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卷9 漢紀一

Volume 9 Han Records 1

Chapter 9 of 資治通鑑 · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance
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Chapter 9
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From Zhanmeng Xiehe through Rouzhao Tuantan—two years in all.
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1. In the tenth month of winter the Duke of Pei reached Bashang. King Ziying of Qin came in a plain cart drawn by a white horse, a cord about his neck, bearing the imperial seal, tallies, and batons, and surrendered by the road at Zhi. Some generals urged that the king of Qin be put to death. The Duke of Pei said: "King Huai sent me because I know how to show forbearance. And he has already surrendered—to kill him would be ill-omened." He handed him over to the officials instead.
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:: Jia Yi writes: From a scrap of land Qin won the power of ten thousand chariots, drew the eight provinces to court, and for a century and more made peers bow; only then did it take all within the four seas as its house and Xiao and Han as its walls. One man rebelled and the seven temples crumbled; he died in another's hands and became the world's jest—why? Because benevolence and righteousness were never shown, and the balance of attack and defense had changed.
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The Duke of Pei marched west into Xianyang. Every general raced to the vaults of gold, silk, and goods to seize a share. Xiao He alone went in first, gathered the maps and registers from the Qin chancellor's office, and hid them away. Thus the Duke of Pei came to know every chokepoint □ across the realm, every count of households, and where power lay strong or weak. The Duke of Pei saw Qin's palaces, hangings, hounds and horses, heavy treasure, and women by the thousand—and meant to stay. Fan Kuai urged him: "Do you mean to win the realm, my lord, or only to become a rich man? All this luxury is what destroyed Qin—what use is it to you! Return to Bashang at once—do not linger in the palace!" The Duke of Pei would not listen. Zhang Liang said: "Qin lost the Way—that is why you stand here. A man who rids the realm of tyrants should dress in mourning white. To enter Qin and at once take its ease—this is what men call 'helping Jie torment his people.'" Loyal counsel grates on the ear yet serves the deed; bitter medicine tastes foul yet cures the sickness. Hear Fan Kuai, my lord!" The Duke of Pei withdrew his army to Bashang. In the eleventh month the Duke of Pei summoned the elders and leading men of every county and said: "You have suffered Qin's harsh laws long enough! I swore with the lords that whoever entered the passes first would rule them—and I entered first. I ought to be king in Guanzhong. I give you only three laws: murderers die; wounders and thieves answer for their crimes. Every other Qin statute I abolish. Clerks and people alike shall live undisturbed as before. I came only to lift harm from you—not to plunder. Have no fear. I withdrew to Bashang only to wait until the lords arrive and we settle our covenants." He sent men with Qin clerks through every county, district, and township to proclaim it. The people of Qin rejoiced. They vied to bring oxen, sheep, wine, and food to feast the troops. The Duke of Pei refused again: "The granaries are full—we are not in want, and I will not burden the people." The people rejoiced all the more—and feared only that he would not become king of Qin.
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2. Xiang Yu, Hebei pacified, led the allied armies west toward the passes. Before this, whenever allied officers, corvée men, or garrison troops passed through Guanzhong, the Qin soldiers they met behaved abominably. When Zhang Han surrendered the Qin army, allied soldiers, drunk on victory, enslaved them wholesale and heaped humiliation on Qin officers and men. Qin officers and men nursed bitter grievances and whispered: "Zhang and the rest tricked us into surrendering to the allies. If we can enter the passes now and break Qin, well and good; if not, the allies will drag us east while Qin executes our fathers, mothers, wives, and children—what then?" The generals caught wind of the plot and told Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu called Qing Bu and General Pu to counsel: "Qin soldiers are still many and their hearts are not ours. At the passes they will refuse to obey—the affair will turn deadly. Better strike them down, and enter Qin with Zhang Han, Chief Clerk Xin, and Commandant Yi alone." That night the Chu army struck and buried more than two hundred thousand Qin soldiers alive south of Xinan.
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Someone urged the Duke of Pei: "Qin is ten times wealthier than the rest of the realm, and its terrain is strong. Xiang Yu has made Zhang Han King of Yong over Guanzhong. He is coming now—you may lose everything. Send troops at once to hold Hangu Pass and admit no allied army; levy Guanzhong's forces to strengthen yourself and hold them off." The Duke of Pei thought it sound and did as advised. Soon Xiang Yu reached the pass—and found the gates closed. Learning that the Duke of Pei had already taken Guanzhong, he flew into a rage and sent Qing Bu to break the pass. In the twelfth month Xiang Yu advanced to Xi. The Duke of Pei's Left Major, Cao Wushang, sent word to Xiang Yu: "The Duke of Pei means to be king in Guanzhong, make Ziying his chancellor, and keep every treasure for himself." He hoped thereby to win a fief. Xiang Yu raged, feasted his troops, and set the morrow to destroy the Duke of Pei's army. At that time Xiang Yu had four hundred thousand men—he called them a million—at Hong Gate in Xinfeng; the Duke of Pei had one hundred thousand—he called them two hundred thousand—at Bashang. Fan Zeng urged Xiang Yu: "East of the mountains the Duke of Pei was greedy for gold and fond of women. Now in the passes he takes no goods and enjoys no women. His ambition is no small thing. I had his aura watched: dragon and tiger, the five colors mingled—the aura of a Son of Heaven. Strike now—do not let the chance slip!"
