Volume 10 Han Records 2

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起強圉作噩，盡著雍閹茂，凡二年。

From Qiangyu Zuo'e through Zhu Yongyan Mao—two years in all.

1冬，十月，韓信、張耳以兵數萬東擊趙。趙王及成安君陳餘聞之，聚兵井陘口，號二十萬。

1. In the tenth month of winter Han Xin and Zhang Er led tens of thousands east against Zhao. The king of Zhao and Lord Cheng'an Chen Yu heard of it, massed their forces at Jingxing Pass, and claimed two hundred thousand men.

廣武君李左車說成安君曰：「韓信、張耳乘勝而去國遠鬥，其鋒不可當。臣聞『千里饋糧，士有饑色；樵蘇後爨，師不宿飽。』今井陘之道，車不得方軌，騎不得成列；行數百里，其勢糧食必在其後。願足下假臣奇兵三萬人，從間路絕其輜重；足下深溝高壘勿與戰。彼前不得鬥，退不得還，野無所掠，不至十日，而兩將之頭可致於麾下；否則必為二子所擒矣。」成安君嘗自稱義兵，不用詐謀奇計，曰：「韓信兵少而疲，如此避而不擊，則諸侯謂吾怯而輕來伐我矣。」

Lord Guangwu Li Zuoche urged Lord Cheng'an: "Han Xin and Zhang Er ride victory into a fight far from home; their edge cannot be turned. I have heard it said: 'Supply grain from a thousand li away, and your soldiers go hungry; when firewood and kindling lag behind the cook-fires, the army never sleeps on a full belly.'" The road through Jingxing is so narrow that chariots cannot run abreast and horsemen cannot ride in formation; march several hundred li, and their grain and provisions must trail far behind. Lend me thirty thousand picked troops to cut their baggage train by a bypath; while you dig deep trenches, raise high ramparts, and refuse battle. They cannot fight ahead, cannot retreat, and will find nothing to plunder in the wild—within ten days both generals' heads may be laid at your feet; otherwise you will surely be taken by those two." Lord Cheng'an had called his army a force of righteousness and would hear no deceit or stratagem. He said: "Han Xin's men are few and spent. If we shrink from them and refuse battle, every lord will call us cowards and come against us lightly."

韓信使人間視，知其不用廣武君策，則大喜，乃敢引兵遂下。未至井陘口三十里，止舍。夜半，傳發，選輕騎二千人，人持一赤幟，從間道萆山而望趙軍。誡曰：「趙見我走，必空壁逐我；若疾入趙壁，拔趙幟，立漢赤幟。」令其裨將傳餐，曰：「今日破趙會食。」諸將皆莫信，佯應曰：「諾。」信曰：「趙已先據便地為壁；且彼未見吾大將旗鼓，未肯擊前行，恐吾至阻險而還也。」乃使萬人先行，出，背水陳。趙軍望見而大笑。平旦，信建大將旗鼓，鼓行出井陘口；趙開壁擊之，大戰良久。於是信與張耳佯棄鼓旗，走水上軍；水上軍開入之，復疾戰。趙果空壁爭漢旗、鼓，逐信、耳。信、耳已入水上軍，軍皆殊死戰，不可敗。信所出奇兵二千騎共候趙空壁逐利，則馳入趙壁，皆拔趙旗，立漢赤幟二千。趙軍已不能得信等，欲還歸壁；壁皆漢赤幟，見而大驚，以為漢皆已得趙王將矣，兵遂亂，遁走，趙將雖斬之，不能禁也。於是漢兵夾擊，大破趙軍，斬成安君泜水上，禽趙王歇。諸將效首虜，畢賀，因問信曰：「兵法：『右倍山陵，前左水澤。』今者將軍令臣等反背水陳，曰『破趙會食』，臣等不服，然竟以勝，此何術也？」信曰：「此在兵法，顧諸君不察耳。兵法不曰『陷之死地而後生，置之亡地而後存』？且信非得素拊循士大夫也，此所謂『驅市人而戰之』，其勢非置之死地，使人人自為戰。今予之生地，皆走，寧尚可得而用之乎？！」諸將皆服，曰：「善！非臣所及也。」

Han Xin sent spies and learned that Lord Guangwu's plan was rejected. He rejoiced, then dared lead his army straight down. Thirty li short of Jingxing Pass he halted and made camp. At midnight he issued the order to march, chose two thousand light horsemen—each with a red banner—and by a hidden path over Mount Bi looked down on the Zhao army. He charged them: "When Zhao sees us flee, they will empty their walls to pursue us; when they do, rush into the Zhao camp, pull down their banners, and raise the Han red banners." He told his lieutenant generals to pass out rations: "Today we break Zhao and dine together." The generals did not believe him and pretended to answer: "Yes." Xin said: "Zhao has already seized favorable ground for its camp; and they have not yet seen our command banners and drums—they will not strike the vanguard, fearing we may reach difficult ground and turn back." He sent ten thousand men ahead. They went out and formed with their backs to the water. The Zhao army saw them and laughed aloud. At daybreak Xin raised his command flags and drums and advanced with drums beating out of Jingxing Pass; Zhao opened its walls and struck; the battle raged long. Then Xin and Zhang Er feigned flight, casting aside drums and banners, and ran to the army on the water; the army on the water opened ranks to admit them, and they fought again with fury. Zhao emptied its walls to seize Han flags and drums and pursued Xin and Er. Xin and Er were already among the army on the water; every man fought as if death were certain, and none could be broken. The two thousand horsemen Xin had sent in surprise watched until Zhao emptied its walls in pursuit, then galloped into the camp, pulled down every Zhao banner, and raised two thousand Han red banners. The Zhao army could no longer catch Xin and the rest and turned to return to camp; but the walls were all Han red banners. They were stricken with alarm, thinking Han had already taken their king and generals. The army broke and fled; though Zhao officers cut men down, none could be stopped. Han troops struck from both sides and routed the Zhao army. Lord Cheng'an was beheaded on the Zhi; King Xie of Zhao was captured. The generals presented heads and captives and congratulated him, then asked: "The art of war says: 'Mountains and hills at your right, water and marsh before and to your left. Yet today you ordered us to form with our backs to the water and said 'Break Zhao and we dine together.' We were not convinced, yet we won. What art is this?" Xin said: "This too is in the art of war—you simply did not see it. Does the art of war not say 'Cast men into deadly ground and they live; set them in lost ground and they survive'?" And I have not long led these officers and men with my own hand—this is what men call 'driving market folk into battle.' I had to place them where death was certain, so every man would fight for himself. Give them ground where they could live, and they would all flee—how then could I use them?" The generals were convinced. "Excellent!" they said. Beyond what we could have done."

信募生得廣武君者予千金。有縛致麾下者，信解其縛，東鄉坐，師事之。問曰：「僕欲北攻燕，東代齊，何若而有功？」廣武君辭謝曰：「臣敗亡之虜，何足以權大事乎？」信曰：「僕聞之，百里奚居虞而虞亡，在秦而秦霸；非愚於虞而智於秦也，用與不用，聽與不聽也。誠令成安君聽足下計，若信者亦已為禽矣。以不用足下，故信得侍耳。今僕委心歸計，願足下勿辭。」廣武君曰：「今將軍涉西河，虜魏王，禽夏說；東下井陘，不終朝而破趙二十萬眾，誅成安君；名聞海內，威震天下，農夫莫不輟耕釋耒，衣俞衣甘食，傾耳以待命者，此將軍之所長也。然而眾勞卒罷，其實難用。今將軍欲舉倦敝之兵，頓之燕堅城之下，欲戰不得，攻之不拔，情見勢屈；曠日持久，糧食單竭。燕既不服，齊必距境以自強。燕、齊相持而不下，則劉、項之權未有所分也，此將軍所短也。善用兵者，不以短擊長而以長擊短。」韓信曰：「然則何由？」廣武君對曰：「方今為將軍計，莫如按甲休兵，鎮撫趙民，百里之內，牛酒日至，以饗士大夫；北首燕路，而後遣辨士奉咫尺之書，暴其所長於燕，燕必不敢不聽從。燕已從而東臨齊，雖有智者，亦不知為齊計矣。如是，則天下事皆可圖也。兵固有先聲而後實者，此之謂也。」韓信曰：「善！」從其策，發使使燕，燕從風而靡；遣使報漢，且請以張耳王趙，漢王許之。楚數使奇兵渡河擊趙，張耳、韓信往來救趙，因行定趙城邑，發兵詣漢。----

