1
伍子胥者，楚人也，名員。 員父曰伍奢。 員兄曰伍尚。 其先曰伍舉，以直諫事楚莊王，有顯，故其後世有名於楚。
Wu Zixu was a man from Chu, named Yuan. Yuan's father was named Wu She. Yuan's elder brother was named Wu Shang. His ancestor was named Wu Ju, who served King Zhuang of Chu with upright remonstration and gained prominence. Therefore his descendants were famous in Chu.
2
楚平王有太子名曰建，使伍奢為太傅，費無忌為少傅。 無忌不忠於太子建。 平王使無忌為太子取婦於秦，秦女好，無忌馳歸報平王曰：「秦女絕美，王可自取，而更為太子取婦。」 平王遂自取秦女而絕愛幸之，生子軫。 更為太子取婦。
King Ping of Chu had a crown prince named Jian. He made Wu She grand tutor and Fei Wuji junior tutor. Wuji was not loyal to Crown Prince Jian. King Ping sent Wuji to take a wife for the crown prince from Qin. The Qin woman was beautiful, so Wuji galloped back to report to King Ping, saying: 'The Qin woman is exceptionally beautiful. The king can take her himself and get another wife for the crown prince.' King Ping then took the Qin woman himself and doted on her exclusively. She gave birth to a son named Zhen. He got another wife for the crown prince.
3
無忌既以秦女自媚於平王，因去太子而事平王。 恐一旦平王卒而太子立，殺己，乃因讒太子建。 建母，蔡女也，無寵於平王。 平王稍益疏建，使建守城父，備邊兵。
Wuji, having used the Qin woman to curry favor with King Ping, then left the crown prince and served King Ping. He feared that once King Ping died and the crown prince ascended, he would kill him, so he slandered Crown Prince Jian. Jian's mother was a woman from Cai, and she had no favor with King Ping. King Ping gradually grew more distant from Jian. He made Jian guard Chengfu and prepare the border troops.
4
頃之，無忌又日夜言太子短於王曰：「太子以秦女之故，不能無怨望，願王少自備也。 自太子居城父，將兵，外交諸侯，且欲入為亂矣。」 平王乃召其太傅伍奢考問之。 伍奢知無忌讒太子於平王，因曰：「王獨柰何以讒賊小臣疏骨肉之親乎？」 無忌曰：「王今不制，其事成矣。 王且見禽。」 於是平王怒，囚伍奢，而使城父司馬奮揚往殺太子。 行未至，奮揚使人先告太子：「太子急去，不然將誅。」 太子建亡奔宋。
After a while, Wuji again spoke day and night of the crown prince's faults to the king, saying: 'Because of the Qin woman's matter, the crown prince cannot but harbor resentment. I wish the king would prepare himself slightly. Since the crown prince dwells in Chengfu, commands troops, externally associates with feudal lords, and moreover wishes to enter and make chaos.'' King Ping then summoned his grand tutor Wu She to interrogate him. Wu She knew Wuji was slandering the crown prince to King Ping, so he said: 'Why does the king alone use slanderous traitorous petty officials to estrange flesh and blood kin?' Wuji said: 'If the king does not control this now, the matter will succeed. The king will soon be captured.'' Then King Ping was angry, imprisoned Wu She, and sent the Chengfu commander Fu Yang to go kill the crown prince. Before arriving, Fu Yang sent someone to first warn the crown prince: 'Crown prince, flee quickly, otherwise you will be executed.' Crown Prince Jian fled to Song.
