1
春申君者，楚人也，名歇，姓黃氏。 游學博聞，事楚頃襄王。 頃襄王以歇為辯，使於秦。 秦昭王使白起攻韓、魏，敗之於華陽，禽魏將芒卯，韓、魏服而事秦。 秦昭王方令白起與韓、魏共伐楚，未行，而楚使黃歇適至於秦，聞秦之計。 當是之時，秦已前使白起攻楚，取巫、黔中之郡，拔鄢郢，東至竟陵，楚頃襄王東徙治於陳縣。 黃歇見楚懷王之為秦所誘而入朝，遂見欺，留死於秦。 頃襄王，其子也，秦輕之，恐壹舉兵而滅楚。 歇乃上書說秦昭王曰：
Lord Chunshen was a man of Chu, named Xie, of the Huang clan. He traveled widely in his studies, became broadly learned, and served King Qingxiang of Chu. King Qingxiang valued Xie’s eloquence and sent him as an envoy to Qin. King Zhao of Qin sent Bai Qi to attack Han and Wei, defeating them at Huayang and capturing Wei's general Mang Mao. Han and Wei submitted and served Qin. King Zhao of Qin was about to order Bai Qi to join forces with Han and Wei to attack Chu, but before the plan could be executed, Chu's envoy Huang Xie arrived in Qin and learned of Qin's strategy. At this time, Qin had already sent Bai Qi to attack Chu, taking the commanderies of Wu and Qianzhong, capturing Ying and Yiling, and advancing east to Jingling. King Qingxiang of Chu moved his capital east to Chen county. Huang Xie witnessed King Huai of Chu being lured by Qin into attending their court, only to be deceived, detained, and die in Qin. King Qingxiang was his son. Qin held him in contempt and feared that with a single campaign they could destroy Chu entirely. Xie then submitted a memorial advising King Zhao of Qin:
2
天下莫彊於秦、楚。 今聞大王欲伐楚，此猶兩虎相與鬬。 兩虎相與鬬而駑犬受其獘，不如善楚。 臣請言其說：臣聞物至則反，冬夏是也； 致至則危，累棋是也。 今大國之地，遍天下有其二垂，此從生民已來，萬乘之地未嘗有也。 先帝文王、莊王之身，三世不妄接地於齊，以絕從親之要。 今王使盛橋守事於韓，盛橋以其地入秦，是王不用甲，不信威，而得百里之地。 王可謂能矣。 王又舉甲而攻魏，杜大梁之門，舉河內，拔燕、酸棗、虛、桃，入邢，魏之兵雲翔而不敢捄。 王之功亦多矣。 王休甲息眾，二年而後復之； 又并蒲、衍、首、垣，以臨仁、平丘，黃、濟陽嬰城而魏氏服； 王又割濮磿之北，注齊秦之要，絕楚趙之脊，天下五合六聚而不敢救。 王之威亦單矣。
Among all under heaven, none are stronger than Qin and Chu. Now I hear that Your Majesty wishes to attack Chu—this would be like two tigers fighting each other. When two tigers fight each other, the lame dog benefits from their exhaustion. Better to befriend Chu. Allow me to explain my reasoning: I have heard that when things reach their extreme they reverse, as winter and summer alternate. When power reaches its peak, danger follows—like stacking chess pieces high. Now Your Majesty's territory spans two-thirds of the world—this has not occurred since the dawn of civilization; no kingdom of ten thousand chariots has ever achieved such extent. Under the Former Kings Wen and Zhuang, for three generations they did not rashly fight Qi, so as not to break the bonds of the horizontal alliances sealed by marriage. Now Your Majesty has Sheng Qiao overseeing affairs in Han, and Sheng Qiao has brought his territory into Qin. This means Your Majesty has gained a hundred li of land without deploying troops or displaying military might. Your Majesty can truly be called capable. Your Majesty again raised troops and attacked Wei, blocking the gates of Daliang, taking Henei, capturing Yan, Suantao, Xu, Tao, and entering Xing. Wei's troops scattered like clouds but dared not come to the rescue. Your Majesty's achievements are also numerous. Your Majesty rested the troops for two years and then resumed campaigning. Again annexing Pu, Yan, Shou, and Yuan, threatening Ren and Pingqiu. Huang and Jiyang were besieged, and the House of Wei submitted. Your Majesty again cut off the north of Puyang, seized the vital link between Qi and Qin, and severed the corridor joining Chu and Zhao. Though the world united five times and gathered six times, none dared come to the rescue. Your Majesty's prestige now stands alone above all others.
