Biographies of Shu Lizi and Gan Mao

樗里子者，名疾，秦惠王之弟也，與惠王異母。母，韓女也。樗里子滑稽多智，秦人號曰「智囊」。

Shu Lizi, whose given name was Ji, was the younger half-brother of King Hui of Qin. Their mother was a woman from Han. Shu Lizi was witty and exceedingly clever. The people of Qin dubbed him the 'Wisdom Satchel.'

秦惠王八年，爵樗里子右更，使將而伐曲沃，盡出其人，取其城，地入秦。秦惠王二十五年，使樗里子為將伐趙，虜趙將軍莊豹，拔藺。明年，助魏章攻楚，敗楚將屈丐，取漢中地。秦封樗里子，號為嚴君。

In the eighth year of King Hui of Qin, he enfeoffed Shu Lizi with the rank of Right Minister and dispatched him as general to attack Quwo. They drove out all its inhabitants, seized the city, and the territory fell under Qin's control. In the twenty-fifth year of King Hui of Qin, he dispatched Shu Lizi as general to attack Zhao. They captured the Zhao general Zhuang Bao and seized the city of Lin. The following year, he aided Wei Zhang in attacking Chu, defeated the Chu general Qu Gai, and seized the territory of Hanzhong. Qin enfeoffed Shu Lizi and bestowed upon him the title Lord Yan.

秦惠王卒，太子武王立，逐張儀、魏章，而以樗里子、甘茂為左右丞相。秦使甘茂攻韓，拔宜陽。使樗里子以車百乘入周。周以卒迎之，意甚敬。楚王怒，讓周，以其重秦客。游騰為周說楚王曰：「知伯之伐仇猶，遺之廣車，因隨之以兵，仇猶遂亡。何則？無備故也。齊桓公伐蔡，號曰誅楚，其實襲蔡。今秦，虎狼之國，使樗里子以車百乘入周，周以仇猶、蔡觀焉，故使長戟居前，彊弩在後，名曰衛疾，而實囚之。且夫周豈能無憂其社稷哉？恐一旦亡國以憂大王。」楚王乃悅。

When King Hui of Qin died, Crown Prince Wu ascended the throne as King Wu. He banished Zhang Yi and Wei Zhang, and appointed Shu Lizi and Gan Mao as left and right prime ministers. Qin dispatched Gan Mao to attack Han and seize Yiyang. They sent Shu Lizi with a hundred chariots to enter Zhou. Zhou welcomed him with armed escort, showing utmost deference. The King of Chu grew furious and upbraided Zhou for favoring the Qin envoy. You Teng advised the King of Chu on Zhou's behalf: "When Zhi Bo attacked Qiuyou, he sent them broad chariots, then followed up with troops, and Qiuyou was destroyed. Why so? Because they were unprepared. When Duke Huan of Qi attacked Cai, he proclaimed it was to punish Chu, but in truth he ambushed Cai. Now Qin is a realm of tigers and wolves. If they dispatch Shu Lizi with a hundred chariots into Zhou, Zhou will view it as Duke Huan did Qiuyou and Cai—so they will station long lances before him and strong crossbows behind, calling it protection for Ji but in truth imprisoning him. Moreover, how can Zhou not worry about its altars of soil and grain? I fear that one day Zhou will perish as a kingdom and cause anxiety for Your Majesty." The King of Chu was then appeased.

秦武王卒，昭王立，樗里子又益尊重。

When King Wu of Qin died and King Zhao ascended the throne, Shu Lizi's esteem grew even greater.

昭王元年，樗里子將伐蒲。蒲守恐，請胡衍。胡衍為蒲謂樗里子曰：「公之攻蒲，為秦乎？為魏乎？為魏則善矣，為秦則不為賴矣。夫衛之所以為衛者，以蒲也。今伐蒲入於魏，衛必折而從之。魏亡西河之外而無以取者，兵弱也。今并衛於魏，魏必彊。魏彊之日，西河之外必危矣。且秦王將觀公之事，害秦而利魏，王必罪公。」樗里子曰：「柰何？」胡衍曰：「公釋蒲勿攻，臣試為公入言之，以德衛君。」樗里子曰：「善。」胡衍入蒲，謂其守曰：「樗里子知蒲之病矣，其言曰必拔蒲。衍能令釋蒲勿攻。」蒲守恐，因再拜曰：「願以請。」因效金三百斤，曰：「秦兵茍退，請必言子於衛君，使子為南面。」故胡衍受金於蒲以自貴於衛。於是遂解蒲而去。還擊皮氏，皮氏未降，又去。

