Monday, April 22, 2024

129 Zhao Zheng

A6.1

Qin Shi Huang was the son of King Zhuangxiang of Qin. King Zhuangxiang was a hostage of Qin in Zhao State. When he saw Lü Buwei's concubine, he liked her very much and married her, giving birth to the first emperor. He was born in Handan in the first month of the 48th year of King Zhao of Qin (259 BC). His birth name was Zhao Zheng. When he was thirteen years old, King Zhuangxiang died and Zhao Zheng was established as the King of Qin. At that time, Qin had annexed Ba, Shu, and Hanzhong, crossed Wan County and occupied Yingdu, and Nanjun was set up already; the Qin army attacked the area east of Shangjun to the north, occupied Hedong, Taiyuan, and Shangdang, and marched east to Xingyang, destroyed the two Zhous in the east and west, and set up Sanchuan County. Lü Buwei served as the prime minister, with a fief of 100,000 households and the title of Marquis Wenxin. Lü Buwei recruited guests and scholars, hoping to annex the world. Li Si was his retainer, and Meng Ao, Wang Xi, and Duke of Biao served as generals. The King of Qin was still young and had just ascended the throne, so he entrusted state affairs to his ministers.


司马迁·史记卷六·秦始皇本纪第六

秦始皇帝者,秦庄襄王子也。庄襄王为秦质子于赵,见吕不韦姬,悦而取之,生始皇。以秦昭王四十八年正月生于邯郸。及生,名为政,姓赵氏。年十三岁,庄襄王死,政代立为秦王。当是之时,秦地已并巴、蜀、汉中,越宛有郢,置南郡矣;北收上郡以东,有河东、太原、上党郡;东至荥阳,灭二周,置三川郡。吕不韦为相,封十万户,号曰文信侯。招致宾客游士,欲以并天下。李斯为舍人。蒙骜、王齮、麃公等为将军。王年少,初即位,委国事大臣。


128 The First Emperor

A5.70|71|72 

In the first year of King Zhuangxiang (249 BC), he pardoned criminals on a large scale, rewarded the meritorious officials of the previous king, showed kindness and generosity to his relatives, and showed benevolence to the people. The King of Eastern Zhou conspired with the princes of various countries to attack the State of Qin. The State of Qin sent Prime Minister Lu Buwei to lead an army to attack the King of Eastern Zhou, and finally annexed all the territory of Eastern Zhou into the territory of Qin. But the Qin State did not cut off the Zhou Dynasty's sacrifices, and granted the land of Yangren to the King of Zhou, allowing him to continue the sacrifices there to the ancestors of Zhou. Meng Ao was sent to lead an army to attack the State of Han, and the State of Han offered Chenggao and Gong to the State of Qin. The territory of Qin expanded to Daliang, and Sanchuan County was established. In the second year, Meng Ao was sent again to lead an army to attack the Zhao State and pacify Taiyuan. In the third year, Meng Ao led his army to attack Gaodu and Jidi of Wei and successfully occupied them. He also attacked Yuci, Xincheng and Langmeng of Zhao, and occupied thirty-seven cities. In April, there was a solar eclipse. In the fourth year, Wang He led his army to attack Shangdang. The Taiyuan County was established. Wei general Wu Ji led the armies of five countries to attack Qin, and Qin retreated to the south bank of the Yellow River. Meng Ao was defeated and withdrew his troops after being freed from the siege. On Bingwu day of the fifth month, King Zhuangxiang died and his son Ying Zheng ascended the throne, becoming Qin Shi Huang, the fiist emperor of Qin. 

Twenty-six years after King Ying Zheng of Qin ascended the throne, he unified the country for the first time and divided the country into thirty-six counties. Ying Zheng was known as the First Emperor. The First Emperor died at the age of 51, and his son Hu Hai ascended the throne, becoming the Second Emperor. In third year, princes of various countries rose up in rebellion against the Qin State. Zhao Gao killed the Second Emperor and made Ziying the Emperor of Qin. More than a month after Ziying ascended the throne, he was killed by the princes, and the Qin Dynasty came to an end. The details are recorded in "The Annals of Qin Shi Huang the First Emperor". 

Taishigong the Grand Historian said: The ancestors of Qin had the surname Ying. Later, the land was divided into fiefdoms and the names of the fiefs they belonged to became their surnames. There were Xu, Tan, Ju, Zhongli, Yunyan, Tuqiu, Jiangliang, Huang, Jiang, Xiuyu, Baiming, Feilian, and Qin. However, Qin gave Zhaocheng to Zaofu, who then became the ancestor of the Zhao family. 


