Sima Qian's Life and Related Poems

Historians and writers of the Western Han Dynasty. Zichang, Zuo Fengyi, was born in xia yang (now southwest of Hancheng, Shaanxi). Born in the fifth year of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty (BC 145), it is said that he was born in the sixth year of Emperor Jian Yuan of the Han Dynasty (BC 135), and the date of his death cannot be verified. Sima Qian 10 years old began to study ancient literature biographies. During Yuan Guang and Yuan Shuo of Han Dynasty, he studied under the modern writer Dong Zhongshu's "The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Ram" and the ancient prose writer Kong Anguo. At the age of 20, he roamed south from Chang 'an, the capital, and traveled all over the Jianghuai Valley and the Central Plains, where he visited local customs and collected legends. Soon, he became a doctor, bodyguard and retinue of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and accompanied him to the Western Seas many times, and sent envoys to Bashu. In the third year of Yuanfeng (BC 108), Sima Tan, the stepfather of Sima Qian, was the official of Taishi, in charge of astronomical calendar and royal atlas, so it depends on the books collected by historians. In the first year of Taichu (before 104), he, Luo and others customized calendars to replace the Zhuan Xu calendar inherited by Qin, and the new calendar adapted to the needs of the society at that time. From then on, Sima Qian began to write historical records. Later, he was convicted, imprisoned and rotted for defending Li Ling who surrendered to Xiongnu.

After he was released from prison, he worked as a secretary, continued to write angrily, and finally finished the writing of Historical Records. People call his book Taishi Gongshu. It is the first biography of China, which has a far-reaching influence on later historiography. Historical Records is an excellent literary work with vivid language and vivid image. Sima Qian also wrote a book, Bao Ren 'an, describing his imprisonment and his ambition to write a book, which was praised by all previous dynasties.

poetry

"People are inherently mortal, either heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather." It is a sentence in Sima Qian's letter to Ren An. The original text and translation are as follows-

Letter to Ren An: Sima Qian of Han Dynasty

Taishigong's cattle and horses left Sima Qian, and then bid farewell to Shao Qing's first step: rejecting the humiliation of the book, teaching it to accept things, and pushing the sages to become scholars. If you are diligent, you should use the words of the common people, not your servants. I dare not do so. Although the servant stopped, he also tasted the legacy of the old man. Gu thinks that he is physically disabled and dirty, and he sees you when he moves. He wants to gain benefits and lose what he loses, so he talks about it in depression. As the saying goes, "Who did it? Who told you to listen? " Guy Zhong Ziqi died, and Boya never played the piano again. What is this? Scholars are used as confidants, and women are pleased with themselves. If a servant has lost a lot of qualities, although he is easy-going, he can't be proud of it, but he is enough to laugh it off and nod his head. The words in the book should be answered. Huidong came from above and forced the bitch. We met for a short time, and there was not a moment between death, and we were all exhausted. Today, Shao Qing is guilty, involved in October, forced to winter, and his servant is thin and obedient. I'm afraid I'm embarrassed, but only when I know can I relax my anger, so the soul of the dead is infinite. Please remain humble in Chen Gu. If you haven't reported for a long time, you are lucky not to have too much!

