| | 越王句踐... : |
越王句踐，其先禹之苗裔，而夏后帝少康之庶子也。封於會稽，以奉守禹之祀。文身斷發，披草萊而邑焉。後二十餘世，至於允常。允常之時，與吳王闔廬戰而相怨伐。允常卒，子句踐立，是為越王。 |
| | Yue Wang Goujian was a descendant of Yu and a younger son of Emperor Shaokang, the later sovereign of Xia. He was enfeoffed in Kuaiji to serve as guardian of the ancestral rites of Yu. They tattooed their bodies and cut off their hair, living among grassy wastelands and establishing settlements there. After more than twenty generations, it came down to Yunchang. During Yunchang's time, he fought against King Helu of Wu and mutual enmity arose between them. After Yunchang died, his son Goujian ascended the throne; this was when he became King of Yue.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
元年，吳王闔廬聞允常死，乃興師伐越。越王句踐使死士挑戰，三行，至吳陳，呼而自剄。吳師觀之，越因襲擊吳師，吳師敗於檇李，射傷吳王闔廬。闔廬且死，告其子夫差曰：「必毋忘越。」 |
| | In the first year [of Goujian's reign], King Helu of Wu, having heard of Yunchang's death, raised an army to attack Yue. King Goujian of Yue sent brave warriors to challenge the Wu forces; they advanced in three ranks, reaching the Wu army's formation and shouting as they cut their own throats. The Wu troops watched in awe, but the Yue forces took advantage of this and launched a surprise attack on the Wu army. The Wu suffered a defeat at Zuli, where King Helu was shot and wounded. On his deathbed, Helu told his son Fuchai: "You must never forget Yue."
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| | 越王句踐... : |
三年，句踐聞吳王夫差日夜勒兵，且以報越，越欲先吳未發往伐之。范蠡諫曰：「不可。臣聞兵者凶器也，戰者逆德也，爭者事之末也。陰謀逆德，好用凶器，試身於所末，上帝禁之，行者不利。」越王曰：「吾已決之矣。」遂興師。吳王聞之，悉發精兵擊越，敗之夫椒。越王乃以餘兵五千人保棲於會稽。吳王追而圍之。 |
| | In the third year, Goujian heard that King Fuchai of Wu was training his troops day and night in preparation for revenge against Yue. Yue wanted to strike first before Wu could launch an attack. Fanli advised, "No, you must not." I have heard that arms are instruments of ill omen; war is contrary to virtue, and contention is the last resort in affairs. To plot secretly against virtue, to favor the use of weapons of ill omen, and to test one's fate in such last resorts is forbidden by Heaven; those who act thus will suffer misfortune. King Goujian said, "I have already made up my mind." So he raised an army. King Fuchai of Wu heard about this and mobilized all his elite troops to attack Yue, defeating them at Fujiang. King Goujian then led the remaining five thousand soldiers to take refuge in Kuaiji. King Fuchai pursued and encircled them.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
越王謂范蠡曰：「以不聽子故至於此，為之柰何？」蠡對曰：「持滿者與天，定傾者與人，節事者以地。卑辭厚禮以遺之，不許，而身與之市。」句踐曰：「諾。」乃令大夫種行成於吳，膝行頓首曰：「君王亡臣句踐使陪臣種敢告下執事：句踐請為臣，妻為妾。」吳王將許之。子胥言於吳王曰：「天以越賜吳，勿許也。」種還，以報句踐。句踐欲殺妻子，燔寶器，觸戰以死。種止句踐曰：「夫吳太宰嚭貪，可誘以利，請閒行言之。」於是句踐以美女寶器令種閒獻吳太宰嚭。嚭受，乃見大夫種於吳王。種頓首言曰：「願大王赦句踐之罪，盡入其寶器。不幸不赦，句踐將盡殺其妻子，燔其寶器，悉五千人觸戰，必有當也。」嚭因說吳王曰：「越以服為臣，若將赦之，此國之利也。」吳王將許之。子胥進諫曰：「今不滅越，後必悔之。句踐賢君，種、蠡良臣，若反國，將為亂。」吳王弗聽，卒赦越，罷兵而歸。 |
| | King Goujian said to Fanli, "Because I did not listen to you we have come to this pass; what should be done now?" Fanli replied, "He who maintains fullness aligns with Heaven; he who stabilizes a crisis aligns with people; and he who regulates affairs aligns with Earth. Use humble words and generous gifts to offer them, but if they refuse, then personally engage in negotiations with them." Goujian said, "Agreed." He then ordered the official Zhong to go to Wu and request peace. Kneeling on his knees, he bowed repeatedly and said: "Your servant Goujian, a fugitive of your illustrious lordship, sends me, your humble subordinate Zhong, to respectfully inform Your Lordship's attendants: Goujian requests to become your subject, and my wife to be made your concubine." King Fuchai was about to agree. Zixu said to King Fuchai, "Heaven is giving Yue to Wu; do not accept their offer." Zhong returned and reported this to Goujian. Goujian wanted to kill his wife and children, burn his treasures, and fight to the death in battle. Zhong stopped Goujian and said, "The Wu Grand Minister Bo Pí is greedy; he can be lured by profit. Please let me go secretly to speak with him." Thus, Goujian sent beautiful women and treasures through Zhong to secretly present them to Bo Pí, the Grand Minister of Wu. After accepting the gifts, Bo Pí introduced Zhong before King Fuchai. Zhong kowtowed and said, "I wish Your Majesty will pardon Goujian's crime and accept all his treasures. If you do not grant clemency, Goujian will kill all his wife and children, burn all his treasures, lead the five thousand men into battle, and there must be some who will fall." Bo Pí then persuaded King Fuchai saying, "Yue has submitted as a vassal. If you are to pardon them, it will be beneficial for our state." King Fuchai was going to agree. Zixu advised, "If we do not now destroy Yue, we will surely regret it later. Goujian is a virtuous ruler and Zhong and Fanli are capable ministers; if they return to their country, they will become a source of chaos." King Fuchai did not listen. In the end he pardoned Yue and withdrew his troops back to Wu.
