Shiji 91 - Biography of Bu the Tattooed

黥 布 列 傳 第 三 十 一
Thirty first biography – Bu the Tattoed　 　

黥 布 者 ， 六 人 也 ， 姓 英 氏 。 秦 時 為 布衣 。 少 年 ， 有 客 相 之 曰 ： 「 當 刑 而 王 。 」 及 壯 ， 坐 法 黥。 布 欣 然 笑 曰 ； 「 人 相 我 當 刑 而 王 ， 幾 是 乎 ？ 」 人 有 聞 者 ， 共 俳 笑 之 。 布 已 論 輸 麗 山 ， 麗 山 之 徒 數 十 萬 人 ， 布 皆 與 其 徒 長 豪 桀 交 通 ， 迺 率 其 曹 偶， 亡 之 江 中 為 群 盜 。
Bu the Tatooed was a native of Liu. His surname was Ying. During the Qin dynasty, he was a commoner. In his youth, a travelling sooth-sayer had told him: “You will be convicted and then you will be king.” After he became an adult, he was tried for a crime, and condemned to be tattooed on the face. As he heard the sentence, Ying Bu laughed joyously, and said: “a sooth-sayer once told me that I would be a convict and then become a king. Wasn’t he right?” All those who heard him laughed at such an absurd claim, and Ying Bu was sentenced to serve in Mount Li, together with hundreds of thousands other convicts. There, he befriended all the heroes and braves among the prisoners and became the leader of a group of convicts. They eventually escaped to the rivers and became brigands.　 　

陳 勝 之 起 也 ， 布 迺 見 番 君 ， 與 其 眾 叛 秦 ， 聚 兵 數千 人 。 番 君 以 其 女 妻 之 。 章 邯 之 滅 陳 勝 ， 破 呂 臣 軍 ， 布乃 引 兵 北 擊 秦 左 右 校 ， 破 之 清 波 ， 引 兵 而 東 。 聞 項 梁 定 江 東 會 稽 ， 涉 江 而 西 。 陳 嬰 以 項 氏 世 為 楚 將 ， 迺 以 兵 屬 項 梁 ， 渡 淮 南 ， 英 布 、 蒲 將 軍 亦 以 兵 屬 項 梁 。
When Chen Sheng rebelled, Ying Bu met with the Lord of Fan, joined his forces with him, and revolted against Qin. Altogether, he commanded several thousands of soldiers. The lord of Fan gave him one of his daughters in marriage. When Zhang Han destroyed Chen Sheng and defeated the army of Lü Chen, Ying Bu led his troops north and attacked the left and right wings of Qin, which he defeated in Qingbo. He then marched east. As he heard that Xiang Liang had submitted the territories east of the Long River around Guiji, he crossed the Long River and proceeded west. The city of Chenying, hometown of the Xiang Clan, had given, generation after generation, generals to Chu. It therefore sent soldiers to Xiang Liang, who forded the Huai to the south. Ying Bu and general Pu then joined their forces to those of Xiang Liang.　 　

項 梁 涉 淮 而 西 ， 擊 景 駒 、 秦 嘉 等 ， 布 常 冠 軍 。 項 梁 至 薛 ， 聞 陳 王 定 死 ， 迺 立 楚 懷 王 。 項 梁 號 為 武 信 君 ， 英 布 為 當 陽 君 。 項 梁 敗 死 定 陶 ， 懷 王 徙 都 彭 城 ， 諸 將 英 布 亦 皆 保 聚 彭 城 。 當 是 時 ， 秦 急 圍 趙 ， 趙 數 使 人 請 救 。 懷 王 使 宋 義 為 上 將 ， 范 曾 為 末 將 ， 項 籍 為 次 將 ， 英 布、 蒲 將 軍 皆 為 將 軍 ， 悉 屬 宋 義 ， 北 救 趙 。 及項 籍 殺 宋 義 於 河 上 ， 懷 王 因 立 籍 為 上 將 軍 ， 諸 將 皆 屬 項籍 。 項 籍 使 布 先 渡 河 擊 秦 ， 布 數 有 利 ， 籍 迺 悉 引 兵 涉 河從 之 ， 遂 破 秦 軍 ， 降 章 邯 等 。 楚 兵 常 勝 ， 功 冠 諸 侯 。 諸侯 兵 皆 以 服 屬 楚 者 ， 以 布 數 以 少 敗 眾 也 。
When Xiang Liang crossed the Huai and went marched west on the armies of Jing Ju and Qin Jia, Ying Bu, Ying Bu’s soldiers were his best troops. As Xiang Liang arrived in Xie, he was told that death of the king of Chen was certain. So he put on the throne king Huai of Chu. Xiang Liang took to title of Lord of Wuxin, and Ying Bu became lord of Dangyang. Xiang Liang was defeated and killed in Dingtao, and King Huai moved his capital to Pengcheng. Ying Bu and other generals gathered to defend Pengcheng. At this time, the armies of Qin besieged Zhao, which was in danger, and the prince of Zhao had sent several envoys to ask for help. King Huai dispatched Song Yi as general in chief. Fan Ceng was the general in charge of the rearguard, Xiang Ji general in second. Ying Bu and general Pu were plain generals. All were under the orders of Song Yi, and marched north to rescue Zhao. On the upper Yellow River, Xiang Ji killed Song Yi. King Huai therefore named him general in chief, and all other generals were under his command. Xiang Ji ordered Ying Bu to lead the way, crossing the Yellow River and attacking Qin. After Ying Bu won several successes, Xiang Ji followed him, and had all his army cross the River. They chased and defeated the army of Qin, and submitted Zhang Han and other generals. The soldiers of Chu seemed invincible, and were the strongest of the armies of the feudal princes. The feudal princes finally joined their troops to the armies of Chu, and this was because Ying Bu had, on several occasions, defeated a large host with a small force.　 　