3
王若能持功守威，絀攻取之心而肥仁義之地，使無後患，三王不足四，五伯不足六也。 王若負人徒之眾，仗兵革之彊，乘毀魏之威，而欲以力臣天下之主，臣恐其有後患也。 《詩》曰「靡不有初，鮮克有終」。 《易》曰「狐涉水，濡其尾」。 此言始之易，終之難也。 何以知其然也？ 昔智氏見伐趙之利而不知榆次之禍，吳見伐齊之便而不知干隧之敗。 此二國者，非無大功也，沒利於前而易患於後也。 吳之信越也，從而伐齊，既勝齊人於艾陵，還為越王禽三渚之浦。 智氏之信韓、魏也，從而伐趙，攻晉陽城，勝有日矣，韓、魏叛之，殺智伯瑤於鑿臺之下。 今王妒楚之不毀也，而忘毀楚之彊韓、魏也，臣為王慮而不取也。
If Your Majesty can preserve these achievements and this prestige, put aside thoughts of conquest, broaden the realm of benevolence and righteousness, and avoid future disasters, the Three Kings will be outmatched and the Five Hegemons surpassed. If Your Majesty relies on the multitude of common people and the strength of weapons and armor, takes advantage of having broken Wei’s power, and seeks to force the lords of the world to become your ministers, I fear there will be future disaster. The Book of Songs says, “Nothing lacks a beginning; few achieve the end.” The Book of Changes says, “The fox fords the water and wets its tail.” This speaks of how beginnings are easy, but endings are difficult. How do I know this is so? In former times, the Zhi clan saw the advantage of attacking Zhao but did not foresee the disaster at Yuxi. Wu saw the convenience of attacking Qi but did not foresee defeat at Gusu. These two states were not lacking in great achievements, but they were blinded by immediate advantage and therefore easily suffered later disaster. Wu trusted Yue and followed them to attack Qi. After defeating Qi at Ailing, on the march home the King of Yue captured them at the ford of Sanchu. The Zhi clan trusted Han and Wei and followed them in attacking Zhao, besieging the city of Jinyang. Victory was near, but Han and Wei turned against them and killed Zhi Boyao below the Zhi walls. Now Your Majesty envies the fact that Chu has not been destroyed, but forgets that destroying Chu would strengthen Han and Wei. I urge Your Majesty to consider this and not proceed.
