| | 韓彭英盧... : |
韓信，淮陰人也。家貧無行，不得推擇為吏，又不能治生為商賈，常從人寄食。其母死無以葬，乃行營高燥地，令傍可置萬家者。信從下鄉南昌亭長食，亭長妻苦之，乃晨炊蓐食。食時信往，不為具食。信亦知其意，自絕去。至城下釣，有一漂母哀之，飯信，竟漂數十日。信謂漂母曰：「 |
| | Han Xin was a native of Huaiyin. His family was poor and he had no reputation, so he could not be selected as an official. Moreover, he was unable to manage his livelihood by becoming a merchant or trader; he often relied on others for food. When his mother died, they had no means to bury her, so he went out in search of a high and dry site for the burial, choosing one where ten thousand households could be built nearby. Han Xin ate at the residence of a local official named Nanchang Tingzhang, but his wife found this burdensome and thus prepared meals early in the morning to eat before getting up. When it was time for a meal, Han Xin arrived, but she did not prepare food for him. Han Xin also understood her intention and thus cut off contact with them. He went to fish by the city wall, where an old woman washing cloth took pity on him and gave him food; she continued feeding Han Xin for dozens of days while doing her laundry. Han Xin said to the old woman: "
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
吾必重報母。」母怒曰：「大丈夫不能自食，吾哀王孫而進食，豈望報乎！」淮陰少年又侮信曰：「雖長大，好帶刀劍，怯耳。」眾辱信曰：「能死，刺我；不能，出跨下。」於是信孰視，俛出跨下。一巿皆笑信，以為怯。 |
| | I will surely reward you greatly, Mother." The old woman angrily said: "A grown man is unable to support himself. I took pity on you, young master, and gave you food; how could I possibly expect a reward!" A young man from Huaiyin also insulted Han Xin, saying: "Although you are tall and grown up, you like to carry a sword and dagger; you're just a coward." He publicly humiliated him by saying: "If you can die for it, stab me; if not, crawl under my armpit." Thus Han Xin looked at him carefully and then bent down to crawl beneath the young man's armpit. The whole marketplace laughed at Han Xin, considering him a coward.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
及項梁度淮，信乃杖劍從之，居戲下，無所知名。梁敗，又屬項羽，為郎中。信數以策干項羽，羽弗用。漢王之入蜀，信亡楚歸漢，未得知名，為連敖。坐法當斬，其疇十三人皆已斬，至信，信乃仰視，適見滕公，曰：「上不欲就天 |
| | When Xiang Liang crossed the Huai River, Han Xin then took up his sword and followed him; he was stationed under Xiang's command but remained unknown. After Xiang Liang was defeated, Han Xin became a subordinate of Xiang Yu and served as a Langzhong. Han Xin repeatedly submitted strategies to Xiang Yu, but Xiang Yu did not employ them. When King Han entered Shu, Han Xin defected from Chu to Han and was still unknown; he served as a Lianao. He was sentenced to death for breaking the law; thirteen others in his group had already been executed. When it came to Han Xin's turn, he looked up and happened to see Teng Gong, saying: "His Majesty does not wish to attain heaven"
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
子乎？而斬壯士！」滕公奇其言，壯其貌，釋弗斬。與語，大說之，言於漢王。漢王以為治粟都尉，上未奇之也。 |
| | —is that so?" "—why kill a man of valor!" Teng Gong was surprised by his words and impressed by his appearance, so he released him without executing him. After conversing with him, Teng Gong greatly admired him and recommended him to King Han. King Han appointed him as a Zhisu Duwei (an official in charge of grain), but the king had not yet recognized his exceptional qualities.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
數與蕭何語，何奇之。至南鄭，諸將道亡者數十人。信度何等已數言上，不我用，即亡。何聞信亡，不及以聞，自追之。人有言上曰：「丞相何亡。」上怒，如失左右手。居一二日，何來謁。上且怒且喜，罵何曰：「若亡，何也？」何曰：「臣非敢亡，追亡者耳。」上曰：「所追者誰也？」曰：「韓信。」上復罵曰：「諸將亡者已數十，公無所追；追信，詐也。」何曰：「諸將易得，至如信，國士無雙。王必欲長王漢中，無所事信；必欲爭天下，非信無可與計事者。顧王策安決。」王曰：「吾亦欲東耳，安能鬱鬱久居此乎？」何曰：「王計必東，能用信，信即留；不能用信，信終亡耳。」王曰：「吾為公以為將。」何曰：「雖為將，信不留。」王曰：「以為大將。」何曰：「幸甚。」於是王欲召信拜之。何曰：「王素嫚無禮，今拜大將如召小兒，此乃信所以去也。必欲拜之，擇日齋戒，設壇場具禮，乃可。」王許之。諸將皆喜，人人各自以為得大將。至拜，乃韓信也，一軍皆驚。 |
| | Han Xin often conversed with Xiao He, who found him remarkable. When they arrived at Nanzheng, dozens of generals along the way defected. Han Xin thought that Xiao He and others had already repeatedly recommended him to the king, but since he was not being used, he fled as well. Xiao He heard of Han Xin's escape, did not bother to report it to the king first, and went after him in person. Someone reported to King Han: "The prime minister has fled." King Han was furious, as if he had lost his right and left hands. After one or two days, Xiao He came to pay homage. King Han was both angry and delighted; he scolded Xiao He, saying: "If you fled, why are you here?" Xiao He said: "I did not dare to flee. I was merely chasing after someone who had escaped." King Han asked, "Who are you pursuing?" He replied: "Han Xin." King Han scolded again, saying: "Many of the generals have already fled in dozens; you did not go after any of them; yet now you chase after Han Xin—this is a deception." Xiao He said: "Generals are easy to find, but someone like Han Xin is a national treasure without equal. If Your Majesty wishes merely to be the long-term King of Hanzhong, then there is no need for Han Xin; but if you wish to contend for the empire, there is none other with whom you can plan and discuss affairs but Han Xin. It all depends on Your Majesty's decision." King Han said: "I also wish to move eastward; how can I remain depressed and stay here for long?" Xiao He said: "If Your Majesty is determined to go east, and if you employ Han Xin, he will remain; if not, Han Xin will eventually flee." King Han said: "I shall appoint him as a general for you." Xiao He said: "Even if he is made a general, Han Xin will not stay. King Han said: "Then appoint him as the supreme general." Xiao He replied: "That would be most fortunate." Thus, King Han wanted to summon Han Xin and bestow the title upon him. Xiao He said: "Your Majesty has always been disrespectful and careless; now you are appointing a supreme general as if calling a child. This is precisely why Han Xin left. If you truly wish to appoint him, choose a day, observe purification rites, set up an altar and ceremonial site with full formalities; only then will it be acceptable." King Han agreed. The generals were all delighted, each thinking that he himself would be appointed as the supreme general. When the appointment was made, it turned out to be Han Xin; the entire army was astonished.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
信以拜，上坐。王曰：「丞相數言將軍，將軍何以教寡人計策？」信謝，因問王曰：「今東鄉爭權天下，豈非項王邪？」上曰：「然。」信曰：「大王自料勇悍仁彊孰與項王？」漢王默然良久，曰：「弗如也。」信再拜賀曰：「唯信亦以為大王弗如也。然臣嘗事項王，請言項王為人也。項王意烏猝嗟，千人皆廢，然不能任屬賢將，此特匹夫之勇也。項王見人恭謹，言語姁姁，人有病疾，涕泣分食飲，至使人有功，當封爵，刻印刓，忍不能予，此所謂婦人之仁也。項王雖霸天下而臣諸侯，不居關中而都彭城；又背義帝約，而以親愛王，諸侯不平。諸侯之見項王逐義帝江南，亦皆歸逐其主，自王善地。項王所過亡不殘滅，多怨百姓，百姓不附，特劫於威，彊服耳。名雖為霸，實失天下心，故曰其彊易弱。今大王誠能反其道，任天下武勇，何不誅！以天下城邑封功臣，何不服！以義兵從思東歸之士，何不散！且三秦王為秦將，將秦子弟數歲，而所殺亡不可勝計，又欺其眾降諸侯。至新安，項王詐阬秦降卒二十餘萬人，唯獨邯、欣、翳脫。秦父兄怨此三人，痛於骨髓。今楚強以威王此三人，秦民莫愛也。大王之入武關，秋豪亡所害，除秦苛法，與民約，法三章耳，秦民亡不欲得大王王秦者。於諸侯之約，大王當王關中，關中民戶知之。王失職之蜀，民亡不恨者。今王舉而東，三秦可傳檄而定也。」於是漢王大喜，自以為得信晚。遂聽信計，部署諸將所擊。 |
| | After being appointed, Han Xin took his seat in a position of honor. King Han said: "The prime minister has spoken highly of General; what strategies do you have to advise me?" Han Xin thanked him and then asked King Han: "Now that we are moving eastward to contend for power over the empire, is it not against Xiang Wang?" King Han replied: "Indeed." Han Xin said: "Your Majesty, in your estimation, who is braver and stronger between you and Xiang Wang?" King Han fell silent for a long time before saying: "I am not as good." Han Xin bowed twice in congratulations, saying: "Only I also believe that Your Majesty is not as strong as Xiang Wang. However, I once served under Xiang Wang; please allow me to speak of his character." Xiang Wang's will is fierce and sudden, capable of overwhelming a thousand men; yet he cannot entrust or delegate authority to able generals. This is merely the courage of an ordinary man. Xiang Wang appears respectful and cautious when meeting people, speaks gently, and if someone is ill or suffering, he sheds tears and shares food and drink with them; yet when it comes to rewarding those who have rendered service by bestowing titles, the seals are worn from carving but still not given out. This is what is called the mercy of a woman. Although Xiang Wang has dominated the empire and made the feudal lords his subjects, he does not reside in Guanzhong but instead establishes his capital at Pengcheng; furthermore, he violated the agreement with King Yi and enfeoffed those close to him as kings, causing dissatisfaction among the feudal lords. The feudal lords saw Xiang Wang expel King Yi to the south of the Yangtze River, and thus they also returned to drive out their own overlords, establishing themselves as kings in fertile lands. Wherever Xiang Wang goes, he leaves nothing but destruction and massacre; this has caused much resentment among the people. The common folk do not support him—they are merely forced by his power into submission. Though he is nominally a hegemon, in reality, he has lost the hearts of the people; thus it can be said that his strength will easily turn to weakness. Now if Your Majesty sincerely follows the opposite path, employing the brave and martial men of the world, who would dare not to be eliminated! Rewarding meritorious subjects with cities and fiefs across the empire—how could they fail to submit! With righteous forces following those who long for returning eastward, how can they not rally together! Moreover, the Three Qin kings were once generals of Qin; they led Qin's sons and brothers for several years, killing and causing deaths that cannot be counted. They also deceived their own troops into surrendering to other feudal lords. When they reached Xin'an, Xiang Wang deceitfully buried alive more than 200,000 surrendered Qin soldiers; only Huan, Xin, and Yi escaped. The fathers and elder brothers of the Qin people harbored deep resentment toward these three men, a hatred that pierced to their very bones. Now, although Chu forces have used their power to enfeoff these three as kings, the people of Qin do not love them at all. When Your Majesty entered Wuguan, not a single hair of the people was harmed; you abolished Qin's harsh laws and made an agreement with the people, establishing only three legal provisions. The people of Qin all long for Your Majesty to rule over them in Qin. According to the agreement among the feudal lords, Your Majesty should be king of Guanzhong; this is well known by the people there. But when Your Majesty was demoted to Shu and lost your rightful position, the people all felt resentment. Now that Your Majesty has risen up and moved eastward, the Three Qin regions can be pacified merely by sending proclamations." King Han was greatly pleased, feeling as if he had acquired Han Xin too late. He then followed Han Xin's strategy and arranged the deployment of generals for their attacks.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
