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伍子胥者，楚人也，名员。员父曰伍奢。员兄曰伍尚。其先曰伍举，以直谏事楚庄王，有显，故其后世有名于楚。 |
| | Wu Zixu was a native of Chu, and his given name was Yuan. Yuan's father was Wu She. Yuan's elder brother was Wu Shang. His ancestor, Wu Ju, served King Zhuang of Chu with straightforward remonstrations and achieved distinction; therefore, his descendants were renowned in the state of Chu.
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楚平王有太子名曰建，使伍奢为太傅，费无忌为少傅。无忌不忠于太子建。平王使无忌为太子取妇于秦，秦女好，无忌驰归报平王曰：“秦女绝美，王可自取，而更为太子取妇。”平王遂自取秦女而绝爱幸之，生子轸。更为太子取妇。 |
| | King Ping of Chu had a crown prince named Jian, and he appointed Wu She as his Taifu (Grand Tutor) and Fei Wujin as his Shaofu (Junior Tutor). Fei Wujin was disloyal to Crown Prince Jian. King Ping sent Fei Wujin to fetch a bride for the crown prince from Qin. The Qin woman was beautiful, and Fei Wujin hurried back to report to King Ping: "The daughter of Qin is extremely beautiful; Your Majesty may take her yourself and find another wife for the Crown Prince." King Ping then took the woman from Qin as his own concubine and greatly favored her, siring a son named Zhen. He arranged for another wife to be taken for the Crown Prince.
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无忌既以秦女自媚于平王，因去太子而事平王。恐一旦平王卒而太子立，杀己，乃因谗太子建。建母，蔡女也，无宠于平王。平王稍益疏建，使建守城父，备边兵。 |
| | Having used the Qin woman to ingratiate himself with King Ping, Fei Wujin then abandoned the Crown Prince and served King Ping instead. Fearing that if King Ping died suddenly and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would be killed, Fei Wujin therefore slandered Crown Prince Jian. Jian's mother was a daughter of Cai and did not enjoy King Ping's favor. King Ping gradually became more distant toward Jian, assigning him to defend Chengfu in charge of border troops.
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顷之，无忌又日夜言太子短于王曰：“太子以秦女之故，不能无怨望，愿王少自备也。自太子居城父，将兵，外交诸侯，且欲入为乱矣。”平王乃召其太傅伍奢考问之。伍奢知无忌谗太子于平王，因曰：“王独柰何以谗贼小臣疏骨肉之亲乎？”无忌曰：“王今不制，其事成矣。王且见禽。”于是平王怒，囚伍奢，而使城父司马奋扬往杀太子。行未至，奋扬使人先告太子：“太子急去，不然将诛。”太子建亡奔宋。 |
| | Soon after, Fei Wujin continued to speak against Crown Prince Jian before the king day and night, saying: "Because of the Qin woman, the Crown Prince cannot help but harbor resentment; Your Majesty should be cautious." "Ever since the Crown Prince was stationed at Chengfu, commanding troops and engaging in external diplomacy with feudal lords, he has been plotting to enter the capital and cause chaos." King Ping then summoned his Taifu Wu She for interrogation. Wu She, knowing that Fei Wujin had slandered the Crown Prince to King Ping, said: "How can Your Majesty allow a treacherous petty official to alienate you from your own flesh and blood?" Fei Wujin replied: "If Your Majesty does not act now, the matter will be beyond control. You will soon find yourself captured." King Ping became furious, imprisoned Wu She, and sent Chengfu's Sima Fenyang to go and kill the Crown Prince. Before he arrived, Fenyang had someone warn the Crown Prince first: "Prince Jian, flee quickly; otherwise you will be executed." Crown Prince Jian fled to Song.
