1
孟嘗君名文，姓田氏。 文之父曰靖郭君田嬰。 田嬰者，齊威王少子而齊宣王庶弟也。 田嬰自威王時任職用事，與成侯鄒忌及田忌將而救韓伐魏。 成侯與田忌爭寵，成侯賣田忌。 田忌懼，襲齊之邊邑，不勝，亡走。 會威王卒，宣王立，知成侯賣田忌，乃復召田忌以為將。 宣王二年，田忌與孫臏、田嬰俱伐魏，敗之馬陵，虜魏太子申而殺魏將龐涓。 宣王七年，田嬰使於韓、魏，韓、魏服於齊。 嬰與韓昭侯、魏惠王會齊宣王東阿南，盟而去。 明年，復與梁惠王會甄。 是歲，梁惠王卒。 宣王九年，田嬰相齊。 齊宣王與魏襄王會徐州而相王也。 楚威王聞之，怒田嬰。 明年，楚伐敗齊師於徐州，而使人逐田嬰。 田嬰使張丑說楚威王，威王乃止。 田嬰相齊十一年，宣王卒，湣王即位。 即位三年，而封田嬰於薛。
Lord Mengchang was Tian Wen of the Tian clan. Tian Wen's father was called Lord Jingguo, Tian Ying. Tian Ying was King Wei of Qi's youngest son and King Xuan of Qi's half-brother. Tian Ying held office and managed affairs from King Wei's time onward. Together with Lord Cheng Zou Ji and the general Tian Ji, he rescued Han and attacked Wei. Lord Cheng contended with Tian Ji for favor, and Lord Cheng betrayed Tian Ji. Tian Ji was afraid, attacked Qi's border cities, did not succeed, and fled. When King Wei died and King Xuan ascended, King Xuan learned that Lord Cheng had betrayed Tian Ji, and summoned Tian Ji back to serve as general. In King Xuan's second year, Tian Ji together with Sun Bin and Tian Ying attacked Wei, defeated them at Ma Ling, captured Wei's crown prince Shen, and killed Wei's general Pang Juan. In King Xuan's seventh year, Tian Ying was envoy to Han and Wei, and Han and Wei submitted to Qi. Ying, Marquis Zhao of Han, and King Hui of Wei met King Xuan of Qi south of Dong'e, formed an alliance, and departed. The next year, he again met King Hui of Liang at Zhen. This year, King Hui of Liang died. In King Xuan's ninth year, Tian Ying became chancellor of Qi. King Xuan of Qi and King Xiang of Wei met at Xuzhou and mutually declared themselves kings. When King Wei of Chu heard this, he was angry with Tian Ying. The next year, Chu attacked and defeated Qi forces at Xuzhou, and sent men to pursue Tian Ying. Tian Ying sent Zhang Chou to persuade King Wei of Chu, and King Wei then stopped. Tian Ying served as chancellor of Qi for eleven years. King Xuan died, and King Min ascended the throne. After three years on the throne, he enfeoffed Tian Ying at Xue.
2
初，田嬰有子四十餘人。 其賤妾有子名文，文以五月五日生。 嬰告其母曰：「勿舉也。」 其母竊舉生之。 及長，其母因兄弟而見其子文於田嬰。 田嬰怒其母曰：「吾令若去此子，而敢生之，何也？」 文頓首，因曰：「君所以不舉五月子者，何故？」 嬰曰：「五月子者，長與戶齊，將不利其父母。」 文曰：「人生受命於天乎？ 將受命於戶邪？」 嬰默然。 文曰：「必受命於天，君何憂焉。 必受命於戶，則可高其戶耳，誰能至者！」 嬰曰：「子休矣。」
Originally, Tian Ying had over forty sons. His lowly concubine bore a son named Tian Wen, and the child was born on the fifth day of the fifth month. Ying told the mother: 'Do not raise him.' His mother secretly raised him. When he grew up, his mother used his brothers as an excuse to present her son Tian Wen to Tian Ying. Tian Ying angrily berated his mother: 'I commanded you to abandon this child, yet you dared to give birth to him. Why?' Tian Wen kowtowed and said: 'My lord, why do you not raise children born in the fifth month?' Ying said: 'Children born in the fifth month grow up to be as tall as the door, which will bring harm to their parents.' Tian Wen said: 'Does a person's life receive its mandate from Heaven? Or does it receive its mandate from the door?' Ying fell silent. Tian Wen said: 'If one's mandate comes from Heaven, what does my lord have to worry about? If it comes from the door, then make the door higher. Who could ever reach it?' Ying said: 'Enough, my son.'
