穰侯列传

Wei Ya was the most capable of them all, serving in positions of authority since the reigns of King Hui and King Wu. When King Wu died and his brothers vied for the throne, only Wei Ya worked successfully to place King Zhaoxiang on the throne. Once King Zhaoxiang was established, he appointed Wei Ya as a general to guard Xianyang. He punished the rebellion of Ji Jun, expelled the descendants of King Wu to Wei, and eliminated all the king's brothers who had not supported him, establishing Qin's dominance throughout the realm. King Zhaoxiang was young, so Lady Xuan handled state affairs personally, with Wei Ya directing policy.

Wei Ya was the most capable of them all, serving in positions of authority since the reigns of King Hui and King Wu. When King Wu died and his brothers vied for the throne, only Wei Ya worked successfully to place King Zhaoxiang on the throne. Once King Zhaoxiang was established, he appointed Wei Ya as a general to guard Xianyang. He punished the rebellion of Ji Jun, expelled the descendants of King Wu to Wei, and eliminated all the king's brothers who had not supported him, establishing Qin's dominance throughout the realm. King Zhaoxiang was young, so Lady Xuan handled state affairs personally, with Wei Ya directing policy.

In the seventh year of King Zhaoxiang's reign, when Chulizi died, the Lord of Jingyang was sent to Qi as a hostage. A man from Zhao named Lou Huan came to serve as prime minister of Qin, but this proved unfavorable to Zhao. Zhao then sent Qiu Ye to Qin, requesting that Wei Ya be appointed Qin's prime minister. As Qiu Ye was about to depart, his guest Lord of Song warned him: "If Qin does not heed you, Lou Huan will certainly resent you. You would do better to say to Lou Huan: 'Please allow me to make things less urgent for you with Qin.' When the King of Qin sees that Zhao is not pressing for Wei Ya's appointment, he will not listen to you. If your words fail to accomplish the task, you will have obligated Lou Huan; if they succeed, Wei Ya will be grateful to you." Qiu Ye followed this advice, and Qin indeed dismissed Lou Huan and appointed Wei Ya as prime minister.

Wei Ya wished to punish Lü Li, who fled to Qi. In the fourteenth year of King Zhaoxiang's reign, Wei Ya recommended Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → and set him to replace Xiang Shou in leading an attack against Han and Wei. They defeated the coalition at Yique, killing twenty-four thousand men and capturing the Wei general Gongsun Xi. The following year, they took the Chu territories of Wan and Ye.

Wei Ya then resigned due to illness, and the guest minister Shou Zhu was appointed prime minister. When Shou Zhu was dismissed the following year, Wei Ya was restored to office and enfeoffed at Rang. His holdings were further increased with Tao, and he was given the title Marquis of Rang. Four years after this enfeoffment, as a Qin general he attacked Wei. Wei ceded four hundred li of territory east of the Yellow River. He seized the region of Henan in Wei and captured over sixty cities, both large and small.

In the thirty-second year of King Zhao, the Marquis of Rang served as chancellor, led troops to attack Wei, put Mang Mao to flight, entered Bei Zhai, and then besieged Daliang. The Wei dignitary Xu Jia tried to persuade the Marquis of Rang, saying: "I have heard that the senior officials of Wei said to the King of Wei: 'In former times, King Hui of Liang attacked Zhao, won a victory at Sanliang, and captured Handan; but the Zhao clan would not cede territory, and Handan returned to them. The Qi attacked Wei, captured its old capital, and killed Ziliang; but the Wei people would not cede territory, and the old lands returned to them.'"

In the nineteenth year of King Zhaoxiang's reign, Qin proclaimed itself Western Emperor, while Qi proclaimed itself Eastern Emperor. After more than a month, Lü Li arrived, and both Qin and Qi abandoned their imperial titles, becoming merely kings again. Wei Ya was restored as prime minister of Qin, serving for six years before being dismissed. Two years later, he was appointed prime minister again. Four years after that, he sent Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → to capture Ying, the capital of Chu, and Qin established the Nan Commandery. Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → was then enfeoffed as Lord of Wu'an—this same Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → whom the Marquis of Rang had recommended and with whom he was close. At this point, the Marquis of Rang's wealth exceeded that of the royal house.

In the nineteenth year of King Zhaoxiang's reign, Qin proclaimed itself Western Emperor, while Qi proclaimed itself Eastern Emperor. After more than a month, Lü Li arrived, and both Qin and Qi abandoned their imperial titles, becoming merely kings again. Wei Ya was restored as prime minister of Qin, serving for six years before being dismissed. Two years later, he was appointed prime minister again. Four years after that, he sent Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → to capture Ying, the capital of Chu, and Qin established the Nan Commandery. Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → was then enfeoffed as Lord of Wu'an—this same Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → whom the Marquis of Rang had recommended and with whom he was close. At this point, the Marquis of Rang's wealth exceeded that of the royal house.

