Shiji 66 - Biography of Wu Zixu

Sixth biography – Wu Zixu

伍 子 胥 者 ， 楚 人 也 ， 名 員 。 員 父 曰 伍 奢 。 員 兄 曰 伍尚 。 其 先 曰 伍 舉 ， 以 直 諫 事 楚 莊 王 ， 有 顯 ， 故 其後 世 有 名 於 楚 。
Wu Zixu was a native of Chu. His first name was Yuan. His father was Wu She, and his older brother Wu Shang. They were descendents of Wu Ju, who was known for having dared speak the truth to King Zhuang of Chu, and whose family had been famous in Chu for several generations.　 　

楚 平 王 有 太 子 名 曰 建 ， 使 伍 奢 為 太 傅 ， 費 無 忌 為 少 傅 。 無 忌 不 忠 於 太 子 建 。 平 王 使 無 忌 為 太 子 取 婦 於 秦 ， 秦 女 好 ， 無 忌 馳 歸 報 平 王 曰 ： 「 秦 女 絕 美 ， 王可 自 取 ， 而 更 為 太 子 取 婦 。 」 平 王 遂 自 取 秦 女 而 絕 愛 幸 之 ， 生 子 軫 。 更 為 太 子 取 婦 。
During the reign of King Ping of Chu, the crown prince was named Jian. Wu She was his first tutor. Fei Wuji, the second tutor, was not (liked by) [Correction] loyal to the crown prince. King Ping sent him to Qin to find a wife for the prince. The princess of Qin was beautiful, and Wuji then hurried back to Chu and told King Ping : “the princess of Qin is extremely beautiful. Your majesty should take her for him, and find another for the crown prince.” The King therefore kept the princess, fell in love with her, and she became his favourite. She gave him a son named Zhen. Afterwards, he found another wife for the crown prince.　 　

無 忌 既 以 秦 女 自 媚 於 平 王 ， 因 去 太 子 而 事 平 王 。恐 一 旦 平 王 卒 而 太 子 立 ， 殺 己 ， 乃 因 讒 太 子 建 。 建 母 ，蔡 女 也 ， 無 寵 於 平 王 。 平 王 稍 益 疏 建 ， 使 建 守 城 父 ， 備 邊 兵 。
By presenting him the princess of Qin, Wuji had pleased King Ping. He therefore left the service of the crown prince, to enter the King’s household. However, he feared that, when the King died and the crown prince succeeded him, he would be put to death. For this reason, he began to defame prince Jian. Jian’s mother was a princess of Cai, she had lost the favours of the King. Gradually, King Ping was estranged from Jian, whom he finally named Governor of Chengfu, in charge of the troops on the kingdom’s border.　 　

頃 之 ， 無 忌 又 日 夜 言 太 子 短 於 王 曰 ： 「 太 子 以 秦女 之 故 ， 不 能 無 怨 望 ， 願 王 少 自 備 也 。 自 太 子 居 城 父 ，將 兵 ， 外 交 諸 侯 ， 且 欲 入 為 亂 矣 。 」 平 王 乃 召 其 太 傅 伍奢 考 問 之 。 伍 奢 知 無 忌 讒 太 子 於 平 王 ， 因 曰 ： 「 王 獨 柰何 以 讒 賊 小 臣 疏 骨 肉 之 親 乎 ？ 」 無 忌 曰 ： 「 王 今 不 制 ，其 事 成 矣 。 王 且 見 禽 。 」 於 是 平 王 怒 ， 囚 伍 奢 ， 而 使 城 父 司 馬 奮 揚 往 殺 太 子 。 行 未 至 ， 奮 揚 使 人 先 告 太子 ： 「 太 子 急 去 ， 不 然 將 誅 。 」 太 子 建 亡 奔 宋 。
For some time, Wuji kept on slandering the crown prince. He said : « Since that affair with the princess of Qin, the crown prince cannot look at you without hate. He envies your Majesty and neglects his duties. Now that he is in Chengfu, with troops under his command, he has contacts with foreign princes, and plans to come back and cause unrest.” King Ping therefore called upon Wu She to question him. Wu She knew that Wuji had misrepresented the crown prince to the King, he answered : “How can your Majesty, on account of lies, humiliate me, and disavow his own blood?” Wuji then said: “If your Majesty does not put an end to this, the crown prince will carry out his plot, and your Majesty will become his captive.” King Ping was enraged by this. He had Wu She arrested, and ordered Fenyang, the military governor of Chengfu, to kill the crown prince. Before carrying out his orders, Fenyang sent a word to the prince, saying : “flee at once, or you will be killed.” Prince Jian therefore fled to Song.　 　