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句踐之困會稽也，喟然嘆曰：「吾終於此乎？」種曰：「湯系夏臺，文王囚羑里，晉重耳奔翟，齊小白奔莒，其卒王霸。由是觀之，何遽不為福乎？」 |
| | While Goujian was in distress at Kuaiji, he sighed and said, "Shall I end my days here?" Zhong said, "Tang was imprisoned at Xiatai, King Wen of Zhou was confined in Youli, Duke Chonger of Jin fled to Di, and Prince Xiao Bai of Qi fled to Ju; yet all eventually became kings or hegemonic lords. From this we can see, how could hardship not turn into fortune?"
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| | 越王句踐... : |
吳既赦越，越王句踐反國，乃苦身焦思，置膽於坐，坐臥即仰膽，飲食亦嘗膽也。曰：「女忘會稽之恥邪？」身自耕作，夫人自織，食不加肉，衣不重采，折節下賢人，厚遇賓客，振貧弔死，與百姓同其勞。欲使范蠡治國政，蠡對曰：「兵甲之事，種不如蠡；填撫國家，親附百姓，蠡不如種。」於是舉國政屬大夫種，而使范蠡與大夫柘稽行成，為質於吳。二歲而吳歸蠡。 |
| | After Wu had pardoned Yue, King Goujian returned to his state. He then endured hardships and pondered deeply, placing a gall bladder on his seat. Whenever he sat or lay down, he would look up at the gall bladder; before eating or drinking, he would taste it as well. He said, "Have you forgotten the humiliation of Kuaiji?" He personally tilled the fields, and his wife wove cloth by hand. He ate without adding meat to his meals and wore clothes of plain colors. He humbled himself before virtuous men, treated guests with great courtesy, supported the poor, mourned for the dead, and shared hardships with the common people. Goujian wanted Fanli to manage state affairs, but Fanli replied, "In matters of military and arms, Zhong is not as capable as I am; in governing the country and winning the hearts of the people, I am not as capable as Zhong." Thus, he entrusted the governance of the entire state to the official Zhong, while sending Fanli and the official Zheji to Wu as envoys and hostages. After two years, Wu returned Fanli.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
句踐自會稽歸七年，拊循其士民，欲用以報吳。大夫逢同諫曰：「國新流亡，今乃復殷給，繕飾備利，吳必懼，懼則難必至。且鷙鳥之擊也，必匿其形。今夫吳兵加齊、晉，怨深於楚、越，名高天下，實害周室，德少而功多，必淫自矜。為越計，莫若結齊，親楚，附晉，以厚吳。吳之志廣，必輕戰。是我連其權，三國伐之，越承其弊，可克也。」句踐曰：「善。」 |
| | Seven years after returning from Kuaiji, Goujian comforted and cultivated his soldiers and people, intending to use them to avenge Wu. The official Fengtong advised, "Our state has just recovered from a period of hardship. Now it is once again prosperous and well-equipped with resources and weapons. Wu will surely be afraid; if they are afraid, trouble must come. Moreover, when a fierce bird attacks, it always conceals its form. Now Wu has attacked Qi and Jin, harboring deep resentment from Chu and Yue. Its reputation is high in the world, but its actions have harmed the Zhou dynasty; it has little virtue yet many achievements, so it must be arrogant and self-conceited. For Yue's strategy, there is no better plan than to ally with Qi, be friendly toward Chu, and attach to Jin in order to weaken Wu. Wu's ambitions are vast; it will surely take war lightly. Thus, we can tie down its strength while three states attack Wu. Yue may then strike when Wu is exhausted and achieve victory." Goujian said, "Well said."
