行略定(ding)秦地1。函谷(gu)關有兵(bing)(bing)守(shou)關,不得(de)入。又聞沛(pei)公(gong)(gong)已破(po)咸陽,項羽大怒(nu),使當陽君等(deng)擊關。項羽遂入,至(zhi)于(yu)(yu)戲西。沛(pei)公(gong)(gong)軍霸(ba)上(shang),未(wei)得(de)與(yu)項羽相見。沛(pei)公(gong)(gong)左司(si)馬曹無(wu)(wu)傷使人言(yan)于(yu)(yu)項羽曰:“沛(pei)公(gong)(gong)欲(yu)王(wang)關中2,使子(zi)嬰(ying)為(wei)(wei)相,珍寶盡有之。”項羽大怒(nu),曰:“旦(dan)日饗士卒3,為(wei)(wei)擊破(po)沛(pei)公(gong)(gong)軍!”當是時,項羽兵(bing)(bing)四十(shi)萬,在新豐(feng)鴻門;沛(pei)公(gong)(gong)兵(bing)(bing)十(shi)萬,在霸(ba)上(shang)。范增說項羽曰4:“沛(pei)公(gong)(gong)居(ju)山東(dong)時,貪于(yu)(yu)財貨,好美姬。今入關,財物無(wu)(wu)所(suo)取,婦女無(wu)(wu)所(suo)幸(xing)5,此其志不在小。吾令(ling)人望其氣6,皆為(wei)(wei)龍虎,成五采,此天子(zi)氣也。急(ji)擊勿失!”
楚左尹項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)者(zhe)(zhe)7,項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)羽(yu)季父也(ye)(ye),素(su)善留侯(hou)張(zhang)良(liang)(liang)8。張(zhang)良(liang)(liang)是(shi)(shi)時從沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong),項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)乃夜(ye)馳之(zhi)沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)軍(jun),私見張(zhang)良(liang)(liang),具告(gao)以(yi)事9,欲(yu)呼張(zhang)良(liang)(liang)與俱去(qu),曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“毋(wu)(wu)從俱死也(ye)(ye)10!”張(zhang)良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“臣為(wei)(wei)韓王(wang)送(song)沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong),沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)今(jin)事有急(ji),亡(wang)去(qu)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)義(yi),不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)可不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)語(yu)。”良(liang)(liang)乃入(ru)(ru),具告(gao)沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)。沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)大驚,曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“為(wei)(wei)之(zhi)奈何?”張(zhang)良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“誰為(wei)(wei)大王(wang)為(wei)(wei)此計者(zhe)(zhe)?”曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“鯫生(sheng)說我曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):‘距關(guan),毋(wu)(wu)內諸侯(hou),秦地可盡王(wang)也(ye)(ye)。’故(gu)(gu)聽(ting)之(zhi)。”良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“料大王(wang)士(shi)卒足(zu)以(yi)當(dang)項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)乎?”沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)默(mo)然(ran),曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“固不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)如也(ye)(ye)!且(qie)為(wei)(wei)之(zhi)奈何?”張(zhang)良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“請往謂(wei)項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo),言沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)敢(gan)(gan)背(bei)項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)也(ye)(ye)。”沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“君(jun)安(an)與項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)有故(gu)(gu)?”張(zhang)良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“秦時與臣游,項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)殺人,臣活之(zhi);今(jin)事有急(ji),故(gu)(gu)幸來告(gao)良(liang)(liang)。”沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“孰與君(jun)少長?”良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“長于臣。”沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“君(jun)為(wei)(wei)我呼入(ru)(ru),吾(wu)得兄事之(zhi)。”張(zhang)良(liang)(liang)出,要項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)。項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)即入(ru)(ru)見沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)。沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)奉卮酒(jiu)為(wei)(wei)壽,約為(wei)(wei)婚姻,曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“吾(wu)入(ru)(ru)關(guan),秋毫不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)敢(gan)(gan)有所近(jin),籍吏民,封府庫,而(er)待將軍(jun)。所以(yi)遣(qian)將守關(guan)者(zhe)(zhe),備他(ta)盜之(zhi)出入(ru)(ru)與非常(chang)也(ye)(ye)。日夜(ye)望將軍(jun)至,豈敢(gan)(gan)反乎!愿伯(bo)(bo)具言臣之(zhi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)敢(gan)(gan)倍德也(ye)(ye)。”項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)許諾,謂(wei)沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“旦日不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)可不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)蚤(zao)自來謝(xie)項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)!”沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“諾。”于是(shi)(shi)項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)伯(bo)(bo)復夜(ye)去(qu),至軍(jun)中,具以(yi)沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)言報項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang),因(yin)言曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):“沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公(gong)(gong)(gong)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)先破關(guan)中,公(gong)(gong)(gong)豈敢(gan)(gan)入(ru)(ru)乎?今(jin)人有大功而(er)擊之(zhi),不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)義(yi)也(ye)(ye)。不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)如因(yin)善遇之(zhi)。”項(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)王(wang)許諾。
沛(pei)公(gong)旦日(ri)從(cong)百余騎來(lai)見項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)(wang),至(zhi)鴻門,謝曰:“臣與將(jiang)(jiang)軍(jun)(jun)戮力而攻秦,將(jiang)(jiang)軍(jun)(jun)戰(zhan)河北,臣戰(zhan)河南,然不(bu)(bu)自意能先入關(guan)破秦,得(de)復見將(jiang)(jiang)軍(jun)(jun)于此(ci)。今者有(you)小(xiao)人之(zhi)言(yan)(yan),令將(jiang)(jiang)軍(jun)(jun)與臣有(you)郤。”項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)(wang)曰:“此(ci)沛(pei)公(gong)左司(si)馬(ma)曹無傷言(yan)(yan)之(zhi),不(bu)(bu)然,籍何(he)以(yi)(yi)至(zhi)此(ci)?”