4
《詩》曰「大武遠宅而不涉」。 從此觀之，楚國，援也； 鄰國，敵也。 《詩》云「趯趯毚免，還犬獲之。 他人有心，余忖度之」。 今王中道而信韓、魏之善王也，此正吳之信越也。 臣聞之，敵不可假，時不可失。 臣恐韓、魏卑辭除患而實欲欺大國也。 何則？ 王無重世之德於韓、魏，而有累世之怨焉。 夫韓、魏父子兄弟接踵而死於秦者將十世矣。 本國殘，社稷壞，宗廟毀。 刳腹絕腸，折頸摺頤，首身分離，暴骸骨於草澤，頭顱僵仆，相望於境，父子老弱系脰束手為群虜者相及於路。 鬼神孤傷，無所血食。 人民不聊生，族類離散，流亡為仆妾者，盈滿海內矣。 故韓、魏之不亡，秦社稷之憂也，今王資之與攻楚，不亦過乎！
The Book of Songs says, “Great martial virtue dwells afar and does not overstep.” From this we can see that Chu should be an ally. Neighboring states are enemies. The Book of Songs says, “The rabbits leap about, and the hound catches them. Others have their schemes, I fathom them.' Now Your Majesty half trusts the loyalty of Han and Wei toward you; this is precisely like Wu trusting Yue. I have heard that one should not lend aid to enemies, nor lose an opportunity. I fear that Han and Wei use humble words to remove their own troubles while in fact wishing to deceive the great state. Why is this? Your Majesty has shown Han and Wei no deep favors over the generations, but has accumulated generations of resentment. Among the fathers and sons, elder and younger brothers of Han and Wei who have died at Qin’s hands, there are now ten generations. Their home states are ruined, their altars of soil and grain destroyed, and their ancestral temples demolished. Bellies have been ripped open, intestines severed, necks broken, jaws crushed, heads separated from bodies, corpses exposed in the wilds, and skulls left stiff and fallen, visible across the borders. Their ghosts and spirits grieve alone, without blood sacrifices. The people cannot live; clans are scattered, and those who have fled and become servants and concubines fill the lands within the four seas. Therefore, the survival of Han and Wei is a threat to Qin's altars of soil and grain. Now Your Majesty is supplying them to attack Chu—is this not a grave mistake?
5
且王攻楚將惡出兵？ 王將借路於仇讎之韓、魏乎？ 兵出之日而王憂其不返也，是王以兵資於仇讎之韓、魏也。 王若不借路於仇讎之韓、魏，必攻隨水右壤。 隨水右壤，此皆廣川大水，山林谿谷，不食之地也，王雖有之，不為得地。 是王有毀楚之名而無得地之實也。
Moreover, when Your Majesty attacks Chu, from where will the army march? Will Your Majesty borrow a route through your enemies Han and Wei? On the day the army marches out, Your Majesty will fear it will not return—thus Your Majesty would be arming your enemies Han and Wei. If Your Majesty does not borrow a route through the enemy states of Han and Wei, you must attack along the right bank of the Sui River. The right bank of the Sui is all broad rivers and great waters, mountain forests and valleys—land that yields no crops. Even if Your Majesty takes it, you gain no usable territory. Thus, Your Majesty would earn the reputation of destroying Chu but gain no territory in fact.
6
且王攻楚之日，四國必悉起兵以應王。 秦、楚之兵構而不離，魏氏將出而攻留、方與、铚、湖陵、碭、蕭、相，故宋必盡。 齊人南面攻楚，泗上必舉。 此皆平原四達，膏腴之地，而使獨攻。 王破楚以肥韓、魏於中國而勁齊。 韓、魏之彊，足以校於秦。 齊南以泗水為境，東負海，北倚河，而無後患，天下之國莫彊於齊、魏，齊、魏得地葆利而詳事下吏，一年之後，為帝未能，其於禁王之為帝有餘矣。
Moreover, on the day Your Majesty attacks Chu, the four states will certainly all raise troops in response. Qin and Chu troops will be locked in combat without separating. Wei will emerge to attack Liu, Fangyu, Zhi, Huling, Dang, Xiao, and Xiang—thus swallowing the old territory of Song. Qi will attack Chu southward and take the Si River region. These are broad plains with access in all directions and fertile lands, yet Qin would be left to attack them alone. Your Majesty would destroy Chu only to fatten Han and Wei in the central states and strengthen Qi. Once Han and Wei are strong, they will be able to contend with Qin. Qi has the Si River as its southern border, faces the sea to the east, and relies on the Yellow River to the north, with no worries behind it. No state in the world is stronger than Qi and Wei. If they gain territory in Chu, Qin will face danger.
