魏一 THE STRATAGEMS OF WEI I (A)
知伯索地於魏桓子
Zhi Bo Demands Land from Wei Huanzi
知伯索地於魏桓子，魏桓子弗予。任章曰：「何故弗予？」桓子曰：「無故索地，故弗予。」任章曰：「無故索地，鄰國必恐；重欲無厭，天下必懼。君予之地，知伯必憍憍而輕敵，鄰國懼而相親。以相親之兵，待輕敵之國，知氏之命不長矣！周書曰：『將欲敗之，必姑輔之；將欲取之，必姑與之。』君不如與之，以驕知伯。君何釋以天下圖知氏，而獨以吾國為知氏質乎？」君曰：「善。」乃與之萬家之邑一。知伯大說。因索蔡、皋梁於趙，趙弗與，因圍晉陽。韓、魏反於外，趙氏應之於內，知氏遂亡。
Zhi Bo[1] demanded land from Wei Huanzi[2], and Wei Huanzi refused. Ren Zhang[3] said, "Why not give it to him?"
Huanzi said, "He has no reason to demand land from me, so I will not give it to him."
Ren Zhang said, "If he is demanding land for no reason, then his neighbours will come to fear him. If his desire is too great to be satiated, then All-Under-Heaven will panic. If you give him the land, then Zhi Bo will grow mettlesome[4] and hold his adversaries in contempt. If his neighbours come to fear him, then they will draw closer to one another, their armies waiting to engage with the state that so underestimated them. The Zhi family's rule will not last long. The Book of Zhou says[5], 'Whom you wish to destroy, you must first assist. Whom you wish to dispossess, you must first enrich.' Your Lordship could do no better than to endow Zhi Bo with what he wants, thus feeding his pride. Why give up a chance to conspire against the Zhi clan with All-Under-Heaven, if our state is to exist as a hostage to the Zhi family anyway[6]?"
The Lord of Wei said, "Very well." Accordingly, he handed over a city of ten thousand households. Zhi Bo was delighted, and took his chance to demand Cai[7] and Gaoliang[8] from Zhao[9]. Zhao would not hand them over, so Zhi Bo used this as a pretext to encircle Jinyang[10]. Han and Wei fought back from outside, and the Zhao clan counterattacked from within the city, eventually killing Zhi Bo.
[1] Zhi Bo (also known as Zhi Yao, Zhi Boyao, Xun Yao and Zhi Xiangzi) was the last Chancellor of Jin, and a representative of the Zhi clan, which cooperated with the Han, Wei and Zhao clans to break up the state of Jin before being wiped out by them in turn.
[2] Wei Huanzi was also known as Wei Xuanzi, and was the leader of the Wei clan during the partition of Jin, and also participated in the destruction of the Zhi clan.
[3] Ren Zhang was a Taoist philosopher and one of Wei Huanzi's retainers.
[4] Reading 驕憍 for 憍憍, per the commentaries.
[5] This does not appear in the current version of the Book of Zhou, but there is a close parallel in the Tao Te Ching.
[6] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[7] Presumably not the state of Cai, it is not clear where this was.
[8] It is not clear where this was.
[9] Reading 皋狼 for 皋梁, per the commentaries.
[10] Jinyang was the capital of Jin, and then later of Zhao. It is now Taiyuan in Shanxi.
韓趙相難
Trouble Between Han and Zhao
韓、趙相難。韓索兵於魏曰：「願得借師以伐趙。」魏文侯曰：「寡人與趙兄弟，不敢從。」趙又索兵以攻韓，文侯曰：「寡人與韓兄弟，不敢從。」二國不得兵，怒而反。已乃知文侯以講於己也，皆朝魏。
During the trouble between Han and Zhao[1] Han demanded troops from Wei, saying, "We wish to borrow a unit to attack Zhao."
Marquis Wen of Wei[2] said, "We are as brothers to Zhao, and would not dare follow you in this." Then Zhao demanded troops for an attack on Han, and Marquis Wen said, "We are as brothers to Han, and would not dare follow you in this." Neither state got any troops, and both, irate, turned for home. Afterwards, however, they realised that Marquis Wen had kept the peace between them[3], and they both came to pay their respects in the court of Wei.
[1] It is not clear when this episode occurred.
[2] Marquis Wen (424 - 396 BC) expanded Wei's territory to the West, and reformed its internal political systems, making the state and important strategic player in the Warring States era. He was a notable host for wandering Confucian scholars, but also employed Li Kui to undertake legal reforms.
[3] The commentaries and translations disagree regarding the presice reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
樂羊為魏將而攻中山
Yue Yang Serves as Wei's General for an Attack on Zhongshan
樂羊為魏將而攻中山。其子在中山，中山之君烹其子而遺之羹，樂羊坐於幕下而啜之，盡一盃。文侯謂睹師贊曰：「樂羊以我之故，食其子之肉。」贊對曰：「其子之肉尚食之，其誰不食！」樂羊既罷中山，文侯賞其功而疑其心。
Yue Yang[1] served as Wei's general for an attack on Zhongshan. His son[2] was in Zhongshan at the time, and the Lord of Zhongshan[3] boiled the boy alive, then sent a bowl of the resulting soup to Yue Yang. Yue Yang sat in his tent and drank it, finishing the whole bowl.