項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)(wang)即日(ri)因留沛(pei)公(gong)與飲。項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)(wang)、項(xiang)伯東(dong)向(xiang)坐(zuo);亞(ya)父南向(xiang)坐(zuo)—亞(ya)父者,范增(zeng)也(ye);沛(pei)公(gong)北向(xiang)坐(zuo),張良西向(xiang)侍(shi)。范增(zeng)數目項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)(wang),舉所佩玉玦(jue)以(yi)(yi)示之(zhi)者三(san),項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)(wang)默(mo)然不(bu)(bu)應。范增(zeng)起(qi),出,召(zhao)項(xiang)莊(zhuang)(zhuang),謂曰:“君(jun)王(wang)(wang)(wang)為(wei)(wei)(wei)人不(bu)(bu)忍。若入前為(wei)(wei)(wei)壽,壽畢,請(qing)以(yi)(yi)劍(jian)舞(wu),因擊(ji)沛(pei)公(gong)于坐(zuo),殺之(zhi)。不(bu)(bu)者,若屬皆且為(wei)(wei)(wei)所虜!”莊(zhuang)(zhuang)則(ze)入為(wei)(wei)(wei)壽。壽畢,曰:“君(jun)王(wang)(wang)(wang)與沛(pei)公(gong)飲,軍(jun)(jun)中無以(yi)(yi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)樂,請(qing)以(yi)(yi)劍(jian)舞(wu)。”項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)(wang)曰:“諾。”項(xiang)莊(zhuang)(zhuang)拔劍(jian)起(qi)舞(wu),項(xiang)伯亦拔劍(jian)起(qi)舞(wu),常以(yi)(yi)身翼蔽沛(pei)公(gong),莊(zhuang)(zhuang)不(bu)(bu)得(de)擊(ji)。
于(yu)是張良至軍門見樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)。樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)曰(yue)(yue):“今(jin)日之(zhi)(zhi)事何(he)如?”良曰(yue)(yue):“甚急!今(jin)者項(xiang)莊拔劍(jian)(jian)舞,其(qi)意(yi)常在沛(pei)公(gong)也。”噲(kuai)(kuai)曰(yue)(yue):“此(ci)迫矣!臣(chen)請入,與(yu)之(zhi)(zhi)同命(ming)!”噲(kuai)(kuai)即帶劍(jian)(jian)擁盾入軍門。交戟之(zhi)(zhi)衛(wei)士欲止不(bu)內(nei),樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)側其(qi)盾以撞(zhuang),衛(wei)士仆地(di),噲(kuai)(kuai)遂入,披帷(wei)西向立(li),瞋目視項(xiang)王(wang)(wang),頭發上(shang)指,目眥盡裂。項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)按劍(jian)(jian)而(er)跽曰(yue)(yue):“客何(he)為者?”張良曰(yue)(yue):“沛(pei)公(gong)之(zhi)(zhi)參乘樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)者也。”項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)曰(yue)(yue):“壯士!賜之(zhi)(zhi)卮(zhi)酒!”則與(yu)斗卮(zhi)酒。噲(kuai)(kuai)拜謝,起,立(li)而(er)飲(yin)之(zhi)(zhi)。項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)曰(yue)(yue):“賜之(zhi)(zhi)彘(zhi)肩!”則與(yu)一生彘(zhi)肩。樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)覆(fu)其(qi)盾于(yu)地(di),加(jia)彘(zhi)肩上(shang),拔劍(jian)(jian)切(qie)而(er)啖(dan)之(zhi)(zhi)。項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)曰(yue)(yue):“壯士!能復飲(yin)乎?”樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)曰(yue)(yue):“臣(chen)死且(qie)不(bu)避(bi),卮(zhi)酒安足辭(ci)!夫秦(qin)王(wang)(wang)有(you)虎(hu)狼之(zhi)(zhi)心,殺人如不(bu)能舉,刑人如恐不(bu)勝,天(tian)下皆叛之(zhi)(zhi)。懷王(wang)(wang)與(yu)諸將(jiang)約曰(yue)(yue):‘先破秦(qin)入咸陽者王(wang)(wang)之(zhi)(zhi)。’今(jin)沛(pei)公(gong)先破秦(qin)入咸陽,毫毛(mao)不(bu)敢有(you)所近,封(feng)閉宮室(shi),還軍霸上(shang),以待(dai)大(da)王(wang)(wang)來。故遣將(jiang)守關(guan)者,備他(ta)盜出入與(yu)非常也。勞(lao)苦而(er)功高如此(ci),未有(you)封(feng)侯之(zhi)(zhi)賞,而(er)聽細說(shuo),欲誅有(you)功之(zhi)(zhi)人。此(ci)亡(wang)秦(qin)之(zhi)(zhi)續耳,竊為大(da)王(wang)(wang)不(bu)取也!”項(xiang)王(wang)(wang)未有(you)以應,曰(yue)(yue):“坐!”樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)從良坐。坐須臾,沛(pei)公(gong)起如廁,因招樊(fan)(fan)(fan)噲(kuai)(kuai)出。
