Ancient China · Aristocrat

Prince Wuji of Wei 魏公子無忌

Wei Gongzi Wuji

Died BC 243

Passages: 126
Chapters: 10
Histories: 2

Overview

The translated histories identify Prince Wuji of Wei as an aristocrat, general, named individual, and royal family member. This record brings together 126 passages from 10 chapters across 2 histories, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Prince Wuji of Wei	魏公子無忌	Wei Gongzi Wuji
Title	Lord of Xinling	信陵君	Xìnlíng Jūn
Title	Lord Xinling	無忌	Wújì
Title	Lord Xinling	信陵	Xinling
Title	Lord Xinling	信陵	Xìnlíng
Title	Lord Xinling	信陵君	Xìnlíng Jūn
Title	Lord Xinling	信陵君	Xinling Jun
Personal	Lord Xinling Wuji	信陵無忌	Xinling Wuji
Title	Prince of Wei	魏公子	Wei Gongzi
Title	Prince of Wei	魏公子	Wèi Gōngzǐ
Title	Prince Wuji of Wei	魏公子亡忌	Wei Gongzi Wuji
Personal	Wuji	毋忌	Wuji
Personal	Wuji	無忌	Wújì
Given	Wuji	無忌	Wuji
Personal name	Wuji	無忌	Wújì

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Male

Sex: male
Explicit · hanshu:041:s0002, shiji:048:s0168, shiji:076:s0068, shiji:077:s0001, shiji:078:s0106, shiji:085:s0056
Sex: male
Strongly inferred · shiji:124:s0022
Value: male
Explicit · hanshu:093:s0058

Roles

Aristocrat
General
Named Individual
Royal Family Member
Statesman

Life and dates

Death

Cause: drink-related illness / 病酒 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 竟病酒而卒 · Western Year: BC 243
Explicit · shiji:077:s0146

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 公子留趙十年不歸 · Western Interval: Start: BC 257 · End: BC 247
Explicit · shiji:077:s0127
Source Date: Text: 少時及魏公子毋忌為客 · Western Interval: Start: BC 260 · End: BC 243
Explicit event contextual date · hanshu:041:s0002
Source Date: Text: 戰國時期 · Western Year: c. BC 257
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:048:s0168
Source Date: Text: 日夜為樂飲者四歲，竟病酒而卒 · Western Year: BC 243
Explicit · shiji:077:s0146
Source Date: Text: 昭王薨，安釐王即位，封公子為信陵君 · Western Year: BC 276
Explicit · shiji:077:s0002
Source Date: Text: 秦急圍邯鄲 · Western Year: BC 257
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:076:s0068, shiji:076:s0069
Source Date: Text: 莊襄王元年 · Western Year: BC 249
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:085:s0052, shiji:085:s0056
Source Date: Text: 近世延陵、孟嘗、春申、平原、信陵 · Western Interval: Start: BC 300 · End: BC 220
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:124:s0022
Source Date: Text: 高祖十二年 · Western Year: BC 195
Explicit · shiji:077:s0152
Source Date: Text: 魏安釐王三十年 · Western Year: BC 247
Explicit · shiji:077:s0136
Source Date: Text: 魏安釐王二十年 · Western Year: BC 257
Explicit · shiji:077:s0040, shiji:077:s0041
Source Date: Text: 魏有信陵君 · Western Interval: Start: BC 262 · End: BC 243
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:078:s0106
Source Date: Text: 魏無忌時 · Western Interval: Start: BC 276 · End: BC 243
Explicit event contextual date · hanshu:093:s0058

Family

Immediate source-linked family. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select a person to open their record.

Sibling of Elder sister of Lord Xinling (公子姊)
Kinship Term: elder sister / 姊 · Shared Parentage: full · Subject Relative Age: younger · Subject Role: younger-brother · Object Role: elder-sister
Sibling of King Anli of Wei (魏安釐王)
Kinship Term: half-brother / 異母弟 · Shared Parentage: paternal-half · Subject Relative Age: younger · Subject Role: younger-half-brother · Object Role: elder-half-brother
Child of King Zhao of Wei (魏昭王)
Kinship Term: youngest son / 少子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: youngest-son

