吕不韦列传

In the fortieth year of King Zhaozhao of Qin, the Crown Prince died. Two years later, his second son Anguojun was made Crown Prince. Anguojun had over twenty sons. Among his consorts, there was one he was especially fond of—Lady Huayang, whom he raised to the position of principal wife. Lady Huayang, however, had no children.

Anguojun's middle son was named Zichu. His mother was Lady Xia, and she was unloved. Zichu had been sent to Zhao as a hostage for Qin. Though Qin had attacked Zhao many times, Zhao showed little courtesy to Zichu. Zichu was one of Qin's many grandchildren from a secondary line, held hostage among foreign states, with neither carriage nor funds to speak of—he lived in hardship and had fallen out of favor.

Anguojun's middle son was named Zichu. His mother was Lady Xia, and she was unloved. Zichu had been sent to Zhao as a hostage for Qin. Though Qin had attacked Zhao many times, Zhao showed little courtesy to Zichu. Zichu was one of Qin's many grandchildren from a secondary line, held hostage among foreign states, with neither carriage nor funds to speak of—he lived in hardship and had fallen out of favor.

Lü Buwei, trading in Handan, saw Zichu and took pity on him. "Here is rare merchandise worth hoarding," he said to himself. He went to call on Zichu and proposed: "I can enlarge your household." Zichu laughed and replied, "Why not first enlarge your own household before claiming to enlarge mine!" Lü Buwei said, "You do not understand. My household can only grow once yours grows first." Zichu grasped what Lü Buwei meant, and invited him to sit for a deeper conversation.

Lü Buwei, trading in Handan, saw Zichu and took pity on him. "Here is rare merchandise worth hoarding," he said to himself. He went to call on Zichu and proposed: "I can enlarge your household." Zichu laughed and replied, "Why not first enlarge your own household before claiming to enlarge mine!" Lü Buwei said, "You do not understand. My household can only grow once yours grows first." Zichu grasped what Lü Buwei meant, and invited him to sit for a deeper conversation.

Lü Buwei said: "The King of Qin is old. Anguojun may become Crown Prince. I have heard that Anguojun is especially fond of Lady Huayang, but Lady Huayang has no son. Only Lady Huayang has the power to designate a rightful heir. Among your brothers—there are over twenty of them—and you yourself are in the middle, never particularly favored, held long as a hostage abroad. When the King dies and Anguojun ascends the throne, you will have little hope of competing with the eldest son and the others who cluster around the throne daily for the position of Crown Prince."

Zichu replied: "You are right. But what is to be done?"

Lü Buwei said: "You are poor and a guest here, with nothing to offer your parents or to win over guests and followers. Though I am poor, I will use a thousand gold pieces to travel west on your behalf to Qin, to serve Anguojun and Lady Huayang, and to have you established as the rightful heir."

Lü Buwei gave Zichu five hundred gold pieces for expenses and to cultivate guests and followers. With another five hundred gold, he purchased rare treasures and delicacies, which he took west to Qin. He sought an audience with Lady Huayang's sister and presented her with gifts to offer Lady Huayang. Through her, he praised Zichu's wisdom and virtue, noting that his guests and followers across the realm all spoke well of him, and that Zichu regarded Lady Huayang as heaven itself, weeping day and night for the Crown Prince and his lady.

Lady Huayang was delighted. Lü Buwei then had her sister advise her: "I have heard that one who relies on beauty to serve others loses that appeal when beauty fades. Now you serve the Crown Prince and are deeply beloved, yet you have no son. If you do not take this opportunity to attach yourself to one of the sons who is virtuous and filial, raising him to be the heir, then while your husband lives you will be honored, but after a hundred years, the son you raised will become king and your position will remain unshakeable. This is what is meant by a single word that benefits a thousand generations. If you do not establish your roots while in full bloom, once beauty fades and affection cools, even if you wished to speak a single word, would you have the chance? Zichu is talented and knows he is the middle son, unlikely to be named heir—his mother is unloved and holds no favor. He looks to you. If you would only raise him in this moment, you would enjoy Qin's favor for generations."

Lady Huayang was delighted. Lü Buwei then had her sister advise her: "I have heard that one who relies on beauty to serve others loses that appeal when beauty fades. Now you serve the Crown Prince and are deeply beloved, yet you have no son. If you do not take this opportunity to attach yourself to one of the sons who is virtuous and filial, raising him to be the heir, then while your husband lives you will be honored, but after a hundred years, the son you raised will become king and your position will remain unshakeable. This is what is meant by a single word that benefits a thousand generations. If you do not establish your roots while in full bloom, once beauty fades and affection cools, even if you wished to speak a single word, would you have the chance? Zichu is talented and knows he is the middle son, unlikely to be named heir—his mother is unloved and holds no favor. He looks to you. If you would only raise him in this moment, you would enjoy Qin's favor for generations."

Lü Buwei had taken a remarkably beautiful and talented dancer from Handan as his concubine, knowing she was pregnant. When Zichu dined with Lü Buwei and saw her, he was enchanted. He rose and proposed a toast, then asked for her. Lü Buwei was furious—but considering that he had already ruined his fortune for Zichu's sake, hoping to land a magnificent prize—he gave her to Zichu. The woman concealed her pregnancy, and when her time came, she bore a son named Zheng. Zichu then made her his wife.

In the fifty-sixth year of King Zhaozhao's reign, the king died. The Crown Prince Anguojun ascended the throne as King Xiaowen, with Lady Huayang as queen. Zichu was made Crown Prince. Zhao, now seeking friendship, sent Zichu's wife and son back to Qin.

In his first year, King Zhuangxiang appointed Lü Buwei as Prime Minister, granting him the title Lord Wenxin of Henan, with an income of one hundred thousand households in Luoyang. Three years later, King Zhuangxiang died, and his son Zheng ascended the throne as King of Qin. He honored Lü Buwei as Grand Minister of State, addressing him as "Father."