| | 陈涉世家: |
陈胜者，阳城人也，字涉。吴广者，阳夏人也，字叔。陈涉少时，尝与人佣耕，辍耕之垄上，怅恨久之，曰：“茍富贵，无相忘。”庸者笑而应曰：“若为庸耕，何富贵也？”陈涉太息曰：“嗟乎，燕雀安知鸿鹄之志哉！” |
| | Chen Sheng was a native of Yangcheng, courtesy name She. Wu Guang was a native of Yangxia, courtesy name Shu. Chen She, when he was young, once worked as a hired farmer with others. One day, he stopped plowing and went to the top of a field ridge, where he lingered in melancholy for a long time, saying, "If we become rich or powerful, do not forget each other." The hired workers laughed and replied, "You are merely a hired farmer; how could you attain wealth or power?" Chen She sighed deeply and said, "Alas! How can sparrows know the aspirations of a swan!"
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
二世元年七月，发闾左适戍渔阳，九百人屯大泽乡。陈胜、吴广皆次当行，为屯长。会天大雨，道不通，度已失期。失期，法皆斩。陈胜、吴广乃谋曰：“今亡亦死，举大计亦死，等死，死国可乎？”陈胜曰：“天下苦秦久矣。吾闻二世少子也，不当立，当立者乃公子扶苏。扶苏以数谏故，上使外将兵。今或闻无罪，二世杀之。百姓多闻其贤，未知其死也。项燕为楚将，数有功，爱士卒，楚人怜之。或以为死，或以为亡。今诚以吾众诈自称公子扶苏、项燕，为天下唱，宜多应者。”吴广以为然。乃行卜。卜者知其指意，曰：“足下事皆成，有功。然足下卜之鬼乎！”陈胜、吴广喜，念鬼，曰：“此教我先威众耳。”乃丹书帛曰“陈胜王”，置人所罾鱼腹中。卒买鱼烹食，得鱼腹中书，固以怪之矣。又强令吴广之次所旁丛祠中，夜篝火，狐鸣呼曰“大楚兴，陈胜王”。卒皆夜惊恐。旦日，卒中往往语，皆指目陈胜。 |
| | In the first year of the Second Emperor's reign, July, conscripts from the common people were sent to garrison Yuyang; nine hundred men were stationed at Dazexiang. Chen Sheng and Wu Guang were both scheduled for this conscription and served as leaders of the garrison unit. It happened that heavy rain fell, making the roads impassable; they estimated they had already missed their deadline. Missing the deadline meant by law that all of them would be executed. Chen Sheng and Wu Guang then plotted, saying, "Now, if we run away, we will die; if we launch a grand plan, we will also die. Since death is inevitable either way, would it not be better to die for our country?" Chen Sheng said, "The people of the world have long suffered under the Qin." 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔... I have heard that the Second Emperor is a younger son, and he should not have been enthroned; the one who should have been enthroned was Prince Fu Su. Fu Su had been sent to command troops outside because he repeatedly advised the emperor. Now, it is said that he was innocent yet killed by the Second Emperor. The common people have heard much about his virtue but do not know of his death. Xiang Yan was a general of the State of Chu, who had achieved many victories and loved his soldiers; the people of Chu pitied him. Some believed he was dead, others thought he had fled. Now if we truly use our forces to pretend that we are Prince Fu Su and Xiang Yan, and lead a call for the people of the world, there should be many who respond." Wu Guang thought this was correct. They then went to consult a diviner. The diviner understood their intent and said, "Your affairs will all succeed and bring you merit. But why do you consult the spirits about this?" Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rejoiced, thinking of omens, and said, "This is a sign instructing us to first establish authority over the people." They then wrote on silk with red ink, "Chen Sheng shall be king," and placed it inside a fish caught in a net. When the soldiers bought the fish to cook and eat, they found the message in its belly and were already surprised by it. They also forced Wu Guang to go to a shrine near the garrison, where at night he lit a fire and imitated the cry of a fox, calling out, "The great state of Chu rises again; Chen Sheng shall be king." The soldiers were all frightened during the night. The next day, there were frequent whispers among the soldiers, and they all pointed at and looked toward Chen Sheng.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
