1
陳完者，陳厲公他之子也。 完生，周太史過陳，陳厲公使卜完，卦得觀之否：「是為觀國之光，利用賓于王。 此其代陳有國乎？ 不在此而在異國乎？ 非此其身也，在其子孫。 若在異國，必姜姓。 姜姓，四嶽之後。 物莫能兩大，陳衰，此其昌乎？」
Chen Wan was the son of Duke Li of Chen, whose personal name was Ta. When Wan was born, the Grand Astrologer of Zhou happened to pass through the state of Chen. Duke Li had him cast a divination for the child. The hexagram obtained was Guan changing to Pi, and the reading declared: 'This signifies one who shall observe the glory of a state, and it is auspicious for him to serve as a guest of a king.' Could it be that his line will one day supplant Chen and possess a state of its own? Yet perhaps not in this state, but in a foreign land? It will not come to pass in his own lifetime, but through his descendants. If it is to be in a foreign state, then it must be one ruled by the Jiang clan. The Jiang are descendants of the Four Peaks. Nothing in this world can sustain two great powers at once — when Chen declines, his line shall surely flourish."
2
厲公者，陳文公少子也，其母蔡女。 文公卒，厲公兄鮑立，是為桓公。 桓公與他異母。 及桓公病，蔡人為他殺桓公鮑及太子免而立他，為厲公。 厲公既立，娶蔡女。 蔡女淫於蔡人，數歸，厲公亦數如蔡。 桓公之少子林怨厲公殺其父與兄，乃令蔡人誘厲公而殺之。 林自立，是為莊公。 故陳完不得立，為陳大夫。 厲公之殺，以淫出國，故《春秋》曰「蔡人殺陳他」，罪之也。
Duke Li was the youngest son of Duke Wen of Chen, and his mother was a woman from the state of Cai. When Duke Wen died, Duke Li's elder brother Bao ascended the throne and became Duke Huan. Duke Huan and Ta were born of different mothers. When Duke Huan fell ill, men of Cai acting on Ta's behalf killed Duke Huan Bao and Crown Prince Mian, then placed Ta on the throne as Duke Li. Once Duke Li was established on the throne, he took a woman of Cai as his wife. The woman of Cai carried on illicit affairs with men of her homeland, often returning to Cai, and Duke Li likewise traveled there frequently. Lin, the youngest son of Duke Huan, harbored deep resentment against Duke Li for the murder of his father and brother, and so he had men of Cai lure Duke Li into a trap and kill him. Lin then installed himself on the throne and became Duke Zhuang. As a result, Chen Wan was unable to claim the throne and served instead as a grandee of Chen. Duke Li was killed because his debauchery led him away from his own state. For this reason, the Spring and Autumn Annals records that 'the men of Cai killed Chen Ta,' placing the blame on him.
3
莊公卒，立弟杵臼，是為宣公。 宣公［二］十一年，殺其太子御寇。 御寇與完相愛，恐禍及己，完故奔齊。 齊桓公欲使為卿，辭曰：「羈旅之臣幸得免負檐，君之惠也，不敢當高位。」 桓公使為工正。 齊懿仲欲妻完，卜之，占曰：「是謂鳳皇于蜚，和鳴鏘鏘。 有媯之後，將育于姜。 五世其昌，并于正卿。 八世之後，莫之與京。」 卒妻完。 完之奔齊，齊桓公立十四年矣。
When Duke Zhuang died, his younger brother Chu Jiu was placed on the throne and became Duke Xuan. In the twenty-first year of Duke Xuan's reign, the duke had his own crown prince, Yu Kou, put to death. Yu Kou and Wan had been close friends, and Wan, fearing that the calamity might engulf him as well, fled to the state of Qi. Duke Huan of Qi wished to appoint him as a minister, but Wan declined, saying: "A wandering exile like myself is fortunate enough simply to be spared the burden of a refugee's life — such is my lord's generosity. I dare not presume to accept so high a position." Duke Huan then appointed him Supervisor of Artisans. Yi Zhong of Qi wished to give his daughter in marriage to Wan and cast a divination on the matter. The oracle declared: "This is the phoenix in flight, its harmonious song ringing clear and bright." A scion of the Gui clan shall be nurtured among the Jiang. Within five generations his line shall flourish, rising to the rank of chief minister. After eight generations, none shall rival their greatness." And so he gave his daughter in marriage to Wan. At the time of Wan's flight to Qi, Duke Huan had already reigned for fourteen years.
4
完卒，謚為敬仲。 仲生稚孟夷。 敬仲之如齊，以陳字為田氏。
When Wan died, he was given the posthumous name Jingzhong. Jingzhong fathered a son named Zhi Meng Yi. When Jingzhong settled in Qi, he adopted the surname Tian, derived from the name Chen.
5
田稚孟夷生湣孟莊，田湣孟莊生文子須無。 田文子事齊莊公。
Tian Zhi Meng Yi fathered Min Meng Zhuang, who in turn fathered Wenzi Xu Wu. Tian Wenzi served Duke Zhuang of Qi.
6
晉之大夫欒逞作亂於晉，來奔齊，齊莊公厚客之。 晏嬰與田文子諫，莊公弗聽。
Luan Cheng, a grandee of Jin, raised a rebellion in his own state and fled to Qi, where Duke Zhuang received him with lavish hospitality. Yan Ying and Tian Wenzi both counseled against this, but Duke Zhuang would not listen.
7
文子卒，生桓子無宇。 田桓子無宇有力，事齊莊公，甚有寵。
When Wenzi died, he was succeeded by his son Huanzi Wu Yu. Tian Huanzi Wu Yu was a man of great strength who served Duke Zhuang of Qi and enjoyed his particular favor.
8
無宇卒，生武子開與釐子乞。 田釐子乞事齊景公為大夫，其收賦稅於民以小斗受之，其（粟）［稟］予民以大斗，行陰德於民，而景公弗禁。 由此田氏得齊眾心，宗族益彊，民思田氏。 晏子數諫景公，景公弗聽。 已而使於晉，與叔向私語曰：「齊國之政卒歸於田氏矣。」
When Wu Yu died, he left behind two sons: Wuzi Kai and Xizi Qi. Tian Xizi Qi served Duke Jing of Qi as a grandee. When he collected taxes from the people, he used a small measure, but when he distributed grain to them, he used a large one. In this way he quietly bestowed favors upon the common people, and Duke Jing did nothing to stop it. Through this the Tian clan won the hearts of the people of Qi. Their kinsmen grew ever more powerful, and the common folk looked to the Tian with gratitude. Yanzi remonstrated with Duke Jing on numerous occasions, but the duke refused to listen. Later, while on a diplomatic mission to Jin, Yanzi confided to Shu Xiang in private: "The government of Qi will inevitably pass into the hands of the Tian clan."
9
晏嬰卒後，范、中行氏反晉。 晉攻之急，范、中行請粟於齊。 田乞欲為亂，樹黨於諸侯，乃說景公曰：「范、中行數有德於齊，齊不可不救。」 齊使田乞救之而輸之粟。
After Yan Ying's death, the Fan and Zhonghang clans rose in rebellion against Jin. Jin pressed its attack upon them with great urgency, and the Fan and Zhonghang clans turned to Qi to request grain. Tian Qi, harboring ambitions of his own, sought to build alliances among the feudal lords. He persuaded Duke Jing by arguing: "The Fan and Zhonghang clans have shown great kindness to Qi on many occasions. We cannot in good conscience refuse to come to their aid." Qi then dispatched Tian Qi to rescue them and supply them with grain.
