When solving the problem of Yan Wangkuai, the King of Qi attacked Yan in disorder, plundered Yan's treasures and shipped them back to Qi. Yan people * * * made Prince Ping Yan Zhaowang. Zhao Wanghouli recruited sages, took Le Yi as the general, and United the armies of five countries to attack Qi. When King Ai died, Qi people supported Xiang Wang, and Le Yi attacked Ju 'an and Jimo, which could not be broken for several years. King Yan Hui sent a rider to rob Le Yi, and Le Yi ran to Zhao. Qi people broke the Yan army and killed and robbed. Yan Huiwang therefore wrote to Le Yi, and Le Yi wrote this letter to answer.

Le Yi replied from two aspects to the letter from Yan Hui, which said, "Why did you report the meaning of the first king's meeting with the general?" First, he wrote that he made a detailed plan in order to report the gratitude of the first king, and then led the army to completely report the grievances. Second, considering that "a good author doesn't have to be a good writer, and a good starter doesn't have to die a good death", so "take full responsibility to make the mark of the first king clear," so as not to "leave the disgrace and fall into the name of the first king", thus retaining the knowledge of the first king. This second point is to answer King Hui's reproach for "abandoning Yan for Zhao". Finally, it is explained that "a gentleman will never make a bad sound when he makes friends, and his name will not be clean when he goes to a loyal minister." When he answered the second point, he only used the canon without disturbing it, which was "no evil voice"; He didn't avoid "fleeing to Zhao", which was "unclean". This letter answers Yan Huiwang's question, and its wording is very tactfully appropriate; And just right to show their good at planning, good at fighting, and good at protecting their reputation. It is the dream of many talented people in ancient times to make contributions by knowing each other, so this letter has become a famous article in past dynasties.

The original minister was not guilty of (1), and he could not flatter the teachings of the former king, so as to be obedient to the left and right, and he was afraid of the crime of axe quality (2), so as to hurt the knowledge of the former king and harm the righteousness of the first step, so he fled to Zhao. Conceit is a crime of corruption, so I dare not say it for resignation. Today, the king is guilty of counting envoys (3), and I am afraid that the minister will not observe the reason why the former king was lucky to me (4), but I am not ashamed that the minister dared to read the book in advance (5).

when I heard the sage's monarch, I didn't care for my relatives personally, but rewarded him with many merits. Do not follow the official's love, and treat those who can. Therefore, those who can observe and grant officials will be successful; He who makes friends by his deeds is also a man who makes a name. In the view of scholars, I think that the former king made a mistake (6) and had a high heart, so he was false to Wang Wei (7) and learned from Yan. The former king raised his hand, and he was among the guests, but stood above the ministers, not seeking for his father and brother, and the envoy was Yaqing (8). I thought I was innocent because I was instructed to teach, so I was ordered to leave without saying goodbye.

the late king ordered me to say, "I have a grudge and am deeply angry with Qi, and I don't want to be light and weak, but I want to do things for Qi." The minister said to him, "Fu Qi has taught the country in addition to conquering it, and the legacy of his sudden victory is also (9). He is idle in the armor (11) and is used to fighting and attacking. If the king wants to attack it, he will take the world and figure it out. Take the world as an example, but don't try to tie the knot with Zhao Yi (11). And Huaibei, Song, Chu and Wei share the same wish (12). Zhao Ruoxu, about Chu, Wei and Song, tried his best (13), and the four countries attacked it, and Qi could break it. " The late king said, "Good." I was ordered by the mouth, with Fu Jie, and the south envoy was in Zhao. Turn your back on your life (14), arise and attack Qi. With the way of heaven, the spirit of the former king and the land of Hebei, it is beneficial to the economy with the help of the former king (15). The army on the economy was ordered to strike together and win it. Light pawn sharp soldier, long drive to the country (16). The King of Qi escaped from Ju (17) and was only spared. Beads and jade treasures, chariots and jewels, all income Yan. Lu Chen was born in Yuanying, so the tripod is opposite to the calendar room, and the qi device is located in Ningtai (18). The thistle hill was planted in Wenhuang (19). Since the Fifth Scholar (21), he has not been the first king. The first king thought that he was satisfied with his ambition and took the minister as his life, so he cracked the ground and sealed it (21), making it comparable to a small country vassal. I don't think I'm innocent because I thought I was ordered to teach, so I was ordered to resign.

I heard of a wise and wise monarch, and he made achievements without wasting them, so he wrote Spring and Autumn Annals (22); A man who knows early is famous but not destroyed, so he is called later generations. If the late king avenged his disgrace, became a powerful country, collected his 811-year-old accumulation (23), and on the day when he abandoned his ministers, Yu Ling ordered his heirs to remain righteous and be a minister in power, so those who can follow the law, obey the evil deeds, and give them to Meng Li (24) can all be taught to future generations.

