House of King Goujian of Yue

越王句踐，其先禹之苗裔，而夏后帝少康之庶子也。封於會稽，以奉守禹之祀。文身斷發，披草萊而邑焉。後二十餘世，至於允常。允常之時，與吳王闔廬戰而相怨伐。允常卒，子句踐立，是為越王。

King Gou Jian of Yue—his ancestors were descendants of Yu, and he was a concubine son of Emperor Shao Kang of Xia Hou. He was enfeoffed at Kui Ji to serve and guard Yu's sacrifices. They tattooed their bodies and cut their hair, cleared the grassy wilds and established cities there. After more than twenty generations, it reached Yun Chang. In Yun Chang's time, he battled with the Wu king He Lu, and they mutually resented and attacked each other. Yun Chang died, and his son Gou Jian was established. This was the Yue king.

元年，吳王闔廬聞允常死，乃興師伐越。越王句踐使死士挑戰，三行，至吳陳，呼而自剄。吳師觀之，越因襲擊吳師，吳師敗於檇李，射傷吳王闔廬。闔廬且死，告其子夫差曰：「必毋忘越。」

In the first year, King He Lu of Wu heard that Yun Chang had died and then raised troops to attack Yue. King Gou Jian of Yue sent death soldiers to challenge battle. In three rows, they reached the Wu battle lines, called out, and slit their own throats. The Wu troops watched this. Yue therefore raided and attacked the Wu troops. The Wu troops were defeated at Gui Li, and King He Lu of Wu was shot and injured. He Lu, about to die, told his son Fu Chai, saying: 'You must certainly not forget the state of Yue.'

三年，句踐聞吳王夫差日夜勒兵，且以報越，越欲先吳未發往伐之。范蠡諫曰：「不可。臣聞兵者凶器也，戰者逆德也，爭者事之末也。陰謀逆德，好用凶器，試身於所末，上帝禁之，行者不利。」越王曰：「吾已決之矣。」遂興師。吳王聞之，悉發精兵擊越，敗之夫椒。越王乃以餘兵五千人保棲於會稽。吳王追而圍之。

In the third year, Gou Jian heard that King Fu Chai of Wu drilled troops day and night, moreover intending to repay Yue. Yue desired to attack it before Wu had not yet moved. Fan Li admonished, saying: 'It is not possible. I have heard that weapons are inauspicious instruments, battle is contrary to virtue, and contending is the end of affairs. Secret plots are contrary to virtue, fondness for using inauspicious instruments, testing the body at the end of affairs. Shang Di forbids it, and those who do it will be unfavorable.' The Yue king said: 'I have already decided it.' They then raised troops. The Wu king heard it and sent all his elite troops to attack Yue, defeating them at Fu Jiao. The Yue king then defended with his remaining five thousand troops, perched at Kui Ji. The Wu king pursued and surrounded them.

越王謂范蠡曰：「以不聽子故至於此，為之柰何？」蠡對曰：「持滿者與天，定傾者與人，節事者以地。卑辭厚禮以遺之，不許，而身與之市。」句踐曰：「諾。」乃令大夫種行成於吳，膝行頓首曰：「君王亡臣句踐使陪臣種敢告下執事：句踐請為臣，妻為妾。」吳王將許之。子胥言於吳王曰：「天以越賜吳，勿許也。」種還，以報句踐。句踐欲殺妻子，燔寶器，觸戰以死。種止句踐曰：「夫吳太宰嚭貪，可誘以利，請閒行言之。」於是句踐以美女寶器令種閒獻吳太宰嚭。嚭受，乃見大夫種於吳王。種頓首言曰：「願大王赦句踐之罪，盡入其寶器。不幸不赦，句踐將盡殺其妻子，燔其寶器，悉五千人觸戰，必有當也。」嚭因說吳王曰：「越以服為臣，若將赦之，此國之利也。」吳王將許之。子胥進諫曰：「今不滅越，後必悔之。句踐賢君，種、蠡良臣，若反國，將為亂。」吳王弗聽，卒赦越，罷兵而歸。