10
景公太子死，後有寵姬曰芮子，生子荼。 景公病，命其相國惠子與高昭子以子荼為太子。 景公卒，兩相高、國立荼，是為晏孺子。 而田乞不說，欲立景公他子陽生。 陽生素與乞歡。 晏孺子之立也，陽生奔魯。 田乞偽事高昭子、國惠子者，每朝代參乘，言曰：「始諸大夫不欲立孺子。 孺子既立，君相之，大夫皆自危，謀作亂。」 又紿大夫曰：「高昭子可畏也，及未發先之。」 諸大夫從之。 田乞、鮑牧與大夫以兵入公室，攻高昭子。 昭子聞之，與國惠子救公。 公師敗。 田乞之眾追國惠子，惠子奔莒，遂返殺高昭子。 晏（孺子）［圉］奔魯。
Duke Jing's crown prince had died. Among his favored consorts was one called Ruizi, who bore him a son named Tu. When Duke Jing fell gravely ill, he entrusted his ministers Guo Huizi and Gao Zhaozi with the charge of establishing Tu as crown prince. After Duke Jing died, the two ministers of the Gao and Guo clans placed Tu on the throne. He was known as Yan Ruzi. Tian Qi, however, was displeased and wished instead to place Yang Sheng, another of Duke Jing's sons, on the throne. Yang Sheng and Tian Qi had long been on friendly terms. When Yan Ruzi was placed on the throne, Yang Sheng fled to the state of Lu. Tian Qi feigned loyal service to Gao Zhaozi and Guo Huizi, and at every court session, while riding with them in their chariot, he would whisper: "From the very beginning, the grandees were opposed to placing Ruzi on the throne." "Now that Ruzi is on the throne and you serve as his ministers, every grandee fears for his own safety and plots rebellion." He also deceived the grandees, telling them: "Gao Zhaozi is a man to be feared — you must strike before he moves against you." The grandees were persuaded and followed his lead. Tian Qi, Bao Mu, and the grandees then led their armed men into the ducal palace and launched an attack on Gao Zhaozi. When Zhaozi learned of the attack, he and Guo Huizi rushed to defend the duke. The duke's forces were defeated. Tian Qi's men pursued Guo Huizi, who fled to the state of Ju. They then turned back and killed Gao Zhaozi. Yan Yu fled to the state of Lu.
11
田乞使人之魯，迎陽生。 陽生至齊，匿田乞家。 請諸大夫曰：「常之母有魚菽之祭，幸而來會飲。」 會飲田氏。 田乞盛陽生橐中，置坐中央。 發橐，出陽生，曰：「此乃齊君矣。」 大夫皆伏謁。 將盟立之，田乞誣曰：「吾與鮑牧謀共立陽生也。」 鮑牧怒曰：「大夫忘景公之命乎？」 諸大夫欲悔，陽生乃頓首曰：「可則立之，不可則已。」 鮑牧恐禍及己，乃復曰：「皆景公之子，何為不可！」 遂立陽生於田乞之家，是為悼公。 乃使人遷晏孺子於駘，而殺孺子荼。 悼公既立，田乞為相，專齊政。
Tian Qi then sent men to Lu to escort Yang Sheng back. When Yang Sheng arrived in Qi, he was hidden in Tian Qi's household. Tian Qi then invited the grandees, saying: "Chang's mother is holding a sacrificial feast of fish and beans. Would you kindly come and join us for a drink?" The grandees gathered to drink at the Tian residence. Tian Qi had concealed Yang Sheng inside a large sack and placed it in the center of the gathering. He then opened the sack, revealed Yang Sheng, and declared: "Here is the rightful lord of Qi!" All the grandees prostrated themselves in submission. As they prepared to swear an oath of allegiance, Tian Qi falsely declared: "Bao Mu and I planned this together — we jointly resolved to place Yang Sheng on the throne." Bao Mu was furious and exclaimed: "Have the grandees forgotten the dying command of Duke Jing?" The grandees began to waver. Yang Sheng then prostrated himself and said: "If you find it acceptable, make me your lord. If not, let the matter rest." Bao Mu, fearing that the calamity might turn upon himself, relented and said: "They are all sons of Duke Jing — what reason is there to object?" And so Yang Sheng was enthroned at the home of Tian Qi, becoming Duke Dao. They then had Yan Ruzi removed to Tai, where the young lord Tu was put to death. Once Duke Dao was established on the throne, Tian Qi became chief minister and took sole control of the government of Qi.
12
四年，田乞卒，子常代立，是為田成子。
In the fourth year of Duke Dao's reign, Tian Qi died and was succeeded by his son Chang, who became known as Tian Chengzi.
13
鮑牧與齊悼公有郄，弒悼公。 齊人共立其子壬，是為簡公。 田常成子與監止俱為左右相，相簡公。 田常心害監止，監止幸於簡公，權弗能去。 於是田常復修釐子之政，以大斗出貸，以小斗收。 齊人歌之曰：「嫗乎采芑，歸乎田成子！」 齊大夫朝，御鞅諫簡公曰：「田、監不可并也，君其擇焉。」 君弗聽。
Bao Mu fell into a dispute with Duke Dao and assassinated him. The people of Qi then jointly placed the duke's son Ren on the throne, and he became Duke Jian. Tian Chang, styled Chengzi, and Jian Zhi served together as the left and right chief ministers under Duke Jian. Tian Chang secretly wished to do away with Jian Zhi, but Jian Zhi enjoyed Duke Jian's favor, and his influence could not easily be dislodged. Tian Chang therefore revived the policies of his grandfather Xizi, lending grain with a large measure and collecting repayment with a small one. The people of Qi sang about it: "Old woman gathering grain, bring your harvest home to Tian Chengzi!" At court, the grandee Yu Yang admonished Duke Jian: "The Tian and the Jian cannot coexist. My lord must choose between them." But the duke would not listen.
14
子我者，監止之宗人也，常與田氏有卻。 田氏疏族田豹事子我有寵。 子我曰：「吾欲盡滅田氏適，以豹代田氏宗。」 豹曰：「臣於田氏疏矣。」 不聽。 已而豹謂田氏曰：「子我將誅田氏，田氏弗先，禍及矣。」 子我舍公宮，田常兄弟四人乘如公宮，欲殺子我。 子我閉門。 簡公與婦人飲檀臺，將欲擊田常。 太史子餘曰：「田常非敢為亂，將除害。」 簡公乃止。 田常出，聞簡公怒，恐誅，將出亡。 田子行曰：「需，事之賊也。」 田常於是擊子我。 子我率其徒攻田氏，不勝，出亡。 田氏之徒追殺子我及監止。
Zi Wo was a kinsman of Jian Zhi and had long been in conflict with the Tian clan. Tian Bao, a distant kinsman of the Tian clan, served Zi Wo and enjoyed his particular favor. Zi Wo said: "I intend to exterminate the main branch of the Tian clan entirely and install Bao as the head of the Tian family." Bao replied: "I am only a distant relative of the Tian. This would not be proper." But Zi Wo would not heed his objection. Before long, however, Bao went to the Tian clan and warned them: "Zi Wo intends to destroy the Tian. If you do not strike first, ruin will be upon you." Zi Wo was staying in the ducal palace. Tian Chang and three of his brothers rode to the palace, determined to kill him. Zi Wo barred the gates. Duke Jian was drinking with his women at the Tan Terrace and was preparing to strike against Tian Chang. The Grand Scribe Zi Yu interceded, saying: "Tian Chang is not attempting to create disorder — he seeks only to remove a threat." Duke Jian relented and held back. When Tian Chang emerged and learned of Duke Jian's fury, he feared for his life and prepared to flee. Tian Zixing counseled him: "Hesitation is the enemy of action." Tian Chang thereupon launched his attack on Zi Wo. Zi Wo rallied his followers to counterattack the Tian, but he was defeated and forced to flee. The Tian followers pursued and killed both Zi Wo and Jian Zhi.