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居二年，吳王將伐齊。子胥諫曰：「未可。臣聞句踐食不重味，與百姓同苦樂。此人不死，必為國患。吳有越，腹心之疾，齊與吳，疥癬也。願王釋齊先越。」吳王弗聽，遂伐齊，敗之艾陵，虜齊高、國以歸。讓子胥。子胥曰：「王毋喜！」王怒，子胥欲自殺，王聞而止之。越大夫種曰：「臣觀吳王政驕矣，請試嘗之貸粟，以卜其事。」請貸，吳王欲與，子胥諫勿與，王遂與之，越乃私喜。子胥言曰：「王不聽諫，後三年吳其墟乎！」太宰嚭聞之，乃數與子胥爭越議，因讒子胥曰：「伍員貌忠而實忍人，其父兄不顧，安能顧王？王前欲伐齊，員彊諫，已而有功，用是反怨王。王不備伍員，員必為亂。」與逢同共謀，讒之王。王始不從，乃使子胥於齊，聞其託子於鮑氏，王乃大怒，曰：「伍員果欺寡人！」役反，使人賜子胥屬鏤劍以自殺。子胥大笑曰：「我令而父霸，我又立若，若初欲分吳國半予我，我不受，已，今若反以讒誅我。嗟乎，嗟乎，一人固不能獨立！」報使者曰：「必取吾眼置吳東門，以觀越兵入也！」於是吳任嚭政。 |
| | After two years, King Fuchai of Wu planned to attack Qi. Zixu advised, "It is not yet the time." I have heard that Goujian does not eat double courses of food and shares hardships and joys with his people. This man, if left alive, will surely become a national threat. Yue is to Wu like an internal disease; Qi and Wu are but skin ailments. I beg Your Majesty to abandon the campaign against Qi and deal with Yue first." King Fuchai did not heed this advice, so he attacked Qi, defeating them at Ailing and capturing the Qi nobles Gao and Guo to return with. He rebuked Zixu. Zixu said, "Your Majesty should not rejoice!" The king became angry. Zixu wanted to commit suicide, but the king heard of it and stopped him. The Yue official Zhong said, "I observe that King Fuchai is growing arrogant in his rule. Please allow me to test this by offering him a loan of grain and see what happens." Zhong requested the loan. King Fuchai wanted to grant it, but Zixu advised against giving it. However, the king proceeded and granted the loan; Yue then secretly rejoiced. Zixu said, "The king does not listen to advice. In three years' time, Wu will become a wasteland!" The Grand Minister Bo Pí heard of this and began frequently arguing with Zixu over Yue's affairs. He then slandered Zixu, saying, "Wu Yuan appears loyal but is in fact cruel-hearted; he did not care for his father or elder brother—how could he possibly care for the king? When Your Majesty previously wanted to attack Qi, Wu Yuan strongly advised against it. Afterward, when you achieved success, he turned resentful toward the king. If Your Majesty does not guard against Wu Yuan, he will surely cause chaos." Together with Fengtong, they plotted and slandered him to the king. Initially, the king did not follow their advice and sent Zixu to Qi. Upon hearing that he had entrusted his son to the Bao family, the king became furious and said, "Wu Yuan has indeed deceived me!" The messenger returned, and the king sent someone to present Zixu with a Suilou sword for him to commit suicide. Zixu laughed and said, "I made your father a hegemon. I also helped you ascend to the throne. When you first wanted to give me half of Wu's territory, I refused. Now, you are using slander to have me killed. Alas! Alas! A single man truly cannot stand alone!" He told the messenger, "Be sure to take out my eyes and place them at Wu's eastern gate so that I may watch as Yue's army enters!" Thus, Wu placed power in Bo Pí's hands.
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居三年，句踐召范蠡曰：「吳已殺子胥，導諛者眾，可乎？」對曰：「未可。」 |
| | After three years, Goujian summoned Fanli and said, "Wu has already killed Zixu. Now there are many flatterers in power; is the time ripe?" Fanli replied, "Not yet."
