Butterfly dream

昔者莊周夢為胡蝶，栩栩然胡蝶也。自喻適志與！不知周也。俄然覺，則蘧蘧然周也。不知周之夢為胡蝶與，胡蝶之夢為周與？周與胡蝶，則必有分矣。此之謂物化

Long ago, Zhuang Zhou dreamt he was a butterfly. He fluttered gaily, in a butterfly way, all to his pleasure, following his whims ! He did not know Zhou. Suddenly he woke up, and at once was Zhou again. But he did not know whether he was Zhou dreaming he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming it was Zhou. Yet, between Zhou and the butterfly, a distinction must be made. This is called the transformation of things.

Three in the morning

勞神明為一而不知其同也謂之朝三何謂朝三曰狙公賦芧曰朝三而暮四眾狙皆怒曰然則朝四而暮三眾狙皆悅名實未虧而喜怒為用亦因是也是以聖人和之以是非而休乎天鈞是之謂兩行

Exhausting oneself unifying things without realising that they are the same, is called “three in the morning”. This is why. A monkey trainer gave them chestnuts. He said: “You will get three in the morning, and four in the evening.” All monkeys were angry. He said: “alright, four in the morning and three in the afternoon, then”. All monkeys were happy. Reality was the same, but passions were used, and had to be accomodated. Therefore, the Sage reconciles all things by looking at our affirmations and denials, while standing still in the center of the Heavenly Wheel. This is called going both ways.

Rectifying names

子路曰衛君待子而為政子將奚先子曰必也正名乎子路曰有是哉子之迂也奚其正子曰野哉由也君子於其所不知蓋闕如也名不正則言不順言不順則事不成事不成則禮樂不興禮樂不興則刑罰不中刑罰不中則民無所措手足故君子名之必可言也言之必可行也君子於其言無所茍而已矣

Zilu asked : « if the Lord of Wei invited you to govern, what would you do first?” Confucius answered : “I would correct the language, undoubtedly!” Zilu said : “What? You are rambling ! Why correct it?” Confucius say: “You are a peasant, Zilu ! When a gentlemen does not know something, he cannot speak of it. If the language is incorrect, speech cannot follow. If speech does not follow, affairs cannot succeed. If affairs do not succeed, music and rites cannot flourish. If music and rites do not flourish, laws and punishments miss their goal. If laws and punishments miss their goal, the people doesn’t know where to stand. Therefore, a gentleman makes sure that his language can turn into speech, and that his speech can turn into acts. When it comes to speech, a gentleman leaves nothing to chance.”

Fishtraps and snares

荃者所以在魚得魚而忘荃蹄者所以在兔得兔而忘蹄言者所以在意得意 而忘言吾安得夫忘言之人而與之言哉

Fish traps are meant for fishes. Once the fish is caught, the trap is forgotten. Snares are meant for hares. Once the hare is caught, the snare is forgotten. Words are meant for ideas. Once the idea is passed, the word is forgotten. Where can I find someone who has forgotten words, someone I can talk to?

Death of Zhuangzi

莊子將死弟子欲厚葬之莊子曰吾以天地為棺槨以日月為連璧星辰為珠璣萬物為齎送吾葬具豈不備邪何以加此弟子曰吾恐烏鳶之食夫子也莊子曰在上為烏鳶食在下為螻蟻食奪彼與此何其偏也

As Zhuangzi was about to die, his disciples wanted to prepare a rich funeral. He said : “Heavens and Earth will be my coffins, Sun and Moon my jade disks, Stars and Zodiac my pearls, and all creatures my procession. Aren’t all the instruments of my funeral prepared? What could you add to them?" The disciples said : “we fear that you are eaten by crows and kites.” Zhuangzi said: “over the earth, I shall be eaten by crows and kites, under the earth, I shall be eaten by ants. Take from those to give to these, is it fair?”

Guiguzi 1

捭 闔 第 一
粵 若 稽 古 聖 人 之 在 天 地 間 也 為 眾 生 之 先 觀 陰 陽 之 開 闔 以 命 物 知 存 亡 之 門 戶 籌 策 萬 類 之 終 始 達 人 心 之 理 見 變 化 之 眹 焉 而 守 司 其 門 戶 故 聖 人 之 在 天 下 也 自 古 至 今 其 道 一 也 變 化 無 窮 各 有 所 歸 或 陰 或 陽 或 柔 或 剛 或 開 或 閉 或 弛 或 張 是 故 聖 人 一 守 司 其 門 戶 審 察 其 所 先 後 度 權 量 能 校 其 伎 巧 短 長 夫 賢 不 肖 智 愚 勇 怯 仁 義 有 差 乃 可 捭 乃 可 闔 乃 可 進 乃 可 退 乃 可 賤 乃 可 貴 無 為 以 牧 之 審 定 有 無 以 其 實 虛 隨 其 嗜 欲 以 見 其 志 意 微 排 其 所 言 而 捭 反 之 以 求 其 實 貴 得 其 指 闔 而 捭 之 以 求 其 利 或 開 而 示 之 或 闔 而 閉 之 開 而 示 之 者 同 其 情 也 闔 而 閉 之 者 異 其 誠 也 可 與 不 可 審 明 其 計 謀 以 原 其 同 異 離 合 有 守 先 從 其 志 即 欲 捭 之 貴 周 即 欲 闔 之 貴 密 周 密 之 貴 微 而 與 道 相 追 捭 之 者 料 其 情 也 闔 之 者 結 其 誠 也 皆 見 其 權 衡 輕 重 乃 為 之 度 數 聖 人 因 而 為 之 慮 其 不 中 權 衡 度 數 聖 人 因 而 自 為 之 慮 故 捭 者 或 捭 而 出 之 或 捭 而 納 之 闔 者 或 闔 而 取 之 或 闔 而 去 之 捭 闔 者 天 地 之 道 捭 闔 者 以 變 動 陰 陽 四 時 開 閉 以 化 萬 物 縱 橫 反 出 反 覆 反 忤 必 由 此 矣 捭 闔 者 道 之 大 化 說 之 變 也 必 豫 審 其 變 化 口 者 心 之 門 戶 也 心 者 神 之 主 也 志 意 喜 欲 思 慮 智 謀 此 皆 由 門 戶 出 入 故 關 之 捭 闔 制 之 以 出 入 捭 之 者 開 也 言 也 陽 也 闔 之 者 閉 也 默 也 陰 也 陰 陽 其 和 終 始 其 義 故 言 長 生 安 樂 富 貴 尊 榮 顯 名 愛 好 財 利 得 意 喜 欲 為 陽 曰 始 故 言 死 憂 患 貧 賤 苦 辱 棄 損 亡 利 失 意 有 害 刑 戮 誅 罰 為 陰 曰 終 諸 言 法 陽 之 類 者 皆 曰 始 言 善 以 始 其 事 諸 言 法 陰 之 類 皆 曰 終 言 惡 以 終 為 謀 捭 闔 之 道 以 陰 陽 試 之 故 與 陽 言 者 依 崇 高 與 陰 言 者 依 卑 小 以 下 求 小 以 高 求 大 由 此 言 之 無 所 不 出 無 所 不 入 無 所 不 言 可 可 以 說 人 可 以 說 家 可 以 說 國 可 以 說 天 下 為 小 無 內 為 大 無 外 益 損 去 就 倍 反 皆 以 陰 陽 御 其 事 陽 動 而 行 陰 止 而 藏 陽 動 而 出 陰 隨 而 入 陽 還 終 始 陰 極 反 陽 以 陽 動 者 德 相 生 也 以 陰 靜 者 形 相 成 也 以 陽 求 陰 苞 以 德 也 以 陰 結 陽 施 以 力 也 陰 陽 相 求 由 捭 闔 也 此 天 地 陰 陽 之 道 而 說 人 之 法 也 為 萬 事 之 先 是 謂 圓 方 之 門 戶

Open and Close

See how the sages of old stood between Heavens and Earth !
Standing before all creatures were born, they watched the cycle of Yin and Yang, and made judgements on things
Understanding the doors to life and death, they could predict the beginning and end of all ideas,
Knowing the ways of the human heart, they could discern in it the germ of any change,
While keeping watch at the door.
Thus were the sages, in the world.
Since antiquity, these principles are the same.
Changes never cease, and everything comes back
Then Yin, then Yang, then soft, then hard, then open, then close, then relaxed, then tense.
Therefore, the sage always keeps watch at their door.
He examines their origin and outcome, their length and weight, their capacity and ability.
He studies their talents, their weaknesses and their strength
Yet, wise and unwise, intelligent and stupid, brave and coward, all differ in benevolence and righteousness.
Therefore, the sage should open, or he should close, he should advance, or he should retreat, he should despise, or he should value.
He remains detached, in order to herd them
He decides what is and what it not, judging them from the facts
He follows their penchants and desires, by looking at their intents and ideas
He is not concerned about marking their words, but would turn them around, in order to find their reality
He wants to capture what they try to close, and open it, to find out their motivation
Sometimes he opens and shows them, sometimes he closes and blocks them
He opens and shows himself to those who share his feelings
He closes and blocks those whose nature is different from his.
From what they can or cannot do, he discerns their designs and plans, going to the source of they likeness and difference.
One keeps things separate or united, depending on his prior motives
Thus, he who wants to open will prefer exposure, he who wants to close will prefer secret
But favouring or dismissing exposure and secret are but two successive phases of the Way
Those who open, measure their feelings, those who close, unite their nature
For both their size and importance can be seen,
And evaluating them should be the worry of the sage
If they are not up to their measure and size, then the sage should be worried for himself
Therefore, those who open sometimes open to let him out, and sometimes open to let him in
Those who close sometimes close to take in, sometimes to keep out
Open and close is the Way of Heavens and Earth
Open and close is the succession of the seasons, through the change and motion of Yin and Yang,
Because it is the change in the ordering of all things, all that goes out, goes back, or resists does so because of it
Open and close is the great change in the Way, the transformation of discourse
One must examine these transformations in advance
The mouth is the door of the heart, and the heart is the ruler of the spirit
Intents and ideas, joys and desires, thoughts and worries, knowledge and plots,
All come and go through the door.
Thus, watching their opening and closing allows one to control what comes in and out
He who opens is at the beginning. Speech is Yang.
He who closes is at the end. Silence is Yin.
When Yin and Yang are in harmony, end and beginning make sense
Thus, when one speaks of long life, of peace and music, of riches and nobility, of respect and glory, of renown and fame, of love and like, of talents and profits, of doing what he pleases, of pleasures and desires, he is Yang and talks of the beginning
When one speaks of death, of worry, of suffering, of poverty and of lack, of harsh abuse and abandon, of loss and being rejected, of harsh laws and cruel penalties, he is Yin and speaks of the end.
All those who speak of ideas ruled by Yang are called “beginners”. They talk of goodness as the starting point of their work.
All those who speak of ideas ruled by Yin are called “enders”. They talk of evil to make their plot come to an end.
The principles of opening and closing are expressed in terms of Yin and Yang
Thus, when talking to someone who speaks Yang, one should rely on the venerable and lofty.
When talking to someone who speaks Yin, one should rely on the mean and small
At the bottom look for the small, at the top look for the great.
When speaking in this fashion, one can let anything out, or let anything in, one can talk about everything
He can talk of people, he can talk of houses, he can talk of kingdoms, he can talk of the world
What he deems small has no inside, what he deems large has no outside.
Increase and decrease, coming and going, leave and return, all are events directed by Yin and Yang
Yang moves forward, Yin stops and hides. Yang goes out, Yin follows in
When Yang has moved a full circle, Yin climaxes and returns to Yang
When one moves in Yang, his virtue is created, when one rests in Yin, his body gets perfected
From Yang look for Yin, is wrapping in one’s virture
From Yin coalesce into Yang, is revealing one’s strength
Yin andYang attract each other, thanks to opening and closing
This is the way of the Yin and Yang, in Heavens and Earth, and the art of the persuader
To stands before all events, this is called the door to round and square

Shiji 31 - House of Taibo of Wu

First Lineage - Taibo of Wu　 　

吳 太 伯 ， 太 伯 弟 仲 雍 ， 皆 周 太 王 之子 ， 而 王 季 歷 之 兄 也 。 季 歷 賢 ， 而 有 聖 子 昌 ， 太 王 欲 立季 歷 以 及 昌 ， 於 是 太 佰 、 仲 雍 二 人 乃 奔 荊 蠻 ， 文 身 斷 髮， 示 不 可 用 ， 以 避 季 歷 。 季 歷 果 立 ， 是 為 王 季 ，而 昌 為 文 王 。 太 伯 之 奔 荊 蠻 ， 自 號 句 吳 。 荊 蠻 義之 ， 從 而 歸 之 千 餘 家 ， 立 為 吳 太 伯 。
Taibo of Wu and his brother Zhongyong were both children of King Tai of Zhou, and older brothers of King Jili. Jili was wise, and his son, Chang, was a sage. King Tai hoped Jili would succeed him, so that Chang inherited the throne. Knowing this, Taibo and Zhongyong left the court, and settled among the Man of Jing. They tattooed their bodies and cut their hair short, making clear that they could not reign, and therefore left the throne to Jili. Jili thus was crowned as King Ji, and Chang became King Wen. When Taibo settled with the Man of Jing, he changed the name of the land from Gou to Wu. The Man respected him, and offered him a country of one thousand families, where he was known as Taibo of Wu.　 　

太 伯 卒 ， 無 子 ， 弟 仲 雍 立 ， 是 為 吳 仲 雍 。仲 雍 卒 ， 子 季 簡 立 。 季 簡 卒 ， 子 叔 達 立 。 叔 達 卒， 子 周 章 立 。 是 時 周 武 王 克 殷 ， 求 太 伯 、 仲 雍 之 後 ， 得周 章 。 周 章 已 君 吳 ， 因 而 封 之 。 乃 封 周 章 弟 虞 仲 於 周 之北 故 夏 虛 ， 是 為 虞 仲 ， 列 為 諸 侯 。
When Taibo died, he had no son. His younger brother, Zhongyong succeeded him, and became known as Zhongyong of Wu. Upon his death, his son Jijian reigned. Jijian was succeeded by his son, Shuda, and Shuda by his son, Zhouzhang. By this time, king Wu of Zhou had defeated the Yin. He sent an envoy to seek the descendants of Taibo and Zhongyong, and found Zhouzhang. As he was the lord of Wu, Wu was given to him as his fiefdom. Zhouzhang’s younger brother, Yuzhong, was given the old city of Xiaxu, north of the Zhou territory. He took the name of Zhong of Yu, and became a feudal prince.　 　

周 章 卒 ， 子 熊 遂 立 ， 熊 遂 卒 ， 子 柯 相 立 。 柯 相 卒 ， 子 彊 鳩 夷 立 。 彊 鳩 夷 卒 ， 子 餘 橋 疑 吾 立 。 餘 橋 疑 吾 卒 ， 子 柯 盧 立 。 柯 盧 卒 ， 子 周 繇 立 。 周 繇 卒 ， 子 屈 羽 立 。 屈 羽 卒 ， 子 夷 吾 立 。 夷 吾 卒， 子 禽 處 立 。 禽 處 卒 ， 子 轉 立 。 轉 卒 ， 子 頗 高 立。 頗 高 卒 ， 子 句 卑 立 。 是 時 晉 獻 公 滅 周 北虞 公 ， 以 開 晉 伐 虢 也 。 句 卑 卒 ， 子 去 齊 立 。 去 齊卒 ， 子 壽 夢 立 。 壽 夢 立 而 吳 始 益 大 ， 稱 王 。
Upon the death of Zhouzhang, his son, Xiongsui inherited the throne. The throne was then transmitted, from father to son to Kexiang, Qiangjiuyi, Yuqiaoyiwu, Kelu, Zhouyao, Quyu, Yiwu, Qinchu, Zhuan, Pogao, and Jubei. By that time, the duke Xian of Jin destroyed the kingdom of Yu, to the north of the Zhou territory, which had allowed the army of the Jin to attack the Guo through his territory. When Jubei died, his son, Quqi, took power. Upon the death of Quqi, he was succeeded by his son, Shoumeng. When Shoumeng inherited the throne, the Wu had become a powerful country, and his prince took the title of king.　 　

自 太 伯 作 吳 ， 五 世 而 武 王 克 殷 ， 封 其 後 為 二 ： 其一 虞 ， 在 中 國 ； 其 一 吳 ， 在 夷 蠻 。 十 二 世 而 晉 滅 中 國 之虞 。 中 國 之 虞 滅 二 世 ， 而 夷 蠻 之 吳 興 。 大 凡 從 太伯 至 壽 夢 十 九 世 。
King Wu defeated the Yin five generations after Taibo established the Wu. Two of his heirs were given fiefdoms, one in Yu, in the Central Kingdoms, the other in Wu, in the land of the Man and the Yi. Twelve generations later, the Jin destroyed the central kingdom of Yu. Two generations later, the barbarian kingdom of Wu rose. From Taibo to Shoumeng, there were altogether nineteen generations.

王 壽 夢 二 年 ， 楚 之 亡 大 夫 申 公 巫 臣 怨 楚 將子 反 而 奔 晉 ， 自 晉 使 吳 ， 教 吳 用 兵 乘 車 ， 令 其 子 為 吳 行人 ， 吳 於 是 始 通 於 中 國 。 吳 伐 楚 。 十 六 年 ， 楚 共王 伐 吳 ， 至 衡 山 。
During the second year of King Shoumeng, duke Wuchen of Shen, a former official of Chu, quarrelled with Zifan, a general of Chu, and fled to Jin. The prince of Jin then sent him to Wu, where he taught military strategy. His two sons became ambassadors. By that time, Wu established relations with the central kingdoms. Wu made war to Chu. On the sixteenth year, King Gong of Chu attacked Wu, and reached Mount Heng.　 　

二 十 五 年 ， 王 壽 夢 卒 。 壽 夢 有 子 四 人 ， 長曰 諸 樊 ， 次 曰 餘 祭 ， 次 曰 餘 眛 ， 次 曰 季 札。 季 札 賢 ， 而 壽 夢 欲 立 之 ， 季 札 讓 不 可 ， 於 是 乃立 長 子 諸 樊 ， 攝 行 事 當 國 。
King Shoumeng died in the twenty fifth year of his reign. He has four sons. The oldest was named Zhufan, the second Yuji, the third Yumei and the youngest Jizha. Jizha was wise, and Shoumeng had hoped he would become king. But Jizha refused, and the oldest son, Zhufan, became king and took over the government.　 　