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Xiang Bo, Left Minister of Chu and Xiang Yu's uncle, had long been close to Zhang Liang. He galloped by night to the Duke of Pei's camp, met Zhang Liang in secret, told him everything, and urged him to flee together: "Do not die with them!" Zhang Liang said: "I was sent by the king of Han to serve the Duke of Pei. He is in peril now. To flee would be unrighteous. I must tell him." Liang went in and told the Duke of Pei everything. The Duke of Pei was stricken with alarm. Liang said: "Do you judge your soldiers a match for Xiang Yu?" The Duke of Pei was silent. "They are not," he said at last. What can be done?" Zhang Liang said: "Let me tell Xiang Bo that you do not dare rebel." The Duke of Pei said: "How do you know Xiang Bo?" Zhang Liang said: "In Qin times we were companions. He once killed a man, and I saved his life. Now the crisis is upon us, and he has come to warn me." The Duke of Pei said: "Which of you is older?" Liang said: "He is older than I." The Duke of Pei said: "Bring him in. I shall treat him as an elder brother." Zhang Liang went out and pressed Xiang Bo to enter; and Xiang Bo entered at once to see the Duke of Pei. The Duke of Pei offered wine to wish him long life, pledged marriage between their houses, and said: "When I entered the passes I touched nothing—not the smallest thing. I registered clerks and people, sealed the treasuries, and wait for the general. I posted men at the pass only to guard against robbers and emergencies. Day and night I have watched for your arrival—how would I dare rebel! Tell him fully that I do not dare betray his grace." Xiang Bo agreed. "Tomorrow you must come early in person to apologize." The Duke of Pei said: "I will." Xiang Bo rode back by night, told Xiang Yu everything the Duke of Pei had said, and added: "If the Duke of Pei had not broken Guanzhong first, how would you have dared enter? To strike a man of great merit is unrighteous. Better treat him generously." Xiang Yu agreed.
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At dawn the Duke of Pei came with a little more than a hundred riders to Hong Gate, apologized to Xiang Yu, and said: "My lord and I joined strength against Qin—you fought in Hebei, I in Henan. I never expected to enter the passes first, break Qin, and meet you again here. Now petty men's words have set a rift between us." Xiang Yu said: "That was the Duke of Pei's Left Major, Cao Wushang—not otherwise. How else would I have come to this!" Xiang Yu kept the Duke of Pei to drink with him. Fan Zeng signaled Xiang Yu again and again with his eyes and three times raised the jade□ ring at his belt. Xiang Yu stayed silent and would not answer. Fan Zeng rose, went out, called Xiang Zhuang, and said: "Our lord's heart is not hard enough. Go in, offer a toast for long life, and when it is done dance with your sword—strike the Duke of Pei where he sits and kill him. If you fail, every one of you will be taken captive!" Zhuang entered, offered the toast, and when it was done said: "The camp lacks amusement—I beg leave to dance with my sword." Xiang Yu said: "Very well." Xiang Zhuang drew his sword and danced. Xiang Bo also drew his sword and danced, repeatedly shielding the Lord of Pei with his body; Zhuang could not land a blow.
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Zhang Liang then went to the camp gate and met Fan Kuai. Fan Kuai said, “How do things stand today?” Zhang Liang said, “Xiang Zhuang is dancing with his sword drawn—his aim is always at the Lord of Pei.” Fan Kuai said, “This is desperate! I beg to go in and stake my life with his!” Fan Kuai at once entered with sword and shield. The gate guards tried to block him; Fan Kuai angled his shield and charged; the guards fell sprawling. He entered, pushed aside the curtain, and stood glaring at Xiang Yu, hair bristling on end and eyes bloodshot to the corners. Xiang Yu hand on sword, rose to his knees and said, “Stranger, what do you want?” Zhang Liang said, “He is Fan Kuai, the Lord of Pei’s outrider.” Xiang Yu said, “A brave man! Give him a cup of wine!” They gave him a full cup of wine. Fan Kuai bowed his thanks, rose, stood, and drained it. Xiang Yu said, “Give him a pork shoulder.” They gave him a whole raw pork shoulder. Fan Kuai set his shield on the ground, laid the shoulder on it, drew his sword, cut it up, and ate. Xiang Yu said, “Brave man, can you drink more?” Fan Kuai said, “I would not shrink from death—why refuse a cup of wine? Qin had a tiger-and-wolf heart—killing men as if it could never kill enough, punishing men as if it feared not to exceed every limit; all under Heaven turned against it. King Huai agreed with the generals: ‘Whoever first defeats Qin and enters Xianyang shall be king. ’ The Lord of Pei was first to defeat Qin and enter Xianyang; he did not dare touch the slightest thing, withdrew his army to Bashang to await Your Lordship. After such labor and such merit, there is no enfeoffment—yet you heed petty men and would kill men of merit. This continues Qin’s way; I venture it is not what Your Lordship should do!” Xiang Yu had no answer and said, “Sit!” Fan Kuai sat with Zhang Liang. After a short while the Lord of Pei rose as if for the privy and beckoned Fan Kuai out. The Lord of Pei said, “We have left without farewell—what shall we do?” Fan Kuai said, “They are the cleaver and we are the meat on the block—why bother with farewells?” They left at once. Hong Gate was forty li from Bashang; the Lord of Pei left his chariot and escort and rode off alone; Fan Kuai, Xiahou Ying, Jin Qiang, and Ji Xin and the others went on foot with swords and shields, taking the road down from Mount Li through Zhiyang by secret paths to reach Bashang. He left Zhang Liang to make his excuses to Xiang Yu, offering the white jade disc to Yu and the jade goblet to the Senior