Shiji 82 - Biography of Tian Dan

Twenty second biography – Tian Dan　 　

田 單 者 ， 齊 諸 田 疏 屬 也 。 湣 王 時 ， 單 為 臨 菑 市 掾 ， 不 見 知 。 及 燕 使 樂 毅 伐 破 齊 ， 齊 湣 王 出 奔 ， 已 而保 莒 城 。 燕 師 長 驅 平 齊 ， 而 田 單 走 安 平 ， 令 其 宗人 盡 斷 其 車 軸 末 而 傅 鐵 籠 。 已 而 燕 軍 攻 安平 ， 城 壞 ， 齊 人 走 ， 爭 塗 ， 以  折 車 敗 ， 為 燕 所虜 ， 唯 田 單 宗 人 以 鐵 籠 故 得 脫 ， 東 保 即 墨 。 燕 既 盡 降 齊城 ， 唯 獨 莒 、 即 墨 不 下 。 燕 軍 聞 齊 王 在 莒 ， 并 兵 攻 之 。淖 齒 既 殺 湣 王 於 莒 ， 因 堅 守 ， 距 燕 軍 ， 數 年 不 下。 燕 引 兵 東 圍 即 墨 ， 即 墨 大 夫 出 與 戰 ， 敗 死 。 城 中 相 與推 田 單 ， 曰 ： 「 安 平 之 戰 ， 田 單 宗 人 以 鐵 籠 得 全 ， 習 兵。 」 立 以 為 將 軍 ， 以 即 墨 距 燕 。
Tian Dan was a distant cousin from the Tian of Qi. In the time of King Min, he was a controller on the market of Linzi, and was still unknown. When Yan sent Yue Yi attack Qi, King Min of Qi fled his capital and took refuge in the city of Ju. The army of Yan chased him, and pacified Qi, and Tian Dan had to flee to Anping. There, he ordered the people from his family to cut short the axles of their chariots, and cover them with iron plates. Shortly after, the army of Yan attacked Anping. Once the city walls were broken into, the people of Qi fled. As they fought their way to the road, the axles of their chariots got tangled and broke, and all were taken prisoners by Yan. Only the family of Tian Dan, thanks to their axle-caps, managed to escape and took refuge in Jimo. Finally, Yan conquered all the cities of Qi. Ju and Jimo were the only ones which did not fall. When the general of Yan heard that the King of Qi was in Ju, he assembled his troops to attack it. Naochi then killed King Min, and firmly defended Ju. The armies of Yan were repelled, and for several years, the city did not fall. Yan then sent its soldiers east and besieged Jimo. The prefect of Jimo sortied to fight them, but he was defeated and killed. Inside the city, everyone pushed Tian Dan forward, saying: “during the battle of Anping, all the family of Tian Dan escaped thanks to his axle-caps. This man is a strategist.” They then made him their general, and entrusted him of defending Jimo against Yan.　 　

頃 之 ， 燕 昭 王 卒 ， 惠 王 立 ， 與 樂 毅 有 隙 。 田 單 聞 之 ， 乃 縱 反 閒 於 燕 ， 宣 言 曰 ： 「 齊 王 已 死 ， 城 之 不 拔 者二 耳 。 樂 毅 畏 誅 而 不 敢 歸 ， 以 伐 齊 為 名 ， 實 欲 連 兵 南 面而 王 齊 。 齊 人 未 附 ， 故 且 緩 攻 即 墨 以 待 其 事 。 齊 人 所 懼， 唯 恐 他 將 之 來 ， 即 墨 殘 矣 。 」 燕 王 以 為 然 ， 使 騎 劫 代樂 毅 。
Soon after, King Zhao of Yan died. His successor, King Hui, had an enmity to Yue Yi. When Tian Dan heard of this, he tried to create troubles in Yan, by spreading a rumour which said: “Even though the King of Qi has died, two cities still have not fallen. Yue Yi is afraid to be executed when he comes back to Yan. He is just pretending to attack Qi, but in fact, he want to rally the soldiers of Qi to his troops, face south and become King of Qi. So far, the people of Qi are undecided, so he is delaying his attack on Jimo, and waiting for his hour to come. The people of Qi fear one thing: that another general would be sent in. Jimo would be doomed.” The King of Yan believed it, and sent Ji Jie to replace Yue Yi.　 　