5
無忌言於平王曰：「伍奢有二子，皆賢，不誅且為楚憂。 可以其父質而召之，不然且為楚患。」 王使使謂伍奢曰：「能致汝二子則生，不能則死。」 伍奢曰：「尚為人仁，呼必來。 員為人剛戾忍訽，能成大事，彼見來之并禽，其勢必不來。」 王不聽，使人召二子曰：「來，吾生汝父； 不來，今殺奢也。」 伍尚欲往，員曰：「楚之召我兄弟，非欲以生我父也，恐有脫者後生患，故以父為質，詐召二子。 二子到，則父子俱死。 何益父之死？ 往而令讎不得報耳。 不如奔他國，借力以雪父之恥，俱滅，無為也。」 伍尚曰：「我知往終不能全父命。 然恨父召我以求生而不往，後不能雪恥，終為天下笑耳。」 謂員：「可去矣！ 汝能報殺父之讎，我將歸死。」 尚既就執，使者捕伍胥。 伍胥貫弓執矢向使者，使者不敢進，伍胥遂亡。 聞太子建之在宋，往從之。 奢聞子胥之亡也，曰：「楚國君臣且苦兵矣。」 伍尚至楚，楚并殺奢與尚也。
Wuji spoke to King Ping, saying: 'Wu She has two sons, both worthy. If not executed, they will be a worry for Chu. Can use their father as hostage and summon them, otherwise they will become a calamity for Chu.'' The king sent an envoy to tell Wu She: 'If you can bring your two sons, then live; if you cannot, then die.' Wu She said: 'Shang is humane in character. If called, he will certainly come. Yuan is fierce and harsh in character, can endure humiliation, and can accomplish great matters. He sees that coming means both will be captured, so the situation certainly means he will not come.'' The king did not listen and sent someone to summon the two sons, saying: 'Come, I will let your father live; if you do not come, I will kill She now.'' Wu Shang wished to go, but Yuan said: 'Chu's summoning of us brothers is not to let our father live. They fear that escapees will later cause trouble, so they use our father as hostage and deceitfully summon the two sons. If the two sons arrive, then father and sons will all die. What benefit is there in father's death? Going would just mean that the enemy cannot be avenged. Better to flee to another state, borrow strength to avenge father's humiliation. Being extinguished together would be of no benefit.'' Wu Shang said: 'I know that going ultimately cannot save father's life. But I would hate that father summoned me seeking life and I did not go. Later I could not avenge the humiliation and would ultimately become the world's laughingstock.'' He told Yuan: 'You can go! If you can avenge killing father's enemy, I will return and die.'' Shang having been captured, the envoy then tried to capture Wu Xi. Wu Xi strung his bow and held arrows pointing at the envoy. The envoy dared not advance, so Wu Xi then fled. He heard that Crown Prince Jian was in Song, so he went to follow him. She heard of Wu Xi's flight and said: 'Chu's ruler and ministers will suffer from warfare.'' Wu Shang arrived in Chu, and Chu executed both She and Shang.
6
伍胥既至宋，宋有華氏之亂，乃與太子建俱奔於鄭。 鄭人甚善之。 太子建又適晉，晉頃公曰：「太子既善鄭，鄭信太子。 太子能為我內應，而我攻其外，滅鄭必矣。 滅鄭而封太子。」 太子乃還鄭。 事未會，會自私欲殺其從者，從者知其謀，乃告之於鄭。 鄭定公與子產誅殺太子建。 建有子名勝。 伍胥懼，乃與勝俱奔吳。 到昭關，昭關欲執之。 伍胥遂與勝獨身步走，幾不得脫。 追者在後。 至江，江上有一漁父乘船，知伍胥之急，乃渡伍胥。 伍胥既渡，解其劍曰：「此劍直百金，以與父。」 父曰：「楚國之法，得伍胥者賜粟五萬石，爵執珪，豈徒百金劍邪！」 不受。 伍胥未至吳而疾，止中道，乞食。 至於吳，吳王僚方用事，公子光為將。 伍胥乃因公子光以求見吳王。
Wu Xi having arrived in Song, there was the Hua clan rebellion in Song, so together with Crown Prince Jian they fled to Zheng. The Zheng people treated them very well. Crown Prince Jian again went to Jin. Duke Qing of Jin said: 'The crown prince is on good terms with Zheng, and Zheng trusts the crown prince. If the crown prince can be my internal supporter while I attack from outside, extinguishing Zheng is certain. Extinguish Zheng and enfeoff the crown prince.'' The crown prince then returned to Zheng. The matter had not come to pass, but Hui privately desired to kill his followers. The followers knew his plot, so they reported it to Zheng. Duke Ding of Zheng and Zi Chan executed Crown Prince Jian. Jian had a son named Sheng. Wu Xi feared, so together with Sheng he fled to Wu. They arrived at Zhao Pass, where the guards wished to capture them. Wu Xi then fled on foot with Sheng alone, almost unable to escape. Pursuers were behind them. They arrived at the Jiang. On the Jiang there was a fisherman in a boat who knew Wu Xi's urgency, so he ferried Wu Xi. Wu Xi, having crossed, untied his sword and said: 'This sword is worth one hundred jin. I give it to you, father.' The father said: 'According to Chu law, one who gets Wu Xi is granted five myriads shi of grain and the rank of holding jade gui. How is this just a one hundred jin sword!' He did not accept. Wu Xi fell ill before reaching Wu, stopped midway, and begged for food. He arrived in Wu, where King Liao of Wu was in power and Prince Guang was general. Wu Xi then sought an audience with the King of Wu through Prince Guang.