Servants smell it: self-cultivation is also a symbol of wisdom; Love the giver, the end of benevolence is also; Take, the table of righteousness; Shame and courage; Those who are famous do very well. Scholars have these five things, and then they can trust the world and rank among gentlemen. Therefore, misfortune is not good, sorrow is not sorrow, ugliness is not humiliation, and shame is greater than castration. There are countless people at large, and they are never far away. In the past, it was carried with Yongqu, and Confucius was suitable for Chen; Shang Yang was chilling because of his fine sword; The same son also took part in this trip, and Si Yuan changed his face: I have been ashamed of it since ancient times. A man with a superior husband has something to do with his official position, but it hurts, which is worse than a generous man. Although the imperial court is short of people now, how can we recommend heroes in the world except knives and saws? Servants rely on their ancestors' career and have to be punished for more than 20 years. Therefore, I feel ashamed: I can't be faithful, and I have the reputation of being talented and self-aware; Secondly, you can't fill the vacancy, you can't recruit talents, and you can't show people in the rock point; Besides, you can't prepare for war, siege or field battle, but you can't work hard over time, and you can't respect officials and be generous, thinking that clan relatives make friends. None of the four works, and obviously there is no short-term effect. Rural servants often go to the doctor's office to accompany the court to discuss until the end. They don't think about it at this time. Now they have lost their shape and become a servant to clean up. In the noise, they want to raise their heads and eyebrows and discuss right and wrong. Don't they despise the imperial court and humiliate the wicked in the world? Ha ha! Ha ha! If you are a servant, what can you say? What are you talking about?

And the end of the story is not clear. Servants with less unruly materials have no reputation for country songs. Fortunately, God asked Ji Bo to perform in Zhou Wei because his ancestors died. Servants think that wearing a basin is the reason why they look up at the sky, so they know nothing about it. They waste time thinking about it day and night, and they devote themselves to their work in order to please their relatives and flatter the Lord. This is a big fallacy, otherwise. Fu Cha and Li Ling both live under the door and can't get along with each other. I'm interested in different roads. I've never had a glass of wine. I was treated. But the servants see him as a man, and he is very self-disciplined: filial to his parents, trusting his scholars, being honest with money, being upright, making way for others, being humble and frugal, and always thinking about the national emergency. Its elements have also accumulated, and servants think that there is a national style. My wife and I went to public office regardless of my life plan, which is amazing. Today, if you do something wrong, but protect your wife and minister with all your heart, you will be short-lived and your servant will be heartbroken. Moreover, Li Ling has less than 5,000 foot soldiers and is deeply involved in the military. He lived in Wang Ting, baited him, and raised hundreds of millions of teachers. Lien Chan fought with Khan for more than ten days, died in the battlefield, but saved lives. The ruler of Zhou Qiu was afraid of salt shock, but when he learned of his wise king, he lifted the man who led the bow, and a country attacked and surrounded him. Thousands of miles, the arrows are exhausted, the reinforcements are insufficient, and the foot soldiers are killed and injured. However, when Ling called the army, all the soldiers could not afford to bow, and their faces were full of tears. They were even more empty and took the lead in fighting for the northern enemy.

Before the grave robbery was over, there was a report that Han Gongqing's vassals had been given a life. A few days later, Ling defeated Shulan. The Lord is not willing to eat for it, nor is he willing to listen to it. The minister was afraid and didn't know what to say. I didn't expect to be humble, but I really wanted to help the Lord with money when I saw his grief. I thought that Li Lingshu and the scholar-officials were extremely generous and could gain the power of death. Although they were famous in ancient times, they couldn't live. Although he lost, but according to his intention, he wants to get what he deserves and report it to Han. There's nothing we can do. It has destroyed enough to make the world full of violence. Servants are eager to discuss, but there is no way, so they will call for questions, which is to infer the merits and demerits of the tomb as a reference, and want to fill in the words with the meaning of the Lord. Failing to make it clear, the wise master didn't know that the servant was in the second division and was lobbying for Li Ling, so he went down to reason. The loyalty of boxing can't be listed by itself in the end, because if it is falsely accused, the chess pieces will be discussed by officials. The family is poor, and the money is not enough to redeem itself. Friends can't be redeemed, and intimacy is not a matter of words. I am not a wooden stone, and I am deeply embarrassed to be alone with the judges. Who can tell me! This is what Shao Qing really saw. Servant action is not true? Li Ling was born and descended, his family's voice declined, and his servant was also a silkworm room, which made him laugh at the world. Sad husband! Sad husband! It is not easy. This is a layman's word.

