Cao Cao:
Cao Cao (155—220) was born in Mengde, Peiguoqiao County (now Hao County, Anhui Province). After xelloss proclaimed himself emperor, posthumous title Wei Wudi. Cao Cao was an outstanding politician, strategist and writer in Jian 'an era. He developed his power in the process of suppressing the yellow turban insurrectionary uprising. At the beginning, Yuan Shao was used to cut Dong Zhuo, and later Xian Di was welcomed to move the capital to Xuchang. Successively tied the separatist forces, Yuan Shao was defeated in the battle of Guandu, and he became the prime minister, actually taking control of the Han regime. However, he could accept the lessons of the peasant uprising, adopted a series of relatively progressive policies, such as cracking down on the mighty, restraining mergers, and reclaiming land, and implemented enlightened political measures such as "appointing people on their merits", which unified the north and laid the foundation for national unity. Lu Xun praised him as "a very capable person, at least a hero" (the relationship between Wei and Jin demeanor and articles, medicine and wine).
Cao Cao also has great status and achievements in literature. He recruited many famous literati at that time, formed a group of people below the Ye Dynasty, and promoted the prosperity of Jian 'an literature. His prose is concise and rigorous, cheerful, not bound by traditional concepts and formal systems, and has a distinctive and concise style. His posthumous work, The Collection of Wei Wudi, contains rare books of the Ming Dynasty. Cao Cao Ji was arranged nearby.
Solve the problem:
This article, also known as "Narrating Lexus", is an important autobiographical article reflecting Cao Cao's thoughts and experiences. Written in the 15th year of Jian 'an (2 10), Cao Cao was 56 years old. At that time, after he completed the great cause of reunifying the north, the regime gradually consolidated, and then he wanted to unify the whole country; But Sun Quan and Liu Bei are still a great threat to him. In addition to jointly dealing with Cao Cao militarily, they criticized Cao Cao politically for "calling him a thief of the Han Dynasty in the name of the Han Dynasty" and "wanting to abolish the Han Dynasty and stand on its own feet" (Biography of the Three Kingdoms, Wu Shu and Zhou Yu). In this political situation, Cao Cao issued this decree to seal three counties in the name of returning the emperor to express his ambition and counter the slander of the ruling and opposition parties. This paper summarizes the process of Cao Cao's unification of northern China, and expresses the author's political ambition to pacify the world and restore reunification. It is frank and straightforward, magnificent and full of heroism, showing the tolerance and insight of politicians.
Lu Xun commented: "In Cao Cao himself, he was also the founder of the reform article. Unfortunately, his articles are rarely circulated. He has great courage and his articles are quite effective. He has no scruples when he makes a fuss. He can write whatever he wants. " Among Cao Cao's essays today, this article has such characteristics that it is worth learning from later generations.
Original text:
I started to raise Lian Xiao [1] at a young age. Since I am a well-known scholar who is not a cave [2], I am afraid that I will be regarded as a fool by the country people [3]. I want to be a county magistrate [4] and do a good job in political education [5] to establish a reputation and let the scholar know [6]. Therefore, in Jinan [7], we began to remove dross and filth [8], and fair elections violated all the servants [9]. I thought it was because I was angry with powerful people and was afraid of causing family disaster, so I retired.
He is still young after becoming an official [10], and he is considered middle-aged [1 1]. He is fifty years old, and he is not old. From the heart, it has been 20 years now, and when the world is clear, it will be the same as the person who started at the same age. So I went back to my hometown at four o'clock, built a fine house fifty miles east of Qiaodong [12], wanted to study in autumn and summer, hunt in winter and spring, seek underground land [13], and wanted to be covered in mud [14], which made it impossible for guests to come and go. But you can't get what you want.
Later, he was recruited as a captain [15] and transferred to the standard army captain [16], which means that he wants to make contributions to the national thief [17] and to make him a general of the west [18], and then he inscribed "the tomb of Cao Hou, a general of the west". However, due to the difficulties of Dong Zhuo [19], a volunteer was promoted [20]. It is time to combine soldiers to get more ears, but they often lose themselves and don't want more; Therefore, if there are more soldiers, it will be even worse to compete with strong enemies. So the battle of Bianshui was several thousand people [2 1], and then I went to Yangzhou to raise more money [22], but it was only three thousand people, which was limited.