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| | 越王句踐... : |
至明年春，吳王北會諸侯於黃池，吳國精兵從王，惟獨老弱與太子留守。句踐復問范蠡，蠡曰「可矣」。乃發習流二千人，教士四萬人，君子六千人，諸御千人，伐吳。吳師敗，遂殺吳太子。吳告急於王，王方會諸侯於黃池，懼天下聞之，乃祕之。吳王已盟黃池，乃使人厚禮以請成越。越自度亦未能滅吳，乃與吳平。 |
| | By the following spring, King Fuchai went north to convene with feudal lords at Huangchi. The elite troops of Wu followed him; only the elderly, weak, and crown prince remained behind to guard the state. Goujian again asked Fanli, who said, "Now is the time." He then mobilized 2,000 trained water soldiers, 40,000 disciplined troops, 6,000 elite warriors, and 1,000 charioteers to attack Wu. The Wu army was defeated, and Yue then killed the crown prince of Wu. Wu sent an urgent message to King Fuchai, who was then convening with feudal lords at Huangchi and feared that the world would learn of his defeat. He thus kept it secret. After concluding the alliance at Huangchi, King Fuchai sent envoys with rich gifts to request peace from Yue. Yue assessed that it was still not strong enough to destroy Wu and thus made peace with Wu.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
其後四年，越復伐吳。吳士民罷弊，輕銳盡死於齊、晉。而越大破吳，因而留圍之三年，吳師敗，越遂復棲吳王於姑蘇之山。吳王使公孫雄肉袒膝行而前，請成越王曰：「孤臣夫差敢布腹心，異日嘗得罪於會稽，夫差不敢逆命，得與君王成以歸。今君王舉玉趾而誅孤臣，孤臣惟命是聽，意者亦欲如會稽之赦孤臣之罪乎？」句踐不忍，欲許之。范蠡曰：「會稽之事，天以越賜吳，吳不取。今天以吳賜越，越其可逆天乎？且夫君王蚤朝晏罷，非為吳邪？謀之二十二年，一旦而棄之，可乎？且夫天與弗取，反受其咎。『伐柯者其則不遠』，君忘會稽之蚯？」句踐曰：「吾欲聽子言，吾不忍其使者。」范蠡乃鼓進兵，曰：「王已屬政於執事，使者去，不者且得罪。」吳使者泣而去。句踐憐之，乃使人謂吳王曰：「吾置王甬東，君百家。」吳王謝曰：「吾老矣，不能事君王！」遂自殺。乃蔽其面，曰：「吾無面以見子胥也！」越王乃葬吳王而誅太宰嚭。 |
| | Four years later, Yue once again attacked Wu. Wu's soldiers and people were exhausted; its elite troops had perished in battles against Qi and Jin. Yue then decisively defeated Wu, surrounding it for three years. The Wu army was crushed, and Yue finally drove King Fuchai to take refuge on the mountain of Gusu. King Fuchai sent Gongsun Xiong to approach Goujian with bare arms and on his knees, requesting peace by saying: "Your humble servant Fuchai dares to lay bare my heart. On a previous occasion I offended at Kuaiji; Fuchai dared not defy your command and was allowed to return in peace after making terms with Your Majesty. Now, Your Majesty has raised your noble steps to punish this humble servant. I, the lowly servant, am ready to obey whatever command you give. Perhaps Your Majesty wishes now, as before at Kuaiji, to pardon my crime?" Goujian could not bear it and was about to accept the offer. Fanli said, "The matter at Kuaiji was Heaven's way of giving Wu to Yue, but Wu did not take it. Now Heaven is giving Wu to Yue; can Yue defy Heaven?" Moreover, Your Majesty rises early and retires late—was it not for the sake of avenging Wu? You have planned this revenge for twenty-two years; can you now abandon it in a single day?" Moreover, if Heaven offers an opportunity and one does not take it, he will instead suffer the consequences. "The woodcutter should look no further than his own axe." Have you forgotten the humiliation at Kuaiji?" Goujian said, "I wish to follow your words, but I cannot bear to see his envoys." Fanli then beat the war drum and advanced the troops, saying, "The king has already entrusted authority to me. The envoy should leave now; otherwise, he will incur guilt." The Wu envoy wept and departed. Goujian took pity on him, so he sent a message to King Fuchai saying, "I will allow you to reside in Yongdong and rule over one hundred families." King Fuchai replied with thanks, saying, "I am old now and cannot serve Your Majesty!" He then committed suicide. They covered his face, saying: "I have no face to meet Zi Xu!" King Goujian of Yue then buried King Fuchai and executed the Grand Minister Pei.
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句踐已平吳，乃以兵北渡淮，與齊、晉諸侯會於徐州，致貢於周。周元王使人賜句踐胙，命為伯。句踐已去，渡淮南，以淮上地與楚，歸吳所侵宋地於宋，與魯泗東方百里。當是時，越兵橫行於江、淮東，諸侯畢賀，號稱霸王。 |
| | After pacifying Wu, Goujian led his troops north across the Huai River and met with the feudal lords of Qi and Jin at Xuzhou, presenting tributes to the Zhou dynasty. King Yuanwang of Zhou sent envoys to bestow sacrificial meat upon Goujian and appointed him as a hegemon. After leaving, Goujian crossed south of the Huai River, ceded the lands north of the Huai to Chu, returned the territories of Song that Wu had previously invaded back to Song, and gave a hundred li of land east of Si to Lu. At that time, Yue's army was dominant in the regions along the Yangtze and Huai rivers to the east, and all feudal lords came to pay homage. He was hailed as a paramount ruler.
