臣無以事大王，願自請。」
Sikong Ma exercised his persuasions on the King of Zhao[3], saying, "When Marquis Wenxin was Chancellor of Qin, I served his interests according to the Book of Documents[4], growing familiar with Qin's affairs. Now Your Majesty has has appointed me[5] as a minor official, I am also familiar with the affairs of Zhao. Please allow me to hypothesise on your behalf regarding what would happen if Qin and Zhao went to war, and to consider from a familiar viewpoint which would win. Is Zhao bigger than Qin?"
The King said, "Nowhere near."
"Are our people more numerous than Qin's?"
The King said, "Nowhere near."
"Are our money and grain reserves more ample?"
The King said, "Certainly not."
"Is our state better governed?"
The King said, "Nowhere near."
"Is our leadership wiser?"
The King said, "Nowhere near."
"Are our generals better strategists?"
The King said, "Nowhere near."
"Are our laws and ordinances clearer?"
The King said, "Nowhere near."
Sikong Ma said, "This being so, in all things Your Majesty's state fails to match up to Qin. Your state is doomed."
The King of Zhao said, "Do not leave Zhao, but share all your teachings for use in our affairs of state! We wish to take advantage of your strategies."
Sikong Ma said, "If Your Majesty were to divide the state and use half to bribe Qin, then Qin will get half of Zhao without crossing blades. Qin will certainly be delighted. Qin is grumbling about Zhao's defences internally, and externally it is afraid that the sovereign lords will provide assistance, so it will certainly accept. If Qin takes the land and withdraws[6] its troops, Zhao can keep half of its territory and survive. Qin will swallow up your gift and become stronger; those east of the mountains will be afraid. The extinction of Zhao will put their own states at risk. The sovereign lords will certainly panic. If they panic, they will resort to mutual aid, the interests of the Vertical Alliance will prevail[7]. Your servant begs permission to make a treaty with the Alliance on your behalf[8]. If the interests of the Alliance prevail, it will mean that you will have lost half of Zhao's land in name only. In reality, you will obtain the backing of everyone East of the Mountains in your opposition to Qin. Qin will barely even worth wiping out."
The King of Zhao said, "Just the other day, Qin's men-at-arms descended on Zhao, and Zhao gave them twelve counties by the Yellow River. Losing the land weakened our troops, and in the end we did not avoid being troubled by Qin. If we now strengthen Qin by ceding half of Zhao's land, we will be left without the force to survive, and then we will be doomed. I hope you will think of another strategy[9]." Sikong Ma said, "When I was younger I sharpened my pen for Qin; I have long been in service but I remain a minor official[10] and have never yet stood at the head of troops[11]. I beg you to allow me to lead Zhao's entire army against the enemy." The King of Zhao was unable to make him a General, so Sikong Ma said, "I have offered my poor advice; if Your Majesty will not use it, then I can do nothing to serve your interests. I beg leave to withdraw."
司空馬去趙，渡平原。平原津令郭遺勞而問：「秦兵下趙，上客從趙來，趙事何如？」司空馬言其為趙王計而弗用，趙必亡。平原令曰：「以上客料之，趙何時亡？」司空馬曰：「趙將武安君，期年而亡；若殺武安君，不過半年。趙王之臣有韓倉者，以曲合於趙王，其交甚親，其為人疾賢妒功臣。今國危亡，王必用其言，武安君必死。」
Sikong Ma left Zhao for the ferry at Pingyuan[12]. The Superintendent at the Pingyuan crossing was Guo Yi[13], who questioned him, saying, "Qin's troops are about to descend upon Zhao. You have just come from there; how are Zhao's affairs?" Sikong Ma told him about the strategy he had proposed to the King of Zhao, and that it had not been adopted[14], so Zhao was certainly doomed. The Pingyuan Superintendent said, "As you estimate it, how long will it be before Zhao is extinguished?"
