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曹沫者，魯人也，以勇力事魯莊公。莊公好力。曹沫為魯將，與齊戰，三敗北。魯莊公懼，乃獻遂邑之地以和。猶復以為將。 |
| | Cao Mo was a native of Lu and served Duke Zhuanggong of Lu for his bravery and strength. Duke Zhuanggong favored martial prowess. Cao Mo served as a general of Lu, and he fought against Qi, suffering three defeats. Duke Zhuanggong of Lu was afraid, so he offered the territory of Su yi to make peace. He still appointed him as a general again.
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齊桓公許與魯會于柯而盟。桓公與莊公既盟於壇上，曹沫執匕首劫齊桓公，桓公左右莫敢動，而問曰：「子將何欲？」曹沫曰：「齊彊魯弱，而大國侵魯亦甚矣。今魯城壞即壓齊境，君其圖之。」桓公乃許盡歸魯之侵地。既已言，曹沫投其匕首，下壇，北面就群臣之位，顏色不變，辭令如故。桓公怒，欲倍其約。管仲曰：「不可。夫貪小利以自快，棄信於諸侯，失天下之援，不如與之。」於是桓公乃遂割魯侵地，曹沫三戰所亡地盡復予魯。 |
| | Duke Huan of Qi agreed to meet with Lu at Ke and concluded an alliance. After Duke Huan and Duke Zhuanggong had concluded the alliance on the altar, Cao Mo seized a dagger and threatened Duke Huan of Qi. The men around Duke Huan dared not move, and they asked, "What is it that you desire?" Cao Mo said, "Qi is strong while Lu is weak, yet the great state has invaded Lu too much. Now that the walls of Lu are ruined and will collapse onto Qi's territory, you should consider this." Duke Huan then agreed to return all the territories that had been invaded from Lu. After speaking, Cao Mo threw away his dagger, descended from the altar, faced north to take his place among the ministers, and remained calm with no change in expression; his words and demeanor were as before. Duke Huan was angry and wanted to break their agreement. Guan Zhong said, "No." "To seek small gains for one's own satisfaction, to abandon trust among the feudal lords, and to lose support from all under heaven is worse than giving it to them." Thus Duke Huan proceeded to cede the territories that had been invaded by Lu, and all lands lost in Cao Mo's three battles were fully restored to Lu.
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其後百六十有七年而吳有專諸之事。 |
| | One hundred and sixty-seven years later, Wu experienced the matter of Zhuan Zhu.
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專諸者，吳堂邑人也。伍子胥之亡楚而如吳也，知專諸之能。伍子胥既見吳王僚，說以伐楚之利。吳公子光曰：「彼伍員父兄皆死於楚而員言伐楚，欲自為報私讎也，非能為吳。」吳王乃止。伍子胥知公子光之欲殺吳王僚，乃曰：「彼光將有內志，未可說以外事。」乃進專諸於公子光。 |
| | Zhuan Zhu was a native of Tangyi in Wu. When Wu Zixu fled from Chu and went to Wu, he recognized Zhuan Zhu's ability. After Wu Zixu met King Liao of Wu, he advised him on the benefits of attacking Chu. Prince Guang of Wu said, "His father and elder brother were both killed by Chu, yet Wu Yuan speaks of attacking Chu; he wants to avenge his private grudge, not for the sake of Wu." King of Wu then stopped. Wu Zixu realized that Prince Guang wanted to kill King Liao of Wu and said, "That prince Guang has internal ambitions; it is not yet possible to advise him on external matters." He thus recommended Zhuan Zhu to Prince Guang.
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光之父曰吳王諸樊。諸樊弟三人：次曰餘祭，次曰夷眛，次曰季子札。諸樊知季子札賢而不立太子，以次傳三弟，欲卒致國于季子札。諸樊既死，傳餘祭。餘祭死，傳夷眛。夷眛死，當傳季子札；季子札逃不肯立，吳人乃立夷眛之子僚為王。公子光曰：「使以兄弟次邪，季子當立；必以子乎，則光真適嗣，當立。」故嘗陰養謀臣以求立。 |
| | Prince Guang's father was King Zhufan of Wu. King Zhufan had three younger brothers: the second was Yu Zhai, the next was Yimei, and the last was Ji Zi Zha. King Zhufan knew that Ji Zi Zha was virtuous and did not appoint a crown prince, instead passing the throne in order to his three younger brothers, intending ultimately to transfer the state to Ji Zi Zha. After King Zhufan died, the throne passed to Yu Zhai. After Yu Zhai died, it passed to Yimei. After Yimei died, the throne should have been passed to Ji Zi Zha; Ji Zi Zha fled and refused to assume the position, so the people of Wu enthroned Liao, son of Yimei, as king. Prince Guang said, "If it is according to the order of brothers, Ji Zi Zha should be enthroned; But if it must be by sons, then I am the legitimate heir and should be enthroned." Therefore, he had often secretly nurtured strategists to seek his own enthronement.
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光既得專諸，善客待之。九年而楚平王死。春，吳王僚欲因楚喪，使其二弟公子蓋餘、屬庸將兵圍楚之灊；使延陵季子於晉，以觀諸侯之變。楚發兵絕吳將蓋餘、屬庸路，吳兵不得還。於是公子光謂專諸曰：「此時不可失，不求何獲！且光真王嗣，當立，季子雖來，不吾廢也。」專諸曰：「王僚可殺也。母老子弱，而兩弟將兵伐楚，楚絕其後。方今吳外困於楚，而內空無骨鯁之臣，是無如我何。」公子光頓首曰：「光之身，子之身也。」 |
| | After Prince Guang obtained Zhuan Zhu, he treated him well as a guest. Nine years later King Ping of Chu died. In spring, King Liao of Wu wanted to take advantage of the death in the Chu court and sent his two younger brothers, Gongzi Gaiyu and Shuyong, to lead troops and besiege Qian in Chu; He also sent Jianling Jizi Zha to Jin to observe the changes among the feudal lords. Chu mobilized troops to cut off the route of Wu's generals Gaiyu and Shuyou, preventing the Wu forces from returning. At this time, Prince Guang said to Zhuan Zhu, "This opportunity cannot be missed; if we do not act now, what will we gain? Moreover, I am the true heir to the throne and should become king. Even if Ji Zi Zha comes back, he will not depose me." Zhuan Zhu said, "King Liao can be killed. His mother is old and his son is weak, while his two younger brothers are leading troops to attack Chu, which has cut off their rear. At present, Wu is externally trapped by Chu and internally lacks loyal and upright ministers; thus, there is nothing they can do to me." Prince Guang kowtowed and said, "My body is as yours."
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四月丙子，光伏甲士於窟室中，而具酒請王僚。王僚使兵陳自宮至光之家，門戶階陛左右，皆王僚之親戚也。夾立侍，皆持長鈹。酒既酣，公子光詳為足疾，入窟室中，使專諸置匕首魚炙之腹中而進之。既至王前，專諸擘魚，因以匕首刺王僚，王僚立死。左右亦殺專諸，王人擾亂。公子光出其伏甲以攻王僚之徒，盡滅之，遂自立為王，是為闔閭。闔閭乃封專諸之子以為上卿。 |
| | On the Bingzi day of the fourth month, Prince Guang stationed armed men in a hidden chamber and prepared wine to invite King Liao. King Liao sent soldiers to form a procession from his palace to Prince Guang's house, and at the gates, steps, and both sides of the entrance, they were all King Liao's relatives. They stood on either side in attendance, each holding a long spear. When the wine had reached its height of revelry, Prince Guang pretended to have a foot ailment and entered the hidden chamber, instructing Zhuan Zhu to place a dagger inside the belly of a fish dish and present it. When it reached King Liao, Zhuan Zhu split open the fish and used the dagger to stab King Liao, who died on the spot. The attendants also killed Zhuan Zhu, causing chaos among the king's men. Prince Guang then deployed his hidden soldiers to attack King Liao's followers, completely annihilating them and proclaiming himself king. He became known as Helu. Helu then enfeoffed Zhuan Zhu's son as an upper minister.