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范蠡遂去，自齊遺大夫種書曰：「蜚鳥盡，良弓藏；狡兔死，走狗烹。越王為人長頸鳥喙，可與共患難，不可與共樂。子何不去？」種見書，稱病不朝。人或讒種且作亂，越王乃賜種劍曰：「子教寡人伐吳七術，寡人用其三而敗吳，其四在子，子為我從先王試之。」種遂自殺。 |
| | Fanli then left and sent a letter from Qi to Dafu Zhong, saying: "When the birds have all flown away, the fine bows are stored away; "When the clever rabbit is dead, the running dogs are cooked." "King Goujian has a long neck and a bird-like beak; he can share hardships with you, but cannot share happiness." "Why don't you leave?" Upon receiving the letter, Zhong pretended to be ill and did not attend court. Some people slandered Zhong, claiming he was about to rebel. King Goujian then presented a sword to Zhong and said: "You taught me seven strategies for attacking Wu; I used three of them to defeat Wu, the remaining four are still in your hands. You will try them before our late kings." Zhong then committed suicide.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
句踐卒，子王鼫與立。王鼫與卒，子王不壽立。王不壽卒，子王翁立。王翁卒，子王翳立。王翳卒，子王之侯立。王之侯卒，子王無彊立。 |
| | After Goujian died, his son Wang Shiyu ascended the throne. When Wang Shiyu died, his son King Bushou succeeded him. After King Bushou's death, his son King Weng took the throne. Upon King Weng's death, his son Wang Yi succeeded him as king. After King Yi died, his son King Zhihou took the throne. When King Zhihou passed away, his son King Wuqiang succeeded him.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
王無彊時，越興師北伐齊，西伐楚，與中國爭彊。當楚威王之時，越北伐齊，齊威王使人說越王曰：「越不伐楚，大不王，小不伯。圖越之所為不伐楚者，為不得晉也。韓、魏固不攻楚。韓之攻楚，覆其軍，殺其將，則葉、陽翟危；魏亦覆其軍，殺其將，則陳、上蔡不安。故二晉之事越也，不至於覆軍殺將，馬汗之力不效。所重於得晉者何也？」越王曰：「所求於晉者，不至頓刃接兵，而況于攻城圍邑乎？願魏以聚大梁之下，願齊之試兵南陽莒地，以聚常、郯之境，則方城之外不南，淮、泗之閒不東，商、於、析、酈、宗胡之地，夏路以左，不足以備秦，江南、泗上不足以待越矣。則齊、秦、韓、魏得志於楚也，是二晉不戰分地，不耕而穫之。不此之為，而頓刃於河山之閒以為齊秦用，所待者如此其失計，柰何其以此王也！」齊使者曰：「幸也越之不亡也！吾不貴其用智之如目，見豪毛而不見其睫也。今王知晉之失計，而不自知越之過，是目論也。王所待於晉者，非有馬汗之力也，又非可與合軍連和也，將待之以分楚眾也。今楚眾已分，何待於晉？」越王曰：「柰何？」曰：「楚三大夫張九軍，北圍曲沃、於中，以至無假之關者三千七百里，景翠之軍北聚魯、齊、南陽，分有大此者乎？且王之所求者，鬬晉楚也；晉楚不鬬，越兵不起，是知二五而不知十也。此時不攻楚，臣以是知越大不王，小不伯。復讎、龐、長沙，楚之粟也；竟澤陵，楚之材也。越窺兵通無假之關，此四邑者不上貢事於郢矣。臣聞之，圖王不王，其敝可以伯。然而不伯者，王道失也。故願大王之轉攻楚也。」 |
| | During the reign of King Wuqiang, Yue raised an army to launch northern campaigns against Qi and western campaigns against Chu, vying for dominance with the central states. During the reign of King Weiwang of Chu, Yue launched a northern campaign against Qi. King Weiwang of Qi sent an envoy to advise King Wuqiang of Yue, saying: "If Yue does not attack Chu, it will at best become no more than a king and at worst fail even to be a hegemon." "The reason why Yue has refrained from attacking Chu is because it cannot obtain the support of Jin." "Jin, Han, and Wei have never attacked Chu. "If Han attacks Chu, destroys its army, and kills its generals, then Ye and Yangzhi will be in danger; "if Wei does the same, Chen and Shangcai will become unstable. "Therefore, in dealing with Yue, Jin's two states (Han and Wei) would not go so far as to destroy an army or kill a general; the strength of their horses will remain ineffective. "What is it that Yue values so much in obtaining Jin's support?" King Wuqiang replied, "What we seek from Jin is not even to clash swords or engage in battle, let alone lay siege to cities and encircle towns? "I wish Wei to gather its forces under Daliang, and I wish Qi to test its troops in the Nanyang Ju region, gathering at the borders of Chang and Tan. Then, beyond Fangcheng it will not move southward, between Huai and Si rivers it will not advance eastward. The lands of Shang, Yu, Xi, Li, Zonghu, and Xia Lu to the left will be insufficient for defending against Qin; the southern Jiangnan and northern Si regions will no longer be adequate for resisting Yue." "In that case, Qi, Qin, Han, and Wei will achieve their ambitions against Chu. Thus, the two Jin states (Han and Wei), without fighting, would divide the land, reaping rewards without sowing." "If Yue does not do this, but instead engages in battle between the rivers and mountains for the benefit of Qi and Qin, such a strategy is gravely miscalculated. How can one achieve kingship under these circumstances!" The envoy from Qi said: "It is fortunate that Yue has not yet perished! "I do not admire their use of wisdom, which is like having eyes that can see the fine hairs but fail to notice one's own eyelashes." "Now Your Majesty recognizes Jin's miscalculations, yet fails to realize Yue's own mistakes; this is like judging by the eyes alone." "What Your Majesty expects from Jin is not military strength or the ability to join forces and make alliances, but rather to divide Chu's forces." "Now that Chu's forces have already been divided, what need is there for Jin?" King Wuqiang asked, "What should I do then?" The envoy replied, "Chu's three high-ranking officials, Zhang Jiujun, have marched north to encircle Quwo and Yuzhong, reaching the Wu Jia Guan pass over 3,700 li away. The army of Jing Cui has gathered in the north at Lu and Qi, and in the south at Nanyang—can there be a greater division than this? "Moreover, what Your Majesty seeks is to provoke conflict between Jin and Chu; "if Jin and Chu do not fight, Yue's army will remain idle. This is like knowing two fives but not ten." "Therefore, if at this time Yue does not attack Chu, I know that Yue will never become a great king or even a minor hegemon." "Fu, Chou, Pang, and Changsha are all granaries of Chu; "Jing Ze Ling is the source of its timber." "If Yue's troops pass through Wu Jia Guan, these four cities will no longer offer tribute to Ying." "I have heard that those who aim for kingship but fail can still achieve hegemony. "However, if one fails to become a hegemon, it is because the path to kingship has been lost." "Therefore, I wish Your Majesty would shift your attack toward Chu."
