Qin and Han · Ruler and Warlord

Lord of Pei 沛公

Pei Gong

Attested BC 208 - BC 207

Passages: 15
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Lord of Pei was a ruler and Warlord.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 208 to BC 207 後聞沛公將兵略地陳留郊
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 5, 13, 27

Career and standing

Lord of Guangye 廣野君
Bestowed · With Li Yiji (酈食其)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 28

Places and affiliations

Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Opposed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 18

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · With Li Yiji (酈食其)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 17-18, 22

Events and relationships

Frequently asked about worthy scholars and outstanding men of the district
Political · Patron
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 5
Led troops after Li Yiji and took Chenliu
Military · Commander · With Li Yiji (酈食其) · At Chenliu 陳留
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 27
Led troops seizing territory in the Chenliu suburbs
Military · Commander · At Chenliu suburbs 陳留郊
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 5
Reached the Gaoyang relay station and summoned Li Yiji
Political · Host · With Li Yiji (酈食其) · At Gaoyang relay station 高陽傳舍
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 13
Received Li Yiji while lounging on a bed having two women wash his feet
Personal · Host · With Li Yiji (酈食其)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 14
Stopped the foot washing, straightened his robes, seated Li Yiji in the place of honor, and apologized
Political · Host · With Li Yiji (酈食其)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 20

Show 1 more source-backed claim

Relation Commander of · Person Li Shang (酈商)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 29

Assessments and attributes

Assessment arrogant but easy with people and possessed of great strategies · Mode quotation Speaker Li Yiji (酈食其)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 6
Assessment not fond of Confucians; loosens Confucian caps and urinates in them; often curses when speaking · Mode hearsay
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 8-10
Item food 食 · Relation Bestowed · With Li Yiji (酈食其)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 22

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 5

References in the histories

Search passages

History

15 passages

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 97Biographies of Li Yiji and Lu Jia · 15 passages

後聞沛公將兵略地陳留郊，沛公麾下騎士適酈生裏中子也，沛公時時問邑中賢士豪俊。 Later he heard that the Lord of Pei was leading troops to seize territory in the Chenliu suburbs. A cavalryman under the Lord of Pei's banner happened to be a son from Li Yiji's neighborhood. The Lord of Pei frequently asked about the worthy scholars and outstanding men of the district.

騎士歸，酈生見謂之曰：「吾聞沛公慢而易人，多大略，此真吾所願從游，莫為我先。 When the cavalryman returned, Li Sheng met him and said: "I have heard that Pei Gong is arrogant but treats people easily, with many great strategies. This is truly someone I wish to follow and travel with. There is no one to introduce me first."

若見沛公，謂曰『臣里中有酈生，年六十餘，長八尺，人皆謂之狂生，生自謂我非狂生』。」 If you see the Lord of Pei, tell him: 'In my neighborhood there is Li Yiji, over sixty years old and eight chi tall. People all call him the mad scholar, but I myself say I am not a mad scholar.'"

騎士曰：「沛公不好儒，諸客冠儒冠來者，沛公輒解其冠，溲溺其中。 The cavalryman said: 'Pei Gong is not fond of Confucians. Whenever guests wearing Confucian caps come, Pei Gong promptly loosens their caps and urinates in them.

沛公至高陽傳舍，使人召酈生。 When the Lord of Pei reached the relay station at Gaoyang, he sent someone to summon Li Yiji.

酈生至，入謁，沛公方倨床使兩女子洗足，而見酈生。 When Li Yiji arrived and entered to present himself, the Lord of Pei was lounging on a bed with his legs spread wide, having two serving women wash his feet, and he received Li Yiji in that posture.

酈生入，則長揖不拜，曰：「足下欲助秦攻諸侯乎？ Li Sheng entered, then gave a long bow without kneeling, and said: 'Your excellency, do you wish to help Qin attack the feudal lords?

沛公罵曰：「豎儒！ The Lord of Pei cursed: 'You worthless scholar!

於是沛公輟洗，起攝衣，延酈生上坐，謝之。 At this, the Lord of Pei stopped the washing, rose and straightened his robes, invited Li Yiji to the seat of honor, and offered his apologies.

沛公喜，賜酈生食，問曰：「計將安出？」 The Lord of Pei was pleased. He bestowed food on Li Yiji and asked, 'What plan do you propose?'

酈生曰：「足下起糾合之眾，收散亂之兵，不滿萬人，欲以徑入彊秦，此所謂探虎口者也。 Li Sheng said: 'Your excellency has raised a gathered multitude and collected scattered troops, not even ten thousand men, yet wishes to directly enter the strong Qin. This is what is called probing the tiger's mouth.

臣善其令，請得使之，令下足下。 I am on good terms with the magistrate there. Allow me to go as your envoy and persuade him to surrender to you.

即不聽，足下舉兵攻之，臣為內應。」 If he does not listen, your excellency can raise troops to attack him, and I will act as an inside agent.'

於是遣酈生行，沛公引兵隨之，遂下陳留。 Li Yiji was dispatched accordingly. The Lord of Pei led his troops behind him, and they soon took Chenliu.

酈生言其弟酈商，使將數千人從沛公西南略地。 Li Yiji recommended his younger brother Li Shang, who was given command of several thousand men to follow the Lord of Pei southwest and seize territory.