庄襄王元年,大赦罪人,修先王功臣,施德厚骨肉而布惠于民。东周君与诸侯谋秦,秦使相国吕不韦诛之,尽入其国。秦不绝其祀,以阳人地赐周君,奉其祭祀。使蒙骜伐韩,韩献成皋、巩。秦界至大梁,初置三川郡。二年,使蒙骜攻赵,定太原。三年,蒙骜攻魏高都、汲,拔之。攻赵榆次、新城、狼孟,取三十七城。四月日食。王龁攻上党。初置太原郡。魏将无忌率五国兵击秦,秦卻于河外。蒙骜败,解而去。五月丙午,庄襄王卒,子政立,是为秦始皇帝。

秦王政立二十六年,初并天下为三十六郡,号为始皇帝。始皇帝五十一年而崩,子胡亥立,是为二世皇帝。三年,诸侯并起叛秦,赵高杀二世,立子婴。子婴立月余,诸侯诛之,遂灭秦。其语在始皇本纪中。

太史公曰:秦之先为嬴姓。其后分封,以国为姓,有徐氏、郯氏、莒氏、终黎氏、运奄氏、菟裘氏、将梁氏、黄氏、江氏、脩鱼氏、白冥氏、蜚廉氏、秦氏。然秦以其先造父封赵城,为赵氏。



The end of A5

127 The End of Zhou

A5.67|68|69

In the 51st year, General Jiu of Qin attacked Han, captured Yangcheng and Fushu, and beheaded 40,000 men. Then he attacked Zhao, seized more than 20 counties, and killed 90,000 people. The King of Western Zhou betrayed Qin, and agreed to form an alliance with the other princes. He led the best soldiers under the heaven to attack Qin through Mount Yique, making it impossible for Qin army to open the road to Yangcheng. So the State of Qin sent General Jiu to attack Western Zhou. After the escape, the Lord of Western Zhou came to apologize in person, kowtowed and asked to be punished, and offered all his territory, 36 cities, and 30,000 households in all. The King of Qin accepted his offer and allowed him to return to the Zhou capital. In the 52nd year (255 BC), the people of Western Zhou fled eastward, and the Zhou Dynasty's treasures, the Nine Tipod Cauldrons, were sent to Qin. The Zhou Dynasty was basically destroyed.

In the 53rd year (254 BC), all the princes in the world came to submit. Wei was late, so Qin sent Jiu to attack Wei and seize Wucheng. The King of Han came to pay homage, and Wei handed over the power and obeyed Qin completely. In the 54th year (253 BC), King Zhaoxiang held a ceremony to worship the Emperor of Heaven in the southern suburbs of Yong County. In the autumn of the 56th year (251 BC), King Zhaoxiang died and his son King Xiaowen succeeded him. He honored Tang Ba Zi as Queen Mother Tang and buried her together with King Zhaoxiang. King Han came to offer condolences in mourning clothes, and the princes sent their generals and ministers to offer condolences and participate in the funeral. 

In the first year of King Xiaowen's reign (250 BC), he pardoned criminals, rewarded the meritorious officials of the previous king, treated relatives of the royal family well, and opened gardens to the public. After the mourning period was over, King Xiaowen ascended the throne on the Jihai day of the 10th month, but died on the third day. His son, King Zhuangxiang, succeeded him.


五十一年,将军摎攻韩,取阳城、负黍,斩首四万。攻赵,取二十余县,首虏九万。西周君背秦,与诸侯约从,将天下锐兵出伊阙攻秦,令秦毋得通阳城。于是秦使将军摎攻西周。西周君走来自归,顿首受罪,尽献其邑三十六城,口三万。秦王受献,归其君于周。五十二年,周民东亡,其器九鼎入秦。周初亡。

五十三年,天下来宾。魏后,秦使摎伐魏,取吴城。韩王入朝,魏委国听令。五十四年,王郊见上帝于雍。五十六年秋,昭襄王卒,子孝文王立。尊唐八子为唐太后,而合其葬于先王。韩王衰绖入吊祠,诸侯皆使其将相来吊祠,视丧事。