吴广素爱人，士卒多为用者。将尉醉，广故数言欲亡，忿恚尉，令辱之，以激怒其众。尉果笞广。尉剑挺，广起，夺而杀尉。陈胜佐之，并杀两尉。召令徒属曰：“公等遇雨，皆已失期，失期当斩。藉弟令毋斩，而戍死者固十六七。且壮士不死即已，死即举大名耳，王侯将相宁有种乎！”徒属皆曰：“敬受命。”乃诈称公子扶苏、项燕，从民欲也。袒右，称大楚。为坛而盟，祭以尉首。陈胜自立为将军，吴广为都尉。攻大泽乡，收而攻蕲。蕲下，乃令符离人葛婴将兵徇蕲以东。攻铚、酂、苦、柘、谯皆下之。行收兵。比至陈，车六七百乘，骑千馀，卒数万人。攻陈，陈守令皆不在，独守丞与战谯门中。弗胜，守丞死，乃入据陈。数日，号令召三老、豪杰与皆来会计事。三老、豪杰皆曰：“将军身被坚执锐，伐无道，诛暴秦，复立楚国之社稷，功宜为王。”陈涉乃立为王，号为张楚。 |
| | Wu Guang had always been kind to people, so many of his soldiers were willing to follow him. The captain was drunk; Wu Guang deliberately repeated several times that he wanted to escape, provoking the captain and having him humiliated in order to anger his men. As expected, the captain flogged Wu Guang. The captain drew his sword, but Wu Guang rose up, seized it and killed him. Chen Sheng assisted him and together they killed both captains. They summoned their followers and said, "You have all missed your deadline because of the rain, and missing the deadline means execution. Even if we were to escape punishment by not being executed, those who die during the garrison duty would still be as many as six or seven out of ten. Moreover, a true man either does not die at all, or if he must die, let it be for great renown. Are kings, marquises, generals, and ministers really born to their stations?" The followers all said, "We respectfully accept your orders." They then pretended to be Prince Fu Su and Xiang Yan in order to follow the people's wishes. They bared their right shoulders and declared themselves as "Great Chu." They built an altar to swear an oath, using the captain's head for a sacrifice. Chen Sheng declared himself general and Wu Guang as commandant. They attacked Dazexiang, then gathered forces to attack Qi. After capturing Qi, they ordered Ge Ying of Fuli to lead troops and pacify the areas east of Qi. They attacked Zhi, Zuo, Ku, Zhe, and Qiao, capturing them all. They continued marching while recruiting more soldiers along the way. By the time they reached Chen, they had gathered about six or seven hundred chariots, over a thousand cavalrymen, and tens of thousands of infantry. They attacked Chen; the governor and magistrates were not present, only the deputy governor fought them in the Qiao Gate. Failing to defeat them, the deputy governor died, so they entered and occupied Chen. After several days, he issued orders summoning the local elders and influential men to a meeting to discuss affairs. The local elders and influential men all said, "General, you have personally donned armor and wielded sharp weapons to attack the tyrannical ruler, punish the cruel Qin dynasty, and restore the state of Chu. Your achievements deserve a kingship." Chen She was then declared king, with the title Zhangchu.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
当此时，诸郡县苦秦吏者，皆刑其长吏，杀之以应陈涉。乃以吴叔为假王，监诸将以西击荥阳。令陈人武臣、张耳、陈馀徇赵地，令汝阴人邓宗徇九江郡。当此时，楚兵数千人为聚者，不可胜数。 |
| | At this time, in all commanderies and counties where people suffered under Qin officials, they beheaded their local magistrates and killed them to respond to Chen She. They then appointed Wu Shu as provisional king to oversee the generals in an attack westward toward Yingyang. They ordered Wu Chen, Wu Chen, Zhang Er, and Chen Yu to pacify the lands of Zhao, and ordered Deng Zong of Ruyin to pacify the commandery of Jianghuai. At this time, there were countless groups of thousands of Chu soldiers gathering together.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
葛婴至东城，立襄强为楚王。婴后闻陈王已立，因杀襄强，还报。至陈，陈王诛杀葛婴。陈王令魏人周市北徇魏地。吴广围荥阳。李由为三川守，守荥阳，吴叔弗能下。陈王徵国之豪杰与计，以上蔡人房君蔡赐为上柱国。 |
