《Viewing Fan Qiong Skinning a Man》

In the hall, the man has died, wordlessly leaving the courtyard.

The peach blossoms of spring are not yet at their peak, the flowers bloom to harbor wronged spirits.

Crimson spreads across the fields, a wisp of air without support.

Bao Chen stands beneath the empty steps, still hearing light weeping in the night.

*

《Sky Net Sand – Last Words》

Amidst the lonely city, sudden rain and lingering sunset clouds,

On the red earth, beacon smoke and crying crows,

Abandoning shoes and sending a letter to the imperial court,

The Emperor, may he live ten thousand years,

Do not abandon the people of both He (regions north and south of the Yellow River).

*

《Lamenting Fan Xiuniang》

The bronze mirror of Bianliang's palace is broken and broken again, the spring attire of the Han River is cold and colder still.

I advise you not to be born in times of turmoil, mountains and rivers separate you, never to be seen again.

*

《Great River East – On Mount Taihang》

Mount Taihang's Five Horses Mountain, where the Kunpeng soars,

Thousands of miles north and south, its name echoing in the wind.

Victory means spanning states and prefectures, defeat means eating dew and drinking frost,

How does it compare to being in another land? Who knows the joys of the mountains,

Holding wine and singing verses.

Hearing the war drums, courage stirs, intentions not yet exhausted.

Drive away tigers and leopards, even dragons ponder here.

The He (Yellow River) region has fertile land for cultivation, the great river can cleanse demons,

May the Sage Lord live long and be healthy.

Grease the carriages, feed our horses, follow you to the battlefield.

*

《Two Poems Lamenting Zhang Suo》

Zhao Jiu

One

What did Zhang Qing do? Guarding Guide alone.

Where Emperor Taizu hid as a dragon, axes and knives are now mottled.

Steeply facing Mount Tai, his clear name clears the Yellow River.

Unexpectedly, the invaders arrived, sighing at what could be done.

Two

Loyal and brave, buried without a place, the temporary palace has only doors.

For one hundred and twenty years since then, it has never changed in cold or warmth.

Alas, how can it be in vain? Life and death are not easily spoken of.

Never to see his smiling face again, I occasionally think of it and laugh at my own foolishness.

*

《Defeating Wanyan Wushu at Nanyang》

A soaring bird lodges in the parasol tree, a northerner thinks of the autumn wind.

The Holy Lord is a vessel of heroes, and outstanding people admire meritorious service.

Chen Gui assists with military strategy, and Zhang Jun defends key positions.

Shi Zhong wraps himself in sincerity, and Peng Ju declares his ambition.

Nanyang is surrounded by four walls, and the land west of the capital sweeps away the barbarian dust.

The rivers and mountains are dangerous and solid, and the soldiers are brave and benevolent.

Kindness and righteousness are added to the four seas, and all people are as one.

The distant He (Yellow River) region is full of people returning to their hometowns.

*

《Double Ninth Festival》

Half of the green clouds fall with the wind, the yellow flowers accompany the moon, shy to fully bloom.

I wonder who I will enjoy this with next year, I will look at the dogwood one more time.

*

《March 20th, Feeling Great》

The wind curls green silk, the water soaks the beard, who would have thought a rough man would part his hair in the middle.

The most handsome guy on the road to spring, my raccoon cat doesn't recognize me.

*

《Defeating Wanyan Talan at Changshe》

The clear Yi River, the grass is flat in late spring, my emperor hunts, deploying heavenly soldiers.

How swift is his heroic wisdom and divine martial prowess, millions of loyal hearts accompany the imperial carriage.

Iron armor shines in the sun, golden linked armor, drums and horns cleanse like thunder.

The banners are already tied to the Xiongnu chieftain's neck, the iron cavalry still treads on the Xiongnu camp.

*

《Ode to砥柱山 (Dǐzhù Mountain)》

The west wind falls, the north wind is cold, a lone minister supports the precarious pole with one hand.

Jinhua is fortunate to be recorded in history, the country relies on this to镇 (zhèn, suppress/subdue) the raging waves.