王 諸 樊 元 年 ， 諸 樊 已 除 喪 ， 讓 位 季 札 。 季札 謝 曰 ： 「 曹 宣 公 之 卒 也 ， 諸 侯 與 曹 人 不 義 曹 君 ， 將 立 子 臧 ， 子 臧 去 之 ， 以 成 曹 君 ， 君 子 曰 『 能 守 節 矣 』 。 君 義 嗣 ， 誰 敢 干 君 ！ 有 國 ， 非吾 節 也 。 札 雖 不 材 ， 願 附 於 子 臧 之 義 。 」 吳 人 固 立 季 札， 季 札 棄 其 室 而 耕 ， 乃 舍 之 。 秋 ， 吳 伐 楚 ， 楚 敗我 師 。 四 年 ， 晉 平 公 初 立 。
During the first year of King Zhufan, once the king quit mourning, he offered his throne to Jizha. Jizha refused, saying: “When Duke Xuan of Cao died, the feudal princes and the people of Cao had no respect for their prince. They proposed to put Zizang on the throne. Zizang fled the country, and Cheng became the prince of Cao. Being a Gentleman means knowing one’s place in society. You are the legitimate heir, how could anyone dare stand against you! My place in society is not a king’s. Even though I am not worthy of him, I wish I could follow the example of Zizang.” As the people of Wu still insisted that Jizha should be king, he left his home and became a peasant. He was then left alone. That autumn, Wu attacked Chu, but his armies were defeated. On the fourth year, Duke Ping was crowned in Jin.　 　

十 三 年 ， 王 諸 樊 卒 。 有 命 授 弟 餘 祭 ， 欲 傳以 次 ， 必 致 國 於 季 札 而 止 ， 以 稱 先 王 壽 夢 之 意 ， 且 嘉 季札 之 義 ， 兄 弟 皆 欲 致 國 ， 令 以 漸 至 焉 。 季 札 封 於 延 陵 ，故 號 曰 延 陵 季 子 。
King Zhufan died after thirteen years. He left an order stating that the throne should be given to his brother Yuji, so that, from brother to brother, the kingdom would finally be inherited by Jizha. This way, both the wish of King Shoumeng and the principles of Jizha would be respected, brothers would succeed each other until, in the end, Jizha became king. Jizha was given a fiefdom in Yanling, and became known as prince Ji of Yanling.　 　

王 餘 祭 三 年 ， 齊 相 慶 封 有 罪 ， 自 齊 來 奔 吳 。 吳 予慶 封 朱 方 之 縣 ， 以 為 奉 邑 ， 以 女 妻 之 ， 富 於 在 齊。
During the third year of King Yuji, Qingfeng, a minister of Qi, commited a crime and fled to Wu. The king of Wu made him lord of the region of Zhufang. He offered him a city, and married him to one of his daughters, so that he held the same rank as in Qi.　 　

四 年 ， 吳 使 季 札 聘 於 魯 ， 請 觀 周 樂 。 為 歌 周 南 、 召 南 。 曰 ： 「 美 哉 ， 始 基 之 矣 ， 猶 未 也 。 然 勤 而 不 怨 。 」 歌 邶 、 鄘 、衛 。 曰 ： 「 美 哉 ， 淵 乎 ， 憂 而 不 困 者 也 。 吾 聞 衛 康 叔 、 武 公 之 德 如 是 ， 是 其 衛 風 乎 ？ 」 歌王 。 曰 ： 「 美 哉 ， 思 而 不 懼 ， 其 周 之 東 乎 ？ 」歌 鄭 。 曰 ： 「 其 細 已 甚 ， 民 不 堪 也 ，是 其 先 亡 乎 ？ 」 歌 齊 。 曰 ： 「 美 哉 ， 泱 泱 乎 大風 也 哉 。 表 東 海 者 ， 其 太 公 乎 ？ 國 未可 量 也 。 」 歌 豳 。 曰 ： 「 美 哉 ， 蕩 蕩 乎 ， 樂 而不 淫 ， 其 周 公 之 東 乎 ？ 」 歌 秦 。 曰 ：「 此 之 謂 夏 聲 。 夫 能 夏 則 大 ， 大 之 至 也 ， 其 周 之 舊 乎 ？」 歌 魏 。 曰 ： 「 美 哉 ， 渢 渢 乎 ， 大 而寬 ， 儉 而 易 ， 行 以 德 輔 ， 此 則 盟 主 也 。 」 歌 唐 。 曰 ： 「 思 深 哉 ， 其 有 陶 唐 氏 之 遺 風 乎 ？ 不 然， 何 憂 之 遠 也 ？ 非 令 德 之 後 ， 誰 能 若 是 ！ 」 歌陳 。 曰 ： 「 國 無 主 ， 其 能 久 乎 ？ 」 自 鄶 以 下 ，無 譏 焉 。 歌 小 雅 。 曰 ： 「 美 哉 ， 思 而不 貳 ， 怨 而 不 言 ， 其 周 德 之 衰 乎 ？ 猶 有 先 王 之 遺 民 也 。 」 歌 大 雅 。 曰 ： 「 廣 哉 ， 熙 熙 乎 ， 曲 而 有 直 體 ， 其 文 王 之 德 乎 ？ 」 歌 頌 。 曰 ： 「 至 矣 哉 ， 直 而 不 倨 ， 曲 而 不 詘 ， 近 而 不偪 ， 遠 而 不 攜 ， 而 遷 不 淫 ， 復 而 不 厭 ， 哀 而 不 愁 ， 樂 而 不 荒 ， 用 而 不 匱 ， 廣 而 不 宣 ， 施 而 不 費 ， 取 而 不 貪 ， 處 而 不 厎 ， 行 而 不 流 。 五 聲 和 ， 八 風 平 ， 節 有 度， 守 有 序 ， 盛 德 之 所 同 也 。 」 見 舞 象箾 、 南 籥 者 ， 曰 ： 「 美 哉 ， 猶 有 感 。 」 見 舞 大 武 ， 曰 ： 「 美 哉 ， 周 之 盛 也 其 若 此 乎？ 」 見 舞 韶 護 者 ， 曰 ： 「 聖 人 之 弘 也 ， 猶 有 慚 德 ， 聖 人 之 難 也 ！ 」 見 舞 大 夏 ， 曰 ： 「 美 哉 ， 勤 而 不 德 ！ 非 禹 其 誰 能 及 之？ 」 見 舞 招 箾 ， 曰 ： 「 德 至 矣 哉 ， 大 矣 ， 如 天 之 無 不 燾 也 ， 如 地 之 無 不 載 也 ， 雖 甚盛 德 ， 無 以 加 矣 。 觀 止 矣 ， 若 有 他 樂 ， 吾 不 敢 觀 。 」
On the fourth year, the King of Wu sent Jizha as an ambassador to Lu. There, he asked to hear the music of the kings of Zhou. As he heard the songs of Zhounan and Zhaonan, he said : “Beautiful! All the foundations are there, yet it is not complete. There is emotion, but no anger.” Listening to the songs of Bei, Yong and Wei, he said : “Beautiful! So deep! Sad, but with no despair. I was told that such was the virtue of duke Wu, and Kangshu of Wei. Aren’t these the songs of Wei?” Hearing the royal songs, he commented : “Beautiful! Thoughtful, but with no fear. Could these date from when the Zhou moved East ?” Listening to the songs of Zheng, he said : “This has become too fancy, the people will not bear it. Are those the music of one of the first kingdoms to disappear?” He heard the songs of Qi, and said : “Beautiful! These songs are so powerful, they make one think of the Eastern Sea. These should be the songs of Duke Tai. Who can tell how large his kingdom will become?” As he listened to the songs of Bin, he said : “Beautiful! Such an immensity! There is happiness, yet no excess. This should be when the duke of Zhou went to the East. » As he heard the songs of Qin, he said : “This is the music of the Xia. If these sounds can be as powerful as the Xia, then their kingdom should have been mighty. This is from the beginning of the Zhou.” He heard the songs of Wei, and said : “Beautiful! It shows restraint, yet it is powerful and magnanimous, calm and simple. It relies on virtue to develop. This is the music of a bright prince.” Upon hearing the songs of Tang, he said: “So deep ! This should be a song left from Yao Tang. Who else could express such sadness? Who else than the heirs of such saints could write something like this?” As he listened to the songs of Chen, he said : “When a kingdom has no ruler, how long can it last?” When it came to the songs of Kuai, he had nothing to say. But when he heard the Xiaoya, he commented : “Beautiful! It makes one ponder, yet not wander. It makes one sad, yet silent. Can this be when the Zhou began to decline? It seems that some of their virtue still existed in their people”. As he heard the Daya, he said : “Such greatness! This is splendid ! It bends, yet its arms are straight ! Who else than King Wen had such virtue.” Hearing the Song, he said : « This is perfect. It is rightful, but not arrogant. It bends, but never yields. It comes close, but never oppresses. It goes away but never abandons. It changes but never exaggerates. It repeats but never bores. It is sad, but not worried. It is happy but not vain. It works and never fails. It is generous, yet does not seem so. It gives, but does not waste. It takes but never hoards. It stops but never ceases. It moves but seems immobile. All five notes are in harmony. All eight themes work together. Every part stays where it should be, and contributes to the whole. These songs are like the highest virtue.” As he watched the dances of Xiangxiao and Nanyue, he said : “Beautiful ! This is pure emotion!” Watching the dances of Dawu, he said : “Beautiful! This is what the splendour of the Zhou looked like.” As he watched the dance of Hu, over songs of Chun, he said : “This shows the greatness of saints. Yet, they were ashamed of not being virtuous enough, and this made them always sad !” Watching the dances of Xia, he said : “This is beautiful ! He acts, but does not take pride in it. Who else than Yu could achieve that?” Seeing the dances of Shaoxiao, he said : “This is the utmost virtue. It is immense ! Like the sky, it covers all things. Like the earth, it supports everything. In front of such perfection, there is nothing to add. Let us stop here. Even if there were other pieces. I would not dare look at them. »　 　

去 魯 ， 遂 使 齊 。 說 晏 平 仲 曰 ： 「 子 速 納 邑 與 政 。無 邑 無 政 ， 乃 免 於 難 。 齊 國 之 政 將 有 所 歸 ； 未 得所 歸 ， 難 未 息 也 。 」 故 晏 子 因 陳 桓 子 以 納 政 與 邑 ， 是 以免 於 欒 高 之 難 。
Leaving Lu, he went to Qi. He made these observations to Yin Pingzhong : “Prince, submit at once to the Prince of Qi, and give him your cities. If you have no cities, and no power, no harm will happen to you. The kingdom of Qi wants to hold all the territories under his control. So long it will not have them, you will know no respite.” The prince of Yan then submitted and gave control to prince Huan of Chen, and therefore avoided the disasters which struck Luan and Gao.　 　

去 齊 ， 使 於 鄭 。 見 子 產 ， 如 舊 交 。 謂 子 產 曰 ： 「鄭 之 執 政 侈 ， 難 將 至 矣 ， 政 必 及 子 。 子 為 政 ， 慎 以 禮 。不 然 ， 鄭 國 將 敗 。 」 去 鄭 ， 適 衛 。 說 蘧 瑗 、 史 狗、 史 ? 、 公 子 荊 、 公 叔 發 、 公 子 朝 曰 ： 「 衛 多 君 子 ， 未有 患 也 。 」
Leaving Qi, he went to Zheng. He met with Zichan, and treated him as if he were an old friend. He told him : “The rulers of Zheng are excessive. They will get in harm’s way, and the state will certainly be yours. When you are in charge, be respectful of rites. Else, the kingdom of Zheng is doomed.” As he left Zheng, he travelled to Wei. There, he spoke with to Quyuan, Shigou, Shiqiu, prince Jing, prince Fa and prince Chao, saying : “the Wei has many Gentlemen, there is nothing to fear.”　 　

自 衛 如 晉 ， 將 舍 於 宿 ， 聞 鍾 聲 ， 曰： 「 異 哉 ！ 吾 聞 之 ， 辯 而 不 德 ， 必 加 於 戮 。 夫 子獲 罪 於 君 以 在 此 ， 懼 猶 不 足 ， 而 又 可 以 畔 乎 ？ 夫 子 之 在 此 ， 猶 燕 之 巢 于 幕 也 。 君 在 殯 而 可以 樂 乎 ？ 」 遂 去 之 。 文 子 聞 之 ， 終 身 不 聽 琴 瑟 。
Leaving Wei, he arrived in Jin. As he was about to stop in Su, he heard the sound of bells and said : “How strange ! It is said that when people quarrel and step away from the path of virtue, their crimes always get worse. The prince of this land settled here because he had wronged his lord. He should be very afraid, yet he believes he can revolt against him? He is in great danger here, like a sparrow which would have built its nest on the roof of a tent. And now, while his lord has died, here dares play some music?” Having said that, he left. After prince Wen heard this, he never in his life listened to music.　 　

適 晉 ， 說 趙 文 子 、 韓 宣 子 、 魏 獻 子 曰 ： 「 晉 國 其 萃 於 三 家 乎 ！ 」 將 去 ， 謂 叔向 曰 ： 「 吾 子 勉 之 ！ 君 侈 而 多 良 ， 大 夫 皆 富 ， 政 將 在 三家 。 吾 子 直 ， 必 思 自 免 於 難 。 」
In Jin, he adressed prince Wen of Zhao, prince Xuan of Han and prince Xian of Wei : « The kingdom of Jin will be inherited by your families.” As he was about to leave, he told Shuxiang : “Have courage ! Your lord is wasteful, he distributed honours. His officials are corrupt, and the government will soon belong to the three families. You are honest, you need to think of a way to avoid the oncoming disaster.”　 　

季 札 之 初 使 ， 北 過 徐 君 。 徐 君 好 季 札 劍 ， 口 弗 敢言 。 季 札 心 知 之 ， 為 使 上 國 ， 未 獻 。 還 至 徐 ， 徐 君 已 死， 於 是 乃 解 其 寶 劍 ， 繫 之 徐 君 冢 樹 而 去 。 從 者 曰： 「 徐 君 已 死 ， 尚 誰 予 乎 ？ 」 季 子 曰 ： 「 不 然 。 始 吾 心已 許 之 ， 豈 以 死 倍 吾 心 哉 ！ 」
As Jizha left for his embassy, he had met, on his way north, the lord of Xu. Lord Xu liked Jizha’s sword, but did not dare tell him. Jizha knew it, but as he was going to the central kingdoms, he did not give it to him. On his way back, he arrived in Xu. The lord of Xu had died. Seing this, Jizha took his official sword, stuck it in a tree, next to the tomb of Lord Xu, and left. His servants said : “The Lord of Xu is dead, why give him a sword?” Jizha answered : “You are not right. Since the beginning, my heart had given it to him. How could I, now that he is dead, betray my heart?”

七 年 ， 楚 公 子 圍 弒 其 王 夾 敖 而 代 立 ， 是 為 靈 王 。十 年 ， 楚 靈 王 會 諸 侯 而 以 伐 吳 之 朱 方 ， 以 誅 齊 慶封 。 吳 亦 攻 楚 ， 取 三 邑 而 去 。 十 一 年 ， 楚 伐 吳 ，至 雩 婁 。 十 二 年 ， 楚 復 來 伐 ， 次 於 乾 谿 ，楚 師 敗走 。
On the seventh year, Prince Wei of Chu killed his King, Jiao Ao, and took his place on the throne. He was known as King Ling. On the tenth year, King Ling of Chu met with the feudal princes. He then attacked Zhufang, in Wu, and had Qingfeng of Qi executed. In return, the armies of Wu attacked Chu, took three cities, and came back. On the eleventh year, Chu attacked Wu, and invaded Yulou. On the twelfth year, Chu launched a new campaign, but while its was army was encamped in Ganxi, it was defeated, and retreated.　 　

十 七 年 ， 王 餘 祭 卒 ， 弟 餘 眛 立 。 王 餘 眛 二年 ， 楚 公 子 棄 疾 弒 其 君 靈 王 代 立 焉 。
During the seventeeth year, king Yuji died. His brother, Yumei, took his place. On the second years of the reign of King Yumei, prince Qiji of Chu killed his lord, King Ling, and usurped his throne.　 　

四 年 ， 王 餘 眛 卒 ， 欲 授 弟 季 札 。 季 札 讓 ， 逃 去 。於 是 吳 人 曰 ：「 先 王 有 命 ， 兄 卒 弟 代 立 ， 必 致 季 子 。 季 子 今 逃 位 ， 則王 餘 眛 後 立 。 今 卒 ， 其 子 當 代 。 」 乃 立 王 餘 眛 之 子 僚 為王 。
King Yumei died during the fourth year of his reign. He wished that his brother, Jizha, would succeed him. Jizha refused, and fled the kingdom. The people of Wu then said: “Our previous kings had ordered that when one of them died, his younger brother should be king, so that the throne would finally be given to Jizha. Now that Jizha has fled, the heir of King Yumei shall be king. Upon his death, his son will succeed him.” Therefore, the son of king Yumei, Liao, became the new king.　 　

王 僚 二 年 ， 公 子 光 伐 楚 ， 敗 而 亡 王舟 。 光 懼 ， 襲 楚 ， 復 得 王 舟 而 還 。
On the second year of the reign of King Liao, prince Guang attacked Chu. He was defeated, and lost the royal flagship. He was afraid (that he would be punished if he came back), so he ambushed the army of Chu, took the ship back and returned.　 　

五 年 ， 楚 之 亡 臣 伍 子 胥 來 奔 ， 公 子 光 客 之 。 公 子 光 者 ， 王 諸 樊 之 子 也 。 常 以 為 吾 父 兄 弟 四人 ， 當 傳 至 季 子 。 季 子 即 不 受 國 ， 光 父 先 立 。 即 不 傳 季子 ， 光 當 立 。 陰 納 賢 士 ， 欲 以 襲 王 僚 。
On the fifth year, Wu Zixu, a lord of Chu, fled to Wu. He became a client of Prince Guang. Prince Guang was the son of king Zhufan. He often thought: “my father and his three brothers had decided that they would reign one after the other, until Prince Ji became king. Now, Prince Ji does not want to reign, and my father was the first king. If Prince Ji does not reign, the throne should be mine.” He secretly assembled wise and brave men, in order to topple King Liao.　 　

八 年 ， 吳 使 公 子 光 伐 楚 ， 敗 楚 師 ， 迎 楚 故 太 子 建母 於 居 巢 以 歸 。 因 北 伐 ， 敗 陳 、 蔡 之 師 。 九 年 ， 公 子 光伐 楚 ， 拔 居 巢 、 鍾 離 。 初 ， 楚 邊 邑 卑 梁 氏 之 處 女與 吳 邊 邑 之 女 爭 桑 ， 二 女 家 怒 相 滅 ， 兩 國 邊 邑 長聞 之 ， 怒 而 相 攻 ， 滅 吳 之 邊 邑 。 吳 王 怒 ， 故 遂 伐 楚 ， 取兩 都 而 去 。
During the eighth year of his reign, the King of Wu sent Prince Guang on a campaign against Chu. The armies of Chu were defeated. Then, he went to Juchao and escorted the mother of prince Jian, the former crown prince of Chu, back to Wu. Leading his troops North, he defeated the armies of Chen and Cai. On the ninth year, prince Guang attacked Chu, and took the cities of Juchao and Zhongli. Long before, the girls of the Beiliang family, from a city on the border of Chu, and those of the border-city of Wu, fought for possession of a mulberry orchard. Over time, their families came to hate each other so much that they wanted to kill each other. When the governors of the two cities heard of the dispute, they were so angered that the two cities fought, and the city of the Wu was destroyed. When the king of Wu heard this, he was enraged, and sent Guang to attack Chu. Guang took two cities and came back.　 　