| | Ge Ying arrived at Dongcheng and enthroned Xiang Qiang as King of Chu. Later, upon learning that King Chen had already been established, Ge Ying killed Xiang Qiang and returned to report. When he arrived at Chen, King Chen executed Ge Ying. King Chen ordered Zhou Shi of Wei to march north and pacify the lands of Wei. Wu Guang laid siege to Yingyang. Li You was the governor of Sanchuan, defending Yingyang; Wu Shu could not capture it. King Chen summoned the influential men of the state to deliberate, and appointed Cai Ci, a native of Shangcai, as Chief General.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
周文，陈之贤人也，尝为项燕军视日，事春申君，自言习兵，陈王与之将军印，西击秦。行收兵至关，车千乘，卒数十万，至戏，军焉。秦令少府章邯免郦山徒、人奴产子生，悉发以击楚大军，尽败之。周文败，走出关，止次曹阳二三月。章邯追败之，复走次渑池十馀日。章邯击，大破之。周文自刭，军遂不战。 |
| | Zhou Wen was a virtuous man from Chen. He had once served as an astrologer in the army of Xiang Yan and worked for Chunshen Jun. He claimed to be experienced in military affairs, so King Chen gave him a general's seal and ordered him to attack westward against Qin. Marching while recruiting troops, he reached the Pass with a thousand chariots and hundreds of thousands of soldiers; arriving at Xi, he established his army there. The Qin dynasty ordered Xiao Fu Zhang Han to release convicts from Lishan, as well as male slaves and the sons of slave women, mustering them all to attack the main Chu army, which was completely defeated. Zhou Wen suffered a defeat, fled out of the pass, and halted at Caoyang for two or three months. Zhang Han pursued and defeated him again; Zhou Wen retreated to Mianchi and stayed there for more than ten days. Zhang Han attacked, completely defeating them. Zhou Wen committed suicide, and the army ceased to fight.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
武臣到邯郸，自立为赵王，陈馀为大将军，张耳、召骚为左右丞相。陈王怒，捕系武臣等家室，欲诛之。柱国曰：“秦未亡而诛赵王将相家属，此生一秦也。不如因而立之。”陈王乃遣使者贺赵，而徙系武臣等家属宫中，而封耳子张敖为成都君，趣赵兵亟入关。赵王将相相与谋曰：“王王赵，非楚意也。楚已诛秦，必加兵于赵。计莫如毋西兵，使使北徇燕地以自广也。赵南据大河，北有燕、代，楚虽胜秦，不敢制赵。若楚不胜秦，必重赵。赵乘秦之獘，可以得志于天下。”赵王以为然，因不西兵，而遣故上谷卒史韩广将兵北徇燕地。 |
| | Wu Chen arrived at Handan and declared himself King of Zhao, with Chen Yu as Grand General and Zhang Er and Shao Sao as Left and Right Chancellors. King Chen was furious and arrested the families of Wu Chen and others, intending to execute them. The Chief General said, "Before Qin is destroyed, punishing the families of Zhao's king and his generals will only create another Qin. It would be better to instead recognize them as rulers." King Chen then sent envoys to congratulate Zhao, moved the families of Wu Chen and his associates into the palace for safekeeping, and bestowed Zhang Ao, son of Zhang Er, as Duke of Chengdu, urging the Zhao forces to quickly enter the pass. The King of Zhao and his generals discussed together, saying: "Your Majesty's enthronement as ruler of Zhao was not in accordance with Chu's wishes. Once Chu has destroyed Qin, it will certainly send troops against Zhao. The best course of action is to not send forces westward but instead dispatch envoys northward to pacify Yan territory in order to expand our own strength. Zhao controls the southern reaches of the great river and has Yan and Dai to its north; even if Chu defeats Qin, it would not dare to control Zhao. "If Chu fails to defeat Qin, it will inevitably hold Zhao in high regard." Zhao can take advantage of Qin's decline and thus achieve its ambitions throughout the world." The King of Zhao considered this reasoning sound, so he did not send troops westward but dispatched Han Guang, the former military officer from Shanggu, to lead forces northward and pacify Yan territory.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
燕故贵人豪杰谓韩广曰：“楚已立王，赵又已立王。燕虽小，亦万乘之国也，愿将军立为燕王。”韩广曰：“广母在赵，不可。”燕人曰：“赵方西忧秦，南忧楚，其力不能禁我。且以楚之强，不敢害赵王将相之家，赵独安敢害将军之家！”韩广以为然，乃自立为燕王。居数月，赵奉燕王母及家属归之燕。 |