The Yue king told Fan Li, saying: 'Because I did not listen to you, I have therefore reached this point. What is to be done?' Li replied, saying: 'To hold what is full, align with the way of heaven. To settle what is leaning, align with the way of people. To moderate affairs, align with the way of earth. Send them humble words and generous gifts. If they do not permit it, then you yourself must go and bargain with the Wu king in person.' Gou Jian said: 'Yes.' He then commanded grandee Zhong to go make peace with Wu. Zhong walked on his knees and kowtowed, saying: 'The lord king's fugitive minister Gou Jian sends attendant minister Zhong to dare inform your lower servants: Gou Jian requests to be a minister, and his wife to be a concubine.' The Wu king was about to permit it. Zi Xu spoke to the Wu king, saying: 'Heaven grants Yue to Wu. Do not permit it.' Zhong returned to report to Gou Jian. Gou Jian desired to kill his wife and children, burn the treasure vessels, and fight to the death. Zhong stopped Gou Jian, saying: 'Indeed, the Wu grand administrator Pi is greedy. He can be lured with profit. Please allow me to go secretly and speak of it.' Thereupon Gou Jian commanded Zhong to secretly offer beautiful women and treasure vessels to the Wu grand administrator Pi. Pi accepted and then presented Grandee Zhong to the Wu king. Zhong kowtowed and spoke, saying: 'I wish the great king to pardon Gou Jian's crime and accept all his treasure vessels. If unfortunately not pardoned, Gou Jian will completely kill his wife and children, burn his treasure vessels, and all five thousand will fight to the death. There will certainly be resistance.' Pi therefore persuaded the Wu king, saying: 'Yue has submitted as a minister. If we pardon them, this will be the state's profit.' The Wu king was about to permit it. Zi Xu advanced and admonished, saying: 'If we do not extinguish the state of Yue now, we will certainly regret it later. Gou Jian is a worthy lord, and Zhong and Li are good ministers. If they return to their country, they will cause chaos.' The Wu king did not listen. He finally pardoned Yue, dismissed the troops, and returned.

句踐之困會稽也，喟然嘆曰：「吾終於此乎？」種曰：「湯系夏臺，文王囚羑里，晉重耳奔翟，齊小白奔莒，其卒王霸。由是觀之，何遽不為福乎？」

When Gou Jian was distressed at the place of Kui Ji, he sighed deeply and said: 'Will I end my life here at this place?' Zhong said: 'Tang was bound at the Xia Tai, King Wen was imprisoned at You Li, Jin's Chong Er fled to Di, Qi's Xiao Bai fled to Ju. They finally became kings and hegemons. From this we observe, why should it not hastily become fortune?'

吳既赦越，越王句踐反國，乃苦身焦思，置膽於坐，坐臥即仰膽，飲食亦嘗膽也。曰：「女忘會稽之恥邪？」身自耕作，夫人自織，食不加肉，衣不重采，折節下賢人，厚遇賓客，振貧弔死，與百姓同其勞。欲使范蠡治國政，蠡對曰：「兵甲之事，種不如蠡；填撫國家，親附百姓，蠡不如種。」於是舉國政屬大夫種，而使范蠡與大夫柘稽行成，為質於吳。二歲而吳歸蠡。

Wu had already pardoned Yue. King Gou Jian of Yue returned to his country. He then tormented his body with worried thoughts, placed gall at his seat, raised the gall when sitting or lying, and tasted gall when eating or drinking. He said: 'Have you forgotten the shame of Kui Ji?' He personally farmed with his body, and his lady personally wove. Food did not add meat, and clothing did not repeat colors. He bent his conduct to humble himself before worthy people, generously treated guests, aided the poor and condoled the dead, sharing labor with the common people. He desired to make Fan Li govern the state's affairs. Li replied, saying: 'In matters of armor and weapons, Zhong is not as good as Li; In filling and pacifying the state and intimately attaching the common people, Li is not as good as Zhong.' Thereupon all state affairs were entrusted to Grandee Zhong, and Fan Li was sent with Grandee Zhe Ji to make peace, serving as a hostage in Wu. After two years, Wu returned Li.

句踐自會稽歸七年，拊循其士民，欲用以報吳。大夫逢同諫曰：「國新流亡，今乃復殷給，繕飾備利，吳必懼，懼則難必至。且鷙鳥之擊也，必匿其形。今夫吳兵加齊、晉，怨深於楚、越，名高天下，實害周室，德少而功多，必淫自矜。為越計，莫若結齊，親楚，附晉，以厚吳。吳之志廣，必輕戰。是我連其權，三國伐之，越承其弊，可克也。」句踐曰：「善。」

Seven years after Gou Jian returned from Kui Ji, he stroked and followed his officers and people, desiring to use them to repay the state of Wu. Grandee Feng Tong admonished, saying: 'The state has newly fled and perished. Now we are again abundant and provided, repaired and decorated, prepared and sharp. Wu will certainly fear, and if it fears, then disaster will certainly arrive. Moreover, when a fierce bird strikes, it certainly hides its form. Now Wu's troops are added to Qi and Jin. Its resentment is deep with Chu and Yue. Its name is high in the world, but in substance it harms the Zhou chamber. Virtue is few but merit is many. It will certainly lewdly self-praise. For Yue's plan, nothing is better than allying with the state of Qi, befriending the state of Chu, attaching to the state of Jin, to enrich Wu. Wu's ambitions are broad. It will certainly battle lightly. This connects its authority. The three states attack it, Yue receives its exhaustion, and we can conquer.' Gou Jian said: 'Good.'