Xin offered a thousand in gold to whoever brought Lord Guangwu in alive. Someone bound him and brought him in. Xin loosed his bonds, seated him facing east, and treated him as his teacher. He asked: "I mean to attack Yan in the north and supplant Qi in the east—how may I win merit?" Lord Guangwu declined: "I am a captive from a ruined army—how am I fit to weigh great affairs?" Xin said: "I have heard that Baili Xi dwelt in Yu and Yu perished, dwelt in Qin and Qin became hegemon; not that he was foolish in Yu and wise in Qin, but whether he was used and whether he was heard. Had Lord Cheng'an heeded your plan, I would already be a captive. Because he did not use you, I am able to attend upon you now. I lay my heart bare and seek your counsel—do not decline." Lord Guangwu said: "You have crossed the Western River, captured the king of Wei, and taken Xia Yue; marched east through Jingxing and before noon broke Zhao's two hundred thousand and executed Lord Cheng'an; your name rings across the seas, your might shakes the realm—farmers lay down hoe and plow, dress in their best, eat sweet food, and listen for your command. This is your strength. Yet your men are weary and spent—in truth they are hard to use. Now you mean to drive worn troops against Yan's stout walls—unable to fight, unable to storm; your intent is exposed and your strength bent; days stretch on, and grain runs dry. If Yan does not submit, Qi will hold its borders and grow strong. If Yan and Qi hold out and are not brought down, Liu and Xiang's contest will not yet be decided—this is your weakness. A master of war strikes with strength against weakness, not weakness against strength." Han Xin said: "Then by what means?" Lord Guangwu replied: "For your plan now, nothing surpasses laying by arms, resting your troops, pacifying the people of Zhao, and sending oxen and wine daily within a hundred li to feast your officers and men; face north toward Yan, then send eloquent envoys with a letter a foot long to display your strengths before Yan—Yan will not dare refuse. Once Yan submits and you press east against Qi, though Qi has wise men, none will know how to plan for Qi. Then every affair under Heaven may be within your grasp. In war reputation often precedes substance—this is what is meant." Han Xin said: "Excellent!" He followed the plan, sent envoys to Yan, and Yan bent before the wind; reported to Han and asked that Zhang Er be made king of Zhao; the king of Han granted it. Chu repeatedly sent picked troops across the river against Zhao. Zhang Er and Han Xin marched back and forth to rescue Zhao, secured its cities and townships as they went, and sent troops to present themselves at Han.

2甲戌晦，日有食之。----

2. On the last day of jiaxu the sun was eclipsed.

3十一月，癸卯晦，日有食之。----

3. In the eleventh month, on the last day of guimao, the sun was eclipsed.

4隨何至九江，九江太宰主之，三日不得見。隨何說太宰曰：「王之不見何，必以楚為強，以漢為弱也。此臣之所以為使。使何得見，言之而是，大王所欲聞也；言之而非，使何等二十人伏斧質九江市，足以明王倍漢而與楚也。」太宰乃言之王。王見之。隨何曰：「漢王使臣敬進書大王御者，竊怪大王與楚何親也。」九江王曰：「寡人北鄉而臣事之。」隨何曰：「大王與項王俱列為諸侯，北鄉而臣事之者，必以楚為強，可以托國也。項王伐齊，身負版築，為士卒先。大王宜悉九江之眾，身自將之，為楚前鋒；今乃發四千人以助楚。夫北面而臣事人者，固若是乎？漢王入彭城，項王未出齊也。大王宜悉九江之兵渡淮，日夜會戰彭城下；大王乃撫萬人之眾，無一人渡淮者，垂拱而觀其孰勝。夫托國於人者，固若是乎？大王提空名以鄉楚而欲厚自托，臣竊為大王不取也！然而大王不背楚者，以漢為弱也。夫楚兵雖強，天下負之以不義之名，以其背盟約而殺義帝也。漢王收諸侯，還守成皋、滎陽，下蜀、漢之粟，深溝壁壘，分卒守徼乘塞。楚人深入敵國八九百里，老弱轉糧千里之外。漢堅守而不動，楚進則不得攻，退則不能解，故曰楚兵不足恃也。使楚勝漢，則諸侯自危懼而相救。夫楚之強，適足以致天下之兵耳。故楚不如漢，其勢易見也。今大王不與萬全之漢而自托於危亡之楚，臣竊為大王惑之！臣非以九江之兵足以亡楚也；大王發兵而倍楚，項王必留；留數月，漢之取天下可以萬全。臣請與大王提劍而歸漢，漢王必裂地而封大王；又況九江必大王有也。」九江王曰：「請奉命。」陰許畔楚與漢，未敢洩也。

4. Sui He reached Jiujiang. The grand steward of Jiujiang received him, yet for three days he was not granted audience. Sui He urged the grand steward: "That your king will not see me must mean he holds Chu strong and Han weak. That is why I was sent. Grant me audience: if what I say is right, it is what your king wishes to hear; if it is wrong, let me and twenty others lie beneath the axe in the market of Jiujiang—enough to show your king turns from Han and joins Chu." The grand steward spoke to the king. The king received him. Sui He said: "The king of Han sent me to present a letter to your attendants. I marvel—what kinship do you share with Chu?" The king of Jiujiang said: "I face north and serve him as subject." Sui He said: "You and Lord Xiang were alike ranked among the feudal lords. To face north and serve him must mean you held Chu strong enough to entrust your state to. Lord Xiang attacked Qi carrying earthworks on his back, going before his soldiers. You ought to have mustered all Jiujiang's forces, led them yourself, and served as Chu's vanguard; yet you sent only four thousand men to aid Chu. Is this how one faces north and serves another as subject? The king of Han entered Pengcheng while Lord Xiang had not yet left Qi. You ought to have mustered all Jiujiang's troops, crossed the Huai, and fought day and night beneath Pengcheng; yet you held ten thousand men and not one crossed the Huai—you folded your hands and watched which side would win. Is this how one entrusts his state to another? You hold an empty title turned toward Chu yet wish to secure yourself richly upon him—I think you ought not take this! Yet you do not turn from Chu because you hold Han weak. Chu's troops may be strong, but all under Heaven loads them with the name of unrighteousness—for they broke the covenant and killed Emperor Yi. The king of Han has gathered the lords, holds Chenggao and Xingyang, draws grain down from Shu and Han, digs deep trenches and raises ramparts, and stations men to hold every pass and barrier. Chu has driven eight or nine hundred li into enemy country; the old and weak haul grain from a thousand li away. Han holds firm and does not stir. Chu advances and cannot attack, retreats and cannot break free—thus Chu is not to be relied upon. If Chu defeats Han, every lord will grow fearful and rescue one another. Chu's strength would only summon the armies of all under Heaven against it. Therefore Chu is not equal to Han—the trend is plain to see. Now Your Majesty will not join wholly secure Han yet trusts perilous, doomed Chu—I cannot see why, for Your Majesty’s sake! I do not claim that Jiujiang’s troops alone can destroy Chu; if Your Majesty raises troops and turns on Chu, the King of Xiang will surely be held; held for several months, Han’s conquest of the realm will be wholly assured. I ask to return to Han with Your Majesty, swords in hand—the King of Han will surely enfeoff you with a share of territory; and Jiujiang itself will surely remain yours.” The King of Jiujiang said, “I accept your orders.” He secretly agreed to desert Chu for Han but dared not reveal it.

楚使者在九江，舍傳舍，方急責布發兵。隨何直入，坐楚使者上，曰：「九江王已歸漢，楚何以得發兵？」布愕然。楚使者起。何因說布曰：「事已構，可遂殺楚使者，無使歸，而疾走漢並力。」布曰：「如使者教。」於是殺楚使者，因起兵而攻楚。

A Chu envoy was in Jiujiang, lodged at the relay station, urgently demanding that Bu send troops. Sui He went straight in, sat above the Chu envoy, and said, “The King of Jiujiang has already gone over to Han—how can Chu still demand troops?” Bu was stunned. The Chu envoy rose. Sui He then urged Bu: “The matter is settled—kill the Chu envoy at once, let none return, and hurry to Han to join forces.” Bu said, “As you advise.” He killed the Chu envoy and raised troops to attack Chu.