After leading Yanzhou [23], three hundred thousand people broke the yellow turban insurrectionary [24]. And Yuan Shu arrogantly named Jiujiang [25], and all the people obeyed. The aristocratic family said that the city gate was built, and the clothes and quilts were made by the emperor, so the two women fought for the queen in advance. The plan has been made, and people advised Yi to make him acceded to the throne, telling the world [26] that Cao Gong is still here, but he has not arrived.
. Later, I asked the four generals of poultry [27], and many people got it, so I died of illness and died [28]. As for Yuan Shao, according to Hebei [29], the army was strong and helpless, and it really fell; But the plan is to die for the country, to destroy the body with righteousness, and to respect it in the future. Fortunately, Shao, the second son of Xiao [30]. And Liu Biao thinks he is an imperial clan [3 1], shielding his treachery, but at first glance [32], in order to see the world, according to the state [23], he will be alone, settle down and live in peace. As a prime minister, people and ministers are extremely expensive, and their expectations have passed [34].
Today, if you talk about this alone, if you are arrogant and want others to say everything, you are not afraid. Leave the country alone. I don't know how many people will be king and how many people will be king! Or people are lonely and strong, but they don't believe in fate, and they are afraid of selfish comments, saying that they are inferior [35]. Think about it in vain and use it every time. Therefore, Qi Huan and Jin Wen are called [36] today. With their great military potential, they can still serve Zhou Shi. "The Analects of Confucius" says: "There are two points in the world, and Zhou Zhide can be described as the ultimate virtue [37]." Husbands can minimize big things [38]. Yesterday, I went to see Zhao, who wanted to be with him. Le Yi fell to the ground and wept, saying to him, "I am the king, but I am still the king;" If I commit a crime, I will be put in another country, and then I will die. I can't bear to ask Zhao Zhitu [4 1], and the heir of Song Wei will [42]! " Hu Hai killed Montaigne [43], and Tian said: "From my ancestors and descendants, I have accumulated trust in [44]; Today I will send more than 300 thousand troops, which is enough to betray. But those who know death and keep righteousness dare not humiliate their ancestors and forget their teachings. " Every time I read this kind of duet book, I feel sad and cry. Orphan ancestors, fathers and even loneliness [45] are all important responsibilities, which can be described as believers, and Huan Zi brothers [46] are also three generations.
Lonely non-disciples say this to you, often using wives and concubines, all to let you know this. Lonely words: "Take care of me for ten thousand years [47], you and Cao should both get married to spread my heart and make people know." Loneliness is the key to the liver [48]. Therefore, those who are diligent in telling their confidants that it is self-evident that the Duke of Zhou has a copy of kim hyun [49], and they are afraid that others will not believe it. But if you want to be independent, you can donate all the soldiers [50] to the deacons [5 1] and return the country [52], which is really not good. who is it? I'm afraid of leaving the army and getting hurt by others. For the sake of future generations, if we lose, the country will be in danger. This is a real disaster because you can't admire the name. This is not allowed. Before, all three sons were honored by Chao Enrong, but they all refused. Today, they want to accept, not to be proud of it, but to regard foreign aid as a plan for security [53].
Lonely smell to avoid Jinfeng [54], Xu Shen to escape from Chu reward [55], there are sighs of giving up the basics, but also have to introspect. Guo Feng and Ling Wei [56], Zhang Shuo conquered [57], and pushed the weak over the strong [58], which is small and big. Your will, you don't violate anything, what you think, what you don't do, you destroy the world and don't disgrace the Lord's life. It can be said that God helped the Han Dynasty beyond the reach of human resources [59]. But it was sealed in four counties [60], and the eater was thirty thousand [6 1]. What a pity! The rivers and lakes are not quiet and do not give in; As for the city soil, you can quit. Today, there are still 20,000 households in Yang Xia, He Zhe and Ku counties, but they have eaten five households and slandered them by sharing losses [62], thus reducing the responsibility of loneliness.