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其後七十餘年而晉有豫讓之事。 |
| | More than seventy years later, Jin experienced the matter of Yu Rang.
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豫讓者，晉人也，故嘗事范氏及中行氏，而無所知名。去而事智伯，智伯甚尊寵之。及智伯伐趙襄子，趙襄子與韓、魏合謀滅智伯，滅智伯之後而三分其地。趙襄子最怨智伯，漆其頭以為飲器。豫讓遁逃山中，曰：「嗟乎！士為知己者死，女為說己者容。今智伯知我，我必為報讎而死，以報智伯，則吾魂魄不愧矣。」乃變名姓為刑人，入宮涂廁，中挾匕首，欲以刺襄子。襄子如廁，心動，執問涂廁之刑人，則豫讓，內持刀兵，曰：「欲為智伯報仇！」左右欲誅之。襄子曰：「彼義人也，吾謹避之耳。且智伯亡無後，而其臣欲為報仇，此天下之賢人也。」卒醳去之。 |
| | Yu Rang was a native of Jin and had previously served the Fan clan and the Zhonghang clan, but achieved no notable reputation. He left them to serve Zhibo, who held him in great esteem and favored him highly. When Zhibo attacked Zhao Xiangzi, Zhao Xiangzi conspired with the Han and Wei clans to destroy Zhibo. After Zhibo was destroyed, they divided his territory among themselves. Zhao Xiangzi harbored the deepest resentment toward Zhibo and used its skull as a drinking vessel after varnishing it. Yu Rang fled into the mountains and said, "Alas! A man will die for one who recognizes his worth; a woman will beautify herself for one who admires her. Now Zhibo recognized me; I must die to avenge him, so that my soul will not feel ashamed toward Zhibo." He then changed his name and appearance, disguised as a penal laborer, entered the palace to clean the latrine, concealed a dagger in his waistband, intending to assassinate Zhao Xiangzi. When Zhao Xiangzi went to the latrine, he felt a sudden unease and detained the penal laborer cleaning it. It turned out to be Yu Rang, who was holding weapons inside and said, "I want to take revenge for Zhibo!" Zhao Xiangzi's attendants wanted to execute him. Zhao Xiangzi said, "He is a man of righteousness; I will merely be cautious and avoid him. Moreover, Zhibo has perished with no descendants, yet his minister wishes to avenge him; this is a virtuous man under heaven." He finally released and let him go.
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居頃之，豫讓又漆身為厲，吞炭為啞，使形狀不可知，行乞於市。其妻不識也。行見其友，其友識之，曰：「汝非豫讓邪？」曰：「我是也。」其友為泣曰：「以子之才，委質而臣事襄子，襄子必近幸子。近幸子，乃為所欲，顧不易邪？何乃殘身苦形，欲以求報襄子，不亦難乎！」豫讓曰：「既已委質臣事人，而求殺之，是懷二心以事其君也。且吾所為者極難耳！然所以為此者，將以愧天下後世之為人臣懷二心以事其君者也。」 |
| | After a short while, Yu Rang once again coated his body with paint to resemble leprosy and swallowed charcoal to make himself mute, so that his appearance could not be recognized. He went about begging in the marketplace. Even his wife did not recognize him. When he walked and met a friend, the friend recognized him and said, "Are you not Yu Rang?" He replied, "I am." His friend wept and said, "With your talent, if you pledged yourself as a loyal minister to Zhao Xiangzi, he would surely favor and trust you. Once favored by him, you could achieve whatever you desire; wouldn't that be easier?" "Why then harm your body and endure hardship to seek revenge on Zhao Xiangzi? Isn't it difficult!" Yu Rang said, "Having already pledged myself as a minister to another and then seeking his death would mean harboring two minds toward my lord. Moreover, what I am doing is extremely difficult! Yet the reason why I do this is to bring shame upon future generations of ministers who serve their lords with divided loyalties."
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既去，頃之，襄子當出，豫讓伏於所當過之橋下。襄子至橋，馬驚，襄子曰：「此必是豫讓也。」使人問之，果豫讓也。於是襄子乃數豫讓曰：「子不嘗事范、中行氏乎？智伯盡滅之，而子不為報讎，而反委質臣於智伯。智伯亦已死矣，而子獨何以為之報讎之深也？」豫讓曰：「臣事范、中行氏，范、中行氏皆眾人遇我，我故眾人報之。至於智伯，國士遇我，我故國士報之。」襄子喟然嘆息而泣曰：「嗟乎豫子！子之為智伯，名既成矣，而寡人赦子，亦已足矣。子其自為計，寡人不復釋子！」使兵圍之。豫讓曰：「臣聞明主不掩人之美，而忠臣有死名之義。前君已寬赦臣，天下莫不稱君之賢。今日之事，臣固伏誅，然願請君之衣而擊之，焉以致報讎之意，則雖死不恨。非所敢望也，敢布腹心！」於是襄子大義之，乃使使持衣與豫讓。豫讓拔劍三躍而擊之，曰：「吾可以下報智伯矣！」遂伏劍自殺。死之日，趙國志士聞之，皆為涕泣。 |
| | After leaving, not long afterward, Zhao Xiangzi was about to go out when Yu Rang lay in ambush beneath the bridge he would cross. When Zhao Xiangzi reached the bridge, his horse became frightened. Zhao Xiangzi said, "This must be Yu Rang." He sent someone to investigate and found out it was indeed Yu Rang. At this, Zhao Xiangzi rebuked Yu Rang by saying, "Did you not once serve the Fan and Zhonghang clans?" Zhibo completely destroyed them, yet you did not avenge their deaths but instead pledged yourself to serve Zhibo. Now that Zhibo is also dead, why do you alone harbor such deep resentment toward him for revenge?" Yu Rang said, "I served the Fan and Zhonghang families. The Fan and Zhonghang treated me as an ordinary person, so I repaid them in kind. As for Zhibo, he regarded me as a national talent; therefore, I must repay him with the loyalty of a national talent." Zhao Xiangzi sighed and wept, saying, "Alas, Master Yu! Your act for Zhibo has already earned you a name. My pardoning you is more than enough. You must now consider your own fate, for I will not release you again!" He ordered his soldiers to surround him. Yu Rang said, "I have heard that a wise ruler does not conceal the virtue of others, and a loyal minister has the righteousness to die for his name. Previously, your lordship showed me clemency, and no one under heaven fails to praise your virtue. Today's matter, I am certainly doomed to punishment; yet I humbly request a piece of your clothing so that I may strike it. In this way, I can fulfill my desire for revenge and thus die without regret." This is not something I dare to hope for, but I wish to express my heartfelt sincerity!" Moved by Yu Rang's righteousness, Zhao Xiangzi then sent a messenger to hand him his own robe. Yu Rang drew his sword and leaped three times, striking the robe, saying, "Now I can report to Zhibo below!" He then fell upon his sword and committed suicide. On the day of his death, virtuous men in the State of Zhao who heard about it all wept bitterly.
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其後四十餘年而軹有聶政之事。 |
| | More than forty years later, Zhi experienced the matter of Nie Zheng.
