趙三 THE STRATAGEMS OF ZHAO III (C)
鄭同北見趙王
Zheng Tong Goes North to See the King of Zhao
鄭同北見趙王。趙王曰：「子南方之傳士也，何以教之？」鄭同曰：「臣南方草鄙之人也，何足問？雖然，王致之於前，安敢不對乎？臣少之時，親嘗教以兵。」趙王曰：「寡人不好兵。」鄭同因撫手仰天而笑之曰：「兵固天下之狙喜也，臣故意大王不好也。臣亦嘗以兵說魏昭王，昭王亦曰：『寡人不喜。』臣曰：『王之行能如許由乎？許由無天下之累，故不受也。今王既受先王之傳，欲宗廟之安，壤地不削，社稷之血食乎？』王曰：『然。』今有人操隨侯之珠，持丘之環，萬金之財，時宿於野，內無孟賁之威，荊慶之斷，外無弓弩之禦，不出宿夕，人必危之矣。今有強貪之國，臨王之境，索王之地，告以理則不可，說以義則不聽。王非戰國守圉之具，其將何以當之？王若無兵，鄰國得志矣。」趙王曰：「寡人請奉教。」
Zheng Tong[1] went North to see the King of Zhao[2]. The King of Zhao said, "You are a scholar from the South, what advice do you have for us?"
Zheng Tong said, "I am a humble southern peasant. How could I give an adequate reply? Nevertheless, since Your Majesty has presented me with the question, how dare I refuse to answer? When I was young, my elders taught me about military affairs."
The King of Zhao said, "We do not care for military matters."
Zheng Tong clapped his hands and threw back his head laughing, he said, "Military affairs are certainly the delight of the most twisted minds in All-Under-Heaven, and thus I presumed that you would not care for them. However, I have already used my tactical persuastions on King Zhao of Wei[3]. Zhao also said, 'We do not care for such things.' I said, 'Do you take it then that you will be able to conduct yourself as Xu You[4] did? Xu You did not care for the troubles of All-Under-Heaven, and he refused to take possession of it[5]. If you accepted your inheritance, it must surely be because you wish to secure the shrines of your ancestors, see that their lands are not eroded, and feed the spirits of earth and grain[5] with offerings of blood?' The King said, 'That is so.' 'Now[6] if someone is carrying the pearl of Marquis Sui[7], or holding the jade ring of Qiu[8], or endowed with ten thousand gold pieces, and is expected to sleep out in the open[9], and he does not have Meng Ben's[10] capacity to intimidate or Jing Qing's[11] resolve, and - moreover - he has no bow or arrows to defend himself, then before the night is gone his life will be in danger. Currently, there are strong and greedy states drawing near your borders, desiring Your Majesty's land. If you talk to them reasonably it will not work; if you make appeals to justice they will not listen. If you do not intend to prepare to fight for your state and guard your borders[12], then how will you do this? If Your Majesty pays no attention to military matters, your neighbours will obtain what they desire."
The King of Zhao said, "We humbly request that you present your advice."
[1] The commentaries suggest that Zheng Tong was a politician from Zheng, however, the chapter goes on to mention King Wei of Zhao, who ruled almost a century after the annexation of Zheng by Han.
[2] 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
[3] King Zhao of Wei (296 BC to 277 BC) found himself subject to an unending series of successful attacks by Qin, losing more and more territory until he finally accepted an alliance with Qin to attack Song. This did not last long, and he soon changed sides to join an alliance with Qi.
[4] Xu You was supposedly a hermit during the earliest years of Chinese history. Emperor Yao offered him the throne as a reward for his virtue, and he declined.
[5] The commentaries suggest that 受 here may be intended to read 愛, in which case the sentence should read "and had no love for it."
[6] Reading this as a separate response, following the commentaries.
[7] This was a famous treasure in antiquity.
[8] Presumably this was another celebrated treasure, though the commentaries are uncertain about what it was, or even whether it was named Qiu or Chiqiu.