7
久之，楚平王以其邊邑鐘離與吳邊邑卑梁氏俱蠶，兩女子爭桑相攻，乃大怒，至於兩國舉兵相伐。 吳使公子光伐楚，拔其鐘離、居巢而歸。 伍子胥說吳王僚曰：「楚可破也。 願復遣公子光。」 公子光謂吳王曰：「彼伍胥父兄為戮於楚，而勸王伐楚者，欲以自報其讎耳。 伐楚未可破也。」 伍胥知公子光有內志，欲殺王而自立，未可說以外事，乃進專諸於公子光，退而與太子建之子勝耕於野。
After a long time, King Ping of Chu's border town Zhongli and Wu's border town Bei Liang clan both engaged in sericulture. Two women quarreled over mulberry trees and attacked each other. This greatly angered them, leading to both states raising troops to invade each other. Wu sent Prince Guang to attack Chu. He captured Zhongli and Ju Chao, then returned. Wu Zixu advised King Liao of Wu, saying: 'Chu can be broken. I wish to send Prince Guang again.'' Prince Guang told the King of Wu: 'That Wu Xi's father and elder brother were slaughtered by Chu, so he advises the king to attack Chu because he desires to personally avenge his enmity. Attacking Chu cannot yet break it.'' Wu Xi knew Prince Guang had inner ambitions and wished to kill the king and establish himself. He could not advise him about external matters, so he introduced Zhuan Zhu to Prince Guang. He then withdrew and farmed in the fields with Crown Prince Jian's son Sheng.
8
五年而楚平王卒。 初，平王所奪太子建秦女生子軫，及平王卒，軫竟立為後，是為昭王。 吳王僚因楚喪，使二公子將兵往襲楚。 楚發兵絕吳兵之後，不得歸。 吳國內空，而公子光乃令專諸襲刺吳王僚而自立，是為吳王闔廬。 闔廬既立，得志，乃召伍員以為行人，而與謀國事。
Five years later, King Ping of Chu died. Initially, the Qin woman whom King Ping had seized from Crown Prince Jian gave birth to a son named Zhen. When King Ping died, Zhen was finally established as heir. This was King Zhao. King Liao of Wu took advantage of Chu's mourning and sent two princes to lead troops and invade Chu. Chu sent troops to cut off the rear of the Wu troops, so they could not return. Wu's interior was empty, so Prince Guang ordered Zhuan Zhu to assassinate King Liao of Wu and establish himself. This was King Helü of Wu. Helü, having been established and achieved his ambitions, summoned Wu Yuan to be his envoy and planned state affairs with him.
9
楚誅其大臣郤宛、伯州犁，伯州犁之孫伯嚭亡奔吳，吳亦以嚭為大夫。 前王僚所遣二公子將兵伐楚者，道絕不得歸。 後聞闔廬弒王僚自立，遂以其兵降楚，楚封之於舒。 闔廬立三年，乃興師與伍胥、伯嚭伐楚，拔舒，遂禽故吳反二將軍。 因欲至郢，將軍孫武曰：「民勞，未可，且待之。」 乃歸。
Chu executed its ministers Xi Wan and Bo Zhou Li. Bo Zhou Li's grandson Bo Pi fled to Wu, and Wu also made Pi a grand master. The two princes whom the former King Liao had sent to lead troops and attack Chu had their way cut off and could not return. Later they heard that Helü had assassinated King Liao and established himself, so they surrendered their troops to Chu. Chu enfeoffed them at Shu. Three years after Helü was established, he raised troops and with Wu Xi and Bo Pi attacked Chu. He captured Shu and captured the two former Wu generals who had rebelled. He then wished to go to Ying, but General Sun Wu said: 'The people are weary. It cannot be done yet. Moreover, wait.' They then returned.