In the first year of King Zhao, Shu Lizi commanded the assault on Pu. The governor of Pu grew fearful and summoned Hu Yan. Hu Yan spoke to Shu Lizi on behalf of Pu: "Is my lord attacking Pu for Qin's sake? Or for Wei's? If given to Wei, it would be advantageous; if given to Qin, it would be of no benefit. The reason Wei endures as Wei is because of Pu. If you now attack Pu and cede it to Wei, Wei will surely break and submit to Wei. Wei forfeited the territories west of the Yellow River and cannot reclaim them because their military is feeble. If you now annex Wei to Wei, Wei will surely grow powerful. When Wei grows mighty, the territories west of the Yellow River will surely be imperiled. Moreover, the King of Qin will scrutinize my lord's conduct. If it harms Qin and aids Wei, the king will surely condemn my lord." Shu Lizi asked, "What should I do?" Hu Yan said, "My lord should release Pu and not attack it. I will try to go in and speak on your behalf, to win favor with the Lord of Wei." Shu Lizi replied, "Excellent." Hu Yan entered Pu and told its governor, "Shu Lizi understands Pu's difficulties. His words say he will certainly take Pu. Yan can compel him to abandon Pu and cease the attack." The governor of Pu was afraid and bowed twice, saying, "I wish to make this request." He presented three hundred jin of gold, saying, "If the Qin troops withdraw, I will certainly speak on your behalf to the Lord of Wei and make you face south as a ruler." Therefore Hu Yan accepted gold from Pu to elevate himself in Wei. Thus he raised the siege of Pu and withdrew. He turned back and assaulted Pishi, but Pishi refused to yield, so he departed once more.

昭王七年，樗里子卒，葬于渭南章臺之東。曰：「後百歲，是當有天子之宮夾我墓。」樗里子疾室在於昭王廟西渭南陰鄉樗裏，故俗謂之樗里子。至漢興，長樂宮在其東，未央宮在其西，武庫正直其墓。秦人諺曰：「力則任鄙，智則樗裏。」

In the seventh year of King Zhao, Shu Lizi passed away and was interred east of the Zhangtai Terrace south of the Wei River. He said, "A hundred years from now, the palaces of the Son of Heaven should flank my tomb." Shu Lizi's sickroom was west of the Zhao Wang Temple in the Yinxiang quarter south of the Wei River in Chuli, hence the popular designation for him. When the Han dynasty emerged, the Changle Palace stood to its east, the Weiyang Palace to its west, and the imperial arsenal directly confronted his tomb. The Qin people had a proverb: "For strength, look to Ren Bi; for wisdom, look to Chuli."

甘茂者，下蔡人也。事下蔡史舉先生，學百家之說。因張儀、樗里子而求見秦惠王。王見而說之，使將，而佐魏章略定漢中地。

Gan Mao was a native of Xiaca. He attended Master Shi Ju of Xiaca and mastered the teachings of the Hundred Schools. Through Zhang Yi and Shu Lizi, he petitioned for an audience with King Hui of Qin. The king saw and delighted in him, appointed him general, and had him assist Wei Zhang in roughly pacifying the Han Zhong territory.

惠王卒，武王立。張儀、魏章去，東之魏。蜀侯煇、相壯反，秦使甘茂定蜀。還，而以甘茂為左丞相，以樗里子為右丞相。

King Hui passed away, and King Wu ascended the throne. Zhang Yi and Wei Zhang departed and went east to Wei. The Shu lord Hui and chancellor Zhuang rebelled. Qin dispatched Gan Mao to pacify Shu. Upon his return, they appointed Gan Mao as left prime minister and Shu Lizi as right prime minister.