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无忌言于平王曰：“伍奢有二子，皆贤，不诛且为楚忧。可以其父质而召之，不然且为楚患。”王使使谓伍奢曰：“能致汝二子则生，不能则死。”伍奢曰：“尚为人仁，呼必来。员为人刚戾忍訽，能成大事，彼见来之并禽，其势必不来。”王不听，使人召二子曰：“来，吾生汝父；不来，今杀奢也。”伍尚欲往，员曰：“楚之召我兄弟，非欲以生我父也，恐有脱者后生患，故以父为质，诈召二子。二子到，则父子俱死。何益父之死？往而令雠不得报耳。不如奔他国，借力以雪父之耻，俱灭，无为也。”伍尚曰：“我知往终不能全父命。然恨父召我以求生而不往，后不能雪耻，终为天下笑耳。”谓员：“可去矣！汝能报杀父之雠，我将归死。”尚既就执，使者捕伍胥。伍胥贯弓执矢向使者，使者不敢进，伍胥遂亡。闻太子建之在宋，往从之。奢闻子胥之亡也，曰：“楚国君臣且苦兵矣。”伍尚至楚，楚并杀奢与尚也。 |
| | Fei Wujin said to King Ping: "Wu She has two sons, both of whom are virtuous. If they are not executed, they will become a future concern for the state of Chu." "You may use their father as a hostage to summon them; otherwise, they will be a future threat to Chu." The king sent an envoy to Wu She and said: "If you can bring your two sons here, you will live; otherwise, you will die." Wu She replied: "Shang is a kind-hearted man; if summoned, he will surely come. Yuan is a rigid and ruthless person who can endure humiliation; he is capable of great achievements, so if he sees that coming means being captured along with me, he will certainly not come." The king did not listen and sent men to summon the two sons, saying: "Come, and I shall spare your father; if you do not come, I will kill Wu She today." Wu Shang wanted to go, but Yuan said: "Chu is summoning my brother and me not in order to spare our father, but out of fear that someone might escape and cause future trouble. Therefore, they are using our father as a hostage and falsely summoning the two of us. If both sons arrive, then all three of us—father and sons—will die together." What benefit would that bring to our father's life? lington Go and allow the enemy to escape without retribution. "It is better for us to flee to another state, seek support, and avenge our father's disgrace. If we all die together, it will be in vain." Wu Shang said: "I know that going there would ultimately not save my father's life. Yet I regret that if our father summoned me in hopes of saving his life and I do not go, later we will be unable to avenge the disgrace, and we shall forever be laughed at by all under heaven." He said to Yuan: "You may leave now! If you are able to avenge our father's murder, I shall return and face death." After Wu Shang was captured, the envoys went to arrest Wu Xu. Wu Xu strung his bow and held an arrow aimed at the envoys; fearing for their lives, the envoys did not advance, so Wu Xu fled. Having learned that Crown Prince Jian was in Song, he went to join him. Wu She heard of his son Wu Xu's escape and said: "The rulers and officials of the state of Chu will soon suffer from war." When Wu Shang arrived in Chu, the state executed both Wu She and Wu Shang.
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伍胥既至宋，宋有华氏之乱，乃与太子建俱奔于郑。郑人甚善之。太子建又适晋，晋顷公曰：“太子既善郑，郑信太子。太子能为我内应，而我攻其外，灭郑必矣。灭郑而封太子。”太子乃还郑。事未会，会自私欲杀其从者，从者知其谋，乃告之于郑。郑定公与子产诛杀太子建。建有子名胜。伍胥惧，乃与胜俱奔吴。到昭关，昭关欲执之。伍胥遂与胜独身步走，几不得脱。追者在后。至江，江上有一渔父乘船，知伍胥之急，乃渡伍胥。伍胥既渡，解其剑曰：“此剑直百金，以与父。”父曰：“楚国之法，得伍胥者赐粟五万石，爵执圭，岂徒百金剑邪！”不受。伍胥未至吴而疾，止中道，乞食。至于吴，吴王僚方用事，公子光为将。伍胥乃因公子光以求见吴王。 |
| | After arriving at Song, Wu Xu encountered a rebellion by the Hua clan in Song and thus fled with Crown Prince Jian to Zheng. The people of Zheng treated them very kindly. Crown Prince Jian then went to Jin, where King Qing of Jin said: "The Crown Prince has already won the favor of Zheng, and Zheng trusts him. If the Crown Prince can serve as my inside man while I attack from outside, we will surely destroy Zheng." "After destroying Zheng, I shall grant fiefdom to the Crown Prince." The Crown Prince then returned to Zheng. Before the plan could be carried out, it coincided with an incident in which Jian secretly intended to kill his followers. The followers learned of this plot and reported it to Zheng. Duke Ding of Zheng and Zi Chan executed Crown Prince Jian. Jian had a son named Sheng. Fearing for his safety, Wu Xu fled with Sheng to the state of Wu. When they arrived at Zhaoguan Pass, the guards there wanted to arrest them. Wu Xu then fled with Sheng on foot alone and barely escaped capture. The pursuers were close behind. When they reached the river, a fisherman was on a boat by the riverside and, knowing Wu Xu's urgency, ferried him across. After crossing the river, Wu Xu untied his sword and said: "This sword is worth a hundred gold pieces; I give it to you." The fisherman said: "According to the laws of Chu, whoever captures Wu Xu will be granted five thousand dan of grain and a noble title as Zhugui; it is not merely for a sword worth a hundred gold pieces!" He did not accept it. Before reaching Wu, Wu Xu fell ill and stopped halfway along the road, begging for food. When he finally arrived in Wu, King Liao of Wu was then in power, and Gongzi Guang served as a general. Wu Xu therefore used Gongzi Guang to request an audience with the king of Wu.