Career and standing

Label: General-in-Chief / 上將軍 · Action: appointed
Explicit · shiji:077:s0135
Place: Xiang / 鄗 · Action: received · Note: bathing fief
Explicit · shiji:077:s0113
Title: Lord Xinling / 信陵君 · Action: received
Explicit · shiji:077:s0002
Place: Xinling / 信陵 · Action: restored
Explicit · shiji:077:s0113
Status: exile-in-Zhao · Action: remained
Explicit · shiji:077:s0099, shiji:077:s0127
Status: dismissed-from-command · Action: replaced
Explicit · shiji:077:s0144
Status: royal-kin · Label: relied on kinship with royalty / 因王者親屬
Explicit · shiji:124:s0022
Label: forged the king's order / 矯魏王令 · Action: committed
Explicit · shiji:077:s0085, shiji:077:s0098

Places and affiliations

Polity: Wei · Relation: member-of
Explicit · shiji:076:s0017, shiji:077:s0001
Polity: Wei / 魏 · Relation: of
Explicit · shiji:085:s0056
Place: Daliang / 大梁 · Relation: associated-with
Explicit · shiji:077:s0121
Place: Zhao / 趙 · Relation: resided-in
Explicit · shiji:077:s0112, shiji:077:s0127
Organization: three thousand retainers / 食客三千人 · Relation: patron-of
Explicit · shiji:077:s0006

Learning and skills

Skill: attracting retainers / 下士 · Level: renowned
Explicit · shiji:077:s0005, shiji:077:s0006

Works and attributed material

Work: The Prince of Wei's Military Treatises / 魏公子兵法 · Relation: named-on
Explicit · shiji:077:s0140
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Other Person Id: King Anli of Wei (魏安釐王)
Explicit · shiji:077:s0010, shiji:077:s0015
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Other Person Id: Elder sister of Lord Xinling (公子姊)
Explicit · shiji:077:s0119, shiji:077:s0120, shiji:077:s0121, shiji:077:s0122
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Other Person Id: Hou Ying (侯嬴)
Explicit · shiji:077:s0076

Events and relationships

Kind: vengeance · Role: sponsor · Action: had-beheaded · Other Person Id: Lady Ruji's enemy (如姬之仇)
Explicit · shiji:077:s0063
Kind: alliance · Role: lord · Action: led the anti-Qin alliances of the feudal states
Explicit · shiji:048:s0168, shiji:048:s0169
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: led-five-states-defeated-Qin · Other Person Id: Meng Ao (蒙驁) · Place: north of Yellow River / 河外 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 魏安釐王三十年 · Western Year: BC 247
Explicit · shiji:077:s0138, shiji:077:s0136
Kind: social · Role: host · Action: personally-welcomed-Hou-Ying
Explicit · shiji:077:s0021, shiji:077:s0031
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: pursued-Qin-to-Hangu-Pass
Explicit · shiji:077:s0139
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: seized-Jin-Bi-army-and-saved-Handan · Other Person Id: Jin Bi (晉鄙) · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 秦急圍邯鄲 · Western Year: BC 257
Explicit · shiji:076:s0068, shiji:076:s0081
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: seized-Jin-Bi-army-with-tally-rescued-Handan · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 魏安釐王二十年 · Western Year: BC 257
Explicit · shiji:077:s0085, shiji:077:s0088, shiji:077:s0092, shiji:077:s0093, shiji:077:s0040
Kind: state defense · Action: was presented as Wei's decisive defender · Provenance: Mode: quoted-memorial · Source Person Id: He Wu (何武)
Explicit · hanshu:093:s0058

Assessments and attributes

Assessment: discerning, loyal, generous, caring toward followers, and respectful of worthy men · Provenance: Mode: quoted-source-judgment · Source Person Id: Jia Yi (賈誼)
Explicit · shiji:048:s0168
Assessment: no-worthy-man-equaled-him · Provenance: Mode: named-speech · Speaker Person Id: King Xiaocheng of Zhao (趙孝成王)
Explicit · shiji:077:s0095
Assessment: worthy-and-deferential-to-scholars · Provenance: Mode: historian-judgment
Explicit · shiji:077:s0005, shiji:077:s0155
Assessment: worthy; attracted worthies and won renown · Provenance: Mode: historian-judgment · Speaker Person Id: Sima Qian (太史公)
Explicit · shiji:124:s0022
Item: seal of General-in-Chief / 上將軍印 · Relation: received
Explicit · shiji:077:s0135
Item: tiger tally / army tally / 兵符 · Relation: obtained
Explicit · shiji:077:s0067

Source notes

Statement: youngest son of King Zhao of Wei / 魏昭王子少子 · Kind: birth-order
Explicit · shiji:077:s0001

References in the histories

Open any source group to read the Chinese and English passage in context.