秦武王三年，謂甘茂曰：「寡人欲容車通三川，以窺周室，而寡人死不朽矣。」甘茂曰：「請之魏，約以伐韓，而令向壽輔行。」甘茂至，謂向壽曰：「子歸，言之於王曰『魏聽臣矣，然願王勿伐』。事成，盡以為子功。」向壽歸，以告王，王迎甘茂於息壤。甘茂至，王問其故。對曰：「宜陽，大縣也，上黨、南陽積之久矣。名曰縣，其實郡也。今王倍數險，行千里攻之，難。昔曾參之處費，魯人有與曾參同姓名者殺人，人告其母曰『曾參殺人』，其母織自若也。頃之，一人又告之曰『曾參殺人』，其母尚織自若也。頃又一人告之曰『曾參殺人』，其母投杼下機，踰墻而走。夫以曾參之賢與其母信之也，三人疑之，其母懼焉。今臣之賢不若曾參，王之信臣又不如曾參之母信曾參也，疑臣者非特三人，臣恐大王之投杼也。始張儀西并巴蜀之地，北開西河之外，南取上庸，天下不以多張子而以賢先王。魏文侯令樂羊將而攻中山，三年而拔之。樂羊返而論功，文侯示之謗書一篋。樂羊再拜稽首曰：『此非臣之功也，主君之力也。』今臣，羈旅之臣也。樗里子、公孫奭二人者挾韓而議之，王必聽之，是王欺魏王而臣受公仲侈之怨也。」王曰：「寡人不聽也，請與子盟。」卒使丞相甘茂將兵伐宜陽。五月而不拔，樗里子、公孫奭果爭之。武王召甘茂，欲罷兵。甘茂曰：「息壤在彼。」王曰：「有之。」因大悉起兵，使甘茂擊之。斬首六萬，遂拔宜陽。韓襄王使公仲侈入謝，與秦平。

In the third year of King Wu of Qin, he addressed Gan Mao: 'I desire broad chariots to traverse the Sanchuan and spy upon the Zhou court—then I shall die without decay.' Gan Mao said, "I request to go to Wei, make a pact to attack Han, and have Xiang Shou accompany me." Gan Mao arrived and told Xiang Shou: 'Return and speak to the king: "Wei heeds my counsel, yet I wish Your Majesty not to attack."' When affairs succeed, I shall attribute all merit to you." Xiang Shou returned and informed the king, who welcomed Gan Mao at Xirang. Gan Mao arrived, and the king inquired about the reason. He replied: 'Yiyang is a major county. Shangdang and Nanyang have stored up resources there for a long time.' It is called a county in name, but in reality it is a commandery. Now Your Majesty would double several dangers and travel a thousand li to attack it—this is difficult.' 'In former times, when Zeng Shen dwelt in Fei, a man from Lu with the same name as Zeng Shen committed murder. Someone told his mother, "Zeng Shen has killed a man," but his mother continued weaving undisturbed.' Shortly after, another person told her, 'Zeng Shen has killed a man,' and his mother still continued weaving undisturbed.' Shortly after, yet another person told her, 'Zeng Shen has killed a man,' whereupon his mother threw down her shuttle, left her loom, climbed over the wall, and fled.' Though Zeng Shen was worthy and his mother trusted him completely, when three men doubted him, his mother grew fearful.' 'Now your minister's worthiness does not equal Zeng Shen's, and Your Majesty's trust in your minister does not equal Zeng Shen's mother's trust in Zeng Shen. Those who doubt your minister are not merely three men—I fear Your Majesty will throw down the shuttle.' 'At first Zhang Yi merged the lands of Bashu to the west, opened the territories north of the Yellow River, and seized Shangyong to the south. The world did not attribute this to Master Zhang's greed but to the former king's worthiness.' 'Marquis Wen of Wei commanded Yue Yang as general to attack Zhongshan, and after three years he captured it.' Yue Yang returned and sought reward for his merit. Marquis Wen showed him a casket filled with slanderous letters.' Yue Yang bowed twice and touched his head to the ground: 'This is not my merit—it is my lord's strength.' 'Now your minister is a sojourning minister.' 'These two men, Shu Lizi and Gongsun Yang, will grasp Han's interests and discuss it with the king, who will certainly listen to them. This means Your Majesty deceives the King of Wei while your minister receives the resentment of Gong Zhongchi.' The king declared: 'I will not listen to them. Allow me to make a covenant with you.' In the end, they dispatched Prime Minister Gan Mao to lead troops and attack Yiyang. After five months without capturing it, Shu Lizi and Gongsun Yang indeed argued against continuing. King Wu summoned Gan Mao, desiring to withdraw the troops. Gan Mao declared: 'Xirang is over there.' The king replied: 'Indeed.' Therefore he greatly mobilized all troops and dispatched Gan Mao to strike at it. They beheaded sixty thousand and then captured Yiyang. King Xiang of Han dispatched Gong Zhongchi to enter and apologize, making peace with Qin.