15
簡公出奔，田氏之徒追執簡公于徐州。 簡公曰：「蚤從御鞅之言，不及此難。」 田氏之徒恐簡公復立而誅己，遂殺簡公。 簡公立四年而殺。 於是田常立簡公弟驁，是為平公。 平公即位，田常為相。
Duke Jian attempted to flee, but the Tian followers pursued and captured him at Xuzhou. Duke Jian lamented: "Had I heeded Yu Yang's counsel sooner, I would never have come to this." Fearing that Duke Jian might be restored to power and take vengeance upon them, the Tian followers put him to death. Duke Jian had reigned for four years when he was killed. Tian Chang then placed Duke Jian's younger brother Ao on the throne, and he became Duke Ping. With Duke Ping on the throne, Tian Chang served as chief minister.
16
田常既殺簡公，懼諸侯共誅己，乃盡歸魯、衛侵地，西約晉、韓、魏、趙氏，南通吳、越之使，修功行賞，親於百姓，以故齊復定。
Having killed Duke Jian, Tian Chang feared that the feudal lords would unite to punish him. He therefore returned all the territories that had been seized from Lu and Wei, forged western alliances with the houses of Jin, Han, Wei, and Zhao, and opened diplomatic ties with Wu and Yue to the south. He rewarded merit generously and cultivated the goodwill of the common people. Through these measures, the state of Qi was once again brought to order.
17
田常言於齊平公曰：「德施人之所欲，君其行之； 刑罰人之所惡，臣請行之。」 行之五年，齊國之政皆歸田常。 田常於是盡誅鮑、晏、監止及公族之彊者，而割齊自安平以東至瑯邪，自為封邑。 封邑大於平公之所食。
Tian Chang addressed Duke Ping, saying: "Acts of virtue and benevolence are what the people desire — let my lord bestow them." "Punishments and penalties are what the people abhor — let your servant carry those out." After five years of this arrangement, the entire governance of Qi had fallen into the hands of Tian Chang. Tian Chang then exterminated the Bao, Yan, and Jian Zhi clans along with every powerful member of the ducal house, and carved out the territory from Anping eastward to Langya as his personal fief. His fief was larger than the domain held by Duke Ping himself.
18
田常乃選齊國中女子長七尺以上為後宮，後宮以百數，而使賓客舍人出入後宮者不禁。 及田常卒，有七十餘男。
Tian Chang then selected women from across Qi who stood seven feet or taller to fill his harem, which numbered in the hundreds. He permitted his guests and retainers to come and go freely in the inner chambers without restriction. By the time of Tian Chang's death, he had fathered more than seventy sons.
19
田常卒，子襄子盤代立，相齊。 常謚為成子。
When Tian Chang died, his son Xiangzi Pan succeeded him and served as chief minister of Qi. Tian Chang was given the posthumous name Chengzi.
20
田襄子既相齊宣公，三晉殺知伯，分其地。 襄子使其兄弟宗人盡為齊都邑大夫，與三晉通使，且以有齊國。
While Tian Xiangzi served as chief minister under Duke Xuan of Qi, the Three Houses of Jin killed Zhi Bo and divided his lands among themselves. Xiangzi installed his brothers and kinsmen as grandees governing every major city in Qi, exchanged envoys with the Three Jin states, and steadily moved toward seizing the state of Qi for his own house.
21
襄子卒，子莊子白立。 田莊子相齊宣公。 宣公四十三年，伐晉，毀黃城，圍陽狐。 明年，伐魯、葛及安陵。 明年，取魯之一城。
When Xiangzi died, he was succeeded by his son Zhuangzi Bai. Tian Zhuangzi served as chief minister under Duke Xuan of Qi. In the forty-third year of Duke Xuan's reign, Qi attacked Jin, destroyed the city of Huang, and laid siege to Yanghu. The following year, they attacked Lu and the towns of Ge and Anling. The year after that, they captured a city from Lu.
22
莊子卒，子太公和立。 田太公相齊宣公。 宣公四十八年，取魯之城。 明年，宣公與鄭人會西城。 伐衛，取毋丘。 宣公五十一年卒，田會自廩丘反。
When Zhuangzi died, his son Tai Gong He succeeded him. Tian Tai Gong served as chief minister under Duke Xuan of Qi. In the forty-eighth year of Duke Xuan's reign, they captured another city from Lu. The following year, Duke Xuan met with envoys from Zheng at Xicheng. They attacked Wei and captured Wuqiu. In the fifty-first year of his reign, Duke Xuan died. Tian Hui raised a rebellion from Linqiu.
23
宣公卒，子康公貸立。 貸立十四年，淫於酒婦人，不聽政。 太公乃遷康公於海上，食一城，以奉其先祀。 明年，魯敗齊平陸。
After Duke Xuan's death, his son Duke Kang, named Dai, succeeded to the throne. After fourteen years on the throne, Duke Kang had given himself over to wine and women and no longer attended to affairs of state. Tai Gong therefore removed Duke Kang to the seashore and granted him a single city for the maintenance of his ancestral sacrifices. The following year, Lu defeated Qi at Pinglu.
24
齊侯太公和立二年，和卒，子桓公午立。 桓公午五年，秦、魏攻韓，韓求救於齊。 齊桓公召大臣而謀曰：「蚤救之孰與晚救之？」 騶忌曰：「不若勿救。」 段干朋曰：「不救，則韓且折而入於魏，不若救之。」 田臣思曰：「過矣君之謀也！ 秦、魏攻韓、楚，趙必救之，是天以燕予齊也。」 桓公曰：「善」。 乃陰告韓使者而遣之。 韓自以為得齊之救，因與秦、魏戰。 楚、趙聞之，果起兵而救之。 齊因起兵襲燕國，取桑丘。
After Marquis Tai Gong He of Qi had reigned for two years, he died. His son Duke Huan, named Wu, succeeded him. In the fifth year of Duke Huan's reign, Qin and Wei attacked Han. Han turned to Qi for help. Duke Huan of Qi summoned his ministers to deliberate: "Is it better to come to their aid sooner or later?" Zou Ji said: "It would be better not to rescue them at all." Duan Gan Peng countered: "If we do not rescue them, Han will be broken and absorbed into Wei. Better to come to their aid." Tian Chensi spoke up: "My lord, your deliberations have missed the true opportunity! When Qin and Wei are attacking Han and Chu, Zhao will surely rush to their rescue — this is Heaven handing Yan to Qi on a platter." Duke Huan said: "Excellent." He then secretly assured the envoy from Han and sent him on his way. Han, believing that Qi would come to its rescue, committed itself to battle against Qin and Wei. When Chu and Zhao learned of the fighting, they indeed raised their armies and went to the rescue. Qi seized the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Yan and captured Sangqiu.
25
六年，救衛。 桓公卒，子威王因齊立。 是歲，故齊康公卒，絕無後，奉邑皆入田氏。
In the sixth year, Qi went to the rescue of Wei. Duke Huan died and was succeeded by his son, who became King Wei of Qi. That same year, the former Duke Kang of the old Qi ruling house died without an heir, and his sustenance fief reverted entirely to the Tian clan.