伍 子 胥 之 初 奔 吳 ， 說 吳 王 僚 以 伐 楚 之 利 。 公 子 光曰 ： 「 胥 之 父 兄 為 僇 於 楚 ， 欲 自 報 其 仇 耳 。 未 見 其 利 。」 於 是 伍 員 知 光 有 他 志 ， 乃 求 勇 士 專 諸 ， 見 之 光 。 光 喜 ， 乃 客 伍 子 胥 。 子 胥 退 而 耕 於 野 ， 以 待 專諸 之 事 。
When Wu Zixu arrived in Wu, he explained to King Liao that he would greatly benefit of attacking Chu. Prince Guang said : “The King of Chu had Wu’s father and brother killed. His only purpose is have us avenge him. I cannot see what good it could do to us.” At that time, Wu Yuan learned about the motivations of Guang. He therefore fetched a brave named Zhuan Zhu, whom he introduced to Guang. Guang was delighted, and offered Wu Zixu to become one of his clients. Zixu refused, and settled as a peasant, waiting for Zhuan Zhu to do his job.　 　

十 二 年 冬 ， 楚 平 王 卒 。 十 三 年 春 ， 吳 欲 因楚 喪 而 伐 之， 使 公 子 蓋 餘 、 燭 庸€ 以 兵 圍 楚 之 六 、 灊 。 使 季 札 於 晉 ，以 觀 諸 侯 之 變 。 楚 發 兵 絕 吳 兵 後 ， 吳 兵 不 得 還 。 於 是 吳 公 子 光 曰 ： 「 此時 不 可 失 也 。 」 告 專 諸 曰 ： 「 不 索 何 獲 ！ 我 真 王 嗣 ， 當 立 ， 吾 欲 求 之 。 季 子 雖 至 ， 不 吾 廢 也 。 」專 諸 曰 ： 「 王 僚 可 殺 也 。 母 老 子 弱 ， 而 兩 公 子 將 兵 攻 楚 ， 楚 絕 其 路 。 方 今 吳 外 困 於 楚 ， 而 內 空 無骨 鯁 之 臣 ， 是 無 柰 我 何 。 」 光 曰 ： 「 我 身 ， 子 之 身 也 。」 四 月 丙 子 ， 光 伏 甲 士 於 窟 室 ，而 謁 王 僚 飲 。 王 僚 使 兵 陳 於 道 ， 自 王 宮 至光 之 家 ， 門 階 戶 席 ， 皆 王 僚 之 親 也 ， 人 夾 持 鈹 。 公 子 光 詳 為 足 疾 ， 入 于 窟 室 ， 使 專諸 置 匕 首 於 炙 魚 之 中 以 進 食 。 手 匕 首刺 王 僚 ， 鈹 交 於 匈 ， 遂 弒 王 僚 。 公 子 光 竟 代 立為 王 ， 是 為 吳 王 闔 廬 。 闔 廬 乃 以 專 諸 子 為 卿 。
During the twelfth year, in winter, King Ping of Chu died. On the thirteenth year, in spring, the King of Wu planned to take advantage of the funerals to attack Chu. He sent his armies, under princes Gaiyu and Zhuyong, put the siege around the Chu cities of Liu and Qian. Then he sent Jizha to the Jin, so that he could observe the reaction of the feudal princes. The King of Chu sent some troops to cut the retreat of the army of Wu, which could not come back. Seeing this, prince Guang said: “This is the right moment!” He then called upon Zhuan Zhu, and said : “If nothing is attempted, how could one succeed ? I am the legitimate crown prince, I shall become King. This is the reason why I called upon you. Even if Prince Ji came back, he would not make me abandon.” Zhuan Zhu answered : “We can kill King Liao. His mother is old, his sons are young. The two princes and their armies are in Chu, and their retreat is cut off. We are in a bad situation in Chu, and there are no trustworthy princes left to defend the kingdom. How could I fail?” Guang said : “My fate now depends on you”. On the day Bingzi of the four month, Guang hid soldiers in the cellar of his house, and invited King Liao to a banquet. King Liao placed his guards on both sides of the road from his palace to the house of Prince Guang. The doorsteps and the banquet hall were full of people from the King’s household, and between each of them were soldiers armed with swords. Prince Guang, pretending to have hurt his foot, left the hall and went to the cellar. There, he ordered Zhuan Zhu to bring to the King a plate of fish, in which a dagger had been concealed. As he served the dish, Zhuan Zhu took the dagger and struck King Liao. The soldiers’ swords pierced through his chest, but King Liao was already dead. After that, Prince Guang claimed the kingdom, and became King Helü. He chose the son of Zhuang Zhu as his prime minister.　 　

季 子 至 ， 曰 ： 「 苟 先 君 無 廢 祀 ， 民 人 無 廢 主 ， 社稷 有 奉 ， 乃 吾 君 也 。 吾 敢 誰 怨 乎 ？ 哀 死 事 生 ， 以 待 天 命。 非 我 生 亂 ， 立 者 從 之 ， 先 人 之 道 也 。 」 復 命 ， 哭 僚 墓 ， 復 位 而 待 。 吳 公 子 燭 庸 、蓋 餘 二 人 將 兵 遇 圍 於 楚 者 ， 聞 公 子 光 弒 王 僚 自 立 ， 乃 以其 兵 降 楚 ， 楚 封 之 於 舒 。
When Prince Ji returned in Wu, he said : « If the princes of Wu had not stopped their sacrifices, if the people of Wu had respected his prince, if the sacrifices to the spirits of earth and crops had not ceased, then I would have accepted to rule the country. Why should I be angry? Mourn the dead, obey the living, this is the way of Heaven. I will not attempt to revolt. The Ancients taught us that princes should be obeyed.” He then reported on his embassy. Afterwards, he went to the tomb of King Liao, and cried. And then, he returned to his place, and awaited orders. Prince Zhuyong and prince Gaiyu of Wu, with their armies, were still surrounded in Chu. When they heard that Prince Guang had killed King Liao, and usurped the throne, they surrendered. The King of Chu gave them Shu as their fiefdom.

王 闔 廬 元 年 ， 舉 伍 子 胥 為 行 人 而 與 謀 國 事 。 楚 誅伯 州 犁 ， 其 孫 伯 嚭 亡 奔 吳 ， 吳 以 為 大 夫 。
On the first year of his reign, King Helu named Wu Zixu his ambassador, and consulted him on state affairs. When the King of Chu had Bo Zhouli executed, his grandson, Bo Pei, fled to Wu. The King of Wu made him a minister.　 　

三 年 ， 吳 王 闔 廬 與 子 胥 、 伯 嚭 將 兵 伐 楚 ， 拔 舒 ，殺 吳 亡 將 二 公 子 。 光 謀 欲 入 郢 ， 將 軍 孫 武 曰 ： 「 民 勞 ，未 可 ， 待 之 。 」 四 年 ， 伐 楚 ， 取 六 與 灊 。 五 年 ，伐 越 ， 敗 之 。 六 年 ， 楚 使 子 常 囊 瓦 伐 吳 。 迎 而 擊之 ， 大 敗 楚 軍 於 豫 章 ， 取 楚 之 居 巢 而 還 。
On the third year, King Helu of Wu, Zixu and Bo Pei, led armies to attack Chu. They took Shu, and killed the two former princes of Wu. As Guang considered attacking Ying, general Sun Wu said: “Your troops are tired, you will not succeed. You should wait.” On the fourth year, he attacked Chu, and took Liu and Quan. On the fifth year, he attacked Yue, and defeated its army. On the sixth year, the King of Chu sent Zichang and Nangwa to attack Wu. King Helu marched on them, and defeated them. After the armies of Chu were badly beaten in Yuzhang, he took the city of Juchao and returned home.　 　

九 年 ， 吳 王 闔 廬 請 伍 子 胥 、 孫 武 曰 ： 「 始 子 之 言郢 未 可 入 ， 今 果 如 何 ？ 」 二 子 對 曰 ： 「 楚 將 子 常貪 ， 而 唐 、 蔡 皆 怨 之 。 王 必 欲 大 伐 ， 必 得 唐 、 蔡 乃 可 。」 闔 廬 從 之 ， 悉 興 師 ， 與 唐 、 蔡 西 伐 楚 ， 至 於 漢 水 。 楚亦 發 兵 拒 吳 ， 夾 水 陳 。 吳 王 闔 廬 弟 夫 概 欲 戰 ， 闔 廬 弗 許 。 夫 概 曰 ： 「 王 已 屬 臣 兵 ， 兵 以 利 為 上 ，尚 何 待 焉 ？ 」 遂 以 其 部 五 千 人 襲 冒 楚 ， 楚 兵 大 敗 ， 走 。於 是 吳 王 遂 縱 兵 追 之 。 比 至 郢 ， 五 戰 ， 楚 五 敗 。楚 昭 王 亡 出 郢 ， 奔 鄖 。 鄖 公 弟 欲 弒 昭 王 ， 昭 王 與 鄖 公 奔 隨 。 而 吳 兵 遂 入 郢 。 子 胥 、 伯 嚭 鞭平 王 之 尸 以 報 父 讎 。
On the ninth year, King Helu of Wu called upon Wu Zixu and Sun Wu, and said: « Some time ago, you told me that it was not the right moment to attack Ying. What are my chances now?” Both answered: “Zichang, the general of Chu, is greedy. The people in Tang and Cai hate him. If you wish to lead a major campaign against Chu, you should first take Tang and Cai.” Helu followed their advice. He mustered all his armies and the people of Tang and Cai, and marched west to attack Chu, until he reached the river Han. The King of Chu sent his armies to repeal Wu, they deployed of both banks of the river. King Helu’s younger brother, Fugai, wanted to attack, but Helu refused. Fugai then said : “you have rallied the armies of the former vassals of Chu, our soldiers are the best, why should we wait here?” Then, leading his five thousand men, he charged the armies of Chu. The soldiers of Chu were badly defeated and fled, and the King of Wu sent his troops to pursue them. They finally reached Ying. There, he fought five battles, and defeated Chu five times. King Zhao of Chu had to leave Ying, and fled to Yun. The brother of the prince of Yun attempted to kill King Zhao, and King Zhao and the prince of Yun had to flee to Sui. The armies of Wu therefore entered Ying. There, Zixu and Bo Pei had the corpse of King Ping of Chu taken out of his tomb and whipped, to avenge their fathers.　 　

十 年 春 ， 越 聞 吳 王 之 在 郢 ， 國 空 ， 乃 伐 吳 。 吳 使 別 兵 擊 越 。 楚 告 急 秦 ， 秦 遣 兵 救 楚 擊 吳 ， 吳 師 敗 。 闔 廬弟 夫 概 見 秦 越 交 敗 吳 ， 吳 王 留 楚 不 去 ， 夫 概 亡 歸 吳 而 自立 為 吳 王 。 闔 廬 聞 之 ， 乃 引 兵 歸 ， 攻 夫 概 。 夫 概 敗 奔 楚。 楚 昭 王 乃 得 以 九 月 復 入 郢 ， 而 封 夫 概 於 堂 谿 ， 為 堂 谿氏 。 十 一 年 ， 吳 王 使 太 子 夫 差 伐 楚 ， 取 番 。 楚 恐而 去 郢 徙 鄀 。
On the tenth year, in spring, the King of Yue heard that the King of Wu was in Ying, and that his country was left undefended. He then attacked Wu. The King of Wu sent some of his reserve troops to attack the armies of Yue. The King of Chu seeked help from the King of Qin, who sent soldiers to help Chu by attacking Wu. The armies of Wu were defeated. When the brother of King Helu, Fugai, saw that both Qin and Yue had defeated Wu, and that his King stayed in Chu and did not intend to come back, he left the army, came back to Wu, and proclaimed himself king. When Helu heard of it, he took his soldiers back and attacked Fugai, who was beaten and fled to Chu. On the ninth month, King Zhao of Chu came back to Ying, and gave Fugai a fief in Tangxi. He changed his name to Tangxi. On the eleventh year, the King of Wu sent the crown prince, Fuchai, to attack Chu. He took Fan. The King of Chu was afraid, and moved his capital from Ying to Ruo.　 　

十 五 年 ， 孔 子 相 魯 。
On the fifteenth year, Confucius became the prime minister of Lu.　 　

十 九 年 夏 ， 吳 伐 越 ， 越 王 句 踐 迎 擊 之 檇 李 。 越 使 死 士 挑 戰 ， 三 行 造 吳 師 ， 呼 ， 自 剄 。 吳 師 觀 之 ， 越 因 伐 吳 ， 敗 之 姑 蘇 ， 傷 吳 王 闔 廬 指 ， 軍 卻 七 里 。 吳 王 病 傷 而 死 。 闔 廬 使 立 太 子 夫差 ， 謂 曰 ： 「 爾 而 忘 句 踐 殺 汝 父 乎 ？ 」 對 曰 ： 「不 敢 ！ 」 三 年 ， 乃 報 越 。
On the nineteenth year, the King of Wu attacked Yue. King Goujian of Yue marched on the armies of Wu, and attacked them at Zuili. The King of Yue sent soldiers on a suicide mission to provoke the army of Wu. They deployed on three ranks in front of the enemy, shouted, and cut their throats. As the army of Wu was watching them, the King of Yue ambushed them and defeated them in Gusu. King Helu received a wound on his toe. He retreated seven leagues and encamped his army. There, his wound infected, and he died. Helu sent an envoy to fetch the crown prince, Fuchai, and said to him: “will you ever forget that Goujian killed your father?” Fuchai answered: “How dare I?” And three years later, he took revenge on Yue.

王 夫 差 元 年 ， 以 大 夫 伯 嚭 為 太 宰 。 習 戰 射 ， 常 以 報 越 為 志 。 二 年 ， 吳 王 悉 精 兵 以 伐 越 ， 敗 之 夫 椒 ， 報 姑 蘇 也 。 越 王 句 踐 乃 以 甲 兵 五 千 人 棲 於 會 稽 ， 使 大 夫 種 因 吳 太 宰 嚭 而 行 成 ， 請 委 國 為 臣 妾 。 吳 王 將 許 之 ， 伍 子 胥 諫 曰 ： 「 昔 有過 氏 殺 斟 灌 以 伐 斟 尋 ， 滅 夏 后 帝 相 。 帝 相 之 妃 后 緡 方 娠 ， 逃 於 有 仍 而 生少 康 。 少 康 為 有 仍 牧正 。 有 過 又 欲 殺少 康 ， 少 康 奔 有 虞 。 有 虞 思 夏 德 ， 於 是 妻 之 以二 女 而 邑 之 於 綸 ， 有 田 一 成 ， 有 眾 一 旅 。 後 遂 收 夏 眾 ， 撫 其 官 職 。 使 人 誘 之 ， 遂 滅 有 過 氏 ， 復 禹 之 績 ， 祀 夏 配 天 ， 不 失舊 物 。 今 吳 不 如 有 過 之 彊 ， 而 句 踐 大 於 少 康 。今 不 因 此 而 滅 之 ， 又 將 寬 之 ， 不 亦 難 乎 ！ 且 句 踐 為 人 能辛 苦 ， 今 不 滅 ， 後 必 悔 之 。 」 吳 王 不 聽 ， 聽 太 宰 嚭 ， 卒許 越 平 ， 與 盟 而 罷 兵 去 。
On the first year of his reign, King Fuchai chose Bo Pei as his Premier. He spent most of his time practicing fencing and archery, his mind set on getting his revenge from Yue. On the second year, the King of Wu mustered his best troops to attack Yue. He defeated their army in Fujiao, and therefore avenged Gusu. The King of Yue, with five thousand soldiers, took refuge on the top of Mount Guiji. He sent the minister Zhong negociate the peace with Premier Pei. He offered to submit his kingdom to the Wu, and to become a vassal. As the King of Wu was about to accept, Wu Zixu, tried to dissuade him, saying: “In ancient times, Master Youguo killed Zhenguan and attacked Zhenxun, and killed the family of Empero Xiang of the Xia. Empress Min, the wife of Emperor Xiang was then pregnant. She fled to Youreng, where she gave birth to Shaokang, who became the leader of the herders of Youreng. When Youguo tried to have Shaokang killed, he fled to Youyu. The Lord of Youyu, out of respect for the Xia, gave Shaokang his two daughters, and the regions of Lun as a fief. His land was a square of ten leagues, and his people consisted of five hundred families. Some time after, he rallied the former subjects of the Xia, and attracted to him many officials. He incited people to revolt and destroyed the clan of Youguo. Finally, he reinstalled the dynasty founded by Yu, made sacrifices to the ancestors of the Xia, to please the Heavens, and recovered every thing that had belonged to his ancestors. Now, Wu is not as strong as Youguo, and Goujian is older than Shaokang. If you do not take advantage of this opportunity to destroy the Yue, but forgive him instead, harm will come from this ! Goujian is capable of suffering and sacrifice to get his vengeance. If you do not destroy him now, you shall regret it.” The King of Wu did not heed is advice, but followed Premier Pei, and finally agreed to make peace with Yue. A treaty was signed, and he brought his armies back.　 　

七 年 ， 吳 王 夫 差 聞 齊 景 公 死 而 大 臣 爭 寵 ， 新 君 弱， 乃 興 師 北 伐 齊 。 子 胥 諫 曰 ： 「 越 王 句 踐 食 不 重 味 ， 衣不 重 采 ， 弔 死 問 疾 ， 且 欲 有 所 用 其 眾 。 此 人 不 死 ， 必 為 吳 患 。 今 越 在 腹 心 疾 而 王 不 先 ， 而 務 齊 ， 不 亦 謬 乎 ！ 」吳 王 不 聽 ， 遂 北 伐 齊 ， 敗 齊 師 於 艾 陵 。 至 繒 ， 召 魯 哀 公 而 徵 百 牢 。 季 康 子 使 子 貢 以 周 禮 說 太 宰 嚭 ， 乃 得 止 。 因 留 略 地 於 齊 魯 之 南 。 九 年 ， 為 騶 伐魯 ， 至，與 魯 盟 乃 去 。 十 年 ， 因 伐 齊 而 歸 。 十 一年 ， 復 北 伐 齊 。
On the seventh year, King Fuchai of Wu heard that duke Jing of Qi had died, that his vassals were fighting each other, and that the new prince of Qi was weak. So, he mustered and army and went north to attack Qi. Zixu criticised him: “King Goujian of Yue does not put spices in his food, he wears informal clothes, he mourns the dead and visits the sick. He wants to have the support of his people. So long this man is alive, Chu is in danger. Yue is like a cancer, which gnaws at our belly and heart, but your majesty does not consider it as important, and would rather focus on Qi. This is very mistaken!” The King of Wu did not listen to him, led his army north to attack Qi, and defeated the armies of Qi in Ailing. As he arrived in Zeng, he called upon duke Ai of Lu and requested him to pay a tribute of one hundred heads of cattle. Prince Jikang sent Zigong talk about the Rites of the Zhou to Premier Pei, and the tribute was abandonned. The border regions on the south of Qi and Lu was therefore left as it were. On the ninth year, the King attacked Lu, on behalf of Zou, as he arrived in Lu, he signed a treaty and returned. On the tenth year, he launched an unsuccessful campaign against Qi. On the eleventh year, he led once more his armies to the north, to attack Qi.　 　