Three thousand miles away, the Yellow Dragon is far, alone facing the river, it is difficult in the end times.

If I establish special merit and sweep away the remote regions, I will return to drink in Hedong and sacrifice to Liu Kuan.

*

《Bestowal of a Banquet at Heyin》

Robes and hats have been rushing about for a long time, men and women suffering from hardship.

They raise blades against each other in Nanyang, death and life are long separations.

Discarding roasted meat to accompany the sheng dance, the red river circles the dragon mat.

The wise ruler follows Xiu Rong's example, hanging dried meat in the west of Heyin.

*

《Hearing of Hu Yin's Punishment》

Passing through Jingzhao on the Grain Rain day, famous ministers scatter like horse hooves.

Already embracing the trees on the mountain peaks, frequently admiring the streams on the border.

Children and women are accustomed to bows and horses, holding books, falcons and rabbits perch.

The whip marks of the commander are beautiful, the viewers naturally form a path.

*

《To the tune of Linjiang Xian》

Wearing a jade belt and golden helmet at the Xiang's residence banquet, a hundred thousand things are rushed. I only hate not meeting you before. A large Peng bird flies ten thousand miles, and the old oriole is locked in a golden cage.

A river separates us, a thousand miles apart, the Genyue Mountain is high and distant. How can I bear to turn my head and ask where your fragrant traces are? The country still has frost and snow, how can there be a spring breeze at home?

*

That month, it was reported that Chen Caozhi, a famous scholar from Jiangnan, had died, and his wife and children were bullied. The emperor was moved and composed:

《Remembering Jiangnan》

The nights in Jiangnan, I followed the civet cat searching east and west. Apricot blossoms were like snow, but I never saw them. A hundred generations of books are contained in my heart. I will meet Caozhi again.

*

《Ode to the Kite》

The cicada dove lodges in the crooked artemisia, the fallen phoenix perches on the parasol tree.

The sound of the mountains rises in the silent night, the sound of the string echoes in the blue sky.

A close friend understands the meaning of the music, enduring humiliation and singing a northern song.

Falling from the top of the green pine, why hold the red of the juniper?

*

《Lamenting Duke Zhang Engong Suo》

The Holy Lord worries about the east, and the soldiers in the west dance with spears.

The rain scatters, the dark clouds disappear, and there is much joy in ceasing military operations.

Drums and chimes cover Mount Dai, and pestles fill the Yellow River.

His heroic strategy clears ten thousand miles, and there are no more waves in the desert sea.

*

Yu Yunwen crossed the river to the north and stayed in Zhang Rong's army. He saw his daughter and left a poem at dawn.

《Long Longing》

One mountain, two mountains.

This journey is full of difficulties,

Heaven sees my loyal heart.

Peach blossoms bloom, peach blossoms wither,

After a long separation from Jinguan, I return,

Children climb around the bed.

*

《Passing Fang Prefecture Again》

Meeting the generals of Fang Prefecture again, boasting of their past achievements.

Greeting the arrogant invaders at Qiao Mountain, pulling arms and staining them half red.

Subduing the bandits like pigs and dogs, the heavenly soldiers are all tigers and dragons.

Another day in the Yellow Dragon Mansion, galloping and whistling in the west wind.

*

《To the tune of West River Moon - Hearing of Wu Jie's Promotion to Marshal》

Running back and forth between the south and the north, traversing Guandong and Guanxi. Qian Sun Li Zhou all have a purpose, all are the same kind of bastard!

Bodhisattvas' faces in the temple, snakes and scorpions' hearts in the ditch. Someone quickly became marshal on the battlefield, riding a divine iron elephant!

*

《Presented to Wanyan Loushi》

Ten thousand miles of mountain passes are far and wide, the autumn wind and yellow grass are desolate.

Ten thousand horses gallop towards the setting sun at Yao Mountain, thousands of points of stars and clouds rise at the Wei Bridge.

The sound of fighting soldiers stirs the desert sea, the Qilin exerts its horns against the crimson sky.

I am grateful for your coming from afar, let me express my intentions, and donate your flags and armor to the Bohai tide.

