1
樂毅者，其先祖曰樂羊。 樂羊為魏文侯將，伐取中山，魏文侯封樂羊以靈壽。 樂羊死，葬於靈壽，其後子孫因家焉。 中山復國，至趙武靈王時復滅中山，而樂氏後有樂毅。
Yue Yi's ancestor was called Yue Yang. Yue Yang served as general for Wei Wen Hou, attacked and took Zhongshan, Wei Wen Hou enfeoffed Yue Yang with Lingshou. Yue Yang died and was buried at Lingshou, and his descendants thereafter made their home there. Zhongshan was restored as a state, until Zhao Wu Ling Wang's time when Zhongshan was again extinguished, and the Yue clan later had Yue Yi.
2
樂毅賢，好兵，趙人舉之。 及武靈王有沙丘之亂，乃去趙適魏。 聞燕昭王以子之之亂而齊大敗燕，燕昭王怨齊，未嘗一日而忘報齊也。 燕國小，辟遠，力不能制，於是屈身下士，先禮郭隗以招賢者。 樂毅於是為魏昭王使於燕，燕王以客禮待之。 樂毅辭讓，遂委質為臣，燕昭王以為亞卿，久之。
Yue Yi was worthy and fond of military affairs, the people of Zhao recommended him. When Wu Ling Wang had the Shaqiu rebellion, he left Zhao and went to Wei. He heard that Yan Zhao Wang, due to the Zi Zhi rebellion, had been greatly defeated by Qi, Yan Zhao Wang resented Qi, never for a single day forgetting to avenge Qi. Yan was small and remote, its strength could not control matters, thus he humbled himself and treated scholars with respect, first honoring Guo Wei to attract worthy men. Yue Yi thus served as envoy from Wei Zhao Wang to Yan, the Yan king treated him with guest courtesy. Yue Yi declined modestly, then submitted his allegiance as minister, Yan Zhao Wang appointed him as vice minister, and after a long time.
3
當是時，齊湣王彊，南敗楚相唐眛於重丘，西摧三晉於觀津，遂與三晉擊秦，助趙滅中山，破宋，廣地千餘里。 與秦昭王爭重為帝，已而復歸之。 諸侯皆欲背秦而服於齊。 湣王自矜，百姓弗堪。 於是燕昭王問伐齊之事。 樂毅對曰：「齊，霸國之餘業也，地大人眾，未易獨攻也。 王必欲伐之，莫如與趙及楚、魏。」 於是使樂毅約趙惠文王，別使連楚、魏，令趙嚪說秦以伐齊之利。 諸侯害齊湣王之驕暴，皆爭合從與燕伐齊。 樂毅還報，燕昭王悉起兵，使樂毅為上將軍，趙惠文王以相國印授樂毅。 樂毅於是并護趙、楚、韓、魏、燕之兵以伐齊，破之濟西。 諸侯兵罷歸，而燕軍樂毅獨追，至于臨菑。 齊湣王之敗濟西，亡走，保於莒。 樂毅獨留徇齊，齊皆城守。 樂毅攻入臨菑，盡取齊寶財物祭器輸之燕。 燕昭王大說，親至濟上勞軍，行賞饗士，封樂毅於昌國，號為昌國君。 於是燕昭王收齊鹵獲以歸，而使樂毅復以兵平齊城之不下者。
At this time, Qi Min Wang was strong, south he defeated Chu chancellor Tang Mai at Chongqiu, west he crushed the three Jin at Guanjin, then together with the three Jin attacked Qin, aided Zhao in extinguishing Zhongshan, broke Song, expanded territory a thousand plus li. He contended with Qin Zhao Wang for precedence as emperor, but then returned it. The feudal lords all wished to turn from Qin and submit to Qi. Min Wang was arrogant, the common people could not bear it. Thus Yan Zhao Wang inquired about attacking Qi matters. Yue Yi replied: 'Qi is the remaining enterprise of a hegemon state, territory large and people many, not easy to attack alone. If Your Majesty must attack it, better to ally with Zhao and Chu, Wei.' Thus he sent Yue Yi to make alliance with Zhao Hui Wen Wang, separately sent envoys to connect with Chu and Wei, ordered Zhao Yan to persuade Qin of the advantages of attacking Qi. The feudal lords hated Qi Min Wang's arrogant tyranny, all contended to form vertical alliances with Yan to attack Qi. Yue Yi returned and reported, Yan Zhao Wang mobilized all troops, made Yue Yi supreme general, Zhao Hui Wen Wang bestowed the chancellor seal on Yue Yi. Yue Yi thus combined and commanded the troops of Zhao, Chu, Han, Wei, Yan to attack Qi, broke them west of Ji. The feudal lords' troops withdrew and returned, yet Yan's army under Yue Yi alone pursued, reaching Linzi. Qi Min Wang's defeat west of Ji, fled, took refuge at Ju. Yue Yi alone remained campaigning in Qi, Qi all defended their cities. Yue Yi attacked and entered Linzi, took all Qi's precious treasures and ritual vessels and transported them to Yan. Yan Zhao Wang greatly delighted, personally went to the Ji to reward the army, distributed rewards and feasted the soldiers, enfeoffed Yue Yi at Changguo, numbered as Changguo Jun. Thus Yan Zhao Wang collected Qi's booty and returned, yet sent Yue Yi again with troops to pacify Qi's cities that had not submitted.