無 忌 言 於 平 王 曰 ： 「 伍 奢 有 二 子 ， 皆 賢 ， 不 誅 且 為 楚 憂 。 可 以 其 父 質 而 召 之 ， 不 然 且 為 楚 患 。 」 王 使 使謂 伍 奢 曰 ： 「 能 致 汝 二 子 則 生 ， 不 能 則 死 。 」 伍 奢 曰 ：「 尚 為 人 仁 ， 呼 必 來 。 員 為 人 剛 戾 忍  ， 能 成 大 事 ， 彼 見 來 之 并 禽 ， 其 勢 必 不 來 。 」 王 不聽 ， 使 人 召 二 子 曰 ： 「 來 ， 吾 生 汝 父 ； 不 來 ， 今 殺 奢 也。 」 伍 尚 欲 往 ， 員 曰 ： 「 楚 之 召 我 兄 弟 ， 非 欲 以 生 我 父也 ， 恐 有 脫 者 後 生 患 ， 故 以 父 為 質 ， 詐 召 二 子 。 二 子 到， 則 父 子 俱 死 。 何 益 父 之 死 ？ 往 而 令 讎 不 得 報 耳 。 不 如奔 他 國 ， 借 力 以 雪 父 之 恥 ， 俱 滅 ， 無 為 也 。 」 伍 尚 曰 ：「 我 知 往 終 不 能 全 父 命 。 然 恨 父 召 我 以 求 生 而 不 往 ， 後不 能 雪 恥 ， 終 為 天 下 笑 耳 。 」 謂 員 ： 「 可 去 矣 ！ 汝 能 報 殺 父 之 讎 ， 我 將 歸 死 。 」 尚 既 就 執 ， 使 者 捕 伍 胥 。 伍 胥 貫 弓 執 矢 嚮 使 者 ， 使 者 不 敢 進 ， 伍 胥 遂 亡 。 聞 太子 建 之 在 宋 ， 往 從 之 。 奢 聞 子 胥 之 亡 也 ， 曰 ： 「 楚 國 君臣 且 苦 兵 矣 。 」 伍 尚 至 楚 ， 楚 并 殺 奢 與 尚 也 。
Wuji then told the King : « Wu She has two sons, both are brave. If you do not have them executed, they will become a danger for Chu. Take advantage that you hold their father hostage to call upon them. If you do not, the kingdom of Chu will live to regret it.” The King sent a messenger to Wu She, saying : “If you call on your two sons, you will live. If you don’t, you will die.” Wu She answered : “Shang is a good person, he will come if I call him. Yuan is stubborn and cannot bear to be commanded, he is capable of great deeds. He will understand that he will be arrested on his arrival, and therefore will refuse to come.” The King would not listen to him, and sent an envoy to call on both sons, saying: “If you come, your father will be spared, if you don’t, he will be executed.” As Wu Shang wanted to go, Yuan said: “The King of Chu calls both of us not because he intends to spare our father, but because he fears that if we escape, we then might cause trouble. For this reason, he uses our father’s arrest to lure us both into coming. When he gets hold of the sons, he will have all of us killed. What then will our father have died for? If we go, our murder will never be avenged. We should better leave for another kingdom, and find allies to help us get revenge for the humiliating end of our father. If will all die, this will not happen.” Wu Shang answered: “I know that even if I go, I might not be able to save our father. But I would hate that our father had called us for help and none of us had come. This shame could never be redeemed, and the whole world would laugh at us.” He told Yuan: “Leave ! You will be able to avenge our father’s murder, I will go and die with him.” Shang then surrendered himself. When the envoy of the King tried to get hold of Wu Xu, he drew his bow, and pointed an arrow at him. The envoy did not dare advance, and Wu Xu fled. As he had heard that the crown prince had taken refuge in Song, he followed him there. When She learned that his son, Xu, had fled, he said : “Lords and vassals of Chu, prepare your armies!” When Wu Shang arrive in the capital of Chu, he had both She and Shang killed.

伍 胥 既 至 宋 ， 宋 有 華 氏 之 亂 ， 乃 與 太 子 建俱 奔 於 鄭 。 鄭 人 甚 善 之 。 太 子 建 又 適 晉 ， 晉 頃 公 曰 ： 「太 子 既 善 鄭 ， 鄭 信 太 子 。 太 子 能 為 我 內 應 ， 而 我 攻 其 外， 滅 鄭 必 矣 。 滅 鄭 而 封 太 子 。 」 太 子 乃 還 鄭 。 事 未 會 ，會 自 私 欲 殺 其 從 者 ， 從 者 知 其 謀 ， 乃 告 之 於 鄭 。 鄭 定 公與 子 產 誅 殺 太 子 建 。 建 有 子 名 勝 。 伍 胥 懼 ， 乃 與 勝 俱 奔吳 。 到 昭 關 ， 昭 關 欲 執 之 。 伍 胥 遂 與 勝 獨 身 步 走， 幾 不 得 脫 。 追 者 在 後 。 至 江 ， 江 上 有 一 漁 父 乘 船 ， 知伍 胥 之 急 ， 乃 渡 伍 胥 。 伍 胥 既 渡 ， 解 其 劍 曰 ： 「 此 劍 直百 金 ， 以 與 父 。 」 父 曰 ： 「 楚 國 之 法 ， 得 伍 胥 者 賜 粟 五萬 石 ， 爵 執 珪 ， 豈 徒 百 金 劍 邪 ！ 」 不 受 。 伍 胥 未 至 吳 而疾 ， 止 中 道 ， 乞 食 。 至 於 吳 ， 吳 王 僚 方 用 事 ， 公子 光 為 將 。 伍 胥 乃 因 公 子 光 以 求 見 吳 王 。
When Wu Zixu arrived in Song, the Hua family had revolted. He then fled to Zheng, with crown prince Jian. The people in Zheng were very kind to them. Then, the crown prince left again for Jin. Duke Qing of Jin said: “You like Zheng, and the prince of Zheng trusts you. If you can help me from the inside, and if I attack them, Zheng is doomed. When Zheng is destroyed, I will give it to you as a fief.” The crown prince then came back to Zheng. Before their plans were carried out, the prince had a private conflict with one of his followers, whom he wanted to have killed. That person was aware of the plot, and informed the prince of Zheng. Duke Ding and Zichan therefore executed prince Jian. Prince Jian had a son named Sheng. After his demise, Wu Xu feared for his life. He took Sheng with him and fled to Wu. As they arrived at the pass of Zhao, border guards tried to capture them. Wu Xu and Sheng barely escaped. They had to flee on foot, and leave their escort behind them. As they arrived to the Yangzi, they found a fisherman on a boat. As he saw that they were in a hurry, he helped them across the river. When Wu Xu had crossed, he took his sword and said: “this sword is worth a hundred talents of gold, please take it.” The fisherman said : “According to the laws of Chu, the person who will capture Wu Xu will receive five hundred thousand bushels of grain, a title of nobility, and a tablet of jade. And you expect me to accept a sword worth a hundred talents gold?” He refused the present. Before he arrived in Wu, Wu Xu fell ill. He had to stop on the way, and beg for his food. When he finally arrived, King Liao was looking for people to serve him, and prince Guang was a general. Wu Xu therefore went to see prince Guang, to ask for an audience with the King.　 　

