論侯嬴與魏公子之關係－從史記〈魏公子列傳〉中“北鄉自剄”觀察

司馬遷於〈報任安書〉云：「士為知己者用，女為悅己者容」之名言。其感慨世無知己，嘆「何窮達之易惑，信美惡之難分」。戰國四公子列傳中，其他三人皆以「孟嘗君」、「平原君.虞卿」、「春申君」名傳，獨信陵君以「魏公子」命名，而非為〈魏公子列傳〉；文中以「公子」尊稱，共147 處（註1），而不似其餘三人，稱「孟嘗君」、「平原君」、「春申君」，此表現出司馬遷對魏公子無比之尊敬（註2），特以稱之。《史記》中魏公子乃身繫國之安危重臣（註3），故司馬遷傳之。於此傳中運用襯托手法，突顯公子獨具慧眼、視才之能，並能禮賢下士。成就魏公子身繫天下國家安危之功業，成為司馬遷史傳之人，其中「侯嬴」為傳中之關鍵人物。本文就〈魏公子列傳〉加以探索，導出侯嬴所求並非「錢財」，而是「尊重」二字；在魏公子通過侯嬴種種測試，以謙恭、和順、悅顏取得侯生所要尊重後，侯嬴不借犧牲自己回報公子，並薦賢朱亥於公子，且於最重要時刻獻計於公子，使公子得以完成「竊符救趙」之功業，且為表達對魏公子之恩，將畢生智慧、乃至生命奉獻予公子，最後自剄以報結束餘生，於此可見侯嬴「士為知己者死」之精神，在本傳中發揮至淋漓盡致。

關鍵字

魏公子；信陵君；侯嬴；朱亥；竊符救趙

並列摘要

In Su Ma-chien's The Historical Records, there are four biographies for the four princes of the Warring Kingdoms. Among them, Meng-chang, Ping-yuang, and Chun-shen are all addressed as ”Sir” while Hsin-ling is addressed as ”Prince.” In fact, the title ”prince” appears at least 147 times throughout Biography of Prince Wei. The different way of addressing Hsin-ling may reflect a higher degree of adoration of Hsin-ling by Su Ma-chien. In Biography of Prince Wei, the prince is depicted as an important, wise and polite prince who is quick to recognize talents in guests and friends, among whom Ho Ying is the most prominent example. This paper offers to analyze the relationship between Ho Ying and Prince Wei. When Ho Ying came to the court of Prince Wei, he did not seek for wealth but respect. Prince Wei passed Ho's tests by his modest, peaceful, and pleasant manner, and Ho Ying became the most important advisor in Prince Wei's court. Later, Ho Ying not only recommended Chu Hai to the prince, but also proposed an important strategy at a critical time, a strategy that helped Prince Wei save the neighboring Chao state. At the end, Ho Ying even sacrificed his own life for Prince Wei in return for his recognition and trust. The relationship between Ho Ying and Prince Wei is the best example of a true man dying for a loyal death for the prince who knows him, a story which is beautifully narrated in Biography of Prince Wei.