3
久之，文承閒問其父嬰曰：「子之子為何？」 曰：「為孫。」 「孫之孫為何？」 曰：「為玄孫。」 「玄孫之孫為何？」 曰：「不能知也。」 文曰：「君用事相齊，至今三王矣，齊不加廣而君私家富累萬金，門下不見一賢者。 文聞將門必有將，相門必有相。 今君後宮蹈綺縠而士不得（短）［裋］褐，仆妾餘粱肉而士不厭糟糠。 今君又尚厚積餘藏，欲以遺所不知何人，而忘公家之事日損，文竊怪之。」 於是嬰乃禮文，使主家待賓客。 賓客日進，名聲聞於諸侯。 諸侯皆使人請薛公田嬰以文為太子，嬰許之。 嬰卒，謚為靖郭君。 而文果代立於薛，是為孟嘗君。
After a long time, Tian Wen took the opportunity to ask his father Ying: 'What is a son's son called?' He said: 'A grandson.' 'What is a grandson's grandson called?' He said: 'A great-grandson.' 'What is a great-grandson's grandson called?' He said: 'I cannot know.' Tian Wen said: 'My lord has handled Qi's affairs as chancellor through three reigns, yet Qi's territory has not expanded while your private household has accumulated wealth by the tens of thousands in gold, and not one worthy man is seen among your retainers. I have heard that a general's house must produce generals, and a chancellor's house must produce chancellors. Now the women of your inner palace tread on silk and gauze, while scholars cannot obtain coarse cloth; servants and concubines have fine grain and meat left over, while scholars cannot fill themselves on bran and chaff. Now you still pile up surplus stores, intending to leave them to people whose identity you cannot even know, while the affairs of the public house decline day by day. I privately find this strange.' Ying then treated Tian Wen with courtesy and had him manage the household to receive guests. Guests came daily, and his reputation was heard among the feudal lords. All the feudal lords sent envoys asking Lord Xue, Tian Ying, to make Tian Wen his heir, and Ying agreed. Ying died and was posthumously named Lord Jingguo. And Tian Wen indeed succeeded to the position at Xue, becoming Lord Mengchang.
4
孟嘗君在薛，招致諸侯賓客及亡人有罪者，皆歸孟嘗君。 孟嘗君舍業厚遇之，以故傾天下之士。 食客數千人，無貴賤一與文等。 孟嘗君待客坐語，而屏風後常有侍史，主記君所與客語，問親戚居處。 客去，孟嘗君已使使存問，獻遺其親戚。 孟嘗君曾待客夜食，有一人蔽火光。 客怒，以飯不等，輟食辭去。 孟嘗君起，自持其飯比之。 客慚，自剄。 士以此多歸孟嘗君。 孟嘗君客無所擇，皆善遇之。 人人各自以為孟嘗君親己。
At Xue, Lord Mengchang recruited guests from among the feudal lords, as well as fugitives and men guilty of crimes, and they all attached themselves to him. Lord Mengchang housed them and treated them generously, and for this reason drew to himself the scholars of the world. His retainers numbered several thousand, and he treated them all equally regardless of noble or lowly status. When Lord Mengchang received guests and sat speaking with them, behind the screen there was always an attendant scribe who recorded what the lord said to the guest and inquired about the guest's relatives and dwelling places. When a guest departed, Lord Mengchang had already sent messengers to visit and inquire after the guest's relatives and to present them with gifts. Lord Mengchang once received guests for a night meal, and there was one person who blocked the firelight. The guest grew angry because the rice portions were unequal, stopped eating, and left. Lord Mengchang rose and personally held his rice portion to compare it. The guest was ashamed and committed suicide. Many scholars came to belong to Lord Mengchang for this reason. Lord Mengchang made no distinctions among his guests, treating them all well. Each person considered himself personally close to Lord Mengchang.
5
秦昭王聞其賢，乃先使涇陽君為質於齊，以求見孟嘗君。 孟嘗君將入秦，賓客莫欲其行，諫，不聽。 蘇代謂曰：「今旦代從外來，見木禺人與土禺人相與語。 木禺人曰：『天雨，子將敗矣。』 土禺人曰：『我生於土，敗則歸土。 今天雨，流子而行，未知所止息也。』 今秦，虎狼之國也，而君欲往，如有不得還，君得無為土禺人所笑乎？」 孟嘗君乃止。
King Zhao of Qin heard of his worthiness, and first sent Lord Jingyang as hostage to Qi to seek an audience with Lord Mengchang. Lord Mengchang was about to enter Qin. His guests advised against the trip, but he would not listen. Su Dai said: 'This morning I came in from outside and saw a wooden puppet and an earthen puppet speaking with each other. The wooden puppet said, "If heaven rains, you will be ruined." The earthen puppet said, "I was born from earth, and if ruined, I return to earth. Now if heaven rains, it will wash you away, and I do not know where you will find rest." Now Qin is a tiger-and-wolf state, and my lord wishes to go there. If you cannot return, will you not be laughed at by the earthen puppet?' Lord Mengchang then stopped.