項 籍 之 引 兵 西 至 新 安 ， 又 使 布 等 夜 擊 阬 章 邯 秦 卒 二 十 餘 萬 人 。 至 關 ， 不 得 入 ， 又 使 布 等 先 從 閒 道 破 關 下 軍 ， 遂 得 入 ， 至 咸 陽 。 布 常 為 軍 鋒 。 項 王 封 諸 將 ， 立 布 為 九 江 王 ， 都 六 。
Xiang Ji led his troops west, and reached Xin’ an. There, he sent Ying Bu and his men, to ambush at night the army of Zhang Han, more than two hundred soldiers strong. As he reached the passes, he did not cross them, but sent the army of Ying Bu, which took small roads to bypass it, and attacked the armies which defended the other side of the path. Xiang Ji then proceeded across, and reached Xianyang. Ying Bu usually led the vanguard. When King Xiang gave fiefdoms to his generals, he made Ying Bu king of Jiujiang. His capital was in Liu. 　 　

漢 元 年 四 月 ， 諸 侯 皆 罷 戲 下 ， 各 就 國 。 項 氏 立 懷 王 為 義 帝 ， 徙 都 長 沙 ， 迺 陰 令 九 江 王 布 等 行 擊 之 。 其 八 月 ， 布 使 將 擊 義 帝 ， 追 殺 之 郴 縣 。
On the fourth month of the first year of Han, the feudal princes ended their military expeditions, and each came back to his kingdom. Xiang Ji conferred to king Huai the title of Emperor Yi, and moved his capital to Changsha. Then, he secretly ordered the king of Jiujiang, Ying Bu, and his men to go there and attack him. During the eighth month, Ying Bu sent one of his generals attack emperor Yi. He chased him and had him killed in the district of Chen.　 　

漢 二 年 ， 齊 王 田 榮 畔 楚 ， 項 王 往 擊 齊 ， 徵 兵 九 江， 九 江 王 布 稱 病 不 往 ， 遣 將 將 數 千 人 行 。 漢 之 敗 楚 彭 城， 布 又 稱 病 不 佐 楚 。 項 王 由 此 怨 布 ， 數 使 使 者 誚 讓 召 布 ， 布 愈 恐 ， 不 敢 往 。 項 王 方 北 憂 齊 、 趙 ， 西 患 漢， 所 與 者 獨 九 江 王 ， 又 多 布 材 ， 欲 親 用 之 ， 以 故 未 擊 。
On the second year of Han, king Tian Rong of Qi revolted against Chu. King Xiang therefore led an expedition to attack Qi, and requested soldiers from Jiujiang. The king of Jiujiang, Ying Bu, pretended to be sick and did not come, but dispatched a general, leading several thousand men. When Han defeated Chu in Pengcheng, Ying Bu once again pretended to be ill and did not help Chu. For this reason, King Xiang was unhappy with Ying Bu, and sent envoys on many occasions, first to blame him, then to summon him. Ying Bu was very afraid, and did not dare come. However, king Xiang was worried about Qi and Zhao to the north, and feared Han to the west. The king of Jiujiang was his only ally against them, and he esteemed the talents of Ying Bu. He therefore wanted to treat him well and keep him in his service, so he did not attack him.