Book of Han, Chapter 2Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 2 · 1 passage

其與秦始皇帝守冢二十家，楚、魏、齊各十家，趙及魏公子亡忌各五家，令視其冢，復亡與它事。」 Assign twenty households to the tomb of the First Emperor of Qin, ten households each to Chu, Wei, and Qi, and five households each to Zhao and Prince Wuji of Wei, to oversee their tombs and be exempt from other service."

Book of Han, Chapter 41Volume 32: Zhang Er and Chen Yu · 1 passage

張耳，大梁人也，少時及魏公子毋忌為客。 Zhang Er was from Daliang. As a young man, he served among the retainers of the Wei prince Wuji.

Book of Han, Chapter 93Volume 82: Wang Shang, Shi Dan and Fu Xi · 1 passage

忠臣，社稷之衛，魯以季友治亂，楚以子玉輕重，魏以無忌折衝，項以范增存亡。 Loyal ministers are what defend the altars of state: Lu rose or fell with Jiyou, Chu with Ziyu, Wei with Lord Xinling, and Xiang Yu with Fan Zeng.

Book of Han, Chapter 104Volume 92: Youxias · 2 passages

由是列國公子，魏有信陵、趙有平原、齊有孟嘗、楚有春申，皆借王公之勢，競為遊俠，雞鳴狗盜，無不賓禮。 Then came the famous lords of the blood—Xinling in Wei, Pingyuan in Zhao, Mengchang in Qi, Chunshen in Chu—who traded on royal connections, bankrolled knights-errant, and honored even petty schemers as honored guests.

信陵無忌竊符矯命，戮將專師，以赴平原之急：皆以取重諸侯，顯名天下，扼腕而游談者，以四豪為稱首。 Lord Xinling forged a royal order, killed a general, and seized an army to lift the siege on Pingyuan—all for the glamour of being indispensable to princes and famous across the world, so every bravo who cracked knuckles in a wine shop ranked the Four Lords first.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 48House of Chen She · 1 passage

當此之時，齊有孟嘗，趙有平原，楚有春申，魏有信陵：此四君者，皆明知而忠信，寬厚而愛人，尊賢而重士。 At that time, Qi had Lord Mengchang, Zhao had Lord Pingyuan, Chu had Lord Chunshen, and Wei had Lord Xinling. These four lords were all men of keen discernment and steadfast loyalty, generous of spirit and devoted to their followers, who honored the worthy and valued men of talent.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 76Biographies of Lord Pingyuan and Yu Qing · 5 passages

是時齊有孟嘗，魏有信陵，楚有春申，故爭相傾以待士。 At that time, Qi had Lord Mengchang, Wei had Lord Xinling, and Chu had Lord Chunshen; all of them vied with one another to attract and maintain worthy men.

平原君既返趙，楚使春申君將兵赴救趙，魏信陵君亦矯奪晉鄙軍往救趙，皆未至。 After Lord Pingyuan returned to Zhao, Chu dispatched Lord Chunshen with troops to relieve Zhao, and Lord Xinling of Wei seized Jin Bi’s army by forged order and marched to Zhao’s rescue, but neither force had yet arrived.

虞卿欲以信陵君之存邯鄲為平原君請封。 Yu Qing wished to use the fact that Lord Xinling had saved Handan as a reason to request a further enfeoffment for Lord Pingyuan.

公孫龍聞之，夜駕見平原君曰：「龍聞虞卿欲以信陵君之存邯鄲為君請封，有之乎？」 When Gongsun Long heard this, he drove through the night to see Lord Pingyuan and said: "Long has heard that Yu Qing wishes to use Lord Xinling's saving of Handan to request an enfeoffment for Your Lordship—is this so?"

今信陵君存邯鄲而請封，是親戚受城而國人計功也。 Now that Lord Xinling has saved Handan and you seek an enfeoffment, it would be a kinsman receiving a city while the people are left to count the actual merit of others.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 77Biography of the Prince of Wei · 112 passages

魏公子無忌者，魏昭王子少子而魏安釐王異母弟也。 Lord Xinling Wuji was the youngest son of King Zhao of Wei and the half-brother of King Anli of Wei.

昭王薨，安釐王即位，封公子為信陵君。 When King Zhao died and King Anli ascended the throne, he enfeoffed the prince as Lord Xinling.

魏王及公子患之。 The King of Wei and the prince were both deeply troubled by this.