樂 毅 因 歸 趙 ， 燕 人 士 卒 忿 。 而 田 單 乃 令 城 中 人 食必 祭 其 先 祖 於 庭 ， 飛 鳥 悉 翔 舞 城 中 下 食 。 燕 人 怪 之 。 田單 因 宣 言 曰 ： 「 神 來 下 教 我 。 」 乃 令 城 中 人 曰 ： 「 當 有神 人 為 我 師 。 」 有 一 卒 曰 ： 「 臣 可 以 為 師 乎 ？ 」 因 反 走。 田 單 乃 起 ， 引 還 ， 東 鄉 坐 ， 師 事 之 。 卒 曰 ： 「 臣 欺 君， 誠 無 能 也 。 」 田 單 曰 ： 「 子 勿 言 也 ！ 」 因 師 之 。 每 出約 束 ， 必 稱 神 師 。 乃 宣 言 曰 ： 「 吾 唯 懼 燕 軍 之 劓 所 得 齊卒 ， 置 之 前 行 ， 與 我 戰 ， 即 墨 敗 矣 。 」 燕 人 聞 之， 如 其 言 。 城 中 人 見 齊 諸 降 者 盡 劓 ， 皆 怒 ， 堅 守 ， 唯 恐見 得 。 單 又 縱 反 閒 曰 ： 「 吾 懼 燕 人 掘 吾 城 外 冢 墓 ， 僇 先人 ， 可 為 寒 心 。 」 燕 軍 盡 掘 壟 墓 ， 燒 死 人 。 即 墨 人 從 城上 望 見 ， 皆 涕 泣 ， 俱 欲 出 戰 ， 怒 自 十 倍 。
Yue Yi therefore fled to Zhao, to the anger of the soldiers and officers from Yan. Tian Dan then ordered the people in the city to make, during each meal, sacrifices to their ancestors in the courtyards of their houses. Soon, all birds flying by began to turn around the city, and go down to eat. As the people of Yan were surprised, Tian Dan spread another rumour which said: “spirits came to help us.” He then sent an order to all the people in the city, saying: “pretend that an army of spirits have come to join us.” One soldier said: “How could I believe that such an army exists?” He wanted to desert. Tian Dan then stood up and brought him back. He had him seated on the eastern seat, and had all the army salute him. The soldier said: “I have failed you, how can I deserve this?” Tian Dan said: “Don’t say anything!” and made him an officer. From then on, every person who left the city had to speak of the army of spirits. Tian Dan spread another rumour: “Our only fear is that the soldiers of Yan cut the noses of our prisoners, and display them on their frontline. If they attack us after this, Jimo will be lost.” When people of Yan heard of it, they did what he said. When the people of the city saw that all the men of Qi who had surrendered had had their noses cut, they were angry. They reinforced the walls, fearing one only thing: that they would be caught by Yan. Tian Dan tried again to provoke troubles, saying: “We are afraid that the people of Yan would open the graves outside of the city and humiliate our ancestors. This would freeze our hearts.” The army of Yan then open the tombs and burnt the corpses. When the people of Jimo saw this from the top of the walls, they all started to cry. Every one wanted to go out and fight, and their anger grew tenfold.　 　