Sikong Ma said, "If Zhao makes Lord Wu'an[15] its General, it will hold out for a year before being wiped out. If Lord Wu'an is killed, it will not last half a year. Among the King of Zhao's private secretaries is Han Cang[16], who has built a close relationship with the King of Zhao by means of corrupt methods and flattery. By nature he is resentful of wisdom and jealous of successful colleagues. Now that the state is at risk of extinction, the King will certainly employ his recommendations, and Lord Wu'an will end up dead."
韓倉果惡之，王使人代。武安君至，使韓倉數之曰：「將軍戰勝，王觴將軍。將軍為壽於前而捍匕首，當死。」武安君曰：「繓病鉤，身大臂短，不能及地，起居不敬，恐懼死罪於前，故使工人為木材以接手。上若不信，繓請以出示。」出之袖中，以示韓倉，狀如振梱，纏之以布。「願公入明之。」韓倉曰：「受命於王，賜將軍死，不赦。臣不敢言。」武安君北面再拜賜死，縮劍將自誅，乃曰：「人臣不得自殺宮中。」遇司空馬門，趣甚疾，出諔門也。右舉劍將自誅，臂短不能及，銜劍徵之於柱以自刺。武安君死。五月趙亡。
Han Cang slandered Lord Wu'an, and the King dispatched someone to relieve him[17]. Lord Wu'an returned, and the King sent Han Cang to reprimand him, saying, "When you returned from battle victorious, the King raised a toast to you. When you raised a cup and wished him long life, you were concealing a knife[18]. This merits death."
Lord Wu'an said, "My arm is crooked. I am tall and my arm is short; when I bow I cannot touch the ground. Remaining standing would be disrespectful, and I am afraid of being sentenced to death if I were to do that before the King, so I have had a workman make me a wooden arm. If you don't believe me, please let me show you." He took it from his sleeve and showed Han Cang; it had a wooden handle tied on with cloth[19]. "I hope you will make this clear within the court."
Han Cang said, "I received my orders from the King, and they were to permit you to kill yourself, not to offer forgiveness. Your servant dares not mention this to him."
Lord Wu'an faced North and bowed in thanks to the King for his generosity in permitting him to commit suicide[20]. He drew[21] his sword to carry out the sentence upon himself, but then said, "A public servant should not kill himself inside the palace." He hurried out through the Carriage Gate[22] as quickly as possible[23], and left through the Silent Gate[24]. He drew his sword with his right hand to kill himself, but his arm was too short and he could not complete the task, so held the point between his teeth and leant forward pressing the hilt against a pillar, thus stabbing himself. Lord Wu'an was dead. Five months later, Zhao perished too.
平原令見諸公，必為言之曰：「嗟口茲乎，司空馬！」又以為司空馬逐於秦，非不知也；去趙，非不肖也。趙去司空馬而國亡。國亡者，非無賢人，不能用也。
Whenever the overseer from Pingyuan met other officials, he could not refrain from speaking about this[25], saying, "Ah[26], that Sikong Ma!" He also held[27] that if Sikong Ma was exiled from Qin, it was not because he was not intelligent[28], and if he was expelled from Zhao, it was not because he was not impressive. Zhao expelled Sikong Ma and the state was extinguished[29]. If the state was extinguished, it was not because it had no wise men, but it was unable to make use of them.
[1] Marquis Wenxin is Lü Buwei whom we first met deciding the fate of the Qin royal house in a previous chapter. A lot has happened since then. To summarise: Lü Buwei served as Chancellor throughout the reign of King Xiaowen, and continued after his son, Ying Zheng, took the throne aged 13. When King Zheng came of age, he got rid of many of the "advisors" who had taken control off the state, including Lü Buwei, who was exiled internally to Shu and finally (apparently) committed suicide.
[2] Sikong Ma was a member of Lü Buwei's entourage. He is known mainly via this story.
[3] 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.
[4] The Book of Documents was a guide to official protocol and political philosophy.
[5] Reading 臣 for 守, per Yao.
[6] Reading 卻 for ] per the commentaries.
[7] Reading 有 for 可, per the commentaries.
[8] Reading 請為 for 請, per the commentaries.
[9] According to the commentaries, the 之 here may be superfluous.
[10] The commentaries suggest 吏 for 官 here.