公子為人仁而下士，士無賢不肖皆謙而禮交之，不敢以其富貴驕士。 The prince was benevolent by nature and deferential toward scholars. Regardless of whether they were worthy or unworthy, he treated all with humility and courtesy, never allowing his wealth and nobility to make him arrogant toward them.

當是時，諸侯以公子賢，多客，不敢加兵謀魏十餘年。 At this time, the feudal lords considered the prince worthy and well-attended by retainers, so they did not dare attack or plot against Wei for more than ten years.

公子與魏王博，而北境傳舉烽，言「趙寇至，且入界」。 The prince was playing liubo with the King of Wei when a messenger from the northern border lit the beacon fires, reporting: 'Zhao invaders are approaching and about to cross our border.'

公子止王曰：「趙王田獵耳，非為寇也。」 The prince restrained the king and said: 'The King of Zhao is merely hunting, not invading.'

魏王大驚，曰：「公子何以知之？」 The King of Wei was greatly astonished and said: 'How did you know this?'

公子曰：「臣之客有能深得趙王陰事者，趙王所為，客輒以報臣，臣以此知之。」 The prince replied: 'Among my retainers there are those who can obtain detailed knowledge of the King of Zhao's private affairs. Whatever the King of Zhao does, my retainers immediately report to me. This is how I know.'

是後魏王畏公子之賢能，不敢任公子以國政。 After this, the King of Wei feared the prince's wisdom and abilities, and did not dare entrust him with the governance of the state.

公子聞之，往請，欲厚遺之。 The prince heard of him and went to invite him, intending to give him generous gifts.

不肯受，曰：「臣修身絜行數十年，終不以監門困故而受公子財。」 He refused to accept, saying: 'For decades I have cultivated my character and maintained pure conduct. I will never accept the prince's wealth merely because poverty afflicts me as a gatekeeper.'

公子於是乃置酒大會賓客。 Thereupon the prince prepared wine and hosted a grand gathering for his retainers.

坐定，公子從車騎，虛左，自迎夷門侯生。 Once everyone was seated, the prince took his chariot and escort, left the honored left seat empty, and personally went to welcome Master Hou from the Yi Gate.

侯生攝敝衣冠，直上載公子上坐，不讓，欲以觀公子。 Master Hou straightened his worn robes and cap, ascended directly to take the prince's seat of honor without yielding, wishing to observe the prince's reaction.

公子執轡愈恭。 The prince only held the reins with still greater deference.

侯生又謂公子曰：「臣有客在市屠中，願枉車騎過之。」 Master Hou then said to the prince: 'I have a friend among the butchers in the market. I hope you would be willing to have your chariot and escort pass by there.'

公子引車入市，侯生下見其客朱亥，俾倪故久立，與其客語，微察公子。 The prince drove his chariot into the market. Master Hou got down to visit his friend Zhu Hai, deliberately lingering in conversation to carefully observe the prince's demeanor.

公子顏色愈和。 The prince's expression grew even more composed.

當是時，魏將相宗室賓客滿堂，待公子舉酒。 At this moment, Wei's generals, ministers, royal clansmen, and guests filled the hall, waiting for the prince to raise his wine cup.

市人皆觀公子執轡。 Everyone in the marketplace watched as the prince held the reins.

侯生視公子色終不變，乃謝客就車。 When Master Hou saw that the prince's expression remained unchanged throughout, he then took leave of his friend and boarded the chariot.

至家，公子引侯生坐上坐，遍贊賓客，賓客皆驚。 Upon arriving home, the prince seated Master Hou in the place of honor and introduced him to all the guests, who were astonished.

酒酣，公子起，為壽侯生前。 As the wine flowed freely, the prince rose and offered a toast before Master Hou.

侯生因謂公子曰：「今日嬴之為公子亦足矣。 Master Hou then said to the prince: 'Today Ying has done enough for you, my prince.

嬴乃夷門抱關者也，而公子親枉車騎，自迎嬴於眾人廣坐之中，不宜有所過，今公子故過之。 Ying is merely the gatekeeper of the Yi Gate, yet the prince personally troubled his chariot and escort to welcome me from among the great gathering of people. It would not be fitting to have any shortcomings, yet the prince has deliberately exceeded proper bounds.

然嬴欲就公子之名，故久立公子車騎市中，過客以觀公子，公子愈恭。 However, I wished to build up the prince's reputation, so I deliberately kept your chariot and escort standing long in the market, letting passersby observe you—and you grew even more deferential.