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聶政者，軹深井里人也。殺人避仇，與母、姊如齊，以屠為事。 |
| | Nie Zheng was a native of Shenjingli in Zhi. To escape the consequences of killing someone, he fled with his mother and elder sister to Qi, where he made a living as a butcher.
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久之，濮陽嚴仲子事韓哀侯，與韓相俠累有卻。嚴仲子恐誅，亡去，游求人可以報俠累者。至齊，齊人或言聶政勇敢士也，避仇隱於屠者之閒。嚴仲子至門請，數反，然後具酒自暢聶政母前。酒酣，嚴仲子奉黃金百溢，前為聶政母壽。聶政驚怪其厚，固謝嚴仲子。嚴仲子固進，而聶政謝曰：「臣幸有老母，家貧，客游以為狗屠，可以旦夕得甘毳以養親。親供養備，不敢當仲子之賜。」嚴仲子辟人，因為聶政言曰：「臣有仇，而行游諸侯眾矣；然至齊，竊聞足下義甚高，故進百金者，將用為大人麤糲之費，得以交足下之驩，豈敢以有求望邪！」聶政曰：「臣所以降志辱身居市井屠者，徒幸以養老母；老母在，政身未敢以許人也。」嚴仲子固讓，聶政竟不肯受也。然嚴仲子卒備賓主之禮而去。 |
| | After some time, Yan Zhongzi of Puyang served King Aigou of Han and had a falling out with the prime minister Xia Lai. Yan Zhongzi feared punishment, fled, and went on the road in search of someone who could avenge Xia Lai for him. When he arrived at Qi, some people from Qi said that Nie Zheng was a brave and valiant man who had taken refuge among butchers to avoid revenge. Yan Zhongzi went to his door to make a request, returning several times before finally presenting wine and offering it himself in front of Nie Zheng's mother. When the drinking was at its height, Yan Zhongzi presented a hundred yu of gold and went forward to offer it as a gift for Nie Zheng's mother. Nie Zheng was surprised at the generous gift and firmly declined Yan Zhongzi. Yan Zhongzi insisted on offering the gift, and Nie Zheng declined, saying: "I am fortunate to have an elderly mother. My family is poor, so I travel as a butcher of dogs, which allows me to obtain delicacies in the morning and evening to support my parents. My parents are well provided for; I dare not accept your generous gift, Master Zhongzi." Yan Zhongzi dismissed the others and said to Nie Zheng: "I have an enemy, and I have traveled among many feudal lords. Yet upon arriving in Qi, I secretly heard of your great righteousness. That is why I presented the hundred gold; it was meant to serve as a small expense for your parents' coarse food and rough rice, so that we might establish a bond with you. How could I dare have any expectations or requests!" Nie Zheng said, "The reason why I have lowered my aspirations and humbled myself to be a butcher in the marketplace is merely out of hope to support my elderly mother; as long as my mother is still alive, I have not dared to pledge myself to anyone else." Despite Yan Zhongzi's repeated attempts to offer the gift, Nie Zheng ultimately refused it. Nevertheless, Yan Zhongzi eventually completed the formalities of host and guest before leaving.
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久之，聶政母死。既已葬，除服，聶政曰：「嗟乎！政乃市井之人，鼓刀以屠；而嚴仲子乃諸侯之卿相也，不遠千里，枉車騎而交臣。臣之所以待之，至淺鮮矣，未有大功可以稱者，而嚴仲子奉百金為親壽，我雖不受，然是者徒深知政也。夫賢者以感忿睚眦之意，而親信窮僻之人，而政獨安得嘿然而已乎！且前日要政，政徒以老母；老母今以天年終，政將為知己者用。」乃遂西至濮陽，見嚴仲子曰：「前日所以不許仲子者，徒以親在；今不幸而母以天年終。仲子所欲報仇者為誰？請得從事焉！」嚴仲子具告曰：「臣之仇韓相俠累，俠累又韓君之季父也，宗族盛多，居處兵衛甚設，臣欲使人刺之，（眾）終莫能就。今足下幸而不棄，請益其車騎壯士可為足下輔翼者。」聶政曰：「韓之與衛，相去中閒不甚遠，今殺人之相，相又國君之親，此其勢不可以多人，多人不能無生得失，生得失則語泄，語泄是韓舉國而與仲子為讎，豈不殆哉！」遂謝車騎人徒，聶政乃辭獨行。 |
| | After some time, Nie Zheng's mother passed away. After the funeral rites were completed and he had removed his mourning clothes, Nie Zheng said, "Alas! I am but a common man of the marketplace, wielding a knife as a butcher; yet Yan Zhongzi is an official and minister of a feudal lord who traveled thousands of miles, disregarding the cost of carriages and horses, to befriend me. The way I have treated him has been very shallow and slight, without any great merit to speak of. Yet Yan Zhongzi offered a hundred gold for my parents' longevity; although I did not accept it, this act alone shows that he truly understands me. A man of virtue and righteousness is moved by even the slightest grievance or resentment, and yet he personally trusts a poor and obscure person like me. How can I remain silent and do nothing?!" Moreover, on previous occasions when he sought my service, I only refused because of my elderly mother; now that my mother has passed away at the end of her natural life, I shall serve him who is my true friend." He then went west to Puyang and met Yan Zhongzi, saying: "The reason I refused you before was only because my parents were still alive; now, unfortunately, my mother has passed away of old age. Whom does Master Zhongzi wish to take revenge on?" Please allow me to undertake the task!" Yan Zhongzi fully informed him, saying: "My enemy is Xia Lai, the prime minister of Han. Xia Lai is also a younger uncle to the ruler of Han; his clan is large and powerful, and he has many guards around his residence. I have wanted to send someone to assassinate him, but no one has ever succeeded. Now that you are kindly willing to help me without rejecting the task, please allow me to provide more chariots and brave warriors who can assist and support you." Nie Zheng said: "The distance between Han and Wei is not very great. Now, to kill a prime minister who is also the ruler's relative, this situation cannot involve too many people. If there are too many, it will inevitably lead to mistakes or leaks of information. Once there is a leak, the whole country of Han will turn against you, Master Zhongzi—would that not be extremely dangerous!" He thus declined the chariots and warriors. Nie Zheng then took his leave to act alone.
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杖劍至韓，韓相俠累方坐府上，持兵戟而衛侍者甚眾。聶政直入，上階刺殺俠累，左右大亂。聶政大呼，所擊殺者數十人，因自皮面決眼，自屠出腸，遂以死。 |
| | With only a staff and sword, he arrived at Han. At that time, the prime minister Xia Lai was seated in his official residence, surrounded by numerous guards wielding weapons who attended to him. Nie Zheng went straight inside and ascended the steps to stab and kill Xia Lai, causing great chaos among those around him. Nie Zheng shouted loudly and killed dozens of people before cutting his own face, gouging out his eyes, and disemboweling himself. Thus he died.
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韓取聶政尸暴於市，購問莫知誰子。於是韓（購）縣［購］之，有能言殺相俠累者予千金。久之莫知也。 |
| | The state of Han displayed Nie Zheng's corpse in the market square for public exposure, offering a reward to anyone who could identify his identity or origins. No one knew who he was. Thus the state of Han issued a reward, offering a thousand gold to anyone who could reveal the identity of the assassin of Prime Minister Xia Lai. For a long time, no one knew.
