韓世家

The ancestors of Han shared the Ji surname of the Zhou royal house. Later descendants served Jin and were enfeoffed at the Han Plain, where the line was called Han Wu Zi. Three generations after Wu Zi came Han Jue, who adopted the fief name as his clan name: Han.

In the third year of Duke Jing of Jin, the judicial minister Tu'an Gu plotted rebellion. He intended to punish Zhao Dun as the assassin of Duke Ling. But Zhao Dun was already dead, so Tu'an Gu sought to destroy his son Zhao Shuo. Han Jue tried to stop Tu'an Gu, but Tu'an Gu would not listen. Han Jue warned Zhao Shuo to flee. Zhao Shuo replied: "If you can ensure that the Zhao sacrifices are not cut off, I will die without regret." Han Jue gave his word. When Tu'an Gu massacred the Zhao clan, Han Jue pleaded illness and did not participate. When Cheng Ying and Gongsun Chujiu hid the Zhao orphan, Zhao Wu, Han Jue was aware of it.

In Duke Jing's eleventh year, Han Jue and Xi Ke led eight hundred chariots against Qi, defeating Duke Qing of Qi at An and capturing Feng Choufu. Jin then established the system of six ministers, and Han Jue held one of the six positions, with the posthumous name Xian Zi.

In Duke Jing's seventeenth year, the duke fell ill. Divination revealed that the cause was the spirit of an unfinished great enterprise. Han Jue reminded the duke of the merits of Zhao Chengji, noting that his line now had no heir to maintain the sacrifices, and moved the duke's conscience. Duke Jing asked: "Does the line still exist?" Han Jue then revealed the existence of Zhao Wu, and the duke restored the former Zhao estates and lands, continuing the Zhao sacrifices.

In the seventh year of Duke Dao of Jin, Han Xian Zi retired from office. After his death, his son Xuan Zi succeeded him. Xuan Zi moved the clan seat to Zhou.

In the fourteenth year of Duke Ping of Jin, Ji Zha of Wu visited Jin and declared: "The governance of Jin will ultimately pass to Han, Wei, and Zhao." In the twelfth year of Duke Qing of Jin, Han Xuan Zi joined Zhao and Wei in dividing the ten counties of the Qi and Yangshe clans. In the fifteenth year of Duke Ding of Jin, Xuan Zi joined Zhao Jian Zi in attacking the Fan and Zhonghang clans. Xuan Zi died and his son Zhen Zi succeeded. Zhen Zi moved the seat to Pingyang.

Zhen Zi died and his son Jian Zi succeeded. Jian Zi died and his son Zhuang Zi succeeded. Zhuang Zi died and his son Kang Zi succeeded. Kang Zi, together with Zhao Xiang Zi and Wei Huan Zi, defeated Zhi Bo and divided his territory. Han's domain grew larger than that of many feudal states.

Kang Zi died and his son Wu Zi succeeded. In Wu Zi's second year, Han attacked Zheng and killed its ruler Duke You. In the sixteenth year, Wu Zi died and his son Marquis Jing succeeded.

In the first year of Marquis Jing Qian, Han attacked Zheng and took Yongqiu. In the second year, Zheng defeated Han at Fushu.

In the sixth year, Han was formally listed as a feudal state alongside Zhao and Wei.

In the ninth year, Zheng besieged Han's Yangzhai. Marquis Jing died, and his son Marquis Lie succeeded.

In Marquis Lie's third year, the assassin Nie Zheng killed Han's chancellor Xia Lei. In the ninth year, Qin attacked Yiyang and took six towns. In the thirteenth year, Marquis Lie died and his son Marquis Wen succeeded. That year, Marquis Wen of Wei also died.

In Marquis Wen's second year, Han attacked Zheng and took Yangcheng. It attacked Song, reached Pengcheng, and captured the ruler of Song. In the seventh year, Han attacked Qi, reaching Sangqiu. Zheng rebelled against Jin. In the ninth year, Han attacked Qi, reaching Lingqiu. In the tenth year, Marquis Wen died and his son Marquis Ai succeeded.

In Marquis Ai's first year, Han, Zhao, and Wei formally divided the state of Jin. In the second year, Han destroyed Zheng and moved its capital there.