6
齊湣王二十五年，復卒使孟嘗君入秦，昭王即以孟嘗君為秦相。 人或說秦昭王曰：「孟嘗君賢，而又齊族也，今相秦，必先齊而後秦，秦其危矣。」 於是秦昭王乃止。 囚孟嘗君，謀欲殺之。 孟嘗君使人抵昭王幸姬求解。 幸姬曰：「妾願得君狐白裘。」 此時孟嘗君有一狐白裘，直千金，天下無雙，入秦獻之昭王，更無他裘。 孟嘗君患之，遍問客，莫能對。 最下坐有能為狗盜者，曰：「臣能得狐白裘。」 乃夜為狗，以入秦宮臧中，取所獻狐白裘至，以獻秦王幸姬。 幸姬為言昭王，昭王釋孟嘗君。 孟嘗君得出，即馳去，更封傳，變名姓以出關。 夜半至函谷關。 秦昭王後悔出孟嘗君，求之已去，即使人馳傳逐之。 孟嘗君至關，關法雞鳴而出客，孟嘗君恐追至，客之居下坐者有能為雞鳴，而雞齊鳴，遂發傳出。 出如食頃，秦追果至關，已後孟嘗君出，乃還。 始孟嘗君列此二人於賓客，賓客盡羞之，及孟嘗君有秦難，卒此二人拔之。 自是之後，客皆服。
In the twenty-fifth year of King Min of Qi, they finally sent Lord Mengchang into Qin again, and King Zhao immediately made Lord Mengchang chancellor of Qin. Someone advised King Zhao of Qin: 'Lord Mengchang is worthy, but he is also a member of the Qi ruling house. If he now serves as Qin's chancellor, he will surely put Qi first and Qin second. Qin will be in danger.' King Zhao of Qin then stopped. They imprisoned Lord Mengchang and plotted to kill him. Lord Mengchang sent someone to bribe King Zhao's favored concubine to seek his release. The favored concubine said: 'I wish to have your white fox-fur coat.' At this time Lord Mengchang had a white fox fur coat worth a thousand in gold, unmatched in the world, which he had presented to King Zhao upon entering Qin, and he had no other furs. Lord Mengchang was troubled by this and asked all his guests extensively, but none could answer. Among those seated lowest was one who could act as a dog thief, who said: 'I can obtain the white fox fur coat.' That night he crawled like a dog into the Qin palace storehouse, took the white fox-fur coat that had been presented there, and offered it to the King of Qin's favored concubine. The favored concubine spoke on his behalf to King Zhao, and King Zhao released Lord Mengchang. Once Lord Mengchang was released, he immediately galloped away, changed the seals on his travel documents, and passed through the frontier under a changed name and surname. At midnight, he arrived at Hangu Pass. King Zhao of Qin afterward regretted releasing Lord Mengchang. He sought him, but he had already gone, so he sent men galloping with passports to pursue him. Lord Mengchang arrived at the pass, where the law allowed travelers out only at cockcrow. He feared the pursuers would arrive, so one of his lowest-seated guests imitated a rooster's cry. The roosters all crowed together, and the pass officials issued his documents and let him out. They emerged about the time it takes to eat a meal. The Qin pursuers indeed arrived at the pass, but already after Lord Mengchang had emerged, so they returned. Originally Lord Mengchang ranked these two among his guests, and all the guests were ashamed of them. When Lord Mengchang had difficulty in Qin, these two finally pulled him out. From this time on, all the guests submitted.
7
孟嘗君過趙，趙平原君客之。 趙人聞孟嘗君賢，出觀之，皆笑曰：「始以薛公為魁然也，今視之，乃眇小丈夫耳。」 孟嘗君聞之，怒。 客與俱者下，斫擊殺數百人，遂滅一縣以去。
Lord Mengchang passed through Zhao, and Lord Pingyuan of Zhao hosted him as a guest. The people of Zhao heard Lord Mengchang was worthy and came out to view him. They all laughed, saying: 'Originally we took Lord Xue to be outstanding, but now seeing him, he is just a small, short fellow.' Lord Mengchang heard this and grew angry. The guests traveling with him dismounted and struck them down, killing several hundred people; then they wiped out a county and departed.
8
齊湣王不自得，以其遣孟嘗君。 孟嘗君至，則以為齊相，任政。
King Min of Qi felt uneasy because he had sent Lord Mengchang away. When Lord Mengchang arrived, King Min made him chancellor of Qi and entrusted government to him.