漢王舉兵東出陳倉，定三秦。二年，出關，收魏、河南，韓、殷王皆降。令齊、趙共擊楚彭城，漢兵敗散而還。信復發兵與漢王會滎陽，復擊破楚京、索間，以故楚兵不能西。 |
| | King Han raised his army to move eastward from Chencang, pacifying the Three Qin regions. In the second year, he crossed the pass and captured Wei and Henan; the kings of Han and Yin all surrendered. He ordered Qi and Zhao to join forces in attacking Pengcheng, but the Han army was defeated and scattered before retreating. Han Xin again raised troops to join King Han at Yingyang, and defeated the Chu forces between Jing and Suo; thus, the Chu army could not advance westward.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
漢之敗卻彭城，塞王欣、翟王翳亡漢降楚，齊、趙、魏亦皆反，與楚和。漢王使酈生往說魏王豹，豹不聽，乃以信為左丞相擊魏。信問酈生：「魏得毋用周叔為大將乎？」曰：「跷直也。」信曰：「豎子耳。」遂進兵擊魏。魏盛兵蒲阪，塞臨晉。信乃益為疑兵，陳船欲度臨晉，而伏兵從夏陽以木罌缶度軍，襲安邑。魏王豹驚，引兵迎信。信遂虜豹，定河東，使人請漢王：「願益兵三萬人，臣請以北舉燕、趙，東擊齊，南絕楚之糧道，西與大王會於滎陽。」漢王與兵三萬人，遣張耳與俱，進擊趙、代。破代，禽夏說閼與。信之下魏、代，漢輒使人收其精兵，詣滎陽以距楚。 |
| | After Han's defeat and retreat from Pengcheng, Sai Wang Huan and Zhai Wang Yi defected to Chu; Qi, Zhao, and Wei also rebelled and allied with Chu. King Han sent Liu Sheng to persuade King Pei of Wei, but Pei did not listen. Thus, he appointed Han Xin as the Left Chancellor to attack Wei. Han Xin asked Liu Sheng: "Does Wei perhaps have Zhou Shu as its supreme general?" Liu Sheng replied: "He is upright and straightforward." Han Xin said: "Just a petty man." He then advanced his troops to attack Wei. Wei deployed a large force at Puzhan and blocked Linjin. Han Xin then created additional decoy forces, arranging boats as if intending to cross at Linjin, while secretly sending troops from Xiayang using wooden jars and pots to ferry the army across, launching a surprise attack on Anyi. King Pei of Wei was startled and led his forces out to meet Han Xin. Han Xin thus captured King Pei, pacified Hedong, and sent a messenger to request from King Han: "I wish for an additional 30,000 troops. I will personally lead them northward to attack Yan and Zhao, eastward against Qi, cut off Chu's supply lines to the south, and then meet Your Majesty at Yingyang in the west." King Han gave him 30,000 soldiers, sent Zhang Er to accompany him, and advanced to attack Zhao and Dai. They defeated Dai and captured Xia Yueyu. Whenever Han Xin subdued Wei or Dai, the Han forces would immediately send men to recruit their elite troops and dispatch them to Yingyang to resist Chu.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
信、耳以兵數萬，欲東下井陘擊趙。趙王、成安君陳餘聞漢且襲之，聚兵井陘口，號稱二十萬。廣武君李左車說成安君曰：「聞漢將韓信涉西河，虜魏王，禽夏說，新喋血閼與。今乃輔以張耳，議欲以下趙，此乘勝而去國遠鬥，其鋒不可當。臣聞『千里餽糧，士有飢色；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，其勢糧食必在後。願足下假臣奇兵三萬人，從間道絕其輜重；足下深溝高壘勿與戰。彼前不得鬥，退不得還，吾奇兵絕其後，野無所掠鹵，不至十日，兩將之頭可致戲下。願君留意臣之計，必不為二子所禽矣。」成安君，儒者，常稱義兵不用詐謀奇計，謂曰：「吾聞兵法『什則圍之，倍則戰。』今韓信兵號數萬，其實不能，千里襲我，亦以罷矣。今如此避弗擊，後有大者，何以距之？諸侯謂吾怯，而輕來伐我。」不聽廣武君策。 |
| | Han Xin and Zhang Er led tens of thousands of soldiers, intending to advance eastward through Jingxing to attack Zhao. King Zhao and Cheng'an Jun Chen Yu heard that Han was about to launch a surprise attack, so they gathered their forces at the mouth of Jingxing Pass, claiming a force of 200,000. Guangwu Jun Li Zuiche advised Cheng'an Jun, saying: "I have heard that the Han general Han Xin crossed the Xihe River, captured King Pei of Wei, defeated Xia Yueyu, and recently engaged in fierce fighting at Yuyu. Now he is supported by Zhang Er, and they are planning to attack Zhao; this is a case of riding on the momentum of victory while fighting far from their homeland. Their sharp edge cannot be resisted." I have heard that 'when provisions are transported over a thousand li, soldiers show signs of hunger; when firewood and fodder must be gathered after arriving at the destination, troops cannot eat their fill even for one night.' Now, along the road through Jingxing Pass, wagons cannot travel side by side and cavalry cannot form ranks. Marching hundreds of li, their supplies must be far behind. I respectfully request that Your Honor lend me 30,000 elite troops to take a secret route and cut off their supply wagons; Your Honor should dig deep trenches and build high fortifications without engaging in battle. They will be unable to fight ahead and cannot retreat back. My elite forces will cut off their rear, and there will be nothing in the field for them to plunder. Within ten days at most, the heads of the two generals can be brought under your banner." I hope Your Honor will give careful consideration to my strategy; you certainly won't fall into their hands like the two men did." Cheng'an Jun was a Confucian scholar, often claiming that righteous armies did not use deception or ingenious strategies. He said: "I have heard in the art of war it says 'if ten times their number, surround them; if double, engage them in battle.' Now Han Xin's forces are claimed to be tens of thousands, but actually they cannot match that number. Marching a thousand li to attack us, their troops must also be exhausted. If we now avoid fighting and do not strike them down, how shall we resist stronger forces in the future?" "The feudal lords will think us timid and come to attack us lightly." He did not heed the strategy of Guangwu Jun.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
信使間人窺知其不用，還報，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，戒曰：「趙見我走，必空壁逐我，若疾入，拔趙幟，立漢幟。」令其裨將傳餐，曰：「今日破趙會食。」諸將皆嘸然，陽應曰：「諾。」信謂軍吏曰：「趙已先據便地壁，且彼未見大將旗鼓，未肯擊前行，恐吾阻險而還。」乃使萬人先行，出，背水陳。趙兵望見大笑。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、張耳棄鼓旗，走水上軍，復疾戰。趙空壁爭漢鼓旗，逐信、耳。信、耳已入水上軍，軍皆殊死戰，不可敗。信所出奇兵二千騎者，候趙空壁逐利，即馳入趙壁，皆拔趙旗幟，立漢赤幟二千。趙軍已不能得信、耳等，欲還歸壁，壁皆漢赤幟，大驚，以漢為皆已破趙王將矣，遂亂，遁走。趙將雖斬之，弗能禁。於是漢兵夾擊，破虜趙軍，斬成安君泜水上，禽趙王歇。 |
| | Han Xin sent spies to secretly observe and learned that they were not being used, then returned with the report; Han Xin was greatly pleased and thus dared to lead his troops forward. Before reaching thirty li from the mouth of Jingxing Pass, they stopped for the night. At midnight, they secretly set out and selected 2,000 light cavalrymen. Each carried a red flag, and they took a secret route through the mountain to observe Zhao's army. They were given strict orders: "When Zhao sees us retreating, he will certainly empty his camp to pursue us. If you act quickly, enter their camp, pull down Zhao's flags, and raise Han's flags." He ordered his subordinate generals to prepare meals, saying: "We will break the Zhao army today and have our meal after victory." The generals all looked doubtful but feigned agreement, saying: "Yes, as ordered." Han Xin said to his officers: "Zhao has already occupied a favorable position and entrenched themselves. Moreover, since they have not yet seen the general's banner or drum, they will not dare to attack our vanguard. I fear that we might be blocked by the terrain and forced to retreat." He therefore sent 10,000 men ahead first, deploying them in a position with their backs to the river. Zhao's troops saw this and laughed heartily. At dawn, Han Xin raised the general's flag and drum, marched forward with a loud beat of drums out of Jingxing Pass. Zhao opened their camp to attack them, and a fierce battle raged for a long time. At this point, Han Xin and Zhang Er abandoned the drum and flag, fled toward the army by the river, and engaged in another fierce battle. Zhao's forces emptied their camp to chase after Han Xin and Zhang Er for the Han drum and flag. Han Xin and Zhang Er had already joined their forces by the river, where all the soldiers fought with a determination to die or win; they could not be defeated. The 2,000 cavalrymen Han Xin had sent on a secret mission, upon seeing Zhao's camp empty and its troops chasing profit, immediately galloped into Zhao's encampment, pulled down all of Zhao's flags, and raised 2,000 red Han banners. Zhao's army, having failed to capture Han Xin and Zhang Er, wanted to return to their camp. However, they found all the banners in the camp had been replaced with red Han flags. Greatly alarmed, they believed that the entire Zhao command had already been defeated by the Han forces, so the troops fell into chaos and fled. Zhao's generals tried to execute deserters, but could not stop the rout. Thus, the Han forces launched a pincer attack, defeating and capturing Zhao's army, beheading Cheng'an Jun at Shui River, and taking King Zhao Xie prisoner.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
信乃令軍毋斬廣武君，有生得之者，購千金。頃之，有縛而至戲下者，信解其縛，東鄉坐，西鄉對，而師事之。 |
| | Han Xin then ordered his troops not to kill Guangwu Jun; anyone who captured him alive would be rewarded with 1,000 gold pieces. Soon after, someone was brought bound to Han Xin's headquarters. Han Xin untied him, seated him facing east while he himself sat facing west, and treated him as a teacher.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
諸校劾首虜休，皆賀，因問信曰：「兵法有『 |
| | The officers and soldiers who had captured the prisoners at rest all congratulated Han Xin, then asked him: "According to military strategy, there is a saying '
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
右背山陵，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，顧諸君弗察耳。兵法不曰『陷之死地而後生，投之亡地而後存』乎？且信非得素拊循士大夫，經所謂『敺市人而戰之』也，其勢非置死地，人人自為戰；今即予生地，皆走，寧尚得而用之乎！」諸將皆服曰：「非所及也。」 |
| | 'position the right and back against hills, with water to the front left.' Now you ordered us to deploy with our backs to the river, saying we would have a meal after defeating Zhao. We were not convinced." "But in the end we won—what strategy was this?" Han Xin said: "This is actually mentioned in military strategy; it's just that you gentlemen failed to notice. Doesn't the art of war say 'placing troops in a desperate situation leads them to survive, and throwing them into a place of certain death ensures their survival'?" Moreover, I do not have the advantage of long-term training and discipline over my soldiers; it is what the classics call 'driving common people into battle.' In such a situation, they can only be placed in a death trap so that each soldier will fight for his own survival. If I had given them a path to safety, they would have all fled—who could still command and use such troops!" The generals were all convinced and said: "We cannot match his abilities."