Precautions:
[1] Solitude: the name of ancient princes' modesty. Cao Cao was the prime minister at that time, sealing Wu Pinghou, so he called himself. Filial piety: From the beginning of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, local governors were required to recommend talents in various disciplines to the Central Committee on schedule, including filial piety, morality, founder and other subjects for use. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, every county and township recommended one person from 200,000 people every year, and Cao Cao was only 20 years old when he was promoted to Xiaozong. Filial piety means being kind to parents, and honesty means being honest.
[2] Cave celebrity: a person who lives in seclusion and is famous. In the Han dynasty, Confucian scholars often deliberately lived in the mountains and asked for recommendations loudly. Cave, cave stone room.
[3] Haineiren: This mainly refers to aristocratic families. Cao Cao was born in a eunuch family, so he was looked down upon.
[4] sheriff: the highest chief executive of a county, that is, the magistrate.
[5] Politics and Religion: Administration and Education.
[6] Scholars: the world.
[7] In Jinan: Cao Cao was the Prime Minister of Jinan in the first year of Zhong Ping (184), and his position was equivalent to that of the prefect. The national jurisdiction of Jinan is in Jinan, Shandong Province today.
[8] Removing dregs and filth: When Cao Cao was the prime minister of Jinan, subordinate officials attached themselves to powerful people and took bribes and perverted the law. Cao Cao demanded the replacement of eight county officials, ordered the destruction of more than 600 temples, and prohibited offering sacrifices to ghosts and gods, which offended the dignitaries at that time.
[9] violation (wǔ 5): violation, violation. Zhu: Right. Chang Shi: Also known as Zhong Chang Shi, the squire of the emperor is a near minister, who is in charge of court documents and conveys the emperor's orders. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, middle officials changed to eunuchs, which was so powerful that local officials welcomed them.
[10] Yang [Sha Shao]: When Cao Cao was the prime minister of Jinan, the court appointed him as the prefect. After an illness, he resigned and returned to his hometown. He was in his thirties.
[1 1] Same age: a person who was promoted to filial piety in the same year.
[12] Joe (firewood); Bo county, Anhui province today. Cao Cao's hometown. Jingshe: refers to the exquisite study.
[13] Underground land: Low-lying land refers to barren land.
[14] Mud self-covering: it means always in the wilderness, not seeking Wen Da.
[15] Dewey: official name, in charge of military affairs, official rank is equivalent to satrap.
[16] A captain of the imperial army: the name of the military attache, who is in charge of the Guards, is mostly held by the emperor's cronies. In the fifth year of Zhong Ping (188), Liu Hong, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, established Xiyuan Army, with eight governors, Xiao Huangmen Jianshuo as the commander of the upper army, Yuan Shao as the commander of the army, and Cao Cao as the commander of the standard army.
[17] Begging thieves: refers to cracking down on local warlords and suppressing peasant rebels.
[18] Zheng: During the Eastern Han Dynasty, there were four generals Zheng who made contributions to the Eastern Han Dynasty. Cao Cao took this opportunity to express his ambition and expressed his willingness to be a hero in the Eastern Han Dynasty.
[19] Dong Zhuo's difficulties: Dong Zhuo was originally a strongman in Liangzhou (now Ningxia, Gansu Province), and Emperor Ling was a shepherd in Bingzhou (now Taiyuan, Shanxi Province). In the sixth year of Zhong Ping (189), Emperor Han Ling died, and the young emperor Liu You ascended the throne. In order to get rid of eunuchs, blades called Dong Zhuo to lead the troops into Luo, abolished the little emperor, and made Liu Xie act. Dong Zhuo claimed to be a captain and prime minister and manipulated state affairs. States and counties rose up and formed alliances to fight for Excellence.
