齐楚构难
The Troops of Qi Engaged Those of Chu in a War
【原文】
齐、楚构难，宋请中立。齐急宋，宋许之。子象为楚谓宋王“楚 以缓失宋，将法齐之急也。齐以急得宋，后将常急矣。是从齐而攻楚, 未必利也.齐战胜楚，势必危宋；不胜，是以弱宋干强楚也。而令两万 乘之国，常以急求所欲，国必危矣！”
【今译】
齐国和楚国交战，宋国请求中立，齐国紧急催逼宋国支援，宋国答 应了。子象为楚国对宋王说楚国因为行动迟缓失掉了宋国的援助， 将会效法齐国，紧急催逼迫宋国。齐国因为紧急催逼而得到了宋国的 援助，以后将会经常傕逼的。跟随齐国进攻楚国，未必就对宋国有利。 假如齐国战胜楚国，势必会对宋国构成威胁；如果不能战胜，就是用弱 小的宋国来对抗强大的楚国啊。而让两个拥有一万辆战车的大国经常 紧急催逼宋国来满足自己的愿望，宋国必定会陷入危机！”
The troops of the state of Qi engaged the troops of the state of Chu in a war. The state of Song remained neutral. Qi quickly forced Song to join it in attacking Chu, and Song promised to do so. On behalf of the state of Chu，Zi Xiang went to consult the king of the state of Song and said, “The state of Chu lost Song9 s support because it didn’t take action as quickly as the state of Qi. So Chu will follow Qi’s example in the future. Qi won over Song’s reinforcements because it fiercely coerced you to join it. It will keep on coercing you in future. Joining Qi in attacking Chu probably won’t benefit your state. If Qi defeats Chu, Song will definitely be in danger. If Qi is defeated, your weak state will confront the strong and powerful Chu on Qi's behalf. As to these two big states that possess ten thousand chariots each, you will give them the chance to coerce you to act according to their dictates. Then your own state- will definitely be under severe threat. ”