[9] Reading 特 for 時, per the commentaries.
[10] Meng Ben was a famous strongman who lived under King Wu of Qin.
[11] The commentaries disgree regarding who this may have been.
[12] Reading 圄 for 圉, per the commentaries.
[13] The commentaries suggest that the 將 here may be superfluous.
建信君貴於趙
Lord Jianxin is Much Prized in Zhao
建信君貴於趙。公子魏牟過趙，趙王迎之，顧反至坐，前有尺帛，且令工以為冠。工見客來也，因辟。趙王曰：「公子乃驅後車，幸以臨寡人，願聞所以為天下。」魏牟曰：「王能重王之國若此尺帛，則王之國大治矣。」趙王不說，形於顏色，曰：「先生不知寡人不肖，使奉社稷，豈敢輕國若此？」魏牟曰：「王無怒，請為王說之。」曰：「王有此尺帛，何不令前郎中以為冠？」王曰：「郎中不知為冠。」魏牟曰：「為冠而敗之，奚虧於王之國？而王必待工而后乃使之。今為天下之工，或非也，社稷為虛戾，先王不血食，而王不以予工，乃與幼艾。且王之先帝，駕犀首而驂馬服，以與秦角逐。秦當時適其鋒。今王憧憧，乃輦建信以與強秦角逐，臣恐秦折王之椅也。」
Lord Jianxin[1] was much prized in Zhao. Prince Weimou[2] was crossing Zhao, and the King of Zhao[3] came to receive him and then turned and sat down, with a chi of fabric in front of him that he was to have made into a hat. The tailor, having seen the guest arriving, had taken the opportunity of absenting himself. The King of Zhao said, "You have left your carriage waiting in order to bless us with your presence, so we are keen to hear your plans for improving All-Under-Heaven."
Weimou said, "If you could value your state as you value this chi of fabric, then your state would be well-governed."
The King of Zhao was not happy; his face coloured and he said, "The former King[4], being unaware of my inadequacies[5], appointed me to serve the spirits of earth and grain. How would I dare to treat his state so casually?"
Wei Mou said, "Do not be angry; allow me to explain." He continued, "You have this chi of fabric, why not order the commander of the palace guards[6] over there to make you a hat?"
The King said, "He does not know how."
Weimou said, "If he makes a mistake while making the hat, how could that harm Your Majesty's state? Nevertheless, you insist on waiting for a specialist and having him make it. When it comes to specialists in government, it is different. Your altars of earth and grain are neglected and dilapidated, and the former kings have no sacrificial blood to drink, yet you do not give the responsibility for them over to a specialist, but rather you bestow it upon the young and beautiful. When your noble predecessor charged into battle with Qin he had Xi Shou[7] for his yoke horse and Lord Mafu[8] as his trace horse[9]. In those days, Qin sought only to avoid their blades[10]. Now you vacillate. If you try to take on mighty Qin with Lord Jianxin between the shafts, I am afraid that Qin will charge you down."
[1] Lord Jianxin was a politician and businessman in Zhao, and an enemy of Lü Buwei. He may have been a lover of King Xiaocheng of Zhao, hence Wei Mou's complaint about his elevation. The commentaries suggest that this and the following chapters should be read as a single episode.
[2] Prince Wei Mou was a prince in Zhongshan, and a friend of Gongsun Long and Zhuangzi.
[3] King Xiaocheng of Zhao (265 BC – 245 BC) inherited the throne at a young age, and almost immediately oversaw Zhao's greatest defeat by Qin at the Battle of Changping. While the state survived, it never regained its previous status.
[4] 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 王 for 生 here, per the commentaries.
[6] The 郎中 ("langzhong") was in charge of the palace guards, but also had the right to give orders to all other front-of-house staff, giving him significant power in permitting or denying access to the sovereign.
[7] Shou Xi was also known as Gongsun Yan, and was a politician and strategist in Wei and Qin. He was a notable opponent of Zhang Yi and Qin's alliance-building strategy. It is not clear why Wei Mou associated him with Zhao.