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政姊榮聞人有刺殺韓相者，賊不得，國不知其名姓，暴其尸而縣之千金，乃於邑曰：「其是吾弟與？嗟乎，嚴仲子知吾弟！」立起，如韓，之市，而死者果政也，伏尸哭極哀，曰：「是軹深井里所謂聶政者也。」市行者諸眾人皆曰：「此人暴虐吾國相，王縣購其名姓千金，夫人不聞與？何敢來識之也？」榮應之曰：「聞之。然政所以蒙污辱自棄於市販之閒者，為老母幸無恙，妾未嫁也。親既以天年下世，妾已嫁夫，嚴仲子乃察舉吾弟困污之中而交之，澤厚矣，可柰何！士固為知己者死，今乃以妾尚在之故，重自刑以絕從，妾其柰何畏歿身之誅，終滅賢弟之名！」大驚韓市人。乃大呼天者三，卒於邑悲哀而死政之旁。 |
| | Nie Zheng's elder sister Nie Rong heard of someone who had assassinated the prime minister of Han, but the assassin could not be identified and his name was unknown to the state. The body was displayed in public with a reward of a thousand gold for information. She then wept bitterly, saying: "Could this be my younger brother? Alas! Yan Zhongzi truly understood my brother!" She immediately rose and went to Han, arriving at the market. The dead man was indeed Nie Zheng. She fell upon his corpse in deep sorrow, crying bitterly and saying: "This is Nie Zheng from Shenjingli of Zhi." The people in the market exclaimed: "This man assassinated our prime minister. The king has offered a thousand gold for his name and identity—have you not heard of this, madam?" How dare you come here to identify him?" Nie Rong replied, "I have heard of it. Yet Nie Zheng chose to endure disgrace and hide among the common people in the marketplace because his mother was still alive and well, and I had not yet married. Now that our parents have passed away of old age, and I am already married, Yan Zhongzi took notice of my brother in his time of hardship and befriended him. His kindness is profound—how could we possibly remain silent!" A true man of virtue will die for one who understands and values him. Now, my brother chose to mortally wound himself in order to cut off any possibility of being traced back through me, because I was still alive. How could I fear death or punishment on account of my own life and allow the name of such a virtuous younger brother to be extinguished!" The people in the Han market were greatly astonished. She cried out to heaven three times and finally wept bitterly before dying at her brother's side.
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晉、楚、齊、衛聞之，皆曰：「非獨政能也，乃其姊亦烈女也。鄉使政誠知其姊無濡忍之志，不重暴骸之難，必絕險千里以列其名，姊弟俱僇於韓市者，亦未必敢以身許嚴仲子也。嚴仲子亦可謂知人能得士矣！」 |
| | When the states of Jin, Chu, Qi, and Wei heard about this, they all said: "Not only was Nie Zheng a man of great valor, but his elder sister is also a woman of extraordinary virtue. Had Nie Zheng truly known that his elder sister lacked the resolve to endure hardship and was not willing to face the danger of exposing her body, he would certainly have refused Yan Zhongzi's request. If both sisters had been publicly executed in the market of Han, it is uncertain whether he would have dared to commit himself to Yan Zhongzi at such great risk. Yan Zhongzi can truly be said to understand people and was capable of winning the loyalty of virtuous men!"
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其後二百二十餘年秦有荊軻之事。 |
| | More than two hundred and twenty years later, the State of Qin experienced the matter of Jing Ke.
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荊軻者，衛人也。其先乃齊人，徙於衛，衛人謂之慶卿。而之燕，燕人謂之荊卿。 |
| | Jing Ke was a native of Wei. His ancestors were originally from Qi, but later moved to Wei; the people of Wei called him Qingqing. Later he went to Yan, and the people of Yan called him Jing Qinglei.
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荊卿好讀書擊劍，以術說衛元君，衛元君不用。其後秦伐魏，置東郡，徙衛元君之支屬於野王。 |
| | Jing Ke enjoyed reading books and practicing swordsmanship; he once used his strategies to advise Duke Yuanyou of Wei, but was not employed. Later, when the Qin attacked Wei and established Dongjun Commandery, they relocated the collateral branches of Duke Yuanyou's family to Yawang.
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荊軻嘗游過榆次，與蓋聶論劍，蓋聶怒而目之。荊軻出，人或言復召荊卿。蓋聶曰：「曩者吾與論劍有不稱者，吾目之；試往，是宜去，不敢留。」使使往之主人，荊卿則已駕而去榆次矣。使者還報，蓋聶曰：「固去也，吾曩者目攝之！」 |
| | Jing Ke once passed through Yuci on a journey and debated swordsmanship with Gai Nie, who became angry and glared at him. After Jing Ke left, someone said that he would be summoned again to meet Jing Qinglei. Gai Nie said: "Earlier, when I debated swordsmanship with him and he did not respond appropriately, I glared at him; now go ahead and test it. He should leave now and will not dare to stay." He sent a messenger to the host, but Jing Ke had already set out in his carriage and left Yuci. When the messenger returned with the news, Gai Nie said: "He has indeed gone. I did glare at him earlier!"
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荊軻游於邯鄲，魯句踐與荊軻博，爭道，魯句踐怒而叱之，荊軻嘿而逃去，遂不復會。 |
| | While traveling in Handan, Jing Ke played a game of liubo with Lu Goujian and they quarreled over the rules. Lu Goujian became angry and scolded him, so Jing Ke remained silent and left without saying goodbye, never meeting again.
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荊軻既至燕，愛燕之狗屠及善擊筑者高漸離。荊軻嗜酒，日與狗屠及高漸離飲於燕市，酒酣以往，高漸離擊筑，荊軻和而歌於市中，相樂也，已而相泣，旁若無人者。荊軻雖游於酒人乎，然其為人沈深好書；其所游諸侯，盡與其賢豪長者相結。其之燕，燕之處士田光先生亦善待之，知其非庸人也。 |
| | After arriving in Yan, Jing Ke became fond of a butcher who raised dogs and an expert at playing the zhu (a type of ancient percussion instrument), Gao Jianli. Jing Ke loved drinking alcohol and daily drank with the butcher and Gao Jianli in the Yan market. When they were drunk, Gao Jianli would play the zhu while Jing Ke sang along in harmony in the middle of the market; they enjoyed each other's company, then suddenly wept together as if there was no one else around them. Although Jing Ke often mingled with common drinkers, his character was actually deep and reserved, and he loved reading books; among the feudal lords where he traveled, he formed friendships only with virtuous and noble-minded men of high character. When he arrived in Yan, the reclusive scholar Master Tian Guang also treated him kindly and recognized that Jing Ke was no ordinary man.
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居頃之，會燕太子丹質秦亡歸燕。燕太子丹者，故嘗質於趙，而秦王政生於趙，其少時與丹驩。及政立為秦王，而丹質於秦。秦王之遇燕太子丹不善，故丹怨而亡歸。歸而求為報秦王者，國小，力不能。其後秦日出兵山東以伐齊、楚、三晉，稍蠶食諸侯，且至於燕，燕君臣皆恐禍之至。太子丹患之，問其傅鞠武。武對曰：「秦地遍天下，威脅韓、魏、趙氏，北有甘泉、谷口之固，南有涇、渭之沃，擅巴、漢之饒，右隴、蜀之山，左關、殽之險，民眾而士厲，兵革有餘。意有所出，則長城之南，易水以北，未有所定也。柰何以見陵之怨，欲批其逆鱗哉！」丹曰：「然則何由？」對曰：「請入圖之。」 |
| | After a short while, coincidentally, Crown Prince Dan of Yan returned to Yan after escaping from captivity in Qin. Crown Prince Dan of Yan had once been a hostage in the State of Zhao, and Emperor Qin Shi Huang was born in Zhao. When they were young, they were close friends. When Ying Zheng became king of Qin, Dan was a hostage there. The King of Qin treated Crown Prince Dan poorly, so Dan harbored resentment and fled back to Yan. After returning, he sought someone who could avenge the wrongs done by King Qin, but his state was small and lacked the strength to do so. Later, Qin continued to send troops from the western regions to attack Qi, Chu, and the three Jin states. Gradually, it devoured the feudal lords like a silkworm eating mulberry leaves, and was about to reach Yan; both the ruler and officials of Yan feared that disaster would soon come upon them. Crown Prince Dan was worried about this and consulted his tutor Ju Wu. Ju Wu replied: "The land of Qin spans the entire realm, and its power threatens Han, Wei, and Zhao. To the north it has the strongholds of Ganquan and Gu Kou; to the south, the fertile lands along the Jing and Wei rivers. It controls the abundant resources of Ba and Han in the west, is flanked by the mountains of Long and Shu on the right, and protected by the perilous passes of Guan and Xiao to the east. Its population is numerous, its soldiers are disciplined, and it has more than enough weapons and military supplies. If Qin decides to take action, the area south of the Great Wall and north of Yishui has yet to be determined." How can we, burdened by a grudge from being humiliated, dare provoke such a powerful enemy and strike at its most sensitive point!" Dan said: "Then what is the way forward?" Ju Wu replied, "Please allow me to think about it and make a plan."