Marquis Wen[4] spoke about it to Dushi[5] Zan[6], saying, "To further my plans Yue Yang ate the flesh of his own son."
Zan replied, "If he will go so far as to eat his son[6], whom[7] would he not eat?"
Yue Yang halted Zhongshan's advance, and Marquis Wen rewarded him for his success, but remained suspicious in his heart.
[1] Yue Yang originally came from Zhongshan, but served in Wei.
[2] Yue Shu (樂舒) served as a General in Zhongshan, defeating and killing one of Marquis Wen of Wei's sons, but he is known principally via this story.
[3] Duke Wen of Zhongshan (423 - 415 BC) was the first ruler of the independent state of Zhongshan.
[4] Marquis Wen (424 - 396 BC) expanded Wei's territory to the West, and reformed its internal political systems, making the state and important strategic player in the Warring States era. He was a notable host for wandering Confucian scholars, but also employed Li Kui to undertake legal reforms.
[5] Reading 堵師 for 睹師, per the commentaries.
[6] This person is not otherwise well-known.
[7] Yao suggests that 之肉尚 may be superfluous.
[8] Yao suggests 且 for 其 here.
西門豹為鄴令
Ximen Bao is Made Magistrate of Ye
西門豹為鄴令，而辭乎魏文侯。文侯曰：「子往矣，必就子之功，而成子之名。」西門豹曰：「敢問就功成名，亦有術乎？」文侯曰：「有之。夫鄉邑老者而先受坐之士，子入而問其賢良之士而師事之，求其好掩人之美而揚人之醜者而參驗之。夫物多相類而非也，幽莠之幼也似禾，驪牛之黃也似虎，白骨疑象，武夫類玉，此皆似之而非者也。」
Ximen Bao[1] was made magistrate of Ye[2], and went to take his leave of Marquis Wen[3].
Marquis Wen said, "Now you are leaving you must achieve great things and win a name for yourself."
Ximen Bao said, "Dare I ask, is there some special art by which I may do this?"
Marquis Wen said, "There is[4]. Approach the elders of the town, those who sit in the front row in their their gatherings[5]. Ask them which officials are wise and good and have them take the lead in managing affairs; ask them who is fond of hiding others' good points and broadcasting their disgraces[6], and test this. There are many things that seem the same but actually differ. Foxtail millet seedlings could pass for rice plants and the colour of a li cow[7] is like that of a tiger[8]. White bone might be ivory, while wufu[9] is similar to jade. All of these things look alike but are different."
[1] Ximen Bao was a Zhao official. Upon arrival in Yeling he immediately set about overthrowing the established order by exposing the corruption of the local authorities and executing those responsible.
[2] Ye was in modern Linzhang County, Hebei.
[3] Marquis Wen (424 - 396 BC) expanded Wei's territory to the West, and reformed its internal political systems, making the state and important strategic player in the Warring States era. He was a notable host for wandering Confucian scholars, but also employed Li Kui to undertake legal reforms.
[4] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this section, but the general sense is clear.
[5] This was (and still is) the place of honour.
[6] Zeng and Liu suggest that the 者 here is superfluous.
[7] Reading 黧 for 驪 per the commentaries.
[8] A li was a yellow and black coloured cow.
[9] Wufu seems to have been low-grade agate.
文侯與虞人期獵
Marquis Wen Makes an Appointment to go Hunting with his Gamekeeper
文侯與虞人期獵。是日，飲酒樂，天雨。文侯將出，左右曰：「今日飲酒樂，天又雨，公將焉之？」文侯曰：「吾與虞人期獵，雖樂，豈可不一會期哉！」乃往，身自罷之。魏於是乎始強。
Marquis Wen[1] had made an appointment to go hunting with his gamekeeper, but when the day arrived it was raining and he happened to enjoying a meal and some wine. He got up to leave but his companions said, "But we are enjoying this food and wine now, and what's more it's raining. Are you really going to go?"
Marquis Wen said, "I made an appointment to go hunting with my gamekeeper. Even if we are having a good time, how could I neglect to keep an appointment[2]?" He proceded to leave, absenting himself from the banquet. It was from such beginnings that Wei grew powerful.
[1] Marquis Wen (424 - 396 BC) expanded Wei's territory to the West, and reformed its internal political systems, making the state and important strategic player in the Warring States era. He was a notable host for wandering Confucian scholars, but also employed Li Kui to undertake legal reforms.
[2] Yao suggests 無 for 不 here.
魏文侯與田子方飲酒而稱樂
Marquis Wen and Tian Fangzi Eat, Drink and Discuss Music
魏文侯與田子方飲酒而稱樂。文侯曰：「鍾聲不比乎，左高。」田子方笑。文侯曰：「奚笑？」子方曰：「臣聞之，君明則樂官，不明則樂音。今君審於聲，臣恐君之聾於官也。」文侯曰：「善，敬聞命。」
Marquis Wen[1] was eating and drinking with Tian Zifang[2], and discussing the court music. Marquis Wen said, "Those bells are out of tune. The one on the left is too high." Tian Zifang laughed. Marquis Wen said, "Why are you laughing?"