4
樂毅留徇齊五歲，下齊七十餘城，皆為郡縣以屬燕，唯獨莒、即墨未服。 會燕昭王死，子立為燕惠王。 惠王自為太子時嘗不快於樂毅，及即位，齊之田單聞之，乃縱反閒於燕，曰：「齊城不下者兩城耳。 然所以不早拔者，聞樂毅與燕新王有隙，欲連兵且留齊，南面而王齊。 齊之所患，唯恐他將之來。」 於是燕惠王固已疑樂毅，得齊反閒，乃使騎劫代將，而召樂毅。 樂毅知燕惠王之不善代之，畏誅，遂西降趙。 趙封樂毅於觀津，號曰望諸君。 尊寵樂毅以警動於燕、齊。
Yue Yi remained campaigning in Qi five years, took seventy plus Qi cities, all made into commanderies and counties belonging to Yan, only Ju and Jimo remained unsubdued. It happened that Yan Zhao Wang died, his son ascended as Yan Hui Wang. Hui Wang, when he was crown prince, once disliked Yue Yi, and upon ascending the throne, Qi's Tian Dan heard this, then spread reverse rumors in Yan, saying: 'Qi's unsubdued cities are only two cities. However the reason they did not surrender early was hearing that Yue Yi had a rift with Yan's new king, wished to connect troops and remain in Qi, facing south to be king of Qi. What Qi feared was only other generals coming.'' Thus Yan Hui Wang was already suspicious of Yue Yi, got Qi's reverse rumors, then sent Qi Jie to replace the general, and summoned Yue Yi. Yue Yi knew Yan Hui Wang's replacement was not good, feared execution, thus went west and surrendered to Zhao. Zhao enfeoffed Yue Yi at Guanjin, numbered as Wangzhu Jun. Honored and favored Yue Yi to alert and move Yan and Qi.
5
齊田單後與騎劫戰，果設詐誑燕軍，遂破騎劫於即墨下，而轉戰逐燕，北至河上，盡復得齊城，而迎襄王於莒，入于臨菑。
Later Qi's Tian Dan battled with Qi Jie, indeed set deception to trick Yan army, thus broke Qi Jie below Jimo, and turning battle drove Yan, north to the river, completely recovered Qi cities, and welcomed King Xiang at Ju, entered Linzi.
