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?