Servant ancestors have the power to chop Fu Dan's book, and the ephemeris of literature and history is almost between divination and blessing. Consolidate the mockery of the Lord, advocate superior animals and despise vulgarity. If the servant is punished, if nine cows die and one hair dies, why is it different from ants? Moreover, this world is not compared with people who can die, especially thinking that lack of wisdom is extremely sinful. If you don't save yourself, you will die. What is this? It is precisely because of the self-establishment of elements (punctuation in the original book) that people are inherently mortal. It's either heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather, so it's different to use. Don't insult your body first, then your body, then your color, then your words, then your body, then your clothes, then your wooden rope, then your hair, then your baby's gold and iron, then your skin and limbs, and finally your death sentence. Sichuan said, "The punishment is not as good as a doctor." This statement is not without encouragement. The tiger is in the deep mountains, all animals are surprised, and in the trap, wagging its tail for food, and the threat is gradually increasing. Therefore, a scholar can be imprisoned in a planned way, and the situation cannot be advanced. Cutting wood is an official, and the discussion is not correct. Today, making friends with brothers, suffering from wooden ropes, attacking flesh and blood, suffering from lists, living in the wall. When I see the jailer at this time, I will be worried. who is it? So is the trend of accumulating prestige. What's more, those who don't insult each other, the so-called strong face and strong ears, are you expensive? The Xibe nationality, Boye, was imprisoned in smoke (sic, as a prison); Li Si, Xiang Ye, has five punishments; Huaiyin, forced by Chen; Peng Yue and Zhang Ao, known as orphans in the south, went to prison to make amends; Crimson Hou Zhu Lu, right pour five bo, imprisoned in the room; General, naked, off; Ji Bu is a slave of Zhujiajian, and her husband is humiliated in his bedroom. This man is a prince general, who has heard about neighboring countries and is guilty of a heinous crime. He cannot lead himself to death. In the dust, he integrated the past and the present and lived up to his mission.

From this point of view, courage and fear, potential also; Strength, form: judging, why is it strange? Madame couldn't cut herself out of the rope ink earlier, so it was a little late. As for the whip pestle, it is to attract festivals. Isn't it far? Almost for this reason, ancient people severely punished doctors. My wife loves life and hates death. She misses her parents and cares about her wife. If she dares to do what is right, she is forced. Today's servants are unfortunate, their parents died young, they have no brothers and relatives, and they are single and lonely. How can Shao Qing take his servant as his wife? The brave don't have to die, and they are afraid that their husbands will be righteous. What happened to them? Although the servant is timid and wants to live, he knows the difference between going and not going. Why should he indulge in humiliation? What's more, it is impossible for a husband to have a servant girl, but what about a servant as a last resort? Therefore, people who live in seclusion in the soil and never leave, hate selfishness, are humble and have no world, and their literary talent is not obvious to future generations.

Ancient people were rich and famous, but they couldn't remember. They are only charming and extraordinary. King Gavin was arrested and played Zhouyi; Zhongnieu made the Spring and Autumn Period; Qu Yuan's exile is a tribute to Li Sao. Zuo Qiu is blind and has "Mandarin"; The foot of Sun Tzu's Art of War has been revised; It's not Shu, but Lu Lan. Han Fei imprisoned Qin, expressing embarrassment, loneliness and anger; Three hundred poems, the underground sages are angry. This person has a sense of stagnation and can't understand it, so he tells the past and thinks about new people. But if Zuo Qiu lost his eyes and his grandson broke his foot, he would never be free, so he closed the door and discussed books to solve the problem, thinking about his empty words. Servants are not inferior to thieves. With incompetent words, they are trapped in the old news, measure their behavior slightly, and check their success or failure history from the beginning. As for this, it is ten tables, twelve chapters, eight chapters, thirty biographies, and seventy biographies, with 130 articles. I also want to know about the changes of ancient and modern times and become a scholar who studies heaven and man. This will happen before grass is created. Unfortunately, it won't work, and undemocratic is a capital crime. With this book, I sincerely hid the famous mountains and spread them to my people and most cities. I will pay for my previous humiliation. Although I was killed, do you have any regrets? However, this can be said to the wise, but not to outsiders.

