田荣闻项羽徙齐王市于胶东，而以田都为齐王，大怒。五月，荣发兵距击田都，都亡走楚。荣留齐王市，不令之胶东。When Tian Rong heard that Xiang Yu had relocated King of Qi Tian Shi to Jiaodong and appointed Tian Du as the King of Qi, he was extremely angry. In May, Tian Rong dispatched troops to resist and attack Tian Du. Tian Du fled to Chu. Tian Rong detained King of Qi Tian Shi and did not allow him to go to Jiaodong.
市畏项羽，窃亡之国。荣怒，六月，追击杀市于即墨，自立为齐王。Tian Shi was afraid of Xiang Yu and secretly fled to his own state. Tian Rong was furious. In June, he pursued and killed Tian Shi in Jimo and then proclaimed himself King of Qi.
是时，彭越在巨野，有众万馀人，无所属。荣与越将军印，使击济北。At that time, Peng Yue was in Juye with over ten thousand troops and was not affiliated with anyone. Tian Rong bestowed on Peng Yue the seal of a general and sent him to attack Jibei.
秋，七月，越击杀济北王安。荣遂并王三齐之地，又使越击楚。项王命萧公角将兵击越，越大破楚军。In autumn, July, Peng Yue killed King of Jibei Tian An. Tian Rong then annexed the lands of the Three Qis and also sent Peng Yue to attack Chu. Xiang Yu ordered Xiao Gongjiao to lead troops to attack Peng Yue. Peng Yue routed the Chu army.
张耳之国，陈馀益怒曰：“张耳与馀，功等也。今张耳王，馀独侯，此项羽不平！”When Zhang Er was about to go to his fief, Chen Yu became even angrier and said, "Zhang Er and I have equal merits. Now Zhang Er is made a king while I am only a marquis. Xiang Yu is so unfair!"
乃阴使张同、夏说说齐王荣曰：“项羽为天下宰不平，尽王诸将善地，徙故王于丑地。今赵王乃北居代，馀以为不可。So he secretly sent Zhang Tong and Xia Shuo to persuade King of Qi Tian Rong, saying, "Xiang Yu is unfair in governing the world. He has granted all the generals good fiefs and relocated the former kings to desolate places. Now the King of Zhao has been relocated to live in Dai in the north. I think this is unacceptable.
闻大王起兵，不听不义。愿大王资馀兵击常山，复赵王，请以赵为扞蔽！”齐王许之，遣兵从陈馀。I heard that Your Majesty has raised troops. I will not listen to the unjust. I hope Your Majesty will supply me with troops to attack Changshan, restore the King of Zhao, and please use Zhao as a shield!" The King of Qi agreed and sent troops to follow Chen Yu.
项王以张良从汉王，韩王成又无功，故不遣之国，与俱至彭城，废以为穰侯；已，又杀之。Because Zhang Liang followed Han Wang and King of Han Cheng had no merits, Xiang Yu did not send him to his fief. Instead, he took him to Pengcheng together, demoted him to Marquis of Rang, and later killed him.
初，淮阴人韩信，家贫，无行，不得推择为吏，又不能治生商贾，常从人寄食饮，人多厌之。Originally, Han Xin from Huaiyin was poor and had no good conduct. He was not selected to be an official, nor could he make a living by doing business. He often depended on others for food and drink, and many people were disgusted with him.
信钓于城下，有漂母见信饥，饭信。信喜，谓漂母曰：“吾必有以重报母。”Han Xin was fishing by the city wall. A washerwoman saw that Han Xin was hungry and gave him food. Han Xin was happy and said to the washerwoman, "I will surely repay you handsomely."
母怒曰：“大丈夫不能自食，吾哀王孙而进食，岂望报乎！”The washerwoman was angry and said, "A man of great stature should be able to support himself. I pitied you, a young nobleman, and gave you food. Do I expect any repayment?"
淮阴屠中少年有侮信者曰：“若虽长大，好带刀剑，中情怯耳。”Among the butchers in Huaiyin, there was a young man who insulted Han Xin, saying, "Although you are tall and big and like to carry swords, you are actually a coward inside."
因众辱之曰：“信能死，刺我；不能死，出我袴下！”He then publicly humiliated Han Xin, saying, "If you dare to die, stab me; if you don't dare to die, crawl under my crotch!"
于是信孰视之，俛出袴下，蒲伏。一市人皆笑信，以为怯。So Han Xin stared at him intently, then crouched down and crawled under his crotch, creeping on all fours. All the people in the market laughed at Han Xin, thinking he was a coward.