10
四年，吳伐楚，取六與灊。 五年，伐越，敗之。 六年，楚昭王使公子囊瓦將兵伐吳。 吳使伍員迎擊，大破楚軍於豫章，取楚之居巢。
In the fourth year, Wu attacked Chu and took Liu and Qian. In the fifth year, they attacked Yue and defeated them. In the sixth year, King Zhao of Chu sent Prince Nang Wa to lead troops and attack Wu. Wu sent Wu Xi to meet and attack them. He greatly defeated the Chu army at Yu Zhang and took Chu's Ju Chao.
11
九年，吳王闔廬謂子胥、孫武曰：「始子言郢未可入，今果何如？」 二子對曰：「楚將囊瓦貪，而唐、蔡皆怨之。 王必欲大伐之，必先得唐、蔡乃可。」 闔廬聽之，悉興師與唐、蔡伐楚，與楚夾漢水而陳。 吳王之弟夫概將兵請從，王不聽，遂以其屬五千人擊楚將子常。 己卯，楚昭王出奔。 庚辰，吳王入郢。 子常敗走，奔鄭。 於是吳乘勝而前，五戰，遂至郢。
In the ninth year, King Helü of Wu told Wu Xi and Sun Wu: 'Initially you said Ying could not be entered. Now indeed, how is it?' The two replied: 'The Chu general Nang Wa is greedy, and Tang and Cai all resent him. If the king must greatly attack them, he must first get Tang and Cai, then it can be done.'' Helü listened to them. He completely raised troops and with Tang and Cai attacked Chu. They lined up across the Han River with Chu. The Wu king's younger brother Fu Gai led troops and requested to follow. The king did not listen, so he then attacked the Chu general Zi Chang with his followers of five thousand. On Ji Mao day, King Zhao of Chu fled. On Geng Chen day, the Wu king entered Ying. Zi Chang was defeated and fled to Zheng. Then Wu took advantage of their victory and advanced. After five battles, they arrived at Ying.
12
昭王出亡，入雲夢； 盜擊王，王走鄖。 鄖公弟懷曰：「平王殺我父，我殺其子，不亦可乎！」 鄖公恐其弟殺王，與王奔隨。 吳兵圍隨，謂隨人曰：「周之子孫在漢川者，楚盡滅之。」 隨人欲殺王，王子綦匿王，己自為王以當之。 隨人卜與王於吳，不吉，乃謝吳不與王。
King Zhao fled and entered Yun Meng; bandits attacked the king, so the king fled to Yun. The Duke of Yun's younger brother Huai said: 'King Ping killed my father. If I kill his son, would that not also be acceptable!' The Duke of Yun feared his younger brother would kill the king, so he fled to Sui with the king. Wu troops surrounded Sui and told the Sui people: 'Zhou descendants in the Han region—Chu has completely extinguished them.' The Sui people wished to kill the king. Prince Qi hid the king and himself became king to take his place. The Sui people divined giving the king to Wu. It was not auspicious, so they declined Wu and did not give the king.