The negative is hard, dirty and slanderous. Servants encounter this kind of disaster in spoken language and are laughed at and insulted by hardworking villagers. How can they go back to their parents' graves? Although it has been a hundred years, the dirt is very eye-catching. Nine times a day. If you live, you will die suddenly. If you go out, you don't know where you are going. Every time I think about my shame, I sweat profusely. It is better to be a boudoir minister than to lead yourself to the evil hidden in the cave. Therefore, we should rise and fall from vulgarity and keep pace with the times to get rid of its madness. Today, Shao Qing is a teaching promoter of sages and scholars. Is it wrong to be selfish with servants? Although I want to carve my own words, it is useless to pretend to self-modify, but not believing (as vulgar unbelief) is enough to insult my ears. Yes, the day you die, and then decide right or wrong. I can't understand the meaning of this book. I am a little humble in Chen Gu. Thanks again. (Source: Ancient Chinese, edited by Xu Jialu)

Translation:

Tai Shigong, Sima Qian, who runs like an ox and a horse, bid farewell to Chen.

Shao Qing's first step: In the past, you wrote to me and taught me to deal with things in line with the times. It was my responsibility to recommend sages and introduce talents. The wording and tone of the letter are sincere, as if complaining that I didn't listen to your advice, but changed my opinion with the opinions of ordinary people. I dare not do this! Although I have no talent or virtue, I have also heard of the legacy of the noble old man. It's just that I feel physically disabled and inferior, and I'm accused as soon as I act, but I want to make some contributions and make a mess of things, so I'm depressed and no one tells me. The proverb says, "For whom? Who will listen? " After Zhong Ziqi's death, Boya stopped playing the piano for life. Why? Because literati only work for confidants, women only beautify themselves for those who like themselves. As for my incomplete body, even if I embrace talents like the late ruler of Sui Dynasty and He Shibi and behave as noble as Xu You and Bo Yi, I still can't be proud of myself, which will make people feel ridiculous, even bring disgrace to oneself. Your letter should have been answered in time, but I came back from the emperor's east tour and was busy with humble trifles. There are few opportunities to meet each other, so I am very busy and have no time to talk to my heart. Now, you are facing unimaginable consequences. Another month is the end of winter, and I am forced to follow the emperor to Yongdi, for fear that you will suddenly encounter misfortune. In that case, I will never be able to tell you my grief and indignation, and you will certainly hold endless hatred in the spirit of heaven. Please let me briefly state some narrow and shallow views. Please don't blame me for not answering your letter for so long.

I once heard: "increasing one's accomplishment is a storehouse of wisdom;" Willing to give is the beginning of benevolence; Obtaining and giving appropriateness is the sign of maintaining justice; Humiliation is the premise of courage; Establishing a reputation is the highest goal of action. "Scholars with these five qualities can stand on the world and rank among the gentlemen. Therefore, nothing is more miserable than greed, nothing is more painful than sadness, nothing is more embarrassing than the humiliation of ancestors, and nothing is more humiliating than being imprisoned. People who have been castrated cannot be compared with normal people, not only in today's world, but also for a long time. Once upon a time, I rode with eunuchs, and Confucius left Chen; Shang Yang was called to see Jing Ke, and Zhao Liang was worried about him. Zhao talked about accompanying Emperor Wen in the car, and Yuan Ang was furious; I have despised eunuchs since ancient times. As long as things are related to eunuchs, there is no man of medium ability who is not discouraged, let alone impassioned. Although the imperial court is short of talents now, how can people who have been in prison recommend the heroes in the world to be handsome?

