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穰侯魏冉者，秦昭王母宣太后弟也。其先楚人，姓羋氏。 |
| | Ranghou Wei Ran was the younger brother of Queen Dowager Xuan, the mother of King Zhao of Qin. His ancestors were from the State of Chu and bore the Mi surname.
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| | 穰侯列傳: |
秦武王卒，無子，立其弟為昭王。昭王母故號為羋八子，及昭王即位，羋八子號為宣太后。宣太后非武王母。武王母號曰惠文后，先武王死。宣太后二弟：其異父長弟曰穰侯，姓魏氏，名冉；同父弟曰羋戎，為華陽君。而昭王同母弟曰高陵君、涇陽君。而魏冉最賢，自惠王、武王時任職用事。武王卒，諸弟爭立，唯魏冉力為能立昭王。昭王即位，以冉為將軍，衛咸陽。誅季君之亂，而逐武王后出之魏，昭王諸兄弟不善者皆滅之，威振秦國。昭王少，宣太后自治，任魏冉為政。 |
| | After King Wu of Qin died without a son, his younger brother was installed as King Zhao. King Zhao's mother had previously been known by the title Mi Bazi, and upon King Zhao's accession to the throne, Mi Bazi was given the title of Queen Dowager Xuan. Queen Dowager Xuan was not the mother of King Wu. King Wu's mother, known as Huwen Hou, had died before King Wu. Queen Dowager Xuan had two younger brothers: her older half-brother was the Ranghou, surnamed Wei and named Ran; her full brother was Mi Rong, who held the title Huayang Jun. King Zhao also had a younger half-brother by the same mother named Gaoling Jun and Jingyang Jun. Wei Ran was the most virtuous among them, and had held official positions and wielded power during the reigns of King Hui and King Wu. After King Wu died, his younger brothers vied for the throne; only Wei Ran had sufficient strength to support the installation of King Zhao. Upon ascending the throne, King Zhao appointed Ran as general and commander of the defense of Xianyang. He suppressed the rebellion led by Jijun, expelled King Wu's queen to Wei State, and eliminated all of King Zhao's untrustworthy brothers. His authority thus reverberated throughout the Qin state. As King Zhao was young, Queen Dowager Xuan personally administered governance and entrusted Wei Ran with political affairs.
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昭王七年，樗里子死，而使涇陽君質於齊。趙人樓緩來相秦，趙不利，乃使仇液之秦，請以魏冉為秦相。仇液將行，其客宋公謂液曰：「秦不聽公，樓緩必怨公。公不若謂樓緩曰『請為公毋急秦』。秦王見趙請相魏冉之不急，且不聽公。公言而事不成，以德樓子；事成，魏冉故德公矣。」於是仇液從之。而秦果免樓緩而魏冉相秦。 |
| | In the seventh year of King Zhao's reign (298 BC), Chuli Zi died, and Jingyang Jun was sent as a hostage to Qi. The Zhao statesman Lou Huan came to serve as prime minister of Qin, which was disadvantageous for Zhao. Therefore, Zhao sent Chou Ye to Qin and requested that Wei Ran be appointed as the prime minister of Qin. Before Chou Ye was about to depart, his guest Song Gong said to him: "If the State of Qin does not listen to you, Lou Huan will surely resent you. You might as well tell Lou Huan 'Please do not press the State of Qin urgently.' If King Zhao sees that the State of Zhao is not urgently requesting Wei Ran as prime minister, then he will not listen to you. If your words are spoken and the matter does not succeed, it will be a virtue for Lou Huan; if the matter succeeds, Wei Ran will naturally owe you gratitude." Thus Chou Ye followed his advice. And indeed, Qin dismissed Lou Huan and appointed Wei Ran as its prime minister.
