Wei Ce — the four books of the Strategies of Wei

The Strategies of the Warring States (Zhanguo Ce) is Liu Xiang's Han-dynasty compilation, arranged by state, of the persuasions, stratagems, and anecdotes that Warring States wandering counselors used to move the courts of their age. These four books, the Strategies of Wei (Wei Ce), carry the record of the state of Wei across two centuries of Warring States diplomacy: Zhi Bo's demand for land from Wei Huanzi and the counsel that turned his own greed against him, Marquis Wen's small but famous fidelity in keeping a hunting appointment with his own forester, Wu Qi's discourse to Marquis Wu on the Xihe that strategic terrain never made a state secure without good government, Gongshu Cuo's deathbed recommendation that King Hui employ his own household retainer Gongsun Yang, later famous in Qin as Shang Yang, the long rivalry of Su Qin and Zhang Yi arguing the Vertical Alliance and the Horizontal Alliance before the king of Wei in turn, the Lord of Xinling's great remonstrance against joining Qin to attack Han, the tragedy of the loyal commandant Suo Gao at the siege of Guan, the king of Wei's fishing-boat exchange with the Lord of Longyang on the fate of a favorite who is himself only the latest catch, and Tang Ju's defiant embassy to the king of Qin in defense of the small fief of Anling.

Each persuasion or anecdote stands under its own heading drawn from the episode it records, and the four books proceed loosely through Wei's history from the fifth century BCE to the eve of the state's fall to Qin in 225 BCE; the commentary of Bao Biao and Yao Hong travels with the source text below in its own untranslated layer, along with the collation notes set in 〔 〕.

Names of persons and states are given in Hanyu pinyin without tone marks, with the Chinese characters supplied at first appearance; rulers below the rank of king keep their conventional titles such as marquis and lord, and the state's own capital, Daliang, is also called simply Liang in a number of these persuasions, as the source itself uses both names.

Translated for the Good Works Library directly from the classical Chinese, which is printed in full below. J. I. Crump's Chan-kuo Ts'e (1970; revised 1996) is the standing complete English translation of the Strategies of the Warring States; it is named here as a control-in-existence but was not consulted, and this translation makes no claim of firstness.

Contents

• Strategies of Wei, 1 (魏策一)
• Strategies of Wei, 2 (魏策二)
• Strategies of Wei, 3 (魏策三)
• Strategies of Wei, 4 (魏策四)

Translation

Strategies of Wei, 1 (魏策一)

Zhi Bo Demands Land from Wei Huanzi (知伯索地於魏桓子)

Zhi Bo (知伯) demanded land from Wei Huanzi (魏桓子), and Wei Huanzi would not give it. Ren Zhang said, "Why do you not give it?" Huanzi said, "He demands land without cause; therefore I do not give it." Ren Zhang said, "If he demands land without cause, the neighboring states will surely be alarmed; if his greed grows heavy and knows no satiety, the world will surely take fright. If you give him the land, Zhi Bo will surely grow arrogant. Being arrogant, he will make light of his enemies; and the neighboring states, in their fear, will draw close to one another. With the armies of states drawn close together awaiting a state that makes light of its enemies, the span of the Zhi clan will not be long. The Book of Zhou says: 'If you would ruin a man, you must first assist him; if you would take from a man, you must first give to him.' You had better give it to him, and so make Zhi Bo arrogant. Why let go of the plan of using the whole world against the Zhi clan, and instead make our state alone the mark for the Zhi clan?" The lord said, "Good." So he gave him one town of ten thousand households. Zhi Bo was greatly pleased. He then demanded Cai and Gaoliang from Zhao. Zhao would not give them, and he thereupon besieged Jinyang. Han and Wei turned against him from outside, the Zhao clan answered them from within, and the Zhi clan perished.

Han and Zhao Fall Out (韓趙相難)

Han and Zhao fell out with each other. Han asked Wei for troops, saying, "We wish to borrow your army to attack Zhao." Marquis Wen of Wei (魏文侯) said, "I and Zhao are brothers; I dare not comply." Zhao likewise asked for troops in order to attack Han, and Marquis Wen said, "I and Han are brothers; I dare not comply." The two states got no troops, and went home angry. Afterward they understood that Marquis Wen had been working to reconcile them, and both came to court at Wei.

Yue Yang, General of Wei, Attacks Zhongshan (樂羊為魏將而攻中山)

Yue Yang (樂羊) was general of Wei and attacked Zhongshan. His son was in Zhongshan, and the ruler of Zhongshan boiled his son and sent him the broth. Yue Yang sat beneath his tent and drank it, finishing a whole cup. Marquis Wen said to Dushi Zan, "For my sake Yue Yang has eaten the flesh of his own son." Zan replied, "If he will eat the flesh of his own son, whose flesh will he not eat?" When Yue Yang had subdued Zhongshan, Marquis Wen rewarded his merit but distrusted his heart.

Ximen Bao Is Made Magistrate of Ye (西門豹為鄴令)

Ximen Bao (西門豹) was made magistrate of Ye and took his leave of Marquis Wen of Wei. Marquis Wen said, "Go, sir. Be sure to accomplish your merit and complete your name." Ximen Bao said, "May I ask whether there is an art to accomplishing merit and completing a name?" Marquis Wen said, "There is. As for the elders of the villages and towns and the officers who are given the first seats: when you go in, ask after the worthy and good officers among them and serve them as your teachers; and seek out those who love to hide men's excellences and publish men's faults, and use them to cross-check what you hear. Many things resemble one another and yet are not the same. Dark foxtail grass in its youth resembles grain; the yellow of a brindled ox resembles a tiger; white bone may be taken for ivory; the wufu stone is like jade. All of these resemble and yet are not."

Marquis Wen Sets a Hunting Date with the Forester (文侯與虞人期獵)

Marquis Wen had set a date with the forester (虞人) to hunt. On that day he was drinking wine and enjoying himself, and rain fell. Marquis Wen was about to go out. His attendants said, "Today you are drinking and enjoying yourself, and moreover it is raining. Where is my lord going?" Marquis Wen said, "I set a date with the forester to hunt. Pleasant as this is, how can I fail to keep the one appointment I made?" So he went, and in person called the hunt off. It was from this that Wei first grew strong.

Marquis Wen of Wei Drinks with Tian Zifang and Calls for Music (魏文侯與田子方飲酒而稱樂)

Marquis Wen of Wei was drinking wine with Tian Zifang (田子方) and called for music. Marquis Wen said, "The bells are out of accord — the left side is high." Tian Zifang laughed. Marquis Wen said, "Why do you laugh?" Zifang said, "Your servant has heard it said that when a ruler is enlightened his concern is the officers of music, and when he is not enlightened his concern is the notes. Now my lord judges keenly of sounds, and your servant fears my lord is deaf where officers are concerned." Marquis Wen said, "Good. I respectfully receive your instruction."

Marquis Wu of Wei Floats on the Xihe with His Grandees (魏武侯與諸大夫浮於西河)

Marquis Wu of Wei (魏武侯) was floating on the Xihe (西河) with his grandees, and he declared, "The strong places of our rivers and mountains — are they not truly secure!" Wang Zhong, in attendance upon him, said, "This is why the state of Jin was strong. If they are well maintained, the enterprise of hegemon and king is complete." Wu Qi (吳起) replied, "My lord's words are the road to endangering the state, and now you add to them — this too is dangerous." Marquis Wu said angrily, "Have you an argument for what you say?"

Wu Qi replied: "The strong places of rivers and mountains are truly not enough to preserve a state, and the enterprise of hegemon and king does not proceed from them. In antiquity the dwelling of the Three Miao had on its left the waves of Penglize and on its right the waters of Dongting; Mount Wen lay to its south, and Mount Heng to its north. They relied on these strong places, but their government was not good, and Yu banished them. The state of Jie of Xia had on its left the shaded side of Tianmen and on its right the sunlit side of Tianxi; Lu and Gao lay to its north, and the Yi and the Luo issued out to its south. It had these strong places, and yet its government was not good, and Tang attacked it. The state of Zhou of Yin had Mengmen on its left and the Zhang and the Fu on its right, the Yellow River as a girdle before it and mountains as a cloak behind it. It had these strong places, and yet its government was not good, and King Wu attacked it. Moreover, my lord in person, with your servants following, has won victories and received cities in surrender: those cities were not lacking in height, their people were not lacking in numbers, and yet they could be annexed — because their government was bad. Looking at the matter in this way, what have the strong places of the terrain to do with becoming hegemon or king!"

Marquis Wu said, "Good. Only today have I heard the words of a sage. The government of the Xihe I entrust wholly to you."

Gongshu Cuo Is General of Wei (魏公叔痤為魏將)

Gongshu Cuo (公叔痤) of Wei was general of Wei, and fought Han and Zhao north of the Kuai, capturing Yue Zuo. The king of Wei was pleased, went out to the suburbs to meet him, and granted him a million mu of reward land as his emolument. Gongshu Cuo drew back, bowed twice, and declined, saying: "That the soldiers did not break, that they went straight ahead and did not swerve, that they were pressed and bent and yet did not give way — this is the residue of Wu Qi's teaching, and not anything your servant could do. That the dangers of the terrain were traced out beforehand, that provision was decided upon for gain and for loss, so that the officers of the three armies were not led astray — this was the strength of Ba Ning and Cuan Xiang. That reward and punishment were hung up before the men, so that afterward the people plainly trusted them — this is your Majesty's clear law. That when I saw the enemy could be struck I beat the drum, and did not dare grow slack — this was your servant. Why does your Majesty reward your servant merely because your servant's right hand did not tire? If it is that your servant has merit, what strength of his own did your servant have in it?" The king said, "Good." Thereupon he sought out the descendants of Wu Qi and bestowed on them two hundred thousand mu of land, and on Ba Ning and Cuan Xiang a hundred thousand mu each.

The king said, "Is Gongshu not a man of true stature! He has conquered a strong enemy for me, and moreover he does not forget the descendants of a worthy man, nor cover over the traces of able officers. How could Gongshu go without increase?" So he gave him a further four hundred thousand mu of land, added on top of the million, making it one million four hundred thousand. Therefore Laozi says: "The sage does not hoard. The more he spends for others, the more he himself has; having given to others, he himself has the more." Gongshu answered to this.

Gongshu Cuo of Wei Falls Ill (魏公叔痤病)

Gongshu Cuo of Wei fell ill, and King Hui went to ask after him, saying, "Gongshu, you are ill; if the unmentionable should come, what is to be done for the altars of soil and grain?" Gongshu Cuo replied, "Your servant has a household retainer, Gongsun Yang (公孫鞅). I wish your Majesty would listen to him in the affairs of the state. If you cannot listen to him, do not let him leave the borders." The king made no answer. On going out he said to his attendants, "Is it not sad! With all Gongshu's worth, he tells me that I must listen to Yang in the affairs of the state. Is that not deranged!"

Gongshu Cuo died. When Gongsun Yang heard of it and the burial was over, he went west to Qin, and Duke Xiao received him and employed him. Qin indeed grew stronger by the day, and Wei was pared away by the day. This was not Gongshu's derangement but King Hui's. The affliction of the deranged is precisely that they take the underanged for deranged.

Master Su, Working the Vertical Alliance for Zhao, Persuades the King of Wei (蘇子為趙合從說魏王)

Master Su (蘇子) worked the Vertical Alliance on Zhao's behalf and persuaded the king of Wei, saying: "Your Majesty's land has to the south the Hong Canal, Chen, and Runan, with Xu, Yan, Kunyang, Shaoling, Wuyang, and Xinqi; to the east the Huai, the Ying, the Yi, Huang, Zhuzao, Haiyan, and Wushu; to the west the boundary of the Long Wall; to the north the land beyond the Yellow River, with Juan, Yan (衍), Yan (燕), and Suanzao — a territory a thousand li square. Though the land is called small, cottages and fields, sheds and dwellings stand so thick that there is nowhere left at all to graze cattle and horses. The multitude of the people and the number of carts and horses, going day and night without cease, are no different from the host of three armies. Your servant privately reckons that your Majesty's state is not inferior to Chu. Yet the men of the Horizontal Alliance plot with your Majesty to ally abroad with the tiger-and-wolf state of strong Qin, and so encroach upon the world; and when in the end calamity comes upon the state, they do not suffer its disaster. To hold the power of strong Qin and use it to coerce one's own ruler at home — there is no crime greater than this. Moreover Wei is a strong state of the world, and your Majesty is a worthy lord of the world. Yet now you have a mind to face west and serve Qin, to call yourself the eastern bulwark, to build a palace for the emperor, to receive cap and girdle from him, and to assist at his sacrifices in spring and autumn. Your servant is privately ashamed for your Majesty.

"Your servant has heard that King Goujian of Yue, with three thousand scattered troops, captured Fuchai at Gansui; and that King Wu, with three thousand soldiers and three hundred leather war chariots, cut down Zhou in the wilds of Mu. Was it that their soldiers were many? Truly they were able to rouse their awe. Now your servant has privately heard that your Majesty's troops are more than two hundred thousand men of martial strength, two hundred thousand blue-turbaned troops, two hundred thousand shock troops, and a hundred thousand menials, with six hundred chariots and five thousand mounts. This far surpasses King Goujian of Yue and King Wu! Yet now you are coerced by the talk of crooked ministers and wish to serve Qin as its subject. To serve Qin means of necessity to cut off land and deliver hostages, so that before the troops are used the state is already diminished. All those among your ministers who speak of serving Qin are treacherous ministers, not loyal ministers. To be a man's minister and cut off one's ruler's land in order to buy a foreign alliance, snatching a single morning's success with no regard for what comes after, breaking the ducal house to build up private houses, holding abroad the power of strong Qin in order to coerce one's ruler at home and demand that land be cut away — I wish your Majesty to examine this carefully.

"The Book of Zhou says: 'What creeps on unbroken — when it spreads, what then? The fine hair not plucked out will become an axe handle.' If forethought is not settled beforehand, great trouble comes after; and then what is to be done? If your Majesty can truly listen to your servant, the six states will be joined in the Vertical Alliance, single-minded and united in strength, and there will surely be no trouble from strong Qin. Therefore the king of Zhao of my humble city has sent your servant as his envoy, to offer his foolish plan and present the clear covenant; it rests with your Majesty to command it." The king of Wei said, "I am unworthy, and have never yet been able to hear such clear instruction. Now that my lord instructs me with the instruction of the king of Zhao, I respectfully follow with my state."

Zhang Yi, Working the Horizontal Alliance for Qin, Persuades the King of Wei (張儀為秦連橫說魏王)

Zhang Yi (張儀) worked the Horizontal Alliance for Qin and persuaded the king of Wei, saying: "Wei's land does not reach a thousand li square, and its troops do not exceed three hundred thousand men. The land is level on all four sides, open on all four sides to the feudal lords, branching out and converging like spokes upon a hub, with no barrier of famous mountains or great rivers. From Zheng to Liang is no more than a hundred li; from Chen to Liang, a little over two hundred li. Horses galloping and men running arrive at Liang before they tire. In the south it borders Chu, in the west Han, in the north Zhao, in the east Qi; troops garrison the four quarters, and those who guard the watch-posts and ramparts are ranged in ranks. The grain shipped by water into the storehouses is not less than a hundred thousand. The lie of Wei's land makes it by nature a battlefield. If Wei sides with Chu in the south and not with Qi, then Qi attacks it from the east; if it sides with Qi in the east and not with Zhao, then Zhao attacks it from the north; if it does not join with Han, then Han attacks it from the west; if it is not close to Chu, then Chu attacks it from the south. This is what is called the road to being cut in four and torn in five.

"Now, the feudal lords who make the Vertical Alliance do so in order to secure the altars of soil and grain, to honor their rulers, to strengthen their armies, and to make their names illustrious. Those who join the Vertical Alliance would make the world one, swear to be brothers, and slaughter a white horse to covenant on the bank of the Huan, so as to make one another firm. But full brothers, of one father and mother, still quarrel over money and goods; and to wish to rely on the leftover scheming of the deceitful and inconstant Su Qin — that this cannot succeed is likewise plain.

"If your Majesty does not serve Qin, Qin will send troops down to attack the land beyond the Yellow River, will take Juan, Yan, Yan, and Suanzao, will coerce Wey and seize Jinyang; then Zhao cannot come south. If Zhao cannot come south, Wei cannot go north. If Wei cannot go north, the road of the Vertical Alliance is cut. When the road of the Vertical Alliance is cut, then your Majesty's state, though it seek to be out of danger, cannot be. Qin will take Han under its arm and attack Wei; Han, coerced by Qin, will not dare refuse. When Qin and Han are one state, the destruction of Wei may be awaited standing. This is why your servant is troubled on your Majesty's behalf. In planning for your Majesty, nothing is better than to serve Qin. If you serve Qin, Chu and Han will certainly not dare stir; and with no trouble from Chu and Han, your Majesty may lie with his pillow high, and the state will surely be without care.

"Moreover, there is nothing Qin so wishes to weaken as Chu, and nothing that can weaken Chu so well as Wei. Chu has the name of being rich and great, but in truth it is empty. Its soldiers are many, yet they talk much and run lightly, are easily routed, and dare not stand fast in battle. If the troops of Wei face south and attack, victory over Chu is certain. To diminish Chu and increase Wei, to attack Chu and thereby oblige Qin, to pass the calamity outward and set the state at peace within — this is a good affair. If your Majesty will not listen to your servant, and the mailed troops of Qin come out eastward, then though you wish to serve Qin you will not be able to.

"Moreover, the men of the Vertical Alliance are full of stirring words and short of what can be trusted. They persuade the king of a single feudal state, and come out riding in his carriage; they bind one state by covenant and return, and when it succeeds it is the foundation of a marquisate. Therefore among the wandering officers of the world there is not one who does not, day and night, grip his wrist, glare, and grind his teeth in speaking of the advantages of the Vertical Alliance, in order to persuade the rulers of men. The rulers of men take in their words and are dragged along by their arguments — how can they help being dazzled? Your servant has heard that piled-up feathers will sink a boat, that a crowd of light things will snap an axletree, and that the mouths of the multitude will melt metal. Therefore I wish your Majesty to reckon this carefully."

The king of Wei said, "I am dull and foolish; my earlier plans were mistaken. I beg to call myself the eastern bulwark, to build a palace for the emperor, to receive cap and girdle, to assist at the sacrifices in spring and autumn, and to hand over the land beyond the Yellow River."

Qi and Wei Covenant and Attack Chu (齊魏約而伐楚)

Qi and Wei covenanted together and attacked Chu, and Wei sent Dong Qing to Qi as hostage. Chu attacked Qi and greatly defeated it, and Wei did not come to the rescue. Tian Ying was angry and was about to put Dong Qing to death. Gan Yi, on Dong Qing's behalf, said to Tian Ying: "When Chu attacked Qi and greatly defeated it, the reason it did not dare press in deep was that it took Wei to be letting it into Qi in order to strike its rear. Now to kill Dong Qing is to show Chu that you have no Wei behind you. If Wei is angered and joins with Chu, Qi will surely be in danger. Better to honor Dong Qing, so as to stand well with Wei and to make Chu suspicious of it."

Su Qin Is Held in Wei (蘇秦拘於魏)

Su Qin (蘇秦) was held under arrest in Wei and wished to flee to Han, but the Wei clan closed the passes and let no one through. Qi sent Su Li to speak on his behalf to the king of Wei, saying: "Qi has offered to enfeoff Lord Jingyang with the land of Song, and Qin has not accepted. It is not that Qin sees no advantage in having Qi and gaining the land of Song; the reason it does not accept is that it does not trust the king of Qi and Su Qin. Now, when Qin sees that Qi and Wei are at odds to this degree, then Qi will surely not deceive Qin, and Qin will trust Qi. If Qi and Qin join, and Lord Jingyang holds the land of Song, that is no advantage to Wei. Therefore your Majesty had better send Su Qin east again; Qin will then surely suspect Qi and refuse to listen. When Qi and Qin do not join, the world has nothing to fear, and if the attack on Qi succeeds, your land will be enlarged."

Chen Zhen Is Sent by Qin as Envoy to Qi (陳軫為秦使於齊)

Chen Zhen (陳軫), sent by Qin as envoy to Qi, passed through Wei and asked to see Xishou (犀首). Xishou declined to receive Chen Zhen. Chen Zhen said, "What I have come for is business. If you will not see me, I shall go on, and there will be no other day to wait for." Xishou then received him. Chen Zhen said, "Do you dislike business? Why do you eat and drink and have no business? Having no business, you must come." Xishou said, "I, Yan, am unworthy and cannot get business; how should I dare dislike business?" Chen Zhen said, "Let me shift the business of the world onto you." Xishou said, "How?" Chen Zhen said, "The king of Wei is sending Li Cong with a hundred chariots as envoy to Chu. You may set yourself in the midst of it and cast doubt on it. Say to the king of Wei: 'Your servant has old ties with Yan and Zhao. They have repeatedly sent men to summon me, saying, "When you have no business you must come." Now your servant has no business, and begs leave to go. It will not be long — a term of ten days, or five.' The king will surely have no words with which to stop you. Once you have leave to go, then speak for yourself in the court, saying: 'Your servant is sent in haste as envoy to Yan and Zhao. Make ready the chariots at once and prepare the gear for the journey.'" Xishou said, "Agreed." He begged leave of the king of Wei, and the king granted it, and at once he spoke openly of being sent to Yan and Zhao.

The guests of the feudal lords heard of it, and all sent men to tell their kings: "Li Cong goes as envoy to Chu with a hundred chariots, and Xishou goes to Yan and Zhao with thirty chariots besides." The king of Qi heard of it, and fearing that he would be behind the world in securing Wei, entrusted business to Xishou, and Xishou accepted Qi's business. The king of Wei stopped his going as envoy. Yan and Zhao heard of it, and they too entrusted business to Xishou. The king of Chu heard of it and said, "Li Cong makes a covenant with me; now Yan, Qi, and Zhao all take their business through Xishou. Xishou is sure to want me, and I want him." So he turned his back on Li Cong and took his business through Xishou. The king of Wei said, "The reason I did not employ Xishou was that I thought it would not do. Now four states have entrusted their business to him; I too will take my business through him." So Xishou came to preside over the business of the world, and again became chancellor of Wei.

Zhang Yi Slanders Chen Zhen to the King of Wei (張儀惡陳軫於魏王)

Zhang Yi slandered Chen Zhen to the king of Wei, saying, "Zhen serves Chu well; he works very hard at seeking territory for it." Zuo Hua said to Chen Zhen, "Yi stands well with the king of Wei, and the king of Wei is very fond of him. Though you argued against him a hundred times, he still would not listen. You had better take Yi's words as your capital and make your report to the king of Chu." Chen Zhen said, "Good." Accordingly he sent men ahead to speak of it to the king of Chu.

Zhang Yi Wishes to Ruin Chen Zhen (張儀欲窮陳軫)

Zhang Yi wished to ruin Chen Zhen. He had the king of Wei summon him and make him chancellor, meaning to put him under guard when he came. As he was about to set out, his son Chen Ying stopped his father from going, saying: "When a matter runs deep, one must look into it. Zheng Qiang came out of Qin and said that I, Ying, had understanding. Now Wei wishes to sever Chu from Qi, and so must welcome you with heavy honors. Those in Ying who are not well disposed toward you wish you to be gone, and so they will urge the king to increase your carriages. When you reach Song, plead illness on the road and go no farther, and send a man to say to the king of Qi: 'The reason Wei welcomes me is that it wishes to sever Qi and Chu.'"

The king of Qi said, "You have indeed not gone to Wei but have come to see me; I beg to enfeoff you." And he welcomed him with the carriage of the marquis of Lu.

Zhang Yi Flees to Wei (張儀走之魏)

Zhang Yi fled to Wei, and Wei was about to receive him. Zhang Chou remonstrated with the king, wishing that he not be admitted, but did not prevail with the king. Zhang Chou withdrew, then remonstrated with the king again, saying: "Has your Majesty heard of the old concubine who serves her mistress? Her children grown and her beauty faded, she is married off a second time, and that is all. Now your servant's serving your Majesty is like the old concubine's serving her mistress." Thereupon the king of Wei did not admit Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi Wishes to Join Wei with Qin and Han (張儀欲以魏合於秦韓)

Zhang Yi wished to join Wei with Qin and Han and attack Qi and Chu. Hui Shi (惠施) wished to join Wei with Qi and Chu and lay the weapons down. Many men spoke for Master Zhang in the king's presence. Master Hui said to the king: "Even in a small matter, those who call it possible and those who call it impossible are exactly half and half — how much more in a great matter? To join Wei with Qin and Han and attack Qi and Chu is a great matter, and yet all your Majesty's ministers hold it possible. I do not know: is its possibility as plain as all that? And is the knowledge and skill of your ministers as uniform as all that? Its possibility is not so plain as that, and the knowledge and skill of your ministers is not all uniform either; so half of them are in the dark. What is called coercing a ruler is the losing of that half."

Master Zhang Yi Becomes Chancellor of Wei for Qin (張子儀以秦相魏)

Master Zhang Yi became chancellor of Wei on Qin's behalf, and Qi and Chu were angry and wished to attack Wei. Yong Ju said to Master Zhang, "The reason Wei made you chancellor is that with you as chancellor the state would be secure and the hundred families free of trouble. Now you are chancellor and Wei has an army brought against it — which means Wei's calculation was mistaken. If Qi and Chu attack Wei, you will surely be in danger." Master Zhang said, "Then what is to be done?" Yong Ju said, "Let me get Qi and Chu to break off the attack." Yong Ju said to the rulers of Qi and Chu: "Has your Majesty heard of the agreement Zhang Yi made with the king of Qin? He said, 'If your Majesty makes me chancellor in Wei, Qi and Chu, hating me, will surely attack Wei. If Wei fights and wins, the armies of Qi and Chu are broken, and I hold Wei securely. If it does not win, Wei will certainly serve Qin in order to keep its state, and will certainly cut off land to bribe your Majesty. And should they wish to attack again, their exhaustion will not be enough to meet Qin.' This is how Yi secretly bound himself to the king of Qin. Now if Yi is chancellor in Wei and you attack it, that makes Yi's plan come out right for Qin — this is not the way to bring Yi to ruin." The kings of Qi and Chu said, "Good," and at once broke off the attack on Wei.

Zhang Yi Wishes to Be Chancellor of Both Qin and Wei (張儀欲并相秦魏)

Zhang Yi wished to be chancellor of both Qin and Wei, and therefore said to the king of Wei, "Let me have Qin attack the Three Rivers, and let your Majesty use the interval to secure Nanyang by covenant; then the Han clan is finished." Shi Yan said to Zhao Xian, "Why do you not use Chu to help Yi seek the chancellorship of Wei? Han, fearing destruction, must run south to Chu. And if Yi is chancellor of both Qin and Wei, then you too will surely be chancellor of both Chu and Han."

The King of Wei Is About to Make Zhang Yi Chancellor (魏王將相張儀)

The king of Wei was about to make Zhang Yi chancellor. Xishou saw no advantage in it, and therefore had someone say to Gongshu of Han: "Zhang Yi has already joined Qin and Wei. He says, 'Wei will attack Nanyang, Qin will attack the Three Rivers, and the Han clan must perish.' Moreover the reason the king of Wei esteems Master Zhang is that he wants territory; and so Han's Nanyang will be taken. Why do you not commit a little of it to us, to make it Yan's achievement? Then the intercourse of Qin and Wei can be voided. In that case Wei will surely plot against Qin and cast Yi off, gather Han in, and make Yan its chancellor." Gongshu took this for the truth, and accordingly committed it to him; Xishou made it his achievement, and did indeed become chancellor of Wei.

Chu Promises Wei Six Cities (楚許魏六城)

Chu promised Wei six cities, to join with it in attacking Qi and preserving Yan. Zhang Yi wished to spoil this, and said to the king of Wei: "Qi fears the joining of the three states, and will surely give back the land of Yan in order to submit to Chu. Chu and Zhao will surely listen to it, and Wei will not be given the six cities. Thus your Majesty will have lost his plan with Chu and Zhao, and will have planted enmity with Qi and Qin. Qi will then attack Zhao, take Chengqiu, and recover the lands taken from it, and Xu and Dunqiu will be in danger. Chu will break the Nine Yi of Nanyang and press into Pei, and Xu and Yanling will be in danger. What your Majesty gains is Xinguan, and the road to it is controlled by Song and Wey. If the affair miscarries you will be driven into running to Zhao's aid; if the affair succeeds, its profit hangs upon Song and Wey." The king of Wei did not listen.

Zhang Yi Informs Gongzhong (張儀告公仲)

Zhang Yi informed Gongzhong, and had him, on account of the famine, urge the king of Han toward the lands near the region beyond the Yellow River. The king of Wei was afraid and questioned Master Zhang. Master Zhang said, "Qin wishes to rescue Qi, and Han wishes to attack Nanyang; that Qin and Han should join and wish to attack Nanyang is nothing out of the ordinary. Moreover they are casting lots on your Majesty by a meeting: if your Majesty does not meet with Qin, Han's divination is settled." So the king of Wei set his heart on meeting Qin; he gave his confidence to Han, eased Wei, rescued Zhao, drove off the men of Chu, and took his stand at Bixia. And the affair of attacking Qi came to nothing.

The Campaign at Xuzhou (徐州之役)

At the campaign of Xuzhou, Xishou said to the king of Liang: "Why not side with Qi openly and bind yourself to Chu in secret? With the two states relying on your Majesty, Qi and Chu will surely fight. If Qi fights and defeats Chu, then join in and ride upon it, and you will certainly take the land beyond Fangcheng. If Chu fights and Qi is defeated, then join in and ride upon it, and the heir apparent is avenged."

Qin Defeats Eastern Zhou (秦敗東周)

Qin defeated Eastern Zhou, fought Wei at Yique, and killed Xiwu. Wei sent Gongsun Yan, while Qin was still riding its victory and lingering on the border, to beg in humble words to cede land and come to terms with Qin. On Dou Lü's behalf someone said to the king of Wei: "Your servant does not know how much or how little Yan will yield to Qin; yet your servant can halve Yan's cession and still make Qin come to terms with your Majesty." The king said, "How?" He replied: "Your Majesty had best give Dou Lü the rank of marquis within the passes, and send him to Zhao. Let your Majesty make much of his mission and furnish him richly. Then let it be given out abroad: 'We hear that Zhou and Wei have had Dou Lü cede Wei territory to Lord Fengyang, and have submitted to Qin.' Now the lord of Zhou, Dou Lü, and Lord Fengyang are enemies to the death with Marquis Rang. At present the one who arranges the peace is Dou Lü, and the one who fixes the cession is Lord Fengyang. The queen dowager, fearing that it will not go through Marquis Rang, and wishing to spoil it, will surely ask for an agreement with your Majesty on a small cession, and make peace with Eastern Zhou and with Wei."

The King of Qi Is to Meet the Chancellors of Yan, Zhao, and Chu in Wey (齊王將見燕趙楚之相於衛)

The king of Qi was about to meet the chancellors of Yan, Zhao, and Chu in Wey, and to covenant to shut Wei out. The king of Wei was afraid, fearing that they were plotting to attack Wei, and told Gongsun Yan. Gongsun Yan said, "Give your servant a hundred in gold, and your servant will spoil it." The king made ready his carriages and loaded a hundred in gold. Xishou reckoned the day the king of Qi would arrive, and went ahead with fifty chariots to Wey to get a private hearing with Qi, spending the hundred in gold in order to ask for an audience with the king of Qi before the others; and so he obtained it. Then he sat long and at his ease, talking unhurriedly of the grievances the three chancellors held against one another.

Someone said to the king of Qi, "Your Majesty has covenanted with the three states to shut Wei out; yet Wei has sent Gongsun Yan here, and now your Majesty talks long with him. This means your Majesty is plotting against the three states." The king of Qi said, "The king of Wei heard that I had come and sent Master Gongsun to greet me; I have said nothing to him." The three states did not trust the king of Qi over the meeting, and the business of the meeting came to nothing.

Wei Sends Gongsun Yan to Sue for Peace with Qin (魏令公孫衍請和於秦)

Wei sent Gongsun Yan to sue for peace with Qin. Qimu Hui taught him what to say: "Do not cede much. Say: 'If the peace is made, Qin will surely hold the peace weighty and will meet with my king; if the peace is not made, then hereafter there will surely be no one able to join Wei with Qin.'"

Gongsun Yan Is General of Wei (公孫衍為魏將)

Gongsun Yan was general of Wei and was on bad terms with the chancellor Tian Xu. Jizi said to the king of Liang on Yan's behalf: "Has your Majesty alone never seen an ox in the yoke with a thoroughbred in the traces? It cannot go a hundred paces. Now your Majesty judged that Yan could be sent as general, and therefore employed him; and yet you listen to the chancellor's plans — this is yoking an ox with a thoroughbred in the traces. Ox and horse will both die, and the work will not be accomplished; your Majesty's state will surely be harmed. I wish your Majesty to look into it."

Strategies of Wei, 2 (魏策二)

Xishou and Tian Pan Seek the Troops of Qi and Wei to Attack Zhao (犀首田盼欲得齊魏之兵以伐趙)

Xishou and Tian Pan wished to obtain the troops of Qi and Wei in order to attack Zhao, but the lord of Liang and Marquis Tian were unwilling. Xishou said, "Let each state send out fifty thousand men; in not more than five months Zhao will be broken." Tian Pan said, "He who uses his troops lightly easily endangers his state; he who uses his plans lightly easily brings himself to an impasse. You now say that breaking Zhao is very easy; I fear there will be blame afterward." Xishou said, "You are not clever. The two rulers are unwilling already. If you now speak of difficulties as well and so frighten them, then Zhao will not be attacked and the plan of us two officers is stymied. Moreover, you have only to say plainly that it is easy, and the thing is under way. Once the difficulty is joined and the armies are locked together, Marquis Tian and the lord of Liang will see the danger — how then would they dare hold back their soldiers and not give them to us?" Tian Pan said, "Good." Thereupon he urged the two rulers to listen to Xishou, and Xishou and Tian Pan obtained the troops of Qi and Wei. Before the troops had crossed the border, the lord of Liang and Marquis Tian, fearing that they would arrive and be defeated in battle, raised all their forces and followed after them, and greatly defeated the Zhao clan.

Xishou Has Audience with the Lord of Liang (犀首見梁君)

Xishou had audience with the lord of Liang and said, "Your servant exhausts his strength and his wits, wishing to broaden your Majesty's territory and win you an honored name; but Tian Xu ruins your Majesty from within, and your Majesty listens to him. Thus your servant will in the end accomplish nothing. If Xu goes into exile, your servant will remain in attendance; if Xu remains in attendance, your servant begs to go into exile." The king said, "Xu is a minister as close to me as my thigh and my palm. Am I to kill him or drive him out because he does not suit you? What should I say then to the world; and if I keep him close, what am I to do about my ministers! Now for your sake I will hold him at a distance and order that he not dare meddle in your affairs. Whoever meddles in your affairs I will, for your sake, kill or drive out. How is that?" Xishou consented. Thereupon he went east and saw Tian Ying and made a covenant with him; he summoned Master Wen and made him chancellor of Wei, while he himself became chancellor in Han.

Su Dai Speaks to the King of Wei on Tian Xu's Behalf (蘇代為田需說魏王)

Su Dai (蘇代) spoke to the king of Wei on Tian Xu's behalf, saying: "May your servant ask — does Wen act for Wei as he acts for Qi?" The king said, "Not as he acts for Qi." "Does Yan act for Wei as he acts for Han?" The king said, "Not as he acts for Han." Su Dai said: "Yan will hold Han at his right hand and Wei at his left; Wen will hold Qi at his right hand and Wei at his left. These two men will use your Majesty's state to undertake affairs in the world, and if halfway they cannot go on, your Majesty will have no way of hearing of it. Your Majesty's state may drain away like a leaking vessel, and still you take pleasure in going along with them. Your Majesty had better set Xu at your side, to check what these two men do. Then the two men will say, 'Xu is not one of us; if we undertake something not to Wei's advantage, Xu will surely break us before the king.' Then the two men will not dare to keep their hearts abroad. Whatever the two men do, whether to Wei's advantage or not, if your Majesty places Xu at his side to check on it, your servant holds that it is to your Majesty's own advantage and convenient for affairs." The king said, "Good," and did indeed place Xu at his side.

Shi Ju Speaks Against Xishou to the King (史舉非犀首於王)

Shi Ju spoke against Xishou to the king. Xishou wished to bring him to an impasse, and said to Zhang Yi: "Let me have the king yield the state to you, sir; then the king will be a Yao or a Shun, and if you do not accept it, you will be a Xu You. And then I will have the king present you with a town of ten thousand households." Zhang Yi was pleased, and accordingly had Shi Ju see Xishou repeatedly. When the king heard of it he trusted him no longer, and Shi Ju departed without taking leave.

The King of Chu Attacks the South of Liang (楚王攻梁南)

The king of Chu attacked the south of Liang, and the Han clan accordingly laid siege to Qiang. Cheng Hui spoke on Xishou's behalf to the king of Han, saying: "If you press the attack on Qiang, the army of Chu will surely advance. Wei will not be able to hold out, and will fold its arms and submit to Chu; then the Han clan will surely be in danger. Therefore your Majesty had better release Qiang. With no trouble from Han, Wei will surely fight Chu. If it fights and does not win, it will not be able to hold Daliang — how much less keep Qiang? If it fights and wins, its troops will be worn and spent, and your Majesty's attack on Qiang will be easy."