26
騶忌子以鼓琴見威王，威王說而捨之右室。 須臾，王鼓琴，騶忌子推戶入曰：「善哉鼓琴！」 王勃然不說，去琴按劍曰：「夫子見容未察，何以知其善也？」 騶忌子曰：「夫大弦濁以春溫者，君也； 小弦廉折以清者，相也； 攫之深，醳之愉者，政令也； 鈞諧以鳴，大小相益，回邪而不相害者，四時也：吾是以知其善也。」 王曰：「善語音。」 騶忌子曰：「何獨語音，夫治國家而弭人民皆在其中。」 王又勃然不說曰：「若夫語五音之紀，信未有如夫子者也。 若夫治國家而弭人民，又何為乎絲桐之閒？」 騶忌子曰：「夫大弦濁以春溫者，君也； 小弦廉折以清者，相也； 攫之深而捨之愉者，政令也； 鈞諧以鳴，大小相益，回邪而不相害者，四時也。 夫復而不亂者，所以治昌也； 連而徑者，所以存亡也：故曰琴音調而天下治。 夫治國家而弭人民者，無若乎五音者。」 王曰：「善。」
Zou Ji gained an audience with King Wei by performing on the zither. The king was delighted and lodged him in the right chamber of the palace. Before long, the king began to play the zither. Zou Ji pushed open the door, strode in, and exclaimed: "What magnificent playing!" The king bristled with displeasure. He set aside the zither, placed his hand upon his sword, and demanded: "Sir, you have barely entered and hardly observed — how can you possibly know that it was good?" Zou Ji replied: "The deep tones of the thick strings, warm as spring — those represent the sovereign." "The thin strings, crisp and clear in their turning — those represent the chief minister." "The deep pluck and the easy release — those represent the edicts of governance." "When the tones are balanced and harmonious, the deep and the high complementing each other, the irregular notes flowing without disruption — that represents the four seasons. This is how I knew your playing was excellent." The king said: "You have a fine way of speaking about music." Zou Ji responded: "Why limit this to music alone? The art of governing the state and bringing peace to the people is contained entirely within these same principles." The king again grew irritated and said: "When it comes to discoursing on the principles of the five tones, I grant there is none to match you." "But as for governing the state and pacifying the people — what has that to do with silk strings and paulownia wood?" Zou Ji answered: "The thick strings, deep and warm as spring, represent the sovereign." "The thin strings, sharp and clear, represent the chief minister." "Plucking deeply and releasing with easy grace — that represents governance." "When the tones are balanced and harmonious, the deep and the high complementing each other, the irregular notes flowing without conflict — that represents the four seasons." "When a melody repeats without falling into disorder, that is what brings about good governance and prosperity." "When phrases flow seamlessly and reach their resolution, that is what preserves the state from ruin. Hence the saying: when the zither is in tune, all under Heaven is well governed." "For the art of governing the state and bringing peace to the people, there is no better model than the five tones." The king said: "Excellent."
27
騶忌子見三月而受相印。 淳于髡見之曰：「善說哉！ 髡有愚志，願陳諸前。」 騶忌子曰：「謹受教。」 淳于髡曰：「得全全昌，失全全亡。」 騶忌子曰：「謹受令，請謹毋離前。」 淳于髡曰：「狶膏棘軸，所以為滑也，然而不能運方穿。」 騶忌子曰：「謹受令，請謹事左右。」 淳于髡曰：「弓膠昔干，所以為合也，然而不能傅合疏罅。」 騶忌子曰：「謹受令，請謹自附於萬民。」 淳于髡曰：「狐裘雖敝，不可補以黃狗之皮。」 騶忌子曰：「謹受令，請謹擇君子，毋雜小人其閒。」 淳于髡曰：「大車不較，不能載其常任； 琴瑟不較，不能成其五音。」 騶忌子曰：「謹受令，請謹修法律而督姦吏。」 淳于髡說畢，趨出，至門，而面其仆曰：「是人者，吾語之微言五，其應我若響之應聲，是人必封不久矣。」 居朞，封以下邳，號曰成侯。
Within three months of his first audience, Zou Ji received the seal of chief minister. Chunyu Kun called upon him and said: "What a masterful persuader you are! I have a few humble observations that I would like to set before you." Zou Ji replied: "I respectfully await your instruction." Chunyu Kun said: "Preserve what is whole, and all shall prosper; lose what is whole, and all shall perish." Zou Ji replied: "I accept your counsel. I shall take care never to stray from the sovereign's side." Chunyu Kun continued: "Pig grease on a jujube axle makes it smooth, yet even so it cannot force a square peg through a round hole." Zou Ji replied: "I accept your counsel. I shall take care to cultivate good relations with those close to the throne." Chunyu Kun said: "Bow glue bonds wood together, yet even it cannot seal wide gaps." Zou Ji replied: "I accept your counsel. I shall take care to stay close to the common people." Chunyu Kun said: "Even when a fox-fur robe is worn through, one must not patch it with the hide of a yellow dog." Zou Ji replied: "I accept your counsel. I shall take care to select men of virtue and never allow petty men to be mixed among them." Chunyu Kun said: "If a great cart is not properly adjusted, it cannot bear its usual load." "If a zither and a lute are not properly tuned, they cannot produce the five tones." Zou Ji replied: "I accept your counsel. I shall take care to uphold the laws and root out corrupt officials." When Chunyu Kun had finished, he strode briskly out. At the gate he turned to his attendant and said: "I tested that man with five veiled sayings, and his answers matched mine as perfectly as echoes follow sound. Mark my words — he will be enfeoffed before long." Within a year, Zou Ji was enfeoffed at Xiapi and granted the title Marquis Cheng.
28
威王二十三年，與趙王會平陸。 二十四年，與魏王會田於郊。 魏王問曰：「王亦有寶乎？」 威王曰：「無有。」 梁王曰：「若寡人國小也，尚有徑寸之珠照車前後各十二乘者十枚，奈何以萬乘之國而無寶乎？」 威王曰：「寡人之所以為寶與王異。 吾臣有檀子者，使守南城，則楚人不敢為寇東取，泗上十二諸侯皆來朝。 吾臣有子者，使守高唐，則趙人不敢東漁於河。 吾吏有黔夫者，使守徐州，則燕人祭北門，趙人祭西門，徙而從者七千餘家。 吾臣有種首者，使備盜賊，則道不拾遺。 將以照千里，豈特十二乘哉！」 梁惠王慚，不懌而去。
In the twenty-third year of King Wei's reign, he met with the King of Zhao at Pinglu. In the twenty-fourth year, he met with the King of Wei for a hunt in the countryside. The King of Wei asked: "Does Your Majesty also possess treasures?" King Wei replied: "I have none." The King of Liang said: "Even a small state such as mine possesses ten pearls, each an inch across, whose radiance lights up twelve chariots fore and aft. How is it possible that a state of ten thousand chariots has no treasures?" King Wei replied: "What I regard as treasures is quite different from what Your Majesty has in mind." "Among my ministers there is one called Tanzi. I stationed him to guard Nancheng, and since then the men of Chu have not dared to raid our eastern border. The twelve lords along the Si River all come to pay us court." "Another of my ministers is Panzi. I stationed him to guard Gaotang, and since then the men of Zhao have not dared to fish the eastern stretches of the Yellow River." "I have an official named Qian Fu who guards Xuzhou. Under his watch, the people of Yan pray for protection at the north gate and the people of Zhao at the west gate. More than seven thousand households have relocated to live under his administration." "And I have a minister named Zhong Shou, whom I charged with preventing banditry. Under his watch, no one on the roads dares pick up what is left behind." "These treasures of mine illuminate a thousand li. How can they be compared to merely lighting twelve chariots?" King Hui of Liang was left speechless with shame. He departed in ill humor.