| | The noble families and influential men of the old state of Yan told Han Guang, "Chu has already established a king, and Zhao has also declared its own ruler. Yan may be small, but it is still a state with ten thousand chariots; we hope you will declare yourself King of Yan." Han Guang said, "My mother is in Zhao; I cannot do this." The people of Yan replied, "Zhao is currently preoccupied with concerns to the west against Qin and to the south against Chu; its strength cannot restrain us. Moreover, even with its great power, Chu dares not harm the families of Zhao's kings and generals; how could Zhao alone dare to harm your family!" Han Guang considered this reasoning correct and thus declared himself King of Yan. After several months, Zhao sent Han Guang's mother and family back to him in Yan.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
当此之时，诸将之徇地者，不可胜数。周市北徇地至狄，狄人田儋杀狄令，自立为齐王，以齐反击周市。市军散，还至魏地，欲立魏后故甯陵君咎为魏王。时咎在陈王所，不得之魏。魏地已定，欲相与立周市为魏王，周市不肯。使者五反，陈王乃立甯陵君咎为魏王，遣之国。周市卒为相。 |
| | At this time, the number of generals pacifying territories was too great to count. Zhou Shi marched northward, reaching Di; the native Tian Dan of Di killed the magistrate of Di and declared himself King of Qi, using Qi to counterattack Zhou Shi. Zhou Shi's forces scattered; returning to Wei territory, he wished to establish the former Wei noble Ningling Jun Jiu as King of Wei. At that time, Jiu was at King Chen's court and could not be brought back to Wei. After the Wei territory had been pacified, they wished to jointly establish Zhou Shi as King of Wei, but he refused. After five rounds of envoys, King Chen finally declared Ningling Jun Jiu king of Wei and sent him to his state. Zhou Shi eventually became prime minister.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
将军田臧等相与谋曰：“周章军已破矣，秦兵旦暮至，我围荥阳城弗能下，秦军至，必大败。不如少遗兵，足以守（荧）［荥］阳，悉精兵迎秦军。今假王骄，不知兵权，不可与计，非诛之，事恐败。”因相与矫王令以诛吴叔，献其首于陈王。陈王使使赐田臧楚令尹印，使为上将。田臧乃使诸将李归等守荥阳城，自以精兵西迎秦军于敖仓。与战，田臧死，军破。章邯进兵击李归等荥阳下，破之，李归等死。 |
| | General Tian Zang and others plotted together, saying: "The army of Zhou Zhang has already been defeated; Qin forces will arrive day or night. We have failed to capture Yingyang city, and if the Qin troops come, we shall certainly suffer a great defeat." It would be better to leave behind a small contingent of soldiers sufficient to defend Yingyang, and deploy all our elite troops to meet the Qin forces. Now this provisional king is arrogant and ignorant of military strategy; we cannot consult with him. If we do not eliminate him, the matter may fail." Therefore, they jointly forged a royal decree to execute Wu Shu and presented his head to King Chen. King Chen sent envoys with a seal for Tian Zang, appointing him as Chief Minister of Chu and making him the supreme general. Tian Zang then dispatched his generals Li Gui et al. to defend Yingyang city, while he himself led the elite troops westward to meet the Qin army at Aocang. They engaged in battle; Tian Zang was killed and his forces were defeated. Zhang Han advanced to attack Li Gui et al. under Yingyang, defeating them; Li Gui and others died.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
阳城人邓说将兵居郯，章邯别将击破之，邓说军散走陈。铚人伍徐将兵居许，章邯击破之，伍徐军皆散走陈。陈王诛邓说。 |
| | Deng Yue of Yangcheng led troops stationed at Tan, but Zhang Han's separate force defeated him; Deng Yue's army scattered and fled to Chen. Wu Xu of Zhi led troops stationed at Xu, but Zhang Han defeated him; Wu Xu's forces all scattered and fled to Chen. King Chen executed Deng Yue.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
陈王初立时，陵人秦嘉、铚人董缏符离人朱鸡石、取虑人郑布、徐人丁疾等皆特起，将兵围东海守庆于郯。陈王闻，乃使武平君畔为将军，监郯下军。秦嘉不受命，嘉自立为大司马，恶属武平君。告军吏曰：“武平君年少，不知兵事，勿听！”因矫以王命杀武平君畔。 |