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欲誅呂禮，禮出奔齊。昭王十四年，魏冉舉白起，使代向壽將而攻韓、魏，敗之伊闕，斬首二十四萬，虜魏將公孫喜。明年，又取楚之宛、葉。魏冉謝病免相，以客卿壽燭為相。其明年，燭免，復相冉，乃封魏冉於穰，復益封陶，號曰穰侯。 |
| | He wanted to execute Lü Li, so Li fled to Qi. In the fourteenth year of King Zhao's reign, Wei Ran recommended Bai Qi to replace Xiang Shou as general and led an attack on the States of Han and Wei. They defeated their forces at Yique, beheaded 240,000 enemy soldiers, and captured Wei's general Gongsun Xi. The following year, they also captured Wan and Ye from the State of Chu. Wei Ran resigned as prime minister on grounds of illness and was succeeded by Shouzhu, who served as a guest 卿 (qing) and became the new prime minister. The following year, Shouzhu was dismissed from office and Wei Ran was reinstated as prime minister. He was then granted the fief of Rang, with additional lands in Tao added to it, and was given the title "Ranghou."
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穰侯封四歲，為秦將攻魏。魏獻河東方四百里。拔魏之河內，取城大小六十餘。昭王十九年，秦稱西帝，齊稱東帝。月餘，呂禮來，而齊、秦各復歸帝為王。魏冉復相秦，六歲而免。免二歲，復相秦。四歲，而使白起拔楚之郢，秦置南郡。乃封白起為武安君。白起者，穰侯之所任舉也，相善。於是穰侯之富，富於王室。 |
| | Four years after being enfeoffed as Ranghou, Wei Ran served as a general of Qin and launched an attack on the State of Wei. The State of Wei ceded four hundred li of territory in the eastern part of Hedong to Qin. He captured Heinei from Wei and seized more than sixty large and small cities. In the nineteenth year of King Zhao's reign , Qin declared itself the "Western Emperor," while Qi declared itself the "Eastern Emperor." After more than a month, Lü Li arrived, and both Qi and Qin returned to their former status as kings from emperors. Wei Ran once again served as prime minister of Qin; after six years he was dismissed. Two years later, he was reinstated as the prime minister of Qin again. After four more years, Wei Ran sent Bai Qi to capture Ying from the State of Chu; in response, Qin established Nan Jun (Nan Commandery). Bai Qi was then enfeoffed with the title Wu'an Jun. Bai Qi had been recommended and appointed by Ranghou, and they were on good terms. At this time, the wealth of Ranghou surpassed that of the royal family itself.
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昭王三十二年，穰侯為相國，將兵攻魏，走芒卯，入北宅，遂圍大梁。梁大夫須賈說穰侯曰：「臣聞魏之長吏謂魏王曰：『昔梁惠王伐趙，戰勝三梁，拔邯鄲；趙氏不割，而邯鄲復歸。齊人攻衛，拔故國，殺子良；衛人不割，而故地復反。衛、趙之所以國全兵勁而地不并於諸侯者，以其能忍難而重出地也。宋、中山數伐割地，而國隨以亡。臣以為衛、趙可法，而宋、中山可為戒也。秦，貪戾之國也，而毋親。蠶食魏氏，又盡晉國，戰勝暴子，割八縣，地未畢入，兵復出矣。夫秦何厭之有哉！今又走芒卯，入北宅，此非敢攻梁也，且劫王以求多割地。王必勿聽也。今王背楚、趙而講秦，楚、趙怒而去王，與王爭事秦，秦必受之。秦挾楚、趙之兵以復攻梁，則國求無亡不可得也。願王之必無講也。王若欲講，少割而有質；不然，必見欺。』此臣之所聞於魏也，願君［王］之以是慮事也。《》曰『惟命不于常』，此言幸之不可數也。夫戰勝暴子，割八縣，此非兵力之精也，又非計之工也，天幸為多矣。今又走芒卯，入北宅，以攻大梁，是以天幸自為常也。智者不然。臣聞魏氏悉其百縣勝甲以上戍大梁，臣以為不下三十萬。以三十萬之眾守梁七仞之城，臣以為湯、武復生，不易攻也。夫輕背楚、趙之兵，陵七仞之城，戰三十萬之眾，而志必舉之，臣以為自天地始分以至于今，未嘗有者也。攻而不拔，秦兵必罷，陶邑必亡，則前功必棄矣。今魏氏方疑，可以少割收也。願君逮楚、趙之兵未至於梁，亟以少割收魏。魏方疑而得以少割為利，必欲之，則君得所欲矣。楚、趙怒於魏之先己也，必爭事秦，從以此散，而君後擇焉。且君之得地豈必以兵哉！邦晉國，秦兵不攻，而魏必效絳安邑。又為陶開兩道，幾盡故宋，衛必效單父。秦兵可全，而君制之，何索而不得，何為而不成！願君熟慮之而無行危。」穰侯曰：「善。」乃罷梁圍。 |
| | In the thirty-second year of King Zhao's reign, Ranghou served as Chancellor, led troops to attack Wei, drove out Mang Mao, entered Bei Zhai, and proceeded to besiege Daliang. A Wei official named Xu Jia advised Ranghou, saying: "I have heard that a senior official of the State of Wei told King Wei: 'In the past, King Hui of Liang attacked Zhao, won victories at Sanliang, and captured Handan; the State of Zhao did not cede territory, yet Handan was returned to them. The people of Qi attacked Wei, captured its former capital, and killed Zi Liang; the people of Wei did not cede territory either, yet their old lands were restored. The reason why the States of Wei and Zhao have maintained their national integrity, strong armies, and unconsolidated territories among the feudal lords is because they were able to endure hardships and did not easily cede land. The States of Song and Zhongshan repeatedly lost territory through forced concessions, and