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久之，楚平王以其边邑钟离与吴边邑卑梁氏俱蚕，两女子争桑相攻，乃大怒，至于两国举兵相伐。吴使公子光伐楚，拔其钟离、居巢而归。伍子胥说吴王僚曰：“楚可破也。愿复遣公子光。”公子光谓吴王曰：“彼伍胥父兄为戮于楚，而劝王伐楚者，欲以自报其雠耳。伐楚未可破也。”伍胥知公子光有内志，欲杀王而自立，未可说以外事，乃进专诸于公子光，退而与太子建之子胜耕于野。 |
| | After a long time, King Ping of Chu, because the border town Zhongli and Wu's border settlement Biliangshi were both engaged in sericulture, had two women quarrel over mulberry trees and attack each other. He became greatly enraged, leading to full-scale military conflict between the two states. Wu sent Gongzi Guang to attack Chu; he captured Zhongli and Jucha before returning. Wu Zixu advised King Liao of Wu: "Chu can be defeated. I request that Gongzi Guang be sent again." Gongzi Guang said to King Wu: "Wu Xus father and elder brother were executed in Chu, yet he advises the king to attack Chu merely because he wishes to avenge his own grudge. Attacking Chu will not necessarily lead to its defeat." Wu Xu, knowing that Gongzi Guang had ambitions to kill the king and seize power for himself, realized it was not yet possible to persuade him about external matters. Therefore, Wu Xu recommended Zhuan Zhu to Gongzi Guang, then withdrew to farm in the fields with Crown Prince Jian's son Sheng.
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五年而楚平王卒。初，平王所夺太子建秦女生子轸，及平王卒，轸竟立为后，是为昭王。吴王僚因楚丧，使二公子将兵往袭楚。楚发兵绝吴兵之后，不得归。吴国内空，而公子光乃令专诸袭刺吴王僚而自立，是为吴王阖庐。阖庐既立，得志，乃召伍员以为行人，而与谋国事。 |
| | Five years later, King Ping of Chu died. Initially, the Qin woman whom King Ping had taken as his concubine bore a son named Zhen; after King Ping's death, Zhen eventually succeeded to the throne and became known as King Zhao. Taking advantage of Chu's mourning period for its late king, King Liao of Wu sent two princes with troops to launch a surprise attack on Chu. Chu mobilized forces to cut off the rear of Wu's army, preventing its return. With Wu's capital left vulnerable, Gongzi Guang ordered Zhuan Zhu to assassinate King Liao and seize the throne for himself; he became known as King Helu of Wu. After ascending the throne, King Helu achieved his ambitions and summoned Wu Yuan to serve as an envoy, consulting him on state affairs.
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楚诛其大臣郤宛、伯州犁，伯州犁之孙伯嚭亡奔吴，吴亦以嚭为大夫。前王僚所遣二公子将兵伐楚者，道绝不得归。后闻阖庐弑王僚自立，遂以其兵降楚，楚封之于舒。阖庐立三年，乃兴师与伍胥、伯嚭伐楚，拔舒，遂禽故吴反二将军。因欲至郢，将军孙武曰：“民劳，未可，且待之。”乃归。 |
| | Chu executed its high-ranking official Xi Wan and Bo Zhouli; the grandson of Bo Zhouli, Bo Pi, fled to Wu, where he was also appointed as a grand officer. The two princes King Liao had previously sent with troops to attack Chu found their route cut off and could not return. Later, upon hearing that King Helu had assassinated King Liao to seize the throne, they surrendered their forces to Chu, which granted them fiefs in Shu. Three years after ascending the throne, King Helu raised an army with Wu Xu and Bo Pi to attack Chu. They captured Shu and thus captured the two former Wu generals who had defected. King Helu then intended to march on Ying, but General Sun Wu said: "The people are exhausted; it is not yet the time. We should wait for now." Thus they returned.