市人皆以嬴為小人，而以公子為長者能下士也。」 All the people in the market considered Ying a petty man, but the prince a noble gentleman who could humble himself before scholars.'

侯生謂公子曰：「臣所過屠者朱亥，此子賢者，世莫能知，故隱屠閒耳。」 Master Hou said to the prince: 'The butcher I visited, Zhu Hai, is a worthy man. The world cannot recognize his worth, so he hides among the butchers.'

公子往數請之，朱亥故不復謝，公子怪之。 The prince went several times to call on him, but Zhu Hai deliberately declined to offer thanks in return. The prince found this puzzling.

公子姊為趙惠文王弟平原君夫人，數遺魏王及公子書，請救於魏。 The prince's elder sister was the wife of Lord Pingyuan, younger brother of King Huiwen of Zhao. She repeatedly sent letters to the King of Wei and the prince requesting rescue from Wei.

平原君使者冠蓋相屬於魏，讓魏公子曰：「勝所以自附為婚姻者，以公子之高義，為能急人之困。 Lord Pingyuan's envoys arrived in Wei one after another, upbraiding the prince of Wei: 'The reason I allied myself with you through marriage was because of your noble righteousness, your ability to relieve others' distress.

今邯鄲旦暮降秦而魏救不至，安在公子能急人之困也！ Now Handan is about to fall to Qin and Wei's rescue has not come. Where is the prince's famed ability to relieve others' distress!

且公子縱輕勝，棄之降秦，獨不憐公子姊邪？」 Moreover, even if the prince disdains me and abandons me to surrender to Qin, does he not pity his own elder sister?'

公子患之，數請魏王，及賓客辯士說王萬端。 The prince was deeply troubled and repeatedly petitioned the King of Wei, while his retainers and skilled debaters tried every possible persuasion on the king.

魏王畏秦，終不聽公子。 The King of Wei, terrified of Qin, ultimately refused to listen to the prince.

公子自度終不能得之於王，計不獨生而令趙亡，乃請賓客，約車騎百餘乘，欲以客往赴秦軍，與趙俱死。 The prince calculated that he would never obtain the king's approval, and resolved not to survive alone while Zhao perished. He therefore gathered his retainers and assembled over a hundred chariots and cavalry, intending to lead his retainers against the Qin army and die together with Zhao.

辭決而行，侯生曰：「公子勉之矣，老臣不能從。」 Taking his leave and about to depart, Master Hou said: 'Do your best, my prince. This old minister cannot follow you.'

公子行數里，心不快，曰：「吾所以待侯生者備矣，天下莫不聞，今吾且死而侯生曾無一言半辭送我，我豈有所失哉？」 The prince traveled several li, but his heart was uneasy. He said: 'My treatment of Master Hou has been exemplary, known throughout the world. Now I am about to die, yet Master Hou has not sent me off with even a single word or half a phrase. Have I perhaps done something wrong?'

侯生笑曰：「臣固知公子之還也。」 Master Hou smiled and said, "I knew from the start that my prince would come back."

曰：「公子喜士，名聞天下。 He said, "My prince delights in scholars, and his name is known throughout the world.

然公子遇臣厚，公子往而臣不送，以是知公子恨之復返也。」 Yet my prince has treated me generously. Had you gone on without my seeing you off, I knew you would resent it and return."

公子再拜，因問。 The prince bowed twice and then inquired.

如姬為公子泣，公子使客斬其仇頭，敬進如姬。 Lady Ruji wept before the prince, and the prince sent retainers to behead her enemy, presenting the head to her with great ceremony.

如姬之欲為公子死，無所辭，顧未有路耳。 Lady Ruji would die for the prince and refuse him nothing; she simply has had no occasion to do so.

公子誠一開口請如姬，如姬必許諾，則得虎符奪晉鄙軍，北救趙而西卻秦，此五霸之伐也。」 If the prince truly opens his mouth and asks Lady Ruji, she will certainly agree. Then you can obtain the tiger tally, seize General Jin Bi's army, rescue Zhao to the north and repel Qin to the west. This will be a campaign worthy of the Five Hegemons.'

公子從其計，請如姬。 The prince followed this plan and made his request of Lady Ruji.

如姬果盜晉鄙兵符與公子。 Lady Ruji did indeed steal General Jin Bi's military tally and give it to the prince.

