《吕氏春秋·纪·季秋纪》
如果这些办不到，从国内考虑估量我们的国力不足以损伤吴国，从国外考虑结盟的诸侯也不能毁灭它，那么，我将抛弃国家，离开群臣，身带佩剑，手执利刃，改变容貌，更换姓名，充当仆役，执箕帚侍奉吴王，以便跟吴王决死于一旦之间。
若此而不可得也，内量吾国不足以伤吴，外事之诸侯不能害之，则孤将弃国家，释群臣，服剑臂刃，变容貌，易名姓，执箕帚而臣事之，以与吴王争一旦之死。
If this cannot be done, and if we take into consideration our national strength and think that it is not enough to harm Wu, and taking into consideration the allied princes that we cannot destroy it, then I will abandon the country, leave the ministers, carry a sword, hold a sharp blade, change my appearance, and change my name to become a servant, serving the King of Wu, so as to fight to the death with the King of Wu at once.