| | When King Chen was first enthroned, Qin Jia of Ling, Dong Li of Zhi, Zhu Jishi of Fuli, Zheng Bu of Qulv, Ding Ji of Xu and others all rose independently, leading troops to besiege the governor of Donghai, Qing, at Tan. Upon hearing this, King Chen sent Wu Ping Jun Pan as general to supervise the troops under Tan. Qin Jia refused the order and declared himself Grand Marshal, resenting subordination to Wu Ping Jun. He told his military officers: "Wu Ping Jun is young and ignorant of military affairs; do not listen to him!" Therefore, he forged the king's command to execute Wu Ping Jun Pan.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
章邯已破伍徐，击陈，柱国房君死。章邯又进兵击陈西张贺军。陈王出监战，军破，张贺死。 |
| | After Zhang Han had defeated Wu Xu, he attacked Chen; Zhu Guo Fangjun was killed. Zhang Han then advanced to attack the army of Zhang He west of Chen. King Chen personally went out to supervise the battle, but his forces were defeated and Zhang He was killed.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
腊月，陈王之汝阴，还至下城父，其御庄贾杀以降秦。陈胜葬砀，谥曰隐王。 |
| | In the twelfth month, King Chen went to Ruyin, but on his return journey to Xiachengfu, his charioteer Zhuang Jia killed him and surrendered to Qin. Chen Sheng was buried in Dang, posthumously honored as the Yinwang.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
陈王故涓人将军吕臣为仓头军，起新阳，攻陈下之，杀庄贾，复以陈为楚。 |
| | Lü Chen, a former servant and general of King Chen, led the Cangtou Army. Rising from Xinyang, he attacked and captured Chen, killing Zhuang Jia, and once again established Chen as the capital of Chu.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
初，陈王至陈，令铚人宋留将兵定南阳，入武关。留已徇南阳，闻陈王死，南阳复为秦。宋留不能入武关，乃东至新蔡，遇秦军，宋留以军降秦。秦传留至咸阳，车裂留以徇。 |
| | Initially, when King Chen arrived at Chen, he ordered Song Liu of Zhi to lead troops in pacifying Nanyang and entering Wuguan Pass. After Song Liu had already subjugated Nanyang, he heard of King Chen's death; Nanyang reverted to Qin control. Song Liu could not enter Wuguan Pass, so he turned eastward and reached Xincai, where he encountered Qin forces. Song Liu surrendered his army to Qin. Qin authorities sent Song Liu to Xianyang, where they executed him by splitting him apart with chariots as a warning to others.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
秦嘉等闻陈王军破出走，乃立景驹为楚王，引兵之方与，欲击秦军定陶下。使公孙庆使齐王，欲与并力俱进。齐王曰：“闻陈王战败，不知其死生，楚安得不请而立王！”公孙庆曰：“齐不请楚而立王，楚何故请齐而立王！且楚首事，当令于天下。”田儋诛杀公孙庆。 |
| | Qin Jia and others, having heard that King Chen's forces had been defeated and he fled, then declared Jing Ju as king of Chu, leading their troops to Fangyu, intending to attack the Qin army stationed under Dingtao. They sent Gongsun Qing as envoy to King Qi, hoping to unite forces and advance together. King Qi said: "I have heard that King Chen was defeated in battle, but I do not know whether he is dead or alive. How can Chu dare to establish a king without seeking permission?" Gongsun Qing said: "Qi established its king without consulting Chu, so why should Chu need to request Qi's permission to establish a king?" "And besides, Chu was the first to rise in rebellion; it is entitled to command throughout the land." Tian Dan executed Gongsun Qing.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
秦左右校复攻陈，下之。吕将军走，收兵复聚。鄱盗当阳君黥布之兵相收，复击秦左右校，破之青波，复以陈为楚。会项梁立怀王孙心为楚王。 |
| | The left and right divisions of Qin forces once again attacked Chen, capturing it. General Lü fled, regrouped his troops, and gathered them together again. The forces of Dangyang Jun Qing Bu, a bandit from Po, joined together and attacked the left and right divisions of the Qin army, defeating them at Qingbo, and once again establishing Chen as the capital of Chu. At this time, Xiang Liang declared Sun Xin, a descendant of King Huaiwang, as king of Chu.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
