| | 魏公子列... : |
魏公子无忌者，魏昭王子少子而魏安厘王异母弟也。昭王薨，安厘王即位，封公子为信陵君。是时范睢亡魏相秦，以怨魏齐故，秦兵围大梁，破魏华阳下军，走芒卯。魏王及公子患之。 |
| | The Wei Gongzi Wuji was the youngest son of Duke Zhao of Wei and a half-brother to King Anxi of Wei. After Duke Zhao died, King Anxi ascended the throne and granted the title of Xinling Jun to the gongzi. At that time, Fan Jui had fled from Wei to serve as a minister of Qin. Because he bore resentment toward Hui Qi of Wei, the Qin army surrounded Daliang, defeated the Wei forces at Huayang, and drove Mang Mao into retreat. King Anxi of Wei and the gongzi were greatly concerned about this.
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公子为人仁而下士，士无贤不肖皆谦而礼交之，不敢以其富贵骄士。士以此方数千里争往归之，致食客三千人。当是时，诸侯以公子贤，多客，不敢加兵谋魏十馀年。 |
| | The gongzi was a kind and humble person who treated scholars with respect; whether they were virtuous or not, he always interacted with them in a modest and courteous manner, never allowing his wealth and noble status to make him arrogant toward the scholars. Because of this, scholars from thousands of li away in all directions vied to come under his banner, eventually gathering three thousand guests who dined at his expense. At that time, the feudal lords, recognizing the gongzi's virtue and the large number of his retainers, dared not launch military campaigns or plot against Wei for more than ten years.
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公子与魏王博，而北境传举烽，言“赵寇至，且入界”。魏王释博，欲召大臣谋。公子止王曰：“赵王田猎耳，非为寇也。”复博如故。王恐，心不在博。居顷，复从北方来传言曰：“赵王猎耳，非为寇也。”魏王大惊，曰：“公子何以知之？”公子曰：“臣之客有能深得赵王阴事者，赵王所为，客辄以报臣，臣以此知之。”是后魏王畏公子之贤能，不敢任公子以国政。 |
| | While the gongzi was playing weiqi with King Anxi, a message came from the northern frontier reporting that beacon fires had been lit and saying, "The Zhao forces are coming, and they will soon cross into our territory." King Anxi put down his weiqi pieces and wanted to summon the ministers for a discussion. The gongzi stopped the king, saying, "It is merely King Zhao hunting in the fields; he is not launching an attack." They resumed their game as before. The king was frightened and could not concentrate on the weiqi game. After a short while, another message came from the north saying, "It is merely King Zhao's hunting expedition; he is not launching an invasion." King Anxi was greatly startled and asked, "How did you know this, gongzi?" The gongzi said, "Among my guests there is one who can obtain secret information about King Zhao. Whenever King Zhao takes any action, this guest reports it to me immediately; that is how I know." After this incident, King Anxi feared the gongzi's virtue and ability and dared not entrust him with state affairs.