29
二十六年，魏惠王圍邯鄲，趙求救於齊。 齊威王召大臣而謀曰：「救趙孰與勿救？」 騶忌子曰：「不如勿救。」 段干朋曰：「不救則不義，且不利。」 威王曰：「何也？」 對曰：「夫魏氏并邯鄲，其於齊何利哉？ 且夫救趙而軍其郊，是趙不伐而魏全也。 故不如南攻襄陵以獘魏，邯鄲拔而乘魏之獘。」 威王從其計。
In the twenty-sixth year, King Hui of Wei laid siege to Handan, and Zhao turned to Qi for help. King Wei of Qi summoned his ministers to deliberate: "Shall we rescue Zhao, or not?" Zou Ji said: "It would be better not to rescue them." Duan Gan Peng countered: "Not to rescue them would be both unjust and contrary to our interests." King Wei asked: "How so?" Duan Gan Peng replied: "If Wei annexes Handan, what benefit would that bring to Qi? Furthermore, if we rescue Zhao but merely station our army at its borders, then Zhao is spared the attack but Wei emerges unscathed. Better to attack Xiangling in the south to weaken Wei, and then, once Handan has fallen, exploit Wei's exhaustion." King Wei adopted his strategy.
30
其後成侯騶忌與田忌不善，公孫閱謂成侯忌曰：「公何不謀伐魏，田忌必將。 戰勝有功，則公之謀中也； 戰不勝，非前死則後北，而命在公矣。」 於是成侯言威王，使田忌南攻襄陵。 十月，邯鄲拔，齊因起兵擊魏，大敗之桂陵。 于是齊最彊于諸侯，自稱為王，以令天下。
Later, Marquis Cheng Zou Ji fell into rivalry with Tian Ji. Gongsun Yue counseled Marquis Cheng: "Why not propose an attack on Wei? Tian Ji will certainly be appointed to lead the campaign." "If he wins the battle and earns merit, your plan will be credited for the success." "If he loses, he will either die on the front line or be disgraced by retreat, and his fate will be in your hands." Marquis Cheng accordingly spoke to King Wei, who then dispatched Tian Ji to attack Xiangling in the south. In the tenth month, Handan fell. Qi then launched its forces against Wei and dealt them a crushing defeat at Guiling. At this point Qi was the most powerful of all the feudal states. It proclaimed itself a kingdom and issued commands to all under Heaven.
31
三十三年，殺其大夫牟辛。
In the thirty-third year, the grandee Mou Xin was put to death.
32
三十五年，公孫閱又謂成侯忌曰：「公何不令人操十金卜於市，曰『我田忌之人也。 吾三戰而三勝，聲威天下。 欲為大事，亦吉乎不吉乎』？」 卜者出，因令人捕為之卜者，驗其辭於王之所。 田忌聞之，因率其徒襲攻臨淄，求成侯，不勝而奔。
In the thirty-fifth year, Gongsun Yue again counseled Marquis Cheng: "Why not have someone take ten pieces of gold to a diviner in the marketplace and say: 'I serve Tian Ji.' "'I have fought three battles and won three victories. My fame resounds throughout the realm.' "'I wish to undertake a great enterprise — will the omens be auspicious or not?'" When the diviner emerged, Gongsun Yue had him arrested and brought the diviner's words before the king as evidence of Tian Ji's treasonous ambitions. When Tian Ji learned of the plot, he led his followers in a surprise attack on the capital Linzi, seeking to seize Marquis Cheng. The attack failed, and Tian Ji was forced to flee.
33
三十六年，威王卒，子宣王辟彊立。
In the thirty-sixth year, King Wei died and was succeeded by his son, King Xuan, whose personal name was Bi Jiang.
34
二年，魏伐趙。 趙與韓親，共擊魏。 趙不利，戰於南梁。 宣王召田忌復故位。 韓氏請救於齊。 宣王召大臣而謀曰：「蚤救孰與晚救？」 騶忌子曰：「不如勿救。」 田忌曰：「弗救，則韓且折而入於魏，不如蚤救之。」 孫子曰：「夫韓、魏之兵未獘而救之，是吾代韓受魏之兵，顧反聽命於韓也。 且魏有破國之志，韓見亡，必東面而愬於齊矣。 吾因深結韓之親而晚承魏之獘，則可重利而得尊名也。」 宣王曰：「善。」 乃陰告韓之使者而遣之。 韓因恃齊，五戰不勝，而東委國於齊。 齊因起兵，使田忌、田嬰將，孫子為（帥）［師］，救韓、趙以擊魏，大敗之馬陵，殺其將龐涓，虜魏太子申。 其後三晉之王皆因田嬰朝齊王於博望，盟而去。
In the second year of King Xuan's reign, Wei attacked Zhao. Zhao and Han, being allies, jointly attacked Wei. Zhao met with setbacks and was engaged at Nanliang. King Xuan recalled Tian Ji and restored him to his former position. Han appealed to Qi for assistance. King Xuan summoned his ministers and asked: "Is it better to come to their aid sooner or later?" Zou Ji advised: "It would be better not to rescue them." Tian Ji argued: "If we do not rescue them, Han will be broken and absorbed by Wei. Better to act sooner." Sun Bin said: "If we rescue Han before the armies of Han and Wei are exhausted, we would simply be taking Han's place in bearing Wei's assault, and in the end we would find ourselves at Han's beck and call. Moreover, Wei intends to destroy Han entirely. When Han sees ruin staring it in the face, it will inevitably turn eastward and throw itself upon Qi's mercy. If we bind Han firmly to our cause and wait to strike when Wei is exhausted, we can reap a double advantage and earn an honored name." King Xuan said: "Excellent." He then secretly assured the envoy from Han and sent him on his way. Relying on Qi's promise, Han fought five battles and lost every one. It then turned eastward and placed its fate in Qi's hands. Qi then raised its army, appointing Tian Ji and Tian Ying as generals with Sun Bin as military adviser, to rescue Han and Zhao and strike against Wei. They inflicted a devastating defeat on Wei at Maling, slew the Wei general Pang Juan, and captured Crown Prince Shen of Wei. Afterward, the kings of the Three Jin states all came through Tian Ying to pay court to the King of Qi at Bowang, swore oaths of alliance, and departed.
35
七年，與魏王會平阿南。 明年，復會甄。 魏惠王卒。 明年，與魏襄王會徐州，諸侯相王也。 十年，楚圍我徐州。 十一年，與魏伐趙，趙決河水灌齊、魏，兵罷。
In the seventh year, King Xuan met with the King of Wei south of Ping'a. The following year, they met again at Zhen. King Hui of Wei died. The following year, King Xuan met with King Xiang of Wei at Xuzhou, where the feudal lords formally acknowledged one another as kings. In the tenth year, Chu laid siege to Xuzhou. In the eleventh year, Qi joined with Wei in attacking Zhao. Zhao broke the dikes of the Yellow River to flood the armies of Qi and Wei, and the campaign was called off.
36
十八年，宣王喜文學游說之士，自如騶衍、淳于髡、田駢、接子、慎到、環淵之徒七十六人，皆賜列第，為上大夫，不治而議論。 是以齊稷下學士復盛，且數百千人。
In the eighteenth year, King Xuan, who delighted in scholars and rhetoricians, gathered men such as Zou Yan, Chunyu Kun, Tian Pian, Jiezi, Shen Dao, and Huan Yuan — seventy-six in all. He granted each of them a residence, appointed them as senior grandees, and charged them with deliberating on matters of state without holding administrative office. As a result, the scholars at the Jixia Academy flourished once again, their number swelling to several hundred and even thousands.
37
十九年，宣王卒，子湣王地立。
In the nineteenth year, King Xuan died. His son, King Min, whose personal name was Di, succeeded him.