*

《Full River Red》

Heaven descends wind and thunder, who will ask, the heroes of Zhongzhou? Everyone says, Zhao Jiu of Cangzhou, relieves the people from their suffering. Before the tent, rhinoceros armor surrounds a hundred thousand, beneath Yao Mountain, the blood of Wanyan, look at the future, why wait for later generations to write, my heart is like iron.

The fate of the nation changes, heaven and earth transform, a loyal heart remains, a heroic soul exists, the ruler and ministers should unite, and together enjoy the glory of the heroes. Again, ascending to a high place and roaring to the fullest, in this life, one must tread the snow of Yanran, move forward, holding Emperor Taizu at eye level, and sing of the sun and the moon.

*

《Answering Duan Bu Xianbei Si Qu Gong Before Execution》

I have often heard that the Duan clan harbors resentment, rebuking me for being the claws and teeth of Yanyun.

The Li surname was originally from the Great Wild clan, and the Yan and Liu families belonged to the Xiongnu.

Baiyue was ultimately not led by the many Xia, and Hexi has long been sung by the Uyghurs.

If Yan and Huang were to ask about noble lineage, they should say it was the Sima family of the Two Jins.

*

《Remembering the Huai River》

After a long separation, I travel north from Huaainan, the beacon smoke inside and outside the Eight Passes is worrying.

Even the heavens are acting as the magistrate of Jingzhao, let one's body and the wind and moon be at ease.

*

《Butterfly Loves Flowers》

A touch of boudoir sorrow follows the swallow away, spring flowers are silent, leaning against the Xiang bamboo at dusk. Walking alone on the green willow fragrant grass path, may the green clouds not roll up the acacia tree.

The oriole follows the corridor wind and emptily understands the words, the curved eyebrows in the mirror, especially like the beginning of painting flowers. Your heart is like the sea, and mine is like mist, leaning on the railing is always a heartbreaking place.

*

《Treading on Grass Song》

Spring comes on the border, distant peaks in the clouds. The desolate courtyard is struck by the east wind. The old taste of southern tunes is worth a thousand gold, barely enough to warm the stomach with newly brewed wine.

The dust and wind should rest, Li Lang is easily thin. Who will depict a volume of homesickness? Having followed the ruler to settle the chaos, in this life, one must wear flowers all over one's head.

*

《Visiting Zong Ze's Mausoleum》

Sand gulls and short flutes connect to the distant sky, this year the beacon smoke has been extinguished for thousands of miles.

Looking north to Longmen, there are few houses, and Zonggong sleeps with his hat tilted.

The tomb and wild grass still worry about the country, and I recall the past before the green jade table.

How can I tell you my whole life's feelings? Ferry boats will always remain in Bianjing.

*

《To the tune of Nian Nu Jiao》

The scenery is just right, on the Great River, the Jie drums, sea falcons, and golden clappers sound. Officials and nobles fill the court, wearing crowns and gowns, together achieving great deeds. Tears stain their clothes, gazing at Jibei, all emptying their cups. The east wind has no words, who will tell of the ages?

The barbarian flutes on the border once blew, the Xiongnu grazed south, trampling the moon of Bianliang to pieces. Clusters of green carriages ruined the Golden Valley, the Yangguan farewell song was sung to the end. Fortunately, there is a ruler, Zhao Jiu of Cangzhou, ashamed of the Yishui farewell. Men, do not ask, just head towards the Yellow Dragon Palace.

*

《Crossing the River》

The cold light of the double blades shines ten thousand miles in the autumn, the lofty ambition to soar to the clouds is a pity it was not fulfilled.

Riding a green cloud horse proudly through the Three Auxiliary regions, white hair and a weathered face return to Dengzhou.

The son of Shangcai misses the yellow dog, the drunken lieutenant of Baling asks about conferring titles.

Do not mention the old affairs of broken blades, bury our bones with me in the eastern hills of Lai.

*

《Painted Boat Song》

The geese fly past the window, the night is not yet over, a night of autumn wind pillows Luoyang.

The old garden is now quiet in thousands of homes, the palace terraces and Zhangtai are full of long willow branches.