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| | 越王句踐... : |
於是越遂釋齊而伐楚。楚威王興兵而伐之，大敗越，殺王無彊，盡取笔吳地至浙江，北破齊於徐州。而越以此散，諸族子爭立，或為王，或為君，濱於江南海上，服朝於楚。 |
| | Thus, Yue abandoned its campaign against Qi and turned to attack Chu. King Weiwang of Chu raised an army and attacked Yue, decisively defeating it, killing King Wuqiang. He seized all the former Wu territories up to the Zhejiang River in the south and defeated Qi in the north at Xuzhou. From then on, Yue gradually disintegrated; various descendants vied for the throne, some becoming kings and others chieftains. They dwelled along the southern Yangtze River and by the sea, paying tribute to Chu in submission.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
後七世，至閩君搖，佐諸侯平秦。漢高帝復以搖為越王，以奉越後。東越，閩君，皆其後也。 |
| | Seven generations later, Min Jun Yao assisted the feudal lords in quelling the Qin dynasty. Emperor Gaozu of Han reinstated Yao as King of Yue to continue the Yue royal lineage. The Dongyue and Min Jun were all descendants of this line.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
范蠡事越王句踐，既苦身力，與句踐深謀二十餘年，竟滅吳，報會稽之恥，北渡兵於淮以臨齊、晉，號令中國，以尊周室，句踐以霸，而范蠡稱上將軍。還反國，范蠡以為大名之下，難以久居，且句踐為人可與同患，難與處安，為書辭句踐曰：「臣聞主憂臣勞，主辱臣死。昔者君王辱於會稽，所以不死，為此事也。今既以雪恥，臣請從會稽之誅。」句踐曰：「孤將與子分國而有之。不然，將加誅于子。」范蠡曰：「君行令，臣行意。」乃裝其輕寶珠玉，自與其私徒屬乘舟浮海以行，終不反。於是句踐表會稽山以為范蠡奉邑。 |
| | Fanli served King Goujian of Yue. After enduring hardships and laboring diligently, he devised deep strategies with Goujian for more than twenty years, ultimately destroying Wu and avenging the humiliation at Kuaiji. He led his troops north across the Huais River to face Qi and Jin, issued commands in central China, and honored the Zhou royal house. As a result, Goujian became a hegemon, and Fanli was appointed Supreme General. After returning to the state, Fanli believed that under such great fame, it was difficult to remain for long. Moreover, he thought Goujian could share hardships but not peace. He wrote a letter to resign from Goujian, saying: "I have heard that when the ruler is troubled, his ministers labor; when the ruler suffers humiliation, his ministers die. "In the past, Your Majesty was humiliated at Kuaiji. I did not die then because of this very cause." "Now that the disgrace has been avenged, I respectfully request to be punished as those were at Kuaiji." Goujian said: "I will divide my state with you and share it. "If not, I shall punish you." Fanli replied: "The king issues commands; the minister follows his will." He then packed light treasures, jewels, and jade, took with him his private followers, boarded a boat, and sailed away to sea, never returning again. Thus, Goujian designated Kuaiji Mountain as Fanli's fief in recognition of his service.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
范蠡浮海出齊，變姓名，自謂鴟夷子皮，耕于海畔，苦身戮力，父子治產。居無幾何，致產數十萬。齊人聞其賢，以為相。范蠡喟然嘆曰：「居家則致千金，居官則至卿相，此布衣之極也。久受尊名，不祥。」乃歸相印，盡散其財，以分與知友鄉黨，而懷其重寶，閒行以去，止于陶，以為此天下之中，交易有無之路通，為生可以致富矣。於是自謂陶朱公。復約要父子耕畜，廢居，候時轉物，逐什一之利。居無何，則致貲累巨萬。天下稱陶朱公。 |
| | Fanli sailed out from Qi, changed his name and surname, calling himself Chi Yi Zipi. He farmed by the seashore, toiling hard with his son, managing their property through diligent labor. After not long had passed, he accumulated a fortune of hundreds of thousands. The people of Qi heard of his virtue and appointed him as prime minister. Fanli sighed and said, "To accumulate a fortune of ten thousand gold while living in private life, or to rise to the rank of high minister when holding office—this is the highest achievement for an ordinary man. "To remain long under such lofty titles brings ill fortune." He returned his seal of office, distributed all his wealth among friends and fellow townspeople, carried with him only the most valuable treasures, and left in disguise. He settled in Tao, considering it the center of the world where trade routes connected the exchange of goods; he believed that by engaging in commerce there, one could easily become wealthy. From then on, he called himself Tao Zhu Gong. He once again taught his sons and family the essentials of farming, animal husbandry, and commerce, waiting for favorable times to trade goods and pursue profits at a rate of ten percent. After not long had passed, his wealth accumulated into tens of thousands. He became renowned throughout the land as Tao Zhu Gong.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
