行略定秦(qin)地(di)1。函(han)谷關(guan)有兵守關(guan),不(bu)得入(ru)。又(you)聞沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)已破咸陽,項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)大怒(nu),使當(dang)陽君等擊(ji)關(guan)。項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)遂(sui)入(ru),至于戲西。沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)軍(jun)霸上,未得與項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)相(xiang)見。沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)左司(si)馬曹無傷使人(ren)言(yan)于項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)曰:“沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)欲王關(guan)中(zhong)2,使子嬰為相(xiang),珍(zhen)寶盡(jin)有之。”項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)大怒(nu),曰:“旦日(ri)饗士卒3,為擊(ji)破沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)軍(jun)!”當(dang)是時,項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)兵四十(shi)萬,在(zai)(zai)新豐鴻門(men);沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)兵十(shi)萬,在(zai)(zai)霸上。范(fan)增說(shuo)項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)(yu)(yu)曰4:“沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)居山東時,貪于財貨,好(hao)美(mei)姬。今(jin)入(ru)關(guan),財物無所取,婦(fu)女(nv)無所幸5,此(ci)其(qi)志不(bu)在(zai)(zai)小。吾令人(ren)望其(qi)氣6,皆(jie)為龍虎(hu),成五采,此(ci)天(tian)子氣也(ye)。急擊(ji)勿失(shi)!”
楚(chu)左(zuo)尹項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)者(zhe)7,項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽季父也,素善留(liu)侯張(zhang)(zhang)良(liang)(liang)8。張(zhang)(zhang)良(liang)(liang)是時從沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong),項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)乃夜(ye)馳(chi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)軍(jun),私見張(zhang)(zhang)良(liang)(liang),具告(gao)以(yi)(yi)(yi)事(shi)(shi)9,欲呼張(zhang)(zhang)良(liang)(liang)與俱(ju)去,曰(yue)(yue):“毋從俱(ju)死(si)也10!”張(zhang)(zhang)良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“臣為韓王(wang)(wang)送沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong),沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)今事(shi)(shi)有(you)急(ji),亡(wang)去不(bu)(bu)(bu)義,不(bu)(bu)(bu)可(ke)不(bu)(bu)(bu)語。”良(liang)(liang)乃入(ru)(ru),具告(gao)沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)。沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)大(da)驚,曰(yue)(yue):“為之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)奈何?”張(zhang)(zhang)良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“誰為大(da)王(wang)(wang)為此(ci)計(ji)者(zhe)?”曰(yue)(yue):“鯫生說我(wo)曰(yue)(yue):‘距關,毋內諸侯,秦地(di)可(ke)盡(jin)王(wang)(wang)也。’故聽(ting)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。”良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“料大(da)王(wang)(wang)士卒足以(yi)(yi)(yi)當項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)(wang)乎?”沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)默然,曰(yue)(yue):“固不(bu)(bu)(bu)如也!且為之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)奈何?”張(zhang)(zhang)良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“請往(wang)謂(wei)項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo),言沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)不(bu)(bu)(bu)敢(gan)背項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)(wang)也。”沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue):“君安與項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)有(you)故?”張(zhang)(zhang)良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“秦時與臣游,項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)殺人(ren),臣活之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi);今事(shi)(shi)有(you)急(ji),故幸來(lai)告(gao)良(liang)(liang)。”沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue):“孰與君少長?”良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“長于臣。”沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue):“君為我(wo)呼入(ru)(ru),吾得兄事(shi)(shi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。”張(zhang)(zhang)良(liang)(liang)出(chu),要項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)。