楚使項聲、龍且攻九江，數月，龍且破九江軍。布欲引兵走漢，恐楚兵殺之，乃間行與何俱歸漢。十二月，九江王至漢。漢王方踞床洗足，召布入見。布大怒，悔來，欲自殺；及出就舍，帳御、飲食、從官皆如漢王居，布又大喜過望。於是乃使人入九江；楚已使項伯收九江兵，盡殺布妻子，布使者頗得故人、幸臣，將眾數千人歸漢。漢益九江王兵，與俱屯成皋。

Chu sent Xiang Sheng and Long Ju against Jiujiang; after several months Long Ju broke the Jiujiang army. Bu meant to march to Han but feared Chu would kill him, so he slipped away by hidden paths and returned to Han with Sui He. In the twelfth month the King of Jiujiang reached Han. The King of Han was sitting on his bed washing his feet when he summoned Bu to audience. Bu flew into a rage, regretted coming, and meant to kill himself; but when he reached his quarters, tent servants, food, drink, and attendants all matched the King of Han’s own establishment, and Bu rejoiced beyond all hope. He then sent men into Jiujiang; Chu had already sent Xiang Bo to take over Jiujiang’s forces and had killed Bu’s wife and children; Bu’s envoys recovered many old friends and favored retainers and brought several thousand men back to Han. Han reinforced the King of Jiujiang’s forces and encamped with him at Chenggao.

楚數侵奪漢甬道，漢軍乏食。漢王與酈食其謀橈楚權。食其曰：「昔湯伐桀，封其後於杞；武王伐紂，封其後於宋。今秦失德棄義，侵伐諸侯，滅其社稷，使無立錐之地，陛下誠能復立六國之後，此其君臣、百姓必皆戴陛下之德，莫不鄉風慕義，願為臣妾。德義已行，陛下南鄉稱霸，楚必斂衽而朝。」漢王曰：「善！趣刻印，先生因行佩之矣。」食其未行，張良從外來謁。漢王方食，曰：「子房前！客有為我計橈楚權者。」具以酈生語告良，曰：「何如？」良曰：「誰為陛下畫此計者？陛下事去矣！」漢王曰：「何哉？」對曰：「臣請借前箸，為大王籌之。昔湯、武封桀、紂之後者，度能制其死生之命也；今陛下能制項籍之死命乎？其不可一也。武王入殷，表商容之閭，釋箕子之囚，封比干之墓，今陛下能乎？其不可二也。發巨橋之粟，散鹿台之錢，以賜貧窮，今陛下能乎？其不可三也。殷事已畢，偃革為軒，倒載干戈，示天下不復用兵，今陛下能乎？其不可四也。休馬華山之陽，示以無為，今陛下能乎？其不可五也。放牛桃林之陰，以示不復輸積，今陛下能乎？其不可六也。天下游士，離其親戚，棄墳墓，去故舊，從陛下游者，徒欲日夜望咫尺之地；今復立六國之後，天下游士各歸事其主，從其親戚，反其故舊、墳墓，陛下與誰取天下乎？其不可七也。且夫楚唯無強，六國立者復橈而從之，陛下焉得而臣之？其不可八也。誠用客之謀，陛下事去矣！」漢王輟食，吐哺，罵曰：「豎儒幾敗而公事！」令趣銷印。

Chu repeatedly cut Han’s supply corridor, and the Han army ran short of food. The King of Han consulted Li Yiji on how to weaken Chu. Yiji said, “When Tang attacked Jie, he enfeoffed Jie’s descendant in Qi; when King Wu attacked Zhou, he enfeoffed Zhou’s descendant in Song. Qin lost the Way and abandoned righteousness, invaded the lords, and destroyed their states until they had not room to stand an awl—if Your Majesty will restore the heirs of the Six States, their rulers, ministers, and people will all honor your virtue, turn toward you, and gladly become your subjects. Once your virtue is shown, Your Majesty can face south as hegemon, and Chu will surely gather its robes and come to court.” The King of Han said, “Excellent! Carve the seals at once, Master, and take them on your mission.” Before Yiji had left, Zhang Liang arrived from outside to pay his respects. The King of Han was at his meal and said, “Zifang, come here! A guest has proposed a plan to weaken Chu.” He repeated Li Yiji’s words to Zhang Liang and asked, “What do you think?” Zhang Liang said, “Who devised this plan for Your Majesty? Your Majesty’s cause is lost!” The King of Han said, “Why?” He replied, “Let me borrow the chopsticks before you and reckon it out for Your Majesty. Tang and Wu enfeoffed the heirs of Jie and Zhou because they knew they could control their lives and deaths; can Your Majesty control Xiang Ji’s life and death? That is the first reason it will not work. King Wu entered Yin, honored Shang Rong’s lane, freed Jizi, and restored Bi Gan’s tomb—can Your Majesty do that? That is the second reason. He opened the Huge Bridge granaries and scattered the Deer Terrace treasure to the poor—can Your Majesty do that? That is the third reason. When Yin was settled, he laid aside arms for chariots, inverted weapons on the wagons, and showed the realm that war would not resume—can Your Majesty do that? That is the fourth reason. He rested his horses on the sunny side of Mount Hua to show he would not act—can Your Majesty do that? That is the fifth reason. He turned his oxen loose in the shade of Peach Grove to show he would levy no more grain—can Your Majesty do that? That is the sixth reason. The wandering scholars who left kin, graves, and old ties to follow Your Majesty only want, day and night, a foot of land; restore the Six States now, and every wandering scholar will return to his lord, his kin, his graves—with whom will Your Majesty win the realm? That is the seventh reason. Moreover, unless Chu alone were strong, the restored Six States would waver and follow Chu again—how could Your Majesty make them your subjects? That is the eighth reason. If you truly follow the guest’s plan, Your Majesty’s cause is lost!” The King of Han stopped eating, spat out his food, and cursed, “That pedant nearly ruined me!” He ordered the seals destroyed at once.

::荀悅論曰：夫立策決勝之術，其要有三：一曰形，二曰勢，三曰情。形者，言其大體得失之數也；勢者，言其臨時之宜、進退之機也；情者，言其心志可否之實也。故策同、事等而功殊者，三術不同也。

:: Xun Yue comments: The art of setting policy and deciding victory has three essentials: form, momentum, and disposition. Form means the calculus of overall gain and loss; momentum means what suits the moment and the occasion to advance or withdraw; disposition means the reality of whether hearts and wills can be relied on. When the policy is the same and the affair equal yet the outcome differs, the three arts differ.

::初，張耳、陳餘說陳涉以復六國，自為樹黨；酈生亦說漢王。所以說者同而得失異者，陳涉之起，天下皆欲亡秦；而楚、漢之分未有所定，今天下未必欲亡項也。故立六國，於陳涉，所謂多己之黨而益秦之敵也；且陳涉未能專天下之地也，所謂取非其有以與於人，行虛惠而獲實福也。立六國，於漢王，所謂割己之有而以資敵，設虛名而受實禍也。此同事而異形者也。

:: At first Zhang Er and Chen Yu urged Chen She to restore the Six States and build a faction; Li Yiji urged the King of Han as well. The counsel was the same yet the outcome differed because when Chen She rose, all under Heaven wished to destroy Qin; whereas Chu and Han were not yet settled, and today the realm does not necessarily wish to destroy Xiang. For Chen She, restoring the Six States meant enlarging his own faction and Qin’s enemies; and Chen She had not yet held the realm—giving away what was not his, granting empty favors yet winning real gain. For the King of Han, restoring the Six States meant cutting his own holdings to arm the enemy, setting up empty titles yet suffering real harm. This is the same affair under different form.

::及宋義待秦、趙之斃，與昔卞莊刺虎同說者也。施之戰國之時，鄰國相攻，無臨時之急，則可也。戰國之立，其日久矣，一戰勝敗，未必以存亡也；其勢非能急於亡敵國也；進乘利，退自保，故累力待時，承敵之斃，其勢然也。今楚、趙所起，其與秦勢不並立，安危之機，呼吸成變，進則定功，退則受禍。此同事而異勢者也。

:: Song Yi’s waiting for Qin and Zhao to wear each other out follows the same doctrine as Bian Zhuangzi’s tiger. In the Warring States, when neighbors fought with no immediate crisis, it could work. The Warring States had stood long; one battle did not necessarily decide survival; their momentum could not quickly destroy an enemy state; advance for gain, withdraw for safety, amass strength, await the moment, and profit from the enemy’s exhaustion—that was their momentum. What Chu and Zhao now face cannot coexist with Qin; safety and peril shift with every breath—advance and you secure victory, retreat and you suffer ruin. This is the same affair under different momentum.

