司城子罕亡,子韋不從;子罕來,復召子韋而貴之。
When Zihan the Overseer went into exile, Ziwei did not follow him; but, when Zihan returned, he again summoned Ziwei to his side and treated him with honor.
左右曰:「君之善子韋也,君亡不從,來又復貴之,君獨不愧於君之忠臣乎?
Members of his retinue said, “Why do you value Ziwei like this?
」子罕曰:「吾唯不能用子韋,故至於亡;今吾之得復也,尚是子韋之遺德餘教也,吾故貴之。
When Your Lordship went into exile, he did not follow you; but now, on your return, you again give him honor—could Your Lordship be unique in feeling no sense of compunction in the presence of loyal ministers?” Zihan said, “It was entirely because I was unable to make use of Ziwei’s services that I was forced into exile.
且我之亡也,吾臣之削迹拔樹以從我者,奚益於吾亡哉?」
That I was able to succeed in coming back was still due to the lingering influence of Ziwei’s virtue and instruction; that is why I honor him.
And, when I went into exile, of what use was it to me when those who followed me obliterated our carriage tracks and plucked out our pennant staffs?” Zhao Jianzi Recruits a Prime Minister