項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)即入(ru)(ru)見沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)。沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)奉卮(zhi)酒為壽,約(yue)為婚姻,曰(yue)(yue):“吾入(ru)(ru)關,秋(qiu)毫不(bu)(bu)(bu)敢(gan)有(you)所近,籍吏(li)民,封(feng)府庫,而(er)待將軍(jun)。所以(yi)(yi)(yi)遣將守關者(zhe),備他盜之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)出(chu)入(ru)(ru)與非常(chang)也。日(ri)夜(ye)望將軍(jun)至,豈(qi)敢(gan)反乎!愿伯(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)具言臣之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)敢(gan)倍德也。”項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)許諾(nuo),謂(wei)沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue):“旦日(ri)不(bu)(bu)(bu)可(ke)不(bu)(bu)(bu)蚤自(zi)來(lai)謝項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)(wang)!”沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue):“諾(nuo)。”于是項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)(bo)復夜(ye)去,至軍(jun)中(zhong),具以(yi)(yi)(yi)沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)言報項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)(wang),因(yin)言曰(yue)(yue):“沛(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)不(bu)(bu)(bu)先破關中(zhong),公(gong)(gong)豈(qi)敢(gan)入(ru)(ru)乎?今人(ren)有(you)大(da)功而(er)擊之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),不(bu)(bu)(bu)義也。不(bu)(bu)(bu)如因(yin)善遇之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。”項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)(wang)許諾(nuo)。
沛(pei)公(gong)旦(dan)日(ri)從百(bai)余(yu)騎來見項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang),至鴻門,謝曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“臣(chen)與(yu)(yu)將軍(jun)戮力(li)而攻秦,將軍(jun)戰(zhan)河北(bei),臣(chen)戰(zhan)河南,然不自意能(neng)先(xian)入關破秦,得復(fu)見將軍(jun)于此(ci)。今者有(you)小人之(zhi)言,令將軍(jun)與(yu)(yu)臣(chen)有(you)郤。”項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“此(ci)沛(pei)公(gong)左(zuo)司(si)馬曹(cao)無(wu)傷言之(zhi),不然,籍何以(yi)至此(ci)?”項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)即日(ri)因留沛(pei)公(gong)與(yu)(yu)飲。項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)、項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)東向坐(zuo);亞父南向坐(zuo)—亞父者,范(fan)增也;沛(pei)公(gong)北(bei)向坐(zuo),張良西(xi)向侍。范(fan)增數目項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang),舉(ju)所佩玉玦以(yi)示之(zhi)者三,項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)默(mo)然不應(ying)。范(fan)增起,出,召(zhao)項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)莊(zhuang),謂曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“君王(wang)為人不忍。若(ruo)入前為壽,壽畢(bi),請以(yi)劍舞,因擊沛(pei)公(gong)于坐(zuo),殺之(zhi)。不者,若(ruo)屬皆且(qie)為所虜!”莊(zhuang)則(ze)入為壽。壽畢(bi),曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“君王(wang)與(yu)(yu)沛(pei)公(gong)飲,軍(jun)中無(wu)以(yi)為樂(le),請以(yi)劍舞。”項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“諾(nuo)。”項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)莊(zhuang)拔(ba)劍起舞,項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)亦拔(ba)劍起舞,常(chang)以(yi)身(shen)翼(yi)蔽(bi)沛(pei)公(gong),莊(zhuang)不得擊。
于是張良(liang)至軍門見(jian)樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)。樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)曰(yue)(yue):“今日之(zhi)(zhi)事何如(ru)?”良(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“甚急!今者(zhe)項(xiang)莊拔劍舞,其(qi)(qi)(qi)意(yi)常在沛(pei)(pei)公也。”噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)曰(yue)(yue):“此(ci)迫矣!臣(chen)請入(ru),與之(zhi)(zhi)同命(ming)!”噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)即帶劍擁(yong)盾(dun)(dun)入(ru)軍門。交戟之(zhi)(zhi)衛(wei)士(shi)欲止(zhi)不內,樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)側其(qi)(qi)(qi)盾(dun)(dun)以(yi)(yi)撞,衛(wei)士(shi)仆地,噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)遂入(ru),披帷西向立(li),瞋目視項(xiang)王,頭(tou)發上指,目眥盡裂。項(xiang)王按(an)劍而(er)跽曰(yue)(yue):“客何為(wei)者(zhe)?”張良(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“沛(pei)(pei)公之(zhi)(zhi)參乘樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)者(zhe)也。”項(xiang)王曰(yue)(yue):“壯(zhuang)士(shi)!賜之(zhi)(zhi)卮(zhi)酒(jiu)!”則(ze)與斗卮(zhi)酒(jiu)。噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)拜謝(xie),起,立(li)而(er)飲之(zhi)(zhi)。項(xiang)王曰(yue)(yue):“賜之(zhi)(zhi)彘肩(jian)!”則(ze)與一生彘肩(jian)。樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)覆其(qi)(qi)(qi)盾(dun)(dun)于地,加彘肩(jian)上,拔劍切而(er)啖之(zhi)(zhi)。項(xiang)王曰(yue)(yue):“壯(zhuang)士(shi)!能(neng)復飲乎?”樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)曰(yue)(yue):“臣(chen)死且不避,卮(zhi)酒(jiu)安足辭!夫秦(qin)王有(you)虎狼之(zhi)(zhi)心(xin),殺人(ren)如(ru)不能(neng)舉,刑人(ren)如(ru)恐不勝,天下皆叛之(zhi)(zhi)。懷王與諸將約曰(yue)(yue):‘先破秦(qin)入(ru)咸(xian)陽者(zhe)王之(zhi)(zhi)。’今沛(pei)(pei)公先破秦(qin)入(ru)咸(xian)陽,毫毛不敢有(you)所(suo)近(jin),封(feng)閉宮(gong)室,還軍霸(ba)上,以(yi)(yi)待大王來。故遣將守關者(zhe),備他盜(dao)出入(ru)與非常也。勞苦(ku)而(er)功高如(ru)此(ci),未有(you)封(feng)侯之(zhi)(zhi)賞,而(er)聽細說,欲誅有(you)功之(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)。此(ci)亡秦(qin)之(zhi)(zhi)續(xu)耳(er),竊為(wei)大王不取也!”項(xiang)王未有(you)以(yi)(yi)應,曰(yue)(yue):“坐(zuo)!”樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)從良(liang)坐(zuo)。坐(zuo)須臾(yu),沛(pei)(pei)公起如(ru)廁,因招(zhao)樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)(kuai)出。
沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)已出(chu),項王(wang)使都尉陳平召沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)。沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue):“今(jin)者出(chu),未辭(ci)(ci)也(ye),為(wei)之(zhi)奈何(he)(he)?”樊噲曰(yue)(yue):“大(da)行不(bu)(bu)顧細謹(jin),大(da)禮不(bu)(bu)辭(ci)(ci)小讓。如今(jin)人(ren)方為(wei)刀(dao)俎,我為(wei)魚(yu)肉,何(he)(he)辭(ci)(ci)為(wei)?”于是遂(sui)去。乃令(ling)張良(liang)(liang)留(liu)謝。良(liang)(liang)問曰(yue)(yue):“大(da)王(wang)來何(he)(he)操?”曰(yue)(yue):“我持(chi)白(bai)璧一(yi)雙,欲獻項王(wang),玉斗一(yi)雙,欲與亞(ya)父。會其(qi)怒,不(bu)(bu)敢獻。公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)為(wei)我獻之(zhi)。”張良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“謹(jin)諾。”當是時,項王(wang)軍(jun)(jun)在(zai)鴻門(men)下,沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)軍(jun)(jun)在(zai)霸上,相去四(si)十(shi)里。沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)則(ze)置車騎,脫身獨騎,與樊噲、夏侯嬰(ying)、靳強、紀信等四(si)人(ren)持(chi)劍盾步走,從酈山下,道芷陽間行。沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)謂張良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“從此道至(zhi)吾軍(jun)(jun),不(bu)(bu)過二(er)十(shi)里耳(er)。度我至(zhi)軍(jun)(jun)中,公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)乃入。”
沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)已(yi)去(qu),間至軍(jun)中。張良入謝(xie),曰(yue):“沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)不勝桮(bei)杓(shao),不能辭。謹使臣(chen)良奉白(bai)璧一雙(shuang),再拜獻(xian)大(da)王(wang)足(zu)下;玉斗一雙(shuang),再拜奉大(da)將軍(jun)足(zu)下。”項(xiang)王(wang)曰(yue):“沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)安(an)在?”良曰(yue):“聞(wen)大(da)王(wang)有意督過之(zhi)(zhi),脫身獨(du)去(qu),已(yi)至軍(jun)矣。”項(xiang)王(wang)則受(shou)(shou)璧,置之(zhi)(zhi)坐(zuo)上(shang)。亞(ya)父受(shou)(shou)玉斗,置之(zhi)(zhi)地(di),拔劍撞(zhuang)而(er)破之(zhi)(zhi),曰(yue):“唉!豎子(zi)不足(zu)與謀(mou)!奪項(xiang)王(wang)天下者,必沛(pei)(pei)公(gong)也!吾(wu)屬今為之(zhi)(zhi)虜矣!”
沛公(gong)至軍,立誅(zhu)殺曹無傷。
司(si)馬遷在(zai)元封三(san)年(前(qian)108年)接替(ti)其父擔任太(tai)(tai)史(shi)令(ling),從太(tai)(tai)初元年(前(qian)104年)開始創作(zuo)《太(tai)(tai)史(shi)公書(shu)》(后來稱為《史(shi)記》)。后因向(xiang)漢武(wu)帝為李(li)陵(ling)戰敗投降匈奴之事(shi)辯護(hu)而被(bei)捕入獄(yu)(yu)并處以腐刑,在(zai)形(xing)體和精(jing)神上遭受(shou)巨大的(de)創傷。出獄(yu)(yu)后任中書(shu)令(ling),忍辱發奮繼續完成(cheng)所著史(shi)籍。大約(yue)在(zai)征和二年(前(qian)91年),終(zhong)于完成(cheng)了全書(shu)的(de)撰(zhuan)寫(xie)和修改工作(zuo)。全書(shu)共(gong)一百(bai)三(san)十篇,其中第(di)七篇即為《項羽本紀(ji)》。
項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)作(zuo)為(wei)漢朝(chao)開創者劉邦的勁敵,曾與(yu)劉邦爭奪(duo)天下,漢朝(chao)歷代君主對項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)的態度多是(shi)貶大(da)于褒。而司馬(ma)遷卻(que)不(bu)(bu)同(tong)。揚雄《法言(yan)》云(yun):“太(tai)史遷,曰(yue)實錄。”“子長多愛,愛奇(qi)也(ye)。”正因為(wei)司馬(ma)遷的“實錄”精神和“愛奇(qi)”思想,不(bu)(bu)以(yi)成(cheng)敗(bai)論(lun)英雄,才刻畫出具有鮮明個性的項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)形象(xiang)。而鴻門(men)宴是(shi)項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)一生成(cheng)敗(bai)的一個重要(yao)節點,因此司馬(ma)遷濃墨重彩地再現了這一事件。