It has been more than twenty years since I became an official in Beijing by relying on my ancestors' unfinished academic career. So I think: on the contrary, we can't dedicate our loyalty, gain the reputation of ingenuity and brilliance, and thus gain the trust of the emperor; Secondly, we can't make up for the emperor's omissions, make up for the shortcomings, recruit talented people, introduce capable people, and make the people in the caves famous all over the world; Externally, you can't join the ranks of the army, attack the city and pull out the village, fight wild, and establish the merits of killing enemy generals and pulling out enemy flags; In the end, you can't gain high officials and high salaries by accumulating qualifications and contributions, adding luster to your clan and friends. These four things have not been realized, just barely covered, and there is no size, which can be seen. In the past, I was also a doctor, accompanying foreign courts to express some opinions. By this time, Shen's statutes and ingenuity had been exhausted. By now, he has lost his physique. When he is a servant who cleans the steps, he should hold his head high in the humble crowd and comment on who is right and wrong. Is it too contemptuous of the imperial court and humiliating today's scholars? Alas! Alas! What can a man like me say? What are you talking about?

Besides, it is not easy to figure out the ins and outs of things. When I was a teenager, I thought I had irresistible talent like a horse, but I didn't get a good reputation in my hometown when I grew up. Fortunately, the emperor, because of my ancestors, enabled me to dedicate my meager skills to the imperial court. I thought, how can I see the sky with a wooden basin on my head? So, I refused to associate with the guests, forgot the private affairs at home, thought day and night, tried my outstanding talents and abilities, and did my duty wholeheartedly in order to get the emperor's closeness and goodwill. However, this is far from the case.

Li Ling and I both served in Cao Zhong, and we were never good friends. Their likes and dislikes are different, so they have never drunk and enjoyed together. However, I observed that Li Ling is indeed a strange person. He is very filial to his parents, faithful to his scholars, honest and upright in handling money, courteous to asking for and giving, humble to fame and difference, respectful and thrifty, and always wants to go all out to solve the country's urgent needs. These long-term excellent qualities in him, I think, have a national demeanor. It is rare for a minister to go to a country in danger out of the idea of preferring death to life. Now, whenever he does something wrong, ministers who can only save their health and their wives and children will exaggerate his shortcomings. It's really hard in private. Besides, less than 5,000 infantry led by Li Ling went deep into the enemy camp, arrived in Attila, lured the enemy into the jaws of death, challenged the powerful Xiongnu with fierce momentum, and launched an attack on the Xiongnu army between Shan Ye, fighting Attila for more than ten days, killing more enemy soldiers than their own soldiers, so that the enemy had no time to heal the wounded and rescue the dying. The Huns' monarchs and officials were shocked and frightened, so they mobilized all the troops of the Xianwang, recruited people who were good at bows and arrows, and attacked and besieged Li Ling all over the country. Li Ling fought thousands of miles, the arrows ran out of food, the soldiers retreated in despair, the reinforcements didn't come, and the dead and wounded soldiers piled up everywhere. But as long as Li Ling cheered the soldiers, the soldiers would not hold themselves up, shed tears, wash their faces with blood, quench their thirst with tears, pull open an empty bow without arrows, and braved the cold light to shine, and vowed to kill the enemy north. When Li Ling's army was not destroyed, a messenger came to announce the good news, and all the officials and princes in North Korea congratulated the emperor on his victory. A few days later, the book of Li Ling's defeat came, and the emperor was very dissatisfied with it, and he was not happy to listen to politics in court. Ministers are afraid and don't know how to play properly. I didn't think much about my meanness in my heart. Seeing the sadness and pain of the emperor, I really want to offer my sincere advice. I thought that Li Ling always put his subordinates before himself, so he could strive for other people's services with all his strength, even the ancient famous soldiers could not compare with him. Although he was trapped in Xiongnu because of defeat, his original intention was to find a suitable opportunity to serve the Han Dynasty. There is nothing to do about it, but he has defeated powerful enemies and made great contributions to the world. I wanted to tell the emperor, but I didn't have a chance. Just when the emperor summoned me, I used these meanings to praise Li Ling's contribution, hoping to let the emperor relax and shield those who hate Li Ling. I didn't make it clear completely, which made it impossible for the wise emperor to understand further. On the contrary, he thought that I was slandering the general of the Second Division and deliberately put in a good word for Li Ling, so he handed me over to the magistrate for trial. Loyal, finally unable to express myself, and accused me of cheating the emperor, the emperor finally listened to the jailer's decision. My family is poor, and I don't have enough money to atone for myself. My friends couldn't help me, and the emperor's cronies didn't say a word of intercession for me I am not a stone, nor a stone, but I am determined to get along well with the prison guards who enforce the law. I am locked up in many prisons. Who can I tell my pain to? You saw all this with your own eyes. Isn't that what I am? Now Li Ling surrendered to the Huns alive and ruined his family's reputation. I was locked in a silkworm room and was laughed at by the whole world. Pathetic, pathetic! These things are not easy for ordinary people to say one by one.