38
十二年，攻魏。 楚圍雍氏，秦敗屈丐。 蘇代謂田軫曰：「臣願有謁於公，其為事甚完，使楚利公，成為福，不成亦為福。 今者臣立於門，客有言曰魏王謂韓馮、張儀曰：『煮棗將拔，齊兵又進，子來救寡人則可矣； 不救寡人，寡人弗能拔。』 此特轉辭也。 秦、韓之兵毋東，旬餘，則魏氏轉韓從秦，秦逐張儀，交臂而事齊楚，此公之事成也。」 田軫曰：「柰何使無東？」 對曰：「韓馮之救魏之辭，必不謂韓王曰『馮以為魏』，必曰『馮將以秦韓之兵東卻齊宋，馮因摶三國之兵，乘屈丐之獘，南割於楚，故地必盡得之矣』。 張儀救魏之辭，必不謂秦王曰『儀以為魏』，必曰『儀且以秦韓之兵東距齊宋，儀將摶三國之兵，乘屈丐之獘，南割於楚，名存亡國，實伐三川而歸，此王業也』。 公令楚王與韓氏地，使秦制和，謂秦王曰『請與韓地，而王以施三川，韓氏之兵不用而得地於楚』。 韓馮之東兵之辭且謂秦何？ 曰『秦兵不用而得三川，伐楚韓以窘魏，魏氏不敢東，是孤齊也』。 張儀之東兵之辭且謂何？ 曰『秦韓欲地而兵有案，聲威發於魏，魏氏之欲不失齊楚者有資矣』。 魏氏轉秦韓爭事齊楚，楚王欲而無與地，公令秦韓之兵不用而得地，有一大德也。 秦韓之王劫於韓馮、張儀而東兵以徇服魏，公常執左券以責於秦韓，此其善於公而惡張子多資矣。」
In the twelfth year of King Min's reign, Qi attacked Wei. At the same time, Chu besieged the city of Yongshi, and Qin defeated the Chu general Qu Gai. Su Dai addressed Tian Zhen: "I have a proposal for you, my lord. The plan is airtight: whether it succeeds or fails, it will work to your advantage in relation to Chu." "Today, as I stood at the gate, a visitor reported that the King of Wei told Han Feng and Zhang Yi: 'Zaozao is about to fall, and the army of Qi presses forward. Come to my rescue, and all will be well.'" "'If you do not rescue me, I shall not be able to hold out.'" "But this is merely a diplomatic ploy." "If the troops of Qin and Han do not march east, then within ten days Wei will detach Han from Qin's cause, Qin will dismiss Zhang Yi, and they will all clasp hands to serve Qi and Chu. Then your designs will be realized." Tian Zhen asked: "But how can we prevent them from marching east?" Su Dai replied: "When Han Feng makes his case for rescuing Wei, he will never tell the King of Han, 'I am doing this for Wei.' Instead, he will say: 'I shall lead the combined forces of Qin and Han eastward to repel Qi and Song. Then I shall unite the armies of three states, exploit Qu Gai's defeat, and carve territory from Chu in the south. All the old lands shall surely be recovered.'" "Likewise, when Zhang Yi argues for rescuing Wei, he will never tell the King of Qin, 'I am doing this for Wei.' He will say: 'I shall lead the forces of Qin and Han eastward to block Qi and Song, then unite the three states' armies, exploit Qu Gai's defeat, and seize territory from Chu. In name, we save a perishing state; in reality, we conquer Sanchuan and return in triumph. This is the enterprise of a true king.'" "If you persuade the King of Chu to cede land to Han and let Qin broker the peace, saying to the King of Qin: 'Grant land to Han, and Your Majesty may extend your influence over Sanchuan. Han's armies need not march, and yet they gain territory from Chu.'" "And what will Han Feng say to Qin when he argues for sending troops east?" "He will say: 'Qin gains Sanchuan without deploying a single soldier, while attacking Chu and Han corners Wei. Wei will not dare move east — and Qi will be isolated.'" "And what will Zhang Yi say in his argument for sending troops east?" "He will say: 'Qin and Han desire territory while keeping their armies in reserve. Their military prestige is directed at Wei, and Wei's desire to maintain ties with Qi and Chu will have the leverage it needs.'" "Wei will then redirect Qin and Han into competing to serve Qi and Chu. The King of Chu desires this outcome but has offered no territory. If you enable Qin and Han to acquire territory without deploying their armies, that will be an immense favor." "If the kings of Qin and Han are pressured by Han Feng and Zhang Yi to march east and coerce Wei, you will always hold the tally against Qin and Han. This arrangement greatly favors you while undermining Zhang Yi."
39
十三年，秦惠王卒。 二十三年，與秦擊敗楚於重丘。 二十四年，秦使涇陽君質於齊。 二十五年，歸涇陽君于秦。 孟嘗君薛文入秦，即相秦。 文亡去。 二十六年，齊與韓魏共攻秦，至函谷軍焉。 二十八年，秦與韓河外以和，兵罷。 二十九年，趙殺其主父。 齊佐趙滅中山。
In the thirteenth year, King Hui of Qin died. In the twenty-third year, Qi joined Qin in defeating Chu at Chongqiu. In the twenty-fourth year, Qin sent Lord Jingyang to Qi as a hostage. In the twenty-fifth year, Lord Jingyang was returned to Qin. Lord Mengchang of Xue, named Wen, traveled to Qin and was appointed chief minister. Wen eventually fled and escaped. In the twenty-sixth year, Qi joined Han and Wei in an attack on Qin, advancing their armies as far as Hangu Pass. In the twenty-eighth year, Qin made peace with Han by ceding territory beyond the Yellow River, and the armies were withdrawn. In the twenty-ninth year, Zhao killed its Master Father. Qi assisted Zhao in the destruction of Zhongshan.
40
三十六年，王為東帝，秦昭王為西帝。 蘇代自燕來，入齊，見於章華東門。 齊王曰：「嘻，善，子來！ 秦使魏冉致帝，子以為何如？」 對曰：「王之問臣也卒，而患之所從來微，願王受之而勿備稱也。 秦稱之，天下安之，王乃稱之，無後也。 且讓爭帝名，無傷也。 秦稱之，天下惡之，王因勿稱，以收天下，此大資也。 且天下立兩帝，王以天下為尊齊乎？ 尊秦乎？」 王曰：「尊秦。」 曰：「釋帝，天下愛齊乎？ 愛秦乎？」 王曰：「愛齊而憎秦。」 曰：「兩帝立約伐趙，孰與伐桀宋之利？」 王曰：「伐桀宋利。」 對曰：「夫約鈞，然與秦為帝而天下獨尊秦而輕齊，釋帝則天下愛齊而憎秦，伐趙不如伐桀宋之利，故願王明釋帝以收天下，倍約賓秦，無爭重，而王以其閒舉宋。 夫有宋，衛之陽地危； 有濟西，趙之阿東國危； 有淮北，楚之東國危； 有陶、平陸，梁門不開。 釋帝而貸之以伐桀宋之事，國重而名尊，燕楚所以形服，天下莫敢不聽，此湯武之舉也。 敬秦以為名，而後使天下憎之，此所謂以卑為尊者也。 願王孰慮之。」 於是齊去帝復為王，秦亦去帝位。
In the thirty-sixth year, the King of Qi assumed the title of Eastern Emperor, while King Zhao of Qin took the title of Western Emperor. Su Dai arrived from Yan, entered Qi, and was received at the Eastern Gate of Zhanghua. The King of Qi exclaimed: "Ah, how good that you have come! Qin has sent Wei Ran to confer the title of Emperor upon me. What do you think?" Su Dai replied: "Your Majesty's question comes suddenly, and the danger is more subtle than it appears. I would advise Your Majesty to accept the title but refrain from actually using it." "If Qin uses the title and the world accepts it, then Your Majesty may safely adopt it as well, without consequence." "Moreover, yielding the contest over the imperial title does no harm." "But if Qin uses the title and the world resents it, then Your Majesty may decline the title and win the hearts of all under Heaven. This is an enormous advantage." "Furthermore, if two Emperors are established, does Your Majesty think the world will honor Qi?" "Or will it honor Qin?" The King replied: "It will honor Qin." Su Dai continued: "And if you renounce the title, will the world love Qi?" "Or love Qin?" The King answered: "They will love Qi and despise Qin." Su Dai pressed further: "If the two Emperors make a pact to attack Zhao, would that be as advantageous as attacking the tyrannical ruler of Song?" The King answered: "Attacking Song would be more advantageous." Su Dai replied: "The balance of the treaties notwithstanding, sharing the imperial title with Qin merely causes the world to honor Qin and slight Qi. Renouncing it, on the other hand, wins the world's love for Qi and its hatred of Qin. Attacking Zhao is less profitable than destroying the tyrannical ruler of Song. I urge Your Majesty, therefore, to openly renounce the title in order to win all under Heaven, break the pact and keep Qin at a polite distance, avoid a direct contest for primacy, and in the interim seize the state of Song. "Once you hold Song, the northern territories of Wei are at risk." "Hold the lands west of the Ji River, and Zhao's eastern territories near E are imperiled." "Hold the lands north of the Huai River, and Chu's eastern domains are threatened." "Hold Tao and Pinglu, and the gateway to Liang is sealed shut." "Renounce the title and trade it for the conquest of Song. Your state shall grow mighty and your name honored. Yan and Chu will be brought to submission, and none under Heaven will dare disobey. This is an enterprise worthy of Tang and Wu." "Show deference to Qin in name, then turn the world against it — this is what is called rising to greatness through humility." "I urge Your Majesty to consider this carefully." And so Qi renounced the title of Emperor and reverted to the title of king. Qin likewise relinquished its imperial title.