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
於是問廣武君曰：「僕欲北攻燕，東伐齊，何若有功？」廣武君辭曰：「臣聞『亡國之大夫不可以圖存，敗軍之將不可以語勇。』若臣者，何足以權大事乎！」信曰：「僕聞之，百里奚居虞而虞亡，之秦而秦伯，非愚於虞而智於秦也，用與不用，聽與不聽耳。向使成安君聽子計，僕亦禽矣。僕委心歸計，願子勿辭。」廣武君曰：「臣聞『智者千慮，必有一失；愚者千慮，亦有一得。』故曰『狂夫之言，聖人擇焉。』故恐臣計未足用，願效愚忠。故成安君有百戰百勝之計，一日而失之，軍敗鄗下，身死泜水上。今足下虜魏王，禽夏說，不旬朝破趙二十萬眾，誅成安君。名聞海內，威震諸侯，眾庶莫不輟作怠惰，靡衣媮食，傾耳以待禽者。然而眾勞卒罷，其實難用也。今足下舉倦敝之兵，頓之燕堅城之下，情見力屈，欲戰不拔，曠日持久，糧食單竭。若燕不破，齊必距境而以自彊。二國相持，則劉項之權未有所分也。臣愚，竊以為亦過矣。」信曰：「然則何由？」廣武君對曰：「當今之計，不如按甲休兵，百里之內，牛酒日至，以饗士大夫，北首燕路，然後發一乘之使，奉咫尺之書，以使燕，燕必不敢不聽。從燕而東臨齊，雖有智者，亦不知為齊計矣。如是，則天下事可圖也。兵故有先聲而後實者，此之謂也。」信曰：「善。敬奉教。」於是用廣武君策，發使燕，燕從風而靡。乃遣使報漢，因請立張耳王趙以撫其國。漢王許之。 |
| | Han Xin then asked Guangwu Jun, "I wish to attack Yan in the north and Qi in the east. What strategy would ensure success?" Guangwu Jun replied with a refusal, saying: "I have heard that 'a minister of a fallen state cannot plan for survival, and a defeated general cannot discuss bravery.' As for me, how could I possibly be qualified to deliberate on such great matters!" Han Xin said: "I have heard that Bai Li Xi served Yu but Yu perished, then went to Qin and made it a hegemon. It was not because he was foolish in Yu and wise in Qin, but simply whether his advice was used or ignored." "If at that time Cheng'an Jun had listened to your strategy, I would have been captured as well." "I entrust my heart and follow your plan. I hope you will not refuse." Guangwu Jun said: "I have heard that 'even the wisest man, after a thousand considerations, may still make one mistake; a fool who considers things a thousand times will also gain something once.' Therefore it is said, 'The words of a madman may be selected by the sage.' So I fear my strategy might not be sufficient for use. I would like to offer my humble loyalty." Cheng'an Jun had a plan of a hundred battles and a hundred victories, but lost it in one day; his army was defeated at Gaoxia, and he himself died by the Shui River. Now Your Honor has captured King Pei of Wei and defeated Xia Yueyu, within a few days you have crushed Zhao's 200,00 troops and executed Cheng'an Jun. Your name is renowned throughout the land, and your might has shaken all the feudal lords. The common people no longer work diligently or dress modestly; they live in idleness and greed for food, listening eagerly for news of their capture. However, the troops are exhausted from constant labor and fatigue; in reality, they are difficult to use effectively. Now Your Honor is deploying weary and worn-out troops to attack the strong city of Yan, where their situation will be exposed and strength exhausted. If they want to fight but cannot capture it, a prolonged stalemate will drain your food supplies completely. If Yan is not defeated, Qi will surely resist at the border and strengthen itself in response. With two states locked in a stalemate, then the balance of power between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu will remain undetermined. I am foolish, but I secretly believe this strategy has gone too far." Han Xin asked: "Then what is the way forward?" Guangwu Jun replied: "The best course of action now is to cease hostilities and rest the troops. Within a hundred li, send daily offerings of cattle and wine to entertain the soldiers. Facing north toward Yan's territory, then dispatch one envoy with a short letter to Yan; Yan will surely dare not refuse." Once Yan is won over and we move eastward toward Qi, even the wisest men would be at a loss as to how to advise Qi. If this can be done, then the affairs of the entire realm will be within our grasp. There is a principle in warfare that victory may first come through reputation and later through action—this is what I mean." Han Xin said: "Well said. I will respectfully follow your instruction." Thus, Han Xin adopted Guangwu Jun's strategy and sent envoys to Yan. Yan submitted as easily as grass bending in the wind. He then sent an envoy to report back to Han, and requested that Zhang Er be made King of Zhao to pacify its people. King Han agreed.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
楚數使奇兵度河擊趙，王耳、信往來救趙，因行定趙城邑，發卒佐漢。楚方急圍漢王滎陽，漢王出，南之宛、葉，得九江王布，入成皋，楚復急圍之。四年，漢王出成皋，度河，獨與滕公從張耳軍修武。至，宿傳舍。晨自稱漢使，馳入壁。張耳、韓信未起，即其臥，奪其印符，麾召諸將易置之。信、耳起，乃知獨漢王來，大驚。漢王奪兩人軍，即令張耳備守趙地，拜信為相國，發趙兵未發者擊齊。 |
| | Chu repeatedly sent elite forces to cross the river and attack Zhao, so King Zhang Er and Han Xin moved back and forth to rescue Zhao. During this time, they pacified Zhao's cities and towns, raising troops to assist Han. At this time, Chu was urgently besieging King Han at Yingyang. King Han broke out of the siege and retreated south to Wan and Ye, where he met with Wang Jianghuai, King of Jiangyou, then returned to Chenggao. Once again, Chu intensified its encirclement. In the fourth year, King Han left Chenggao and crossed the river, traveling alone with Peng Gong to Zhang Er's forces at Xiuwu. Upon arrival, they stayed in a relay inn for the night. The next morning, he falsely claimed to be a Han envoy and galloped into the camp unannounced. Zhang Er and Han Xin had not yet risen from bed, so while they were still in their beds, he seized their seals and insignias of authority, summoned the generals with his command, and replaced them. When Zhang Er and Han Xin awoke, they realized that King Han had come alone and were greatly startled. King Han seized command of their armies, immediately ordered Zhang Er to defend Zhao's territory, appointed Han Xin as Chancellor, and mobilized the remaining Sui forces not yet deployed to attack Qi.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
信引兵東，未度平原，聞漢王使酈食其已說下齊。信欲止，蒯通說信令擊齊。語在通傳。信然其計，遂渡河，襲歷下軍，至臨菑。齊王走高密，使使於楚請救。信已定臨菑，東追至高密西。楚使龍且將，號稱二十萬，救齊。 |
| | Han Xin led his troops eastward; before crossing Pingyuan, he heard that King Han had sent Li Shiqi to persuade Qi into submission. Han Xin wanted to halt the advance, but Kuaitong advised him to attack Qi instead. The details are recorded in Kuaitong's biography. Han Xin accepted his strategy and crossed the river, launching a surprise attack on Lixia forces, reaching Linzi. King Qi fled to Gaomi and sent envoys to Chu for rescue. After pacifying Linzi, Han Xin advanced eastward in pursuit, reaching the west of Gaomi. Chu sent Long Ju to lead its forces, claiming 200,00 soldiers, to rescue Qi.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
齊王、龍且并軍與信戰，未合。或說龍且曰：「漢兵遠鬥，窮寇戰，鋒不可當也。齊、楚自居其地戰，兵易敗散。不如深壁，令齊王使其信臣招所亡城，城聞王在，楚來救，必反漢。漢二千里客居齊，齊城皆反之，其勢無所得食，可毋戰而降也。」龍且曰：「吾平生知韓信為人，易與耳。寄食於漂母，無資身之策；受辱於跨下，無兼人之勇，不足畏也。且救齊而降之，吾何功？今戰而勝之，齊半可得，何為而止！」遂戰，與信夾濰水陳。信乃夜令人為萬餘囊，沙以壅水上流，引兵半度，擊龍且。陽不勝，還走。龍且果喜曰：「固知信怯。」遂追度水。信使人決壅囊，水大至。龍且軍太半不得度，即急擊，殺龍且。龍且水東軍散走，齊王廣亡去。信追北至城陽，虜廣。楚卒皆降，遂平齊。 |
| | King Qi and Long Ju combined their armies to fight Han Xin, but the battle had not yet begun. Someone advised Long Ju: "The Han forces are fighting far from home and driven by desperation; their momentum is unstoppable. Qi and Chu, however, are defending their own territory—such forces are easily defeated or scattered." You should instead dig deep trenches and fortify your position, instructing King Qi to send trusted envoys to reclaim the lost cities. When these cities hear that their king is still alive and that Chu has come to rescue them, they will surely turn back against Han." "The Han army is stationed 2000 li away from home in Qi. All the cities of Qi will rebel against them, and their forces will find no food to sustain themselves. They can be made to surrender without even fighting." Long Ju said: "I have always known Han Xin's character; he is easy to deal with. "He relied on a washerwoman for food, lacking any means of self-support; "he endured humiliation by crawling under someone's horse, showing no extraordinary courage—there is nothing to fear from him." "If we rescue Qi and make it surrender, what merit would I have?" "Now if we fight and win, half of Qi will be ours—why should we stop!" So they engaged in battle, with Han Xin and Long Ju arraying their forces on opposite sides of the Wei River. At night, Han Xin ordered his men to prepare more than 10,000 leather bags filled with sand to block the upper reaches of the river. Then he led half of his troops across and attacked Long Ju. The Han forces pretended to be defeated and retreated. Long Ju was delighted and said, "I always knew Han Xin was timid." So he pursued them across the river. Han Xin sent men to break open the sandbags, and a great flood of water surged down. Long Ju's army was unable to cross due to the flood; Han Xin immediately launched an attack and killed Long Ju. The forces of Long Ju on the eastern side of the river scattered in retreat, and King Qi Guang fled away. Han Xin pursued the defeated enemy to Chengyang and captured King Guang. The Chu soldiers all surrendered, and thus Qi was pacified.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
使人言漢王曰：「齊夸詐多變，反覆之國，南邊荒，不為假王以填之，其勢不定。今權輕，不足以安之，臣請自立為假王。」當是時，楚方急圍漢王於滎陽，使者至，發書，漢王大怒，罵曰：「吾困於此，旦暮望而來佐我，乃欲自立為王！」張良、陳平伏後躡漢王足，因附耳語曰：「漢方不利，寧能禁信之自王乎？不如因立，善遇之，使自為守。不然，變生。」漢王亦寤，因復罵曰：「大丈夫定諸侯，即為真王耳，何以假為！」遣張良立信為齊王，徵其兵使擊楚。 |
| | He sent envoys to inform King Han: "Qi is a land known for deceit and frequent changes, an unstable region. Its southern borderlands are desolate; without appointing a provisional king to govern it, the situation will remain unsettled. "Now my authority is too weak to bring stability; I request permission to proclaim myself as a provisional king." At that time, Chu was urgently besieging King Han at Xingyang. When the envoys arrived and presented the letter, King Han read it and became furious, cursing: "I am trapped here, waiting day and night for you to come assist me, yet now you want to proclaim yourself a king!" Zhang Liang and Chen Ping knelt behind King Han, gently treading on his feet, then whispered in his ear: "With the Han army currently at a disadvantage, how could we possibly forbid Han Xin from proclaiming himself king? We should instead support this and treat him well, allowing him to govern the region for us." Otherwise, a rebellion will arise." King Han also realized this and, resuming his cursing, said: "A true man who establishes a kingdom for the feudal lords should be made an actual king, not just a provisional one!" He sent Zhang Liang to proclaim Han Xin as King of Qi and summoned his troops to fight against Chu.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
楚以亡龍且，項王恐，使盱台人武涉往說信曰：「足下何不反漢與楚？楚王與足下有舊故。且漢王不可必，身居項王掌握中數矣，然得脫，背約，復擊項王，其不可親信如此。今足下雖自以為與漢王為金石交，然終為漢王所禽矣。足下所以得須臾至今者，以項王在。項王即亡，次取足下。何不與楚連和，三分天下而王齊？今釋此時，自必於漢王以擊楚，且為智者固若此邪！」信謝曰：「臣得事項王數年，官不過郎中，位不過執戟，言不聽，畫策不用，故背楚歸漢。漢王授我上將軍印，數萬之眾，解衣衣我，推食食我，言聽計用，吾得至於此。夫人深親信我，背之不祥。幸為信謝項王。」武涉已去，蒯通知天下權在於信，深說以三分天下，之計。語在通傳。信不忍背漢，又自以功大，漢王不奪我齊，遂不聽。 |
| | With Long Ju dead, the Chu forces were greatly weakened; Xiang Wang was terrified and sent Xu Tai native Wu She to persuade Han Xin: "Why don't you rebel against Han and join with Chu? "The King of Chu shares an old connection with you. Moreover, King Han cannot be trusted; he has been in the hands of Xiang Wang several times and yet broke his promises each time, turning around to attack Xiang Wang. Can you trust someone like that? Now even if you believe your bond with King Han is as unbreakable as gold and stone, in the end you will still be captured by him. The reason you have survived until now is because Xiang Wang is still alive. Once Xiang Wang perishes, the next target will be you. Why not ally with Chu and divide the empire into three parts, making you king of Qi?" If you let this opportunity pass and instead place yourself under King Han to fight Chu, is that the action of a wise man?" Han Xin replied: "I served King Xiang for several years, but my rank never rose above that of Langzhong, and my position was no higher than a spear-bearer. My advice went unheeded, and my strategies were not adopted; thus I defected from Chu to Han. King Han gave me the seal of a supreme general, tens of thousands of troops, shared his clothes with me and provided food for me. He listened to my words and adopted my strategies—this is how I have achieved what I have today. A person of such deep trust and kindness, to betray him would be most inauspicious. Please convey my thanks to King Xiang on my behalf." After Wu She left, Kuaitong realized that the fate of the empire rested in Han Xin's hands. He earnestly advised him on a plan to divide the realm into three parts and rule Qi himself. The details are recorded in Kuaitongs biography. Han Xin could not bear to betray Han, and also believed that with his great achievements, King Han would not take away Qi from him. Thus he did not listen to the advice.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
漢王之敗固陵，用張良計，徵信將兵會陔下。項羽死，高祖襲奪信軍，徙信為楚王，都下邳。 |
| | When King Han was defeated at Guling, he employed Zhang Liang's strategy and summoned Han Xin to lead his troops in a rendezvous at Gaixia. After Xiang Yu died, Emperor Gaozu seized Han Xin's army by surprise and transferred him to be the King of Chu, with his capital at Xiapi.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
信至國，召所從食漂母，賜千金。及下鄉亭長，錢百，曰：「公，小人，為德不竟。」召辱己少年令出跨下者，以為中尉，告諸將相曰：「此壯士也。方辱我時，寧不能死？死之無名，故忍而就此。」 |
| | When Han Xin arrived in his fiefdom, he summoned the washerwoman who had once fed him and gave her a reward of 1000 gold pieces. He also visited the village headman from his hometown, giving him 100 coins and saying: "You were a humble man; your kindness to me was not fully repaid." He summoned the young man who had once humiliated him by making him crawl under his horse and appointed him as a Zhongwei (a military officer). He told all the generals: "This is a brave man. "At that time, when he humiliated me, could I not have killed him? "To kill him would have been without justification, so I endured and let it pass."
