苏秦列传 — Shiji

When Su Qin heard this, he felt ashamed and grieved. He shut himself indoors and pored over his books. "I have spent years studying and still cannot secure honors and glory," he said to himself. "What use is all this knowledge?" Then he discovered the Secret Formulas of Zhou, and he devoted himself to their study. After a full year, he emerged with a mastery of the art of reading circumstances and declared: "This should be enough to persuade the rulers of our time."

He sought an audience with King Xian of Zhou, but the king's advisors, who had long been familiar with Su Qin's family circumstances, held him in low esteem and did not trust him.

The king of Qin replied: "When feather and wing are not yet fully grown, one cannot fly high. When the pattern of civilization is not yet clear, one cannot bring all to unity." Moreover, Shang Yang had just been executed, and the king had developed an aversion to eloquent persuaders, so he did not employ Su Qin.

Su Qin then traveled east to Zhao. Lord Sushen appointed his younger brother Cheng as prime minister, titled Lord Fengyang. Lord Fengyang was not pleased with Su Qin, who departed and wandered to Yan. More than a year passed before he finally obtained an audience.

Su Qin addressed King Wen of Yan: "Yan is bounded to the east by Korea and Liaodong, to the north by Linhu and Loufan, to the west by Yunzhong and Jiuyuan, and to the south by the Hutuo and Yi rivers. Your territory spans over two thousand li, with armed forces numbering several hundred thousand, six hundred chariots, six thousand cavalry, and grain reserves sufficient for several years. To the south lie the wealth of Jieshi and Yanmen; to the north, the benefits of jujube and chestnut. The people, even without intensive cultivation, have enough from the jujubes and chestnuts. This is what is called a realm of natural abundance."

"Your realm enjoys peace and leisure without the sight of defeated armies or slain generals—nothing like whatafflicts Yan. Does Your Majesty know why? Yan has not suffered invasion and armed conflict because Zhao serves as a barrier to the south. Qin and Zhao have fought five battles; Qin won twice while Zhao won three. As Qin and Zhao weaken each other, Your Majesty preserves Yan intact and controls the aftermath. That is why Yan has not suffered invasion."

"Furthermore, when Qin attacks Yan, it must cross Yunzhong and Jiuyuan, pass through Dai and Shanggu, traversing thousands of li. Even if it captures Yan's cities, it fundamentally could not hold them. That Qin cannot harm Yan is clear. But when Zhao attacks Yan, it issues orders, and within ten days tens of thousands of troops are stationed at Dongyuan. They cross the Hutuo and the Yi, and within four or five days they stand at your capital's gates."

"Thus: when Qin attacks Yan, the fighting is a thousand li away; when Zhao attacks Yan, the fighting is within a hundred li. To neglect the danger close at hand while worrying over the distant threat—this is the worst possible strategy. I therefore wish Your Majesty to form a close alliance with Zhao. If all under heaven unite, Yan will surely have no troubles."

King Wen said: "Your words are reasonable, but my state is small, pressed by Zhao to the west and bordering Qi to the south. Qi and Zhao are powerful states. If you truly wish to forge an alliance to secure Yan, I am prepared to commit my state's resources."

He then provided Su Qin with carriages, horses, gold, and silk, and sent him to Zhao.

By this time Lord Fengyang had died. Su Qin took the opportunity to address King Sucheng of Zhao: "Ministers, officials, and common scholars throughout the realm all admire Your Majesty's virtue and have long wished to offer their loyal counsel. But Lord Fengyang was jealous and would not allow you to take charge of affairs. Consequently, no guests or wandering scholars dared speak frankly in your presence. Now that Lord Fengyang has passed away, Your Majesty can finally associate freely with your officers and people. I therefore venture to offer my humble counsel."

"The plan I would recommend is this: first, secure the people and maintain peace without troubling the populace. The foundation of securing the people lies in choosing allies wisely. Good alliances bring safety; poor ones bring lifelong insecurity. Consider the external threats: if Qi and Qin are both enemies, the people cannot rest. Relying on Qin to attack Qi, or relying on Qi to attack Qin—neither brings peace. To plot against another ruler's state and attack another's kingdom requires harsh words that sever alliances. I urge Your Majesty to be careful what you say."