13
始伍員與申包胥為交，員之亡也，謂包胥曰：「我必覆楚。」 包胥曰：「我必存之。」 及吳兵入郢，伍子胥求昭王。 既不得，乃掘楚平王墓，出其尸，鞭之三百，然後已。 申包胥亡於山中，使人謂子胥曰：「子之報讎，其以甚乎！ 吾聞之，人眾者勝天，天定亦能破人。 今子故平王之臣，親北面而事之，今至於僇死人，此豈其無天道之極乎！」 伍子胥曰：「為我謝申包胥曰，吾日莫途遠，吾故倒行而逆施之。」 於是申包胥走秦告急，求救於秦。 秦不許。 包胥立於秦廷，晝夜哭，七日七夜不絕其聲。 秦哀公憐之，曰：「楚雖無道，有臣若是，可無存乎！」 乃遣車五百乘救楚擊吳。 六月，敗吳兵於稷。 會吳王久留楚求昭王，而闔廬弟夫概乃亡歸，自立為王。 闔廬聞之，乃釋楚而歸，擊其弟夫概。 夫概敗走，遂奔楚。 楚昭王見吳有內亂，乃復入郢。 封夫概於堂谿，為堂谿氏。 楚復與吳戰，敗吳，吳王乃歸。
Initially Wu Xi and Shen Bao Xu were friends. When Xi fled, he told Bao Xu: 'I must overturn Chu.' Bao Xu said: 'I must preserve it.' When Wu troops entered Ying, Wu Zixu sought King Zhao. Having not obtained him, Wu Zixu then dug up King Ping of Chu's tomb, removed his corpse, whipped it three hundred times, and then stopped. Shen Bao Xu fled into the mountains and sent someone to tell Wu Xi: 'Your avenging of enmity—is it excessive!' 'I heard that where there are many people, they win against heaven. Heaven's determination can also be broken by people. Now you were formerly King Ping's minister and personally served him facing north. Now you have come to mutilating a dead person. How can this not be the extreme of heaven's way!'' Wu Xi said: 'For me, thank Shen Bao Xu and say: "My day's evening path is far. I therefore walk inverted and apply things in reverse."' Then Shen Bao Xu went to Qin to report the urgent situation and sought aid from Qin. Qin did not permit it. Bao Xu stood in the Qin court, crying day and night. For seven days and seven nights he did not cease his voice. Duke Ai of Qin pitied him and said: 'Though Chu has no way, it has a minister like this. Can it not be preserved!' He then sent five hundred chariots to save Chu and attack Wu. In the sixth month, they defeated the Wu troops at Ji. It happened that the Wu king stayed long in Chu seeking King Zhao, while Helü's younger brother Fu Gai fled back and established himself as king. Helü heard it, then released Chu and returned, attacking his younger brother Fu Gai. Fu Gai was defeated and fled, then went to Chu. King Zhao of Chu saw that Wu had internal chaos, so he again entered Ying. He enfeoffed Fu Gai at Tang Xi, making him the Tang Xi clan. Chu again battled Wu, defeated Wu, and the Wu king then returned.
14
後二歲，闔廬使太子夫差將兵伐楚，取番。 楚懼吳復大來，乃去郢，徙於鄀。 當是時，吳以伍子胥、孫武之謀，西破彊楚，北威齊晉，南服越人。
After two years, Helü made Crown Prince Fu Chai lead troops to attack Chu and took Fan. Chu feared Wu would come greatly again, so they left Ying and moved to Jiao. At this time, Wu, using the strategies of Wu Xi and Sun Wu, west broke strong Chu, north awed Qi and Jin, and south subjugated the Yue people.
15
其後四年，孔子相魯。
Four years later, Confucius became chancellor of Lu.
16
後五年，伐越。 越王句踐迎擊，敗吳於姑蘇，傷闔廬指，軍卻。 闔廬病創將死，謂太子夫差曰：「爾忘句踐殺爾父乎？」 夫差對曰：「不敢忘。」 是夕，闔廬死。 夫差既立為王，以伯嚭為太宰，習戰射。 二年後伐越，敗越於夫湫。 越王句踐乃以餘兵五千人棲於會稽之上，使大夫種厚幣遺吳太宰嚭以請和，求委國為臣妾。 吳王將許之。 伍子胥諫曰：「越王為人能辛苦。 今王不滅，後必悔之。」 吳王不聽，用太宰嚭計，與越平。
After five years, they attacked Yue. King Goujian of Yue welcomed and attacked them, defeated Wu at Gusu, wounded Helü's finger, and the army retreated. Helü, ill from his wound and about to die, told Crown Prince Fu Chai: 'Do you forget that Goujian killed your father?' Fu Chai replied: 'I dare not forget.' That night, Helü died. Fu Chai, having been established as king, made Bo Pi grand steward and practiced battle archery. After two years, he attacked Yue and defeated Yue at Fu Qiu. King Goujian of Yue then, with his remaining five thousand troops, dwelt atop Kuaiji. He made Grand Master Zhong send thick bribes to Wu's grand steward Pi to request peace and sought to entrust his state as minister and concubine. The Wu king was about to permit it. Wu Zixu remonstrated: 'King Goujian in his character is able to endure hardship. If the king does not extinguish them now, later he must regret it.'' The Wu king did not listen and used Grand Steward Pi's plan to make peace with Yue.