Zifang said, "Your servant has heard that a if a ruler is to understand how to create harmony among his officials, he will have no time to learn about musical harmonies[3]. Your Lordship pitch's was so accurate just now that I am afraid you must be deaf to your officials."
Marquis Wen said, "Very well. I shall listen respectfully to whever you wish me to do."
[1] Marquis Wen (424 - 396 BC) expanded Wei's territory to the West, and reformed its internal political systems, making the state and important strategic player in the Warring States era. He was a notable host for wandering Confucian scholars, but also employed Li Kui to undertake legal reforms.
[2] Tian Fangzi was a Confucian scholar in Wei.
[3] The commentaries suggest that both 則s may be superfluous.
魏武侯與諸大夫浮於西河
Marquis Wu of Wei and his Counsellors take a Cruise Upstream on the Yellow River
魏武侯與諸大夫浮於西河，稱曰：「河山之險，豈不亦信固哉！」王鍾侍王，曰：「此晉國之所以強也。若善脩之，則霸王之業具矣。」吳起對曰：「吾君之言，危國之道也；而子又附之，是危也。」武侯忿然曰：「子之言有說乎？」
Marquis Wu of Wei[1] and his counsellors took a cruise upstream on the Yellow River, and he said to them "These rivers and mountains on our borders, are they not a reliable source of strength?"
Wang Zhong[3], who was waiting upon the King, said, "These things were a source of strength for Jin. If you skillfully improve upon Jin's work, then you will complete its hegemonic designs."
Wu Qi replied, "His Lordship's words are leading the state down a dangerous path, and you are agreeing with him, compounding the danger[4]."
Marquis Wu burned with rage, and said, "Do you have an argument to back up your words?"
吳起對曰：「河山之險，信不足保也；是伯王之業，不從此也。昔者，三苗之居，左彭蠡之波，右有洞庭之水，文山在其南，而衡山在其北。恃此險也，為政不善，而禹放逐之。夫夏桀之國，左天門之陰，而右天谿之陽，廬、睪在其北，伊、洛出其南。有此險也，然為政不善，而湯伐之。殷紂之國，左孟門而右漳、釜，前帶河，後被山。有此險也，然為政不善，而武王伐之。且君親從臣而勝降城，城非不高也，人民非不眾也，然而可得并者，政惡故也。從是觀之，地形險阻，奚足以霸王矣！」
Wu Qi replied, "These rivers and mountains cannot be relied upon for our defence[5]; one does not pursue the work of a hegemon by depending upon such things[6]. In the past, the homelands of the three Miao[7] had the waters of Pengli[8] to their left[9] and Lake Dongting[10] to their right[11]. Mount Wen[12] sat to their South and Mount Heng[13] to their North. They relied upon their natural borders but were unskillful in their political dealings, so Yu[14] put them to flight. Xia Jie's[15] state[16] was overshadowed by the Tian Pass on its left[17], opening out onto the Tian Creek on its right[18], with Lu[19] and Yi[20] to its north, and the Yi River[22] and the Luo[23] rising to its south. Such were his borders, but he was unskillful in his political dealings, and so Tang[24] attacked. Yin Zhou's[25] state had Mount Mengmen to its left[26], and the Zhang[ River[27] and the Fu[28] to its right[29]. It was protected by rivers before and mountains behind. Such were his borders, but he was unskillful in his political dealings, and so King Wu[30] attacked. Since I have been following Your Lordship, we have conquered fortresses together - none of them lacked high walls[31], citizens or partisans. If we were nevertheless able to annex them, it was because their politics were rotten. Having observed this, how can one say that physical barriers suffice to make a hegemon?"
武侯曰：「善。吾乃今日聞聖人之言也！西河之政，專委之子矣。」
Marquis Wu said, "Good. Today I have heard the words of a sage. I shall place the political affairs of the lands West of the Yellow River entirely in your hands."
[1] Marquis Wu of Wei (396 - 370 BC) was the second ruler of Wei as an independent state.
[2] This person may have been called Wang Cuo (王錯). This person was a minister in Wei but is not otherwise well-known.
[3] Reading 坐 for 王 here, per the commentaries.
[4] According to the commentaries, the 是 is superfluous here.
[5] Yao suggests that the 信 here is superfluous.
[6] Yao suggests that the 是 is superfluous here.
[7] These peoples (the ancestors of the modern Hmong) resided in modern Henan at the time. According to legend, they were supporters of Chi You, who was defeated by the Yellow Emperor and forced South.
[8] Lake Pengli is now called Lake Poyang, but it has also moved northwest over time.
[9] By "left" the text means west, while "right" means east. The assumption is that the listener is a sovereign, sitting facing South.
[10] Lake Dongting is in modern Hunan.
[11] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[12] The commentaries suggest 岐 or 汶 for 文 here, but neither seems very likely.
[13] Mount Heng is in Hunan, but it is to the South of the territory attributed to the Three Miao here, which makes this sentence somewhat confusing.
[14] Yu the Great (c. 2122 - 2024 BC) was a semi-legendary founding father.