越 王 句 踐 率 其 眾 以 朝 吳 ， 厚 獻 遺 之 ， 吳 王 喜 。 唯子 胥 懼 ， 曰 ：「 是 棄 吳 也 。 」 諫 曰 ： 「 越 在 腹 心 ， 今 得 志 於 齊， 猶 石 田 ， 無 所 用 。 且 盤 庚 之 誥 有 顛 越 勿 遺 ， 商 之 以 興 。 」 吳 王 不 聽 ， 使 子 胥 於 齊 ， 子 胥屬 其 子 於 齊 鮑 氏 ， 還 報 吳 王 。 吳 王 聞 之 ， 大 怒 ，賜 子 胥 屬 鏤 之 劍 以 死 。 將 死 ， 曰 ： 「 樹 吾 墓 上 以梓 ， 令 可 為 器 。 抉 吾 眼 置 之 吳 東 門 ， 以 觀越 之 滅 吳 也 。 」
King Goujian of Yue and all his subjects paid homage to Wu, and offered generous tributes. The King of Wu was happy about this, but Zixu was worried: “They are just trying to make us forget them,” he used to say. He criticised the King of Wu, saying : “Yue should be our utmost concern. We may now try to impose our will on Qi, but this is like trying to plough a field full of stones, nothing good will come out of it. The Decree of Pangeng says that those who revolt and conspire to topple the kingdom should be destroyed, and left without any descendents. This is how the Shang dynasty came to flourish.” But the King of Wu did not heed him. Instead, he sent Zixu as an ambassador to the Qi. Zixu left his son with Lord Bao of Qi, and came back to the Wu to report on his mission. When he heard of it, the King was angered, and sent to Zixu the sword Zhuliu, so that he would commit suicide. Before dying, Zixu said: “Plant catalpas on my tomb, you will soon need their wood (to make coffins). Also, tear my eyes off, and put them on the top of the eastern door of the capital, so that they can see the armies of Yue destroying Wu.”　 　

齊 鮑 氏 弒 齊 悼 公 。 吳 王 聞 之 ， 哭 於 軍 門 外三 日 ， 乃 從 海 上 攻 齊 。 齊 人 敗 吳 ， 吳 王 乃 引 兵 歸 。
Lord Bao of Qi killed his prince, Duke Dao. When the King of Wu heard about it, he mourned him for three days, out of his camp. Then, he took to sea to attack Qi. The people of Qi defeated Wu, and the King of Wu rallied his troops and brought them back home. 　 　

十 三 年 ， 吳 召 魯 、 衛 之 君 會 於 橐 皋 。
On the thirteenth year of his reign, the King of Wu invited the princes of Lu and Wei to the conference of Tuogao.　 　

十 四 年 春 ， 吳 王 北 會 諸 侯 於 黃 池 ， 欲 霸 中國 以 全 周 室 。 六 月 （ 戊 ） 〔 丙 〕 子 ， 越 王 句 踐 伐 吳 。 乙酉 ， 越 五 千 人 與 吳 戰 。 丙 戌 ， 虜 吳 太 子 友 。 丁 亥 ， 入 吳。 吳 人 告 敗 於 王 夫 差 ， 夫 差 惡 其 聞 也 。 或 泄 其 語， 吳 王 怒 ， 斬 七 人 於 幕 下 。 七 月 辛 丑 ， 吳 王 與 晉定 公 爭 長 。 吳 王 曰 ： 「 於 周 室 我 為 長 。 」 晉 定 公曰 ： 「 於 姬 姓 我 為 伯 。 」 趙 鞅 怒 ， 將 伐 吳 ， 乃 長晉 定 公 。 吳 王 已 盟 ， 與 晉 別 ， 欲 伐 宋 。 太 宰 嚭 曰： 「 可 勝 而 不 能 居 也 。 」 乃 引 兵 歸 國 。 國 亡 太 子 ， 內 空， 王 居 外 久 ， 士 皆 罷 敝 ， 於 是 乃 使 厚 幣 以 與 越 平 。
On the fourteenth year, in spring, the King of Wu travelled north, to meet with the feudal princes in Huangchi. He wanted to be named hegemon of the central kingdoms, and therefore put the empire of the Zhou under his control. On the day Wu(bing)zi of the sixth month, King Goujian of Yue attacked Wu. On the day Yiyou, five thousands soldiers of Yue battled with the troops of Wu. On the day Bingxu, the crown prince of Wu, Ziyou, was captured, and on the day Dinghai, the armies of Yue entered the capital of Wu. When the people of Wu informed the King of their defeat, Fuchai defended them to speak about it. As the rumour still spread, the King of Wu became angry, and had seven persons executed inside his tent. On the day Xinchou of the seventh month, the King of Wu and the Duke Ding of Jin were debating on who would lead the ceremonies. The King of Wu said : “I shall lead, for I am a member of the royal family”, whereas King Ding of Jin said : “Our name is Ji, and we are your elders.” Zhao Yang was angered, and threatened to attack Wu, and therefore pre-eminence was given to Duke Ding. When the treaty was signed, the King of Wu left Jin, and considered attacking Song. Premier Pei said : “We may win, but we will not be able to keep this territory.” So they gathered their army and returned to Wu. When they arrived, the crown prince had left and the kingdom was empty. As the king had been out of the state for long, most of his officers had deserted. As a result, he sent rich presents to the King of Yue, to try to negociate peace.　 　

十 五 年 ， 齊 田 常 殺 簡 公 。
On the fifteenth year, Tianchang of Qi killed duke Jian.　 　

十 八 年 ， 越 益 彊 。 越 王 句 踐 率 兵 （ 使 ）〔 復 〕 伐 敗 吳 師 於 笠 澤 。 楚 滅 陳 。
On the eighteenth year, Yue was at the top of his power. King Goujian of Yue mustered his troops and sent them attack Wu. They defeated him in Lize. That same year, Chu destroyed Chen.　 　

二 十 年 ， 越 王 句 踐 復 伐 吳 。 二 十 一 年 ， 遂圍 吳 。 二 十 三 年 十 一 月 丁 卯 ， 越 敗 吳 。 越 王 句 踐 欲 遷 吳王 夫 差 於 甬 東 ， 予 百 家 居 之 。 吳 王 曰 ： 「 孤 老 矣， 不 能 事 君 王 也 。 吾 悔 不 用 子 胥 之 言 ， 自 令 陷 此 。 」 遂自 剄 死 。 越 王 滅 吳 ， 誅 太 宰 嚭 ， 以 為 不 忠 ， 而 歸。
On the twentieth year, King Goujian of Yue attacked Wu again. On the twenty first year, he put the siege on the capital of Wu. On the day Dingmao of the eleventh month of the twenty third year, the Wu was defeated. King Goujian of Yue offered to banish King Fuchai of Wu to Yongdong, and grant here a fief of one hundred families. The King of Wu answered : “I am too old, I will not be able to serve your majesty. I regret not having heeded Zixu’s advices, that was the reason of my demise.” Then, he cut his throat and died. The King of Yue destroyed the Wu, and had Premier Pei executed as a traitor. Then he returned to his kingdom.　 　

太 史 公 曰 ： 孔 子 言 「 太 伯 可 謂 至 德 矣 ， 三 以 天 下讓 ， 民 無 得 而 稱 焉 」 。 余 讀 春 秋 古 文 ， 乃 知 中 國之 虞 與 荊 蠻 句 吳 兄 弟 也 。 延 陵 季 子 之 仁 心 ， 慕 義 無 窮 ，見 微 而 知 清 濁 。 嗚 呼 ， 又 何 其 閎 覽 博 物 君 子 也 ！
Commentary by Sima Qian
Confucius said : « Taibo was a real saint. He refused the Empire on three occasions, but the people never knew it, and never praised it.” I have read the Ancient Text of the Springs and Automns, and have learned there that the Central Kingdom of Yu and the Kingdom of Gouwu, among the Mans of Jing, belonged to brothers. Prince Ji of Yanling was generous. He loved justice more than anything, could understand subtleties, and distinguish purity from corruption. Alas, where have such great minds and great men gone?

Shiji 77 - Biography of the Prince of Wei

Chapter 77 – 17th biography – The Prince of Wei

魏 公 子 無 忌 者 ， 魏 昭 王 少 子 而 魏 安 釐 王 異 母 弟 也。 昭 王 薨 ， 安 釐 王 即 位 ， 封 公 子 為 信 陵 君 。 是 時范 睢 亡 魏 相 秦 ， 以 怨 魏 齊 故 ， 秦 兵 圍 大 梁 ， 破 魏 華 陽 下軍 ， 走 芒 卯 。 魏 王 及 公 子 患 之 。
Prince Wuji was the youngest son of King Zhao of Wei, and a half-brother to King Anxi. Upon the death of King Zhao, King Anxi inherited the throne, and gave Xinling as a fief to the Prince. At this time, Fan Sui fled Wei, and became a minister of the King of Qin. Taking advantage of a dispute between Wei and Qi, the armies of Qin besieged Daliang, and defeated in Huayang the rearguard of Wei, which had to flee to Mangmao. The King and the Prince of Wei were worried.　 　

公 子 為 人 仁 而 下 士 ， 士 無 賢 不 肖 皆 謙 而 禮 交 之 ，不 敢 以 其 富 貴 驕 士 。 士 以 此 方 數 千 里 爭 往 歸 之 ， 致 食 客三 千 人 。 當 是 時 ， 諸 侯 以 公 子 賢 ， 多 客 ， 不 敢 加 兵 謀 魏十 餘 年 。
The Prince of Wei was both generous and humble. He showed respect and was polite even with the least brave and most common people. He was not arrogant on account of his fortune and lineage. As a result, even gentlemen who lived more than a thousand leagues away were eager to visit him, and he held a court of more than three thousand clients. All through this time, as other feudal princes knew that the prince of Wei was wise, and that he had many clients, they did not dare bear arms or plot against Wei for more than ten years.　 　

公 子 與 魏 王 博 ， 而 北 境 傳 舉 烽 ， 言 「 趙 寇 至 ， 且入 界 」 。 魏 王 釋 博 ， 欲 召 大 臣 謀 。 公 子 止 王 曰 ：「 趙 王 田 獵 耳 ， 非 為 寇 也 。 」 復 博 如 故 。 王 恐 ，心 不 在 博 。 居 頃 ， 復 從 北 方 來 傳 言 曰 ： 「 趙 王 獵 耳 ， 非為 寇 也 。 」 魏 王 大 驚 ， 曰 ： 「 公 子 何 以 知 之 ？ 」 公 子 曰： 「 臣 之 客 有 能 深 得 趙 王 陰 事 者 ， 趙 王 所 為 ， 客 輒 以 報 臣 ， 臣 以 此 知 之 。 」 是 後 魏 王 畏 公 子 之 賢 能 ， 不敢 任 公 子 以 國 政 。
One day, as the Prince was playing a game with the King of Wei, the alarm beacon from the northern border was lit. It said : “The bandits from Zhao are coming, they have just crossed our border.” The King stopped playing, and was about to assemble his vassals to make plans, but the Prince stopped him and said: “there are no bandits, this is just the King of Zhao hunting.” And he resumed playing. The King was afraid, his mind was no more at the game. Minutes later, another message arrived from the north, which said: “It was the King of Zhao hunting. There were no bandits.” The King was astonished, he said: “Prince, how did you know?” The prince said: « One of my clients is quite familiar with the private ventures of the King of Zhao. Whatever Zhao does, my client tells me at once. This is how I knew.” Since then, the King of Wei was afraid of the wisdom and power of the Prince, and did not dare entrust him with government matters.　 　

魏 有 隱 士 曰 侯 嬴 ， 年 七 十 ， 家 貧 ， 為 大 梁夷 門 監 者 。 公 子 聞 之 ， 往 請 ， 欲 厚 遺 之 。 不 肯 受 ， 曰 ：「 臣 脩 身 絜 行 數 十 年 ， 終 不 以 監 門 困 故 而 受 公 子 財 。 」公 子 於 是 乃 置 酒 大 會 賓 客 。 坐 定 ， 公 子 從 車 騎 ， 虛 左 ，自 迎 夷 門 侯 生 。 侯 生 攝 敝 衣 冠 ， 直 上 載 公 子 上 坐 ， 不 讓， 欲 以 觀 公 子 。 公 子 執 轡 愈 恭 。 侯 生 又 謂 公 子 曰 ： 「 臣有 客 在 市 屠 中 ， 願 枉 車 騎 過 之 。 」 公 子 引 車 入 巿 ， 侯 生下 見 其 客 朱 亥 ， 俾 倪 故 久 立 ， 與 其 客 語 ， 微 察 公子 。 公 子 顏 色 愈 和 。 當 是 時 ， 魏 將 相 宗 室 賓 客 滿 堂 ， 待公 子 舉 酒 。 巿 人 皆 觀 公 子 執 轡 。 從 騎 皆 竊 罵 侯 生 。 侯 生視 公 子 色 終 不 變 ， 乃 謝 客 就 車 。 至 家 ， 公 子 引 侯 生 坐 上坐 ， 遍 贊 賓 客 ， 賓 客 皆 驚 。 酒 酣 ， 公 子 起 ， 為 壽侯 生 前 。 侯 生 因 謂 公 子 曰 ：「 今 日 嬴 之 為 公 子 亦 足 矣 。 嬴 乃 夷 門 抱 關 者 也 ，而 公 子 親 枉 車 騎 ， 自 迎 嬴 於 眾 人 廣 坐 之 中 ， 不 宜 有 所 過， 今 公 子 故 過 之 。 然 嬴 欲 就 公 子 之 名 ， 故 久 立 公 子 車 騎巿 中 ， 過 客 以 觀 公 子 ， 公 子 愈 恭 。 巿 人 皆 以 嬴 為 小 人 ，而 以 公 子 為 長 者 能 下 士 也 。 」 於 是 罷 酒 ， 侯 生 遂 為 上 客。
There was an ermit in Wei, named Hou Ying. He was seventy, came from a poor family, and served as a guard to the door of Yi, in Daliang. When the Prince heard of him, he paid a visit and offered him rich presents. Ying refused them, saying: “Prince, I have been meditating and acting with restraint for decades. Even though my service as a sentinel is hard, I cannot accept your presents.” The Prince then offered a banquet, and invited all his clients. When everything was ready, he stepped on his chariot, leaving the seat to his left empty, and personally went to the door of Yi to fetch Master Hou. Hou wore worn clothes and a tattered cap. As he climbed on the chariot, he seated himself on the front seat, before the prince, and would not cede it to him, observing his reaction. The Prince held the reins, and showed utmost deference. Then Master Hou told the Prince: “One of my clients works in the market, as a butcher. Could you please ride your chariot there.” As the Prince rode into the market, Master Hou stepped down, and paid a visit to his client Zhuhai. He stood there for a long time, talking with his friend, glancing at the Prince, who stayed, unmoved. Meanwhile, ministers, generals and nobles of Wei, as well as the clients were assembled in the hall of the Prince, waiting for him to offer the drinks. All the people in the market saw the Prince holding the reins of his chariot. And the horsemen in his escort were silently cursing at Master Hou. As Hou observed that the face of the Prince was not moved, he finally took leave of his friend, and stepped back on the chariot. As they arrived, the Prince led him to the place of honour, and lauded him in front of all his clients, to their surprise. Aroused by the wine, the Prince stood up, and raised his glass to Master Hou, who said: “Prince, what you have done for me, Ying, on this day, is enough. I am but a guard at the doors of the city. Yet, you came in person and visited me with your chariot and your escort. Noticing me among the crowd already meant a lot. Yet, today, you did even more. For this reason, I wanted to contribute to your reputation. While you were waiting, standing on your chariot in the market, all the people saw you, and how calm you remained. All these people saw me as an unworthy person, but they also notice how great and humble you are.” Ying then stopped drinking, and became one of his clients.　 　

侯 生 謂 公 子 曰 ： 「 臣 所 過 屠 者 朱 亥 ， 此 子 賢 者 ，世 莫 能 知 ， 故 隱 屠 閒 耳 。 」 公 子 往 數 請 之 ， 朱 亥 故 不 復謝 ， 公 子 怪 之 。
Master Hou told the Prince: « Zhuhai, the butcher to whom I paid a visit, is a true brave. As nobody knows his talents, he hides among the butchers.” The Prince then visited him several times, but Zhuhai never showed up to thank him, and the Prince was amazed.