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四年，吴伐楚，取六与灊。五年，伐越，败之。六年，楚昭王使公子囊瓦将兵伐吴。吴使伍员迎击，大破楚军于豫章，取楚之居巢。 |
| | In the fourth year, Wu attacked Chu and captured Liu and Qian. In the fifth year, Wu attacked Yue and defeated it. In the sixth year, King Zhao of Chu sent Gongzi Nangwa to lead an army against Wu. Wu dispatched Wu Yuan to intercept them, and at Yuzhang, the Wu forces decisively defeated the Chu army, capturing Jucha of Chu.
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九年，吴王阖庐谓子胥、孙武曰：“始子言郢未可入，今果何如？”二子对曰：“楚将囊瓦贪，而唐、蔡皆怨之。王必欲大伐之，必先得唐、蔡乃可。”阖庐听之，悉兴师与唐、蔡伐楚，与楚夹汉水而陈。吴王之弟夫概将兵请从，王不听，遂以其属五千人击楚将子常。己卯，楚昭王出奔。庚辰，吴王入郢。子常败走，奔郑。于是吴乘胜而前，五战，遂至郢。 |
| | In the ninth year, King Helu of Wu said to Zixu and Sun Wu: "Initially you said Ying was not yet ready for attack; now, what do you think?" The two men replied: "Chu's general Nangwa is greedy, and the states of Tang and Cai both resent him. If Your Majesty wishes to launch a major attack on Chu, you must first secure the support of Tang and Pian." King Helu heeded their advice and mobilized his entire army together with the states of Tang and Cai to attack Chu, confronting the Chu forces across the Hanshui River. King Helu's younger brother Fu Gai requested to lead troops and join the campaign, but the king did not approve. Thus, Fu Gai led his own contingent of five thousand men to attack Chu's general Zichang. On the Jimao day (June 24, 506 BC), King Zhao of Chu fled. On the Gengchen day (July 5, 506 AD), King Wu entered Ying. Zichang was defeated and fled to Zheng. Taking advantage of the victory, Wu pressed forward, winning five battles in succession until they reached Ying.
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昭王出亡，入云梦；盗击王，王走郧。郧公弟怀曰：“平王杀我父，我杀其子，不亦可乎！”郧公恐其弟杀王，与王奔随。吴兵围随，谓随人曰：“周之子孙在汉川者，楚尽灭之。”随人欲杀王，王子綦匿王，己自为王以当之。随人卜与王于吴，不吉，乃谢吴不与王。 |
| | King Zhao fled and entered Yunmeng; bandits attacked the king, forcing him to flee to Yun. Yun Gong's younger brother Huai said: "King Ping killed my father; is it not just for me to kill his son!" Fearing that his brother would kill the king, Yun Gong fled with King Zhao to Sui. Wu's forces surrounded Sui and told its people: "All descendants of the Zhou dynasty in the Han River region have been completely exterminated by Chu." The people of Sui wanted to kill the king, but Prince Qi concealed King Zhao and took his place as a substitute. The people of Sui divined whether they should hand over the king to Wu, but it was considered inauspicious; thus, they apologized to Wu and refused to surrender the king.