17
其後五年，而吳王聞齊景公死而大臣爭寵，新君弱，乃興師北伐齊。 伍子胥諫曰：「句踐食不重味，弔死問疾，且欲有所用之也。 此人不死，必為吳患。 今吳之有越，猶人之有腹心疾也。 而王不先越而乃務齊，不亦謬乎！」 吳王不聽，伐齊，大敗齊師於艾陵，遂威鄒魯之君以歸。 益疏子胥之謀。
Five years later, the Wu king heard that Duke Jing of Qi had died and ministers were contending for favor, with the new ruler weak. He raised troops and attacked Qi to the north. Wu Zixu remonstrated: 'Goujian eats no double flavors, mourns the dead and asks about the ill. Moreover, he wishes to use this. If this person does not die, he must become a calamity for Wu. Now Wu having Yue is like a person having an abdominal heart disease. The king does not put Yue first but strives for Qi—is this not also mistaken!'' The Wu king did not listen and attacked Qi. He greatly defeated the Qi troops at Ailing, then awed the rulers of Zou and Lu and returned. He increasingly estranged Wu Zixu's strategies.
18
其後四年，吳王將北伐齊，越王句踐用子貢之謀，乃率其眾以助吳，而重寶以獻遺太宰嚭。 太宰嚭既數受越賂，其愛信越殊甚，日夜為言於吳王。 吳王信用嚭之計。 伍子胥諫曰：「夫越，腹心之病，今信其浮辭詐偽而貪齊。 破齊，譬猶石田，無所用之。 且盤庚之誥曰：『有顛越不恭，劓殄滅之，俾無遺育，無使易種于茲邑。』 此商之所以興。 願王釋齊而先越； 若不然，後將悔之無及。」 而吳王不聽，使子胥於齊。 子胥臨行，謂其子曰：「吾數諫王，王不用，吾今見吳之亡矣。 汝與吳俱亡，無益也。」 乃屬其子於齊鮑牧，而還報吳。
Four years later, when the Wu king was about to attack Qi to the north, King Goujian of Yue used Zi Gong's strategy. He led his multitudes to help Wu and offered heavy treasures to Grand Steward Pi. Grand Steward Pi, having several times received Yue's bribes, loved and trusted Yue extremely. Day and night he spoke on their behalf to the Wu king. The Wu king trusted and used Pi's plans. Wu Zixu remonstrated: 'Yue is an abdominal heart disease. Now the king believes their empty words and deception while being greedy for Qi. Breaking Qi is like a stone field—nothing can be used from it.'' Moreover, Pan Geng's admonition said: 'Those who have overturning disrespect, cut them off and extinguish them. Make no remaining descendants, do not allow changing the seed in this city.'' This is why Shang rose. I wish the king to release Qi and put Yue first; if not, later you will regret it without being able to reach it.'' The Wu king did not listen and sent Wu Xi to Qi. Wu Xi, about to depart, told his son: 'I have several times remonstrated with the king, but the king did not use my advice. I now see Wu's perishing. You perishing together with Wu would be of no benefit.'' He then entrusted his son to Bao Mu of Qi and returned to report to Wu.
