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?