There was a man named Cao Shang in the State of Song.

宋国有个人，名叫曹商。

Once, he was sent on a mission by the King of Song to the State of Qin.

一次，他受宋王的派遣，出使秦国。

Before departure, the King of Song bestowed¹ upon him several horse-drawn chariots.

临行时，宋王赐给他几乘车马。

Upon arriving in the State of Qin, Cao Shang won the favour of the King of Qin.

到了秦国，曹商很得秦王欢心。

Consequently, the King bestowed upon him 100 chariots.

于是秦王又赐给他百乘车马。

Soon afterwards, Cao Shang returned to the State of Song.

不久，曹商返回宋国。

One day he met Zhuang Zi and said proudly:"In the past, I lived in poor streets and humble² alleys³.

一天，他见到庄子，得意洋洋地说:“过去我身居穷街陋巷。

I was very poor, and made my living by making shoes.

非常贫困，靠编鞋过日子。

I was sallow and thin.

面黄肌瘦。

This was my weak point.

这是我的短处。

Now, relying on my clever tongue, I have touched the heart of the King of Qin, who is the sovereign lord with 1,000 chariots.

现在，我凭着三寸不烂之舌，打动万乘之主的秦王。

He bestowed upon me 100 chariots. This is my strong point."

赐给我车马百乘，这是我的长处。”

When Zhuang Zi heard this, he gave a snort of contempt and said sarcastically⁴:

庄子听了，嗤之以鼻，讽刺他说:

"I heard that the King of Qin was ill.

“我听说秦王有病。

He let the physicians treat him, and rewarded them according to their contributions:

让医生治病，实行论功行赏:

those who sucked pus and ate sores would get 1 horse-drawn chariot;

吸脓吃疮的，可得车马一乘;

those who licked the piles would get 5 chariots.

舌甜痔疮的，可得车马五乘。

The more filthy⁵ the illness you treat, the more chariots you would get.

治的病越肮脏，得的车马越多。

You have probably licked his piles; otherwise, how could you acquire that many chariots?

您大概为秦王甜过痔疮吧，不然怎么会得到那么多车马呢?

You had better go away!"

您还是给我走开吧!”