[20] Xingju Bing Yi: It refers to the first year of Chuping (190), and the counties of Kanto States set out to crusade against Dong Zhuo, calling themselves "Bing Yi". Cao Cao also recruited 5000 people in Xianxian and Chenliu County (now Chenliu County, Henan Province) to fight for Dong. Dong Zhuo took Xian Di and hundreds of thousands of residents from Luoyang to Chang 'an, where countless people died and Luoyang was burned. In the third year of Chuping, Dong Zhuo was killed by Wang Yun and Lu Bu.
[2 1] Bianshui Battle: In the first year of Chuping (190), all the states and counties in Kanto took Yuan Shao as the leader, claiming to beg Dong, but each had its own interests, and they were afraid that Dong Zhuo was too strong to advance. Cao Cao led his army to the west alone, and fought Xu Rong of Dong Zhuo in the Bianshui area of Xingyang (now called Suohe, southwest of Xingyang County, Henan Province). He serenaded and lost. Cao Cao himself was caught by the flow vector and fled overnight.
[22] Yangzhou is more recruiting: After Cao Cao's Bianshui defeat, he and Xia Houdun went to Yangzhou to recruit again. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Yangzhou was under the jurisdiction of Hefei, Anhui Province, and governed Jiangsu and Anhui provinces.
[23] Yanzhou (Yǐ N eye): one of the thirteen states in the Eastern Han Dynasty, which governs the southwestern Shandong and eastern Henan.
[24] Breaking the Yellow Scarf: In the third year of Chuping (192), Qingzhou Yellow Scarf peasant army uprising broke into Yanzhou and killed the secretariat Liu Dai. Bao Xin of Jibei and Yanzhou officials welcomed Cao Cao as Yanzhou shepherd. Cao Cao led the troops to attack the Yellow Scarf Army in Shouzhang (now southwest of Dongping County, Shandong Province) and pursued it to the north of Hebei. Three hundred thousand yellow turban insurrectionary troops were forced to surrender. Cao Cao chose the best from them and formed his own powerful military force, nicknamed "Qingzhou soldier".
[25] Yuan Shu: Zidao, the half-brother of Yuan Shao, the satrap of Jiujiang County, was a great warlord in Jianghuai area at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Tyrant (see jiàn): stealing the title of emperor. In the second year of Jian 'an (197), Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor in Shouchun (now Shouxian County, Anhui Province). Jiujiang: County name, which governs Jiangsu, southern Anhui and Jiangxi provinces.
[26] Exposure: announcement and statement.
[27] Bird: The same as "catching". In September of the second year of Jian 'an (197), Yuan Shu attacked Chen (now Huaiyang County, Henan Province), and Cao Cao led the troops to attack it, winning a great victory and capturing four parts of Yuan Shu, namely, Li Feng, Liang Gang,.
[28] Jieju (jǔ): Collapse and disintegration.
[29] Yuan Shao: At the beginning of this word, he was the younger brother of Yuan Shu. In the fourth year of Jian 'an (199), in March, Gongsun Zan was destroyed, and Hebei, Qinghai, Youzhou and Hezhou, north of the Yellow River, became the most powerful separatist forces in the north.
[30] Owl (xiāo elimination): that is, beheading and hanging. In the fifth year of Jian 'an (200), Cao Cao defeated Yuan's main force in the battle of Guandu (now the northeast of middle-aged county in Henan). Two years later, Yuan Shao died of illness. Next year, his sons Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang will attack and kill each other for Jizhou, Yuan Tan will ask Cao Cao for help, and Yuan Shang will withdraw. After Yuan Tan betrayed Cao Cao. In the first month of Jian 'an Decade, Cao Cao sent troops to kill his son Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang and his second brother Yuan Xi and fled to Wuhuan, western Liaoning. In May of the 12th year of Jian 'an, Cao Cao marched north to Wu Huan. Yuan and Yuan Shang fled to Liaodong again and were killed by Cao Cao's subordinate Gongsun Kang in September. Cao Cao bowed his head in public.