"Let me distinguish clearly the difference between the two paths—the vertical and the horizontal. If Your Majesty truly heeds my counsel, Yan will surely offer its finest furs, hounds, and horses; Qi will offer its fish and salt; Chu will offer its citrus and pomelo orchards; Han, Wei, Zhongshan will all offer their revenues and tribute. Your Majesty's nobles and elders can receive fiefdoms and titles. Gaining territory and benefits is what the five hegemons sought through military campaigns; titles and noble rank are what Tang and Wu fought to obtain. Now Your Majesty can sit quietly and possess both—I am eager to help you achieve this."

"If Your Majesty aligns with Qin, Qin will surely weaken Han and Wei. If Your Majesty aligns with Qi, Qi will surely weaken Chu and Wei. Weakened Wei means losing territory beyond the Yellow River; weakened Han means ceding Yiyang. Ceding Yiyang means the Shang Commandery is severed; losing territory beyond the river means the road is blocked. Weakened Chu means loss of allies. These three strategies demand careful consideration."

"If Qin seizes Zhizhou, Nanyang is endangered. If it cuts off Han and surrounds Zhou, Zhao will have to mobilize its troops. If it takes Wei and captures Juan, Qi will surely come under Qin's sway. Once Qin gains the lands east of the mountains, it will fortify its position and turn its armies toward Zhao. When Qin crosses the Yellow River and the Zhang River, seizing Fanwu, the battle will be fought before the walls of Handan. This is what concerns me about Your Majesty."

"When Qin attacks Han and Wei, there are no major mountains or rivers to impede its advance. It gradually devours territory, reaching right to the capital. If Han and Wei cannot withstand Qin, they must submit. Without Han and Wei's cooperation, disaster will surely befall Zhao. This is what concerns me about Your Majesty."

Su Qin continued: "I have heard that Yao possessed nothing more than a few acres of land, yet he gained all under heaven. Shun had not a foot of territory, yet he became ruler. Yu gathered fewer than a hundred followers, yet he became king of the lords. Tang and Wu had no more than three thousand soldiers, three hundred chariots, and thirty thousand troops—yet they became Sons of Heaven. They succeeded through the correct principles."

"Therefore, a wise ruler assesses externally the strength or weakness of the enemy, and internally weighs whether his own troops are capable or incompetent. The opportunity for victory or defeat, survival or destruction, is already apparent in the ruler's mind—no need to wait until the two armies meet!"

"I have examined the maps of all under heaven. The territory of the lords is five times Qin's; their forces are ten times Qin's. If the six states unite as one and march westward to strike Qin, Qin is certain to fall. Yet now you face west and submit to Qin. The difference between defeating others and being defeated, commanding others and being commanded—how can these be spoken of in the same breath?"

"Those who advocate alignment with Qin all wish to carve up the lords' territories to give to Qin. When Qin succeeds, they build tall pavilions and beautiful palaces, listen to music of harps and zithers, with towers before them and lovely women behind. Their states suffer Qin's aggression, yet they share none of the worry. Those who align with Qin labor day and night to intimidate the lords with Qin's power and demand territorial concessions. I urge Your Majesty to consider this carefully."

"I have heard that wise rulers eliminate doubt and reject slander, shutting off the traces of false speech and blocking the gates of faction. This is why I, a minister who values your lordship's expansion of territory and strengthening of forces, dare to speak my loyal counsel before you."

"When Qin attacks Chu, Qi and Wei shall each dispatch elite forces to assist; Han shall cut off Qin's supply lines; Zhao shall cross the Yellow River and the Zhang River; Yan shall guard the north of Changshan.

When Qin attacks Han or Wei, Chu shall cut off Qin's rear; Qi shall dispatch elite forces to assist; Zhao shall cross the Yellow River and the Zhang River; Yan shall guard Yunzhong.

When Qin attacks Qi, Chu shall cut off Qin's rear; Han shall guard Chenggao; Wei shall block the roads; Zhao shall cross the Yellow River and the Zhang River and attack Boguan; Yan shall dispatch elite forces to assist.

When Qin attacks Zhao, Han shall station troops at Yiyang; Chu shall station troops at Wuguan; Wei shall station troops beyond the river; Qi shall cross Qinghe; Yan shall dispatch elite forces to assist."

"Any state that violates the agreement shall be attacked jointly by the five others. If the six states maintain their alliance and exclude Qin, Qin's armies will surely not dare emerge from Hangu Pass to harm the eastern states. In this way, the enterprise of a hegemon-king can be achieved."

He outfitted a hundred chariots, a thousand yi of gold, a hundred pairs of jade discs, and a thousand bolts of brocade, to bind the oaths with the other states.