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魏有隐士曰侯嬴，年七十，家贫，为大梁夷门监者。公子闻之，往请，欲厚遗之。不肯受，曰：“臣修身洁行数十年，终不以监门困故而受公子财。”公子于是乃置酒大会宾客。坐定，公子从车骑，虚左，自迎夷门侯生。侯生摄敝衣冠，直上载公子上坐，不让，欲以观公子。公子执辔愈恭。侯生又谓公子曰：“臣有客在市屠中，愿枉车骑过之。”公子引车入市，侯生下见其客朱亥，俾倪故久立，与其客语，微察公子。公子颜色愈和。当是时，魏将相宗室宾客满堂，待公子举酒。市人皆观公子执辔。从骑皆窃骂侯生。侯生视公子色终不变，乃谢客就车。至家，公子引侯生坐上坐，遍赞宾客，宾客皆惊。酒酣，公子起，为寿侯生前。侯生因谓公子曰：“今日嬴之为公子亦足矣。嬴乃夷门抱关者也，而公子亲枉车骑，自迎嬴于众人广坐之中，不宜有所过，今公子故过之。然嬴欲就公子之名，故久立公子车骑市中，过客以观公子，公子愈恭。市人皆以嬴为小人，而以公子为长者能下士也。”于是罢酒，侯生遂为上客。 |
| | There was a reclusive scholar in Wei named Hou Ying, who was seventy years old and poor; he served as the gatekeeper at Yimen of Daliang. The gongzi heard about him, went to visit, and wished to give him a generous gift. He refused, saying, "For decades I have cultivated my character and maintained moral conduct; I will not accept the gongzi's wealth merely because of my hardship as a gatekeeper." The gongzi then arranged a grand banquet to gather his guests. After everyone was seated, the gongzi rode out with an entourage of horsemen, left the seat of honor empty, and personally went to welcome Master Hou from Yimen. Master Hou put on his tattered clothes and hat as they were, climbed directly into the carriage to sit in the seat of honor beside the gongzi without offering any courtesy or yielding, wishing thereby to test the gongzi. The gongzi held the reins with even greater respect and humility. Master Hou then said to the gongzi, "I have a guest at the butcher's shop in the market; I would like you to kindly divert your carriage and entourage to visit him." The gongzi guided the carriage into the market. Master Hou descended to see his guest, Zhu Hai, and deliberately stood there for a long time, chatting with him while subtly observing the gongzi. The gongzi's expression became even more amiable. At that time, Wei's generals, ministers, and the retainers of the royal family were all gathered in full attendance, waiting for the gongzi to raise his cup. The people in the market watched as the gongzi held the reins. The members of his entourage secretly cursed Master Hou under their breath. Master Hou observed that the gongzi's demeanor remained unchanged throughout, and then he took leave of his guest and returned to the carriage. Upon returning home, the gongzi led Master Hou to sit in the seat of highest honor and introduced him to all his guests, who were all greatly surprised. When the wine was flowing freely, the gongzi rose and presented a toast before Master Hou. Master Hou then said to the gongji, "Today, what I have done for you, Gongzi, is sufficient enough." "I am merely a gatekeeper of Yimen, yet the gongzi personally diverted his carriage and entourage to welcome me in front of so many people. I should not have expected any special treatment, but today you went beyond what was necessary." "Nevertheless, I wished to help enhance the gongzi's reputation, so I deliberately kept your carriage and entourage waiting in the market for a long time. By doing this, I observed whether you would grow impatient or offended, but instead, your respect and humility only increased." "The people in the market all regard me as a lowly person, yet they see you, gongzi, as a noble and virtuous man who is capable of humbling himself to scholars." At this, the banquet was concluded, and Master Hou was thereafter regarded as a top guest.
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侯生谓公子曰：“臣所过屠者朱亥，此子贤者，世莫能知，故隐屠闲耳。”公子往数请之，朱亥故不复谢，公子怪之。 |
| | Master Hou said to the gongzi: "The butcher Zhu Hai whom I visited is a man of virtue; he is a truly capable person, but no one in this world recognizes his worth, so he has remained hidden among the butchers." The gongzi visited him several times to pay respects, but Zhu Hai deliberately did not respond or express gratitude. The gongzi found this strange.