::伐趙之役，韓信軍於泜水之上而趙不能敗。彭城之難，漢王戰於睢水之上，士卒皆赴入睢水而楚兵大勝。何則？趙兵出國迎戰，見可而進，知難而退，懷內顧之心，無出死之計；韓信軍孤在水上，士卒必死，無有二心，此信之所以勝也。漢王深入敵國，置酒高會，士卒逸豫，戰心不固；楚以強大之威而喪其國都，士卒皆有憤激之氣，救敗赴亡之急，以決一旦之命，此漢之所以敗也。且韓信選精兵以守，而趙以內顧之士攻之；項羽選精兵以攻，而漢以怠惰之卒應之，此同事而異情者也。

:: In the campaign against Zhao, Han Xin held the army on the Ci and Zhao could not break him. At Pengcheng the King of Han fought on the Sui; his men plunged into the river and Chu won a great victory. Why? Zhao marched out to fight, advancing when it looked easy and retreating when hard, hearts turned homeward, with no mind to die; Han Xin’s army stood alone on the water; his men had to fight to the death with one mind—that is why Xin won. The King of Han had penetrated deep into enemy territory, feasting at leisure; his men were relaxed and their will to fight unsettled; Chu, though mighty, had lost its capital; its soldiers burned with outrage and rushed to redeem defeat in one desperate stroke—that is why Han was beaten. Han Xin chose elite troops to hold the line while Zhao attacked with men looking homeward; Xiang Yu chose elite troops to attack while Han met him with slack men—this is the same affair under different disposition.

::故曰：權不可豫設，變不可先圖。與時遷移，應物變化，設策之機也。----

:: Hence the saying: power cannot be preset, change cannot be plotted ahead of time. Shift with the times and respond to things as they change—that is the moment for setting policy.

5漢王謂陳平曰：「天下紛紛，何時定乎？」陳平曰：「項王骨鯁之臣亞父、鍾離昧、龍且、周殷之屬，不過數人耳。大王誠能捐數萬斤金，行反間，間其君臣，以疑其心。項王為人，意忌信讒，必內相誅，漢因舉兵而攻之，破楚必矣。」漢王曰：「善！」乃出黃金四萬斤與平，恣所為，不問其出入。平多以金縱反間於楚軍，宣言：「諸將鍾離昧等為項王將，功多矣，然而終不得裂地而王，欲與漢為一，以滅項氏而分王其地。」項王果意不信鍾離昧等。

5. The King of Han said to Chen Ping, “The realm is in turmoil—when will it be settled?” Chen Ping said, “The King of Xiang’s stalwart ministers—the Senior Lord, Zhongli Mo, Long Ju, Zhou Yin, and the like—are only a few men. If Your Majesty will truly spend tens of thousands of jin of gold on a counter-intelligence scheme, sow discord among their ruler and ministers, and make them doubt one another, the King of Xiang is suspicious and trusts slander; he will surely turn on his own, and Han can then attack—Chu will surely be broken.” The King of Han said, “Well said!” He gave Ping forty thousand jin of gold and let him spend it as he pleased without accounting. Ping spent much of the gold spreading rumors in the Chu army: “Generals such as Zhongli Mo have served the King of Xiang with great merit yet never received a kingdom—they wish to join Han, destroy the Xiang house, and divide its lands among themselves.” The King of Xiang grew suspicious and no longer trusted Zhongli Mo and the others.

夏，四月，楚圍漢王於滎陽，急；漢王請和，割滎陽以西者為漢。亞父勸羽急攻滎陽；漢王患之。項羽使使至漢，陳平使為太牢具。舉進，見楚使，即佯驚曰：「吾以為亞父使，乃項王使。」復持去，更以惡草具進楚使。楚使歸，具以報項王，項王果大疑亞父。亞父欲急攻下滎陽城，項王不信，不肯聽。亞父聞項王疑之，乃怒曰：「天下事大定矣，君王自為之，願請骸骨！」歸，未至彭城，疽發背而死。

In summer, the fourth month, Chu besieged the King of Han at Yingyang, and the situation grew desperate; the King of Han sued for peace, offering the territory west of Yingyang to Han. Fan Zeng urged Xiang Yu to press the attack on Yingyang at once; the King of Han was deeply troubled. Xiang Yu sent an envoy to Han; Chen Ping had a full grand feast prepared. He brought it forward; seeing the Chu envoy, he feigned alarm and said: “I thought this was Fan Zeng’s envoy—it is the King of Xiang’s envoy.” He took it away and instead served the Chu envoy a coarse meal. The Chu envoy returned and reported everything to Xiang Yu, who indeed grew deeply suspicious of Fan Zeng. Fan Zeng wished to press the attack and take Yingyang at once; Xiang Yu did not trust him and refused to listen. When Fan Zeng heard that Xiang Yu suspected him, he said in anger: “The realm is nearly settled; handle it yourself—I beg leave to retire!” He set out for home; before reaching Pengcheng a carbuncle broke out on his back and he died.

五月，將軍紀信言於漢王曰：「事急矣！臣請誑楚，王可以間出。」於是陳平夜出女子東門二千餘人，楚因而四面擊之。紀信乃乘王車，黃屋左纛，曰：「食盡，漢王降楚。」楚皆呼萬歲，之城東觀。以故漢王得與數十騎出西門遁去，令韓王信與周苛、魏豹、樅公守滎陽。羽見紀信，問：「漢王安在？」曰：「已出去矣。」羽燒殺信。周苛、樅公相謂曰：「反國之王，難與守城。」因殺魏豹。

In the fifth month, General Ji Xin said to the King of Han: “Matters are desperate! Let me deceive Chu, and Your Majesty may slip out through the gap.” Chen Ping then sent more than two thousand women out through the east gate by night; Chu attacked from all four sides. Ji Xin then rode the king’s carriage with the yellow canopy and left banner-fork and cried: “Our food is gone—the King of Han surrenders to Chu!” The Chu troops all shouted “Long live!” and flocked east of the city to watch. Thus the King of Han escaped through the west gate with several dozen horsemen and left King Xin of Han, Zhou Ke, Wei Bao, and Lord Cong to hold Yingyang. Yu saw Ji Xin and asked: “Where is the King of Han?” He said: “He has already escaped.” Yu had Xin burned alive. Zhou Ke and Lord Cong said to each other: “A king of a rebel state—we cannot hold the city with him.” They then killed Wei Bao.

漢王出滎陽，至成皋，入關，收兵欲復東。轅生說漢王曰：「漢與楚相距滎陽數歲，漢常困。願君王出武關，項王必引兵南走。王深壁勿戰，令滎陽、成皋間且得休息，使韓信等得安輯河北趙地，連燕、齊，君王乃復走滎陽。如此，則楚所備者多，力分；漢得休息，復與之戰，破之必矣！」漢王從其計，出軍宛、葉間。與黥布行收兵。羽聞漢王在宛，果引兵南；漢王堅壁不與戰。

The King of Han left Yingyang, reached Chenggao, entered the passes, gathered troops, and prepared to march east again. Yuan Sheng urged the King of Han: “Han and Chu have faced each other at Yingyang for years; Han is always hard pressed. March out through Wu Pass; Xiang Yu is sure to lead his troops south in pursuit. Fortify deeply and do not fight, so the region between Yingyang and Chenggao may rest and Han Xin may settle Hebei and Zhao, link Yan and Qi; then Your Majesty may hurry back to Yingyang. Then Chu must guard many fronts and its strength will be divided; Han will rest, and when it fights again, victory is certain!” The King of Han followed this plan and led his army out between Wan and Ye. He marched with Qing Bu gathering troops. When Yu heard the King of Han was at Wan, he indeed led his troops south; the King of Han fortified firmly and refused battle.

漢王之敗彭城，解而西也，彭越皆亡其所下城，獨將其兵北居河上，常往來為漢遊兵擊楚，絕其後糧。是月，彭越渡睢，與項聲、薛公戰下邳，破，殺薛公。羽乃使終公守成皋，而自東擊彭越。漢王引兵北，擊破終公，復軍成皋。

After the King of Han’s defeat at Pengcheng and withdrawal west, Peng Yue abandoned every city he had taken and alone led his troops north to the river, constantly raiding as Han’s roving force to strike Chu and cut its rear supplies. That month Peng Yue crossed the Sui, fought Xiang Sheng and Lord Xue at Xiapi, routed them, and killed Lord Xue. Yu sent Lord Zhong to hold Chenggao and marched east himself to attack Peng Yue. The King of Han led his troops north, defeated Lord Zhong, and re-established his army at Chenggao.

