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燕召公世家

House of Yan Shaogong

Chapter 34 of 史記 ✓ Translated
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Chapter 34
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1
The Duke of Shao Shi shared the same surname with the Zhou, the Ji clan. When King Wu of Zhou destroyed King Zhou, he enfeoffed the Duke of Shao at Northern Yan.
2
西
During King Cheng's time, the Duke of Shao was one of the three dukes: from Shan westwards, the Duke of Shao governed it; From Shan eastwards, the Duke of Zhou governed it. King Cheng was still young, so the Duke of Zhou acted as regent, managing the state and ascending the throne. The Duke of Shao suspected him and composed the Jun Shi. The Jun Shi expressed displeasure with the Duke of Zhou. The Duke of Zhou then said: "In Tang's time there was Yi Yin, who relied on the August Heaven; In Tai Wu's time, there were Yi Zhi and Chen Hu, who relied on the Supreme Deity. Wu Xian governed the royal house; In Zu Yi's time, there was Wu Xian; In Wu Ding's time, there was Gan Ban, who led and maintained these arrangements, protecting and governing the state of Yin." Thereupon the Duke of Shao was pleased.
3
西
The Duke of Shao's governance of the western regions greatly won the harmony of the myriad people. The Duke of Shao traveled through villages and towns. There was a pear tree, and he decided legal cases and government affairs beneath it. From marquesses and earls down to commoners, each obtained their proper place, and none failed in their duties. When the Duke of Shao died, the people remembered the Duke of Shao's governance, cherished the pear tree and did not dare to cut it down, sang and chanted of it, and composed the poem "Sweet Pear."
4
From the Duke of Shao down, nine generations reached Duke Hui. Duke Hui of Yan was contemporary with the period when King Li of Zhou fled to Zhi, during the Gonghe era.
5
Duke Hui died, and his son Duke Xi succeeded him. That year, King Xuan of Zhou first ascended the throne. In the twenty-first year of Duke Xi's reign, Duke Huan of Zheng was first enfeoffed at Zheng. In the thirty-sixth year, Duke Xi died, and his son Duke Qing succeeded him.
6
In the twentieth year of Duke Qing's reign, King You of Zhou was licentious and disorderly and was assassinated by the Quan Rong. Qin first became ranked among the feudal lords.
7
In the twenty-fourth year, Duke Qing died, and his son Duke Ai succeeded him. Duke Ai died in the second year of his reign, and his son Duke Zheng succeeded him. Duke Zheng died in the thirty-sixth year of his reign, and his son Duke Mu succeeded him.
8
In the seventh year of Duke Mu's reign, which was also the first year of Duke Yin of Lu. He died in the eighteenth year of his reign, and his son Duke Xuan succeeded him. Duke Xuan died in the thirteenth year of his reign, and his son Duke Huan succeeded him. Duke Huan died in the seventh year of his reign, and his son Duke Zhuang succeeded him.
9
使 使
In the twelfth year of Duke Zhuang's reign, Duke Huan of Qi first became hegemon. In the sixteenth year, together with Song and Wei, they attacked King Hui of Zhou. King Hui fled to Wen, and they established King Hui's younger brother Tui as King of Zhou. In the seventeenth year, Zheng captured Yan Zhong Fu and restored King Hui to Zhou. In the twenty-seventh year, the Mountain Rong came to invade us. Duke Huan of Qi rescued Yan, then went north to attack the Mountain Rong and returned. The Yan ruler escorted Duke Huan of Qi out of the border. Duke Huan then ceded the territory that Yan had reached to Yan, making Yan jointly pay tribute to the Son of Heaven, as in the duty during the time of Chengzhou; He made Yan restore the Duke of Shao's methods. He died in the thirty-third year of his reign, and his son Duke Xiang succeeded him.
10
In the twenty-sixth year of Duke Xiang's reign, Duke Wen of Jin held the meeting at Jiantu and was called hegemon. In the thirty-first year, the Qin army was defeated at Xiao. In the thirty-seventh year, Duke Mu of Qin died. In the fortieth year, Duke Xiang died, and Duke Huan succeeded him.
11
Duke Huan died in the sixteenth year of his reign, and Duke Xuan succeeded him. Duke Xuan died in the fifteenth year of his reign, and Duke Zhao succeeded him. Duke Zhao died in the thirteenth year of his reign, and Duke Wu succeeded him. That year, Jin destroyed the three Xi ministers.