Lord. The Lord of Pei told Zhang Liang, “From this road to my camp is no more than twenty li. When you judge I have reached camp, then go in.” The Lord of Pei was already gone and had reached camp by a side path; Zhang Liang went in to apologize: “The Lord of Pei could not hold his wine and could not take his leave; he respectfully sends me with a pair of white jade discs, bowing twice to present them to Your Lordship; and a pair of jade goblets, bowing twice to present them to the Senior Lord.” Xiang Yu said, “Where is the Lord of Pei?” Zhang Liang said, “Hearing that Your Lordship meant to hold him to account, he slipped away alone and is already at his camp.” Xiang Yu accepted the disc and set it on his seat. The Senior Lord took the jade goblet, set it on the ground, drew his sword and smashed it, crying, “Alas! That boy is not worth plotting with! The one who will take Your Lordship’s empire will surely be the Lord of Pei. We are all about to become his prisoners!” When the Lord of Pei reached camp, he had Cao Wushang executed at once. Several days later Xiang Yu marched west, sacked Xianyang, killed the surrendered King of Qin Ziying, and burned the Qin palaces; the fires burned for three months. He gathered its treasure and women and marched east. The people of Qin were deeply disappointed. Han Sheng urged Xiang Yu: “The land within the Passes is barred by mountains and girded by rivers—a fortress on four sides, rich soil; you could make it your capital and rule as hegemon.” Xiang Yu saw the Qin palaces already burned and ruined, and his heart was set on going east; he said, “Wealth and honor without returning home is like wearing brocade at night—who would know?” Han Sheng withdrew, muttering, “They say Chu men are monkeys dressed in caps—and how true!” Xiang Yu heard of it and had Han Sheng boiled alive.
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3. Xiang Yu sent word to King Huai; King Huai said, “As agreed.” Xiang Yu raged: “King Huai was enthroned by my family—not for merit in the field; how can he alone dictate the pact? When the revolt first began, we set up the lords’ descendants in name to attack Qin. Yet I wore armor and bore arms from the start, exposed in the field three years—destroying Qin and settling the empire was the work of you generals and ministers and of Ji. King Huai had no merit, yet he should still receive a share of land and be made king.” The generals all said, “Well said!” In spring, the first month, at Yang, Yu honored King Huai as Emperor Yi, saying, “Ancient emperors held a thousand li and had to dwell upstream.” He moved Emperor Yi south of the Yangzi, with his capital at Chen.
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In the second month, Yu divided the empire and enfeoffed the generals as kings. Yu made himself Hegemon-King of Western Chu, ruling nine commanderies of Liang and Chu, with his capital at Pengcheng. Yu and Fan Zeng distrusted the Lord of Pei; peace had been made, yet they hated to break the pact openly, so they plotted in secret: “Ba and Shu have treacherous roads; Qin’s exiles all live there.” They said, “Ba and Shu are also within the Passes.” So they made the Lord of Pei King of Han, ruling Ba, Shu, and Hanzhong, capital at Nanzheng. They divided Guanzhong three ways and made Qin’s surrendered generals kings to block the Han. Zhang Han was made King of Yong, ruling west of Xianyang, capital at Feiqiu. Chief Clerk Xin had been a prison clerk at Liyang and had once done Xiang Liang a kindness; Commandant Dong Yi had originally urged Zhang Han to surrender to Chu. So Xin was made King of Sai, ruling east of Xianyang to the Yellow River, capital at Liyang; Yi was made King of Di, ruling Shang commandery, capital at Gaonu. Xiang Yu wanted Liang for himself, so he moved King Bao of Wei to Western Wei, ruling Hedong, capital at Pingyang. Shen Yang of Xiaqiu was Zhang Er’s favorite; he had first taken Henan and received Chu north of the river, so he was made King of Henan, capital at Luoyang. King Cheng of Han kept his former territory, capital at Yangzhai. The Zhao general Sima Ang had secured Henei with repeated merit, so Ang was made King of Yin, ruling Henei, capital at Chaoge. King Xie of Zhao was moved to Dai. Zhao’s chancellor Zhang Er was known for worth and had entered the Passes with the army, so Er was made King of Changshan, ruling Zhao lands from Xiangguo. Lord Dangyang Ying Bu was a Chu general who often led the van, so Bu was made King of Jiujiang, capital at Lu. Lord Fan Wu Rui had led the Yue in aiding the allies and entered the Passes with them, so Rui was made King of Hengshan, capital at Zhu. Emperor Yi’s pillar Gong Ao had attacked Nan commandery with great merit, so Ao was made King of Linjiang, capital at Jiangling. King Guang of Yan was moved to Liaodong, capital at Wuzhong. The Yan general Zang Tu had marched with Chu to save Zhao and entered the Passes with them, so Tu was made King of Yan, capital at Ji. King Shi of Qi was moved to Jiaodong, capital at Jimo. The Qi general Tian Du had marched with Chu to save Zhao and entered the Passes with them, so Du was made King of Qi, capital at Linzi. While Xiang Yu was crossing the river to save Zhao, Tian An took several Jibei cities and brought his troops over to Yu, so An was made King of Jibei, capital at Boyang. Tian Rong had repeatedly crossed Xiang Liang and refused to march with Chu against Qin, so he received no fief. Lord Cheng’an Chen Yu had cast aside his general’s seal and left, did not enter the Passes, and was not enfeoffed either. Advisers often told Xiang Yu: “Zhang Er and Chen Yu shared one merit for Zhao; Er is now king—Yu must not go without a fief.” Yu reluctantly heard he was at Nanpi and enfeoffed him with three counties in a ring. Lord Fan’s general Mei Xie had great merit and was made marquis of one hundred thousand households.