7
夫以王壤土之博，人徒之眾，兵革之彊，壹舉事而樹怨於楚，遲令韓、魏歸帝重於齊，是王失計也。 臣為王慮，莫若善楚。 秦、楚合而為一以臨韓，韓必斂手。 王施以東山之險，帶以曲河之利，韓必為關內之侯。 若是而王以十萬戍鄭，梁氏寒心，許、鄢陵嬰城，而上蔡、召陵不往來也，如此而魏亦關內侯矣。 王壹善楚，而關內兩萬乘之主注地於齊，齊右壤可拱手而取也。 王之地一經兩海，要約天下，是燕、趙無齊、楚，齊、楚無燕、趙也。 然後危動燕、趙，直搖齊、楚，此四國者不待痛而服矣。
With Your Majesty’s vast territory, numerous people, and strong weapons and armor, a single campaign would create enmity with Chu. If you delay until Han and Wei return the imperial title to Qi, then Qin will be isolated. I advise Your Majesty that nothing is better than befriending Chu. If Qin and Chu unite as one against Han, Han will certainly fold its hands in submission. Your Majesty can deploy the danger of Dongshan and gird yourself with the advantage of the Qu River; Han will certainly become an inner-pass marquis. In this way, if Your Majesty stations one hundred thousand troops in Zheng, the Liang clan will lose heart. Xu and Yanling will be besieged, and Shangcai and Shaoling will have no trade. If Your Majesty befriends Chu, the two marquisates of ten thousand chariots within the pass will pour their land toward Qi. Qin’s right flank can be taken with folded hands. Your Majesty’s territory will stretch between the two seas and command the world’s strategic points; this will make Yan and Zhao unable to oppose Qi and Chu, and Qi and Chu unable to oppose Yan and Zhao. Then by threatening Yan and Zhao and directly shaking Qi and Chu, these four states will submit without being wounded.
8
昭王曰：「善。」 於是乃止白起而謝韓、魏。 發使賂楚，約為與國。
King Zhao said: 'Excellent.' So he halted Bai Qi and made apologies to Han and Wei. He dispatched envoys bearing gifts to Chu, forging a treaty as allied states.
9
黃歇受約歸楚，楚使歇與太子完入質於秦，秦留之數年。 楚頃襄王病，太子不得歸。 而楚太子與秦相應侯善，於是黃歇乃說應侯曰：「相國誠善楚太子乎？」 應侯曰：「然。」 歇曰：「今楚王恐不起疾，秦不如歸其太子。 太子得立，其事秦必重而德相國無窮，是親與國而得儲萬乘也。 若不歸，則咸陽一布衣耳； 楚更立太子，必不事秦。 夫失與國而絕萬乘之和，非計也。 願相國孰慮之。」 應侯以聞秦王。 秦王曰：「令楚太子之傅先往問楚王之疾，返而後圖之。」 黃歇為楚太子計曰：「秦之留太子也，欲以求利也。 今太子力未能有以利秦也，歇憂之甚。 而陽文君子二人在中，王若卒大命，太子不在，陽文君子必立為後，太子不得奉宗廟矣。 不如亡秦，與使者俱出； 臣請止，以死當之。」 楚太子因變衣服為楚使者御以出關，而黃歇守舍，常為謝病。 度太子已遠，秦不能追，歇乃自言秦昭王曰：「楚太子已歸，出遠矣。 歇當死，願賜死。」 昭王大怒，欲聽其自殺也。 應侯曰：「歇為人臣，出身以徇其主，太子立，必用歇，故不如無罪而歸之，以親楚。」 秦因遣黃歇。
Huang Xie accepted the treaty and returned to Chu. Chu sent Xie along with Crown Prince Wan as hostages to Qin. Qin held them for several years. King Qingxiang of Chu fell gravely ill, preventing the crown prince's return. The Chu crown prince was friendly with Qin's prime minister Lord Ying. Thus, Huang Xie counseled Lord Ying: 'Prime Minister, do you genuinely befriend the Chu crown prince?' Lord Ying said: 'Yes.' Xie said: 'The King of Chu now fears he will not survive his illness. Qin should send the crown prince back. If the crown prince ascends the throne, he will certainly honor Qin greatly and show the prime minister infinite gratitude. This gains us an ally and secures a state of ten thousand chariots. If not returned, he becomes just another commoner in Xianyang. Chu will install a different crown prince who will certainly not serve Qin. Losing an allied state and severing relations with ten thousand chariots is poor strategy. I hope the prime minister will ponder this carefully.' Lord Ying brought this to the attention