Shiji 77 - Biography of the Prince of Wei

Chapter 77 – 17th biography – The Prince of Wei

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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