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陛下即不为千载之治安，知今之势，岂过一传再传哉。诸侯犹且人恣而不制，豪横而大强也，至其相与，特以纵横之约相亲耳。汉法令不可得行矣。今淮阳之比大诸侯，勤过黑子之比于面耳，岂足以为楚御哉？而陛下所恃以为藩捍者，以代淮阳耳。代北边与强匈奴为邻，勤自完足矣。唯皇太子之所恃者，亦以之二国耳。今淮阳之所有，适足以饵大国耳。方今制在陛下，制国命子，适足以饵大国，岂可谓工哉？ |
| | If Your Majesty does not establish a thousand-year era of peace and stability, knowing the current situation, how could it last even one or two generations? The feudal lords are still allowed to act at their own will without restraint, and the powerful and arrogant grow increasingly strong; when they associate with one another, it is merely through alliances of vertical and horizontal pacts that they pretend to be close. The Han legal code can no longer be enforced. Now, the great feudal lords compared to Huaiyang are more diligent than a black spot on one's face; how could they possibly be sufficient to serve as a defense for Chu? And what Your Majesty relies upon as a barrier and defense is merely the replacement of Huaiyang. Daidu Beiyan borders the powerful Xiongnu, so it can only focus on preserving and strengthening itself. The crown prince also relies solely upon these two states. What Huaiyang currently possesses is just sufficient to entice a great state. Now, the authority lies with Your Majesty; controlling the fates of states and their sons is just enough to entice a great power—how can this be called skillful?
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| | 益壤: |
人主之行异布。衣布衣者，饰小行，竞小廉，以自托于乡党邑里。人主者，天下安社稷固不耳。故黄帝者，炎帝之兄也，炎帝无道，黄帝伐之涿鹿之野，血流漂杵，诛炎帝而兼其地，天下乃治。高皇帝瓜分天下，以王功臣，反者如猬毛而起，高皇帝以为不可，剽去不义诸侯，空其国，择良日，立诸子洛阳上东门之外，诸子毕王而天下乃安。故大人者，不怵小廉，不牵小行，故立大便以成大功。 |
| | The conduct of a sovereign differs from that of common people. Those who wear plain clothes cultivate minor virtues and compete in petty integrity, using these to gain recognition within their hometowns and neighborhoods. A sovereign is concerned not with personal reputation but with the stability of the state and the security of the realm. Therefore, Huangdi was the elder brother of Yandi. When Yandi ruled unjustly, Huangdi attacked him in the plains of Zhuolu, where blood flowed so heavily that it could float pestles; he defeated and executed Yandi, annexed his territory, and thus brought order to the world. The Emperor Gaozu divided the empire and enfeoffed his meritorious ministers as kings, but rebels arose like bristles on a hedgehog. Realizing this was unworkable, Emperor Gaozu eliminated unjust feudal lords, emptied their territories, selected an auspicious day, and established his sons outside the Upper East Gate of Luoyang. Only after all his sons were enfeoffed as kings did the empire achieve peace. Therefore, a great leader is not intimidated by petty integrity or swayed by minor virtues; instead, he establishes major policies to accomplish great achievements.
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| | 益壤: |
今淮南地远者或数千里，越两诸侯而县属于汉，其苦之甚矣。其欲有卒也，类良有所至逋走而归诸侯，殆不少矣。此终非可久以为奉地也。陛下岂如蚤便其势，且令他人守郡，岂如令子。臣之愚计，愿陛下举淮南之地以益淮阳。梁即有后，割淮阳北边二三列城与东郡以益梁，即无后患，代可徙而都睢阳。梁起新郑以北著之河，淮阳包陈以南揵之江，则大诸侯之有异心者破胆而不敢谋。今所恃者，代、淮阳二国耳，皇太子亦恃之。如臣计，梁足以捍齐、赵，淮阳足以禁吴、楚，则陛下高枕而卧，终无山东之忧矣。臣窃以为此二世之利也。若使淮南久县属汉，特以资奸人耳，惟陛下幸少留意。 |
| | Now, the territory of Huainan is distant—some places are several thousand li away, crossing two feudal states to be administered by the Han; this causes great hardship. If they wish to raise soldiers, many would likely flee from their obligations and return to the feudal lords; such instances are surely not few. This situation will ultimately not be sustainable as a vassal state. Your Majesty, would it not be better to act early and secure the situation, appointing others to govern the commanderies? But how could that compare to entrusting them to your own sons? In my humble opinion, I wish Your Majesty would transfer the territory of Huainan to increase that of Huaiyang. If the House of Liang has a successor, then two or three lines of cities along the northern border of Huaiyang and Dongjun should be ceded to strengthen Liang; this would eliminate future troubles, allowing Dai to be moved and established as its capital in Suixiang. If the House of Liang extends northward from Xinzheng to the Yellow River, and Huaiyang encircles Chen to the south and reaches the Yangtze, then any great feudal lords with disloyal intentions would be terrified and dare not plot rebellion. Now, what we rely upon are the two states of Dai and Huaiyang; the crown prince also depends on them. If Your Majesty follows my plan, the House of Liang will be sufficient to defend against Qi and Zhao, while Huaiyang will be capable of restraining Wu and Chu. Then, Your Majesty may rest easy in confidence, free from all worries about the lands east of the mountains forevermore. I secretly believe this to be beneficial for two generations. If the territory of Huainan remains a distant dependency of Han for too long, it will merely serve to provide resources for treacherous individuals. I humbly request Your Majesty's kind attention to this matter.
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