King Zhao of Qin Asked the People Around Him
秦昭王谓左右
King Zhao of Qin asked the people around him，"Regarding the two states of Han and Wei，are -they stronger and more powerful than before?，，“They are not as strong and powerful as before，" they replied. The king asked further, “Do you think Ru Er and Wei Qi are wiser in comparison with the lord of Mengchang and Mang Mao?” “They are not as wise as the latter，"they answered. The king said, ‘Wise as the lord of Mengchang and Mang Mao were，they led the troops of the then much more powerful Han and Wei to attack our state, but posed no threat to me. Now Ru Er and Wei Qi are less capable? and yet they are going to lead the troops of the now less powerful Han and Wei to launch military action against my state. ApparentlyT they cannot pose any threat to me either!” All the people around him said, “That’s totally right. ”
【原文】
秦昭王谓左右曰今日韩、魏，孰与始强？”对曰广弗如也。”王曰： “今之如耳、魏齐，孰与孟尝、芒卯之贤？”对曰弗如也王曰:“以孟尝、芒卯之贤，帅强韩、魏之兵以伐秦，犹无奈寡人何也！今以无能之如 耳、魏齐，帅弱韩、魏以攻秦，其无奈寡人何亦明矣！ ”左右皆曰,"甚然."
【今译】
秦昭王问身边的人：“现在的韩国和魏国有没有当初强大？”他身边 的人回答说：“比不上当初强大。”昭王又问道如今的如耳和魏齐跟孟 尝君和芒卯比起来，谁更贤能呢？”身边的人回答说：“他们不如孟尝君和芒卯昭王说凭着孟尝君和芒卯的才干，他们率领强盛时期的韩 国和魏国的军队攻打秦国，也不能把我怎么样！如今如耳、魏齐等无能 之辈率领已经削弱了的韩囯和魏国的军队进攻秦国，他们不能把我怎 么样，也是很明显的了。”周围的人都说广太对了
Zhong Qi put his qin (referring to a kind of musical instrument) aside and said，“You are wrong to estimate the situation of other states that way，Your Majesty, Among all the six powerful and influential families in Jin一'the Hans, Zhaos, Weis, Zhis，Fans and Zhongxings, the Zhis once were the most powerful and influential. They destroyed the Fans and Zhongxings and then led the troops of Han and Wei to attack Zhao and besieged Zhao Xiangzi in Jinyang. Then they broke the dyke of the Fenshui River to submerge the city of J inyang. Only the top six chi of the protective wall was above the water surface. Marquis Zhi went out to view the floodwater. Han Kangzi drove the carriage for him and Wei Huanzi accompanied him by his side. Marquis Zhi said, 41 didn’t know we can ruin other states with water. But now I know. It is very convenient to submerge Anyi with the water of the Fenshui River, and submerge Pingyang with that of the Jiangshui River.，Wei Huanzi touched Han Kangzi with his elbow. Han Kangzi touched Wei Huanzi with his foot and stepped on Wei’s heel. When they were touching each other with elbow and foot ? the Zhis had been doomed to be carved up. Marquis Zhi lost his life. His state was destroyed and he was also derided by people all over the world. Now Qin is not as strong as Jin was at Marquis ZhiTs time. Even though Han and Wei are not as powerful as before，they are still stronger than they were at the time Zhao Xiangzi was surrounded in Jinyang. This is right the time for people to contact each other with gesticulations to conspire against you. Your Majesty，please beware!"
【原文】
中期推琴对曰广（三）[王]之料天下过矣！昔者六晋之时，智氏最 强，灭破范、中行，帅韩、魏以围赵襄子于晋阳。决晋水以灌晋阳，城不 沉者H板耳！智伯出行水，韩康子御，魏桓子骖乘。智伯曰：‘始，吾不 知水之可亡人之国也，乃今知之。汾水利以灌安邑，绛水利以灌平阳/ 魏桓子肘韩康子，康子履魏桓子，蹑其踵。肘、足接于车上，而智氏分矣！身死国亡，为天下笑。今秦之强，不能过智伯；韩、魏虽弱，尚贤在 晋阳之下也。此乃方其用肘、足时也，愿王之勿易也！”
【今译】
中期把琴放在一边回答说：“大王对天下形势估计错了。从前在韩 氏、赵氏、魏氏、范氏、智氏、中行氏这六个晋国最有权势的大臣和相国 当权的时候，智氏最为强大，消灭了范氏和中行氏1又率领韩国和魏国 的军队在晋阳包围了赵襄子。掘开晋水的堤防来淹晋阳，城墙只差六 尺就被完全淹没了。智伯出去巡视水势，韩康子驾车，魏桓子陪乘。智 伯说：‘开始，我还不知道可以用水来消灭别的国家呢，直到现在才知 道。用汾水来淹没安邑很方便，用绛水来淹没平阳也很方便/魏桓子 用胳膊肘撞了撞韩康子，韩康子用脚踩了踩魏桓子，踩在他的脚后跟 上。当他们在车上用胳膊肘和脚互相示意的时候，智氏被瓜分的命运就已经决定了。智伯自己丢了性命，国家灭亡，成为天下人的笑料。如 今秦国的强盛比不上智伯，韩国和魏国虽然被削弱，但却比在晋阳城下 的时候要强大。这正是人们准备通过胳膊肘和脚互相示意、觊銃秦国 的时候，希望大王不要大意啊."