错复言：Chao Cuo further said:
“陛下幸募民徙以实塞下，使屯戍之事益省，输将之费益寡，甚大惠也。"Your Majesty has been fortunate to recruit people to move and fill the border areas, which has significantly reduced the cost of garrisoning and transporting supplies. This is a great act of benevolence.
下吏诚能称厚惠，奉明法，存恤所徙之老弱，善遇其壮士，和辑其心而勿侵刻，使先至者安乐而不思故乡，则贫民相慕而劝往矣。If local officials can truly live up to this great benevolence, uphold the clear laws, take care of the elderly and the weak among the migrants, treat the strong and able-bodied well, win their hearts without oppressing or exploiting them, and make those who arrive first live happily and not miss their hometowns, then the poor will be attracted and encouraged to go.
臣闻古之徙民者，相其阴阳之和，尝其水泉之味，然后营邑、立城、制里、割宅，先为筑室家，置器物焉。I have heard that in ancient times, when moving people, they would observe the harmony of yin and yang, taste the flavor of water sources, and then build towns, erect cities, demarcate neighborhoods, and allocate houses. First, they would build houses and set up utensils.
民至有所居，作有所用。此民所以轻去故乡而劝之新邑也。When people arrived, they had places to live and tools to work with. This is why people were willing to leave their hometowns easily and be encouraged to go to the new towns.
为置医、巫以救疾病，以修祭祀，男女有昏，生死相恤，坟墓相从，种树畜长，室屋完安。They would also appoint doctors and shamans to treat diseases, perform sacrifices, arrange marriages for men and women, help each other in life and death, and have their graves located nearby. They would plant trees, raise livestock, and ensure that houses were complete and safe.
此所以使民乐其处而有长居之心也。These are the ways to make people happy in their new places and have the intention to live there permanently.
臣又闻古之制边县以备敌也，使五家为伍，伍有长；I have also heard that in ancient times, when setting up border counties to defend against the enemy, five households formed a unit, and each unit had a leader.
十长一里，里有假士；四里一连，连有假五百；十连一邑，邑有假候。Ten such units formed a li, and each li had an acting official. Four li formed a lian, and each lian had an acting commander of five hundred men. Ten lian formed a yi, and each yi had an acting captain.
皆择其邑之贤材有护、习地形、知民心者。All these positions were filled by the capable and caring people in the area who were familiar with the terrain and understood the feelings of the people.
居则习民于射法，出则教民于应敌。故卒伍成于内，则军政定于外。When at peace, they would teach the people archery techniques. When going out, they would teach the people how to respond to the enemy. Thus, the military organization was established within the community, and the military affairs were well-regulated outside.
服习以成，勿令迁徙，幼则同游，长则共事。Once the people were accustomed to this and not allowed to move around, they would play together when young and work together when grown-up.
夜战声相知，则足以相救；昼战目相见，则足以相识；欢爱之心，足以相死。During night battles, they could recognize each other by voice and thus help each other. During day battles, they could see each other clearly and recognize each other. Their affectionate feelings would make them willing to sacrifice for each other.
如此而劝以厚赏，威以重罚，则前死不还踵矣。If they were encouraged with generous rewards and deterred with severe punishments, they would not hesitate to charge forward and fight to the death.
所徙之民非壮有材者，但费衣粮，不可用也；虽有材力，不得良吏，犹亡功也。If the migrants are not strong and capable, they will only consume food and clothing and be of no use. Even if they are strong and capable, without good officials, it will still be in vain.
陛下绝匈奴不与和亲，臣窃意其冬来南也；壹大治，则终身创矣。Your Majesty has decided to break off relations with the Xiongnu and not engage in peace-making marriages. I privately think that they will come south this winter. If we can deal with them thoroughly once, it will cause them to suffer a lifelong setback.
欲立威者，始于折胶；来而不能困，使得气去，后未易服也。”Those who want to establish their might should start when the weather turns cold (when the glue used for making bows becomes brittle, indicating the suitable time for war). If the Xiongnu come and we cannot subdue them, allowing them to leave with their morale high, it will be difficult to make them submit in the future."
错为人峭直刻深，以其辩得幸太子，太子家号曰“智囊”。Chao Cuo was severe, straightforward, and uncompromising. With his eloquence, he won the favor of the Crown Prince. The household of the Crown Prince called him "the resourceful advisor".