公子行，侯生曰：「將在外，主令有所不受，以便國家。 As the prince set out, Master Hou said, "When a general is in the field, he may decline some of his ruler's orders if doing so benefits the state.

公子即合符，而晉鄙不授公子兵而復請之，事必危矣。 If my prince matches the tally, but General Jin Bi refuses to hand over the army and instead requests further instructions from the king, the affair will surely be in danger.

於是公子泣。 Thereupon the prince wept.

侯生曰：「公子畏死邪？ Master Hou said, "Is my prince afraid of death?

公子曰：「晉鄙嚄唶宿將，往恐不聽，必當殺之，是以泣耳，豈畏死哉？」 The prince said: 'General Jin Bi is a grizzled veteran commander. I fear he won't obey my orders when I arrive, and I'll have to kill him. That's why I'm weeping. How could I be afraid of death?'

於是公子請朱亥。 So the prince invited Zhu Hai.

朱亥笑曰：「臣乃市井鼓刀屠者，而公子親數存之，所以不報謝者，以為小禮無所用。 Zhu Hai smiled and said: 'I'm just a butcher swinging my cleaver in the marketplace, yet the prince has personally called on me several times. The reason I have not returned thanks is that I thought small gestures were unnecessary.

今公子有急，此乃臣效命之秋也。」 Now that the prince faces grave danger, this is my moment to sacrifice myself.'

遂與公子俱。 So he went with the prince.

公子過謝侯生。 The prince stopped by to bid farewell to Master Hou.

請數公子行日，以至晉鄙軍之日，北鄉自剄，以送公子。」 Please count the days of your journey, and on the day you reach General Jin Bi's army, I will face north and slit my throat to see you off.'

公子遂行。 The prince set out.

晉鄙合符，疑之，舉手視公子曰：「今吾擁十萬之眾，屯於境上，國之重任，今單車來代之，何如哉？」 Jin Bi verified the tally but remained suspicious. He raised his hand and stared at the prince, saying: 'I command a hundred thousand troops stationed at the frontier—a critical responsibility for the state. You arrive with just a single chariot to take my place. What am I to make of this?'

朱亥袖四十斤鐵椎，椎殺晉鄙，公子遂將晉鄙軍。 Zhu Hai had hidden a forty-jin iron mace in his sleeve and used it to kill Jin Bi. The prince then assumed command of Jin Bi's army.

趙王及平原君自迎公子於界，平原君負籣矢為公子先引。 The King of Zhao and Lord Pingyuan came in person to welcome the prince at the border; Lord Pingyuan carried a quiver and arrows and went ahead to lead the way for the prince.

趙王再拜曰：「自古賢人未有及公子者也。」 The King of Zhao bowed twice and said: 'Since ancient times, no worthy man has ever equaled the prince.'

公子與侯生決，至軍，侯生果北鄉自剄。 The prince bade farewell to Master Hou, and upon arriving at the army, Master Hou indeed faced north and slit his throat.

魏王怒公子之盜其兵符，矯殺晉鄙，公子亦自知也。 The King of Wei was enraged that the prince had stolen his army tally and forged orders to execute Jin Bi, and the prince knew it full well.

已卻秦存趙，使將將其軍歸魏，而公子獨與客留趙。 Having repelled Qin and saved Zhao, he sent a general to lead the army back to Wei, while the prince stayed behind in Zhao with only his retainers.

趙孝成王德公子之矯奪晉鄙兵而存趙，乃與平原君計，以五城封公子。 King Xiaocheng of Zhao, grateful that the prince had forged orders to seize Jin Bi's army and save Zhao, consulted with Lord Pingyuan and granted the prince fiefdom over five cities.

公子聞之，意驕矜而有自功之色。 When the prince heard this, pride swelled in his heart and showed on his face.

客有說公子曰：「物有不可忘，或有不可不忘。 One of his retainers advised the prince: 'Some things must not be forgotten, and others must not be remembered.

夫人有德於公子，公子不可忘也； If someone has shown kindness to you, my prince, you must not forget it;

公子有德於人，願公子忘之也。 if you, my prince, have shown kindness to someone, I hope you will forget it.

公子乃自驕而功之，竊為公子不取也。」 The prince grew proud and took credit for the achievement. I secretly considered this unbecoming for him.'

於是公子立自責，似若無所容者。 Thereupon the prince immediately reproached himself, as if he had nowhere to hide in shame.

趙王埽除自迎，執主人之禮，引公子就西階。 The King of Zhao swept and cleaned the hall himself to welcome the prince, performed the rites of a host, and led the prince to the western steps.