武王竟至周，而卒於周。其弟立，為昭王。王母宣太后，楚女也。楚懷王怨前秦敗楚於丹陽而韓不救，乃以兵圍韓雍氏。韓使公仲侈告急於秦。秦昭王新立，太后楚人，不肯救。公仲因甘茂，茂為韓言於秦昭王曰：「公仲方有得秦救，故敢捍楚也。今雍氏圍，秦師不下殽，公仲且仰首而不朝，公叔且以國南合於楚。楚、韓為一，魏氏不敢不聽，然則伐秦之形成矣。不識坐而待伐孰與伐人之利？」秦王曰：「善。」乃下師於殽以救韓。楚兵去。

King Wu finally reached Zhou, but died in Zhou. His younger brother ascended the throne as King Zhao. The king's mother was Empress Dowager Xuan, a woman from Chu. King Huai of Chu resented that Qin had previously defeated Chu at Danyang and Han had not come to their aid. Therefore he deployed troops to surround Han's Yongshi. Han dispatched Gong Zhongchi to urgently report the crisis to Qin. King Zhao of Qin had newly ascended the throne. The Empress Dowager was from Chu and refused to provide aid. Gong Zhong went through Gan Mao, who spoke on Han's behalf to King Zhao of Qin: 'Gong Zhong is counting on receiving Qin's aid, which is why he dares to resist Chu.' 'Now Yongshi is besieged. If Qin troops do not descend from Xiao, Gong Zhong will raise his head in defiance and not attend court, while Gong Shu will lead the state south to unite with Chu.' 'If Chu and Han become one, the Wei clan will dare not refuse to heed them. Then the coalition to attack Qin will take form.' 'Do you not know whether it is more advantageous to sit and await attack or to attack others?' The King of Qin declared: 'Excellent.' Therefore they dispatched troops down from Xiao to save Han. The Chu troops withdrew.

秦使向壽平宜陽，而使樗里子、甘茂伐魏皮氏。向壽者，宣太后外族也，而與昭王少相長，故任用。向壽如楚，楚聞秦之貴向壽，而厚事向壽。向壽為秦守宜陽，將以伐韓。韓公仲使蘇代謂向壽曰：「禽困覆車。公破韓，辱公仲，公仲收國復事秦，自以為必可以封。今公與楚解口地，封小令尹以杜陽。秦楚合，復攻韓，韓必亡。韓亡，公仲且躬率其私徒以閼於秦。願公孰慮之也。」向壽曰：「吾合秦楚非以當韓也，子為壽謁之公仲，曰秦韓之交可合也。」蘇代對曰：「願有謁於公。人曰貴其所以貴者貴。王之愛習公也，不如公孫奭；其智能公也，不如甘茂。今二人者皆不得親於秦事，而公獨與王主斷於國者何？彼有以失之也。公孫奭黨於韓，而甘茂黨於魏，故王不信也。今秦楚爭彊而公黨於楚，是與公孫奭、甘茂同道也，公何以異之？人皆言楚之善變也，而公必亡之，是自為責也。公不如與王謀其變也，善韓以備楚，如此則無患矣。韓氏必先以國從公孫奭而後委國於甘茂。韓，公之讎也。今公言善韓以備楚，是外舉不僻讎也。」向壽曰：「然，吾甚欲韓合。」對曰：「甘茂許公仲以武遂，反宜陽之民，今公徒收之，甚難。」向壽曰：「然則奈何？武遂終不可得也？」對曰：「公奚不以秦為韓求潁川於楚？此韓之寄地也。公求而得之，是令行於楚而以其地德韓也。公求而不得，是韓楚之怨不解而交走秦也。秦楚爭彊，而公徐過楚以收韓，此利於秦。」向壽曰：「柰何？」對曰：「此善事也。甘茂欲以魏取齊，公孫奭欲以韓取齊。今公取宜陽以為功，收楚韓以安之，而誅齊魏之罪，是以公孫奭、甘茂無事也。」