陈胜王凡六月。已为王，王陈。其故人尝与庸耕者闻之，之陈，扣宫门曰：“吾欲见涉。”宫门令欲缚之。自辩数，乃置，不肯为通。陈王出，遮道而呼涉。陈王闻之，乃召见，载与俱归。入宫，见殿屋帷帐，客曰：“夥颐！涉之为王沈沈者！”楚人谓多为夥，故天下传之，夥涉为王，由陈涉始。客出入愈益发舒，言陈王故情。或说陈王曰：“客愚无知，颛妄言，轻威。”陈王斩之。诸陈王故人皆自引去，由是无亲陈王者。陈王以朱房为中正，胡武为司过，主司群臣。诸将徇地，至，令之不是者，系而罪之，以苛察为忠。其所不善者，弗下吏，辄自治之。陈王信用之。诸将以其故不亲附，此其所以败也。 |
| | King Chen Sheng reigned for only six months. After becoming king, he established his capital at Chen. Some of his old acquaintances who had once worked and farmed with him heard about this, went to Chen, and knocked on the palace gate saying: "I wish to see She." The palace gate official wanted to arrest him. After he pleaded his case several times, they finally let it go but still refused to admit him. When King Chen came out, the man blocked the road and called out: "She!" King Chen heard about it and summoned him for an audience, taking him along in a carriage back to the palace. Upon entering the palace, seeing the halls, pavilions, and draperies, the guest said: "Wow! How grand it is for She to be a king!" The Chu people referred to "many" as "huo," so this saying spread throughout the land, and thus it became known that King Huoshe began with Chen She. The guest grew increasingly bold in his behavior, speaking freely about King Chen's past circumstances. Some advised King Chen: "This guest is foolish and ignorant, making reckless remarks; this undermines your authority." King Chen had him executed. All of King Chen's former acquaintances withdrew on their own, and from then on, no one remained close to King Chen. King Chen appointed Zhu Fang as Zhongzheng and Hu Wu as Sikuo, in charge of overseeing the officials. When generals subjugated territories, if they found any orders not followed, they would imprison and punish those responsible, regarding strict scrutiny as loyalty. Those who were disliked by them were not referred to the officials but dealt with directly themselves. King Chen trusted and relied on them. Because of this, the generals did not remain loyal or attached to him; this was why he failed.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
陈胜虽已死，其所置遣侯王将相竟亡秦，由涉首事也。高祖时为陈涉置守冢三十家砀，至今血食。 |
| | Although Chen Sheng had already died, the marquises, kings, generals, and ministers he had appointed eventually destroyed Qin; this was initiated by Chen She. During Emperor Gaozu's reign, thirty families were assigned to guard the tomb of Chen She in Dang; this tradition continues to this day with sacrifices offered.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
褚先生曰：地形险阻，所以为固也；兵革刑法，所以为治也。犹未足恃也。夫先王以仁义为本，而以固塞文法为枝叶，岂不然哉！吾闻贾生之称曰： |
| | Chu Xiansheng said: "Strategic terrain and natural barriers are what make a position secure; arms, military discipline, laws, and punishments are the means by which order is maintained." Yet they are still not sufficient to rely upon. The ancient kings took benevolence and righteousness as their foundation, regarding strategic defenses and legal formalities merely as branches and leaves. Could this not be true! I have heard the praise of Jia Sheng say:
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
秦孝公据淆函之固，拥雍州之地，君臣固守，以窥周室。有席卷天下，包举宇内，囊括四海之意，并吞八荒之心。当是时也，商君佐之，内立法度，务耕织，修守战之备；外连衡而鬬诸侯。于是秦人拱手而取西河之外。 |
| | King Xiao of Qin occupied the strategic strength of Xiaohan, controlled Yongzhou territory, and with his ministers and subjects firmly holding their positions, watched for an opportunity to challenge the Zhou dynasty. He had the ambition to sweep across the world, encompass all within his domain, enclose the four seas in a bag, and swallow up the eight directions. At that time, Shang Jun assisted him by establishing laws and regulations internally, encouraging farming and weaving, and preparing for defense and war. Externally, he formed lateral alliances to contend with the feudal lords. Thus, the Qin people easily took control of the area beyond the Xihe River.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