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
項王亡將鍾離辚家在伊廬，素與信善。項王敗，辚亡歸信。漢怨辚，聞在楚，詔楚捕之。信初之國，行縣邑，陳兵出入。有變告信欲反，書聞，上患之。用陳平謀，偽游於雲夢者，實欲襲信，信弗知。高祖且至楚，信欲發兵，自度無罪；欲謁上，恐見禽。人或說信曰：「斬辚謁上，上必喜，亡患。」信見辚計事，辚曰：「漢所以不擊取楚，以辚在。公若欲捕我自媚漢，吾今死，公隨手亡矣。」乃罵信曰：「公非長者！」卒自剄。信持其首謁於陳。高祖令武士縛信，載後車。信曰：「果若人言，『 |
| | Zhong Lili, a former general of Xiang Wang whose family lived in Yilu, had long been on good terms with Han Xin. After the defeat of Xiang Wang, Zhong Lili fled and returned to Han Xin. The Han court resented Zhong Lili; upon learning that he was in Chu, they issued an order for Chu to arrest him. When Han Xin first went to his fiefdom, as he passed through the counties and towns, he deployed troops at all times when entering or leaving. There were reports that Han Xin was plotting rebellion; upon receiving these messages, Emperor Gaozu became greatly concerned. Following Chen Ping's plan, the emperor pretended to tour Yunmeng but in reality intended to ambush Han Xin; Han Xin was unaware of this. As Emperor Gaozu approached Chu, Han Xin wanted to raise his troops but reasoned that he himself was innocent; he wished to pay homage to the emperor but feared being captured. Some advised Han Xin: "Slay Zhong Lili and present his head to the emperor; he will surely be pleased, and you will have no worries." Han Xin met with Zhong Lili to discuss matters. Zhong Lili said: "The reason Han has not attacked and taken over Chu is because I am still alive. If you wish to capture me in order to please Han, then now that I die, your downfall will follow immediately." He cursed Han Xin: "You are not a man of integrity!" In the end, Zhong Lili committed suicide. Han Xin took his head and presented it in Chen. Emperor Gaozu ordered the guards to bind Han Xin and place him on a cart behind the imperial carriage. Han Xin said: "Indeed, as people have said, '
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
狡兔死，良狗亨。』」上曰：「人告公反。」遂械信。至雒陽，赦以為淮陰侯。 |
| | When the cunning rabbit is dead, the good hound is boiled." The emperor said: "People have accused you of rebellion." He then had Han Xin shackled. When they arrived at Luoyang, the emperor pardoned him and made him the Marquis of Huaiyin.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
信知漢王畏惡其能，稱疾不朝從。由此日怨望，居常鞅鞅，羞與絳、灌等列。嘗過樊將軍噲，噲趨拜送迎，言稱臣，曰：「大王乃肯臨臣。」信出門，笑曰：「生乃與噲等為伍！」 |
| | Han Xin knew that King Han feared and resented his abilities, so he claimed illness and refused to attend court or accompany the emperor on expeditions. From then on, he grew increasingly resentful; in daily life, he was haughty and ashamed to be ranked equally with Marquises Jiang and Guan. Once, when he visited General Fan Kuai, Fan Kuai hurried to bow and welcome him with great ceremony, addressing himself as a subject and saying: "Your Majesty has deigned to visit me." After leaving the house, Han Xin laughed and said: "I am reduced to being ranked with men like Fan Kuai!"
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
上嘗從容與信言諸將能各有差。上問曰：「如我，能將幾何？」信曰：「陛下不過能將十萬。」上曰：「如公何如？」曰：「 |
| | The emperor once casually discussed with Han Xin how the various generals had differing abilities. He asked: "As for myself, how many soldiers could I lead?" Han Xin said: "Your Majesty can command no more than 100,000 men." The emperor asked: "And how many could you lead?" Han Xin replied: "
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
如臣，多多益辦耳。」上笑曰：「多多益辦，何為為我禽？」信曰：「陛下不能將兵，而善將將，此乃信之為陛下禽也。且陛下所謂天授，非人力也。」 |
| | As for me, the more soldiers I have, the better." The emperor laughed and said: "If you can command even more men, why was it that you were captured by me?" Han Xin replied: "Your Majesty may not be able to command soldiers directly, but he is skilled at commanding generals. That is why I was captured by Your Majesty. Moreover, what Your Majesty possesses is a divine gift, not something achieved through human effort."
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
後陳豨為代相監邊，辭信，信挈其手，與步於庭數匝，仰天而嘆曰：「子可與言乎？吾欲與子有言。」豨因曰：「唯將軍命。」信曰：「公之所居，天下精兵處也，而公，陛下之信幸臣也。人言公反，陛下必不信；再至，陛下乃疑；三至，必怒而自將。吾為公從中起，天下可圖也。」陳豨素知其能，信之，曰：「謹奉教！」 |
| | Later, Chen Xi was appointed as the governor of Dai and in charge of border defense. When he bid farewell to Han Xin, Han Xin clasped his hand and walked with him around the courtyard several times before looking up at the sky and sighing: "Can I speak freely with you?" "There is something I wish to say to you." Chen Xi replied: "I am at your command, General." Han Xin said: "The region you govern is where the finest troops in the empire are stationed. And yet, you are a trusted and favored minister of the emperor. If people say that you rebel, the emperor will certainly not believe it; if they say so a second time, he may begin to doubt; and if it is said for the third time, he will surely become angry and lead his own army against you. "I shall rise up from within to support you; together we can seize control of the empire." Chen Xi, who had long known Han Xin's abilities, trusted him and said: "I will follow your advice carefully!"
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
漢十年，豨果反，高帝自將而往，信病不從。陰使人之豨所，而與家臣謀，夜詐赦諸官徒奴，欲發兵襲呂后、太子。部署已定，待豨報。其舍人得罪信，信囚，欲殺之。舍人弟上書變告信欲反狀於呂后。呂后欲召，恐其黨不亂，乃與蕭相國謀，詐令人從帝所來，稱豨已死，群臣皆賀。相國紿信曰：「雖病，強入賀。」信入，呂后使武士縛信，斬之長樂鍾室。信方斬，曰：「吾不用蒯通計，反為女子所詐，豈非天哉！」遂夷信三族。 |
| | In the tenth year of Emperor Gaozu's reign (201 BC), Chen Xi indeed rebelled, and Emperor Gaozu personally led his forces to suppress him. Han Xin was ill and did not accompany him. He secretly sent men to Chen Xi's location, and plotted with his household attendants. At night, he falsely issued a pardon for all officials' convicts and slaves, intending to raise an army to attack Empress Lu and the Crown Prince. The arrangements were already made, awaiting Chen Xi's reply. One of his attendants had offended Han Xin; Han Xin imprisoned him and intended to kill him. The attendant's younger brother submitted a petition to Empress Lu, reporting the situation of Han Xin's planned rebellion. Empress Dowager Lu wanted to summon him, but fearing that his followers might cause chaos, she conspired with Xiao He and had people falsely claim they were coming from the emperor's camp, announcing that Chen Xi was already dead. All ministers rejoiced accordingly. Xiao He deceived Han Xin by saying: "Even though you are ill, you must force yourself to come in and offer congratulations." When Han Xin entered, Empress Dowager Lu ordered the guardsmen to bind him and behead him in the Zhongshi Hall of Changle Palace. As Han Xin was about to be executed, he said: "I did not follow Kuaitong's advice and now I have been deceived by a woman. Is this not the will of Heaven!" Thus, Han Xin was exterminated along with his three clans.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
高祖已破豨歸，至，聞信死，且喜且哀之，問曰：「信死亦何言？」呂后道其語。高祖曰：「此齊辯士蒯通也。」召欲亨之。通至自說，釋弗誅。語在通傳。 |
| | After Emperor Gaozu had crushed Chen Xi and returned, upon arriving at the capital, he heard of Han Xin's death. He felt both joy and sorrow, and asked: "What did Han Xin say before his death?" Empress Dowager Lu recounted his words. Emperor Gaozu said: "This is Kuaitong, the eloquent man from Qi." lø Emperor Gaozu summoned him and wanted to boil him alive. When Kuaitong arrived, he spoke for himself, and was released without being punished. The account is recorded in Kuaitong's biography.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
彭越字仲，昌邑人也。常漁鉅野澤中，為盜。陳勝起，或謂越曰：「豪桀相立畔秦，仲可效之。」越曰：「兩龍方鬥，且待之。」 |
| | Peng Yue, courtesy name Zhong, was a native of Changyi. He often fished in the Juye marsh and became a bandit. When Chen Sheng rose up, someone told Peng Yue: "The heroes are now rising to rebel against the Qin; you could follow their example." Peng Yue replied: "Two dragons are currently fighting. I will wait and see what happens first."