Qin dispatched Xiang Shou to pacify Yiyang, while sending Shu Lizi and Gan Mao to attack Wei's Pishi. Xiang Shou was from Empress Dowager Xuan's extended family. He had grown up alongside King Zhao from childhood, which is why he was employed. Xiang Shou went to Chu. Chu, learning that Qin esteemed Xiang Shou, treated him with great generosity. Xiang Shou guarded Yiyang for Qin, preparing to attack Han. Han's Gong Zhong sent Su Dai to address Xiang Shou: 'A trapped bird overturns the cart.' 'If you defeat Han and humiliate Gong Zhong, Gong Zhong will rally the state to serve Qin once more, believing he will certainly be enfeoffed.' 'If you now cede Kou Di land to Chu and enfeoff the minor Ling Yin with Duyang.' 'Qin and Chu will unite and attack Han once more—Han will certainly perish.' 'When Han perishes, Gong Zhong will personally lead his private retainers to block Qin.' 'I wish you to deliberate carefully on this.' Xiang Shou declared: 'I unite Qin and Chu not to oppose Han. For my sake, report to Gong Zhong that the alliance between Qin and Han can be restored.' Su Dai replied: 'I wish to make a report to you.' 'People say that what makes nobility noble is nobility.' The king's affection and familiarity with you is not as great as with Gongsun Yang; 'In intelligence, my lord, he does not equal Gan Mao.' 'Now those two men are not allowed to participate in Qin affairs, yet my lord alone with the king decides matters of state—why is this?' 'They have reason to have lost it.' 'Gongsun Yang favors Han, while Gan Mao favors Wei—therefore the king does not trust them.' 'Now Qin and Chu contend for supremacy, yet my lord favors Chu—this is the same path as Gongsun Yang and Gan Mao. How are you different from them?' 'People all say that Chu is fickle, yet my lord will surely ruin it—this brings blame upon yourself.' 'My lord should plan for change with the king, befriend Han to prepare against Chu—in this way there will be no calamity.' 'The Han clan will certainly first follow the state under Gongsun Yang, then entrust the state to Gan Mao.' 'Han is my lord's enemy.' 'Now my lord speaks well of Han to prepare against Chu—this externally raises up an unbiased enemy.' Xiang Shou declared: 'Indeed, I very much wish to unite with Han.' He replied: 'Gan Mao promised Gong Zhong Wusui and the return of Yiyang's people. Now my lord alone seeks to collect it—this is very difficult.' Xiang Shou asked: 'Then what is to be done?' 'Can Wusui never be obtained?' He replied: 'Why does my lord not seek Yingchuan from Chu for Han on Qin's behalf?' 'This is entrusted land for Han.' 'If my lord seeks and obtains it, this makes commands effective in Chu and confers the land as a favor to Han.' 'If my lord seeks but does not obtain it, this leaves Han-Chu resentment unresolved while alliances hasten to Qin.' 'As Qin and Chu contend for supremacy, my lord can leisurely pass through Chu to win Han—this benefits Qin.' Xiang Shou asked: 'How so?' He replied: 'This is a good affair.' 'Gan Mao wishes to use Wei to take Qi, Gongsun Yang wishes to use Han to take Qi.' 'Now my lord can take Yiyang as merit, win over Chu and Han to secure it, and punish Qi and Wei's crimes—this renders Gongsun Yang and Gan Mao without affairs.'

甘茂竟言秦昭王，以武遂復歸之韓。向壽、公孫奭爭之，不能得。向壽、公孫奭由此怨，讒甘茂。茂懼，輟伐魏蒲阪，亡去。樗里子與魏講，罷兵。

Gan Mao finally spoke to King Zhao of Qin and returned Wusui to Han. Xiang Shou and Gongsun Yang argued against it but could not prevail. Xiang Shou and Gongsun Yang therefore resented him and slandered Gan Mao. Gan Mao grew fearful, abandoned the attack on Wei's Puban, and fled. Shu Lizi negotiated with Wei and withdrew the troops.

甘茂之亡秦奔齊，逢蘇代。代為齊使於秦。甘茂曰：「臣得罪於秦，懼而遯逃，無所容跡。臣聞貧人女與富人女會績，貧人女曰：『我無以買燭，而子之燭光幸有餘，子可分我餘光，無損子明而得一斯便焉。』今臣困而君方使秦而當路矣。茂之妻子在焉，願君以餘光振之。」蘇代許諾。遂致使於秦。已，因說秦王曰：「甘茂，非常士也。其居於秦，累世重矣。自殽塞及至鬼谷，其地形險易皆明知之。彼以齊約韓魏反以圖秦，非秦之利也。」秦王曰：「然則柰何？」蘇代曰：「王不若重其贄，厚其祿以迎之，使彼來則置之鬼谷，終身勿出。」秦王曰：「善。」即賜之上卿，以相印迎之於齊。甘茂不往。蘇代謂齊湣王曰：「夫甘茂，賢人也。今秦賜之上卿，以相印迎之。甘茂德王之賜，好為王臣，故辭而不往。今王何以禮之？」齊王曰：「善。」即位之上卿而處之。秦因復甘茂之家以市於齊。