[15] King Jie (c. 1728 – 1675 BC) was the tyrannical last ruler of the Xia Dynasty.
[16] The commentaries suggest that the 夫 here may be superfluous.
[17] The commentaries suggest that this may refer to Mount Hua, in modern Shaanxi, while modern Chinese translations suggest Mount Tianmen in Hunan.
[18] The commentaries suggest that this refers to the Ji River, which flows through Shandong.
[19] Mount Lu is in modern Jiangxi. This would actually have been to the south of the Xia state.
[20] Mount Yi is in modern Zoucheng, Shandong. Again, this seems an unlikely choice for the northern border of the Xia state.
[21] The Yi River is in Henan and flows into the Luo River.
[22] The Luo River flows through in Shaanxi and Henan.
[24] Tang of Shang (c. 1675 – 1646 BC) overthrew King Jie to become the first ruler of the Shang Dynasty.
[25] King Zhou (1075-1046 BC) was the last King of the Shang Dynasty.
[26] Mount Mengmen is in Yichuan County, Shaanxi.
[27] The Zhang River flows through modern Henan and Hebei.
[28] The Fu River flows through Hebei.
[29] The commentaries suggest 滏 for 釜 here.
[30] King Wu of Zhou (1046–1043 BC) defeated King Zhou of Shang one of the founders of the Zhou Dynasty.
[31] The commentaries suggest that the 也 here may be superfluous.
魏公叔痤為魏將
Gongshu Cuo of Wei Serves as A General in Wei
魏公叔痤為魏將，而與韓、趙戰澮北，禽樂祚。魏王說，迎郊，以賞田百萬祿之。公叔痤反走，再拜辭曰：「夫使士卒不崩，直而不倚，撓揀而不辟者，此吳起餘教也，臣不能為也。前脈形地之險阻，決利害之備，使三軍之士不迷惑者，巴寧、爨襄之力也。縣賞罰於前，使民昭然信之於後者，王之明法也。見敵之可也鼓之，不敢怠倦者，臣也。王特為臣之右手不倦賞臣，何也？若以臣之有功，臣何力之有乎？」王曰：「善。」於是索吳起之後，賜之田二十萬。巴寧、爨襄田各十萬。
Gongshu Cuo of Wei[1] served as a general in Wei, fighting Han and Zhao on the North bank of the Hui river[2] and capturing Yue Zuo[3]. The King of Wei[4] was delighted, and came out into the suburbs to welcome Gongshu Cuo upon his return, rewarding him with the income from a million fields. Gongshu Cuo[6] shrank back, bowing and excusing himself. He said, "The knowledge of how to lead troops and ensure that the line does not collapse, of how to push[5] forwards unflinchingly[6], of how to pressure the enemy without avoiding contact... These were all scraps from Wu Qi's teachings, not something that I could have done alone. If we were able to scout the terrain ahead for obstructions[7], assess advantages and disavantages while making preparations accordingly, and ensure that the officers of the three armies were not mislead or confused by the enemy, it was down to Ba Ning[8] and[9] Cuan Xiang[10]. When a king understands how to use his legislative powers, he demonstrates it by announcing rewards and punishments beforehand so that citizens' trust is reinforced when they subsequently witness their implementation. To see an opportunity to attack the enemy and beat the drums, lacking the temerity refrain, that is simply a minister's job. If Your Majesty offers me a special reward merely because I did not let this opportunity slip through my fingers, what will happen then? If you treat me as though I had already achieved something, why would I then put any effort into achieving anything?[11]"
The King said, "Very well." As a result of this he sought out the descendants of Wu Qi and bewstowed twenty thousand fields upon them. Ba Ning and Cuan Xiang got ten thousand fields each.
王曰：「公叔豈非長者哉！既為寡人勝強敵矣，又不遺賢者之後，不掩能士之跡，公叔何可無益乎？」故又與田四十萬，加之百萬之上，使百四十萬。故《老子》曰：「聖人無積，盡以為人，己愈有；既以與人，己愈多。」公叔當之矣。
The King said, "Is Gongshu not an exceptional individual? He has already defeated a mighty opponent for us, and still he did not forget the posterity of the sages or minimise the achievements of his officers. Why should he not profit from this?" Therefore he gave Gongshu Cuo four hundred thousand fields in addition to the million originally offered, making one million four hundred thousand in total. It was for this reason that Master Lao[12] said, 'The sage does not accumulate, but gives everything he has for others; thus he acquires more and more. The more he gives away, the more he gains.'[13] Gongshu Cuo exemplifies this.
[1] Gongshu Cuo was a successful general and politician in Wei, and an early patron of Shang Yang.
[2] The Hui River runs through Shanxi, though its course has changed since the time of this story.
[3] Yue Zuo was a Zhao general.
[4] King Hui of Wei (344 - 319 BC) succeeded Marquis Wu following a violent succession conflict during which Wei was almost conquered by Han and Zhao. He conducted several discussions with Mencius and exchanged territory with Han, making his state easier to defend.
[5] Reading 棟橈 for 撓揀 here, oer the commentaries.
[6] Commentaries and modern translations interpret this in different ways, this is an attempt to account for as many of them as possible.
[7] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[8] This person is not otherwise well-known.