41
三十八年，伐宋。 秦昭王怒曰：「吾愛宋與愛新城、陽晉同。 韓聶與吾友也，而攻吾所愛，何也？」 蘇代為齊謂秦王曰：「韓聶之攻宋，所以為王也。 齊彊，輔之以宋，楚魏必恐，恐必西事秦，是王不煩一兵，不傷一士，無事而割安邑也，此韓聶之所禱於王也。」 秦王曰：「吾患齊之難知。 一從一衡，其說何也？」 對曰：「天下國令齊可知乎？ 齊以攻宋，其知事秦以萬乘之國自輔，不西事秦則宋治不安。 中國白頭游敖之士皆積智欲離齊秦之交，伏式結軼西馳者，未有一人言善齊者也，伏式結軼東馳者，未有一人言善秦者也。 何則？ 皆不欲齊秦之合也。 何晉楚之智而齊秦之愚也！ 晉楚合必議齊秦，齊秦合必圖晉楚，請以此決事。」 秦王曰：「諾。」 於是齊遂伐宋，宋王出亡，死於溫。 齊南割楚之淮北，西侵三晉，欲以并周室，為天子。 泗上諸侯鄒魯之君皆稱臣，諸侯恐懼。
In the thirty-eighth year, Qi attacked Song. King Zhao of Qin was incensed: "My concern for Song is no less than my concern for Xincheng and Yangjin." "Han Nie is supposed to be my friend, yet he attacks what I hold dear. Why?" Su Dai, speaking on Qi's behalf, addressed the King of Qin: "Han Nie's attack on Song is in fact being carried out for Your Majesty's benefit." "A powerful Qi, supplemented by Song, will terrify Chu and Wei. In their terror, they will inevitably turn westward to serve Qin. Thus Your Majesty, without deploying a single soldier or losing a single officer, shall acquire Anyi effortlessly. This is the very outcome that Han Nie prays for on Your Majesty's behalf." The King of Qin said: "My concern is that Qi's true intentions are impossible to read." "One day it joins the Vertical Alliance, the next the Horizontal. What strategy is it pursuing?" Su Dai replied: "Can any state under Heaven truly know Qi's mind?" "Qi's attack on Song makes clear that it understands the need to keep Qin as an ally and use a great power as its support. If Qi does not maintain its western ties to Qin, Song cannot be pacified." "The gray-haired traveling counselors of the Central States all devote their wits to breaking apart the alliance between Qi and Qin. Among those who ride westward, bowing over their carriage rails, not a single one speaks well of Qi. Among those who ride eastward, not a single one speaks well of Qin." "Why is this?" "Because none of them want Qi and Qin to be united." "How shrewd are Jin and Chu, and how foolish would Qi and Qin be to fall for this!" "When Jin and Chu unite, they plot against Qi and Qin. When Qi and Qin unite, they dominate Jin and Chu. I urge Your Majesty to base your decision on this principle." The King of Qin said: "Very well." And so Qi proceeded to conquer Song. The King of Song fled and died in exile at Wen. Qi then seized the Huai River's northern territories from Chu, encroached upon the Three Jin to the west, and harbored ambitions of annexing the Zhou royal domain to become Son of Heaven. The lords along the Si River and the rulers of Zou and Lu all declared themselves Qi's vassals, and the feudal lords were seized with dread.
42
三十九年，秦來伐，拔我列城九。
In the thirty-ninth year, Qin attacked and captured nine of Qi's walled cities.
43
四十年，燕、秦、楚、三晉合謀，各出銳師以伐，敗我濟西。 王解而卻。 燕將樂毅遂入臨淄，盡取齊之寶藏器。 湣王出亡，之衛。 衛君辟宮捨之，稱臣而共具。 湣王不遜，衛人侵之。 湣王去，走鄒、魯，有驕色，鄒、魯君弗內，遂走莒。 楚使淖齒將兵救齊，因相齊湣王。 淖齒遂殺湣王而與燕共分齊之侵地鹵器。
In the fortieth year, Yan, Qin, Chu, and the Three Jin states conspired together and each sent crack troops to attack Qi. They defeated Qi's forces west of the Ji River. The king's army broke apart and retreated. The Yan general Yue Yi then marched into the capital Linzi and plundered all of Qi's treasures and precious vessels. King Min fled the capital and made his way to the state of Wei. The lord of Wei vacated his own palace for the king, declared himself a vassal, and furnished him with provisions. But King Min behaved arrogantly, and the people of Wei turned hostile. King Min departed and fled to Zou and Lu, but his arrogant bearing offended the rulers there, and they refused to take him in. He was forced to flee to Ju. Chu sent the general Nao Chi to lead an army to Qi's rescue, and Nao Chi was subsequently made chief minister to King Min. Nao Chi then murdered King Min and joined with Yan in dividing Qi's conquered lands and plundered treasures.
44
湣王之遇殺，其子法章變名姓為莒太史敫家庸。 太史敫女奇法章狀貌，以為非恒人，憐而常竊衣食之，而與私通焉。 淖齒既以去莒，莒中人及齊亡臣相聚求湣王子，欲立之。 法章懼其誅己也，久之，乃敢自言「我湣王子也」。 於是莒人共立法章，是為襄王。 以保莒城而布告齊國中：「王已立在莒矣。」
After King Min was killed, his son Fa Zhang assumed a false identity and took employment as a servant in the household of the Grand Scribe Jiao of Ju. The daughter of Grand Scribe Jiao was struck by Fa Zhang's remarkable bearing and concluded that he was no ordinary man. She took pity on him, secretly provided him with clothing and food, and the two became lovers. After Nao Chi departed from Ju, the people of the city and the exiled ministers of Qi gathered together in search of King Min's son, hoping to place him on the throne. Fa Zhang feared they might put him to death. Only after some time did he finally dare to come forward and declare: "I am the son of King Min." The people of Ju then jointly placed Fa Zhang on the throne, and he became King Xiang. They fortified the city of Ju and issued a proclamation across the state of Qi: "A new king has been established at Ju."