[8] Zhao She, Zhao's most successful general at the time.
[9] In a four horse team the yoke horses set the pace while the trace horses were used to direct the team.
[10] the commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
衛靈公近雍疸彌子瑕
Duke Ling of Wey is Close to Yong Chu and Mizi Xia
衛靈公近雍疸、彌子瑕。二人者，專君之勢以蔽左右。復塗偵謂君曰：「昔日臣夢見君。」君曰：「子何夢？」曰：「夢見灶君。」君忿然作色曰：「吾聞夢見人君者，夢見日。今子曰夢見灶君而言君也，有說則可，無說則死。」對曰：「日，并燭天下者也，一物不能蔽也。若灶則不然，前之人煬，則後之人無從見也。今臣疑人之有煬於君者也，是以夢見灶君。」君曰：「善。」於是，因廢雍疸、彌子瑕，而立司空狗。
[1]Duke Ling of Wey[2] was close to Yong Dan[3] and Mizi Xia[4]. These two arrogated their lord's power to themselves and held him apart from the rest of his entourage.
Futu Zhen[5] spoke to the Duke, saying, "I saw Your Lordship in a dream."
The Duke said "What did you dream?"
Futu Zhen said, "I saw you as the Stove Spirit[6]."
The Duke was enraged and his face coloured. He said, "I have heard that when one dreams of one's lord, one sees him as the sun. Now you say you saw the Stove Spirit and that this represents me? If you have a convincing explanation for this then I will permit it. If not, then you will die."
Futu Zhen replied, "The sun illuminates All-Under-Heaven and nothing can block it out. A stove[6] is different. When people stand in front of a stove then those behind can no longer see it. Now your servant suspects that there are certain people warming themselves in front of your fire. That is why I saw you as the Stove Spirit."
The Duke replied, "Very well."
As a result of this, he had Yong Dan and Mizi Xia dismissed, and appointed Sikong Gou instead[7].
[1] The commentaries suggest that this should be read as following on from the previous chapter, being an anecdote told by Wei Mou, since otherwise it would not belong in the Zhao section.
[2] Duke Ling of Wey (534 - 492 BC) ruled a court riven with internal conflicts and subject to internal dissent. He grew famous for his sexual relationships with his courtiers.
[3] The commentaries disagree regarding the correct reading of this person's name. It may have been 癰疽, 雍鉏 or any other variation on this theme. Crump suggests that the entire story is made up on the basis of the names, which all sound fictional.
[4] Mizi Xia's romance with Duke Ling was extremely well-known.
[5] The commentaries suggest that this person may be a royal jester. Once again he may be a made-up character.
[6] The Kitchen God is one of the older members of the folk Daoist pantheon. He was later anthropomorphised, but in ancient China the god and the object where essentially one and the same, just like the forest its guardian spirit in the Qin stratagems. (In the Han Feizi version of this story, the dream is simply about a stove.)
[6] Reading 若灶 for 若若灶, as in other versions.
[7] I am not sure who this was.
或謂建信君之所以事王者
Speaking to Lord Jianxin about his Methods of Serving the King
或謂建信：「君之所以事王者，色也。葺之所以事王者，知也。色老而衰，知老而多。以日多之知，而逐衰惡之色，君必困矣。」建信君曰：「奈何？」曰：「並驥而走者，五里而罷；乘驥而御之，不倦而取道多。君令葺乘獨斷之車，御獨斷之勢，以居邯鄲；令之內治國事，外刺諸侯，則葺之事有不言者矣。君因言王而重責之，葺之軸今折矣。」建信君再拜受命，入言於王，厚任葺以事能，重責之。未期年而葺亡走矣。
Someone spoke[1] to Jianxin[2]: "You serve the King[3] by means of your personal attractions; Meng[4] serves the King by means of his intelligence. Beauty fades with age, but intelligence increases. As his intelligence grows day by day and your looks decline, you will certainly find yourself in trouble."