孝文王元年,赦罪人,修先王功臣,襃厚亲戚,弛苑囿。孝文王除丧,十月己亥即位,三日辛丑卒,子庄襄王立。


126 Tragedy of Bai Qi

A5.66 

In the 13th year (294 BC), Xiang Shou attacked Han and captured Wushi. Left Ranger Bai Qi attacked Xincheng. Lü Li, a senior official, left Qin and fled to Wei. Ren Bi served as the governor of Hanzhong. In the 14th year (293 BC), Left Ranger Bai Qi attacked the armies of Han and Wei at Yique, beheaded 240,000 people, captured Gongsun Xi, and seized five cities. In the 15th year (292 BC), Bai Qi, Daliangzao the Great Goodmaker, attacked Wei, seized Yuan, and then returned it. Qin attacked Chu and seized Wan. In the 16th year (291 BC), the Left Ranger Sima Cuo captured Chen and Deng. Wei Ran was dismissed from his post, and the titles of Marquis were granted to Prince Shi in Wan, Prince Kui in Deng, and Wei Ran in Tao. In the 17th year (290 BC), the Lord of Chengyang came to pay homage to the King, and the Lord of Eastern Zhou also came to pay homage to the King. Qin State exchanged Yuan County for Puyang and Pishi. King Zhaoxiang came to Yiyang. In the 18th year (289 BC), Sima Cuo attacked Yuan County and Heyong, dismantled the bridges and captured the two places. In the 19th year (288 BC), King Zhaoxiang called himself the Western Emperor and King Qi called himself the Eastern Emperor, but they both dropped their titles soon after. Lü Li returned to Qin. Qi attacked Song, and the king of Song fled to Wei, where he died in Wen County. Ren Bi died. In the 20th year (287 BC), King Zhaoxiang came to Hanzhong, and then to Shangjun and Beihe. In the 21st year (286 BC), Sima Cuo attacked Henei. Wei offered Anyi to Qin, who drove out the local residents, recruited soldiers and civilians from Hedong, areas east of the Yellow River, granted them titles, pardoned criminals and moved them to Anyi. Lord of Jingyang was granted the title in Wan. In the 22nd year (285 BC), Meng Wu attacked Qi. Qin set up nine counties in Hedong. King Zhaoxiang met with the King of Chu in Wan County and the King of Zhao in Zhongyang. In the 23rd year (284 BC), the general Si Li and the armies of Han, Wei, Zhao, Yan and other countries attacked Qi and defeated the Qi army west of the Ji River. King Zhaoxiang met with the King of Wei in Yiyang and with the King of Han in Xincheng. In the 24th year (283 BC), King Zhaoxiang and the King of Chu met in Yan and then in Rang. Qin captured Ancheng of Wei and marched to Daliang. Yan and Zhao sent troops to rescue them, and the Qin army withdrew. Wei Ran was dismissed from his position as prime minister. In the 25th year (282 BC), Qin conquered two cities of Zhao. King Zhaoxiang met with the King of Han in Xincheng and the King of Wei in Xinmingyi. In the 26th year (281 BC), Qin pardoned the criminals and moved them to Rang. And Wei Ran, Marquis of Rang, repositioned as prime minister again. In the 27th year (280 BC), Sima Cuo attacked Chu. Qin pardoned criminals and moved them to Nanyang. Bai Qi attacked Zhao and captured Guanglang City. Qin sent Sima Cuo to recruit soldiers from Longxi and attack Qianzhong of Chu through Shu. In the 28th year (279 BC), Bai Qi, the Great Goodmaker, attacked the State of Chu and captured the cities of Yan and Deng. The Qin pardoned criminals and moved them there. In the 29th year (278 BC), Bai Qi, the Great Goodmaker, attacked the State of Chu and captured Ying as Nanjun. The King of Chu fled. The Lord of Zhou came. King Zhaoxiang and the King of Chu met in Xiangling, and Bai Qi was named Lord Wu'an. In the 30th year (277 BC), Zhang Ruo, the governor of Shu, attacked Chu, seized Wu County, occupied the south of the Yangtze River and established Qianzhong County. In the 31st year (276 BC), Bai Qi attacked Wei and seized two cities. The people of Chu rebelled in the south of the Yangtze River. In the 32nd year (275 BC), Prime Minister Ranghou attacked the State of Wei, reached Daliang, defeated Bao Yuan, beheaded 40,000 people, and Bao Yuan fled. The State of Wei ceded three counties in exchange for peace. In the 33rd year (274 BC), the guest official Hu Yang attacked Juan, Caiyang, and Changshe of Wei and captured them. Qin attacked Mangmao in Huayang, defeated the Wei army, and beheaded 150,000 people. Wei ceded Nanyang in exchange for peace. In the 34th year (273 BC), Qin merged the occupied lands of Han and Wei with Shangyong to form a prefecture, and moved the freed slaves of Nanyang there. In the 35th year (272 BC), Qin helped Han, Wei and Chu to attack Yan. Qin began to set up Nanyang prefecture. In the 36th year (271 BC), guest official Zao attacked Qi and captured Gang and Shou, which King Zhaoxiang granted to Marquis Rang. In the 38th year (269 BC), Middle Ranger Huyang attacked Yanyu of Zhao, but failed to capture it. In the 40th year (267 BC), Prince Dao died in Wei, and his body was transported back to Qin and buried in Zhiyang. In the summer of the 41st year (266 BC), Qin attacked Wei and captured Xingqiu and Huai. In the 42nd year (265 BC), King Zhaoxiang appointed Lord An Guo as the crown prince. In October, Queen Dowager Xuan died and was buried in Lishan in Zhiyang. In September, Marquis Rang left the capital and went to Tao. In the 43rd year (264 BC), Bai Qi, Lord of Wu'an, attacked the Kingdom of Han, captured nine cities, and beheaded 50,000 people. In the 44th year (263 BC), Bai Qi attacked Nanyang of Han and captured it. In the 45th year (262 BC), Ben, one of the Five Great Officials, attacked the Kingdom of Han and captured ten cities. Lord Yeyang Kui fled to Zhi Guo, but died on the way before he could reach it. In the 47th year (260 BC), Qin attacked Shangdang of Han. Shangdang surrendered to Zhao. Qin then took the opportunity to attack Zhao. Zhao sent troops to fight against the Qin army. The two sides were in a stalemate. Qin sent Bai Qi, the Lord of Wu'an, to launch an attack. He defeated the Zhao army in Changping and he killed them all, more than 400,000 soldiers. In October of the 48th year (259 BC), Han ceded Yuanyong County. The Qin army was divided into three groups. Lord Wu'an has returned. Wang He led his troops to attack Wu'an and Pi Lao of Zhao and captured both places. Sima Geng went north to pacify Taiyuan, and Qin completely occupied Shangdang of Han. In the first month, Qin withdrew its troops and regrouped in Shangdang. In October of that year, Wang Ling, one of the Five Great Officials, attacked Handan of Zhao. In the first month of the 49th year (258 BC), Qin sent more troops to support Wang Ling. Wang Ling was defeated in the battle and was dismissed from his post. Wang He replaced Wang Ling to lead the troops. In October of that year, General Zhang Tang attacked Wei. The defending general Cai Wei abandoned the city and fled back to Wei, where he was beheaded. In October of the 50th year (257 BC), Bai Qi, the Marquis of Wu'an, committed a crime and was demoted to a soldier and exiled to Yinmi. Zhang Tang attacked Ye County and captured it. In December, Qin increased its troops and stationed them near Fencheng. Bai Qi, the Marquis of Wu'an, committed a crime and was sentenced to death. Wang He attacked Handan but failed to capture it, so he withdrew his troops and returned to join the troops stationed in Fencheng, where he rested for more than two months. The Qin army attacked the Wei army, beheading 6,000 people, and 20,000 soldiers from Wei and Chu fled and fell into the Yellow River and died. The Qin army attacked Fencheng, and then followed Zhang Tang to conquer Ningxinzhong, which was renamed Anyang. The Qin began to build a bridge across the Yellow River for the first time.