6
燕惠王後悔使騎劫代樂毅，以故破軍亡將失齊； 又怨樂毅之降趙，恐趙用樂毅而乘燕之獘以伐燕。 燕惠王乃使人讓樂毅，且謝之曰：「先王舉國而委將軍，將軍為燕破齊，報先王之讎，天下莫不震動，寡人豈敢一日而忘將軍之功哉！ 會先王棄群臣，寡人新即位，左右誤寡人。 寡人之使騎劫代將軍，為將軍久暴露於外，故召將軍且休，計事。 將軍過聽，以與寡人有隙，遂捐燕歸趙。 將軍自為計則可矣，而亦何以報先王之所以遇將軍之意乎？」 樂毅報遺燕惠王書曰：
Yan Hui Wang later regretted sending Qi Jie to replace Yue Yi, because of this the army was broken, generals lost, Qi lost; Again resented Yue Yi's surrender to Zhao, feared Zhao would use Yue Yi and take advantage of Yan's defeat to attack Yan. Yan Hui Wang then sent someone to reproach Yue Yi, and apologized saying: 'The former king entrusted the entire state to the general, the general broke Qi for Yan, avenged the former king's enmity, the world was not unshaken, how dare I forget the general's merit for even one day! It happened the former king abandoned the ministers, I newly ascended the throne, my attendants misled me. My sending Qi Jie to replace the general was because the general had long been exposed abroad, thus summoned the general to rest and plan affairs. The general mistakenly listened, taking it that he had a rift with me, thus abandoned Yan and went to Zhao. The general planning for himself is acceptable, but how also to repay the former king's intentions in treating the general?' Yue Yi replied by sending Yan Hui Wang a letter saying:
7
臣不佞，不能奉承王命，以順左右之心，恐傷先王之明，有害足下之義，故遁逃走趙。 今足下使人數之以罪，臣恐侍御者不察先王之所以畜幸臣之理，又不白臣之所以事先王之心，故敢以書對。
Your minister is not talented, could not accept Your Majesty's command, to comply with the hearts of those around you, feared harming the former king's wisdom, harming Your Majesty's righteousness, thus fled and went to Zhao. Now Your Majesty sends people to enumerate my crimes, your minister fears the attendants do not examine the former king's reasons for nurturing and favoring your minister, and do not understand your minister's heart in serving the former king, thus dares to respond with a letter.
8
臣聞賢聖之君不以祿私親，其功多者賞之，其能當者處之。 故察能而授官者，成功之君也； 論行而結交者，立名之士也。 臣竊觀先王之舉也，見有高世主之心，故假節於魏，以身得察於燕。 先王過舉，廁之賓客之中，立之群臣之上，不謀父兄，以為亞卿。 臣竊不自知，自以為奉令承教，可幸無罪，故受令而不辭。
Your minister has heard that worthy sage lords do not favor relatives with salary, those with much merit they reward, those whose ability matches they place. Thus those who examine ability and grant office are successful lords; Those who discuss conduct and form friendships are scholars who establish names. Your minister secretly observed the former king's actions, saw he had the heart of a lord transcending the age, thus borrowed credentials from Wei, to have his person examined by Yan. The former king over-elevated, placed him among the guests, established him above the ministers, did not consult father and brothers, made him vice minister. Your minister secretly did not know himself, thought receiving orders and accepting teachings, might fortunately be without crime, thus accepted orders without declining.
9
先王命之曰：「我有積怨深怒於齊，不量輕弱，而欲以齊為事。」 臣曰：「夫齊，霸國之餘業而最勝之遺事也。 練於兵甲，習於戰攻。 王若欲伐之，必與天下圖之。 與天下圖之，莫若結於趙。 且又淮北、宋地，楚魏之所欲也，趙若許而約四國攻之，齊可大破也。」 先王以為然，具符節南使臣於趙。 顧反命，起兵擊齊。 以天之道，先王之靈，河北之地隨先王而舉之濟上。 濟上之軍受命擊齊，大敗齊人。 輕卒銳兵，長驅至國。 齊王遁而走莒，僅以身免； 珠玉財寶車甲珍器盡收入于燕。 齊器設於寧臺，大呂陳於元英，故鼎反乎磿室，薊丘之植植於汶篁，自五伯已來，功未有及先王者也。 先王以為慊於志，故裂地而封之，使得比小國諸侯。 臣竊不自知，自以為奉命承教，可幸無罪，是以受命不辭。
The former king commanded him saying: 'I have accumulated resentment and deep anger toward Qi, do not measure my lightness and weakness, wish to make Qi my affair.' Your minister said: 'As for Qi, it is the remaining enterprise of a hegemon state and the legacy of the most victorious. Trained in armor and weapons, practiced in battle and attack. If Your Majesty wishes to attack it, must plan with the world. To plan with the world, better than allying with Zhao. Moreover, Huai north and Song lands are what Chu and Wei desire, if Zhao agrees and allies four states to attack it, Qi can be greatly broken.'' The former king considered it right, prepared credentials and south sent your minister to Zhao. Turned back and reported, raised troops to attack Qi. With the way of heaven, the former king's spirit, the lands north of the river followed the former king and raised them at Ji. The Ji army received orders to attack Qi, greatly defeated the Qi people. Light troops sharp weapons, long drove to the capital. The Qi king fled and went to Ju, barely escaped with his life; Pearls jade treasures chariots armor precious vessels all entered Yan. Qi vessels set up at Ning Terrace, Da Lu displayed at Yuan Ying, ancient tripods returned to Ao chamber, Jiqiu's plants planted at Wen Huang, since the five hegemons, merit has not equaled the former king. The former king considered it satisfying to his ambitions, thus split land and enfeoffed him, allowing him to compare to small state feudal lords. Your minister secretly did not know himself, thought receiving orders accepting teachings, might fortunately be without crime, thus accepted orders without declining.