居二年，吳王將伐齊。子胥諫曰：「未可。臣聞句踐食不重味，與百姓同苦樂。此人不死，必為國患。吳有越，腹心之疾，齊與吳，疥癬也。願王釋齊先越。」吳王弗聽，遂伐齊，敗之艾陵，虜齊高、國以歸。讓子胥。子胥曰：「王毋喜！」王怒，子胥欲自殺，王聞而止之。越大夫種曰：「臣觀吳王政驕矣，請試嘗之貸粟，以卜其事。」請貸，吳王欲與，子胥諫勿與，王遂與之，越乃私喜。子胥言曰：「王不聽諫，後三年吳其墟乎！」太宰嚭聞之，乃數與子胥爭越議，因讒子胥曰：「伍員貌忠而實忍人，其父兄不顧，安能顧王？王前欲伐齊，員彊諫，已而有功，用是反怨王。王不備伍員，員必為亂。」與逢同共謀，讒之王。王始不從，乃使子胥於齊，聞其託子於鮑氏，王乃大怒，曰：「伍員果欺寡人！」役反，使人賜子胥屬鏤劍以自殺。子胥大笑曰：「我令而父霸，我又立若，若初欲分吳國半予我，我不受，已，今若反以讒誅我。嗟乎，嗟乎，一人固不能獨立！」報使者曰：「必取吾眼置吳東門，以觀越兵入也！」於是吳任嚭政。

After two years, the Wu king was about to attack Qi. Zi Xu admonished, saying: 'It is not yet possible. I have heard that Gou Jian eats no repeated flavors and shares bitterness and joy with the common people. If this person does not die, he will certainly become a state calamity. Wu having Yue is an illness of the abdomen and heart. Qi with Wu is scabies and ringworm. I wish the king to release Qi and first deal with Yue.' The Wu king did not listen. He then attacked Qi, defeated them at Ai Ling, captured Gao and Guo of Qi, and returned. He blamed Zi Xu. Zi Xu said: 'King, do not rejoice!' The king was angered. Zi Xu desired to commit suicide. The king heard and stopped him. Yue grandee Zhong said: 'I observe that the Wu king's governance is arrogant. Please test and try to borrow grain from them, to divine their affairs.' They requested to borrow. The Wu king desired to give. Zi Xu admonished not to give. The king then gave it. Yue then privately rejoiced. Zi Xu spoke, saying: 'If the king does not listen to admonition, in three years Wu will perhaps become ruins!' The grand administrator Pi heard it, then frequently contended with Zi Xu over Yue discussions. Therefore he slandered Zi Xu, saying: 'Wu Yuan appears loyal but is in substance a cruel person. He did not care for his father and elder brother. How can he care for the king? The king before desired to attack Qi. Yuan strongly admonished. Already then there was merit. He used this to instead resent the king. If the king does not prepare for Wu Yuan, Yuan will certainly cause chaos.' Together with Feng Tong they plotted and slandered to the king. The king at first did not follow, then sent Zi Xu to Qi. He heard that Zi Xu had entrusted his son to the Bao clan. The king then became greatly angered and said: 'Wu Yuan indeed deceives me!' The mission returned. He sent a person to grant Zi Xu a Ju Lou sword to commit suicide. Zi Xu greatly laughed and said: 'I made your father hegemon, I moreover established you. You at first desired to divide the Wu state in half and give it to me. I did not accept it. Already done. Now you instead use slander to execute me. Alas, alas, one person indeed cannot stand alone!' He told the envoy, saying: 'Certainly take my eyes and place them at the Wu east gate, to watch the Yue troops enter!' Thereupon Wu employed Pi in governance.

居三年，句踐召范蠡曰：「吳已殺子胥，導諛者眾，可乎？」對曰：「未可。」

After residing three years, Gou Jian summoned Fan Li and said: 'Wu has already killed Zi Xu, and the flattering guides are many. Is it possible?' He replied, saying: 'It is not yet possible.'

至明年春，吳王北會諸侯於黃池，吳國精兵從王，惟獨老弱與太子留守。句踐復問范蠡，蠡曰「可矣」。乃發習流二千人，教士四萬人，君子六千人，諸御千人，伐吳。吳師敗，遂殺吳太子。吳告急於王，王方會諸侯於黃池，懼天下聞之，乃祕之。吳王已盟黃池，乃使人厚禮以請成越。越自度亦未能滅吳，乃與吳平。

By the next year's spring, the Wu king went north to assemble the feudal lords at Huang Chi. The Wu state's elite troops followed the king. Only the old and weak remained with the crown prince to defend. Gou Jian again asked Fan Li. Li said: 'It is possible.' He then sent Xi Liu two thousand people, Jiao Shi forty thousand people, Jun Zi six thousand people, and various charioteers one thousand people to attack the state of Wu. The Wu troops were defeated. They then killed the Wu crown prince. Wu urgently informed the king. The king was just assembling feudal lords at Huang Chi. He feared the world would hear it and kept it secret. The Wu king had already allied at Huang Chi. He then sent a person with generous gifts to request peace with Yue. Yue measured itself and also was not able to extinguish Wu. They then made peace with Wu.