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
居歲餘，澤間少年相聚百餘人，往從越，「請仲為長」，越謝不願也。少年強請，乃許。與期旦日日出時，後會者斬。旦日日出，十餘人後，後者至日中。於是越謝曰：「臣老，諸君強以為長。今期而多後，不可盡誅，誅最後者一人。」令校長斬之。皆笑曰：「 |
| | After more than a year, over a hundred young men from the marsh gathered together and went to follow Peng Yue, saying, "We request you, Master Zhong, to be our leader." Peng Yue declined politely. The youths insisted strongly, so he finally agreed. He set a time for the next morning at sunrise and declared that anyone who arrived late would be executed. On the next day at sunrise, more than ten people were late; the last one did not arrive until noon. At this point, Peng Yue said: "I am old, and you all have insisted on making me your leader. Now that many of you are late for the appointed time, I cannot execute them all; I will only execute the last one." He ordered the commander to behead him. They all laughed and said: "
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
何至是！請後不敢。」於是越乃引一人斬之，設壇祭，令徒屬。徒屬皆驚，畏越，不敢仰視。乃行略地，收諸侯散卒，得千餘人。 |
| | How strict can you get to this extent! We will be punctual in the future and dare not be late again." Thus, Peng Yue led one man to be executed, built an altar for a sacrifice, and addressed his followers. His followers were all startled, feared Peng Yue, and dared not look up at him. He then set out to seize territory and recruited scattered soldiers from the feudal lords, gathering more than a thousand men.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
沛公之從碭北擊昌邑，越助之。昌邑未下，沛公引兵西。越亦將其眾居鉅野澤中，收魏敗散卒。項籍入關，王諸侯，還歸，越眾萬餘人無所屬。齊王田榮叛項王，漢乃使人賜越將軍印，使下濟陰以擊楚。楚令蕭公角將兵擊越，越大破楚軍。漢二年春，與魏豹及諸侯東擊楚，越將其兵三萬餘人，歸漢外黃。漢王曰：「彭將軍收魏地，得十餘城，欲急立魏後。今西魏王豹，魏咎從弟，真魏也。」乃拜越為魏相國，擅將兵，略定梁地。 |
| | When Prince Pei Gong marched north of Dang to attack Changyi, Peng Yue assisted him. Changyi was not yet captured, so Prince Pei Gong led his troops westward. Peng Yue also led his men to reside in the Juye Marsh and recruited Hui's defeated and scattered soldiers. When Xiang Yu entered Guan Pass, he enfeoffed the feudal lords; upon returning, Peng Yue's forces of more than 10,000 had no allegiance. When the King of Qi, Tian Rong, rebelled against Xiang Wang, Han sent envoys to bestow a general's seal upon Peng Yue and ordered him to attack Ji Yin in order to strike at Chu. Chu dispatched Xiao Gongjiao with troops to attack Peng Yue, who decisively defeated the Chu army. In spring of the second year of Emperor Gaozu's reign (205 BC), Peng Yue joined Wei Bao and other feudal lords in an eastern campaign against Chu. Peng Yue led more than 30,000 troops and surrendered to Han at Waihuang. Prince of Han said: "General Peng has captured Wei territory, securing more than ten cities, and wishes to quickly establish a descendant of the Wei royal family. Now, the Western King of Wei, Pei Bao, is the nephew of Wei Jiu; he is the true heir of Wei." He was thus appointed as Chancellor of Wei and granted authority to command troops independently, securing control over Liang territory.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
漢王之敗彭城解而西也，越皆亡其所下城，獨將其兵北居河上。漢三年，越常往來為漢游兵擊楚，絕其糧於梁地。項王與漢王相距滎陽，越攻下睢陽、外黃十七城。項王聞之，乃使曹咎守成皋，自東收越所下城邑，皆復為楚。越將其兵北走穀城。項王南走陽夏，越復下昌邑旁二十餘城，得粟十餘萬斛，以給漢食。 |
| | When Prince of Han was defeated at Peicheng and retreated westward, Peng Yue lost all the cities he had captured. He alone led his troops north to reside along the Yellow River. In the third year of Emperor Gaozu (204 BC), Peng Yue frequently moved back and forth as a Han vanguard force, attacking Chu and cutting off their supply lines in Liang territory. While Xiang Yu and Prince of Han were confronting each other at Yingyang, Peng Yue captured Suixang, Waihuang, and seventeen other cities. Upon hearing this, Xiang Yu dispatched Cao Jiu to defend Chenggao and personally marched eastward to reclaim the cities Peng Yue had captured; all were restored to Chu. Peng Yue led his troops northward toward Gucheng. As Xiang Yu retreated south to Yangxia, Peng Yue once again captured more than twenty cities around Changyi and seized over 100,000 hu of grain to supply the Han forces.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
漢王敗，使使召越并力擊楚，越曰：「魏地初定，尚畏楚，未可去。」漢王追楚，為項籍所敗固陵。乃謂留侯曰：「諸侯兵不從，為之奈何？」留侯曰：「彭越本定梁地，功多，始君王以魏豹故，拜越為相國。今豹死亡後，且越亦欲王，而君王不蚤定。今取睢陽以北至穀城，皆許以王彭越。」又言所以許韓信。語在高紀。於是漢王發使使越，如留侯策。使者至，越乃引兵會垓下。項籍死，立越為梁王，都定陶。 |
| | When Prince of Han suffered a defeat, he sent envoys to summon Peng Yue and join forces against Chu. Peng Yue replied: "The Wei territory is newly pacified; the people still fear Chu and cannot be left unguarded." Prince of Han pursued the Chu forces but was defeated by Xiang Yu at Guling. He then said to Liu Hou: "The feudal lords' troops are not following me; what should I do?" Liu Hou said: "Originally, Peng Yue secured Liang territory and earned great merit. At first, Your Majesty appointed him as Chancellor because of King Pei Bao of Wei. Now that Pei Bao is dead, Peng Yue also wishes to become a king, yet Your Majesty has not yet decided this matter promptly. Now, if you grant him the region from Suixiang in the south to Gucheng in the north and promise to make him king over Peng Yue's territory, he will come." He also mentioned how King Han Xin had been promised his kingdom. The account is recorded in the biography of Emperor Gaozu. Thus, Prince of Han sent envoys to Peng Yue as advised by Liu Hou. When the envoys arrived, Peng Yue led his troops to join forces at Gaixia. After Xiang Yu's death, Peng Yue was enfeoffed as the King of Liang with Dingtao as his capital.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
六年，朝陳。九年，十年，皆來朝長安。 |
| | In the sixth year (201 BC), he paid a court visit to Chen. In the ninth and tenth years, he also came to pay homage in Chang'an.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
陳豨反代地，高帝自往擊之，至邯鄲，徵兵梁。梁王稱病，使使將兵詣邯鄲。高帝怒，使人讓梁王。梁王恐，欲自往謝。其將扈輒曰：「王始不往，見讓而往，往即為禽，不如遂發兵反。」梁王不聽，稱病。梁太僕有罪，亡走漢，告梁王與扈輒謀反。於是上使使掩捕梁王，囚之雒陽。有司治反形已具，請論如法。上赦以為庶人，徙蜀青衣。西至鄭，逢呂后從長安東，欲之雒陽，道見越。越為呂后泣涕，自言亡罪，願處故昌邑。呂后許諾，詔與俱東。至雒陽，呂后言上曰：「彭越壯士也，今徙之蜀，此自遺患，不如遂誅之。妾謹與俱來。」於是呂后令其舍人告越復謀反。廷尉奏請，遂夷越宗族。 |
| | When Chen Xi rebelled in Dai territory, Emperor Gaozu personally went to attack him and arrived at Handan, where he summoned troops from Liang. King of Liang claimed illness but sent envoys with troops to Handan. Emperor Gaozu was angry and sent someone to reprimand King of Liang. King of Liang was frightened and wanted to personally go to apologize. His general Hu Zhe said: "Your Majesty initially refused to go, but now you are going after being reprimanded. If you go, you will be captured; it is better to raise your troops and rebel instead." King of Liang did not listen and continued to claim illness. The Grand Stables Officer of Liang, who had committed a crime, fled to Han and reported that King of Liang was plotting rebellion with Hu Zhe. Thus, the emperor sent envoys to secretly arrest King of Liang and imprison him in Luoyang. The officials handling the case found that evidence of rebellion was complete, and requested to proceed with judgment according to law. The emperor pardoned him but demoted him to a commoner and exiled him to Qingyi in Shu. When heading west to Zheng, he encountered Empress Dowager Lu returning east from Chang'an toward Luoyang; they met along the road. King of Liang wept before Empress Dowager Lu and pleaded that he was innocent, requesting to be allowed to reside in his former fiefdom of Changyi. Empress Dowager Lu agreed and issued an order for him to travel east with her. Upon arriving at Luoyang, Empress Dowager Lu said to the emperor: "Peng Yue is a strong and capable man. Now that we are exiling him to Shu, this will leave behind a hidden danger; it would be better to execute him immediately." "I have brought him here with me." Thus, Empress Dowager Lu instructed her attendants to report that Peng Yue had plotted rebellion again. The Minister of Justice submitted a proposal requesting action, and so the entire family lineage of Peng Yue was exterminated.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
黥布，六人也，姓英氏。少時客相之，當刑而王。及壯，坐法黥，布欣然笑曰：「人相我當刑而王，幾是乎？」人有聞者，共戲笑之。布以論輸驪山，驪山之徒數十萬人，布皆與其徒長豪桀交通，乃率其曹耦，亡之江中為群盜。 |
| | Qing Bu was a native of Liu; his surname was Ying. When he was young, a guest fortune-teller told him that after enduring punishment, he would become a king. When he grew up and was subjected to facial branding as punishment for breaking the law, Qing Bu smiled happily and said: "The fortune-teller predicted I would become a king after being punished—how accurate this seems!" Those who heard of it laughed at him in mockery. Qing Bu was sentenced to labor at Lishan, where tens of thousands of convicts were working. He formed connections with the leaders and influential figures among his fellow prisoners. Eventually, he led a group of them and fled into the Jiang River region, becoming a bandit leader.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
陳勝之起也，布乃見番君，其眾數千人。番君以女妻之。章邯之滅陳勝，破呂臣軍，布引兵北擊秦左右校，破之青波，引兵而東。聞項梁定會稽，西度淮，布以兵屬梁。梁西擊景駒、秦嘉等，布常冠軍。項梁聞陳涉死，立楚懷王，以布為當陽君。項梁敗死，懷王與布及諸侯將皆聚彭城。當是時，秦急圍趙，趙數使人請救懷王。懷王使宋義為上將，項籍與布皆屬之，北救趙。及籍殺宋義河上，自立為上將軍，使布先涉河，擊秦軍，數有利。籍乃悉引兵從之，遂破秦軍，降章邯等。楚兵常勝，功冠諸侯。諸侯兵皆服屬楚者，以布數以少敗眾也。 |
| | When Chen Sheng rose in rebellion, Qing Bu presented himself to Fan Jun and gathered several thousand followers. Fan Jun gave his daughter in marriage to him. When Zhang Han crushed Chen Sheng's forces and defeated the army of Lü Chen, Qing Bu led his troops north to attack Qin's left and right divisions, defeating them at Qingbo, then marched eastward. Upon hearing that Xiang Liang had pacified Kuaiji and was crossing the Huai River to the west, Qing Bu joined his troops under Xiang Liang's command. When Xiang Liang attacked Jing Ju, Qin Jia and others to the west, Qing Bu was often at the forefront of victories. Xiang Liang heard that Chen She had died, enfeoffed King Huai of Chu, and appointed Qing Bu as Duke Dangyang. After Xiang Liang was defeated and killed, King Huai and Qing Bu along with the generals of various feudal lords gathered at Pengcheng. At that time, Qin forces were urgently besieging Zhao, which repeatedly sent envoys to King Huai requesting rescue. King Huai appointed Song Yi as supreme general and assigned Xiang Ji and Qing Bu under his command to march north to rescue Zhao. When Xiang Ji killed Song Yi at the river and declared himself supreme general, he ordered Qing Bu to cross the river first and attack the Qin forces, achieving several victories. Xiang Ji then led all his troops to follow him, thus defeating the Qin army and forcing Zhang Han and others to surrender. The Chu forces were often victorious, with Qing Bu's achievements surpassing those of all other feudal lords. All the feudal lords' armies submitted to Chu because Qing Bu frequently defeated larger forces with fewer troops.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
項籍之引兵西至新安，又使布等夜擊阬章邯秦卒二十餘萬人。至關，不得入，又使布等先從間道破關下軍，遂得入。至咸陽，布為前鋒。項王封諸將，立布為九江王，都六。尊懷王為義帝，徙都長沙，乃陰令布擊之。布使將追殺之郴。 |