漢 三 年 ， 漢 王 擊 楚 ， 大 戰 彭 城 ， 不 利 ， 出 梁 地 ，至 虞 ， 謂 左 右 曰 ： 「 如 彼 等 者 ， 無 足 與 計天 下 事 。 」 謁 者 隨 何 進 曰 ：「 不 審 陛 下 所 謂 。 」 漢 王 曰 ： 「 孰 能 為 我 使 淮 南 ， 令 之發 兵 倍 楚 ， 留 項 王 於 齊 數 月 ， 我 之 取 天 下 可 以 百 全 。 」隨 何 曰 ： 「 臣 請 使 之 。 」 迺 與 二 十 人 俱 ， 使 淮 南 。 至 ， 因 太 宰 主 之 ， 三 日 不 得 見 。 隨 何 因 說 太 宰 曰 ： 「王 之 不 見 何 ， 必 以 楚 為 彊 ， 以 漢 為 弱 ， 此 臣 之 所 以 為 使。 使 何 得 見 ， 言 之 而 是 邪 ， 是 大 王 所 欲 聞 也 ； 言 之 而 非 邪 ， 使 何 等 二 十 人 伏 斧 質 淮 南 市 ， 以 明 王 倍 漢 而 與 楚 也。 」 太 宰 迺 言 之 王 ， 王 見 之 。 隨 何 曰 ： 「 漢 王 使 臣 敬 進 書 大 王 御 者 ， 竊 怪 大 王 與 楚 何 親 也 。 」 淮 南 王 曰 ： 「 寡人 北 鄉 而 臣 事 之 。 」 隨 何 曰 ： 「 大 王 與 項 王 俱 列 為 諸 侯， 北 鄉 而 臣 事 之 ， 必 以 楚 為 彊 ， 可 以 託 國 也 。 項 王 伐 齊， 身 負 板 築 ， 以 為 士 卒 先 ， 大 王 宜 悉 淮 南 之 眾 ，身 自 將 之 ， 為 楚 軍 前 鋒 ， 今 迺 發 四 千 人 以 助 楚 。 夫 北 面 而 臣 事 人 者 ， 固 若 是 乎 ？ 夫 漢 王 戰 於 彭 城 ， 項 王 未 出 齊 也 ， 大 王 宜 騷 淮 南 之 兵 渡 淮 ， 日 夜 會 戰 彭 城 下 ，大 王 撫 萬 人 之 眾 ， 無 一 人 渡 淮 者 ， 垂 拱 而 觀 其 孰 勝 。 夫託 國 於 人 者 ， 固 若 是 乎 ？ 大 王 提 空 名 以 鄉 楚 ， 而 欲 厚 自 託 ， 臣 竊 為 大 王 不 取 也 。 然 而 大 王 不 背 楚 者 ， 以 漢 為 弱 也 。 夫 楚 兵 雖 彊 ， 天 下 負 之 以 不 義 之 名 ， 以 其 背盟 約 而 殺 義 帝 也 。 然 而 楚 王 恃 戰 勝 自 彊 ， 漢 王 收 諸 侯 ，還 守 成 皋 、 滎 陽 ， 下 蜀 、 漢 之 粟 ， 深 溝 壁 壘 ， 分 卒 守 徼 乘 塞 ， 楚 人 還 兵 ， 閒 以 梁 地 ， 深 入 敵 國 八 九 百 里 ， 欲 戰 則 不 得 ， 攻 城 則 力 不 能 ， 老 弱 轉 糧 千 里 之外 ； 楚 兵 至 滎 陽 、 成 皋 ， 漢 堅 守 而 不 動 ， 進 則 不 得 攻 ，退 則 不 得 解 。 故 曰 楚 兵 不 足 恃 也 。 使 楚 勝 漢 ， 則諸 侯 自 危 懼 而 相 救 。 夫 楚 之 彊 ， 適 足 以 致 天 下 之 兵 耳 。故 楚 不 如 漢 ， 其 勢 易 見 也 。 今 大 王 不 與 萬 全 之 漢 而 自 託 於 危 亡 之 楚 ， 臣 竊 為 大 王 惑 之 。 臣 非 以 淮 南 之 兵 足 以 亡 楚 也 。 夫 大 王 發 兵 而 倍 楚 ， 項 王 必 留 ； 留 數 月 ， 漢 之 取 天 下 可 以 萬 全 。 臣 請 與 大 王 提 劍 而 歸 漢 ， 漢 王 必 裂 地 而 封 大 王 ， 又 況 淮 南 ， 淮 南 必 大 王 有 也 。 故 漢 王 敬 使 使 臣進 愚 計 ， 願 大 王 之 留 意 也 。 」 淮 南 王 曰 ： 「 請 奉 命 。 」陰 許 畔 楚 與 漢 ， 未 敢 泄 也 。
During the third year, the king of Han attacked Chu. He gave a great battle in Pengcheng but was not victorious. He then left the territory of Liang and went to Yu, where he told his followers: “with such incompetents, how could one govern the empire?” One of his followers, Sui He, moved forward and said: “I don’t understand what your majesty means.” The king of Han answered: “If someone could act as my ambassador to Huainan, have its prince send an army to oppose Chu and force the king of Xiang to stay in Qi during several months, I would be certain to conquer the empire.” Sui He answered: “Please let me be this ambassador.” Then, together with some twenty men, he left for Huainan. Upon his arrival, he was received by the prime minister and could not see the king for several days. He told the prime minister: “The king does not want to see me because he considers that Chu is strong and Han is weak. This is what my embassy is all about. If you let me see the king, and if what I have to tell him is the truth, then the king certainly wants to hear it. If what I have to tell him is false, he then can send us, me and my escort of twenty men, bow down before the chopping block and the axe on the market place of Huainan, therefore showing that he supports Chu and opposes Han.” The first minister then told the king, who agreed to meet him. Sui He said: “The king of Han has sent me to respectfully deliver a letter to your majesty because he secretly wonders why you are so attached to the king of Chu.” The king of Huainan answered: “I face north and serve him as a vassal.” Sui He said : “your majesty holds the same rank as king Xiang. You face north and serve him as a vassal because you consider that Chu is strong, and you can trust him your kingdom. Now, the King of Xiang has attacked Qi. He does not hesitate to carry planks to help build fortifications, and to lead every attack, in front of his officers and soldiers. Your majesty should then mobilise all the people of Huainan, personally lead it in battle, and act as the vanguard of Chu. Yet, you have only sent four thousand men to help Chu. You say you face north and serve him as a vassal, how can you behave like this? Before the king of Xiang left for Qi, he battled the king of Han in Pengcheng. Your majesty should have rushed, sent all the soldiers of Huainan over the Huai, marching them night and day until they reached the battle before Pengcheng. You commanded to more than ten thousand men, yet none of them ever crossed the Huai. You remained idle, waiting to see who would turn victorious. You say you trust him your kingdom, how can you behave like this? Now, your majesty pretends that he serves Chu, and relies on his generosity. Personally, I don’t think that you even believe this. In reality, you do not rebel against Chu because you consider that Han is too weak. Now, although the armies of Chu are strong, every one in the empire despises it for its lack of righteousness, since he broke his promise and had emperor Yi assassinated. Whereas the king of Chu thinks he is strong because he wins battles, the king of Han has received the support of the feudal princes. Besides, he holds Chenggao and Yinyang, he submitted Shu and the granaries of Han, which make up for deep moats and strong ramparts. He deployed soldiers along these fortifications. When Chu will want to bring his soldiers back, he will have to cross the territory of Liang, eight or nine hundred leagues of hostile territory. They will look for battle, but no one will come, and they will not be strong enough to attack our defenses. Old people and children will need to carry their supply over a thousand leagues. When the troops of Chu reach Yinyang and Chenggao, the armies of Han will defend them, and prevent them to cross. I they want to move forward, they will not be able to defeat them. If they retreat, they will not be able to cross and return home. For this reason, I say that Chu has no reason to be so confident. If Chu wins over Han, the feudal princes will be afraid, and come to our help. All the strength of Chu will achieve will be to rally all the soldiers of the empire against him. Thus, Chu is a worse ally than Han, this is no doubt about it. Now, your majesty does not ally to the powerfu Han, but supports a doomed Chu. I cannot help but think that your majesty is wrong. I do not think that the armies of Huainan could, alone, destroy, Chu. Yet, if your majesty sends soldiers oppose Chu, the king of Xiang will have to remain in Qi. If he stays there for several months, the king of Han is certain to conquer the empire. I beg your majesty to draw his sword and ally to Han. The king of Han will give you one of his territories as a fiefdom, and Huainan will of course remain your own kingdom. The king of Han has respectfully sent this messenger on an embassy to you, in order to let you know of this feeble project. I hope your majesty will please to look at it.” The king of Huainan answered: “I am under your orders.” He secretly agreed to rebel against Chu and rally Han, but did not dare let it be known.　 　