of the King of Qin. The King of Qin said: 'Send the Chu crown prince's tutor first to inquire about the King of Chu's illness, then we can decide what to do.' Huang Xie devised a plan for the Chu crown prince: 'Qin's keeping of the crown prince is meant to gain leverage. Now the crown prince lacks the power to benefit Qin. I worry about this terribly. Lord Yangwen and his two sons are at court. If the king should die and the crown prince is absent, Lord Yangwen and his sons will certainly be installed as heirs, and the crown prince will lose his right to serve the ancestral temples. Better to escape Qin, leaving with the envoys. I will remain and accept death on your behalf.' The Chu crown prince disguised himself as a Chu envoy's chariot driver and slipped through the pass. Huang Xie stayed at the residence, continually pleading illness. When he judged the crown prince was safely distant and Qin could not catch him, Xie went to King Zhao of Qin and said: 'The Chu crown prince has gone home. He is far away by now. I deserve to die. I beg you to execute me.' King Zhao flew into a rage and wanted to let him kill himself. Lord Ying said: 'Xie serves as a minister, staking his life to follow his lord. If the crown prince ascends the throne, he will certainly appoint Xie. Better to release him guilt-free and win Chu's friendship.' Qin therefore released Huang Xie.
10
歇至楚三月，楚頃襄王卒，太子完立，是為考烈王。 考烈王元年，以黃歇為相，封為春申君，賜淮北地十二縣。 後十五歲，黃歇言之楚王曰：「淮北地邊齊，其事急，請以為郡便。」 因并獻淮北十二縣。 請封於江東。 考烈王許之。 春申君因城故吳墟，以自為都邑。
When Xie reached Chu, three months later King Qingxiang died. Crown Prince Wan ascended the throne as King Kaolie. In the first year of King Kaolie, Huang Xie was appointed prime minister, enfeoffed as Lord Chunshen, and granted twelve counties north of the Huai River. Fifteen years later, Huang Xie said to the King of Chu, “The northern Huai region borders Qi, and affairs there are urgent. Please make it a commandery for convenience.” He thereupon consolidated and presented the twelve Huai-north counties to the king. He requested enfeoffment in the region east of the Jiang. King Kaolie agreed. Lord Chunshen built a city on the ancient ruins of Wu, establishing it as his personal capital.
11
春申君既相楚，是時齊有孟嘗君，趙有平原君，魏有信陵君，方爭下士，招致賓客，以相傾奪，輔國持權。
Lord Chunshen became prime minister of Chu. At this time, Qi had Lord Mengchang, Zhao had Lord Pingyuan, Wei had Lord Xinling—all competing to win over scholars, recruiting retainers to outdo one another, strengthening their states and wielding influence.
12
春申君為楚相四年，秦破趙之長平軍四十餘萬。 五年，圍邯鄲。 邯鄲告急於楚，楚使春申君將兵往救之，秦兵亦去，春申君歸。 春申君相楚八年，為楚北伐滅魯，以荀卿為蘭陵令。 當是時，楚復彊。
Lord Chunshen had served as Chu’s prime minister for four years when Qin broke Zhao’s army of more than four hundred thousand at Changping. In the fifth year, they laid siege to Handan. Handan sent urgent pleas to Chu. Chu dispatched Lord Chunshen with troops to relieve them. The Qin forces withdrew as well. Lord Chunshen returned home. In Lord Chunshen's eighth year as prime minister of Chu, he led a northern campaign that destroyed Lu and appointed Xun Qing magistrate of Lanling. At this time, Chu regained its strength.