I don't have to be a good writer, and those who start well don't have to end well. Wu Zixu, the former, said that he listened to He Lv, so the prince of Wu was far away from Ying; Fu Cha's Buddha is also a gift to the floating river (25). Therefore, Fu Cha, the prince of Wu, did not realize that he could make meritorious deeds before discussing it, so he sank his son and did not regret it. Zi Xu did not see the different quantities of the Lord early, so he entered the river without changing (26). The husband is exempt from all the work, and the trace of the king in the Ming Dynasty is also counted on the minister. If you leave the disgrace (27) and fall into the name of the former king, I will be afraid of it. Those who take good fortune as their advantage in the face of unexpected crimes dare not show their righteousness.

I have heard of ancient gentlemen, and I will never make a bad voice when I make friends; A loyal minister's name is unclean when he goes (28). Although I am a good minister, I have taught you a lot from a gentleman. I'm afraid to wait on the relatives of the charioteer, but I don't pay attention to my estranged trip, so I dare to read books and newspapers. Only you pay attention to it.

selected from the punctuated version of Warring States Policy by Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House

I am incompetent. I can't follow the instructions of my late king and obey your wishes. I am afraid that I will commit a capital crime, which will hurt the insight of my late king and your justice, so I fled to Zhao. I'm afraid to explain myself because I'm guilty of corruption. Now the King has sent messengers to count his crimes. I'm afraid that you can't understand the reason why the late King kept animals and loved his ministers, and you don't understand the intentions of my ministers in doing things for the late King, so you dare to answer with letters.

I heard that the monarch of a virtuous man does not favor his relatives with his salary, but gives it to people with equal talents. Therefore, it is a successful monarch who can examine and give official positions; Comment on conduct to make friends is to build a reputation. Based on what I have learned, I observed that my late king's actions were above the common customs, so I personally visited the State of Yan through the envoy of King Wei Zhao. My late king over-recommended me, selected me from the guests, and raised my position above the ministers. Without consulting with my parents and peers, I was appointed as the second minister. I thought I could be innocent by taking orders and adhering to the teachings, so I took orders without saying goodbye.

The late king ordered me to say, "I have a deep hatred for Qi for a long time, and I intend to retaliate against Qi without considering the weakness of Yan." The minister replied: "Qi has inherited some teachings of dominating the country, leaving traces of repeated victories, and is familiar with military affairs and war. If the king wants to attack it, he must mobilize the world to calculate it, and there is nothing faster than connecting Zhao. Besides, both Chu and Wei are willing to get the places of Zhunbei and Song. If Zhao agrees, about Chu and Wei will do their best to help and join forces with the four countries to attack it, and Qi can completely defeat it. " The late king said, "Good." I only accepted the order, prepared Fu Jie, and sent envoys to Zhao. Come back to me soon, arise and follow to attack Qi. Relying on the wisdom of heaven and the former king, the land in the north of the Yellow River in Qi State was occupied with the advance of the former king to Jishui. The army on Jishui received orders to attack the Qi army and break it. A light army with elite weapons drove straight to the capital of Qi. The King of Qi fled to Ju, and survived his death. The jewels, cars, armor and jewels were all seized and transported back to Yan. Lu Zhong was displayed in the Yuan Ying Hall, the old tripod of Yan State was transported back to the Lishi Hall, and the treasures of Qi State were displayed in Ningtai. The flag erected by Ji Qiu in Yan State is inserted in the bamboo field on the water in Qi State. Since the five tyrants, the achievements have not reached the former king. The late king thought that he had fulfilled his wishes and that the minister would not abolish his orders, so he divided the land into vassals, and the envoys had to be compared with the princes of small countries. I'm incompetent, and I think I can be unharmed by taking orders and adhering to the teaching, so I didn't refuse to accept the knighthood order.

I heard that a wise monarch's achievements will not be abolished when they are established, so they are recorded in the Spring and Autumn Annals. There are prophets, whose reputation is established and will not be destroyed, so they are praised by later generations. It was the first king's revenge, pacified Wancheng's powerful country, and confiscated the 811-year-old savings of Qi. On the day of abandoning his ministers, he left a will to inform his heirs, and the officials in power inherited the legacy, so they could appease the common people and spread it to the people, and they could all preach to future generations.

I heard that those who are good at creating are not necessarily good at finishing, and those who are good at beginning are not necessarily good at ending. Once upon a time, Wu Zixu's words were listened to by He Lv, so the prince of Wu traveled as far as the capital of Chu; Fu Cha wouldn't listen to Zixu, so he gave him a leather bag and let its body float in the river. Fu Cha, the prince of Wu, didn't realize that the prescient could make meritorious deeds, so he drowned himself in the river without regret. Zi Xu didn't see the monarch's different tolerance, so being thrown into the river still didn't change his resentment. It is my best policy to save myself from disaster, preserve my fame and praise the actions of my late king. It is a matter of great concern to the courtiers that they have suffered the wrong treatment of humiliation and ruined the reputation of the former king. In the face of unexpected crimes, people who are lucky enough not to die are afraid to do it.