Lord Jianxin said, "How should I deal with this?"
The reply came, "When two thoroughbreds race at full gallop they are worn out after five li. When you drive a single horse it does not become tired as you may choose which way you go. Let Meng guide his carriage himself, directing its impetus as he chooses, while you remain at home in Handan. Let him manage affairs of state at home and spy upon the sovereign lords abroad. Meng will be so busy with these affairs that he will have no time to report on all of them[5]. If you take advantage of this to talk to the King about him and multiply your reproaches, then the King's disapproval of Meng will grow, and you will be able to break the axels of his carriage." Lord Jianxin bowed repeatedly and accepted this advice. He went into the palace to tell the King to increase Meng's official responsibilities[6]. Jianxin then multiplied his reproaches towards Meng, and before a year had passed, Meng had fled the country.
[1] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence, but the general sense is clear.
[2] Lord Jianxin was a politician and businessman in Zhao, and an enemy of Lü Buwei. He may have been a lover of King Xiaocheng of Zhao.
[3] King Xiaocheng of Zhao (265 BC – 245 BC) inherited the throne at a young age, and almost immediately oversaw Zhao's greatest defeat by Qin at the Battle of Changping. While the state survived, it never regained its previous status.
[4] The commentaries disagree regarding this person's name. It may have been 蓇 (Gu), 咠中 (Qi Zhong) or something else entirely.
[5] The point of this seems to be that competing with Meng would exhaust Jianxin, but loading Jianxin down with administrative tasks will tire only Jianxin.
[6] Reading 而 for 能 here, per the commentaries.
苦成常謂建信君
Cheng Chang of Jin Speaks to Lord Jianxin
苦成常謂建信君曰：「天下合從，而獨以趙惡秦，何也？魏殺呂遺，而天下交之。今收河間，於是與殺呂遺何以異？君唯釋虛偽疾，文信猶且知之也。從而有功乎，何患不得收河間？從而無功乎，收河間何益也？」
Cheng Chang[1] of Jin[2] spoke to Lord Jianxin[3], saying, "All-Under-Heaven is forming an alliance[4], but they seek nothing more than to use Zhao to injure Qin[5]. Why is this? Because when Wei killed Lü Liao[6] All-Under-Heaven drew closer to Wei[7]. Now if you acquire lands by the Yellow River[8]; how would this[9] differ from the killing of Lü Liao[10]? Your lordship has only to fall back, feigning[11] illness such that Marquis[12] Wenxin[13] learns about it[14]. If the alliance succeeds, then is there any chance that you will not get your lands by the river? And if the alliance fails, then what profit is to be gained[15] from taking them back?"[16]
[1] This person is not otherwise well-known.
[2] Reading 晉 for 苦, per the commentaries.
[3] Lord Jianxin was a politician and businessman in Zhao, and a rival of Lü Buwei.
[4] The commentaries disagree as to whether this sentence should read 合 or 公, or whether this makes any difference.
[5] Presumably because Zhao still has unrequited injuries suffered at the hands of Qin, while Wei has already got its revenge for past slights, as will be described below.
[6] Reading 遼 for 遺, per the commentaries. Lü Liao seems to have been a Qin representative or partisan of some sort.
[7] The commentaries disagree regarding the precise reading of this sentence - it is possible that there is a word missing that may chance the sense.
[8] The commentaries suggest that Qin had promised these to Lü Buwei as a personal domain.
[9] Yao suggests that the 於 here is superfluous.
[10] If Zhao were to take lands that Lü Buwei was counting on acquiring, this would earn his personal enmity and hence that of Qin more generally. The implication is that the other states in All-Under-Heaven, who feared and resented Qin, would then align with Zhao in the same way as they had previously aligned with Wei.
[11] Reading 飾 for 釋, per the commentaries.
[12] Reading 釋偽疾，文信侯 for 釋虛偽疾，文信, per the commentaries.