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居有閒，秦將樊於期得罪於秦王，亡之燕，太子受而捨之。鞠武諫曰：「不可。夫以秦王之暴而積怒於燕，足為寒心，又況聞樊將軍之所在乎？是謂『委肉當餓虎之蹊』也，禍必不振矣！雖有管、晏，不能為之謀也。願太子疾遣樊將軍入匈奴以滅口。請西約三晉，南連齊、楚，北購於單于，其後乃可圖也。」太子曰：「太傅之計，曠日彌久，心惛然，恐不能須臾。且非獨於此也，夫樊將軍窮困於天下，歸身於丹，丹終不以迫於彊秦而棄所哀憐之交，置之匈奴，是固丹命卒之時也。願太傅更慮之。」鞠武曰：「夫行危欲求安，造禍而求福，計淺而怨深，連結一人之後交，不顧國家之大害，此所謂『資怨而助禍』矣。夫以鴻毛燎於爐炭之上，必無事矣。且以鵰鷙之秦，行怨暴之怒，豈足道哉！燕有田光先生，其為人智深而勇沈，可與謀。」太子曰：「願因太傅而得交於田先生，可乎？」鞠武曰：「敬諾。」出見田先生，道「太子願圖國事於先生也」。田光曰：「敬奉教。」乃造焉。 |
| | After some time, the Qin general Fan Yuqi incurred the anger of King Qin and fled to Yan; Crown Prince Dan received him and gave him shelter. Ju Wu advised: "You must not do this." Given the King of Qin's cruelty and his accumulated anger toward Yan, it is already enough to make one shiver with fear. How much more so if he learns where General Fan Yuqi has taken refuge!" This is like "placing meat in the path of a starving tiger"—disaster will surely follow and cannot be reversed! Even if there were Guan Zhong or Yan Ying, they could not devise a plan to save us. I beg you, Crown Prince, to quickly send General Fan Yuqi into the Xiongnu territory to eliminate this threat and silence any evidence." Meanwhile, I suggest you make a western alliance with the three Jin states, establish southern ties with Qi and Chu, and negotiate in the north with the Chanyu. Only after these preparations can we consider any further plans." The Crown Prince said: "Master Ju Wu's plan will take too long and delay action. My heart is in turmoil, and I fear I cannot wait even a moment longer. Moreover, it is not only for this reason. General Fan Yuqi, in his desperate situation across the land, has entrusted himself to me. I will never abandon a friend whom I pity and cherish out of pressure from the powerful state of Qin by sending him into the Xiongnu. To do so would mean my own death sentence. I hope you, Master Ju Wu, will reconsider." Ju Wu said: "To seek safety by taking risks, to invite disaster in the hope of gaining fortune, to have shallow plans yet incur deep resentment, and to value a personal friendship while ignoring the great harm it brings to the state—this is what is called 'inciting resentment and aiding disaster.'" It's like trying to set fire to a charcoal brazier with a single feather—it will accomplish nothing. Moreover, the fierce and vengeful Qin state, in its wrath and cruelty, is certainly not something we can afford to provoke!" Yan has a scholar named Tian Guang. He is wise and profound, and courageous yet reserved; he would be the one to consult for planning." The Crown Prince said: "I wish to make contact with Master Tian Guang through you, Master Ju Wu. Would that be possible?" Ju Wu replied: "With respect, I shall do so." He went out to see Master Tian Guang and said, "The Crown Prince wishes to consult with you on matters of state." Tian Guang replied: "With respect, I am ready to receive your instruction." Then he went there.
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太子逢迎，卻行為導，跪而蔽席。田光坐定，左右無人，太子避席而請曰：「燕秦不兩立，願先生留意也。」田光曰：「臣聞騏驥盛壯之時，一日而馳千里；至其衰老，駑馬先之。今太子聞光盛壯之時，不知臣精已消亡矣。雖然，光不敢以圖國事，所善荊卿可使也。」太子曰：「願因先生得結交於荊卿，可乎？」田光曰：「敬諾。」即起，趨出。太子送至門，戒曰：「丹所報，先生所言者，國之大事也，願先生勿泄也！」田光俛而笑曰：「諾。」僂行見荊卿，曰：「光與子相善，燕國莫不知。今太子聞光壯盛之時，不知吾形已不逮也，幸而教之曰『燕秦不兩立，願先生留意也』。光竊不自外，言足下於太子也，願足下過太子於宮。」荊軻曰：「謹奉教。」田光曰：「吾聞之，長者為行，不使人疑之。今太子告光曰：『所言者，國之大事也，願先生勿泄』，是太子疑光也。夫為行而使人疑之，非節俠也。」欲自殺以激荊卿，曰：「願足下急過太子，言光已死，明不言也。」因遂自刎而死。 |
| | The Crown Prince met him in person, walked ahead with his back turned to show respect as a guide, and knelt down to clear the mat for him to sit. After Tian Guang was seated and there were no others present, the Crown Prince moved away from his seat and respectfully asked: "Yan and Qin cannot coexist. I hope you will pay close attention to this matter." Tian Guang said: "I have heard that when a qiji (a superior horse) is in its prime, it can gallop a thousand li in one day; but by the time it grows old and weak, even an inferior horse will outpace it. Now that you, Crown Prince, have heard of my prime years, you do not know that my strength has already faded." "Nevertheless, I dare not take part in planning state affairs. However, Jing Ke, a man I know well, is capable of being entrusted with the task." The Crown Prince said: "I wish to make contact with Jing Ke through you. Would that be acceptable?" Tian Guang replied: "With respect, I shall do as you request." He immediately rose and hurried out. The Crown Prince saw him to the door and warned: "What I have told you, and what you are about to say, concerns matters of great importance for our state. I beg you not to reveal it!" Tian Guang bowed his head and smiled, saying: "I understand." He walked with a bent posture to see Jing Ke and said: "I am on good terms with you, and this is well known throughout the state of Yan. Now, the Crown Prince has heard about my prime years but does not know that I am no longer capable. He kindly instructed me: 'Yan and Qin cannot both exist; please pay close attention to this.'" "I did not consider myself unworthy, so I recommended you to the Crown Prince. I hope you will visit him at his palace." Jing Ke replied: "With respect, I shall follow your instruction." Tian Guang said: "I have heard that a man of virtue acts in such a way as not to give others reason for suspicion. Now the Crown Prince told me: 'What you are about to speak of concerns great matters for our state; I beg you not to disclose it.' This shows that the Crown Prince suspects me. To act in a way that causes others to doubt one is not the conduct of a man of integrity and righteousness." He intended to commit suicide in order to spur Jing Ke, saying: "I hope you will quickly visit the Crown Prince and tell him that I am already dead, thus proving that I did not reveal anything." With these words, he immediately cut his own throat and died.