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始伍员与申包胥为交，员之亡也，谓包胥曰：“我必覆楚。”包胥曰：“我必存之。”及吴兵入郢，伍子胥求昭王。既不得，乃掘楚平王墓，出其尸，鞭之三百，然后已。申包胥亡于山中，使人谓子胥曰：“子之报雠，其以甚乎！吾闻之，人众者胜天，天定亦能破人。今子故平王之臣，亲北面而事之，今至于僇死人，此岂其无天道之极乎！”伍子胥曰：“为我谢申包胥曰，吾日莫途远，吾故倒行而逆施之。”于是申包胥走秦告急，求救于秦。秦不许。包胥立于秦廷，昼夜哭，七日七夜不绝其声。秦哀公怜之，曰：“楚虽无道，有臣若是，可无存乎！”乃遣车五百乘救楚击吴。六月，败吴兵于稷。会吴王久留楚求昭王，而阖庐弟夫概乃亡归，自立为王。阖庐闻之，乃释楚而归，击其弟夫概。夫概败走，遂奔楚。楚昭王见吴有内乱，乃复入郢。封夫概于堂溪，为堂溪氏。楚复与吴战，败吴，吴王乃归。 |
| | Originally, Wu Yuan was on friendly terms with Shen Baoxu. When Yuan fled, he told Baoxu: "I will certainly destroy Chu." Baoxu said: "I will surely preserve it [Chu]." When Wu's troops entered Ying, Wu Zixu sought King Zhao. Failing to find him, he dug up the tomb of King Ping of Chu, pulled out his corpse, and flogged it three hundred times before finally ceasing. Shen Baoxu fled into the mountains and sent a message to Zi Xu, saying: "Is your revenge truly so excessive?" I have heard that numbers of people can overcome Heaven; but Heaven's will is also capable of defeating men. You were once a minister to King Ping, personally serving him with your face turned north. Now you have come to the point of humiliating and killing his corpse—how could this not be an extreme violation of Heavenly principles!" Wu Zixu said: "Tell Shen Baoxu for me, 'My days are numbered and my path is long; therefore, I have acted in reverse and contrary ways.'" At this time, Shen Baoxu hurried to Qin to plead for help, seeking assistance from the state of Qin. Qin did not agree. Baoxu stood in the court of Qin, weeping day and night for seven days and nights without ceasing his cries. King Ai of Qin took pity on him and said: "Although Chu has been unjust, it has a minister like this; how can it not be preserved!" He then dispatched five hundred chariots to rescue Chu and attack Wu. In the sixth month, they defeated Wu's forces at Ji. While King Wu remained in Chu for a long time seeking King Zhao, Helu's younger brother Fugai fled back and declared himself king. Upon hearing this, Helu abandoned his campaign in Chu and returned to attack his younger brother Fugai. Fugai was defeated and fled, eventually going into exile in Chu. King Zhao of Chu saw that Wu had internal strife and thus returned to Ying. He granted Fugai the fief at Tangxi, establishing the Tangxi clan. Chu once again fought against Wu and defeated them; King Wu of Wu then returned.
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后二岁，阖庐使太子夫差将兵伐楚，取番。楚惧吴复大来，乃去郢，徙于鄀。当是时，吴以伍子胥、孙武之谋，西破强楚，北威齐晋，南服越人。 |
| | Two years later, Helu sent Crown Prince Fucha to lead troops in an attack on Chu and captured Fan. Fearing that Wu would launch a large-scale invasion again, Chu abandoned Ying and moved its capital to Ruo. At that time, Wu, through the strategies of Wu Zixu and Sun Wu, defeated mighty Chu in the west, imposed its authority on Qi and Jin in the north, and subjugated the Yue people to the south.
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其后四年，孔子相鲁。 |
| | Four years later, Confucius served as prime minister of Lu.
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后五年，伐越。越王句践迎击，败吴于姑苏，伤阖庐指，军却。阖庐病创将死，谓太子夫差曰：“尔忘句践杀尔父乎？”夫差对曰：“不敢忘。”是夕，阖庐死。夫差既立为王，以伯嚭为太宰，习战射。二年后伐越，败越于夫湫。越王句践乃以馀兵五千人栖于会稽之上，使大夫种厚币遗吴太宰嚭以请和，求委国为臣妾。吴王将许之。伍子胥谏曰：“越王为人能辛苦。今王不灭，后必悔之。”吴王不听，用太宰嚭计，与越平。 |
| | Five years after that, Wu launched a campaign against Yue. King Goujian of Yue met them in battle and defeated Wu at Gu Su, wounding King Helu's finger and forcing the Wu army to retreat. Helu, suffering from his wounds and on the verge of death, said to Crown Prince Fucha: "Have you forgotten that Goujian killed your father?" Fucha replied: "I dare not forget." That night, Helu died. After Fucha was enthroned as king, he appointed Bo Pi as Taizai and trained in warfare and archery. Two years later, Wu launched an attack on Yue and defeated them at Fuqiu. King Goujian of Yue then led his remaining five thousand soldiers to take refuge on Mount Kuaiji, and sent Minister Zhong with rich gifts to Wu's Taizai Bo Pi in order to request peace, offering to surrender his state and serve as a subject or concubine. King Wu was about to agree to the terms. Wu Zixu advised: "King Goujian is a man who can endure hardship and toil. If the king does not now destroy him, we will surely regret it later." King Wu did not listen and followed Taizai Bo Pi's plan, making peace with Yue.
