Qin and Han · Scholar and Strategist

Li Yiji 酈食其

Attested BC 208 - BC 206

Passages: 12
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Li Yiji was a scholar and Strategist.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Nickname	wine-drinker from Gaoyang	高陽酒徒

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 208 to BC 206 初
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 201, 232

Career and standing

humble commoner 賤民
Humble commoner
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 201

Places and affiliations

At Gaoyang 高陽
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 201

Learning and skills

Skill planning affairs of the realm 口畫天下便事
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 201

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · With Duke of Pei (沛公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 201, 213-217, 220-225
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · With Magistrate of Chenliu (陳留令)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 228-229
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 206-207, 209-210

Events and relationships

Beheaded
BC 208 to BC 206 夜半時 · Military · Killer · With Magistrate of Chenliu (陳留令) · At Chenliu 陳留
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 232
Reported to
BC 208 to BC 206 初 · Military · Agent · With Duke of Pei (沛公)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 232
Sought audience
BC 208 to BC 206 初 · Political · Visitor · With Duke of Pei (沛公) · At Chenliu 陳留
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 201, 213
Relation On good terms with · Person Magistrate of Chenliu (陳留令)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 222

Assessments and attributes

Assessment appearance resembled a great scholar · Mode named-source-report
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 203
wine-drinker from Gaoyang, not a scholar
Self description · Mode quotation Speaker Li Yiji (酈食其)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 207, 210
Item sword 劍 · Relation Wielded
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 206

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 201

References in the histories

Search passages

History

12 passages

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 97Biographies of Li Yiji and Lu Jia · 12 passages

初，沛公引兵過陳留，酈生踵軍門上謁曰：「高陽賤民酈食其，竊聞沛公暴露，將兵助楚討不義，敬勞從者，願得望見，口畫天下便事。」 Initially, when the Duke of Pei led troops passing through Chenliu, Li Sheng followed to the army gate and ascended to announce: 'I, the humble commoner Li Yiji from Gaoyang, have secretly heard that the Duke of Pei is exposed to the elements, leading troops to assist Chu in attacking the unrighteous. I respectfully labor on behalf of your followers and wish to obtain an audience, to discuss plans useful to the realm.'

使者出謝曰：「沛公敬謝先生，方以天下為事，未暇見儒人也。」 The envoy exited and thanked him, saying: 'The Duke of Pei respectfully thanks you, Sir. He is just occupied with affairs of the realm and has no leisure to see scholar types.'

酈生瞋目案劍叱使者曰：「走！ Li Sheng glared with angry eyes, pressed his sword, and berated the envoy: 'Go!

復入言沛公，吾高陽酒徒也，非儒人也。」 Go back in and tell the Lord of Pei: I am a wine-drinker from Gaoyang, not a scholar.'

復入言，而公高陽酒徒也』。」 Go back in and tell him: I am a wine-drinker from Gaoyang.'"

酈生入，揖沛公曰：「足下甚苦，暴衣露冠，將兵助楚討不義，足不何不自喜也？ Li Sheng entered and bowed to the Duke of Pei, saying: "Your Excellency suffers greatly, with exposed clothes and bared hat, leading troops to assist Chu in attacking the unrighteous. Why do you not rejoice in yourself?

沛公謝曰：「鄉者聞先生之容，今見先生之意矣。」 The Duke of Pei apologized and said: 'Formerly I heard of your appearance, Sir; now I see your intent.'

乃延而坐之，問所以取天下者。 He invited Li Yiji to sit down and asked him how to win the empire.

酈生曰：「夫足下欲成大功，不如止陳留。 Li Sheng said: 'Your Excellency desires to complete great merit. Nothing equals stopping at Chenliu.

於是酈生乃夜見陳留令，說之曰：「夫秦為無道而天下畔之，今足下與天下從則可以成大功。 Li Sheng then went by night to see the Chenliu magistrate and persuaded him, saying: 'Qin acts without righteousness, and the whole realm rebels against it. Now if Your Excellency follows the realm, you can complete great merit.

先生所以教臣者，非臣之意也，願勿復道。」 What you teach me, Sir, is not my intent. I wish you not to speak of it again.'

酈生留宿臥，夜半時斬陳留令首，踰城而下報沛公。 Li Yiji stayed the night. At midnight, he cut off the head of the Chenliu magistrate, scaled the city wall, and went to report to the Lord of Pei.