其後四年，越復伐吳。吳士民罷弊，輕銳盡死於齊、晉。而越大破吳，因而留圍之三年，吳師敗，越遂復棲吳王於姑蘇之山。吳王使公孫雄肉袒膝行而前，請成越王曰：「孤臣夫差敢布腹心，異日嘗得罪於會稽，夫差不敢逆命，得與君王成以歸。今君王舉玉趾而誅孤臣，孤臣惟命是聽，意者亦欲如會稽之赦孤臣之罪乎？」句踐不忍，欲許之。范蠡曰：「會稽之事，天以越賜吳，吳不取。今天以吳賜越，越其可逆天乎？且夫君王蚤朝晏罷，非為吳邪？謀之二十二年，一旦而棄之，可乎？且夫天與弗取，反受其咎。『伐柯者其則不遠』，君忘會稽之蚯？」句踐曰：「吾欲聽子言，吾不忍其使者。」范蠡乃鼓進兵，曰：「王已屬政於執事，使者去，不者且得罪。」吳使者泣而去。句踐憐之，乃使人謂吳王曰：「吾置王甬東，君百家。」吳王謝曰：「吾老矣，不能事君王！」遂自殺。乃蔽其面，曰：「吾無面以見子胥也！」越王乃葬吳王而誅太宰嚭。

Four years later, Yue again attacked Wu. Wu's officers and people were exhausted and fatigued. The light and sharp troops all died at Qi and Jin. But Yue greatly broke Wu. Therefore they stayed and surrounded it for three years. The Wu troops were defeated. Yue then again perched the Wu king at Gu Su mountain. The Wu king sent Gong Sun Xiong, who bared his flesh and walked on his knees forward, to request peace with the Yue king, saying: 'Orphan minister Fu Chai dares to spread his innermost thoughts. On a different day I once offended at Kui Ji. Fu Chai did not dare to oppose the command and obtained peace with the lord king to return. Now the lord king raises his jade toes to execute the orphan minister. The orphan minister only obeys commands. Perhaps you also desire to pardon the orphan minister's crime like at Kui Ji?' Gou Jian could not endure it and desired to permit it. Fan Li said: 'In the Kui Ji affair, heaven granted Yue to Wu, but Wu did not take it. Now heaven grants Wu to Yue. How can Yue oppose heaven? Moreover, the lord king rises early in the morning and stops late. Is this not for Wu? We have plotted for twenty-two years. To abandon the plan in one morning, is this possible for us? Moreover, if heaven gives and you do not take, you will instead receive its blame. 'When cutting a branch, its pattern is not far.' Has the lord forgotten the shame of Kui Ji? Gou Jian said: 'I desire to listen to your words, but I cannot endure seeing the envoy.' Fan Li then drummed and advanced the troops, saying: 'The king has already entrusted governance to the servants. The envoy must go. If not, then you will moreover get offense.' The Wu envoy wept and departed. Gou Jian pitied him, then sent a person to tell the Wu king, saying: 'I will place the king at Yong east, to rule one hundred families.' The Wu king declined, saying: 'I am old. I cannot serve the lord king!' He then committed suicide. He then covered his face and said: 'I have no face to see Zi Xu in the afterlife!' The Yue king then buried the Wu king and executed Grand Administrator Pi.

句踐已平吳，乃以兵北渡淮，與齊、晉諸侯會於徐州，致貢於周。周元王使人賜句踐胙，命為伯。句踐已去，渡淮南，以淮上地與楚，歸吳所侵宋地於宋，與魯泗東方百里。當是時，越兵橫行於江、淮東，諸侯畢賀，號稱霸王。

Gou Jian had already pacified Wu. He then crossed the Huai north with troops and assembled with the Qi and Jin feudal lords at Xu Zhou, presenting tribute to Zhou. King Yuan of Zhou sent a person to grant Gou Jian blessing meat and commanded him as Bo. Gou Jian had already departed. He crossed south of the Huai, gave the land above the Huai to Chu, returned the land Wu had invaded from Song to Song, and gave Lu a hundred li east of the Si. At this time, Yue troops rampaged east of the Jiang and Huai. All the feudal lords congratulated him. He was named hegemon king.

范蠡遂去，自齊遺大夫種書曰：「蜚鳥盡，良弓藏；狡兔死，走狗烹。越王為人長頸鳥喙，可與共患難，不可與共樂。子何不去？」種見書，稱病不朝。人或讒種且作亂，越王乃賜種劍曰：「子教寡人伐吳七術，寡人用其三而敗吳，其四在子，子為我從先王試之。」種遂自殺。

Fan Li then departed. From Qi he sent grandee Zhong a letter, saying: 'When flying birds are exhausted, the good bow is hidden; When the cunning rabbit is dead, the running dog is cooked. The Yue king as a person has a long neck and bird beak. He can share hardship and difficulty, but cannot share joy. Why do you not go?' Zhong saw the letter and claimed illness without attending court. People slandered Zhong, saying he would moreover cause chaos. The Yue king then granted Zhong a sword, saying: 'You taught me seven strategies to attack Wu. I used three of them and defeated Wu. The four remain in you. You should follow the former king and try them for me.' Zhong then committed suicide.