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其后五年，而吴王闻齐景公死而大臣争宠，新君弱，乃兴师北伐齐。伍子胥谏曰：“句践食不重味，吊死问疾，且欲有所用之也。此人不死，必为吴患。今吴之有越，犹人之有腹心疾也。而王不先越而乃务齐，不亦谬乎！”吴王不听，伐齐，大败齐师于艾陵，遂威邹鲁之君以归。益疏子胥之谋。 |
| | Five years later, King Wu of Wu heard that Duke Jing of Qi had died and the ministers were vying for favor, with the new ruler being weak. He then raised an army to launch a northern campaign against Qi. Wu Zixu advised: "Goujian eats without double flavors, mourns the dead and inquires after the sick; he is preparing to use them [his people] for something. This man will not die, and must become a future trouble for Wu. Now that Wu has Yue as an adversary, it is like having a disease in one's vital organs. Yet the king does not first deal with Yue but instead focuses on Qi—does this not seem mistaken!" King Wu did not listen. He attacked Qi and decisively defeated its army at Ailing, then returned with the rulers of Zou and Lu cowed by his might. He became increasingly dismissive of Wu Zixu's strategies.
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其后四年，吴王将北伐齐，越王句践用子贡之谋，乃率其众以助吴，而重宝以献遗太宰嚭。太宰嚭既数受越赂，其爱信越殊甚，日夜为言于吴王。吴王信用嚭之计。伍子胥谏曰：“夫越，腹心之病，今信其浮辞诈伪而贪齐。破齐，譬犹石田，无所用之。且盘庚之诰曰：‘有颠越不恭，劓殄灭之，俾无遗育，无使易种于兹邑。’此商之所以兴。愿王释齐而先越；若不然，后将悔之无及。”而吴王不听，使子胥于齐。子胥临行，谓其子曰：“吾数谏王，王不用，吾今见吴之亡矣。汝与吴俱亡，无益也。”乃属其子于齐鲍牧，而还报吴。 |
| | Four years later, when King Wu of Wu prepared to launch a northern campaign against Qi, King Goujian of Yue followed the plan of Zi Gong and led his people to assist Wu, presenting rich treasures as gifts to Taizai Bo Pi. After receiving many bribes from Yue, Taizai Bo Pi loved and trusted Yue especially highly, speaking of them day and night to King Wu. King Wu placed trust in and followed Bo Pi's plans. Wu Zixu advised: "Yue is a disease in the vital organs. Now, you trust their empty words and deceptions for the sake of greed over Qi. Defeating Qi is like cultivating barren stone fields—it will be of no use to you. Moreover, the 诰 (gào) of Pangeng says: "For those who are rebellious and disrespectful, cut them off completely, so that no descendants remain to be nurtured, nor allow their kind to take root in this land." This is why the Shang dynasty was able to rise. I wish the king would abandon Qi and deal with Yue first; Otherwise, it will be too late to regret it." But King Wu did not listen and sent Wu Zixu to Qi. Before leaving, Wu Zixu told his son: "I have repeatedly advised the king, but he did not listen. I now see that Wu is doomed to fall. It would be of no benefit for you to perish with Wu." He entrusted his son to Bao Mu of Qi and returned to report to Wu.