孝公既没，惠文王、武王、昭王蒙故业，因遗策，南取汉中，西举巴蜀，东割膏腴之地，收要害之郡。诸侯恐惧，会盟而谋弱秦。不爱珍器重宝肥饶之地，以致天下之士。合从缔交，相与为一。当此之时，齐有孟尝，赵有平原，楚有春申，魏有信陵：此四君者，皆明知而忠信，宽厚而爱人，尊贤而重士。约从连衡，兼韩、魏、燕、赵、宋、卫、中山之众。于是六国之士有甯越、徐尚、苏秦、杜赫之属为之谋，齐明、周聚、陈轸、邵滑、楼缓、翟景、苏厉、乐毅之徒通其意，吴起、孙膑、带他、儿良、王廖、田忌、廉颇、赵奢之伦制其兵。尝以什倍之地，百万之师，仰关而攻秦。秦人开关而延敌，九国之师遁逃而不敢进。秦无亡矢遗镞之费，而天下固已困矣。于是从散约败，争割地而赂秦。秦有馀力而制其獘，追亡逐北，伏尸百万，流血漂橹，因利乘便，宰割天下，分裂山河，强国请服，弱国入朝。 |
| | After King Xiao's death, King Huawen, King Wuwang, and King Zhao Wang inherited the established legacy and followed their predecessors' strategies. They took Hanzhong to the south, conquered Bashu to the west, carved out fertile lands to the east, and captured key strategic commanderies. The feudal lords were alarmed and formed alliances to plot against Qin's growing power. They did not cherish rare treasures, precious artifacts, or fertile lands, but instead used them to attract scholars from all over the world. They formed vertical alliances and established close ties, uniting as one force. At this time, Qi had Mengchang, Zhao had Pingyuan, Chu had Chunshen, and Wei had Xinning: these four lords were all wise and knowledgeable, loyal and trustworthy, broad-minded and compassionate, respecting the virtuous and valuing scholars. They formed vertical alliances or lateral pacts, uniting the forces of Han, Wei, Yan, Zhao, Song, Wei, and Zhongshan. At that time, scholars from the six states such as Ning Yue, Xu Shang, Su Qin, and Du He served as strategists; Qi Ming, Zhou Ju, Chen Zhen, Shao Hua, Lou Huan, Di Jing, Su Li, and Yue Yi communicated their intentions; Wu Qi, Sun Bin, Dai Ta, Er Liang, Wang Liao, Tian Ji,廉颇, Zhao She, and others commanded the armies. They once led an army a hundred times larger with territory tenfold that of Qin to attack it from above the Guan Pass. The Qin people opened their gates and welcomed the enemy, yet the armies of the nine states fled in fear and dared not advance. Qin suffered no loss of arrows or bolts, yet the entire world was already exhausted. Thus, the vertical alliances collapsed and treaties were broken; the states competed to cede territory and bribe Qin. With surplus strength, Qin took advantage of the chaos, pursuing defeated enemies and fleeing forces. Millions lay dead on the battlefield; blood flowed so much it could float shields. Seizing opportunities, they carved up the world, divided mountains and rivers, forcing powerful states to submit and weak ones to pay homage.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
施及孝文王、庄襄王，享国之日浅，国家无事。及至始皇，奋六世之馀烈，振长策而御宇内，吞二周而亡诸侯，履至尊而制六合，执敲朴以鞭笞天下，威振四海。南取百越之地，以为桂林、象郡，百越之君俛首系颈，委命下吏。乃使蒙恬北筑长城而守藩篱，却匈奴七百馀里，胡人不敢南下而牧马，士亦不敢贯弓而报怨。于是废先王之道，燔百家之言，以愚黔首。堕名城，杀豪俊，收天下之兵聚之咸阳，销锋鍉，铸以为金人十二，以弱天下之民。然后践华为城，因河为池，据亿丈之城，临不测之溪以为固。良将劲弩，守要害之处，信臣精卒，陈利兵而谁何。天下已定，始皇之心，自以为关中之固，金城千里，子孙帝王万世之业也。 |
| | This continued under King Xiaowenwang and King Zhuangxiangwang, but their reigns were short-lived and the state experienced no major events. It was not until the First Emperor that he built upon the accumulated achievements of six generations, wielded his whip to rule within the realm, swallowed the two Zhou dynasties and eliminated all feudal lords, ascended to supreme authority over the 六合 (universe), and ruled by force throughout the world, his power shaking the four seas. He took the southern territories of Baiyue and established Guilin and Xiang commanderies; the leaders of Baiyue bowed their heads, bound their necks, and surrendered to low-ranking officials. He then dispatched Meng Tian to build the Great Wall in the north as a defensive barrier, repelling the Xiongnu over seven hundred li and preventing them from descending southward to graze their horses; nor did the soldiers dare to