久 之 ， 楚 平 王 以 其 邊 邑 鍾 離 與 吳 邊 邑 卑 梁 氏 俱 蠶， 兩 女 子 爭 桑 相 攻 ， 乃 大 怒 ， 至 於 兩 國 舉 兵 相 伐 。 吳 使 公 子 光 伐 楚 ， 拔 其 鍾 離 、 居 巢 而 歸 。 伍 子 胥 說 吳王 僚 曰 ： 「 楚 可 破 也 。 願 復 遣 公 子 光 。 」 公 子 光 謂 吳 王 曰 ： 「 彼 伍 胥 父 兄 為 戮 於 楚 ， 而 勸 王 伐 楚 者 ， 欲 以 自 報其 讎 耳 。 伐 楚 未 可 破 也 。 」 伍 胥 知 公 子 光 有 內 志 ， 欲 殺王 而 自 立 ， 未 可 說 以 外 事 ， 乃 進 專 諸 於 公 子 光 ，退 而 與 太 子 建 之 子 勝 耕 於 野 。
Some time before, the people from Zhongli, in Chu, and those from Beiliang, in Wu, fed silkworms. Girls from the two cities claimed possession of the same mulberry trees. Their dispute ended as a fight. When King Ping of Chu heard of it, he was enraged, and finally the two kingdoms raised armies to fight each other. The King of Wu sent prince Guang to attack Chu. He took Zhongli and Juchao, before returning home. Wu Zixu told King Liao of Wu : “Chu can be destroyed, you should send prince Guang again.” Prince Guang said to the King: “The father and brother of this man, Wu Zixu, were both killed by the king of Chu. He is pressing your Majesty to attack the Chu because he wants to avenge them. I may attack the Chu, but I will not be able to destroy it.” Wu Xu knew that prince Guang had a secret ambition: kill the King and claim the throne. Until then, talking to him about foreign ventures was useless. He therefore presented Zhuanzhu to prince Guang. Then, he left and settled with Sheng, the son of prince Jian, on the borders of the kingdom, where he became a farmer.　 　

五 年 而 楚 平 王 卒 。 初 ， 平 王 所 奪 太 子 建 秦 女 生 子 軫 ， 及 平 王 卒 ， 軫 竟 立 為 後 ， 是 為 昭 王 。 吳 王 僚 因 楚 喪， 使 二 公 子 將 兵 往 襲 楚 。 楚 發 兵 絕 吳 兵 之 後 ， 不 得 歸 。吳 國 內 空 ， 而 公 子 光 乃 令 專 諸 襲 刺 吳 王 僚 而 自 立 ， 是 為吳 王 闔 廬 。 闔 廬 既 立 ， 得 志 ， 乃 召 伍 員 以 為 行 人 ， 而 與謀 國 事 。
Five years later, King Ping of Chu died. Years before, the Princess of Qin, whom King Ping had taken from Prince Guang, had given birth to a son, named Zhen. When the King died, Zhen was designated as his heir, and became King Zhao. King Liao of Wu, taking advantage of the funeral, sent two princes with their armies to surprise Chu. Chu dispatched his armies to cut the retreat of the soldiers of Wu, who could not return home. As the kingdom of Wu was left undefended, prince Guang ordered Zhuanzhu to ambush and kill King Liao, and proclaimed himself King. He assumed the name of King Helu of Wu. When he arrived on the throne, having achieved his project, he invited Wu Yuan, named him ambassador, and began consulting him on state matters. 　 　

楚 誅 其 大 臣 郤 宛 、 伯 州 犁 ， 伯 州 犁 之 孫 伯 嚭 亡 奔吳 ， 吳 亦 以 嚭 為 大 夫 。 前 王 僚 所 遣 二 公 子 將 兵 伐 楚 者 ， 道 絕 不 得 歸 。 後 聞 闔 廬 弒 王 僚 自 立 ， 遂 以其 兵 降 楚 ， 楚 封 之 於 舒 。 闔 廬 立 三 年 ， 乃 興 師 與 伍 胥 、伯 嚭 伐 楚 ， 拔 舒 ， 遂 禽 故 吳 反 二 將 軍 。 因 欲 至 郢 ， 將 軍孫 武 曰 ： 「 民 勞 ， 未 可 ， 且 待 之 。 」 乃 歸 。
The King of Chu executed two officials, Xi Wan and Bo Zhouli. The grand son of Bo Zhouli, Bo Pei, fled to the Wu, and the king of Wu named him governor. When the two princes who had been sent by king Liao of Wu to attack Chu, and who had their armies surrounded, heard that Helu had killed King Liao and taken the throne, they surrendered to Chu. The King gave them a fief in Chu. On the third year of his reign, Helu assembled an army, and, together with Bo Pei and Wu Xu, attacked Chu. They took Shu, and captured the two rebel generals. As they wanted to proceed to attack Ying, general Sun Wu said : “our troops are tired. We cannot do this. Let us wait.” They came back to Wu.　 　