朱公居陶，生少子。少子及壯，而朱公中男殺人，囚於楚。朱公曰：「殺人而死，職也。然吾聞千金之子不死於市。」告其少子往視之。乃裝黃金千溢，置褐器中，載以一牛車。且遣其少子，朱公長男固請欲行，朱公不聽。長男曰：「家有長子曰家督，今弟有罪，大人不遣，乃遺少弟，是吾不肖。」欲自殺。其母為言曰：「今遣少子，未必能生中子也，而先空亡長男，柰何？」朱公不得已而遣長子，為一封書遺故所善莊生。曰：「至則進千金于莊生所，聽其所為，慎無與爭事。」長男既行，亦自私齎數百金。 |
| | While living in Tao, Master Zhu had a youngest son. When the youngest son reached adulthood, the middle son of Master Zhu killed someone and was imprisoned in Chu. Master Zhu said: "To kill a man and face death is one's duty. "Yet I have heard that the son of a man worth a thousand gold will not die in the marketplace." He instructed his youngest son to go and see about it. He packed a thousand yu of gold, placed them in plain containers, and loaded them onto one ox cart. As he was about to send his youngest son off, the eldest son insisted on going instead; Master Zhu did not agree. The eldest son said, "As the eldest son of the family, I am the household's overseer. Now my younger brother has committed a crime; if you do not send me but instead send the youngest, it shows that I am unworthy." He wanted to commit suicide. His mother interceded, saying: "Sending the youngest son may not necessarily save your middle son; yet you would first lose the eldest. How could this be?" Master Zhu had no choice but to send his eldest son, and he wrote a sealed letter for an old friend of his named Zhuang Sheng. He said: "Upon arrival, present the thousand gold at Master Zhuang's residence; follow whatever he does and be careful not to interfere in any matter." After the eldest son had departed, he also secretly carried several hundred gold pieces of his own.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
至楚，莊生家負郭，披藜藋到門，居甚貧。然長男發書進千金，如其父言。莊生曰：「可疾去矣，慎毋留！即弟出，勿問所以然。」長男既去，不過莊生而私留，以其私齎獻遺楚國貴人用事者。 |
| | When they arrived in Chu, Master Zhuang's home was located outside the city walls; they had to push through thorny weeds to reach his door. His family lived in great poverty. Nevertheless, the eldest son opened the letter and presented the thousand gold as instructed by his father. Master Zhuang said: "You may leave quickly now; be careful not to stay!" "If your younger brother is released, do not ask why." After the eldest son left, he did not visit Master Zhuang again but secretly stayed behind and presented his own private gold to influential officials in the court of Chu.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
莊生雖居窮閻，然以廉直聞於國，自楚王以下皆師尊之。及朱公進金，非有意受也，欲以成事後復歸之以為信耳。故金至，謂其婦曰：「此朱公之金。有如病不宿誡，後復歸，勿動。」而朱公長男不知其意，以為殊無短長也。 |
| | Although Master Zhuang lived in a poor neighborhood, he was renowned throughout the country for his integrity and uprightness; from King of Chu down to all others regarded him with reverence as a teacher. When Master Zhu presented the gold, it was not that Master Zhuang intended to accept it; he wanted merely to complete the matter and later return it as a sign of trust. So when the gold arrived, he told his wife: "This is Master Zhu's gold. If I fall ill and do not give prior warning, it will be returned later; don't touch it." But Master Zhu's eldest son did not understand his intention and thought that there was nothing special about the matter.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
莊生閒時入見楚王，言「某星宿某，此則害於楚」。楚王素信莊生，曰：「今為柰何？」莊生曰：「獨以德為可以除之。」楚王曰：「生休矣，寡人將行之。」王乃使使者封三錢之府。楚貴人驚告朱公長男曰：「王且赦。」曰：「何以也？」曰：「每王且赦，常封三錢之府。昨暮王使使封之。」朱公長男以為赦，弟固當出也，重千金虛棄莊生，無所為也，乃復見莊生。莊生驚曰：「若不去邪？」長男曰：「固未也。初為事弟，弟今議自赦，故辭生去。」莊生知其意欲復得其金，曰：「若自入室取金。」長男即自入室取金持去，獨自歡幸。 |
| | At an appropriate time, Master Zhuang entered to see King of Chu and said: "A certain constellation is in a certain position; this will be harmful to Chu." King of Chu had always trusted Master Zhuang, and asked: "What should we do now?" Master Zhuang said: "Only by virtue can this be dispelled." King of Chu said, "You may rest now; I will carry it out." The king then sent envoys to seal the treasury of three qian. An influential official in Chu hurriedly informed Master Zhu's eldest son, saying: "The king is about to issue a pardon." He asked, "Why do you say so?" The official replied: "Whenever the king is about to grant a pardon, he usually