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4. The King of Han was furious and meant to attack Xiang Yu; Zhou Bo, Guan Ying, and Fan Kuai all dissuaded him. Xiao He urged: “However bad ruling Hanzhong may be, is it not better than death?” The King of Han said, “Why should it mean death?” Xiao He said, “Our forces are weaker; fight a hundred times, lose a hundred times—if not death, what then? To bow beneath one man yet win trust above ten thousand chariots—that was Tang and Wu. I urge Your Majesty to take Hanzhong, nurture the people and draw worthies, hold Ba and Shu, then recover the Three Qins—the empire can still be won.” The King of Han said, “Well said!” He went to his kingdom and made Xiao He chancellor. The King of Han gave Zhang Liang a hundred yi of gold and two dou of pearls; Liang had everything prepared and presented it to Xiang Bo. The King of Han also had Liang send Xiang Bo generous gifts and ask that all the Hanzhong territory be granted; the King of Xiang agreed. In summer, the fourth month, the feudal lords dismissed their armies at Xià and each returned to his domain. The King of Xiang sent thirty thousand men to escort the King of Han to his domain. Several tens of thousands of Chu men and followers from the other lords entered Zhi from the south of Du. Zhang Liang escorted him to Baozhong; the King of Han sent Liang back to Han; Liang then urged the King of Han to burn the plank roads along their route, to guard against raids by other lords and to show Xiang Yu that he had no intention of marching east.
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5. When Tian Rong heard that Xiang Yu had moved King Shi of Qi to Jiaodong and made Tian Du king of Qi, he was furious. In the fifth month, Rong raised troops to resist Tian Du; Du fled to Chu. Rong detained King Shi of Qi and would not let him proceed to Jiaodong. Shi, fearing Xiang Yu, secretly fled back to his domain. Enraged, in the sixth month Rong pursued him, killed Shi at Jimo, and declared himself king of Qi. At this time Peng Yue was at Juye with more than ten thousand men and no lord to follow. Rong gave Yue a general’s seal and sent him to attack Jibei. In autumn, the seventh month, Yue attacked and killed King An of Jibei. Rong then united the Three Qi domains and again sent Yue to attack Chu. The King of Xiang ordered Lord Jiao of Xiao to attack Yue; Yue routed the Chu army.
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6. In Zhang Er’s domain, Chen Yu grew angrier and said: “Zhang Er and I have equal merit. Now Zhang Er is king while I alone am a marquis—this is Xiang Yu’s injustice!” He secretly sent Zhang Tong and Xia Shuo to persuade King Rong of Qi: “As arbiter of the realm Xiang Yu is unjust—he makes his generals kings in the best lands and moves the former kings to the worst. Now the King of Zhao is forced to live north in Dai—I consider that unacceptable. Hearing that Your Majesty has raised troops, he will not heed what is unrighteous. I beg Your Majesty to supply me with troops to attack Changshan, restore the King of Zhao, and let Zhao serve as your shield!” The King of Qi agreed and sent troops to follow Chen Yu.
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7. Because Zhang Liang had followed the King of Han and King Cheng of Han had achieved no merit, the King of Xiang did not send him to his domain but took him to Pengcheng, deposed him, and made him Marquis of Rang; then killed him.
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8. Initially, Han Xin of Huaiyin was from a poor family and of base conduct; he could not be recommended for office nor make a living in trade, and often ate at others’ tables—many despised him. Xin was fishing by the city wall when a washerwoman saw him hungry and fed him. Xin was pleased and said to her: “I shall surely repay you generously, mother.” She snapped: “A grown man who cannot feed himself—I pitied you and gave you food; did I expect repayment?” A butcher’s lad who bullied Xin said: “Though you are tall and fond of wearing a sword, at heart you are a coward.” Before the crowd he mocked him: “If you have the nerve to die, stab me; if not, crawl between my legs!” Xin stared at him, then bent low and crawled between his legs. The whole market laughed at Xin and thought him a coward. When Xiang Liang crossed the Huai, Xin took sword in hand and followed him. He served under his banner and remained unknown. After Xiang Liang’s defeat he joined Xiang Yu, who made him a palace attendant. Several times he offered plans to Yu; Yu ignored them. When the King of Han entered Shu, Xin fled Chu for Han and was still unknown. He was made a senior camp officer and was sentenced to beheading. His thirteen companions had already been executed; when his turn came, Xin looked up, saw the Lord of Teng, and said: “Does Your Majesty not wish to gain the realm? Why behead a stalwart?” The Lord of Teng marveled at his words and was struck by his bearing; he released him and did not execute him. He spoke with him, was greatly pleased, and reported him to the king. The king appointed him Director of Grain but still did not regard him as extraordinary. Xin often spoke with Xiao He, who was struck by his talent. When the King of Han reached Nanzheng, officers and men sang songs of longing to return east, and many deserted along the way. Xin reckoned that He had already spoken for him several times yet the king would not employ him, and prepared to flee. When He heard that Xin had fled, he had no time to report it and pursued him himself. Someone told the king: “Chancellor He has fled.” The king was furious, as if he had lost both hands. A day or two later, He came to see the king. The king was angry yet relieved and cursed him: “You fled—why?” He said: “I did not flee; I was pursuing a deserter.” The king asked: “Whom did you pursue?” He said: “Han Xin.” The king cursed again: “Dozens of generals have deserted and you pursued none of them. Pursuing Xin is a lie.” He said: “Generals are easily replaced. But one like Xin is matchless in the realm. If Your Majesty wishes only to hold Hanzhong, you need not use Xin; if you wish to contend for the realm, apart from Xin there is no one with whom to plan. It depends on which course Your Majesty chooses.” The king said: “I too wish to go east—how could I stay here in dejection?” He said: “If you are resolved to go east, employ Xin and he will stay; if you cannot employ him, in the end he will leave.” The king said: “For your sake I will make him a general.” He said: “Even as a general, Xin will not stay.” The king said: “Make him grand commander.” He said: “Excellent!” The king then wished to summon Xin and appoint him. He said: “Your Majesty has always been casual and discourteous. To appoint a grand commander as you would summon a child—that is why Xin left. If you truly wish to appoint him, choose an auspicious day, fast, set up an altar, and perform the full rites—only then will it suffice.” The king agreed. The generals were pleased; each thought he would be named grand commander. When the grand commander was appointed, it was Han Xin, and the whole army was astonished.