四 年 ， 吳 伐 楚 ， 取 六 與 灊 。 五 年 ， 伐 越 ，敗 之 。 六 年 ， 楚 昭 王 使 公 子 囊 瓦 將 兵 伐 吳 。 吳 使伍 員 迎 擊 ， 大 破 楚 軍 於 豫 章 ， 取 楚 之 居 巢 。
On the fourth year, the King of Wu attacked Chu and took Liu and Qian. On the fifth year, he attacked Yue and defeated it. On the sixth year, King Zhao of Chu sent an army, led by prince Nangwa, to attack Wu. The King of Wu sent Wu Yuan to meet him. The armies of Chu were badly beaten in Xiangzhang, and Juchao was taken.　 　

九 年 ， 吳 王 闔 廬 謂 子 胥 、 孫 武 曰 ： 「 始 子 言 郢 未可 入 ， 今 果 何 如 ？ 」 二 子 對 曰 ： 「 楚 將 囊 瓦 貪 ， 而 唐 、蔡 皆 怨 之 。 王 必 欲 大 伐 之 ， 必 先 得 唐 、 蔡 乃 可 。 」 闔 廬聽 之 ， 悉 興 師 與 唐 、 蔡 伐 楚 ， 與 楚 夾 漢 水 而 陳 。 吳 王 之弟 夫 概 將 兵 請 從 ， 王 不 聽 ， 遂 以 其 屬 五 千 人 擊 楚將 子 常 。 子 常 敗 走 ， 奔 鄭 。 於 是 吳 乘 勝 而 前 ， 五戰 ， 遂 至 郢 。 己 卯 ， 楚 昭 王 出 奔 。 庚 辰 ， 吳 王 入郢 。
On the ninth year, King Helu told Wu Zixu and Sun Wu : « some time ago, you told me that I could not take Ying. Would it be possible now?” Both answered : “General Nangwa of Chu is greedy, and the people from Tang and Cai hate him. If your majesty really wants to defeat Chu, he should first get control of Tang and Cai.” Helu followed their advice. He mustered an army and, with the help of Tang and Cai, attacked Chu. Both armies we deployed on the each side of the Han. Fu Gai, the brother of the King of Wu, offered to lead the attack. The King refused, and led his own guard, strong of 5 000 men, to strike general Zichang of Chu. Zichang was defeated and fled to Zheng. The armies of Wu took advantage of this victory to advanced. After five battles, they reached Ying. On the day Jimao, King Zhao of Chu left his capital. On day Gengchen, the King of Wu entered Ying.　 　

昭 王 出 亡 ， 入 雲 夢 ； 盜 擊 王 ， 王 走 鄖 。 鄖公 弟 懷 曰 ： 「 平 王 殺 我 父 ， 我 殺 其 子 ， 不 亦 可 乎 ！ 」 鄖公 恐 其 弟 殺 王 ， 與 王 奔 隨 。 吳 兵 圍 隨 ， 謂 隨 人 曰： 「 周 之 子 孫 在 漢 川 者 ， 楚 盡 滅 之 。 」 隨 人 欲 殺 王 ， 王子 綦 匿 王 ， 己 自 為 王 以 當 之 。 隨 人 卜 與 王 於 吳 ， 不 吉 ，乃 謝 吳 不 與 王 。
King Zhao fled to Yunmeng. There, he was attacked by bandits, and left for Yun. Huai, the brother of the prince of Yun said: “King Ping killed our father. Shouldn’t we kill his son?” The prince of Yun was afraid that his brother would kill the King. So he took the King with him and fled to Sui. The armies of Wu put the siege on Sui, and spread a rumour among its people: “all descendents of the Zhou who used to live on the banks of the Han were exterminated by the King of Chu.” When the people of Sui wanted to kill the King, prince Qi hid him, and posed as him. The people of Sui consulted the augurs on whether they should hand the King to Wu, but the omens were bad, and they refused to betray their Lord.　 　