their nations soon perished as a result. I believe that Wei and Zhao are worthy of emulation, while Song and Zhongshan serve as warnings to be heeded." Qin is a greedy and ruthless state with no close allies. It has been devouring the State of Wei like a silkworm, and already completely annexed the former Jin territories. After defeating Bao Zi, it seized eight counties; yet before all these lands were fully incorporated, its troops have already launched another campaign. What satisfaction can Qin ever feel? Now, they have driven out Mang Mao and entered Bei Zhai. This is not merely an attack on Liang; rather, it is a move to intimidate the king into ceding more territory. Your Majesty must certainly refuse this demand. Now, if Your Majesty turns away from Chu and Zhao to make peace with Qin, Chu and Zhao will be enraged and leave you. They will then compete with you in serving Qin, and Qin will certainly accept their allegiance. If Qin were to use the armies of Chu and Zhao to launch another attack on Liang, then it will be impossible for your state to avoid destruction. I beg Your Majesty not to make peace under any circumstances. If the king wishes to negotiate, he should cede only a small amount of territory and demand hostages in return; otherwise, he will surely be deceived." This is what I have heard from the State of Wei; I hope you, my lord [king], will consider this in your deliberations. The "Zhou Shu" says: 'Mandates are not constant,' which means that good fortune cannot be relied upon repeatedly. The victory over Bao Zi and the seizure of eight counties were not due to superior military strength or skillful strategy, but rather largely a matter of good fortune. Now, by driving out Mang Mao and entering Bei Zhai to attack Daliang, you are treating good fortune as something constant. Wise men would not act this way. I have heard that the State of Wei has mobilized all its troops from over a hundred counties with armor and weapons to defend Daliang, which I believe numbers no fewer than 300,000. With an army of 300,00 people defending Daliang's seven-ren high city walls, I believe even Shang Tang and King Wu would find it difficult to conquer. To lightly abandon the armies of Chu and Zhao, to assault a city with seven-ren high walls defended by 300,00 soldiers, yet still be determined to capture it—this is something I believe has never occurred since the beginning of time until now. If we attack and fail to capture Daliang, Qin's troops will surely become exhausted, the fief of Tao will inevitably be lost, and all previous achievements will be thrown away. Now that Wei is in a state of uncertainty, it can be pacified with the cession of only a small amount of land. I hope you will act swiftly to secure Wei's submission by offering them a minor territorial concession before the armies of Chu and Zhao arrive at Daliang. While Wei is still uncertain, if they see that a small territorial concession brings them benefit, they will certainly accept it; thus you, my lord, would achieve your goal. Chu and Zhao will be angry that Wei has submitted to Qin before them, so they will compete to serve Qin. If you allow this alliance to disintegrate, you can then choose the most favorable option at your leisure. Moreover, must Your Lordship necessarily obtain territory through military force? If the State of Bang were to cede its former Jin territories, Qin's army would not need to attack, and Wei would certainly offer up Jiao and Anyi. Furthermore, by opening two routes for Tao, nearly the entire former State of Song could be obtained, and Wei would surely offer up Shanfu. Qin's army can remain intact under your command, and whatever you request will be granted; there is nothing you cannot achieve! I hope my lord carefully considers this and does not take unnecessary risks." Ranghou said, "Well spoken." He then lifted the siege of Daliang.