[9] Yao suggests 已寧 for 巴寧, in which case this person is called Ji Ning.
[10] Cuan Xiang was a Wei official.
[11] The Chinese here is extremely abstract, and modern interpretations differ slightly, but the general sense is clear.
[12] A reference to the Tao Te Ching, which at the time was a series of collected sayings attributed to Li Er (Laozi).
[13] The current versions of the Tao Te Ching give this as 聖人不積，既以為人己愈有，既以與人己愈多。
魏公叔痤病
Gongshu Cuo of Wei Falls Ill
魏公叔痤病，惠王往問之。曰：「公叔病，即不可諱，將柰社稷何？」公叔痤對曰：「痤有御庶子公孫鞅，願王以國事聽之也。為弗能聽，勿使出竟。」王弗應，出而謂左右曰：「豈不悲哉！以公叔之賢，而謂寡人必以國事聽鞅，不亦悖乎！」
Gongshu Cuo of Wei[1] fell ill, and King Hui[2] came to ask after him, saying, "You are ill and the inevitable is approaching. How will the spirits of earth and grain manage without you?"
Gongshu Cuo replied, "I have a retainer, Gongsun Yang[3]. I hope that you will listen to him in all your affairs of state. If you cannot obey him, then you must not let him leave the country."
The King did not reply, but as he was leaving he said to his attendants, "Isn't it sad? For all Gongshu Cuo's wisdom, he says that we should listen to Yang in all our affairs of state. Has he grown confused?"[4]
公孫痤死，公孫鞅聞之，已葬，西之秦，孝公受而用之。秦果日以強，魏日以削。此非公叔之悖也，惠王之悖也。悖者之患，固以不悖者為悖。
Gongshu Cuo died and Gongsun Yang heard about this. After the funeral, he headed west into Qin, where Duke Xiao[5] received and employed him. As a result, Qin grew stronger every day while Wei was eclipsed. Thus we see that Gongshu Cuo was not confused; rather King Hui was. The curse of confusion is that one is confused by what is not confusing.
[1] Gongshu Cuo was a successful general and politician in Wei.
[2] King Hui of Wei (344 - 319 BC) succeeded Marquis Wu following a violent succession conflict during which Wei was almost conquered by Han and Zhao. He conducted several discussions with Mencius and exchanged territory with Han, making his state easier to defend.
[3] Shang Yang began his career as a minor member of the Wey royal house, before moving on to work for Wei.
[4] Other versions of this story describe this exchange with greater clarity. Gongshu Cuo tells King Hui that he should either employ Shang Yang or kill him. The King fails to understand why he would employ someone who deserves to be executed, and hence dismisses the advice as evidence of senility.
[7] Reading 公叔痤 for 公孫痤, per the commentaries.
[8] Duke Xiao of Qin (361–338 BC) worked with Shang Yang to enact legal and military reforms in Qin, and won several significant victories against neighbouring states.
蘇子為趙合從說魏王
Master Su, Working on Behalf of Zhao's Alliance, Exercises his Persuasions on the King of Wei
蘇子為趙合從，說魏王曰：「大王之之地，南有鴻溝、陳、汝南，有許、鄢、昆陽、邵陵、舞陽、新郪；東有淮、穎、沂、黃、煮棗、海鹽、無疏；西有長城之界；北有河外、卷、衍、燕、酸棗，地方千里。地名雖小，然而廬田廡舍，曾無所芻牧牛馬之地。人民之眾，車馬之多，日夜行不休已，無以異於三軍之眾。臣竊料之，大王之國，不下於楚。然橫人謀王，外交強虎狼之秦，以侵天下，卒有國患，不被其禍。夫挾強秦之勢，以內劫其主，罪無過此者。且魏，天下之強國也；大王，天下之賢主也。今乃有意西面而事秦，稱東藩，築帝宮，受冠帶，祠春秋，臣竊為大王媿之。
Master Su[1], working on behalf of Zhao's alliance, spoke to the King of Wei[2], saying, "To the south of Your Majesty's lands can be found the Hong Canal[3], Chen[4], and Runan[5], Youxu[6], Yan[7], Kunyang[8], Shaoling[9], Wuyang[10] and Xinqi[11]. To the East, you have the Huai River[12], the Ying[13], the Yi[14], and the Yellow River, as well as Zhuzao[16], the salt pans[17] and Wushu[18]. To the West[ your border is well-fortified. To the North you have your lands beyond the Yellow River, as well as Juan[19], Yan[20], Yan[21] and Suanzao[22]. You have a thousand square li of land; though your lands may be called small[23], they are packed with houses and fields side by side[24], such that there is no room to graze your cattle and horses. Your citizens are numerous, and you have many horses and chariots - day and night, they travel unceasingly, being equal to three armies. Your servant has taken the liberty of assessing the matter, and Your Majesty's state is not inferior to Chu. The strategists of the Horizontal Alliance[25] have been building foreign ties on behalf of the ferocious tigers and wolves in Qin, and using these to encroach upon All-Under-Heaven. They will lead your state into disaster and then refuse to share in your misfortunes. They come bearing with them all the power of mighty Qin and use it to conquer sovereigns from within their own courts. No one has committed greater crimes than they have[26]. Wei is among the stronger states in All-Under-Heaven, and Your Majesty is among its wiser sovereigns[27], but now you have taken it into your head that you should turn West and serve the interests of Qin. You call yourself their vassal in the East and build them imperial palaces. You wear Qin's livery and make offerings at their altars every Spring and Autumn. Your servant would go so far as to be ashamed on your behalf."