句踐卒，子王鼫與立。王鼫與卒，子王不壽立。王不壽卒，子王翁立。王翁卒，子王翳立。王翳卒，子王之侯立。王之侯卒，子王無彊立。

Gou Jian died. His son Wang Shu Yu was established. Wang Shu Yu died. His son Wang Bu Shou was established. Wang Bu Shou died. His son Wang Weng was established. Wang Weng died. His son Wang Yi was established. Wang Yi died. His son Wang Zhi Hou was established. Wang Zhi Hou died. His son Wang Wu Qiang was established.

王無彊時，越興師北伐齊，西伐楚，與中國爭彊。當楚威王之時，越北伐齊，齊威王使人說越王曰：「越不伐楚，大不王，小不伯。圖越之所為不伐楚者，為不得晉也。韓、魏固不攻楚。韓之攻楚，覆其軍，殺其將，則葉、陽翟危；魏亦覆其軍，殺其將，則陳、上蔡不安。故二晉之事越也，不至於覆軍殺將，馬汗之力不效。所重於得晉者何也？」越王曰：「所求於晉者，不至頓刃接兵，而況于攻城圍邑乎？願魏以聚大梁之下，願齊之試兵南陽莒地，以聚常、郯之境，則方城之外不南，淮、泗之閒不東，商、於、析、酈、宗胡之地，夏路以左，不足以備秦，江南、泗上不足以待越矣。則齊、秦、韓、魏得志於楚也，是二晉不戰分地，不耕而穫之。不此之為，而頓刃於河山之閒以為齊秦用，所待者如此其失計，柰何其以此王也！」齊使者曰：「幸也越之不亡也！吾不貴其用智之如目，見豪毛而不見其睫也。今王知晉之失計，而不自知越之過，是目論也。王所待於晉者，非有馬汗之力也，又非可與合軍連和也，將待之以分楚眾也。今楚眾已分，何待於晉？」越王曰：「柰何？」曰：「楚三大夫張九軍，北圍曲沃、於中，以至無假之關者三千七百里，景翠之軍北聚魯、齊、南陽，分有大此者乎？且王之所求者，鬬晉楚也；晉楚不鬬，越兵不起，是知二五而不知十也。此時不攻楚，臣以是知越大不王，小不伯。復讎、龐、長沙，楚之粟也；竟澤陵，楚之材也。越窺兵通無假之關，此四邑者不上貢事於郢矣。臣聞之，圖王不王，其敝可以伯。然而不伯者，王道失也。故願大王之轉攻楚也。」

During Wang Wu Qiang's time, Yue raised troops to attack Qi in the north and Chu in the west, contending for strength with the Central Plains. At the time of King Wei of Chu, Yue attacked Qi in the north. King Wei of Qi sent a person to persuade the Yue king, saying: 'If Yue does not attack Chu, it will not be great as king or small as bo. Consider what Yue does by not attacking Chu—it is because it cannot obtain the state of Jin. Han and Wei certainly will not attack Chu. If Han attacks Chu, overturns its army, and kills its general, then the cities of Ye and Yang Di will be in danger; If Wei also overturns its army and kills its general, then the cities of Chen and Shang Cai will not be peaceful. Therefore the two Jin serving Yue will not reach the point of overturning armies and killing generals. The effort of horse sweat will not be effective. What is the value in obtaining Jin?' The Yue king said: 'What we seek from Jin does not reach the point of clashing blades and connecting troops. How much less attacking cities and surrounding towns? I wish Wei to gather below Da Liang. I wish Qi to test troops in Nan Yang and Ju lands to gather at the Chang and Tan borders. Then outside Fang Cheng will not go south. Between Huai and Si will not go east. The lands of Shang, Yu, Xi, Li, and Zong Hu, left of the Xia road, will not be sufficient to prepare for Qin. Jiang Nan and Si Shang will not be sufficient to await Yue. Then Qi, Qin, Han, and Wei will obtain their ambitions at Chu. This is the two Jin dividing land without battle, harvesting without plowing. If you do not do this, but instead clash blades between the rivers and mountains to be used by Qi and Qin, what you await is thus a mistaken plan. How can you use this to be king!' The Qi envoy said: 'It is fortunate that Yue has not perished! I do not value its use of wisdom like the eyes that see fine hairs but do not see their own eyelashes. Now the king knows Jin's mistaken plan, but does not know Yue's own excess. This is eye discussion. What the king awaits from Jin is not horse sweat strength, nor can it combine armies and connect in harmony. He will await using it to divide Chu's masses. Now that Chu's masses are already divided, what do you await from Jin?' The Yue king said: 'What is to be done?' He said: 'Chu's three grandees spread nine armies. In the north they surround Qu Wo and Yu Zhong, reaching to the Wu Jia pass for three thousand seven hundred li. Jing Cui's army gathers in the north at Lu, Qi, and Nan Yang. Is there a division larger than this? Moreover, what the king seeks is to make Jin and Chu fight; If Jin and Chu do not fight, the Yue troops will not rise. This is knowing two and five but not knowing ten. If at this time Chu is not attacked, the minister knows Yue will not be great as king or small as bo. Fu Qiu, Pang, and Chang Sha are Chu's grain; Jing Ze Ling is Chu's timber. If Yue's spy troops connect to the Wu Jia pass, these four cities will not pay tribute and serve Ying. I have heard that if one plans to be king but does not become king, the damage can still be bo. However, not being bo means the way of the king is lost. Therefore I wish the great king to turn and attack Chu.'