How can the wild flowers know who is the master? Luo Fu and the white horse boast of Xun Lang.

Do not move the boat and provoke homesickness, your heart may not be like mine.

*

《Ode to Bamboo》

The mountain temple has ten thousand acres of green seedlings, old men hunch over, speaking of a bumper year.

The children with their hair in tufts learn to cultivate, the white-haired men lie fishing before the mountains and waters.

What are Ge San and Guo Xie worth mentioning? Emperor Guangwu of Longkang discusses what comes first and what comes later.

Let's use the green bamboo to repay the cold season, and not ask about spring at the eastern fence.

*

《To the tune of Wuling Chun》

The setting sun, the west wind, autumn fills the earth, countless green peaks on the horizon.

A smear of clouds and rosy clouds shines in the evening light, chaotic horses gallop horizontally.

I rely on my shadow to support myself, why bother asking about the journey back?

Linghuang, reeds make barbarian flutes, cannot finish blowing, cannot wake up from dreams.

*

《To the tune of Water Dragon Chant》

The reeds blow and split the west wind, several returning geese leave in a mess, the Yellow River rolls away, looking at Helan Mountain, who remembers the rise and fall?

Striking the oars for many years, the remnant moon of Jinyang, the old tree left a poem, three thousand volumes in my chest, my life's ambition, only the Longzhong Strategy counts.

Fame cannot be easily discarded, asking the temples, can the barbarian dust be extinguished? The mountains and rivers are still there, holding a lamp to look at the sword, the desolate cities are vivid.

Emptying a cup of wine, stepping out from the beginning, the broken walls of Taihang, facing the blue of Yanshan, the waves are vast, Yuguan will surely enter.

*

《Envoy to Hedong》

The sound of golden drums and long songs fill the willow camp, the painted horns echo in Pujiin with the east wind.

At dawn, the cuckoo cries, the mountains dawn, at dusk, the dragon dances, the river clears.

The golden Wu standard is old, wanting to compare with Li Sheng walking on new ice.

There is naturally a bit of heroic spirit, not sending homesickness to the Bohai Sea.

*

《Farewell to Xingling》

Old men cry among piles of white bones, the forest of swords and halberds burdens the mausoleum.

The Tang Canal's water has dried up, the reeds have died, the setting sun gives rise to clouds, the horns cry sadly.

Last year, a thousand troops surged like the sea, this year, the abandoned garrison does not grow moss.

Looking back to Dongguo, I shed a tear, all of it flows into the rolling Yellow River.

*

《Farewell at Helan》

The setting sun and golden sands meet in order, auspicious clouds connect to Linhuang for ten thousand miles.

Steadily driving the green-eared horse to leave the jade carriage, the remaining fire of the rivers and mountains shines long into the night.

The dew washes away homesickness, dreams become pillows, the bronze camel and broken leaves are the new hometown of Yu.

In this life, stop reciting the sighs of the Overlord, who says there are borders in Zhongxia?

*

《Spring Journey on Mount Taihang》

Clear maple leaves are used as bait to fish in the mountain stream, carrying a lotus stalk and singing leisurely, the late oriole cries.

Sudden rain, sudden clearing, the flowers fall by themselves, sometimes gathering, sometimes unfolding the green raincoat.

All things have spirits, competing for the appearance of spring, the old man has nowhere to find a secluded place.

The east wind blows the sound of the flute, the flowers in the mirror scatter, it is because the white bones sing the Song of Millet.

*

《Parting at the River》

One cup divided into two, all that is seen is sad.

Half a lifetime of many affairs, family letters cover the bed.

Stopping the horse to collect withered bones, stopping the whip, bearing the pain of a broken heart.

Don't hate the early return date, fearing there will be no hometown to return to if it is late.

*

《Watching the Execution, Giving to Hongya》

The vast sea is misty, and a few geese are lost, the pine forest at night rains, the road is bleak.

Nowhere to lean on to look far, with thoughts making songs, wine not carried.

Jiangnan is distant, separated by a thousand ridges, the northern border is brilliant, Yanshan is low.