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荊軻遂見太子，言田光已死，致光之言。太子再拜而跪，膝行流涕，有頃而後言曰：「丹所以誡田先生毋言者，欲以成大事之謀也。今田先生以死明不言，豈丹之心哉！」荊軻坐定，太子避席頓首曰：「田先生不知丹之不肖，使得至前，敢有所道，此天之所以哀燕而不棄其孤也。今秦有貪利之心，而欲不可足也。非盡天下之地，臣海內之王者，其意不厭。今秦已虜韓王，盡納其地。又舉兵南伐楚，北臨趙；王翦將數十萬之眾距漳、鄴，而李信出太原、雲中。趙不能支秦，必入臣，入臣則禍至燕。燕小弱，數困於兵，今計舉國不足以當秦。諸侯服秦，莫敢合從。丹之私計愚，以為誠得天下之勇士使於秦，闚以重利；秦王貪，其勢必得所願矣。誠得劫秦王，使悉反諸侯侵地，若曹沫之與齊桓公，則大善矣；則不可，因而刺殺之。彼秦大將擅兵於外而內有亂，則君臣相疑，以其閒諸侯得合從，其破秦必矣。此丹之上願，而不知所委命，唯荊卿留意焉。」久之，荊軻曰：「此國之大事也，臣駑下，恐不足任使。」太子前頓首，固請毋讓，然後許諾。於是尊荊卿為上卿，舍上舍。太子日造門下，供太牢具，異物閒進，車騎美女恣荊軻所欲，以順適其意。 |
| | Jing Ke then went to see the Crown Prince, told him that Tian Guang had already died, and conveyed Tian Guang's words. The Crown Prince bowed twice and knelt, crawling forward on his knees with tears streaming down his face. After a while he said: "What I warned Master Tian Guang not to speak of was for the sake of completing our grand plan." Now, Master Tian Guang has died to prove that he would keep silent—how could this be in accordance with my intentions!" After Jing Ke was seated, the Crown Prince moved from his seat and kowtowed respectfully, saying: "Master Tian Guang did not know of my unworthiness, yet he brought you before me. I dare to present my thoughts; this must be Heaven's way of showing pity for Yan and not abandoning its orphaned prince." Now, Qin has a greedy heart for profit, yet its desires can never be satisfied. Unless it possesses all the lands of the world and subjugates the entire realm under heaven as a king's domain, its ambition will never be sated. Now Qin has already captured King Huan of Han and completely annexed his territory. It has also raised its army to attack the south against Chu, while advancing northward toward Zhao; General Wang Jian is leading hundreds of thousands of troops to oppose the areas of Zhang and Ye, while Li Xin has advanced from Taiyuan and Yunzhong. Zhao will certainly be unable to resist Qin and must submit as a vassal state; once that happens, disaster will reach Yan. Yan is small and weak, repeatedly plagued by warfare. Now, the entire country's strength would still be insufficient to resist Qin. The other feudal lords have all submitted to Qin; none dares to unite in a coalition against it. My private plan, though foolish, is that if we can truly find a brave warrior from among the people of the world to be sent to Qin and offer him great rewards; the greedy King of Qin will certainly achieve his desires. If we can truly seize the King of Qin and force him to return all the territories that have been invaded from the feudal states, as Cao Mo did with Duke Huan of Qi, then it would be most excellent; if that is not possible, we should then assassinate him. If Qin's great generals are in command of troops outside the capital while there is chaos within, then its ruler and ministers will begin to suspect one another. Taking advantage of this turmoil, the feudal lords could form a coalition once again, and Qin would surely be defeated. This is my greatest wish, but I do not know to whom I can entrust this mission. I only hope you, Jing Ke, will give it your attention." After a long time, Jing Ke said: "This is a matter of great importance to the state. I am an inferior and clumsy man; I fear I may not be worthy of being entrusted with this mission." The Crown Prince knelt forward in a kowtow, earnestly requesting and insisting that he accept the task without refusal. Only then did Jing Ke agree. Thus, they honored Jing Ke as an Upper Minister (Shangqing) and gave him lodging in the upper guest quarters. The Crown Prince visited Jing Ke's residence every day, providing lavish offerings of the highest sacrificial grade (tai laoju), and frequently presented rare items. He provided carriages, horses, beautiful women, and whatever Jing Ke desired, in order to please him.
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久之，荊軻未有行意。秦將王翦破趙，虜趙王，盡收入其地，進兵北略地至燕南界。太子丹恐懼，乃請荊軻曰：「秦兵旦暮渡易水，則雖欲長侍足下，豈可得哉！」荊軻曰：「微太子言，臣願謁之。今行而毋信，則秦未可親也。夫樊將軍，秦王購之金千斤，邑萬家。誠得樊將軍首與燕督亢之地圖，奉獻秦王，秦王必說見臣，臣乃得有以報。」太子曰：「樊將軍窮困來歸丹，丹不忍以己之私而傷長者之意，願足下更慮之！」 |
| | After a long time had passed, however, Jing Ke still showed no sign of preparing for the journey. The Qin general Wang Jian defeated Zhao, captured King Jia of Zhao, and completely annexed its territory. He then advanced his troops northward to raid the southern border of Yan. Crown Prince Dan was terrified and thus implored Jing Ke, saying: "The Qin army is about to cross the Yi River at any moment. If that happens, even if I wish to serve you for a long time, will it still be possible?" Jing Ke said: "Even without the Crown Prince's words, I had already wished to set out on this mission. Now that we are about to act, if there is no token of trust, then the King of Qin cannot be approached." General Fan Yuqi is a man for whom the King of Qin has offered a reward of one thousand jin of gold and ten thousand households. If we can truly obtain General Fan Yuqi's head and the map of Yan's Du Kang region, present them to the King of Qin as a gift, then he will surely be pleased to receive me. Once I have his favor, I shall find an opportunity to carry out my mission." The Crown Prince said: "General Fan Yuqi came to me in desperation and hardship. I cannot bear to sacrifice a man of virtue for my own selfish purposes. I hope you, Sir, will consider another plan!"
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荊軻知太子不忍，乃遂私見樊於期曰：「秦之遇將軍可謂深矣，父母宗族皆為戮沒。今聞購將軍首金千斤，邑萬家，將柰何？」於期仰天太息流涕曰：「於期每念之，常痛於骨髓，顧計不知所出耳！」荊軻曰：「今有一言可以解燕國之患，報將軍之仇者，何如？」於期乃前曰：「為之柰何？」荊軻曰：「願得將軍之首以獻秦王，秦王必喜而見臣，臣左手把其袖，右手揕其匈，然則將軍之仇報而燕見陵之愧除矣。將軍豈有意乎？」樊於期偏袒搤捥而進曰：「此臣之日夜切齒腐心也，乃今得聞教！」遂自剄。太子聞之，馳往，伏尸而哭，極哀。既已不可柰何，乃遂盛樊於期首函封之。 |
| | Jing Ke realized that the Crown Prince was unwilling to do so, and thus secretly met with Fan Yuqi and said: "The treatment Qin has given you, General, can truly be called cruel. Your parents and entire clan have been executed or enslaved. Now I hear that a reward of one thousand jin (about 230 kg) of gold and ten thousand households has been offered for your head. What do you intend to do?" Fan Yuqi looked up at the sky, sighed deeply, and wept, saying: "I have often thought of this matter, and it has always pained me to my very bones. I simply did not know what course of action to take!" Jing Ke said: "Now there is a plan that can relieve Yan's troubles and avenge your grudge. What do you say?" Fan Yuqi stepped forward and asked: "What must I do?" Jing Ke said: "I wish to present your head as a gift to the King of Qin. The King will surely be pleased and receive me, at which time I shall seize his sleeve with my left hand and stab him in the chest with my right. In this way, you will have avenged your grudge, and Yan's humiliation will be erased." "Does General have any objections?" Fan Yuqi bared one shoulder, gripped his wrist in a gesture of resolve, and stepped forward, saying: "This is what I have been gnashing my teeth over day and night, and now at last I hear your instruction!" With these words, he immediately slit his own throat. The Crown Prince heard of this and rushed to the scene, fell on Fan Yuqi's body in grief, and wept bitterly. Since nothing could now be done, they placed General Fan Yuqi's head into a lacquered box and sealed it.