12
Duke Wu died in the nineteenth year of his reign, and Duke Wen succeeded him. Duke Wen died in the sixth year of his reign, and Duke Yi succeeded him. In the first year of Duke Yi's reign, Cui Zhu of Qi assassinated his ruler Duke Zhuang. He died in the fourth year of his reign, and his son Duke Hui succeeded him.
13
In the first year of Duke Hui's reign, Gao Zhi of Qi came fleeing. In the sixth year, Duke Hui had many favored concubines. The duke wished to remove the ministers and establish favored concubine Song. The ministers together executed concubine Song, and Duke Hui, fearing for his life, fled to Qi. In the fourth year, Gao Yan of Qi went to Jin, requesting to jointly attack Yan and restore its ruler. Duke Ping of Jin agreed, and together with Qi attacked Yan and restored Duke Hui. Duke Hui reached Yan and died. Yan established Duke Dao.
14
Duke Dao died in the seventh year of his reign, and Duke Gong succeeded him. Duke Gong died in the fifth year of his reign, and Duke Ping succeeded him. The ducal house of Jin was weak, and the six ministers first became strong and powerful. In the eighteenth year of Duke Ping's reign, King Helu of Wu defeated Chu and entered Ying. He died in the nineteenth year of his reign, and Duke Jian succeeded him. Duke Jian died in the twelfth year of his reign, and Duke Xian succeeded him. Zhao Yang of Jin besieged Fan and Zhonghang at Zhaoge. In the twelfth year of Duke Xian's reign, Tian Chang of Qi assassinated his ruler Duke Jian. In the fourteenth year, Confucius died. In the twenty-eighth year, Duke Xian died, and Duke Xiao succeeded him.
15
In the twelfth year of Duke Xiao's reign, Han, Wei, and Zhao destroyed Zhi Bo and divided his territory. The Three Jin became strong.
16
In the fifteenth year, Duke Xiao died, and Duke Cheng succeeded him. Duke Cheng died in the sixteenth year of his reign, and Duke Min succeeded him. Duke Min died in the thirty-first year of his reign, and Duke Xi succeeded him. That year, the Three Jin were ranked among the feudal lords.
17
In the thirtieth year of Duke Xi's reign, they attacked and defeated Qi at Linying. Duke Xi died, and Duke Huan succeeded him. Duke Huan died in the eleventh year of his reign, and Duke Wen succeeded him. That year, Duke Xian of Qin died. Qin became increasingly strong.
18
In the nineteenth year of Duke Wen's reign, King Wei of Qi died. In the twenty-eighth year, Su Qin first came to see and persuade Duke Wen. Duke Wen gave him carriages, horses, gold, and silk to go to the state of Zhao. Duke Su of Zhao employed him. Thereupon he allied the six states and became leader of the vertical alliance. King Hui of Qin gave his daughter as wife to the Yan heir apparent.
19
In the twenty-ninth year, Duke Wen died. The heir apparent succeeded him and became King Yi.
20
使 使
When King Yi first succeeded, King Xuan of Qi took advantage of the mourning period in Yan to attack us and captured ten cities; Su Qin persuaded Qi to return the ten cities to Yan. In the tenth year, the Yan ruler became king. Su Qin had illicit relations with Duke Wen of Yan's wife. Fearing execution, he persuaded the king to send him to Qi as a double agent, wishing to cause disorder in Qi. King Yi reigned for twelve years and died. His son Yan Kuai succeeded him.
21
使 使
After Yan Kuai succeeded, the people of Qi killed Su Qin. When Su Qin was in Yan, he formed a marriage alliance with the prime minister Zi Zhi, and Su Dai formed a friendship with Zi Zhi. After Su Qin died, King Xuan of Qi again employed Su Dai. In the third year of Yan Kuai's reign, together with Chu and the Three Jin, they attacked Qin but did not win and returned. Zi Zhi served as prime minister of Yan. He was noble and important, and made all decisions. Su Dai served as an envoy from Qi to Yan. The Yan king asked: "What is the King of Qi like?" He replied: "He will certainly never become hegemon." The Yan king asked: "Why is that?" He replied: "He does not trust his ministers." Su Dai wished to use this to encourage the Yan king to honor Zi Zhi. Thereupon the Yan king came to greatly trust Zi Zhi. Zi Zhi thereupon gave Su Dai one hundred pieces of gold and did whatever Su Dai instructed.