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魏安厘王二十年，秦昭王已破赵长平军，又进兵围邯郸。公子姊为赵惠文王弟平原君夫人，数遗魏王及公子书，请救于魏。魏王使将军晋鄙将十万众救赵。秦王使使者告魏王曰：“吾攻赵旦暮且下，而诸侯敢救者，已拔赵，必移兵先击之。”魏王恐，使人止晋鄙，留军壁邺，名为救赵，实持两端以观望。平原君使者冠盖相属于魏，让魏公子曰：“胜所以自附为婚姻者，以公子之高义，为能急人之困。今邯郸旦暮降秦而魏救不至，安在公子能急人之困也！且公子纵轻胜，弃之降秦，独不怜公子姊邪？”公子患之，数请魏王，及宾客辩士说王万端。魏王畏秦，终不听公子。公子自度终不能得之于王，计不独生而令赵亡，乃请宾客，约车骑百馀乘，欲以客往赴秦军，与赵俱死。 |
| | In the twentieth year of King Anxi's reign (257 BCE), Emperor Zhao of Qin had already defeated the Zhao forces at Changping, and then advanced his troops to besiege Handan. The gongzi's elder sister was the wife of Pingyuan Jun, a younger brother of King Huwen of Zhao. She repeatedly sent letters to King Anxi and the gongzi, requesting aid from Wei. King Anxi dispatched General Jin Bi with an army of 100,000 men to rescue Zhao. The King of Qin sent envoys to inform King Anxi, saying: "I am about to conquer Zhao within the day or night. Any feudal lord who dares to come to its aid will be dealt with after Zhao is captured; I shall certainly transfer my troops and strike them first." King Anxi was frightened, so he sent someone to stop General Jin Bi and ordered the army to remain encamped at Ye. In name, this was supposed to be a rescue of Zhao, but in reality, it was an indecisive move to wait and see what would happen. Envoys from Pingyuan Jun arrived in Wei one after another, delivering messages to the gongzi and reproaching him: "The reason I have allied with you through marriage is because of your noble virtue and your ability to come to others' aid in times of crisis. Now Handan is about to surrender to Qin at any moment, yet Wei's rescue forces have not arrived—where then is the gongzi's ability to come to others' aid in times of distress?" "Moreover, if you, gongzi, are so indifferent toward me as to abandon me and let me surrender to Qin, do you not at least feel pity for your own sister?" The gongzi was greatly troubled by this and repeatedly pleaded with King Anxi. He also had his guests and eloquent scholars use every possible argument to persuade the king. King Anxi, fearing Qin, ultimately did not listen to the gongzi's pleas. Realizing that he could never obtain the king's permission, and unwilling to live on while Zhao perished, the gongzi invited his guests, gathered more than a hundred carriages with horsemen, and intended to lead them in person to face the Qin forces, determined to die alongside Zhao.
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行过夷门，见侯生，具告所以欲死秦军状。辞决而行，侯生曰：“公子勉之矣，老臣不能从。”公子行数里，心不快，曰：“吾所以待侯生者备矣，天下莫不闻，今吾且死而侯生曾无一言半辞送我，我岂有所失哉？”复引车还，问侯生。侯生笑曰：“臣固知公子之还也。”曰：“公子喜士，名闻天下。今有难，无他端而欲赴秦军，譬若以肉投馁虎，何功之有哉？尚安事客？然公子遇臣厚，公子往而臣不送，以是知公子恨之复返也。”公子再拜，因问。侯生乃屏人闲语，曰：“嬴闻晋鄙之兵符常在王卧内，而如姬最幸，出入王卧内，力能窃之。嬴闻如姬父为人所杀，如姬资之三年，自王以下欲求报其父仇，莫能得。如姬为公子泣，公子使客斩其仇头，敬进如姬。如姬之欲为公子死，无所辞，顾未有路耳。公子诚一开口请如姬，如姬必许诺，则得虎符夺晋鄙军，北救赵而西却秦，此五霸之伐也。”公子从其计，请如姬。如姬果盗晋鄙兵符与公子。 |
| | On his way past Yimen, he met Master Hou and fully explained the reasons for his intention to die in battle against the Qin forces. As they bid farewell and set off, Master Hou said, "May you be strong and resolute, my lord; an old man like me cannot accompany you." After traveling several li, the gongzi felt uneasy and said, "I have treated Master Hou with complete courtesy; this is known to all under heaven. Now I am about to die, yet Master Hou has not even offered a single word or phrase of farewell—have I perhaps done something wrong?" He turned the carriage around and returned to ask Master Hou. Master Hou smiled and said, "I knew all along that you would return." He continued: "The gongzi is fond of scholars; his reputation is known throughout the world. Now that you are in trouble, and without any other plan, you wish to rush into the Qin army. This is like throwing meat at a starving tiger—what achievement could possibly come from this?" What use then would your retainers be? "Yet the gongzi has treated me with great kindness. If I did not send him off when he went, that is why I knew he would feel regret and return." The gongzi bowed twice in gratitude and then asked for advice. Master Hou then dismissed the attendants and spoke in private, saying: "I have heard that General Jin Bi's military seal is usually kept inside the king's sleeping quarters. Ru Ji enjoys the king's greatest favor and has free access to his inner chambers; she should be able to steal it." "I also heard that Ru Ji's father was killed by someone. For three years, she has sought revenge and offered rewards for information; from the king down, no one has been able to find who did it." Ru Ji wept before the gongzi. The gongzi sent his retainers to behead her killer and respectfully presented the head to Ru Ji. Ru Ji would gladly die for the gongzi with no hesitation, but she simply lacked an opportunity. "If the gongzi sincerely asks Ru Ji to do so, she will certainly agree. Then you can obtain the military seal and take command of General Jin Bi's forces, march north to rescue Zhao, and drive back Qin troops from the west—this would be a feat worthy of one of the Five Hegemons." The gongzi followed his plan and asked Ru Ji. Ru Ji indeed stole General Jin Bi's military seal for the gongzi.