9
孟嘗君怨秦，將以齊為韓、魏攻楚，因與韓、魏攻秦，而借兵食於西周。 蘇代為西周謂曰：「君以齊為韓、魏攻楚九年，取宛、葉以北以彊韓、魏，今復攻秦以益之。 韓、魏南無楚憂，西無秦患，則齊危矣。 韓、魏必輕齊畏秦，臣為君危之。 君不如令敝邑深合於秦，而君無攻，又無借兵食。 君臨函谷而無攻，令敝邑以君之情謂秦昭王曰『薛公必不破秦以彊韓、魏。 其攻秦也，欲王之令楚王割東國以與齊，而秦出楚懷王以為和』。 君令敝邑以此惠秦，秦得無破而以東國自免也，秦必欲之。 楚王得出，必德齊。 齊得東國益彊，而薛世世無患矣。 秦不大弱，而處三晉之西，三晉必重齊。」 薛公曰：「善。」 因令韓、魏賀秦，使三國無攻，而不借兵食於西周矣。 是時，楚懷王入秦，秦留之，故欲必出之。 秦不果出楚懷王。
Lord Mengchang resented Qin and planned to use Qi to attack Chu for Han and Wei, then joined with Han and Wei to attack Qin, borrowing troops and provisions from Western Zhou. Su Dai, on behalf of Western Zhou, advised him: 'My lord used Qi to attack Chu for Han and Wei for nine years, taking Wan and north of Ye to strengthen Han and Wei. Now you attack Qin again to benefit them further. If Han and Wei no longer have Chu to worry about in the south or Qin to fear in the west, then Qi will be in danger. Han and Wei will surely slight Qi and fear Qin. I consider this dangerous for my lord. My lord would do better to have my humble state join closely with Qin, while you refrain from attacking and from borrowing troops and provisions. You can approach Hangu Pass without attacking, and have my humble state convey your intentions to King Zhao of Qin: 'Lord Xue will certainly not break Qin in order to strengthen Han and Wei. His attack on Qin is meant to have Your Majesty order the King of Chu to cede the eastern territories to Qi, while Qin releases King Huai of Chu as part of the settlement. If my lord has my humble state use this to benefit Qin, Qin can escape defeat by using the eastern territories to free itself. Qin will certainly want this. Once the King of Chu is released, he will certainly be grateful to Qi. Qi will gain the eastern territories and become stronger, while Xue will have no troubles for generations. Qin will not be greatly weakened, and as it remains west of the Three Jin, the Three Jin will certainly value Qi.' Lord Xue said: 'Good.' He then had Han and Wei congratulate Qin, causing the three states to cease attacking, and he no longer borrowed troops and provisions from Western Zhou. At this time, King Huai of Chu had entered Qin and been detained there, so Qi wanted to secure his release. Qin did not in fact release King Huai of Chu.
10
孟嘗君相齊，其舍人魏子為孟嘗君收邑入，三反而不致一入。 孟嘗君問之，對曰：「有賢者，竊假與之，以故不致入。」 孟嘗君怒而退魏子。 居數年，人或毀孟嘗君於齊湣王曰：「孟嘗君將為亂。」 及田甲劫湣王，湣王意疑孟嘗君，孟嘗君乃奔。 魏子所與粟賢者聞之，乃上書言孟嘗君不作亂，請以身為盟，遂自剄宮門以明孟嘗君。 湣王乃驚，而蹤跡驗問，孟嘗君果無反謀，乃復召孟嘗君。 孟嘗君因謝病，歸老於薛。 湣王許之。
Lord Mengchang was chancellor of Qi. His retainer Wei Zi collected city revenues for Lord Mengchang, and three times he returned without bringing a single revenue. Lord Mengchang questioned him, and he replied: 'There is a worthy person, so I secretly lent it to him, and for this reason did not bring the revenue.' Lord Mengchang grew angry and dismissed Wei Zi. After several years, someone slandered Lord Mengchang to King Min of Qi, saying: 'Lord Mengchang is going to rebel.' When Tian Jia abducted King Min, the king suspected Lord Mengchang, and Lord Mengchang fled. The worthy man to whom Wei Zi had given grain heard of this and submitted a petition stating that Lord Mengchang had not rebelled. He offered his own body as surety, then cut his own throat at the palace gate to prove Lord Mengchang's innocence. King Min was then shocked, and he traced and verified the matter. Lord Mengchang indeed had no rebellious plans, so he summoned Lord Mengchang again. Lord Mengchang thereupon pleaded illness and returned to retire in Xue. King Min permitted it.
11
其後，秦亡將呂禮相齊，欲困蘇代。 代乃謂孟嘗君曰：「周最於齊，至厚也，而齊王逐之，而聽親弗相呂禮者，欲取秦也。 齊、秦合，則親弗與呂禮重矣。 有用，齊、秦必輕君。 君不如急北兵，趨趙以和秦、魏，收周最以厚行，且反齊王之信，又禁天下之變。 齊無秦，則天下集齊，親弗必走，則齊王孰與為其國也！」 於是孟嘗君從其計，而呂禮嫉害於孟嘗君。
Afterward, Lu Li, a general who had fled Qin, became chancellor of Qi and wanted to put pressure on Su Dai. Su Dai then said to Lord Mengchang: 'Zhou Zui has been deeply attached to Qi, yet the King of Qi expelled him. If he listens to Qin Fu and does not make Lu Li chancellor, it is because he wishes to win over Qin. If Qi and Qin unite, then Qin Fu and Lu Li will become important. Once they are employed, Qi and Qin will certainly slight you. My lord would do better to move troops north quickly, hurry to Zhao to make peace with Qin and Wei, restore Zhou Zui in order to show generous conduct, recover the King of Qi's trust, and forestall changes throughout the world. If Qi loses Qin, the whole world will gather against Qi; Qin Fu will surely flee, and then with whom will the King of Qi govern his state?' Lord Mengchang then followed his plan, but Lü Li grew jealous and acted against him.