King Hui of Wei Dies (魏惠王死)

King Hui of Wei died, and a day was set for the burial. Heaven sent down a great snow, deep enough to reach the eyes of an ox. It broke down the walls of the city, and a plank road was to be built so that the burial could go forward. Many of the ministers remonstrated with the heir apparent, saying, "With snow as heavy as this, if the funeral goes forward the people will surely suffer greatly by it. We fear too that the official funds will not suffice. We beg you to release the date and change the day." The heir apparent said, "For a son to fail to carry out the funeral of a former king on account of the people's toil and the official expense would not be righteous. Say no more of it."

None of the ministers dared speak further, and they told Xishou. Xishou said, "I have nothing with which to speak of it. Surely this belongs to Lord Hui alone. Let me tell Lord Hui."

Lord Hui said, "Agreed." He had his carriage yoked and went to see the heir apparent, saying, "A day has been set for the burial." The heir apparent said, "It has." Lord Hui said: "In antiquity King Jili was buried at the foot of Mount Chu. Seeping water gnawed at his tomb and laid bare the front board of the coffin. King Wen said, 'Ah! My late lord must wish to see his ministers and his people once more, and therefore has made the seeping water reveal him.' Thereupon he brought the coffin out and set up an awning for it as at court, so that all the people saw him, and after three days he buried him again. This was King Wen's sense of what is right. Now a day has been set for the burial, but the snow is heavy, reaching to the eyes of an ox, and it is hard to travel. If the heir apparent presses on for the sake of keeping to the day, may he not be suspected of wanting the burial over with quickly? I wish the heir apparent would change the day. The former king must wish to linger a little and support the altars of soil and grain and set the black-haired people at ease, and therefore has made the snow heavy. To release the date and appoint another day accordingly — this is King Wen's sense of what is right. If in such a case you will not do it, is it that you are ashamed to take King Wen for your model?" The heir apparent said, "Very good. I respectfully release the date, and will choose another day."

Master Hui not only put his own argument into effect; he also caused the heir apparent of Wei, in not yet burying his former king, thereby to set forth King Wen's sense of what is right. To set forth King Wen's sense of what is right and display it to the world — is that a small achievement!

Five States Attack Qin (五國伐秦)

Five states attacked Qin and returned without success. Afterward Qi wished to attack Song, and Qin forbade it. Qi sent Song Guo to Qin to ask that they join together and so attack Song. The king of Qin agreed. The king of Wei, fearing the joining of Qi and Qin, wished to come to terms with Qin.

Someone said to the king of Wei: "The king of Qin said to Song Guo, 'Those who would divide the cities of Song and subdue Song's strength are the six states. Those who would ride upon Song's exhaustion and contend with your Majesty for the gain are Chu and Wei. Let me, for your Majesty's sake, refrain from forbidding Chu to attack Wei, so that your Majesty alone may take Song. In attacking Song let your Majesty use both hardness and softness. With a state like Song, to deceive it is not to act perversely, and to kill it is not to make an enemy. Your Majesty should not merely come to terms with it in order to take its land; when the land is already got, attack it with force besides, aiming at nothing but devouring Song.'

"Your servant heard these words and privately grieved for your Majesty, for Qin will surely use this upon your Majesty. It will surely say that your Majesty demands land, and when the land has been got will attack your Majesty by force. And it will surely speak to your Majesty in such a way as to make your Majesty slight Qi; and when the dealings of Qi and Wei have grown ugly, it will gather Qi in and make fresh demands upon your Majesty. Qin has used this on Chu before, and has used it on Han before. I wish your Majesty to reckon this deeply. Whether Qin means well by Wei cannot be known. Therefore, planning for your Majesty: best of all is to attack Qin; next best is to shut Qin out; next is to hold the covenant firm and make a show of coming to terms, so that the allied states do not fall away from one another. If Qin and Qi join, nothing can be done for the state. Let your Majesty listen to your servant, and by no means come to terms."

"The power of Qin bears heavily upon Wei, and by now this is plain and thoroughly understood. Therefore those who claim to be injuring Qin on your behalf dare not do it openly. If all under Heaven can be brought to attack Qin, they urge it in secret but dare not plan it. When they see that all under Heaven is injuring Qin, they are the first to sell off their allies in order to clear themselves. If all under Heaven can be brought to shut Qin out, they play the men coerced by their allies who had no choice. And if all under Heaven can be brought to neither, then they are the first to depart, and they make Qin their chief connection in order to make themselves weighty. Men of this kind sell their king to make their own capital. How could such men deliver a state from calamity?

"One who would deliver a state from calamity must exhaust the three stages, and carry out the highest. If the highest cannot be done, then carry out the middle; if the middle cannot be done, then carry out the lowest; if the lowest cannot be done, then declare openly that you will not side with Qin, and rather than live alongside Qin, cripple Qin — so that Qin may have neither its hundred grudges nor its hundred advantages, and think of nothing but stopping, and of its own safety. Do not let them sell you off into a junction with Qin: that is the plan of one who delivers a state from calamity. How am I worthy to undertake it? Even so, I would have you weigh my plan.

"Yan is a state at feud with Qi; Qin is a brother by treaty. To join states at feud in order to attack a marriage kinsman — I have borne the bitterness of it. The Yellow Emperor fought in the wilds of Zhuolu, and the troops of the Western Rong did not come; Yu attacked the Three Miao, and the people of the Eastern Yi did not rise. To attack Qin with Yan is a thing the Yellow Emperor found hard — and yet I have brought up the armored men of Yan and raised the troops of Qi.

"I have also served in turn every officer of the Three Jin — the Lord of Fengyang (奉陽君), the Lord of Mengchang (孟嘗君), Han Min (韓呡), Zhou Ju (周聚), Han Yuwei (韓餘為) — following them as a partisan and putting myself below them, for fear that they would waver about attacking Qin. I also made myself hateful to Qin. The one who first asked that the Qin tallies of all under Heaven be burned was I; the one who next carried on the covenant to burn the tallies was I; the one who wanted the five states to covenant to close the passes against Qin was I. When the Lord of Fengyang and Han Yuwei had already made their peace, and Su Xiu (蘇脩) and Zhu Ying (朱嬰) were both secretly at Handan, I persuaded the king of Qi and went and ruined it. When all under Heaven joined in seeking terms, and Su Xiu was sent to spread their words through the world and make Qi the chief connection, and the troops of Qi asked leave to attack Wei, I contested it at the risk of death; and in the end, in the west, through Su Xiu, a weighty answer was returned. It is not that I did not know how heavy the power of Qin is. Yet the reason I did it was for your sake."

Wenzi of Wei, Tian Xu, and Zhou Xiao Are on Good Terms (魏文子田需周宵相善)

Wenzi of Wei (魏文子), Tian Xu (田需), and Zhou Xiao (周宵) were on good terms with one another and wished to bring a charge against Xishou (犀首). Xishou was troubled by this and said to the king of Wei: "What is to be feared at present is Qi. Yingzi's (嬰子) words are carried out by the king of Qi. If Your Majesty wishes to win Qi, why not summon Wenzi and make him chancellor? He will certainly make it his business to serve Your Majesty with Qi." The king said, "Good." He therefore summoned Wenzi and made him chancellor, and by this Xishou made him turn his back on Tian Xu and Zhou Xiao.

The King of Wei Sends Hui Shi to Chu (魏王令惠施之楚)

The king of Wei sent Hui Shi (惠施) to Chu and sent Xishou to Qi. He made the two men equal, giving them equal numbers of carriages, meaning to sound out the friendships of the two states. The king of Chu heard of it. Hui Shi therefore had a man go ahead of him into Chu to say: "The king of Wei has sent Xishou to Qi and Hui Shi to Chu. He has made the two men equal; he means to sound out the friendships of the two states." When the king of Chu heard this, he went out to the suburbs to welcome Hui Shi.

King Hui of Wei Raises All the Men Within His Borders (魏惠王起境內眾)

King Hui of Wei (魏惠王) raised all the men within his borders, put the heir apparent Shen (太子申) in command, and attacked Qi. A traveling adviser said to the tutor of Prince Li (公子理): "Why not have the prince weep before the king's mother and stop the heir apparent's expedition? If the thing succeeds, he plants virtue; if it does not succeed, he will become king. The heir apparent is young in years and not practiced in arms. Tian Pan (田盼) is a veteran general, and Master Sun (孫子) is skilled in the use of troops. In battle Wei will surely not win, and not winning, the heir apparent will surely be taken. Let the prince argue the case before the king. If the king heeds the prince, the prince will be enfeoffed; if the king does not heed the prince, the heir apparent will surely be defeated; being defeated, the prince will surely be set up; being set up, he will surely become king."

Qi and Wei Fight at Maling (齊魏戰於馬陵)

Qi and Wei fought at Maling (馬陵). Qi greatly defeated Wei, killed the heir apparent Shen, and overthrew an army of a hundred thousand. The king of Wei summoned Hui Shi and told him: "Qi is my enemy. My resentment of it I shall not forget until I die. Small though the state is, I have constantly wished to raise every soldier and attack it. What do you say?" Hui Shi answered: "It cannot be done. I have heard that a true king grasps measure and a hegemon knows calculation. What Your Majesty has told me is far from measure and remote from calculation. Your Majesty first fastened a grudge upon Zhao, and only afterward fought with Qi. Now the battle is lost, the state has no equipment for defense or war, and Your Majesty wishes again to raise everything and attack Qi. This is not what I would call measure and calculation. If Your Majesty wishes to take revenge on Qi, there is nothing better than to change your dress, bend your rank, and go to court at Qi. The king of Chu will surely be enraged. Let Your Majesty send men to move between them and bring their quarrel together, and Chu will surely attack Qi. With a rested Chu striking a worn-out Qi, Qi will surely be taken by Chu. Thus Your Majesty will destroy Qi by means of Chu." The king of Wei said, "Good." He then sent men to report to Qi that he wished to be kept as a vassal and to attend court.

Tian Ying (田嬰) agreed to it. Zhang Chou (張丑) said: "It cannot be done. Had we fought Wei without winning and yet obtained the rites of a court audience, made peace with Wei and put ourselves below Chu, that could have been a great victory. But now we have beaten Wei in battle, overthrown an army of a hundred thousand, and taken the heir apparent Shen; we make a vassal of Wei with its ten thousand chariots and belittle Qin and Chu. Their judgment that we are violent and cruel is now fixed. Moreover the king of Chu is a man who loves to use troops and is deeply set upon fame. In the end the one who will be Qi's calamity is certainly Chu." Tian Ying did not listen. He accordingly received the king of Wei, and together with him attended court before the Marquis of Qi two and three times.

Zhao thought it shameful. The king of Chu was enraged, took command in person, and attacked Qi; Zhao answered him, and they greatly defeated Qi at Xuzhou (徐州).

Hui Shi Joins Han and Wei (惠施為韓魏交)

Hui Shi was joining Han and Wei, and had the heir apparent Ming (太子鳴) sent as hostage to Qi. The king wished to see him. Zhu Cang (朱倉) said to the king: "Why not plead illness? Let me persuade Yingzi, saying: 'The king of Wei is advanced in years, and now he is ill. You would do better to send the heir apparent home and put him in your debt. Otherwise Prince Gao (公子高) is in Chu, and Chu will bring him in and set him up; then Qi will be holding an empty hostage and acting without righteousness.'"

Tian Xu Is Honored by the King of Wei (田需貴於魏王)

Tian Xu stood high with the king of Wei. Master Hui said to him: "You must be on good terms with those about the king. Consider the willow: plant it sideways and it lives; plant it upside down and it lives; break it and plant it and still it lives. Yet let ten men plant willows and one man pull them up, and there will be no living willow left. Why is it that ten men planting a thing that grows so easily cannot prevail against one man? Because planting is hard and uprooting is easy. Now although you have planted yourself with the king, those who wish to uproot you are many. You are certainly in danger."

Tian Xu Dies (田需死)

Tian Xu died. Zhao Yu (昭魚) said to Su Dai (蘇代): "Tian Xu is dead. I am afraid that one of Zhang Yi (張儀), the Lord of Xue (薛公), or Xishou will become chancellor of Wei." Dai said: "Then whom would you find it convenient to have as chancellor?" Zhao Yu said: "I want the heir apparent to be his own chancellor." Dai said: "Let me go north for you and see the king of Liang; he will certainly make him chancellor." Zhao Yu said: "How?" Dai said: "You play the king of Liang, and let me persuade you." Zhao Yu said: "How?"

Dai answered: "'I, Dai, have come from Chu. Zhao Yu is much troubled. I said to him, "What troubles you?" He said, "Tian Xu is dead. I am afraid that one of Zhang Yi, the Lord of Xue, or Xishou will become chancellor of Wei." I said, "Do not be troubled. The king of Liang is a ruler of long experience; he will certainly not make Zhang Yi chancellor. If Zhang Yi is chancellor of Wei, he will surely favor Qin on the right and slight Wei on the left. If the Lord of Xue is chancellor of Wei, he will surely favor Qi and slight Wei. If Xishou is chancellor of Wei, he will surely favor Han and slight Wei. The king of Liang is a ruler of long experience; he will certainly appoint none of them chancellor."' Dai said further: '"There is nothing so good as for the heir apparent to be his own chancellor. Then these three men, all taking it that the heir apparent is no lasting chancellor, will all strive to serve Wei with their own states in the hope of the chancellor's seal. With the strength of Wei, and three states of ten thousand chariots holding it up in support, Wei will certainly be secure. Therefore I say, there is nothing so good as for the heir apparent to be his own chancellor."'"

He then went north and saw the king of Liang and told him these words, and the heir apparent did indeed become his own chancellor.

Qin Summons Xin'an Jun, Chancellor of Wei (秦召魏相信安君)

Qin summoned Xin'an Jun (信安君), the chancellor of Wei, and Xin'an Jun did not wish to go. Su Dai spoke on his behalf to the king of Qin: "I have heard it said that loyal words do not always fit the case, and words that fit the case are not always loyal. Now I wish to set out before Your Majesty my foolish thought, fearing that if I am not loyal to the officers beneath you I shall bring upon myself the penalty of the waist and the neck. I beg Your Majesty to examine it.

"Your Majesty is now sending a man to take charge of affairs in Wei, in order to make the friendship of the two states complete; I fear rather that Wei's friendship will grow more doubtful. And in doing this to block Zhao, I fear rather that Zhao will grow the stronger. The king of Wei's love and familiarity for Wei Xin (魏信) is extreme; his esteem for the man's wisdom and ability, and his employment of him, are generous; and his fear and hatred and stern respect for Qin are plain. Now if Your Majesty's man enters Wei and is not employed, then his entering Wei is of no use; and if he is employed, then Wei must set aside the man it loves and is used to and employ the man it fears and hates, and it is by this that the king of Wei will be made uneasy. To give up the affairs of a state of ten thousand chariots and withdraw is a hard thing for Wei Xin to do. To place another man's ruler where he is uneasy, and to make another man's chancellor do what he cannot do, and to call this friendship — that will be hard to keep for long. Therefore I say I fear that Wei's friendship will grow more doubtful.

"Moreover, if Wei Xin gives up his office, then the planners of Zhao will surely say: 'He has been cast off by Qin. Qin will certainly have the men it loves and trusts employed in Zhao.' That is, Zhao stands while we are gone, Zhao is safe while we are in danger. Then above there will be a spirit for battle in the open field, and below a resolve to hold firm. Therefore I say I fear that Zhao will grow the stronger.

"Does Your Majesty wish to make Wei's friendship complete and make Zhao cautious? Then there is nothing better than to employ Wei Xin and honor him with a title. If Wei Xin serves Your Majesty, his state is safe and his name honored; if he parts from Your Majesty, his state is in danger and his power light. That being so, in Wei Xin's service of his king, what he does above for his lord is loyal and what he does below for himself is generous, and his service of Your Majesty will surely be complete.

"Then those who manage affairs in Zhao will surely say: 'The name and lineage of the house of Wei is no higher than ours; the substance of its land is no richer than ours. Yet Wei Xin serves Qin with Han and Wei, and Qin treats him very well; his state gains security and he himself takes honor. But we, joining battle with the troops of Qin, are a lure and a target; our state stands in the shape of being pared away and endangered. This is no plan that succeeds. To bind up resentment abroad and breed calamity at home, and to place oneself in a ground of death and ruin — this is no way to make affairs complete.' They will then grieve over their former course and repent of their mistaken conduct; and hoping for advantage, they will surely cut off much land in order to abase themselves deeply before Your Majesty. Thus Your Majesty, with robes hanging and hands folded, will have land cut off for you and gain heavily by it — a thing that Yao and Shun sought and could not get. I beg Your Majesty to examine this."

Qin and Chu Attack Wei and Besiege Pishi (秦楚攻魏圍皮氏)

Qin and Chu attacked Wei and besieged Pishi (皮氏). Someone spoke to the king of Chu on Wei's behalf: "If Qin and Chu defeat Wei, the king of Wei in his fear will see his ruin before him and will certainly throw himself upon Qin. Why does Your Majesty not turn your back on Qin and side with the king of Wei? The king of Wei will be delighted and will surely send in his heir apparent. Qin, afraid of losing Chu, will surely offer up walled towns and land to Your Majesty; and then, even if you join Qin again in attacking Wei, it may be done." The king of Chu said, "Good." He then turned his back on Qin and sided with Wei, and Wei sent its heir apparent into Chu.

Qin was afraid, and promised Chu walled towns and land, wishing to raise Chu to attack Wei again. Chuli Ji (樗里疾) was angry and wished to join Wei in attacking Chu, but feared that Wei, because its heir apparent was in Chu, would not consent. Someone spoke to the king of Chu on Ji's behalf: "The foreign servant Ji has sent me to report this: 'The king of our poor state wishes to offer up the walled towns and land, but because the heir apparent of Wei is still in Chu he has not yet dared. If Your Majesty releases the hostage of Wei, I beg leave to offer them up, and to make firm again the friendship of Qin and Chu, and so to attack Wei with speed.'" The king of Chu said, "Agreed," and released the heir apparent of Wei. Qin thereupon joined with Wei to attack Chu.

Pang Cong Goes as Hostage to Handan with the Heir Apparent (龐蔥與太子質於邯鄲)

Pang Cong (龐蔥) was going as a hostage to Handan with the heir apparent. He said to the king of Wei: "Suppose one man says there is a tiger in the marketplace. Would Your Majesty believe him?" The king said, "No." "Suppose two men say there is a tiger in the marketplace. Would Your Majesty believe them?" The king said, "I should begin to doubt." "Suppose three men say there is a tiger in the marketplace. Would Your Majesty believe them?" The king said, "I should believe it." Pang Cong said: "That there is no tiger in the marketplace is plain; yet three men speaking make a tiger. Now Handan is farther from Daliang than the marketplace is, and those who will talk about me are more than three. I beg Your Majesty to look into it." The king said, "I shall know for myself." Thereupon Pang Cong took his leave and set out, and the slanders arrived before him. Later, when the heir apparent's term as hostage ended, Pang Cong indeed could not obtain an audience.

King Wei Ying of Liang Feasts the Feudal Lords at the Fan Terrace (梁王魏嬰觴諸侯於范臺)

King Wei Ying of Liang (梁王魏嬰) feasted the feudal lords at the Fan Terrace (范臺). When the wine was at its height, he asked the ruler of Lu to raise a cup. The ruler of Lu rose, left his mat, and chose his words, saying:

"Long ago a daughter of the Sovereign had Yi Di (儀狄) make wine, and it was fine, and she presented it to Yu. Yu drank it and found it sweet, and thereupon he put Yi Di at a distance and gave up rich wine, saying, 'In later ages there will surely be those who lose their states through wine.'

"Duke Huan of Qi (齊桓公) at midnight had no relish for food. Yi Ya (易牙) then fried and simmered, roasted and broiled, blended and harmonized the five flavors, and presented the dish; and Duke Huan ate it and was full, and did not wake until dawn, and he said, 'In later ages there will surely be those who lose their states through flavors.'

"Duke Wen of Jin (晉文公) obtained Nan Zhi Wei (南之威), and for three days he did not attend to the court; and thereupon he pushed Nan Zhi Wei away and kept her at a distance, saying, 'In later ages there will surely be those who lose their states through beauty.'

"The king of Chu climbed the Qiang Terrace (強臺) and gazed toward Beng Mountain, the river on his left and the lake on his right, and as he looked down and wandered in delight his joy made him forget death; and thereupon he swore an oath over the Qiang Terrace and would not climb it again, saying, 'In later ages there will surely be those who lose their states through high terraces and ponded parks.'

"Now the wine in my lord's goblet is the wine of Yi Di; my lord's flavors are the blending of Yi Ya; Baitai (白台) on the left and Lüxu (閭須) on the right are the beauty of Nan Wei; the Jia Forest (夾林) before and the Lan Terrace (蘭臺) behind are the delight of the Qiang Terrace. Any one of these is enough to lose a state. Now my lord has all four together. Can he do without warning?"

The king of Liang praised him, one word of praise following upon another.

Strategies of Wei, 3 (魏策三)

Qin and Zhao Make a Compact and Attack Wei (秦趙約而伐魏)

Qin and Zhao made a compact and attacked Wei, and the king of Wei was troubled by it. Mang Mao (芒卯) said: "Let Your Majesty not be anxious. Let me send Zhang Yi (張倚) as envoy to say to the king of Zhao: 'As for Ye (鄴), by its very situation it is not truly mine. Now that Your Majesty has gathered Qin and attacks Wei, I beg to serve Your Majesty with Ye.'" The king of Zhao was delighted. He summoned the chancellor and charged him: "The king of Wei asks to serve me with Ye, and asks me to break with Qin." The chancellor said: "To gather Qin and attack Wei — the profit would not exceed Ye. Now we get Ye without using troops. I beg you to grant Wei's request."

Zhang Yi then said to the king of Zhao: "The officers of our poor state who are to hand over the city are already at Ye. What will Your Majesty give Wei in return?" The king of Zhao thereupon ordered the passes closed and broke with Qin, and Qin and Zhao became bitter enemies.

Mang Mao answered the envoy of Zhao: "The reason our poor state served Your Majesty was to keep Ye whole. As for handing Ye over, that is the envoy's offense; I, Mao, knew nothing of it." The king of Zhao, fearing that Wei would take up Qin's anger, hastily cut off five cities to join with Wei and hold Qin off.

Mang Mao Speaks to the King of Qin (芒卯謂秦王)

Mang Mao said to the king of Qin: "Among Your Majesty's officers there is none who acts for you from within. I have heard that an enlightened king does not act with his back to a man within. What Your Majesty wants from Wei are the lands of Changyang (長羊), Wangwu (王屋), and Luolin (洛林). If Your Majesty can make me minister of education of Wei, then I can make Wei present them." The king of Qin said, "Good," and accordingly had him appointed minister of education of Wei.

He said to the king of Wei: "What troubles Your Majesty is the upper lands. What Qin wants from Wei are the lands of Changyang, Wangwu, and Luolin. If Your Majesty presents them to Qin, the upper lands will be free of trouble; and then ask that Qin bring down its troops to strike Qi in the east, and the land you seize will surely reach far." The king of Wei said, "Good," and presented them to Qin.

The land had gone in some months, and Qin's troops did not come down. The king of Wei said to Mang Mao: "The land went in months ago and Qin's troops have not come down. Why?" Mang Mao said: "I deserve death. Yet if I die, the tally is broken with Qin and Your Majesty will have no means of holding Qin to account. If Your Majesty pardons my offense, I will demand the covenant of Qin on Your Majesty's behalf."

He then went to Qin and said to the king of Qin: "The reason Wei presented the lands of Changyang, Wangwu, and Luolin was that it meant to bring Your Majesty's troops down to strike Qi in the east. Now the land has gone in, and Qin's troops cannot come down, and I am a dead man. Yet hereafter the officers east of the mountains will find no advantage in serving Your Majesty." The king of Qin was startled and said: "The state has had business and could not spare troops to send down. Now troops shall follow." Ten days later Qin's troops came down. Mang Mao took joint command of the troops of Qin and Wei, struck Qi in the east, and opened up twenty-two counties of territory.

Qin Defeats Wei at Hua, Routs Mang Mao, and Besieges Daliang (秦敗魏於華走芒卯而圍大梁)

Qin defeated Wei at Hua (華), routed Mang Mao, and besieged Daliang (大梁). Xu Jia (須賈) spoke on Wei's behalf to the Marquis of Rang (穰侯):

"I have heard that the great ministers and the fathers and elder brothers of the house of Wei all say to the king of Wei: 'In earlier times King Hui attacked Zhao, won the battle at San Liang (三梁), and with an army of a hundred thousand took Handan; yet Zhao did not cut off land, and Handan came back to it. The men of Qi attacked Yan, killed Zizhi (子之), and broke that old state; yet Yan did not cut off land, and the state of Yan came back to it. The reason Yan and Zhao kept their states whole and their arms strong, and their lands were not swallowed up by the other lords, is that they were able to endure hardship and held it a grave thing to give out land. Song and Zhongshan were attacked again and again and cut off land again and again, and ruin followed after. I hold that Yan and Zhao may be taken as a model, and that Song and Zhongshan need not be imitated.

"'Qin is a greedy and violent state and has no kin feeling. It eats Wei away like a silkworm; it has consumed the state of Jin; it won the battle over Gaozi (睾子) and cut off eight counties, and before the land had all gone in its troops came out again. What satiety has Qin! Now again it has routed Mang Mao and entered Beidi (北地). This is not merely an attack on Liang; it is to coerce the king into cutting off much land, and Your Majesty must certainly not listen. If Your Majesty now, with Chu and Zhao at your side, comes to terms, Chu and Zhao will be angry and will vie with Your Majesty in serving Qin, and Qin will certainly accept them; and if Qin attacks again with the troops of Chu and Zhao under its arm, then to save the state from ruin will be beyond reach. Let Your Majesty by all means not come to terms. If Your Majesty wishes terms, then cut off little and require a hostage; otherwise you will surely be deceived.'

"This is what I have heard in Wei, and I would have you consider affairs by it.

"The Documents of Zhou say: 'The mandate is not upon what is constant.' This says that good fortune cannot be counted upon often. To have won the battle over Gaozi and cut off eight counties was not the fineness of your arms nor the craft of your plans: Heaven's luck had the greater share in it. Now again to rout Mang Mao, enter Beidi, and attack Daliang is to take Heaven's luck for a constant thing. The wise do not do so.

"I have heard that Wei has gathered the fighting men of all its hundred counties to garrison Daliang, and I reckon them at no fewer than three hundred thousand. With a host of three hundred thousand holding a wall ten ren high, I reckon that even if Tang and Wu came back to life it would not be easy to attack. To make light of the matter, trusting to the troops of Chu and Zhao, to scale a wall ten ren high and face a host of three hundred thousand, resolved to take it — I reckon that from the first division of the world down to today such a thing has never been. If you attack and cannot take it, Qin's troops will surely be worn out, Yin (陰) will surely be lost, and the merit already won will surely be thrown away.

"Wei is now wavering, and can be won over with a small cession. I would have you, while the troops of Chu and Zhao have not yet taken Daliang upon themselves, quickly win Wei over with a small cession. Wei is wavering, and if it can have peace at the price of a small cession it will certainly want it; and then you will have what you want. Chu and Zhao, angry that Wei made terms before them, will vie to serve Qin. The vertical alliance will thus be scattered, and you may make your choice afterward. Moreover, when you formerly cut off land from the state of Jin and took it, what need was there of troops? Without using troops, Wei handed over Jiang (絳) and Anyi (安邑), and further opened two gateways for Yin, taking in all that was once Song, and Wey handed over its own in still greater dread. Qin's troops are already under orders, and you control them. What could you seek and not get? What could you do and not accomplish? I would have you consider it ripely and not walk into danger."

The Marquis of Rang said, "Good," and raised the siege of Liang.

Qin Defeats Wei at Hua and the King of Wei Is About to Go to Court in Qin (秦敗魏於華魏王且入朝於秦)

Qin defeated Wei at Hua, and the king of Wei was about to go to court in Qin. Zhou Xin (周訢) said to the king: "There was a man of Song who went off to study. After three years he came back and called his mother by her name. His mother said, 'You have studied three years, and you come back and call me by my name. Why?' Her son said, 'Those whom I hold worthiest are none above Yao and Shun, and Yao and Shun are called by name. Those whom I hold greatest are none greater than Heaven and Earth, and Heaven and Earth are called by name. Now my mother is no worthier than Yao and Shun, and my mother is no greater than Heaven and Earth. Therefore I call my mother by her name.' His mother said, 'In what you have studied, do you mean to carry out all of it? Then I would have you find something to put in place of calling your mother by her name. In what you have studied, will there be something you do not carry out? Then I would have you put calling your mother by her name last of all.'

"Now in Your Majesty's service of Qin, is there still something that can be put in place of going to court? I would have Your Majesty find something to put in its place, and leave going to court for last."

The king of Wei said: "Do you fear that I shall go in and not come out? Xu Wan (許綰) has sworn on my behalf, saying, 'If he goes in and does not come out, I beg to follow him in death with my head.'" Zhou Xin replied: "Low as I am, if a man now said to me, 'Go into a fathomless abyss and you will surely come out; and if you do not come out, I beg to follow you in death with the head of one rat' — I would certainly not do it. Now Qin is a state that cannot be known, like a fathomless abyss; and the head of Xu Wan is like the head of a rat. To send Your Majesty into an unknowable Qin, and to have Your Majesty followed in death by a rat's head — I privately hold that Your Majesty should not take this course. And which is the more urgent: to be without Liang, or to be without Henei (河內)?" The king said, "Liang is the more urgent." "And which is the more urgent: to be without Liang, or to be without your own person?" The king said, "My person is the more urgent." Zhou Xin said: "Of these three, your person is the highest and Henei the lowest. Qin has not yet demanded the lowest, and Your Majesty offers up the highest. Can this be right?"

The king still did not listen. Zhi Qi (支期) said: "Let Your Majesty watch the king of Chu. If the king of Chu enters Qin, let Your Majesty go before him with three carriages; if the king of Chu does not enter, then Chu and Wei are one, and that is still enough to fend off Qin." The king thereupon stopped. The king said to Zhi Qi: "I have already given my promise to the Marquis of Ying (應侯). If I now do not go, I shall have deceived him." Zhi Qi said: "Let Your Majesty not be anxious. I will have the Marquis of Changxin (長信侯) ask that Your Majesty not be brought in. Let Your Majesty wait for me."

Zhi Qi spoke to the Marquis of Changxin: "The king commands me to summon the chancellor." The Marquis of Changxin said: "What does the king want with me?" Zhi Qi said: "I do not know. The king summons you urgently." The Marquis of Changxin said: "In bringing the king into Qin, was it for Qin's sake? It was for Wei's sake." Zhi Qi said: "Do not plan for Wei, my lord; plan for yourself. Where lies death? Where lies life? Where lies want? Where lies honor? Plan first for yourself, my lord, and afterward for Wei." The Marquis of Changxin said: "Lord Lou (樓公) is about to go in; I shall follow presently." Zhi Qi said: "The king summons you urgently. If you do not go, blood will spatter your collar!"

The Marquis of Changxin set out, and Zhi Qi followed behind him. When they were about to see the king, Zhi Qi went in first and said to the king: "Feign illness when you see him. I have already put fear into him." The Marquis of Changxin went in and saw the king. The king said: "My illness is grave. What is to be done! I have already given my promise to the Marquis of Ying. Even if I should die upon the road, shall I go?" The Marquis of Changxin said: "Let Your Majesty not go! I can get it settled with the Marquis of Ying. I would have Your Majesty be without anxiety."

The Battle of the Army at Hua (華軍之戰)

In the battle of the army at Hua, Wei did not prevail over Qin. The next year Wei was about to send Duangan Chong (段干崇) to cut off land and make terms.

Sun Chen (孫臣) said to the king of Wei: "That Wei did not cut off land at the height of its defeat may be called making good use of a defeat; and that Qin did not exact a cession at the height of its victory may be called not knowing how to use a victory. Now, when a full year has passed, you wish to cut off land: this is the private interest of your ministers, and Your Majesty does not know it. Moreover, the one who wants a seal is Duangan Zi, and Your Majesty therefore sends him to cut off land; the one who wants land is Qin, and Your Majesty therefore has Qin bestow the seal. When the man who wants a seal controls the land, and the one who wants land controls the seal, by the nature of the thing there will surely be no Wei left. And treacherous ministers all wish to serve Qin with land. To serve Qin with land is like carrying firewood to put out a fire: while the firewood is not used up, the fire will not stop. Now Your Majesty's land has an end, and Qin's demands are without end. This is what the saying about firewood and fire means."

The king of Wei said: "Good. Yet I have already given my promise to Qin, and it cannot be altered." Sun Chen replied: "Has Your Majesty alone never seen how a gambler uses the owl piece? When he wishes to take, he takes; when he wishes to hold, he holds. Now my lord, coerced by his ministers, has promised Qin, and thereupon says it cannot be altered. Why is your use of wit not the equal of the owl piece?" The king of Wei said, "Good," and stopped the journey.

Qi Wishes to Attack Wei (齊欲伐魏)

Qi wished to attack Wei. Wei sent a man to say to Chunyu Kun (淳于髡): "Qi wishes to attack Wei. The only one who can undo Wei's trouble is you, sir. Our poor state has two pairs of precious jade discs and two teams of four patterned horses; we beg to present them to you." Chunyu Kun said, "Agreed." He went in and persuaded the king of Qi: "Chu is the enemy of Qi; Wei is Qi's ally. To attack an ally and let the enemy take mastery of what remains after your exhaustion — the name of it is ugly and the substance of it dangerous. For Your Majesty's sake I would not do it." The king of Qi said, "Good," and did not attack Wei.

A traveling adviser said to the king of Qi: "Chunyu Kun spoke against attacking Wei because he had received Wei's jade discs and horses." The king thereupon said to Chunyu Kun: "I hear that you received Wei's jade discs and horses. Is it so?" He said, "It is." "Then how have you planned for me?" Chunyu Kun said: "If attacking Wei were to your advantage, then though Wei were to stab me, what would Your Majesty gain by it? If it were truly not to your advantage, then though Wei were to enfeoff me, what would Your Majesty lose by it? Besides, Your Majesty escapes the reproach of attacking an ally, Wei escapes the danger of being destroyed, the hundred families escape the calamity of being put under arms, and Kun has the treasure of the jade discs and horses. What harm is there in this to Your Majesty?"

Qin Is About to Attack Wei (秦將伐魏)

Qin was about to attack Wei. The king of Wei heard of it and saw the Lord of Mengchang by night, telling him: "Qin is about to attack Wei. Plan for me — what shall be done?" The Lord of Mengchang said: "With rescue from the other lords, the state can be preserved." The king said: "I wish you to go." He solemnly had a hundred carriages made ready for him.

The Lord of Mengchang went to Zhao and said to the king of Zhao: "I, Wen, would borrow troops to rescue Wei." The king of Zhao said, "I cannot." The Lord of Mengchang said: "That I dare to borrow troops is out of loyalty to Your Majesty." The king said, "May I hear it?" The Lord of Mengchang said: "Zhao's soldiers are not stronger than Wei's soldiers; Wei's soldiers are not weaker than Zhao's. Yet Zhao's land is not endangered year by year and its people do not die year by year, while Wei's land is endangered year by year and its people die year by year. Why? Because on the west Wei is Zhao's screen. Now if Zhao does not rescue Wei, Wei will smear the blood of covenant with Qin, and then Zhao will have a strong Qin for its border; its land too will be endangered year by year, and its people too will die year by year. This is why I, Wen, am loyal to Your Majesty." The king of Zhao consented, and raised for him a hundred thousand troops and three hundred chariots.

He then went north and saw the king of Yan, saying: "In former days my father the prince bound the friendship of our two rulers. Now Qin is about to attack Wei, and I would have Your Majesty rescue it." The king of Yan said: "My harvests have failed two years now, and now to march several thousand li besides in order to help Wei — what of that?" Tian Wen said: "To march several thousand li and rescue another is a profit to the state. Now the king of Wei goes out of his city gate and sees the enemy's army; though he might wish to march several thousand li and help another, could he do it?" The king of Yan still did not consent. Tian Wen said: "I have offered Your Majesty an advantageous plan. If Your Majesty will not use my loyal plan, I beg leave to go. I fear that a great change is coming upon the world." The king said: "May I hear of this great change?" He said: "Qin attacks Wei and has not yet been able to overcome it, yet its terraces are already burned and its pleasure grounds already taken away. And if Yan does not rescue Wei, the king of Wei will bend his rank and cut off land, giving half his state to Qin, and Qin will surely withdraw. Once Qin has left Wei, the king of Wei will muster all the troops of Han and Wei, and westward will borrow the troops of Qin besides, and take with him the host of Zhao, and with four states attack Yan. What profit will Your Majesty have then? Is the profit in marching several thousand li to help another, or in going out of Yan's southern gate and seeing an army there? For then the road is short and the transport is easy as well. Where is Your Majesty's profit?" The king of Yan said: "Go, sir; I listen to you." He then raised for him eighty thousand troops and two hundred chariots, to follow Tian Wen.