楚 使 者 在 ， 方 急 責 英 布 發 兵 ， 舍 傳 舍 。 隨 何 直 入 ， 坐 楚 使 者 上 坐 ， 曰 ： 「 九 江 王 已 歸 漢 ， 楚 何 以 得 發 兵 ？ 」 布 愕 然 。 楚 使 者 起 。 何 因 說 布 曰 ： 「 事 已 搆 ， 可 遂 殺 楚 使 者 ， 無 使 歸 ， 而 疾 走 漢 并 力。 」 布 曰 ： 「 如 使 者 教 ， 因 起 兵 而 擊 之 耳 。 」 於 是 殺 使 者 ， 因 起 兵 而 攻 楚 。 楚 使 項 聲 、 龍 且 攻 淮 南 ， 項 王 留 而 攻 下 邑 。 數 月 ， 龍 且 擊 淮 南 ， 破 布 軍 。 布 欲 引 兵 走 漢 ， 恐 楚 王 殺 之 ， 故 閒 行 與 何 俱 歸 漢 。
Meanwhile, an envoy of Chu was in the country, who urgently requested Ying Bu to send some troops, using the postal relays as camps. Sui He was a righteous man. Seating himself in the seat of honour, before the envoy of Chu, he said: “The king of Jiujiang had already allied with Han, how could he send troops to Chu.” Ying Bu assumed a startled look, and the envoy of Chu stood up and left. Sui He then told Ying Bu : “now that the deed is done, you should have the envoy of Chu killed, so that he does not come back. Then, you should hurry and unite your troops with those of Han.” Ying Bu answered: “I will do as you tell me, and gather an army to attack Chu.” He then had the nvoy executed, and assembled an army to attack Chu. The king of Chu sent Xiang Sheng and Long Qie to attack Huainan, while the king of Xiang remained and attacked Xiayi. A few months later, Longqie attacked Huainan and defeated the troops of Ying Bu. Ying Bu wanted to lead his soldiers back to Han, but he feared to be killed by the king of Chu. Therefore, he left with Sui He, and separately returned to Han.　 　