魏 安 釐 王 二 十 年 ， 秦 昭 王 已 破 趙 長 平 軍 ， 又 進 兵圍 邯 鄲 。 公 子 姊 為 趙 惠 文 王 弟 平 原 君 夫 人 ， 數 遺 魏 王 及公 子 書 ， 請 救 於 魏 。 魏 王 使 將 軍 晉 鄙 將 十 萬 眾 救趙 。 秦 王 使 使 者 告 魏 王 曰 ： 「 吾 攻 趙 旦 暮 且 下 ， 而 諸 侯敢 救 者 ， 已 拔 趙 ， 必 移 兵 先 擊 之 。 」 魏 王 恐 ， 使 人 止 晉鄙 ， 留 軍 壁 鄴 ， 名 為 救 趙 ， 實 持 兩 端 以 觀 望 。 平 原 君 使者 冠 蓋 相 屬 於 魏 ， 讓 魏 公 子 曰 ： 「 勝 所 以 自 附 為 婚 姻 者， 以 公 子 之 高 義 ， 為 能 急 人 之 困 。 今 邯 鄲 旦 暮 降 秦 而 魏救 不 至 ， 安 在 公 子 能 急 人 之 困 也 ！ 且 公 子 縱 輕 勝 ， 棄 之降 秦 ， 獨 不 憐 公 子 姊 邪 ？ 」 公 子 患 之 ， 數 請 魏 王 ， 及 賓客 辯 士 說 王 萬 端 。 魏 王 畏 秦 ， 終 不 聽 公 子 。 公 子 自 度 終不 能 得 之 於 王 ， 計 不 獨 生 而 令 趙 亡 ， 乃 請 賓 客 ， 約 車 騎百 餘 乘 ， 欲 以 客 往 赴 秦 軍 ， 與 趙 俱 死 。
On the twentieth year of King Anxi of Wei, King Zhao of Qin, having defeated the armies of Zhao in Changping, sent his troops again to put the siege on Handan. The older sister of the Prince of Wei was the wife of the Prince of Pingyuan, the younger brother of King Huiwen of Zhao. She sent on several occasions letters to the King and Prince of Wei, imploring them to rescue Zhao. The King of Wei sent general Jinbi, leading one hundred thousand soldiers, to help Zhao. The King of Qin then sent a messenger to the King Wei, saying: “When I attack Zhao, it will fall in a day. Should other princes dare try to rescue Zhao, when it is destroyed, I will send my troops to attack them first.” The King of Wei was afraid. He sent a messenger to stop Jinbi, who encamped his army in Biye. He still pretended to be rescuing Zhao, but in fact was keeping both options open, and waited to see what happened. The cap and the chariot sunshield of the Prince of Pingyuan’s messenger became a common sight in the capital of Wei. He visited the Prince of Wei, and said: “My Lord, Sheng, allied with your family (by marriage) because he thought that, thanks to your great sense of justice, you would be able to save him from a desperate situation. But now, Handan is about to surrender to Qin in a matter of days, and the Wei does not come to the rescue. Where is your help when we are desperate? Prince, as you thus neglect Sheng, and leave him surrender to Qin, don’t you feel some pity for your sister?” The Prince of Wei felt sorry. He implored the King on several occasions, and sent the best orators among his clients to try to convince him with all sorts of arguments. But the King of Wei was afraid of Qin, and would not listen to the Prince. As he finally understood that the King would not yield, he decided that his life was not worth living if he abandoned Zhao to its fate. He then called upon his clients and assembled more than one hundred chariots, intending to ride, with his friends, against the armies of Qin, and die for Zhao.　 　

行 過 夷 門 ， 見 侯 生 ， 具 告 所 以 欲 死 秦 軍 狀 。 辭 決 而 行 ， 侯 生 曰 ： 「 公 子 勉 之 矣 ， 老 臣 不 能 從 。 」 公 子 行數 里 ， 心 不 快 ， 曰 ： 「 吾 所 以 待 侯 生 者 備 矣 ， 天 下 莫 不聞 ， 今 吾 且 死 而 侯 生 曾 無 一 言 半 辭 送 我 ， 我 豈 有 所 失 哉？ 」 復 引 車 還 ， 問 侯 生 。 侯 生 笑 曰 ： 「 臣 固 知 公 子 之 還也 。 」 曰 ： 「 公 子 喜 士 ， 名 聞 天 下 。 今 有 難 ， 無 他 端 而欲 赴 秦 軍 ， 譬 若 以 肉 投 餒 虎 ， 何 功 之 有 哉 ？ 尚 安 事 客 ？然 公 子 遇 臣 厚 ， 公 子 往 而 臣 不 送 ， 以 是 知 公 子 恨 之 復 返也 。 」 公 子 再 拜 ， 因 問 。 侯 生 乃 屏 人 閒 語 ， 曰 ：「 嬴 聞 晉 鄙 之 兵 符 常 在 王 臥 內 ， 而 如 姬 最 幸 ， 出 入 王 臥內 ， 力 能 竊 之 。 嬴 聞 如 姬 父 為 人 所 殺 ， 如 姬 資 之 三 年 ， 自 王 以 下 欲 求 報 其 父 仇 ， 莫 能 得 。 如 姬 為 公 子 泣， 公 子 使 客 斬 其 仇 頭 ， 敬 進 如 姬 。 如 姬 之 欲 為 公 子 死 ，無 所 辭 ， 顧 未 有 路 耳 。 公 子 誠 一 開 口 請 如 姬 ， 如 姬 必 許諾 ， 則 得 虎 符 奪 晉 鄙 軍 ， 北 救 趙 而 西 卻 秦 ， 此 五 霸 之 伐也 。 」 公 子 從 其 計 ， 請 如 姬 。 如 姬 果 盜 晉 鄙 兵 符 與 公 子。
When they passed the door of Yi, he saw Master Hou and told him of his intention to die while fighting Qin. As he said goodbye and prepared to leave, Master Hou said: “Good luck, Prince. Your old servant cannot go with you.” The Prince rode for a few leagues, but his heart was heavy. He thought: “I have treated Master Hou the best I could, everybody knows this. Yet, now that I am about to die, he lets me go without saying a word, and would not walk half the way with me. What have I done wrong?” He then turned his chariot back, and went to question Hou. Hou laughed and said: “I knew for certain that you would come back.” Then, he said: “Prince, you like brave men, you are famous all over the world. Yet, when you are in trouble, you cannot think of a better solution than marching on the army of Qin. This is like throwing meat at a hungry tiger. What good can it do? Is this a way to use your clients? Therefore, even though you had been very generous to me, when you came to see me, I would not walk you back. I knew that you would be disappointed and that you then would come back.” The Prince bowed twice and questioned him. Master Hou, dismissing the people around them, told him in private: “I have heard that the seal used to issue order to Jingbi’s army is usually kept in the King’s bedroom. Dame Ru, the King’s favourite, has access to his bedroom, and could steal the seal. Now, I have also heard that, after her father was killed, for several years, she spent her fortune, imploring the King and his court to avenge him, to no end. When Dame Ru, in tears, begged you, you sent one of your clients kill her father’s murderer, and brought his head to her. Since then, she is willing to die for you. If she has not done so, it is because you did not offer her an occasion. Prince, open your mind to Dame Ru and ask her. She shall accept. You will then obtain the tiger-seal, seize the armies of Jinbi, go north to rescue Zhao, and repeal Qin to the west. This is how the five hegemons fought.” The Prince followed his advice and asked Dame Ru for help. She stole Kinbi’s seal, and gave it to him.　 　

公 子 行 ， 侯 生 曰 ： 「 將 在 外 ， 主 令 有 所 不 受 ， 以便 國 家 。 公 子 即 合 符 ， 而 晉 鄙 不 授 公 子 兵 而 復 請 之 ， 事必 危 矣 。 臣 客 屠 者 朱 亥 可 與 俱 ， 此 人 力 士 。 晉 鄙 聽 ， 大善 ； 不 聽 ， 可 使 擊 之 。 」 於 是 公 子 泣 。 侯 生 曰 ： 「 公 子畏 死 邪 ？ 何 泣 也 ？ 」 公 子 曰 ： 「 晉 鄙 嚄 唶 宿 將 ，往 恐 不 聽 ， 必 當 殺 之 ， 是 以 泣 耳 ， 豈 畏 死 哉 ？ 」 於 是 公子 請 朱 亥 。 朱 亥 笑 曰 ： 「 臣 迺 市 井 鼓 刀 屠 者 ， 而 公 子 親數 存 之 ， 所 以 不 報 謝 者 ， 以 為 小 禮 無 所 用 。 今 公 子 有 急， 此 乃 臣 效 命 之 秋 也 。 」 遂 與 公 子 俱 。 公 子 過 謝 侯 生 。侯 生 曰 ： 「 臣 宜 從 ， 老 不 能 。 請 數 公 子 行 日 ， 以 至 晉 鄙軍 之 日 ， 北 鄉 自 剄 ， 以 送 公 子 。 」 公 子 遂 行 。
As the Prince was leaving, Master Hou said: « When generals are out of the country, they sometimes do not follow orders which they deem contrary to the interest of the state. When you match the seals, if Jinbi fails to give you his command, but goes on questioning you, then you are in danger. My client, the butcher Zhu Hai will go with you. He is a fine swordsman. If Jinbi accepts, everything will be fine. If he refuses, you can send Zhuhai attack him.” The Prince then started to cry. Master Hou said : « Prince, why do you cry ? Are you afraid to die? » He answered: « Jinbi is an old general, he just loves to argue. When I go and see him, I am afraid he will not listen, and that I will be forced to kill him. This is why I cry. Am I afraid to die?” The Prince then went to ask Zhuhai. He laughed and said: “I am just a butcher who plays with his knife in the market. Yet, you came in person to see me several times. I did not pay a visit to thank you, because I considered that just being polite would be useless to you. Prince, you are now in a difficult position, it is time for me to give my life to serve you.” He then left with the Prince. As he finally went to bid farewell to Master Hou, he said : “I should go with you, but I am too old. I will then count the days since you left until you reached the camp of Jinbi. Then, I will face north, and cut my throat, as a way to escort you.” The Prince then left.　 　

至 鄴 ， 矯 魏 王 令 代 晉 鄙 。 晉 鄙 合 符 ， 疑 之 ， 舉 手視 公 子 曰 ： 「 今 吾 擁 十 萬 之 眾 ， 屯 於 境 上 ， 國 之 重 任 ，今 單 車 來 代 之 ， 何 如 哉 ？ 」 欲 無 聽 。 朱 亥 袖 四 十 斤 鐵 椎， 椎 殺 晉 鄙 ， 公 子 遂 將 晉 鄙 軍 。 勒 兵 下 令 軍 中 曰 ： 「 父子 俱 在 軍 中 ， 父 歸 ； 兄 弟 俱 在 軍 中 ， 兄 歸 ； 獨 子 無 兄 弟， 歸 養 。 」 得 選 兵 八 萬 人 ， 進 兵 擊 秦 軍 。 秦 軍 解 去 ， 遂救 邯 鄲 ， 存 趙 。 趙 王 及 平 原 君 自 迎 公 子 於 界 ， 平 原 君 負 矢 為 公 子 先 引 。 趙 王 再 拜 曰 ： 「 自 古 賢 人 未 有及 公 子 者 也 。 」 當 此 之 時 ， 平 原 君 不 敢 自 比 於 人 。 公 子與 侯 生 決 ， 至 軍 ， 侯 生 果 北 鄉 自 剄 。
When he arrived in Ye, he pretended that he had been sent by the King of Wei to replace Jinbi. Jinbi assembled the seals, hesitated, then raised his fist, looked at the Prince and said: “I lead some one hundred thousand men, stationed on the border. This is the highest command in the kingdom, and one man, alone in his chariot, would take it from me, how can it be?” As he intended to refuse the order, Zhuhai took out from his sleeve a forty pound iron hammer, struck Jinbi, and killed him. The prince then took command of Jinbi’s army, and wrote an order for its soldiers which said: “If a father and his son are in the army, let the son return home. If two brothers are conscripted, let the elder go back. And let all those who have no brother return to feed their families.” He then obtained eighty thousand soldiers, whom he led to attack the army of Qin. He broke through the army of Qin, and sent it fleeing: Handan was rescued and Zhao was saved. The King of Zhao and the Prince of Pingyuan came in person to escort him to the border. The Prince of Pingyuan, carrying an arrow sheath on his back, led the way. Then, the King of Zhao bowed twice and said: “Since the sages of Antiquity, there never was someone like you, Prince.” Since that time, the Prince of Pingyuan never dared compare himself to anyone. As he had promised, Master Hou had cut his throat, facing north, when the Prince had reached Jinbi’s camp.　 　

魏 王 怒 公 子 之 盜 其 兵 符 ， 矯 殺 晉 鄙 ， 公 子 亦 自 知也 。 已 卻 秦 存 趙 ， 使 將 將 其 軍 歸 魏 ， 而 公 子 獨 與 客 留 趙。 趙 孝 成 王 德 公 子 之 矯 奪 晉 鄙 兵 而 存 趙 ， 乃 與 平 原 君 計， 以 五 城 封 公 子 。 公 子 聞 之 ， 意 驕 矜 而 有 自 功 之 色 。 客有 說 公 子 曰 ： 「 物 有 不 可 忘 ， 或 有 不 可 不 忘 。 夫 人 有 德於 公 子 ， 公 子 不 可 忘 也 ； 公 子 有 德 於 人 ， 願 公 子 忘 之 也。 且 矯 魏 王 令 ， 奪 晉 鄙 兵 以 救 趙 ， 於 趙 則 有 功 矣 ， 於 魏則 未 為 忠 臣 也 。 公 子 乃 自 驕 而 功 之 ， 竊 為 公 子 不 取 也 。」 於 是 公 子 立 自 責 ， 似 若 無 所 容 者 。 趙 王 埽 除 自 迎 ， 執主 人 之 禮 ， 引 公 子 就 西 階 。 公 子 側 行 辭 讓 ， 從 東 階 上 。 自 言 罪 過 ， 以 負 於 魏 ， 無 功 於 趙 。 趙 王 侍酒 至 暮 ， 口 不 忍 獻 五 城 ， 以 公 子 退 讓 也 。 公 子 竟 留 趙 。趙 王 以 鄗 為 公 子 湯 沐 邑 ， 魏 亦 復 以 信 陵 奉 公 子 。公 子 留 趙 。
The King of Wei was angry that the Prince had stolen his command seal and had fooled and killed Jinbi. The Prince was aware of it. Therefore, after he had repealed Qin and saved Zhao, he sent his generals and his army back to Wei, and stayed alone with his clients in Zhao. King Xiaocheng of Zhao was thankful to the Prince for having stolen Jinbi’s troops and having saved his kingdom. He then conferred with the Prince of Pingyuan, and decided to give five cities as a fief to the Prince. When he heard of it, the Prince was proud, and had an arrogant look. One of his clients criticised him, saying: “Some things, one should never forget. Others, one should always forget. If someone does something for you, you shall not forget it. If you do something for someone, you should better forget. When you forged an order from the King of Wei, stole the armies of Jinbi and saved Zhao, you are a hero in Zhao, but in Wei, this is an act of treason, unworthy of a vassal. Now, you are proud of it, and think it is a great deed. I cannot agree with you.” The prince then regretted, and looked like he could not be soothed. The King of Zhao, sweeping the stairs before him, came to meet him, honouring him as a prince of the highest rank. He led him to his palace, through the western stairs. The Prince stayed aside, politely refused, and took the eastern stairs. He then explained that he was a criminal, a traitor to Wei, and that this could not be considered like a merit in Zhao. The King of Zhao then drank with him until the evening, but dare not speak about the five cities, lest the Prince would refuse them. As he stayed in Zhao, the King gave him Hao as a protectorate. The King of Wei gave him back his fief in Xinling, but the Prince would not return.

公 子 聞 趙 有 處 士 毛 公 藏 於 博 徒 ， 薛 公 藏 於 賣 漿 家， 公 子 欲 見 兩 人 ， 兩 人 自 匿 不 肯 見 公 子 。 公 子 聞所 在 ， 乃 閒 步 往 從 此 兩 人 游 ， 甚 歡 。 平 原 君 聞 之 ， 謂 其夫 人 曰 ： 「 始 吾 聞 夫 人 弟 公 子 天 下 無 雙 ， 今 吾 聞 之 ， 乃妄 從 博 徒 賣 漿 者 游 ， 公 子 妄 人 耳 。 」 夫 人 以 告 公 子 。 公子 乃 謝 夫 人 去 ， 曰 ： 「 始 吾 聞 平 原 君 賢 ， 故 負 魏 王 而 救趙 ， 以 稱 平 原 君 。 平 原 君 之 游 ， 徒 豪 舉 耳 ， 不 求士 也 。 無 忌 自 在 大 梁 時 ， 常 聞 此 兩 人 賢 ， 至 趙 ， 恐 不 得見 。 以 無 忌 從 之 游 ， 尚 恐 其 不 我 欲 也 ， 今 平 原 君 乃 以 為羞 ， 其 不 足 從 游 。 」 乃 裝 為 去 。 夫 人 具 以 語 平 原 君 。 平原 君 乃 免 冠 謝 ， 固 留 公 子 。 平 原 君 門 下 聞 之 ， 半 去 平 原君 歸 公 子 ， 天 下 士 復 往 歸 公 子 ， 公 子 傾 平 原 君 客 。
The Prince had heard of a sage named Maogong, who was hiding among gamblers, and of another named Xiegong, who hid among rice water merchants. He tried to visit them, but both hid themselves and refused to see him. When he knew where they were, he left alone, walking calmly, followed both of them in their ventures, and was very pleased. When the Prince of Pingyuan heard of this, he told his wife: “I used to think that no one in the world could be compared to your brother. But I have learned today that he idly follows gamblers and rice water peddlers. In fact, he is just frivolous.” His wife then told the prince, who thanked her and left, saying: “I used to think that the prince of Pingyuan was a sage. For him, I betrayed the King of Wei to rescue Zhao. But in fact, he only socialises with famous people, and it not attracted to real gentlemen. Since I lived in Daliang, I heard that these two men were sages. Once I was in Zhao, I was afraid that I could not meet them. I followed them in their ventures because I feared that they would not want to see me. If the Prince of Pingyuan thinks this is a disgrace, then it means that I am not wise enough to serve him.” He then pretended to leave. When his wife told him of this conversation, the Prince of Pingyuan, not even putting his cap on, came to apologise, and insisted that the Prince should stay. When the friends of the Prince of Pingyuan heard of this, half of them left him, and offered their service to the Prince of Wei. Braves from all parts of the world came the the Prince, who attracted all the clients of the Prince of Pingyuan.　 　

公 子 留 趙 十 年 不 歸 。 秦 聞 公 子 在 趙 ， 日 夜 出 兵 東伐 魏 。 魏 王 患 之 ， 使 使 往 請 公 子 。 公 子 恐 其 怒 之 ， 乃 誡 門 下 ： 「 有 敢 為 魏 王 使 通 者 ， 死 。 」 賓 客 皆 背 魏 之 趙 ，莫 敢 勸 公 子 歸 。 毛 公 、 薛 公 兩 人 往 見 公 子 曰 ： 「公 子 所 以 重 於 趙 ， 名 聞 諸 侯 者 ， 徒 以 有 魏 也 。 今 秦 攻 魏， 魏 急 而 公 子 不 恤 ， 使 秦 破 大 梁 而 夷 先 王 之 宗 廟 ， 公 子當 何 面 目 立 天 下 乎 ？ 」 語 未 及 卒 ， 公 子 立 變 色 ， 告 車 趣 駕 歸 救 魏 。
For ten years, the Prince of Wei stayed in Zhao, and did not return to Wei. When the King of Qin knew that the Prince was in Zhao, he repeatedly sent soldiers east to attack Wei. The King of Wei was worried about it, and sent messengers to ask the Prince to come back. But the Prince still feared the King’s anger, and has told his followers: “If someone dares talk with the messengers of the King of Wei, he will be put to death.” His clients therefore all left Wei and came to Zhao, and no one dared suggest that the Prince should come back to Wei. Only Maogong and Xiegong went to see the him, and said: “If you are respected in Zhao and famous among the feudal princes, it is only because Wei still exists. If Qin attacks Wei, if Wei is in danger but you do not come to its rescue, if Qin destroys Daliang, and overturns the temples of the ancient kings, what will the world, Prince, think of you?” They had not finished their sentence that the face of the Prince changed. He ordered that his chariot be prepared, to return to Wei and rescue it.