At this time the Zhou Son of Heaven sent the sacrificial meat of Kings Wen and Wu to King Hui of Qin. King Hui dispatched Xiu to attack Wei, captured the general Long Jia, and took Wei's Diaoyin region, preparing to march eastward.

Su Qin feared that Qin's forces would soon reach Zhao. He therefore provoked Zhang Yi and sent him to Qin. Then he turned to address King Xuan of Han:

"With Han's soldiers' valor, clad in sturdy armor, treading strong crossbows, wielding sharp swords—one soldier can oppose a hundred. This is beyond words. Yet with Han's strength and Your Majesty's wisdom, you would face west and submit to Qin, bowing as you meet, humiliating your state and laughingstock of all under heaven—there is nothing greater than this shame."

"I urge Your Majesty to consider this carefully. If Your Majesty serves Qin, Qin will inevitably demand Yiyang and Chenggao. Offer it this year, and next year it will demand more territory. Give it, and there will be nothing left to give; refuse, and you forfeit your past achievements to future disaster. Your territory is finite while Qin's demands are endless. Meeting endless demands with finite land—this is called 'buying resentment and inviting disaster.' Without fighting, territory is already diminished."

"I have heard the old saying: 'Better to be a chicken's beak than a cow's rear.' Now to bow and submit to Qin while facing west—how is this different from being a cow's rear? With Your Majesty's wisdom and Han's powerful army, yet bearing the name of a cow's rear—I blush for Your Majesty."

At this, King Han flew into a rage, his face flushing, his arm thrust forward, his eyes wide, hand upon his sword, looking up to heaven and sighing: "Though I am unworthy, I will never serve Qin. Now that the Lord of Zhao has instructed me by the Lord's teaching, I will honor my state and follow."

Su Qin then addressed King Xiang of Wei: "Your Majesty's territory extends southward to Honggu, Chen, Runan, Xu, Yan, Kunyang, Zhaoling, Wuyang, Xindu, and Xinqi; eastward to the Huai River, Ying River, dates, and Wuxu; westward to the Great Wall; northward beyond the river to Juan, Yan, and Suanzao. Though the region is not large, every field and cottage, every number has its place—there is not even room for grazing. The people are numerous, the carriages and horses many, day and night traveling without end, thundering and rumbling like the passage of armies. I estimate Your Majesty's state is not inferior to Chu's."

The King of Yan, learning of this, treated Su Qin with even greater favor. Fearing execution, Su Qin said to the King of Yan, "While I remain in Yan, I cannot make Yan powerful; but if I am in Qi, Yan will certainly become powerful." The King of Yan replied, "Whatever you, Sir, deem fit." So Su Qin pretended to have committed an offense against Yan and fled to Qi. King Xuan of Qi appointed him as a guest minister. After King Xuan died and King Min succeeded, Su Qin persuaded King Min to conduct an elaborate burial to display filial piety, and to construct lofty palaces and vast parks to display his satisfaction, intending to ruin and exhaust Qi for the sake of Yan.

"Wei is a powerful state under heaven. Your Majesty is a wise king under heaven. Yet now you intend to face west and serve Qin, calling yourself its eastern buffer, building imperial palaces, acceptingQin's dress and ritual, offering seasonal sacrifices—I blush for Your Majesty."

"I have heard that King Goujian of Yue, with three thousand battle-worn soldiers, captured Fu Chai at Gan Sui. King Wu, with three thousand men and three hundred chariots, overthrew Zhou at Muye. Was it merely the number of soldiers? They truly raised their might. Now I have heard that Your Majesty's forces include two hundred thousand troops, one hundred thousand head-cloth soldiers, two hundred thousand shock troops, one hundred thousand laborers, six hundred chariots, and five thousand cavalry."

Thus they fall far short of King Goujian of Yue or King Wu—not to mention that Your Majesty now defers to the counsel of his ministers and proposes to become a vassal of Qin. Serving Qin requires ceding territory as proof of allegiance, so the army would not even be deployed before the state had already weakened. All ministers who counsel submission to Qin are treacherous men, not loyal servants. When a subject cedes his ruler's territory to pursue foreign alliances, seeking momentary advantage while disregarding future consequences, depleting public resources to build private fortunes, and wielding Qin's dominance to coerce his own sovereign in order to obtain territorial concessions—I beg Your Majesty to examine this carefully.