六月，羽已破走彭越，聞漢復軍成皋，乃引兵西拔滎陽城，生得周苛。羽謂苛：「為我將，以公為上將軍，封三萬戶。」周苛罵曰：「若不趨降漢，今為虜矣；若非漢王敵也！」羽烹周苛，並殺樅公而虜韓王信，遂圍成皋。漢王逃，獨與滕公共車出成皋玉門，北渡河，宿小脩武傳舍。晨，自稱漢使，馳入趙壁。張耳、韓信未起，即其臥內，奪其印符以麾召諸將，易置之。信、耳起，乃知漢王來，大驚。漢王既奪兩人軍，即令張耳徇行，備守趙地。拜韓信為相國，收趙兵未發者擊齊。諸將稍稍得出成皋從漢王。楚拔成皋，欲西；漢使兵距之鞏，令其不得西。----

In the sixth month, having routed Peng Yue, Yu heard that Han had re-established its army at Chenggao; he marched west, took Yingyang, and captured Zhou Ke alive. Yu said to Ke: “Serve as my general—I will make you Grand General with a fief of thirty thousand households.” Zhou Ke cursed: “If you do not hurry to surrender to Han, you will be a captive now; you are no match for the King of Han!” Yu boiled Zhou Ke alive, killed Lord Cong, captured King Xin of Han, and besieged Chenggao. The King of Han fled alone in a carriage with the Lord of Teng through Chenggao’s Jade Gate, crossed the river north, and lodged at an inn in Xiaoxiuwu. At dawn he called himself an envoy of Han and galloped into the Zhao camp. Zhang Er and Han Xin had not yet risen; he went into their quarters, seized their seals and tallies, summoned the generals with a wave, and reassigned them. When Xin and Er rose and learned the King of Han had come, they were astonished. Having seized both armies, the King of Han ordered Zhang Er to march through and guard Zhao. He appointed Han Xin Chancellor of State and gathered Zhao’s remaining troops to attack Qi. The generals gradually escaped Chenggao and rejoined the King of Han. Chu took Chenggao and wished to march west; Han sent troops to block it at Gong and would not let it advance west.

6秋，七月，有星孛於大角。----

6. In autumn, the seventh month, a broom star appeared at Great Horn.

7臨江王敖薨，子尉嗣。----

7. King Ao of Linjiang died; his son Wei succeeded.

8漢王得韓信軍，復大振。八月，引兵臨河，南鄉，軍小脩武，欲復與楚戰。郎中鄭忠說止漢王，使高壘深塹勿與戰。漢王聽其計，使將軍劉賈、盧綰將卒二萬人，騎數百，度白馬津，入楚地，佐彭越，燒楚積聚，以破其業，無以給項王軍食而已。楚兵擊劉賈，賈輒堅壁不肯與戰，而與彭越相保。----

8. The King of Han obtained Han Xin’s army and his fortunes revived greatly. In the eighth month he led his troops to the river, faced south, encamped at Xiaoxiuwu, and prepared to fight Chu again. Gentleman-of-the-Palace Zheng Zhong urged the King of Han to hold back, build high ramparts and deep moats, and not give battle. The King of Han heeded this plan and sent Generals Liu Jia and Lu Wan with twenty thousand foot and several hundred horsemen across the White Horse Ford into Chu to assist Peng Yue, burn Chu’s stores, break its enterprise, and leave nothing to feed Xiang Yu’s army. Chu attacked Liu Jia; Jia fortified firmly and refused battle, sheltering with Peng Yue.

9彭越攻徇梁地，下睢陽、外黃等十七城。九月，項王謂大司馬曹咎曰：「謹守成皋。即漢王欲挑戰，慎勿與戰，勿令得東而已。我十五日必定梁地，復從將軍。」羽引兵東行，擊陳留、外黃、睢陽等城，皆下之。

9. Peng Yue overran Liang territory, taking Suiyang, Waihuang, and seventeen other cities. In the ninth month Xiang Yu told Grand Marshal Cao Jiu: “Guard Chenggao carefully. Even if the King of Han offers battle, do not fight—only do not let him advance east. Within fifteen days I will settle Liang and rejoin you.” Yu marched east, attacked Chenliu, Waihuang, Suiyang, and other cities, and took them all.

漢王欲捐成皋以東，屯鞏、洛以距楚。酈生曰：「臣聞『知天之天者，王事可成』，王者以民為天，而民以食為天。夫敖倉，天下轉輸久矣，臣聞其下乃有藏粟甚多。楚人拔滎陽，不堅守敖倉，乃引而東，令適卒分守成皋，此乃天所以資漢也。方今楚易取而漢反卻，自奪其便，臣竊以為過矣。且兩雄不俱立，楚、漢久相持不決，海內搖蕩，農夫釋耒，紅女下機，天下之心未有所定也。願足下急復進兵，收取滎陽，據敖倉之粟，塞成皋之險，杜太行之道，距蜚狐之口，守白馬之津，以示諸侯形制之勢，則天下知所歸矣。」王從之，乃復謀取敖倉。食其又說王曰：「方今燕、趙已定，唯齊未下，諸田宗強，負海、岱，阻河、濟，南近於楚，人多變詐；足下雖遣數萬師，未可以歲月破也。臣請得奉明詔說齊王，使為漢而稱東籓。」上曰：「善！」乃使酈生說齊王曰：「王知天下之所歸乎？」王曰：「不知也。天下何所歸？」酈生曰：「歸漢。」曰：「先生何以言之？」曰：「漢王先入咸陽，項王負約，王之漢中。項王遷殺義帝，漢王聞之，起蜀、漢之兵擊三秦，出關而責義帝之處。收天下之兵，立諸侯之後；降城即以侯其將，得賂即以分其士；與天下同其利，豪英賢才皆樂為之用。項王有倍約之名，殺義帝之實；於人之功無所記，於人之罪無所忘；戰勝而不得其賞，拔城而不得其封，非項氏莫得用事；天下畔之，賢才怨之，而莫為之用。故天下之事歸於漢王，可坐而策也！夫漢王發蜀、漢，定三秦；涉西河，破北魏；出井陘，誅成安君；此非人之力也，天之福也！今已據敖倉之粟，塞成皋之險，守白馬之津，杜太行之阪，距蜚狐之口；天下後服者先亡矣。王疾先下漢王，齊國可得而保也；不然，危亡可立而待也！」先是，齊聞韓信且東兵，使華無傷、田解將重兵屯歷下以距漢。及納酈生之言，遣使與漢平，乃罷歷下守戰備，與酈生日縱酒為樂。韓信引兵東，未度平原，聞酈食其已說下齊，欲止。辨士蒯徹說信曰：「將軍受詔擊齊，而漢獨發間使下齊，寧有詔止將軍乎？何以得毋行也？且酈生，一士，伏軾掉三寸之舌，下齊七十餘城，將軍以數萬眾，歲餘乃下趙五十餘城。為將數歲，反不如一豎儒之功乎？」於是信然之，遂渡河。