[11] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[12] Now Pingyuan County in Shandong.
[13] According to the commentaries, Guo Yi the Ferry Superintendent mentioned in the Biographies of Exemplary Women.
[14] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[15] This is yet another Lord Wu'an, not Su Qin or Bai Qi. This Lord Wu'an is Li Mu, Zhao's star general at the time.
[16] Han Cang is known principally via this story.
[17] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[18] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[19] This sentence is not clear, and the commentaries are unsure about the comparison that is being made. Clearly whatever item is being mentioned, it must have looked like a knife from a distance.
[20] Traditionally sovereigns sat facing South, so one would face North when addressing them. If someone anticipated a death sentence by taking their own life, their family would inherit their property (and avoid prosecution for conspiracy), and they would receive the customary funeral rites for a non-criminal. When a ruler informed someone that this would be an advisable course of action on their part, it was referred to as 賜死 - something like "the gift of death".
[21] Reading 摍 for 縮, per the commentaries.
[22] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[23] This is intended to be another example of Li Mu's punctiliousness in following palace etiquette. If he were to delay either he himself or Han Cang would be suspect.
[24] The commentaries disagree regarding the name of the gate. I am simply using the character given in the text.
[25] Reading 之言 for 言之, per the commentaries.
[26] The commentaries disagree regarding the name of the gate. I am simply using the character given in the text.
[27] The commentaries suggest 謂 for 為 here.
[28] Reading 智 for 知, per the commentaries.
[29] The commentaries disagree regarding the name of the gate. I am simply using the character given in the text.
四國為一將以攻秦
The Four States Unite to Attack Qin
四國為一，將以攻秦。秦王召群臣賓客六十人而問焉，曰：「四國為一，將以圖秦，寡人屈於內，而百姓靡於外，為之奈何？」群臣莫對。姚賈對曰：「賈願出使四國，必絕其謀，而安其兵。」乃資車百乘，金千斤，衣以其衣，冠舞以其劍。姚賈辭行，絕其謀，止其兵，與之為交以報秦。秦王大悅。賈封千戶，以為上卿。
The Four States[1] united to attack Qin. The King of Qin[2] summoned sixty of his private secretaries and guests and questioned them, saying: "The Four States are working as one, so you will have to draw up plans for Qin. We are beset with problems at home and the hundred clans are worn down by our activities abroad. What should we do to handle this?"
His assembled private secretaries had no answer, but Yao Jia[3] replied, saying, "I would like you to send me as an envoy to the Four States. I can certainly put a stop to their plans and pacify their troops." Accordingly he was provided with a hundred chariots and a thousand catties of gold, dressed in Qin's livery and given a Qin sword for his belt[4]. Yao Jia bade farewell and set out. He brought an end to the alliance's plans and stopped their army in its tracks. He created good relations with them and reported this in Qin. The King of Qin was overjoyed. He endowed Jia with a domain[5] of a thousand households and elevated him to high office.
韓非知之，曰：「賈以珍珠重寶，南使荊、吳，北使燕、代之間三年，四國之交未必合也，而珍珠重寶盡於內。是賈以王之權，國之寶，外自交於諸侯，願王察之。且梁監門子，嘗盜於梁，臣於趙而逐。取世監門子，梁之大盜，趙之逐臣，與同知社稷之計，非所以厲群臣也。」
Han Fei[6] exposed Yao Jia, saying, "For three years Jia has been taking precious jewels and heavy treasures to serve Jing and Wu in the South, and Yan and Dai in the North[7]. Our relations with these four states have not yet reached a point at which an accord is certain, though the precious jewels and heavy treasures within our state are being exhausted. If this is so, it is because Jia is using Your Majesty's authority and the state's wealth[8] to build up his own connections with the sovereign lords abroad. I hope Your Majesty will look into this. When Jia was a Liang gatekeeper's son he was a thief in Liang, and when he served as a secretary to the ruler in Zhao he was expelled. To take in the son of a gatekeeper, a prolific thief who has already been expelled from Zhao, and share knowledge of the affairs of the spirits of earth and grain with him - this is not the way to encourage your private secretaries to improve themselves."