公子側行辭讓，從東階上。 The prince walked sideways in humble refusal, ascending by the eastern steps.

趙王侍酒至暮，口不忍獻五城，以公子退讓也。 The King of Zhao served wine until evening fell, but could not bring himself to offer the five cities because of the prince's modesty.

公子竟留趙。 In the end, the prince stayed in Zhao.

趙王以鄗為公子湯沐邑，魏亦復以信陵奉公子。 The King of Zhao granted Xiang as the prince's fief for bathing revenues, and Wei also restored Xinling to provide for the prince.

公子留趙。 The prince remained in Zhao.

公子聞趙有處士毛公藏於博徒，薛公藏於賣漿家，公子欲見兩人，兩人自匿不肯見公子。 The prince heard that Zhao had two reclusive scholars: Mao Gong hiding among gamblers, Xue Gong hiding among wine sellers. The prince wished to meet them, but they concealed themselves and refused to see him.

公子聞所在，乃閒步往從此兩人游，甚歡。 When the prince learned where they were, he strolled casually to visit these two men and spend time with them, finding great joy in their company.

平原君聞之，謂其夫人曰：「始吾聞夫人弟公子天下無雙，今吾聞之，乃妄從博徒賣漿者游，公子妄人耳。」 When Lord Pingyuan heard this, he said to his wife: 'At first I heard that your younger brother the prince was peerless in the world. Now I hear he casually associates with gamblers and wine sellers. The prince is just a madman.'

夫人以告公子。 His sister told this to the prince.

公子乃謝夫人去，曰：「始吾聞平原君賢，故負魏王而救趙，以稱平原君。 The prince then took leave of his sister and departed, saying: 'At first I heard that Lord Pingyuan was worthy, so I betrayed the King of Wei and saved Zhao to live up to Lord Pingyuan.

無忌自在大梁時，常聞此兩人賢，至趙，恐不得見。 While still in Daliang, I often heard these two men were worthy scholars. When I arrived in Zhao, I feared I would never meet them.

以無忌從之游，尚恐其不我欲也，今平原君乃以為羞，其不足從游。」 That I would seek their company, I still feared they might reject me. Now Lord Pingyuan considers it shameful—he is not worth my company.'

平原君乃免冠謝，固留公子。 Lord Pingyuan then removed his cap in apology and insisted that the prince stay.

平原君門下聞之，半去平原君歸公子，天下士復往歸公子，公子傾平原君客。 When Lord Pingyuan's retainers heard this, half left him to join the prince. Scholars from throughout the world once again came to serve the prince, and the prince overshadowed Lord Pingyuan's following.

公子留趙十年不歸。 The prince stayed in Zhao for ten years without returning home.

秦聞公子在趙，日夜出兵東伐魏。 Qin, learning that the prince was in Zhao, sent troops east to attack Wei day and night.

魏王患之，使使往請公子。 The King of Wei was deeply concerned and sent envoys to invite the prince back.

公子恐其怒之，乃誡門下：「有敢為魏王使通者，死。」 The prince feared the king's wrath, so he warned his retainers: 'Anyone who dares to communicate with the King of Wei's envoys will be executed.'

賓客皆背魏之趙，莫敢勸公子歸。 His retainers all abandoned Wei for Zhao, and none dared advise the prince to return.

毛公、薛公兩人往見公子曰：「公子所以重於趙，名聞諸侯者，徒以有魏也。 Mao Gong and Xue Gong went to see the prince and said: 'The reason the prince is honored in Zhao and renowned among the feudal lords is simply because he has Wei as his base.

今秦攻魏，魏急而公子不恤，使秦破大梁而夷先王之宗廟，公子當何面目立天下乎？」 Now Qin attacks Wei, and Wei is in desperate straits, yet the prince shows no concern. If Qin destroys Daliang and razes the ancestral temples of the former kings, with what face will the prince stand before the world?'

語未及卒，公子立變色，告車趣駕歸救魏。 Their words were not yet finished when the prince's face changed color. He ordered his chariot harnessed quickly and returned to save Wei.

魏王見公子，相與泣，而以上將軍印授公子，公子遂將。 The King of Wei saw the prince, and they wept together. The king bestowed the seal of General-in-Chief upon the prince, and the prince took command.

魏安釐王三十年，公子使使遍告諸侯。 In the thirtieth year of King Anli of Wei, the prince sent envoys to notify all the feudal lords.