始 伍 員 與 申 包 胥 為 交 ， 員 之 亡 也 ， 謂 包 胥 曰 ： 「我 必 覆 楚 。 」 包 胥 曰 ： 「 我 必 存 之 。 」 及 吳 兵 入 郢 ， 伍子 胥 求 昭 王 。 既 不 得 ， 乃 掘 楚 平 王 墓 ， 出 其 尸 ， 鞭 之 三百 ， 然 後 已 。 申 包 胥 亡 於 山 中 ， 使 人 謂 子 胥 曰 ： 「 子 之報 讎 ， 其 以 甚 乎 ！ 吾 聞 之 ， 人 眾 者 勝 天 ， 天 定 亦 能 破 人。 今 子 故 平 王 之 臣 ， 親 北 面 而 事 之 ， 今 至 於 僇 死人 ， 此 豈 其 無 天 道 之 極 乎 ！ 」 伍 子 胥 曰 ： 「 為 我 謝 申 包胥 曰 ， 吾 日 莫 途 遠 ， 吾 故 倒 行 而 逆 施 之 。 」 於 是申 包 胥 走 秦 告 急 ， 求 救 於 秦 。 秦 不 許 。 包 胥 立 於 秦 廷 ，晝 夜 哭 ， 七 日 七 夜 不 絕 其 聲 。 秦 哀 公 憐 之 ， 曰 ： 「 楚 雖無 道 ， 有 臣 若 是 ， 可 無 存 乎 ！ 」 乃 遣 車 五 百 乘 救 楚 擊 吳。 六 月 ， 敗 吳 兵 於 稷 。 會 吳 王 久 留 楚 求 昭 王 ， 而闔 廬 弟 夫 概 乃 亡 歸 ， 自 立 為 王 。 闔 廬 聞 之 ， 乃 釋 楚 而 歸， 擊 其 弟 夫 概 。 夫 概 敗 走 ， 遂 奔 楚 。 楚 昭 王 見 吳 有 內 亂， 乃 復 入 郢 。 封 夫 概 於 堂 谿 ， 為 堂 谿 氏 。 楚 復 與吳 戰 ， 敗 吳 ， 吳 王 乃 歸 。
Years before, Wu Yuan and Shen Baoxu were friends. When Yuan fled the Kingdom, he had told Baoxu: “I will destroy Chu”, and Baoxu had answered: “I will defend it”. As the troops of Wu entered Ying, Wu Zixu searched the city for King Zhao, but could not find him. He then had the tomb of King Ping opened, exhumed his body, and whipped it three hundred times before leaving. Shen Baoxu had taken refuge in the mountain. He sent a messenger to Zixu, saying: “your vengeance is out of proportions! It is said that Heaven destroys those who dare challenge it. You were once a subject of King Ping, your kin faced north and served him, and now, you humiliated a dead man. This is the worst injure to Heaven!” Wu Zixu answered: “Convey my thanks to Shen Baoxu for his words, but I have been following this path for too long. How could I, now, step back?” Shen Baoxu fled to Qin, to tell its King about the events in Chu and ask for his help. The King refused. He then stood in the audience room of Qin, shedding tears, staying there for seven days and seven nights without stopping. Duke Ai of Qin was moved and said: “The prince of Chu might be corrupt, but he has such great subjects that I cannot possibly refuse to help him.” The King therefore sent five hundred chariots to attack Wu and rescue Chu. On the sixth month, he defeated the armies of Wu in Ji. In the meantime, as the King of Wu stayed in Chu to chase King Zhao, Fugai, King Helu’s brother, fled back to Wu and claimed the throne. When Helu heard of it, he left Chu and returned to fight his brother. Fugai was defeated and fled to Chu. King Zhao, taking advantage of the civil war in Wu, came back to Ying. He gave Tangxi as a fief to Fugai, who changed his name to Tangxi. When Chu battled Wu again, the armies of Wu were defeated and returned home.　 　

後 二 歲 ， 闔 廬 使 太 子 夫 差 將 兵 伐 楚 ， 取 番 。 楚 懼 吳 復 大 來 ， 乃 去 郢 ， 徙 於 鄀 。 當 是 時 ， 吳以 伍 子 胥 、 孫 武 之 謀 ， 西 破 彊 楚 ， 北 威 齊 晉 ， 南 服 越 人。
Two years later, Helu sent his troops, led by crown prince Fuchai, to attack Chu. He took Pan. As the King of Chu was afraid that the troops of Wu would come again, he left Ying and moved his capital to Ruo. At this time, thanks to the advice of Wu Zixu and Sun Wu, the King of Wu had defeated the powerful kingdom of Chu, on its western border. To the North, he dominated Qi and Jin. To the South, the people of Yue paid homage to him.

其 後 四 年 ， 孔 子 相 魯 。
Four years later, Confucius became a minister of Lu.　 　

後 五 年 ， 伐 越 。 越 王 句 踐 迎 擊 ， 敗 吳 於 姑 蘇 ， 傷闔 廬 指 ， 軍 卻 。 闔 廬 病 創 將 死 ， 謂 太 子 夫差 曰 ： 「 爾 忘 句 踐 殺 爾 父 乎 ？ 」 夫 差 對 曰 ： 「 不 敢 忘 。」 是 夕 ， 闔 廬 死 。 夫 差 既 立 為 王 ， 以 伯 嚭 為 太 宰 ， 習 戰射 。 二 年 後 伐 越 ， 敗 越 於 夫 湫 。 越 王 句 踐 乃 以 餘 兵 五 千 人 棲 於 會 稽 之 上 ， 使 大 夫 種 厚 幣 遺吳 太 宰 嚭 以 請 和 ， 求 委 國 為 臣 妾 。 吳 王 將 許 之 。 伍 子 胥諫 曰 ： 「 越 王 為 人 能 辛 苦 。 今 王 不 滅 ， 後 必 悔 之 。 」 吳王 不 聽 ， 用 太 宰 嚭 計 ， 與 越 平 。
Five years later, Wu attacked Yue. King Goujian of Yue had his army march on the troops of Wu, and defeated them in Gusu. King Helu received a wound on his toe and called for retreat. His wound infected. As he was about to die, he called upon crown prince Fuchai and said: « Shall you forget that Goujian killed your father?” Fucha answered: “How dare I?” The same evening, Helu died. Fuchai then became King, and named Bo Pei his Premier. He then went on practicing fencing and archery. Two years later, he attacked Yue and defeated it in Fuju. King Goujian of Yue, with more than five thousand soldiers, took refuge in the mountains of Guiji. He then sent his minister, Zhong, to offer rich presents to Premier Bo Pei, in order to sue for peace. He asked to subject his kingdom to Wu, to become a vassal, and offer his wife as a concubine to the King. As the King of Wu was about to accept, Wu Zixu tried to dissuade him, saying: “The King of Yue is capable of suffering and sacrifice to get his vengeance. If you do not destroy him now, you shall regret it later.” But the King would not listen to him, and followed Premier Pei’s advice, and made peace with Yue.　 　