In the sixth year, Han Yan assassinated Marquis Ai. His son Marquis Yi succeeded.

In Marquis Yi's second year, Wei defeated Han at Maling. In the fifth year, he met King Hui of Wei at Zhaiyang. In the ninth year, Wei defeated Han at Hui. In the twelfth year, Marquis Yi died and his son Marquis Zhao succeeded.

In Marquis Zhao's first year, Qin defeated Han at Xishan. In the second year, Song took Huangchi and Wei took Zhu. In the sixth year, Han attacked Eastern Zhou and took Lingguan and Xingqiu.

In the eighth year, Shen Buhai became chancellor of Han. He practiced the art of administrative technique, and the state was well-governed internally. The other feudal states did not come to invade.

In the tenth year, the Lady Han Ji assassinated Duke Dao. In the eleventh year, Marquis Zhao visited Qin. In the twenty-second year, Shen Buhai died. In the twenty-fourth year, Qin captured Yiyang.

In the twenty-fifth year, there was a drought, and Marquis Zhao built a tall gate. Qu Yijiu commented: "Marquis Zhao will never pass through this gate. Why? Because the timing is wrong. When I speak of timing, I do not mean auspicious days. People naturally have fortunate and unfortunate periods. There was a time when Marquis Zhao prospered, but he did not build a tall gate then. Last year Qin took Yiyang. This year there is a drought. Instead of using this moment to relieve his people's suffering, Marquis Zhao indulges in ever greater extravagance. This is what is called 'reducing when the times demand, yet spending when they do not.'" In the twenty-sixth year, the tall gate was completed and Marquis Zhao died. He indeed never passed through it. His son King Xuanhui succeeded.

In King Xuanhui's fifth year, Zhang Yi became chancellor of Qin. In the eighth year, Wei defeated Han's general Han Ju. In the eleventh year, the ruler assumed the title of king. He met Zhao at Qushu. In the fourteenth year, Qin attacked and defeated Han at Yan.

In the sixteenth year, Qin defeated Han at Xiuyu and captured the Han generals Yi and Shen Cha at Zhuoze. Han was in desperate straits. Gongzhong told the King of Han: "Allies cannot be relied upon. Qin has long wished to attack Chu. Your Majesty should use Zhang Yi to negotiate peace with Qin, offer one major city as tribute, prepare your armies, and join Qin in attacking Chu southward. This is a plan of trading one to gain two." The king agreed and prepared to send Gongzhong west to negotiate with Qin.

The King of Chu was terrified when he heard this. He summoned Chen Zhen for advice. Chen Zhen said: "Qin has long wished to attack Chu. Now it will gain a major Han city and Han's military support. A joint Qin-Han attack on Chu is exactly what Qin has prayed for. Chu will certainly be invaded. But if Your Majesty mobilizes the entire state, raises armies claiming to rescue Han, fills the roads with war chariots, sends trusted envoys with many carriages and rich gifts to convince Han that we will truly come to their aid, then even if Han does not listen to us, it will be grateful. It will not march in formation alongside Qin. If Qin and Han are not in harmony, their armies may come, but Chu will not suffer greatly. If Han does listen and breaks its peace with Qin, Qin will be enraged and deeply resentful of Han. When Han turns south to ally with Chu, it will take Qin lightly, and its dealings with Qin will be disrespectful. Thus we use the conflict between Qin and Han to free Chu from danger." The King of Chu agreed and mobilized the entire state, raising armies that he claimed would rescue Han. He filled the roads with war chariots and dispatched trusted envoys with many carriages and rich gifts. He told the King of Han: "Though my state is small, I have mobilized everything. May the great state carry out its will against Qin. I will sacrifice Chu for Han."

