鐔津文集 13.35

13.35

Initially, Fan Ju changed his name and surname, styling himself Master Zhang Lu. Entering Qin, he persuaded King Zhaoxiang of Qin, disparaging the Qin Chancellor, the Marquis of Rang. King Zhaoxiang of Qin thereupon banished the Marquis of Rang, took back his chancellor's seal, and at once appointed Fan Ju as Chancellor, entitling him Marquis of Ying. Zheng Anping, whom the Marquis of Ying had recommended and employed, surrendered to Zhao with his troops; the Marquis of Ying was anxious and did not know what plan to devise. Thereupon Cai Ze came west into Qin to see King Zhaoxiang, having someone spread the word beforehand to provoke and anger the Marquis of Ying. The Marquis of Ying was won over by his persuasion, and consequently recommended Cai Ze; the Marquis of Ying then pleaded illness and requested to return his chancellor's seal. Once Fan Ju was dismissed from the chancellorship, King Zhaoxiang of Qin appointed Cai Ze as Chancellor. After Cai Ze had served as Chancellor of Qin for several months, someone spoke ill of him; fearing execution, he soon also pleaded illness and returned his chancellor's seal. Zhuangzi says: 'A cicada had just found a delightful shade and forgot its own body; a praying mantis, raising its concealment, seized upon it, seeing its gain and forgetting its own form; a strange magpie came along and took advantage of it, seeing its gain and forgetting its true [peril].' Zhuang Zhou was struck with dread and said: 'Alas, things indeed bring trouble to one another!' How does this differ from the way Fan Ju and those two or three gentlemen undermined and seized from one another? Coveting what others covet, others also covet it: who can say they are certain to preserve their wealth and honour?