seals the treasury of three qian." "Last night the king sent envoys to do so." Master Zhu's eldest son thought that a pardon was being issued, and his younger brother would naturally be released. He considered the thousand gold to have been in vain given to Master Zhuang without any result, so he went back to see Master Zhuang again. Master Zhuang was surprised and said: "Aren't you leaving?" The eldest son replied, "Not yet." "At first I came to plead for my younger brother; now that he is about to be pardoned, I have come to bid you farewell." Master Zhuang realized his intention was to reclaim the gold and said: "You may go into my house and take back the gold yourself." The eldest son immediately went into Master Zhuang's room, took the gold, and left, rejoicing at his own good fortune.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
莊生羞為兒子所賣，乃入見楚王曰：「臣前言某星事，王言欲以修德報之。今臣出，道路皆言陶之富人朱公之子殺人囚楚，其家多持金錢賂王左右，故王非能恤楚國而赦，乃以朱公子故也。」楚王大怒曰：「寡人雖不德耳，柰何以朱公之子故而施惠乎！」令論殺朱公子，明日遂下赦令。朱公長男竟持其弟喪歸。 |
| | Shamed by being tricked by the son, Master Zhuang went to see King of Chu and said: "I previously mentioned something about a certain constellation; you said you wished to repay it through virtue. Now that I have left, people on the road are saying that Zhu Gong, a wealthy man from Tao, had his son kill someone and imprison him in Chu; his family has given much money to bribe your attendants. Therefore, it is not because you care for the state of Chu that you issue this pardon, but solely due to the son of Master Zhu." King of Chu was greatly angered and said: "Even if I am not virtuous, how could I show favor because of the son of Master Zhu?" He ordered that Master Zhu's son be executed. The next day he issued a pardon decree. Master Zhu's eldest son eventually returned with his younger brother's corpse.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
至，其母及邑人盡哀之，唯朱公獨笑，曰：「吾固知必殺其弟也！彼非不愛其弟，顧有所不能忍者也。是少與我俱，見苦，為生難，故重棄財。至如少弟者，生而見我富，乘堅驅良逐狡兔，豈知財所從來，故輕棄之，非所惜吝。前日吾所為欲遣少子，固為其能棄財故也。而長者不能，故卒以殺其弟，事之理也，無足悲者。吾日夜固以望其喪之來也。」 |
| | When he arrived, his mother and the townspeople all mourned for him; only Master Zhu laughed and said: "I knew from the beginning that my son would kill his younger brother!" "He is not unkind to his younger brother, but there are things he could not bear." "When I was young and lived with him, we saw hardship; it was hard to make a living, so naturally he valued wealth highly. "As for the younger son, he was born into wealth; he rode strong horses and chased hares with ease. He does not know where money comes from, so naturally he spends it carelessly without feeling any regret." "The reason I wanted to send the younger son before was precisely because of his ability to part with wealth." The eldest could not do so, and thus ended up killing his younger brother. This is the natural outcome of events; there is no need to grieve." "I had been expecting my son's corpse to arrive day and night."
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| | 越王句踐... : |
故范蠡三徙，成名於天下，非茍去而已，所止必成名。卒老死于陶，故世傳曰陶朱公。 |
| | Therefore, Fan Li moved three times; he became famous throughout the world. He did not merely leave at random; wherever he settled, he achieved fame. He eventually grew old and died in Tao, so later generations referred to him as Master Zhu of Tao.
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| | 越王句踐... : |
太史公曰：禹之功大矣，漸九川，定九州，至于今諸夏艾安。及苗裔句踐，苦身焦思，終滅彊吳，北觀兵中國，以尊周室，號稱霸王。句踐可不謂賢哉！蓋有禹之遺烈焉。范蠡三遷皆有榮名，名垂後世。臣主若此，欲毋顯得乎！ |
| | Grand Historian said: Yu's achievements were great indeed; he gradually tamed the nine rivers, stabilized the Nine Provinces, and until now all the Huaxia peoples enjoy peace. And his descendant Goujian, enduring hardships and deep thought, eventually destroyed the powerful state of Wu. He led troops north to display military might in Central China, respecting the Zhou royal house, and was thus called a Hegemon King. Could Goujian not be considered virtuous! Indeed, he carried on the noble legacy of Yu. Fan Li gained honor in all three places where he moved; his name is remembered by later generations. With a subject and ruler like this, how could they fail to be renowned!
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