| | When Xiang Ji led his army west to Xin'an, he again ordered Qing Bu and others to attack at night and massacre more than 200,000 Qin soldiers under Zhang Han's command in a pit. When they reached the Guan Pass and could not enter, Xiang Ji again sent Qing Bu and others through a secret route to defeat the Qin forces stationed below the pass, thus allowing them entry. When they arrived at Xianyang, Qing Bu served as vanguard. Xiang Wang enfeoffed the generals and established Qing Bu as King of Jiangxiu, with his capital at Liu. He honored King Huai as Yi Di (Righteous Emperor) and moved the imperial court to Changsha, then secretly ordered Qing Bu to attack him. Qing Bu sent his generals in pursuit and killed him at Chen.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
齊王田榮叛楚，項王往擊齊，徵兵九江，布稱病不往，遣將將數千人行。漢之敗楚彭城，布又稱病不佐楚。項王由此怨布，數使使者譙讓召布，布愈恐，不敢往。項王方北憂齊、趙，西患漢，所與者獨布，又多其材，欲親用之，以故未擊。 |
| | When King Tian Rong of Qi rebelled against Chu, Xiang Wang went to attack Qi and summoned troops from Jiangxiu. Qing Bu claimed illness and did not go in person, instead sending a general with several thousand men. When Han defeated Chu at Pengcheng, Qing Bu again pretended to be ill and refused to assist Chu. Xiang Wang thus resented Qing Bu and repeatedly sent envoys, scolding and summoning him; Qing Bu became increasingly fearful and dared not go. At that time, Xiang Wang was preoccupied with worries to the north from Qi and Zhao, and concerns to the west from Han. The only one he could rely on was Qing Bu; moreover, he admired his talent and wished to use him closely, so he did not attack him.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
漢王與楚大戰彭城，不利，出梁地，至虞，謂左右曰：「 |
| | When Han Wang engaged in a major battle with Chu at Pengcheng and suffered defeat, he withdrew from the Liang region to Yu, where he said to those around him: "
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
如彼等者，無足與計天下事者。」謁者隨何進曰：「不審陛下所謂。」漢王曰：「孰能為我使淮南，使之發兵背楚，留項王於齊數月，我之取天下可以萬全。」隨何曰：「臣請使之。」乃與二十人俱使淮南。至，太宰主之，三日不得見。隨何因說太宰曰：「王之不見何，必以楚為彊，以漢為弱，此臣之所為使。使何得見，言之而是邪，是大王所欲聞也；言之而非邪，使何等二十人伏斧質淮南巿，以明背漢而與楚也。」太宰乃言之王，王見之。隨何曰：「漢王使使臣敬進書大王御者，竊怪大王與楚何親也。」淮南王曰：「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，必以楚為彊，可以託國也。項王伐齊，身負版築，以為士卒先。大王宜悉淮南之眾，身自將，為楚軍前鋒，今乃發四千人以助楚。夫北面而臣事人者，固若是乎？夫漢王戰於彭城，項王未出齊也，大王宜埽淮南之眾，日夜會戰彭城下。今撫萬人之眾，無一人渡淮者，陰拱而觀其孰勝。夫託國於人者，固若是乎？大王提空名以鄉楚，而欲厚自託，臣竊為大王不取也。然大王不背楚者，以漢為弱也。夫楚兵雖彊，天下負之以不義之名，以其背明約而殺義帝也。然而楚王特以戰勝自彊。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。楚人還兵，間以梁地，深入敵國八九百里，欲戰則不得，攻城則力不能，老弱轉糧千里之外。楚兵至滎陽、成皋，漢堅守而不動，進則不得攻，退則不能解，故楚兵不足罷也。使楚兵勝漢，則諸侯自危懼而相救。夫楚之彊，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，而自託於危亡之楚，臣竊為大王或之。臣非以淮南之兵足以亡楚也。夫大王發兵而背楚，項王必留；留數月，漢之取天下可以萬全。臣請與大王杖劍而歸漢王，漢王必裂地而分大王，又況淮南，必大王有也。故漢王敬使使臣進愚計，願大王之留意也。」淮南王曰：「請奉命。」陰許叛楚與漢，未敢泄。 |
| | Those like them are not worth considering for planning affairs of the empire." The envoy Sui He stepped forward and said, "I am unsure what Your Majesty means by that." Han Wang said, "Who can be sent to Huainan on my behalf to persuade them to raise troops against Chu and keep Xiang Wang tied up in Qi for several months? Then I will have the empire secured with complete certainty." Sui He said, "I shall go on this mission." He was then given twenty men to accompany him as envoys to Huainan. Upon arrival, the Grand Minister in charge of reception kept them waiting for three days without granting an audience. Sui He then persuaded the Grand Minister, saying: "The King's refusal to see me must be because he considers Chu strong and Han weak. This is precisely why I have been sent." "If the King allows me an audience, and what I say proves to be correct, it will be exactly what Your Majesty wishes to hear; if my words are not valid, then let me and these twenty men be executed in the market of Huainan to demonstrate our betrayal of Han and allegiance to Chu." The Grand Minister then reported this to the King, who granted Sui He an audience. Sui He said: "The Han Wang has sent me as his envoy to respectfully present a letter to Your Majesty. I have secretly wondered why Your Majesty is so closely allied with Chu." King of Huainan said: "I, as your humble servant, face north to serve him." Sui He said: "Your Majesty and Xiang Wang are both enfeoffed as feudal lords, yet you face north to serve him. This must be because you consider Chu strong enough to entrust your state to." Xiang Wang attacked Qi and personally carried building materials, setting an example for the soldiers by taking the lead. Your Majesty should mobilize all of Huainan's forces, personally command them as vanguard for the Chu army, yet now you have only sent four thousand men to assist Chu. Is this how one who faces north and serves another lord should behave? When the Han Wang fought at Pengcheng, Xiang Wang had not yet left Qi. Your Majesty should have mobilized all of Huainan's forces and engaged in battle day and night beneath the walls of Pengcheng. Now, with ten thousand troops under your command, not a single man has crossed the Huai River; you merely sit idly by and watch who will emerge victorious. Is this how one entrusts their state to another? Your Majesty holds only an empty title in serving Chu, yet wishes to place great trust in him. I secretly consider this unwise for Your Majesty. Yet the reason Your Majesty does not betray Chu is because you regard Han as weak. Although the Chu forces are strong, they bear a name of injustice throughout the realm because they broke their solemn agreement and killed Emperor Yi. Nevertheless, King Chu merely relies on military victories to assert his strength. Han Wang has gathered the feudal lords, returned to defend Chenggao and Yingyang, secured grain supplies from Shu and Han, dug deep trenches and built strong fortifications, and stationed troops to guard key passes and blockades. The Chu forces, retreating their troops and using the Liang region as a corridor, have advanced deep into enemy territory for eight to nine hundred li. They cannot engage in battle when they wish to, nor can they conquer cities due to insufficient strength; the elderly and weak must transport provisions from over a thousand li away. When the Chu forces reached Yingyang and Chenggao, Han held their ground firmly without moving. Advancing brought no opportunity to attack, retreating offered no way out; thus, the Chu troops were not exhausted but remained in a stalemate. If the Chu forces defeat Han, the feudal lords will naturally feel threatened and come to each other's aid. The strength of Chu is precisely sufficient to draw the armies of all under heaven against it. Therefore, Chu is not as strong as Han; this situation is clearly evident. Now, Your Majesty does not ally with the certain and secure Han but entrusts yourself to the doomed and perilous Chu. I secretly fear for Your Majesty's future. I do not claim that the forces of Huainan are sufficient to destroy Chu. If Your Majesty raises troops and turns against Chu, Xiang Wang will certainly remain behind; if he stays for several months, Han's conquest of the empire can be assured with complete certainty. I request to accompany Your Majesty, sword in hand, and return with you to Han Wang. Han Wang will surely divide the land and grant a portion to Your Majesty; moreover, Huainan itself must certainly belong to Your Majesty. Therefore, Han Wang respectfully sent me with this humble strategy in mind and hopes Your Majesty will give it careful consideration." King of Huainan said: "I shall follow your command." He secretly agreed to betray Chu and side with Han, but dared not reveal it.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
楚使者在，方急責布發兵，隨何直入曰：「九江王已歸漢，楚何以得發兵！」布愕然。楚使者起，何因說布曰：「事已搆，獨可遂殺楚使，毋使歸，而疾走漢并力。」布曰：「如使者教。」因起兵而攻楚。楚使項聲、龍且攻淮南，項王留而攻下邑。數月，龍且攻淮南，破布軍。布欲引兵走漢，恐項王擊之，故間行與隨何俱歸漢。 |
| | While the Chu envoys were still present and urgently demanding Qing Bu to raise troops, Sui He suddenly entered and said: "King Jiangxiu has already submitted to Han. How can Chu possibly command him to send out his forces!" Qing Bu was startled. The Chu envoys rose to leave, and Sui He took the opportunity to persuade Qing Bu: "Now that the matter has been exposed, you can only kill the Chu envoy now, prevent him from returning, and quickly flee to Han to unite your strength." Qing Bu said: "As the envoy instructed." He then raised his troops and attacked Chu. Chu sent Xiang Sheng and Long Ju to attack Huainan, while Xiang Wang remained behind to besiege Xiayi. After several months, Long Ju attacked Huainan and defeated Qing Bu's forces. Qing Bu wanted to lead his troops toward Han, but feared an attack from Xiang Wang; therefore, he took a secret route and returned with Sui He to Han.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
至，漢王方踞床洗，而召布入見。布大怒，悔來，欲自殺。出就舍，張御食飲從官如漢王居，布又大喜過望。於是乃使人之九江。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。漢益分布兵而與俱北，收兵至成皋。四年秋七月，立布為淮南王，與擊項籍。布使人之九江，得數縣。五年，布與劉賈入九江，誘大司馬周殷，殷反楚。遂舉九江兵與漢擊楚，破垓下。 |
| | When they arrived, Han Wang was sitting on his bed washing himself when he summoned Qing Bu in for an audience. Qing Bu became greatly enraged, regretted coming, and wanted to commit suicide. After leaving the palace and returning to his quarters, he found lavish food, drink, and attendants provided just as for Han Wang himself. Qing Bu was overjoyed beyond expectation. He then sent envoys to Jiangxiu. Chu had already dispatched Xiang Bo to seize the forces of Jiangxiu and killed all of Qing Bu's wife and children. Qing Bu's envoys managed to gather some old friends and favored officials, leading several thousand men back to Han. Han reinforced Qing Bu with troops and marched north together, gathering forces up to Chenggao. In the seventh month of autumn in the fourth year, he was enfeoffed as King of Huainan and joined forces to attack Xiang Ji. Qing Bu sent men to Jiangxiu and captured several counties. In the fifth year, Qing Bu and Liu Jia entered Jiangxiu, lured out the Grand Marshal Zhou Yin, who then rebelled against Chu. They thus mobilized the forces of Jiangxiu to join Han in attacking Chu and broke through Gaixia.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
項籍死，上置酒對眾折隨何曰腐儒，「為天下安用腐儒哉！」隨何跪曰：「夫陛下引兵攻彭城，楚王未去齊也，陛下發步卒五萬人，騎五千，能以取淮南乎？」曰：「不能。」隨何曰：「 |
| | After Xiang Ji's death, the Emperor raised a toast before the crowd and rebuked Sui He, calling him an "empty scholar," saying: "For the sake of the empire, what use is there for empty scholars!" Sui He knelt and said: "When Your Majesty led troops to attack Pengcheng, King Chu had not yet left Qi. With five thousand infantrymen and five thousand cavalry that you dispatched, could You have captured Huainan?" He replied: "No." Sui He said:
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
陛下使何與二十人使淮南，如陛下之意，是何之功賢於步卒數萬，騎五千也。然陛下謂何腐儒，『為天下安用腐儒』，何也？」上曰：「 |
| | "Your Majesty sent me with twenty men to Huainan, and if it was in accordance with Your Majesty's will, then my contribution surpasses that of tens of thousands of infantrymen and five thousand horsemen." "But now Your Majesty calls me an empty scholar, saying 'For the empire's sake, what use is there for an empty scholar?'—what then?" The Emperor said:
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
吾方圖子之功。」乃以隨何為護軍中尉。布遂剖符為淮南王，都六，九江、廬江、衡山、豫章郡皆屬焉。 |
| | "I was just contemplating your merits." He then appointed Sui He as the Commander of the Guard Army. Qing Bu was thus enfeoffed with a fief as King of Huainan, with his capital at Liu; the commanderies of Jiangxiu, Lujiang, Hengshan, and Yuzhang all came under his jurisdiction.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
六年，朝陳。七年，朝雒陽。九年，朝長安。 |
| | In the sixth year, he paid a court visit to Chen. In the seventh year, he made a court appearance in Luoyang. In the ninth year, he paid homage at Chang'an.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
十一年，高后誅淮陰侯，布因心恐。夏，漢誅梁王彭越，盛其醢以遍賜諸侯。至淮南，淮南王方獵，見醢，因大恐，陰令人部聚兵，候伺旁郡警急。 |
| | In the eleventh year, Empress Dowager Gao executed Duke Huaiyin, and Qing Bu became fearful in his heart. In summer, Han executed King Liang Peng Yue, made a stew of his flesh, and distributed it among the feudal lords as a gift. When it reached Huainan, King of Huainan was just hunting; upon seeing the stew, he became greatly alarmed and secretly ordered men to gather troops, waiting for emergencies in neighboring commanderies.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
布有所幸姬病，就醫。醫家與中大夫賁赫對門，赫乃厚餽遺，從姬飲醫家。姬侍王，從容語次，譽赫長者也。王怒曰：「女安從知之？」具道，王疑與亂。赫恐，稱病。王愈怒，欲捕赫。赫上變事，乘傳詣長安。布使人追，不及。赫至，上變，言布謀反有端，可先未發誅也。上以其書語蕭相國，蕭相國曰：「布不宜有此，恐仇怨妄誣之。請繫赫，使人微驗淮南王。」布見赫以罪亡上變，已疑其言國陰事，漢使又來，頗有所驗，遂族赫家，發兵反。 |
| | One of Qing Bu's favored concubines fell ill and went to see a doctor. The physician's family lived next door to the Court Attendant Bin He, who then gave them generous gifts and followed the concubine to drink at the doctor's home. While attending the king, in a casual conversation, the concubine praised Bin He as an upright man. The King angrily said, "How do you know this?" After she explained everything, the king suspected her of being involved in disorder. Bin He was afraid and claimed to be ill. The king became even angrier and wanted to arrest Bin He. Bin He reported a plot, traveled by imperial carriage to Chang'an. Qing Bu sent men to pursue him, but they did not catch up. When Bin He arrived, he reported the plot, saying that Qing Bu had signs of plotting rebellion and could be executed before the uprising began. The Emperor showed Bin He's letter to Xiao Xiangguo, who said: "Qing Bu should not have such intentions; I fear it is a false accusation by his enemies. I request that Bin He be detained and that someone be sent to discreetly investigate King of Huainan." Qing Bu, upon seeing that Bin He had fled to report a plot while committing crimes, already suspected he had revealed secret matters of the state. When envoys from Han arrived and verified some details, Qing Bu then exterminated Bin He's family and raised troops in rebellion.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
反書聞，上乃赦赫，以為將軍。召諸侯問：「布反，為之柰何？」皆曰：「發兵阬豎子耳，何能為！」汝陰侯滕公以問其客薛公，薛公曰：「是固當反。」滕公曰：「上裂地而封之，疏爵而貴之，南面而立萬乘之主，其反何也？」薛公曰：「前年殺彭越，往年殺韓信，三人皆同功一體之人也。自疑禍及身，故反耳。」滕公言之上曰：「臣客故楚令尹薛公，其人有籌策，可問。」上乃見問薛公，對曰：「布反不足怪也。使布出於上計，山東非漢之有也；出於中計，勝負之數未可知也；出於下計，陛下安枕而臥矣。」上曰：「 |
| | When news of the rebellion reached the Emperor, he pardoned Bin He and appointed him as a general. The Emperor summoned the feudal lords and asked: "Qing Bu has rebelled; what should we do about it?" They all said, "Just send troops to dig up this scoundrel; how much can he accomplish!" Marquis of Ruyin Teng Gong asked his guest Xue Gong about it, and Xue Gong said: "This man was bound to rebel." Teng Gong said, "His Majesty has granted him territory and enfeoffed him with noble titles, allowing him to rule as a sovereign facing south. Why would he rebel?" Xue Gong said: "Last year Peng Yue was executed, the previous year Han Xin was killed. These three men were all of equal merit and status. They naturally suspected that calamity would befall themselves, so they rebelled." Teng Gong reported to the Emperor: "My guest, former Lord Chancellor of Chu Xue Gong, is a man with strategic insight; he can be consulted." The Emperor then summoned and questioned Xue Gong, who replied: "Qing Bu's rebellion is not surprising. If Qing Bu acts according to the best strategy, Shandong will no longer belong to Han; if he follows a moderate plan, it is uncertain who would prevail; if he adopts the worst strategy, Your Majesty can sleep soundly." The Emperor said:
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
何謂上計？」薛公對曰：「東取吳，西取楚，并齊取魯，傳檄燕、趙，固守其所，山東非漢之有也。」「何謂中計？」「東取吳，西取楚，并韓取魏，據敖倉之粟，塞成皋之險，勝敗之數未可知也。」「何謂下計？」「東取吳，西取下蔡，歸重於越，身歸長沙，陛下安枕而臥，漢無事矣。」上曰：「是計將安出？」薛公曰：「 |
| | "What is meant by the best plan?" Xue Gong replied: "If he takes Wu to the east, Chu to the west, and Qi and Lu together, issues proclamations to Yan and Zhao, firmly holding what he captures, then Shandong will no longer be Han's." "What is meant by the moderate plan?" "It means taking Wu to the east and Chu to the west, uniting with Han to take Wei, seizing the grain at Aocang, blocking the perilous pass of Chenggao; it is uncertain who will prevail." "What is meant by the worst plan?" "It means taking Wu to the east, Xiacai to the west, entrusting his treasures to Yue, and personally returning to Changsha; Your Majesty can sleep soundly while Han remains at peace." The Emperor asked: "Which of these plans will he choose?" Xue Gong said:
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
出下計。」上曰：「胡為廢上計而出下計？」薛公曰：「布故驪山之徒也，致萬乘之主，此皆為身，不顧後為百姓萬世慮者也，故出下計。」上曰：「善。」封薛公千戶。遂發兵自將東擊布。 |
| | "He will adopt the worst plan." The Emperor asked, "Why would he abandon the best plan and choose the worst?" Xue Gong said: "Qing Bu was originally a commoner from Lishan, who rose to become a sovereign. He is concerned only with his own interests and does not consider the well-being of the people for generations to come; therefore, he will adopt the worst plan." The Emperor said: "Well spoken." He enfeoffed Xue Gong with a fief of one thousand households. The Emperor then personally led troops to march east and attack Qing Bu.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
布之初反，謂其將曰：「上老矣，厭兵，必不能來。使諸將，諸將獨患淮陰、彭越，今已死，餘不足畏。」故遂反。果如薛公揣之，東擊荊，荊王劉賈走死富陵。盡劫其兵，度淮擊楚。楚發兵與戰徐、僮間，為三軍，欲以相救為奇。或說楚將曰：「布善用兵，民素畏之。且兵法，諸侯自戰其地為散地。今別為三，彼敗吾一，餘皆走，安能相救！」不聽。布果破其一軍，二軍散走。 |
| | When Qing Bu first rebelled, he told his generals: "The Emperor is old now and tired of war; he surely will not come in person. He thought that the other generals were only afraid of Huaiyin and Peng Yue, who are now dead; the rest are not worth fearing." Therefore, he rebelled. As Xue Gong had predicted, Qing Bu attacked Jing to the east; King Liu Jia of Jing fled and died at Fuling. He seized all their troops, crossed the Huai River, and attacked Chu. 楚國派出軍隊與之在徐地和僮地之間交戰，分為三支軍隊，打算互相救援以出奇制勝。 Someone advised the Chu general: "Qing Bu is skilled in military strategy, and the people have long feared him. Moreover, according to the art of war, when feudal lords fight on their own territory, it is called 'scattered ground.' Now they are divided into three parts; if he defeats one of us, the rest will flee—who can possibly come to our rescue!" The general did not listen. Qing Bu indeed defeated one of their armies, and the other two fled in disarray.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
遂西，與上兵遇蘄西，會诓。布兵精甚，上乃壁庸城，望布軍置陳如項籍軍。上惡之，與布相望見，隃謂布「何苦而反？」布曰：「欲為帝耳。」上怒罵之，遂戰，破布軍。布走度淮，數止戰，不利，與百餘人走江南。布舊與番君婚，故長沙哀王使人誘布，偽與俱亡，走越，布信而隨至番陽。番陽人殺布茲鄉，遂滅之。封賁赫為列侯，將率封者六人。 |
| | He then advanced westward and encountered the Emperor's forces at Qixi, where they engaged in battle. Qing Bu's troops were extremely elite; thus, the Emperor encamped at Yongcheng and observed that Qing Bu's army was arranged like Xiang Yu's forces. The Emperor was alarmed, looked upon Qing Bu from afar, and called out to him: "Why go to such lengths to rebel?" Qing Bu replied: "I wish only to become an emperor." The Emperor angrily cursed him, and then engaged in battle, defeating Qing Bu's forces. Qing Bu fled across the Huai River; he repeatedly stopped to fight but suffered defeats and eventually escaped with over a hundred men to the south of the Yangtze. Qing Bu had previously been married to the Lady of Fan, so King Ai of Changsha sent men to lure Qing Bu, pretending to flee together to Yue. Qing Bu believed them and followed them to Fanyang. The people of Fanyang killed Qing Bu in Zixiang, thus ending his rebellion. Bin He was enfeoffed as a marquis, and six other generals who led troops were also granted fiefs.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
盧綰，豐人也，與高祖同里。綰親與高祖太上皇相愛，及生男，高祖、綰同日生，里中持羊酒賀兩家。及高祖、綰壯，學書，又相愛也。里中嘉兩家親相愛，生子同日，壯又相愛，復賀羊酒。高祖為布衣時，有吏事避宅，綰常隨上下。及高祖初起沛，綰以客從，入漢為將軍，常侍中。從東擊項籍，以太尉常從，出入臥內，衣被食飲賞賜，群臣莫敢望。雖蕭、曹等，特以事見禮，至其親幸，莫及綰者。封為長安侯。長安，故咸陽也。 |
| | Lu Wan was a native of Feng; he lived in the same village as Emperor Gaozu. Lu Wan's family was close to Emperor Gaozu's grandfather, and when they each had sons, Gaozu and Lu Wan were born on the same day; the villagers brought sheep and wine to celebrate both families. When Gaozu and Lu Wan grew up, they studied together and remained close friends. The villagers admired the two families for their mutual affection; since their sons were born on the same day and remained close in adulthood, they once again brought sheep and wine to congratulate them. When Emperor Gaozu was still a commoner, whenever he had legal troubles and needed to avoid his home, Lu Wan often followed him in and out. When Emperor Gaozu first rose up at Pei, Lu Wan joined as a retainer; he became a general in Han and often served within the palace. He followed Gaozu east to attack Xiang Yu, serving as a Grand Marshal and accompanying him constantly. He entered and left the Emperor's private quarters at will; he was given clothes, bedding, food, drink, rewards, and gifts, surpassing all other ministers in favor. Even Xiao He and Cao Can were treated with courtesy only for their official duties; as for personal closeness and favor, none could compare to Lu Wan. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Chang'an. Chang'an, formerly known as Xianyang.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
項籍死，使綰別將，與劉賈擊臨江王共尉，還，從擊燕王臧荼，皆破平。時諸侯非劉氏而王者七人。上欲王綰，為群臣觖望。及虜臧荼，乃下詔，詔諸將相列侯擇群臣有功者以為燕王。群臣知上欲王綰，皆曰：「太尉長安侯盧綰常從平定天下，功最多，可王。」上乃立綰為燕王。諸侯得幸莫如燕王者。綰立六年，以陳豨事見疑而敗。 |
| | After the death of Xiang Yu, Lu Wan was assigned to lead a separate force and joined Liu Jia in attacking King Linjiang Gong Wei. Upon returning, he followed orders to attack Wang Zangtú, King of Yan; both campaigns were victorious and brought peace. At that time, there were seven feudal lords who held the title of king but were not members of the Liu clan. The Emperor wished to enfeoff Lu Wan as a king, which caused dissatisfaction among his ministers. After capturing Zang Tu, the Emperor issued an edict ordering generals, ministers, and marquises to select among the officials who had rendered meritorious service for appointment as King of Yan. The ministers, knowing the Emperor wished to make Lu Wan a king, all said: "Grand Marshal Marquis of Chang'an Lu Wan has constantly followed His Majesty in pacifying the empire and rendered the most meritorious service; he is fit to be made King." The Emperor then established Lu Wan as King of Yan. Among the feudal lords, none were more favored than King of Yan. After six years on the throne, Lu Wan was suspected and fell from power due to his involvement with Chen Xi's affair.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