其 後 五 年 ， 而 吳 王 聞 齊 景 公 死 而 大 臣 爭 寵 ， 新 君弱 ， 乃 興 師 北 伐 齊 。 伍 子 胥 諫 曰 ： 「 句 踐 食 不 重 味 ， 弔死 問 疾 ， 且 欲 有 所 用 之 也 。 此 人 不 死 ， 必 為 吳 患 。 今 吳 之 有 越 ， 猶 人 之 有 腹 心 疾 也 。 而 王 不 先 越 而 乃 務 齊 ， 不亦 謬 乎 ！ 」 吳 王 不 聽 ， 伐 齊 ， 大 敗 齊 師 於 艾 陵 ， 遂 威 鄒 魯 之 君 以 歸 。 益 疏 子 胥 之 謀 。
Five years later, the King of Wu heard that Duke Jing of Qi had died, and that his greater vassals were all fighting for influence on the new duke, who was very young. He then assembled and army and marched northwards towards the Qi. Wu Zixu criticised him saying: “Goujian eats the simplest of food (ie acts humbly). He mourns the dead and visits the sick. He will be able to demand anything from his people. So long this man is alive, Wu will be in danger. Yue is like a sickness that eats our stomach and our heart. But your majesty, instead of focusing on it, would rather deal with Qi. This is a great mistake!” But the King of Wu did not listen, he attacked Qi, severely defeated its armies in Ailing, submitted the lords of Zou dans Lu, and returned. Since then, he heeded less the advices of Zixu.　 　

其 後 四 年 ， 吳 王 將 北 伐 齊 ， 越 王 句 踐 用 子 貢 之 謀， 乃 率 其 眾 以 助 吳 ， 而 重 寶 以 獻 遺 太 宰 嚭 。 太 宰 嚭 既 數受 越 賂 ， 其 愛 信 越 殊 甚 ， 日 夜 為 言 於 吳 王 。 吳 王 信 用 嚭之 計 。 伍 子 胥 諫 曰 ： 「 夫 越 ， 腹 心 之 病 ， 今 信 其 浮 辭 詐 偽 而 貪 齊 。 破 齊 ， 譬 猶 石 田 ， 無 所 用 之 。 且 盤 庚 之 誥 曰： 『 有 顛 越 不 恭 ， 劓 殄 滅 之 ， 俾 無 遺 育 ， 無 使 易 種 于 茲邑 。 』 此 商 之 所 以 興 。 願 王 釋 齊 而 先 越 ； 若 不 然 ， 後 將悔 之 無 及 。 」 而 吳 王 不 聽 ， 使 子 胥 於 齊 。 子 胥 臨 行 ， 謂其 子 曰 ： 「 吾 數 諫 王 ， 王 不 用 ， 吾 今 見 吳 之 亡 矣 。 汝 與吳 俱 亡 ， 無 益 也 。 」 乃 屬 其 子 於 齊 鮑 牧 ， 而 還 報 吳 。
Four years later, as the King of Wu was about to go north and attack Qi, King Goujian of Yue, on the advice of Zigong, led his people to help Wu, and offered precious gift tp Premier Pei. The Premier had received presents from Yue on several occasions, and therefore was extremely partial about it. He spoke of Yue to the King of Wu all the time, and the King followed his advices. Wu Zixu made further criticism: “Yue is like a cancer in our bellies and hearts, but you trust their flatteries and lies, and covet Qi. Destroying Qi, it is like ploughing a field full of stones, nothing will come out of it. The decree of Pangeng says: “those who revolt, transgress my order, or lack respect, I will cut their noses and punish them. I will leave them without descendents, so they their sons cannot corrupt my country.” The Shang dynasty was established upon these principles. I wish your majesty would leave Qi and focus on Yue. If you do not, you will soon regret it forever.” The King did not heed his advice, and sent Zixu as an ambassador to Qi. As he was about to return, he told his son: “Several time, I gave advices to the King, but he would not listen to them. I now know that Wu is lost, and there is no need for you to get lost with it.” He then placed his son in the family of Bao Mu, in Qi, and returned to Wu to report on his mission.　 　