田 單 知 士 卒 之 可 用 ， 乃 身 操 版 插 ， 與 士 卒 分 功 ， 妻 妾 編 於 行 伍 之 閒 ， 盡 散 飲 食 饗 士 。 令 甲 卒 皆 伏， 使 老 弱 女 子 乘 城 ， 遣 使 約 降 於 燕 ， 燕 軍 皆 呼 萬 歲 。 田單 又 收 民 金 ， 得 千 溢 ， 令 即 墨 富 豪 遺 燕 將 ， 曰 ： 「 即 墨即 降 ， 願 無 虜 掠 吾 族 家 妻 妾 ， 令 安 堵 。 」 燕 將 大 喜 ， 許之 。 燕 軍 由 此 益 懈 。
Tian Dan knew how to use his soldiers. He would carry loads himself, and would share the work between his soldiers and officers. He had women deploy along the line, in between groups of five men, and pass food and drinks, as during a banquet. Then, he ordered armoured soldiers to hide, and sent old persons, infants and children on the city walls. He then sent a messenger to negociate surrender. All the army of Yan shouted “long live”. Besides, Tian Dan collected gold from the people, and received over one thousand handfuls of it. He then sent notabilities of Jimo offer it to the general of Yan, saying: “Jimo will surrender. We hope that you will not take prisoner and snatch the wives concubines and possessions of our families, and that you will allow us to live in peace.” The general of Yan was very happy and accepted. For this reason, the army of Yan grew very careless.　 　

田 單 乃 收 城 中 得 千 餘 牛 ， 為 絳 繒 衣 ， 畫 以 五 彩 龍文 ， 束 兵 刃 於 其 角 ， 而 灌 脂 束 葦 於 尾 ， 燒 其 端 。 鑿 城 數十 穴 ， 夜 縱 牛 ， 壯 士 五 千 人 隨 其 後 。 牛 尾 熱 ， 怒 而 奔 燕軍 ， 燕 軍 夜 大 驚 。 牛 尾 炬 火 光 明 炫 燿 ， 燕 軍 視 之 皆 龍 文， 所 觸 盡 死 傷 。 五 千 人 因 銜 枚 擊 之 ， 而 城 中 鼓 譟 從 之 ，老 弱 皆 擊 銅 器 為 聲 ， 聲 動 天 地 。 燕 軍 大 駭 ， 敗 走 。 齊 人遂 夷 殺 其 將 騎 劫 。 燕 軍 擾 亂 奔 走 ， 齊 人 追 亡 逐 北 ， 所 過城 邑 皆 畔 燕 而 歸 田 單 ， 兵 日 益 多 ， 乘 勝 ， 燕 日 敗 亡 ， 卒 至 河 上 ， 而 齊 七 十 餘 城 皆 復 為 齊 。 乃 迎 襄 王 於 莒， 入 臨 菑 而 聽 政 。
Tian Dan collected more than one thousand oxen from the people in the city. He had them dressed with red silk, and had multicolour lines, like those of dragons, painted on them. Sharp blades were adjusted to their horns, and reeds dipped in grease, so that their tips could be set aflame, were attached to their tails. Several passages were dug in the city walls, and on one night, the oxen were released, followed by five thousand sturdy men. The oxen, their tail on fire, charged the army of Yan, creating panic. The torches attached to the tails illuminated the night, the troops of Yan saw the lines on their bodies, which looked like dragons, and all those who met their horns were either killed or wounded. Then, the five thousand men, their mouths closed with pieces of wood, attacked them. They were followed by the sound of shouts and drums from the city, and all the old people and children struck metal pots. The noise shook heaven and earth. The soldiers of Yan panicked. They were defeated and repealed, and the people of Qi killed his general, Ji Jie. As the army of Yan was falling back, in disorder and confusion, the soldiers of Qi chased it, and destroyed it as they pushed it northwards. All the cities it went through revolted, and rallied Tian Dan, whose troops were larger every day. As he fled from a victory to another, the army of Yan was defeated every day, and finally reached the northern bank of the Yellow River. At this time, more than seventy cities had returned back to Qi. Therefore, Tian Dan went to Ju to welcome King Xiang back, and then returned to Linzi to await orders.　 　

襄 王 封 田 單 ， 號 曰 安 平 君 。
King Xiang gave a fief to Tian Dan, and gave him the title of Lord of Anping.