淮 南 王 至 ， 上 方 踞 床 洗 ， 召 布 入 見 ， 布 （甚 ） 大 怒 ， 悔 來 ， 欲 自 殺 。 出 就 舍 ， 帳 御 飲 食 從 官 如 漢 王 居 ， 布 又 大 喜 過 望 。 於 是 迺 使 人 入 九 江 。 楚 已使 項 伯 收 九 江 兵 ， 盡 殺 布 妻 子 。 布 使 者 頗 得 故 人 幸 臣 ，將 眾 數 千 人 歸 漢 。 漢 益 分 布 兵 而 與 俱 北 ， 收 兵 至 成 皋 。四 年 七 月 ， 立 布 為 淮 南 王 ， 與 擊 項 籍 。
When the King of Huainan arrived in Han, the emperor was sitting on his bed, washing his feet. He nevertheless let Ying Bu in to meet with him. This extremely angered Ying Bu, who regretted having come, and wanted to commit suicide. Yet, when he left and arrived in his palace, he found that the tapestries and chariots, food and drink, guards and servants, were as lavish as in the palace of the king of Han. He was extremely happy and entered the palace. Then, he sent a messenger to Jiujiang. Meanwhile, the king of Chu had already dispatched Xiang Bo to rally the soldiers of Jiujiang, and had had all the family of Ying Bu executed. The envoy of Ying Bu rallied many old friends and loyal vassals, and returned to Han, leading several thousands men. The king of Han took some of his soldiers to reinforce those of Ying Bu, and sent all of them north. Gathering all his troops, he reached Chenggao. On the seventh month of the fourth year, he named Ying Bu king of Huainan, and sent him attack Xiangji.　 　

漢 五 年 ， 布 使 人 入 九 江 ， 得 數 縣 。 六 年 ， 布 與 劉 賈 入 九 江 ， 誘 大 司 馬 周 殷 ， 周 殷 反 楚 ， 遂 舉 九 江 兵 與 漢擊 楚 ， 破 之 垓 下 。
During the fifth year of Han, Ying Bu sent his troops to Jiujiang, where they seized several districts. On the sixth year, he went to Jiujiang with Liu Jia, and persuaded the minister Zhou Yin to revolt against Chu. The troops of Jiujiang joined with thos of Han, and together, they attacked Chu, whom they defeated in Gaixia.　 　

項 籍 死 ， 天 下 定 ， 上 置 酒 。 上 折 隨 何 之 功 ， 謂 何 為 腐 儒 ， 為 天 下 安 用 腐 儒 。 隨 何 跪 曰 ： 「 夫 陛 下 引 兵 攻 彭 城 ， 楚 王 未 去 齊 也 ， 陛 下 發 步 卒 五 萬 人 ， 騎 五千 ， 能 以 取 淮 南 乎 ？ 」 上 曰 ： 「 不 能 。 」 隨 何 曰 ： 「 陛下 使 何 與 二 十 人 使 淮 南 ， 至 ， 如 陛 下 之 意 ， 是 何 之 功 賢 於 步 卒 五 萬 人 騎 五 千 也 。 然 而 陛 下 謂 何 腐 儒 ， 為 天 下 安 用 腐 儒 ， 何 也 ？ 」 上 曰 ： 「 吾 方 圖 子 之 功 。 」 迺 以 隨 何為 護 軍 中 尉 。 布 遂 剖 符 為 淮 南 王 ， 都 六 ， 九 江 、 廬 江 、衡 山 、 豫 章 郡 皆 屬 布 。
After Xiang Ji died, all the empire was united, and the emperor offered a great banquet. The emperor had a bad opinion of Sui He. During the banquet, he called him a rotten scholar, and said the empire had no use for him. Sui He knelt and said : “when your majesty led his army to attack Pengcheng, the king of Chu had not left for Qi. You dispatched fifty thousand foot soldiers, and five thousand horsemen to capture Huainan, were you successful?” The emperor said : “I was not.” He replied : “Yet, when you sent me, with a party of twenty men, on an embassy to Huainan. I went there and carried out your projects. Doesn’t this demonstrate that I am more worthy than fifty thousand foot soldiers and five thousand chariots. Now your majesty calls me a rotten scholar, and says the empire has no use for me, why is it so?” The emperor answered : « I will reconsider your merits. » He then named Sui He captain of the Guard. Then, he split a jade tablet in two, and gave one half to Ying Bu, who became king of Huainan. His capital was in Liu, and the commanderies of Jiujiang, Lujiang, Hengshan and Yuzhang were incorporated in his kingdom.