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When the ceremony of appointment was finished, Xin took his seat. The king said: “The chancellor has spoken of you often—what plans will you teach me?” Xin declined politely and asked: “In contending for the realm facing east today, is not your rival the King of Xiang?” The King of Han said: “Yes.” He said: “Which do you judge the stronger—yourself or the King of Xiang—in courage, fierceness, benevolence, and strength?” The King of Han was silent a long while and said: “I am not his equal.” Xin bowed again and said: “I too believe Your Majesty is not his equal. Yet I once served him; let me describe the King of Xiang’s character. The King of Xiang with a glare and shout can terrify a thousand men, yet he cannot entrust command to worthy generals—this is merely the courage of a common brawler. The King of Xiang is respectful and kindly in person, gentle in speech, and when someone is ill he weeps and shares his food; yet when men deserve enfeoffment for merit, his seals are worn smooth and he cannot bear to grant them—this is what is called a woman’s kindness. Though the King of Xiang hegemonized the realm and made the lords his ministers, he did not hold Guanzhong but made Pengcheng his capital; he broke his pact with Emperor Yi and enfeoffed lords by favoritism—unjust; he drove out former kings and made his own generals and ministers kings, and banished Emperor Yi to the south; wherever he marched he laid waste; the people do not love him—they submit only to his might. Though called hegemon, he has lost the hearts of the realm; his strength can easily be broken. If Your Majesty can truly reverse his course and employ the brave of the realm, what enemy could you not destroy? Enfeoff your meritorious men with the cities of the realm—who would not submit? Lead righteous troops with men who long to return east—what foe could stand? Moreover, the Three Kings of Qin were Qin generals who led Qin’s sons for years and killed untold numbers; they deceived their men into surrendering to the lords; at Xin’an the King of Xiang treacherously buried alive more than two hundred thousand surrendered Qin soldiers—only Zhang Han, Sima Xin, and Dong Yi escaped. The elders of Qin hate these three men to the marrow. Now Chu by force makes them kings, and the people of Qin love none of them. When Your Majesty entered Wu Pass, not the slightest harm was done; you abolished Qin's harsh laws and pledged the three articles of law to the Qin people; every man in Qin wished to see you made king of Qin. by the covenant among the allies you were to be king in Guanzhong, and the people all knew it; when you were displaced into Hanzhong, every Qin man resented it. Now if you march east, the Three Qins can be won by proclamation alone.” The King of Han was overjoyed, regretted only that he had found Xin so late, adopted his plan, and assigned each general his objective. He left Xiao He to gather rents from Ba and Shu and provision the army.
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9 In the eighth month, the King of Han marched out by the old road and surprised Yong; the King of Yong, Zhang Han, met him at Chencang. The Yong army was beaten and fell back; they halted to fight at Haozhi, were beaten again, and fled to Feiqiu. The King of Han then secured Yong, reached Xianyang in the east, besieged the King of Yong at Feiqiu, and sent his generals to overrun the countryside. the Kings of Sai and Di, Sima Xin and Dong Yi, both surrendered; their territories became Weinan, Heshang, and Shang commanderies. Generals Xue Ou and Wang Xi marched out through Wu Pass and, with Wang Ling's force, went to fetch the Grand Duke and Empress Lü. the King of Xiang heard of it, sent troops to block them at Yangxia, and they could not get through. Wang Ling was from Pei; he had first gathered several thousand followers and held Nanyang, and only now brought his force under Han. the King of Xiang seized Ling's mother and kept her in camp; when Ling's envoy came, he seated her facing east to lure Ling back. Ling's mother secretly sent the envoy away and wept: “Tell Ling for me: serve the King of Han well. He is a man of virtue and will win the realm in the end—do not waver on my account. I die to send you off!” She then fell on her sword and died. The King of Xiang was furious. He had Ling's mother boiled alive.