The king of Wei was greatly pleased and said: "My lord has got the troops of Yan and Zhao, and very many, and very quickly." The king of Qin was greatly afraid; he cut off land and asked terms of Wei. Wei then sent back the troops of Yan and Zhao, and enfeoffed Tian Wen.

Wei Is About to Join Qin in Attacking Han (魏將與秦攻韓)

Wei was about to join Qin in attacking Han. Zhu Ji (朱己) said to the king of Wei:

"Qin shares its customs with the Rong and the Di. It has the heart of a tiger or a wolf: greedy, violent, fond of gain, without good faith, knowing nothing of ritual propriety, of righteousness, or of virtuous conduct. Where there is profit in a thing, it takes no account of kin or brothers — it is no more than a beast. All the world knows this alike. It is not a state upon which generosity is to be spent or virtue heaped up. Thus the Queen Dowager was his own mother, and she died of grief; the Marquis of Rang was his maternal uncle, and no man's merit was greater, yet in the end he drove him out; his two younger brothers had committed no crime, yet twice he stripped them of their domains. If this is how he treats his own kin and brothers, how much more an enemy state he counts a foe. Now Your Majesty joins Qin in attacking Han and so draws nearer to Qin. Your servant is greatly perplexed by it. If the king does not perceive this, that is want of clear sight; and if the assembled ministers know it and none of them remonstrates on this account, that is want of loyalty.

"Now the house of Han has a single woman upholding a single weak ruler. Within there is great disorder; how then without can it hold off the armies of a powerful Qin and of Wei? Does the king suppose it will not be broken? When Han is gone, Qin will hold all the land of Zheng and will border upon Daliang. Does the king suppose that safe? The king wishes to recover the old territory, yet now he takes upon his back the calamity of a powerful Qin. Does the king suppose that profitable?

"Qin is not a state that sits idle. After Han is gone it will look for a convenient undertaking; looking for a convenient undertaking, it will go where things are easy and profitable; and going where things are easy and profitable, it will surely not attack Chu or Zhao. Why is this? To cross the mountains and pass the river, cut through Han's Shangdang and strike at a strong Zhao, would be to repeat the affair of Yuyu; Qin will certainly not do it. If it went by way of Henei, with Ye and Zhaoge at its back, cutting across the waters of the Zhang and the Fu to decide the issue against Zhao's troops in the outskirts of Handan, that would be to take upon itself the disaster of Zhi Bo; and this too Qin dare not do. To attack Chu, it must go by way of the She valleys, marching thirty li, and assault a strait and perilous barrier; the march would be very long and the objective very hard, and this too Qin will not do. If it went by way of Hewai, with Daliang at its back and Shangcai and Zhaoling on its right, to decide the issue against Chu's troops in the outskirts of Chen — this too Qin dare not do. Therefore I say: Qin will certainly not attack Chu or Zhao, and neither will it attack Wey (衛) or Qi.

"After Han is gone, on the day the troops of Qin march out there will be nothing to attack but Wei. Qin already holds Huai, Xingqiu, Ancheng, and Guijin, and with these it looks down upon Henei; and Gong and Ji in Henei will every one of them be in peril. Once Qin holds the land of Zheng and gains Yuanyong, it can breach the Xing Marsh and put Daliang under water, and Daliang will surely be lost. Your Majesty's envoy committed a grave fault when he spoke ill of the house of Anling to Qin. Qin has long wished to be granted such a thing; and since Qin's Yeyang and Kunyang border upon Wuyang and Gaoling, having listened to the envoy's slander it will follow the matter up against the house of Anling and seek to destroy it. If Qin skirts north of Wuyang and comes eastward to overlook Xu, then the southern country will surely be in peril; and even should the southern country not be in peril, how could the state of Wei be at ease?

"Moreover, to hate Han and refuse to receive the house of Anling may be allowed; but to feel no anxiety that Qin has no love for the southern country — that is wrong. In former days Qin lay west of the Yellow River, and the land of Jin was more than a thousand li from Liang; river and mountain fenced it off, and Zhou and Han lay between. From the campaign at Lin down to the present day, Qin has attacked Wei ten times and five times entered the interior of the state, and the frontier towns have all been taken. Wentai was cast down, Chuidu was burned, the forest trees were felled, the elk and deer were finished, and then the capital itself was besieged. Qin drove far north of Liang, east as far as the outskirts of Tao and Wey, north as far as Kan. What was lost to Qin was Shanbei, Hewai, and Henei — great counties by the hundred and famous cities by the ten. And that was while Qin still lay west of the Yellow River and the land of Jin was still a thousand li from Daliang; yet the calamity was such as this. How much more if Qin be left with no Han and in possession of the land of Zheng, with no river or mountain to fence it off, no Zhou or Han lying between, and only a hundred li from Daliang — then the calamity must be a hundred times this.

"In former days the vertical alliance did not succeed, because Chu and Wei were suspicious of each other and Han could not be brought into the covenant. Now Han has borne the brunt of war for three years. Qin has harassed it with offers of settlement; Han knows it faces destruction and still will not listen. It has sent a hostage to Zhao and has asked to take its place in the wild-goose line of the world's armies and blunt its blade there. As your servant sees it, Chu and Zhao will surely join it in the attack. Why is this? Because all of them know that Qin's appetite is without limit, and that until it has destroyed every army in the world and made subjects of the people within the seas it will surely not rest. Therefore your servant wishes to serve the king by way of the vertical alliance. Let the king swiftly accept the covenant of Chu and Zhao and hold the pledges of Han and Wei, making the preservation of Han his business; then let him ask Han for the old territory, and Han will surely yield it up. In this way the officers and the people will not be worn out and the old territory will be regained; the achievement will be greater than joining Qin in attacking Han, and without the calamity of bordering upon a powerful Qin.

"To preserve Han, to secure Wei, and to profit the world — this too is the king's great season. Open the road from Han's Shangdang to Gong and Mo; and when the road is open, set a barrier upon it and levy a toll on those who go in and out. That is Wei taking Han's Shangdang as a weighty pledge. To share in its revenues will be enough to enrich the state; Han will surely be grateful to Wei, love Wei, honor Wei, and fear Wei, and Han will surely not dare turn against Wei. Han will then be a county of Wei. And when Wei has Han for a county, Wey, Daliang, and Hewai will surely be secure. But if Han is not preserved now, the two Zhou will surely be in peril and Anling will surely be overturned; Chu and Zhao will be utterly broken, Wey and Qi will be sorely afraid, and the day when the world turns west and gallops to Qin, entering its court as its subjects, will not be far off."

The Lord of Yeyang Makes a Covenant with Wei (葉陽君約魏)

The Lord of Yeyang made a covenant with Wei, and the king of Wei was about to enfeoff his son. Someone said to the king of Wei: "Your Majesty once crossed the Zhang in person and went to court at Handan, taking up Ge, Bi, Yin, and Cheng and giving them to Zhao as towns for its maintenance, and yet Zhao holds nothing on Your Majesty's behalf. Can Your Majesty now also enfeoff his son with Wenyang and Guyi? Your servant would not take this course for Your Majesty." The king of Wei thereupon desisted.

Qin Sends Zhao to Attack Wei (秦使趙攻魏)

Qin sent Zhao to attack Wei. Wei said to the king of Zhao: "To attack Wei is the beginning of Zhao's destruction. In old times the men of Jin wished to destroy Yu and therefore attacked Guo; and the attack on Guo was the beginning of Yu's destruction. So Xun Xi used horses and a jade disc to borrow a road through Yu; Gong Zhiqi remonstrated and was not heeded, and in the end the road was lent to Jin. The men of Jin attacked Guo, and on their return they took Yu. Therefore the Spring and Autumn Annals record it and lay the blame upon the duke of Yu. Now no state is stronger than Zhao, and it stands with Qi and Qin joined to it; its king is worthy, and a man of repute is his chancellor. That which is a disease of the heart and belly to Qin is Zhao. Wei is Zhao's Guo, and Zhao is Wei's Yu. To listen to Qin and attack Wei is to act the part of Yu. I beg Your Majesty to consider it well."

The Heir Apparent of Wei Is in Chu (魏太子在楚)

The heir apparent of Wei was in Chu. Someone spoke to Master Lou at Yanling: "You are surely waiting for Qi and Chu to join together, so as to relieve Pishi. But as matters now stand between Qi and Chu, they will certainly not join. Of all in the state whom Master Di hates, there is none but you. His people all wish to join Qi and Qin and shut out Chu, so as to make light of you. You must say to the king of Qi: 'That Wei has borne the brunt of war is not because Qin was truly the first to attack it. Chu hated Wei's serving Your Majesty, and therefore urged Qin to attack Wei.' The king of Qi has long wished to attack Chu, and being further angered that Chu is not good to him, he will surely make Wei yield territory to Qin and come to terms. Consider the power of Master Zhang, who had the weight of Qin and Han behind him: the king of Qi hated him, and the king of Wei did not dare rely upon him. Now with the weight of Qi and Qin they shut out Chu in order to make light of you, and on your behalf your servant is troubled by it. If territory must be given up alike in coming to terms with Qin, how much better to do it by way of Chu. When Qin presses its attack on Chu and Chu turns its troops back, the king of Wei will surely be afraid; you may then commit the land north of the Fen to Qin and come to terms, joining in friendship and leaving Qi alone. Qin and Chu will then hold you weighty, and you will surely become chancellor. It is my thought that the king of Qin and Chuli Ji desire this, and I ask leave to argue it for you."

He then went and said to Chuli Zi: "The attack on Pishi is your king's first undertaking, and it cannot be carried; the world will make light of Qin on this account. Moreover, to hold Pishi is an advantage for attacking Han and Wei." Chuli Zi said, "I have already come to terms with Wei; there is no use for it." He answered: "Let your servant venture to guess at your mind with his own poor thoughts, and do not hold it a fault in me. To hold Pishi is a great advantage to the state, and yet you give it to Wei; in the end you gave it to Wei because you judged yourself unable to hold it. But now your strength is more than enough to hold it. For what reason, then, do you not keep it?" Chuli Zi said, "What is to be done?" He said: "What the king of Wei relies on is Qi and Chu; those whom he employs are Lou Bi and Di Qiang. Now the king of Qi has said to the king of Wei, 'You wish for a settlement, but I speak of attack' — that is the language of one who would be master of the war; which is to say, he will not come to the rescue. The king of Chu is angry that Wei does not employ Master Lou but has set Di Qiang to make the peace; the resentment in his face shows that he has already broken with Wei. The king of Wei is afraid, and sees ruin before him. Di Qiang wishes to join Qi and Qin and shut out Chu, so as to make light of Lou Bi; Lou Bi wishes to join Qin and Chu and shut out Qi, so as to make light of Di Qiang. You would do better to hold back Wei's settlement, and to send a man to say to Master Lou: 'Can you give me the land north of the Fen? Then I will ask to join with Chu and shut out Qi, so as to make you weighty; this is my own affair.' Master Lou and the king of Chu will surely be quick about it. And say to Master Di: 'Can you give me the land north of the Fen? Then I will surely join with Qi and shut out Chu, so as to make you weighty.' Di Qiang and the king of Qi will surely be quick about it. Thus abroad you will have Qi and Chu at your service, and at home you will have Lou Bi and Di Qiang for your helpers. For what reason should you not be able to hold land in Hedong?"

Strategies of Wei, 4 (魏策四)

A Letter Presented to the King of Qin (獻書秦王)

[…] presented a letter to the king of Qin, saying: "Formerly your servant heard in private that Your Majesty plans to send forth an expedition against Liang. I fear the plan does not come of good counsel, and I beg Your Majesty to weigh it well. Liang is the waist of the lands east of the mountains. Suppose there is a snake here: strike its tail and its head comes to the rescue; strike its head and its tail comes to the rescue; strike it in the middle of the body and head and tail both come to the rescue. Now the king of Liang is the middle of the world's body. For Qin to attack Liang is to show the world that it means to cut the spine of the eastern lands; and that is the moment when head and tail of the east will both come to the rescue of the middle. Seeing ruin before them, the eastern lands will surely be afraid; and being afraid, they will surely make a great alliance. The eastern lands are still strong, and your servant foresees that Qin's great trouble may be awaited standing. In my private counsel for Your Majesty, it would be better to march out southward. Undertake matters in the southern quarter, where the troops are weak and the world will not be able to rescue them; the land may be broadened, the state may be enriched, the army may be made strong, and the ruler may be honored. Has Your Majesty not heard how Tang attacked Jie? He tried his hand upon the weak house of Misu and made of it a schooling in arms; and having taken the house of Misu, Tang knew that he could subdue Jie. Now Qin is at enmity with the lands east of the mountains; if it does not first make a schooling in arms upon the weak, its army will surely be greatly broken and the state will surely fall into great trouble." And Qin did indeed march south and attack Lantian, Yan, and Ying.

In the Eighth Year, a Speech to the King of Wei (八年謂魏王)

In the eighth year, […] said to the king of Wei: "In old times Cao relied on Qi and made light of Jin; Qi attacked Lai and Ju, and the men of Jin destroyed Cao. Zeng relied on Qi to defy Yue; Hezi of Qi made disorder, and the men of Yue destroyed Zeng. Zheng relied on Wei and made light of Han; Wei attacked Yuguan, and the house of Han destroyed Zheng. Yuan relied on Qin and the Di and made light of Jin; the harvests of Qin and the Di failed utterly, and the men of Jin destroyed Yuan. Zhongshan relied on Qi and Wei and made light of Zhao; Qi and Wei attacked Chu, and Zhao destroyed Zhongshan. What destroyed these five states was in every case the very thing they relied on. Nor is it only these five states that were so: every state in the world that has perished has perished so. The reasons why a state cannot be relied on are many, and its changes cannot be counted through. One cannot be relied on because its government and instruction are not in order and high and low are not in accord; another because it has the anxiety of neighboring lords; another because the harvest does not ripen and its stores are used up; another because it is turned aside by profit and drawn near to trouble. By this your servant knows that a state can never be relied on for a certainty. Now Your Majesty relies on the strength of Chu and trusts the words of the Lord of Chunshen, and on this account gives a hostage to Qin; but what may come long after cannot be known. Should a change come over the Lord of Chunshen, Your Majesty alone will bear the calamity of Qin. That is to say, Your Majesty possesses a state of ten thousand chariots, yet makes the mind of a single man his destiny. Your servant holds this to be unsound, and begs Your Majesty to weigh it well."

The King of Wei Questions Zhang Mao (魏王問張旄)

The king of Wei asked Zhang Mao: "I wish to join Qin in attacking Han. What of it?" Zhang Mao answered: "Will Han sit still and wait to be destroyed? Or will it cede territory and go with the world?" The king said, "Han will cede territory and go with the world." Zhang Mao said, "Does Han resent Wei, or does it resent Qin?" The king said, "It resents Wei." Zhang Mao said, "Does Han hold Qin the stronger, or Wei the stronger?" The king said, "Qin the stronger." Zhang Mao said, "Then will Han cede territory and go with the one it holds stronger and does not resent? Or will it cede territory and go with the one it holds not stronger and does resent?" The king said, "Han will cede territory and go with the one it holds stronger and does not resent." Zhang Mao said, "Then in the matter of attacking Han, Your Majesty knows the answer himself."

A Guest Speaks to Sima Yiji (客謂司馬食其)

A guest said to Sima Yiji: "To hold, after long deliberation, that the world can be made one is not to know the world. To wish to hold off Qin with Wei alone is again not to know Wei. And to say that Lord Zi does not know these two things is not to know Lord Zi. Yet Lord Zi works for the vertical alliance. What is his reasoning? If the alliance holds, Lord Zi is weighty; if it does not hold, Lord Zi is light. Lord Zi dwells in his weight, and the term he sets is not a real one. Why do you not hurry, while the three states are still firm, and sell yourself to Qin? Qin will surely take you. If you do not, the men of the horizontal alliance will lay their plans against you in joining Qin, and that is to take what you have staked and stake it for your enemy."

Wei and Qin Attack Chu (魏秦伐楚)

Wei and Qin attacked Chu, but the king of Wei was unwilling. Lou Huan said to the king of Wei: "If Your Majesty does not join Qin in attacking Chu, Chu will join Qin in attacking Your Majesty. Better for Your Majesty to set Qin and Chu to fight each other, and so control them both through their dealings."

The Marquis of Rang Attacks Daliang (穰侯攻大梁)

The Marquis of Rang attacked Daliang and mounted upon Beiying, and the king of Wei was about to submit. Someone said to the Marquis of Rang: "When you attacked Chu and took Wan and Rang, you used them to enlarge Tao; when you attacked Qi and took Gang and Bo, you used them to enlarge Tao; and when you took Xu and Yanling, you used them to enlarge Tao. That the king of Qin has asked no questions — why is this? Because Daliang has not yet fallen. On the day Daliang falls, Xu and Yanling will surely be called into question; and once they are called into question, you will surely be brought to straits. In counsel for you, it is better not to attack."

Bai Gui Speaks to the Lord of Xincheng (白珪謂新城君)

Bai Gui said to the Lord of Xincheng: "A man who walks by night can keep himself from wrongdoing, but he cannot stop the dogs from barking at him. So your servant can keep from speaking of you to the king, but he cannot stop others from speaking of your servant to you."

Qin Attacks Guan of Han (秦攻韓之管)

Qin attacked Guan, a town of Han, and the king of Wei sent out troops to relieve it. Zhao Ji said: "Qin is a strong state, and the lands of Han and Wei border upon Qin. If it does not march out to attack, well and good; but if it marches out to attack, then it must fall either upon Han or upon Wei. Now by good fortune it falls upon Han, and this is Wei's blessing. If Your Majesty relieves Han, then what is relieved of the attack will be Han's Guan, and what draws the attack upon itself will be Wei's Liang." The king of Wei would not listen, and said, "If we do not take this occasion to rescue Han, Han will resent Wei and will join with Qin in the west; and if Qin and Han become one, Wei is in peril." So he relieved it.

Qin did indeed let go of Guan and attack Wei. The king of Wei was greatly alarmed and said to Zhao Ji, "I did not use your counsel, and the calamity has come. What is to be done?" Zhao Ji then went for his sake to see the king of Qin and said: "Your servant has heard that when an enlightened ruler listens, he does not make private attachment his policy, but weighs the matter from every side. I beg Your Majesty not to attack Wei, and to listen to your servant." The king of Qin said, "Why?" Zhao Ji said, "The vertical alliance of the eastern lands now joins and now falls apart. Why is that?" The king of Qin said, "I do not know." He said: "The world joins together because Your Majesty is not to be counted on; it falls apart because Your Majesty is to be counted on. Now you attacked Guan of Han and that state was in peril; and before it was finished you moved your troops against Liang. For joining the world in a vertical alliance, nothing could be plainer than this. They will hold that Qin's demands can never be withstood. Therefore in counsel for Your Majesty, it were better to master Zhao. Once Qin has mastered Zhao, Yan will not dare refuse to serve Qin, and Jing and Qi cannot hold the alliance alone. When the world vies to make itself Qin's enemy, then Qin is weakened." The king of Qin thereupon desisted.

Qin and Zhao Join Battle in Enmity (秦趙構難而戰)

Qin and Zhao fell into enmity and fought. Someone said to the king of Wei: "It would be better to gather in Zhao and set it to engage Qin. If Your Majesty does not bring Zhao to engage, Zhao will not join battle with a broken army; but bring it to engage Qin, and Zhao will surely fight again and will surely hold Wei weighty. This is the way to control Qin and Zhao together in one affair. If Your Majesty wishes, he may gather in Qi and Zhao and attack Jing; and if he wishes, he may gather in Jing and Zhao and attack Qi. It is to be wished that Your Majesty become the elder of the east and there await the outcome."

The Campaign of Changping (長平之役)

At the time of the campaign of Changping, the Lord of Pingdu urged the king of Wei: "Why does Your Majesty not join the vertical alliance?" The king of Wei said, "Qin has promised me Yuanyong." The Lord of Pingdu said, "Your servant holds Yuanyong to be an empty cession." The king of Wei said, "What do you mean?" The Lord of Pingdu said: "Qin and Zhao have long stood facing each other below Changping without a decision. If the world joins Qin, there will be no Zhao; if it joins Zhao, there will be no Qin. Qin fears that Your Majesty may turn, and therefore baits Your Majesty with Yuanyong. If Qin defeats Zhao in battle, will Your Majesty dare demand the cession of Yuanyong?" The king said, "I would not dare." "If Qin does not defeat Zhao in battle, can Your Majesty make Han hand over the cession of Yuanyong?" The king said, "I could not." "Therefore your servant says: Yuanyong is an empty cession." The king of Wei said, "Well said."

Lou Wu Binds Qin and Wei by Covenant (樓梧約秦魏)

Lou Wu bound Qin and Wei by covenant and was about to have the king of Qin meet the king of Wei at the frontier. Someone said to the king of Wei: "If you meet him and have no chancellor, Qin will certainly install one. If you do not accept the man, relations with Qin will be soured; and if you do accept him, then hereafter Your Majesty's ministers will all take pains to serve those among the lords who can give orders over Your Majesty's head. Moreover, to meet with Qin and take your chancellor from Qin is to be without Qi, and Qin will surely make light of Your Majesty's strength. If there is a man who holds Qi, it would be better to make him chancellor; Qi will surely be pleased, and thus you will go to the meeting with Qin having Qi in hand, and Qin will surely hold Your Majesty weighty."

Rui Song Wishes to Sever Relations Between Qin and Zhao (芮宋欲絕秦趙之交)

Rui Song wished to sever relations between Qin and Zhao, and therefore had the house of Wei take back from Qin the maintenance land held for the queen dowager of Qin. Rui Song then said to the king of Qin: "Wei entrusted its state to Your Majesty and Your Majesty would not receive it, and therefore it entrusted its state to Zhao. Li Hao said to your servant, 'You say that you have nothing to do with Qin, and yet you maintain the queen dowager of Qin with land. This is to deceive me.' And so our humble state has taken the land back." The king of Qin was angry, and thereupon broke with Zhao.

On Wei's Behalf, a Speech to the King of Chu (為魏謂楚王)

Speaking on Wei's behalf, someone said to the king of Chu: "If you seek leave of Qin to attack Wei, Qin will certainly not listen to Your Majesty; and so your wisdom will be baffled by Qin and your relations with Wei will be estranged. If Chu and Wei bear each other a grudge, Qin gains in weight. Therefore Your Majesty would do better to go along with the world: attack Qi, and exchange convenient territory with Wei. Your troops will not be hurt, your relations will not be altered, and what you desire you will surely obtain."

Guan Bi Sets Di Qiang to Deal with Qin (管鼻之令翟強與秦事)

Guan Bi set Di Qiang to deal with Qin, and said to the king of Wei: "Bi and Qiang are like a man of Jin and a man of Chu. The man of Jin, seeing the man of Chu belted tight, girt on his sword and loosened his own; the man of Chu disliked his looseness and drew his own tighter. Now when Bi entered the post-house of Qin, the house was not large enough to lodge him; and when Qiang entered, there was no one in Qin to brush a mat for him. Qiang is Your Majesty's honored minister, and yet Qin treats him with such extremity. How can this be right?"

The Lord of Chengyang Wishes Han and Wei to Submit to Qin (成陽君欲以韓魏聽秦)

The Lord of Chengyang wished to make Han and Wei submit to Qin, and the king of Wei found no advantage in it. Bai Gui said to the king of Wei: "Your Majesty had better secretly send a man to persuade the Lord of Chengyang, saying: 'If you enter Qin, Qin will certainly detain you and use you to exact a large cession from Han. And if Han does not comply, Qin will certainly detain you and attack Han. Therefore you would do better to travel slowly and ask Qin for a hostage.' Then the Lord of Chengyang will certainly not enter Qin, Qin and Han will not join, and Your Majesty will gain in weight."

Qin Takes Ningyi (秦拔寧邑)

Qin took Ningyi, and the king of Wei sent a man to say to the king of Qin, "If Your Majesty gives Ningyi back, I will come to terms before the rest of the world." Wei Ran said: "Your Majesty should not listen to him. The king of Wei sees that the world is not to be relied on, and therefore wishes to come to terms first. One who has lost Ning ought to cede two Nings to obtain terms; and one who has gained Ning — how can he give Ning back?"

Qin Withdraws from Handan (秦罷邯鄲)

Qin withdrew from Handan, attacked Wei, and took Ningyi. Wu Qing, fearing that the king of Wei would come to terms with Qin, said to the king of Wei: "Qin attacks Your Majesty. Does Your Majesty know the reason? All the world says that Your Majesty is close to Qin. Yet Your Majesty is not close to Qin; Your Majesty is the one Qin means to be rid of. All say that Your Majesty is weak. Yet Your Majesty is not weaker than the two Zhou. That the men of Qin left Handan and passed by the two Zhou to attack Your Majesty is because they take Your Majesty to be easily mastered. Does Your Majesty also know that weakness summons attack?"

The King of Wei Wishes to Attack Handan (魏王欲攻邯鄲)

The king of Wei wished to attack Handan. When Ji Liang heard of it, he turned back in the middle of his journey; with his clothes creased and unsmoothed and the dust not brushed from his head, he went to see the king and said: "As your servant was coming today, he saw a man on the great highway who had turned his carriage to face north. He told your servant, 'I wish to go to Chu.' Your servant said, 'If you are going to Chu, why do you face north?' He said, 'My horses are good.' Your servant said, 'Your horses may be good, but this is not the road to Chu.' He said, 'I have plenty for the journey.' Your servant said, 'You may have plenty, but this is not the road to Chu.' He said, 'My driver is skilled.' 'The better all these things are, the farther you will be from Chu.' Now Your Majesty's every movement is meant to make him hegemon and king, and his every undertaking to win the trust of the world. But if you rely on the greatness of your state and the keenness of your troops to attack Handan, and so widen your land and exalt your name, then the oftener Your Majesty moves, the farther he will be from kingship. It is like going to Chu by traveling north."

Zhou Xiao Speaks to Gong Ta (周肖謂宮他)

Zhou Xiao said to Gong Ta: "Say to the king of Qi on Xiao's behalf that Xiao wishes to be his minister abroad, and have Qi lend me its support in Wei." Gong Ta said: "That will not do. It shows Qi that you are of light account. Qi will not injure one who has Wei behind him for the sake of one who has not; therefore you had better show that you have Wei behind you. Say: 'Whatever Your Majesty seeks of Wei, your servant undertakes to make Wei grant.' Then Qi will surely support you; and so you will have Qi, and by Qi you will have Wei."

Zhou Zui Stands Well with Qi (周冣善齊)

Zhou Zui stood well with Qi, and Di Qiang with Chu. The two of them wished to injure Zhang Yi in Wei. Master Zhang heard of it, and thereupon had one of his own men serve as the petty officer in charge of presenting those who sought audience, so as to watch them; and after that none dared injure Master Zhang.

Zhou Zui Enters Qi (周冣入齊)

Zhou Zui went into Qi. The king of Qin was angry and sent Yao Jia to reprove the king of Wei. The king of Wei therefore said to the king of Qin: "The reason Wei has been able to open the world to Your Majesty is Zhou Zui. Now Zhou Zui has slipped away from me into Qi, and Qi has no opening to the world. And our humble state, in serving Your Majesty, is now free of any entanglement with Qi. If the great state wishes to press its arms, it need only urge Zhao forward."

Qin and Wei Are Allied States (秦魏為與國)

Qin and Wei were allied states. Qi and Chu made a covenant and wished to attack Wei. Wei sent men to beg help of Qin; their caps and carriage canopies were within sight of one another along the road, but no relief came out from Qin.

There was a man of Wei named Tang Ju, more than ninety years old, who said to the king of Wei: "Let your old servant go out westward and persuade Qin. Might the troops set out before your servant himself returns?" The king of Wei said, "Respectfully agreed," and had a carriage made ready and sent him off. Tang Ju saw the king of Qin. The king of Qin said, "Venerable sir, worn as you are, you have come this far; you have suffered greatly. Wei has come begging rescue many times, and I know that Wei is hard pressed." Tang Ju answered: "If Your Majesty knows already that Wei is hard pressed and yet the rescue does not come, then Your Majesty's ministers of counsel are not equal to their office. Wei is a state of ten thousand chariots. It calls itself Qin's eastern screen, receives cap and girdle from Qin, and offers the sacrifices of spring and autumn, because it holds that Qin's strength is enough to make an ally. Now the troops of Qi and Chu are already in the outskirts of Wei and Your Majesty's rescue has not come. When Wei is pressed hard enough, it will cede territory and make a covenant with Qi and Chu; and though Your Majesty then wish to rescue it, how could he be in time? That would be to lose a Wei of ten thousand chariots and to strengthen two enemies, Qi and Chu. I privately hold that Your Majesty's ministers of counsel are not equal to their office."

The king of Qin sighed, grieved, and understood. He at once sent out troops, which hastened to Wei day and night. When Qi and Chu heard of it they drew off their armies and departed. That the house of Wei was made whole again was owing to Tang Ju's persuasion.

The Lord of Xinling Kills Jin Bi (信陵君殺晉鄙)

The Lord of Xinling killed Jin Bi, relieved Handan, broke the men of Qin, and preserved the state of Zhao; and the king of Zhao came out in person to the suburbs to welcome him. Tang Ju said to the Lord of Xinling: "Your servant has heard it said that among affairs there are those one may not know and those one must not fail to know; there are those one must not forget and those one must not fail to forget." The Lord of Xinling said, "What do you mean?" He answered: "That another hates me, I must not fail to know; that I hate another, must never be allowed to be known. That another has done me a kindness, I must not forget; that I have done another a kindness, I must not fail to forget. Now you have killed Jin Bi, relieved Handan, broken the men of Qin, and preserved the state of Zhao — this is a great kindness. Now the king of Zhao comes out to the suburbs to welcome you; and when suddenly you meet the king of Zhao, I would wish that you forget it." The Lord of Xinling said, "Wuji respectfully receives the instruction."

Wei Attacks Guan and Cannot Take It (魏攻管而不下)

Wei attacked Guan and could not take it. There was a man of Anling named Suo Gao whose son was the commandant holding Guan. The Lord of Xinling sent a man to say to the Lord of Anling: "Let my lord send Suo Gao to me. I will appoint him to the rank of fifth grandee and make him a commandant bearing the tally." The Lord of Anling said: "Anling is a small state; I cannot compel my people. Let the envoy go himself. I will have a man guide the envoy to Suo Gao's dwelling and repeat there the Lord of Xinling's command." Suo Gao said: "The lord shows me favor and would have me attack Guan. For a father to attack what his son holds is a thing men laugh loudly at. And should my son submit and come down, that is to betray his sovereign. For a father to teach his son to betray is not a thing the lord would take pleasure in either. I venture to bow twice and decline."

The envoy reported this to the Lord of Xinling, and the Lord of Xinling was greatly angered. He sent a chief envoy to Anling to say: "The land of Anling is likewise Wei's. Now I attack Guan and cannot take it; then the troops of Qin will reach me, and the altars of the state will surely be in peril. I wish my lord to bind Suo Gao alive and deliver him up. If my lord does not deliver him, Wuji will raise an army of a hundred thousand and bring it before the walls of Anling." The Lord of Anling said: "My late lord Chenghou received a charge from King Xiang to hold this land, and received in his own hands the statutes of the Great Repository. The first book of the statutes says: 'A son who murders his father and a subject who murders his ruler — there is a fixed penalty, and no pardon. Though the state grant a general amnesty, one who has surrendered a city and one who has fled shall have no part in it.' Now Suo Gao has respectfully laid down a high office in order to keep whole the duty between father and son, and yet my lord says, 'He must be delivered alive.' That would make me betray King Xiang's charge and set aside the statutes of the Great Repository. Though I die, I dare not in the end do it."

When Suo Gao heard of it he said: "The Lord of Xinling is a fierce and self-willed man. When this refusal goes back, it will surely be a calamity for the state. I have already kept myself whole and have not gone against the duty of a subject; how then can I let my lord suffer trouble from Wei?" He went to the envoy's lodging and cut his own throat and died.

When the Lord of Xinling heard that Suo Gao was dead, he put on plain white mourning dress, withdrew from his usual quarters, and sent an envoy to apologize to the Lord of Anling, saying: "Wuji is a small man. Hemmed in by my own calculations, I spoke amiss to my lord. I venture to bow twice and beg release from my fault."

The King of Wei and the Lord of Longyang Fish from the Same Boat (魏王與龍陽君共船而釣)

The king of Wei was fishing from a boat with the Lord of Longyang. The Lord of Longyang had caught more than ten fish when tears fell from his eyes. The king said, "Is something troubling you? If so, why do you not tell me?" He answered, "Your servant has nothing that troubles him." The king said, "Then why do the tears come?" He said, "Your servant weeps for the fish he has caught." The king said, "What do you mean?" He answered: "When your servant first caught a fish he was very glad; then he caught larger ones, and now he simply wishes to throw away the ones he caught before. Now, ill-favored as your servant is, he has been allowed to smooth Your Majesty's pillow and mat. Your servant's rank has reached that of a lord of men; men run before him in the court and clear the way before him on the road. Within the four seas there are a great many beautiful ones, and when they hear that your servant has found favor with Your Majesty they will surely lift their skirts and hasten to Your Majesty. Your servant too is like the fish he caught first, and your servant too will be thrown away. How then can your servant keep the tears from coming?" The king of Wei said, "You were wrong! If you had such a thought in your heart, why did you not tell me?" Thereupon he proclaimed within the four borders: "Whoever dares to speak of beautiful ones shall be executed with his clan."

Looking at the matter in this light, those who are close and familiar hold fast in their flattery, and the cords by which they bind themselves fast are complete. Now if from a thousand li away one wishes to present a beautiful person, will the one so offered necessarily find favor? And granting that she does find favor, will she necessarily be of use to me? Meanwhile those who are close and familiar will join together in resenting me. I can see harm in it and cannot see good; I can see resentment and cannot see gratitude. This is no way to use one's wits.

Qin Presses Its Attack on Wei (秦攻魏急)

Qin pressed its attack on Wei hard. Someone said to the king of Wei: "To throw land away is not so easy as to use it, and to die for it is not so easy as to throw it away. To be able to throw it away and not be able to use it, to be able to die for it and not be able to throw it away — this is a man's great fault. Now Your Majesty has lost several hundred li of land and cities by the ten, and the trouble of the state is not resolved; this is Your Majesty throwing land away, not using it. Now Qin in its strength has no equal in the world, and Wei's weakness is extreme, and on this footing Your Majesty gives a hostage to Qin. Your Majesty is again able to die for his land and not able to throw it away, and this is a doubled fault. If Your Majesty can now use your servant's plan, the land given up will not be enough to hurt the state, the humbling of your person will not be enough to distress you, the trouble will be resolved and the grudge repaid.

"Throughout Qin, within her four borders, from the ministers who hold the law down to the men who haul the long carts, all without exception ask: 'Are you with the Lao clan, or with the Lü clan?' Down at the gates of the wards and up in the halls of state, it is the same. Now if Your Majesty cedes land to bribe Qin and lets it be counted the achievement of Lao Ai (嫪毐); if you bow your body low to honor Qin and do it by way of Lao Ai; if Your Majesty backs Lao Ai with the whole state — then by Lao Ai the thing is won. When Your Majesty backs the Lao clan with the state, the queen dowager's gratitude toward Your Majesty will run deeper than the marrow of her bones, and Your Majesty's standing with Qin will be the highest in the world. Qin and Wei have made a hundred agreements together and cheated each other a hundred times. But if now, by way of the Lao clan, you stand well with Qin and your standing is the highest in the world, who in all the world will not cast off the Lü clan and follow the Lao clan? The world will surely abandon the Lü clan and follow the Lao clan, and then Your Majesty's grievance will be avenged."

The King of Qin Sent a Man to Speak to the Lord of Anling (秦王使人謂安陵君)

The king of Qin sent a man to say to the Lord of Anling (安陵君): "I wish to exchange five hundred li of land for Anling. Let the Lord of Anling grant me this."

The Lord of Anling said: "The great king bestows a favor, exchanging the great for the small. It is most kind. Even so, I received this land from my former king, and I wish to guard it to the end. I dare not exchange it."

The king of Qin was displeased. The Lord of Anling therefore sent Tang Ju (唐且) on a mission to Qin.

The king of Qin said to Tang Ju: "I offered five hundred li of land in exchange for Anling, and the Lord of Anling would not listen to me. Why? Qin destroyed Han and made an end of Wei, and yet your lord survives with fifty li of land, because I take him for a man of years and worth and so have not set my mind against him. Now I ask to widen his holding tenfold, and he goes against me. Does he make light of me?"

Tang Ju replied: "No, it is not so. The Lord of Anling received his land from his former king and guards it. Not even for a thousand li would he dare exchange it — how much less for a mere five hundred?"

The king of Qin flushed with rage and said to Tang Ju: "Have you, sir, ever heard of the anger of the Son of Heaven?"

Tang Ju replied: "I have never heard of it."

The king of Qin said: "When the Son of Heaven is angry, corpses lie by the million and blood flows a thousand li."

Tang Ju said: "Has the great king ever heard of the anger of a man in plain cloth?"

The king of Qin said: "The anger of a man in plain cloth — he takes off his cap, goes barefoot, and knocks his head against the ground. That is all."