12
孟嘗君懼，乃遺秦相穰侯魏冉書曰：「吾聞秦欲以呂禮收齊，齊，天下之彊國也，子必輕矣。 齊秦相取以臨三晉，呂禮必并相矣，是子通齊以重呂禮也。 若齊免於天下之兵，其讎子必深矣。 子不如勸秦王伐齊。 齊破，吾請以所得封子。 齊破，秦畏晉之彊，秦必重子以取晉。 晉國敝於齊而畏秦，晉必重子以取秦。 是子破齊以為功，挾晉以為重； 是子破齊定封，秦、晉交重子。 若齊不破，呂禮復用，子必大窮。」 於是穰侯言於秦昭王伐齊，而呂禮亡。
Lord Mengchang was afraid, so he sent a letter to Qin chancellor Marquis Rang, Wei Ran: 'I hear that Qin wishes to use Lu Li to draw in Qi. Qi is one of the world's powerful states; you will certainly be slighted. If Qi and Qin join forces against the Three Jin, Lu Li will surely hold chancellorships in both states. In that case, you will have connected Qin with Qi only to make Lu Li important. If Qi escapes attack by the armies of the world, its hatred of you will surely deepen. You would do better to urge the King of Qin to attack Qi. When Qi is broken, I will request to enfeoff you with what is obtained. When Qi is broken, Qin will fear Jin's strength and will certainly value you in order to win over Jin. Jin will be exhausted by Qi and afraid of Qin, so Jin will certainly value you in order to win over Qin. In this way, you will break Qi and make it your achievement, while holding Jin as your source of weight; you will break Qi, secure your enfeoffment, and have both Qin and Jin value you. If Qi is not broken and Lü Li is employed again, you will certainly be greatly impoverished.' Marquis Rang then spoke to King Zhao of Qin about attacking Qi, and Lü Li perished.
13
後齊湣王滅宋，益驕，欲去孟嘗君。 孟嘗君恐，乃如魏。 魏昭王以為相，西合於秦、趙，與燕共伐破齊。 齊湣王亡在莒，遂死焉。 齊襄王立，而孟嘗君中立於諸侯，無所屬。 齊襄王新立，畏孟嘗君，與連和，復親薛公。 文卒，謚為孟嘗君。 諸子爭立，而齊魏共滅薛。 孟嘗絕嗣無後也。
Afterward King Min of Qi extinguished Song and became even more arrogant, wishing to remove Lord Mengchang. Lord Mengchang was afraid, so he went to Wei. King Zhao of Wei made him chancellor, united in the west with Qin and Zhao, and together with Yan attacked and broke Qi. King Min of Qi fled to Ju, and died there. King Xiang of Qi ascended, and Lord Mengchang remained neutral among the feudal lords, attached to none of them. King Xiang of Qi had newly ascended and feared Lord Mengchang, so he made peace with him and again drew close to Lord Xue. Tian Wen died and was posthumously named Lord Mengchang. The sons contended for succession, and Qi and Wei together extinguished Xue. Lord Mengchang had no surviving line of descendants.
14
初，馮驩聞孟嘗君好客，躡蹻而見之。 孟嘗君曰； 「先生遠辱，何以教文也？」 馮驩曰：「聞君好士，以貧身歸於君。」 孟嘗君置傳舍十日，孟嘗君問傳舍長曰：「客何所為？」 答曰：「馮先生甚貧，猶有一劍耳，又蒯緱。 彈其劍而歌曰『長鋏歸來乎，食無魚』。」 孟嘗君遷之幸舍，食有魚矣。 五日，又問傳舍長。 答曰：「客復彈劍而歌曰『長鋏歸來乎，出無輿』。」 孟嘗君遷之代舍，出入乘輿車矣。 五日，孟嘗君復問傳舍長。 舍長答曰：「先生又嘗彈劍而歌曰『長鋏歸來乎，無以為家』。」 孟嘗君不悅。
At first, Feng Huan heard that Lord Mengchang loved guests, and came to see him wearing straw sandals. Lord Mengchang said: 'Sir, you have honored me by coming from afar. What instruction do you have for me?' Feng Huan said: 'I have heard that my lord loves scholars, so in my poverty I have come to place myself under you.' Lord Mengchang lodged him in the guest house for ten days, then asked the guest house manager: 'What is the guest doing?' He replied: 'Master Feng is very poor. He has only one sword, and its hilt is wrapped in rushes. He strums his sword and sings: "Long sword, let us go home! There is no fish to eat."' Lord Mengchang moved him to the favored quarters, and he had fish to eat. After five days, he again asked the guest house manager. He replied: 'The guest again strums his sword and sings: "Long sword, let us go home! There is no carriage to ride in."' Lord Mengchang moved him to the upper quarters, and he rode in a carriage when going in and out. After five days, Lord Mengchang again asked the guest house manager. The house manager replied: 'The gentleman has again strummed his sword and sung: "Long sword, let us go home! There is no way to support a household."' Lord Mengchang was displeased.