豨者，宛句人也，不知始所以得從。及韓王信反入匈奴，上至平城還，豨以郎中封為列侯，以趙相國將監趙、代邊，邊兵皆屬焉。豨少時，常稱慕魏公子，及將守邊，招致賓客。常告過趙，賓客隨之者千餘乘，邯鄲官舍皆滿。豨所以待客，如布衣交，皆出客下。趙相周昌乃求入見上，具言豨賓客盛，擅兵於外，恐有變。上令人覆案豨客居代者諸為不法事，多連引豨。豨恐，陰令客通使王黃、曼丘臣所。漢十年秋，太上皇崩，上因是召豨。豨稱病，遂與王黃等反，自立為代王，劫略趙、代。上聞，乃赦吏民為豨所詿誤劫略者。上自擊豨，破之。語在高紀。 |
| | Chen Xi was a native of Wangu; it is unknown how he originally came into service. When King of Han, Qing Xin, rebelled and fled into the hands of the Xiongnu, after the Emperor returned from Pingcheng, Chen Xi was enfeoffed as marquis for his service as a Langzhong. He served as Chancellor of Zhao and commanded troops on the border between Zhao and Dai; all frontier forces were under his command. In his youth, Chen Xi often admired Lord Wei Wuji; when he became a commander on the frontier, he attracted and hosted many guests. Whenever he passed through Zhao on official business, over a thousand carriages of his guests followed him; the government lodgings in Handan were all filled. Chen Xi treated his guests as if they were commoners, always going out to meet them personally. The Chancellor of Zhao, Zhou Chang, requested an audience with the Emperor and reported that Chen Xi had too many guests, was in command of troops outside, and might be plotting something. The Emperor ordered an investigation into the illegal activities of Chen Xi's guests who were residing in Dai; many of these cases implicated Chen Xi. Chen Xi became fearful and secretly instructed his guests to send envoys to Wang Huang and Man Qiuchen. In the autumn of the tenth year of Han, Emperor Gaozu's father, the Taishang Huang, died; taking this opportunity, the Emperor summoned Chen Xi. Chen Xi claimed to be ill and thus rebelled with Wang Huang et al., proclaiming himself King of Dai, raiding Zhao and Dai. Upon hearing this, the Emperor pardoned officials and commoners who had been mistakenly coerced or robbed by Chen Xi. The Emperor personally led a campaign against Chen Xi and defeated him. Details are recorded in the biography of Emperor Gaozu.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
初，上如邯鄲擊豨，燕王綰亦擊其東北。豨使王黃求救匈奴，綰亦使其臣張勝使匈奴，言豨等軍破。勝至胡，故燕王臧荼子衍亡在胡，見勝曰：「公所以重於燕者，以習胡事也。燕所以久存者，以諸侯數反，兵連不決也。今公為燕欲急滅豨等，豨等已盡，次亦至燕，公等亦且為虜矣。公何不令燕且緩豨，而與胡連和？事寬，得長王燕，即有漢急，可以安國。」勝以為然，乃私令匈奴兵擊燕。綰疑勝與胡反，上書請族勝。勝還報，具道所以為者。綰寤，乃詐論他人，以脫勝家屬，使得為匈奴間。而陰使范齊之豨所，欲令久連兵毋決。 |
| | Initially, when the Emperor went to Handan to attack Chen Xi, King of Yan, Wang Wan, also attacked Chen Xi from the northeast. lø Chen Xi sent Wang Huang to seek help from the Xiongnu; King Wang Wan also dispatched his minister Zhang Sheng as an envoy to the Xiongnu, informing them that Chen Xi's forces had been defeated. Zhang Sheng arrived at the Xiongnu territory, where he met Yan Wugui, the son of the former King of Yan, Zang Tu, who had fled to the Xiongnu. Yan said to Zhang Sheng: "The reason you are valued in Yan is because you understand the affairs of the Hu." "The reason why Yan has survived for so long is that various feudal lords have repeatedly rebelled, leading to prolonged military conflicts without a decisive outcome." "Now, if you for Yan wish to quickly eliminate Chen Xi and others, once they are all destroyed, it will be your turn next. You too will become captives." "Why don't you advise Yan to delay attacking Chen Xi and instead form an alliance with the Hu?" "If matters are handled more leniently, you can prolong your rule over Yan. Even if there is a sudden crisis in Han, it will allow for the stability of your state." Zhang Sheng thought this was reasonable and so secretly ordered the Xiongnu forces to attack Yan. King Wang Wan suspected Zhang Sheng of conspiring with the Xiongnu against him, and submitted a memorial requesting that Zhang's entire clan be executed. Zhang Sheng returned to report, fully explaining why he had done what he did. King Wang Wan realized the truth and so falsely accused others in order to free Zhang Sheng's family, allowing them to serve as spies for the Xiongnu. He secretly sent Fan Qi to Chen Xi's camp, hoping to prolong the conflict and avoid a decisive battle.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
漢既斬豨，其裨將降，言燕王綰使范齊通計謀豨所。上使使召綰，綰稱病。又使辟陽侯審食其、御史大夫趙堯往迎綰，因驗問其左右。綰愈恐，閟匿，謂其幸臣曰：「非劉氏而王者，獨我與長沙耳。往年漢族淮陰，誅彭越，皆呂后計。今上病，屬任呂后。呂后婦人，專欲以事誅異姓王者及大功臣。」乃稱病不行。其左右皆亡匿。語頗泄，辟陽侯聞之，歸具報，上益怒。又得匈奴降者，言張勝亡在匈奴，為燕使。於是上曰：「綰果反矣！」使樊噲擊綰。綰悉將其宮人家屬，騎數千，居長城下候伺，幸上病瘉，自入謝。高祖崩，綰遂將其眾亡入匈奴，匈奴以為東胡盧王。為蠻夷所侵奪，常思復歸。居歲餘，死胡中。 |
| | After Han executed Chen Xi, his subordinate generals surrendered and reported that King Wang Wan had sent Fan Qi to communicate with Chen Xi's forces. The Emperor sent envoys to summon King Wang Wan, but Wang Wan claimed to be ill. The Emperor then sent Piyang Hou Shen Shi Ji and the Grand Censor Zhao Yao to go and welcome Wang Wan, while also interrogating his attendants. Wang Wan became even more frightened and secluded himself, saying to his favored ministers: "Among those who have become kings without being of the Liu clan, there are only I and Changsha." "In previous years, when Han executed Huaiyin Marquis and killed Peng Yue, it was all part of Empress Dowager Lü's plan." "Now the Emperor is ill and has entrusted authority to Empress Dowager Lü." "Empress Dowager Lü, a woman, is determined to use these incidents to eliminate kings of non-Liu surnames and great meritorious ministers." He then claimed illness and refused to go. All of his attendants fled into hiding. The conversation was somewhat overheard, and Piyang Hou heard about it; he returned to report the details fully, which made the Emperor even angrier. In addition, they captured a Xiongnu defector who reported that Zhang Sheng had fled to the Xiongnu and was serving as an envoy for Yan. At this, the Emperor said: "Wang Wan has indeed rebelled!" He sent Fan Kuai to attack Wang Wan. Wang Wan led all his palace attendants and family members, along with several thousand cavalrymen, to take position under the Great Wall in anticipation, hoping that the Emperor's illness would recover so he could personally enter Han territory to apologize. After Emperor Gaozu died, Wang Wan led his followers and fled into the Xiongnu, who appointed him as Donghu Luwang. Being invaded and deprived by the barbarians, he often longed to return. After living there for more than a year, he died among the Xiongnu.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
高后時，綰妻與其子亡降，會高后病，不能見，舍燕邸，為欲置酒見之。高后竟崩，綰妻亦病死。 |
| | During Empress Dowager Gao's reign, Wang Wan's wife and son fled to surrender. Coincidentally, the Empress was ill at that time and could not receive them; they were lodged in the Yan residence, with plans for a banquet to meet them. Empress Dowager Gao eventually died, and Wang Wan's wife also died from illness.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
孝景帝時，綰孫它人以東胡王降，封為惡谷侯。傳至曾孫，有罪，國除。 |
| | During the reign of Emperor Jing, Wang Wan's grandson, Ta Ren, surrendered as King of Donghu and was enfeoffed as Hou of Egu. The title passed down to his great-grandson, who committed a crime; the fiefdom was then abolished.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
吳芮，秦時番陽令也，甚得江湖間民心，號曰番君。天下之初叛秦也，黥布歸芮，芮妻之，因率越人舉兵以應諸侯。沛公攻南陽，乃遇芮之將梅鋗，與偕攻析、酈，降之。及項羽相王，以芮率百越佐諸侯，從入關，故立芮為衡山王，都邾。其將梅鋗功多，封十萬戶，為列侯。項籍死，上以鋗有功，從入武關，故德芮，徙為長沙王，都臨湘，一年薨，諡曰文王，子成王臣嗣。薨，子哀王回嗣。薨，子共王右嗣。薨，子靖王差嗣。孝文後七年薨，無子，國除。初，文王芮，高祖賢之，制詔御史：「長沙王忠，其定著令。」至孝惠、高后時，封芮庶子二人為列侯，傳國數世絕。 |
| | Wu Rui was the magistrate of Fanyang during the Qin dynasty, and he won great popularity among the people in the Jianghu region. He was known as Fanjun. At the beginning of the rebellion against the Qin, Pengchu Bing returned to Wu Rui, who married him as a son-in-law. Together they led Yue people in raising troops to support the feudal lords. When Marquis Pei attacked Nanyang, he encountered Wu Rui's general Mei Xuan and joined forces with him to attack Xi and Li, which were then surrendered. When Xiang Yu distributed the fiefs among kings, he recognized Wu Rui for leading the Baiyue to support the feudal lords and accompany them into Guan. Therefore, Xiang Yu enfeoffed Wu Rui as King of Hengshan with his capital at Zhu. His general Mei Xuan had rendered many meritorious services and was enfeoffed with a fief of 100,000 households as a marquis. After Xiang Yu's death, the Emperor honored Mei Xuan for his contributions and for having accompanied him into Wu Pass. Thus, he showed favor to Wu Rui by transferring him as King of Changsha with his capital at Linxiang. One year later, Wu Rui died; he was posthumously titled "Wenwang." His son, Wang Chen, succeeded as the second king. After his death, his son Ai Wang Hui succeeded him. After his death, his son Gongwang You succeeded him. After his death, his son Jingwang Cha succeeded him. In the seventh year after Emperor Wendi's reign began, he died without a male heir; thus, the fiefdom was abolished. Initially, King Wen of Changsha, Wu Rui, was regarded as virtuous by Emperor Gaozu, who issued an imperial decree to the Grand Censor: "King of Changsha is loyal; his contributions should be officially recorded in law." During the reigns of Emperor Hui and Empress Dowager Gao, two of Wu Rui's illegitimate sons were enfeoffed as marquises; their fiefdoms lasted for several generations before becoming extinct.
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| | 韓彭英盧... : |
贊曰：昔高祖定天下，功臣異姓而王者八國。張耳、吳芮、彭越、黥布、臧荼、盧綰與兩韓信，皆徼一時之權變，以詐力成功，咸得裂土，南面稱孤。見疑強大，懷不自安，事窮勢迫，卒謀叛逆，終於滅亡。張耳以智全，至子亦失國。唯吳芮之起，不失正道，故能傳號五世，以無嗣絕，慶流支庶。有以矣夫，著于甲令而稱忠也！ |
| | Commentary: In the past, when Emperor Gaozu pacified the empire, eight feudal lords of non-Liu lineage were enfeoffed as kings. Zhang Er, Wu Rui, Peng Yue, Pengchu Bing, Zang Tu, Lu Wan, and the two Han Xin all seized power through opportunistic schemes of their time, achieving success by deceit and force. They were all granted fiefdoms and ruled as sovereigns in their own right. However, when they became powerful enough to be suspected by the imperial court and felt insecure within themselves, circumstances grew dire. Pressed by unavoidable forces, they eventually plotted rebellion but ultimately met their downfall. Zhang Er managed to preserve his position through wisdom, yet even his son lost the fiefdom in the end. Only Wu Rui's rise to power remained aligned with the righteous path, which is why his title was passed down for five generations until it became extinct due to lack of a direct heir; blessings continued among his collateral descendants. Indeed, there were reasons for this, recorded in imperial decrees and praised as loyal!
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