十三年,向寿伐韩,取武始。左更白起攻新城。五大夫礼出亡奔魏。任鄙为汉中守。十四年,左更白起攻韩、魏于伊阙,斩首二十四万,虏公孙喜,拔五城。十五年,大良造白起攻魏,取垣,复予之。攻楚,取宛。十六年,左更错取轵及邓。冉免,封公子市宛,公子悝邓,魏冉陶,为诸侯。十七年,城阳君入朝,及东周君来朝。秦以垣为蒲阪、皮氏。王之宜阳。十八年,错攻垣、河雍,决桥取之。十九年,王为西帝,齐为东帝,皆复去之。吕礼来自归。齐破宋,宋王在魏,死温。任鄙卒。二十年,王之汉中,又之上郡、北河。二十一年,错攻魏河内。魏献安邑,秦出其人,募徙河东赐爵,赦罪人迁之。泾阳君封宛。二十二年,蒙武伐齐。河东为九县。与楚王会宛。与赵王会中阳。二十三年,尉斯离与三晋、燕伐齐,破之济西。王与魏王会宜阳,与韩王会新城。二十四年,与楚王会鄢,又会穰。秦取魏安城,至大梁,燕、赵救之,秦军去。魏冉免相。二十五年,拔赵二城。与韩王会新城,与魏王会新明邑。二十六年,赦罪人迁之穰。侯冉复相。二十七年,错攻楚。赦罪人迁之南阳。白起攻赵,取代光狼城。又使司马错发陇西,因蜀攻楚黔中,拔之。二十八年,大良造白起攻楚,取鄢、邓,赦罪人迁之。二十九年,大良造白起攻楚,取郢为南郡,楚王走。周君来。王与楚王会襄陵。白起为武安君。三十年,蜀守若伐楚,取巫郡,及江南为黔中郡。三十一年,白起伐魏,取两城。楚人反我江南。三十二年,相穰侯攻魏,至大梁,破暴鸢,斩首四万,鸢走,魏入三县请和。三十三年,客卿胡阳攻魏卷、蔡阳、长社,取之。击芒卯华阳,破之,斩首十五万。魏入南阳以和。三十四年,秦与魏、韩上庸地为一郡,南阳免臣迁居之。三十五年,佐韩、魏、楚伐燕。初置南阳郡。三十六年,客卿灶攻齐,取刚、寿,予穰侯。三十八年,中更胡阳攻赵阏与,不能取。四十年,悼太子死魏,归葬芷阳。四十一年夏,攻魏,取邢丘、怀。四十二年,安国君为太子。十月,宣太后薨,葬芷阳郦山。九月,穰侯出之陶。四十三年,武安君白起攻韩,拔九城,斩首五万。四十四年,攻韩南阳,取之。四十五年,五大夫贲攻韩,取十城。叶阳君悝出之国,未至而死。四十七年,秦攻韩上党,上党降赵,秦因攻赵,赵发兵击秦,相距。秦使武安君白起击,大破赵于长平,四十余万尽杀之。四十八年十月,韩献垣雍。秦军分为三军。武安君归。王龁将伐赵武安、皮牢,拔之。司马梗北定太原,尽有韩上党。正月,兵罢,复守上党。其十月,五大夫陵攻赵邯郸。四十九年正月,益发卒佐陵。陵战不善,免,王龁代将。其十月,将军张唐攻魏,为蔡尉捐弗守,还斩之。五十年十月,武安君白起有罪,为士伍,迁阴密。张唐攻郑,拔之。十二月,益发卒军汾城旁。武安君白起有罪,死。龁攻邯郸,不拔,去,还奔汾军二月余。攻晋军,斩首六千,晋楚流死河二万人。攻汾城,即从唐拔宁新中,宁新中更名安阳。初作河桥。