When Gan Mao fled Qin and went to Qi, he encountered Su Dai. Su Dai was serving as Qi's envoy to Qin. Gan Mao declared: 'Your subject has offended Qin. In fear I fled and escaped, with no place to hide my traces.' 'Your subject has heard that when a poor man's daughter and a rich man's daughter were spinning together, the poor girl said: "I have no means to buy a candle, but your candlelight fortunately has surplus. You can share your surplus light with me, harming not your brightness while I gain this convenience."' 'Now your subject is distressed while you are just now envoys to Qin and control the road.' 'Gan Mao's wife and children are there. I wish you to use your surplus light to succor them.' Su Dai consented. He then completed his mission as envoy to Qin. Having done so, he then advised the King of Qin: 'Gan Mao is no ordinary scholar.' 'His dwelling in Qin has been honored for generations.' 'From Xiao Pass to Guigu Valley, he clearly knows all the terrain's dangers and ease.' 'If he allies with Qi to make Han and Wei turn against Qin, it will not benefit Qin.' The King of Qin asked: 'Then what is to be done?' Su Dai declared: 'Your Majesty should increase his gifts, enrich his salary to welcome him, and when he comes, place him in Guigu Valley, never to emerge for life.' The King of Qin declared: 'Excellent.' He immediately granted him the rank of upper minister and sent the prime minister's seal to welcome him from Qi. Gan Mao did not go. Su Dai addressed King Min of Qi: 'Gan Mao is a worthy man.' 'Now Qin has granted him the rank of upper minister and sent the prime minister's seal to welcome him.' 'Gan Mao appreciates Your Majesty's favor and wishes to serve as your minister, therefore he declined and did not go.' 'Now how should Your Majesty honor him?' The King of Qi declared: 'Excellent.' He immediately appointed him upper minister and treated him accordingly. Qin therefore returned Gan Mao's family to bargain with Qi.

齊使甘茂於楚，楚懷王新與秦合婚而驩。而秦聞甘茂在楚，使人謂楚王曰：「願送甘茂於秦。」楚王問於范蜎曰：「寡人欲置相於秦，孰可？」對曰：「臣不足以識之。」楚王曰：「寡人欲相甘茂，可乎？」對曰：「不可。夫史舉，下蔡之監門也，大不為事君，小不為家室，以茍賤不廉聞於世，甘茂事之順焉。故惠王之明，武王之察，張儀之辯，而甘茂事之，取十官而無罪。茂誠賢者也，然不可相於秦。夫秦之有賢相，非楚國之利也。且王前嘗用召滑於越，而內行章義之難，越國亂，故楚南塞厲門而郡江東。計王之功所以能如此者，越國亂而楚治也。今王知用諸越而忘用諸秦，臣以王為鉅過矣。然則王若欲置相於秦，則莫若向壽者可。夫向壽之於秦王，親也，少與之同衣，長與之同車，以聽事。王必相向壽於秦，則楚國之利也。」於是使使請秦相向壽於秦。秦卒相向壽。而甘茂竟不得復入秦，卒於魏。

Qi dispatched Gan Mao as envoy to Chu, where King Huai had newly allied with Qin through marriage and was on good terms. When Qin learned Gan Mao was in Chu, they sent someone to address the King of Chu: 'We wish you to send Gan Mao to Qin.' The King of Chu asked Fan Quan: 'I wish to place a prime minister in Qin—who would be suitable?' He replied: 'Your subject is not qualified to know such matters.' The King of Chu asked: 'I wish to make Gan Mao prime minister—is this acceptable?' He replied: 'It is not acceptable.' 'Shi Ju was a gatekeeper of Xiaca. He neither served his lord on a grand scale nor maintained his household on a small scale, known throughout the world for his cheapness and lack of integrity. Yet Gan Mao served him compliantly.' 'Thus though King Hui was discerning, King Wu perceptive, and Zhang Yi eloquent, Gan Mao served them all, holding ten offices without incurring blame.' 'Gan Mao is truly a worthy man, yet he cannot serve as prime minister in Qin.' 'For Qin to have a worthy prime minister is not advantageous for the state of Chu.' 'Moreover, Your Majesty previously employed Zhao Hua against Yue, while internally creating difficulties for Zhang Yi. Yue fell into chaos, therefore Chu blocked Limen to the south and established the Jiangdong commandery.' 'The reason Your Majesty's achievements could be so great was that Yue was in chaos while Chu was well governed.' 'Now Your Majesty knows how to use Yue but forgets how to use Qin—your subject considers this a grave error.' 'Therefore, if Your Majesty wishes to place a prime minister in Qin, none is better than Xiang Shou.' 'Xiang Shou is close to the King of Qin. In youth he shared the same robes, in adulthood the same chariot, attending to affairs together.' 'If Your Majesty certainly makes Xiang Shou prime minister in Qin, it will benefit the state of Chu.' Therefore they sent an envoy to request that Qin appoint Xiang Shou as prime minister. Qin ultimately appointed Xiang Shou as prime minister. Gan Mao was ultimately unable to reenter Qin and died in Wei.