吳 太 宰 嚭 既 與 子 胥 有 隙 ， 因 讒 曰 ： 「 子 胥 為 人 剛 暴 ， 少 恩 ， 猜 賊 ， 其 怨 望 恐 為 深 禍 也 。 前 日 王 欲 伐 齊 ，子 胥 以 為 不 可 ， 王 卒 伐 之 而 有 大 功 。 子 胥 恥 其 計 謀 不 用， 乃 反 怨 望 。 而 今 王 又 復 伐 齊 ， 子 胥 專 愎 彊 諫 ， 沮 毀 用 事 ， 徒 幸 吳 之 敗 以 自 勝 其 計謀 耳 。 今 王 自 行 ， 悉 國 中 武 力 以 伐 齊 ， 而 子 胥 諫 不 用 ，因 輟 謝 ， 詳 病 不 行 。 王 不 可 不 備 ， 此 起 禍 不 難 。 且 嚭 使人 微 伺 之 ， 其 使 於 齊 也 ， 乃 屬 其 子 於 齊 之 鮑 氏 。 夫 為 人臣 ， 內 不 得 意 ， 外 倚 諸 侯 ， 自 以 為 先 王 之 謀 臣 ， 今 不 見用 ， 常 鞅 鞅 怨 望 。 願 王 早 圖 之 。 」 吳 王 曰 ： 「 微 子 之 言， 吾 亦 疑 之 。 」 乃 使 使 賜 伍 子 胥 屬 鏤 之 劍 ， 曰 ：「 子 以 此 死 。 」 伍 子 胥 仰 天 歎 曰 ： 「 嗟 乎 ！ 讒 臣 嚭 為 亂矣 ， 王 乃 反 誅 我 。 我 令 若 父 霸 。 自 若 未 立 時 ， 諸 公 子 爭立 ， 我 以 死 爭 之 於 先 王 ， 幾 不 得 立 。 若 既 得 立 ，欲 分 吳 國 予 我 ， 我 顧 不 敢 望 也 。 然 今 若 聽 諛 臣 言 以 殺 長者 。 」 乃 告 其 舍 人 曰 ： 「 必 樹 吾 墓 上 以 梓 ， 令 可 以 為 器； 而 抉 吾 眼 縣 吳 東 門 之 上 ， 以 觀 越 寇 之 入 滅 吳 也 。 」 乃 自 剄 死 。 吳 王 聞 之 大 怒 ， 乃 取 子 胥尸 盛 以 鴟 夷 革 ， 浮 之 江 中 。 吳 人 憐 之 ， 為立 祠 於 江 上 ， 因 命 曰 胥 山 。
Premier Pei did not like Zixu. He slandered him, saying: “Zixu is a harsh and violent person. He despises good deeds, and sees enemies everywhere. I fear that his angry ideas will soon turn into major problems. When recently, your Majesty wanted to attack Qi, Zixu said it was not possible. Yet you did it, in a glorious way. Zixu is ashamed that you did not listen to his advice, and therefore turned to angry thoughts. Now your Majesty wants to attack Qi again. Zixu is stubbornly resisting your idea, and tries to dissuade you through harsh criticism to use him for this mission. He vainly hopes that Wu is defeated, so that his ideas triumph. You now are preparing for a campaign, you are assembling all the kingdom’s forces, but Zixu is criticising and saying he will not go. He therefore refuses to associate with you, and will pretend to be sick so that he does not have to leave. Your majesty should react, and destroy this conspiracy before it can do harm. I had someone spy on Zixu. While he was an ambassador in Qi, he placed his son in the Bao family. Even though he is your subject, since he does not get what he wants in our Kingdom, he turns to other feudal princes. He still views himself as the counsellor of the previous king. As you do not consult him anymore, he spends his time criticising you. He hopes your Majesty will ponder these facts.” The king of Wu answered: “your words confirm all my doubts”. Then he sent an envoy bring Wu Zixu the sword Zhuliu, saying: “use it and die”. Wu Zixu, looking at the sky, sighed: “Alas! The slanders of a vassal, Pei, were all it took for the king to abandon me and have me executed. I made your father a hegemon-king. When you were still a prince, several other princes competed for the kingdom. I had to have a dispute, at the risk of my life, with your father, and even then you almost did not reign. When you arrived on the throne, you even offered to share his kingdom with me, but I dare not accept. And now, you are listening to the flatteries of a vassal who want to have his superior killed.” Then, he told his family : “Plant catalpas on my tomb, you will be able to use them to make coffins. Also, tear my eyes off my body, and hang them over the estern door of the capital, so that they can see the brigands of Yue destroy Wu.” The he cut his throat and died. When the King of Wu heard his last words, he was angry, and ordered the body of Zixu to be put in a horse skin sack, and thrown in the Yangzi River. The people of Wu took pity of Zixu, and built an altar to him over the River, in a place called Mount Xu.

吳 王 既 誅 伍 子 胥 ， 遂 伐 齊 。 齊 鮑 氏 殺 其 君 悼 公 而 立 陽 生 。 吳 王 欲 討 其 賊 ， 不 勝 而 去 。 其 後 二 年 ， 吳 王 召魯 衛 之 君 會 之 橐 皋 。 其 明 年 ， 因 北 大 會 諸 侯 於 黃池 ， 以 令 周 室 。 越 王 句 踐 襲 殺 吳 太 子 ， 破吳 兵 。 吳 王 聞 之 ， 乃 歸 ， 使 使 厚 幣 與 越 平 。 後 九 年 ， 越王 句 踐 遂 滅 吳 ， 殺 王 夫 差 ； 而 誅 太 宰 嚭 ， 以 不 忠 於 其 君， 而 外 受 重 賂 ， 與 己 比 周 也 。
After the King of Wu had put Zixu to death, he attacked Qi. Lord Bao of Qi had killed his prince, duke Dao, and put Yangsheng on the throne. The King of Wu wanted to punish the traitors, but did not win and had to return. Two years later, the King of Wu called upon the lords of Lu and Wei, and orgaznised the conference of Tuogao. The following year, he went North, and met with the feudal princes in Huangchi. He wanted to be recognised as a descendent of the Zhou kings. King Goujian of Yue took advantage of his absence to kill the crown prince of Wu, and destroy its army. When the King of Wu heard, he came back, and sent an envoy, with rich presents, sue the Yue for peace. Nine month later, King Goujian of Yue destroyed Wu. He killed king Fuchai, and had Premier Pei executed, because he has not been loyal to his lord, had accepted on several occasions presents from a foreign country, and had put his own interests before the common good.　 　