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吴太宰嚭既与子胥有隙，因谗曰：“子胥为人刚暴，少恩，猜贼，其怨望恐为深祸也。前日王欲伐齐，子胥以为不可，王卒伐之而有大功。子胥耻其计谋不用，乃反怨望。而今王又复伐齐，子胥专愎强谏，沮毁用事，徒幸吴之败以自胜其计谋耳。今王自行，悉国中武力以伐齐，而子胥谏不用，因辍谢，详病不行。王不可不备，此起祸不难。且嚭使人微伺之，其使于齐也，乃属其子于齐之鲍氏。夫为人臣，内不得意，外倚诸侯，自以为先王之谋臣，今不见用，常鞅鞅怨望。愿王早图之。”吴王曰：“微子之言，吾亦疑之。”乃使使赐伍子胥属镂之剑，曰：“子以此死。”伍子胥仰天叹曰：“嗟乎！谗臣嚭为乱矣，王乃反诛我。我令若父霸。自若未立时，诸公子争立，我以死争之于先王，几不得立。若既得立，欲分吴国予我，我顾不敢望也。然今若听谀臣言以杀长者。”乃告其舍人曰：“必树吾墓上以梓，令可以为器；而抉吾眼县吴东门之上，以观越寇之入灭吴也。”乃自刭死。吴王闻之大怒，乃取子胥尸盛以鸱夷革，浮之江中。吴人怜之，为立祠于江上，因命曰胥山。 |
| | Since Taizai Bo Pi had already been at odds with Wu Zixu, he slandered him by saying: "Wu Zixu is a harsh and ruthless man, lacking in kindness. He is suspicious and treacherous; his resentment may bring great disaster. The other day when the king wanted to attack Qi, Wu Zixu thought it inadvisable; yet the king proceeded and achieved great success. Wu Zixu felt ashamed that his strategy was not followed, so he became resentful instead. Now that the king is once again about to attack Qi, Wu Zixu stubbornly insists and strongly advises against it, obstructing those in charge. He merely hopes for Wu's defeat so he can prove his own strategy was correct. Now that the king himself is leading the campaign and mobilizing all the state's military strength to attack Qi, yet Wu Zixu advises against it without success. He then abruptly withdraws in resentment, feigning illness and refusing to go along. The king cannot afford to be unprepared; this man is not hard to provoke into causing trouble. Moreover, Bo Pi had people secretly watching him. When Wu Zixu was sent to Qi, he entrusted his son to the Bao family there. As a minister, he is discontent within and seeks support from foreign states; considering himself a strategist of the former kings, now that his advice is not followed, he constantly harbors resentment. I beg the king to deal with him early." King Wu said: "Without your words, I would have also suspected him." He then sent an envoy to present Wu Zixu with a decorated sword and said: "You should use this to die." Wu Zixu looked up at the sky and sighed, saying: "Alas! The slanderous minister Bo Pi has caused chaos; yet the king now turns around to execute me. I helped your father achieve dominance. When you had not yet ascended the throne, various princes vied for power; I fought to secure your position before the late king at the risk of my life, and nearly failed. After you had already ascended, you wished to grant me a portion of Wu's territory; yet I did not dare hope for such an honor. Yet now you listen to flatterers' words and kill an elder statesman." He then told his attendants: "Be sure to plant a zhi tree on my grave, so that it may be made into utensils; and pluck out my eyes and hang them above the eastern gate of Wu, so I can witness how the Yue invaders will destroy Wu." He then committed suicide by cutting his throat. King Wu, upon hearing this, was furious and took Wu Zixu's corpse, placed it in a leather container made from Chi Yi hide, and floated it down the river. The people of Wu pitied him and built a shrine for him by the riverbank; they named the hill after him, calling it Xushan.
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吴王既诛伍子胥，遂伐齐。齐鲍氏杀其君悼公而立阳生。吴王欲讨其贼，不胜而去。其后二年，吴王召鲁卫之君会之橐皋。其明年，因北大会诸侯于黄池，以令周室。越王句践袭杀吴太子，破吴兵。吴王闻之，乃归，使使厚币与越平。后九年，越王句践遂灭吴，杀王夫差；而诛太宰嚭，以不忠于其君，而外受重赂，与己比周也。 |
| | After King Wu had executed Wu Zixu, he proceeded to attack Qi. The Bao clan of Qi killed their ruler Duke Dao and installed Yangsheng as the new king. King Wu wanted to punish those responsible for the murder, but failed in his campaign and withdrew. Two years later, King Wu summoned the rulers of Lu and Wei to a conference at Tuogao. The following year, he held a grand assembly of feudal lords in Huangchi to assert authority over the Zhou royal house. King Goujian of Yue launched a surprise attack and killed Wu's crown prince, defeating Wu's army. Upon hearing this news, King Wu returned and sent envoys with rich gifts to make peace with Yue. Nine years later, King Goujian of Yue finally destroyed Wu and killed King Fucha; and executed Taizai Bo Pi for his disloyalty to the king and for accepting heavy bribes from outside, conspiring with others against Wu.