Tang Ju said: "That is the anger of a common fellow, not the anger of an officer. When Zhuan Zhu (專諸) stabbed King Liao (王僚), a comet swept across the moon. When Nie Zheng (聶政) stabbed Han Kui (韓傀), a white rainbow pierced the sun. When Yao Li (要離) stabbed Qing Ji (慶忌), a gray hawk struck above the palace hall. These three men were all officers in plain cloth. Their anger was held in the breast and not yet let out, and the portent came down from Heaven. With me they will number four. If an officer must be angry, then two corpses will lie, blood will flow five paces, and the whole world will go into white mourning — and this day is that day." He drew his sword and rose.

The color drained from the king of Qin's face. He knelt up straight and made his apology, saying: "Be seated, sir. Why should it come to this? I understand. Han and Wei were destroyed and perished, and Anling survives with fifty li of land solely because it has you, sir."

Colophon

This file was prepared for the Chinese shelf of the Good Works Library, translated independently from the classical Chinese text printed below. Each persuasion and anecdote keeps its own heading as the 士禮居叢書 text divides it, and speeches are rendered as continuous direct discourse rather than broken into summary. Only the main text is translated; the interlinear commentary of Bao Biao and Yao Hong, together with the collation notes set in 〔 〕, are printed in the source layer but not rendered into English.

J. I. Crump's Chan-kuo Ts'e (1970; revised 1996) is a complete published English translation of the Zhanguo Ce and is named here as a control-in-existence; it was not fetched or consulted in preparing this file, and no claim of firstness is made for this translation.

A note on names: the state's capital is called both Daliang and, in a number of persuasions, simply Liang, following the source's own variation; both are kept as the text has them rather than normalized to one form. The Lord of Xinling appears under his given name Wuji as well as by his title, again following the source.

Prepared for the Good Work Library by the Tianmu Anglican Church with AI-assisted translation and editorial work.

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Source Text: 戰國策 魏策

Classical Chinese text in the Chinese Wikisource transcription of the 士禮居叢書 edition, with the commentary of Bao Biao and Yao Hong and the collation notes set in 〔 〕 as the transcription carries them. Presented complete for reference, study, and verification alongside the English translation above; the commentary is not translated.

魏策 一

〔鮑本魏　自高陵以東，盡河東、河內；南有陳留及汝南之召陵、隱彊、新汲、西華、長平，穎川之舞陽、郾、許、傿陵，河南之開封、中牟、陽武、酸棗、卷。〕

知伯索地於魏桓子

知伯索地於魏桓子，魏桓子弗予。任章〔鮑本魏人。〕曰：「何故弗予？」桓子曰：「無故索地，故弗予。」任章曰：「無故索地，鄰國必恐；重〔鮑本重，猶多。〕欲無厭，天下必懼。君予之地，知伯必憍。〔鮑本「憍」作「驕」。○　札記丕烈案：韓子作「驕」。「憍」即「驕」字。下文「君不如與之，以驕知伯」，疑本亦是「憍」。〕憍〔鮑本「憍」上有「彼」字，「憍」作「驕」。○〕而輕敵，鄰國懼而相親。以相親之兵，待輕敵之國，知氏之命不長矣！周書曰：『將欲敗之，必姑輔之；將欲取之，必姑與之。』〔鮑本補曰：王應麟曰，周書云云，此豈蘇秦所讀周書陰符者歟？老氏之言出于此。朱子曰，老子為柱下史，故見此書。〕君不如與之，以驕知伯。君何釋〔鮑本釋，猶舍也。何舍此而不為？〕以天下圖知氏，而獨以吾國為知氏質乎？」〔鮑本「質」作「資」。○　舍此不圖。適足為智氏來伐之資。正曰：當音致。與之以地，猶質也。札記今本「質」下有「一作資」三小字，乃以鮑記于旁而誤入也。丕烈案：吳說亦未是。質，的也。下卷「兵為招質」，與此同義。吳氏以為「招質」未詳，非也。韓子有此文，亦作「質」。又存韓篇有「則秦必為天下兵質矣」之語，皆可互證也。〕君曰：「善。」乃與之萬家之邑一。知伯大說。因索蔡、皋梁〔鮑本「梁」作「狼」。○　補曰：趙策作「狼」。〕於趙，趙弗與，因圍晉陽。韓、魏反於外，趙氏應之於內，知氏遂亡。

韓趙相難

韓、趙相難。韓索兵於魏，曰：「願得借師以伐趙。」魏文侯曰：「寡人與趙兄弟，不敢從。」趙又索兵以攻韓，文侯曰：「寡人與韓兄弟，不敢從。」二國不得兵，怒而反。已乃知文侯以〔鮑本「以」作「已」。○　補曰：一本「以講」。　札記丕烈案：韓子作「以」。〕講於己也，〔鮑本二國不伐，知魏和之。〕皆朝魏。

樂羊為魏將而攻中山

樂羊為魏將而攻中山。其子在中山，中山之君烹其子而遺之羹，樂羊坐於幕下而啜〔鮑本啜，飲也。〕之，盡一盃。文侯謂睹師〔姚本續云：後語作「堵」。　鮑本魏人。　補曰：姚云，後語作「堵師」。愚案，左傳，褚師段，宋共公子石，食采于褚。其後可師號褚師，後因氏焉。又有褚師比。「堵」亦姓也，鄭有堵汝父。但此作「堵師」，則恐字有訛。〕贊曰：「樂羊以我之故，食其子之肉。」贊對曰：「其子之肉尚〔姚本一本無此以上三字。〕食之，其〔姚本一作「且」。〕誰不食！」樂羊既罷中山，文侯賞其功而疑其心。〔鮑本彪謂：樂羊所謂隱忍以成就功名者也。子則既烹矣，敵人遺之羹，將以亂其心也。有如不忍而以慈愛沮其殺敵之心，則大事去矣，何救於亡子。故羊忍為此以怒眾而成功，乃其情則非恝然無以天性為者也。睹師贊之言，其謗書之渠乎？雖然，羊之義，視分羹為有餘，比覆醢為不足，使其投盃慷慨，一鼓而攄家國之憤，亦收功必矣。介冑之士，未可望之以聖人之地也。正曰：舜竊負而逃，林回棄千金之璧，輕重之分審矣。豈肯以彼易此哉？劉子政以此事與「西巴放麑」並載，而曰「巧詐不如拙誠」，真名言也。鮑雖為之曲說萬端，奚救哉！項羽坐太公俎上，高祖杯羹一語，貽愧千古，亦幸而不殺爾！不然，何以自立於天下乎？〕

西門豹為鄴令

西門豹為鄴〔鮑本鄴，屬魏郡。〕令，而辭乎魏文侯。文侯曰：「子往矣，〔鮑本補曰：一本「子往子往矣」。〕必就子之功，而成子之名。」西門豹曰：「敢問就功成名，亦有術乎？」文侯曰：「有之。夫〔鮑本「夫」作「矣」。○　補曰：一本「有之夫」，「夫」屬下句。〕鄉邑老者而先受坐之士，〔鮑本老者坐先于眾。〕子入而問其賢良之士而師事之，求其好掩人之美而揚人之醜者〔姚本曾、劉無「者」字。〕而參驗之。夫物多相類而非也，幽莠之幼也似禾，〔鮑本莠，禾下生草。幽，言其色茂。正曰：說文本云，禾粟下生莠，今狗尾也。〕驪牛〔鮑本「驪」作「黧」。○　黧，黑黃色也。驪，乃深黑馬耳。正曰：驪牛，猶言犛牛、狸牛，不必拘以色論。黧，亦黑色也。爾雅，「倉庚，黧黃」，蓋言倉庚色黧黑而黃。增韻注，「黧黑而黃」，誤也。〕之黃也似虎，白骨疑象，武夫類玉，〔鮑本武夫石似玉。　補曰：武夫即武砆。〕此皆似之而非者也。」〔鮑本補曰：夫子曰，「不如鄉人之善者好之，其不善者惡之」，文侯之言亦此類。而曰，「求其好掩人之美而揚人之醜者參驗之」，則其好賢也不誠，而且將以來讒賊之徒，意則異矣。〕

文侯與虞人期獵

文侯與虞人〔鮑本虞人，掌山澤之官。正曰：孟子注，守苑囿之吏。鮑誤以書注「虞」言之。〕期獵。是日，飲酒樂，天雨。文侯將出，左右曰：「今日飲酒樂，天又雨，公將焉之？」文侯曰：「吾與虞人期獵，雖樂，豈可不〔姚本曾作「無」。〕一會期哉！」〔鮑本昔與之期，今往會之。〕乃往，身自罷之。魏於是乎始強。

魏文侯與田子方飲酒而稱樂

魏文侯與田子方飲酒而稱樂。〔鮑本音岳。〕文侯曰：「鍾聲不比〔鮑本比，猶協。正曰：比，音毗。不比，言不和也。〕乎，左高。」〔鮑本言左方之聲高。〕田子方笑。文侯曰：「奚笑？」子方曰：「臣聞之，君明則樂官，〔鮑本音洛，以治官為樂。正曰：通鑑無兩「則」字。樂，仍音岳，下文二語甚明，可推。愚恐「則」乃「明」字訛衍。　札記丕烈案：此不誤。吳說非是。〕不明則樂音。今君審於聲，〔鮑本審，言聽之察。〕臣恐君之聾於官也。」文侯曰：「善，敬聞命。」〔鮑本彪謂：周衰，世主無如魏文侯之賢者。夫其師友淵源，有子方、子夏之徒，誨誘規切之，雖欲無賢可得乎！然則用真儒無敵於天下，信矣！補曰：大事記，史以田子方為文侯師。說苑載翟璜謂子方曰，「公孫成進子夏而君師之，進段干木而君友之，進先生而君敬之」，蓋得其實，故書曰，「晉魏斯好賢，師卜商，友段干木，敬田子方」。〕

魏武侯與諸大夫浮於西河

魏武侯與諸大夫浮於西河，〔鮑本補曰：正義云，西河，即龍門河也。〕稱曰：「河山之險，豈〔鮑本無「豈」字。○〕不亦信固哉！」王鍾〔姚本一作「錯」。〕侍王，〔鮑本「王」作「坐」。○〕曰：「此晉國之所以強也。若善脩之，則霸王之業具矣。」吳起對曰：「吾君之言，危國之道也；而子又附之，是〔鮑本「是」下補「重」。○　札記丕烈案：有者當是。〕危也。」武侯忿然曰：「子之言有說乎？」

吳起對曰：「河山之險，信〔姚本一本無「信」字。〕不足保也；是〔姚本一本無「是」字。〕伯王之業，不從此也。昔者，三苗之居，左〔鮑本「左」下補「有」字。○　正曰：姚云下句一本無「有」字，是。按史及下文可見。〕彭蠡〔鮑本彭蠡湖在豫章彭澤。〕之波，右有〔姚本一本無「有」字。〕洞庭之水，文山〔鮑本「文」作「汶」。○　補曰：「文」未詳。史以「岷」作「汶」，此或遠言之。　札記丕烈案：文山即汶山，見管子、國語。又韓詩外傳云「岐山在北」，「岐」字訛。〕在其南，而衡山〔鮑本衡，南岳，在長沙湘南。〕在其北。恃此險也，為政不善，而禹放逐之。夫〔鮑本衍「夫」字。〕夏桀之國，左天門〔鮑本後志，高都有天井關。注云，戰國策，桀居天門，即此關也。〕之陰，而右天谿之陽，〔鮑本今按天門，即史太華、伊闕，彼言右，故此言左之陰。天谿即河、濟，彼言左，故此言右之陽。正曰：按史，左河、濟，右泰（即太）華，伊闕在其南，羊腸在其北。文不同。〕廬、〔姚本曾作「盧」。　鮑本「廬」作「盧」。○　地缺。補曰：一本「盧」作「廬」，未詳。〕睪在其北，伊、洛〔鮑本孔曰，伊水出陸渾洛水之上洛。正曰：伊水出今商州上洛縣南熊耳山，至洛陽縣入洛。洛水出今商州洛南縣冢領山，至鞏縣入河。〕出其南。有此險也，然為政不善，而湯伐之。殷紂之國，左孟門〔鮑本太公世家註，晉山險。補曰：索隱云，在朝歌東北。〕而右漳、釜，〔鮑本「釜」作「滏」。○　補曰：「滏」通借。〕前帶河，後被山。有此險也，然為政不善，而武王伐之。且君親從臣而勝降城，城非不高也，〔姚本劉本添「也」字。　鮑本無「也」字。○〕人民非不眾也，然而可得并者，政惡故也。從是觀之，地形險阻，奚足以霸王矣！」

武侯曰：「善。吾乃今日聞聖人之言也！西河之政，專委之子矣。」〔鮑本起傳有，小異。補曰：起傳與說苑文同。末云，「由此觀之，在德不在險。君若不修德，舟中之人盡為敵國也」。　史遷曰，吳起說武侯以形勢不如德，然行之於楚，以刻暴少恩亡其軀。楊雄曰，美哉言乎！使起之用兵每若斯，則太公何以加諸？二子論之當矣。然其言不可以人廢也。西河，龍門之河。地即同、華等州，魏之險阨也。一傳惠王，其地日削于秦，至納上郡之時盡矣。險豈足恃也哉？起之言於是乎驗矣。〕

魏公叔痤為魏將

魏公叔痤為魏將，而與韓、趙戰澮北，〔鮑本說文，澮水出霍山西南，入汾。此二年，敗韓馬陵，敗趙于懷。補曰：痤，祖戈反。〕禽樂祚。〔鮑本趙將。〕魏王說，迎郊，以賞田百萬祿之。〔鮑本閑田以待賞有功者。〕公叔痤反走，再拜辭曰：「夫使士卒不崩，直而不倚，〔鮑本直，直前。倚，邪行。〕撓揀而〔姚本一本無「而」字。　鮑本「楝撓」作「棟撓」。○　撓，折也，喻敵之壓已。　札記今本「撓揀」作「棟撓」。〕不辟者，此吳起餘教也，臣不能為也。前脈形埊〔鮑本「形埊」作「地形」。○　脈，見其幽。形，見其顯。　札記今本「形埊」作「埊形」。〕之險阻，決利害之備，使三軍之士不迷惑者，巴〔姚本一作「已」。〕寧、爨襄〔鮑本二人，乃所謂能士。〕之力也。縣賞罰於前，使民昭然信之於後者，王之明法也。見敵之可也鼓之，不敢怠倦者，臣也。王特為臣之右手不倦賞臣，何也？若以臣之有功，臣何力之有乎？」王曰：「善。」於是索吳起之後，賜之田二十萬。巴〔姚本一作「已」。〕寧、爨襄田各十萬。

王曰：「公叔豈非長者哉！既為寡人勝強敵矣，又不遺賢者之後，不揜能士之跡，公叔何可無益乎？」故又與田四十萬，加之百萬之上，使百四十萬。故老子曰：「聖人無積，盡〔姚本劉作「既」。　鮑本「既」，亦「盡」也。〕以為人，己愈有；既以與人，己愈多。」公叔當之矣。〔鮑本彪謂：公叔此言何其似魏絳也。方之郤至，驟稱其伐，彼已隘矣。補曰：按史，田文既死，公叔為相，而害吳起，以計疑起於武侯，起懼得罪而去之楚。公叔即痤也。澮北之戰，痤乃歸功於起之餘教，而使其嗣受賞，何其前後之戾邪？大事記，顯王七年，魏公孫痤敗韓師、趙師於澮。秦庶長國伐澮，獲其將公孫痤。　史記秦本紀及魏世家云，虜公孫痤。惟趙世家、秦魏年表云，虜太子痤。孟子，「梁惠王長子死焉」。蓋太子申戰沒於齊者也。凡史記是年言秦虜太子痤者，非。〕

魏公叔痤病

魏公叔痤病，惠王往問之。曰：「公叔病，即不可諱，〔鮑本死者，人之所不能避，故云。〕將柰社稷何？」公叔痤對曰：「痤有御庶子〔鮑本此公族官，別於國官及太子官。正曰：公叔曰「痤有御庶子」，知為痤之家臣。如甘羅為文信侯少庶子之比。說又見秦、韓等策。〕公孫鞅，願王以國事聽之也。為弗能聽，勿使出竟。」王弗應，出而謂左右曰：「豈不悲哉！以公叔之賢，而謂寡人必以國事聽鞅，不亦悖〔鮑本補曰：史載鞅之言曰，「彼不能用君之言任臣，又安能用君之言殺臣乎」？由是觀之，公叔知鞅而不能進，將死之言，上不能量其君之聽否，下不能測鞅之去就，非悖而何？〕乎！」

公叔痤死，公孫鞅聞之，已葬，〔姚本劉作「出奔」。　鮑本補曰：大事記，顯王八年，公孫痤卒。解題，痤去年為秦所獲，尋歸之，而終於相位也。今年衛鞅自魏適秦，則痤死必在今年。〕西之秦，孝公受而用之。秦果日以強，魏日以削。此非公叔之悖也，惠王之悖也。悖者之患，固以不悖者為悖。〔鮑本商君傳略同。〕

蘇子為趙合從說魏王

蘇子為趙合從，說魏王曰：「大王之埊，南有鴻溝、〔鮑本項羽紀注詳，在滎陽。補曰：蘇子，秦也。下「南有」字恐衍。〕陳、汝〔鮑本汝水出弘農入淮。補曰：陳，宛丘、豫州界。「汝」恐連下「南」字，汝南郡也。而下衍「有」字。　札記今本無「南有」二字。丕烈案：吳氏補曰恐衍者，非也。又曰，「汝」恐連下「南」字，汝南郡也，而下衍「有」字者，是也。史記正作陳、汝南、許，可證。今本誤依吳前一說而輒刪耳。〕南，有許、鄢、昆陽、邵陵、舞陽、〔鮑本鄢下並屬穎川。正曰：鄢，史作郾。索隱云，穎川有許、郾二縣，又有鄢陵縣，故所稱多惑。昆水出南陽，昆陽、舞陽屬穎川，邵陵屬汝南。〕新郪；〔鮑本屬南陽。正曰：索隱云，屬汝南郡，即郪丘。郪，七思反，又音妻。史有「新都」字，新都屬南陽。鮑誤入。〕東有淮、穎、〔鮑本水出穎川陽城。補曰：淮，見前。　札記今本「穎」作「潁」。丕烈案：史記作「潁」。〕沂、〔鮑本水出泰山蓋縣。〕黃、〔鮑本即陳留外黃。正曰：黃，說見秦策。大事記如鮑說。〕煮棗、海鹽、無疏；〔姚本曾作海鹽、無胥。　鮑本無「海鹽」二字。○　補曰：姚本「煮棗」下有「海鹽」字。徐廣云，煮棗在濟陰宛句。正義云，冀州信都縣東北有煮棗田。宛句者，在河南。信都者，在河北。無疏，姚注，曾作無胥，史同。按蘇代曰，決宿胥之口，魏無虛、頓丘。徐廣云，紀年，魏救山塞集胥口。正義云，魏志武帝於清淇口東，因宿胥故瀆開白溝，道清、淇二水入焉。　札記丕烈案：史記無此「海鹽」二字。〕西有長城之界；〔鮑本滎陽、卷縣有長城經陽武到密。補曰：大事記，今開封陽武縣。魏惠王十二年，魏龍賈帥師築長城于西邊。長城即上所指。又十九年，魏築長城，塞固陽。正義云，自鄭濱洛，北達銀州至勝州固陽縣為塞。固陽有連山，東至黃河，西南至夏、會等州。按蘇秦說合從，在惠王後二年。後七年納上郡地，則此時固陽之長城猶魏地也。〕北有河外、卷、衍、燕、〔姚本曾去「燕」字。〕酸棗，〔鮑本補曰：正義云，河外謂河南地。卷，丘權反，在鄭州原武縣北。衍、燕、酸棗，見秦策。史無「燕」字。按張儀說魏亦云，秦下兵攻河外，拔卷、衍、燕、酸棗。正義謂河外即其地也。〕埊方千里。埊〔鮑本無「埊」。○　札記丕烈案：史記有。〕名雖小，然而廬田廡舍，〔姚本曾作「田舍廬廡」。　鮑本廬，田間屋。　廡，廊下周屋。〕曾無所芻牧牛馬之地。〔鮑本居人多故。〕人民之眾，車馬之多，日夜行不休已，無以異於三軍之眾。〔鮑本行人多故，如軍陣。〕臣竊料之，大王之國，不下於楚。然橫人謀〔鮑本「謀」作「訹」。○　史記「怵」。正曰：怵，音黜，恐也。訹，音恤，誘也。策字通，見前。然作「謀」，自可謂橫人為王謀。　札記今本「謀」作「訹」，乃誤涉鮑也。〕王，外交強虎狼之秦，以侵天下，卒有國〔鮑本國，謂魏。〕患，不被其禍。〔鮑本謂橫人。〕夫挾強秦之勢，以內劫其主，罪無過此者。〔姚本曾、集、劉無以上五字。〕且魏，天下之強國也；大王，天下之賢主〔札記今本「主」作「王」。　丕烈案：史記作「王」。〕也。今乃有意西面而事秦，稱東藩，築帝宮，〔鮑本為秦築宮，備其巡幸。〕受冠帶，〔鮑本受服於秦。〕祠春秋，〔鮑本助秦祭。〕臣竊為大王媿之。

「臣聞越王勾踐以散〔鮑本散，則非梟勇。〕卒三千，禽夫差於干遂；〔鮑本補曰：干遂見秦策。〕武王卒三千人，革車三百乘，斬紂於牧之野。豈其士卒眾哉？誠能振其威也。今竊聞大王之卒，武力二十餘萬，蒼頭〔鮑本蓋以青帕首。項紀注，士卒皂巾。　補曰：史記注，魏氏武卒三屬之甲，操十二石之弩，負矢五十，置戈其上，冠冑帶劍，贏三日之糧，日中而趨百里。大事記，荀卿所謂魏之武卒也。〕二千〔鮑本「千」作「十」。○　札記丕烈案：「十」字是也。史記亦作「十」。〕萬，奮擊二十萬，廝徒〔鮑本補曰：正義云，廝徒，謂烹炊供養雜役。廝，音斯。〕十萬，車六百乘，〔姚本曾、劉無「乘」字。〕騎五千疋。〔姚本曾、劉無「疋」字。〕此其過越王勾踐、武王遠矣！今乃劫於辟〔鮑本「辟」作「群」。○　札記今本「辟」作「群」。丕烈案：史記作「群」，蓋不與策文同。〕臣之說，而欲臣事秦。夫事秦必割地效質，〔姚本劉作「實」。〕故兵未用而國已虧矣。凡群臣之言事秦者，皆姦臣，非忠臣也。夫為人臣，割其主之埊以求〔鮑本無「求」字。○　札記丕烈案：史記有。〕外交，偷〔鮑本偷，苟且也。〕取一旦之功而不顧其後，破公家而成私門，外挾彊秦之勢以內劫其主以求割埊，願大王之熟察之也。

「周書曰：『綿綿不絕，〔鮑本綿，薄弱也。正曰：詩，「綿綿瓜瓞」。傳，不絕貌。〕縵縵柰何；〔鮑本「縵」作「蔓」，「奈」作「若」。○　蔓，延也。若「縵」則無文之稱耳。「若何」言不可柰何。正曰：「蔓」、「縵」字通借。補曰：家語，孔子觀周廟金人之銘曰，「焰焰不滅，炎炎若何？涓涓不壅，終為江河。綿綿不絕，或成網羅；豪末不札，將尋斧柯」云云。策謂周書，其指此歟？札記丕烈案：史記作「蔓蔓柰何」。考此所引周書四句，乃和寤解文。吳氏以為家語，非也。今本周書作「蔓蔓若何」。〕毫毛不拔，〔鮑本喻樹之萌。〕將成斧柯。』〔鮑本柯，斧柄。〕前慮不定，後有大患，將柰之何？大王誠能聽臣，六國從親，專心并力，則必無強秦之患。故敝邑趙王〔鮑本肅侯。〕使使臣獻愚計，奉明約，在大王詔之。」魏王曰：「寡人不肖，未嘗得聞明教。今主君以趙王之詔詔之，敬以國從。」〔鮑本秦傳有。〕

張儀為秦連橫說魏王

張儀為秦連橫，說魏王曰：「魏地方不至千里，卒不過三十萬人。埊四平，諸侯四通，條達輻湊，〔鮑本如木枝分布，而四方湊之，如輻於轂。〕無有名山大川之阻。從鄭至梁，不過百里；從陳至梁，二百餘里。馬馳人趨，不待倦而至梁。〔鮑本言陳、鄭所至皆平地。〕南與楚境，西與韓境，北與趙境，東與齊境，卒戍四方，〔鮑本他國境或有山川關塞，惟梁無之，皆以卒戍守。〕守亭障者參列。〔鮑本十里一亭。障，隔也，築城壘為之。補曰：障，關塞邊候，開封有右夷門關。〕粟糧漕庾，〔鮑本漕，水運。庾，水漕倉。　札記今本「漕庾」誤「糟庚」。〕不下十萬。魏之埊勢，故戰場也。魏南與楚而不與齊，則齊攻其東；東與齊而不與趙，則趙攻其北；不合於韓，則韓攻其西；不親〔姚本劉作「合」。〕於楚，則楚攻其南。此所謂四分五裂之道也。

「且夫諸侯之為從者，以安社稷、尊主、強兵、顯名也。合從者，一天下、約為兄弟、刑白馬以盟於洹水之上以相堅也。夫親昆弟，〔札記今本「昆」誤為「兄」。〕同父母，尚有爭錢財。而欲恃詐偽反覆蘇秦之餘謀，其不可以成亦明矣。

「大王不事秦，秦下兵攻河外，拔卷、衍、燕、〔姚本曾作「點」。〕酸棗，劫衛取晉陽，〔鮑本補曰：史作「陽晉」。正義云，陽晉故城在曹州乘氏縣西北。〕則趙不南；趙不南，則魏不北；魏不北，則從道絕；〔鮑本主從者趙，故不言其他。〕從道絕，〔鮑本「從道絕」三字不重。○　補曰：一本復有「從道絕」三字，史同。〕則大王之國欲求無危不可得也。秦挾韓而攻魏，韓劫於秦，不敢不聽。秦、韓為一國，魏之亡可立而須也，此臣之所以〔鮑本無「以」字。○　札記丕烈案：史記無。〕為大王患也。為大王計，莫如事秦，事秦則楚、韓必不敢動；無楚、韓之患，則大王高枕而臥，國必無憂矣。

「且夫秦之所欲弱莫如楚，而能弱楚者莫若魏。楚雖有富大之名，其實空虛；其卒雖眾，多言〔鮑本「言」作「然」。○　札記丕烈案：史記作「然」。詳策文，當讀「眾」字句絕，「多言」下屬。「多言」，謂囂也。史記不與策文同，鮑本誤。〕而輕走，易北，不敢堅戰。魏〔鮑本「魏」上補「患」字。○　正曰：史作「悉」。〕之兵南面而伐，勝楚必矣。夫虧楚而益魏，攻楚而適〔鮑本適，猶歸。〕秦，內嫁禍安國，此善事也。大王不聽臣，秦甲出而東，〔鮑本「東」下補「伐」字。○　札記丕烈案：史記有。〕雖欲事秦而不可得也。

「且夫從人多奮辭〔鮑本猶大言。〕而寡可信，說一諸侯之王，出而乘其車；約一國而反，成而〔鮑本「反成」作「成反」，「而」下補「取」字。　札記今本「而反成而」作「而成反而取」，乃誤涉鮑也。鮑本作「成反」，補「取」字。丕烈案：考史記，云「而成封侯」。可見「取」字係臆補，而今本又誤依之也。〕封侯之基。是故天下之遊士，莫不日夜搤腕〔鮑本搤，把；腕，手也。〕瞋目〔鮑本瞋，張目也。〕切齒〔鮑本言之力也。正曰：荊軻傳索隱云，齒相摩切，奮怒意。〕以言從之便，以說人主。人主覽其辭，牽其說，惡得無眩哉？臣聞積羽沈舟，群輕折軸，眾口鑠金，〔鮑本周語「眾口鑠金」注，「眾口所毀，雖金石猶可銷」。史下又有「積毀銷骨」一句。江淹書，「積毀銷金，積讒磨骨」。〕故願大王之熟計之也。」

魏王曰：「寡人蠢愚，〔姚本曾、劉無「愚」字。〕前計失之。請稱東藩，築帝宮，受冠帶，祠春秋，效河外。」〔鮑本儀傳在諸國之先。彪謂：魏邇秦而無阻固，凡橫人之辭，若可聽唯魏也。故儀先之魏，一搖而諸國動矣。敗從之約，魏其過歟！使魏而繹其說曰，「秦豈能有愛於我哉？兵來不除道，何為以說客先之，是知其不可而訹我也。且我事秦，安得高枕而無憂哉？」如是展轉計之，則儀之辭屈矣。魏不搖，諸侯將又曰，「彼魏四達之國，又邇於秦，彼猶堅約不動，我何懼乎秦？」如是，則諸侯一矣。惜魏之不知出此也。補曰：史，張儀留魏四歲而襄王卒，實惠王；哀王立，實襄王。張儀復說王，王不聽，於是儀陰令秦伐魏。魏與秦戰，敗。明年，齊又敗魏觀津。秦復欲攻魏，先敗韓申差，諸侯震恐。張儀復說魏王云云，王乃倍從約而因儀請成于秦。事在襄王二年。正曰：顯王三十六年，蘇秦約六國合從。次年，秦使犀首欺齊、魏以伐趙，而從約解。慎靚王三年，蘇秦約六國伐秦，再申前約也。兵至函谷關，秦擊之而走。次年，齊敗魏、趙觀津，則齊敗約矣。既而韓與魏、趙伐秦而敗，張儀留魏六年，說而不聽。今因其兵敗從散而說之，得其隙矣，魏不得不聽也。魏非不知從之利而秦之不可信也，劫於秦之強而患於與國之不一。後三年，魏復背秦合從，其情可見矣。惜其自同連雞中兄弟爭財之料，而相與以趨於亡。從之不可合，合之不可久，其勢則然矣。鮑之責魏，殆未深究夫事情也！補曰：搤，音厄。惷，愚也，書容、抽江、丑用、陟降四反，義並同。〕

齊魏約而伐楚

齊、魏約而伐楚，魏以董慶為質於齊。楚攻齊，大敗之，而魏弗救。田嬰怒，將殺董慶。旰夷〔姚本劉作「干夷」。　鮑本「旰」作「盱」。○　皆魏人。補曰：一本「盱」作「吁」。　札記丕烈案：史記孟荀列傳有吁子，作「吁」亦可通。〕為董慶〔鮑本無「為董慶」三字。○〕謂田嬰曰：「楚攻齊，大敗之，而不敢深入者，以魏為將內之於齊〔鮑本言縱楚使深入乃擊之也。〕而擊其後。今殺董慶，是示楚無魏也。魏怒合於楚，齊必危矣。不如貴〔姚本一作「舍」。〕董慶以善魏，而疑之於楚也。」〔鮑本正曰：時不可考。〕

蘇秦拘於魏

蘇秦〔鮑本「秦」作「代」。○　下同。補曰：燕策及史作「代」。　札記今本「秦」作「代」，乃誤涉鮑也。〕拘於魏，欲走而之韓，〔鮑本「韓」作「齊」。○　札記今本「韓」上有「齊」字，乃誤涉鮑也。丕烈案：今本并存「齊韓」二字，誤甚矣。〕魏氏閉關而不通。齊使蘇厲為之謂魏王曰：「齊請以宋地封涇陽君，〔鮑本時未舉宋，此侵伐所得耳。正曰：正義云，涇陽君，秦王弟悝也。齊蘇子告秦兵伐宋，以封涇陽君。然齊假設此策以救代。〕而秦不受也。夫秦非不利有齊而得宋埊也，〔鮑本無「也」字。○　札記丕烈案：史記有。〕然其所以不受者，不信齊王〔鮑本閔。〕與蘇秦〔鮑本補曰：燕策及史作「子」，下同。　札記今本「秦」作「代」。〕也。〔鮑本疑其善魏。〕今秦見齊、魏之不合也〔鮑本衍「也」字。　札記丕烈案：史記無。〕如此其甚也，則齊必不欺秦，而秦信齊矣。齊、秦合而涇陽君有宋地，則非魏之利也。故王不如復東蘇秦，〔鮑本使得之齊。〕秦必疑齊而不聽也。夫齊、秦不合，天下無憂，〔鮑本補曰：一本標一作「變」。　札記丕烈案：史記作「無變」。〕伐齊成，則埊廣矣。」〔鮑本齊無秦而魏伐之，可以得地。蘇傳有，在齊伐宋之前。補曰：燕策及史曰，魏為燕執代，齊使人謂魏王曰云云，於是出蘇代，代之宋。〕

陳軫為秦使於齊

陳軫為秦使於齊，過魏，求見犀首。犀首謝陳軫。〔鮑本辭不之見。〕陳軫曰：「軫之所以來者，事也。公不見軫，軫且行，不得待異日矣。」犀首乃見之。陳軫曰：「公惡事乎？何為飲食而無事？無事必來。」〔鮑本衍「無事必來」四字。補曰︰四字恐因下文衍。　札記丕烈案：史記作「公何好飲也？犀首曰，無事也」。此當有誤。〕犀首曰：「衍不肖，不能得事焉，何敢惡事？」陳軫曰：「請移天下之事於公。」犀首曰︰「柰何？」陳軫曰：「魏王使李從〔鮑本諸多趙人。補曰：軫傳以李從為田需。〕以車百乘使於楚，公可以居其中而疑之。公謂魏王曰：〔鮑本軫教衍。〕『臣與燕、趙故矣，〔鮑本言與之故。〕數令人召臣也，曰無事必來。今臣無事，請謁而往。無久，〔鮑本言不久於彼。〕旬、五之期。』〔鮑本期以十日五日。〕王必無辭以止公。公得行，因自言於廷曰：『臣急使燕、趙，〔鮑本言有急事出使。〕急約車為行具。』」〔鮑本行所當具。〕犀首曰：「諾。」謁魏王，王許之，即明言使燕、趙。

諸侯客聞之，皆使人告其王曰：「李從以車百乘使楚，犀首又以車三十乘〔札記今本「十」誤「千」。〕使燕、趙。」齊王〔鮑本閔。〕聞之，恐後天下得魏，〔鮑本恐得魏後於諸侯。〕以事屬犀首，犀首受齊事。魏王止其行使。〔鮑本無「行」字。○　初以無事請行。今有齊事，魏亦且任之，故止之。　札記今本無「使」字，鮑本無「行」字。丕烈案：二字當複衍其一。〕燕、趙聞之，亦以事屬犀首。楚王〔鮑本懷。〕聞之，曰：「李從約寡人，今燕、齊、趙皆以事因犀首，〔鮑本魏為主約，故諸侯因衍以合魏。〕犀首必欲寡人，寡人欲之。」乃倍李從，而以事因犀首。〔鮑本從與衍，皆為魏約耳，而因衍者眾，故楚亦因之。背從者，欲專於衍也。〕魏王曰：「所以不使犀首者，以為不可。〔鮑本不可任。〕令〔鮑本「令」作「今」。○　札記今本「令」作「今」。丕烈案：「今」字是也。〕四國屬以事，寡人亦以事因焉。」犀首遂主天下之事，復相魏。〔鮑本復，言得四國又相魏也，非已相罷而又復。衍傳有，在張儀初相之後。彪謂：軫之所立，唯此有七國捭闔風氣，不然，醇乎醇矣！正曰：陳軫過犀首而不見，宜若有憾焉，而必見之，又教之以收天下之事任，何也？二人皆不善於張儀者也。激犀首以重任，皆所傾儀而已。鮑氏於軫深所歸重，此章知其失不可揜，則曰「不然，醇乎醇矣」！鮑因軫答秦王之楚之對，而亟加矜獎，曲為之說，故愚亦屢擿其微，非好為攻發也。犀首相在惠王時，說見下章。〕

張儀惡陳軫於魏王

張儀惡陳軫於魏王曰：「軫善事楚，為求壤埊也，甚力之。」〔鮑本衍「之」字。　札記今本無「之」字，乃誤涉鮑也，鮑衍「之」字。丕烈案：楚策無。〕左華〔鮑本未詳。補曰：楚策作「左爽」。〕謂陳軫曰：「儀善於魏王，魏王甚愛之。公雖百說之，猶不聽也。公不如〔鮑本「如」下補「以」字。○　補曰：「如」下宜有「以」字，楚策有。　札記今本「如」下有「以」字，乃誤涉鮑也。〕儀之言為資，而反於楚王。」〔鮑本反，言報之。王，懷王。〕陳軫曰：「善。」因使人先言於楚王。〔鮑本軫自是如楚。正曰：楚策云，楚王喜欲復之，未知即以此時如楚否？策云：儀善於魏王，王甚愛之，當是惠王時事。補曰：軫之答魏王曰，「子胥忠其君，天下皆欲以為臣；孝己愛其親，天下皆欲以為子。臣不忠於王，楚何以臣為忠」？斯言宜若自信矣。今也因張儀謂其善事楚，為求壤地，乃以為資而反楚，則前日所云，一時口給禦人耳，豈其情哉？〕