22
鹿
Lu Mao Shou said to the Yan king: "It would be better to yield the state to your prime minister Zi Zhi. People call Yao worthy because he yielded the world to Xu You. When Xu You did not accept it, Yao gained the reputation of yielding the world while in reality not losing it. Now if the king yields the state to Zi Zhi, Zi Zhi will certainly not dare to accept it. In this way, the king will have acted the same as Yao." The Yan king thereupon entrusted the state to Zi Zhi, and Zi Zhi became greatly important. Someone said: "Yu recommended Yi, but then made Qi's followers into the officials. When he grew old, he considered Qi's followers insufficient to take charge of the world and transmitted it to Yi. Then Qi and his associates attacked Yi and seized the throne from him. The world says that Yu in name transmitted the world to Yi, but in reality had Qi take it for himself. Now the king says to entrust the state to Zi Zhi, but all the officials are the heir apparent's people. This means in name entrusting it to Zi Zhi, but in reality the heir apparent handles affairs." The king thereupon collected the seals from officials of three hundred dan and above and gave them to Zi Zhi. Zi Zhi faced south and performed the king's duties, while Kuai, being old, did not handle government affairs and became a minister. All state affairs were decided by Zi Zhi.
23
In the third year, the state was in great disorder, and the common people were terrified. General Shi Bei plotted with the heir apparent Ping to attack Zi Zhi. The generals said to King Min of Qi: "If we take advantage of this and go there, we will certainly destroy Yan." The King of Qi thereupon sent someone to say to the Yan heir apparent Ping: "I have heard of the heir apparent's righteousness, that you will abolish the private and establish the public, rectify the righteousness between ruler and minister, and clarify the positions of father and son. My state is small and insufficient to serve as vanguard or rearguard. Even so, I will follow whatever the heir apparent commands." The heir apparent thereupon gathered his partisans and assembled the masses. General Shi Bei besieged the ducal palace and attacked Zi Zhi, but did not conquer him. General Shi Bei and the common people counterattacked the heir apparent Ping. General Shi Bei died and was displayed as a warning. The conflict lasted for several months. Tens of thousands died, the masses were terrified, and the common people lost their will. Meng Ke said to the King of Qi: "Now to attack Yan—this is the time of King Wen and King Wu. We must not miss this opportunity." The king thereupon ordered Zhang Zi to lead the troops of the five capitals, and together with the masses of the northern regions, to attack Yan. The soldiers did not fight, the city gates were not closed, the Yan ruler Kuai died, and Qi achieved a great victory. Two years after Zi Zhi's death, the people of Yan together established the heir apparent Ping, who became King Zhao of Yan.
24
King Zhao of Yan ascended the throne after Yan was destroyed. He humbled himself and offered generous gifts to recruit worthy men. He said to Guo Kui: "Qi took advantage of the disorder in my state to attack and destroy Yan. I fully know that Yan is small and weak, insufficient to take revenge. However, if I can truly obtain worthy men to share the state and avenge the former king's shame, that is my wish. Sir, look for suitable ones, and I will personally serve them." Guo Kui said: "If the king wishes to attract scholars, start with Kui first. How much more those worthier than Kui—would they consider a thousand li far?" Thereupon King Zhao built a new palace for Kui and served him as teacher. Yue Yi came from Wei, Zou Yan came from Qi, and Ju Xin came from Zhao. The scholars competed to go to Yan. After King Kuai of Yan died, he inquired about the orphaned and shared joys and sorrows with the common people.
25
In the twenty-eighth year, the state of Yan was prosperous and wealthy. The soldiers were happy and eager for battle. Thereupon he made Yue Yi the supreme general and together with Qin, Chu, and the Three Jin, they plotted to attack Qi. The Qi army was defeated, and King Min fled abroad. The Yan army alone pursued the fleeing enemy, entered as far as Linzi, took all of Qi's treasures, and burned its palaces and ancestral temples. Of Qi's cities that did not fall, only Liao, Ju, and Jimo remained. All the rest belonged to Yan for six years.
26
In the seventh year of King Wucheng's reign, Tian Dan of Qi attacked us and captured Zhongyang. In the thirteenth year, Qin defeated Zhao at Changping, killing more than four hundred thousand. In the fourteenth year, King Wucheng died, and his son King Xiao succeeded him.
27
In the first year of King Xiao's reign, the Qin forces that had besieged Handan withdrew and left. He died in the third year of his reign, and his son the present king Xi succeeded him.