In the nineteenth year of King Zhaoxiang's reign, Qin proclaimed itself Western Emperor, while Qi proclaimed itself Eastern Emperor. After more than a month, Lü Li arrived, and both Qin and Qi abandoned their imperial titles, becoming merely kings again. Wei Ya was restored as prime minister of Qin, serving for six years before being dismissed. Two years later, he was appointed prime minister again. Four years after that, he sent Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → to capture Ying, the capital of Chu, and Qin established the Nan Commandery. Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → was then enfeoffed as Lord of Wu'an—this same Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → whom the Marquis of Rang had recommended and with whom he was close. At this point, the Marquis of Rang's wealth exceeded that of the royal house.

In the nineteenth year of King Zhaoxiang's reign, Qin proclaimed itself Western Emperor, while Qi proclaimed itself Eastern Emperor. After more than a month, Lü Li arrived, and both Qin and Qi abandoned their imperial titles, becoming merely kings again. Wei Ya was restored as prime minister of Qin, serving for six years before being dismissed. Two years later, he was appointed prime minister again. Four years after that, he sent Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → to capture Ying, the capital of Chu, and Qin established the Nan Commandery. Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → was then enfeoffed as Lord of Wu'an—this same Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → whom the Marquis of Rang had recommended and with whom he was close. At this point, the Marquis of Rang's wealth exceeded that of the royal house.

In the thirty-second year of King Zhaoxiang's reign, the Marquis of Rang, now serving as Chancellor, led troops to attack Wei. He drove out Mang Mao, entered Beizhai, and laid siege to Daliang. The Lord of Liang, Xu Jia, remonstrated with the Marquis of Rang: "I have heard your chief minister of Wei say to the King of Wei: 'In former times, King Hui of Liang attacked Zhao, won three engagements at Saliang, and captured Handan. But Zhao did not cede territory, and Handan was restored. When the Qi people attacked Wei, they captured the old capital, killed Zi Liang, yet Wei did not cede territory, and the old lands returned. The reason Zhao and Wei preserved their states and maintained strong forces without being annexed by the great powers is that they endured hardship and were reluctant to part with their lands. Song and Zhongshan, however, were repeatedly attacked and stripped of territory, and their states perished accordingly. I consider Zhao and Wei as models, while Song and Zhongshan serve as warnings. Qin is a greedy and violent state, without affection for others. It devours Wei's territory and annexes the former Jin lands. Though it defeated the Bold General and seized eight counties, its forces were not yet fully withdrawn when they sallied forth again. When will Qin's appetite ever be satisfied? Now you drive out Mang Mao and enter Beizhai—this is not a bold attack on Liang, but a means of coercing our king to cede more territory. The king must not listen. If the king now abandons Chu and Zhao to negotiate with Qin, Chu and Zhao will be enraged and abandon our king, competing to serve Qin, and Qin will accept them. When Qin holds Chu and Zhao's armies as leverage to attack Liang again, it will be impossible to preserve the state. I urge that there must be no negotiations. If the king must negotiate, let him cede a little territory and take a hostage; otherwise, he will surely be deceived. This is what I have heard in Wei, and I hope you will consider it carefully."

"The Book of Zhou says: 'Fortune does not linger constant.' This means one cannot rely on good fortune repeatedly. Defeating the Bold General and seizing eight counties—this was not achieved by superior forces or masterful strategy, but by abundant good fortune. Now you drive out Mang Mao and enter Beizhai to attack Daliang—this is treating good fortune as a constant resource. The wise man does not act so. I have heard that Wei has mobilized all its soldiers, county by county, armed and ready, to defend Daliang—I estimate no fewer than three hundred thousand men. With three hundred thousand defending a city with walls seven zhang high, even if Yu Tang or Wu Wang were reborn, they could not take it. To lightly abandon the armies of Chu and Zhao, scale walls seven zhang high, and engage three hundred thousand men with the determination to prevail—such a thing has not happened since the division of heaven and earth. An attack that fails, Qin's army will be exhausted, Tao will be lost, and all past achievements will be squandered. Now Wei is uncertain; this is the moment to gain advantage through a modest territorial concession. I urge that before the armies of Chu and Zhao arrive, you promptly seek a small concession from Wei. While Wei wavers, a modest concession will appear advantageous—if they desire it, you will gain what you want. Chu and Zhao, angry that Wei acted before them, will surely compete to serve Qin, and the alliance will dissolve. You may then choose at your leisure. Moreover, must you gain territory only through war? If you take the old Jin lands, Qin need not fight—Wei will surely offer up Jiang and Anyi. Open two routes from Tao, and nearly all the old territories of Song and Wei will submit. Qin's army will be preserved, and you will control the situation. What could you seek that you would not obtain? What would you attempt that you would not succeed? I urge you to consider this carefully and not act rashly."