張儀欲窮陳軫

張儀欲窮陳軫，〔鮑本時在楚。〕令〔札記今本「令」誤「今」。〕魏王召而相之，來將悟〔姚本曾作「梏」。　鮑本「悟」作「倍」。○　補曰：字誤。　札記丕烈案：此以「悟」為「圄」字耳。〕之。將行，其子陳應止其公〔鮑本公，翁同。項羽紀注，謂父。〕之行，曰：「物之湛〔鮑本湛，謂其謀之深。〕者，不可不察也。鄭彊出秦〔鮑本強自秦出在楚。補曰：韓策，鄭強載金入秦，請伐韓。此云出秦也。〕曰，〔札記「曰」，鮑本作「日」。〕應為知。〔姚本曾作「之」。　鮑本言能止其父。〕夫魏欲絕楚、齊，必重迎公。〔鮑本軫在楚，必合齊，而魏欲離之，故迎軫。〕郢中不善公者，欲公之去也，必勤王多公之車。〔鮑本王，楚懷。補曰：「郢中」止「去也」讀，「車」字句。〕公至宋，道稱疾而毋行，使人謂齊王〔鮑本閔。　正曰：大事記，張儀相魏，在惠王後十三年，尋以公孫衍代。襄王二年，因請成于秦，為秦相。後八年，秦出之魏。次年死。其在位，多惠王時，與齊宣相涉。〕曰：『魏之所以迎我者，欲以絕齊、楚也。』」

齊王曰：「子果〔鮑本「果」作「東」。○　使東來齊。　札記今本「果」作「東」。〕無之魏而見寡人也，請封子。」因以魯侯之車迎之。

張儀走之魏

張儀走之魏，〔鮑本傳言秦武元年，群臣惡之，乞之梁。此九年。正曰：按襄王九年，儀走魏，魏納而相之。此云不內，恐非是時事。〕魏將迎之。張丑諫於王，欲勿內，不得於王。〔鮑本王不聽也。〕張丑退，復諫於王曰：「王亦聞老妾事其主婦者乎？子長色衰，重〔鮑本重，猶再。〕家〔姚本一本作「嫁」。　鮑本「家」作「嫁」。○　札記丕烈案：「嫁」字當是。〕而已。今臣之事王，若老妾之事其主婦者。」魏王因不納張儀。〔鮑本彪謂：丑之自比若此，豈可望於士君子之行哉？哀王聽其所說，是亦魏媼之耄者耳。〕

張儀欲以魏合於秦韓

張儀欲以魏合於秦、韓而攻齊、楚。惠施欲以魏合於齊、楚以案兵。人多為張子於王所。〔鮑本所，猶處。〕惠子謂王曰：「小事也，謂可者謂不可者正半，況大事乎？以魏合於秦、韓而攻齊、楚，大事也，而王之群臣皆以為可。不知是其可也，如是其明耶？而〔鮑本「而」作「亡」。○　亡，得無也。正曰：下文有。　札記丕烈案：「亡」字當是，此不與下句同。秦策、趙策、韓策皆有此字，可證也。〕群臣之知術也，如是其同耶？是其可也，未如是其明也，而群臣之知術也，又非皆同也，是有其半塞也。〔鮑本「有其」作「其有」。○　塞，不明。〕所謂劫主〔鮑本「主」作「王」。○　札記丕烈案：「王」字誤，韓子作「主」，可證。〕者，失其半者也。」〔鮑本事不明而欲王必從，是劫王也；王而從之，失其半矣。正曰：此策言小事，人可否者且正半，而此大事，人皆同聲，必非皆知其可，而智術之皆同者，則明與不明者居半也。彼劫王以必從，失其明者之半也。此策云欲以魏合於秦、韓，亦當是惠王時。〕

張子儀以秦相魏

張子〔姚本劉去「子」字。　鮑本衍「子」字。〕儀以秦相魏，齊、楚怒而欲攻魏。雍沮〔鮑本魏人。〕謂張子曰：「魏之所以相公者，以公相則國家安，而百姓無患。今公相而魏受兵，是魏計過也。齊、楚攻魏，公必危矣。」張子曰：「然則柰何？」雍沮曰：「請令齊、楚解攻。」雍沮謂齊、楚之君〔鮑本閔、懷。〕曰：「王亦聞張儀之約秦王〔鮑本惠。〕乎？曰：『王若相儀於魏，齊、楚惡儀，必攻魏。魏戰而勝，是齊、楚之兵折，而儀固得魏矣；若不勝魏，〔鮑本衍「魏」字。〕魏必事秦以持其國，必割地以賂王。若欲復攻，〔鮑本秦攻齊、楚。正曰：言魏割地合於秦，齊、楚復攻魏，而秦救之，則齊、楚罷敝，不足以應秦。此策亦當在惠王時。〕其敝不足以應秦。』〔鮑本二國嘗戰，今必弊，故不能當秦。〕此儀之所以與秦王陰相結也。今儀相魏而攻之，是使儀之計當於秦也，非所以窮儀之道也。」齊、楚之王曰：「善。」乃遽〔鮑本「遽」作「遂」。○〕解攻於魏。〔鮑本補曰：齊策，秦惠王死，儀乞之梁，以致齊伐。儀使馮喜說齊王云云，其言頗與雍沮類。〕

張儀欲并相秦魏

張儀欲并相秦、魏，〔鮑本儀相魏在此十三年。正曰：秦惠後三年，魏惠後十三年。〕故謂魏王曰：「儀請以秦攻三川，王以其間約南陽，韓氏亡。」〔鮑本約，謂使韓以此與魏。韓氏必亡。〕史厭〔鮈本史名厭。〕謂趙獻〔鮑本與厭俱在楚，正曰：無考。〕曰：「公何不以楚佐儀求相之於魏，韓恐亡，必南走〔鮑本補曰：走，音奏。〕楚。儀兼相秦、魏，則公亦必并相楚、韓也。」〔鮑本儀因獻得相，必德獻。楚得韓，儀必緩攻，韓亦德獻也。〕

魏王將相張儀

魏王將相張儀，犀首弗利，〔鮑本補曰：大事記，魏惠王後十三年，張儀相魏，魏不事秦，以公孫衍代相。〕故令人謂韓公叔曰︰「張儀以〔姚本一作「已」。　鮑本「以」作「已」。○　札記丕烈案：史記作「已」。〕合秦、魏矣。其言曰：『魏攻南陽，秦攻三川，韓氏必亡。』且魏王所以貴張子者，欲得埊，〔鮑本「埊」下有「也」字。○　札記丕烈案：史記有。〕則韓之南陽舉矣。子盍少委焉，〔鮑本請以事委衍。〕以為衍功，〔鮑本有功，魏乃任之。正曰：大事記，令韓以與魏南陽，為公孫衍之功。〕則秦、魏之交可廢矣。〔鮑本魏任衍，則聽其所為。〕如此，則魏必圖秦而棄儀，收韓而相衍。」公叔以為信，〔姚本曾作「便」，劉作「信」。　鮑本「信」作「然」。○　札記丕烈案：史記作「便」。〕因而委之，犀首以為功，果相魏。〔鮑本衍傳有。補曰：大事記，魏王不聽儀者，公孫衍間之也。衍傳稱衍相魏，張儀去，則不然。以儀傳考之，儀慚無以歸報，留魏四歲而魏王卒，復說其嗣君，久之始去魏相秦爾。愚謂，儀說魏合秦，襄王久而後聽，惠王之崛強，猶未入其言，故公孫衍之間易為力也。〕

楚許魏六城

楚許魏六城，與之伐齊而存燕。張儀欲敗之，謂魏王曰：「齊畏三國〔鮑本楚、魏、燕。〕之合也，必反燕埊〔鮑本此齊宣因喪伐燕所得。正曰：按史，易王初立，齊宣王因喪伐我，取十城。蘇秦說齊，使復歸燕十城，必非此時。策云伐齊存燕，蓋齊人破燕後事也。〕以下楚，楚、趙〔鮑本衍「趙」字。　正曰：姚本下句亦云失謀於楚、趙。〕必聽之，而不與魏六城。是王失謀於楚、趙，〔鮑本無「趙」字。○〕而樹怨而〔鮑本衍「而」字。　補曰：疑衍。　札記今本無下「而」字，乃誤涉鮑也。〕於齊、秦也。齊遂伐趙，〔鮑本趙，魏鄰也，伐之以動魏。〕取乘丘，〔鮑本屬泰山。補曰：正義云，乘丘故城在兗州瑕丘縣西北。〕收侵地，虛、頓丘〔鮑本補曰：虛，謂殷虛，今相州所理。頓丘故城，在魏州頓丘縣東北。括地志，二城時屬魏。餘見秦策。〕危。楚破南陽九夷，〔鮑本疑當為九嶷。正曰：此南陽堵赭、同陽屬荊州者，以下文連九嶷、許、鄢言之故也。大事記，李斯書云，惠王用張儀計，南取漢中，包九夷，制鄢、郢。九夷，即屬楚之夷方。孔子在陳、蔡，相去不遠，所以有欲居九夷之言，此與集註異。愚謂，此言破南陽之九夷也。〕內沛，〔鮑本豫州郡。「內」，言入其地。正曰：「內沛」，地名，必非豫州者。〕許、鄢陵危。王之所得者，新觀〔鮑本屬魏郡。補曰：正義引括地志，觀津在冀州棗陽，一云武邑縣東南，本趙邑，今屬魏。今詳名新觀者，恐以此。大事記主屬清河。又云，魏惠王三年，齊伐魏取觀津。赧王四十二年，魏冉敗趙，魏取趙觀津，所屬不常。〕也。而道塗宋、衛為制，〔鮑本言雖得新觀，路所從出，又限二國。〕事敗為趙驅，〔鮑本敗，謂楚不與也。楚不與，則齊伐趙，亡將及魏，故奔走援之。〕事成功縣宋、衛。」〔鮑本成，謂楚與之地。受地必由二國。縣，言輕重繫之。〕魏王弗聽也。〔姚本劉，連上。曾，題。〕

張儀告公仲

張儀告公仲，令以饑故，賞韓王以近河外。〔鮑本賞，猶勸也。韓時飢，因勸之就粟於河外。河外近魏，故魏恐。韓王，宣惠也。正曰：此句不可解，恐「韓王」字當在「令」下，而衍一「以」字。謂公仲令韓王以饑故，賞賜近河外之民。〕魏王懼，問張子。張子曰：「秦欲救齊，韓欲攻南陽，〔鮑本補曰：此河內修武。〕秦、韓合而欲攻南陽，無異也。〔鮑本言無他。〕且以遇卜王，〔鮑本兩君相遇，則講信修睦，故遇者，相好也。〕王不遇秦，韓之卜也決矣。」〔鮑本決，無他疑。韓以魏不與秦遇，知其惡我，必合秦而攻魏。〕魏王遂尚〔鮑本尚，言欲之甚。〕遇秦，信韓、廣〔鮑本廣，猶心廣體胖，云樂之也。此著書者述其遇秦之效，魏昔懼而今心廣，又豈能止齊伐趙也？正曰：寬廣也，寬魏之憂也。〕魏、救趙，尺〔鮑本「尺」作「斥」。○　補曰：未詳。〕楚人，據於萆下。〔鮑本「萆」作「革」。○　地缺。「革」豈「鬲」邪？遽，傳據。楚以傳來許地，魏斥之也。補曰：姚本「萆下」、「遽」未詳，恐有缺誤，「萆」疑「華」。〕伐齊之事遂敗。

徐州之役

徐州之役，〔鮑本「徐」作「俆」。○　楚敗齊也。齊宣十年，此二年。正曰：惠王後二年。補曰：徐州，見齊策。〕犀首謂梁王曰：「何不陽與齊而陰結於楚？二國恃王，齊、楚〔鮑本「齊」下無「楚」字，原注「衍齊字」。○　補曰：一本「齊」下有「楚」字。〕必戰。齊戰勝楚，而與乘之，〔鮑本與齊乘楚。〕必取方城之外；楚戰勝齊敗，〔姚本一本無「敗」字。　鮑本衍「敗」字。正曰：即楚敗齊將申縛泗上之役，見秦策。〕而與乘之，是太子〔鮑本太子申。〕之讎報矣。」

秦敗東周

秦敗東周，與魏戰於伊闕，殺犀武。〔鮑本此三年。〕魏令公孫衍乘勝而留於境，〔鮑本乘，言因秦勝我，留而與之講。若秦既去，則無及已。補曰：公孫衍，說見前。〕請卑辭割埊，以講於秦。為竇屢〔鮑本魏人。〕謂魏王曰：「臣不知衍之所以聽於秦之少多，然而臣能半衍之割，而令秦講於王。」王曰：「奈何？」對曰：「王不若與竇屢關內侯，〔鮑本侯於關內耳。此時未為爵。補曰：關內侯之稱，不獨起於秦。〕而令趙。〔鮑本「令」下有「之」字。○　札記丕烈案：有者當是。此讀「趙」字句絕，「王重」以下別為句。〕王重其行而厚奉之。因揚言曰：『聞周、魏令竇屢以割魏於奉陽君，而聽秦〔鮑本因地講秦。〕矣。』夫周君、竇屢、奉陽君之與穰侯，貿首之仇也。〔鮑本補曰：奉陽君即李兌，說見趙策。此言與穰侯貿首之仇，則二人欲陰取以定封之事也。〕今行和者，竇屢也；制割者，奉陽君也。太后恐其不因穰侯〔鮑本后，穰侯之姊。〕也，而欲敗之，必以少割請合於王，而和於東周與魏也。」

齊王將見燕趙楚之相於衛

齊王〔鮑本閔。〕將見燕、趙、楚之相於衛，約外魏。〔鮑本不親之。〕魏王懼，恐其謀伐魏也，告公孫衍。公孫衍曰：「王與臣百金，臣請敗之。」王為約車，載〔姚本孫作「齎」。〕百金。犀首期齊王至之曰，〔鮑本「曰」作「日」。○　度其至衛之日。　札記今本「曰」作「日」。〕先以車五十乘至衛間齊，行以百金，〔鮑本無「車」字，「行」下補「人」字。○　間，私見之。正曰：間，居諫反，投間隙也。行以百金，猶云行幾金於某。　札記今本「行」下有「人」字，乃誤涉鮑也。〕以請先見齊王，乃得見。因久坐安，從容談三國之相怨。

謂齊王曰：「王與三國約外魏，魏使公孫衍來，今久與之談，是王謀三國也也。〔鮑本「也」字不重。○　札記今本「也」字不重。丕烈案：下「也」字當是「已」字之誤，輒刪者未是。〕齊王曰：「魏王聞寡人來，使公孫子勞寡人，寡人無與之語也。」三國之不相〔鮑本「不相」作「相不」。○　補曰：字殽次，當作「相不」。　札記今本「不相」作「相不」，乃誤涉鮑也。〕信齊王之遇，遇事遂敗。〔鮑本按上章，張儀將相魏，犀首以計去之，乃得相。而儀相魏四歲，則所謂以計去之，在儀欲相之初；衍得相，宜在儀復相秦之時也。補曰︰大事記書魏惠王後十三年，秦張儀免相相魏，魏不事秦，以公孫衍代相。解題云，衍傳稱衍相魏儀去則不然，儀慚無以歸報，留魏四歲，而惠王卒。後魏襄王二年，始去魏復相秦。〕

魏令公孫衍請和於秦

魏令公孫衍請和於秦，綦母恢教之語曰︰「無多割。〔鮑本「割」下無「曰」字。○　補曰：一本此下有「曰」字，乃教衍說秦之辭。〕曰，和成，固有秦重和，〔鮑本補曰：一本標孫本無「和」字。　札記丕烈案：無者是也。〕以與王遇；和不成，則後必莫能以魏合於秦者矣。」〔鮑本衍已相秦故。正曰：此策，惠、襄之世不可定。〕

公孫衍為魏將

公孫衍為魏將，與其相田繻〔鮑本「繻」作「需」。○　從下章及史。補曰︰「繻」即「需」。〕不善。季子〔鮑本未詳。〕為衍謂梁王曰：「王獨不見夫服牛驂驥乎？不可以行百步。今王以衍為可使將，故用之也；而聽相之計，是服牛驂驥也。〔姚本一作「之道」。〕牛馬俱死，而不能成其功，王之國必傷矣！願王察之。」〔鮑本彪謂：此用賢而使不肖間之之說也，而衍也非其人也。補曰：此策若作魏將，則恐在襄王時。〕

魏策 二

犀首田盼欲得齊魏之兵以伐趙

犀首、田盼欲得齊、魏之兵以伐趙，梁君與田侯〔鮑本閔王。正曰：事在齊宣十一年，魏惠後三年，趙肅侯十八年。公孫衍欲敗從，田盼本非與謀，故其聞衍之說，猶能以用兵難之。既而訹於其言，勸兩君以聽衍而身將齊、魏之兵，蓋狃於戰鬥之習，墮衍計中，以成其欺，以敗和好，快讎秦之欲，皆盼之為也。觀馬陵之役，魏客之言，張丑說楚之辭，知盼為鄰國所畏，百姓所服。今以此事觀之，盼亦優於勇而短於謀者也。〕不欲。犀首曰：「請國出五萬人，不過五月而趙破。」田盼曰：「夫輕用其兵者，其國易危；易用其計者，其身易窮。公今言破趙大易，恐有後咎。」犀首曰：「公之不慧也。夫二君者，固已不欲矣。今公又言有〔姚本曾添「有」字。　鮑本無「有」字。○〕難以懼之，是趙不伐，而二士〔姚本一作「君」。　鮑本二士，衍、盼。〕之謀困也。且公直言易，而事已去矣。夫難搆而兵結，田侯、梁君見其危，又安敢釋卒不我予乎？」田盼曰：「善。」遂勸兩君聽犀首。犀首、〔鮑本「犀首」二字不重。○　補二字。〕田盼遂得齊、魏之兵。兵未出境，梁君、田侯恐其至而戰敗也，悉起兵從之，大敗趙氏。

犀首見梁君

犀首見梁君曰：「臣盡力竭知，欲以為王廣土取尊名，田需〔姚本前作田繻，今直言需。〕從中敗君，〔鮑本補曰：一本標「君」一作「臣」，又作「之」。　札記今本「君」作「臣」。〕王又聽之，是臣終無成功也。需亡，臣將侍；需侍，臣請亡。」王曰：「需，寡人之股掌〔鮑本猶股肱。〕之臣也。為子之不便也，殺之亡之，〔鮑本補曰：一本標云，有「外之」字。　札記丕烈案：有者當是。此讀「外之毋謂天下何」七字為一句，與下「內之」為對文，涉「今吾為子外之」而脫。〕毋謂天下何，內之無若群臣何也！〔鮑本內，謂親之。稱「群臣」，則衍與焉。正曰︰言殺之亡之，天下之人與內之群臣，皆不以為然也。〕今吾為子外之，令毋敢入〔姚本入，猶與也。曾、劉無此注。〕子之事。入子之事者，吾為子殺之亡之，胡〔鮑本胡，猶何。〕如？」犀首許諾。於是東見田嬰，與之約結；召文子〔鮑本田文。〕而相之魏，身相於韓。〔姚本曾題，劉連。　鮑本補曰：田文為魏相，蓋犀首約結於嬰，召其子而相之也。下章與此同。事宜在襄王時，非文奔魏相昭王事也。　身相韓，衍欲相韓也。下言置田需以稽二人，則衍仍留魏矣。　一本此下別為一章。〕

蘇代為田需說魏王

蘇代為田需說魏王曰：「臣請問文之為〔姚本為，助也。曾、劉無此注。〕魏，孰與其為齊也？」王曰：「不如其為齊也。」「衍之為魏，孰與其為韓也？」〔鮑本衍，陰晉人，時屬韓，故下蘇代說昭魚亦云。正曰：陰晉，魏地，衍實魏人，其善韓非以此。〕王曰：「不如其為韓也。」而〔鮑本衍「而」字。〕蘇代曰：「衍將右韓而左魏，〔姚本右，近；左，遠。曾、劉無此注。　鮑本右，言助之力。正曰︰時尚右，說見趙策。〕文將右齊而左魏。二人者，將用王之國，舉事於世，中道〔鮑本中道，猶中立也，言不能兩全二國。〕而不可，王且無所聞之矣。〔鮑本不聞所以救之。正曰：彼有外心，王不得而聞之。〕王之國雖滲〔鮑本言浸微浸弱，如漏器然。〕樂而從〔姚本曾作「後」。〕之可也。〔鮑本言如漏器，尚足樂，雖從二子可也。然從二子必亟亡，不得如是也。補曰：「滲樂」未詳。札記丕烈案：此當作「操藥」，形近之訛也。言國病甚。鮑所讀非。〕王不如舍〔鮑本舍，猶厝。〕需於側，以稽二人者之所為。二人者曰：『需非吾人也，〔鮑本需非二人之黨。〕吾舉事而不利於魏，需必挫我於王。』二人者必不敢有外心矣。二人者之所為之，〔姚本劉去「之」。〕利於魏與不利於魏，王厝〔鮑本「厝」，「措」同。〕需於側以稽之，臣以為身利〔姚本劉去「身利」字。　鮑本身，王身。〕而〔姚本一本無「而」字。〕便於事。」〔鮑本「而」下有「國」字。○　補曰：一本「而便於事」。又姚注云，劉去「身利」字，一無「而」字，似義長。〕王曰：「善。」〔札記今本「善」誤「然」。〕果厝需於側。〔鮑本彪謂：哀王於是有人君之言，不亡需是也。惜其不旋踵，需不入衍之事，蘇代入之矣！待衍如是可也，如得賢而付之閫外，若此者不亦殆乎！正曰：魏王始聽犀首而欲外田需，復因蘇代而置需以稽二人。賢否之不知，用舍之不能，熒惑於游士之言，而拱手以聽之，其孱昏甚矣！〕

史舉非犀首於王

史舉〔鮑本即甘茂所事。〕非犀首於王。犀首欲窮之，謂張儀曰：「請令王讓先生以國，〔鮑本衍以此說儀，使之為己解舉，故舉後見之。〕王為堯、舜矣；而先生弗受，亦許由也。衍請〔鮑本無「請」字。○〕因令王致萬戶邑於先生。」〔鮑本弗受國，故致邑。〕張儀說，因令史舉數見犀首。王聞之而弗任也，〔鮑本任，猶信也。舉既非之，而數見之，故王疑之。〕史舉不辭而去。〔鮑本補曰：據此，讓國之說，不特鹿毛壽之愚燕噲也。此恐惠王時事。〕

楚王攻梁南

楚王〔鮑本懷。〕攻梁南，韓氏因圍〈蔷-回+田〉。〔姚本一本作「薔」。　鮑本「〈蔷-回+田〉」作「黃」。○　下同。補曰：未詳。一本作「薔」。　札記今本「〈蔷，中-回+田〉」作「薔」。〕成恢〔鮑本魏人。〕為犀首謂韓王〔鮑本襄。〕曰：「疾攻薔，楚師必進矣。魏不能支，交臂而聽楚，韓氏必危，故王不如釋薔。魏無韓患，必與楚戰，戰而不勝，大梁不能守，而又況存薔乎？若戰而〔姚本劉添「而」字。　鮑本無「而」字。〕勝，兵罷〔鮑本罷，音疲。〕敝，大王之攻薔易矣。」〔鮑本正曰：此策時不可考。〕

魏惠王死

魏惠王死，葬有日矣。天大雨雪，至於牛目，〔鮑本駕車用牛，故以及其目為深候。〕壞城郭，且為棧道而葬。群臣多諫太子者，曰：「雪甚如此而喪行，民必甚病之。官費又恐不給，請弛期〔鮑本弛，解也。昔約今解。〕更日。」太子曰：「為人子，而以民勞與官費用之故，而不行先王之喪，不義也。〔姚本一本無「也」字。〕子勿復言。」

群臣皆不敢言，而以告犀首。犀首曰：「吾未有以言之也，〔鮑本未得其說以說。〕是其唯惠公〔姚本一作薛公。旁出云，一本皆惠子。然其後與此本皆直言惠子，恐惠子者是。　鮑本施也。〕乎！請告惠公。」〔姚本一作「子」。〕

惠公〔姚本一作「子」。〕曰：「諾。」駕而見太子曰：「葬有日矣。」太子曰：「然。」惠公曰：「昔王季歷葬於楚山〔姚本續云：呂氏春秋作「惠公」、「渦山」。〕之〔姚本一本無「之」字。〕尾，灓水齧其墓，〔姚本續云：後語作「蠻水」。注，盛弘之荊楚記曰，「宜都縣有蠻水，即烏水也。今襄州南有烏水」。按，古公亶父以修德為百姓所附，遂杖策去之，與太姜踰梁山而止於岐山之陽。故詩曰，「率西水許，至于岐下。」是為太王。太王生季歷，季歷卒，葬鄠縣之南，今之葬山名。而皇甫謐云，「楚山一名潏山，鄠縣之南山也」。縱有楚山之名，不宜得蠻水所齧，雖惠子之書五車，未為稽古也。續云：灓，音鸞。說文云，漏流也，一曰漬也。墓為漏流所漬，故曰「灓水齧其墓」，不必譏惠子也。　鮑本補曰：呂氏春秋作「葬於渦水之尾」，後云「天故使明水見之」。初學記引一作「渦山」，論衡作「滑山」。　札記丕烈案：「初學記引」四字乃吳氏自注語，吳本注中有注，今刻本多誤，說已見齊策。〕見棺之前和。〔鮑本和，棺兩頭木。補曰：玉篇作「𥝷」，胡戈、戶臥二反；廣韻作「𤖱」，皆云棺頭也。此作「和」，蓋音通。〕文王曰：『嘻！先君必欲一見群臣百姓也夫，故使灓水見之。』於是出而為之張於朝，〔姚本後語，「張帳以朝」。　鮑本無「於」字。○　張幕帟如朝廷然。補曰：姚本「張於朝」注，後語，「張帳以朝」。按周禮，「掌次以待張事」。　札記「於」，鮑本無。丕烈案：呂氏春秋、論衡作「張朝」。〕百姓皆見之，三日而後更葬。此文王之義也。今葬有日矣，而雪甚，及牛目，難以行，太子為及日之故，得毋嫌於欲亟葬乎？願太子更日。先王必欲少留而扶社稷、安黔首〔鮑本秦稱民「黔首」，非此時語也。正曰：禮祭義亦有「黔首」字，非始於秦。〕也，故使雪甚。因弛期而更為〔鮑本為，猶撰。正曰：下文有。〕日，此文王之義也。若此而弗為，意者羞法文王乎？」太子曰：「甚善。敬弛期，更擇日。」

惠子非徒行其說也，又令魏太子未葬其先王而因又〔鮑本「因又」作「又因」。○　札記丕烈案：呂氏春秋作「因有」。〕說文王之義。說文王之義以示天下，豈小功也哉！〔鮑本補曰：雨，去聲。「為之」、「為及」之「為」，去聲。張，之亮反。〕

五國伐秦

五國伐秦，〔鮑本成皋之役。此十年。〕無功而還。其後，齊欲伐宋，而秦禁之。齊令宋郭之秦，請合而以伐宋。秦王〔鮑本昭。〕許之。魏王畏齊、秦之合也，欲講於秦。

謂魏王曰：「秦王謂宋郭曰：『分宋之城，服宋之強者，六國也。乘宋之敝，而與王〔鮑本王，齊閔。〕爭得者，楚、魏也。請為王毋禁楚之伐魏也，而王獨舉宋。王之伐宋也，請剛柔而皆用之。〔鮑本宋強、宋弱，皆必伐之。〕如宋者，欺之不為逆者，〔姚本曾添「者」字。　鮑本無「者」字。○〕殺之不為〔姚本曾作「而無」。〕讎者也。王無與之講以取埊，既已得埊矣，〔姚本劉添「矣」字。　鮑本無「矣」字。○〕又以力攻之，期於啗宋而已矣。』

「臣聞此言，而竊為王悲，〔鮑本「悲」作「患」。○〕秦必且用此於王矣。〔鮑本用楚伐魏。〕又必且曰王以〔鮑本「以」作「必」，「曰」作「劫」。○　札記丕烈案：「曰」當作「因」，形近之訛也，鮑改非。〕求埊，既已得埊，又且以力攻王。又必謂王曰〔鮑本衍「曰」字。　札記丕烈案：「謂」當作「講」，「曰」當作「因」，形近之訛也。〕使王輕齊，齊、魏之交已醜，〔鮑本惡也。〕又且收齊以更〔鮑本「更」作「東」。○　補曰：一本「更索」。〕索於王。秦嘗用此於楚矣，又嘗用此於韓矣，願王之深計之也。秦善魏不可知也已。〔鮑本言不可信。〕故為王計，太上伐秦，其次賓秦，其次堅約而詳講，與國無相離也。〔鮑本「離」作「讎」。○　補曰：「詳」，「佯」通，史多有。「媾」字句。佯媾於秦，此即趙策所謂不得已而必媾，則願五國復堅約者。此「賓」即「擯」。「讎」，一本作「離」。　札記今本「離」作「讎」。〕秦、齊合，國不可為也已。王其聽臣也，必無與講。〔鮑本與秦講。〕

「秦權重魏，魏再明孰，〔鮑本「再」作「冉」，「孰」作「熟」。○　言此明且熟。補曰：即「熟」。　札記丕烈案：此當讀「秦權重」為一句，「魏冉明」為一句。「魏」字誤複，「孰」字亦有誤。「是」字屬下句讀。鮑、吳皆非也。〕是故又為〔鮑本「又為」作「有謂」。○　或人謂魏王當如下。補曰：「又」，「有」通。　札記丕烈案：「為」，當去聲讀，鮑所改誤甚。〕足下傷〔鮑本傷，猶。〕秦者，不敢顯也。〔鮑本恐秦覺之。〕天下可令伐秦，則陰勸而弗敢圖也。見天下之傷秦也，則先鬻與國而以自解也。〔鮑本言與國為之，非我也。〕天下可令賓秦，則為劫於與國而不得已者。天下不可，則先去，〔鮑本背諸國也。〕而以秦為上交以自重也。如是人者，鬻王以為資者也，而焉能免國於患？免國於患〔姚本曾、劉無此以上四字。〕者，必窮三節，〔鮑本補曰：三節，即上文太上、其次之說。〕而行其上。上不可，則行其中；中不可，則行其下；下不可，則明不與秦。而〔姚本一作「兩」。〕生以殘秦，〔鮑本生，猶進，言伐之不已。正曰：不能伐，不能擯，又不能媾，必為秦所伐，則誓鬥而必死，不與秦俱生以殘秦。〕使秦皆無百怨百利，唯已之曾安。〔鮑本已，止。曾，則也。言使秦見殘，不擇利害，唯務止魏之殘以自安也。〕令足下鬻之以合於秦，〔鮑本「令」上補「無」字，「足」作「天」。○　所謂鬻王以秦為上交者。補曰：「令」字上恐有缺誤。　札記今本「令」誤「今」。〕是免國於患者之計也。臣何足以當之？雖然，願足下之論臣之計也。

「燕，齊讎國也；〔鮑本兩國自宣閔、易昭再世相讎。〕秦，兄弟之交也。〔鮑本燕、齊與秦。〕合讎國以伐婚姻，〔鮑本猶兄弟也。此士欲為魏合燕、齊以伐秦。〕臣為之苦矣。〔鮑本言伐秦之難而己為之。〕黃帝戰於涿鹿之野，而西戎之兵不至；禹攻三苗，而東夷之民不起。〔鮑本「起」作「赴」。○　言帝王用兵，猶有不從者。不經見。　札記今本「起」作「赴」，乃誤涉鮑也。〕以燕伐秦，〔鮑本「燕」下補「齊」字。○　札記丕烈案：上策文云，「燕，齊讎國也；秦，兄弟之交也」。「燕」字逗，乃捴下二句，故此云，「以燕伐秦，黃帝之所難也」。下云，「而臣以致燕甲而起齊兵矣」，以見其能使燕忘齊為讎國之意耳。鮑讀之不審，乃以「燕齊」二字為連文，說「秦兄弟之交也」，云燕、齊與秦，遂於此補「齊」字，其誤甚矣。吳氏不正，亦非。〕黃帝之所難也，而臣以致燕甲而起齊兵矣。

「臣又偏事三晉之吏，奉陽君、孟嘗君、韓呡、〔鮑本「偏」作「遍」，「呡」作「珉」。○〕周聚、〔札記今本「聚」誤「最」。〕周、韓餘為徒〔鮑本與為徒友。〕從而下之，〔鮑本補曰：韓餘，疑即趙策韓徐。「周」「韓」之間有脫字，不然衍「周」字。　「為徒從而下之」句，謂徒黨合從也。又恐「從」，「徒」字訛衍。　札記丕烈案：吳說未是。當云，「徒為從而下之」。徒，但也；從，合從。〕恐其伐秦之疑也。又身自醜於秦，〔鮑本與秦惡。〕扮〔姚本扮，博幻切，握也。　鮑本扮，并也，握也。言合諸國。補曰：扮，撫吻反。〕之請焚天下之秦符者，臣也；次傳〔鮑本傳之諸國。〕焚符之約者，臣也；欲使五國約閉秦關者，臣也。〔鮑本「欲」作「次」。○　不通秦。補曰︰燕策，蘇代謂焚天下之秦符，上計破秦，其次長賓之，皆與此合。　札記今本「使」誤「伐」。丕烈案：上策文云，「扮之請焚天下之秦符者，臣也；次傳焚符之約者，臣也」。「扮」當作「初」，形近之訛也。二句是一事，上云「初」，下云「次」，自為對文。鮑不審，乃并改此。姚讀扮，博幻切，吳讀撫吻反，皆未是。〕奉陽君、韓餘為既和矣，蘇脩、朱嬰〔鮑本此皆三晉之吏也。〕既皆陰在邯鄲，臣又說齊王而往敗之。〔鮑本敗宋郭合秦之約。〕天下共講，因使蘇脩游〔鮑本游，揄揚之。〕天下之語，而以齊為上交，〔鮑本蓋詐。〕兵〔鮑本兵，齊兵。〕請伐魏，臣又爭之以死。而果西因蘇脩重報。〔鮑本脩，在邯鄲，齊之西也。報以齊不伐魏。〕臣非不知秦勸〔鮑本「勸」作「權」。○　補曰：恐作「權」，上有。〕之重也，然而所以為之者，為足下也。」〔鮑本彪謂：此非蘇代不能也。故史言代復約從親如蘇秦時，獨所謂行其上不可，則行其中，下為不可用也。夫伐秦不勝，竄走求成之不給，安能賓之？諸侯見其敗，輕之矣，豈有聽其堅約之說哉？蓋代之計，專以伐之為上，而游辭見其多策耳，計不出於此也。正曰：按趙策五國伐秦章，蘇代說奉陽君云云，中有與此章出入者，知此必代之辭也。三策並陳，上則伐之，中則擯之，下則媾之，未及伐之敗也，鮑說謬矣。〕

魏文子田需周宵相善

魏文子、〔鮑本衍「魏」字。田文。正曰：提魏事也。〕田〔札記今本「田」誤「曰」。〕需、周宵〔鮑本「宵」作「霄」。○　孟子時有此人，至是三十年矣。正曰：田文前相魏，當襄王時，孟子見梁襄王相去不遠也。〕相善，欲罪犀首。犀首患之，謂魏王曰：「今所患者，齊也。嬰子言行於齊王，〔鮑本閔。〕王欲得齊，則胡不召文子而相之？彼必務以齊事王。」王曰：「善。」因召文子而相之。犀首以倍田需、周宵。〔鮑本二人雖善文，今衍薦文，文必善衍，善衍則復背其所善。〕

魏王令惠施之楚

魏王令惠施〔鮑本施自孟子時至此亦三十餘年。正曰：施屢見策文，蓋惠、襄時人。此策不可考。〕之楚，令犀首之齊。鈞二子者，〔鮑本言恩禮之等。〕乘數鈞，〔鮑本車乘之。〕將測交也。〔鮑本測，猶卜也。視何國厚吾使，因知其厚我。下衍「楚王聞之」四字。〕楚王聞之，〔鮑本補曰：四字恐因下文衍。〕施因令人〔札記「人」，鮑本作「之」。〕先之楚，言曰：「魏王令犀首之齊，惠施之楚，鈞二子者，將測交也。」〔鮑本施欲楚之厚己。〕楚王聞之，因郊迎惠施。

魏惠王起境內眾

魏惠王起境內眾，將太子申而攻齊。客謂公子理〔鮑本申弟也。正曰：註以下說推之，無明徵。〕之傳〔鮑本「傳」作「傅」。○　札記丕烈案：「傅」字是也。〕曰：「何不令公子泣王太后，止太子之行？事成則樹德，不成則為王矣。太子年少，不習於兵。田朌〔鮑本「朌」作「盼」。○　札記今本「朌」作「盼」。〕宿將也，而孫子〔姚本孫臏也。〕善用兵。戰必不勝，不勝必禽。公子爭之於王，王聽公子，公子不〔鮑本「不」作「必」。○　札記今本「不」作「必」。〕封；不聽公子，太子必敗；敗，公子必立；立，必為王也。」〔鮑本彪謂：止太子之行，正誼也；而志於樹德、為王，則譎矣。故夫譎正之間不容髮，人議論豈以或出於正言未卒而譎隨之，惟其心之不正故也。〕