沛公(gong)已出(chu),項(xiang)王使(shi)都尉陳平召沛公(gong)。沛公(gong)曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“今者(zhe)出(chu),未(wei)辭(ci)也,為(wei)之(zhi)奈何(he)?”樊噲(kuai)曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“大(da)行不(bu)(bu)顧細謹(jin),大(da)禮(li)不(bu)(bu)辭(ci)小讓。如今人方為(wei)刀(dao)俎,我(wo)為(wei)魚肉,何(he)辭(ci)為(wei)?”于是遂去(qu)。乃令張良(liang)(liang)留謝。良(liang)(liang)問曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“大(da)王來何(he)操?”曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“我(wo)持白(bai)璧一(yi)雙,欲獻項(xiang)王,玉斗(dou)一(yi)雙,欲與亞父。會其怒,不(bu)(bu)敢獻。公(gong)為(wei)我(wo)獻之(zhi)。”張良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“謹(jin)諾。”當(dang)是時,項(xiang)王軍(jun)在鴻門下(xia),沛公(gong)軍(jun)在霸上,相去(qu)四(si)十里。沛公(gong)則置車騎(qi),脫身(shen)獨(du)騎(qi),與樊噲(kuai)、夏(xia)侯(hou)嬰、靳強、紀信(xin)等四(si)人持劍盾步走,從(cong)酈(li)山下(xia),道(dao)芷陽間行。沛公(gong)謂張良(liang)(liang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“從(cong)此(ci)道(dao)至吾軍(jun),不(bu)(bu)過二十里耳。度我(wo)至軍(jun)中,公(gong)乃入。”
沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公已去(qu),間(jian)至(zhi)軍中。張良(liang)入謝,曰(yue)(yue):“沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公不勝桮杓(shao),不能辭。謹(jin)使臣良(liang)奉白璧一雙,再拜獻大(da)王(wang)足(zu)下;玉斗一雙,再拜奉大(da)將軍足(zu)下。”項王(wang)曰(yue)(yue):“沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公安在?”良(liang)曰(yue)(yue):“聞大(da)王(wang)有意督過(guo)之(zhi),脫身獨去(qu),已至(zhi)軍矣。”項王(wang)則受璧,置之(zhi)坐上。亞父(fu)受玉斗,置之(zhi)地,拔(ba)劍撞(zhuang)而破之(zhi),曰(yue)(yue):“唉!豎子不足(zu)與謀!奪(duo)項王(wang)天下者,必沛(pei)(pei)(pei)公也(ye)!吾屬(shu)今為(wei)之(zhi)虜矣!”
沛公至軍(jun),立誅殺曹(cao)無傷。
司馬遷(qian)在元(yuan)封三年(前108年)接(jie)替其父(fu)擔任(ren)太史令(ling),從(cong)太初元(yuan)年(前104年)開(kai)始創作《太史公書(shu)》(后來稱為《史記》)。后因向漢(han)武帝(di)為李陵戰敗投降(jiang)匈奴之事辯護(hu)而被捕入(ru)獄(yu)并(bing)處(chu)以腐刑,在形體和精神上遭受巨大(da)的創傷(shang)。出獄(yu)后任(ren)中書(shu)令(ling),忍辱(ru)發(fa)奮繼續完(wan)成所(suo)著史籍。大(da)約在征和二年(前91年),終于完(wan)成了(le)全書(shu)的撰寫和修改工作。全書(shu)共一百三十篇(pian),其中第七篇(pian)即為《項羽(yu)本紀》。
項(xiang)羽作為漢朝開創者劉邦的(de)勁敵,曾與(yu)劉邦爭奪天下,漢朝歷代君主對(dui)項(xiang)羽的(de)態(tai)度多是(shi)貶(bian)大(da)于褒。而司馬(ma)(ma)遷(qian)(qian)卻不(bu)(bu)同。揚雄(xiong)(xiong)《法言》云(yun):“太史(shi)遷(qian)(qian),曰實(shi)錄。”“子長多愛,愛奇也。”正(zheng)因為司馬(ma)(ma)遷(qian)(qian)的(de)“實(shi)錄”精神和(he)“愛奇”思想(xiang),不(bu)(bu)以成敗論英雄(xiong)(xiong),才刻畫出具有鮮明個(ge)性的(de)項(xiang)羽形象。而鴻門宴是(shi)項(xiang)羽一(yi)生成敗的(de)一(yi)個(ge)重(zhong)要節點,因此(ci)司馬(ma)(ma)遷(qian)(qian)濃墨重(zhong)彩地再現了這一(yi)事件(jian)。