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The King of Xiang made the former Wu magistrate Zheng Chang King of Han to hold back Han.
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Zhang Liang sent the King of Xiang a letter: “The King of Han was displaced and wants Guanzhong back; once the covenant is honored he will stop and not march east.” He also sent a forged letter from Qi and Liang saying, “Qi intends to join Zhao in destroying Chu.” For this reason the King of Xiang gave up any thought of going west and marched north against Qi.
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10 The King of Yan, Guang, refused to go to Liaodong; Zang Tu attacked and killed him and took his lands.
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11 That year Zhou Ke of Pei, the metropolitan administrator, was appointed grand censor.
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12 The King of Xiang pressed Emperor Yi to move on; his ministers and attendants gradually deserted him.
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1 In winter, the tenth month, the King of Xiang secretly sent the kings of Jiujiang, Hengshan, and Linjiang against Emperor Yi and had him killed in the Yangtze.
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2 Chen Yu raised the troops of three counties and, with Qi, jointly attacked Changshan. the King of Changshan, Zhang Er, was defeated, fled to Han, and met the King of Han at Feiqiu, who received him with great favor. Chen Yu brought the King of Zhao back from Dai and restored him to the throne. The King of Zhao, grateful to Chen Yu, made him King of Dai. Chen Yu judged the King of Zhao too young and the state too newly settled to leave; he stayed to tutor the king; and sent Xia Yue as chancellor to hold Dai.
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3 Zhang Liang slipped back to Han from Han territory by a secret route and was made Marquis of Chengxin. Liang was often ill, never held independent command, and regularly served as strategist, sometimes accompanying the king.
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4 The King of Han went to Shan to reassure the elders east of the passes.
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5 The King of Henan, Shen Yang, surrendered and his territory was made Henan commandery.
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6 The King of Han made Sun Xin, grandson of King Xiang of Han, Grand Commandant of Han and sent him to overrun Han territory. Xin pressed King Chang of Han at Yangcheng until he surrendered. In the eleventh month Xin was made King of Han and regularly led Han troops with the King of Han.
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7 The King of Han returned and established his capital at Liyang.
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8 The generals captured Longxi.
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9 In spring, the first month, the King of Xiang marched north to Chengyang. the King of Qi, Rong, met him in battle, was defeated, fled to Pingyuan, and the people there killed him. The King of Xiang reinstalled Tian Jia as King of Qi. He then marched north to the sea, burned towns and houses, buried Tian Rong's surrendered troops alive, bound up the old, weak, and women as captives, and left devastation wherever he passed. The people of Qi rose everywhere in revolt against him.
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10----
10 Han generals took Beidi and captured Ping, the King of Yong's younger brother.
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11 ----
11 In the third month the King of Han crossed the Yellow River from Linjin. the King of Wei, Bao, surrendered and followed with his troops; he took Henei, captured the King of Yin, Ang, and made it Henei commandery.
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12 使 使 使使 使 使 ----
12 Earlier, Chen Ping of Yangwu was poor but loved books. At the ward sacrifice Ping served as steward and divided the meat with perfect fairness. The elders said, “Well done, Young Chen as steward!” Ping said, “Ah—if I could govern all under Heaven, I would divide it just as evenly as this meat!” When the allies rebelled against Qin, Ping served King Jia of Wei at Linji as grand steward; he remonstrated with the king, who would not listen. Someone slandered him and he fled. Later he served Xiang Yu and was ennobled as minister. When the King of Yin rebelled against Chu, Xiang Yu sent Ping to crush him. On his return he was made commandant and given twenty yi of gold. Before long the King of Han captured Yin. The King of Xiang was furious and was about to execute the Yin officers who had held the region. Ping was afraid; he sealed up his gold and seal and sent them back to the King of Xiang; then slipped away alone with sword in hand, crossed the river, joined the King of Han at Xiuyang, and through Wei Wuzhi asked for an audience. The King of Han received him, gave him a meal, and sent him to his quarters. Ping said, “I came on urgent business; what I have to say cannot wait until tomorrow.” The king talked with him and was delighted. He asked, “What office did you hold in Chu?” He said, “Commandant.” That same day he was made commandant, chariot companion, and put in charge of the army guard. The generals all grumbled: “In one day you took in a Chu runaway whose ability you do not yet know, yet you ride with him and set him to oversee us veterans!” When the king heard this, he favored Chen Ping all the more.
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13 使 使 ----
13 The King of Han crossed the Pingyin ford southward and reached Xincheng near Luoyang. the village elder Dong Gong stopped the king and said, “I have heard, ‘He who follows virtue flourishes; he who defies virtue perishes’; ‘When an army marches without a righteous cause, the enterprise fails.’ Hence the saying, ‘Show him plainly as a villain, and the enemy can be overcome. ’ Xiang Yu is lawless; he deposed and killed his sovereign—the villain of the realm. Benevolence needs no brute courage, nor righteousness brute force; Your Majesty should lead the army in mourning dress, proclaim this to the allies, and attack him—then all within the seas will look up to your virtue. This is the way of the three sage kings.” The King of Han then mourned Emperor Yi, bared one shoulder and wailed, observed mourning for three days, and sent envoys to the allies: “All under Heaven jointly set up Emperor Yi and served him as sovereign. Now Xiang Yu deposed and murdered Emperor Yi in the south—great treason and lawlessness! I will muster all Guanzhong's forces, gather the warriors of the Three Rivers, sail south on the Yangtze and Han, and ask the allied kings to join me in punishing Chu for killing Emperor Yi!” When the envoy reached Zhao, Chen Yu said, “If Han kills Zhang Er, I will follow.” The King of Han found a man who resembled Zhang Er, beheaded him, and sent the head to Chen Yu; Yu then sent troops to help Han.