七 年 ， 朝 陳 。 八 年 ， 朝 雒 陽 。 九 年 ， 朝 長 安 。
During the seventh year, court audiences were held in Chen. They were held in Luoyang during the eighth, and in Chang’An during the ninth year.　 　

十 一 年 ， 高 后 誅 淮 陰 侯 ， 布 因 心 恐 。 夏 ， 漢 誅 梁王 彭 越 ， 醢 之 ， 盛 其 醢 遍 賜 諸 侯 。 至 淮 南 ， 淮 南 王 方 獵， 見 醢 ， 因 大 恐 ， 陰 令 人 部 聚 兵 ， 候 伺 旁 郡 警 急 。
During the eleventh year, Empress Gao had the marquis of Huaiyin executed, and Ying Bu feared for himself. In summer, the emperor killed Peng Yue, the king of Liang, had his body minced, and bowls of the hash offered to the feudal princes. When the bowl arrived in Huainan, the king was hunting. As he saw the minced meat, he was scared. He secretly sent people everywhere, to gather his soldiers, and put the neighbouring province on alert, to guard against any eventuality.　 　

布 所 幸 姬 疾 ， 請 就 醫 ， 醫 家 與 中 大 夫 賁 赫 對 門 ， 姬 數 如 醫 家 ， 賁 赫 自 以 為 侍 中 ， 迺 厚 餽 遺 ， 從 姬 飲 醫 家 。 姬 侍 王 ， 從 容 語 次 ， 譽 赫 長 者 也 。 王 怒 曰 ： 「汝 安 從 知 之 ？ 」 具 說 狀 。 王 疑 其 與 亂 。 赫 恐 ， 稱 病 。 王愈 怒 ， 欲 捕 赫 。 赫 言 變 事 ， 乘 傳 詣 長 安 。 布 使 人 追 ， 不及 。 赫 至 ， 上 變 ， 言 布 謀 反 有 端 ， 可 先 未 發 誅 也 。 上 讀 其 書 ， 語 蕭 相 國 。 相 國 曰 ： 「 布 不 宜 有 此 ， 恐 仇 怨 妄 誣 之 。 請 擊 赫 ， 使 人 微 驗 淮 南 王 。 」 淮 南 王 布 見 赫 以 罪 亡 ， 上 變 ， 固 已 疑 其 言 國 陰 事 ； 漢 使 又 來 ， 頗 有 所 驗 ， 遂 族 赫 家 ， 發 兵 反 。 反 書 聞 ， 上 迺 赦 賁 赫 ， 以 為 將軍 。
The favourite concubine of Ying Bu fell ill, and asked to see a doctor. The doctor’s house faced that of a lower dignitary, named Fei He. As the concubine often visited the doctor, Fei He supposed that she kept him company. Therefore, he sent her rich presents, and invited her to drink wine in the doctor’s house. When the concubine was with the king, she easily spoke of this, saying that Fei He was a great person. The king was angered, and said: “How do you know him?” She told him the whole story. The king therefore wondered whether she had had an affair with Fei He. Fei He was afraid, and, pretending to be ill, did not come to the court. The king was enraged by this, and wanted to have Fei He arrested. But Fei He wrote a denunciation letter, jumped on a light chariot and fled to Chang An. Ying Bu sent people after him, but they did not catch him. As he reached the capital, Fei He presented his letter, claiming that he could prove that Ying Bu intended to rebel, and that he should be executed begore he started. After the emperor read the letter, he discussed the matter with minister Xiao, who said: ‘Ying Bu would not do such things. I am afraid he is being slandered by someone who holds a grudge against him. I beg you to punish Fei He, and send someone to interrogate the king of Huainan.” When Ying Bu, the king of Huainan, heard that Fei He had fled his sentence and that he had exposed him to the emperor, he feared that he had revealed his secret preparations. And when the imperial inspector arrived in Huainan, he was certain about it. Therefore, he had all the family of Fei He executed, assembled an army and revolted. As he heard the news of the rebellion, the emperor pardoned Fei He, and made him a general.　 　