15
居朞年，馮驩無所言。 孟嘗君時相齊，封萬戶於薛。 其食客三千人。 邑入不足以奉客，使人出錢於薛。 歲餘不入，貸錢者多不能與其息，客奉將不給。 孟嘗君憂之，問左右：「何人可使收債於薛者？」 傳舍長曰：「代舍客馮公形容狀貌甚辯，長者，無他伎能，宜可令收債。」 孟嘗君乃進馮驩而請之曰：「賓客不知文不肖，幸臨文者三千餘人，邑入不足以奉賓客，故出息錢於薛。 薛歲不入，民頗不與其息。 今客食恐不給，願先生責之。」 馮驩曰； 「諾。」 辭行，至薛，召取孟嘗君錢者皆會，得息錢十萬。 乃多釀酒，買肥牛，召諸取錢者，能與息者皆來，不能與息者亦來，皆持取錢之券書合之。 齊為會，日殺牛置酒。 酒酣，乃持券如前合之，能與息者，與為期； 貧不能與息者，取其券而燒之。 曰：「孟嘗君所以貸錢者，為民之無者以為本業也； 所以求息者，為無以奉客也。 今富給者以要期，貧窮者燔券書以捐之。 諸君彊飲食。 有君如此，豈可負哉！」 坐者皆起，再拜。
After dwelling there a year, Feng Huan said nothing. Lord Mengchang was then chancellor of Qi, and was enfeoffed with ten thousand households at Xue. He had three thousand retainers. The city revenues were insufficient to serve the guests, so he had people lend money at Xue. After more than a year there was no income, and many of the borrowers could not pay their interest, so the guests' provisions were about to run out. Lord Mengchang worried about this and asked his attendants: 'Who can be sent to collect the debts at Xue?' The guest house manager said: 'The guest in the upper quarters, Master Feng, has a dignified appearance and manner, is an elder, and has no other special skills. He would be suitable for collecting debts.' Lord Mengchang then summoned Feng Huan and requested of him: 'The guests do not know that I am unworthy, and fortunately more than three thousand have come to me. The city revenues are insufficient to serve the guests, so I lent money at interest in Xue. Xue brings no income, and the people do not pay interest. Now the guests' food may not be sufficient. I wish you, sir, to collect it.' Feng Huan said: 'Very well.' He took his leave and went to Xue. He summoned everyone who had borrowed Lord Mengchang's money, and when they had all assembled, he collected one hundred thousand in interest money. Then he brewed much wine, bought fat cattle, summoned all who had taken the money—those who could pay interest all came, those who could not pay interest also came—and they all held their money-taking contracts to verify them. Together they held a gathering, slaughtering cattle and setting out wine each day. When the wine was flowing freely, he took the contracts and checked them as before. For those who could pay interest, he set deadlines; for the poor who could not pay interest, he took their contracts and burned them. He said: 'Lord Mengchang's reason for lending money was to provide capital for those people who had none to establish their livelihood; his reason for seeking interest was that he had nothing to serve guests with. Now for those who are rich and well-off, we set periods; for the poor, we burn the contracts to relieve them. All of you, eat and drink your fill. With a lord like this, how could you betray him!' All those seated rose and bowed twice.
16
孟嘗君聞馮驩燒券書，怒而使使召驩。 驩至，孟嘗君曰：「文食客三千人，故貸錢於薛。 文奉邑少，而民尚多不以時與其息，客食恐不足，故請先生收責之。 聞先生得錢，即以多具牛酒而燒券書，何？」 馮驩曰：「然。 不多具牛酒即不能畢會，無以知其有餘不足。 有餘者，為要期。 不足者，雖守而責之十年，息愈多，急，即以逃亡自捐之。 若急，終無以償，上則為君好利不愛士民，下則有離上抵負之名，非所以厲士民彰君聲也。 焚無用虛債之券，捐不可得之虛計，令薛民親君而彰君之善聲也，君有何疑焉！」 孟嘗君乃拊手而謝之。
Lord Mengchang heard that Feng Huan had burned the contracts, grew angry, and sent a messenger to summon Huan. When Huan arrived, Lord Mengchang said: 'I have three thousand retainers, so I lent money at Xue. My enfeoffed city gives little revenue, and many people still do not pay their interest on time. I fear the guests' food will be insufficient, so I asked you, sir, to collect and demand it. I heard that as soon as you, sir, obtained the money, you prepared much beef and wine and burned the contracts. Why?' Feng Huan said: 'Yes. If I did not prepare much beef and wine, I could not complete the gathering and would have no way to know who had surplus and who was insufficient. For those with surplus, I set periods. For those who lacked enough, even if I kept watch over them and demanded payment for ten years, the interest would only grow. If pressed too hard, they would flee and abandon themselves. If they were pressed, they would ultimately have no way to repay. Above, you would gain a reputation for loving profit and not loving scholars and commoners; below, they would gain a reputation for estrangement from their superior and resistance to debts. That is not the way to encourage scholars and commoners or make your reputation shine. By burning the contracts for useless, empty debts and discarding calculations that could never be realized, I made the people of Xue draw close to you and made your good reputation shine. What doubt can you have about this?' Lord Mengchang then clapped his hands and thanked him.