The King of Han wished to abandon the lands east of Chenggao and encamp at Gong and Luo to resist Chu. Li Yiji said: “I have heard that ‘he who knows Heaven’s Heaven can accomplish kingly affairs’—a king takes the people as Heaven, and the people take food as Heaven. Aocang has long been the realm’s transport hub; I hear that beneath it grain is stored in great abundance. Chu took Yingyang yet did not hold Aocang firmly; they marched east and left conscripts to hold Chenggao—this is Heaven supplying Han. Now Chu is easy to take while Han retreats instead—throwing away its advantage; I consider this a mistake. Moreover, two heroes cannot stand together; Chu and Han have long faced each other without decision—the realm shakes, farmers lay down their plows, women leave their looms, and the hearts of the realm are not yet settled. I beg you urgently to advance again, take Yingyang, hold Aocang’s grain, block Chenggao’s passes, shut the Taihang road, hold Feihu’s mouth, guard the White Horse Ford, and show the lords the pattern of power—then the realm will know where to turn.” The king followed this and planned again to take Aocang. Shi again urged the king: “Yan and Zhao are settled; only Qi remains. The Tian clans are strong, backed by the sea and Mount Dai, blocked by the Yellow River and the Ji, close to Chu in the south, and their people are crafty and shifting; even if you send tens of thousands of troops, they cannot be broken in months. Let me carry your command and persuade the King of Qi to serve Han as eastern vassal.” The sovereign said: “Excellent!” He sent Li Yiji to persuade the King of Qi: “Do you know where the realm is turning?” The king said: “I do not. Where is the realm turning?” Li Yiji said: “To Han.” He said: “On what grounds, sir?” He said: “The King of Han entered Xianyang first; Xiang Yu broke the covenant and made him king in Hanzhong. Xiang Yu moved and killed Emperor Yi; the King of Han, hearing this, raised the troops of Shu and Han, struck the Three Qin, went out through the passes, and held him to account for Emperor Yi. He gathered the realm’s arms and installed the heirs of the feudal lords; when a city surrendered he enfeoffed its general at once, and when booty was taken he divided it among his soldiers at once; he shared the realm’s profits, and heroes and worthy talents all rejoiced to serve him. Xiang Yu has the name of breaking covenants and the fact of killing Emperor Yi; he records no merit and forgets no fault; victors receive no reward, conquerors receive no fief—none but the Xiang clan may hold office; the realm turns from him, worthy talents resent him, and none will serve him. Therefore the realm’s affairs turn to the King of Han—you may sit and reckon it! The King of Han raised Shu and Han and settled the Three Qin; crossed the Western River and broke Northern Wei; went out through Jingxing and executed Lord Cheng’an; this is not human strength—it is Heaven’s blessing! Now he holds Aocang’s grain, blocks Chenggao’s passes, guards the White Horse Ford, shuts Taihang’s slopes, and holds Feihu’s mouth; those who submit late will perish first. If Your Majesty hastens to submit first to the King of Han, Qi may be preserved; if not, ruin may come in an instant!” Earlier, hearing that Han Xin was about to march east, Qi sent Hua Wushang and Tian Jie with a heavy force to hold Lixia against Han. When he accepted Li Yiji’s counsel, he sent an envoy to make peace with Han, dismissed Lixia’s guards and war preparations, and daily feasted and drank with Li Yiji. Han Xin led his troops east; before crossing Pingyuan he heard that Li Yiji had already persuaded Qi to submit and wished to halt. The persuader Kuai Che said to Xin, “You were ordered to attack Qi, yet Han alone sent secret envoys to win Qi over—was there any edict telling you to stop? How can you be held back from advancing? Moreover, Lord Li was a single scholar; from his carriage he talked down more than seventy Qi cities, while you with tens of thousands needed more than a year for fifty-odd Zhao cities. After years in command, are you really worth less than one bookish pedant?” Xin believed him and crossed the river.

1冬，十月，信襲破齊歷下軍，遂至臨淄。齊王以酈生為賣己，乃烹之；引兵東走高密，使使之楚請救。田橫走博陽，守相田光走城陽，將軍田既軍於膠東。----

1 In winter, the tenth month, Xin surprised and routed the Qi army at Lixia and advanced to Linzi. the King of Qi, believing Lord Li had sold him out, had him boiled alive; fled east to Gaomi with his army and sent envoys to Chu for aid. Tian Heng fled to Boyang, Chancellor Tian Guang to Chengyang, and General Tian Ji encamped in Jiaodong.

2楚大司馬咎守成皋，漢數挑戰，楚軍不出。使人辱之，數日，咎怒，渡兵汜水。士卒半渡，漢擊之，大破楚軍，盡得楚國金玉、貨賂，咎及司馬欣皆自剄汜水上。漢王引兵渡河，復取成皋，軍廣武，就敖倉食。

2 Chu Grand Marshal Sima Jiu held Chenggao; Han repeatedly challenged him, but the Chu army would not fight. Han sent men to insult him; after several days Jiu flew into a rage and crossed the Si with his army. While half his men were still crossing, Han attacked and routed the Chu army, seizing all its gold, jade, and treasure; Jiu and Sima Xin both cut their throats on the Si. The King of Han crossed the river, retook Chenggao, encamped at Guangwu, and fed his army from the Ao granary.

項羽下梁地十餘城，聞成皋破，乃引兵還。漢軍方圍鍾離昧於滎陽東，聞羽至，盡走險阻。羽亦軍廣武，與漢相守。數月，楚軍食少。項王患之，乃為高祖，置太公其上，告漢王曰：「今不急下，吾烹太公！」漢王曰：「吾與羽俱北面受命懷王，約為兄弟，吾翁即若翁；必欲烹而翁，幸分我一杯羹！」項王怒，欲殺之。項伯曰：「天下事未可知。且為天下者不顧家，雖殺之，無益，只益禍耳！」項王從之。

Xiang Yu had overrun more than ten Liang cities; when he heard Chenggao had fallen, he marched back. Han was besieging Zhongli Mo east of Xingyang; when they heard Yu was coming, they all withdrew into the hills. Yu also encamped at Guangwu and faced Han across the line. After several months the Chu army was short of food. The King of Xiang, distressed, built a high scaffold, put the Grand Duke on it, and told the King of Han, “Surrender at once or I boil your father alive!” The King of Han said, “Yu and I both received King Huai's orders facing north and swore brotherhood; my father is your father; if you must boil your father, kindly save me a cup of the broth!” The King of Xiang was furious and meant to kill him. Xiang Bo said, “The empire is still unsettled. A man who seeks the realm does not heed family; killing him helps nothing and only brings worse trouble!” The King of Xiang took his advice.

項王謂漢王曰：「天下匈匈數歲者，徒以吾兩人耳。願與漢王挑戰，決雌雄，毋徒苦天下之民父子為也！」漢王笑謝曰；「吾寧鬥智，不能鬥力！」項王三令壯士出挑戰，漢有善騎射者樓煩輒射殺之。項王大怒，乃自被甲持戟挑戰。樓煩欲射之，項王瞋目叱之，樓煩目不敢視，手不敢發，遂走還入壁，不敢復出。漢王使人間問之，乃項王也，漢王大驚。

The King of Xiang said to the King of Han, “The realm has been in turmoil these years solely because of us two. Let us fight a duel to settle victor and vanquished, and not torment the fathers and sons of the realm in vain!” The King of Han smiled and declined: “I would rather match wits than match strength!” The King of Xiang three times sent champions to challenge; Han's Loufan archers shot them down every time. The King of Xiang was furious, donned armor, took a halberd, and came out himself. A Loufan archer aimed at him; the King of Xiang glared and roared—the man dared not look, dared not shoot, fled back behind the wall, and never came out again. The King of Han sent scouts to ask; when he learned it was Xiang Yu himself, he was deeply shaken.

於是項王乃即漢王，相與臨廣武間而語。羽欲與漢王獨身挑戰。漢王數羽曰：「羽負約，王我於蜀、漢，罪一；矯殺卿子冠軍，罪二；救趙不還報，而擅劫諸侯兵入關，罪三；燒秦宮室，掘始皇帝塚，收私其財，罪四；殺秦降王子嬰，罪五；詐坑秦子弟新安二十萬，罪六；王諸將善地而徙逐故主，罪七；出逐義帝彭城，自都之，奪韓王地，並王梁、楚，多自與，罪八；使人陰殺義帝江南，罪九；為政不平，王約不信，天下所不容，大逆無道，罪十也。吾以義兵從諸侯誅殘賊，使刑餘罪人擊公，何苦乃與公挑戰！」羽大怒，伏弩射中漢王。漢王傷胸，乃捫足曰：「虜中吾指。」漢王病創臥，張良強請漢王起行勞軍，以安士卒，毋令楚乘勝。漢王出行軍，疾甚，因馳入成皋。----

Then Xiang Yu came up to the King of Han, and the two faced each other across the Guangwu ravine and talked. Yu wanted a single combat with the King of Han. The King of Han listed Yu's crimes: “You broke the covenant and made me king in Shu and Han—first crime; you forged orders and killed the Young Lord, Champion of the Lords—second crime; you saved Zhao but never reported back, and on your own seized the allied armies to enter the passes—third crime; you burned Qin's palaces, opened the First Emperor's tomb, and kept his treasure—fourth crime; you killed Zi Ying, Qin's surrendered king—fifth crime; you treacherously buried two hundred thousand Qin youths alive at Xin'an—sixth crime; you gave your generals the best lands while driving out their former lords—seventh crime; you drove Emperor Yi from Pengcheng and made it your capital, seized the King of Han's lands, united Liang and Chu under yourself, and kept the lion's share—eighth crime; you had Emperor Yi murdered secretly south of the Yangtze—ninth crime; your rule is unjust, your royal covenants worthless, the realm cannot tolerate you—great rebellion and utter depravity, the tenth crime. I lead the righteous allies to punish this brutal rebel and would send a mutilated convict to fight you—why should I bother to duel you!” Yu was furious; a hidden crossbow bolt hit the King of Han. The King of Han was wounded in the chest; he felt his foot and said, “The barbarian hit my toe.” Bedridden from the wound, he was urged by Zhang Liang to rise, review the troops, and steady the army so Chu could not exploit a victory. He went out to review the army, but grew much worse and galloped into Chenggao.