Where does the willow flute play? The spring breeze does not cross is western Liaoning.

*

《Qinyuan Spring》

Facing the wine and offering a high toast, the wild geese fly across the long sky, desolate are the several peaks. I am glad that now is like the past, the turbid waves have washed over, and Weiyang is still the same, the traces of heroes. Ten thousand miles of clouds and waves, the old affairs of Beifu, the golden ge and iron horse are all in my chest, now look at me, but the spring breeze is not old, and I will not build the Wu Palace.

Success or failure, turning the head, is it empty? Asking where in Zhongyuan is not a golden fortress, seeing the chaos filling the eyes, idly patting the railings, striking the oars in the middle of the stream, and spitting out a long rainbow. Fish and water meet, the cause has not ended, one should abandon the earthen pot and beat the yellow bell. After drinking, holding an iron plate and copper pipa, sing the Great River East.

*

《Inscription on Mei Sheren's Picture of a Hundred Scenes of Jiangnan》

One winding stream, fifteen turns, a small bridge crosses diagonally in seven or eight places.

Green pines welcome the visiting poet, yellow birds bid farewell to the mountain dwelling.

No wine under the moon, pure joy is enough, who shares my lonely chant and finely drawn beard?

People value being comfortable and unburdened, let's pick water shield and slice perch.

*

《Gazing at Guazhou, Bidding Farewell to My Brother》

Heavenly troops hunt tigers on the Yanyun Platform, raising the cup without drinking, waiting for the floating white.

The heroes of Cangzhou have no criticism, the old wild men of Wulin ask about Penglai.

When parting, one must break a willow branch from Yuguan, and upon triumphant return, one must not appreciate the plum blossoms of Jiangnan.

I study Chen Si and write a poem on beans, and you follow Wei Wu and view the Canghai.

*

《Jokingly Bidding Farewell to Lu Yihao》

If it were not for the work of heaven and earth, where in the world would there be a spring breeze?

The God of Spring also understands pitying the poor and sick, and overnight, flowers bloom on ten thousand trees.

*

《Eight-Voice Ganzhou》

Looking at the Divine Land, the heroes are all ten thousand miles, let the barbarian dust not rise with sighs.

The steeds are old on the battlefield, the clouds and thunder suddenly rise, cleansing the rivers and sky.

Why must the barbarian flute know me, blowing away the remnant snow on my temples.

People should raise their eyes and look, not rely on the railing by themselves.

Twenty years of spring and autumn are like water, the iron armor shines coldly in the moonlight, the wind and sand are still cold.

After the sound of war drums ceases, jade cups are wide under the tent.

From coming to seek the old dream of Mount Lu, recalling the old years, struggling at缩头滩 (Suō Tóu Tān, a place name).

There is still hatred, the different world before the pavilion, only empty saddles remain.

Note: In the twentieth year of Jianyan, Emperor Zhao Jiu of Song and Yue Fei traveled to Hangzhou and composed this poem in an unknown pavilion. No one in the world could understand it, and Zhao Jiu also did not explain it, thus becoming a mystery of the ages.

*

《Jiangchengzi - New Year's Day》

Emerald screens between the Taihang Mountain ranges, energy soaring horizontally, longbow鸣 (míng, ring/sound), ten years of success, the sound stops the clear sky of Yuguan. Washing away the shame of the Jingkang Incident of that year, I should be proud, wearing eagle feathers.

Today, the silver pot is drunk and the mountains tip over, establishing meritorious service, ascending to the Que Court, the four seas and eight wildernesses, the great ambition does not remember the journey, hearing that there is still wind and rain in Haidong, I point my whip far away, the Yellow Dragon City.

*

《Full River Red - New Year's Day》

North and south, east and west, old on the battlefield, the original intention has not been lost. Three or four sighs, the holy and wise era is valued, heroes have knowledge. Guangwu's Yuntai is vividly present, there is no need for today's people to emptyly remember, wandering in the desert sea, on the edge of Langjuxu Mountain, Chang'an Street.