魏 王 見 公 子 ， 相 與 泣 ， 而 以 上 將 軍 印 授 公 子 ， 公子 遂 將 。 魏 安 釐 王 三 十 年 ， 公 子 使 使 遍 告 諸 侯 。 諸 侯 聞 公 子 將 ， 各 遣 將 將 兵 救 魏 。 公 子 率 五 國 之 兵 破 秦 軍 於 河外 ， 走 蒙 驁 。 遂 乘 勝 逐 秦 軍 至 函 谷 關 ， 抑 秦 兵 ， 秦 兵 不 敢 出 。 當 是 時 ， 公 子 威 振 天 下 ， 諸 侯 之 客 進 兵 法， 公 子 皆 名 之 ， 故 世 俗 稱 魏 公 子 兵 法 。
When the King of Wei saw the Prince, he burst into tears in front of him. Then he gave him the seal of general in chief. The Prince therefore took command of the armies of Wei. On the thirtieth year of King Anxi, the Prince sent messengers to call upon all feudal princes. When they heard that the Prince was leading the armies of Wei, they all sent generals leading troops, to its rescue. The Prince, leading the soldiers of five kingdoms, defeated Qin on the outside of the Yellow River, and forced Meng Ao to flee. Then, taking advantage of his victory, he chased the armies of Qin until he reached the pass of Hangu. He therefore defeated the soldiers of Qin, who dared not cross their border. At this time, the Prince of Wei was famous all over the world. Whenever a client of a feudal prince studied strategy, the prince would call upon him. This era was therefore known to all as the time of strategies of the Prince of Wei.　 　

秦 王 患 之 ， 乃 行 金 萬 斤 於 魏 ， 求 晉 鄙 客 ， 令 毀 公子 於 魏 王 曰 ：「 公 子 亡 在 外 十 年 矣 ， 今 為 魏 將 ， 諸 侯 將 皆 屬 ， 諸 侯 徒聞 魏 公 子 ， 不 聞 魏 王 。 公 子 亦 欲 因 此 時 定 南 面 而 王 ， 諸侯 畏 公 子 之 威 ， 方 欲 共 立 之 。 」 秦 數 使 反 閒 ， 偽 賀 公 子得 立 為 魏 王 未 也 。 魏 王 日 聞 其 毀 ， 不 能 不 信 ， 後 果 使 人代 公 子 將 。 公 子 自 知 再 以 毀 廢 ， 乃 謝 病 不 朝 ， 與 賓 客 為長 夜 飲 ， 飲 醇 酒 ， 多 近 婦 女 。 日 夜 為 樂 飲 者 四 歲 ， 竟 病酒 而 卒 。 其 歲 ， 魏 安 釐 王 亦 薨 。
The King of Qin was worried. He sent ten thousand pounds of gold to Wei, and gave it to a client of Jinbi, whom he charged to slander the Prince of Wei before the King, saying: “The Prince has spent more than ten years abroad, but now he is a general of Wei. All the generals from other kingdoms are his friends, and feudal princes have all heard of him, but not of the King of Wei. The Prince of Wei is not waiting for the right occasion to face south and become King. As the feudal princes are afraid of his might, they will comply with his desires and put him on the throne.” On several occasions, the King of Qin sent agent, posing as deserters, who pretended to congratulate the Prince on his toppling of the King of Wei. The King of Wei heard these insults every day, until he was no more able to not trust the Prince, and finally sent a new general to replace the Prince. The Prince knew that he was, again, destituted on account of slanders. Therefore, he pretended to be ill, and did not go to the court audiences anymore. He spent most of his nights feasting with his clients, drinking a lot of wine, and spending time with women. During four years, he thus banqueted and got drunk all day, until he became ill from alcohol and died. On this year, King Anxi of Wei also died.　 　

秦 聞 公 子 死 ， 使 蒙 驁 攻 魏 ， 拔 二 十 城 ， 初 置 東 郡。 其 後 秦 稍 蠶 食 魏 ， 十 八 歲 而 虜 魏 王 ， 屠 大 梁 。
When the King of Qin heard that the Prince had died, he sent Meng Ao attack Zhao. He took twenty cities, which formed the Eastern Province. After that, Qin went on conquering Wei, like a silkworm eating a mulberry leaf. Eighteen years later, the King of Wei was captured, and Daliang was destroyed.　 　

高 祖 始 微 少 時 ， 數 聞 公 子 賢 。 及 即 天 子 位 ， 每 過大 梁 ， 常 祠 公 子 。 高 祖 十 二 年 ， 從 擊 黥 布 還 ， 為 公 子 置守 冢 五 家 ， 世 世 歲 以 四 時 奉 祠 公 子 。
When Gaozu was still young and unknown, he had heard on several occasions that the Prince of Wei was a sage. When he had become Emperor, every time he would go through Daliang, he ordered a sacrifice to be done in his memory. On the twentieth year of his reign, as he came back from his campaign against Jing Bu, he ordered five families to guard the tomb of the Prince of Wei. From generation to generation, all year long, sacrifices to his memory are done. 　 　

太 史 公 曰 ： 吾 過 大 梁 之 墟 ， 求 問 其 所 謂 夷 門 。 夷門 者 ， 城 之 東 門 也 。 天 下 諸 公 子 亦 有 喜 士 者 矣 ， 然 信 陵君 之 接 巖 穴 隱 者 ， 不 恥 下 交 ， 有 以 也 。 名 冠 諸 侯 ， 不 虛耳 。 高 祖 每 過 之 而 令 民 奉 祠 不 絕 也 。
Commentary by Sima Qian :
As I travelled in the hills of Daliang, I asked where the door of Yi was. This door of Yi was the eastern gate of the city. In the world, many princes want to attract braves. However, looking for those which hide in grottoes and mountains, and not being afraid of their modest origins, like the Lord of Xinling did, this is exceptional. If his reputation topped that of the feudal prince, it was for good reasons. Therefore, every time Gaozu went through Daliang, he ordered the people to continue their sacrifices to his memory.

Shiji 48 - House of King Goujian of Yue

Eleventh house – King Goujian of Yue　 　

越 王 句 踐 ， 其 先 禹 之 苗 裔 ， 而 夏 后 帝 少 康 之 庶 子 也 。 封 於 會 稽 ， 以 奉 守 禹 之 祀 。 文 身 斷 髮 ， 披 草 萊 而 邑 焉 。 後 二 十 餘 世 ， 至 於 允 常 。 允 常 之 時 ， 與 吳 王 闔 廬 戰 而 相 怨 伐 。 允 常 卒 ， 子 句 踐 立 ， 是 為 越 王 。
The ancestor of Goujian, King of Yue, was a descendant of Yu, a low rank son of Emperor Shaokang of the Xia. He had been enfeoffed in Guiji, and charged of continuing the sacrifices to the memory of Yu. He had tatooed his body, cut his hair short, and cleared the vegetation to build his capital. More than twenty generations later, he was succeeded by Yunchang. In the time of Yunchang, he was at war with King Helu of Wu, whom he detested. When Yunchang died, his son Goujian was enthroned, and became the King of Yue.　 　

元 年 ， 吳 王 闔 廬 聞 允 常 死 ， 乃 興 師 伐 越 。 越 王 句踐 使 死 士 挑 戰 ， 三 行 ， 至 吳 陳 ， 呼 而 自 剄 。 吳 師 觀 之 ，越 因 襲 擊 吳 師 ， 吳 師 敗 於 檇 李 ， 射 傷 吳 王 闔 廬 。闔 廬 且 死 ， 告 其 子 夫 差 曰 ： 「 必 毋 忘 越 。 」
On the first year, King Helu of Wu, having heard that Yunchang had died, assembled an army to attack Yue. King Goujian sent soldiers on a suicide mission to provoke the Wu. They deployed on three ranks in front of the armies of Wu, then shouted, and cut their throats. As the army of Wu was watching, the King of Yue ambushed and defeated it in Zuili. There, King Helu was wounded by an arrow. As he was about to die, he told his son, Fuchai: “Never forget Yue”.　 　

三 年 ， 句 踐 聞 吳 王 夫 差 日 夜 勒 兵 ， 且 以 報 越 ， 越欲 先 吳 未 發 往 伐 之 。 范 蠡 諫 曰 ： 「 不 可 。 臣 聞 兵 者 凶 器也 ， 戰 者 逆 德 也 ， 爭 者 事 之 末 也 。 陰 謀 逆 德 ， 好 用 凶 器， 試 身 於 所 末 ， 上 帝 禁 之 ， 行 者 不 利 。 」 越 王 曰 ： 「 吾已 決 之 矣 。 」 遂 興 師 。 吳 王 聞 之 ， 悉 發 精 兵 擊 越 ， 敗 之夫 椒 。 越 王 乃 以 餘 兵 五 千 人 保 棲 於 會 稽 。 吳 王 追 而 圍 之 。
During the third year, King Goujian heard that King Fuchai of Wu was training his soldiers day and night, intent on having his revenge on Yue. The King planned to attack first, before Wu sent his troops to invade, but Fanli dissuaded him: “You should not do this. I am told that weapons are instruments of murder, that wars are rebellions against virtue, and that disputes cause the demise of those who provoke them. Secretly plot to rebel against virtue, love instruments of murder, work hard to cause one’s demise, the supreme emperor forbids it. Those who act this way will not succeed.” But the King of Yue said: “My decision is already made.” He then assembled an army. When the King of Wu heard of it, he sent all his best soldiers attack Yue, and defeated him in Fujiao. The King of Yue, leading more than five thousand men, fortified the hilltops of Guiji. The King of Wu chased him and surrounded him there.　 　

越 王 謂 范 蠡 曰 ： 「 以 不 聽 子 故 至 於 此 ， 為之 柰 何 ？ 」 蠡 對 曰 ： 「 持 滿 者 與 天 ， 定 傾 者 與 人， 節 事 者 以 地 。 卑 辭 厚 禮 以 遺 之 ， 不 許 ，而 身 與 之 市 。 」 句 踐 曰 ： 「 諾 。 」 乃 令 大 夫 種 行成 於 吳 ， 膝 行 頓 首 曰 ： 「 君 王 亡 臣 句 踐 使 陪 臣 種敢 告 下 執 事 ： 句 踐 請 為 臣 ， 妻 為 妾 。 」 吳 王 將 許 之 。 子胥 言 於 吳 王 曰 ： 「 天 以 越 賜 吳 ， 勿 許 也 。 」 種 還 ， 以 報句 踐 。 句 踐 欲 殺 妻 子 ， 燔 寶 器 ， 觸 戰 以 死 。 種 止 句 踐 曰： 「 夫 吳 太 宰 嚭 貪 ， 可 誘 以 利 ， 請 閒 行 言 之 。 」於 是 句 踐 以 美 女 寶 器 令 種 閒 獻 吳 太 宰 嚭 。 嚭 受 ，乃 見 大 夫 種 於 吳 王 。 種 頓 首 言 曰 ： 「 願 大 王 赦 句 踐 之 罪， 盡 入 其 寶 器 。 不 幸 不 赦 ， 句 踐 將 盡 殺 其 妻 子 ， 燔 其 寶器 ， 悉 五 千 人 觸 戰 ， 必 有 當 也 。 」 嚭 因 說 吳 王 曰： 「 越 以 服 為 臣 ， 若 將 赦 之 ， 此 國 之 利 也 。 」 吳 王 將 許之 。 子 胥 進 諫 曰 ： 「 今 不 滅 越 ， 後 必 悔 之 。 句 踐 賢 君 ，種 、 蠡 良 臣 ， 若 反 國 ， 將 為 亂 。 」 吳 王 弗 聽 ， 卒 赦 越 ，罷 兵 而 歸 。
The King of Yue told Fanli: « I did not listen to you, and there I am. What should I do now?” Fanli answered: “Stay one, and be similar to Heavens, straighten what falls and be similar to Man, act with restraint, and be similar to Earth. Humbly present excuses, offer rich presents will not be sufficient for him to leave. You have to offer yourself as a present to him.” Goujian said “All right”. He then ordered Minister Zhong to negociate peace with Wu. Advancing on his knees, bending his head, he said: “Goujian, the rebel vassal of your Lordliness, sends me, Zhong, a servant to your servant, who dares tell you of his affairs. Goujian wishes to become you vassal, and to give you his wife as a concubine.” As the King of Wu was about to accepts, Wu Zixu said to him: “Heavens have given Yue as a prize to Wu, you should not agree.” Zhong then came back, and reported to Guojian. He wanted to kill his wives and sons, destroys his treasures and belongings, and go alone, and find death in battle. Zhong stopped him and said: “Pei, the prime minister of Wu, is greedy, you could bribe him by offering presents. Please let me go and speak to him alone.” Goujian then gave Zhong beautiful women and rich treasures, and sent him secretly to offer them to Premier Pei of Wu. Pei accepted, and arranged an audience between the minister Zhong and the King of Wu. Zhong, bending his head, said: “Would your majesty forgive Goujian’s crime, he will give you all his treasures. Should, alas, you do not forgive him, Goujian intends to kill his wives and children, destroy his treasures and belongings, and lead his five thousand soldiers into battle. He will have to resist you.” Pei then told the King of Wu: “The king of Yue agrees to become your vassal, you should agree, for the good of the country.” As the King of Wu was about to agree, Zixu entered, and made the following reproaches: “If you do not destroy Wu now, you will regret it later. Goujian is a wise King, Zhong and Li are worthy vassals. If they choose to revolt, they will cause much trouble.” But the King of Wu did not listen, and forgave the King of Yue. He put an end to the siege, and returned to his kingdom.　 　

句 踐 之 困 會 稽 也 ， 喟 然 嘆 曰 ： 「 吾 終 於 此 乎 ？ 」種 曰 ： 「 湯 繫 夏 臺 ， 文 王 囚 羑 里 ， 晉 重 耳 奔 翟 ， 齊 小 白奔 莒 ， 其 卒 王 霸 。 由 是 觀 之 ， 何 遽 不 為 福 乎 ？ 」
When Guojian was in trouble in Guiji, he sighed: « Is this how I shall I end? » Zhong answered: “Tang was chained to Xiatai, King Wen was gaoled in Youli, Zhong’Er of Jin had to flee to Ji, Xiaobo of Qi had to flee to Ju. Yet, all of them became kings or hegemons in the end. If you look at it this way, why should you despair?”　 　

吳 既 赦 越 ， 越 王 句 踐 反 國 ， 乃 苦 身 焦 思 ， 置 膽 於坐 ， 坐 臥 即 仰 膽 ， 飲 食 亦 嘗 膽 也 。 曰 ： 「 女 忘 會 稽 之 恥邪 ？ 」 身 自 耕 作 ， 夫 人 自 織 ， 食 不 加 肉 ， 衣 不 重 采 ， 折節 下 賢 人 ， 厚 遇 賓 客 ， 振 貧 弔 死 ， 與 百 姓 同 其 勞。 欲 使 范 蠡 治 國 政 ， 蠡 對 曰 ： 「 兵 甲 之 事 ， 種 不 如 蠡 ；填 撫 國 家 ， 親 附 百 姓 ， 蠡 不 如 種 。 」 於 是 舉 國 政屬 大 夫 種 ， 而 使 范 蠡 與 大 夫 柘 稽 行 成 ， 為 質 於 吳。 二 歲 而 吳 歸 蠡 。
When Wu had forgiven Yue, King Guojian came back to his country. His worries exhausted his body and burned his mind. He had a liver hung over his throne, so that he could see it, whether he was sitting, or laying down. He added bile to his food and drinks, and kept on saying: “will you ever forget the humiliation in Guiji?” He ploughed his fields in person, his wife weaved their clothes. He added no meat to his meals, and his dress had no broderies. He did not care about his rank, and humbled himself before sages, generously treated his guests, helped the poor, mourned their deaths and shared the suffering of his people. He intended to entrust the government of his kingdom to Fan Li, who answered: “on military matters, I know better than Zhong. But when it comes to governing the country, and love and protect its people, Zhong is better than me.” Goujian then entrusted minister Zhong with the government, and sent Fan Li and the minister Zheji negociate peace, by serving as hostages in Wu. Two years later, Wu sent Fan Li back.　 　

句 踐 自 會 稽 歸 七 年 ， 拊 循 其 士 民 ， 欲 用 以 報 吳 。大 夫 逢 同 諫 曰 ： 「 國 新 流 亡 ， 今 乃 復 殷 給 ， 繕 飾備 利 ， 吳 必 懼 ， 懼 則 難 必 至 。 且 鷙 鳥 之 擊 也 ， 必 匿 其 形。 今 夫 吳 兵 加 齊 、 晉 ， 怨 深 於 楚 、 越 ， 名 高 天 下 ， 實 害周 室 ， 德 少 而 功 多 ， 必 淫 自 矜 。 為 越 計 ， 莫 若 結 齊 ， 親楚 ， 附 晉 ， 以 厚 吳 。 吳 之 志 廣 ， 必 輕 戰 。 是 我 連 其 權 ，三 國 伐 之 ， 越 承 其 弊 ， 可 克 也 。 」 句 踐 曰 ： 「 善 。 」
Seven years after Goujian came back from Guiji, as he treated generously his people and officials, he intended to use them to get his revenge on Wu. Minister Fengtong dissuaded him: “Our kingdom just avoided ruin He is now prosperous again. If we repair our monuments, and prepare ou weapons, Wu will certainly be afraid, and harm will soon follow. When an eagle is about to strike, he hides his intentions. Now, the armies of Wu are allied to those of Qi and Jin. They all hate Chu and Yue. Wu is famous in the world, and is a real threat to the house of Zhou. Its virtue is low, but its strength is huge. Wu will certainly grow arrogant, and will then decay. My advice for Yue is to improve relations with Qi, to treat well Chu, and to associate with Jin, while dealing generously with Wu. The King of Wu is very ambitious, he will certainly engage in reckless campaigns. Ally yourself to his strength, when the three kingdoms will attack him, we will benefit from its ruin, and we will be in a position to defeat him. Goujian said: “this is well.”　 　