於是越遂釋齊而伐楚。楚威王興兵而伐之，大敗越，殺王無彊，盡取笔吳地至浙江，北破齊於徐州。而越以此散，諸族子爭立，或為王，或為君，濱於江南海上，服朝於楚。

Thereupon Yue then released Qi and attacked Chu. King Wei of Chu raised troops and attacked it. He greatly defeated Yue, killed Wang Wu Qiang, took all the Bi Wu lands to Zhe Jiang, and broke Qi in the north at Xu Zhou. But Yue scattered with this. The various clan sons contended to establish themselves, some as king, some as jun. They bordered the Jiang Nan seashore and submitted to court Chu.

後七世，至閩君搖，佐諸侯平秦。漢高帝復以搖為越王，以奉越後。東越，閩君，皆其後也。

After seven generations, it reached Min Jun Yao, who assisted the feudal lords to pacify Qin. Emperor Gao of Han again made Yao the Yue king to serve the Yue descendants. East Yue and Min Jun are all their descendants.

范蠡事越王句踐，既苦身力，與句踐深謀二十餘年，竟滅吳，報會稽之恥，北渡兵於淮以臨齊、晉，號令中國，以尊周室，句踐以霸，而范蠡稱上將軍。還反國，范蠡以為大名之下，難以久居，且句踐為人可與同患，難與處安，為書辭句踐曰：「臣聞主憂臣勞，主辱臣死。昔者君王辱於會稽，所以不死，為此事也。今既以雪恥，臣請從會稽之誅。」句踐曰：「孤將與子分國而有之。不然，將加誅于子。」范蠡曰：「君行令，臣行意。」乃裝其輕寶珠玉，自與其私徒屬乘舟浮海以行，終不反。於是句踐表會稽山以為范蠡奉邑。

Fan Li served King Gou Jian of Yue. He already tormented his body and strength, deeply planned with Gou Jian for more than twenty years, finally extinguished Wu, repaid the Kui Ji shame, crossed troops north at the Huai to face Qi and Jin, commanded the Central Plains to honor the Zhou chamber. Gou Jian achieved hegemony, and Fan Li was called the upper general. After returning to the country, Fan Li thought that under a great name it is difficult to long reside. Moreover, Gou Jian as a person can share hardship, but it is difficult to dwell in peace with him. He made a letter to resign from Gou Jian, saying: 'I have heard that when the lord worries, the minister toils. When the lord is humiliated, the minister dies. Formerly the lord king was humiliated at Kui Ji. The reason I did not die was for this affair. Now that the shame has already been avenged, the minister requests to follow the execution of Kui Ji.' Gou Jian said: 'I will divide the state with you and possess it together. If not so, I will add execution to you.' Fan Li said: 'The lord executes commands, and the minister executes intentions.' He then packed his light treasures of pearls and jade, and himself with his private followers rode a boat and floated on the sea to go. He finally did not return. Thereupon Gou Jian inscribed Kui Ji mountain as Fan Li's service city.

范蠡浮海出齊，變姓名，自謂鴟夷子皮，耕于海畔，苦身戮力，父子治產。居無幾何，致產數十萬。齊人聞其賢，以為相。范蠡喟然嘆曰：「居家則致千金，居官則至卿相，此布衣之極也。久受尊名，不祥。」乃歸相印，盡散其財，以分與知友鄉黨，而懷其重寶，閒行以去，止于陶，以為此天下之中，交易有無之路通，為生可以致富矣。於是自謂陶朱公。復約要父子耕畜，廢居，候時轉物，逐什一之利。居無何，則致貲累巨萬。天下稱陶朱公。

Fan Li floated on the sea and exited to Qi. He changed his name and called himself Chi Yi Zi Pi. He farmed at the seashore, tormented his body and exerted strength. Father and son managed property. He resided not long before obtaining property of several tens of thousands. The Qi people heard of his worth and made him prime minister. Fan Li sighed and said: 'To reside at home then obtain a thousand gold, to reside in office then reach minister and chancellor—this is the extreme for a commoner. To long receive an honored name is not auspicious.' He then returned the prime minister seal and completely scattered his wealth to divide with known friends and village parties. But he carried his heavy treasures and secretly went away, stopping at Tao. He thought this was the world's center where trade and commerce roads connected, and doing business could make one rich. Thereupon he called himself Tao Zhu Gong. He again made an agreement with father and son to farm livestock and empty the residence, await the time to circulate goods, and pursue ten percent profit. He resided not long before obtaining wealth that accumulated to great tens of thousands. The world called him Tao Zhu Gong.