North of the border, south of the sea, the road to fame is like brocade weaving. Xin Feng City, helmets and willow trees are all out. How many old comrades-in-arms, scattered, are already guests in the tombs, raising the wine vessels, leaving a cup full, telling you know.

*

《Military March》

The deer and elk are divided and the dragon and tiger contend, the imperial guards are ten thousand miles towards the Dragon City.

The mountain ranges are run through, the silver plate falls, cleanly sweeping away the barbarian dust, a white horse is born.

How many springs have passed in the north-south battles, how many names with golden ge and jade belts.

How can the Xiongnu extinguish the soldiers' courage? The triumphal song also leads to a cup being emptied.

*

《Last Words》

Saying goodbye to the cooking smoke of home, my soul scatters in the martial world.

Shedding tears on the white mountain trees, emptying the cup on the edge of the Blackwater.

Without the intention of bidding farewell at Yishui, the wind and rain empty the sea of smoke.

Knowing that there is life and death, one should sing the Song of Qiliang.

*

《Passing the Huang River》

Wild grass on the horizon bids farewell to the spring breeze, the purple gold vermilion gates pass by as empty.

Yesterday, I was worried about the border rains in Lulong, today, cars and horses accompany the autumn geese.

When will the hatred of life end? In the mulberry trees and green mountains, in the wine cup.

The only comfort in my life is repaying the country, shining alone on the ages, Mount Emei.

*

《Slow Sound - Thinking of Your Kindness》

The spring breeze has gone, the dream is far away, the mountains are green, the yellow oriole's voice rises outside the curtain. The swallows pass through the curtain and still shine, in the sound of the banana trees. A lone flower and a leaf are sent off, falling into the blue waves, the water chestnuts grow green. Every year, before the mirror, the makeup, a moment of joy is hard to remember.

This hatred can be entrusted for no reason, where to find it, the past events of the railings and curtains. Crows perch on the willows of Bian, several arrays of fallen flowers cover the ground. The traveling clouds ask who is haggard, thinking that back then, it should have been the servants. How can I bear to listen, the clepsydra drips, the Ruinao incense falls.

*

Across the river, facing each other, the Central Plains is greatly settled, the elders sing: Since the southward migration of the spirit, misfortune has entangled the divine land, the two sages have lost their rule, the leopards and wolves have indulged in poison, the common people have suffered the grief of being eaten by beasts, and the old capital has mourned the pain of the Song of Millet. The emperor, with his mediocrity, wished to carry out the brilliance, taking advantage of the time when the invaders were doomed to destruction, borrowing the anger of the two He thinking of fighting. With one drum of righteous wind, the whole land responded, once his prestige was displayed, the soldiers took effect bravely, destroying the rebellious scales in Nanyang, and sweeping away the fierce traces in Changshe. If he had not looked up to Heaven's grace and looked down to the wishes of the masses, how could he have been like this? Now the eastern invaders have left their cruelty, and the troops of Yanyun are connected, east and west are looking back and forth, and their mighty forms are connected, causing Guanxi to be lonely and dangerous, and Jingdong not to be garrisoned. One should select the wise and discuss military affairs, bestow them with majesty, make appointments as brothers, and covenant with life and death. Gathering the hearts of heroes and loyalty, restoring the heroic traces of the ancestors, training armor and advancing troops, tying carriages and connecting horses, carrying spears and driving forward, heading north out of Taihang, advancing can defend against fierce invaders, overturning their lairs, retreating can declare national prestige and鎮 (zhèn, suppress/subdue) the old capital. Once Heaven's might is shaken, the treacherous invaders will collapse and perish, and the remaining people, both great and small, will receive new life. So that Bianliang will have the sound of singing luan birds, and the desolate remains will cherish the virtue of coming from afar. This is what hundreds of millions of people hope for, the land of the benevolent.