齊魏戰於馬陵

齊、魏戰於馬陵，齊大勝魏，殺太子申，覆十萬之軍。魏王召惠施而告之曰：「夫齊，寡人之讎也，怨之至死不忘。國雖小，吾常欲悉起兵而攻之，何如？」對曰：「不可。臣聞之，王者得度，〔鮑本法度。〕而霸者知計。今王所以告臣者，疏於度而遠於計。王固先屬怨於趙，〔鮑本記，三十年伐趙，趙告急於齊，齊救趙伐魏。正曰：按魏伐趙，趙告急於齊，齊救趙伐魏，乃惠王十八年敗于桂陵時事。此三十年，魏龐涓伐韓，齊田忌、孫臏伐魏以救韓。魏大發兵，使太子申將，與龐涓合軍拒之，戰于馬陵，魏師大敗，殺太子申、龐涓。「魏龐」以下，並大事記文，從孫臏傳。記又見秦、齊策。〕而後與齊戰。今戰不勝，國無守戰之備，王又欲悉起而攻齊，此非臣之所謂〔鮑本謂，謂得度知計。〕也。王若欲報齊乎，則不如因變服〔鮑本「因」作「固」。○　不為人君服。〕折節而朝齊，楚王〔鮑本威王。〕必怒矣。王游〔鮑本游，謂使人游二國之間也。〕人而合其鬥，則楚必伐齊。以休楚而伐罷〔鮑本罷，音疲。〕齊，則必為楚禽矣。是王以楚毀齊也。」魏王曰：「善。」乃使人報於齊，願臣畜〔鮑本畜，自比犬馬也。〕而朝。

田嬰許諾。張丑曰：「不可。戰不勝魏，〔鮑本此設辭也。〕而得朝禮，與魏和而下楚，此可以大勝也。〔鮑本勝，謂不敗耳，非戰勝。〕今戰勝魏，覆十萬之軍，而禽太子申；臣萬乘之魏，而卑秦、楚，〔鮑本「卑」作「甲」。○　居二國之上。〕此其暴於〔姚本曾添「於」字。　鮑本無「於」字。○〕戾定矣。〔鮑本言二國謂齊暴戾決矣。正曰：定，止也，謂齊之怒止。〕且楚王之為人也，好用兵而甚務名，終為齊患者，必楚也。」田嬰不聽，遂內魏王，而與之並朝齊侯再三。

趙氏醜之。楚王怒，自將而伐齊，趙應之，大敗齊於徐州。〔鮑本「徐」作「俆」。○　彪謂：施之策齊、楚，如視白黑、數一二，可謂明矣。而不能止太子之將，何邪？豈言之而不聽邪？以施之智，其於策馬陵之戰不勞慮矣。張丑者，亦施之倫歟？〕

惠施為韓魏交

惠施為〔鮑本為，猶合。　札記今本「為」誤「謂」。〕韓、〔鮑本「韓」作「齊」。○〕魏交，令太子鳴〔鮑本魏記唯申及赫名，餘不名。〕為質於齊。王〔鮑本魏王。〕欲見之，朱倉〔鮑本魏人。〕謂王曰：「何不稱病？臣請說嬰子曰：『魏王之年長矣，今有疾，公不如歸太子以德之。不然，公子高在楚，楚將內而立之，是齊抱空質而行不義也。』」

田需貴於魏王

田需貴於魏王，惠子曰：「子必善左右。今夫楊，橫樹之則生，倒〔姚本劉作「側」。　鮑本正曰：姚云，「倒」劉作「側」。愚謂「倒」字勝。〕樹之則生，折而樹之又生。然使十人樹楊，一人拔之，則無生楊矣。故以十人之眾，樹易生之物，然而不勝一人者，何也？樹之難而去之易也。今子雖自樹於王，而欲去子者眾，則〔姚本曾去「則」字。〕子必危矣。」〔鮑本補曰：此與孟子「雖有天下易生之物」云云，語相類，而意在自樹。又云「子必善左右」，則君子小人之用心可見矣。〕

田需死

田需死。昭魚謂蘇代曰：「田需死，吾恐張儀、薛公、〔鮑本嬰。正曰：史索隱以為田文。按嬰卒於閔王之世。大事記附見於閔元年，此事在四年後。〕犀首之有一人相魏者。」代曰：「然則相者以〔姚本一本無「者以」字。〕誰而君便之也？」昭魚曰：「吾欲太子之自相也。」代曰：「請為君北見梁王，必相之矣。」昭魚曰：「奈何？」代曰：「君〔鮑本「君」作「若」。○　若，汝也。補曰：一本「君其為」。考下文是。　札記今本「君」作「若」。丕烈案：史記作「君」。〕其為梁王，代請說君。」昭魚曰：「奈何？」對曰：「代也從楚來，昭魚甚憂。代曰：『君何憂？』曰：『田需死，吾恐張儀、薛公、犀首有一人相魏者。』代曰：『勿憂也。梁王，長主也，必不相張儀。張儀相魏，必右秦而左魏。薛公相魏，必右齊而左魏。犀首相魏，必右韓而左魏。〔姚本右，親也。左，疏外也。〕梁王，長主也，必不使相也。』〔鮑本「也」下補「王曰然則寡人孰相」八字。○　正曰：史有此八字。按此乃蘇代請昭魚為王，而設為說王之辭，無此句可也。　札記丕烈案：史亦設辭，但不必與策文同耳。〕代曰：『莫如太子之自相。是三人皆以〔鮑本「皆以」作「不以」。○　補曰：「不以」，一本作「皆以」。史同。〕太子為非固〔姚本固，猶久。〕相也，皆將務以其國事魏，而欲丞相之璽。〔鮑本印也。補曰：秦武王初置丞相，用樗里子、甘茂，在張儀死後。此云丞相璽，則魏已有此名。〕以魏之強，而持〔姚本一本無「持」字。〕三萬乘之國輔之，魏必安矣。故曰，不如太子自相也。』」遂北見梁王，以此語告之，太子果自相。〔鮑本魏記九年有。補曰：大事記，赧王八年書秦逐公孫衍，謂衍既去秦，事不復見。韓非子載犀首與張壽為怨，陳需新入，不善犀首，因使人微殺張壽。魏王以為犀首也，乃誅之。然則衍去秦後，終為魏所殺也。愚按，陳需即策中田需，而策以田需死後，魏欲相犀首，其說不同，當考。又赧王二十二年，伊闕之敗，策云公孫衍割地和秦。大事記猶著其名，豈別一人耶？李兌約五國攻秦時亦有公孫衍，去此又九年。上距犀首為秦大良造時幾五十年，嘗疑其甚遠。說見趙策。〕

秦召魏相信安君

秦召魏相信安君，〔鮑本史不書。〕信安君不欲往。蘇代為說秦王〔鮑本武或昭。正曰：無考。〕曰：「臣聞之，忠不必當，〔姚本一本作「黨」。　鮑本「當」作「黨」。○　為信安說，疑於黨之。〕當必不忠。今臣願〔鮑本「願」下補「為」字。○　補曰：「願」下有缺字。〕大王陳臣之愚意，恐其不忠於下吏，自使有要領〔鮑本要領，斬刑也。〕之罪。願大王察之。今大王令人執事於魏，〔鮑本謂別置相，以代信安。〕以完其交，臣恐魏交之益疑也。將以塞趙也，〔鮑本信安必右趙者，秦召而伐之，欲魏不通趙。〕臣又恐趙之益勁也。〔鮑本交魏益堅。〕夫魏王之愛習魏信〔鮑本魏信即信安，省言之。〕也，甚矣；其智能而任用之也，厚矣；其畏惡〔鮑本惡，猶憚。〕嚴尊秦也，明矣。今〔姚本曾作「令」。〕王之使人入魏而不用，則王之使人入魏無益也。若用，〔鮑本用秦所使。〕魏必舍所愛習而用所畏惡，此魏王之所以〔姚本劉添「以」字。　鮑本無「以」字。○〕不安也。夫舍萬乘之事而退，〔鮑本謂去相位。〕此魏信之所難行也。夫令人之君處所不安，令人之相行所不能，以此為親，則難久矣。臣故恐魏交之益疑也。且魏信舍事，〔鮑本亦去信也。〕則趙〔鮑本「趙」作「魏」。○〕之謀者必曰：『舍於秦，〔鮑本此舍，猶棄。奪其愛習，是秦棄魏也。〕秦必令其所愛信者用趙。』是趙存而我亡也，〔鮑本我，魏也。秦本欲塞趙而云然，此魏自疑之辭，非必秦意。〕趙安而我危也。則上有野戰之氣，〔鮑本將與秦戰。〕下有堅守之心，臣故恐趙之益勁也。〔鮑本魏不能獨抗秦，必結趙。正曰：趙之謀事者曰，魏信見舍於秦，秦亦將易置趙之臣，令其所愛信者用於趙，我之權去勢奪，是趙存而我已亡，趙安而我獨危，則必戰必守，不聽秦命，是趙益以強。〕

「大王欲完魏〔鮑本無「魏」字，「完」下補「魏」字。○〕之交，而使趙小心乎？不如用魏信而尊之以名。魏信事王，國安而名尊；離王，〔鮑本不事之。〕國危而權輕。然則魏信之事主〔鮑本「主」作「王」。○　札記丕烈案：「王」字是也。〕也，上所以為其主者忠矣，下所以自為者厚矣，彼其事王必完矣。趙之用事者必曰：『魏氏之名族不高於我，土地之實不厚於我。魏信以韓、〔鮑本衍「韓」字。補曰：疑衍。　札記丕烈案：此「韓」當作「輔」，形近之訛也。〕魏事秦，秦甚善之，國得安焉，身取尊焉。今我講〔鮑本「講」作「搆」。○　補曰：宜從「搆」讀。　札記今本「講」作「搆」，乃誤涉鮑也。〕難於秦兵為招質，〔鮑本言於用兵為招為質。招，言召兵；質，猶本也，為之張本。正曰：「招質」未詳。〕國處削危之形，非得計也。結怨於外，主〔鮑本「主」作「生」。○〕患於中，身處死亡之埊，非完事也。』彼將傷其前事，而悔其過〔鮑本「其過」作「過其」。○〕行；冀其利，必多割埊以深下〔鮑本下，亦事也。〕王。則是大王垂拱之〔姚本一作「多」。　鮑本「之」作「多」。○〕割埊以為利重，〔鮑本得地則益重。〕堯、舜之所求而不能得也。臣願大王察之。」〔鮑本彪謂：堯、舜讓天下而何愛於地！此特辯士欲重其事而言之過，若此者不一也。正曰：此類註，不必辨。〕

秦楚攻魏圍皮氏

秦、楚攻魏，圍皮氏。〔鮑本無「魏」字。○　亦十三年。補曰：一本「攻魏，圍皮氏」。屬河東。〕為魏謂楚王〔鮑本懷。〕曰：「秦、楚勝魏，魏王之恐也〔鮑本衍「也」字。正曰：下章有此句法。　札記丕烈案：下卷策文云「魏王之懼也見亡」，吳據此也。〕見亡矣，〔鮑本「矣」作「也」。○〕必舍〔姚本一作「合」。　鮑本「舍」作「合」。○〕於秦，王何不倍秦而與魏王？魏王喜，必內太子。〔鮑本豈秦歸太子而攻耶？正曰：說見前章。〕秦恐失楚，必效〔札記今本「效」誤「攻」。〕城埊於王，王雖復與之攻魏可也。」楚王曰：「善。」乃倍秦而與魏。魏內太子於楚。

秦恐，許楚城埊，欲興之復攻魏。樗里疾怒，欲與魏攻楚，恐魏之以太子在楚不肯也。為疾謂楚王曰：「外臣疾使臣謁之，曰：『敝邑之王〔鮑本昭。〕欲效城埊，〔鮑本前許之，未入也。〕而為魏太子之尚在楚也，是以未敢。王出魏質，臣〔姚本曾作「太子」。〕請效之，而復固秦、楚之交，以疾〔鮑本此疾，速也，非名。正曰：作名，通。〕攻魏。』」楚王曰：「諾。」乃出魏太子。秦因合魏以攻楚。〔鮑本補曰：大事記，赧王九年，秦甘茂、樗里疾伐魏皮氏，未拔，甘茂棄軍奔齊，樗里疾與魏和，罷兵。按茂傳，茂言秦昭王以武遂歸韓，向壽、公孫衍怨，讒茂，茂輟伐魏云。〕

龐蔥與太子質於邯鄲

龐蔥〔跳本孫作「恭」。〕與太子〔鮑本魏太子。〕質於邯鄲，謂魏王曰：「今一人言市有虎，王信之乎？」王曰：「否。」「二人言市有虎，王信之乎？」王曰：「寡人疑之矣。」「三人言市有虎，王信之乎？」王曰：「寡人信之矣。」龐蔥曰：「夫市之無虎明矣，然而三人言而成虎。今邯鄲去大梁也遠於市，而議臣者過於三人矣。願王察之矣。」〔鮑本「矣」作「也」。○〕王曰：「寡人自為知。」〔鮑本言不信人。〕於是辭行，而讒言先至。後太子罷質，果不得見。〔姚本曾作「於是辭行，而讒言先至，後果不得見魏君矣」。劉作「於是辭行，而讒言先至，後果不見龐君。王曰：『寡人自為知』。太子罷質，果不得見」。　鮑本史不書太子質事。以下章年時，因舊次之於此。正曰：此策言邯鄲去大梁也遠，則徙都大梁以後事。惠王三十一年，秦虜公子卬，後徙梁，而韓、宋、魯、衛之朝，乃惠王十五年也，舊次恐不以此。〕

梁王魏嬰觴諸侯於范臺

梁王魏嬰〔鮑本史作「罃」，音相近。〕觴諸侯於范臺。〔鮑本此十五年，魯、衛、宋、鄭君來朝。補曰：大事記書韓、宋、魯、衛為序。解題云，是時魏惠王方強，諸侯相率而朝之也。索隱，按紀年，魯恭侯、宋桓侯、衛成侯、鄭釐侯。桓侯即公剔成，釐侯即昭侯。〕酒酣，請魯君舉觴。〔鮑本魯共公。補曰：李善注文選引戰國策皆作「舉觚」。大事記，魯君舉觴，古者於旅也，語於是道古，即晉所謂杜舉也。　札記丕烈案：此七啟注。〕魯君興，避席擇言〔鮑本擇善而言。〕曰：「昔者，帝女〔鮑本蓋堯、舜女。正曰：無考。〕令〔姚本一本無「令」字。〕儀狄〔鮑本博物志言禹時人。〕作酒而美，進之禹，禹飲而甘之，遂疏儀狄，絕旨酒，曰：『後世必有以酒亡其國者。』齊桓公夜半不嗛，〔姚本快也。　鮑本嗛，口有所銜也，言不善食。補曰：嗛，苦簞反。高注快也，則當苦劫反。〕易牙〔鮑本太公世家註，雍巫字。補曰：知味者。〕乃煎敖〔鮑本「敖」作「熬」。○　補曰：熬，古字通。　札記今本「敖」作「熬」，乃誤涉鮑也。〕燔炙，〔鮑本燔，火爇物。補曰：有汁而乾曰煎，乾煎曰熬，肉爇之曰燔，近火曰炙。〕和調五味而進之，桓公食之而飽，至旦不覺，〔鮑本飽而寢安。補曰：覺，居效反。〕曰：『後世必有以味亡其國者。』晉文公得南之威，〔姚本一本無「之」字。　鮑本未詳。〕三日不聽朝，遂推南之威而遠之，曰：『後世必有以色亡其國者。』楚王登強臺〔姚本一作「荊」。　鮑本補曰：說苑，「楚昭王欲之荊臺」。後漢邊讓遊章華臺賦，「息於荊臺之上」。荊臺即章華也。淮南子云，「昭王曰，吾聞子樂於強臺」。　札記丕烈案：「荊」、「強」聲之轉也。〕而望崩山，〔姚本一作「崇山」，藝文類聚引。　鮑本補曰：說苑，「南望獵山」。遊章華臺賦，「南眺巫山之阿」。淮南子，「南望料山」。　札記丕烈案：「獵」、「料」聲之轉也。〕左江而右湖，以臨彷徨，〔姚本一作「方湟」，藝文類聚引。　鮑本自上觀下曰臨。集韻，彷徨，彷佯，仿佯，徙倚也。補曰：說苑，「下臨方淮」。遊章華臺賦，「前方淮之水」。淮南子，「以臨方皇」。　札記丕烈案：二「淮」字皆當作「湟」，形近之訛也。「徨」，「皇」、「湟」同字耳。〕其樂忘死，〔鮑本補曰：說苑云，「楚昭王欲之荊臺。司馬子綦進諫曰，『荊臺之遊，左洞庭之波，右彭蠡之水，南望獵山，下臨方淮，其地使人遺老而忘死，王不可遊也』」。後漢邊讓遊章華臺賦云，「楚王遊雲夢之澤，息於荊臺之上，前方淮之水，左洞庭之波，右顧彭蠡之隩，南眺巫山之阿，延目廣坐，騁觀終日，顧謂左史倚相曰，『盛哉斯樂，可以遺老而忘死也』」。荊臺即章華也。淮南子云，「令尹子佩請飲莊王，莊王許諾云云。莊王曰，吾聞子樂於強臺，強臺者，南望料山以臨方皇，左江而右淮，其樂忘死。若吾薄陋之人，不可以當此樂也」。注，料山，山名；方皇，水名。右三說聊記以廣聞。〕遂盟強臺而弗登，曰：『後世必有以高臺陂池〔鮑本書註，澤障曰陂，停水曰池。〕亡其國者。』〔鮑本蓋莊王云。〕今主君之尊，儀狄之酒也；主君之味，易牙之調也；左白台而右閭須，〔鮑本皆美人。補曰：閭須，見荀子。〕南威之美也；前夾林而後蘭臺，〔鮑本臺、林，地缺，各在其國。〕強臺之樂也。有一於此，足以亡其國。今主君兼此四者，可無戒與！」梁王稱善相屬。〔鮑本彪謂：魯，周公之後也，其教澤存焉。故齊仲孫湫曰，「猶秉周禮」。韓起亦云，「周禮盡在魯矣」，仲尼氏作，縉紳先生萃焉。於是特為中國禮義之邦。觀魯君之所稱說，則周、孔之澤深矣。舉觴一時，而為天下萬世之明戒，魯君豈非賢君哉！補曰：「觀魯」至「深矣」二語，大事記取。〕

魏策 三

秦趙約而伐魏

秦、趙約而伐魏，〔鮑本『趙約』作『約趙』。○〕魏王患之。芒卯〔姚本淮南子注，孟卯，齊人也，戰國策作『芒卯』。〕曰：『王勿憂也。臣請發張倚〔鮑本魏人。〕使謂趙王〔鮑本惠文。〕曰，夫鄴，寡人固刑〔姚本一作『形』。　鮑本『刑』作『形』。○　形，猶勢也。髙注爲刑法，雖通，而此書多作『形』。　補曰：此書『刑』、『形』字通。〕弗有也。今大王收秦而攻魏，寡人請以鄴事大王。』趙〔姚本一本无『趙』字。〕王喜，召相國而命之曰：『魏王請以鄴〔姚本曾、劉一作『國』。〕事寡人，使寡人絕秦。』相國曰：『收秦攻魏，利不過鄴。今不用兵而得鄴，請許魏。』

張倚因謂趙王曰：『敝邑之吏效城者，已在鄴矣。大王且何以報魏？』趙王因令閉關絕秦。秦、趙大惡。

芒卯應趙使曰：『敝邑所以事大王者，爲完鄴也。今郊〔姚本孫一作『效』。　鮑本『郊』作『效』。○　補曰：當從上文。　札記今本『郊』作『效』，乃誤涉鮑也。丕烈案：作『效』自是，但與姚氏校語矛盾也。〕鄴者，使者之罪也，卯不知也。』趙王恐魏承秦之怒，遽割五城以合於魏而支秦。〔鮑本此六年，書卯以詐重者此也。彪謂：此馮亭上黨之事也，惠文失之於魏，孝成失之於韓，雖所喪敗有多寡之差，其貪而不明，真父子也。〕

芒卯謂秦王

芒卯謂秦王〔鮑本昭。〕曰：『王之士未有爲之中〔鮑本中，謂用事於諸國之中，猶內應云。〕者也。臣聞明王不𦙃〔鮑本『𦙃』作『咠』，又改作『背』。○　補曰：一本作『𦙃』，俱未詳。『𦙃』，說見趙策。札記今本『𦙃』作『背』，乃誤涉鮑也。〕中而行。王之所欲於魏者，長羊、〔鮑本『羊』作『平』。○　下同，屬汝南。補曰：地未詳，或字誤。〕王屋、〔鮑本在河東垣縣東北。〕洛林〔鮑本即蘇代所謂林中，河南宛陵林鄉也。〕之地也。王能使臣爲魏之司徒，〔鮑本本周官，此所謂爲之中。〕則臣能使魏獻之。』秦王曰：『善。』因任之〔鮑本无『之』字。○〕以爲魏之司徒。

謂魏王曰：『王所患者上地〔鮑本上流之地，近秦。正曰：未知所指。〕也。秦之所欲於魏者，長羊、王屋、洛林之地也。王獻之秦，則上地无憂患。因請以下兵東擊齊，攘地必〔鮑本『必』下有『不』字。○〕遠矣。』魏王曰：『善。』因獻之秦。

地入數月，而秦兵不下。魏王謂芒卯曰：『地已入數月，而秦兵不下，何也？』芒卯曰：『臣有死罪。雖然，臣死，則契折於秦，〔鮑本折，毀也，言不可有責於秦。〕王无以責秦。王因赦其罪，臣爲王責約於秦。』

乃之秦，謂秦王曰：『魏之所以獻長羊、王屋、洛林之地者，有意〔鮑本无『有意』二字。○〕欲以下大王之兵東擊齊也。今地已入，而秦兵不可下，臣則死人也。雖然，後山東之士，无以利事王者矣。』秦王戄〔鮑本『戄』作『懼』。○　補曰：姚本作『戄』。　札記丕烈案：『懼』、『瞿』同字，作懼亦可通。〕然曰：『國有事，未澹〔鮑本『澹』作『贍』。○　贍，給也。補曰：即贍。前漢志『澹』用□。〕下兵也，今以兵從。』後十日，秦兵下。芒卯并將秦、魏之兵，以東擊齊，啟地廿二縣。

秦敗魏於華走芒卯而圍大梁

秦敗魏於華，〔鮑本華山。在弘農華陰。秦紀作華陽。註，亭名，在密縣。事在此二年。正曰：華陰之『華』，去聲。華下、華陽，史无音。〕走芒卯而圍大梁。須賈〔鮑本魏人。〕爲魏謂穰侯曰：『臣聞魏氏大臣父兄皆謂魏王曰：「初〔札記今本『初』誤『幼』。〕時惠王伐趙，戰勝乎三梁，〔鮑本春秋，秦取梁，漢夏陽也。河內有梁，周小邑也。陳留、浚儀、大梁爲三，皆魏地。正曰：索隱云云，梁即南梁，又說見齊策。〕十萬之軍拔邯鄲，〔鮑本秦十二年攻趙，虜莊賈。正曰：魏惠王十八年拔趙邯鄲，廿年歸趙邯鄲。〕趙氏不割，而邯鄲復歸。齊人攻燕，殺子之，破故國，〔鮑本補曰：通鑑、大事記在宣王廿九年。〕燕不割，而燕國復歸。燕、趙之所以國全兵勁，而地不并乎諸侯者，以其能忍難而重出地也。宋、中山數伐數割，而隨以亡。臣〔姚本曾本无『臣』字。　鮑本此臣，魏大臣所稱。〕以爲燕、趙可法，而宋、中山可无爲也。夫秦貪戾之國而无親，蠶食魏，盡晉國，戰勝睾子，〔姚本史記作『暴子』。　鮑本『睾』作『睪』。○　地缺。正曰：皋，上刀反；睪，羊益反。又『𣽎』作『澤』。古書三字皆通，此未有據。史『睾』作『暴』，下同。徐廣云，暴鳶也。大事記作『暴吏』。未詳。〕割八縣，地未畢入而兵復出矣。夫秦何厭之有哉！今又走芒卯，入北地，〔鮑本梁之北，非郡。正曰：史記作『宅』，策字訛，下同。正義引竹書云，宅陽一名北宅。括地志云，故城在鄭州滎陽縣西。　札記丕烈案：北宅，徐廣云，宅陽也。張守節同。〕此非但攻梁也，且劫王以多割也，王必勿聽也。今王循楚、趙而講，〔鮑本循，猶順也。以下文考之，秦時蓋合楚、趙共攻魏，魏見二國爲秦用，遂欲講秦，不反覆思之也。正曰：『循』即『徇』。　札記丕烈案：吳說未是也。史記『循』作『有』，謂魏方有楚、趙之救，此當與之同意。『循』必誤字也。下句『楚趙怒而與王爭事秦』，史記『而』下多『去王』二字，意尤明。鮑說則更誤矣。〕楚、趙怒而與王爭事秦，秦必受之。秦挾楚、趙之兵以復攻，則國救亡不可得也〔鮑本衍『也』字。〕已。願王之必无講也。王若欲講，必少割而有質；〔鮑本亦事驗也。正曰：索隱云，少割地而求秦質子。〕不然必欺。」〔鮑本補曰：索隱云，必稱秦欺。〕是臣之所聞於魏也，願君之以是慮事也。

『周書曰：「維命不于常。」此言幸之不可數也。夫戰勝睾子，而割八縣，此非兵力之精，非計之工〔鮑本『工』作『功』。○〕也，天幸〔鮑本漢史『天幸』語，本此。〕爲多矣。今又走芒卯，入北地，以攻大梁，是以天幸自爲常也。知者不然。

『臣聞魏氏悉其百縣〔姚本曾本作『姓』。〕勝兵，以止戍大梁，臣以爲不下卅萬。以卅萬之眾，守十仞之城，臣以爲雖湯、武復生，弗易攻也。夫輕信楚、趙之兵，陵十仞之城，戴〔鮑本補曰：一本標孫作『戰』。　札記丕烈案：作『戴』者誤也。史記作『戰』。〕卅萬之眾，而志必舉之，臣以爲自天下之始分以至于今，未嘗有之也。攻而不能拔，秦兵必罷，〔鮑本音疲。〕陰〔鮑本陰，穰侯別邑。正曰：陰即陶，說見趙策。　札記丕烈案：史記作陶邑。〕必亡，則前功必棄矣。今魏方疑，可以少割收也。願〔鮑本『願』下補『君』字。○　補曰：史，願君逮楚、趙。　札記今本『願』下有『君』字，乃誤涉鮑也。〕之及楚、趙之兵未任於大梁也，〔鮑本未以攻梁自任。〕亟以少割收。魏〔鮑本『魏』字重。○　札記丕烈案：重者當是。〕方疑，而得以少割爲和，必欲之，則君得所欲矣。楚、趙怒於魏之先己講也，〔鮑本己兵未至，而與秦講。〕必爭事秦。從〔鮑本從橫之『從』。〕是以散，而君後擇焉。〔鮑本擇其所與於散從之後。〕且君之嘗割晉國取地也，何必以兵哉？〔鮑本先割取時不用兵。〕夫兵不用，而魏效絳、安邑，又爲陰啟〔鮑本言得亡國以拓陰之封地。補曰：『又爲』止『己令』，策文有脫誤，見後。〕兩機，盡〔鮑本兩，謂得縣啟封。盡，无遺也。〕故宋，衛效尤憚。〔鮑本『尤憚』作『憚尤』。○　魏自比小國，二國，小國也。〕秦兵〔鮑本出地而小，故愈畏秦。〕已令，〔姚本續云：史，衛效單父，秦兵已全。　鮑本『令』作『合』。○　魏合秦。補曰：史云，『又爲陶開兩道，幾盡故宋，衛必效單父，秦兵可全』云云。按此文明順，姚註亦宜引從之。正義云，『故宋及單父，是陶南道；魏安邑及絳，是陶北道』。索隱云，『穰侯封陶，魏效絳、安邑，是得河東地，言從秦通陶，開河西、河東之兩道』。此時宋已滅，是秦將盡得宋地也。愚謂『可全』，即上言不用之意。〕而君制之，何求而不得？何爲而不成？臣願君之熟計而无行危也。』

穰侯曰：『善。』乃罷梁圍。〔鮑本彪謂：賈之說，不足以已秦也，爲其爲魏也過深，而說秦者不切。夫以秦爲天幸，而欲其无行危也，秦豈信之哉！秦行是何危之有？且其爲魏之過深也，適足以疑秦，豈沮於是哉！梁圍之解，將別有故，非賈力也。正曰：大事記略載此章及穰侯攻大梁章，謂同一術。愚謂，魏利於少割，穰侯喜得此地而罷兵，亦无不可。大事記，周赧王卌年，秦昭卅二，魏安釐二，韓釐廿一，趙惠文廿四年，秦以魏冉爲相國，伐韓，暴鳶救魏，魏冉破之，斬首四萬，鳶走開封，魏割八縣以和。魏冉復伐魏，走芒卯，入北宅，遂圍大梁，魏割溫以和。卌一年，魏背秦與齊從親，秦魏冉伐魏，拔四城，斬首四萬。卌二年，趙、魏伐韓華陽，秦魏冉、白起、客卿胡傷救韓，敗魏將芒卯華陽，斬首十三萬，取卷、蔡陽、長社。又敗趙將賈偃，沉其卒二萬於河，取觀津。魏予秦南陽以和。以其地爲南陽郡，遷免臣居之。　通鑑綱目書略同，不著暴鳶、芒卯等及以地爲南陽郡一節。補曰：按史，魏安釐王二年、三年、四年，連歲魏冉將兵來伐。二年之戰，韓暴鳶救魏敗走。年表、秦紀、魏世家、魏冉傳皆云兵至大梁。次年之戰不地。最後華陽之戰，趙、魏伐韓，秦救韓，敗趙、魏，走芒卯。但史所載有差互，紀以擊芒卯華陽，傳以走暴鳶，並爲次年事。華陽之戰，或云得三晉將，或云攻趙、韓、魏。八縣、三縣之殊，十萬、十五萬之舛。故大事紀參定書之。今考此策，須賈之辭，謂戰勝暴子，割八縣，地未畢而兵復出。此大事記所以書此役繼於走暴鳶之後。但策首書秦敗魏於華，恐『於華』二字因下章誤衍也。又按秦紀，昭王卅四年，書秦與魏韓上庸地爲一郡南陽，免臣遷居之。卅五年初，置南陽郡。大事記於魏予秦南陽後，書以其地爲南陽郡，遷免臣居之，即以此爲是年事。按南陽凡二，其一河南之脩武，其一鄧州之堵陽。免臣者，以罪免，遷守新邊。秦不信敵國之民，故徙其國人使錯居之。前此廿七年，攻楚，赦罪人遷之南陽。大事記必謂前已備楚，故今以新得之南陽，而不知紀書乃謂秦與魏韓上庸地爲一郡於南陽。上庸屬漢中，今房州竹山縣，則正鄧之南陽也。次年乃書置南陽郡。秦南陽郡即鄧，而脩武更置河內郡，不聞兩南陽也。昭王卌四年，秦白起攻韓取南陽，絕大行道，使秦已置郡，不應復云爾。大事記亦書之矣。此條蓋因魏入南陽以和，偶與下文南陽免臣相次，而致誤爾。因上論大事記文附于此。〕

秦敗魏於華魏王且入朝於秦

秦敗魏於華，魏王且入朝於秦。周訢〔鮑本『訢』作『訴』。補曰：一本『訴』作『訢』，是，下同。〕謂王曰：『宋人有學者，三年反而名其母。其母曰：「子學三年，反而名我者，何也？」其子曰：「吾所賢者，无過堯、舜，堯、舜名。吾所大者，无大天地，天地名。今母賢不過堯、舜，母大不過天地，是以名母也。」其母曰：「子之於學者，〔鮑本於其所學。〕將盡行之乎？願子之有以易名母也。子之於學也，將有所不行乎？〔鮑本『乎』作『也』。○〕願子之且以名母爲後也。」今王之事秦，尚有可以易入朝者乎？願王之有以易之，而以入朝爲後。』魏王曰：『子患寡人入而不出邪？許綰爲我祝曰：「入而不出，請殉寡人以頭。」』周訢對曰：『如臣之賤也，今人有謂臣曰，入不測之淵而必出，不出，請以一鼠首爲女殉者，臣必不爲也。今秦不可知之國也，猶不測之淵也；而許綰之首，猶鼠首也。內王於不可知之秦，而殉王以鼠首，臣竊爲王不取也。且无梁孰與无河內急？』王曰：『梁急。』『无梁孰與无身急？』王曰：『身急。』曰：『以三者，身，上也；河內，其下也。秦未索其下，而王效其上，可乎？』

王尚未聽也。支期曰：『王視楚王。〔鮑本頃襄。〕楚王入秦，〔鮑本絕句。〕王以三乘先之；〔鮑本先楚至秦。〕楚王不入，楚、魏爲一，尚足以捍秦。』王乃止。王謂支期曰：『吾始已諾於應侯矣，今不行者欺之矣。』支期曰：『王勿憂也。臣使長信侯〔鮑本魏相之善應侯者。〕請无內王，王待臣也。』

支期說於長信侯曰：『王命召相國。』長信侯曰：『王何以臣爲？』支期曰：『臣不知也，王急召君。』長信侯曰：『吾內王於秦者，寧以爲秦邪？吾以爲魏也。』支期曰：『君无爲魏計，君其自爲計。且安〔鮑本問何所安。〕死乎？安生乎？安窮乎？安貴乎？君其先自爲計，後爲魏計。』長信侯曰：『樓公將入矣，〔鮑本緩也。俟其入欲與之議。正曰：无考。樓緩、樓鼻，韓策並見樓梧，皆此時人。〕臣今從。』支期曰：『王急召君，君不行，血濺君襟矣！』

長信侯行，支期隨其後。且見王，支期先入謂王曰：『偽病者乎而見之，〔鮑本令王見而辭疾。〕臣已恐之矣。』長信侯入見王，王曰：『病甚奈何！吾始已諾於應侯矣，意雖道死，〔姚本曾本作『雖欲道死』，劉本作『意雖死』。〕行乎？』〔鮑本雖死於路，猶將行。〕長信侯曰：『王毋行矣！臣〔姚本劉本作『且』。〕能得之於應侯，〔鮑本『侯』下有『矣』字。○　能使應侯止王之行。〕願王无憂。』〔鮑本彪謂：周訴之愛王也甚忠，其論王也甚切，賢智人也。釐王不能聽而聽支期，期豈賢於訴哉？蓋期之所效者事，而訴之所諭者理，庸人固可示以事，而難以理諭也。微二臣者釐其爲楚懷與！補曰：『爲我』、『爲王』、『以爲秦』、『以爲魏』之『爲』，去聲。〕

華軍之戰

華〔姚本一本有『陽』字。　鮑本『軍』作『陽』。○〕軍之戰，魏不勝秦。明年，將使段干崇割地而講。

孫臣〔鮑本並魏人。〕謂魏王曰：『魏不以敗之上〔鮑本上，謂當其時。〕割，可謂善用不勝矣；而秦不以勝之上割，可謂不能〔鮑本『能』作『善』。○〕用勝矣。今處期年乃欲割，是羣臣之私〔鮑本計不及也。〕而王不知也。且夫欲璽者，〔鮑本得秦封，受其璽。〕段干子也，王因使之割地；欲地者，秦也，而王因使之受〔鮑本『受』作『授』。○〕璽。夫欲璽者制地，而欲地者制璽，其勢必无魏矣。且夫姦臣〔鮑本『臣』作『人』。○〕固皆欲以地事秦。以地事秦，譬猶抱薪而救火也。薪不盡，則火不止。今王之地有盡，而秦之求〔鮑本『之求』作『求之』。○〕无窮，是薪火之說也。』

魏王曰：『善。雖然，吾已〔鮑本『已』作『以』。○〕許秦矣，不可以革〔鮑本革，更也。〕也。』對曰：『王獨不見夫博者之用梟邪？〔鮑本猶上善用勝矣。補曰：正義云，博頭有刻爲梟鳥形者，擲得梟者，合食其子。若不便，則爲餘行也。〕欲食則食，欲握則握。〔鮑本握，不食也。食者行棋，握不行也，故史曰，『便則行，不便則止』。〕今君劫於羣臣而許秦，因曰不可革，何用智之不若梟也？』魏王〔札記今本脫『王』字。〕曰：『善。』乃案其行。〔鮑本按，猶止。記四年有。補曰：史，安釐王四年，華陽戰敗後，段干子請予南陽以和。此策云『按其行』。通鑑綱目云，『王不聽，卒以南陽爲和』。〕

齊欲伐魏

齊欲伐魏，魏使人謂淳于髡曰：『齊欲伐魏，能解魏患，唯先生也。敝邑有寶璧二雙，文馬二駟，〔鮑本文，毛色成文。馬四匹爲駟。〕請致之先生。』淳于髡曰：『諾。』入說齊王曰：『楚，齊之仇敵也；魏，齊之與國也。〔鮑本魏策，馬陵之敗，魏請臣畜朝齊，楚王怒，伐齊，則此所言也。〕夫伐與國，使仇敵制其餘敝，〔鮑本言楚將因齊兵勞而伐之。〕名醜而實危，〔鮑本伐與國，醜也，而有楚伐之危。〕爲王弗取也。』齊王曰：『善。』乃不伐魏。