3韓信已定臨淄，遂東追齊王。項王使龍且將兵，號二十萬，以救齊，與齊王合軍高密。

3 Han Xin had secured Linzi and marched east in pursuit of the King of Qi. The King of Xiang sent Long Ju with an army said to number two hundred thousand to rescue Qi; he joined the King of Qi at Gaomi.

客或說龍且曰：「漢兵遠鬥窮戰，其鋒不可當。齊、楚自居其地，兵易敗散。不如深壁，令齊王使其信臣招所亡城；亡城聞王在，楚來救，必反漢。漢兵二千里客居齊地，齊城皆反之，其勢無所得食，可無戰而降也。」龍且曰：「吾平生知韓信為人，易與耳！寄食於漂母，無資身之策；受辱於胯下，無兼人之勇，不足畏也。且夫救齊，不戰而降之，吾何功！今戰而勝之，齊之半可得也。」

Someone urged Long Ju, “Han has fought far from home to exhaustion; its edge cannot be faced. Qi and Chu on home ground are easily beaten and scattered. Better to hold behind strong walls and have the King of Qi send trusted men to win back the lost cities; lost cities hearing their king lives and Chu is coming will surely turn on Han. Han, two thousand li from home in Qi with every city turning, will get no food and can be starved into surrender without a battle.” Long Ju said, “I have known Han Xin all my life—he is easy to handle! He begged food from a washerwoman and had no way to keep himself; he crawled under another's legs and lacks the courage to face a man—he is nothing to fear. Besides, if I rescue Qi without fighting and he surrenders, what credit is mine! Fight and win now, and I can take half of Qi."

十一月，齊、楚與漢夾濰水而陳。韓信儲夜令人為萬餘囊，滿盛沙，壅水上流；引軍半渡擊龍且，佯不勝，還走。龍且果喜曰：「固知信怯也！」遂追信。信使人決壅囊，水大至，龍且軍太半不得渡。即急擊殺龍且，水東軍散走，齊王廣亡去。信遂追北至成陽，虜齊王廣。漢將灌嬰追得齊守相田光，進至博陽。田橫聞齊王死，自立為齊王，還擊嬰，嬰敗橫軍於嬴下。田橫亡走梁，歸彭越。嬰進擊齊將田吸於千乘，曹參擊田既於膠東，皆殺之，盡定齊地。----

In the eleventh month Qi, Chu, and Han faced each other across the Wei River. Han Xin had more than ten thousand sand-filled sacks made overnight and dammed the upper stream; he led his men halfway across to strike Long Ju, feigned defeat, and fell back. Long Ju was delighted and said, “I always knew Xin was a coward!” He pursued Xin. Xin had the dam broken; the flood surged, and more than half Long Ju's army could not cross. He pressed the attack at once and killed Long Ju; the army east of the river scattered, and King Guang of Qi fled. Xin pursued north to Chengyang and captured King Guang of Qi. Han general Guan Ying captured Qi Chancellor Tian Guang and advanced to Boyang. Tian Heng, hearing the king was dead, made himself King of Qi, turned on Ying, and Ying defeated him below Ying. Tian Heng fled to Liang and joined Peng Yue. Ying attacked Qi general Tian Xi at Qiansheng; Cao Shen attacked Tian Ji in Jiaodong; both were killed and Qi was fully pacified.

4立張耳為趙王。----

4 Zhang Er was made King of Zhao.

5漢王疾愈，西入關。至櫟陽，梟故塞王欣頭櫟陽市。留四日，復如軍，軍廣武。----

5 When the King of Han recovered, he went west into the passes. At Liyang he exposed the head of the former King of Sai, Sima Xin, in the market. After four days he returned to the army and encamped at Guangwu.

6韓信使人言漢王曰：「齊偽詐多變，反覆之國也；南邊楚。請為假王以鎮之。」漢王發書，大怒，罵曰：「吾困於此，旦暮望若來佐我，乃欲自立為王！」張良、陳平躡漢王足，因附耳語曰：「漢方不利，寧能禁信之自王乎！不如因而立之，善遇，使自為守。不然，變生。」漢王亦悟，因復罵曰：「大丈夫定諸侯，即為真王耳，何以假為！」春，二月，遣張良操印立韓信為齊王，征其兵擊楚。 ----7項王聞龍且死，大懼，使盱台人涉往說齊王信曰：「天下共苦秦久矣，相與戮力擊秦。秦已破，計功割地，分土而王之，以休士卒。今漢王復興兵而東，侵人之分，奪人之地；已破三秦，引兵出關，收諸侯之兵以東擊楚，其意非盡吞天下者不休，其不知厭足如是甚也！且漢王不可必，身居項王掌握中數矣，項王憐而活之；然得脫，輒倍約，復擊項王，其不可親信如此。今足下雖自以與漢王為厚交，為之盡力用兵，必終為所禽矣。足下所以得須臾至今者，以項王尚存也。當今二王之事，權在足下，足下右投則漢王勝，左投則項王勝。項王今日亡，則次取足下。足下與項王有故，何不反漢與楚連和，參分天下王之！今釋此時而自必於漢以擊楚，且為智者固若此乎？！」韓信謝曰：「臣事項王，官不過郎中，位不過執戟；言不聽，畫不用，故倍楚而歸漢。漢王授我上將軍印，予我數萬眾，解衣衣我，推食食我，言聽計用，故吾得以至於此。夫人深親我，我倍之不祥；雖死不易！幸為信謝項王！」

6 Han Xin sent word to the King of Han, “Qi is treacherous and changeable, a state that turns on itself; and on the south it borders Chu. I ask to be made acting king to hold it firm.” The King of Han opened the letter, flew into a rage, and cursed, “I am trapped here and look to you morning and night for help—and you want to make yourself king!” Zhang Liang and Chen Ping trod on his foot and whispered, “Han is losing ground—can you stop Xin from making himself king? Better crown him now, treat him well, and let him hold the frontier himself. Otherwise he will turn.” The king saw the point and cursed again, “A man who settles the lords is a true king—why only acting king!” In spring, the second month, he sent Zhang Liang with the seal to make Han Xin King of Qi and call up his army against Chu. ----7 The King of Xiang, hearing Long Ju was dead, was terrified and sent She of Xutai to King Xin of Qi, saying, “The world long suffered under Qin and joined to destroy Qin. Qin fell; merit was counted, lands divided, kings made, and the armies rested. Now the King of Han has raised his army again and marched east, encroaching on others' shares and seizing their lands; having crushed the Three Qin, he leads his army out of the passes, gathers the allied hosts, and strikes Chu eastward—he will not rest until he has swallowed the whole realm; his greed knows no limit! Moreover the King of Han cannot be trusted; several times he was in the King of Xiang's hands, and the king spared him; yet once free he broke every covenant and attacked again—so untrustworthy is he. Though you count yourself the King of Han's close friend and spend your strength for him, in the end he will surely take you. You have lasted until now only because the King of Xiang still lives. Today's contest between the two kings turns on you—tip right and Han wins, tip left and Xiang wins. When Xiang falls, you are next. You and Xiang Yu have old ties—why not turn on Han, ally with Chu, and divide the realm three ways as kings! To throw away this moment and trust Han to crush Chu—is that what the wise do?" Han Xin declined: “I served the King of Xiang; my office was no higher than palace attendant, my rank no higher than halberd-bearer; my counsel was ignored, my plans unused—so I left Chu for Han. The King of Han gave me the Grand General's seal and tens of thousands of troops, shared his coat and his food with me, heeded my counsel and used my plans—that is how I reached where I am. You have shown me deep favor; to betray you would be ill-omened; I would not change even unto death! please convey my thanks to the King of Xiang!"