「臣聞越王勾踐以散卒三千，禽夫差於干遂；武王卒三千人，革車三百乘，斬紂於牧之野。豈其士卒眾哉？誠能振其威也。今竊聞大王之卒，武力二十餘萬，蒼頭二千萬，奮擊二十萬，廝徒十萬，車六百乘，騎五千疋。此其過越王勾踐、武王遠矣！今乃劫於辟臣之說，而欲臣事秦。夫事秦必割地效質，故兵未用而國已虧矣。凡群臣之言事秦者，皆姦臣，非忠臣也。夫為人臣，割其主之地以求外交，偷取一旦之功而不顧其後，破公家而成私門，外挾彊秦之勢以內劫其主以求割地，願大王之熟察之也。
Your servant has heard that King Goujian of Yue[28] mobilised his last three thousand partisans and captured Fuchai[29] at Gansui[30]. King Wu[31], at the head of three thousand men and three hundred chariots, executed Zhou[32] at Mu Field[33]. Can their victories be put down to their great battalions? In fact, they succeeded by ininspiring people with their charisma. Now I have taken the liberty of enquiring about Your Majesty's armies. Your military capacity totals two hundred thousand ordinary soldiers, two hundred thousand[34] blue-kerchief guards[35], two hundred thousand frontline troops, a hundred thousand auxiliaries, six hundred chariots[36], and five thousand cavalrymen[37]. These troops of yours surpass those of King Goujian of Yue and King Wu, but there are now many among your[38] servants exercising their persuasions on you, hoping that you will turn to serve Qin. Before Qin will accept your service, you will be forced to cede land and offer hostages to them[39], and thus, without deploying any troops, they will already have sapped the resources of your state. These herds of advisors who say you should serve Qin, all of them are corrupt and disloyal. They act as public servants, but they are set on paring off slices of their sovereign's lands the better to form personnal connections abroad[40], using them to steal a moment's glory with no thought for the aftermath. They are sacrificing the public good to bolster their private interests. They come bearing all the power of mighty Qin and use it to conquer sovereigns from within their own courts by begging them to cede their land. I hope that Your Majesty will assess the situation carefully.
「周書曰：『綿綿不絕，縵縵柰何；毫毛不拔，將成斧柯。』前慮不定，後有大患，將柰之何？大王誠能聽臣，六國從親，專心并力，則必無強秦之患。故敝邑趙王使使臣獻愚計，奉明約，在大王詔之。」魏王曰：「寡人不肖，未嘗得聞明教。今主君以趙王之詔詔之，敬以國從。」
The Book of Zhou[41] says, 'If you do not cut the tendrils, what will you do when the vines[42] spread? If you do not pull out the shoots[43], then they will grow so big that you will need an axe to deal with them.' If you do not think to settle this soon, you will later suffer great misfortune. How are you going to deal with this situation? If you are able to follow your servant's advice, we will strengthen the ties between the six states, uniting their minds and combining their strength; thus you will suffer nothing at the hands of mighty Qin. This is why the King[44] of our humble state has sent your servant as his envoy to offer this poor stratagem, establish a clear accord, and await Your Majesty's decree."
The King of Wei said, "We are unworthy, and have never yet heard such enlightened teachings. Now that you have instructed us on the King of Zhao's decrees, we shall respect them and ensure that the state follows them."
[1] Su Qin worked for almost all of the states during a long and successful career as the principal proponent of the anti-Qin alliance.
[2] 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.
[3] The Hong Canal linked the Yellow and the Huai Rivers.
[4] The state of Chen lay to the Northeast of Chu. It was annexed by Chu in 479 BC.
[5] Runan is in modern Henan.
[6] It is not clear where this was.
[7] Yan was in Xiangyang, in modern Hubei.
[8] Kunyang was in modern Ye County, Henan.
[9] Reading 召陵 for 兆陵, as in other versions. This is in modern Luohe, Henan.
[10] Wuyang is in modern Henan.
[11] The commentaries suggest that this was in the vicinity of modern Nanyang, Henan.
[12] The Huai River flows West-to-East, between the Yellow River and the Yangtze.
[13] The Ying River is a tributary of the Huai.
[14] The Yi River flows through Henan.
[15] Following the interpretation given by the commentaries.
[16] Zhuzao was in modern Heze, Shandong.
[17] The commentaries suggest that these characters may be superfluous.
[18] It is not clear where this was, or even whether this is the correct orthography.
[19] It is not clear where this was.
[20] It is not clear where this was.
[21] The commentaries suggest that this character may be superfluous.
[22] Suanzao was in Yanjin County, Henan.
[23] The commentaries disagree regarding the correct reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[24] The commentaries disagree regarding the correct reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[25] The commentaries disagree regarding the correct reading of this sentnece, it may be intended to be more pejorative.