伍 子 胥 初 所 與 俱 亡 故 楚 太 子 建 之 子 勝 者 ， 在 於 吳。 吳 王 夫 差 之 時 ， 楚 惠 王 欲 召 勝 歸 楚 。 葉 公 諫 曰： 「 勝 好 勇 而 陰 求 死 士 ， 殆 有 私 乎 ！ 」 惠 王 不 聽 。 遂 召勝 ， 使 居 楚 之 邊 邑 鄢 ， 號 為 白 公 。 白 公 歸楚 三 年 而 吳 誅 子 胥 。
In the beginning, Wu Zixu had fled to Wu with prince Sheng, the son of crown prince Jian of Chu. During the reign of King Fuchai of Wu, King Hui wanted to call Sheng back to Chu. Duke Xie tried to dissuade him, saying : “ Sheng likes braves, and keeps in secret a company of daring assassins. His ambitions are dangerous to us!” But the King did not listen, called upon Sheng, and settled him in Yan, a city on the borders of Chu, where he assumed the title of Duke Bai. Three years after Duke Bai returned to Chu, the King of Wu had Zixu executed.　 　

白 公 勝 既 歸 楚 ， 怨 鄭 之 殺 其 父 ， 乃 陰 養 死 士 求 報鄭 。 歸 楚 五 年 ， 請 伐 鄭 ， 楚 令 尹 子 西 許 之 。 兵 未 發 而 晉伐 鄭 ， 鄭 請 救 於 楚 。 楚 使 子 西 往 救 ， 與 盟 而 還 。 白 公 勝怒 曰 ： 「 非 鄭 之 仇 ， 乃 子 西 也 。 」 勝 自 礪 劍 ， 人 問 曰 ： 「 何 以 為 ？ 」 勝 曰 ： 「 欲 以 殺 子 西 。 」 子 西 聞 之， 笑 曰 ： 「 勝 如 卵 耳 ， 何 能 為 也 。 」
Since Duke Sheng of Bai had come back to Chu, he hated the prince of Zheng, who had killed his father, and secretly kept a company of assassins, in order to carry out his revenge on Zheng. Fvie years after his return, he offered the king to attack Zheng. Zixi, the minister of Chu, accepted. But before the campaign had begun, Kin attacked Zheng, who called upon Chu for help. The King of Chu sent Zixi to rescue Zheng, then signed a treaty and returned. Duke Sheng of Bai was angry, and said: “If I cannot carry out my revenge on Zheng, I will get it on Zixi.” He then began to sharpen his sword. Someone asked him: “why are you doing this?” He answered: “To kill Zixi.” When Zixi heard of it, he laughed and said : « Sheng is an but an egg, how could he achieve this ? »　 　

其 後 四 歲 ， 白 公 勝 與 石 乞 襲 殺 楚 令 尹 子 西 、 司 馬子 綦 於 朝 。 石 乞 曰 ： 「 不 殺 王 ， 不 可 。 」 乃 劫 （之 ） 王 如 高 府 。 石 乞 從 者 屈 固 負 楚 惠 王 亡走 昭 夫 人 之 宮 。 葉 公 聞 白 公 為 亂 ， 率 其 國 人 攻 白公 。 白 公 之 徒 敗 ， 亡 走 山 中 ， 自 殺 。 而 虜 石 乞 ，而 問 白 公 尸 處 ， 不 言 將 亨 。 石 乞 曰 ： 「 事 成 為 卿 ， 不 成而 亨 ， 固 其 職 也 。 」 終 不 肯 告 其 尸 處 。 遂 亨 石 乞 ， 而 求惠 王 復 立 之 。
Four years later, duke Sheng of Bai and Shiqi ambushed and killed Zixi, the minister of Chu, and Ziqi, the minister of war, during an audience in the court. Shiqi said: “We should kill the King as well.” He then abducted the King, and brought him to the palace of Gao. But Qugu, a follower of Shiqi, took King Hui on his back, and carried him to the palace of Princess Zhao. When Duke Xie heard that Duke Bai had revolted, he assembled all the soldiers in the kingdom and attacked him. The party of Duke Bai was defeated. Duke Bai fled to the mountains, where he commited suicide. Prince Xie then captures Shiqi and asked for the body of Duke Bai, threatening to boil him alive if he would not tell. Shiqi said: “If our plot had succeeded, I would have become Prime minister. Now that it has failed, I shall be boiled alive. This is the way things go.” He never revealed where the body was. Duke Xie had him boiled, and then fetched King Hui and put him back on the throne.　 　

太 史 公 曰 ： 怨 毒 之 於 人 甚 矣 哉 ！ 王 者 尚 不 能 行 之於 臣 下 ， 況 同 列 乎 ！ 向 令 伍 子 胥 從 奢 俱 死 ， 何 異 螻 蟻 。棄 小 義 ， 雪 大 恥 ， 名 垂 於 後 世 ， 悲 夫 ！ 方 子 胥 窘 於 江 上， 道 乞 食 ， 志 豈 嘗 須 臾 忘 郢 邪 ？ 故 隱 忍 就 功 名 ，非 烈 丈 夫 孰 能 致 此 哉 ？ 白 公 如 不 自 立 為 君 者 ， 其 功 謀 亦不 可 勝 道 者 哉 ！
Commentary by Sima QianHate is the worst of poisons! When Kings are not able to settle disputes between their subjects, could one expect that men of equal rank achieve this? Asking Wu Zixu to come and be killed with his father, wasn’t this treating him like the tiniest insect? Bent on punishing this outrage, he left the path of justice, and this what future generations will remember of him. How sad! When Zixu was hard-pressed, on the banks of the Yangzi, he had to beg in the streets, how could he forget Ying for a second? He suffered in silence, and made a name for himself. Who but a hero could do such things? If Duke Bai had not proclaimed himself a lord, would we now know of his deeds and plots?