17
齊王惑於秦、楚之毀，以為孟嘗君名高其主而擅齊國之權，遂廢孟嘗君。 諸客見孟嘗君廢，皆去。 馮驩曰：「借臣車一乘，可以入秦者，必令君重於國而奉邑益廣，可乎？」 孟嘗君乃約車幣而遣之。 馮驩乃西說秦王曰：「天下之游士馮軾結靷西入秦者，無不欲彊秦而弱齊； 馮軾結靷東入齊者，無不欲彊齊而弱秦。 此雄雌之國也，勢不兩立為雄，雄者得天下矣。」 秦王跽而問之曰：「何以使秦無為雌而可？」 馮驩曰：「王亦知齊之廢孟嘗君乎？」 秦王曰：「聞之。」 馮驩曰：「使齊重於天下者，孟嘗君也。 今齊王以毀廢之，其心怨，必背齊； 背齊入秦，則齊國之情，人事之誠，盡委之秦，齊地可得也，豈直為雄也！ 君急使使載幣陰迎孟嘗君，不可失時也。 如有齊覺悟，復用孟嘗君，則雌雄之所在未可知也。」 秦王大悅，乃遣車十乘黃金百鎰以迎孟嘗君。 馮驩辭以先行，至齊，說齊王曰：「天下之游士馮軾結靷東入齊者，無不欲彊齊而弱秦者； 馮軾結靷西入秦者，無不欲彊秦而弱齊者。 夫秦齊雄雌之國，秦彊則齊弱矣，此勢不兩雄。 今臣竊聞秦遣使車十乘載黃金百鎰以迎孟嘗君。 孟嘗君不西則已，西入相秦則天下歸之，秦為雄而齊為雌，雌則臨淄、即墨危矣。 王何不先秦使之未到，復孟嘗君，而益與之邑以謝之？ 孟嘗君必喜而受之。 秦雖彊國，豈可以請人相而迎之哉！ 折秦之謀，而絕其霸彊之略。」 齊王曰：「善。」 乃使人至境候秦使。 秦使車適入齊境，使還馳告之，王召孟嘗君而復其相位，而與其故邑之地，又益以千戶。 秦之使者聞孟嘗君復相齊，還車而去矣。
The King of Qi was confused by the slander from Qin and Chu, thinking that Lord Mengchang's reputation surpassed his lord and he monopolized Qi's power, so he deposed Lord Mengchang. When the guests saw that Lord Mengchang had been deposed, they all left. Feng Huan said: 'Lend your subject one carriage in which I can enter Qin, and I will surely make you important in the state and broaden your enfeoffed city. May I do this?' Lord Mengchang then prepared carriages and gifts and sent him away. Feng Huan then went west and persuaded the King of Qin, saying: 'Among the wandering persuaders of the world, all who lean on their carriage rails and tie their reins to go west into Qin wish to strengthen Qin and weaken Qi; all who lean on their carriage rails and tie their reins to go east into Qi wish to strengthen Qi and weaken Qin. These are rival states, male and female; power cannot allow both to stand as male. The male will win the world.' The King of Qin knelt upright and asked him: 'How can Qin avoid becoming the female?' Feng Huan said: 'Does Your Majesty know that Qi has dismissed Lord Mengchang?' The King of Qin said: 'I have heard of it.' Feng Huan said: 'The man who gave Qi weight in the world was Lord Mengchang. Now the King of Qi has dismissed him because of slander. His heart is resentful, and he will certainly turn his back on Qi. If he turns his back on Qi and enters Qin, then Qi's circumstances and the true state of its affairs will all be handed over to Qin. Qin could take Qi's lands. Why stop at merely becoming a hegemon? My lord should urgently send a messenger loaded with gifts to secretly welcome Lord Mengchang. You cannot lose this opportunity. If Qi awakens and employs Lord Mengchang again, then who will be male and who female cannot be known.' The King of Qin was greatly pleased, and sent ten carriages and a hundred yi of gold to welcome Lord Mengchang. Feng Huan took leave and went ahead to Qi. When he arrived, he persuaded the King of Qi, saying: 'Among the wandering persuaders of the world, all who lean on their carriage rails and tie their reins to go east into Qi wish to strengthen Qi and weaken Qin; all who lean on their carriage rails and tie their reins to go west into Qin wish to strengthen Qin and weaken Qi. Qin and Qi are rival states. If Qin is strong, then Qi is weak; the balance of power cannot allow two dominant powers. Now I have heard in private that Qin has sent messengers with ten carriages and a hundred measures of gold to welcome Lord Mengchang. If Lord Mengchang does not go west, that is one thing; but if he goes west to become Qin's chancellor, the whole world will turn to him. Qin will become dominant and Qi subordinate. If Qi is subordinate, then Linzi and Jimo will be in grave danger. Why does Your Majesty not restore Lord Mengchang before Qin's envoys arrive, increase his fief, and apologize to him? Lord Mengchang will certainly be pleased and accept it. Though Qin is a powerful state, how can it invite another state's man to become its chancellor and welcome him away? This will break Qin's plan and cut off its strategy for hegemony and strength.' The King of Qi said: 'Good.' So he sent someone to the border to wait for the messengers from Qin. Just as the Qin envoys' carriages crossed into Qi, a messenger raced back to report the news. The King immediately summoned Lord Mengchang, restored him to the chancellorship, returned his former lands, and even increased his fief by another thousand households. Upon hearing that Lord Mengchang had been restored to power in Qi, the Qin envoys turned their carriages around and departed.