125 King Zhaoxiang of Qin

A5.65

In the first year of King Zhaoxiang (306 BC), Yan Junji became prime minister. Gan Mao left Qin for Wei. In the second year, a comet appeared. Shuzhang Zhuang, ministers, princes, and princes rebelled and were all killed, which also caused Queen Huiwen to die a miserable death. Queen Daowu left Qin and returned to Wei. In the third year (304 BC), King Zhaoxiang held a crown ceremony. King Zhaoxiang met with the King of Chu at Huangji and returned Shangyong to Chu. In the fourth year, Qin captured Puyang. A comet appeared. In the fifth year, the King of Wei came to Yingting to pay homage, and King Zhaoxiang returned Puyang to Wei. In the sixth year (301 BC), Hou Hui of Shu rebelled, and Sima Cuo pacified Shu. Shuzhang Huan attacked Chu and beheaded 20,000 people. Lord Jingyang went to Qi as a hostage. There was a solar eclipse, and the day became very dark. In the seventh year (300 BC), Qin captured Xincheng. Chu Lizi died. In the eighth year (299 BC), Qin sent General Mi Rong to attack Chu and captured Xinshi. Qi sent Zhang Zi, Wei sent Sun Xi, and Han sent Bao Yuan to attack Fangcheng of Chu and capture Tang Mei. Zhao attacked Zhongshan, and the King of Zhongshan fled and died in Qi. Prince Jin of Wei and Duke of Han were granted the title of Marquis. In the ninth year (298 BC), Lord Mengchang Xue Wen came to Qin to serve as Prime Minister. Shuzhang Huan attacked Chu, captured eight cities, and killed the Chu general Jing Kuai. In the tenth year (297 BC), King Huai of Chu came to Qin to pay homage, but Qin detained him. Xue Wen was dismissed from his post because of Jin Shou (the other prime minister). Lou Huan became prime minister. In the 11th year (296 BC), the six states of Qi, Han, Wei, Zhao, Song, and Zhongshan jointly attacked Qin and returned only after reaching Yanshi. Qin returned the land north of the Yellow River and the Fengling to Han and Wei in exchange for peace. A comet appeared. King Huai of Chu fled to Zhao, but Zhao refused to take him in. He returned to Qin, where he died soon after. His body was transported back to Chu for burial. In the 12th year (295 BC), Lou Huan was dismissed and Wei Ran, Marquis of Rang, became prime minister. Qin gave Chu 50,000 dan (1 dan = 60 kilos) of grain. 


昭襄王元年,严君疾为相。甘茂出之魏。二年,彗星见。庶长壮与大臣、诸侯、公子为逆,皆诛,及惠文后皆不得良死。悼武王后出归魏。三年,王冠。与楚王会黄棘,与楚上庸。四年,取蒲阪。彗星见。五年,魏王来朝应亭,复与魏蒲阪。六年,蜀侯煇反,司马错定蜀。庶长奂伐楚,斩首二万。泾阳君质于齐。日食,昼晦。七年,拔新城。<木虖>里子卒。八年,使将军芈戎攻楚,取新市。齐使章子,魏使公孙喜,韩使暴鸢共攻楚方城,取唐眛。赵破中山,其君亡,竟死齐。魏公子劲、韩公子长为诸侯。九年,孟尝君薛文来相秦。奂攻楚,取八城,杀其将景快。十年,楚怀王入朝秦,秦留之。薛文以金受免。楼缓为丞相。十一年,齐、韩、魏、赵、宋、中山五国共攻秦,至盐氏而还。秦与韩、魏河北及封陵以和。彗星见。楚怀王走之赵,赵不受,还之秦,即死,归葬。十二年,楼缓免,穰侯魏冉为相。予楚粟五万石。


124 King Wu of Qin with Tripod

A5.63|64 

King Hui of Qin died and his son King Wu succeeded him. Han, Wei, Qi, Chu and Yue all submitted to Qin. 

In his first year (310 BC), King Wu of Qin met with King Hui of Wei in Linjin. The Qin army killed Chen Zhuang, the prime minister of Shu. Zhang Yi and Wei Zhang both left Qin and headed east to Wei. Qin attacked Yiqu, Dan, and Li. In the second year (309 BC), Qin began to set up prime ministers, with Chu Liji and Gan Mao serving as the left and right prime ministers respectively. Zhang Yi died in Wei. In the third year (308 BC), King Wu met with King Xiang of Han outside Linjin. Nan Gong Jie died, and Chu Liji served as the prime minister of Han. King Wu said to Gan Mao: "I want to open up the road to Sanchuan and take a ride to visit the royal court of Zhou. Then I can die without regrets." In the autumn of that year, King Wu sent Gan Mao and Shuzhang Feng to attack Yiyang. In the fourth year (307 BC), the Qin army captured Yiyang and 60,000 people were beheaded. The Yellow River was crossed and the Wusui City was built. The crown prince of Wei came to pay homage. King Wu was very strong and loved to compete with others. The strongmen Ren Bi, Wu Huo and Meng Shuo all became high officials. King Wu competed with Meng Shuo lifting a tripod cauldron in Luoyang and had his leg broken. In August, King Wu died. Meng Shuo's clan was exterminated. King Wu married a woman from Wei State as his queen, but she had no children. His half brother was made the king, who was King Zhaoxiang. King Zhaoxiang's mother was from Chu State, surnamed Mi, and was called Queen Dowager Xuan. When King Wu died, King Zhaoxiang was a hostage in Yan State. The people of Yan State escorted him back to his country and he succeeded to the throne. 