客謂齊王曰：『淳于髡言不伐魏者，受魏之璧、馬也。』王以謂淳于髡曰：『聞先生受魏之璧、馬，有諸？』曰：『有之。』『然則先生之爲寡人計之何如？』淳于髡曰：『伐魏之事不便，〔鮑本伐魏不便，魏所欲也，而髡止之，故魏刺之。雖刺髡而齊實不便，非益也。此設辭也。正曰：強注終不通，說見下。〕魏雖刺髡，於王何益？若誠不〔姚本劉无『不』字。　鮑本補曰：姚云，『若誠』下劉本无『不』字。愚案，上句當无『不』字，義乃通，恐有訛舛。〕便，魏〔姚本曾无『魏』字。〕雖封髡，於王何損？且夫王无伐與國之誹，魏无見亡之危，百姓无被兵之患，髡有璧、馬之寶，於王何傷乎？』〔鮑本原在魏策。正曰：爲魏而說，當從舊。〕

秦將伐魏

秦將伐魏。魏王聞之，夜見孟嘗君，〔鮑本本傳，齊閔驕，故奔魏，魏相之。此十一年。正曰：見後。〕告之曰：『秦且攻魏，子爲寡人謀，奈何？』孟嘗君曰：『有諸侯之救，則國可存也。』王曰：『寡人願子之行也。』重爲之約車百乘。

孟嘗君之趙，謂趙王〔鮑本惠文。〕曰：『文願借兵以救魏。』趙王曰：『寡人不能。』孟嘗君曰：『夫敢借兵者，以忠王也。』王曰：『可得聞乎？』孟嘗君曰：『夫趙之兵，非能〔姚本曾无『能』字。〕彊於魏之兵；魏之兵，非能〔姚本曾无『能』字。〕弱於趙也。然而趙之地不歲危，而民不歲死；而魏之地歲危，而民歲死者，何也？以其西爲趙蔽〔鮑本魏在趙西，爲之蔽秦。〕也。今趙不救魏，魏歃〔鮑本歃之血也。〕盟於秦，是趙與強秦爲界也，地亦且歲危，民亦且歲死矣。此文之所以忠於大王也。』趙王許諾，爲起兵十萬，車三百乘。

又北見燕王〔鮑本昭。〕曰：『先日公子〔鮑本稱其父嬰。〕常約兩王〔鮑本『王』作『主』。○〕之交矣。今秦且攻魏，願大王之救之。』燕王曰：『吾歲不熟二年矣，今又行數千里而以助魏，且奈何？』田文曰：『夫行數千里而救人者，此國之利也。今魏王出國門而望見軍，雖欲行數千里而助人，可得乎？』燕王尚未許也。田文曰：『臣效便計於王，王不用臣之忠計，文〔札記今本『文』誤『臣』。〕請行矣。恐天下之將有大變也。』王曰：『大變可得聞乎？』曰：『秦攻魏未能克之也，而臺已燔，游已奪矣。〔鮑本不暇游觀。〕而燕不救魏，魏王折節割地，以國之半與秦，秦必去矣。秦已去魏，魏王悉韓、魏之兵，又西借秦兵，以因趙之眾，〔札記今本『趙之』誤『之趙』。〕以四國攻燕，王且何利？利行數千里而助人乎？利出燕南門而望見軍乎？則道里近而輸〔鮑本輸以餉軍。〕又易矣，王何利？』〔姚本曾添『入乎』字。〕燕王曰：『子行矣，寡人聽子。』乃爲之起兵八萬，車二〔鮑本『二』作『三』。○〕百乘，以從〔姚本一本无『從』字。〕田文。

魏王大說，曰：『君得燕、趙之兵甚眾且亟矣。』秦王〔鮑本昭。〕大恐，割地請講於魏。〔姚本一本添『魏』字。〕因歸燕、趙之兵，而封田文。〔鮑本彪謂：田文可謂善言者矣。其說趙也，邇而不偪。其說燕也，直而不倨。與夫嚂口虛喝者，異矣。補曰：孟嘗相魏，在齊滅宋前。大事記附見於昭王十年，詳見周策。此事實昭王十三年。秦紀，秦昭廿四年取魏安城至大梁，燕、趙救之，秦軍去。〕

魏將與秦攻韓

魏將與秦攻韓，朱己〔鮑本史作无忌。補曰：史，魏王以秦救之故，欲親秦而伐韓，以求故地，无忌謂魏王曰云云。大事記據之。以其辭云秦太后母也，以憂死，故附載於宣太后之薨之後，在赧王五十年。按朱己，即无忌，字訛也。　札記丕烈案：策文『無』多作『无』，故形近而訛也。『己』、『忌』同字。〕謂魏王曰：

秦與戎、翟同俗，有虎狼之心，貪戾好利而无信，不識禮義德行。苟有利焉，不顧親戚兄弟，若禽獸耳。此天下之所同知也，非所施厚〔姚本劉作『惠』。〕積德也。故太后母也，而以憂死；〔鮑本秦昭卌二年，此十二年。〕穰侯舅也，功莫大焉，而竟逐之；兩弟无罪，而再奪之國。此於其親戚兄弟若此，而又況於仇讎之敵國也。〔鮑本補曰：一本標『也』作『乎』。　札記丕烈案：史記作『乎』。〕今大王與秦伐韓而益近秦，臣甚或〔鮑本『或』作『惑』。○　札記丕烈案：史記作『惑』。『或』、『惑』同字。〕之，而王弗識也，則不明矣。羣臣知之，而莫以此諫，則不忠矣。
今夫韓氏以一女子承一弱主，〔鮑本此十二年，桓惠立八年矣。補曰：大事記云，韓世家不載其事，必是時韓王少，母后用事也。愚按，是時秦宣太后、趙惠文后、齊君王后皆專政，韓亦然也。〕內有大亂，外安能支強秦、魏之兵，王以爲不破乎？韓亡，秦盡〔鮑本无『盡』字。○　札記丕烈案：史記無。〕有鄭地，〔鮑本時鄭亡，屬韓。〕與大梁鄰，王以爲安乎？王〔鮑本无『王』字。　札記丕烈案：史記無。〕欲得故地，〔鮑本蓋嘗喪地於韓，今欲取之。〕而今負強秦之禍也，〔鮑本正曰：史，『負強秦之說』。據此，則『負』當從『恃』訓。從策文，則負任在背以爲喻也。史義長。　札記丕烈案：吳說未是，此不與策文同耳。下文『然而无與強秦鄰之禍』語相應，當各依本書。〕王以爲利乎？
秦非无事之國也，韓亡之後，必且便事；便事，〔鮑本補曰：『便事』，史並作『更事』。〕必就易與利；就易與利，必不伐楚與趙矣。是何也？夫越山踰河，絕韓之上黨〔鮑本補曰：史作『絕上黨』。正義云，韓上黨，從太行山西北澤、潞等州是也。　札記丕烈案：史記有『韓』字，吳誤。〕而攻強趙，則是復閼與之事也，〔鮑本先時趙奢敗秦於此。補曰：復，扶又反。閼與，音遏豫。〕秦必不爲也。若道河內，倍〔鮑本倍，音背。〕鄴、朝謌，絕漳、滏之水，而以與趙兵決勝於邯鄲之郊，是受智伯之禍也，秦又不敢。伐楚，道涉而〔鮑本『而』作『山』。○　札記今本『而』作『山』，乃誤涉鮑也。丕烈案：今史記作『伐楚，道涉山谷』。衍『山』字也。索隱作『道涉谷』云。道，猶行也。涉谷是往楚之險路。策文亦本云『道涉谷』，衍『而』字。鮑乃依今史記改，誤甚。今本初刻『道』誤『趙』，改刻不誤。〕谷行三十里，而攻危隘之塞，〔姚本劉作『國』。　鮑本正曰：『三十』，史作『三千』者是。『危隘』，史作『冥阨』，即『黽阨』也。說見楚策。大事記，秦向楚有兩道，涉山谷是西道，河外是東道。此是採索隱、正義之文。按二家本文，以『涉谷』爲地名，當考。正義云，從褒斜入梁州，即東南至申州，攻石城山險阨之塞也。　札記丕烈案：『危』即『黽』字形近之訛。〕所行者甚遠，而所攻者甚難，秦又弗爲也。若道河外，背大梁，而右上蔡、召陵，以與楚兵決於陳郊，〔鮑本正曰：大事記引正義云。從河外出函谷關，歷同州，南至鄭州，東向陳州，則背大梁也。大事記今本作『東向鄭州者』恐因上文訛。史『右蔡左召陵』，正義云，上蔡縣在豫州北，邵陵故城在豫州鄢城縣東，並在陳州西。從汴州南行向陳州之西郊，則上蔡、召陵在南面，向東皆身之右，定无左字也。〕秦又不敢也。故曰，秦必不伐楚與趙矣，又不攻衛與齊矣。〔鮑本正曰：衛、齊皆在趙、韓、魏之東。〕
韓亡之後，兵出之日，非魏无攻矣。秦故有懷地、刑丘、之〔校：安〕城、垝津，而以之臨河内，河内之共、汲，莫不危矣。秦有鄭地，得垣雍，決滎〔校：熒〕澤而水大梁，大梁必亡矣。王之使者大過矣，乃惡安陵氏於秦，秦之欲許之久矣，然而秦之葉陽、昆陽，與舞陽、髙陵鄰，聽使者之惡也，隨安陵氏而欲亡之。秦繞舞陽之北，以東臨許，則南國必危矣，南國雖无危，則魏國豈得安哉？〔校：國先害已。〕
【吳師道註】〔秦故有懷地〕
《史》作『秦固有懷、茅』。固、故通。《正義》云：『懐州武陟县西故懐城』。《括地志》云『懐州獲嘉縣東北有茅亭』，即蘇忿生邑攅茅。
【吳師道註】〔刑丘〕
見《秦策》。
【吳師道註】〔刑丘、之〔校：安〕城、垝津〕
《史》『城、垝津』。《索隱》引《䇿》云『刑丘、安城』。今本无『安』字，恐『之』字即『安』訛也。《史》此段後有『安城』字。《正義》云：『在鄭州原武縣東南。』
【吳師道註】〔垝津〕
垝津，《索隱》云：『在河北。垝，九毀反。』《正義》引杜預以爲汲郡城南延津。愚按安釐王十一年𥘿拔我廪丘或作『邢丘』、『郪丘』。餘无見，蓋地皆懷界也。
【吳師道註】〔河内之共、汲〕
《索隱》云：『共、汲，皆縣名，屬河內。』共，居庸反。又見下。劉辰翁以爲共、汲河者，謬。
【鮑彪註】〔垣雍〕
《秦紀・註》：河內卷有垣雍城。
【吳師道註】〔垣雍〕
《正義》引《括》云：『垣雍故城在鄭州原武縣西北。』雍，於用反。
【鮑彪註】〔滎〔校：熒〕澤〕
屬滎陽，《書・註》在敖倉東南。
【吳師道註】〔滎〔校：熒〕澤〕
《史》作『熒』，一本同。
【吳師道註】〔大梁必亡矣〕
《正義》云：言韓亡後，秦有鄭地，得垣雍城，從滎〔校：熒〕澤決灌，歷雍灌大梁也。《大事記》云，始皇滅魏，果用此策。
【鮑彪註】〔王之使者大過矣，乃惡安陵氏於秦〕
安陵，魏之不欲攻韓者，與羣臣異，故惡之。
【鮑彪註】〔秦之欲許之久矣〕
許，言聽之。久，言秦之先自惡之。
【吳師道註】〔王之使者大過矣，乃惡安陵氏於秦，秦之欲許之久矣〕
《史》作『王之使者出，過而惡安陵氏於秦』。《大事記》引《策》文，則以《策》爲明順。『許』，《史》作『誅』。《正義》引《括地志》云，安陵在鄢陵縣西北。詳見前。《大事記》：『按《策》：安陵君曰：吾先君成侯受詔襄王，以守此地。蓋安陵，趙襄子所封，其後遠別爲十國，附庸於魏，今魏反令使者惡之於秦。』
【鮑彪註】〔秦之葉陽、昆陽，與舞陽、髙陵鄰〕
髙陵，屬琅邪。此二縣安陵封地，以與昆陽、葉陽鄰，故秦久惡安陵。
【吳師道註】〔秦之葉陽、昆陽，與舞陽、髙陵鄰〕
髙陵屬亰兆，與下文地不相近。《史》无『髙陵』字，《策》或誤也。《註》尤非。《正義》云：『葉陽，今許州葉縣。昆陽故城在葉縣北。舞陽故城在葉縣東。此時葉陽、昆陽屬秦，舞陽屬魏。』《大事記》：『葉陽今屬汝州。』
【黃丕烈札記】〔舞陽〕
《史記》『舞』作『武』。
【鮑彪註】〔南國〕
《周紀・註》：南國，江、漢之間，又曰南陽也。今詳此時屬韓。
【吳師道註】〔隨安陵氏而欲亡之。秦繞舞陽之北，以東臨許，則南國必危矣〕
《正義》云：『南國，今許州許昌縣南西許昌故城，此時屬韓，在魏之南，故言「南國」。』《大事記》：『安陵在鄢陵縣西北，則去許、汝不遠矣。』愚按韓公云：繞舞陽、葉、襄城，其地皆壤界也，故曰『南國』。
【吳師道註】〔南國雖无危，則魏國豈得安哉？〔校：國先害已。〕〕
且夫憎韓不受安陵氏可也，夫不患秦之不愛南國非也。〔鮑本補曰：史，『不愛安陵氏』。下文可推。大事記，秦得南國，則諸侯之勢危矣，魏不可以爲非己地而不恤也。〕異〔鮑本異，猶他。〕日者，秦乃在河西，晉國之去梁也，千里有餘，河〔鮑本『河』上補『有』字。○　言都絳、安邑時。補曰：史无上文『餘』字，即以『有』字屬『河山』云云。策文則當有『有』字。　札記丕烈案：此當是策文衍『餘』字，以千里與百里相較也。下文云『尚千里』，亦无『餘』之證。〕山以蘭〔鮑本『蘭』作『闌』。○　下同。闌入之闌。正曰：按字書，闌，門遮也。攔，閉也，牢也。通作蘭。王莽傳『牛馬同蘭』。師古云，蘭，謂遮蘭，則『闌』亦可通。闌入之『闌』，本作『𨷻』，亦作『蘭』，於此義不切。　札記丕烈案：史記作『闌』。『蘭』、『闌』同字也。〕之，有周、韓而間之。從林軍〔鮑本『林』作『橫』。○　橫之軍。正曰：史作『林鄉軍』。林鄉，地名，見芒卯謂秦王章。大事記，自秦伐林鄉以來至于今也。　札記丕烈案：今史記作『林鄉軍』。考索隱引劉氏云，林，地名。是史記亦本无『鄉』字。徐廣曰『林鄉在宛縣』者，以林鄉解『林』也。後人因注改正文耳。〕以至于今，秦十攻魏，五入國中，邊城盡拔。文臺墮，垂都焚，〔鮑本勾陽有垂都亭。正曰：此引徐廣說，彼文原无『都』字。補曰：索隱云，有廟曰都。正義引括地志云，文臺在曹州冤句縣。索隱云，文臺，臺名。大事記不取者，豈以他策有『臺已燔，游已奪』之云，與此類，特泛言之邪！墮，許規反。〕林木伐，麋鹿盡，而國繼以圍。〔鮑本正曰：大事記，赧王卌年，穰侯圍大梁。〕又長驅梁北，東至陶、衛之郊，〔鮑本衛在河、淇之間，與陶接，故范蠡亦云。〕北至乎闞，〔鮑本魏記注，在東平須昌。補曰：史，北至平、監。正義云，平即兗州平陸，監即故闞城，在平陸縣西南。　札記丕烈案：『監』、『闞』同字，見徐廣注也。〕所亡乎秦者，山北、〔鮑本山，吳華之屬。正曰：史，『山南、山北』。策无『山南』字，疑缺文。正義云，山，華山也。華山之東南，七國時，鄧州屬韓，汝州屬魏。華山之北，同、華、銀、綏並魏地也。〕河外、河內，〔鮑本補曰：河外，謂華州以東至陝、虢。河內，謂蒲州以東至懷、衛。〕大縣數百，名都數十。〔鮑本補曰：史，大縣數十，名都數百。〕秦乃在河西，晉國之去大梁也尚千里，而禍若是矣。又況於使秦无韓而有鄭地，无河山以蘭之，无周、韓以間之，去大梁百里，禍必百此〔鮑本補曰：史作『由此』。大事記從策文改。〕矣。
異日者，從之不成矣，〔姚本劉作『也』。　鮑本『矣』作『也』。○　補曰：『也』，史同。〕楚、魏疑而韓不可得而約也。今韓受兵〔鮑本受秦兵。〕三年矣，秦撓之以講，〔鮑本以求地擿撓之。〕韓知〔鮑本補曰：史『識亡』。宜從策。　札記丕烈案：吳說非也，『識』即『知』，見索隱。上文此天下之所同知也，下文則皆知秦之无窮也，史記亦皆云『識』，是其證矣。〕亡，猶弗聽，投質〔鮑本質，約也。見下。〕於趙，而請爲天下鴈行〔鮑本鴈行，言以次進。補曰：爲，去聲。〕頓刃。以臣之觀〔鮑本『觀』上補『愚』字。○〕之，則楚、趙必與之攻矣。此何也？則皆知秦〔鮑本『秦』下補『欲』字。○　補曰：史『之』下有『欲』字。大事記從之。〕之无窮也，非盡亡天下之兵，而臣海內之民，必不休矣。是故臣願以從事乎〔鮑本史无『乎』字。大事記從策補。　札記丕烈案：從，合從也，見索隱。〕王，王速受楚、趙之約，而挾韓、魏〔鮑本衍『魏』字。補曰：字衍，史无。大事記以策補『而』字。　札記丕烈案：史記作『趙挾韓之質』，與策文不同也。〕之質，以存韓爲務，因求故地於韓，韓必效之。如此則士民不勞而故地得，其功多於與秦共伐韓，然而无與強秦鄰之禍。
夫存韓安魏而利天下，此亦王之大時〔鮑本補曰：史作『天時』。大事記從策。〕已。通韓之上黨於共、莫，使〔鮑本使，去音。通其道，不通他使，將爲關也。正曰：『莫』句。補曰：史作『共、甯』。云『使道安城，出入賦之』云云，大事記從之。正義云，共，衛州共城縣；甯，懷州修武縣。解題云，是時秦欲取韓上黨，故蠶食其地，使與韓國中絕。故勸魏假道，使韓得與上黨往來，豈專爲韓而已哉。韓不失上黨，則三晉之勢猶完也。〕道已通，因而關之，出入者賦〔鮑本賦，征取。〕之，是魏重質韓以其上黨也。〔鮑本質，有要也。正曰：質，猶贄。韓以上黨爲質也。〕共有其賦，〔鮑本韓、魏共之。補曰：史作『今有』，當從策。〕足以富國，韓必德魏、愛魏、重魏、畏魏，韓必不敢反魏。韓是魏之縣也。魏得韓以爲縣，則衛、〔鮑本衛，時已附梁。〕大梁、河外必安矣。今不存韓，則二周必危，安陵必易。〔鮑本秦輕之也。正曰：易，改易也。〕楚、趙楚〔鮑本衍『楚』字。補曰：字衍，史无。大事記從。　札記今本无下『楚』字，乃誤涉鮑也。〕大破，衛、齊甚畏，〔鮑本皆爲秦所勝制。〕天下之西鄉而馳秦，入朝爲臣之日不久。』〔姚本集本有『矣』字。　鮑本記有，與上二章相次。彪謂：言秦之情者眾矣，无白於此者也。補曰：大事記云，信陵君之諫，世家不載，其從違亦不書，與秦同伐韓，取故地，必以其言而止也。信陵之言，深切綜練，識天下之大勢，使魏能用其計，糾率楚、趙，竭力助韓，則韓不至失上黨，趙不至敗長平，六國不至爲秦所吞矣！謀既不用，又以矯殺晉鄙，流落於外。六國垂亡，魏始再用之，猶能收合諸侯，折強秦之鋒。若用之於上黨、長平未敗之前，天下雌雄之勢，未可量也！　此章大事記據史文具載，又以策文易史之難通者，註釋甚詳，而於信陵尤惓惓歸重焉。太史公謂，說者皆以魏不用信陵君，故國削弱至于亡，天方令秦平海內，魏雖得阿衡之佐，曷益乎！劉知幾譏其舍人事而言天。大事記之言，殆爲遷發也。愚謂，戰國四公子並稱，特以好士之故。黃歇亂人，其事惡矣。趙勝不能用趙奢、廉頗，而割地以召田單，受馮亭之嫁禍，幾至亡國。田文怒小丈夫之譏，而滅一縣，不忍呂禮之嫉害，而爲宗國召兵，尚奚足言哉？若其合從難秦，歇既敗衄，勝僅合楚、趙之交，以佐魏救。獨孟嘗、信陵，兩戰敗秦。文臨函谷，无攻以求楚東國，而名義索然。信陵存趙卻秦，義烈甚髙，河外之戰，威震天下。且退讓不伐，聞過能悔，其才與智，皆非餘子比也。因大事記稱惜之言，輒附著之。〕

葉陽君約魏

葉陽君〔鮑本趙人。補曰：『葉』即『奉』之訛，李兌也。說見趙策。〕約魏，魏王將封其子，謂魏王曰：『王嘗身濟漳，朝邯鄲，抱葛、薜、〔姚本曾作『薛』。　鮑本『薜』作『薛』，又改作『孽』。○　補曰：趙世家作『孽』者是，一本作『薛』亦非。　札記丕烈案：吳說未是。『薛』即『孽』字之省；『薜』，形近之訛也。〕陰、成以爲趙養邑，〔鮑本供養之邑。〕而趙无爲王有也。王能又封其子問〔鮑本『問』作『河』。○　補曰：字訛，趙策作『河』。〕陽姑〔姚本曾作『茹』。〕衣〔鮑本『衣』作『密』。○　補曰：字訛，趙策作『密』。　札記今本『問』作『河』，『衣』作『密』，乃誤涉鮑也。〕乎？〔鮑本趙惠文十三年有，與此語同，云封李兌子，則葉陽君兌之封乎？〕臣爲王不取也。』魏王乃止。〔鮑本惠之十三年，此十年。〕

秦使趙攻魏

秦使趙攻魏，魏謂趙王〔鮑本惠文。正曰：无考。〕曰：『攻魏者，亡趙之始也。昔者，〔姚本曾作『也』。〕晉人欲亡虞而伐虢，伐虢者，亡虞之始也。故荀息以馬與璧假道於虞，宮之奇諫而不聽，卒假晉道。晉人伐虢，反而取虞。故春秋書之，以罪虞公。今國莫強於趙，而并齊、〔鮑本衍『齊』字。正曰：見下。〕秦，王〔鮑本昭。正曰：見下。〕賢而有聲者相之，〔鮑本并，猶兼。聲，威聲。相，助也。言趙強矣，兼得秦助。正曰：『今國莫強於趙而兼齊、秦』句，『王賢而有聲者相之』句。言趙強兼齊、秦，王既賢而又有聲望者相之，所以爲秦腹心之疾也。如此乃協。此士引喻明切，謂春秋罪虞，亦不悖。秦使趙攻魏之事无見，或因其言而止歟？札記丕烈案：『而并齊、秦』四字，當爲一句，『而』即『能』字，言所能並於二國也。〕所以爲腹心〔鮑本『腹心』作『心腹』。○〕之疾者，趙也。〔鮑本言秦以趙爲疾。〕魏者，趙之虢也；趙者，魏之虞也。聽秦而攻魏者，虞之爲也。願王之熟計之也。』

魏太子在楚

魏太子在楚，謂〔鮑本『謂』作『爲』。○〕樓子〔鮑本𢋛也，從太子爲質，而楚任之。〕於鄢陵〔鮑本楚用事者所封。正曰：此語本記其人與樓子言於鄢陵之地。鄢，楚別都，在宜城。此鄢陵，即策所謂許、鄢陵者，魏地也。樓鼻主合楚之謀，非從太子而楚任之也。〕曰：『公必且待齊、楚之合也，以救皮氏。今齊、楚之理，必不合矣。彼翟子〔鮑本強也，魏人，仕齊。正曰：魏王所用，下文甚明。楚策，魏相翟強死。〕之所惡於國者，无公矣。〔鮑本无如鄢陵。正曰：公，指樓鼻。〕其人〔鮑本人，翟之人。〕皆欲合齊、秦外楚以輕公，公必謂齊王〔鮑本閔。〕曰：「魏之受兵，非秦實首伐之也，楚惡魏之事王也，故勸秦攻魏。」齊王故欲伐楚，〔鮑本此士言齊本自欲爾。補曰：故，固通。〕而又怒其不己善也，必令魏以地聽秦而爲和。以張子之強，〔鮑本言儀往日。〕有秦、韓之重，齊王惡之，而魏王不敢據也。〔鮑本言魏襄爲齊逐儀。正曰：策謂齊王不如資韓朋與之逐張儀於魏者，謀如此耳。魏襄之時，不聞逐儀也。且此語本謂以儀有秦、韓之重，而齊王惡之，魏王不敢據之以爲安，二國之於儀，猶如此也。〕今以齊、秦之重，外楚以輕公，臣爲公患之。鈞〔鮑本鈞，言齊與楚。〕之出地，以爲和於秦也，豈若由楚乎？秦疾攻楚，楚〔鮑本衍『楚』字。〕還兵，魏王必懼，〔鮑本正曰：楚還兵者，復兵與秦合攻魏也，故魏王懼。〕公因寄〔鮑本『寄』作『割』。○　補曰：恐字有訛。〕汾北以予秦而爲和，〔鮑本汾北，魏地鄢陵。宜因其懼，使割予秦，此所謂由楚。〕合親以孤齊，〔鮑本秦、楚、魏合。〕秦、楚重公，公必爲相矣。臣意秦王〔鮑本昭。〕與樗里疾之欲之也，臣請爲公說之。』

乃請樗里子曰：『攻皮氏，此王之首事也，〔鮑本『請』作『謂』。○　首，言出兵。正曰：首事，猶言第一事也。〕而不能拔，天下且以此輕秦。且有皮氏，於以攻韓、魏，利也。』樗里子曰：『吾已合魏矣，无所用之。』〔鮑本故史書未拔而解。〕對曰：『臣願以鄙心意〔鮑本意，猶度。〕公，公无以爲罪。有皮氏，國之〔鮑本『之』下有『所』字。○〕大利也，而以與魏，公終自以爲不能守也，故以與魏。今公〔姚本曾作『攻』。〕之力有餘守之，〔鮑本於守爲有餘。〕何故而弗有也？』樗里子曰：『奈何？』曰：『魏王之所恃者，齊、楚也；所用者，樓鼻、翟強〔鮑本『𢋛』，字書无此字。韓策作『鼻』，即『𢋛』也。策又有『管鼻之令翟強與秦事』云云，與此事合，疑樓𢋛即管鼻也。　札記今本『𢋛』作『𤻖』。〕也。今齊王謂魏王曰：「欲講攻於齊王兵之辭也，〔鮑本『王』作『主』。○　言欲講秦、攻秦皆於我。夫魏求救，欲講而已，而齊兼言攻，故下言『主兵』。正曰：『講』當作『搆』。講攻，猶言搆兵。〕是弗救矣。」〔鮑本『矣』作『也』。○〕楚王〔鮑本懷。〕怒於魏之不用樓子，而使翟強爲和也，〔鮑本和齊、秦。〕怨顏已絕之矣。〔鮑本怨魏欲絕之，見於顏色。〕魏王之懼也見亡，〔鮑本以有亡形而懼。〕翟強欲合齊、秦外楚，以輕樓鼻；〔鮑本此強之和。〕樓鼻欲合秦、楚外齊，以輕翟強。〔鮑本補曰：此二語當時事情也。〕公不如按〔鮑本按，謂主之。正曰：按，止也。〕魏〔姚本曾作『親』。〕之和，使人謂樓子曰：「子能以汾北與我乎？請合於楚外齊，以重公也，此吾事也。」〔鮑本疾言此事吾所欲爲。〕樓子與楚王必疾矣。〔鮑本言應之速。〕又謂翟子：〔鮑本強。亦魏人。〕「子能以汾北與我乎？必爲〔札記今本『爲』誤『不』。〕合於齊外於〔鮑本衍『於』字。〕楚，以重公也。」翟強與齊王必疾矣。是公外得齊、楚以爲用，內得樓鼻、翟強以爲佐，〔鮑本主魏言之，故言內。〕何故不能有地於河東乎？』〔鮑本言且得皮氏。按，此蓋樓鼻在楚，欲因楚和秦以息攻鄢陵，不順也，故此士說之，又說樗里。凡其辭兩言齊楚、翟樓，示无所偏也。而於楚，獨曰『吾事』，則是爲樓子也。〕

第廿四
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魏策 四

獻書秦王

〔闕文〕獻書秦王〔鮑本昭。正曰：無考。〕曰：「昔竊聞大王之謀出事於梁，〔鮑本「昔」作「臣」。○　謂攻之。〕謀恐不出於計矣，〔鮑本非得計也。〕願大王之熟計之也。梁者，山東之要〔鮑本腰。人身之中。〕也。有蛇於此，〔鮑本兵法所謂「率然」。補曰：見孫武書及李靖問答。〕擊其尾，其首救；擊其首，其尾救；擊其中身，首尾皆救。今梁王，天下之中身也。〔鮑本「皆」作「俱」，「王」作「者」，「中身」作「脊」。○　補曰：一本「今梁王，天下之中身也」。〕秦〔鮑本「秦」上有「夫」字。○〕攻梁者，是示天下要斷山東之脊也，〔鮑本要，猶欲。正曰：要，同上義。「山東脊」、「天下要」，與上互言之。示者，顯取之之意。〕是山東首尾皆救中身之時也。山東見亡必恐，恐必大合，山東尚強，臣見秦之必大憂可立而待也。臣竊為大王計，不如南出。事於南方，〔鮑本謂楚。〕其兵弱，天下必能救，〔鮑本「必」上補「不」字。○　補曰：作「必不」語順。又「必」字，恐當作「不」。〕地可廣大，〔姚本曾無「大」字。　鮑本言秦地。〕國可富，兵可強，主可尊。王不聞湯之伐桀乎？試之弱密須氏〔鮑本試，謂先之以其弱，可必克也。周紀註，密須在安定陰密。補曰：密，姞姓國，在今寧州。史周紀「西伯伐密須」，詩所謂「密人不恭」者也。此誤以為湯，又云「試之於弱」。戰國游士言聖賢事多妄謬，此尤顯然者也。〕以為武教，得密須氏而湯之〔鮑本「之」作「知」。○　札記丕烈案：「知」字當是。〕服桀矣。今秦國〔鮑本「國」作「欲」。○　札記丕烈案：「欲」字當是。〕與山東為讎，不先以弱為武教，兵必大挫，國必大憂。」秦果南攻藍田、鄢、郢。〔鮑本藍田，秦地，疑衍文。彪謂：征伐先後，理正應爾。故司馬為秦議，以伐蜀為先。而我藝祖欲平太原諸國，亦先平蜀。正曰：秦之攻楚，多道藍田、武關以出攻，如敗楚藍田之云。秦人善遠交近攻之策，蠶食諸侯，先三晉而後齊、楚，卒以成功，其用兵之序可考矣。此策，魏畏秦攻，移禍於楚，故飾為之辭。而鮑謂「征伐先後，理正應爾」，夫豈識當時大勢哉！又以司馬錯先伐蜀，宋欲平太原，亦先平蜀，為試於弱之徵，謬矣。〕

八年謂魏王

八年，〔鮑本「八」上補「十」字。○　此八年，春申未到。正曰：追稱之辭。〕〔闕文〕謂魏王曰：「昔曹〔鮑本曹，今定陶。〕恃齊而輕晉，齊伐釐、莒〔鮑本釐，疑扶風漦。正曰：此不相涉。齊策，「昔者萊、莒好謀，陳、蔡好詐，莒恃越而滅，蔡恃晉而亡」。此「釐」字即「萊」。左傳，「公會鄭伯於郲」，杜註，「釐城」。劉向引「來牟」作「釐牟」。古字通。〕而晉人亡曹。〔鮑本史，曹伯陽十五年背晉，宋滅之。哀公八年。正曰：即僖二十八年晉侯伐曹，分曹、衛田事。凡言亡，非必國滅也。〕繒恃齊以悍越，〔鮑本「以悍」作「而輕」。○　繒，禹後，屬東海。補曰：姚本「恃齊以捍越」。春秋「鄫」，穀梁作「繒」。杜註，「今琅邪鄫縣」。〕齊和子〔鮑本太公田和。正曰：恐非。〕亂而越人亡繒。〔鮑本哀六年，莒人滅鄫，與此異。補曰：左氏，「莒人滅鄫，鄫恃賂也」。註，「鄫有貢賦之賂在魯，恃之而慢莒」。此或訛為「齊」。〕鄭恃魏以輕韓，伐〔鮑本「伐」上補「魏」字。○　補曰：此宜有「魏」字。　札記今本「伐」上有「魏」字，乃誤涉鮑也。丕烈案：此因即說本國事，故不更云「魏」，取便文也，補者非是。〕榆關〔鮑本九域圖，在平州界。正曰：大事記，安王三年，楚歸鄭榆關。十一年，魏、韓、趙敗楚師于大梁榆關。正義云，榆關在鄭之南，大梁西。〕而韓氏亡鄭。原恃秦、翟以輕晉，秦、翟年穀大凶而晉人亡原。〔鮑本僖二十五年，原降，使趙衰處原。〕中山恃齊、魏以輕趙，齊、魏伐楚而趙亡中山。〔鮑本補曰：周策，宮他謂周君曰云云，略同。　齊、魏伐楚而趙亡中山，此襄王十八年秦、韓、魏、齊共敗楚將唐昧事。大事記謂史稱趙與燕、齊滅中山，齊非中山與國者，亦未然，說見燕、趙等策。〕此五國所以亡者，皆其〔鮑本「其」作「有」。○　札記今本「其」作「有」，乃誤涉鮑也。丕烈案：其者，其五國也。鮑改誤甚。〕所恃也。非獨此五國為然而已也，天下之亡國皆然矣。夫國之所以不可恃者多，其變不可勝數也。或以政教不脩，上下不輯，而不可恃者；或有諸侯鄰國之虞，而不可恃者；或以年穀不登，稸〔鮑本「稸」作「畜」。○　補曰：一本「畜」作「稸」，此書多作「稸」。〕積竭盡，而不可恃者；或化〔鮑本化，猶移。〕於利，比〔鮑本比，猶近。〕於患。臣以此知國之不可必恃也。今王恃楚之強，而信春申君之言，以是質〔鮑本「質」作「賓」。○　補曰：未詳。〕秦，而久〔鮑本久，猶後。〕不可知。即春申君有變，是王獨受秦患也。即〔鮑本即，猶是。〕王有萬乘之國，而以一人之心為命也。臣以此為不完，願王之熟計之也。」

魏王問張旄

魏王問張旄曰：「吾欲與秦攻韓，何如？」張旄對曰：「韓且坐而胥〔鮑本「胥」作「咠」。○　「咠」，「胥」同，待也。補曰：一本「咠」作「𦙃」。〕亡乎？且割而從天下乎？」王曰：「韓且割而從天下。」張旄曰：「韓怨魏乎？怨秦乎？」王曰：「怨魏。」張旄曰：「韓強秦乎？強魏乎？」〔鮑本問以何國為強。〕王曰：「強秦。」張旄曰：「韓且割而從其所強，與所不怨乎？且割而從其所不強，與其所怨乎？」王曰：「韓將割而從其所強，與其所不怨。」張旄曰：「攻韓之事，王自知矣。」〔鮑本補曰：此恐與信陵所諫同一事。〕

客謂司馬食其

客謂司馬食其〔鮑本魏人，音異基。補曰：索隱云，酈、審、趙三人，並以六國時魏有司馬食其，慕其名也。〕曰：「慮久〔姚本劉無「久」字。　鮑本慮久，熟慮也。〕以天下為可一者，是不知天下者也。欲獨以魏支秦者，是又不知魏者也。謂茲公〔鮑本指合從之人。補曰：「茲公」未詳。史，夏侯嬰食茲氏，注，太原縣名。春秋昭五年注「莒邑」者，又地不相涉。〕不知此兩者，又不知茲公者也。然而茲公為從，其說何也？從則茲公重，不從則茲公輕，茲公之處重也，不〔姚本一本添「以」字。〕實為期。〔鮑本言期約不實。〕子何不疾及三國方堅也，自賣於秦，〔鮑本謂陰倍從，以收秦利。〕秦必受子。不然，橫者將圖子以合於秦，是取子之資，〔鮑本資，謂從。食其所資者，從也。〕而以資子之讎也。」〔鮑本謂橫人將以食其之從惡之於秦。讎，秦也。正曰：時與人不可考。〕