13
趙平原君使人於春申君，春申君捨之於上舍。 趙使欲夸楚，為瑁簪，刀劍室以珠玉飾之，請命春申君客。 春申君客三千餘人，其上客皆躡珠履以見趙使，趙使大慚。
Lord Pingyuan of Zhao sent an envoy to Lord Chunshen. Lord Chunshen lodged him in the finest guest quarters. The Zhao envoy wished to impress Chu, so he made a cap of green jade, decorated sword hilts and scabbards with pearls and jade, and asked to present them to Lord Chunshen’s retainers. Lord Chunshen maintained over three thousand retainers. His most honored guests all wore pearl-embroidered shoes to greet the Zhao envoy. The envoy was deeply embarrassed.
14
春申君相十四年，秦莊襄王立，以呂不韋為相，封為文信侯。 取東周。
Lord Chunshen had served as prime minister for fourteen years when Qin installed King Zhuangxiang, appointed Lü Buwei prime minister, and enfeoffed him as Lord Wenxin. They conquered Eastern Zhou.
15
春申君相二十二年，諸侯患秦攻伐無已時，乃相與合從，西伐秦，而楚王為從長，春申君用事。 至函谷關，秦出兵攻，諸侯兵皆敗走。 楚考烈王以咎春申君，春申君以此益疏。
Lord Chunshen had served as prime minister for twenty-two years. The feudal lords, troubled by Qin’s endless attacks, formed an alliance to attack Qin in the west. The King of Chu served as head of the alliance. They advanced to Hangu Pass. Qin launched an attack. The allied forces all retreated in rout. King Kaolie of Chu held Lord Chunshen responsible. Lord Chunshen grew increasingly estranged as a result.
16
客有觀津人朱英，謂春申君曰：「人皆以楚為彊而君用之弱，其於英不然。 先君時善秦二十年而不攻楚，何也？ 秦踰黽隘之塞而攻楚，不便； 假道於兩周，背韓、魏而攻楚，不可。 今則不然，魏旦暮亡，不能愛許、鄢陵，其許魏割以與秦。 秦兵去陳百六十里，臣之所觀者，見秦、楚之日斗也。」 楚於是去陳徙壽春； 而秦徙衛野王，作置東郡。 春申君由此就封於吳，行相事。
A retainer from Guanjin named Zhu Ying said to Lord Chunshen: 'Everyone says Chu is strong, yet Your Lordship is weakening it—but I, Zhu Ying, do not see it that way. In the previous king’s time, Qin was friendly with Chu for twenty years without attacking it. Why? For Qin to cross the Meng Pass and attack Chu would be difficult. Borrowing roads through the two Zhous, betraying Han and Wei to attack Chu, is unthinkable. Now the situation has changed. Wei faces imminent ruin and cannot keep Xu and Yanling; the court will let Wei slice off those places and hand them to Qin. Qin troops are only one hundred sixty li from Chen. From what I see, Qin and Chu will soon be fighting every day.” Chu therefore abandoned Chen and relocated to Shouchun. Qin relocated Wei's capital to Yewang and established the Eastern Commandery. Lord Chunshen therefore took up his fief in Wu, while continuing to handle prime ministerial duties.