王召姚賈而問曰：「吾聞子以寡人財交於諸侯，有諸？」對曰：「有。」王曰：「有何面目復見寡人？」對曰：「曾參孝其親，天下願以為子；子胥忠於君，天下願以為臣；貞女工巧，天下願以為妃。今賈忠王而王不知也。賈不歸四國，尚焉之？使賈不忠於君，四國之王尚焉用賈之身？桀聽讒而誅其良將，紂聞讒而殺其忠臣，至身死國亡。今王聽讒，則無忠臣矣。」
The King summoned Yao Jia and questioned him, saying, "I hear that you are using our resources to build relations with the sovereign lords. Hooked any yet?"
Yao Jia replied, "I have."[9]
The King said, "If you have, then why show your face around here again?"
Yao Jia said, "Zeng Shen's[10] filial attitude towards his parents was such that All-Under-Heaven would wish to have a son like him. Zixu's[11] loyalty to his lord was such that All-Under-Heaven would wish to have a servant like him. A chaste girl who is accomplished at her work, All-Under-Heaven would wish to have her for a consort. Now I have been loyal to Your Majesty, though you do not know it. If I had not returned from the four states, to whom could I then turn? If I had shown myself to be disloyal to you, why would the Kings of the four states want to employ me? Jie[12] listened to slander and executed his best general[13], Zhou[14] listened[15] to slander and killed his most loyal servant[16], and they ended up dead with their states extinguished. If you listen to slander now, you will have no loyal servants."
王曰：「子監門子，梁之大盜，趙之逐臣。」姚賈曰：「太公望，齊之逐夫，朝歌之廢屠，子良之逐臣，棘津之讎不庸，文王用之而王。管仲，其鄙人之賈人也，南陽之弊幽，魯之免囚，桓公用之而伯。百里奚，虞之乞人，傳賣以五羊之皮，穆公相之而朝西戎。文公用中山盜，而勝於城濮。此四士者，皆有詬醜，大誹天下，明主用之，知其可與立功。使若卞隨、務光、申屠狄，人主豈得其用哉！故明主不取其汙，不聽其非，察其為己用。故可以存社稷者，雖有外誹者不聽；雖有高世之名，無咫尺之功者不賞。是以群臣莫敢以虛願望於上。」
The King said, "You are the son of a gatekeeper, a great thief whom Zhao has already chased from its employ..."
Yao Jia said, "Grand Duke Wang[17] was chased out of Qi by his wife, failed as a butcher in Zhaoge[18], was expelled when serving under Ziliang[19] and could not sell his labour in Jijin[20], but Wen[21] employed him and became King as a result. Guan Zhong[22] was a peasant engaged in trade[23]. He lived in obscurity in Nanyang[24] and was imprisoned and released in Lu[25], but Duke Huan[26] employed him and became a hegemon as a result. Baili Xi[27] begged for food in Yu[28] and was sold for five sheepskins, but he became Duke Mu's[29] Chancellor, and forced the Xirong tribes to seek terms with Qin[30]. Duke Wen of Jin[31] employed the thief of Zhongshan[32] and won victory at Chengpu[33]. These four officials all suffered contempt and disgrace, being condemned by All-Under-Heaven[34], but were employed by enlightened sovereigns who realised that they were capable of achieving great things[35]. If they had been like Bian Sui[36], Wu Guang[37] and Shen Tudi[38], whom could the lord of men have employed? Therefore an enlightened sovereign does not nitpick at people's flaws or listen to their critics[39], but investigates to find out how they can be useful to him. Thus, even if someone is subject to foreign slanders, if they can help ensure the survival of the spirits of earth and grain he does not listen. Even if someone has the grandest of reputations, if they have no measurable achievements, he will not reward them. If this is done, there will be none among your private secretaries who will dare express unjustified expectations to their superiors."
秦王曰：「然。」乃可復使姚賈而誅韓非。
The King of Qin said, "True." Accordingly[40], he returned Yao Jia to his position as his envoy and executed Han Fei.