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公子行，侯生曰：“将在外，主令有所不受，以便国家。公子即合符，而晋鄙不授公子兵而复请之，事必危矣。臣客屠者朱亥可与俱，此人力士。晋鄙听，大善；不听，可使击之。”于是公子泣。侯生曰：“公子畏死邪？何泣也？”公子曰：“晋鄙嚄唶宿将，往恐不听，必当杀之，是以泣耳，岂畏死哉？”于是公子请朱亥。朱亥笑曰：“臣乃市井鼓刀屠者，而公子亲数存之，所以不报谢者，以为小礼无所用。今公子有急，此乃臣效命之秋也。”遂与公子俱。公子过谢侯生。侯生曰：“臣宜从，老不能。请数公子行日，以至晋鄙军之日，北乡自刭，以送公子。”公子遂行。 |
| | Before the gongzi departed, Master Hou said: "A general in the field does not always obey orders from the sovereign if it is for the benefit of the state. "If you present the seal and General Jin Bi refuses to hand over command, insisting on seeking further orders from the king, then your situation will certainly become dangerous." "My guest Zhu Hai, the butcher, should go with you. He is a man of great strength and martial skill." "If General Jin Bi listens, it will be excellent; if he does not listen, Zhu Hai can strike him down." At this, the gongzi wept. Master Hou said: "Is the gongzi afraid of death? Why then are you weeping?" The gongzi replied, "Jin Bi is a seasoned and formidable general. I fear he may refuse to obey me when I arrive; in that case, I will have no choice but to kill him. That is why I weep—not out of fear of death!" The gongzi then invited Zhu Hai to join him. Zhu Hai smiled and said, "I am merely a butcher from the marketplace, yet the gongzi has personally visited me several times. The reason I did not respond with thanks is that I considered such small courtesies to be of no real use. Now, when the gongzi faces a dire situation, this is precisely the time for me to offer my life in service." With that, he went with the gongzi. The gongzi passed by to thank Master Hou. Master Hou said, "I should accompany you, but I am too old and cannot." "Please inform me of the day you depart. On the day you arrive at General Jin Bi's army, I shall face north and cut my throat to send you off." The gongzi then set out on his journey.
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至邺，矫魏王令代晋鄙。晋鄙合符，疑之，举手视公子曰：“今吾拥十万之众，屯于境上，国之重任，今单车来代之，何如哉？”欲无听。朱亥袖四十斤铁椎，椎杀晋鄙，公子遂将晋鄙军。勒兵下令军中曰：“父子俱在军中，父归；兄弟俱在军中，兄归；独子无兄弟，归养。”得选兵八万人，进兵击秦军。秦军解去，遂救邯郸，存赵。赵王及平原君自迎公子于界，平原君负ゆ矢为公子先引。赵王再拜曰：“自古贤人未有及公子者也。”当此之时，平原君不敢自比于人。公子与侯生决，至军，侯生果北乡自刭。 |
| | Upon arriving at Ye, he forged an order from King Anxi to replace General Jin Bi. General Jin Bi verified the seal, but he was suspicious and raised his hand to look at the gongzi, saying: "Now I command 100,000 troops stationed on the frontier, a vital responsibility for the state. Now you come alone in a single carriage to replace me—how can this be?" He was about to refuse. Zhu Hai, with a forty-jin iron mallet hidden in his sleeve, struck and killed General Jin Bi; the gongzi then assumed command of Jin Bi's army. He ordered the troops and issued a decree to his forces: "If any soldier has both father and son in the ranks, let the father return home; if brothers are both serving together, let the elder brother go back; and if a soldier is an only child with no brothers, he may also return to support his parents." In this way, the gongzi selected 80,000 soldiers and advanced to attack the Qin forces. The Qin army withdrew, thus rescuing Handan and saving Zhao. King Zhao and Pingyuan Jun personally met the gongzi at the border; Pingyuan Jun carried a bow and arrows, leading the way for the gongzi as an honor. King Zhao bowed twice and said: "Since ancient times, no virtuous person has ever equaled you, my lord." At this time, Pingyuan Jun did not dare to consider himself equal to others. The gongzi had previously said farewell to Master Hou before departing for the army, and when he arrived at the camp, Master Hou indeed faced north and cut his own throat.