"The Book of Zhou says: 'Fortune does not linger constant.' This means one cannot rely on good fortune repeatedly. Defeating the Bold General and seizing eight counties—this was not achieved by superior forces or masterful strategy, but by abundant good fortune. Now you drive out Mang Mao and enter Beizhai to attack Daliang—this is treating good fortune as a constant resource. The wise man does not act so. I have heard that Wei has mobilized all its soldiers, county by county, armed and ready, to defend Daliang—I estimate no fewer than three hundred thousand men. With three hundred thousand defending a city with walls seven zhang high, even if Yu Tang or Wu Wang were reborn, they could not take it. To lightly abandon the armies of Chu and Zhao, scale walls seven zhang high, and engage three hundred thousand men with the determination to prevail—such a thing has not happened since the division of heaven and earth. An attack that fails, Qin's army will be exhausted, Tao will be lost, and all past achievements will be squandered. Now Wei is uncertain; this is the moment to gain advantage through a modest territorial concession. I urge that before the armies of Chu and Zhao arrive, you promptly seek a small concession from Wei. While Wei wavers, a modest concession will appear advantageous—if they desire it, you will gain what you want. Chu and Zhao, angry that Wei acted before them, will surely compete to serve Qin, and the alliance will dissolve. You may then choose at your leisure. Moreover, must you gain territory only through war? If you take the old Jin lands, Qin need not fight—Wei will surely offer up Jiang and Anyi. Open two routes from Tao, and nearly all the old territories of Song and Wei will submit. Qin's army will be preserved, and you will control the situation. What could you seek that you would not obtain? What would you attempt that you would not succeed? I urge you to consider this carefully and not act rashly."

The Marquis of Rang said: "Well spoken." He then lifted the siege of Liang.

The following year, the Marquis of Rang and Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile →, along with the guest minister Hu Yang, again attacked Zhao, Han, and Wei, defeating Mang Mao at Huayang. They killed one hundred thousand men and took Wei's territories of Juan, Caiyang, and Changshe, as well as Guanjin from Zhao. Moreover, they restored Guanjin to Zhao and increased Zhao's forces to attack Qi. King Xiang of Qi, alarmed, sent Su Dai secretly to the Marquis of Rang with a letter: "I have heard travelers say that Qin will increase Zhao's forces by forty thousand to attack Qi. I am privately convinced that the king of our state should know that the King of Qin is clear-sighted and skilled in counsel, and the Marquis of Rang is intelligent and experienced in affairs—they will certainly not increase Zhao's forces by forty thousand to attack Qi. Why is this? Zhao, Han, and Wei assist each other, while Qin regards them as deep enemies. They betray each other a hundred times, deceive each other a hundred times—yet still they do not break faith, for they do nothing shameful. Now to destroy Qi would only enrich Zhao. Zhao is Qin's inveterate enemy; this would not benefit Qin. This is the first reason. Qin's strategists must say that destroying Qi would exhaust Jin and Chu, then control them through victory over Chu. But Qi is an exhausted state. To attack Qi with the forces of all the realm is like firing a crossbow weighing a thousand jun at a rotten cord—it would kill the shooter, not exhaust Jin and Chu. This is the second reason. If Qin sends few troops, Jin and Chu will not trust it; if it sends many, Jin and Chu will control Qin. Qi, fearing this, will not flee to Qin but to Jin and Chu. This is the third reason. If Qin cedes Qi to bribe Jin and Chu, Jin and Chu will mass their forces, and Qin will be surrounded instead. This is the fourth reason. Thus Jin and Chu would be plotting against Qi with Qin in mind, and Qi would be plotting against Qin with Jin and Chu in mind. How could Jin and Chu be wise and Qin and Qi be foolish? This is the fifth reason. Therefore, to gain Anyi and treat the state well would surely bring no misfortune. If Qin has Anyi, the Han clan will surely lose Shangdang. Which is better: to gain the belly and entrails of the realm, or to send out troops fearing they may never return? I therefore say: the King of Qin is clear-sighted and skilled in counsel, the Marquis of Rang is intelligent and experienced in affairs—they will certainly not increase Zhao's forces by forty thousand to attack Qi." Upon this, the Marquis of Rang did not proceed, and withdrew his army.