朱公居陶，生少子。少子及壯，而朱公中男殺人，囚於楚。朱公曰：「殺人而死，職也。然吾聞千金之子不死於市。」告其少子往視之。乃裝黃金千溢，置褐器中，載以一牛車。且遣其少子，朱公長男固請欲行，朱公不聽。長男曰：「家有長子曰家督，今弟有罪，大人不遣，乃遺少弟，是吾不肖。」欲自殺。其母為言曰：「今遣少子，未必能生中子也，而先空亡長男，柰何？」朱公不得已而遣長子，為一封書遺故所善莊生。曰：「至則進千金于莊生所，聽其所為，慎無與爭事。」長男既行，亦自私齎數百金。

Zhu Gong resided in Tao and had a young son. The young son reached adulthood, but Zhu Gong's middle son killed a person and was imprisoned in Chu. Zhu Gong said: 'To kill a person and die is duty. However, I have heard that the son of a thousand gold does not die at the market.' He told his young son to go see him. He then packed a thousand yi of yellow gold, placed it in a coarse vessel, and loaded it with one ox cart. He moreover sent his young son. However, Zhu Gong's eldest son firmly requested to go, but Zhu Gong did not listen to the request. The eldest son said: 'The family has an eldest son called the family supervisor. Now my younger brother has a crime. The great person does not send me, but instead sends the young brother. This shows I am unworthy.' He desired to commit suicide. His mother spoke for him, saying: 'Now if we send the young son, we may not be able to save the middle son, but we will first vainly lose the eldest son. What is to be done?' Zhu Gong had no choice but to send the eldest son. He made one sealed letter to send to his former friend Zhuang Sheng. He said: 'When you arrive, advance a thousand gold at Zhuang Sheng's place. Listen to what he does, and be careful not to contend with him over affairs.' The eldest son already went. He also privately carried several hundred gold himself.

至楚，莊生家負郭，披藜藋到門，居甚貧。然長男發書進千金，如其父言。莊生曰：「可疾去矣，慎毋留！即弟出，勿問所以然。」長男既去，不過莊生而私留，以其私齎獻遺楚國貴人用事者。

He arrived in Chu. Zhuang Sheng's home backed the outer wall. He brushed through thorns and thistles to the door. He resided very poorly. However, the eldest son opened the letter and advanced a thousand gold, as his father said. Zhuang Sheng said: 'You can quickly go. Be careful not to stay! When your younger brother is released, do not ask the reason.' The eldest son already went. He did not pass Zhuang Sheng but privately stayed, offering and presenting what he privately carried to the Chu state's nobles who handled affairs.

莊生雖居窮閻，然以廉直聞於國，自楚王以下皆師尊之。及朱公進金，非有意受也，欲以成事後復歸之以為信耳。故金至，謂其婦曰：「此朱公之金。有如病不宿誡，後復歸，勿動。」而朱公長男不知其意，以為殊無短長也。

Zhuang Sheng though resided in a poor alley, however he was heard in the state for incorruptibility and straightness. From the Chu king below, all honored him as teacher. When Zhu Gong advanced the gold, he did not intentionally receive it. He desired to complete the affairs and then return it as a sign of trust. Therefore when the gold arrived, he told his wife, saying: 'This is Zhu Gong's gold. If it is like an illness not cured overnight, I will later return it again. Do not move it.' But Zhu Gong's eldest son did not know his intention. He thought there was especially no advantage in the matter.

莊生閒時入見楚王，言「某星宿某，此則害於楚」。楚王素信莊生，曰：「今為柰何？」莊生曰：「獨以德為可以除之。」楚王曰：「生休矣，寡人將行之。」王乃使使者封三錢之府。楚貴人驚告朱公長男曰：「王且赦。」曰：「何以也？」曰：「每王且赦，常封三錢之府。昨暮王使使封之。」朱公長男以為赦，弟固當出也，重千金虛棄莊生，無所為也，乃復見莊生。莊生驚曰：「若不去邪？」長男曰：「固未也。初為事弟，弟今議自赦，故辭生去。」莊生知其意欲復得其金，曰：「若自入室取金。」長男即自入室取金持去，獨自歡幸。