17
楚考烈王無子，春申君患之，求婦人宜子者進之，甚眾，卒無子。 趙人李園持其女弟，欲進之楚王，聞其不宜子，恐久毋寵。 李園求事春申君為舍人，已而謁歸，故失期。 還謁，春申君問之狀，對曰：「齊王使使求臣之女弟，與其使者飲，故失期。」 春申君曰：「娉入乎？」 對曰：「未也。」 春申君曰：「可得見乎？」 曰：「可。」 於是李園乃進其女弟，即幸於春申君。 知其有身，李園乃與其女弟謀。 園女弟承閒以說春申君曰：「楚王之貴幸君，雖兄弟不如也。 今君相楚二十餘年，而王無子，即百歲後將更立兄弟，則楚更立君後，亦各貴其故所親，君又安得長有寵乎？ 非徒然也，君貴用事久，多失禮於王兄弟，兄弟誠立，禍且及身，何以保相印江東之封乎？ 今妾自知有身矣，而人莫知。 妾幸君未久，誠以君之重而進妾於楚王，王必幸妾； 妾賴天有子男，則是君之子為王也，楚國盡可得，孰與身臨不測之罪乎？」 春申君大然之，乃出李園女弟，謹舍而言之楚王。 楚王召入幸之，遂生子男，立為太子，以李園女弟為王后。 楚王貴李園，園用事。
King Kaolie of Chu had no sons. Lord Chunshen worried about this and sought women fit to bear children to present to him; there were very many, but in the end none bore sons. A Zhao native named Li Yuan brought his younger sister, intending to present her to the King of Chu. Learning she was barren, he feared her favor would not last. Li Yuan sought a position as retainer to Lord Chunshen. After some time, he requested leave to return home, deliberately arriving late. When he returned for audience, Lord Chunshen asked what had happened. He replied, “The King of Qi sent an envoy to seek my younger sister. I drank with the envoy and therefore missed the appointment.” Lord Chunshen said: 'Have you betrothed her?' He replied: 'Not yet.' Lord Chunshen said: 'Can I see her?' 'Yes.' Thus, Li Yuan presented his younger sister, who won Lord Chunshen's favor. When he learned she was with child, Li Yuan conspired with his younger sister. Li Yuan’s younger sister took advantage of an intimate moment to advise Lord Chunshen, saying, “The King of Chu values and favors Your Lordship more than his own brothers. Now Your Lordship has been prime minister of Chu for more than twenty years, yet the king has no sons. After his hundred years are over, he will establish one of his brothers; then, when Chu installs a new ruler, Your Lordship will no longer be favored. This is no idle threat. Your Lordship has held high position and wielded power for years, repeatedly offending the king's brothers. If they should ascend the throne, calamity will befall you. How then can you safeguard your prime minister's seal and your fief in Jiangdong? Now I know I carry a child, though no one else is aware. I have not long enjoyed Your Lordship’s favor. If you truly use your influence to present me to the King of Chu, the king will certainly favor me. If heaven grants me a son, then Your Lordship's son becomes king and the whole of Chu can be yours—how does that compare with facing uncertain punishment yourself?' Lord Chunshen strongly agreed. He sent Li Yuan’s younger sister away, housed her carefully, and spoke of her to the King of Chu. The King of Chu summoned her and favored her. She bore a son, who was established as crown prince, and Li Yuan’s younger sister was made queen. The King of Chu favored Li Yuan, who came to wield considerable influence.
18
李園既入其女弟，立為王后，子為太子，恐春申君語泄而益驕，陰養死士，欲殺春申君以滅口，而國人頗有知之者。
Once Li Yuan had brought in his younger sister and established her as queen with her son as crown prince, he feared Lord Chunshen would reveal the secret and grow even more insolent. Secretly, he cultivated assassins, intending to kill Lord Chunshen and silence him forever. Many in the kingdom knew of his plans.