19
吳太宰嚭既與子胥有隙，因讒曰：「子胥為人剛暴，少恩，猜賊，其怨望恐為深禍也。 前日王欲伐齊，子胥以為不可，王卒伐之而有大功。 子胥恥其計謀不用，乃反怨望。 而今王又復伐齊，子胥專愎彊諫，沮毀用事，徒幸吳之敗以自勝其計謀耳。 今王自行，悉國中武力以伐齊，而子胥諫不用，因輟謝，詳病不行。 王不可不備，此起禍不難。 且嚭使人微伺之，其使於齊也，乃屬其子於齊之鮑氏。 夫為人臣，內不得意，外倚諸侯，自以為先王之謀臣，今不見用，常鞅鞅怨望。 願王早圖之。」 吳王曰：「微子之言，吾亦疑之。」 乃使使賜伍子胥屬鏤之劍，曰：「子以此死。」 伍子胥仰天嘆曰：「嗟乎！ 讒臣嚭為亂矣，王乃反誅我。 我令若父霸。 自若未立時，諸公子爭立，我以死爭之於先王，幾不得立。 若既得立，欲分吳國予我，我顧不敢望也。 然今若聽諛臣言以殺長者。」 乃告其舍人曰：「必樹吾墓上以梓，令可以為器； 而抉吾眼縣吳東門之上，以觀越寇之入滅吳也。」 乃自剄死。 吳王聞之大怒，乃取子胥尸盛以鴟夷革，浮之江中。 吳人憐之，為立祠於江上，因命曰胥山。
Wu's Grand Steward Pi, already having enmity with Wu Xi, therefore slandered: 'Wu Xi in character is firm and violent, with little kindness, suspicious and treacherous. His resentment fears becoming a deep calamity. Previously the king wished to attack Qi. Wu Xi considered it not possible, but the king finally attacked and had great merit. Wu Xi, ashamed that his plans and strategies were not used, then reversed and resented. Now the king is attacking Qi again. Wu Xi obstinately and strongly remonstrates, obstructs and destroys affairs, vainly hoping for Wu's defeat to prove his own plans right. Now the king personally goes, using all the state's martial strength to attack Qi. Wu Xi's remonstrations not being used, he stopped and declined, pretending illness and not going. The king cannot but prepare. This raising calamity is not difficult. Moreover, Pi made people secretly spy on him. When he was envoy to Qi, he entrusted his son to the Bao clan of Qi. Being a minister, inwardly discontent, outwardly relying on feudal lords, self-considering a strategist for the former king, now not being used, often vexed and resentful. I wish the king to plan for it early.'' The Wu king said: 'Without your words, I also doubted it.' He then sent an envoy to grant Wu Xi a linked sword, saying: 'You die with this.' Wu Xi gazed at heaven and sighed: 'Alas! The slanderous minister Pi has made chaos. The king instead executes me. I made your father a hegemon. From when you were not yet established, the various princes contended for establishment. I contended for it unto death with the former king. He almost was not established. You, having obtained establishment, wished to divide the Wu state and give me some. I still dared not hope for it. However, now you listen to the flattering minister's words to kill an elder.'' He then told his attendant: 'Certainly plant catalpa trees above my grave, so they can become vessels; dig out my eyes and hang them above Wu's east gate, to observe the Yue bandits enter and extinguish Wu.'' He then slit his own throat and died. The Wu king heard it and greatly angered. He took Wu Xi's corpse, contained it with Chi Yi skin, and floated it in the Jiang. The Wu people pitied him. They established a shrine above the Jiang and named it Xu Shan.
20
吳王既誅伍子胥，遂伐齊。 齊鮑氏殺其君悼公而立陽生。 吳王欲討其賊，不勝而去。 其後二年，吳王召魯衛之君會之橐皋。 其明年，因北大會諸侯於黃池，以令周室。 越王句踐襲殺吳太子，破吳兵。 吳王聞之，乃歸，使使厚幣與越平。 後九年，越王句踐遂滅吳，殺王夫差； 而誅太宰嚭，以不忠於其君，而外受重賂，與己比周也。
The Wu king, having executed Wu Zixu, then attacked Qi. The Qi Bao clan killed their ruler Duke Dao and established Yang Sheng. The Wu king wished to punish their traitor but was not victorious and departed. Two years later, the Wu king summoned the rulers of Lu and Wei to assemble at Tuo Gao. The next year, he greatly assembled the feudal lords in the north at Huang Chi, to command the Zhou house. King Goujian of Yue suddenly killed the Wu crown prince and broke the Wu troops. The Wu king heard it and then returned. He sent an envoy with thick gifts to make peace with Yue. After nine years, King Goujian of Yue then extinguished Wu and killed King Fu Chai; he executed Grand Steward Pi, because he was not loyal to his ruler, received heavy bribes from outside, and formed a clique with him.