居 二 年 ， 吳 王 將 伐 齊 。 子 胥 諫 曰 ： 「 未 可 。 臣 聞句 踐 食 不 重 味 ， 與 百 姓 同 苦 樂 。 此 人 不 死 ， 必 為 國 患 。吳 有 越 ， 腹 心 之 疾 ， 齊 與 吳 ， 疥  也 。 願 王 釋 齊先 越 。 」 吳 王 弗 聽 ， 遂 伐 齊 ， 敗 之 艾 陵 ， 虜 齊 高、 國 以 歸 。 讓 子 胥 。 子 胥 曰 ： 「 王 毋 喜 ！ 」 王 怒， 子 胥 欲 自 殺 ， 王 聞 而 止 之 。 越 大 夫 種 曰 ： 「 臣 觀 吳 王政 驕 矣 ， 請 試 嘗 之 貸 粟 ， 以 卜 其 事 。 」 請 貸 ， 吳 王 欲 與， 子 胥 諫 勿 與 ， 王 遂 與 之 ， 越 乃 私 喜 。 子 胥 言 曰 ： 「 王不 聽 諫 ， 後 三 年 吳 其 墟 乎 ！ 」 太 宰 嚭 聞 之 ， 乃 數 與 子 胥爭 越 議 ， 因 讒 子 胥 曰 ： 「 伍 員 貌 忠 而 實 忍 人 ， 其 父 兄 不顧 ， 安 能 顧 王 ？ 王 前 欲 伐 齊 ， 員 彊 諫 ， 已 而 有 功 ， 用 是反 怨 王 。 王 不 備 伍 員 ， 員 必 為 亂 。 」 與 逢 同 共 謀 ， 讒 之王 。 王 始 不 從 ， 乃 使 子 胥 於 齊 ， 聞 其 託 子 於 鮑 氏 ， 王 乃大 怒 ， 曰 ： 「 伍 員 果 欺 寡 人 ！ 」 役 反 ， 使 人 賜 子 胥 屬 鏤劍 以 自 殺 。 子 胥 大 笑 曰 ： 「 我 令 而 父 霸 ， 我 又 立若 ， 若 初 欲 分 吳 國 半 予 我 ， 我 不 受 ， 已 ， 今 若 反以 讒 誅 我 。 嗟 乎 ， 嗟 乎 ， 一 人 固 不 能 獨 立 ！ 」 報 使 者 曰： 「 必 取 吾 眼 置 吳 東 門 ， 以 觀 越 兵 入 也 ！ 」 於 是吳 任 嚭 政 。
Two years later, the King of Wu intended to attack Qi. Zixu tried to dissuade him, saying: “This cannot be done. I am told that Goujian puts no spices in his meals, and shares the happiness and suffering of his people. While this man is alive, he is a danger for our kingdom. Yue is like a cancer, which gnaws Wu’s belly and heart, whereas Qi is but a skin disease. I advise your majesty to leave Qi and starts with Yue.” But the King of Wu did not listen to him, and attacked Qi, which he defeated in Anling. He took Gao and Guo of Qi prisonners, and returned. As he criticised Zixu, he answered: “Your majesty should not be happpy!” The King then was angry after him. Zixu considered commiting suicide, but the King heard of it and dissuaded him. Minister Zhong of Yue said: “I have observed that the King of Wu has become an arrogant ruler. I suggest that we should test him and ask him to deliver us grains, to see how he reacts.” He then asked wheat from Wu. As the king was about to give them, Zixu tried to talk him out of it, but the king still gave, and the King of Yue was all the more pleased. Zixu then said: “The King no more listens to my observation. Before three years, Wu will be ruined!” When Premier Pi heard this, he slandered Zixu, saying : « Wuyuan seems loyal, but he really has a heart of stone. He did not bother to defend his father and brother, why would he worry about your majesty? When, some time ago, you decided to attack Qi, Yuan presented strong criticism. Yet, you succeeded, and since then, he turned to hating you. If your majesty does not take measures against Wuyuan, he will certainly cause trouble.” He then plotted with Feng Tong, who also slandered Yuan before the King, who started not trusting him anymore. He then sent Zixu as his ambassador in Qi. When he heard that he had left his son in the Bao family, the king was enraged and said: “And now Zixu is cheating on me!” When he came back from his embassy, the King sent someone bring him a Zhuliu sword, so that he commited suicide. Zixu then burst into laughter, and said: “I made your father a hegemon, I made you king, and you considered giving me half of your kingdom. Alas, I did not accept, and you now believe misrepresentations, and want to kill me. Alas, alas, one man truly cannot be right against all others!” He then told the King’s envoy: “Take my eyes, and hang them over the eastern door of Wu, so that they can see the armies of Yue enter!” The king of Wu then gave the government to Pi.

居 三 年 ， 句 踐 召 范 蠡 曰 ： 「 吳 已 殺 子 胥 ， 導 諛 者 眾 ， 可 乎 ？ 」 對 曰 ： 「 未 可 。 」
Three years later, Goujian called upon Fanli and asked : « The King of Wu had Zixu killed, he surrounds himself with advisors who flatter him. Can we attack him?” Fanli said: “Not yet.”

至 明 年 春 ， 吳 王 北 會 諸 侯 於 黃 池 ， 吳 國 精兵 從 王 ， 惟 獨 老 弱 與 太 子 留 守 。 句 踐 復 問 范 蠡 ，蠡 曰 「 可 矣 」 。 乃 發 習 流 二 千 人 ， 教 士 四 萬 人 ， 君 子 六 千 人 ， 諸 御 千 人 ， 伐 吳 。 吳師 敗 ， 遂 殺 吳 太 子 。 吳 告 急 於 王 ， 王 方 會 諸 侯 於 黃 池 ，懼 天 下 聞 之 ， 乃 祕 之 。 吳 王 已 盟 黃 池 ， 乃 使 人 厚 禮 以 請 成 越 。 越 自 度 亦 未 能 滅 吳 ， 乃 與 吳 平 。
The next year, in Spring, the King of Wu went north to meet the feudal lords in Hangchi. The best soldiers of Wu escorted him, and only the youngest and oldest were left with the crown prince to defend the kingdom. Goujian asked again Fanli, who answered: “Now you can.” He then sent two thousand ex-convicts turned soldiers, forty thousand professional soldiers, six thousand nobles and one thousand chariots attack Wu. The armies of Wu were defeated, and the crown prince was killed. When the people of Wu told the king of their distress, he was just meeting with the feudal princes in Huangchi. He was afraid that every one would hear of it, and tried to hide it. When the King of Wu had signed a treaty in Huangchi, he sent an envoy, carrying rich presents, to negociate peace with Yue. The King of Yue, considering thay he could not yet destroy Wu, accepted the peace offer.　 　



其 後 四 年 ， 越 復 伐 吳 。 吳 士 民 罷 弊 ， 輕 銳 盡 死 於齊 、 晉 。 而 越 大 破 吳 ， 因 而 留 圍 之 三 年 ， 吳 師 敗 ， 越 遂復 棲 吳 王 於 姑 蘇 之 山 。 吳 王 使 公 孫 雄 肉 袒 膝 行 而前 ， 請 成 越 王 曰 ： 「 孤 臣 夫 差 敢 布 腹 心 ， 異 日 嘗 得 罪 於會 稽 ， 夫 差 不 敢 逆 命 ， 得 與 君 王 成 以 歸 。 今 君 王 舉 玉 趾而 誅 孤 臣 ， 孤 臣 惟 命 是 聽 ， 意 者 亦 欲 如 會 稽 之 赦 孤 臣 之罪 乎 ？ 」 句 踐 不 忍 ， 欲 許 之 。 范 蠡 曰 ： 「 會 稽 之 事 ， 天以 越 賜 吳 ， 吳 不 取 。 今 天 以 吳 賜 越 ， 越 其 可 逆 天 乎 ？ 且夫 君 王 蚤 朝 晏 罷 ， 非 為 吳 邪 ？ 謀 之 二 十 二 年 ， 一 旦 而 棄 之 ， 可 乎 ？ 且 夫 天 與 弗 取 ， 反 受 其 咎 。 『 伐 柯 者 其 則 不遠 』 ， 君 忘 會 稽 之 厄 乎 ？ 」 句 踐 曰 ： 「 吾 欲 聽 子 言 ， 吾不 忍 其 使 者 。 」 范 蠡 乃 鼓 進 兵 ， 曰 ： 「 王 已 屬 政 於 執 事， 使 者 去 ， 不 者 且 得 罪 。 」 吳 使 者 泣 而 去。 句 踐 憐 之 ， 乃 使 人 謂 吳 王 曰 ： 「 吾 置 王 甬 東 ， 君 百 家。 」 吳 王 謝 曰 ： 「 吾 老 矣 ， 不 能 事 君 王 ！ 」 遂 自殺 。 乃 蔽 其 面 ， 曰 ： 「 吾 無 面 以 見 子 胥 也 ！ 」 越王 乃 葬 吳 王 而 誅 太 宰 嚭 。

Four years later, Yue attacked Wu again. The officiers and soldiers of Wu were in bad shape. Through carelessness and temerity, a lot of them had died in Qi and Jin, and the Yue inflicted them a severe defeat. Its armies occupied Wu, and besieged its capital for three years, and the army of Wu was finally beaten and again, the king of took refuge in the mountains of Gusu. He then sent Gongsun Xiong, his chest bare, walking on his knees, sue the King of Yue for peace, saying: “Fuchai, your vassal, dares open his heart to you. Long ago, after he betrayed you in Guiji, he dared not disobey your order, made peace with your majesty and left. If your majesty now moves his precious feet and has his vassal executed, he will not disobey either. But considering the current situation, how could he not hope that you will forgive his crime, as you did before in Guiji? » Goujian was moved, and inclined to accept. But Fanli said: “After the Guiji incident, Heaven gave Yue to Wu, but Wu did not take it. Today, Heaven gives Wu to us, can Yue refuse this gift? Your majesty’s constant preoccupation from the morning audience to the end of the day, is it not Wu? You have prepared for this during twenty two years, and on one morning, you would abandon everything, is it possible? If you do not take today what Heaven offers you, you will pay for it. ‘When one carves an axe handle, its model is not far away’. Could you have forgotten the humiliation of Guiji?” Goujian answered: “I hear you, but I cannot bear telling the messenger.” Fanli then ordered his soldiers to advance, his drums beating, and said: “The King of Wu entrusted his delegate with the government. The envoys of Wu should leave, least we consider them as criminals.” The envoy of Wu, crying, returned. Goujian pitied him, and sent a messenger to the King of Wu, saying: “I will bestow Yongdong as a fief to your majesty. You will rule over a hundre families.” But the King of Wu refused, saying: “I am too old to be able to serve your majesty!” Then, he commited suicide. As he died, he covered his face, saying : « How could I see the face of Zixu ? » The King of Yue then made a funeral for the King of Wu, and had premier Pi executed.　 　



句 踐 已 平 吳 ， 乃 以 兵 北 渡 淮 ， 與 齊 、 晉 諸 侯 會 於徐 州 ， 致 貢 於 周 。 周 元 王 使 人 賜 句 踐 胙 ， 命 為 伯 。 句 踐 已 去 ， 渡 淮 南 ， 以 淮 上 地 與 楚 ， 歸 吳 所 侵 宋 地 於宋 ， 與 魯 泗 東 方 百 里 。 當 是 時 ， 越 兵 橫 行 於 江 、 淮 東 ，諸 侯 畢 賀 ， 號 稱 霸 王 。

After Goujian pacified Wu, he led his army to the north, and, crossing the Huai, he met with the feudal princes of Qi and Jin in Xuzhou, and resumed sending tributes to the king of Zhou. King Yuan of Zhou sent an envoy, offering Goujian some meat which had been sacrified on his ancestral temple. He made him Count. Goujian returned, crossing the Huai to the south. He gave the territories of Huaishang back to Chu. He also returned to Song the lands which had been taken by Wu, and gave Lu a square area of one hundred leagues on the east of the Si. Upon this time, the armies of Yue held all the region from the Yangzi to the east of the Huai. The feudal princes paid him respect, and gave him the title of Hegemon-King.　 　



范 蠡 遂 去 ， 自 齊 遺 大 夫 種 書 曰 ： 「 蜚 鳥 盡 ， 良 弓 藏 ； 狡 兔 死 ， 走 狗 烹 。 越 王 為 人 長 頸 鳥 喙 ， 可 與 共 患 難 ， 不 可 與 共 樂 。 子 何 不 去 ？ 」 種 見 書 ， 稱 病 不 朝。 人 或 讒 種 且 作 亂 ， 越 王 乃 賜 種 劍 曰 ： 「 子 教 寡 人 伐 吳七 術 ， 寡 人 用 其 三 而 敗 吳 ， 其 四 在 子 ， 子 為 我 從先 王 試 之 。 」 種 遂 自 殺 。

Fanli then left. From Qi, he sent a letter to minister Zhong, which said: « When all brids have flown away, the great bows are put to rest. When all the swift hares are dead, the running dogs get eaten. The King of Yue has a long neck, and a bird’s beak. He is able to share his suffering, but he will not be able to share his bliss. Why don’t you leave?” Whe Zhong read the letter, he pretended the he was ill, and stopped attending the court audiences. Some slandered him, saying that he planned to revolt, and the King of Yue sent him a sword, saying: “You taught me seven tricks to fight Wu. I used three to defeat him, and you are left with four, which you want to use against me as you did with those before me.” Zhong then commited suicide.



句 踐 卒 ， 子 王 鼫 與 立 。 王 鼫 與 卒 ，子 王 不 壽 立 。 王 不 壽 卒 ， 子 王 翁 立 。 王 翁 卒 ， 子 王 翳 立 。 王 翳 卒 ， 子 王 之 侯 立 。 王 之 侯 卒， 子 王 無 彊 立 。

When Goujian died, his son, King Shiyu was enthroned. When he died, he was succeeded by his son, King Bushou, which was succeeded by King Weng, King Yi, and King Zhihou. When King Zhihou died, his son, King Wuqiang, was enthroned.　 　



王 無 彊 時 ， 越 興 師 北 伐 齊 ， 西 伐 楚 ， 與 中 國 爭 彊。 當 楚 威 王 之 時 ， 越 北 伐 齊 ， 齊 威 王 使 人 說 越 王 曰 ： 「越 不 伐 楚 ， 大 不 王 ， 小 不 伯 。 圖 越 之 所 為 不 伐 楚 者 ， 為 不 得 晉 也 。 韓 、 魏 固 不 攻 楚 。 韓 之 攻 楚 ， 覆 其 軍 ， 殺 其將 ， 則 葉 、 陽 翟 危 ； 魏 亦 覆 其 軍 ， 殺 其 將 ， 則 陳、 上 蔡 不 安 。 故 二 晉 之 事 越 也 ， 不 至 於 覆軍 殺 將 ， 馬 汗 之 力 不 效 。 所 重 於 得 晉 者 何 也 ？ 」 越 王 曰 ： 「 所 求 於 晉 者 ， 不 至 頓 刃 接 兵 ， 而 況 于攻 城 圍 邑 乎 ？ 願 魏 以 聚 大 梁 之 下 ， 願 齊 之 試 兵 南 陽 莒 地 ， 以 聚 常 、 郯 之 境 ， 則 方 城 之 外 不南 ， 淮 、 泗 之 閒 不 東 ， 商 、 於 、 析 、 酈 、 宗 胡 之 地 ， 夏 路 以 左 ， 不 足 以 備 秦， 江 南 、 泗 上 不 足 以 待 越 矣 。 則 齊 、 秦 、 韓 、魏 得 志 於 楚 也 ， 是 二 晉 不 戰 分 地 ， 不 耕 而 穫 之 。 不 此 之為 ， 而 頓 刃 於 河 山 之 閒 以 為 齊 秦 用 ， 所 待 者 如 此 其 失 計， 柰 何 其 以 此 王 也 ！ 」 齊 使 者 曰 ： 「 幸 也 越 之 不 亡 也 ！吾 不 貴 其 用 智 之 如 目 ， 見 豪 毛 而 不 見 其 睫 也 。 今 王 知 晉之 失 計 ， 而 不 自 知 越 之 過 ， 是 目 論 也 。 王 所 待 於 晉 者 ， 非 有 馬 汗 之 力 也 ， 又 非 可 與 合 軍 連 和 也 ， 將 待 之 以 分 楚 眾 也 。 今 楚 眾 已 分 ， 何 待 於 晉 ？ 」 越 王 曰 ： 「柰 何 ？ 」 曰 ： 「 楚 三 大 夫 張 九 軍 ， 北 圍 曲 沃 、 於 中 ，以 至 無 假 之 關 者 三 千 七 百 里 ， 景 翠 之 軍 北 聚 魯 、 齊 、 南 陽 ， 分 有 大 此 者 乎 ？ 且 王 之 所 求 者 ， 鬥 晉 楚 也 ； 晉 楚 不 鬥 ， 越 兵 不 起 ， 是 知二 五 而 不 知 十 也 。 此 時 不 攻 楚 ， 臣 以 是 知 越 大 不 王 ， 小不 伯 。 復 讎 、 龐 、 長 沙 ， 楚 之 粟 也 ；竟 澤 陵 ， 楚 之 材 也 。 越 窺 兵 通 無 假 之 關 ， 此 四邑 者 不 上 貢 事 於 郢 矣 。 臣 聞 之 ， 圖 王 不 王 ， 其敝 可 以 伯 。 然 而 不 伯 者 ， 王 道 失 也 。 故 願 大 王 之 轉 攻 楚也 。 」

During the reign of King Wuqiang, Yue assembled an army to attack Qi to the North. To the West, he fought Chu. It contested the supremacy of the Central Kingdoms. During the reign of King Wei of Chu, the King of Yue attacked Qi to the North. King Wei of Qi sent an envoy to Yue, who told the King: “So long you do not attack Chu, even if Yue becomes a large state, you will not be a king, and if Yue stays small, you will not be a hegemon. In my opinion, the reason why you do not want to attack Chu is because you do not have the support of Jin. Now, neither Han nor Wei will fight Chu. If Han attacked, it would lose its army, have his generals killed, and risk losing Xie and Yangdi. And if Wei lost his army and his generals, it would endanger Chen and Shangcai. Therefore, even if the two princes of Jin ally with Yue, they will not want to lose the armies and generals, and you will never see their horses charge. Why do prize so much the support of Jin?” The King of Yue answered: “What I want from the two Jin is not that they draw their swords and fight, even less that they attack fortresses and besiege cities! I wish Wei would mass its troops below Daliang, and I wish Qi to train his men in Nanyang and on the territory of Ju, so that they occupy the border which goes from Chang to Tan. Therefore, Chu will not be able to take the garrisons of Fangcheng to the South. His armies between the Huai and the Si will not be able to move East. On the territories of Shang, Yu, Xi, Zhi and Zonghu, on the left side of the road of the Xia, it will not have enough soldiers to defend against Qin. And south of the Yangzi, on the upper valley of the Si, it will not be able to contain Yue. Hence, Qi, Qin, Han and Wei will impose their will upon Chu, and the two Jin will conquer territories without having to fight, and reap without having to plough. If they do not act this way, and rattle their swords between the Yellow River and the mountains, they will in fact serve the interests of Qi and Qin. Why would I not be King?” The envoy of Qi said: “May the Yue never be defeated! Yet, I do not approve his reasoning, which is like an eye which pretends to notice a tiny hair, but fails to see its own eyelashes. Your majesty has indeed understood why the plans of Jin will be defeated, yet he does not see the weaknesses of Yue, just like the eye of my story. What you want from Jin is not that it tires his horses for your sake, nor that it unites his armies with yours. You want it to force Chu to disperse his forces. But the armies of Chu are already dispersed, why then are you waiting for Jin?” The king said: “What do you mean?” He answered: “Three officials of Chu lead nine armies. In the north, they surround Quwo and Yuzhong. Three thousand seven hundred leagues away from the pass of Wujia, the army of Jincui is assembled on the northern border, defending against Lu, Qi and Nanyang. Is this army not dispersed? What your majesty hopes is that Jin and Chu will fight. So long they do not, the armies of Yue will not move. You can see two times five, but you cannot see ten, and, as you do not attack Chu now, I can see that even if Yue becomes large, you will not be a king, and if it stays small you will not be a hegemon. Still, Chou, Pang and Changsha are the granaries of Chu. Jingzeling provides its wood. If the soldiers of Yue hold the pass of Wujia, these four cities will not be able to pay their tributes to Ying. I am told, someone who wants to become king can accept for a moment to be a hegemon. But someone who cannot be a hegemon has forever forfeited his claim to royalty. This is why I hope your majesty will attack Chu.”　 　