魏秦伐楚

魏、秦〔姚本劉作「秦、魏」。〕伐楚，〔鮑本秦昭六年與韓、魏共攻楚，此十八年。〕魏王不欲。樓緩謂魏王曰：「王不與秦攻楚，楚且與秦攻王。王不如令秦、楚戰，王交制之〔鮑本緩時為秦計耳，故明年相秦。〕也。」〔鮑本無「也」字。○〕

穰侯攻大梁

穰侯攻大梁，〔鮑本秦昭二十四年，攻魏至大梁，此十三年。〕乘北郢，〔鮑本「北郢」作「郢北」。○　郢，楚別邑，其北近魏。正曰：北郢乃楚之宜城，即郡也。史魏冉傳，「入北宅，遂圍大梁」。此訛為「乘北郢」也。又策作「入北地」，亦字訛。〕魏王且從。〔鮑本從，順服也。〕謂穰侯曰：「君攻楚得宛、穰以廣陶，攻齊得剛、博〔鮑本並屬泰山。補曰：正義引括地志云，故剛城在兗州龔丘縣界。愚謂，剛博當即是剛壽。正義云，壽，鄆州縣。〕以廣陶，得許、〔鮑本補曰：「得許」上當有「攻魏」字，缺脫。〕鄢陵以廣陶，秦王〔鮑本昭。〕不問者，何也？以大梁之未亡也。今日大梁亡，許、鄢陵必議，〔鮑本議其不當得。〕議則君必窮。為君計者，勿攻便。」〔鮑本補曰：魏昭王十三年秦兵至大梁，即取魏安城之役。安釐王二年，秦魏冉伐魏，走芒卯，入北宅，遂圍大梁，魏割溫以和。二役皆冉相時，而敗芒卯則冉將以伐。此策當在其時。大事記載須賈說穰侯云云，「攻而不拔，秦兵必罷，陶邑必亡，前功必棄矣」，下註此章，謂與須賈同一術，亦以為此年事矣。然秦攻取剛壽，在秦昭三十六、七年，後此數年。而策已云得剛壽，而又不可曉也。當考。　宛、穰廣陶，說見趙策。　許、鄢陵，魏地，見前。秦得其地，不知何時。〕

白珪謂新城君

白珪〔姚本劉作「圭」。　鮑本魏人，孟子稱之。趙岐以為周人，非也。蓋至是三、四十年矣。正曰：秦昭王初年，魏冉已用事，則羋戎之貴已久。十二年而當魏昭元年，則其初年猶與魏襄相及，正孟子時也。趙岐以為周人，何以知其非也？但戰國人姓名多偶同者。鮑以在魏策中而即為魏人，謬矣。又按燕策，白珪逃於秦，則嘗仕秦。新序孟嘗君問白珪，恐亦此時。史白珪傳首云，當魏文侯時，李克務盡地力，而白珪樂觀時變。後復引圭之言曰，「吾治生產，如孫、吳用兵，商鞅行法」，則其人在鞅後。首句特與李克對論，非言其世也。以「二十取一」語，孟子正欲以其貨殖之術施之國家者也。又新序記白珪戰，亡六城，為魏取中山，白珪顯於中山，中山人惡之於魏文侯，投以夜光之壁。則文侯時又一白珪歟？或因史所書而訛舛歟？〕謂新城君曰：「夜行者能無〔姚本劉作「不」。〕為姦，不能禁狗使無吠己也。故臣能無議君於王，〔鮑本戎貴於秦。王，宜為秦王。今珪說之，豈非珪使魏，戎來魏。〕不能禁人議臣〔鮑本無「臣」字。○〕於君也。」〔鮑本秦策段產語同。正曰：段產，策本在韓，鮑以史註新城君為羋戎，故曲為之說，未知即是此人否？〕

秦攻韓之管

秦攻韓之管，〔鮑本後志河南管城註，在京縣東北。補曰：鄭州管城縣。〕魏王發兵救之。昭忌曰：「夫秦強國也，而韓、魏壤梁，〔姚本劉作「秦」。　鮑本「梁」作「秦」。○　言地與秦接。〕不出攻則已，若出攻，非於韓也必〔鮑本「必」下有「於」字。○〕魏也。今幸而〔姚本曾添「歸」字。〕於韓，此魏之福也。王若救之，夫解攻者，必韓之管也；致攻者，必魏之梁也。」魏王不聽，曰：「若不因〔姚本劉無「因」字。〕救韓，韓怨魏，西合於秦，秦、韓為一，則魏危。」遂救之。

秦果釋管而攻魏。魏王大恐，謂昭忌曰：「不用子之計而禍至，為之奈何？」昭忌乃為之見秦王〔鮑本昭。正曰：時不可考。〕曰：「臣聞明主之聽也，不以挾私為政，〔鮑本與「正」同。〕是參行〔鮑本以諸國參考而行，言參彼己也。〕也。願大王無攻魏，聽臣也。」秦王曰：「何也？」昭忌曰：「山東之從，時合時離，何也哉？」〔鮑本無「哉」字。○〕秦王曰：「不識也。」曰：「天下之合也，〔鮑本無「也」字。○　補曰：一本此下有「也」字。〕以王之不必〔鮑本猶言不可測也，方攻韓又攻魏是也。〕也；其離也，以王之必也。〔鮑本伐一不移伐，則諸國知免，不急於從也。〕今攻韓之管，國危矣，未卒而移兵於梁，合天下之從，無精〔鮑本精，猶明。〕於此者矣。以為秦之求索，必不可支也。故為王計者，不如齊〔鮑本「齊」作「制」。○　補曰：疑字誤，或上有缺文。〕趙。秦已制趙，則燕不敢不事秦，荊、齊〔鮑本「齊」作「濟」。○　荊，楚；濟，齊。正曰：一本「荊、齊」，是。未有稱「齊」為「濟」者，字多傍水。〕不能獨從。天下爭敵於秦，則弱矣。」〔鮑本言諸國合而競與秦敵，則秦弱。〕秦王乃止。〔鮑本彪謂：鄰國有兵，救之，卹鄰之義，昭王言是也。秦伐韓而魏救之，挑秦之禍，昭忌之言亦是也。要之，從約堅則宜救，猶救同室之鬬也。無從約而救之，則是鄉鄰有鬬，被髮纓冠而往，是豈不可已乎？〕

秦趙構難而戰

秦、趙構難而戰。〔鮑本長平之役。此十七年。正曰：秦、趙之戰多矣，此策時不可考。〕謂魏王曰：「不如齊、〔鮑本「齊」作「收」。○　正曰：「齊」上有脫字，下文言齊可推。〕趙而構之秦。〔鮑本構者，合其戰也。收趙而助之，趙必與秦合戰。〕王不構趙，趙不以毀構矣；〔鮑本毀，折也。言不收趙，趙不能以毀折之兵獨與秦合戰。〕而構之秦，趙必復鬬，〔鮑本「鬬」下復有「鬬」字。○〕必重魏；是并制秦、趙之事也。王欲〔鮑本欲，意或欲也。〕焉而收齊、趙攻荊，欲焉而收荊、趙攻齊，欲王之東長〔鮑本荊、齊在魏東，不樂屬秦，而欲魏為之長。〕之待〔姚本曾作「侍」。　鮑本「待」上有「也」字。○〕之也。」〔鮑本待魏之東。正曰：荊、齊、趙皆在魏東。長之，為之長也。待之，待其事也。欲王者，此士願之之辭，與上「王欲焉」不同也。〕

長平之役

長平之役，平都君〔鮑本田單。正曰：注非，說見趙策。〕說魏王曰：「王胡不為從？」魏王曰：「秦許吾以垣雍。」〔鮑本韓所得魏地。補曰：垣雍見前。〕平都君曰：「臣以垣雍為空割也。」魏王曰：「何謂也？」平都君曰：「秦、趙久相持於長平之下而無〔姚本一本添「大」字。〕決。天下合於秦，則無趙；合於趙，則無秦。秦恐王之變也，故以垣雍餌王也。秦戰勝趙，王敢責垣雍之割乎？王曰『不敢』。秦戰不勝趙，王能令韓出垣雍之割乎？〔鮑本韓不畏秦故。〕王曰『不能』。臣故曰，垣雍空割也。」魏王曰：「善。」

樓梧約秦魏

樓梧約秦、魏，〔姚本一作「郚」。　鮑本補曰：前有樓牾約秦、魏，即此人此時事也。〕將令秦王〔鮑本昭。正曰：無據。「將令」之「令」，平聲。〕遇於境。謂魏王曰：〔鮑本或謂非梧。正曰：未見非梧。〕「遇而無相，〔鮑本無相魏者。〕秦必置相。不聽之，〔姚本一本無「之」字。〕則交惡於秦；聽之，則後王之臣，將皆務事諸侯之能令於王之上者。〔鮑本「王」下無「之」字。○　言處魏上，而能使之從令若秦者。補曰：一本「王之上者」。〕且遇於秦而相秦者，〔鮑本相，秦所置。〕是無齊也，〔鮑本獨言齊者，時君王后賢，與齊敵也。正曰：註謬甚。〕秦必輕王之強矣。〔鮑本無齊助故。〕有齊者，〔鮑本群臣能得齊事者。〕不〔鮑本「不」上有「王」字。○〕若相之，齊必喜，是以有雍者〔鮑本「雍」作「齊」。○　札記今本「雍」作「齊」。〕與秦遇，秦必重王矣。」〔鮑本補曰：此時必魏合於齊。〕

芮宋欲絕秦趙之交

芮宋〔鮑本魏人。〕欲絕秦、趙之交，故令魏氏收秦太后〔鮑本宣太后。〕之養地秦王〔鮑本昭。〕於秦。〔鮑本「於秦」二字作「怒」。○　補曰：姚本「收秦太后之養地秦王於秦，芮宋」云云，與此文有誤，當云「收秦太后之養地於秦，芮宋謂」云云。　札記今本「於秦」二字作「怒」。〕芮宋謂秦王曰：「魏委〔鮑本委，與之。〕國於王，而王不受，故委國於趙也。李郝〔鮑本趙人。〕謂臣曰：『子言無秦，而養秦太后以地，是欺我也，故敝邑收之。』」秦王怒，遂絕趙也。〔鮑本無「也」字。○〕

為魏謂楚王

為魏謂楚王〔鮑本頃襄。正曰：無考。〕曰：「索攻魏於秦，〔鮑本楚以攻魏索於秦。〕秦必不聽王矣，是智困於秦，而交疏於魏也。楚、魏有怨，則秦重矣。故王不如順天下，〔鮑本天下不欲秦伐魏。〕遂伐齊，與魏便地，〔鮑本言以所得齊地與魏，易兩便也。〕兵不傷，交不變，所欲必得矣。」

管鼻之令翟強與秦事

管鼻之〔鮑本魏人。正曰：註作「鼻之」名，謬。下兩「之」字亦語助。管鼻恐即樓鼻，說見前。〕令翟強與秦事，〔鮑本鼻之不欲，故推之於強。〕謂〔鮑本鼻之謂之。〕魏王曰：「鼻之與強，猶晉人之與楚人也。晉人見楚人之急，帶劍而緩之；楚人惡其緩而急之。令〔鮑本「令」作「今」。○〕鼻之入秦之傳舍，〔鮑本酈食其傳註，「止息傳置之舍」。〕舍不足以舍之。〔鮑本侍衛之盛，舍不能容。〕強之入，無蔽於秦者。〔鮑本「蔽」作「蘇」。○　言秦輕之，無與為樵蘇者。正曰：一本「蘇」作「蔽」，是。言無人從之。札記丕烈案：史記刺客傳「跪而蔽席」，索隱曰，「蔽，匹結反，猶拂也」。此字與彼同。〕強，王貴臣也，而秦若此其甚，安可？」〔鮑本秦待己已厚，可以不與秦事。秦輕強矣，欲其重之，必令與秦事乃可。正曰：翟強欲合齊、秦外楚，以輕樓鼻；樓鼻欲合秦、楚外齊，以輕翟強。鼻、強不合，而謂鼻令強與秦事者，鼻容強為之。秦入鼻言，故輕強。此士蓋為強言，以激魏王者也。此當在襄王時。〕

成陽君欲以韓魏聽秦

成陽君〔鮑本秦昭十七年入朝者，於此知為韓人不疑。〕欲以韓、魏聽秦，魏王弗利。白圭謂魏王曰：「王不如陰侯〔姚本一作「使」。　鮑本「圭」作「珪」，「侯」作「使」。○〕人說成陽君曰：『君入秦，秦必留君，而以多割於韓矣。韓不聽，秦必留君，而伐韓矣。故君不如安〔鮑本安，猶徐。〕行求質〔鮑本質，事。有不留之驗，乃可入。正曰：「質子」之「質」。〕於秦。』成陽君必不入秦，秦、韓不敢〔鮑本衍「敢」字。〕合，則王重矣。」

秦拔寧邑

秦拔寧邑，〔鮑本此二十年。正曰：秦昭王四十一年，魏冉已免相。此十一年。餘說見趙策。〕魏王令之〔鮑本「之」作「人」。○〕謂秦王〔鮑本昭。〕曰：「王歸寧邑，吾謂先天下構。」〔鮑本「構」作「搆」，又改作「講」。○　下同。謂與秦講。〕魏〔鮑本衍「魏」字。補曰：衍。〕魏王〔鮑本「王」作「冉」。○　札記丕烈案：「冉」字當是。〕曰：「王無聽。〔鮑本無聽其講。〕魏王見天下之不足恃也，故欲先構。夫亡寧者，宜割二寧以求構；夫得寧者，安能歸寧乎？」

秦罷邯鄲

秦罷邯鄲，攻魏，取寧邑。〔鮑本正曰：邯鄲，趙都。凡攻趙皆言邯鄲。此策罷邯鄲，必非赧王五十八年解邯鄲圍時事。且秦紀書拔寧、新中。次年，赧王五十九年。年表，韓、魏、楚救趙新中，而秦兵罷，不聞卒拔也。是歲赧王入秦，而此云過二周攻王，是二周無恙時也，決為在前無疑。寧、新中，非寧邑，詳見趙策。〕吳慶〔鮑本吳人。正曰：無考。〕恐魏王之構〔鮑本「構」作「搆」，又改作「講」。○　原從扌從冓。〕於秦也，謂魏王曰：「秦之〔姚本曾無「之」字。〕攻王也，王知其故乎？天下皆曰王近也。〔鮑本近，親也。天下以魏為親秦，故外之，秦因攻之。〕王不近秦，秦之所去。〔鮑本去，猶遠。正曰：王非親秦，乃秦之所欲攻去者。〕皆曰王弱也。〔鮑本無秦之助。〕王不弱二周，〔鮑本言實不弱，視二周猶強也。〕秦人去邯鄲，過二周而攻王者，以王為易制也。王亦知弱之召攻乎？」〔鮑本若講於秦，復示弱也。〕

魏王欲攻邯鄲

魏王欲攻邯鄲，季梁〔鮑本魏人，非莊子所稱。正曰：不可考，亦不知何時。〕聞之，中道而反，衣焦不申，頭塵不去，〔鮑本此於行路，犯風日，故焦；焦故不申。需潤乃申耳。皆以欲見之速，故不暇。補曰：焦，卷也。申，舒也。文選「申」作「信」，「去」作「浴」。　札記丕烈案：此詠懷詩注也。〕往見王曰：「今者〔札記今本「者」誤「之」。〕臣來，見人於大行，〔鮑本補曰：行，道也。〕方北面而持其駕，告臣曰：『我欲之楚。』臣曰：『君之楚，將奚為北面？』曰：『吾馬良。』臣曰：『馬雖良，此非楚之路也。』曰：『吾用〔姚本用，資也。　鮑本用，所資也。〕多。』臣曰：『用雖多，此非楚之路也。』曰：『吾御者善。』『此數者愈善，而離楚愈遠耳。』今王動欲成霸王，舉欲信於天下。恃王國之大，兵之精銳，而攻邯鄲，以廣地尊名，王之動愈數，而離王愈遠耳。猶至楚而北行也。」

周肖謂宮他

周肖〔鮑本疑即霄。正曰：孟子註，魏人。若以為此人，則非安釐之世矣。〕謂宮他曰：「子為肖謂齊王〔鮑本王庭。正曰：無據，事必在前。〕曰，肖願為外臣。令齊資我於魏。」宮他曰：「不可，是示齊輕也。〔鮑本肖，魏臣，而假重於外，是示齊以無魏之重。〕夫齊不以無魏者以害有魏者，〔鮑本所不重，為無肖是也。正曰：齊必不以無魏重者而害有魏重者，不可示以無魏重也。〕故公不如示有魏。公曰：〔鮑本令肖以此說齊。〕『王〔鮑本齊。〕之所求於魏者，臣請以魏聽。』齊必資公矣，是公有齊，以齊有魏也。」〔鮑本因齊之資以得魏重。「肖」，當作「霄」。〕

周冣善齊

周冣〔鮑本「冣」作「最」。○　札記今本「冣」作「最」。丕烈案：「冣」字是，見前。〕善齊，翟強善楚。二子者，欲傷張儀於魏。張子聞之，因使其人〔鮑本儀之人。〕為見者嗇夫〔鮑本見者，冣與強見王也。正曰：見，賢遍反。見者，謂引見傳命之臣。儀使其臣為見者之嗇夫，以間伺之。補曰：嗇夫，書註，「主幣之官」。秦制，鄉有嗇夫，職獄訟，收賦稅。漢有虎圈嗇夫。所職不同，皆小臣之名。〕聞〔鮑本「聞」作「間」。○　間以候伺之。〕見者，因無敢傷張子。〔鮑本此九年，儀再相魏時。正曰：無考。〕

周冣入齊

周冣入齊，〔鮑本魏不善之。正曰：周策，為最謂魏王曰，「王不去周最，合與收齊」；又謂最曰，「魏貴合秦伐齊，而公修虛信」云云，「不如謂王曰，請入齊」。此語在田文相魏昭王時，是最先見逐於齊，今復自魏入齊。詳周策所載，必最後欲之齊，而魏聽之，非不善之故也。〕秦王〔鮑本武。正曰：昭。〕怒，令姚賈讓魏王。〔鮑本最蓋秦所置以相魏者。正曰：此因下文「為王通天下」一語生說，無據。〕魏王為之〔鮑本為最。蓋秦亦怒最之去魏。正曰：是時齊、秦交惡，而秦欲合魏。最自齊走魏，人言其不忍背齊，而今復之齊，必復為齊所厚者。魏雖欲合秦，而猶牽於收齊之說。其入齊，蓋魏聽之，故為之言於秦，其辭亦婉。〕謂秦王曰：「魏之所以為王通天下者，以周冣也。今周冣遁寡人入齊，齊無通〔姚本一本添「端」字。〕於天下矣。〔鮑本齊、秦為敵，魏既以最通天下於秦，則外齊矣。今最入齊，天下不知，以謂魏使之齊，敗齊事，因不通齊矣。正曰：齊、秦為敵，齊逐最而魏收之，天下信魏之不與齊，故曰為王通天下。今最遁入齊，則天下知魏絕最，而齊收之，齊何以通於天下乎？〕敝邑之事王，亦無齊累矣。〔鮑本齊納魏所不善，則可以絕之。正曰：最遁魏入齊，而齊收之，則齊、魏之絕明矣。秦可以不疑魏之與齊也。〕大國欲急兵，〔鮑本伐齊。〕則趣趙而已。」〔鮑本促使應秦也。魏不善最，而言為最，所以自為也。按此姚賈與始皇所問之人，相去八十餘年。高誘欲以為陳賈，若此人者可也。蓋陳，舜後，得為姚姓。而孟子與秦武、魏哀時猶相及，獨以最，韓非相毀之人，為此人，則年時相絕太遠矣，可乎哉？補曰：趣趙，說見周策。正曰：姚賈，說見秦策。〕

秦魏為與國

秦、魏為與國。〔姚本相與同禍福之國也。〕齊、楚約而欲攻魏，魏使人求救於秦，冠蓋相望，秦救不出。

魏人有唐且〔鮑本「且」作「雎」。○　下同。補曰：新序同。史作「雎」。　札記丕烈案：「且」、「雎」字同。〕者，年九十餘，謂魏王曰：「老臣請出西說秦，令兵先臣出可乎？」魏王曰：「敬諾。」遂約車而遣之。唐且見秦王，〔鮑本昭。〕秦王曰：「丈人芒然乃遠至此，甚苦矣。魏來求救數矣，寡人知魏之急矣。」唐且對曰：「大王已知魏之急而救不至者，是大王籌筴之臣無任矣。〔姚本任，能也。　鮑本不堪其事。〕且夫魏一萬乘之國，稱東藩，受冠帶，祠春秋者，以為秦之強足以為與也。今齊、楚之兵已在魏郊矣，大王之救不至，魏急則且割地而約齊、楚，王雖欲救之，豈有及哉？是亡一萬乘之魏，而強二敵之齊、楚〔札記今本「楚」誤「強」。〕也。竊以為大王籌筴之臣無任矣。」

秦王喟然愁悟，遽〔姚本一作「遂」。〕發兵，日夜赴魏。齊、楚聞之，乃引兵而去。魏氏復全，唐且之說也。〔鮑本記十年有。〕

信陵君殺晉鄙

信陵君殺晉鄙，救邯鄲，破秦人，存趙國，趙王〔鮑本孝成。〕自郊迎。唐且〔鮑本「且」作「雎」。○　正曰：史不云唐且，恐有訛舛。說又見後章。〕謂信陵君曰：「臣聞之曰，事有不可知者，有不可不知者；有不可忘者，有不可不忘者。」信陵君曰：「何謂也？」對曰：「人之憎我也，不可不知也；吾憎人也，不可得而知也。〔鮑本人不能知。〕人之有德於我也，不可忘也；吾有德於人也，不可不忘也。〔鮑本補曰：史云，「物有不可忘，或有不可不忘。夫人有德於公子，不可忘也；公子有德於人，願公子忘之也」。語尤簡潔。〕今君殺晉鄙，救邯鄲，破秦人，存趙國，此大德也。今趙王自郊迎，卒〔鮑本「卒」，「猝」同。〕然見趙王，臣願君之忘之也。」信陵君曰：「無忌謹受教。」〔鮑本彪謂：唐雎比十一年求救，年已九十餘，至是又十年，其陳誼益高，所謂耄期稱道不亂者歟？賢矣！〕

魏攻管而不下

魏攻管〔鮑本補曰：管見前策。〕而不下。安陵〔鮑本魏記註，召陵有安陵。〕人縮高，其子為管守。〔鮑本補曰：秦攻韓管而得之。縮高之子為秦守者也。通鑑綱目，縮高之子仕於秦。〕信陵君使人謂安陵君曰：「君〔姚本一本無「君」字。〕其遣縮高，吾將仕之以五大夫，使為持節尉。」〔鮑本尉之持節者。〕安陵君曰：「安陵，小國也，不能必使其民。使者自往，請使道使〔姚本一本添「吏」字。〕者〔鮑本使人道之。〕至縞〔鮑本「縞」作「縮」。○　札記今本「縞」作「縮」。丕烈案：「縮」字是也。古今人表中上有「縮高」。〕高之所，復信陵君之命。」〔鮑本復，猶重也。信陵君言之矣，今申之。〕縮高曰：「君之幸高也，將使高攻管也。夫以〔姚本一本無「以」字。〕父攻子守，人大笑也。〔鮑本守人，其子之人。正曰：「守」字句。補曰：一本標一作「人之所大笑」。〕是臣而下，是倍主〔鮑本「是」作「見」，「倍」作「背」，「主」作「王」。○　王，魏王。正曰：秦王。〕也。父教子倍，亦非君之所喜也。敢再拜辭。」

使者以報信陵君，信陵君大怒，遣大使之安陵曰：「安陵之地，亦猶魏也。〔鮑本正曰：說見下。〕今吾攻管而不下，則秦兵及我，〔鮑本管在秦東，可以捍魏。正曰：不得秦地，必受秦攻。〕社稷必危矣。願君之生束縮高而致之。若君弗致也，〔鮑本無「也」字。○〕無忌將發十萬之師，以造〔鮑本「造」作「告」。○〕安陵之城。」安陵君曰：「吾先君成侯，〔鮑本趙主也。安陵屬召陵，召陵屬魏。而此謂成侯為先君，蓋先時兩屬趙、魏，故上曰「猶魏」。〕受詔襄王〔鮑本趙襄子。補曰：大事記引作「襄主」。見上。〕以守此地也，手受大府之憲。〔鮑本大府，謂魏受詔襄子而受魏之憲，則此兩屬明矣。憲，法令也。正曰：大府之憲，即受詔於襄子者。上篇，猶言第一篇也。〕憲之上篇曰：『子弒父，臣弒君，有常〔鮑本「常」下補「刑」字。○　正曰：有常，即常刑也。〕不赦。國雖大赦，降城亡子〔鮑本以城降人，及亡人之子。正曰：亡人。〕不得與焉。』今縮高謹解〔鮑本「解」作「雖辭」二字。○　補曰：一本無「謹」字。姚本「謹解」。則「雖」乃「謹」之訛。〕大位，以全父子之義，而君曰『必生致之』，是使我負襄王詔〔鮑本「詔」上有「之」字。○〕而廢大府之憲也，雖死終不敢行。」

縮高聞之曰：「信陵君為人，悍而自用也。此辭反，必為國禍。吾已全己，無〔姚本一本作「己之」。〕為〔鮑本「為」作「違」。○〕人臣之義矣，〔鮑本正曰：無違人臣者，不事二君之義。〕豈可使吾君有魏患也。」乃之使者之舍，刎頸而死。

信陵君聞縮高死，素〔鮑本衍「素」字。補曰：字衍。〕服縞素辟舍，使使者謝安陵君曰：「無忌，小人也，困〔鮑本困，猶不通。〕於思慮，失言於君，敢再拜釋罪。」〔鮑本拜，所以謝也。以安陵釋其罪，故謝。彪謂：縮高之義直，而善處死。夫以信陵之愎而好遂，高不死，必加兵安陵，城破之日，固不免死，而以此死易一國之命，可不謂仁乎？正曰：信陵君賢而服義，使其再聞安陵之辭，亦將翻然而悔矣。師不以直，逞欲殘民，決不為也。縮高不忍須臾之死，而成其過，惜哉！補曰，按上章無忌書，謂王之使者譖安陵於秦，而此策云云，未詳。「管守」、「子守」之「守」，「使者」、「大使」之「使」，皆去聲。〕

魏王與龍陽君共船而釣

魏王與龍陽君〔鮑本魏之幸臣。正曰：幸姬也。策言美人，又云拂枕席，此非楚安陵君、鄢陵君、壽陵君、趙建信君之比。長孫佐輔于武陵等詩用「前魚」字，皆以宮人言之。〕共船而釣，龍陽君得十餘魚而涕下。王曰：「有所不安乎？如是，何不相告也？」對曰：「臣無敢不安也。」王曰：「然則何為涕出？」曰：「臣為王之所得魚也。」〔鮑本「王」作「臣」。○　正曰：以己之得魚，推言王。〕王曰：「何謂也？」對曰：「臣之始得魚也，臣甚喜，後得又益大，今臣直欲棄臣前之所得矣。今以臣凶惡，〔鮑本「臣」下有「之」字。○　補曰：一本「今以臣凶惡」。按孟子「惡人」註，謂醜貌人。此疑衍「凶」字，或「之」字訛。〕而得為王拂枕席。今臣爵至人君，走人於庭，〔鮑本在庭則人為之趨走。〕辟人於途。〔鮑本「辟」作「避」。○　在途則行者避。補曰：「避」，一本作「辟」，宜音闢。〕四海之內，〔姚本一本添「其」字。〕美人亦甚多矣，聞臣之得幸於王也，必褰〔鮑本褰，揭也。〕裳而趨王。〔鮑本「王」上有「大」字。○〕臣亦猶曩臣之前所得魚也，臣亦將棄矣，臣安能無涕出乎？」魏王曰：「誤！〔鮑本以不告為誤。正曰：誤，猶言誤矣，當句。然恐是「譆」字訛。〕有是心也，何不相告也？」於是布令於四境之內曰：「有敢言美人者族。」〔鮑本死及其族。〕

由是觀之，近習之人，其摯〔鮑本摯，猶進。正曰：摯，說文，握持也。又字同「摯」、「質」，義亦可同。〕諂也固矣，其自纂繁〔鮑本「纂」作「羃」，「繁」作「繫」。○　補曰：恐當作「繫」。　札記今本「纂」作「羃」，「繁」作「繫」，乃誤涉鮑也。〕也完矣。〔姚本謂帽覆也。　鮑本羃，覆也。言自芘自結於王。正曰：高註「帽覆」，似亦作「羃」義。按，纂，組類，固結之義。〕今由千里之外，欲進美人，所效者庸必得幸乎？假之得幸，庸必為我用乎？〔鮑本我，謂欲進之人。正曰：為我用，猶言如我寵，上句言未必得幸，此句言假使得幸，未必如我也。〕而近習之人相與怨，我見有禍，未見有福；見有怨，未見有德，非用知之術也。〔鮑本正曰：此策不知何王，未可以安釐、哀、襄之世，遂附之也。〕

秦攻魏急

秦攻魏急。〔鮑本始皇五年攻魏，取二十城。此元年。正曰：說見後。〕或謂魏王曰：〔鮑本補曰：孔叢子云，「秦急攻魏，魏王恐。或謂子順曰，『如之何』？答曰，『吾私其計，然豈能賢於執政，故無言焉』。魏王聞之，駕如孔氏親問焉，曰，『國亡矣，如之何』？對曰」云云。下文並同。〕「棄之不如用之之易也，〔鮑本棄，謂戰而喪地。用，謂割地賂之。正曰：見下。〕死〔鮑本死，謂敗死。〕之不如棄之之易也。能棄之弗能用之，〔姚本一本無「之」字。〕能死之弗能棄之，〔姚本劉無「之」字。〕此人之大過也。〔鮑本補曰：孔叢子註，言棄其地不如用其地，以攻守為易；死其地不如棄其地，以圖存為易。蓋當計其勢如何爾，在棄之用之得其宜。〕今王亡地數百里，亡城數十，而國患不解，是王棄之，非用之也。今秦之強也，天下無敵，而魏之弱也甚，而王以是質〔鮑本「質」作「賓」。○　正曰：孔叢子註云，景閔為太子時，嘗質於秦。　札記丕烈案：「質秦」字，前有。〕秦，王又能死而弗能棄之，〔姚本一本作「也」字。〕此重過也。今王能用臣之計，虧地不足以傷國，卑體不足以苦身，解患而怨〔鮑本怨，謂不韋主攻者也。〕報。

「秦自四境之內，執法以下〔鮑本執政之臣。〕至於長輓者，〔鮑本長為輓車之人。〕故畢〔鮑本畢，猶盡。〕曰：『與嫪氏〔鮑本嫪毐，秦太后私人。〕乎？與呂氏〔鮑本不韋也。此言與嫪氏耳。〕乎？』雖至於門閭之下，廊廟之上，猶之如是也。今王割地以〔札記今本「以」誤「王」。〕賂秦，以為嫪毐功；〔鮑本因毐而割，故功在毒。〕卑體以尊秦，以因嫪毐。王以國贊嫪毐，〔鮑本毐貴矣，今又因之以割，是以魏助之也。〕以嫪毐勝〔鮑本以不敗為勝。〕矣。王以國贊嫪氏，〔鮑本「氏」作「毐」。○〕太后之德王也，深於骨髓，王之交最為天下上矣。〔鮑本補曰：孔叢子註，言太后德王，則秦不加兵，是乃王以此交秦，為天下之上矣。〕秦、魏百相交也，百相欺也。〔鮑本言昔之交，皆卒歸於欺。〕今由嫪氏善秦而交為天下上，天下孰不棄呂氏而從嫪氏？〔鮑本時二人已惡。〕天下必合〔姚本一作「舍」。　鮑本「合」作「舍」。○　補曰：恐「合」字訛，大事記作「舍」。〕呂氏而從嫪氏，則王之怨報矣。」〔鮑本正曰：大事記以此章附見於始皇八年封嫪毐長信侯之下，謂嫪、呂爭權，略見於此。景閔元年，秦拔二十城，策言亡地數百里，亡城數十，則此在後矣。二年，拔朝歌，三年，拔汲。大事記所書，則拔汲之年。所謂秦攻魏急者，蓋其時矣。補曰：大事記曰，子順進退有聖賢之風，寧忍出此乎？〕

秦王使人謂安陵君

秦王〔鮑本始皇。〕使人謂安陵君曰：「寡人欲以五百里之地易安陵，安陵君其許寡人。」安陵君曰：「大王加惠，以大易小，甚善。雖然，受地於先生，〔鮑本「生」作「王」，下同。○〕願終守之，弗敢易。」秦王不說。安陵君因使唐且〔鮑本「且」作「雎」。○　下同。　札記丕烈案：說苑作「且」。古今人表中中「安陵君唐雎」，即此也。吳氏正曰，唐且之名，見於策者不一，其論是矣，唯引新序「司馬唐且」，誤。此乃司馬唐，衍「且」字。〕使於秦。秦王謂唐且曰：「寡人以五百里之地易安陵，安陵君不聽寡人，何也？且秦滅韓〔鮑本十八年。〕亡魏，〔鮑本二十二年。〕而君以五十里之地存者，以君為長者，故不錯〔鮑本補曰：錯，置也。〕意也。今吾以十倍之地，請廣於君，〔鮑本廣其地。正曰：設辭易地，實欲得之，當識其意。〕而君逆寡人者，輕寡人與？」唐且對曰：「否，非若是也。安陵君受地於先生而守之，雖千里不敢易也，豈直五百里哉？」秦王怫然怒，謂唐且曰：「公亦嘗聞天子之怒乎？」唐且對曰：「臣未嘗聞也。」秦王曰：「天子之怒，伏屍百萬，流血千里。」唐且曰：「大王嘗聞布衣之怒乎？」秦王曰：「布衣之怒，亦免冠徒跣，以頭搶地爾。」〔鮑本「爾」作「耳」。○　搶，突也。補曰：太史公語本此。說苑作「顙地」。師古曰，搶，千羊反。　札記丕烈案：今說苑作「頓地耳」，「頓」疑訛字。〕唐且曰：「此庸夫之怒也，非士之怒也。夫專諸之刺王僚〔鮑本僚，吳王。昭二十七年。〕也，彗星襲月；聶政之刺韓傀〔鮑本傀，韓相，見韓策及刺客傳。〕也，白虹貫日；要離之刺慶忌也，〔鮑本吳越春秋，「要離，吳人。吳王闔閭欲殺王子慶忌，要離詐以罪亡，令吳王焚其妻子，走見慶忌，以劍刺之」。〕倉〔鮑本補曰：倉，即蒼。〕鷹擊於殿上。此三子者，〔鮑本無「者」字。○　札記丕烈案：說苑無。〕皆布衣之士也，懷怒未發，休祲〔鮑本休，吉徵。祲，戾氣。自三子言之為吉。正曰：說文，祲，精氣感祥也。此「休」字，猶言祥。〕降於天，〔姚本曾、劉作「休烈隆於天」。〕與臣而將四矣。若士必怒，伏屍二人，流血五步，天下縞素，今日是也。」挺劍而起。秦王色撓，〔鮑本撓，擾也。正曰：撓，屈也，奴效反。〕長跪而謝之曰：「先生坐，何至於此，寡人諭〔鮑本諭，曉也。〕矣。夫韓、魏滅亡，而安陵以五十里之地存者，徒以有先生也。」〔鮑本雎自釐十一年請救，至是五十餘年矣。彪謂：諸刺劫之士，自曹沫以至荊軻，皆不聞道，惟若唐雎者可也。為其激而發，不專志於此也。正曰：唐且之名，見於策者不一。秦策，應侯遣唐且載金之武安，散天下士。魏安釐王十一年，唐且說秦，是時應侯始相，雎老於魏，不應復為秦用，又一唐且也。且為魏說秦時，九十餘，至與信陵君語，相去十年，已百歲。為安陵君使秦，有滅韓亡魏之言，魏亡在始皇二十二年，上去說秦凡四十二年，決不存矣，又一唐且也。楚策，唐且見春申君，又一唐且也。新序，秦攻魏，司馬唐且諫曰段干木云云，當文侯時，又一唐且也。愚謂，此策文甚明，而事多難言。以始皇之兵威，何憚於安陵而易以五百里地？是特為之辭而使之納地耳！唐且之使愚矣。雖抗言不屈，豈終能沮之乎？荊軻之見也，匿匕首於圖。秦法，侍者不得操兵，此云「挺劍而起」，何也？其辭固多誇矣！〕

Source Colophon

The Chinese text follows the Chinese Wikisource transcription of the Strategies of the Warring States (articles 戰國策 (士禮居叢書本)/魏/一, 戰國策 (士禮居叢書本)/魏/二, 戰國策 (士禮居叢書本)/魏/三, 戰國策 (士禮居叢書本)/魏/四, revisions of 7 October 2024 to 7 October 2024), inspected from a witness copy captured on 22 August 2026. Chinese Wikisource transcriptions are published under CC BY-SA 4.0 and the GFDL; the text itself is ancient and in the public domain. The wiki header, navigation links, license templates, and modern contributors' footnotes have been removed; the text is otherwise complete and unaltered.

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