惠王卒,子武王立。韩、魏、齐、楚、越皆宾从。

武王元年,与魏惠王会临晋。诛蜀相壮。张仪、魏章皆东出之魏。伐义渠、丹、犁。二年,初置丞相,樗里疾、甘茂为左右丞相。张仪死于魏。三年,与韩襄王会临晋外。南公揭卒,樗里疾相韩。武王谓甘茂曰:“寡人欲容车通三川,窥周室,死不恨矣。”其秋,使甘茂、庶长封伐宜阳。四年,拔宜阳,斩首六万。涉河,城武遂。魏太子来朝。武王有力好戏,力士任鄙、乌获、孟说皆至大官。王与孟说举鼎,绝膑。八月,武王死。族孟说。武王取魏女为后,无子。立异母弟,是为昭襄王。昭襄母楚人,姓芈氏,号宣太后。武王死时,昭襄王为质于燕,燕人送归,得立。


Sunday, April 21, 2024

123 King Huiwen of Qin

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In the fifth year of King Huiwen of Qin (333 BC), Xishou from Yinjin was appointed as the Daliangzao. In the sixth year, Wei ceded Yinjin to Qin, and Yinjin was renamed Ningqin. In the seventh year, Gongsun Yan (Shiji mistook him for Prince Ang of Wei) led his troops to fight against the Wei army, captured the Wei general Long Jia, and beheaded 80,000 soldiers. In the eighth year, Wei ceded Hexi the land west of the Yellow River to Qin. In the ninth year, the Qin army crossed the Yellow River and captured Fenyin and Pishi. King Huiwen of Qin and King of Wei met in Ying. The Qin army surrounded Jiao and forced its garrison to surrender. In the tenth year (328 BC), Zhang Yi became the prime minister of Qin. Wei ceded fifteen counties of Shangjun. In the eleventh year, Qin established a county in Yiqu. Jiao and Quwo were returned to Wei. The King of Yiqu became a vassal of Qin. Shaoliang was renamed Xiayang. In the 12th year (326 BC), the La Festival began. On the Wuwu day of the 4th month of the 13th year (325 BC), Lord Wei proclaimed himself king, and Lord Han also proclaimed himself king (King Xiang of Wei and King Xuanhui of Han). The State of Qin sent Zhang Yi to capture Shan County and expelled the local people to the State of Wei. 

In the fourteenth year (324BC), the reign was changed to the first year. In the second year, Zhang Yi met with ministers from Qi and Chu at Niesang. In the third year, the princes of Han and Wei came to pay homage. Zhang Yi served as Prime Minister of Wei State. In the fifth year, King Huiwen of Qin toured to Beihe. In the seventh year, Le Chi served as prime minister of Qin State. Han, Zhao, Wei, Yan, and Qi led the Hun army to attack Qin together. The Qin State sent Shu Changji to fight the enemy at Xiu Yu, captured their general Shen Cha, defeated Prince Ke of Zhao and Prince Huan of Han, and killed 82,000 people. In the eighth year, Zhang Yi once again served as the prime minister of Qin. In the ninth year, Sima Cuo led his army to attack the Kingdom of Shu and finally destroyed it. He conquered Zhao Zhongdu and Xiyang. In the tenth year, Prince Cang of Han came to Qin as a hostage. The Qin State captured Shizhang of the Han State, also defeated Ni, the general of Zhao, and also captured twenty-five cities of Yiqiu. In the eleventh year, Chu Li Ji led his army to attack Jiao of Wei State, and Jiao surrendered. The Han army was defeated at Anmen, ten thousand beheaded, and the Han general Xishou escaped. Prince Tong was made Marquis of Shu. The King of Yan gave up his throne to his minister Zizhi. In the 12th year (314 BC), King Huiwen and King Liang met in Linjin. The chief minister Chu Liji attacked Zhao and captured the general Zhuang. Zhang Yi became the prime minister of Chu. In the 13th year (313 BC), the chief minister Wei Zhang attacked Chu in Danyang, captured the enemy general Qu Gai, and beheaded 80,000 people; he also attacked Hanzhong in Chu, seized 600 li of land, and established Hanzhong County. Chu surrounded Yongshi, and Qin sent the chief minister Chu Liji to assist Han and attack Qi in the east, and sent Dao Man to assist Wei in attacking Yan. In the 14th year (312 BC), Qin attacked Chu and captured Zhaoling. Dan Rong and Li Rong became Qin's vassals. The prime minister of Shu, Chen Zhuang, killed the Marquis of Shu and surrendered. 


五年,阴晋人犀首为大良造。六年,魏纳阴晋,阴晋更名宁秦。七年,公子卬与魏战,虏其将龙贾,斩首八万。八年,魏纳河西地。九年,渡河,取汾阴、皮氏。与魏王会应。围焦,降之。十年,张仪相秦。魏纳上郡十五县。十一年,县义渠。归魏焦、曲沃。义渠君为臣。更名少梁曰夏阳。十二年,初腊。十三年四月戊午,魏君为王,韩亦为王。使张仪伐取陜,出其人与魏。

十四年,更为元年。二年,张仪与齐、楚大臣会啮桑。三年,韩、魏太子来朝。张仪相魏。五年,王游至北河。七年,乐池相秦。韩、赵、魏、燕、齐帅匈奴共攻秦。秦使庶长疾与战修鱼,虏其将申差,败赵公子渴、韩太子奂,斩首八万二千。八年,张仪复相秦。九年,司马错伐蜀,灭之。伐取赵中都、西阳十年,韩太子苍来质。伐取韩石章。伐败赵将泥。伐取义渠二十五城。十一年,樗里疾攻魏焦,降之。败韩岸门,斩首万,其将犀首走。公子通封于蜀。燕君让其臣子之。十二年,王与梁王会临晋。庶长疾攻赵,虏赵将庄。张仪相楚。十三年,庶长章击楚于丹阳,虏其将屈丐,斩首八万;又攻楚汉中,取地六百里,置汉中郡。楚围雍氏,秦使庶长疾助韩而东攻齐,到满助魏攻燕。十四年,伐楚,取召陵。丹、犁臣,蜀相壮杀蜀侯来降。


122 Wei Yang’s Death


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In the 21st year of Duke Xiao of Qin (341 BC), the Qi army defeated the Wei army at Maling. 

