甯文子具紵絺三百製，將以送之。
Nan Wenzi84 prepared three hundred rolls of woven hemp and fine-vine cloth with the intention of presenting them to him as a gift.
大夫豹曰：「吳雖大國也，不壤交，假之道，則亦敬矣，又何禮焉？
Court officer Bao said to him, “Wu is a large and powerful state; granting Wu passage even though our borders do not touch is already courtesy enough—why give gifts as well?” Nan Wenzi ignored this advice and presented the gifts.
」寧文子不聽，遂致之。
Chi Shi of Wu went on to his meeting with the Zhi clan chief.
吳赤市至於智氏，既得事，將歸吳，智伯命造舟為梁，吳赤市曰：「吾聞之：天子濟於水，造舟為梁，諸侯維舟，大夫方舟。
When his business was concluded and he was about to return to Wu, the count of Zhi issued an order to construct boats to make a bridge.
方舟，臣之職也，且敬大甚，必有故。
Chi Shi of Wu said to himself, “I have heard that when a Son of Heaven crosses a river, he has boats built to make a bridge, that vassal lords have several boats tied together, and that court officers use a pair of boats.
」使之視之，則用兵在後矣，將以襲衛。
A pair of boats would be appropriate to my position—the respect they show me is too great; there must be some reason for it.” He then sent a man to look at the boats and found that the ones in the rear held soldiers, so as to mount a surprise attack on Wei.
吳赤市曰：「衛假吾道而厚贈我，我見難而不告，是與為謀也。
Chi Shi of Wu said to himself, “Wei leant me passage and presented me with a generous gift—if I should see trouble and not inform them, that would be the same as conspiring with their adversaries.” He accordingly remained longer where he was, claiming he was ill, and sent a man to inform Wei what was afoot, whereupon Wei took precautions.
」稱疾而留，使人告衛，衛人警戒。
智伯聞之，乃止。
When the count of Zhi heard of it, he put aside his scheme.