21
伍子胥初所與俱亡故楚太子建之子勝者，在於吳。 吳王夫差之時，楚惠王欲召勝歸楚。 葉公諫曰：「勝好勇而陰求死士，殆有私乎！」 惠王不聽。 遂召勝，使居楚之邊邑鄢，號為白公。 白公歸楚三年而吳誅子胥。
Wu Zixu initially fled together with the former Chu Crown Prince Jian's son Sheng, who was in Wu. During Wu King Fu Chai's time, Chu King Hui wished to summon Sheng to return to Chu. Ye Gong remonstrated: 'Sheng is good at bravery and secretly seeks suicide troops. Probably has private motives!' King Hui did not listen. He then summoned Sheng and made him dwell in Chu's border town Yan, with the title Bai Gong. Three years after Bai Gong returned to Chu, Wu executed Zixu.
22
白公勝既歸楚，怨鄭之殺其父，乃陰養死士求報鄭。 歸楚五年，請伐鄭，楚令尹子西許之。 兵未發而晉伐鄭，鄭請救於楚。 楚使子西往救，與盟而還。 白公勝怒曰：「非鄭之仇，乃子西也。」 勝自礪劍，人問曰：「何以為？」 勝曰：「欲以殺子西。」 子西聞之，笑曰：「勝如卵耳，何能為也。」
Bai Gong Sheng, having returned to Chu, resented that Zheng had killed his father. He secretly nurtured suicide troops to seek revenge against Zheng. Five years after returning to Chu, he requested to attack Zheng. Chu's prime minister Zi Xi permitted it. The troops had not yet been issued when Jin attacked Zheng. Zheng requested aid from Chu. Chu sent Zi Xi to go save them. He allied with Zheng and returned. Bai Gong Sheng was angered and said: 'It is not Zheng that is the enemy, but Zi Xi.' Sheng personally sharpened his sword. People asked: 'What is it for?' Sheng said: 'I wish to kill Zi Xi with it.' Zi Xi heard it and laughed, saying: 'Sheng is like an egg. What can he do?'
23
其後四歲，白公勝與石乞襲殺楚令尹子西、司馬子綦於朝。 石乞曰：「不殺王，不可。」 乃劫（之）王如高府。 石乞從者屈固負楚惠王亡走昭夫人之宮。 葉公聞白公為亂，率其國人攻白公。 白公之徒敗，亡走山中，自殺。 而虜石乞，而問白公尸處，不言將亨。 石乞曰：「事成為卿，不成而亨，固其職也。」 終不肯告其尸處。 遂亨石乞，而求惠王復立之。
Four years later, Bai Gong Sheng and Shi Qi suddenly assassinated Chu's prime minister Zi Xi and commander Zi Qi at court. Shi Qi said: 'If we do not kill the king, it cannot be.' They then coerced the king to the Gao residence. Shi Qi's follower Qu Gu carried Chu King Hui on his back and fled to the Zhao lady's palace. Ye Gong heard that Bai Gong had made chaos. He led his state's people to attack Bai Gong. Bai Gong's followers were defeated. They fled into the mountains and committed suicide. They captured Shi Qi and questioned him about Bai Gong's corpse location. If he did not speak, they would boil him. Shi Qi said: 'If the affair succeeds, you will be a qing; if it does not succeed and I am boiled, it is certainly my duty.' He finally would not consent to tell Bai Gong's corpse location. They then boiled Shi Qi and sought to have King Hui established again.
24
太史公曰：怨毒之於人甚矣哉！ 王者尚不能行之於臣下，況同列乎！ 向令伍子胥從奢俱死，何異螻蟻。 棄小義，雪大恥，名垂於後世，悲夫！ 方子胥窘於江上，道乞食，志豈嘗須臾忘郢邪？ 故隱忍就功名，非烈丈夫孰能致此哉？ 白公如不自立為君者，其功謀亦不可勝道者哉！
The Grand Historian said: How extreme resentment and poison are to people! Even wang cannot practice it on their ministers and subordinates—how much less on those of the same rank! If Wu Zixu had followed She and died together, how would he be different from an ant? He abandoned small righteousness, avenged great humiliation, and his name hangs in later generations. How sad! When Wu Xi was distressed on the Jiang above, begging for food along the path, how could his ambition even for a moment forget Ying? Therefore, he concealed and endured to achieve merit and name. Who among fierce husbands could reach this? If Bai Gong had not established himself as jun, his merits and plans also could not all be told!