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於是太子豫求天下之利匕首，得趙人徐夫人匕首，取之百金，使工以藥焠之，以試人，血濡縷，人無不立死者。乃裝為遣荊卿。燕國有勇士秦舞陽，年十三，殺人，人不敢忤視。乃令秦舞陽為副。荊軻有所待，欲與俱；其人居遠未來，而為治行。頃之，未發，太子遲之，疑其改悔，乃復請曰：「日已盡矣，荊卿豈有意哉？丹請得先遣秦舞陽。」荊軻怒，叱太子曰：「何太子之遣？往而不返者，豎子也！且提一匕首入不測之彊秦，仆所以留者，待吾客與俱。今太子遲之，請辭決矣！」遂發。 |
| | At this time, the Crown Prince had previously sought out a fine dagger from across the world. He obtained a dagger made by Xu Furen of Zhao and paid one hundred jin for it. He ordered a craftsman to treat it with poison; when tested on people, even a single drop of blood would cause immediate death. Then preparations were made to send Jing Ke off. The state of Yan had a brave warrior named Qin Wuyang, who was thirteen years old and had killed people; no one dared to look at him defiantly. Thus, he ordered Qin Wuyang to serve as Jing Ke's deputy. Jing Ke was waiting for someone else with whom he wished to go together; the man lived far away and had not yet arrived, so preparations were made in advance. After a while had passed and the mission was still not set to depart, Crown Prince Dan grew impatient and suspected that Jing Ke might have changed his mind. He thus asked again: "The day is nearly over—does Master Jing Ke truly intend to go?" "I beg you, let me send Qin Wuyang ahead first." Jing Ke became angry and scolded the Crown Prince: "Why must you send someone else?" If one goes but does not return, he is a mere coward!" Moreover, to carry only a dagger into the unpredictable and powerful state of Qin—this is why I have delayed my departure, waiting for my companion to join me. Now that you are impatient with me, then I shall take my leave and make my final decision!" With these words, Jing Ke set out.
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太子及賓客知其事者，皆白衣冠以送之。至易水之上，既祖，取道，高漸離擊筑，荊軻和而歌，為變徵之聲，士皆垂淚涕泣。又前而為歌曰：「風蕭蕭兮易水寒，壯士一去兮不復還！」復為羽聲慨，士皆瞋目，發盡上指冠。於是荊軻就車而去，終已不顧。 |
| | The Crown Prince and all the guests who knew of this mission put on plain white clothes and hats to see him off. When they arrived at the Yi River, after performing a farewell ritual and setting out on their journey, Gao Jianli played the zhu (a type of ancient stringed instrument), while Jing Ke sang along. The tune was one of sorrowful resolve in the Bianzheng mode, and all the men present wept bitterly with tears streaming down their faces. Then he stepped forward again to sing: "The wind is bleak and the Yi River cold, a valiant man departs and will not return!" He then sang in a more resolute tone of the Yu mode. All the men present glared with fury, their hair standing on end as if reaching for their hats. With this, Jing Ke climbed into his carriage and departed, never looking back again.
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遂至秦，持千金之資幣物，厚遺秦王寵臣中庶子蒙嘉。嘉為先言於秦王曰：「燕王誠振怖大王之威，不敢舉兵以逆軍吏，願舉國為內臣，比諸侯之列，給貢職如郡縣，而得奉守先王之宗廟。恐懼不敢自陳，謹斬樊於期之頭，及獻燕督亢之地圖，函封，燕王拜送于庭，使使以聞大王，唯大王命之。」秦王聞之，大喜，乃朝服，設九賓，見燕使者咸陽宮。荊軻奉樊於期頭函，而秦舞陽奉地圖柙，以次進。至陛，秦舞陽色變振恐，群臣怪之。荊軻顧笑舞陽，前謝曰：「北蕃蠻夷之鄙人，未嘗見天子，故振慴。願大王少假借之，使得畢使於前。」秦王謂軻曰：「取舞陽所持地圖。」軻既取圖奏之，秦王發圖，圖窮而匕首見。因左手把秦王之袖，而右手持匕首揕之。未至身，秦王驚，自引而起，袖絕。拔劍，劍長，操其室。時惶急，劍堅，故不可立拔。荊軻逐秦王，秦王環柱而走。群臣皆愕，卒起不意，盡失其度。而秦法，群臣侍殿上者不得持尺寸之兵；諸郎中執兵皆陳殿下，非有詔召不得上。方急時，不及召下兵，以故荊軻乃逐秦王。而卒惶急，無以擊軻，而以手共搏之。是時侍醫夏無且以其所奉藥囊提荊軻也。秦王方環柱走，卒惶急，不知所為，左右乃曰：「王負劍！」負劍，遂拔以擊荊軻，斷其左股。荊軻廢，乃引其匕首以擿秦王，不中，中桐柱。秦王復擊軻，軻被八創。軻自知事不就，倚柱而笑，箕踞以罵曰：「事所以不成者，以欲生劫之，必得約契以報太子也。」於是左右既前殺軻，秦王不怡者良久。已而論功，賞群臣及當坐者各有差，而賜夏無且黃金二百溢，曰：「無且愛我，乃以藥囊提荊軻也。」 |
| | Thus he arrived in Qin, carrying gifts of great value, and presented generous offerings to Meng Jia, a favored court official of the King of Qin. Meng Jia first spoke to the King of Qin, saying: "The king of Yan is indeed deeply frightened by Your Majesty's might. He dares not raise arms against your officers and soldiers. He wishes for his entire state to become a subject vassal, ranking among the feudal lords, paying tribute as do the commanderies and districts, so that he may continue to serve and preserve the ancestral temples of his forebears. Out of fear, he has not dared to present his case in person. He has therefore carefully beheaded Fan Yuqi and presented a map of the Yan territories of Dukang, all sealed within a box. The king of Yan personally performed a court ceremony on the palace grounds before sending envoys to inform Your Majesty. I humbly await Your Majesty's command." The King of Qin heard this and was greatly pleased. He donned his formal court robes, arranged the ceremony of nine attendants, and received the Yan envoys at the Xianyang Palace. Jing Ke presented a casket containing Fan Yuqi's head, while Qin Wuyang carried the case holding the map of territory. They proceeded in order. When they reached the steps of the throne, Qin Wuyang's face turned pale and he trembled with fear; this startled the court officials. Jing Ke glanced back and smiled at Qin Wuyang, then stepped forward to apologize: "This is a rude man from the northern frontier regions who has never seen an emperor, so he was frightened. I beg Your Majesty's indulgence and patience, allowing him to complete his mission before you." The King of Qin said to Jing Ke: "Take the map held by Wuyang." Jing Ke took the map and presented it. The King of Qin unrolled the map, and when the map was fully extended, a dagger appeared within it. Jing Ke then seized the sleeve of the King of Qin with his left hand while holding the dagger in his right to stab him. Before he could reach the king's body, the King of Qin was startled and sprang up, pulling away so violently that his sleeve tore off. He drew his sword, but it was long, and he grasped only its scabbard. At that moment of panic, the sword became stuck in its sheath and could not be drawn immediately. Jing Ke pursued the King of Qin, who ran around the pillar to evade him. The court officials were all stunned; this sudden attack was unexpected and threw them into complete disarray. According to Qin law, no official present in the palace hall could carry even a small weapon of any size; the guards and attendants with weapons were all stationed below on the terrace, and without an imperial decree they could not ascend. In this moment of urgency, it was too late to summon the troops from below; thus Jing Ke pursued the King of Qin unchecked. The court officials were in a panic and had no weapons with which to strike Jing Ke, so they rushed forward to grapple with him by hand. At this moment, the imperial physician Xia Wuju struck Jing Ke in the head with his medicine bag. The King of Qin was running around the pillar, panicking and not knowing what to do, when those at his side cried out: "Your Majesty, draw your sword!" The king drew the sword as instructed and struck Jing Ke, severing his left thigh. Jing Ke fell to the ground; he then raised his dagger to strike at the King of Qin, but missed and hit a mulberry pillar instead. The King of Qin struck Jing Ke again, who was now wounded in eight places. Jing Ke realized that his mission had failed. Leaning against a pillar, he laughed and sat with legs spread wide in defiance as he cursed: "The reason the matter did not succeed was because I wished to seize him alive and force an agreement from him to deliver back to the Crown Prince." At this, those at the king's side rushed forward and killed Jing Ke. The King of Qin remained deeply displeased for a long time afterward. Later, when rewards were distributed for the incident, officials and those who had participated in the event received varying degrees of recognition. The imperial physician Xia Wuju was granted two hundred dou of gold as a reward, with the king saying: "Wuju loved me, that is why he struck Jing Ke with his medicine bag."