甘茂有孫曰甘羅。

Gan Mao had a grandson named Gan Luo.

甘羅者，甘茂孫也。茂既死後，甘羅年十二，事秦相文信侯呂不韋。

Gan Luo was Gan Mao's grandson. After Gan Mao died, Gan Luo at age twelve served Qin's prime minister Wenxin Hou Lü Buwei.

秦始皇帝使剛成君蔡澤於燕，三年而燕王喜使太子丹入質於秦。秦使張唐往相燕，欲與燕共伐趙以廣河閒之地。張唐謂文信侯曰：「臣嘗為秦昭王伐趙，趙怨臣，曰：『得唐者與百里之地。』今之燕必經趙，臣不可以行。」文信侯不快，未有以彊也。甘羅曰：「君侯何不快之甚也？」文信侯曰：「吾令剛成君蔡澤事燕三年，燕太子丹已入質矣，吾自請張卿相燕而不肯行。」甘羅曰：「臣請行之。」文信侯叱曰：「去！我身自請之而不肯，女焉能行之？」甘羅曰：「大項橐生七歲為孔子師。今臣生十二歲於茲矣，君其試臣，何遽叱乎？」於是甘羅見張卿曰：「卿之功孰與武安君？」卿曰：「武安君南挫彊楚，北威燕、趙，戰勝攻取，破城墮邑，不知其數，臣之功不如也。」甘羅曰：「應侯之用於秦也，孰與文信侯專？」張卿曰：「應侯不如文信侯專。」甘羅曰：「卿明知其不如文信侯專與？」曰：「知之。」甘羅曰：「應侯欲攻趙，武安君難之，去咸陽七里而立死於杜郵。今文信侯自請卿相燕而不肯行，臣不知卿所死處矣。」張唐曰：「請因孺子行。」令裝治行。

Qin Shi Huang sent Gangcheng Jun Cai Ze to Yan. After three years, King Xi of Yan sent Crown Prince Dan as hostage to Qin. Qin sent Zhang Tang to serve as prime minister of Yan, desiring to attack Zhao together with Yan to expand the Hejian territories. Zhang Tang addressed Wenxin Hou: 'Your subject once attacked Zhao for King Zhao of Qin. Zhao resents your subject and says: "Whoever captures Tang will receive a hundred li of land."' 'To go to Yan now I must pass through Zhao—your subject cannot go.' Wenxin Hou was displeased but had no way to compel him. Gan Luo asked: 'Why is my lord so extremely displeased?' Wenxin Hou declared: 'I had Gangcheng Jun Cai Ze serve Yan for three years, and Crown Prince Dan of Yan has already entered as hostage. I personally requested that Zhang Qing serve as prime minister of Yan, but he refuses to go.' Gan Luo declared: 'Your subject requests to go.' Wenxin Hou scolded: 'Away with you!' 'I personally requested it and he refused—how can you accomplish it?' Gan Luo declared: 'Da Xiangtuo was born and at seven years became Confucius's teacher.' 'Now your subject has lived twelve years here already. My lord should test your subject—why scold so hastily?' Then Gan Luo met Zhang Qing and asked: 'Whose merit compares with Lord Wu An's?' Zhang Qing replied: 'Lord Wu An frustrated mighty Chu to the south and awed Yan and Zhao to the north. His battle victories, conquests, shattered cities, and fallen towns cannot be numbered—your subject's merit does not compare.' Gan Luo asked: 'How does Lord Ying's employment in Qin compare with Wenxin Hou's monopoly?' Zhang Qing replied: 'Lord Ying's power was not as monopolistic as Wenxin Hou's.' Gan Luo asked: 'Do you clearly know that it does not equal Wenxin Hou's monopoly?' He replied: 'I know it.' Gan Luo declared: 'Lord Ying wished to attack Zhao, but Lord Wu An opposed it. He left Xianyang by seven li and died standing at Duyou.' 'Now Wenxin Hou personally requests you to serve as prime minister of Yan and you refuse to go—your subject does not know where you will die.' Zhang Tang declared: 'I shall go on account of the child.' They ordered preparations for the journey.