10
臣聞賢聖之君，功立而不廢，故著於春秋； 蚤知之士，名成而不毀，故稱於後世。 若先王之報怨雪恥，夷萬乘之彊國，收八百歲之蓄積，及至棄群臣之日，餘教未衰，執政任事之臣，修法令，慎庶孽，施及乎萌隸，皆可以教後世。
Your minister has heard that worthy sage lords establish merit and do not abandon it, thus are recorded in the Spring and Autumn; Early knowing scholars establish names and do not destroy them, thus are praised in later generations. As for the former king's avenging resentment and washing away shame, leveling ten thousand chariot strong states, collecting eight hundred years of accumulation, and to the day he abandoned the ministers, his remaining teachings not declined, the governing ministers administering affairs, repairing law commands, careful with numerous descendants, extending to the sprouting servants, all can teach later generations.
11
臣聞之，善作者不必善成，善始者不必善終。 昔伍子胥說聽於闔閭，而吳王遠跡至郢； 夫差弗是也，賜之鴟夷而浮之江。 吳王不寤先論之可以立功，故沈子胥而不悔； 子胥不蚤見主之不同量，是以至於入江而不化。
Your minister has heard that those good at beginning do not necessarily complete well, those good at starting do not necessarily end well. Formerly Wu Zi Xu's persuasion was listened to by He Lu, and the Wu king went far to Ying; Fu Cha was not like this, granted him a leather bag and floated him on the river. The Wu king did not awaken to the earlier advice that could establish merit, thus drowned Zi Xu and did not regret; Zi Xu did not early see that his lord had different capacities, thus came to entering the river and not dissolving.
12
夫免身立功，以明先王之跡，臣之上計也。 離毀辱之誹謗，墮先王之名，臣之所大恐也。 臨不測之罪，以幸為利，義之所不敢出也。
Escaping the body and establishing merit, to clarify the former king's traces, is your minister's highest plan. Separating from slander and humiliation, destroying the former king's name, is what your minister greatly fears. Facing unpredictable crimes, taking fortune as profit, righteousness does not dare go out.
13
臣聞古之君子，交絕不出惡聲； 忠臣去國，不絜其名。 臣雖不佞，數奉教於君子矣。 恐侍御者之親左右之說，不察疏遠之行，故敢獻書以聞，唯君王之留意焉。
Your minister has heard that ancient gentlemen, when friendships end, do not issue evil sounds; Loyal ministers leaving their states do not purify their names. Your minister though not talented, has several times received teachings from gentlemen. Fearing the attendants' favoring the words of those close by, not examining distant conduct, thus dares to offer this letter to report, only Your Majesty's attention.
14
於是燕王復以樂毅子樂閒為昌國君； 而樂毅往來復通燕，燕、趙以為客卿。 樂毅卒於趙。
Thus the Yan king again made Yue Yi's son Yue Xian the Changguo Jun; And Yue Yi came and went again communicating with Yan, Yan and Zhao made him guest minister. Yue Yi died in Zhao.
15
樂閒居燕三十餘年，燕王喜用其相栗腹之計，欲攻趙，而問昌國君樂閒。 樂閒曰：「趙，四戰之國也，其民習兵，伐之不可。」 燕王不聽，遂伐趙。 趙使廉頗擊之，大破栗腹之軍於鄗，禽栗腹、樂乘。 樂乘者，樂閒之宗也。 於是樂閒奔趙，趙遂圍燕。 燕重割地以與趙和，趙乃解而去。
Yue Xian dwelt in Yan thirty plus years, the Yan king happily used his chancellor Li Fu's plans, wished to attack Zhao, and asked Changguo Jun Yue Xian. Yue Xian said: 'Zhao is a four-battle country, its people are practiced in military affairs, attacking it is not possible.' The Yan king did not listen, thus attacked Zhao. Zhao sent Lian Po to attack them, greatly broke Li Fu's army at Hao, captured Li Fu and Yue Cheng. Yue Cheng was Yue Xian's clan relative. Thus Yue Xian fled to Zhao, Zhao then surrounded Yan. Yan heavily cut land to make peace with Zhao, Zhao then withdrew and left.
