项羽既定河北，率诸侯兵欲西入关。After Xiang Yu had pacified Hebei, he led the troops of the feudal lords and intended to enter the Pass in the west.
先是，诸侯吏卒、繇使、屯戍过秦中者，秦中吏卒遇之多无状。Previously, when the soldiers, laborers on corvée, and garrison troops of the feudal lords passed through Qinzhong, the soldiers and officials of Qinzhong often treated them badly.
及章邯以秦军降诸侯，诸侯吏卒乘胜多奴虏使之，轻折辱秦吏卒。When Zhang Han surrendered the Qin army to the feudal lords, the soldiers of the feudal lords, taking advantage of their victory, often treated the Qin soldiers like slaves, humiliating them lightly.
秦吏卒多怨，窃言曰：The Qin soldiers were full of resentment and secretly said:
“章将军等诈吾属降诸侯。今能入关破秦，大善；"General Zhang and others tricked us into surrendering to the feudal lords. If we can enter the Pass and defeat Qin now, that would be great;
即不能，诸侯虏吾属而东，秦又尽诛吾父母妻子，奈何？”if not, the feudal lords will take us captive and go east, and Qin will execute all our parents, wives, and children. What should we do?"
诸将微闻其计，以告项羽。Some of the generals faintly heard their words and reported them to Xiang Yu.
项羽召黥布、蒲将军计曰：Xiang Yu summoned Ying Bu and General Pu to discuss and said:
“秦吏卒尚众，其心不服，至关不听，事必危。"There are still many Qin soldiers, and their hearts are not submissive. If they don't listen when we reach the Pass, the situation will be dangerous.
不如击杀之，而独与章邯、长史欣、都尉翳入秦。”It would be better to kill them and enter Qin alone with Zhang Han, Chief Secretary Xin, and Captain Yi."
于是楚军夜击坑秦卒二十馀万人新安城南。So the Chu army attacked and buried more than 200,000 Qin soldiers alive south of Xin'an City at night.
或说沛公曰：Someone advised Liu Bang:
“秦富十倍天下，地形强。闻项羽号章邯为雍王，王关中，今则来，沛公恐不得有此。"Qin is ten times richer than the rest of the world and has a strong terrain. I heard that Xiang Yu has named Zhang Han the King of Yong and will make him the king of Guanzhong. Now that he is coming, I'm afraid you won't be able to get this.
可急使兵守函谷关，无内诸侯军；稍征关中兵以自益，距之。” You can quickly send troops to guard Hangu Pass and not let the troops of the feudal lords enter. Also, recruit some soldiers from Guanzhong to strengthen your own forces and resist them."
沛公然其计，从之。已而项羽至关，关门闭。Liu Bang approved of this plan and followed it. Soon after, Xiang Yu reached the Pass, but the gate was closed.
闻沛公已定关中，大怒，使黥布等攻破函谷关。十二月，项羽进至戏。Hearing that Liu Bang had already pacified Guanzhong, Xiang Yu was furious and sent Ying Bu and others to break through Hangu Pass. In December, Xiang Yu advanced to Xi.
沛公左司马曹无伤使人言项羽曰：“沛公欲王关中，令子婴为相，珍宝尽有之。”欲以求封。Liu Bang's left marshal Cao Wushang sent someone to tell Xiang Yu, "Liu Bang wants to be the king of Guanzhong and make Ziying his prime minister, and he will possess all the treasures." He wanted to seek a fief in this way.
项羽大怒，飨士卒，期旦日击沛公军。Xiang Yu was furious and feasted the soldiers, planning to attack Liu Bang's army the next day.
当是时，项羽兵四十万，号百万，在新丰鸿门；沛公兵十万，号二十万，在霸上。At that time, Xiang Yu had 400,000 soldiers, claiming to have a million, at Xinfeng Hongmen; Liu Bang had 100,000 soldiers, claiming to have 200,000, at Bashang.
范增说项羽曰：Fan Zeng advised Xiang Yu:
“沛公居山东时，贪财好色。"When Liu Bang was in Shandong, he was greedy for money and lustful.
今入关，财物无所取，妇女无所幸，此其志不在小。Now that he has entered the Pass, he has taken nothing of the valuables and has not favored any women. His ambition is not small.
吾令人望其气，皆为龙虎，成五采，此天子气也。急击勿失！”I had someone observe his qi, and it was all like dragons and tigers, forming five colors. This is the qi of an emperor. Attack him quickly and don't miss the opportunity!"
楚左尹项伯者，项羽季父也，素善张良。Xiang Bo, the left minister of Chu and the younger uncle of Xiang Yu, had always been on good terms with Zhang Liang.
乃夜驰之沛公军，私见张良，具告以事，欲呼与俱去，曰：“毋俱死也！”So he rode quickly to Liu Bang's army at night, privately met Zhang Liang, and told him everything about the matter, wanting to call him to leave together, saying, "Don't die together!"
张良曰：“臣为韩王送沛公。沛公今有急，亡去不义，不可不语。”Zhang Liang said, "I was sent by the King of Han to accompany Liu Bang. Now that Liu Bang is in trouble, it would be unrighteous to flee. I must tell him."
良乃入，具告沛公。沛公大惊。Then Zhang Liang entered and told Liu Bang everything. Liu Bang was greatly shocked.
良曰：“料公士卒足以当项羽乎？”Zhang Liang said, "Do you think your soldiers are enough to withstand Xiang Yu?"
沛公默然曰：“固不如也。且为之奈何？”Liu Bang was silent for a moment and said, "Surely not. What should I do then?"
张良曰：“请往谓项伯，言沛公之不敢叛也。”Zhang Liang said, "Please let me go and tell Xiang Bo that Liu Bang dares not rebel."
沛公曰：“君安与项伯有故？”Liu Bang said, "How do you happen to know Xiang Bo?"
张良曰：“秦时与臣游，尝杀人，臣活之。今事有急，故幸来告良。”Zhang Liang said, "When Qin was in power, I traveled with him. Once he killed someone, and I saved his life. Now that things are urgent, he fortunately came to tell me."
沛公曰：“孰与君少长？”Liu Bang said, "Who is older between you two?"
良曰：“长于臣。”Zhang Liang said, "He is older than me."
沛公曰：“君为我呼入，吾得兄事之。”Liu Bang said, "Please call him in for me. I will treat him as an elder brother."
张良出，固要项伯；项伯即入见沛公。Zhang Liang went out and firmly invited Xiang Bo; Xiang Bo then entered to meet Liu Bang.
沛公奉卮酒为寿，约为婚姻，曰：Liu Bang offered a goblet of wine to toast him and proposed a marriage alliance, saying,
“吾入关，秋毫不敢有所近，籍吏民，封府库而待将军。"Since I entered the Pass, I haven't dared to touch even a single hair of the property. I have registered the officials and common people and sealed the treasuries, waiting for the general.
所以遣将守关者，备他盗之出入与非常也。The reason why I sent troops to guard the Pass was to prevent thieves from entering and leaving and to deal with unexpected events.
日夜望将军至，岂敢反乎！愿伯具言臣之不敢倍德也。”I have been looking forward to the general's arrival day and night. How could I dare to rebel! I hope you will tell the general that I dare not betray his kindness."
项伯许诺，谓沛公曰：“旦日不可不蚤自来谢。”Xiang Bo promised and said to Liu Bang, "You must come early tomorrow to apologize in person."
沛公曰：“诺。”Liu Bang said, "Yes."