及项梁渡淮，信杖剑从之。居麾下，无所知名。项梁败，又属项羽，羽以为郎中。数以策干羽，羽不用。When Xiang Liang crossed the Huai River, Han Xin followed him with his sword. He was in the army but was not well-known. After Xiang Liang was defeated, he belonged to Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu made him a physician attendant. Han Xin repeatedly offered strategies to Xiang Yu, but Xiang Yu did not adopt them.
汉王之入蜀，信亡楚归汉，未知名。为连敖，坐当斩。When Han Wang entered Shu, Han Xin deserted Chu and defected to Han. He was still not well-known. He became a Lian'ao. He was sentenced to be beheaded for an offense.
其辈十三人皆已斩，次至信，信乃仰视，适见滕公，曰：“上不欲就天下乎？何为斩壮士？”Thirteen of his comrades had already been beheaded. When it was Han Xin's turn, he looked up and happened to see Lord Teng. He said, "Doesn't the king want to conquer the world? Why behead a brave man?"
滕公奇其言，壮其貌，释而不斩。与语，大说之，言于王。Lord Teng was surprised by his words and impressed by his appearance. He released Han Xin and did not behead him. After talking with him, he was very pleased and reported to the king.
王拜以为治粟都尉，亦未之奇也。信数与萧何语，何奇之。The king appointed him as the Supervisor of Grain Storage, but still did not think highly of him. Han Xin often talked with Xiao He. Xiao He thought highly of him.
汉王至南郑，诸将及士卒皆歌讴思东归，多道亡者。When Han Wang arrived at Nanzheng, all the generals and soldiers were singing and longing to return to the east. Many deserted on the way.
信度何等已数言王，王不我用，即亡去。何闻信亡，不及以闻，自追之。Han Xin guessed that Xiao He had already repeatedly spoken to the king about him, but the king did not use him. So he deserted. When Xiao He heard that Han Xin had deserted, he did not have time to report it to the king and chased after Han Xin himself.
人有言王曰：“丞相何亡。”王大怒，如失左右手。居一二日，何来谒王。Someone reported to the king, saying, "The prime minister has deserted." The king was furious, as if he had lost his right and left hands. After a day or two, Xiao He came to pay his respects to the king.
王且怒且喜，骂何曰：“若亡，何也？”何曰：“臣不敢亡也，臣追亡者耳。”The king was both angry and happy. He cursed Xiao He, saying, "Why did you desert?" Xiao He said, "I dare not desert. I was chasing the deserter."
王曰：“若所追者谁？”何曰：“韩信也。”王复骂曰：“诸将亡者以十数，公无所追。追信，诈也！”The king said, "Who is the one you were chasing?" Xiao He said, "Han Xin." The king cursed again, saying, "Dozens of generals have deserted. You didn't chase any of them. Chasing Han Xin is a trick!"
何曰：“诸将易得耳。至如信者，国士无双。王必欲长王汉中，无所事信，必欲争天下，非信无可与计事者。顾王策安所决耳。”Xiao He said, "Generals are easy to find. But as for Han Xin, there is no one in the country who can match him. If Your Majesty wants to remain king in Hanzhong forever, there is no need to use Han Xin. But if Your Majesty wants to compete for the world, there is no one but Han Xin with whom you can discuss matters. It depends on Your Majesty's decision."
王曰：“吾亦欲东耳，安能郁郁久居此乎！”何曰：“计必欲东，能用信，信即留；不能用信，终亡耳。”The king said, "I also want to go east. How can I stay here gloomily for a long time?" Xiao He said, "If you definitely want to go east, if you can use Han Xin, Han Xin will stay; if you can't use Han Xin, he will eventually desert."
王曰：“吾为公以为将。”何曰：“虽为将，信不留。”王曰：“以为大将。”何曰：“幸甚！”于是王欲召信拜之。The king said, "I'll make him a general for you." Xiao He said, "Even if he is made a general, Han Xin won't stay." The king said, "I'll make him the chief general." Xiao He said, "That's great!" Then the king wanted to summon Han Xin to appoint him.
何曰：“王素慢无礼。今拜大将，如呼小儿，此乃信所以去也。王必欲拜之，择良日，斋戒，设坛场，具礼，乃可耳。”王许之。Xiao He said, "Your Majesty has always been arrogant and rude. Now to appoint the chief general is like calling a little child. This is the reason why Han Xin left. If Your Majesty wants to appoint him, choose a good day, fast, set up an altar, prepare the proper ceremonies, and then it will be okay." The king agreed.
诸将皆喜，人人各自以为得大将。至拜大将，乃韩信也，一军皆惊。All the generals were happy, each thinking that he would be appointed as the chief general. When the appointment of the chief general was announced, it was Han Xin. The whole army was shocked.