諸侯聞公子將，各遣將將兵救魏。 When the feudal lords heard the prince was in command, each sent generals leading troops to rescue Wei.

公子率五國之兵破秦軍於河外，走蒙驁。 The prince led troops from five states and defeated the Qin army north of the Yellow River, sending Meng Ao fleeing in defeat.

當是時，公子威振天下，諸侯之客進兵法，公子皆名之，故世俗稱魏公子兵法。 At this time, the prince's prestige shook the world. When retainers of the feudal lords presented military treatises to him, the prince titled them all, hence the popular saying 'The Prince of Wei's Military Treatises.'

秦王患之，乃行金萬斤於魏，求晉鄙客，令毀公子於魏王曰：「公子亡在外十年矣，今為魏將，諸侯將皆屬，諸侯徒聞魏公子，不聞魏王。 The King of Qin was troubled by this, so he sent ten thousand jin of gold to Wei to bribe Jin Bi's retainers, ordering them to slander the prince to the King of Wei: 'The prince has been in exile for ten years. Now that he commands Wei's army, all the generals of the feudal lords subordinate themselves to him. The feudal lords know only the Prince of Wei, not the King of Wei.

公子亦欲因此時定南面而王，諸侯畏公子之威，方欲共立之。」 The prince also wishes to use this opportunity to establish himself as king. The feudal lords fear the prince's might and are about to jointly enthrone him.'

秦數使反閒，偽賀公子得立為魏王未也。 Qin repeatedly sent double agents, falsely congratulating the prince on his impending enthronement as King of Wei.

魏王日聞其毀，不能不信，後果使人代公子將。 The King of Wei heard these slanders day after day and could not help believing them. In the end, he did send someone to replace the prince as commander.

公子自知再以毀廢，乃謝病不朝，與賓客為長夜飲，飲醇酒，多近婦女。 The prince knew he had been dismissed again through slander, so he pleaded illness and ceased attending court. He drank with his retainers through the long nights, consuming strong wine and keeping many women near.

秦聞公子死，使蒙驁攻魏，拔二十城，初置東郡。 Qin, learning of the prince's death, sent Meng Ao to attack Wei, capturing twenty cities and establishing the Eastern Commandery for the first time.

高祖始微少時，數聞公子賢。 When Gaozu was still of humble and lowly station, he often heard that the prince was worthy.

及即天子位，每過大梁，常祠公子。 When he ascended the imperial throne, whenever he passed through Daliang, he would always make offerings to the prince.

高祖十二年，從擊黥布還，為公子置守冢五家，世世歲以四時奉祠公子。 In the twelfth year of Gaozu's reign, upon returning from the campaign against Qing Bu, he established five families to guard the prince's tomb, with each generation offering seasonal sacrifices to the prince year after year.

天下諸公子亦有喜士者矣，然信陵君之接巖穴隱者，不恥下交，有以也。 Though other princes in the world also delight in worthy men, Lord Xinling's willingness to receive recluses from mountain caves and not disdain humble associations has its reasons.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 78Biography of Lord Chunshen · 1 passage

春申君既相楚，是時齊有孟嘗君，趙有平原君，魏有信陵君，方爭下士，招致賓客，以相傾奪，輔國持權。 Lord Chunshen became prime minister of Chu. At this time, Qi had Lord Mengchang, Zhao had Lord Pingyuan, Wei had Lord Xinling—all competing to win over scholars, recruiting retainers to outdo one another, strengthening their states and wielding influence.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 85Biography of Master Lü Buwei · 1 passage

當是時，魏有信陵君，楚有春申君，趙有平原君，齊有孟嘗君，皆下士喜賓客以相傾。 In that era, the state of Wei had the Lord of Xinling, Chu had the Lord of Chunshen, Zhao had the Lord of Pingyuan, and Qi had the Lord of Mengchang. Each of these great lords vied with the others in humbling himself before scholars and hosting retainers.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 124Biographies of Knight-errants · 1 passage

近世延陵、孟嘗、春申、平原、信陵之徒，皆因王者親屬，藉於有土卿相之富厚，招天下賢者，顯名諸侯，不可謂不賢者矣。 In more recent times, the Lord of Yanling, Lord Mengchang, Lord Chunshen, Lord Pingyuan, and Lord Xinling all drew on royal kinship and the vast wealth of their fiefs to attract the worthiest men under heaven and win renown among the feudal lords — they were, by any measure, men of worth.