The Book of Zhou says: 'When the wine keeps flowing without end, how can the vine be stopped? If the seedling is not chopped down, you will need an axe to fell the tree.' When plans are not settled beforehand, great troubles will follow.

The King of Wei replied: "I am unworthy and have never received such wise counsel. Now that Your Lordship conveys the King of Zhao's decree, I gladly commit my state's allegiance."

Su Qin then spoke: 'The Northern Yi lands stretch seven hundred li across, and together with Lu and Wei, they would form a powerful state of ten thousand chariots. If Qi annexes these, it would be like adding two more Qis. Even a single Qi is so mighty that Yan, like a wolf looking back in fear, cannot withstand it. Now if three Qis press against Yan, the disaster would surely be immense. Even so, wise men can turn calamity into blessing and convert defeat into success. The purple silk of Qi is made from inferior white silk, yet it sells for ten times the price. King Goujian of Yue took refuge on Mount Kuaiqi, yet later he destroyed the powerful Wu and became hegemon over all under heaven. These are examples of turning calamity into blessing and converting defeat into success.'

With Your Majesty's wisdom and Qi's strength, no power under heaven can stand against you. Yet now you would submit to Qin—shame on you, Your Majesty!

As for Han and Wei, they fear and revere Qin precisely because they share borders with it. When their armies clash, victory or defeat—and thus survival or destruction—will be decided within ten days. If Han and Wei prevail, their forces will be halved and their borders exposed. If they fail, their states face imminent peril and extinction. This is why they treat conflict with Qin with such gravity yet accept vassalage to it so readily.

Now you would have the name of serving Qin without actually serving it, while possessing the strength of an independent state. That is why I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."

King Xuan of Qi responded: "I am slow-witted, living in this remote coastal corner of the eastern frontier. I have never received such instruction. Now that Your Envoy conveys the King of Zhao's decree, I gladly commit my state's allegiance."

With Chu's might and Your Majesty's virtue, no power under heaven can compete. Yet if you now submit to Qin, every prince will come to pay homage at the Zhang Tai palace.

When Qin wished to attack Anyi but feared Qi would come to its rescue, it threw Song to Qi as a bargaining chip, saying: 'The king of Song is without principle; he made a wooden effigy of me and shot at its face. My lands are remote and my troops are far away, so I cannot attack him. If Your Majesty can crush Song and take it, I would be as pleased as if I had gained it myself.' After Qin had taken Anyi and blocked the Nüji pass, it then used the crushing of Song as a charge against Qi. When Qin wished to attack Han but feared that the other states would rescue it, it threw Qi to the other states, saying: 'The king of Qi has made four agreements with me and deceived me four times, and he will certainly lead the world to attack me three times. Where there is Qi there is no Qin, and where there is Qin there is no Qi—he must be attacked and must be destroyed.' After Qin had gained Yiyang and Shaoqu, and acquired Lin and Shi, it then used the crushing of Qi as a charge against the other states. When Qin wished to attack Wei and valued Chu's role, it threw Nanyang to Chu, saying: 'I am already on the verge of breaking off relations with Han.'

If Your Majesty will but hearken to me, I can bring all the states east of the mountains to present their seasonal tribute, receive Your Majesty's gracious decrees, entrust their altars of the soil, honor their ancestral temples, train their soldiers, and place themselves at Your Majesty's disposal.

Through alliance, Your Majesty becomes King of Chu; through opposition, Qin becomes Emperor. How can Your Majesty abandon the cause of imperial supremacy for the mere name of serving another? Qin is a nation of tigers and wolves—it harbors ambitions to devour all under heaven. Qin is the enemy of the realm. Those who advocate ceding territory to serve Qin are nurturing enemies and courting destruction.

An alliance benefits Chu by having other states cede territory to us; opposition benefits Qin by having Chu cede territory to it. These two policies are vastly different. Which will Your Majesty choose?

Therefore the King of Zhao has sent me to present this humble plan and offer our sacred agreement, awaiting Your Majesty's decree."

King Wei of Chu replied: "My kingdom borders Qin to the west. Qin harbors designs to seize Shu and absorb Hannan. Qin is a nation of tigers and wolves—it cannot be trusted. Han and Wei are beset by Qin's threats; they cannot be counted upon for deep counsel, for those who plot against Qin risk being delivered into Qin's hands. Thus before any plans can be executed, our state is already imperiled. I have judged that Chu alone cannot defeat Qin; nor can I rely upon my ministers' counsel. I lie sleepless, food tasteless, my heart anxious as a banner in the wind.