於 是 越 遂 釋 齊 而 伐 楚 。 楚 威 王 興 兵 而 伐 之 ， 大 敗越 ， 殺 王 無 彊 ， 盡 取 故 吳 地 至 浙 江 ， 北 破 齊 於 徐 州 。 而 越 以 此 散 ， 諸 族 子 爭 立 ， 或 為 王 ， 或 為 君 ， 濱 於江 南 海 上 ， 服 朝 於 楚 。

Therefore, the King of Yue abandoned Qi and attacked Chu. King Wei of Chu assembled an army, and attacked him. Yue was severely defeated, and King Wuqiang was killed. Chu finally took the old territories of Wu, up to river Zhe. To the north, it defeated Qi in Xuzhou. The state of Yue then split, the sons of different clans fought for power, some called themselves Kings, others Lords. From the southern bank of the Yangzi o the sea, all submitted to Chu.　 　



後 七 世 ， 至 閩 君 搖 ， 佐 諸 侯 平 秦 。 漢 高 帝 復 以 搖為 越 王 ， 以 奉 越 後 。 東 越 ， 閩 君 ， 皆 其 後 也 。

Seven generations later, Prince Yao of Min helped the feudal princes to submit Qin. Han Gaozu again named Yao King of Yue, and gave Yue to his descendents. The eastern Yue and the lords of Min are his descendents.



范 蠡 事 越 王 句 踐 ， 既 苦 身 戮 力 ， 與 句 踐 深謀 二 十 餘 年 ， 竟 滅 吳 ， 報 會 稽 之 恥 ， 北 渡 兵 於 淮 以 臨 齊、 晉 ， 號 令 中 國 ， 以 尊 周 室 ， 句 踐 以 霸 ， 而 范 蠡 稱 上 將軍 。 還 反 國 ， 范 蠡 以 為 大 名 之 下 ， 難 以 久 居 ， 且 句 踐 為人 可 與 同 患 ， 難 與 處 安 ， 為 書 辭 句 踐 曰 ： 「 臣 聞 主 憂 臣勞 ， 主 辱 臣 死 。 昔 者 君 王 辱 於 會 稽 ， 所 以 不 死 ， 為 此 事也 。 今 既 以 雪 恥 ， 臣 請 從 會 稽 之 誅 。 」 句 踐 曰 ： 「 孤 將與 子 分 國 而 有 之 。 不 然 ， 將 加 誅 于 子 。 」 范 蠡 曰 ： 「 君行 令 ， 臣 行 意 。 」 乃 裝 其 輕 寶 珠 玉 ， 自 與 其 私 徒 屬 乘 舟浮 海 以 行 ， 終 不 反 。 於 是 句 踐 表 會 稽 山 以 為 范 蠡 奉 邑。

Fan Li served Goujian, the King of Yue, and spent all his efforts to give him profound advices for more than twenty years. Having finally defeated Wu, and cleared the humiliation of Guiji, Goujian led his soldiers north, over the Huai, and took the lead over Central Kingdoms. Out of respect for the Zhou dynasty, he took the name of hegemon, and Fan Li became his general in chief. As they returned home, Fan Li understood that his fame could only go down, and that he therefore could not stay for too long in Yue. Besides, while Goujian while a man who could share his suffering with him, he would not bear that the country was in peace. He then wrote a letter of farewell to Goujjian, which said: “I am told, when a ruler is in difficulty, his vassal shall toil, when a ruler is humiliated, his vassal shall die. Long ago, your majesty was humiliated in Guiji, and I was not put to death so that I could serve you until now. Now that the humiliation is cleared, I demand to be executed, as I should have been in Guiji.” Goujian answered: “I, the orphan, want to split my kingdom, and give a part of it to you. If you refuse, I will again have you executed.” Fan Li said: “Rulers give orders, vassals can only give advice.” He then had his chariots loaded with gems, pearls and jades, and, together with his family and servants, he boarded a ship, took to sea, and never came back. Goujian then ordered that Mount Guiji be dedicated to the memory of Fan Li.　 　



范 蠡 浮 海 出 齊 ， 變 姓 名 ， 自 謂 鴟 夷 子 皮 ， 耕 于 海 畔 ， 苦 身 戮 力 ， 父 子 治 產 。 居 無 幾 何 ， 致 產 數 十萬 。 齊 人 聞 其 賢 ， 以 為 相 。 范 蠡 喟 然 嘆 曰 ： 「 居 家 則 致千 金 ， 居 官 則 至 卿 相 ， 此 布 衣 之 極 也 。 久 受 尊 名 ， 不 祥。 」 乃 歸 相 印 ， 盡 散 其 財 ， 以 分 與 知 友 鄉 黨 ， 而 懷 其 重寶 ， 閒 行 以 去 ， 止 于 陶 ， 以 為 此 天 下 之 中 ， 交 易 有 無 之 路 通 ， 為 生 可 以 致 富 矣 。 於 是 自 謂 陶 朱 公 。 復 約要 父 子 耕 畜 ， 廢 居 ， 候 時 轉 物 ， 逐 什 一 之 利 。 居 無 何 ，則 致 貲 累 巨 萬 。 天 下 稱 陶 朱 公 。

Crossing the sea, Fan Li went to Qi. There, he changed his name to Zhiyi Zipi. He became a peasant on the shores of the ocean, immersed himself in work, and managed his possessions, with the help of his sons. Soon after, his fortune represented hundreds of thousands of ounces of gold. The people of Qi, knowing that he was wise, wanted to make him a minister. Fan Li sighed heavily, and said: “Gather a fortune at home, become a minister at the court, this is the dream of every commoner. But to be respected and famous for long, this is not a good thing.” He therefore returned the minister seal to the prince, and spent his fortune, and shared it between his friends, his relations, and the people from his village. Then, taking with him his most precious possessions, he went on the roads and left the country. He stopped in Tao, which he considered as the centre of the world. All commercial routes, large and small, crossed there, and people living there could easily make a fortune. He again changed his named, to be known as Zhugong of Tao. He again settled with his sons as a farmer. He gathered the goods which no one wanted, and sold them back at the right moment, taking a ten per cent benefit. Soon after, he was extremely rich, and every one in the world had heard about of Zhugong of Tao.　 　



朱 公 居 陶 ， 生 少 子 。 少 子 及 壯 ， 而 朱 公 中 男 殺 人， 囚 於 楚 。 朱 公 曰 ： 「 殺 人 而 死 ， 職 也 。 然 吾 聞 千 金 之子 不 死 於 市 。 」 告 其 少 子 往 視 之 。 乃 裝 黃 金 千 溢 ， 置 褐 器 中 ， 載 以 一 牛 車 。 且 遣 其 少 子 ， 朱 公 長 男 固 請 欲 行 ，朱 公 不 聽 。 長 男 曰 ： 「 家 有 長 子 曰 家 督 ， 今 弟 有 罪 ， 大 人 不 遣 ， 乃 遺 少 弟 ， 是 吾 不 肖 。 」 欲 自 殺 。 其 母 為 言 曰： 「 今 遣 少 子 ， 未 必 能 生 中 子 也 ， 而 先 空 亡 長 男 ， 柰 何？ 」 朱 公 不 得 已 而 遣 長 子 ， 為 一 封 書 遺 故 所 善 莊 生 。 曰 ： 「 至 則 進 千 金 于 莊 生 所 ， 聽 其 所 為 ， 慎 無 與 爭事 。 」 長 男 既 行 ， 亦 自 私 齎 數 百 金 。

When Zhugong lived in Tao, he had a younger son, who was very strong. His second son killed someone and was jailed in Chu. Zhugon said: “Being killed, when one has killed someone else, this is fair. However, I was told that the sons of rich families could avoid being executed on marketplaces.” He then told his youngest son to go see his brother. He put thousand handfuls of gold in a bag, loaded it among valueless objects, and sent him on an ox-drawn carriage. As the youngest son was about to leave, the oldest one insisted that he should go instead. But Zhugong refused. The oldest son said: “The oldest son in a family is said to be the head of family. My younger brother committed a crime, yet you, father, would not send me, and would rather have the youngest of us go. You consider me unworthy. » He considered killing him self, but his mother told him: « If we now send your youngest, it is because he might not be able to save his brother. If we also lost our oldest son, what would become of us?” But Zhugong could not talk him to reason, and finally sent his oldest son. He gave him a letter for one of his old friends, named Zhuang Sheng, and told him: “On your arrival, give a thousand ounces of gold to Zhuang Sheng for this affair. Listen to what he intends to do, and be careful not to argue with him about it.” The oldest son then left. He gave him several hundreds ounces of gold for his expenses.　 　



至 楚 ， 莊 生 家 負 郭 ， 披 藜 藋 到 門 ， 居 甚 貧 。 然 長男 發 書 進 千 金 ， 如 其 父 言 。 莊 生 曰 ： 「 可 疾 去 矣 ， 慎 毋 留 ！ 即 弟 出 ， 勿 問 所 以 然 。 」 長 男 既 去 ， 不 過 莊 生 而 私留 ， 以 其 私 齎 獻 遺 楚 國 貴 人 用 事 者 。

The son arrived in Chu. The house of Zhuang Sheng leaned on the outer wall of the city. On had to push away pigweeds and thorns to reach the door, and he lived a very poor life. The oldest son gave him the letter and the thousand ounces of gold, as his father had told him. Zhuang Sheng said: “You must hurry back home. Do not stay here! When your brother is freed, do not ask him questions.” The oldest son then left, but he did not obey Zhuang Sheng, and secretly stayed in Chu. He spent the money which his father had given for his travel expenses to make presents to nobles of Chu, in order to get their good graces.　 　



莊 生 雖 居 窮 閻 ， 然 以 廉 直 聞 於 國 ， 自 楚 王 以 下 皆 師 尊 之 。 及 朱 公 進 金 ， 非 有 意 受 也 ， 欲 以 成 事 後 復 歸 之以 為 信 耳 。 故 金 至 ， 謂 其 婦 曰 ： 「 此 朱 公 之 金 。 有 如 病不 宿 誡 ， 後 復 歸 ， 勿 動 。 」 而 朱 公 長 男 不 知 其 意 ， 以 為 殊 無 短 長 也 。

Although Zhuang Sheng lived in a poor street, his honesty and righteousness were famous in the state of Chu. And the King and his vassals all consulted him for advice and respected him. When Zhugong gave him gold, he did not intend to keep it, but to give it back to him when the affair was settled, to prove his loyalty. Therefore, once he received the gold, he told his wife: “This money belongs to Zhugong. Take care of it, should I fall sick or not come back. You will have to give it back, so do not touch it.” However, the oldest son of Zhugong did not understand his intent, and considered that he would be unable to act upon the judgement.　 　



莊 生 閒 時 入 見 楚 王 ， 言 「 某 星 宿 某 ， 此 則 害 於 楚」 。 楚 王 素 信 莊 生 ， 曰 ： 「 今 為 柰 何 ？ 」 莊 生 曰 ： 「 獨以 德 為 可 以 除 之 。 」 楚 王 曰 ： 「 生 休 矣 ， 寡 人 將 行 之 。」 王 乃 使 使 者 封 三 錢 之 府 。 楚 貴 人 驚 告 朱 公 長 男曰 ： 「 王 且 赦 。 」 曰 ： 「 何 以 也 ？ 」 曰 ： 「 每 王 且 赦 ，常 封 三 錢 之 府 。 昨 暮 王 使 使 封 之 。 」 朱 公 長 男 以為 赦 ， 弟 固 當 出 也 ， 重 千 金 虛 棄 莊 生 ， 無 所 為 也 ， 乃 復見 莊 生 。 莊 生 驚 曰 ： 「 若 不 去 邪 ？ 」 長 男 曰 ： 「 固 未 也。 初 為 事 弟 ， 弟 今 議 自 赦 ， 故 辭 生 去 。 」 莊 生 知 其 意 欲復 得 其 金 ， 曰 ： 「 若 自 入 室 取 金 。 」 長 男 即 自 入 室 取 金持 去 ， 獨 自 歡 幸 。

Zhuang Sheng chose an auspicious moment to visit the King of Chu, and said: “such star is in such mansion, this forebodes harm for Chu.” The King of Chu naturally trusted Zhuang Sheng, and said: “What should I do about it?” Zhuang Sheng said: “Only the practice of virtue can make you avoid it.” The King of Chu say: “I will declare a general amnesty.” The King then sent a messenger seal the royal treasury. A noble of Chu then informed the oldest son of Zhugong, saying: “The King is about to grace prisoners.” He said: “How do you know?” He answered: « Every time the king is about to proclaim a general amnesty, he has the royal treasury sealed, and yesterday evening, he sent a messenger to do this.” The oldest son thought that if there was an amnesty, his brother would certainly be freed. Then, the thousand ounces of gold would have been given in vain to Zhuang Sheng, which was not fitting. He therefore came back to see Zhuang Sheng, who seemed startled and said: “How come you did not go?” The oldest son said: “Not yet. I first came here to save my brother, but I have now learned that a royal decree will grace him. This is why I came to say good bye to you.” Zhuang Sheng understood that he wanted the gold back, so he said: “Please come inside my house, and take the gold.” The oldest son then came in, took the gold and left, happy of his good fortune.　 　



莊 生 羞 為 兒 子 所 賣 ， 乃 入 見 楚 王 曰 ： 「 臣 前 言 某星 事 ， 王 言 欲 以 修 德 報 之 。 今 臣 出 ， 道 路 皆 言 陶 之 富 人朱 公 之 子 殺 人 囚 楚 ， 其 家 多 持 金 錢 賂 王 左 右 ， 故 王 非 能 恤 楚 國 而 赦 ， 乃 以 朱 公 子 故 也 。 」 楚 王 大 怒 曰 ： 「 寡 人雖 不 德 耳 ， 柰 何 以 朱 公 之 子 故 而 施 惠 乎 ！ 」 令 論 殺 朱 公子 ， 明 日 遂 下 赦 令 。 朱 公 長 男 竟 持 其 弟 喪 歸 。

Zhuang Sheng felt humiliated, because he had been shortchanged by the son of Zhugong. He then went to see the King of Chu and said: “When, some time ago, I told you about these star conjunctions, your majesty decided to respond to it with a generous deed. But today, while I was out, I heard every one in the street say that a son of Zhugong, that rich man of Tao, had killed a man and was jailed in Chu. They say his family members have given a lot of gold to your majesty and his court, and that you proclaimed this amnesty not because you sympathized with the state of Chu, but for the son of Zhugong.” The King of Chu was enraged, and said: “I might lack virtue, but then, pretending that this good deed is only meant for the son of Zhugong!” He then ordered that the son of Zhugong be executed, and the next day, he proclaimed a general amnesty. The oldest son of Zhugong claimed the body of his brother and came back home.　 　



至 ， 其 母 及 邑 人 盡 哀 之 ， 唯 朱 公 獨 笑 ， 曰 ： 「 吾固 知 必 殺 其 弟 也 ！ 彼 非 不 愛 其 弟 ， 顧 有 所 不 能 忍 者 也 。是 少 與 我 俱 ， 見 苦 ， 為 生 難 ， 故 重 棄 財 。 至 如 少 弟 者 ，生 而 見 我 富 ， 乘 堅 驅 良 逐 狡 兔 ， 豈 知 財 所 從 來 ，故 輕 棄 之 ， 非 所 惜 吝 。 前 日 吾 所 為 欲 遣 少 子 ， 固 為 其 能棄 財 故 也 。 而 長 者 不 能 ， 故 卒 以 殺 其 弟 ， 事 之 理 也 ， 無足 悲 者 。 吾 日 夜 固 以 望 其 喪 之 來 也 。 」

When he arrived, his mother and the people form the city were very sad. Only Zhugong smiled and said: “I knew for certain that he would cause the death of his brother! It is not because he did not love him, but because he lacked patience. Since he was a child, we have been together, he went through hard times, he had a difficult life, and for this reason he is reluctant to give his money away. As for his younger brothers, they were born when I was already rich, they hunt hares on good chariot, drawn by splendid horses, and do not know where their fortune come from. Therefore, they are less reluctant to give it away, and never show avarice. Some days ago, I wanted to send our younger son because I thought he would be able to spend this money. His older brother could not, and this finally provoked the death of his brother. This is how things go, there is no need to cry. For several days, I have been preparing myself to see the dead body of our son return.”　 　



故 范 蠡 三 徙 ， 成 名 於 天 下 ， 非 苟 去 而 已 ， 所 止 必成 名 。 卒 老 死 于 陶 ， 故 世 傳 曰 陶 朱 公 。

Thus, Fan Li lived three lives, and became famous in the world. Not only did he leave when he was famous, he also became famous everywhere he went. He finally died of old age in Tao. This is why chronicles usually call him Zhugong of Tao.　 　



太 史 公 曰 ： 禹 之 功 大 矣 ， 漸 九 川 ， 定 九 州， 至 于 今 諸 夏 艾 安 。 及 苗 裔 句 踐 ， 苦 身 焦 思 ， 終 滅 彊 吳， 北 觀 兵 中 國 ， 以 尊 周 室 ， 號 稱 霸 王 。 句 踐 可 不謂 賢 哉 ！ 蓋 有 禹 之 遺 烈 焉 。 范 蠡 三 遷 皆 有 榮 名 ， 名 垂 後世 。 臣 主 若 此 ， 欲 毋 顯 得 乎 ！

Commentary by Sima Qian

Yu achieved great deeds. He made the rivers flow to the sea, and put all the empire in order. Thanks to him, the world has been in order and peace until our times. Goujian, his descendent, tired his body and burned his brain until he finally triumphed over the great kingdom of Wu. He went north, to show his armies to the central kingdoms, but out of respect for the rule of the Zhou kings, he took the title of king hegemon. Goujina was certainly not a sage! Bu some of the virtue of Yu was probably left in him. Fan Li moved three times, and every time achieved fame. His name was known to future generations. If we wanted such princes and advisors, would we find some nowadays?