武涉已去，蒯徹知天下權在信，乃以相人之術說信曰：「僕相君之面，不過封侯，又危不安；相君之背，貴乃不可言。」韓信曰：「何謂也？」蒯徹曰：「天下初發難也，憂在亡秦而已。今楚、漢分爭，使天下之人肝膽塗地，父子暴骸骨於中野，不可勝數。楚人起彭城，轉鬥逐北，乘利席捲，威震天下；然兵困於京、索之間，迫西山而不能進者，三年於此矣。漢王將數十萬之眾，距鞏、雒，阻山河之險，一日數戰，無尺寸之功，折北不救。此所謂智勇俱困者也。百姓罷極怨望，無所歸倚。以臣料之，其勢非天下之賢聖固不能息天下之禍。當今兩主之命，縣於足下，足下為漢則漢勝，與楚則楚勝。誠能聽臣之計，莫若兩利而俱存之，參分天下，鼎足而居，其勢莫敢先動。夫以足下之賢聖，有甲兵之聚，據強齊，從趙、燕，出空虛之地而制其後，因民之欲，西鄉為百姓請命，則天下風走而響應矣，孰敢不聽！割大弱強以立諸侯，諸侯已立，天下服聽，而歸德於齊。案齊之故，有膠、泗之地，深拱揖讓，則天下之君王相率而朝於齊矣。蓋聞『天與弗取，反受其咎；時至不行，反受其殃』。願足下熟慮之！」韓信曰：「漢王遇我甚厚，吾豈可鄉利而倍義乎！」蒯生曰：「始常山王、成安君為布衣時，相與為刎頸之交；後爭張黶、陳澤之事，常山王殺成安君泜水之南，頭足異處。此二人相與，天下至歡也，然而卒相禽者，何也？患生於多欲而人心難測也。今足下欲行忠信以交於漢王，必不能固於二君之相與也，而事多大於張黶、陳澤者；故臣以為足下必漢王之不危己，亦誤矣！大夫種存亡越，霸句踐，立功成名而身死亡，野獸盡而獵狗烹。夫以交友言之，則不如張耳之與成安君者也；以忠信言之，則不過大夫種之於句踐也，此二者足以觀矣！願足下深慮之。且臣聞『勇略震主者身危，功蓋天下者不賞』。今足下戴震主之威，挾不賞之功，歸楚，楚人不信；歸漢，漢人震恐。足下欲持是安歸乎？」韓信謝曰：「先生且休矣，吾將念。」後數日，蒯徹復說曰：「夫聽者，事之候也；計者，事之機也；聽過計失而能久安者鮮矣！故知者，決之斷也；疑者，事之害也。審豪厘之小計，遺天下之大數，智誠知之，決弗敢行者，百事之禍也。夫功者，難成而易敗；時者，難得而易失也；時乎時，不再來！」韓信猶豫，不忍倍漢；又自以功多，漢終不奪我齊，遂謝。蒯徹因去，佯狂為巫。----

After Wu She had left, Kuai Che, knowing the balance of power under Heaven rested with Xin, used face-reading to persuade him: “Reading your face, you would rise no higher than marquis, and live in peril and unrest; reading your back—your eminence is beyond words.” Han Xin said, “What do you mean?” Kuai Che said, “When the realm first rose in arms, the only worry was destroying Qin. Now Chu and Han fight for mastery, and the people smear their guts on the ground; fathers and sons lie unburied in the wilds beyond counting. Chu rose from Pengcheng, turned and fought north in pursuit, swept all before them on the tide of victory, and shook the realm; yet for three years their army has been stuck between Jing and Suo, pinned against the western hills and unable to advance. The King of Han holds several hundred thousand men at Gong and Luo behind mountains and rivers, fights several times a day, wins not an inch, and is beaten in the north with no help coming. This is what people call both wits and courage spent. The people are worn out, bitter and adrift, with nowhere to turn. In my view, unless a sage of the realm appears, this calamity cannot end. Today the fate of both kings hangs on you—side with Han and Han wins, side with Chu and Chu wins. If you will hear my plan, let both profit and both survive—divide the realm three ways and stand as a tripod; then none will dare strike first. With your talent, your gathered armies, strong Qi in hand, Zhao and Yan at your side, striking into their empty rear, and riding the people's will westward to plead for them—the realm would run to you like wind and echo; who would not follow! Carve the great and weaken the strong to set up the lords; once they are enthroned, the realm will obey and turn its gratitude to Qi. Hold Qi's ancient lands of Jiao and Si, bow deep in courtesy, and the kings of the realm will lead one another to court at Qi. I have heard, ‘What Heaven offers and you refuse, you pay for in blame; when the moment comes and you do not move, you pay for in ruin.’ I beg you to weigh this carefully!” Han Xin said, “The King of Han has treated me generously—how could I turn toward profit and betray what is right!” Kuai Che said, “At first the King of Changshan and the Lord of Cheng'an, as commoners, swore friendship unto death; later they quarreled over Zhang Yi and Chen Ze, and the King of Changshan killed the Lord of Cheng'an south of the Zhi—head and feet in different places. These two were the closest friends under Heaven—yet in the end they destroyed each other; why? Trouble comes from many desires and hearts that cannot be read. Now you wish to be loyal and faithful toward the King of Han—you cannot be surer than those two were, and the stakes are greater than Zhang Yi and Chen Ze; so I believe that if you are sure the King of Han will not harm you, you are mistaken! Grandee Wen Zhong saved Yue and made Gou Jian hegemon, won merit and fame yet was killed—when the game is gone, the hunting dogs are boiled. As friendship goes, you are no closer than Zhang Er and the Lord of Cheng'an; as loyalty and faith go, you are no more than Wen Zhong to Gou Jian—these two cases are lesson enough! I beg you to think deeply. Moreover I have heard, ‘When courage and stratagem shake the lord, the man is in peril; when merit covers the realm, he goes unrewarded.’ Now you wear the awe that shakes your lord and carry unrewarded merit; return to Chu and Chu will not trust you; return to Han and Han will tremble in fear. Where do you mean to go in safety with that in hand?” Han Xin declined: “Rest for now, sir; I will think it over.” Several days later Kuai Che urged again: “Listening is the sign of affairs; planning is the pivot of affairs; few who hear amiss, lose their plans, and still last long in peace! therefore the wise decide decisively; the doubter is the ruin of affairs. To weigh a hair's breadth of small plans and miss the great reckoning of the realm—to know truly yet dare not act—that is the calamity of every undertaking. Merit is hard to win and easy to lose; the moment is hard to seize and easy to miss; the moment—ah, the moment—does not come again!” Han Xin hesitated, unable to bear betraying Han; and reckoned that with his great merit Han would never take Qi from him, so he declined. Kuai Che then left and feigned madness as a shaman.

8秋，七月，立黥布為淮南王。----

8 In autumn, the seventh month, Qing Bu was made King of Huainan.

9八月，北貉燕人來致梟騎助漢。----

9 In the eighth month, northern Mo men from Yan came with fierce cavalry to aid Han.

10漢王下令：軍士不幸死者，吏為衣衾棺斂，轉送其家。四方歸心焉。----

10 The King of Han ordered that when soldiers died in service, officials were to provide shrouds and coffins and send the bodies home. Hearts throughout the realm turned toward him.

11是歲，以中尉周昌為御史大夫。昌，苛從弟也。----

11 That year Zhou Chang was appointed grand censor from Central Commandant. Chang was Zhou Ke's paternal cousin.

12項羽自知少助；食盡，韓信又進兵擊楚，羽患之。漢遣侯公說羽請太公。羽乃與漢約，中分天下，割洪溝以西為漢，以東為楚。九月，楚歸太公、呂-{后}-，引兵解而東歸。漢王欲西歸，張良、陳平說曰：「漢有天下太半，而諸侯皆附；楚兵疲食盡，此天亡之時也。今釋弗擊，此所謂養虎自遺患也。」漢王從之。

12 Xiang Yu knew he had little help; his food was gone, and Han Xin again advanced against Chu—Yu was deeply troubled. Han sent Lord Hou to persuade Yu to release the Grand Duke. Yu then made a treaty with Han to divide the realm, the Hong Canal west for Han and east for Chu. In the ninth month Chu returned the Grand Duke and Empress Lü, broke camp, and marched east homeward. The King of Han meant to go west; Zhang Liang and Chen Ping urged: “Han holds more than half the realm and the lords all follow; Chu is weary and out of food—this is Heaven's hour to destroy them. If you let them go now and do not strike, you are rearing a tiger and bequeathing trouble to yourself.” The King of Han took their advice.

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