[26] The commentaries sugges that this sentence may be superfluous.
[27] The commentaries suggest 王 for 主 here.
[28] 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.
[29] King Fuchai of Wu (495–473 bc) was the last King of Wu. After listening to bad advice, he refrained from wiping out Yue when he had the chance, and was wiped out in turn.
[30] Gansui was in modern Suzhou, in Jiangsu.
[31] King Wu of Zhou (1046–1043 BC) defeated King Zhou of Shang to become one of the founders of the Zhou Dynasty.
[32] King Zhou (1075-1046 BC) was the last King of the Shang Dynasty.
[33] The Battle of Muye (1046 BC) saw the defeat of the Shang Dynasty and the establishment of the Zhou Dynasty. It took place at Yindu in Henan.
[34] Reading 十 for 千, per the commentaries.
[35] According to the commentaries, these were troops that carried 75-kilo crossbows and could travel over 30 miles a day.
[36] The commentaries suggest that the 乘 here may be superfluous.
[37] The commentaries suggest that the 疋 here may be superfluous.
[38] Reading 群 for 辟, per the commentaries.
[39] Liu suggests 實 for 質 here.
[40] The commentaries suggest that the 求 here may be superfluous.
[41] This appears in the Lost Book of Zhou.
[42] Reading 蔓蔓 for 縵縵, as in other versions.
[43] The version of the Lost Book of Zhou we have reads 豪末不掇.
[44] Probably King Wuling of Zhao (325 – 299 BC), who oversaw Zhao's transition to light cavalry tactics, a move that won them several significant victories and was rapidly followed by the other states. The commentaries suggest that it was Marquis Su, but he died before King Xiang of Wei took the throne.
張儀為秦連橫說魏王
Zhang Yi, Working on Behalf of Qin's Alliance, Exercises his Persuasions on the King of Wei
張儀為秦連橫，說魏王曰：「魏地方不至千里，卒不過三十萬人。地四平，諸侯四通，條達輻湊，無有名山大川之阻。從鄭至梁，不過百里；從陳至梁，二百餘里。馬馳人趨，不待倦而至梁。南與楚境，西與韓境，北與趙境，東與齊境，卒戍四方，守亭障者參列。粟糧漕庾，不下十萬。魏之地勢，故戰場也。魏南與楚而不與齊，則齊攻其東；東與齊而不與趙，則趙攻其北；不合於韓，則韓攻其西；不親於楚，則楚攻其南。此所謂四分五裂之道也。
Zhang Yi[1], working on behalf of Qin's alliance, exercised his persuasions on the King of Wei[2], saying, "Wei's lands are not a thousand square li, and you have no more than three hundred thousand partisans. Your territory is flat on all four sides, giving the other sovereign lords access from all directions. They press in on you like spokes on the hub of a wheel[3], with no notable mountains or great rivers to impede them. From Zheng to Liang is not more than a hundred li. From Chen to Liang is not more than two hundred li. A man in a hurry with a fast horse could get from there to here without either of them being exhausted. To the South you share a border with Chu. To the West you share a border with Han. To the North you share a border with Zhao. To the East you share a border with Qi. Your troops have four borders to guard, and you have had to line your frontiers with fortifications. You have no fewer than a hundred thousand troops dedicated to the protection of your riverside grain depots. Wei's terrain makes it a perfect battleground for foreign states. If you make overtures towards Chu in the South, then you cannot also approach Qi, and Qi will attack you from the East. If you make overtures towards Qi in the East, then you cannot also approach Zhao, and Zhao will attack you from the North. If you do not ally with Han, then Han will attack you from the West. If you do not draw close to Chu[4], then Chu will attack you from the South. Thus it can be said that you are taking a path that will end with your state in four or five separate pieces.
「且夫諸侯之為從者，以安社稷、尊主、強兵、顯名也。合從者，一天下、約為兄弟、刑白馬以盟於洹水之上以相堅也。夫親昆弟，同父母，尚有爭錢財。而欲恃詐偽反覆蘇秦之餘謀，其不可以成亦明矣。
The sovereign lords say they are forming an alliance with the aim of ensuring that their altars of earth and grain will be secure, that their sovereignty will be respected, their armies will be strong and their names renowned. This Vertical Alliance aims to unite All-Under-Heaven with an accord that will make them into brothers[5]; the members sacrificed a white horse on the banks of the Huan River[6] to signify their willingness to back one another, but even brothers born of the same father and mother[6] may come into conflict over money, and nevertheless, you still wish to rely for your strategies upon scraps from the table of that meretricious turncoat Su Qin. That these will not succeed is clear.
