Ancient China · General and Envoy

Xin Yuanyan 新垣衍

Attested BC 259 - BC 257

Passages: 16
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

The translated histories identify Xin Yuanyan as an envoy and general. This record brings together 16 passages from 1 chapter across 1 history, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Xin Yuanyan	新垣衍	Xin Yuanyan
Personal name	Xin Yuanyan	新垣衍	Xin Yuanyan
Given	Yan	衍	Yan

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Male

Sex: male
Strongly inferred · shiji:083:s0007

Roles

Envoy
General

Life and dates

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 趙孝成王時秦圍邯鄲 · Western Interval: Start: BC 259 · End: BC 257
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:083:s0007, shiji:083:s0014

Events and relationships

Kind: diplomatic · Role: envoy · Action: urged-Zhao-to-honor-Qin-as-emperor · Other Person Id: King Xiaocheng of Zhao (趙孝成王) · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 趙孝成王時秦圍邯鄲 · Western Interval: Start: BC 259 · End: BC 257
Explicit · shiji:083:s0007, shiji:083:s0009, shiji:083:s0014
Kind: diplomatic · Role: envoy · Action: withdrew-proposal · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 趙孝成王時秦圍邯鄲 · Western Interval: Start: BC 259 · End: BC 257
Explicit · shiji:083:s0086, shiji:083:s0087

References in the histories

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

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 83Biographies of Lu Zhonglian and Zou Yang · 16 passages

魏王使客將軍新垣衍閒入邯鄲，因平原君謂趙王曰：「秦所為急圍趙者，前與齊湣王爭彊為帝，已而復歸帝； The King of Wei sent the guest general Xin Yuanyan to slip into Handan, where through Lord Pingyuan he addressed the King of Zhao: 'The reason Qin so urgently besieges Zhao is this: previously, Qin and King Min of Qi competed for supremacy and both assumed the title of Emperor, but soon afterward both relinquished it.

魏王使客將軍新垣衍令趙帝秦，今其人在是。 The King of Wei has sent the guest general Xin Yuanyan to pressure us into crowning Qin as Emperor, and that man is here now.

梁客新垣衍安在？ Where is the Wei envoy Xin Yuanyan?

平原君遂見新垣衍曰：「東國有魯仲連先生者，今其人在此，勝請為紹介，交之於將軍。」 Lord Pingyuan then went to see Xin Yuanyan and said, 'In the eastern state of Qi there is a Master Lu Zhonglian, and he happens to be here now. Allow me to introduce you to him, General.'

新垣衍曰：「吾聞魯仲連先生，齊國之高士也。 Xin Yuanyan replied, 'I have heard of Master Lu Zhonglian—he is a lofty scholar of the state of Qi.

衍人臣也，使事有職，吾不願見魯仲連先生。」 But I, Yan, am a subject on a mission with official duties to fulfill, and I do not wish to meet Master Lu Zhonglian.'

新垣衍許諾。 Xin Yuanyan consented.

魯連見新垣衍而無言。 Lu Zhonglian met Xin Yuanyan but said nothing.

新垣衍曰：「吾視居此圍城之中者，皆有求於平原君者也； Xin Yuanyan said, 'As I see it, everyone who remains in this besieged city has something to ask of Lord Pingyuan.

新垣衍曰：「先生助之將柰何？」 Xin Yuanyan asked, 'How does the Master propose to help?'

新垣衍曰：「燕則吾請以從矣； Xin Yuanyan said, 'As for Yan, I grant that it might follow.

新垣衍曰：「秦稱帝之害何如？」 Xin Yuanyan asked, 'What harm would come from Qin claiming the title of Emperor?'

新垣衍曰：「先生獨不見夫仆乎？ Xin Yuanyan said, 'Has the Master never observed a servant?

新垣衍曰：「然。」 Xin Yuanyan replied, 'Yes.'

新垣衍怏然不悅，曰：「噫嘻，亦太甚矣先生之言也！ Xin Yuanyan was visibly displeased and said, 'How outrageous! The Master's words go too far!

於是新垣衍起，再拜謝曰：「始以先生為庸人，吾乃今日知先生為天下之士也。 At this, Xin Yuanyan rose from his seat and bowed twice in apology, saying, 'At first I took you for an ordinary man, Master, but only today do I realize that you are a true gentleman of the realm.