太史公曰：兵以正合，以奇勝。善之者，出奇無窮。奇正還相生，如環之無端。夫始如處女，適人開戶；后如脫兔，適不及距：其由單之謂邪！
Commentary by Sima Qian
Planning is required to deploy soldiers, but victories are won through improvisation. Those who master these two arts will be able to improvise without end. Planning and improvisation should follow each other, like a ring, which has no beginning and no end. At start, be like a young girl, and let the enemy enter one’s house, but after, be like a fleeing hare, which the enemy cannot chase, is this not what Tian Dan teaches us?　 　

初 ， 淖 齒 之 殺 湣 王 也 ， 莒 人 求 湣 王 子 法 章 ， 得 之太 史 嬓 之 家 ， 為 人 灌 園 。 嬓 女 憐 而 善 遇 之 。 後 法章 私 以 情 告 女 ， 女 遂 與 通 。 及 莒 人 共 立 法 章 為 齊 王 ， 以莒 距 燕 ， 而 太 史 氏 女 遂 為 后 ， 所 謂 「 君 王 后 」 也 。
In the beginning, when Nao Chi killed King Min, the people of Ju came looking for Fazhang, the son of King Min. They found him in the house of astrologer Jiao. He was watering the garden. The daughter of Jiao had pitied him, and had cared about him. Afterwards, Fazhang had in secret told her of his love, and she had become intimate with him. When all the people of Ju finally named Fazhang King of Qi, and after he had chased Yan from Ju, the daughter of the astrologer became his first wife, and assumed the title of “queen”.　 　

燕 之 初 入 齊 ， 聞 畫 邑 人 王 蠋 賢 ， 令 軍 中 曰「 環 畫 邑 三 十 里 無 入 」 ， 以 王 蠋 之 故 。 已 而 使 人 謂 蠋 曰： 「 齊 人 多 高 子 之 義 ， 吾 以 子 為 將 ， 封 子 萬 家 。 」 蠋 固謝 。 燕 人 曰 ： 「 子 不 聽 ， 吾 引 三 軍 而 屠 畫 邑 。 」 王 蠋 曰： 「 忠 臣 不 事 二 君 ， 貞 女 不 更 二 夫 。 齊 王 不 聽 吾 諫 ， 故退 而 耕 於 野 。 國 既 破 亡 ， 吾 不 能 存 ； 今 又 劫 之 以 兵 為 君將 ， 是 助 桀 為 暴 也 。 與 其 生 而 無 義 ， 固 不 如 烹 ！ 」 遂 經其 頸 於 樹 枝 ， 自 奮 絕 脰 而 死 。 齊 亡 大 夫 聞之 ， 曰 ： 「 王 蠋 ， 布 衣 也 ， 義 不 北 面 於 燕 ， 況 在 位 食 祿者 乎 ！ 」 乃 相 聚 如 莒 ， 求 諸 子 ， 立 為 襄 王 。
When the King of Yan invaded Qin, he heard that someone named Wang Zhu, a native of Huayi, was a sage. Because of him, he gave his armies the following order: “do not come closer than thirty leagues from Huayi”. Then he dispatched a messenger, who told Wang Zhu: “The people of Qi hold your righteousness in high esteem. I want to make you a general, and give you a fief of ten thousand families.” Wang Zhu firmly refused. The people of Yan said: “If you do not accept, we will bring in three armies, and slaughter all the people in Huayi.” Wang Zhu then said: “A good vassal shall not serve two masters, a true wife will not marry again. Because the King of Qi did not listen to my criticism, I have left the courts, and become a farmer. Now that the State is about to be destroyed, I shall not stay alive. You want to force me into becoming the leader of your men, this would be like helping Jie to become a tyrant. I would rather die than become unjust, in order to save my life!” Then, holding his neck against a tree branch, and pushing with all his strength, he broke his neck and died. When the former officials of Qi heard of it, they said: “Wang Zhu was just a commoner. Yet, out of righteousness, he refused to turn north and serve Yan. How could be, then, stay in our post, eat and receive our salaries?” Then, they gathered together and travelled to Ju, to fetch the crown prince, which they called King Xiang.