[13] Marquis Wenxin, Lü Buwei, began his political career in Zhao, before going on to become Chancellor of Qin.
[14] Wei's killing of Lü Liao may have drawn allies to Wei, but it also provoked battles with Qin. The idea may be that by making it clear that he wishes to take land that Lü Buwei wants he will gain support from the other states for having thumbed his nose Qin, but by feigning illness he can then ensure that the others do all of the fighting. Alternatively, it may be that Lü Buwei will realise that Jianxin is trying to foment opposition to Qin using the pretext of the riverbank lands, and will back off as a result.
[15] The implication is that without a strong anti-Qin alliance, Lord Jianxin will soon lose his acquisitions.
[16] This chapter is garbled, and the various translations and commentaries all give different interpretations.
希寫見建信君
Xi Xie has an Audience with Lord Jianxin
希寫見建信君。建信君曰：「文信侯之於僕也，甚無禮。秦使人來仕，僕官之丞相，爵五大夫。文信侯之於僕也，甚矣其無禮也。」
建信君悖然曰：「足下卑用事者而高商賈乎？」曰：「不然。夫良商不與人爭買賣之賈，而謹司時。時賤而買，雖貴已賤矣；時貴而賣，雖賤已貴矣。昔者，文王之拘於牖里，而武王羈於玉門，卒斷紂之頭而縣於太白者，是武王之功也。今君不能與文信侯相伉以權，而責文信侯少禮，臣竊為君不取也。」
Xi Xie[1] had an audience with Lord Jianxin[2]. Lord Jianxin said, "In his dealings with me, Marquis Wenxin[3] is extremely insolent. Qin sent an envoy to serve as an official here, and I appointed him as a deputy to the Chancellor and gave him a salary appropriate to an official of the ninth rank. Why is Marquis Wenxin so rude to me?"
Xi Xie said, "Your servant has noticed that these days public servants are no match for merchants."
Lord Jianxin looked shocked, and he said, "You look down on public servants and up to merchants?"
He replied, "Not necessarily. However a good merchant will not quarrel with others over prices when buying and selling, but will wait[5] cautiously for the right moment. In times of low prices they buy; even if they overpay, they are getting off cheaply. In times of high prices they sell; even if they undercharge, they are still making excess profits. In the past, King Wen[6] was[7] imprisoned in Youli[8] and King Wu[9] was imprisoned in Yumen[10], but in the end, when Zhou's[11] head was cut off[12] and hung up with the army's standards it was thanks to King Wu's merits. You are not currently able to overpower Marquis Wenxin but you complain of his insolence. Your servant humbly suggests that this is not the approach to take."[13]
[1] Xi Xie was a politician from Zhao.
[2] Lord Jianxin was a politician and businessman in Zhao, and a rival of Lü Buwei.
[3] Marquis Wenxin, Lü Buwei, began his political career in Zhao, before going on to become Chancellor of Qin.
[4] The text actually reads "no", but this makes little sense in context and modern translations interpret the 不 as being superfluous.
[5] Reading 伺 for 司, per the commentaries.
[6] King Wen of Zhou (1112–1050 BC) began a rebellion against King Zhou of Shang that was completed by his son, King Wu.
[7] The commentaries suggest that the 之 here may be superfluous.
[8] Youli was in Tangyin County, Henan.
[9] King Wu (1046–1043 BC) defeated King Zhou of Shang to become one of the founders of the Zhou Dynasty.
[10] Yumen was the north gate of Chenggao, in modern Xingyang County, Henan.
[11] King Zhou of Shang (1075-1046 BC) was the last King of the Shang Dynasty.
[12] Reading 斬 for 斷, per the commentaries.
[13] I.e. Jianxin should keep quiet about his resentment until he is in a position to do something about it.