28
使 使
In the fourth year of the present king Xi's reign, King Zhao of Qin died. The Yan king ordered the prime minister Li Fu to make an alliance with Zhao, using five hundred pieces of gold for the King of Zhao's wine. He returned and reported to the Yan king, saying: "Zhao's strong men all died at Changping. Their orphans are not yet grown. We can attack them." The king summoned the Lord of Changguo, Yue Jian, and asked him. He replied: "Zhao is a state that fights on four sides. Its people are experienced in warfare. We cannot attack them." The king said: "I will attack with five against one." He replied: "It cannot be done." The Yan king was angry. All the ministers considered it feasible. He finally raised two armies with two thousand chariots. Li Fu led one and attacked the city of Hao, while Qing Qin attacked the city of Dai. Only the grandee Jiang Qu said to the Yan king: "To open borders and make an alliance with someone, use five hundred pieces of gold to toast their king, have the envoy report back, and then attack them—this is inauspicious. The army will not succeed." The Yan king did not listen and personally led a flank army to follow them. Jiang Qu pulled the Yan king's sash to stop him, saying: "The king must not go personally. If you go, there will be no success." The king kicked him with his foot. Jiang Qu wept and said: "Your servant is not doing this for himself, but for the king!" The Yan army reached Songzi. Zhao sent Lian Po as general, who attacked and defeated Li Fu at Hao. Yue Cheng defeated Qing Qin at Dai. Yue Jian fled to Zhao. Lian Po pursued them for more than five hundred li and besieged their state. The people of Yan requested peace. The people of Zhao did not permit it, insisting that Jiang Qu handle the peace negotiations. The Yan prime minister Jiang Qu handled the peace negotiations. Zhao listened to Jiang Qu and lifted the siege of Yan.
29
西 使 使 使 使使
In the sixth year, Qin destroyed Eastern Zhou and established the Sanchuan commandery. In the seventh year, Qin captured thirty-seven cities from Zhao at Yuci. Qin established the Taiyuan commandery. In the ninth year, King Zheng of Qin first ascended the throne. In the tenth year, Zhao sent Lian Po as general to attack Fanyang and captured it. King Xiaocheng of Zhao died, and King Daoxiang succeeded him. They sent Yue Cheng to replace Lian Po. Lian Po did not obey and attacked Yue Cheng. Yue Cheng fled, and Lian Po fled to the city of Daliang. In the twelfth year, Zhao sent Li Mu to attack Yan and captured Wusui and Fangcheng. Ju Xin had formerly lived in the state of Zhao and was friendly with Pang Nuan, but then fled to Yan. Yan saw that Zhao had been repeatedly hard pressed by Qin, and Lian Po had left, so they made Pang Nuan the general. They wished to take advantage of Zhao's weakness to attack it. They asked Ju Xin. Xin said: "Pang Nuan is easy to deal with." Yan sent Ju Xin as the general to attack Zhao. Zhao sent Pang Nuan to attack him, captured twenty thousand Yan soldiers, and killed Ju Xin. Qin captured twenty cities from Wei and established the Dong commandery. In the nineteenth year, Qin captured nine cities from Zhao at Ye. King Daoxiang of Zhao died. In the twenty-third year, the heir apparent Dan, who was a hostage in Qin, fled back to Yan. In the twenty-fifth year, Qin captured and destroyed King An of Han and established the Yingchuan commandery. In the twenty-seventh year, Qin captured King Qian of Zhao and destroyed Zhao. Zhao's Prince Jia established himself as King of Dai.
30
使 使
Yan saw that Qin was about to destroy the six states. Qin's army reached the Yi River, and disaster was about to come to Yan. The heir apparent Dan secretly raised twenty brave men and sent Jing Ke to present the Dukang map to Qin, then took advantage of this to assassinate the King of Qin. The King of Qin detected it, killed Ke, and sent General Wang Jian to attack Yan. In the twenty-ninth year, Qin attacked and captured our Ji. The Yan king fled, moved to Liaodong, and beheaded Dan to present to Qin. In the thirtieth year, Qin destroyed Wei.
31
In the thirty-third year, Qin captured Liaodong, captured King Xi of Yan, and finally destroyed Yan. That year, the Qin general Wang Ben also captured King Jia of Dai.
32
The Grand Historian says: The Duke of Shao Shi can be called benevolent! The sweet pear tree is still remembered. How much more the man himself? Yan was externally pressed by the Man and Mo, internally placed between Qi and Jin, struggling between powerful states. It was the weakest and smallest, and was nearly destroyed several times. However, the altars of state received blood sacrifices for eight or nine hundred years. Among the Ji surname, it alone perished last. Was this not the achievement of the Duke of Shao!
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