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伍子胥初所与俱亡故楚太子建之子胜者，在于吴。吴王夫差之时，楚惠王欲召胜归楚。叶公谏曰：“胜好勇而阴求死士，殆有私乎！”惠王不听。遂召胜，使居楚之边邑鄢，号为白公。白公归楚三年而吴诛子胥。 |
| | Wu Zixu's initial companion who had fled together with the former Crown Prince Jian of Chu, whose son was Sheng, was in Wu. During King Fucha's reign, King Huai of Chu wanted to summon Sheng back to Chu. Ye Gong advised, "Sheng is fond of bravery and secretly seeks assassins; there might be some hidden intentions!" King Huai did not listen. He then summoned Sheng and assigned him to live in Yanyi, a border town of Chu, giving him the title "Bai Gong." Three years after Bai Gong returned to Chu, Wu executed Zi Xu.
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白公胜既归楚，怨郑之杀其父，乃阴养死士求报郑。归楚五年，请伐郑，楚令尹子西许之。兵未发而晋伐郑，郑请救于楚。楚使子西往救，与盟而还。白公胜怒曰：“非郑之仇，乃子西也。”胜自砺剑，人问曰：“何以为？”胜曰：“欲以杀子西。”子西闻之，笑曰：“胜如卵耳，何能为也。” |
| | After returning to Chu, Bai Gong Sheng resented the State of Zheng for having killed his father and thus secretly nurtured assassins in order to take revenge on Zheng. Five years after returning to Chu, he requested permission to attack Zheng, and Lord Zi Xi, the Minister of Works of Chu, agreed. Before the troops could be dispatched, Jin attacked Zheng, and Zheng requested military aid from Chu. Chu sent Zi Xi to go to Zheng's rescue, concluded an alliance with them, and then returned. Bai Gong Sheng was furious and said, "My enemy is not Zheng, but Zi Xi." Sheng sharpened his sword by himself. Someone asked, "What are you doing?" Sheng said, "I want to use it to kill Zi Xi." Zi Xi heard this and laughed, saying, "Sheng is like an egg; what can he possibly do?"
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其后四岁，白公胜与石乞袭杀楚令尹子西、司马子綦于朝。石乞曰：“不杀王，不可。”乃劫（之）王如高府。石乞从者屈固负楚惠王亡走昭夫人之宫。叶公闻白公为乱，率其国人攻白公。白公之徒败，亡走山中，自杀。而虏石乞，而问白公尸处，不言将亨。石乞曰：“事成为卿，不成而亨，固其职也。”终不肯告其尸处。遂亨石乞，而求惠王复立之。 |
| | Four years later, Bai Gong Sheng and Shi Qi launched a surprise attack in the court and killed Zi Xi, Minister of Works of Chu, and Zi Qi, the Grand Marshal. Shi Qi said, "Unless we kill the king, it will not be possible." They then seized the king and took him to Gao Fu. Shi Qi's follower Qu Gu carried King Huai of Chu and fled to the palace of Lady Zhao. Ye Gong, upon hearing that Bai Gong had rebelled, led his people in an attack against Bai Gong. Bai Gong's followers were defeated and fled into the mountains, where they committed suicide. They captured Shi Qi and asked him where Bai Gong's body was; when he did not speak, they were going to boil him alive. Shi Qi said, "If the matter succeeded, I would be a high official; if it failed, being boiled is my due fate." In the end, he refused to reveal where Bai Gong's body was. They then boiled Shi Qi and sought out King Huai, reinstating him on the throne.
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太史公曰：怨毒之于人甚矣哉！王者尚不能行之于臣下，况同列乎！向令伍子胥从奢俱死，何异蝼蚁。弃小义，雪大耻，名垂于后世，悲夫！方子胥窘于江上，道乞食，志岂尝须臾忘郢邪？故隐忍就功名，非烈丈夫孰能致此哉？白公如不自立为君者，其功谋亦不可胜道者哉！ |
| | Grand Historian Sima Qian said: How deeply resentment can affect people! Even a king cannot prevent such feelings among his ministers, let alone among equals! Had Wu Zixu followed Shē in death, what would he have been different from a worm or an ant? Abandoning minor righteousness to avenge great humiliation, his name was recorded in later generations—how tragic! When Wu Zixu found himself cornered by the river, begging for food along the way, could his mind have ever momentarily forgotten Ying? Therefore, only through enduring humiliation and hardship to achieve glory and fame could such a feat be accomplished—what kind of valiant man but Wu Zixu could reach this? If Bai Gong had not attempted to establish himself as a ruler, his achievements and strategies would have been remarkable enough to be recounted endlessly!
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