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穰侯魏冉者，秦昭王母宣太后弟也。其先楚人，姓芈氏。 |
| | 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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秦武王卒，无子，立其弟为昭王。昭王母故号为芈八子，及昭王即位，芈八子号为宣太后。宣太后非武王母。武王母号曰惠文后，先武王死。宣太后二弟：其异父长弟曰穰侯，姓魏氏，名冉；同父弟曰芈戎，为华阳君。而昭王同母弟曰高陵君、泾阳君。而魏冉最贤，自惠王、武王时任职用事。武王卒，诸弟争立，唯魏冉力为能立昭王。昭王即位，以冉为将军，卫咸阳。诛季君之乱，而逐武王后出之魏，昭王诸兄弟不善者皆灭之，威振秦国。昭王少，宣太后自治，任魏冉为政。 |
| | 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，而使泾阳君质于齐。赵人楼缓来相秦，赵不利，乃使仇液之秦，请以魏冉为秦相。仇液将行，其客宋公谓液曰：“秦不听公，楼缓必怨公。公不若谓楼缓曰‘请为公毋急秦’。秦王见赵请相魏冉之不急，且不听公。公言而事不成，以德楼子；事成，魏冉故德公矣。”于是仇液从之。而秦果免楼缓而魏冉相秦。 |
| | 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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欲诛吕礼，礼出奔齐。昭王十四年，魏冉举白起，使代向寿将而攻韩、魏，败之伊阙，斩首二十四万，虏魏将公孙喜。明年，又取楚之宛、叶。魏冉谢病免相，以客卿寿烛为相。其明年，烛免，复相冉，乃封魏冉于穰，复益封陶，号曰穰侯。 |
| | 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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穰侯封四岁，为秦将攻魏。魏献河东方四百里。拔魏之河内，取城大小六十馀。昭王十九年，秦称西帝，齐称东帝。月馀，吕礼来，而齐、秦各复归帝为王。魏冉复相秦，六岁而免。免二岁，复相秦。四岁，而使白起拔楚之郢，秦置南郡。乃封白起为武安君。白起者，穰侯之所任举也，相善。于是穰侯之富，富于王室。 |
| | 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，穰侯为相国，将兵攻魏，走芒卯，入北宅，遂围大梁。梁大夫须贾说穰侯曰：“臣闻魏之长吏谓魏王曰：‘昔梁惠王伐赵，战胜三梁，拔邯郸；赵氏不割，而邯郸复归。齐人攻卫，拔故国，杀子良；卫人不割，而故地复反。卫、赵之所以国全兵劲而地不并于诸侯者，以其能忍难而重出地也。宋、中山数伐割地，而国随以亡。臣以为卫、赵可法，而宋、中山可为戒也。秦，贪戾之国也，而毋亲。蚕食魏氏，又尽晋国，战胜暴子，割八县，地未毕入，兵复出矣。夫秦何厌之有哉！今又走芒卯，入北宅，此非敢攻梁也，且劫王以求多割地。王必勿听也。今王背楚、赵而讲秦，楚、赵怒而去王，与王争事秦，秦必受之。秦挟楚、赵之兵以复攻梁，则国求无亡不可得也。愿王之必无讲也。王若欲讲，少割而有质；不然，必见欺。’此臣之所闻于魏也，愿君［王］之以是虑事也。《》曰‘惟命不于常’，此言幸之不可数也。夫战胜暴子，割八县，此非兵力之精也，又非计之工也，天幸为多矣。今又走芒卯，入北宅，以攻大梁，是以天幸自为常也。智者不然。臣闻魏氏悉其百县胜甲以上戍大梁，臣以为不下三十万。以三十万之众守梁七仞之城，臣以为汤、武复生，不易攻也。夫轻背楚、赵之兵，陵七仞之城，战三十万之众，而志必举之，臣以为自天地始分以至于今，未尝有者也。攻而不拔，秦兵必罢，陶邑必亡，则前功必弃矣。今魏氏方疑，可以少割收也。愿君逮楚、赵之兵未至于梁，亟以少割收魏。魏方疑而得以少割为利，必欲之，则君得所欲矣。楚、赵怒于魏之先己也，必争事秦，从以此散，而君后择焉。且君之得地岂必以兵哉！邦晋国，秦兵不攻，而魏必效绛安邑。又为陶开两道，几尽故宋，卫必效单父。秦兵可全，而君制之，何索而不得，何为而不成！愿君熟虑之而无行危。”穰侯曰：“善。”乃罢梁围。 |
| | 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，与齐从亲。秦使穰侯伐魏，斩首四万，走魏将暴鸢，得魏三县。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，穰侯与白起客卿胡阳复攻赵、韩、魏，破芒卯于华阳下，斩首十万，取魏之卷、蔡阳、长社，赵氏观津。且与赵观津，益赵以兵，伐齐。齐襄王惧，使苏代为齐阴遗穰侯书曰：“臣闻往来者言曰‘秦将益赵甲四万以伐齐’，臣窃必之敝邑之王曰‘秦王明而熟于计，穰侯智而习于事，必不益赵甲四万以伐齐’。是何也？夫三晋之相与也，秦之深雠也。百相背也，百相欺也，不为不信，不为无行。今破齐以肥赵。赵，秦之深雠，不利于秦。此一也。秦之谋者，必曰‘破齐，獘晋、楚，而后制晋、楚之胜’。夫齐，罢国也，以天下攻齐，如以千钧之弩决溃癕也，必死，安能獘晋、楚？此二也。秦少出兵，则晋、楚不信也；多出兵，则晋、楚为制于秦。齐恐，不走秦，必走晋、楚。此三也。秦割齐以啖晋、楚，晋、楚案之以兵，秦反受敌。此四也。是晋、楚以秦谋齐，以齐谋秦也，何晋、楚之智而秦、齐之愚？此五也。故得安邑以善事之，亦必无患矣。秦有安邑，韩氏必无上党矣。取天下之肠胃，与出兵而惧其不反也，孰利？臣故曰秦王明而熟于计，穰侯智而习于事，必不益赵甲四万以代齐矣。”于是穰侯不行，引兵而归。 |
| | 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，相国穰侯言客卿灶，欲伐齐取刚、寿，以广其陶邑。于是魏人范睢自谓张禄先生，讥穰侯之伐齐，乃越三晋以攻齐也，以此时奸说秦昭王。昭王于是用范睢。范睢言宣太后专制，穰侯擅权于诸侯，泾阳君、高陵君之属太侈，富于王室。于是秦昭王悟，乃免相国，令泾阳之属皆出关，就封邑。穰侯出关，辎车千乘有馀。穰侯卒于陶，而因葬焉。秦复收陶为郡。 |
| | 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，昭王亲舅也。而秦所以东益地，弱诸侯，尝称帝于天下，天下皆西乡稽首者，穰侯之功也。及其贵极富溢，一夫开说，身折势夺而以忧死，况于羁旅之臣乎！ |
| | 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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