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於是秦王大怒，益發兵詣趙，詔王翦軍以伐燕。十月而拔薊城。燕王喜、太子丹等盡率其精兵東保於遼東。秦將李信追擊燕王急，代王嘉乃遺燕王喜書曰：「秦所以尤追燕急者，以太子丹故也。今王誠殺丹獻之秦王，秦王必解，而社稷幸得血食。」其後李信追丹，丹匿衍水中，燕王乃使使斬太子丹，欲獻之秦。秦復進兵攻之。後五年，秦卒滅燕，虜燕王喜。 |
| | Thus, the King of Qin became greatly enraged and dispatched additional troops to Zhao, issuing orders to General Wang Jian's army to attack Yan. Within ten months, they captured the city of Ji. King Xi of Yan and Crown Prince Dan led all their elite troops eastward to take refuge in Liaodong. The Qin general Li Xin pursued King Xi of Yan urgently, so the ruler of Dai, Wang Jia, sent a letter to King Xi saying: "The reason why Qin is pursuing Yan with such urgency is because of Crown Prince Dan. If you, Your Majesty, truly kill Dan and present him to the King of Qin, then the King will surely relent, and your ancestral state may yet be preserved." Later, Li Xin pursued Dan, who hid in the Yan River. King Xi of Yan then sent envoys to behead Crown Prince Dan and intended to present his head as an offering to Qin. Qin once again advanced its troops to attack them. Five years later, Qin finally destroyed Yan and captured King Xi of Yan.
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其明年，秦并天下，立號為皇帝。於是秦逐太子丹、荊軻之客，皆亡。高漸離變名姓為人庸保，匿作於宋子。久之，作苦，聞其家堂上客擊筑，傍偟不能去。每出言曰：「彼有善有不善。」從者以告其主，曰：「彼庸乃知音，竊言是非。」家丈人召使前擊筑，一坐稱善，賜酒。而高漸離念久隱畏約無窮時，乃退，出其裝匣中筑與其善衣，更容貌而前。舉坐客皆驚，下與抗禮，以為上客。使擊筑而歌，客無不流涕而去者。宋子傳客之，聞於秦始皇。秦始皇召見，人有識者，乃曰：「高漸離也。」秦皇帝惜其善擊筑，重赦之，乃矐其目。使擊筑，未嘗不稱善。稍益近之，高漸離乃以鉛置筑中，復進得近，舉筑樸秦皇帝，不中。於是遂誅高漸離，終身不復近諸侯之人。 |
| | The following year, Qin unified the entire realm and established its ruler as Emperor. At this time, Qin pursued the followers of Crown Prince Dan and Jing Ke; all of them fled into hiding. Gao Jianli changed his name and surname, took up work as a common laborer, and hid in Songzi. After some time, exhausted from hard labor, he heard someone playing the zhu on a guest hall at a house and lingered nearby, unable to leave. Each time he spoke out: "That performance was good or not so good." The household servant reported this to his master, saying: "This laborer understands music and dares to comment on its merits and faults." His host summoned him forward to play the zhu. The entire gathering praised his performance, and wine was given as a reward. But Gao Jianli, thinking that his long period of concealment and fear had no end in sight, withdrew, took out the zhu from his case along with a set of fine clothes, changed into them, and then stepped forward. All the guests at the gathering were astonished; they rose to greet him respectfully as an honored guest. When he played the zhu and sang, not a single guest left without shedding tears. The people of Songzi spread word of this talented guest, and eventually the news reached Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Emperor Qin Shi Huang summoned him for an audience; someone present recognized him and said: "This is Gao Jianli." The Emperor of Qin took pity on his skill in playing the zhu, and instead of executing him, he had his eyes gouged out as a form of punishment. He was allowed to play the zhu, and each time never failed to receive praise for his performance. Gradually, he was allowed to come closer; Gao Jianli then placed lead inside the zhu. When given another opportunity to approach, he raised the instrument and struck at Emperor Qin Shi Huang, but missed. Thus, Gao Jianli was executed. From then on, the emperor never again allowed any person from among the former feudal lords to approach him.
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魯句踐已聞荊軻之刺秦王，私曰：「嗟乎，惜哉其不講於刺劍之術也！甚矣吾不知人也！曩者吾叱之，彼乃以我為非人也！」 |
| | Lu Goujian, having heard of Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin, privately remarked: "Alas! How regrettable that he did not master the art of swordsmanship!" How little I know about people!" In the past, when I scolded him, he must have thought of me as no better than a beast!"
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太史公曰：世言荊軻，其稱太子丹之命，「天雨粟，馬生角」也，太過。又言荊軻傷秦王，皆非也。始公孫季功、董生與夏無且游，具知其事，為余道之如是。自曹沫至荊軻五人，此其義或成或不成，然其立意較然，不欺其志，名垂後世，豈妄也哉！ |
| | Grand Historian said: The world speaks of Jing Ke, and mentions the saying attributed to his mission by Crown Prince Dan—"the heavens rain millet, horses grow horns"—this is greatly exaggerated. Moreover, it is said that Jing Ke wounded the King of Qin; these accounts are all incorrect. Initially, Gongsun Jigong and Dong Sheng traveled with Xia Wuju; they knew the details of these events firsthand and recounted them to me in this way. From Cao Mo to Jing Ke, these five men—whether their righteousness succeeded or failed—their intentions were clear and resolute; they did not betray their aspirations. Their names have been passed down through later generations. Could this be in vain?
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