问曰：“仆欲北攻燕，东代齐，何若而有功？” Han Xin asked, "I intend to attack Yan in the north and Qi in the east. What should I do to achieve success?"
广武君辞谢曰：“臣败亡之虏，何足以权大事乎！”The Lord of Guangwu declined and said, "I am a defeated captive. How can I be worthy of discussing such important matters?"
信曰：“仆闻之，百里奚居虞而虞亡，在秦而秦霸；非愚于虞而智于秦也，用与不用，听与不听也。Han Xin said, "I have heard that Baili Xi lived in the State of Yu and Yu perished, yet when he was in the State of Qin, Qin became hegemonic. It wasn't that he was stupid in Yu and wise in Qin, but rather it depended on whether he was used or not, and whether his advice was listened to or not."
诚令成安君听足下计，若信者亦已为禽矣。以不用足下，故信得侍耳。今仆委心归计，愿足下勿辞。”If the Lord of Cheng'an had really listened to your plan, someone like me would have already been captured. It was because he didn't listen to you that I am able to serve here. Now I wholeheartedly seek your advice. I hope you won't decline."
广武君曰：“今将军涉西河，虏魏王，禽夏说；东下井陉，不终朝而破赵二十万众，诛成安君；The Lord of Guangwu said, "Now General, you have crossed the Western River, captured King Wei, and taken Xia Shuo prisoner; you have gone east down the Jingxing Pass and defeated two hundred thousand Zhao troops in less than a morning and executed the Lord of Cheng'an;
名闻海内，威震天下，农夫莫不辍耕释耒，褕衣甘食，倾耳以待命者，此将军之所长也。Your name is known throughout the country and your might shakes the world. Every farmer has stopped plowing and put down their plowshares, wearing fine clothes and eating well, waiting with bated breath for orders. This is your strength, General.
然而众劳卒罢，其实难用。今将军欲举倦敝之兵，顿之燕坚城之下。However, your troops are exhausted and weary, and it's actually difficult to use them effectively. Now you want to lead these tired and worn-out troops to besiege the fortified cities of Yan.
欲战不得，攻之不拔，情见势屈；旷日持久，粮食单竭。If you want to fight, you won't be able to, and if you try to attack, you won't be able to capture them. Your situation will be exposed and your strength will be weakened. If it drags on for a long time, your provisions will be exhausted.
燕既不服，齐必距境以自强。燕、齐相持而不下，则刘、项之权未有所分也，此将军所短也。If Yan doesn't submit, Qi will surely strengthen itself by defending its borders. If Yan and Qi are locked in a stalemate, the balance of power between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu won't be tipped in anyone's favor. This is your weakness.
善用兵者，不以短击长而以长击短。”A good commander doesn't use his weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths but uses his strengths to attack the enemy's weaknesses."
韩信曰：“然则何由？”Han Xin said, "Then what should I do?"