[3 1] Liu Biao: Zi Jingsheng, a descendant of Liu Yu, the royal family of the Han Dynasty, was a powerful warlord at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Xian Di Chuping (190— 193) was appointed as an official in Jingzhou. [32] At first glance, suddenly: suddenly before and after. It means speculation. According to historical records, during the battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao asked Liu Biao for help, but Liu colluded secretly and dared not send troops. Someone advised him to join Cao Cao, and he also took a wait-and-see attitude.
[33] Dangzhou: The place is Jingzhou, which governs Hubei, Hunan and other places. In July of the 13th year of Jian 'an (208), Cao Cao levied Liu Biao south, and Liu Biao died in August. In September, the youngest son Liu Cong sent Cao Cao to Jingzhou.
[34] The sentence of "People and Ministers": In the thirteenth year of Jian 'an, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty commended Cao Cao's achievements in pacifying the three counties of Wuhuan, abolished Tai Wei, Situ and Song Sangong, restored the prime minister and suggestion system of the Western Han Dynasty, and appointed Cao Cao as the prime minister.
[35] disloyal ambition: disloyal thoughts. Refers to Han self-reliance as emperor.
[36] Vertical name: vertical name, praise.
[37] "The Analects of Confucius Cloud" four sentences: See "The Analects of Confucius Taber".
[38] Take the big with the small: serve the weak emperor with strong princes. Cao Cao borrowed the words from The Analects of Confucius and said that he supported the Eastern Han Dynasty and had no intention of seizing the throne.
[39]: During the Warring States period, a famous soldier led the four armies of Zhao, Chu, Han, Wei and Yan to break Qi, captured more than 70 cities in Qi, and was later sealed as a regular. After his death, Wang Hui fell into the hands of Qi Jiang Tian Dan's double spy, making Qi a general. Le Yi was afraid that Yan would be killed, so he went to Zhao.
[40]: Zhao
[4 1] Pupils: prisoners and slaves, generally referring to people with low status.
[42] Heirs: descendants, referring to Yan. According to "Taiping Yulan" Volume 420 "Yesterday's Le Yi", the following passage is quoted from historical records. However, this edition of Historical Records is not included.
[43] Hu Hai: The youngest son of Ying Zheng, the first emperor of Qin Shihuang, was named II after the establishment of the emperor. Meng Tian: Qin Shihuang was a great general. After Qin unified the six countries, he led 300,000 troops to attack the Huns in the north and built the Great Wall. After the death of Qin Shihuang, Zhao Gao forged the testamentary edict of the first emperor and forced Meng Tian to commit suicide.
[44] Three: Meng Tian's grandfather Meng Ao, his father Wu Meng, and his own three generations. They are all famous soldiers of Qin State.
[45] Grandfather: refers to Cao Cao's grandfather Cao Teng and his father Cao Song. When Cao Teng was in Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty, he served as Zhong Changshi and Da Changqiu (the official in charge of palace affairs) and paid a fee. Cao Song, the official of Emperor Ling of Han Dynasty, raised Xiahou's children as his son. Cao Song gave birth to Cao Cao.
[46] Huan Zi: Cao Pi, the second son of Cao Cao.
[47] Ten thousand years: another name for death.
[48] Liver essence (gé ge): The most important words from the heart. Same as "diaphragm" and thoracic diaphragm.
[49] Duke Zhou: Ji Mingdan, brother of Zhou Wuwang, uncle of Zhou Chengwang. The title of Shangshu Zhou Shu. Among them, when King Wu was ill, Duke Zhou prayed to God and asked to kill King Wu. After the sacrifice, he sealed the prayer in a gold box. King Wu died and became a young king. Duke Zhou was the Regent. Wang Cheng's other two uncles, Guan Shu and Cai Shu, slandered the Duke of Zhou and usurped the throne, which aroused Wang Cheng's suspicion. So the Duke of Zhou took refuge in Du Dong (now Luoyang City, Henan Province). Later, Cheng found this prayer in his closet and was deeply moved by it. He personally welcomed Duke Zhou. Here, seal it. A metal cabinet sealed with gold.
[50] Bill: That's it. Entrusted donation: give up, hand over.
[5 1] Deacon: refers to the competent authority of the imperial court to command the army.