I've heard that ancient gentlemen didn't have vicious voices when they broke up. The loyal minister left, not trying to save his good reputation. Although I am not talented, I have been taught by gentlemen many times. I'm afraid you'll trust the words of the people next to you, and don't examine the behavior of the alienated ministers, so I dare to return it by letter, only hope you pay attention.

(Zhou Zhenfu)

Note

(1) Minister: Le Yi claimed himself. Buzhen: incompetent, self-deprecating and incompetent. Le Yi was born in Zhao Lingshou (now Hebei) in the Warring States Period. When he was sent to the State of Yan by King Zhao of Wei, Yan Zhaowang treated him with courtesy, so he kept Yan, and King Zhao used it as Yaqing. Make Yi an appointment with King Zhao Huiwen, not even with Chu and Wei. King Huiwen of Zhao awarded Le Yi with the seal of Xiangguo, and Yi led the soldiers of Zhao, Chu, Han, Wei and Yan to attack Qi and break the Qi army in Jixi. Yi alone led the Yan army to capture more than 71 cities, but Ju and Jimo did not go down. Seal the monarch of Chang with merit. Yan Hui Wang succeeded to the throne, and he set out to fight against each other. Hui Wang made a ride to rob Dai Yi. Yi is afraid of punishment and runs away from Zhao. Qi raised troops, defeated the Yan army, and regained lost ground. Yi is in Zhao, and Zhao is sealed in Guanjin, and the number is looking at you. Yan Hui Wang Naizhi wrote to Xie Leyi, Yi Fu Tong Yan, who traveled between Yan and Zhao and died in Zhao. (2) First King: refers to King Zhao. Arrive: violate. Crime of axe quality: capital crime; Chopping board for cutting at the waist. (3) number: number theory. (4) Attendant: Jude left and right, referring to Huiwang. Livestock: raise. Luckily, dear. (5) not white, don't understand. (6) wrong: action measures. (7) Holiday in Wang Wei: Borrow the envoy festival of King Wei Zhao to Yan State. (8) Yaqing: Second Qing. (9) Teaching after dominating the country: In the Spring and Autumn Period, Qi Huangong established hegemony, and in the Warring States Period, it still kept its teachings. The legacy of sudden victory: the deeds of repeated victories. Suddenly, repeatedly. (11) Leisure: Be familiar with "Xian" and be familiar with it. (11) diameter: fast, fast. (12) Northern and Song Dynasties: Chu wanted Huaibei and Wei wanted Song Dynasty, both of which were occupied by Qi. The jurisdiction of the Song Dynasty is in the eastern part of Henan and between Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. (13) The word "Song" is doubtful. (14) Turn your back on your life: I just came back to reply, and my words are quick. Reverse the same return. (15) Economically: above the water, it refers to the northern part of Shandong. (16) Country: The state of Qi is Linzi (in present-day Shandong). (17) King Qi: King Qi Zhuo. Ju, in today's Shandong. (18) Da Lu: Qi Zhongming. Yuan Ying and Li Shi: both are the names of Yan Palace, under the stage of Ningtai. Ningtai is now in wanping county, Hebei Province. Therefore, Ding: Yan Ding obtained by Qi. (19) Jiqiu: In today's wanping county, Hebei Province. Plant: the flag of vertical beans. Emperor Wen (Huang): a bamboo field on the water in the state of Qi. (21) Five Bos: Five Bos in the Spring and Autumn Period, referring to Qi Huangong, Jin Wengong, Song Xianggong, Qin Mugong and Chu Zhuangwang. (21) Dun: Still falling. Seal it by cracking the ground: make Le Yi the King of Chang. Changguo is in Zichuan County, Shandong Province today. (22) Spring and Autumn Annals: Chronological works that record the history of Lu in the Spring and Autumn Period. (23) Yi: Pacify. Wancheng: It can provide 11,111 personnel carriers, which means a big country. 811-year-old: It took about 811 years to establish the Qi State from Jiang Shang to the King of Qi. (24) ordinary evil: the son born to a non-first wife. Ordinary evils are easy to make trouble, so they should be made obedient. Shi Ji Meng Li: the fatwa was carried out to the people and the disciples. Meng tong Meng, the people. (25) Wu Zixu: a famous official, born in the Spring and Autumn Period. My father was extravagant and my brother was still alive, and they were all killed by King Chu Ping without guilt. Zi Xu ran to Wu, and assisted He Lv, the king of Wu, to attack Chu Yingdu (in present-day jiangling county, Hubei). He Lv's son, Prince Fu Cha, was defeated, and the more he asked for peace, the more he refused to listen. Fu Cha forced Zixu to commit suicide, put the body in the desert and threw it into the river. Yi, leather bag. (26) Do not change: "Historical Records of Wu Zixu Biography" is "non-transformation", "Suoyin": "Although the words are resentful, they are still the ministers of the waves." (27) separation: through "suffering", encounter. (28) Never make a bad sound when making friends: don't say that you are long and talk about it. Unclean name: refers to self-purification without destroying its monarch.