奚谓耽于女乐？What is meant by being addicted to female musicians and entertainment?昔者戎王使由余聘于秦，穆公问之曰：In the past, the King of Rong sent Youyu on a mission to the State of Qin. Duke Mu of Qin asked him：“寡人尝闻道而未得目见之也，原闻古之明主得国失国常何以？”"I have often heard about the Way, but I have never seen it with my own eyes. I would like to know how ancient wise rulers usually gained or lost their states."由余对曰：“臣尝得闻之矣，常以俭得之，以奢失之。”Youyu replied, "I have heard about it. They usually gained their states through frugality and lost them through extravagance."穆公曰：“寡人不辱而问道于子，子以俭对寡人何也？”Duke Mu said, "I have humbly asked you about the Way. Why do you answer me with frugality?"由余对曰：“臣闻昔者尧有天下，饭于土簋，饮于土铏。Youyu replied, "I heard that in the past, when Yao ruled the world, he ate from earthenware bowls and drank from earthenware vessels. 其地南至交趾，北至幽都，东西至日月所出入者，莫不实服。His territory extended as far south as Jiaozhi, as far north as Youdu, and from east to west to the places where the sun and the moon rise and set. All people submitted to his rule.尧禅天下，虞舜受之，作为食器，斩山木而财子，削锯修其迹，流漆墨其上，输之于宫以为食器。诸侯以为益侈，国之不服者十三。When Yao abdicated, Yu Shun received the throne. He made eating utensils. He cut down trees from the mountains and processed them, smoothed and sawed them, and then applied lacquer and ink on them. These were transported to the palace as eating utensils. The feudal lords thought this was more extravagant, and thirteen states refused to submit.舜禅天下而传之于禹，禹作为祭器，墨染其外，而硃画书其内，缦帛为茵，将席颇缘，触酌有采，而樽俎有饰。此弥侈矣，而国之不服者三十三。When Shun abdicated and passed the throne to Yu, Yu made sacrificial utensils. He dyed the outside black and painted vermilion patterns and inscriptions on the inside. He used fine silk as mats, and the edges of the mats were decorated. The wine vessels had colors, and the food containers were ornamented. This was even more extravagant, and thirty-three states refused to submit.夏后氏没，殷人受之，作为大路，而建旒九，食器雕琢，觞酌刻镂，白壁垩墀，茵席雕文。此弥侈矣，而国之不服者五十三。After the Xia Dynasty perished, the Yin people took over. They made large carriages and set up nine - tasseled flags. The eating utensils were carved, the wine cups were engraved, the white walls and steps were painted, and the mats were embroidered. This was even more extravagant, and fifty - three states refused to submit.君子皆知文章矣，而欲服者弥少。臣故曰：俭其道也。”The gentlemen all knew about these elaborate adornments, but fewer and fewer were willing to submit. Therefore, I say that frugality is the Way."由余出，公乃召内史廖而告之，曰：“寡人：‘闻邻国有圣人，敌国之忧也。'今由余，圣人也，寡人患之，吾将余何？”After Youyu departed, Duke Mu summoned Liao, the Court Historian, and confided to him, "I've heard that 'if a neighboring state has a sage, it spells trouble for its rival.' Now, Youyu is a sage, and this has me deeply worried. What should I do about him?" 内史廖曰：“臣闻戎王之居，僻陋而道远，未闻中国之声。Liao, the Court Historian said, "I heard that the King of Rong lives in a remote and desolate place, far away on a difficult path, and has never heard the music of the Central Plains. 君其遣之女乐，以乱其政，而后为由余请期，以疏其谏。彼君臣有间而后可图也。”Your Majesty should send him female musicians to disrupt his government, and then request a delay for Youyu to return, so as to alienate him from offering advice. Once there is a rift between the king and his ministers, we can then plan further."君曰：“诺。”The duke said, "Very well."
乃使内史廖以女乐二八遣戎王，因为由余请期。So he sent Neishi Liao to present sixteen female musicians to the King of Rong and at the same time requested a delay for Youyu to return.
戎王许诺，见其女乐而说之，设酒张饮，日以听乐，终几不迁，牛马半死。The King of Rong agreed. When he saw the female musicians, he was delighted. He set up banquets and indulged in drinking, listening to music every day. In the end, he did not move for several days, and half of his cattle and horses died.
由余归，因谏戎王，戎王弗听，由余遂去之秦。When Youyu returned, he remonstrated with the King of Rong, but the king did not listen. So Youyu left for the State of Qin.
秦穆公迎而拜之上卿，问其兵势与其地形。既以得之，举兵而伐之，兼国十二，开地千里。Duke Mu of Qin welcomed him, appointed him as a senior official, and asked him about the military situation and the terrain of Rong. After obtaining this information, he launched an army to attack Rong, annexed twelve states, and expanded his territory by a thousand li.
故曰：耽于女乐，不顾国政，则亡国之祸也。So it is said that being addicted to female musicians and entertainment and neglecting national affairs will lead to the disaster of national subjugation.
奚谓离内远游？What is meant by leaving the interior and traveling far away?
昔者齐景公游于海而乐之。号令诸大夫曰：“言归者死。”In the past, Duke Jing of Qi went on an excursion by the sea and enjoyed himself greatly. He issued an order to all the senior officials, saying, "Those who mention returning will be put to death."
颜涿聚曰：“君游海而乐之，奈臣有图国者何？君虽乐之，将安得。”Yan Zhuoju said, "Your Majesty is enjoying the sea excursion, but what if there are those who plot against the state? Although Your Majesty is having a good time, how can you be safe?"
齐景公曰：“寡人布令曰'言归者死'，今子犯寡人之令。”援戈将击之。Duke Jing of Qi said, "I have issued an order that 'those who mention returning will be put to death.' Now you have violated my order." He picked up a halberd and was about to strike him.
颜涿聚曰：“昔桀杀关龙逢而纣杀王子比干，今君虽杀臣之身以三之可也。臣言为国，非为身也。”延颈而前曰：“君击之矣！”Yan Zhuoju said, "In the past, Jie killed Guan Longfeng and Zhou killed Prince Bigan. Now Your Majesty can kill me to make it three. I speak for the state, not for myself." He stretched out his neck and moved forward, saying, "Your Majesty, strike!"
君乃释戈趣驾而归。至三日，而闻国人有谋不内齐景公者矣。The duke then put down the halberd, hurried to the carriage, and returned. Three days later, he heard that there were people in the state plotting to prevent him from entering the capital.
齐景公所以遂有齐国者，颜涿聚之力地。故曰：离内远游，则危身之道也。The reason why Duke Jing of Qi was able to retain the State of Qi was thanks to the efforts of Yan Zhuoju. So it is said that leaving the interior and traveling far away is a way to endanger one's life.