[1] Probably Chu, Qi, Yan and Dai.
[2] King Zheng of Qin (247 – 210 BC) would later conquer the other states and rule the empire under the name of Qin Shihuang.
[3] Yao Jia was born into the lower classes in Wei and served in Zhao for a while before being chased out as a result of internal political intrigues.
[4] Reading 帶以其劍 for 冠舞以其劍.
[5] Reading 封賈 for 賈封, per the commentaries.
[6] Han Fei was a minor member of the Han royal house, serving in the government of Qin at the time. An English translation of his book is available online.
[7] The commentaries disagree on the precise reading of this sentence. 吳 (Wu) may be intended to read 齊 (Qi).
[8] The commentaries disagree on whether the characters 國之寶 are superfluous.
[9] This may be intended to read 有之 instead of 有.
[10] Zengzi, was a disciple of Confucius, famous for his filial piety. We have met him before, being used in similar arguments.
[11] Wu Zixu was a minister in Wu in the early fifth century BC. After various escapades he was obliged to commit suicide on a false charge, and was held up as a model of loyalty. He too has been used repeatedly as part of the exact same argument in previous chapters.
[12] Jie was the tyrannical last sovereign of the Xia Dynasty.
[13] Guan Longfeng attempted to remonstrate with Jie and was executed for his trouble.
[14] Zhou was the last sovereign of the Shang Dynasty.
[15] Reading 聽 for 聞, per the commentaries.
[16] Bi Gan criticised Zhou's policies, and had his heart torn out as a result.
[17] An alternative name for Jiang Ziya. During his time in the political wilderness, his wife, Lady Ma, threw him out of the house in irritation at his poor career progression.
[18] Zhaoge was the capital of the Shang Dynasty, in modern Qi County, Henan.
[19] There were multiple Ziliangs, but this does not appear to have been any of the well-known ones.
[20] Jijin was in what is now Yanjin County, Henan. This sentence is somewhat confusing. It seems to be referring to the time Jiang Ziya spent as a fisherman.
[21] King Wen of Zhou (1112–1050 BC) began a rebellion against King Zhou of Shang that was completed by his son, King Wu.
[22] Guan Zhong served as Chancellor to Duke Huan of Qi, helping him to attain hegemon status during the Spring and Autumn period.
[23] Reading 賈 for 賈人, per the commentaries.
[24] Nanyang is still called Nanyang, and is in Henan.
[25] The state of Lu.
[26] Duke Huan of Qi.
[27] Baili Xi served as Chancellor to Duke Mu of Qin, helping him rise to hegemon status.
[28] Yu was a small state centred around Pinglu County, Shanxi.
[29] Duke Mu of Qin.
[30] Xirong was a general term used to refer to non-Chinese states and tribes to the West of Qin, but was also used more specifically to refer to the Quanrong (犬戎) a tribal society with which Qin had semi-regular dealings. Duke Mu is recorded as having obtained the submission of eight Xirong states spread across Gansu, Ningxia and Shaanxi.
[31] Duke Wen of Jin.
[32] Li Fuxu, a member of Duke Wen's entourage and stole from him when he was in exile, but managed to talk his way back into his good graces.
[33] The Battle of Chengpu took place in 632 BC in what is now Juancheng County, Shandong. I am not sure what role Li Fuxu played in it.
[34] The commentaries suggest 於天下 for 天下.
[35] The commentaries suggest 功也 for 功.
[36] Bian Sui was a hermit who refused to serve Tang of Shang, preferring to commit suicide rather than participate in politics.
[37] Wu Guang was a hermit who refused to serve Tang of Shang, preferring to commit suicide rather than participate in politics.
[38] Shen Tudi was a Mohist philosopher who argued against class distinctions. He too is supposed to have committed suicide by drowning rather than take up a political career.
[39] This sentence contains an untranslatable pun on 非, which means "criticism" but is also Han Fei's given name; Yao Jia is showing that he knows exactly who dropped him in it. In addition to this, all the arguments cited after this are taken directly from the Han Feizi.
[40] According to the commentaries, the 可 here is superfluous.