[52] Wuping Hou Guo: In the first year of Jian 'an (196), Xian Di took Cao Cao as the general and sealed Wuping Hou. Wuping is in the west of Luyi County, Henan Province.
[53] For Wan 'an Plan: After the announcement of Cao Cao's order, according to Shu Wei's records, in the second year, that is, in the sixteenth year of Jian 'an (2 1 1), Emperor Xian of Han named Cao Zhi as the son of Cao Cao, Fan Yanghou as Cao Cao and Rao Yanghou as Cao Bao.
[54] Xietui (Cuρρρρ ρ): That is, in the Spring and Autumn Period, Jin people retired and died with the son of Jin for 19 years. Zhong Er acceded to the throne after returning to China, and Dafeng was deposed. Meson did not talk about his merits and died with his mother in Mianshan. Later generations also said that Zhong Er burned a mountain and asked him to be an official. He couldn't get out of the mountain and his arm was burned to death.
[55]: That is, Shen, a doctor of Chu in the Spring and Autumn Period. Wu Zixu led Wu Jun to attack Chu and capture Ying capital. Shen asked Qin for help and wept bitterly for seven days. Finally, he moved Qin Aigong, got reinforcements and repelled Wu Jun. King Chu Zhao returned to Du Ying to reward heroes. He ran away and refused to be rewarded.
[56]: refers to the mighty god of the ancestors of the Han royal family.
[57yuè Yue: An ancient weapon, shaped like an axe, was also a ceremonial ceremony when the emperor went out to war. The emperor will draw lots for the general, symbolizing the expedition on behalf of the son of heaven.
[58] Push: command.
[59] God helps Korea: This is a kind word of Cao Cao, and I don't take credit.
[60] Four counties: Wuping, (Jimi.
[6 1] 30,000 eaters: supported by taxes paid by 30,000 households.
[62] Loss sharing: reduce and calm down.
Translation:
I was very young when I was promoted to filial piety. I thought I was not the kind of person who lived in seclusion in the mountains and had a reputation. I am afraid that I will be regarded as mediocre and incompetent by the whole world. So I want to be a magistrate of a county, do a good job in politics, do a good job in education, establish my own reputation, and let people all over the world know me clearly. Therefore, when I was a prime minister in Jinan, I began to abolish graft and fairly select and recommend officials, which violated the court's dignitaries. So I was hated by powerful people, and I was afraid of bringing disaster to my family, so I went home sick under the pretext.
I was still young after I resigned. Looking back, some people who were recommended in the same year as me are over 50 years old and have not been called old. According to my own inner calculation, from now on, 20 years later, when the world is stable and peaceful, I will be on an equal footing with those newly promoted dutiful sons. So I went back to my hometown and didn't go out for a whole year I built an exquisite study 50 miles east of Qiao County. I plan to study in autumn and summer and hunt in winter and spring. I just want to get a little barren land, want to be unknown in the middle of nowhere, and give up the idea of interacting with guests. But this wish did not come true.
Later, he was recruited as a captain and transferred to a captain of the Canon Army, hoping to make contributions to the national thief. I hope to get a title and become a general in the west. After my death, I will write an inscription on the tombstone saying, "The tomb of Cao Hou, a general in the west of Han Dynasty." This was my ambition at that time. But when Dong Zhuo rebelled, all localities rose up against him. At this time, I can recruit more troops, but I often cut back and don't want to expand; So this is because more soldiers are arrogant, and if they want to fight against strong enemies, they may cause disasters again. Therefore, in the battle of Bianshui, my men were only a few thousand, and then I went to Yangzhou to recruit soldiers, but there were still only three thousand. This is because my initial ambition was very limited.
