Ancient China · Strategist and Advisor

Ji Ran 計然

Attested BC 494

Passages: 3
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Ji Ran was a Strategist and Advisor.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 494 乃用范蠡、計然
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 129, passage 41

Learning and skills

Skill economic timing and commodity strategy 積著之理 · Level taught
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 129, passages 42, 52

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 129, passages 42-57

Events and relationships

Relation Advisor of · Person Goujian (勾踐)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 129, passage 41

References in the histories

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 129Biographies of Money-Makers · 3 passages

昔者越王句踐困於會稽之上，乃用范蠡、計然。 In former times, King Goujian of Yue found himself besieged atop Mount Kuaiji. He turned to Fan Li and Ji Ran for counsel.

計然曰：「知斗則修備，時用則知物，二者形則萬貨之情可得而觀已。 Ji Ran said: 'Know that war is coming, and you prepare your defenses. Know what the season demands, and you understand the nature of goods. When both of these are perceived, the workings of all ten thousand commodities can be grasped.

范蠡既雪會稽之恥，乃喟然而嘆曰：「計然之策七，越用其五而得意。 After Fan Li had washed away the humiliation of Kuaiji, he heaved a deep sigh and said: 'Of Ji Ran's seven strategies, Yue employed only five and achieved everything it sought.