Zhuang Sheng in his leisure time entered and saw the Chu king, speaking: 'A certain star lodges in a certain place. This then harms Chu.' The Chu king usually trusted Zhuang Sheng and said: 'Now what is to be done?' Zhuang Sheng said: 'Only with virtue can one remove it.' The Chu king said: 'Sheng, rest. I will carry it out.' The king then sent an envoy to seal the three money treasuries. The Chu nobles were alarmed and told Zhu Gong's eldest son, saying: 'The king is about to pardon.' He said: 'Why is this?' He said: 'Whenever the king is about to pardon, he always seals the three money treasuries. Last evening the king sent an envoy and sealed them.' Zhu Gong's eldest son thought it was a pardon. His younger brother certainly should be released. He valued the thousand gold and had vainly abandoned Zhuang Sheng. There was no purpose in it. He then again saw Zhuang Sheng. Zhuang Sheng was startled and said: 'Have you not gone?' The eldest son said: 'Certainly not yet. Initially I came for the affair of my younger brother. My younger brother is now perhaps self-pardoned. Therefore I bid farewell to Sheng and depart.' Zhuang Sheng knew his intention was to again obtain his gold and said: 'You yourself enter the room and take the gold.' The eldest son immediately himself entered the room, took the gold, and departed holding it. He alone rejoiced in his good fortune.

莊生羞為兒子所賣，乃入見楚王曰：「臣前言某星事，王言欲以修德報之。今臣出，道路皆言陶之富人朱公之子殺人囚楚，其家多持金錢賂王左右，故王非能恤楚國而赦，乃以朱公子故也。」楚王大怒曰：「寡人雖不德耳，柰何以朱公之子故而施惠乎！」令論殺朱公子，明日遂下赦令。朱公長男竟持其弟喪歸。

Zhuang Sheng was ashamed for being sold out by the son. He then entered and saw the Chu king, saying: 'Your minister previously spoke of a certain star affair. The king said he desired to cultivate virtue in response to it. Now when your minister went out, the roads all say that the rich person of Tao, Zhu Gong's son, killed a person and was imprisoned in Chu. His family held much gold and money and bribed the king's attendants. Therefore the king was not able to sympathize with the Chu state and pardon, but did so because of Zhu Gong's son.' The Chu king was greatly angered and said: 'I am though not virtuous, but how can I apply favor because of Zhu Gong's son!' He commanded that Zhu Gong's son be judged and killed. The next day he then issued a pardon order. Zhu Gong's eldest son finally held his younger brother's funeral and returned.

至，其母及邑人盡哀之，唯朱公獨笑，曰：「吾固知必殺其弟也！彼非不愛其弟，顧有所不能忍者也。是少與我俱，見苦，為生難，故重棄財。至如少弟者，生而見我富，乘堅驅良逐狡兔，豈知財所從來，故輕棄之，非所惜吝。前日吾所為欲遣少子，固為其能棄財故也。而長者不能，故卒以殺其弟，事之理也，無足悲者。吾日夜固以望其喪之來也。」

When he arrived, his mother and the city people all grieved for him. Only Zhu Gong alone laughed and said: 'I certainly knew he would kill his younger brother! It is not that he did not love his younger brother, but there was something in the matter that he could not endure. When he was young he was with me. He saw the hardship and that living was difficult. Therefore he valued abandoning wealth. As for the young younger brother, he was born seeing me rich, riding firm carriages and driving good horses to pursue cunning rabbits. How did he know where wealth came from? Therefore he lightly abandoned it. It was not what he cherished and was stingy about. The previous days what I did in desiring to send the young son was certainly because of his ability to abandon wealth. But the elder was not able. Therefore he finally killed his younger brother. It is the principle of affairs. There is nothing worth grieving. I day and night certainly expected his funeral to come.'

故范蠡三徙，成名於天下，非茍去而已，所止必成名。卒老死于陶，故世傳曰陶朱公。

Therefore Fan Li in three moves achieved fame in the world. He did not casually depart only. Wherever he stopped he certainly achieved fame. He finally aged and died in Tao. Therefore the world transmitted the name Tao Zhu Gong.

太史公曰：禹之功大矣，漸九川，定九州，至于今諸夏艾安。及苗裔句踐，苦身焦思，終滅彊吳，北觀兵中國，以尊周室，號稱霸王。句踐可不謂賢哉！蓋有禹之遺烈焉。范蠡三遷皆有榮名，名垂後世。臣主若此，欲毋顯得乎！

The Grand Historian said: Yu's merit was great. He regulated the nine rivers and settled the nine provinces. Until now the various Xia are peaceful. And the descendant Gou Jian tormented his body with worried thoughts. He finally extinguished strong Wu, displayed troops north in the Central Plains, honored the Zhou chamber, and was named hegemon king. Can Gou Jian not be called worthy! Indeed he has Yu's remaining illustrious deeds. Fan Li's three moves all had glorious names. His name hung for later generations. When minister and lord are like this, how can one desire not to manifest and obtain!

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