上 召 諸 將 問 曰 ： 「 布 反 ， 為 之 柰 何 ？ 」 皆 曰 ； 「發 兵 擊 之 ， 阬 豎 子 耳 。 何 能 為 乎 ！ 」 汝 陰 侯 滕 公 召 故 楚令 尹 問 之 。 令 尹 曰 ： 「 是 故 當 反 。 」 滕 公 曰 ： 「 上 裂 地 而 王 之 ， 疏 爵 而 貴 之 ， 南 面 而 立 萬 乘 之 主 ， 其 反何 也 ？ 」 令 尹 曰 ： 「 往 年 殺 彭 越 ， 前 年 殺 韓 信 ， 此 三 人 者 ， 同 功 一 體 之 人 也 。 自 疑 禍 及 身 ， 故 反 耳 。 」滕 公 言 之 上 曰 ： 「 臣 客 故 楚 令 尹 薛 公 者 ， 其 人 有 籌 筴 之 計 ， 可 問 。 」 上 迺 召 見 問 薛 公 。 薛 公 對 曰 ： 「 布 反 不足 怪 也 。 使 布 出 於 上 計 ， 山 東 非 漢 之 有 也 ； 出 於 中 計， 勝 敗 之 數 未 可 知 也 　 ； 出 於 下 計 ， 陛 下 安 枕 而 臥 矣 。」 上 曰 ： 「 何 謂 上 計 ？ 」 令 尹 對 曰 ： 「 東 取 吳 ， 西 取 楚 ， 并 齊 取 魯 ， 傳 檄 燕 、 趙 ， 固 守 其 所 ， 山 東 非 漢 之 有 也 。 」 「 何 謂 中 計 ？ 」 「 東 取 吳 ， 西 取 楚 ，并 韓 取 魏 ， 據 敖 庾 之 粟 ， 塞 成 皋 之 口 ， 勝 敗 之 數未 可 知 也 。 」 「 何 謂 下 計 ？ 」 「 東 取 吳 ， 西 取 下 蔡 ， 歸 重 於 越 ， 身 歸 長 沙 ， 陛 下 安 枕 而 臥 ， 漢 無事 矣 。 」 上 曰 ： 「 是 計 將 安 出 ？ 」 令 尹 對 曰 ： 「出 下 計 。 」 上 曰 ： 「 何 謂 廢 上 中 計 而 出 下 計 ？ 」 令 尹 曰： 「 布 故 麗 山 之 徒 也 ， 自 致 萬 乘 之 主 ， 此 皆 為 身 ， 不 顧 後 為 百 姓 萬 世 慮 者 也 ， 故 曰 出 下 計 。 」 上 曰 ： 「 善 。 」封 薛 公 千 戶 。 迺 立 皇 子 長 為 淮 南 王 。 上 遂 發 兵 自將 東 擊 布 。
The emperor summoned the feudal princes and asked them: “Ying Bu has rebelled, what should I do ?.” All answered : “Send troops to attack him, and bury this fool alive, what else?” The marquis of Ruyin and prince Teng called upon the former prime minister of Chu and questionned him. He answered: “he was bound to revolt.” Prince Teng said: “The emperor gave some of his land and made him a king, he honoured him and ennobled him, he let him face south and become the lord of ten thousand chariots, why should he rebel?” The minister answered: “A couple of years ago, you had Peng Yue killed. Last year, you executed Han Xin. As for their merits, these three men are of the same calibre. He feared that disaster strike him too, and therefore revolted. » Prince Teng then told the emperor: “the duke of Xie, a former minister of Chu, is one of my clients. He is an able strategist, you should ask for his advice.” The emperor summoned the duke of Xie and questioned him. He said: “That Ying Bu revolted is hardly surprising. Now, if he follows the best plan, Han will lose the territories to the east of the mountains. If he follows the average plan, the outcome of the conflict is unclear. If he follows the worst plan, your majesty can stay on his cushions and lie back.” The emperor asked : “what is the best plan?” The minister answered : “To the east, he seizes Wu. To the west, he takes Chu. Allying with Qi, he grabs Lu. He then alerts Yan and Zhao, who take arms to defend their territory, and the land east of the mountains is lost for Han.” “What is the average plan?” “To the east, he seizes Wu. To the west, he takes Chu. He allies with Han (韓) to grab Wei. He then holds the granaries of Aoyu, and fortifies the pass of Chenggao. The outcome of the conflict is unclear.” “And what is the worst plan?” “To the east, he seizes Wu, to the west, he takes Xiacai. He puts his hopes in an alliance with Yue, nd falls back on Changsha. You majesty can then lie back on is cushions, Han has nothing to fear.” The emperor asked : « which of these plans will he choose ? » The minister said : “He will choose the worst.” The emperor asked : “Why would he prefer the worst plan to the two better ones?” He answered : “Ying Bu is a former convict from Mount Li, who has become the lord of ten thousand chariots. This kind of people only think of themselves. They do not worry about the future or the interest of the people. Therefore, I say he will choose the worst plan.” The emperor said: “this is fine.” He rewarded the duke of Xie with a fief of one thousand families. Then, he named the imperial prince Chang king of Huainan, assembled an army and led it east to attack Ying Bu.　 　