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明年，魏背秦，與齊從親。秦使穰侯伐魏，斬首四萬，走魏將暴鳶，得魏三縣。穰侯益封。 |
| | The following year, Wei betrayed Qin and formed a close alliance with Qi. Qin sent Ranghou to attack Wei; he beheaded 40,000 soldiers, drove away Wei's general Bao Yuan, and captured three counties from Wei. Ranghou received additional fiefs as a reward.
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明年，穰侯與白起客卿胡陽復攻趙、韓、魏，破芒卯於華陽下，斬首十萬，取魏之卷、蔡陽、長社，趙氏觀津。且與趙觀津，益趙以兵，伐齊。齊襄王懼，使蘇代為齊陰遺穰侯書曰：「臣聞往來者言曰『秦將益趙甲四萬以伐齊』，臣竊必之敝邑之王曰『秦王明而熟於計，穰侯智而習於事，必不益趙甲四萬以伐齊』。是何也？夫三晉之相與也，秦之深讎也。百相背也，百相欺也，不為不信，不為無行。今破齊以肥趙。趙，秦之深讎，不利於秦。此一也。秦之謀者，必曰『破齊，獘晉、楚，而後制晉、楚之勝』。夫齊，罷國也，以天下攻齊，如以千鈞之弩決潰癕也，必死，安能獘晉、楚？此二也。秦少出兵，則晉、楚不信也；多出兵，則晉、楚為制於秦。齊恐，不走秦，必走晉、楚。此三也。秦割齊以啖晉、楚，晉、楚案之以兵，秦反受敵。此四也。是晉、楚以秦謀齊，以齊謀秦也，何晉、楚之智而秦、齊之愚？此五也。故得安邑以善事之，亦必無患矣。秦有安邑，韓氏必無上黨矣。取天下之腸胃，與出兵而懼其不反也，孰利？臣故曰秦王明而熟於計，穰侯智而習於事，必不益趙甲四萬以代齊矣。」於是穰侯不行，引兵而歸。 |
| | The following year, Ranghou and Bai Qi, along with the guest 卿 Hu Yang, launched another attack on Zhao, Han, and Wei. They defeated Mang Mao at Huayang Xia, beheaded 100,000 enemies, and captured Juan, Caiyang, Changshe from Wei, as well as Guanjin from Zhao. They also gave Guanjin to Zhao, strengthened Zhao's military forces, and launched an attack on Qi. King Xiang of Qi was alarmed and sent Su Dai to secretly deliver a letter to Ranghou, which read: "I have heard from messengers that 'Qin will provide an additional 40,000 armored troops to Zhao in order to attack Qi.' I privately assured my lord the king of our state, saying, 'King Qin is wise and experienced in strategy; Ranghou is intelligent and well-versed in affairs. They would certainly not give Zhao an extra 40,000 armed soldiers to attack Qi.'" Why do I say this? The three Jin states—Han, Zhao, and Wei—are closely allied; they are Qin's deep enemies. They betray each other a hundred times, deceive one another a hundred times; it is not that they lack trustworthiness or moral integrity. Now, if Qin were to destroy Qi and enrich Zhao, Sao is a deep enemy of Qin; this would be disadvantageous for Qin. This is the first reason. Qin's strategists must be thinking, 'We should destroy Qi, weaken Jin and Chu, and then control the victories over Jin and Chu.' Qi is a weakened state; to attack Qi with the forces of all under heaven would be like using a crossbow of a thousand jin to pierce an abscess—it will certainly perish. How could it possibly weaken Jin and Chu? This is the second reason. If Qin sends out only a small force, Jin and Chu will not believe in its strength; if it sends too many troops, then Jin and Chu would be controlled by Qin. Qi will certainly fear this situation; if it does not flee to Qin, it must flee to Jin or Chu. This is the third reason. If Qin cedes territory from Qi to bribe Jin and Chu, Jin and Chu will use their armies to pressure