In the 22nd year, Wei Yang led the troops to attack the State of Wei and captured Prince Ang of Wei. Duke Xiao of Qin granted Wei Yang the title of Marquis and the title of Lord Shang. 

In the 24th year, the Qin army fought the Wei army at Yanmen and captured Wei's general Wei Cuo.

Duke Xiao of Qin died and his son, Duke Huiwen, succeeded him. In the same year, the State of Qin executed Wei Yang. When Wei Yang first started to reform the state of Qin, his laws could not be implemented and the crown prince violated the ban. Wei Yang said: "The reason why the law cannot be implemented is because of the obstruction of the nobles. If you must implement the reform, punish the prince first. If you cannot use tattooing on the prince, use tattooing on his teacher." So the law was quickly implemented and the people of Qin were well governed. After Duke Xiao died, the crown prince succeeded to the throne. Many members of the royal family resented Wei Yang, so he tried to flee. The crown prince took the opportunity to charge him with treason and eventually had him torn apart with chariots as a warning to the public in Qin. 

In the first year of King Huiwen (337 BC), Chu, Han, Zhao, and Shu sent envoys to pay homage to him. In the second year, the King of Zhou sent people to congratulate him. In the third year, King Huiwen held a ceremony to crown his father. In the fourth year, the King of Zhou sent meat to sacrifice to King Wen and King Wu. The King of Qi and the King of Wei became kings (King Wei of Qi and King Hui of Wei).



二十一年,齐败魏马陵。

二十二年,卫鞅击魏,虏魏公子卬。封鞅为列侯,号商君。

二十四年,与晋战雁门,虏其将魏错。

孝公卒,子惠文君立。是岁,诛卫鞅。鞅之初为秦施法,法不行,太子犯禁。鞅曰:“法之不行,自于贵戚。君必欲行法,先于太子。太子不可黥,黥其傅师。”于是法大用,秦人治。及孝公卒,太子立,宗室多怨鞅,鞅亡,因以为反,而卒车裂以徇秦国。

惠文君元年,楚、韩、赵、蜀人来朝。二年,天子贺。三年,王冠。四年,天子致文武胙。齐、魏为王。(齐威王、魏惠王)


121 Wei Yang

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When Wei Yang heard that Qin had issued this order, he traveled west to Qin and asked to see Duke Xiao through Jing Jian.

In the second year of Duke Xiao of Qin  (360 BC), the Zhou emperor gave sacrificial meat to Duke Xiao of Qin. 

In the third year, Wei Yang persuaded Duke Xiao to carry out reforms, revise the criminal law, vigorously develop agriculture at home, clarify rewards and punishments abroad, and encourage soldiers to fight bravely. Duke Xiao appreciated his suggestions. Gan Long, Du Zhi and others disagreed with Wei Yang's point of view and argued with him endlessly. Finally, Duke Xiao adopted Wei Yang's reform proposal. When the new law was first implemented, the people felt very miserable, but three years later, the people found the new law very convenient. So Duke Xiao of Qin appointed Wei Yang as the left minister. The story about Shang Yang's reforms is recorded in "Biography of Shang Yang". 

In the seventh year, Duke Xiao of Qin met with King Hui of Wei in Duping. In the eighth year, the Qin army fought against the Wei army in Yuanli and won. In the tenth year, Wei Yang was named Daliangzao the great minister and led his army to besiege Anyi of Wei State. Finally, Anyi was forced to surrender. In the twelfth year, Xianyang City was built, a tall palace gate was constructed, and the Qin State moved its capital here. Subsequently, the small villages were merged into large counties, and a county magistrate was appointed for each county, for a total of 41 counties. Replan the fields and open up field roads. The Qin territory expanded to the east of Luo River. In the fourteenth year, taxation began to be levied. In the 19th year, the Zhou emperor appointed Qin Xiaogong as the overlord. In the twenty year, all the princes came to congratulate him. The State of Qin sent Prince Shaoguan to lead an army to Fengze to meet with the princes and to pay homage to the King of Zhou.