「大王不事秦，秦下兵攻河外，拔卷、衍、燕、酸棗，劫衛取晉陽，則趙不南；趙不南，則魏不北；魏不北，則從道絕；從道絕，則大王之國欲求無危不可得也。秦挾韓而攻魏，韓劫於秦，不敢不聽。秦、韓為一國，魏之亡可立而須也，此臣之所以為大王患也。為大王計，莫如事秦，事秦則楚、韓必不敢動；無楚、韓之患，則大王高枕而臥，國必無憂矣。
If Your Majesty does not serve Qin, it will dispatch troops to strike beyond the Yellow River, wiping out Juan[7], Yan[8] and Suanzao[9], moving against Wey and taking Jinyang[10]. Then Zhao will have no contact with the south. If Zhao has no contact with the south, then Wei will have no contact with the north. If Wei has no contact with the north, then the Alliance's lines of communication will be severed[15]. If the Alliance's lines of communication are severed[16], then Your Majesty's state will soon beg for deliverance from its peril and receive none. Qin, dragging Han with it, will attack Wei; threatened by Qin, Han will not dare disobey. Qin and Han will be as one state, and you will be able to do nothing but stand and watch as Wei is wiped out. This is why your servant is worried on Your Majesty's behalf[17]. If I were making your strategies, I would say that nothing would be better for you than to serve Qin. If you agree to serve Qin, then Chu and Han will certainly not dare to move against you. If you are not troubled by Chu and Han, then you will sleep peacefully and your state will suffer no grief.
「且夫秦之所欲弱莫如楚，而能弱楚者莫若魏。楚雖有富大之名，其實空虛；其卒雖眾，多言而輕走，易北，不敢堅戰。魏之兵南面而伐，勝楚必矣。夫虧楚而益魏，攻楚而適秦，內嫁禍安國，此善事也。大王不聽臣，秦甲出而東伐，雖欲事秦而不可得也。
There is no one that Qin wishes to weaken more than Chu, and to weaken Chu there would be no better partner for Qin than Wei. Chu is rich and powerful in name only; in reality it has only an empty reputation. Its troops are numerous, but while they are many[18] they can be chased from the field with no effort - they flee at the least threat, not daring to stand and fight. If Wei sends its troops southwards and launches an attack[19], it will certainly be victorious over Chu. Chu's failure will be Wei's good fortune. If you attack Chu and make yourself amenable to Qin, then you will be able to offload your present troubles onto others while bringing peace to your state. This would be the skillful way of handling such an affair. If you do not listen to me, then Qin's troops will march out and attack eastwards[20], and at that point even if you beg to offer serve Qin your request will not be granted.
「且夫從人多奮辭而寡可信，說一諸侯之王，出而乘其車；約一國而反，成而封侯之基。是故天下之遊士，莫不日夜搤腕瞋目切齒以言從之便，以說人主。人主覽其辭，牽其說，惡得無眩哉？臣聞積羽沈舟，群輕折軸，眾口鑠金，故願大王之熟計之也。」
The partisans of the Alliance give many grandiose speeches but say little that can be trusted. They will persuade a sovereign lord over to their side and then ride off in his chariot to form an agreement with another state, before turning against him for a chance to establish themselves with a domain that will serve as a base of their own. This being so, day and night all the wandering officials of All-Under-Heaven press their hands together, narrow their eyes and bare their teeth, talking of the advantages of their alliances and deploying their arguments against the lords of men, who solemnly consider their rhetoric and are dragged hither and yon by their persuasions. How could they not be bewildered? Your servant has heard that sufficient feathers can sink a ship, and light though they may be, enough of them can break a cart axel, just as casual remarks in sufficient quantity are sharp enough to cut through metal and break bones[21]. Therefore I hope that Your Majesty will plan intensively for this."
魏王曰：「寡人蠢愚，前計失之。請稱東藩，築帝宮，受冠帶，祠春秋，效河外。」
The King of Wei said, "We are foolish[22], and our previous strategies missed the mark. I beg permission to call myself your vassal in the East and to build you an imperial palace. We will wear the livery you give us, sacrifice at your altars every Spring and Autumn, and deliver up our land beyond the Yellow River[23].
[1] Zhang Yi was a politician and general in Qin, and the principal proponent of Qin's Horizontal Alliance, the aim of which was to prevent the other states from unifying against Qin.
[2] 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.
[3] Following the commentaries in this interpretation.
[4] Liu suggests 合 for 親 here.
[5] This was a proposal made by Su Qin earlier in the Zhao stratagems. The Huan River was in Henan.
[6] The commentaries suggest 兄 for 昆 here.
[7] It is not clear where this was.
[8] Yan seems to have been in Xiangyang, in modern Hubei, however Zeng suggests that this may be intended to read 點 (Dian); it is not clear where this was.
[9] Suanzao was in Yanjin County, Henan.
[10] Jinyang is now Taiyuan in Shanxi, however this may be intended to read 陽晉 (Yangjin), which was
[15] This does not seem self-evident on the face of it, but I suspect he means that Qin will be able to use Wey as a base from which to establish a cordon sanitaire between Zhao and Wei.
[16] The commentaries suggest that the duplicated characters may be superfluous.
[17] The commentaries suggest that the 以 here may be superfluous.
[18] Reading 然 for 言, per the commentaries.
[19] The commentaries disagree regarding the proper reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[20] Reading 而成反而取 for 而反，成而, per the commentaries.
[21] Reading 眾口鑠金，積毀銷骨 for 眾口鑠金, per the commentaries. This seems to have been a proverb.
[22] Zeng and Liu suggest that the 愚 here is superfluous.
[23] This is the same phrasing as was used by Su Qin in the previous chapter.