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14 西
14 Tian Rong's younger brother Heng gathered scattered troops to several tens of thousands, rose at Chengyang, and in summer, the fourth month, made Rong's son Guang King of Qi to resist Chu. The King of Xiang therefore remained, fought repeatedly, and could not subdue them. Though he heard Han was marching east, he was already attacking Qi and meant to crush Qi before turning on Han; the King of Han therefore led five hundred sixty thousand allied troops against Chu. At Waihuang, Peng Yue rejoined Han with more than thirty thousand men. The King of Han said, “General Peng has recovered more than ten cities in Wei and wishes to set up a successor of Wei at once. The King of Western Wei, Bao, is the true heir of Wei.” He then made Peng Yue Chancellor of Wei with independent command to secure Liang. The King of Han then entered the city, took its treasures and beauties, and daily held grand banquets.
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西 使
The King of Xiang heard of it, left his generals to finish Qi, and himself marched south with thirty thousand elite troops from Lu through Huling to Xiao. At dawn he struck the Han army; by midday, reaching Pengcheng, he had routed it utterly. The Han army fled in masses into the Gu and Si rivers; more than a hundred thousand drowned or were killed. Han troops fled south into the hills; Chu pursued to the Sui River east of Lingbi; The Han army fell back, pressed by Chu; more than a hundred thousand men plunged into the Sui River until the water ceased to flow. They surrounded the King of Han in three rings. Then a gale rose from the northwest, snapping trees, ripping off roofs, and whipping up sand and stones; day turned dark as night; it struck the Chu army head-on; they broke apart in chaos, and the King of Han escaped with a few dozen riders. He meant to pass through Pei to fetch his household, but Chu also sent men to Pei to seize the King of Han's family. His household had all fled and never met him.
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On the road the King of Han met the Filial and Kind Prince and the Princess of Lu Yuan and took them into his carriage. Chu cavalry pursued; in his panic the King of Han pushed the two children off the carriage. The Duke of Teng, grand coachman, kept leaping down to scoop them up and set them back aboard. This happened three times; he said, “We are in peril, but we cannot drive hard—how can we cast them away!” So they went slowly. The King of Han was furious and more than ten times meant to behead him; the Duke of Teng shielded them to the end and saved both children. Shen Yishi escorted the Grand Duke and Empress Lü by secret route to find the King of Han; they missed him and ran into the Chu army instead. Chu took them back; the King of Xiang kept them in camp as hostages.
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At this time the Empress Lü's elder brother, the Marquis of Zhou Lü, commanded Han troops at Xiayi. The King of Han slipped away to join him and little by little regathered his troops. The allies all deserted Han and returned to Chu. the Kings of Sai and Di, Sima Xin and Dong Yi, fled and surrendered to Chu.
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15 ----
15 Tian Heng attacked Tian Jia; Jia fled to Chu, and Chu killed him. Heng then re-established the Three Qi.
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16 使
16 The King of Han asked his ministers, “I am ready to give up everything east of the passes and share it out—who can work with me to win the realm?” Zhang Liang said, “The King of Jiujiang, Ying Bu, is a formidable Chu commander and is at odds with the King of Xiang; Peng Yue, with Qi, is stirring rebellion in Liang; these two should be enlisted at once. Of Your Majesty's generals, only Han Xin can be entrusted with a major command and hold an entire front. If you mean to give territory away, give it to these three, and Chu can be broken!"
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使使 西 使 使 使----
Earlier, when the King of Xiang attacked Qi, he called on Jiujiang for troops; the King of Jiujiang, Bu, pleaded illness and stayed away, sending a general with several thousand men. When Han routed Chu at Pengcheng, Bu again pleaded illness and refused to aid Chu. The King of Chu therefore resented Bu and again and again sent envoys to rebuke and summon him. Bu grew more afraid and would not go. The King of Xiang was then hard pressed in the north by Qi and Zhao and in the west by Han; his sole ally was the King of Jiujiang; he also valued Bu's talent and wished to keep him close; for that reason he did not strike at him. The King of Han moved his army from Xiayi to Dang, then reached Yu, and told his attendants, “Men like these are not fit to plan the conquest of the realm!” Yeoman Sui He stepped forward and said, “I do not understand what Your Majesty means.” The King of Han said, “Who can go to Jiujiang for me and make them raise troops and turn on Chu? Hold the King of Xiang for several months, and my conquest of the realm will be wholly assured.” Sui He said, “Let me go!” The King of Han sent him with twenty companions.
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17 西 ----
17 In the fifth month the King of Han reached Xingyang; the scattered forces rallied; Xiao He also sent every able man in Guanzhong not yet conscripted to Xingyang, and the Han army revived. Chu advanced from Pengcheng, always pressing a victorious pursuit northward, and fought Han between the Nanjing and Suo sectors south of Xingyang. Chu cavalry came in force; the King of Han looked for cavalry commanders, and all named the former Fengxiang horsemen Li Bi and Luo Jia of Zhongquan. The King of Han meant to appoint them; Bi and Jia said, “We are former Qin subjects; the army may not trust us; we ask for skilled riders from Your Majesty's staff to assist us.” He appointed Guan Ying director of lieutenant-commandants, Li Bi and Luo Jia as left and right commandants; they led cavalry against Chu east of Xingyang, routed them, and Chu could not break through west of Xingyang. The King of Han held Xingyang, built a covered causeway to the river, and drew grain from Aocang.