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魏王怒公子之盗其兵符，矫杀晋鄙，公子亦自知也。已却秦存赵，使将将其军归魏，而公子独与客留赵。赵孝成王德公子之矫夺晋鄙兵而存赵，乃与平原君计，以五城封公子。公子闻之，意骄矜而有自功之色。客有说公子曰：“物有不可忘，或有不可不忘。夫人有德于公子，公子不可忘也；公子有德于人，愿公子忘之也。且矫魏王令，夺晋鄙兵以救赵，于赵则有功矣，于魏则未为忠臣也。公子乃自骄而功之，窃为公子不取也。”于是公子立自责，似若无所容者。赵王埽除自迎，执主人之礼，引公子就西阶。公子侧行辞让，从东阶上。自言罪过，以负于魏，无功于赵。赵王侍酒至暮，口不忍献五城，以公子退让也。公子竟留赵。赵王以鄗为公子汤沐邑，魏亦复以信陵奉公子。公子留赵。 |
| | King Anxi of Wei was furious that the gongzi had stolen his military seal and forged an order to kill General Jin Bi, a fact the gongzi himself knew well. After repelling Qin and saving Zhao, he sent an officer to lead his troops back to Wei, while the gongzi remained in Zhao with his retainers. King Xiaocheng of Zhao was grateful to the gongzi for having taken command of Jin Bi's forces and saving Zhao, so he discussed with Pingyuan Jun and offered five cities as a fief to the gongzi. When the gongzi heard of this, he appeared proud and showed signs of self-congratulation. One of his retainers advised the gongzi: "There are things that should not be forgotten, and there are also things that must be forgotten. Those who have shown virtue toward you, my lord, cannot be forgotten by you; And if you have shown virtue to others, I hope you will forget it." Moreover, by forging King Wei's orders and seizing General Jin Bi's command to rescue Zhao, you have indeed done a great service for Zhao, but from the perspective of Wei, you are not considered a loyal subject. Yet now you take pride in and boast about this act; I secretly think it unwise for the gongzi to do so." At this, the gongzi immediately reproached himself, as if he had no place to stand. King Zhao of Zhao personally cleared a path and welcomed him with the courtesy due to a host, leading the gongzi up the western steps. The gongzi stepped aside and humbly declined, choosing instead to ascend from the eastern steps. He spoke of his own faults, saying that he had wronged Wei and accomplished nothing for Zhao. King Zhao served wine until dusk but could not bring himself to present the five cities, moved by the gongzi's humility and refusal. In the end, the gongzi chose to remain in Zhao. King Zhao granted Hao as a fief for the gongzi's personal use and maintenance, while Wei also restored Xinling to him in honor. The gongzi remained in Zhao.