布 之 初 反 ， 謂 其 將 曰 ： 「 上 老 矣 ， 厭 兵 ， 必 不 能 來 。 使 諸 將 ， 諸 將 獨 患 淮 陰 、 彭 越 ， 今 皆 已 死 ， 餘 不 足畏 也 。 」 故 遂 反 。 果 如 薛 公 籌 之 ， 東 擊 荊 ， 荊 王 劉 賈 走死 富 陵 。 盡 劫 其 兵 ， 渡 淮 擊 楚 。 楚 發 兵 與 戰 徐 、僮 閒 ， 為 三 軍 ， 欲 以 相 救 為 奇 。 或 說 楚 將 曰 ： 「布 善 用 兵 ， 民 素 畏 之 。 且 兵 法 ， 諸 侯 戰 其 地 為 散 地 。 今 別 為 三 ， 彼 敗 吾 一 軍 ， 餘 皆 走 ， 安 能 相 救 ！ 」 不聽 。 布 果 破 其 一 軍 ， 其 二 軍 散 走 。
As the rebellion was about to start, Ying Bu told his generals: « the emperor is old, he dislikes warfare, he surely will not come, but send his generals. Among those, the only one I feared were the king of Huaiyin and Peng Yue, who now are dead. I am not afraid of the others.” He therefore rebelled. In the end, he acted exactly as the duke of Xie had predicted. He marched east and attacked Jing, whose king, Liu Jiu, fled and died in Fuling. Pushing his troops, he had them cross the Huai and attack Chu. The king of Chu sent his soldiers battle him between Xu and Tong. He split his army into three columns, which were intended to support each other. Someone told the general of Chu: “Ying Bu is a fine strategist, the commoners fear him. Besides, basic rules of strategy consider that when a prince fights on his territory, his kingdom gets split. You have divided your army into three columns, when he will have defeated the first one, the others will flee, how could they support each other?” The general did not heed him and, finally, when Ying Bu had defeated the first army, the two others were routed.　 　

遂 西 ， 與 上 兵 遇 蘄 西 ， 會 甀 。 布 兵 精 甚 ，上 迺 壁 庸 城 ， 望 布 軍 置 陳 如 項 籍 軍 ， 上 惡 之 。 與 布 相 望 見 ， 遙 謂 布 曰 ： 「 何 苦 而 反 ？ 」 布 曰 ： 「 欲 為 帝耳 。 」 上 怒 罵 之 ， 遂 大 戰 。 布 軍 敗 走 ， 渡 淮 ， 數 止 戰 ，不 利 ， 與 百 餘 人 走 江 南 。 布 故 與 番 君 婚 ， 以 故 長 沙 哀 王 使 人 紿 布 ， 偽 與 亡 ， 誘 走 越 ， 故 信 而 隨 之 番 陽 。番 陽 人 殺 布 茲 鄉 民 田 舍 ， 遂 滅 黥 布 。
Pushing west, he met the imperial army in Guaizhui, west of Ji. The soldiers of Ying Bu were very battle hardened, and the emperor entrenched his troops in Yongcheng. He saw the army of Ying Bu deploy in line, as the troops of Xiang Ji did, and was very worried. He then had a meeting with Ying Bu, and asked him from afar: “Why do you persist in your rebellion?” He answered: “I want to become emperor.” The emperor was furious, and cursed at him. Then he launched a big battle. The army of Ying Bu was defeated and sent fleeing? He crossed the Huai, stopping several times to fight, but lost the battles, and fled with a hundred men to Jiangnan. In the past, Ying Bu had married a daughter of the lord of Fan. King Ai of Changsha took advantage of this and sent someone to fool him. Pretending to help him flee, he prompted him to flee to Yue. Ying Bu trusted him and followed him to Fanyang, where a local killed him in Zixiang, inside an inn in the middle of the fields. This was the end of Bu the Tattoed.　 　

立 皇 子 長 為 淮 南 王 ， 封 賁 赫 為 期 思 侯 ， 諸 將 率 多 以 功 封 者 。
The emperor named imperial prince Chang king of Huainan, and gave Fen He the title of marquis of Qisi. His generals received fiefdoms as a reward for their deeds.　 　

太 史 公 曰 ： 英 布 者 ， 其 先 豈 春 秋 所 見 楚 滅 英 、 六， 皋 陶 之 後 哉 ？ 身 被 刑 法 ， 何 其 拔 興 之 暴 也 ！ 項 氏 之 所 阬 殺 人 以 千 萬 數 ， 而 布 常 為 首 虐 。 功 冠 諸 侯 ， 用此 得 王 ， 亦 不 免 於 身 為 世 大 僇 。 禍 之 興 自 愛 姬 殖 ， 妒 媢 生 患 ， 竟 以 滅 國 ！
Commentary by Sima Qian : Could Ying Bu have been a descendent of the lords of Ying and Liu, the offsprings of Gaoyao who, according to the Springs and Autumns, were destroyed by Chu? His former crimes were tattoed on his body, how could he have raised from this condition to the highest positions? The party of the Xiang clan killed millions of people, and Ying Bu was often the fiercest of them. His merits were greater than those of the feudal princes, and for this he became king. Yet, he could not avoid that everyone despise him because of his tattoed body. His fall resulted from his love of a concubine, the damage wrought by jealousy finally destroyed his kingdom.