Qin, causing Qin itself to become the target of attack. This is the fourth reason. Thus, Jin and Chu would use Qin to plot against Qi, and in turn use Qi to plot against Qin. Why then should Jin and Chu be wise while Qin and Qi are foolish? This is the fifth reason. Therefore, if Anyi can be obtained and used to treat them well, there will certainly be no trouble. If Qin possesses Anyi, the House of Han must surely lose Shangdang. Which is more advantageous: seizing the vital core of the world or sending out troops and fearing they may not return? Therefore, I say that King Qin is wise and experienced in strategy, and Ranghou Wei Ran is intelligent and well-versed in affairs; he certainly would not add 40,000 armors to Zhao's forces to attack Qi. Thus, Ranghou did not proceed with the campaign and withdrew his troops back.
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昭王三十六年，相國穰侯言客卿灶，欲伐齊取剛、壽，以廣其陶邑。於是魏人范睢自謂張祿先生，譏穰侯之伐齊，乃越三晉以攻齊也，以此時奸說秦昭王。昭王於是用范睢。范睢言宣太后專制，穰侯擅權於諸侯，涇陽君、高陵君之屬太侈，富於王室。於是秦昭王悟，乃免相國，令涇陽之屬皆出關，就封邑。穰侯出關，輜車千乘有餘。穰侯卒於陶，而因葬焉。秦復收陶為郡。 |
| | In the thirty-sixth year of King Zhao's reign, Chancellor Ranghou recommended Guest Minister Zao, who wished to attack Qi and capture Gang and Shou in order to expand his fief at Tao. At that time, the Wei native Fan Jiu introduced himself as Master Zhang Lu and criticized Ranghou for attacking Qi, arguing that it was an unnecessary campaign across the three states of Jin to attack Qi. He used this argument to advise King Zhao of Qin at the time. King Zhao thus employed Fan Jiu. Fan Jiu stated that Queen Dowager Xuan wielded absolute power, Ranghou monopolized authority among the feudal lords, and figures such as Duke Jingyang and Duke Gaoling were excessively extravagant, wealthier than the royal family itself. Thus King Zhao of Qin realized this and dismissed the Chancellor, ordering those related to Duke Jingyang to leave the Guan region and go to their fiefs. When Ranghou left the Guan Pass, his convoy of carts numbered more than a thousand chariots. Ranghou died in Tao and was therefore buried there. Qin then reclaimed Tao as a commandery once again.
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太史公曰：穰侯，昭王親舅也。而秦所以東益地，弱諸侯，嘗稱帝於天下，天下皆西鄉稽首者，穰侯之功也。及其貴極富溢，一夫開說，身折勢奪而以憂死，況於羈旅之臣乎！ |
| | Grand Historian said: Ranghou was the maternal uncle of King Zhao. And it was due to Ranghou's efforts that Qin expanded its territory eastward, weakened the feudal lords, once claimed imperial status over all under heaven, and caused all states to bow westward in submission. But when his power reached its peak and his wealth overflowed, a single man's argument was enough to bring about his downfall; he lost both position and influence and died in sorrow. How much more so for a foreign minister!
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