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公子闻赵有处士毛公藏于博徒，薛公藏于卖浆家，公子欲见两人，两人自匿不肯见公子。公子闻所在，乃闲步往从此两人游，甚欢。平原君闻之，谓其夫人曰：“始吾闻夫人弟公子天下无双，今吾闻之，乃妄从博徒卖浆者游，公子妄人耳。”夫人以告公子。公子乃谢夫人去，曰：“始吾闻平原君贤，故负魏王而救赵，以称平原君。平原君之游，徒豪举耳，不求士也。无忌自在大梁时，常闻此两人贤，至赵，恐不得见。以无忌从之游，尚恐其不我欲也，今平原君乃以为羞，其不足从游。”乃装为去。夫人具以语平原君。平原君乃免冠谢，固留公子。平原君门下闻之，半去平原君归公子，天下士复往归公子，公子倾平原君客。 |
| | The gongzi heard that there were recluses in Zhao named Mao Gong, who was hiding among gamblers, and Xue Gong, who was living incognito as a seller of fermented drinks. The gongzi wished to meet these two men, but they concealed themselves and refused to see him. The gongzi learned where they were staying and secretly went to visit them, joining these two men in their company and enjoying great camaraderie. Pingyuan Jun heard about this and said to his wife: "At first I was told that your younger brother, the gongzi, was without equal in the world. Now I hear he is idly associating with gamblers and sellers of fermented drinks; he is nothing but a reckless man." The wife informed the gongzi about this remark. The gongzi then apologized to his sister and left, saying: "Initially I heard that Pingyuan Jun was a virtuous man, so I defied King Wei of Wei to rescue Zhao in order to honor Pingyuan Jun. The company that Pingyuan Jun keeps is merely for show, and he does not truly seek out talented individuals. While I was in Daliang, I often heard that these two men were virtuous; now that I have come to Zhao, I feared I would not be able to meet them. Even if I, Wuji, wished to associate with them, I was still afraid they might not wish to see me. Now Pingyuan Jun considers it a disgrace; he is clearly unworthy of associating with such men." He then made preparations to leave. The wife relayed all of this to Pingyuan Jun in full. Upon hearing this, Pingyuan Jun removed his hat and apologized, insisting that the gongzi remain. When the retainers under Pingyuan Jun heard of this, half of them left Pingyuan Jun to follow the gongzi instead. Talented men from all over once again flocked to the gongzi, and thus the gongzi gained more followers than Pingyuan Jun had.
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公子留赵十年不归。秦闻公子在赵，日夜出兵东伐魏。魏王患之，使使往请公子。公子恐其怒之，乃诫门下：“有敢为魏王使通者，死。”宾客皆背魏之赵，莫敢劝公子归。毛公、薛公两人往见公子曰：“公子所以重于赵，名闻诸侯者，徒以有魏也。今秦攻魏，魏急而公子不恤，使秦破大梁而夷先王之宗庙，公子当何面目立天下乎？”语未及卒，公子立变色，告车趣驾归救魏。 |
| | The gongzi remained in Zhao for ten years without returning home. Qin, having learned that the gongzi was in Zhao, launched continuous military campaigns eastward to attack Wei day and night. King Wei of Wei became greatly concerned and sent envoys to invite the gongzi back. The gongzi feared that they might be angry with him, so he warned his retainers: "Anyone who dares to communicate with the envoys of King Wei shall be put to death." All the guests turned their backs on Wei and remained in Zhao, none daring to advise the gongzi to return. Mao Gong and Xue Gong went to see the gongzi and said: "The reason why you are so respected in Zhao and your name is known among the feudal lords is solely because of Wei. Now Qin attacks Wei, and when Wei is in dire straits you show no concern. If Qin were to destroy Daliang and desecrate the ancestral temples of our former kings, what face would you have to stand among the people of the world?" Before they could finish speaking, the gongzi's expression changed instantly. He immediately ordered his carriage to be prepared and rushed back to rescue Wei.
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魏王见公子，相与泣，而以上将军印授公子，公子遂将。魏安厘王三十年，公子使使遍告诸侯。诸侯闻公子将，各遣将将兵救魏。公子率五国之兵破秦军于河外，走蒙骜。遂乘胜逐秦军至函谷关，抑秦兵，秦兵不敢出。当是时，公子威振天下，诸侯之客进兵法，公子皆名之，故世俗称魏公子兵法。 |
| | King Wei of Wei met the gongzi, wept together with him, and bestowed upon him the seal of supreme general. The gongzi thus became the commander-in-chief. In the thirtieth year of King Anxi's reign (247 BCE), the gongzi sent envoys to inform all the feudal lords. The feudal lords, upon hearing that the gongzi would be in command, each dispatched generals with their armies to come to Wei's aid. The gongzi led the combined forces of five states and defeated the Qin army at He Wai, driving back Meng Ao. Taking advantage of his victory, he pursued the Qin forces all the way to Hangu Pass, where he held them back and the Qin army dared not emerge. At that time, the gongzi's prestige shook the entire world; retainers from among the feudal lords who submitted military strategies to him were all given names by him. Hence, in common parlance, these strategies became known as the "Hui Gongzi Military Methods."