My ancestors didn't get the meritorious service of being named Wang Cihou. He is in charge of literature and history books and astronomical calendars, and his position is close to that of an official in charge of divination and sacrifice. Teased by the emperor, raised like a musician, despised by the world. If I am punished by law and killed, it will be like removing a hair from nine cows. What's the difference between killing an ant? And the world will not compare me to a person who insists on moral integrity and dies. They just think that I can't figure out a way, commit a heinous crime, which is really inevitable and finally die. Why? Because my profession has always been looked down upon. People are bound to die. Some died heavier than Mount Tai, while others died lighter than a feather. This is because the purpose of death is different. First of all, don't insult your ancestors; Secondly, don't humiliate yourself physically; Secondly, there is no shame in reason and face; Secondly, don't be verbally humiliated; Secondly, being bound and humiliated; Secondly, being imprisoned and humiliated; Secondly, wearing a wooden cangue rope was beaten and humiliated; Secondly, either shaved his head or wore a chain on his head and neck to be humiliated; Secondly, skin damage, limb amputation and humiliation; The worst thing is castration, which is extreme! The Book of Rites says, "Punishment cannot be imposed on doctors." This means that the moral integrity of scholar-officials cannot but be encouraged. The tiger is in the deep mountains, and all the animals are shocked and scared. When it fell into a trap and was locked in a cage, it wagged its tail and begged for food, which was the result of its long-term strength gradually restricting it. Therefore, the circle on the ground is a prison, and the upright people will inevitably refuse to go in; Cutting wood into warders, honest people think they can't be interrogated by it: their plan is very clear. Now, his hands and feet crossed, he was wearing wooden shackles and ropes, his muscles and skin were exposed, he was beaten with bamboo whips and sticks, and he was detained in prison. At this time, I knelt down and kowtowed as soon as I saw the jailer, and I was afraid to breathe when I saw the jailer. Why? This is a situation that is forced to form gradually. At this point, saying that you have not been insulted is the so-called "thick-skinned". What dignity can there be? Besides, Xibo, the overlord, was detained; Reese, prime minister of Qin, five sentences. Han Xin, the Duke of Huaiyin, was appointed King of Chu, but was arrested in Chen. Peng Yue and Zhang Ao were once kings of the South, but they were imprisoned and convicted. Jiang Hou Zhou Bo killed Zhu Lu, who was more powerful than the "five tyrants" in the Spring and Autumn Period, but was locked in the invitation room. Dou Ying, the Duke of Qi Wei, as a general, put on prison clothes and three cangues; Ji Bu sold herself to Zhu Jianu; The irrigator was humiliated when he was locked in his room. These people are all princes and princes, and their reputation has spread far and wide to neighboring countries. When they commit crimes, even when they are caught in the law, they can't commit suicide decisively, and eventually they end up in a dirty dust. Ancient and modern times come down in one continuous line. How can I not be insulted? It can be seen that courage and timidity, strength and cowardice are all caused by specific circumstances. I finally understand, what is strange? Besides, people can't commit suicide until they are punished by law. It's already a little humble. Only when they are whipped will they think of suicide to keep their integrity. Isn't this a step further? This is probably why the ancients were extremely cautious in imposing penalties on doctors.