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18 使 ----
18 Zhou Bo, Guan Ying, and others told the King of Han, “Chen Ping may look like jade on a cap, but there may be nothing inside. We hear that at home he seduced his sister-in-law; serving Wei he was not kept and fled to Chu; failing there, he fled again to Han. Now Your Majesty honors him and puts him in charge of the army. We hear he takes gold from the generals—large gifts win good posts, small gifts win poor ones. Ping is a faithless schemer—may Your Majesty look into it!” The King of Han was troubled and summoned Wei Wuzhi to rebuke him. Wuzhi said, “I spoke of his ability; Your Majesty asks about his conduct. If a man had the integrity of Wei Sheng or Xiaoji yet it did nothing for victory or defeat, why would Your Majesty bother with him! With Chu and Han locked in struggle, I recommend men of daring stratagem—only whether their plans truly benefit the state matters. Seducing a sister-in-law or taking gold—what is there to doubt!” The King of Han summoned Chen Ping and rebuked him: “You failed in Wei, left Chu, and now follow me—are trustworthy men always so changeable!” Ping said, “I served the King of Wei; he would not heed me, so I left; I served the King of Xiang; he cannot trust outsiders—those he favors are Xiang clansmen or his wife's kin; even when extraordinary men appear, he will not use them. I heard that the King of Han knows how to use men, so I came to Your Majesty. I came with nothing; without gifts I had no means to live. If my plans are worth adopting, I beg Your Majesty to use them; if not, the gold is all still here—seal it for the treasury and let me go home to die.” The King of Han apologized, richly rewarded him, made him lieutenant of the army protectorate with authority over all the generals. The generals then dared say no more.
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19 ----
19 The King of Wei, Bao, asked leave to go home and tend a parent's illness; but on arriving he sealed the river crossings and went over to Chu.
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20----
20 In the sixth month the King of Han returned to Liyang.
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21 ----
21 On the day renwu he made his son Ying crown prince; and pardoned criminals.
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22 西----
22 Han troops diverted water against Feiqiu; Feiqiu surrendered and Zhang Han killed himself. Yong was wholly pacified and divided into Zhong, Beidi, and Longxi commanderies.
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23
23 Guanzhong suffered terrible famine; grain cost ten thousand cash per picul and men ate one another. He ordered the people to migrate to Shu and Han for food.
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When Qin was collapsing, the powerful scrambled for gold and jade; only the Ren clan of Xuqu hoarded grain in cellars. When Chu and Han fought at Xingyang and farming ceased, the gold and jade of the powerful all flowed to the Ren clan, who rose on it and stayed rich for generations.
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24 便 調----
24 In autumn, the eighth month, the King of Han went to Xingyang and left Xiao He to hold Guanzhong, attend the crown prince, enforce laws, and establish temples, altars, palaces, counties, and towns; what could not wait for the king's decision he might handle on his own authority and report when the king returned. He tallied Guanzhong households, moved grain and shifted troops to the front, and the army was never left short.
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25使
25 The King of Han sent Li Yiji to persuade the King of Wei, Bao, and summon him back. Bao refused and said, “The King of Han is arrogant and insulting; he reviles allies and ministers like slaves—I will not see him again.” The King of Han then made Han Xin left chancellor and sent him with Guan Ying and Cao Shen against Wei. The King of Han asked Yiji, “Who is Wei's chief general?” He answered, “Bo Zhi.” The king said, “He still smells of milk—how can he stand against Han Xin! Who commands the cavalry?” He said, “Feng Jing.” He said, “He is the son of the Qin general Feng Wuji; able as he is, he cannot match Guan Ying.” “And who commands the infantry?” He said, “Xiang Tuo.” He said, “He cannot match Cao Shen. I have nothing to fear!” Han Xin also asked Li Yiji, “Will Wei perhaps use Zhou Shu as chief general?” Yiji said, “Bo Zhi.” Xin said, “A mere boy.” He then marched.
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The King of Wei massed troops at Puban to block the crossing at Linjin. Xin then staged decoys, lined up boats as if to cross at Linjin, while hidden troops from Xiayang floated the army on wooden jars and struck Anyi. The King of Wei, Bao, was alarmed and marched out to meet Han Xin. In the ninth month Han Xin attacked, captured Bao, and sent him under escort to Xingyang; He fully pacified Wei territory and established Hedong, Shangdang, and Taiyuan commanderies.
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26西 使 使
26 When Han was defeated at Pengcheng and retreated west, Chen Yu too realized Zhang Er was alive and at once rebelled against Han. After Han Xin had pacified Wei, he sent envoys requesting thirty thousand troops, offering to take Yan and Zhao in the north, strike Qi in the east, and cut off Chu's grain routes in the south. The King of Han agreed, sent Zhang Er to accompany him, led his army east, and attacked Zhao and Dai in the north. In the intercalary ninth month Han Xin routed the Dai army and captured Xia Yue at Yan Yu. Whenever Han Xin took Wei or defeated Dai, the King of Han would promptly send men to gather his elite troops to Xingyang to hold Chu at bay.
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