16
燕王恨不用樂閒，樂閒既在趙，乃遺樂閒書曰：「紂之時，箕子不用，犯諫不怠，以冀其聽； 商容不達，身祇辱焉，以冀其變。 及民志不入，獄囚自出，然後二子退隱。 故紂負桀暴之累，二子不失忠聖之名。 何者？ 其憂患之盡矣。 今寡人雖愚，不若紂之暴也； 燕民雖亂，不若殷民之甚也。 室有語，不相盡，以告鄰里。 二者，寡人不為君取也。」
The Yan king regretted not using Yue Xian, Yue Xian already being in Zhao, then sent Yue Xian a letter saying: 'In Zhou's time, Ji Zi was not used, offended remonstrance without tiring, to hope for his listening; Shang Rong was not understood, his body endured humiliation, to hope for his change. When the people's will did not enter, prison prisoners came out themselves, then the two retreated and hid. Thus Zhou bore Jie tyranny's burden, the two did not lose loyal sage names. Why? Their worries and sufferings were exhausted. Now though I am foolish, not like Zhou's tyranny; Yan people though chaotic, not like Yin people's extremity. Rooms have words, not fully told, to inform neighbors. These two, I would not take for my lord.''
17
樂閒、樂乘怨燕不聽其計，二人卒留趙。 趙封樂乘為武襄君。
Yue Xian and Yue Cheng resented Yan not listening to their plans, the two finally stayed in Zhao. Zhao enfeoffed Yue Cheng as Wu Xiang Jun.
18
其明年，樂乘、廉頗為趙圍燕，燕重禮以和，乃解。 後五歲，趙孝成王卒。 襄王使樂乘代廉頗。 廉頗攻樂乘，樂乘走，廉頗亡入魏。 其後十六年而秦滅趙。
The next year, Yue Cheng and Lian Po for Zhao surrounded Yan, Yan heavily bestowed gifts to make peace, then withdrew. After five years, Zhao Xiao Cheng Wang died. King Xiang sent Yue Cheng to replace Lian Po. Lian Po attacked Yue Cheng, Yue Cheng fled, Lian Po fled and entered Wei. Thereafter sixteen years and Qin extinguished Zhao.
19
其後二十餘年，高帝過趙，問：「樂毅有後世乎？」 對曰：「有樂叔。」 高帝封之樂卿，號曰華成君。 華成君，樂毅之孫也。 而樂氏之族有樂瑕公、樂臣公，趙且為秦所滅，亡之齊高密。 樂臣公善修黃帝、老子之言，顯聞於齊，稱賢師。
Thereafter twenty plus years, Gao Di passed through Zhao, asked: 'Does Yue Yi have descendants?' Replied: 'There is Yue Shu.' Gao Di enfeoffed him as Yue Qing, numbered as Hua Cheng Jun. Hua Cheng Jun was Yue Yi's grandson. And the Yue clan had Yue Xia Gong, Yue Chen Gong, Zhao was about to be extinguished by Qin, fled to Qi Gaomi. Yue Chen Gong was skilled in cultivating Huang Di and Lao Zi's words, was famous in Qi, called worthy teacher.
20
太史公曰：始齊之蒯通及主父偃讀樂毅之報燕王書，未嘗不廢書而泣也。 樂臣公學黃帝、老子，其本師號曰河上丈人，不知其所出。 河上丈人教安期生，安期生教毛翕公，毛翕公教樂瑕公，樂瑕公教樂臣公，樂臣公教蓋公。 蓋公教於齊高密、膠西，為曹相國師。
Grand Historian said: When Qi's Kuai Tong and Zhu Fu Yan first read Yue Yi's letter replying to the Yan king, they never failed to put down the book and weep. Yue Chen Gong studied Huang Di and Lao Zi, his root teacher was called Hesang Zhangren, not knowing his origin. Hesang Zhangren taught An Qisheng, An Qisheng taught Mao Xigong, Mao Xigong taught Yue Xiagong, Yue Xiagong taught Yue Chengong, Yue Chengong taught Gai Gong. Gai Gong taught in Qi Gaomi and Jiaoxi, was Cao Xiangguo's teacher.