信拜礼毕，上坐。王曰：“丞相数言将军，将军何以教寡人计策？”After Han Xin completed the appointment ceremony, he took his seat. The king said, "The prime minister has repeatedly spoken of you, General. What advice do you have for me on strategies?"
信辞谢，因问王曰：“今东乡争权天下，岂非项王耶？”汉王曰：“然。”Han Xin declined politely and then asked the king, "Now when looking east to compete for power in the world, isn't it Xiang Yu?" Han Wang said, "Yes."
曰：“大王自料勇悍仁强孰与项王？”汉王默然良久，曰：“不如也。”Han Xin said, "Your Majesty, please consider yourself. Are you braver, more fierce, more benevolent, and stronger than Xiang Yu?" Han Wang was silent for a long time and said, "I'm not."
信再拜贺曰：“惟信亦以为大王不如也。然臣尝事之，请言项王之为人也。Han Xin bowed twice and congratulated, saying, "I also think that Your Majesty is not as good as Xiang Yu. However, I have served him before. Please allow me to talk about Xiang Yu's character.
项王暗噁叱咤，千人皆废，然不能任属贤将，此特匹夫之勇耳。Xiang Yu roars and shouts, making a thousand people paralyzed. However, he cannot appoint and trust worthy generals. This is just the courage of a common man.
项王见人，恭敬慈爱，言语呕呕，人有疾病，涕泣分食饮；When Xiang Yu sees people, he is respectful and kind, speaks gently, and when people are sick, he weeps and shares food and drink with them.
至使人，有功当封爵者，印刓敝，忍不能予，此所谓妇人之仁也。But when it comes to appointing people who have merits and should be granted titles, the seals are worn out and he can't bear to give them away. This is what is called the kindness of a woman.
项王虽霸天下而臣诸侯，不居关中而都彭城；背义帝之约，而以亲爱王诸侯，不平；Although Xiang Yu dominates the world and makes the vassal states submit, he does not reside in Guanzhong but makes Pengcheng his capital. He breaks the covenant of the Righteous Emperor and grants titles to the vassal states according to his personal preferences, which is unfair.
逐其故主而王其将相，又迁逐义帝置江南；所过无不残灭，百姓不亲附，特劫于威强耳。He drives away the former lords and makes their generals and ministers kings. He also relocates and drives away the Righteous Emperor and places him in Jiangnan. Wherever he passes, everything is destroyed. The people do not get close to him. They are only forced by his power and might.
名虽为霸，实失天下心，故其强易弱。今大王诚能反其道，任天下武勇，何所不诛！Although his name is that of a hegemon, he actually loses the hearts of the world. So his strength is easily weakened. Now if Your Majesty can do the opposite, appoint the brave and martial people of the world, who can't be defeated!
以天下城邑封功臣，何所不服！以义兵从思东归之士，何所不散！Grant the cities and towns of the world to the meritorious ministers, who won't submit! Lead the righteous army with the soldiers longing to return to the east, who won't be scattered!
且三秦王为秦将，将秦子弟数岁矣，所杀亡不可胜计；Moreover, the Three Qin Kings were Qin generals who led the Qin soldiers for several years. The number of people they killed and lost is countless.
又欺其众降诸侯，至新安，项王诈坑秦降卒二十馀万，唯独邯、欣、翳得脱。They also deceived their troops to surrender to the vassal states. At Xin'an, Xiang Yu treacherously buried over 200,000 Qin soldiers who had surrendered. Only Zhang Han, Sima Xin, and Dong Yi escaped.
秦父兄怨此三人，痛入骨髓。今楚强以威王此三人，秦民莫爱也。The fathers and brothers of the Qin people resent these three people deeply. Now that Chu has made these three people kings by force, the Qin people don't love them.
大王之入武关，秋毫无所害；除秦苛法，与秦民约法三章；秦民无不欲得大王王秦者。When Your Majesty entered Wu Pass, you didn't harm a single hair. You abolished the harsh laws of Qin and made a covenant with the Qin people with three simple laws. The Qin people all want Your Majesty to be the king of Qin.
于诸侯之约，大王当王关中，民咸知之；大王失职入汉中，秦民无不恨者。今大王举而东，三秦可传檄而定也。”According to the covenant among the vassal states, Your Majesty should be the king of Guanzhong. The people all know this. Your Majesty lost your position and entered Hanzhong. The Qin people all regret it. Now if Your Majesty raises troops and goes east, the Three Qin can be conquered by just sending a proclamation."
于是汉王大喜，自以为得信晚，遂听信计，部署诸将所击。留萧何收巴、蜀租，给军粮食。Then Han Wang was very happy, thinking that he had known Han Xin too late. So he followed Han Xin's plan and arranged for the generals to attack. He left Xiao He to collect the rents in Ba and Shu to supply the army with food.