People's natural feelings are love for life, fear of death, missing their parents and caring for their wives and children. As for those who are excited by justice and truth, this is not the case. They have an irresistible impulse. Now, unfortunately, my parents died young, and I have no brothers or sisters and live alone. What do you think of my attitude towards my wife and children? Besides, the brave don't have to die for honor, and the coward admires Gao Yi. Why not? Although I am timid and want to drag out an ignoble existence, I also know the boundaries between what to do and what not to do. How can I indulge in the shame of prison? Even a handmaiden can make up her mind to commit suicide, let alone like me? I secretly endure, drag out an ignoble existence, and refuse to die in a filthy prison, just because I hate that I still have unrealized ideals in my heart. If I die in humiliation, my prose talent will not be passed down to future generations.

Since ancient times, there have been too many people whose wealth and reputation have been buried, and only those who are uninhibited and unique can remain immortal; Xibo was detained and performed Zhouyi. When Confucius was in trouble, he wrote the Spring and Autumn Period. Qu Yuan was exiled by Chu Huaiwang, so he wrote Li Sao. Zuo Houming went blind before he finished speaking Mandarin. Sun Bin's knee was amputated, and Sun Bin's Art of War was edited. Lv Buwei moved to Shu, but Lv Chunqiu spread all over the world. Han Feizi was imprisoned in Qin, which led to "hardship" and "loneliness and anger"; The Book of Songs has 300 articles, most of which were written by sages to express their anger. These people are depressed and unable to stretch, so they look back and look forward to the future. As for Zuo Qiuming's blindness and Sun Bin's broken leg, they think it will never be put into use. They retired and wrote books to express their anger, hoping to express themselves with the help of handed down articles. In private, I overreach myself. Recently, relying on poor writing, I collected and recorded old stories scattered all over the world, verified the events in them, and pushed the truth about the success or failure of poor history. From Xuanyuan Huangdi in history to today. I wrote ten tables, twelve biographies, eight books, thirty families, seventy biographies and one hundred and thirty biographies, just to discuss the relationship between nature and human beings, understand the changing law from ancient times to the present and become a family. The draft was not finished yet, and it happened to be another disaster. It's a pity that the whole book was not finished, so even the most severe punishment has no resentment. If I write that book, I will hide it in a famous mountain and pass it on to future generations who can understand it and spread it in cities extending in all directions. So I can pay off the old debt that I was insulted in the past. Will I regret it even if I am chopped to pieces? However, these words can only be said to knowledgeable people, and it is difficult to talk to ordinary people.

Besides, people who are insulted can't live a peaceful life, and people with humble status are often vilified and talked about. Because I said a few more words, I suffered this disaster. Deeply laughed at by hometown people and insulted their ancestors. How dare I go to my parents' grave? Even after a hundred generations, this insult will only increase! Therefore, I am extremely miserable every day, but I am in a daze at home. If you lose something, you don't even know where to go when you go out. Whenever I think of that shame, cold sweat seeps from my back and wets my clothes. I'm almost a eunuch. How can I distract myself from hiding in a mountain cave? So for the time being, I have to go with the flow, act according to circumstances, and rely on myself to alleviate my inner anger and contradictions. Now you, Shao Qing, are teaching me to recommend sages and introduce talents. Isn't that the opposite of what I thought? Today, even if I want to dress myself up and liberate myself with beautiful words, it won't help. Most people won't believe me, but I'm just insulting myself. In a word, I won't know who is right or wrong until later. I can't express my thoughts freely in the letter, so I will briefly state my narrow and shallow views. I want to kowtow again.