19
春申君相二十五年，楚考烈王病。 朱英謂春申君曰：「世有毋望之福，又有毋望之禍。 今君處毋望之世，事毋望之主，安可以無毋望之人乎？」 春申君曰：「何謂毋望之福？」 曰：「君相楚二十餘年矣，雖名相國，實楚王也。 今楚王病，旦暮且卒，而君相少主，因而代立當國，如伊尹、周公，王長而反政，不即遂南面稱孤而有楚國？ 此所謂毋望之福也。」 春申君曰：「何謂毋望之禍？」 曰：「李園不治國而君之仇也，不為兵而養死士之日久矣，楚王卒，李園必先入據權而殺君以滅口。 此所謂毋望之禍也。」 春申君曰：「何謂毋望之人？」 對曰：「君置臣郎中，楚王卒，李園必先入，臣為君殺李園。 此所謂毋望之人也。」 春申君曰：「足下置之，李園，弱人也，仆又善之，且又何至此！」 朱英知言不用，恐禍及身，乃亡去。
Lord Chunshen had served as prime minister for twenty-five years when King Kaolie of Chu fell gravely ill. Zhu Ying told Lord Chunshen, “In the world there are blessings that come unexpectedly, and disasters that come unexpectedly. Your Lordship now lives in an age without prospects, serving a ruler without prospects. How can you be without a companion who shares your lack of prospects?' Lord Chunshen said, “What are blessings that come unexpectedly?” “Your Lordship has been prime minister of Chu for more than twenty years. Though nominally prime minister, you are truly the king of Chu. The King of Chu now lies ill and will die any day. Your Lordship aids the young ruler, seizes control of the government, and ascends the throne like yiyin and the Duke of Zhou. When the king comes of age, you return power to him. If not, you proclaim yourself ruler facing south and take possession of the kingdom of Chu. This is what they call unexpected fortune.' Lord Chunshen said: 'What is unexpected calamity?' 'Li Yuan cares nothing for governing the state, but he is Your Lordship's mortal enemy. Instead of raising armies, he has long been cultivating assassins. When the King of Chu dies, Li Yuan will surely enter first, seize control, and kill Your Lordship to silence the secret. This is what they call unexpected disaster.' Lord Chunshen said: 'What is a companion without prospects?' He replied: 'Appoint me as your aide-de-camp. When the King of Chu dies, Li Yuan will surely enter first. I will kill Li Yuan for you. This is what they call a companion without prospects.' Lord Chunshen said: 'Set that aside for now. Li Yuan is a weakling, and I have treated him kindly. How could matters come to such a pass!' Zhu Ying realized his advice would be ignored and feared the danger would extend to him, so he fled.
20
後十七日，楚考烈王卒，李園果先入，伏死士於棘門之內。 春申君入棘門，園死士俠刺春申君，斬其頭，投之棘門外。 於是遂使吏盡滅春申君之家。 而李園女弟初幸春申君有身而入之王所生子者遂立，是為楚幽王。
Seventeen days later, King Kaolie of Chu died. As predicted, Li Yuan entered first, concealing assassins within the Thorn Gate. Lord Chunshen entered the Thorn Gate. Li Yuan's death-dealers struck him from both sides, severed his head, and threw it outside the gate. They then commanded officials to utterly destroy Lord Chunshen's entire household. Li Yuan's younger sister, who had conceived by Lord Chunshen before being presented to the king, bore the son who was enthroned as King You of Chu.
21
是歲也，秦始皇帝立九年矣。 嫪毐亦為亂於秦，覺，夷其三族，而呂不韋廢。
In this year, Qin Shihuang had reigned for nine years. Liao Ai also stirred up rebellion in Qin, was exposed, his three clans executed to the last member, and Lü Buwei was dismissed from office.
22
太史公曰：吾適楚，觀春申君故城，宮室盛矣哉！ 初，春申君之說秦昭王，及出身遣楚太子歸，何其智之明也！ 後制於李園，旄矣。 語曰：「當斷不斷，反受其亂。」 春申君失朱英之謂邪？
The Grand Historian says: I journeyed to Chu and surveyed Lord Chunshen's ancient city—what splendid palaces! At first, Lord Chunshen's persuasion of King Zhao of Qin, and staking his life to send the Chu crown prince home—what clarity of wisdom! Later he was controlled by Li Yuan—what utter confusion! As the proverb says: 'When you should cut, don't cut, and chaos comes back to haunt you.' Does this refer to Lord Chunshen ignoring Zhu Ying's counsel?