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秦王患之，乃行金万斤于魏，求晋鄙客，令毁公子于魏王曰：“公子亡在外十年矣，今为魏将，诸侯将皆属，诸侯徒闻魏公子，不闻魏王。公子亦欲因此时定南面而王，诸侯畏公子之威，方欲共立之。”秦数使反闲，伪贺公子得立为魏王未也。魏王日闻其毁，不能不信，后果使人代公子将。公子自知再以毁废，乃谢病不朝，与宾客为长夜饮，饮醇酒，多近妇女。日夜为乐饮者四岁，竟病酒而卒。其岁，魏安厘王亦薨。 |
| | The King of Qin was greatly concerned and therefore sent ten thousand jin of gold to Wei, seeking out former retainers of General Jin Bi. He instructed them to slander the gongzi before King Wei: "The gongzi has been in exile for ten years now; yet he is currently serving as a general of Wei, with all the generals from the feudal lords under his command. The feudal lords only know of the Hui Gongzi and no longer recognize King Wei. The gongzi also wishes to take advantage of this opportunity to establish himself as a king facing south, and the feudal lords, fearing his power, are already planning to jointly crown him." Qin repeatedly sent spies back and forth, pretending to congratulate the gongzi on his supposed ascension as King of Wei. King Wei heard these slanders day after day and could not help but believe them; eventually, he did send someone else to replace the gongzi as general. Realizing that he was about to be dismissed again due to these slanders, the gongzi feigned illness and ceased attending court. He spent his time drinking with his guests through the night, consuming strong wine and keeping many concubines close at hand. For four years he indulged in continuous revelry and drinking day and night, until finally he died from excessive alcohol consumption. In that same year, King Anxi of Wei also passed away.
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秦闻公子死，使蒙骜攻魏，拔二十城，初置东郡。其后秦稍蚕食魏，十八岁而虏魏王，屠大梁。 |
| | Qin, upon hearing of the gongzi's death, sent Meng Ao to attack Wei, capturing twenty cities and establishing the newly created Dong Jun for the first time. After that, Qin gradually devoured Wei like a silkworm eating leaves; eighteen years later, it captured King Wei and razed Daliang to the ground.
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高祖始微少时，数闻公子贤。及即天子位，每过大梁，常祠公子。高祖十二年，从击黥布还，为公子置守冢五家，世世岁以四时奉祠公子。 |
| | When Emperor Gaozu was still obscure and young, he often heard of the gongzi's virtue. After ascending to the throne, whenever he passed through Daliang, he would always make sacrifices in honor of the gongzi. In the twelfth year of Emperor Gaozu's reign (195 BCE), after returning from a campaign against Qing Bu, he established five families to guard and maintain the tomb of the gongzi; these families were to offer sacrifices in his honor at the four seasonal festivals for generations.
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太史公曰：吾过大梁之墟，求问其所谓夷门。夷门者，城之东门也。天下诸公子亦有喜士者矣，然信陵君之接岩穴隐者，不耻下交，有以也。名冠诸侯，不虚耳。高祖每过之而令民奉祠不绝也。 |
| | Grand Historian said: When I passed through the ruins of Daliang, I inquired about what was known as Yimen. Yimen is the eastern gate of the city. Among all the gongzis of the world, there were certainly those who liked to associate with talented men; yet Xinning Jun's willingness to connect with recluses and hidden sages without shame in lowering himself for friendship was not without reason. His reputation as the most esteemed among feudal lords was indeed well deserved. Emperor Gaozu, whenever he passed by, would issue orders for the people to continue offering sacrifices without interruption.
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