The King of Han was overjoyed and halted Gongzhong's mission. Gongzhong protested: "This is a mistake. The one who attacks us with real force is Qin. The one who rescues us with empty promises is Chu. If Your Majesty relies on Chu's empty promises and carelessly breaks with powerful Qin, the whole world will laugh at us. Chu and Han are not brother states, nor have they ever had a standing agreement to attack Qin together. Chu saw the beginnings of an attack and raised troops claiming to rescue Han; this is surely Chen Zhen's stratagem. Moreover, Your Majesty has already sent word to Qin. To reverse course now is to deceive Qin. To casually deceive powerful Qin and trust Chu's schemer, I fear Your Majesty will regret it." The king refused to listen and broke with Qin. Qin, enraged, reinforced its armies and attacked Han in force. A great battle was fought. Chu's rescue never arrived. In the nineteenth year, Qin inflicted a devastating defeat at Anmen. Crown Prince Cang was sent to Qin as a hostage to secure peace.

In the twenty-first year, Han joined Qin in attacking Chu, defeating the Chu general Qu Gai and killing eighty thousand at Danyang. That year, King Xuanhui died and Crown Prince Cang succeeded as King Xiang.

In King Xiang's fourth year, he met King Wu of Qin at Linjin. That autumn, Qin sent Gan Mao to attack Yiyang. In the fifth year, Qin captured Yiyang, killing sixty thousand. King Wu of Qin died. In the sixth year, Qin returned Wusui. In the ninth year, Qin took Wusui back again. In the tenth year, Crown Prince Ying visited Qin and returned. In the eleventh year, Qin attacked Han and took Rang. Han joined Qin in attacking Chu and defeated the Chu general Tang Mo.

In the twelfth year, Crown Prince Ying died. Prince Jiu and Prince Jishi contested the succession. Jishi was at the time a hostage in Chu. Su Dai told Prince Jiu: "Jishi is a refugee in Chu, and the King of Chu is eager to install him. Chu now has over a hundred thousand troops beyond Fangcheng. Why not have the King of Chu build a major settlement near Yongshi? Han will certainly raise troops to counter the threat, and you will certainly be appointed commander. You can then use Han and Chu's combined forces to install Jishi, and he will be indebted to you. Chu and Han will both reward you with territory." Prince Jiu followed this plan.

Chu besieged Yongshi, and Han appealed to Qin for rescue. Qin did not dispatch troops but sent Gongsun Mei into Han. Gongzhong asked: "Do you think Qin intends to rescue Han?" Gongsun Mei replied: "The King of Qin said: 'Let us march through Nanzheng and Lantian and deploy against Chu.' That plan will probably not materialize." Gongzhong asked: "Are you sure?" He replied: "The King of Qin will certainly follow Zhang Yi's old playbook. When King Wei of Chu attacked Liang, Zhang Yi told the King of Qin: 'If we join Chu against Wei, Wei will break and submit to Chu, and since Han is Wei's natural ally, Qin will be isolated. Better to deploy troops as a show of force. Let Wei and Chu fight it out, and Qin takes the lands beyond the Western River.' Now the situation is similar: Qin claims publicly to support Han, but secretly favors Chu. If you wait for Qin and they delay, you will casually engage Chu. Chu, secretly knowing that Qin will not intervene, will press you hard. If you defeat Chu, Qin will ride your victory and seize the Sanchuan region. If you lose, Chu will block Sanchuan and hold it, and you cannot recover. I am worried on your behalf. Sima Geng has visited Ying three times. Gan Mao met Zhao Yu at Shangyu. Their talk of 'collecting seals' strongly suggests they have a deal." Gongzhong was alarmed: "Then what should I do?" He said: "Put Han's interests before Qin's, and your own interests before Zhang Yi's. You should immediately align your state with Qi and Chu. Qi and Chu will entrust the state to you. What you fear is Zhang Yi's influence, but in reality you can still maintain relations with Qin." Thereupon Chu lifted its siege of Yongshi.

Su Dai then told Qin's Queen Dowager's brother Xiu Rong: "Gongshu Boying fears that Qin and Chu will install Jishi. Why don't you request that Chu send a hostage to Han? If Chu agrees, Gongshu Boying will know that neither Qin nor Chu intends to press Jishi's claim, and he will align Han with both Qin and Chu. Qin and Chu can then use Han to pressure Wei, and Wei will not dare ally with Qi; Qi will be isolated. If you then ask Chu for a hostage on Qin's behalf and Chu refuses, resentment will build between Chu and Han. Han will then surround Chu together with Qi and Wei, and Chu will depend on you. Using Qin and Chu's combined weight, you can build goodwill with Han, and Gongshu Boying will treat you as Han's patron." In the end, Jishi was never able to return to Han. Han installed Prince Jiu as crown prince. The kings of Qi and Wei came to pay their respects.