45
襄王既立，立太史氏女為王后，是為君王后，生子建。 太史敫曰：「女不取媒因自嫁，非吾種也，汙吾世。」 終身不睹君王后。 君王后賢，不以不睹故失人子之禮。
Once King Xiang was established on the throne, he made the daughter of the Grand Scribe his queen. She became known as Queen Junwang, and she bore him a son named Jian. Grand Scribe Jiao declared: "A daughter who marries without a matchmaker's arrangement is no child of mine. She has brought disgrace upon our family." He refused to see Queen Junwang for the rest of his life. Queen Junwang was a woman of great virtue. Despite her father's refusal to see her, she never neglected the duties proper to a daughter.
46
襄王在莒五年，田單以即墨攻破燕軍，迎襄王於莒，入臨菑。 齊故地盡復屬齊。 齊封田單為安平君。
King Xiang remained at Ju for five years. Then Tian Dan, launching his campaign from Jimo, broke through the Yan army, escorted King Xiang from Ju, and entered the capital Linzi. All of Qi's former territories were restored to its control. Qi enfeoffed Tian Dan as Lord Anping.
47
十四年，秦擊我剛壽。 十九年，襄王卒，子建立。
In the fourteenth year, Qin attacked the city of Gangshou. In the nineteenth year, King Xiang died and was succeeded by his son Jian.
48
王建立六年，秦攻趙，齊楚救之。 秦計曰：「齊楚救趙，親則退兵，不親遂攻之。」 趙無食，請粟於齊，齊不聽。 周子曰：「不如聽之以退秦兵，不聽則秦兵不卻，是秦之計中而齊楚之計過也。 且趙之於齊楚，捍蔽也，猶齒之有脣也，脣亡則齒寒。 今日亡趙，明日患及齊楚。 且救趙之務，宜若奉漏甕沃焦釜也。 夫救趙，高義也； 卻秦兵，顯名也。 義救亡國，威卻彊秦之兵，不務為此而務愛粟，為國計者過矣。」 齊王弗聽。 秦破趙於長平四十餘萬，遂圍邯鄲。
In the sixth year of King Jian's reign, Qin attacked Zhao, and Qi and Chu went to its rescue. Qin assessed the situation: "If Qi and Chu are truly committed to rescuing Zhao, we shall withdraw. If they are not, we shall press the attack." Zhao had exhausted its food supplies and appealed to Qi for grain, but Qi refused. Zhou Zi counseled: "Better to provide the grain and thereby compel Qin to withdraw. If we refuse, Qin's troops will not retreat, which means Qin's strategy will succeed and the strategy of Qi and Chu will fail. "Moreover, Zhao serves as a shield for Qi and Chu, just as the lips protect the teeth. When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold." "If Zhao perishes today, the disaster will reach Qi and Chu tomorrow." "The urgency of rescuing Zhao is like carrying a leaking jug to douse a scorching cauldron — there is no time to waste." "To rescue Zhao is an act of the highest righteousness." "To repel the armies of Qin is to win illustrious renown." "To righteously rescue a perishing state and majestically repel the armies of mighty Qin — to neglect all this for the sake of hoarding grain is a grave miscalculation by those who direct our affairs of state." But the King of Qi would not listen. Qin then annihilated more than four hundred thousand Zhao troops at Changping and proceeded to besiege Handan.
49
十六年，秦滅周。 君王后卒。 二十三年，秦置東郡。 二十八年，王入朝秦，秦王政置酒咸陽。 三十五年，秦滅韓。 三十七年，秦滅趙。 三十八年，燕使荊軻刺秦王，秦王覺，殺軻。 明年，秦破燕，燕王亡走遼東。 明年，秦滅魏，秦兵次於歷下。 四十二年，秦滅楚。 明年，虜代王嘉，滅燕王喜。
In the sixteenth year, Qin extinguished the Zhou dynasty. Queen Junwang died. In the twenty-third year, Qin established the Eastern Commandery. In the twenty-eighth year, King Jian traveled to pay court to Qin. King Zheng of Qin hosted a banquet in his honor at Xianyang. In the thirty-fifth year, Qin destroyed Han. In the thirty-seventh year, Qin destroyed Zhao. In the thirty-eighth year, Yan sent Jing Ke to assassinate the King of Qin. The king detected the plot and killed Jing Ke. The following year, Qin defeated Yan, and the King of Yan fled to Liaodong. The year after that, Qin destroyed Wei and stationed its forces at Lixia. In the forty-second year, Qin destroyed Chu. The following year, Qin captured King Jia of Dai and destroyed King Xi of Yan.
50
四十四年，秦兵擊齊。 齊王聽相后勝計，不戰，以兵降秦。 秦虜王建，遷之共。 遂滅齊為郡。 天下壹并於秦，秦王政立號為皇帝。 始，君王后賢，事秦謹，與諸侯信，齊亦東邊海上，秦日夜攻三晉、燕、楚，五國各自救於秦，以故王建立四十餘年不受兵。 君王后死，后勝相齊，多受秦閒金，多使賓客入秦，秦又多予金，客皆為反閒，勸王去從朝秦，不修攻戰之備，不助五國攻秦，秦以故得滅五國。 五國已亡，秦兵卒入臨淄，民莫敢格者。 王建遂降，遷於共。 故齊人怨王建不蚤與諸侯合從攻秦，聽姦臣賓客以亡其國，歌之曰：「松耶柏耶？ 住建共者客耶？」 疾建用客之不詳也。
In the forty-fourth year, the forces of Qin attacked Qi. The King of Qi heeded the counsel of his chief minister Hou Sheng. Without offering battle, he surrendered his forces to Qin. Qin took King Jian prisoner and exiled him to Gong. Thus the state of Qi was extinguished and absorbed into Qin's commanderies. All under Heaven was united under Qin, and King Zheng of Qin proclaimed himself Emperor. In the beginning, Queen Junwang had been a wise ruler. She managed relations with Qin with great care, maintained trust with the other feudal lords, and Qi was shielded by its position on the eastern seaboard. While Qin relentlessly attacked the Three Jin states, Yan, and Chu, those five states were each consumed with their own defense against Qin. For this reason, King Jian reigned for more than forty years without suffering a military attack. After Queen Junwang's death, Hou Sheng became chief minister of Qi. He accepted bribes of gold from Qin's agents and sent numerous envoys to Qin, where Qin in turn lavished them with gold. These envoys all became double agents, persuading the king to abandon the vertical alliance, pay tribute to Qin, neglect all military preparations, and refuse to aid the five states in attacking Qin. Qin was thereby able to destroy all five states. Once the five states had been destroyed, Qin's soldiers at last marched into Linzi. Not a single citizen dared to resist. King Jian surrendered and was exiled to Gong. The people of Qi therefore blamed King Jian for failing to join the feudal lords in a vertical alliance against Qin while there was still time, and for heeding treacherous ministers and foreign agents until his state was lost. They sang a lament: "Were they pines or cypresses? Those who sent Jian to dwell in Gong — were they not his own guests?" They condemned King Jian for his reckless trust in foreign advisors.
51
太史公曰：蓋孔子晚而喜易。 易之為術，幽明遠矣，非通人達才孰能注意焉！ 笔周太史之卦田敬仲完，占至十世之後； 及完奔齊，懿仲卜之亦云。 田乞及常所以比犯二君，專齊國之政，非必事勢之漸然也，蓋若遵厭兆祥云。
The Grand Historian remarks: It is said that Confucius in his later years came to delight in the Book of Changes. The art of the Book of Changes is profound and far-reaching in its illumination. Who but a person of broad learning and deep insight could give it the attention it deserves! When the Grand Astrologer of Zhou cast a hexagram for Tian Jingzhong Wan, the prophecy reached ten generations into the future. And when Wan fled to Qi, Yi Zhong's divination foretold the very same outcome. That Tian Qi and Tian Chang successively defied two rulers and seized sole control of Qi's government was not simply the result of a gradual trend in human affairs. Perhaps they were carried along by the inexorable fulfillment of the very portents and omens that had been foretold.