魏魁謂建信君
Wei Jie Speaks to Lord Jianxin
魏魁謂建信君曰：「人有置係蹄者而得虎。虎怒，決蹯而去。虎之情，非不愛其蹯也。然而不以環寸之蹯，害七尺之軀者，權也。今有國，非直七尺軀也。而君之身於王，非環寸之蹯也。願公之熟圖之也。」
Wei Jie[1] spoke to Lord Jianxin[2], saying, "Someone once set a snare and caught a tiger. The tiger in its ferocity tore its own paw off to escape. It was not that the tiger did not care for its paw, but that when it weighed the choices, it did not think it worth sacrificing a body seven-chi long for a paw one-cun across. Now you have possession of a state, not merely a seven-chi body, but to the king your body is worth no more than a one-cun tiger's paw. I hope that you will make your plans carefully in light of this."[3]
[1] Wei Ga's given name is not a common character, and the commentaries disagree on which one is intended. He is not otherwise well-known.
[2] Lord Jianxin was a politician and businessman in Zhao, and a rival of Lü Buwei.
[3] The implication is that the King of Zhao is thinking of killing Lord Jianxin in order to take back his land.
秦攻趙鼓鐸之音聞於北堂
Qin Attacks Zhao And the Warning Bell Is Heard in the Inner Palace
秦攻趙，鼓鐸之音聞於北堂。希卑曰：「夫秦之攻趙，不宜急如此。此召兵也。必有大臣欲衡者耳。王欲知其人，旦日贊群臣而訪之，先言橫者，則其人也。」建信君果先言橫。
Qin attacked Zhao, and the warning bell was heard in the inner Palace. Xi Bei[1] said, "If Qin is attacking Zhao, then that should not be considered such an emergency[2] that we must summon the troops. One of your secretaries of state must want to join Qin's Horizontal Alliance. If Your Majesty wishes to know who it is you should solicitously beg the opinions of your assembled private secretaries tomorrow morning. The first to speak of joining the Horizontal Alliance had one of his people ring the bell." It so happened that Lord Jianxin[3] was the first to speak about joining the Horizontal Alliance.
[1] Xi Bei was a communications officer in the Zhao army.
[2] That is to say, it is not an immediate threat to the people in the capital. The implication is that the warning bell was rung by an insider working with Qin to instill panic in the capital of Zhao.
[3] Lord Jianxin was a politician and businessman in Zhao, and a rival of Lü Buwei.
齊人李伯見孝成王
Li Bo of Qi has an Audience with King Xiaocheng
齊人李伯見孝成王。成王說之，以為代郡守。而居無幾何，人告之反。孝成王方饋，不墮食。無幾何，告者復至，孝成王不應。已，乃使使者言：「齊舉兵擊燕，恐其以擊燕為名，而以兵襲趙，故發兵自備。今燕、齊已合，臣請要其敝，而地可多割。」
自是之後，為孝成王從事於外者，無自疑於中者。
Li Bo[1] of Qi had an audience with King Xiaocheng[2]. King Cheng was delighted with him, and took him on as Prefect of Dai Commandery[3]. He had not been in the position long when someone came to tell the King that he had started a rebellion. King Xiaocheng was eating at the time, and did not put his meal aside. A little while later, the informant returned, but King Xiaocheng ignored him. After this, Li Bo sent an envoy to say, "Qi has raised an army to launch an assault on Yan. I was afraid that though the troops were assembled on the pretext of launching an assault on Yan, they would in fact be used to raid Zhao. Therefore I dispatched troops to prepare a defence. Now the armies of Yan and Qin are locked in battle, I beg permission to take advantage of their growing fatigue; we will be able to make them cede much land[4]." From then on, those sent by King Xiaocheng on missions abroad knew that no suspicions of them would be entertained at home.
[1] Li Bo is not otherwise well-known.
[2] King Xiaocheng of Zhao (265 BC – 245 BC) inherited the throne at a young age, and almost immediately oversaw Zhao's greatest defeat by Qin at the Battle of Changping. While the state survived, it never regained its previous status.
[3] Dai Commandery covered parts of Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia.
[4] I.e. both Qi and Yan will bribe Zhao not to attack them while they are weak.