In the fourteenth year, Han joined the kings of Qi and Wei in attacking Qin, advancing to Hangu Pass. In the sixteenth year, Qin returned the lands beyond the river and Wusui to Han. King Xiang died and Crown Prince Jiu succeeded as King Xi.

In King Xi's third year, he sent Gongsun Xi to lead Zhou and Wei forces against Qin. Qin destroyed a combined force of two hundred forty thousand and captured Gongsun Xi at Yique. In the fifth year, Qin captured Wan. In the sixth year, Han ceded two hundred li of territory at Wusui to Qin. In the tenth year, Qin defeated Han's army at Xiashan. In the twelfth year, Han met King Zhao of Qin at Western Zhou and assisted Qin in attacking Qi. Qi was defeated and King Min fled. In the fourteenth year, Han met Qin between the two Zhous. In the twenty-first year, Han sent Bao Zheng to rescue Wei, but he was defeated by Qin and fled to Kaifeng. In the twenty-third year, Zhao and Wei attacked Han at Huayang. Han appealed to Qin for rescue, but Qin did not respond. Han's chancellor told Chen Shi: "The situation is urgent. I beg you, despite your illness, to make a night's journey." Chen Shi went to see the Marquis of Rang. The Marquis of Rang said: "Is it urgent? Is that why you were sent?" Chen Shi replied: "It is not urgent." The Marquis was furious: "Can this be how your lord sends envoys? Your carriages have been coming one after another, telling us the situation is desperate. Yet you come and say it is not urgent. Why?" Chen Shi said: "If Han were truly desperate, it would change course and join another alliance. It is because the situation is not yet desperate that I have come again." The Marquis said: "You need not see the king. I will order troops to rescue Han immediately." Within eight days they arrived and defeated Zhao and Wei beneath the walls of Huayang. That year, King Xi died and his son King Huanhui succeeded.

In King Huanhui's first year, Han attacked Yan. In the ninth year, Qin captured Xing and fortified the area beside the Fen River. In the tenth year, Qin struck Han at Taihang, and Han's commandant of Shangdang surrendered the entire commandery to Zhao. In the fourteenth year, Qin captured Zhao's Shangdang and killed over four hundred thousand soldiers under Zhao's Ma Fu Zi at Changping. In the seventeenth year, Qin captured Yangcheng and Fushu. In the twenty-second year, King Zhao of Qin died. In the twenty-fourth year, Qin captured Chenggao and Xingyang. In the twenty-sixth year, Qin captured all of Shangdang. In the twenty-ninth year, Qin captured thirteen more Han cities.

In the thirty-fourth year, King Huanhui died and his son King An succeeded.

In King An's fifth year, Qin attacked Han. Han was desperate and sent Han Fei as an envoy to Qin. Qin detained Han Fei and subsequently killed him.

In the ninth year, Qin captured King An and annexed all of Han's territory, converting it into the Yingchuan commandery. Han was thus destroyed.

The Grand Historian remarks: When Han Jue moved Duke Jing of Jin's conscience, revived the orphan Zhao Wu, and fulfilled the righteousness of Cheng Ying and Gongsun Chujiu, that was a deed of hidden virtue known to all under Heaven. As for the Han clan's achievements in Jin, we do not see anything truly great. Yet the clan endured alongside Zhao and Wei as feudal lords for over ten generations. Was this not fitting?

The ancestors of Han traced their lineage to the martial founders of Zhou. Their affairs were minor, their state small; the Spring and Autumn Annals say nothing of them. Their descendants served Jin and dwelt at the Han Plain. They helped restore the Zhao orphan and helped destroy Zhi Bo. They moved to Pingyang, then took Fushu. Marquis Jing and Zhao became peers; King Huanhui further usurped royal titles. Qin defeated them at Xiuyu, Wei met them at Qushu. Though Han Fei was sent as envoy, he could not stop the tiger and the wolf.