行有日，甘羅謂文信侯曰：「借臣車五乘，請為張唐先報趙。」文信侯乃入言之於始皇曰：「昔甘茂之孫甘羅，年少耳，然名家之子孫，諸侯皆聞之。今者張唐欲稱疾不肯行，甘羅說而行之。今願先報趙，請許遣之。」始皇召見，使甘羅於趙。趙襄王郊迎甘羅。甘羅說趙王曰：「王聞燕太子丹入質秦歟？」曰：「聞之。」曰：「聞張唐相燕歟？」曰：「聞之。」「燕太子丹入秦者，燕不欺秦也。張唐相燕者，秦不欺燕也。燕、秦不相欺者，伐趙，危矣。燕、秦不相欺無異故，欲攻趙而廣河閒。王不如齎臣五城以廣河閒，請歸燕太子，與彊趙攻弱燕。」趙王立自割五城以廣河閒。秦歸燕太子。趙攻燕，得上谷三十城，令秦有十一。

When the day of departure arrived, Gan Luo addressed Wenxin Hou: 'Lend your subject five chariots. I wish to go ahead and report to Zhao for Zhang Tang.' Wenxin Hou then entered and spoke to Qin Shi Huang: 'Gan Mao's grandson Gan Luo is young indeed, yet he is the descendant of a famous family, and all the feudal lords have heard of him.' 'Now Zhang Tang wished to claim illness and refuse to go, but Gan Luo persuaded him and made him go.' 'Now I wish to report to Zhao first—please permit me to be sent.' Qin Shi Huang summoned him for an audience and dispatched Gan Luo to Zhao. King Xiang of Zhao welcomed Gan Luo in the suburbs. Gan Luo advised the King of Zhao: 'Has Your Majesty heard that Yan's Crown Prince Dan has entered Qin as hostage?' He replied: 'I have heard.' He asked: 'Have you heard that Zhang Tang serves as prime minister of Yan?' He replied: 'I have heard.' 'Yan sending Crown Prince Dan as hostage to Qin shows that Yan is not deceiving Qin.' 'Qin sending Zhang Tang to serve as prime minister of Yan shows that Qin is not deceiving Yan.' 'Since Yan and Qin are not deceiving each other, attacking Zhao would be dangerous.' 'Yan and Qin have no different motives in not deceiving each other—they both wish to attack Zhao and expand the Hejian territories.' 'Your Majesty should grant your subject five cities to expand Hejian, request the return of Yan's crown prince, and attack weak Yan with strong Zhao.' The King of Zhao immediately ceded five cities to expand Hejian. Qin returned Yan's crown prince. Zhao attacked Yan, captured thirty cities in Shanggu, and ceded eleven to Qin.

甘羅還報秦，乃封甘羅以為上卿，復以始甘茂田宅賜之。

Gan Luo returned and reported to Qin, who then enfeoffed him as upper minister and restored Gan Mao's original fields and residence to him.

太史公曰：樗里子以骨肉重，固其理，而秦人稱其智，故頗采焉。甘茂起下蔡閭閻，顯名諸侯，重彊齊楚。甘羅年少，然出一奇計，聲稱後世。雖非篤行之君子，然亦戰國之策士也。方秦之彊時，天下尤趨謀詐哉。

The Grand Historian remarks: Shu Lizi was honored for his kinship ties, which was only natural, yet the people of Qin praised his wisdom, therefore I have collected much about him. Gan Mao rose from humble alleys and doorways in Xiaca, made his name manifest among the feudal lords, and was esteemed by mighty Qi and Chu. Gan Luo was young, yet he produced a remarkable strategy that will be proclaimed famous in later generations. Though not a gentleman of solid virtue, he was nevertheless a strategist of the Warring States period. When Qin was at the height of its strength, did not the world especially incline toward plotting and deceit?

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