Later, he served as a stabbing officer in Yanzhou, defeated the yellow turban insurrectionary peasant army and collected more than 300,000 people. Yuan Shu stole the title of emperor in Jiujiang again, and all his subordinates surrendered to him, and renamed the city gate Sword Giants. Clothes and costumes are all in accordance with the emperor's system, and the two wives strive to be queens in advance. The plan has been made, and Yuan Shu is advised to ascend to the throne immediately, and it is publicly announced to the world. Yuan Shu replied: "Cao Gong is still here, and he can't do this." Then I sent troops to crusade and captured four of his generals and a large number of his subordinates, which led to Yuan Shu's exhaustion and disintegration, and finally he fell ill and died. When Yuan Shao occupied the north of the Yellow River, the army was strong, and I don't think I can compare with him. But think about my dedication to my country and my sacrifice for justice, which is enough to leave a name for future generations. Fortunately, I defeated Yuan Shao and beheaded his two sons. Also, Liu Biao thought he was a member of the royal family, covered up treachery, suddenly advanced and retreated, observed the situation, occupied Jingzhou, and I appeased him again, and the world was at peace. I became a prime minister, a courtier and a nobleman to the extreme, which has exceeded my original wish.
I seem arrogant when I say this today. I really want to dispel people's criticism, so I have nothing to hide. If the country does not have me, I still don't know how many people are emperors and how many people dominate! Maybe someone thinks I'm good, and I don't believe in destiny. I am afraid that I will speak privately and say that I have the ambition to seize the throne. This kind of random speculation often makes my heart restless. The fame of Qi Huangong and Jin Wengong has survived to this day because of their strong military strength, and they can still respect the emperors of the Zhou Dynasty. The Analects of Confucius said: "Although Zhou Wenwang has two-thirds of the world, he can still respect Yin, and his virtue can be said to be the highest." Because he can serve the weak son of heaven with powerful princes. Once upon a time, Le Yi of the State of Yan defected to the State of Zhao, and the Prince of Zhao wanted to conspire with him to attack the State of Yan. Le Yi knelt on the ground and cried and replied, "I served Yan Zhaowang as I served your Majesty. If I am convicted and exiled to other countries until I die, I will not have the heart to murder the ordinary people of Zhao, let alone the descendants of Emperor Yan. " When Hu Hai tried to kill Meng Tian, Meng Tian said, "From my grandfather and father to me, I have been trusted by Qin for three generations. Now I have more than 300,000 troops, and I can betray the court by my own strength, but I know that even if I die, I will abide by the righteousness of the monarch and the minister, and I dare not disgrace the teachings of my ancestors and forget the grace of my ancestors. " Every time I read a book about these two people, I am moved to tears. From my grandfather and father to me, I have always been trusted as the emperor's confidant and minister. It can be said that it has been more than three generations since the Cao Pi brothers.
Not only do I tell you this, but I often tell my wives and concubines to let them know what I mean. I told them, "After I die, you will all remarry, hoping to tell people my wishes." I said it from the bottom of my heart. I narrated these heartfelt words so attentively because I saw that Duke Zhou had a book called "Golden Belly" to show my mind, for fear that others would not believe me. But it is really impossible for me to give up my army, return the military power to the court and return to the fief of Wupinghou. Why? I'm really afraid that giving up the military power will be murdered by others. This is not only for future generations, but also for their own collapse, and the country will be in danger of subversion. Therefore, you can't covet the false reputation and let yourself be actually hurt. This can't be done. Previously, the imperial court honored my third son as Hou, and I resolutely refused. Now I have changed my mind and intend to accept it. This is not proud of it, but regards them as foreign aid, in order to ensure the absolute safety of the court and itself.
Every time I read the knighthood that Jietui evaded and Shen evaded the reward of King Zhao of Chu, he never put down his book and sighed to reflect on himself. Relying on the prestige of the country, I went out on behalf of the emperor, defeating the strong with the weak and winning the big with the small. What I want to do is not satisfactory, and what I want to do is not successful. In this way, the world was destroyed and the monarch's mission did not live up to. This can be said that God helps the Han royal family, which is beyond human power. However, my fief occupies four counties and enjoys 30 thousand tax. What advantages do I have? Now that the world is unstable, I can't give in. As for fiefs, some can be rejected. Now I return the tax of 20,000 households in Yang Xia, Zhegu and Ku counties to the court, and only enjoy 10,000 households in Wuping County. Use this to quell slander and discussion, and slightly reduce the accusations of others!