如是三年，国衰，诸侯谋之。
Day and night, they competed against one another to entertain the king.
太子悝患之，募左右曰：“孰能说王之意止剑士者，赐之千金。
Though more than a hundred were killed every year, the king's fondness for swordplay never faded.
”左右曰：“庄子当能。
Three years went by and the state of Zhao declined, so other states plotted to attack Zhao.
”
太子乃使人以千金奉庄子。
Li, the crown prince, was greatly worried.
庄子弗受，与使者俱，往见太子曰：“太子何以教周，赐周千金？
He consulted the officials, promising, "Whoever can persuade the duke to give up swordplay will be rewarded one thousand ounces of gold." The officials all suggested, "Only Zhuangzi can accomplish the mission." The crown prince immediately ordered an official to send one thou- sand ounces of gold to Zhuangzi.
”太子曰：“闻夫子明圣，谨奉千金以币从者。
Zhuangzi, however, refused to accept it and went to see the prince along with the official.
夫子弗受，悝尚何敢言！
He asked the prince, "what do you want me to do for you?
”庄子曰：“闻太子所欲用周者，欲绝王之喜好也。
Why do you grant me such a The prince answered, "I've heard that you are an able and wise master.
使臣上说大王而逆王意，下不当太子，则身刑而死，周尚安所事金乎？
The gift was presented to your followers.
使臣上说大王，下当太子，赵国何求而不得也！
Now that you have refused to accept it, I have nothing to say!" Zhuangzi said, "I heard that you wished me to persuade the duke to abandon his indulgence in swordplay.
”太子曰：“然。
If my talk should displease the king and disappoint you at the same time, then I would be punished and killed.
吾王所见，唯剑士也。
What would be the use for me to accept such a generous gift?
”庄子曰：“诺。
On the contrary, if I could persuade the king and please you, too, nothing I ask for from the state of Zhao should be unattainable then!" The prince agreed, "That's true.
周善为剑。
The fact is that the duke sees nobody but those swordplayers." Zhuangzi said, "That is not a problem, for I'm also good at sword- play." The prince said, "But the players that the duke favours to see are all those whose hair is dishevelled, locks on the temples untrimmed, hats hanging low, and hat ribbons thick and coarse.
”太子曰：“然吾王所见剑士，皆蓬头突髻垂冠，曼胡之缨，短后之衣，瞋目而语难，王乃说之。
They all wear short com- bating clothes and have a glaring look.
今夫子必儒服而见王，事必大逆。
They are all inarticulate because of puff and blow.
”庄子曰：“请治剑服。
It is strange that the duke should like them.
”治剑服三日，乃见太子。
If you are going to see the duke in the robe of a scholar, things will not come to a good result." Zhuangzi said, "Please get ready for me an outfit of a swordplayer." Three days afterwards, Zhuangzi, wearing the outfit, went to the prince.
太子乃与见王，王脱白刃待之。
The prince went along with Zhuangzi to see the duke, who was expecting them, his sharp sword unsheathed.
庄子入殿门不趋，见王不拜。
Zhuangzi walked into the palace at a leisure pace.
王曰：“子欲何以教寡人，使太子先。
He did not pros- trate himself at the sight of the duke.
”曰：“臣闻大王喜剑，故以剑见王。
The duke said, "I wonder what advice you have for me that you need the prince's introduction." Zhuangzi said, "I've heard that you are fond of swordplay, so I've come all the way to display my swordsmanship." The Duke asked, "How do you employ your swordsmanship to de- feat your opponent?" Zhuangzi replied, "When I wield my sword, I can defeat one oppo- nent every ten paces, and I can advance a thousand li without meeting my equal." Greatly delighted, the duke said, "You are incomparable indeed!" Zhuangzi went on to say, My principle of swordplay is to reveal on purpse the weakness to my rival first and let him take the advantage at the beginning.
”王曰：“子之剑何能禁制？
Then I shall be on the offensive and try to hit him before he has a chance to get me.
”曰：“臣之剑，十步一人，千里不留行。
I'd like to have an opportunity to try my way here." The duke said, I'd like you to rest in my place at the moment and wait for further notice.