string their bows in retaliation. Thus, he abolished the ways of former kings and burned the writings of a hundred schools of thought, aiming to deceive and subdue the common people. He destroyed famous walled cities, executed the heroic and capable men, collected all weapons from across the land to gather in Xianyang, melted down sharp blades, and cast them into twelve golden statues, thereby weakening the people of the world. Then he took Mount Hua as a wall and used the Yellow River as a moat, occupying a city of ten thousand zhang in height, overlooking an unfathomable ravine to serve as a stronghold. Outstanding generals and powerful crossbows guarded key strategic points, while loyal officials and elite soldiers stood ready with sharp weapons to challenge anyone. With the world pacified, Emperor Qin Shi Huang believed that the security of Guanzhong, with its golden walls stretching for a thousand li, would ensure his descendants' imperial rule for ten thousand generations.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
始皇既没，馀威振于殊俗。然而陈涉瓮牖绳枢之子，氓隶之人，而迁徙之徒也。材能不及中人，非有仲尼、墨翟之贤，陶朱、猗顿之富也。蹑足行伍之闲，俛仰仟佰之中，率罢散之卒，将数百之众，转而攻秦。斩木为兵，揭竿为旗，天下云会响应，赢粮而景从，山东豪俊遂并起而亡秦族矣。 |
| | After Emperor Qin Shi Huang's death, the lingering power of his authority still reverberated among distant peoples and customs. However, Chen She was the son of a poor family with clay windows and rope hinges, a common laborer, merely an exile conscripted for forced relocation. His talents did not surpass the average person; he was neither as virtuous as Confucius or Mozi, nor as wealthy as Tao Zhu or Yidun. He was a common soldier among the ranks, rising and falling within the masses of foot soldiers. Leading a group of weary and scattered troops numbering only hundreds, he turned to attack Qin. Cutting down trees for weapons and raising poles as banners, the people from all over gathered like clouds in response, carrying their own provisions to follow him like shadows. Thus, the heroic men of Shandong rose up together and brought about the downfall of the Qin clan.
|
| | 陈涉世家: |
且天下非小弱也；雍州之地，淆函之固自若也。陈涉之位，非尊于齐、楚、燕、赵、韩、魏、宋、卫、中山之君也；锄耰棘矜，非铦于句戟长铩也；适戍之众，非俦于九国之师也；深谋远虑，行军用兵之道，非及乡时之士也。然而成败异变，功业相反也。尝试使山东之国与陈涉度长洁大，比权量力，则不可同年而语矣。然而秦以区区之地。致万乘之权，抑八州而朝同列，百有馀年矣。然后以六合为家，淆函为宫。一夫作难而七庙堕，身死人手，为天下笑者，何也？仁义不施，而攻守之势异也。 |
| | Moreover, the world was not small or weak; The land of Yongzhou and the strategic strength of Xiaohan remained as before. Chen She's position was not more exalted than that of the rulers of Qi, Chu, Yan, Zhao, Han, Wei, Song, Wei, and Zhongshan. Hoes and spears were no sharper than the curved halberds and long axes of Qin's army; The conscripted soldiers were not equal in strength to the combined armies of the Nine States. Their strategies, long-term planning, and methods of military command did not match those of the strategists of previous times. Yet their successes and failures were vastly different, and their achievements stood in stark contrast. If one were to compare the states of Shandong with Chen She, measuring their length and breadth, comparing their power and strength, they could not be mentioned in the same breath. Yet Qin, with its small territory, was able to attain the authority of a ten-thousand chariot state, subduing eight provinces and making vassal states pay homage, for more than a hundred years. Then he regarded the six directions as his home and Xiaohan as his palace. When a single man rose in rebellion, the seven ancestral temples were destroyed; he died at the hands of others and became an object of ridicule to all under heaven. Why was this so? It was because benevolence and righteousness were not practiced, and thus the situation for attack and defense had changed.
|
