今寡人有國家，立社稷，有諫則死無赦。
I am now in possession of this state and have established the altars to the spirits of the soil and the grain. If anyone comes to admonish me, he shall die with no possibility of reprieve.” Su Cong said, “One who occupies a great position under a ruler and consumes great bounties bestowed on him by that ruler yet fails to admonish him out of reluctance to die is not a loyal officer.” He then went to court to admonish the king.
」蘇從曰：「處君之高爵，食君之厚祿，愛其死而不諫其君，則非忠臣也。
King Zhuang stood among bells and gongs, supporting a beauty from Wu with his left arm and embracing a beauty from Yue with his right, while some who were with him wore casual attire, and others were arrayed in court regalia.
」乃入諫。
莊王立鍾鼓之間，左伏楊姬，右擁越姬，左裯衽，右朝服，曰：「吾鍾鼓之不暇，何諫之聽！
Seeing Su Cong, he said, “I scarcely have time as it is to strike my bells and drums—how can I listen to admonitions!” “Your servant has heard,” said Su Cong, “that those who are fond of the Way gain plentiful support and that those who are fond of music are often misled; those who are fond of the Way have many provisions, whereas those who are fond of music often perish.
」蘇從曰：「臣聞之，好道者多資，好樂者多迷；好道者多糧，好樂者多亡。
The state of Jing may perish any day now, and I now risk death in order to announce this fact.” “Excellently observed!” said the king.
荊國亡無日矣，死臣敢以告王。
Grasping Su Cong’s hand with his left hand, he used his right to withdraw a concealed knife and cut the strings from which the bells and the drums were suspended.
」王曰：「善。
」左執蘇從手，右抽陰刀，刎鍾鼓之懸，明日授蘇從為相。
The next day he made Su Cong his prime minister.