18
自齊王毀廢孟嘗君，諸客皆去。 後召而復之，馮驩迎之。 未到，孟嘗君太息嘆曰：「文常好客，遇客無所敢失，食客三千有餘人，先生所知也。 客見文一日廢，皆背文而去，莫顧文者。 今賴先生得復其位，客亦有何面目復見文乎？ 如復見文者，必唾其面而大辱之。」 馮驩結轡下拜。 孟嘗君下車接之，曰：「先生為客謝乎？」 馮驩曰：「非為客謝也，為君之言失。 夫物有必至，事有固然，君知之乎？」 孟嘗君曰：「愚不知所謂也。」 曰：「生者必有死，物之必至也； 富貴多士，貧賤寡友，事之固然也。 君獨不見夫（朝）趣市［朝］者乎？ 明旦，側肩爭門而入； 日暮之後，過市朝者掉臂而不顧。 非好朝而惡暮，所期物忘其中。 今君失位，賓客皆去，不足以怨士而徒絕賓客之路。 願君遇客如故。」 孟嘗君再拜曰：「敬從命矣。 聞先生之言，敢不奉教焉。」
Ever since the King of Qi had disgraced and dismissed Lord Mengchang, his many retainers had all abandoned him. When he was finally recalled and restored to office, only Feng Huan was there to welcome him back. Before Feng Huan arrived, Lord Mengchang sighed deeply and said: 'I have always loved guests and never dared fail in how I treated them. You know that I had more than three thousand retainers. When the retainers saw me dismissed that day, they all turned their backs and left, not one of them sparing me a second thought. Now, thanks to you, sir, I have recovered my position. What face do those guests have to see me again? If I see them again, I will spit in their faces and humiliate them greatly.' Feng Huan dropped his reins and bowed low. Lord Mengchang got down from his carriage to receive him and said: 'Sir, are you apologizing on behalf of the guests?' Feng Huan said: 'I am not apologizing for the guests; I am saying that my lord's words are mistaken. There are things that must come, and affairs that are naturally so. Does my lord know this?' Lord Mengchang said: 'In my ignorance, I do not understand what you mean.' Feng Huan said: 'The living must die; this is one of the things that must come. Wealth and status attract many, while poverty and low station find few friends. This is simply the way of the world. Has my lord never seen people hurrying to the morning market? At dawn, people jostle shoulder-to-shoulder, competing to enter the marketplace. But after sunset, those passing by the market swing their arms and do not spare it a glance. It is not that they love morning and hate evening; it is only that what they were seeking is no longer there. Now that you have lost your position and your retainers have left, there is no reason to resent them or to needlessly close the door to future guests. I hope you will continue to treat your guests just as you always have.' Lord Mengchang bowed twice and said: 'I respectfully obey your command. After hearing your words, how could I dare not follow your counsel?'
19
太史公曰：吾嘗過薛，其俗閭里率多暴桀子弟，與鄒、魯殊。 問其故，曰：「孟嘗君招致天下任俠，姦人入薛中蓋六萬餘家矣。」 世之傳孟嘗君好客自喜，名不虛矣。
The Grand Historian said: I once passed through Xue. The customs of its lanes and villages produced many violent and fierce young men, quite unlike Zou and Lu. When I asked the reason, people said: 'Lord Mengchang attracted bold retainers from all over the world, and some sixty thousand households of lawless men entered Xue.' The tradition that Lord Mengchang delighted in receiving guests was indeed no empty reputation.