卫鞅闻是令下,西入秦,因景监求见孝公。

二年,天子致胙。

三年,卫鞅说孝公变法修刑,内务耕稼,外劝战死之赏罚,孝公善之。甘龙、杜挚等弗然,相与争之。卒用鞅法,百姓苦之;居三年,百姓便之。乃拜鞅为左庶长。其事在商君语中。

七年,与魏惠王会杜平。八年,与魏战元里,有功。十年,卫鞅为大良造,将兵围魏安邑,降之。十二年,作为咸阳,筑冀阙,秦徙都之。并诸小乡聚,集为大县,县一令,四十一县。为田开阡陌。东地渡洛。十四年,初为赋。十九年,天子致伯。二十年,诸侯毕贺。秦使公子少官率师会诸侯逢泽,朝天子。


120 Dukes Xian and Xiao of Qin

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In the first year of Duke Xian of Qin's reign (384 BC), the system of burying live people at the burial with the dead was abolished. In the second year, a city was built in Liyang. In the fourth year, on the Gengyin day of the first month, Duke Xiao of Qin was born. In the eleventh year, when the Grand Historian Dan of Zhou came to see Duke Xian of Qin, he said: "The Zhou Dynasty and the Qin State were once one entity, but later they separated. After five hundred years of separation, they reunited again. And after seventeen years of reunion, a hegemon will emerge." In the sixteenth year, the peach trees bloomed in winter. In the eighteenth year, golden rain fell in Liyang. In the twenty-first year, the Qin army fought and defeated the Jin army at Shimen the Stone Gate, and 60,000 soldiers were beheaded. The emperor of Zhou bestowed Fu Fu, the royal clothes with embroidery of black and white patterns, to express his congratulations. In the twenty-third year, the Qin army fought the Wei army at Shaoliang and captured the general of Wei, Gongsun Cuo. In the twenty-fourth year (361 BC), Duke Xian died and his son Duke Xiao succeeded him. Duke Xiao was already twenty-one years old. 

In the first year of Duke Xiao of Qin (361 BC), east of the Yellow River and the mountains, there were six great powers, King Wei of Qi, King Xuan of Chu, King Hui of Wei, Duke Dao of Yan, Marquis Ai of Han, and Marquis Cheng of Zhao, with which Duke Xiao of Qin was ranked alongside (making it the seven great powers for the warring states period of China). There are more than ten small countries between the Huai River and the Si River. Chu, Wei and Qin were neighbors. The State of Wei built the Great Wall, extending it northward from Zheng along the banks of the Luo River to Shangjun. The territory of Chu State started from Hanzhong and extended to Ba County and Qianzhong County in the south. As the Zhou royal family declined, the vassal states began to conquer each other by force and annex each other's territories. The State of Qin was located in the remote Yongzhou and did not participate in the alliances of the princes in the Central Plains. The princes in the Central Plains also regarded the State of Qin as a barbarian. So Duke Xiao generously gave alms, helped the orphans and widows, recruited warriors and clarified the principle of rewarding according to merits. And he issued an order throughout the country, saying: "In the past, our ancestor Duke Mu rose between Qi and Yong, and made great achievements in governing the country and conquering foreign lands. In the east, he quelled the civil strife in Jin State, and separated from Jin State by the Yellow River. In the west, he dominated the Rong Di and expanded his territory by a thousand miles. As a result, the Zhou Emperor appointed him as an overlord, and all the princes came to congratulate him. Duke Mu created immense achievements for future generations and was greatly honored. However, during the reigns of Duke Li, Duke Zao, Duke Jian and Chuzi, the political situation was turbulent and the country was troubled, so it had no time to take care of foreign affairs. As a result, the Three States of Jin took the opportunity to seize the Hexi territory west of the Yellow River from our ancestors, and the vassal states also despised our Qin State. There is no greater shame than this. After Duke Xian ascended the throne, he pacified the border and moved the capital to Liyang. He wanted to march east to recover the old territories of Duke Mu and rectify Duke Mu's policies. Whenever I think of the unfulfilled wishes of my ancestors, I am always filled with grief. If anyone among the guests and ministers can offer a brilliant plan to make Qin stronger, I will grant him an honorable position and grant him land." He then led his army to the east to surround Shaanxi City, and killed King Huan of Rong in the west.


献公元年,止从死。二年,城栎阳。四年正月庚寅,孝公生。十一年,周太史儋见献公曰:“周故与秦国合而别,别五百岁复合,合十七岁而霸王出。”十六年,桃冬花。十八年,雨金栎阳。二十一年,与晋战于石门,斩首六万,天子贺以黼黻。二十三年,与魏晋战少梁,虏其将公孙痤。二十四年,献公卒,子孝公立,年已二十一岁矣。

孝公元年,河山以东强国六,与齐威、楚宣、魏惠、燕悼、韩哀、赵成侯并。淮泗之间小国十余。楚、魏与秦接界。魏筑长城,自郑滨洛以北,有上郡。楚自汉中,南有巴、黔中。周室微,诸侯力政,争相并。秦僻在雍州,不与中国诸侯之会盟,夷翟遇之。孝公于是布惠,振孤寡,招战士,明功赏。下令国中曰:“昔我缪公自岐雍之间,修德行武,东平晋乱,以河为界,西霸戎翟,广地千里,天子致伯,诸侯毕贺,为后世开业,甚光美。会往者厉、躁、简公、出子之不宁,国家内忧,未遑外事,三晋攻夺我先君河西地,诸侯卑秦、丑莫大焉。献公即位,镇抚边境,徙治栎阳,且欲东伐,复缪公之故地,脩缪公之政令。寡人思念先君之意,常痛于心。宾客群臣有能出奇计强秦者,吾且尊官,与之分土。” 于是乃出兵东围陕城,西斩戎之獂王。