*

《Proclamation to All the Wanyan》

The Holy Ruler has the responsibility to punish evil, and the King has the duty to settle chaos. Therefore, tracing back to the Three Dynasties, the Yellow Emperor raised his troops, looking to this day, the heavenly army has repeatedly attacked. Upholding the inheritance of Mingdao, wanting to repair the Jin瓯 (Jīn ōu, unbroken territory), returning the legitimate government to the common people, extending China to the four directions. Relying on the spirit of the Great One and Vast Heaven, relying on the strength of hundreds of millions of arms and legs, from east to west, having experienced four battles, weathering wind and rain, for five years now. The central state has been settled, and the pure wind has been extended, but the envoys of Yumenguan have all suffered the robbery of Zhang Qian, and the people who communicate with Liao have all suffered the difficulties of Su Wu. This act of losing the Tao and destroying virtue, its evil name has reached the western sea, and the matter of recklessly moving weapons of war has been heard with dirtiness in Khitan. Moreover, the Meng'an Mouke have wantonly carried out enclosure, the states that used to be high-roofed are now full of mounds of earth, half of the land of the nine provinces has suffered repeated looting. The tax collection is heavy, the people and wealth are exhausted, the hungry fill the roads, the angry fill the paths, the old and the young all look south to the holy grace. Within the old capital, they look north day and night, gnashing their teeth and weeping blood, planning to plow the court. Now you eastern invaders, are cruel, stubborn, and ignorant, the superiors follow the inferiors, with the hearts of wolves and the actions of dogs, Qin Hui is disobedient, without the virtue of loyalty and righteousness, Wushu is unprincipled, indulging in cruel ambitions, although he has received grace and courtesy, his desires are hard to fill, he does not think of leaving on his own, but instead harbors remnants of deceit. It is difficult to find bamboo to record all the generations of invaders, and there has never been a more shameless enemy of China. Now that we have both literary and military talents, the offense and defense have changed, if we retreat to protect the Yellow Dragon, we may survive and linger, if we occupy Yanyun, we will surely be struck by thunder without form. The generals of the Zhongxing period, Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian, Yue Pengju, Zhang Boying, and Wu Jie, Li Qiong, Wang De, and Zhang Rong, all have their prestige running through the sun and the moon, and strive to be brave and take the lead, the imperial camp has the courage of tigers and rhinoceros, and the east and west of the Great River have the lightning strikes of linked camps, sweeping away the Buddhist temples like destroying dead branches, and smashing the Guaima like pulling rotten wood, recovering Yanjing is as easy as turning one's hand, and surpassing the Han and Tang dynasties can be counted on the days. If you bare your shoulders at the palace gate and kowtow to beg forgiveness, you can leave a whole body to show leniency, if you are stubborn and do not repent, and raise troops to resist, then we will punish you on behalf of Heaven, and the punishment will be like that of Chiyou.

*

《A Letter to the Virtuous of Wulin》

The Book of Documents says: “To know men is wisdom, to pacify the people is kindness, if one can be wise and kind, what worries or joys, what moves or fears.” Therefore, King Wen opened up the garden, and the Zhou Dynasty flourished, Emperor Gao pushed his clothes, and the Liu surname’s dynasty was long. Holy rulers govern the country, nothing is like this. My Cangzhou lineage has been using martial arts for generations, learning military strategies in the northern lands, and establishing extraordinary merits in many dynasties. When Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, his heroic spirit was not diminished, sweeping across the territory, hoping to restore the Tang Dynasty’s legacy. But Heaven did not grant him years, his death occurred in the Candle Shadow Conspiracy, his illustrious achievements were cut short by the sound of axes. After the emperors that followed, they rested and cultivated peace, emphasizing culture over martial arts. This had merit in governing the territory, but no honor in the four seas. During the Jingkang Disaster, the Long River collapsed, the pillars were overthrown, the world was shaken, the eight wildernesses were in ruins, the common people suffered disasters, the invaders ran rampant, and there was no way out, so that the rulers and ministers were in panic, bound themselves and surrendered, and hundreds of millions of people were willing to be later lords. Bo Ji’s spirit was majestic and broad, emerging in response to the times, possessing the extraordinary talents of Shang Fu (Jiang Ziya), and pursuing the grand strategy of Ge Gong (Zhuge Liang). He had deep plans and long-term considerations, striving to save those who were drowning; every time he thought of a grand plan, his ambition was to relieve the suffering. I was moved by his sincere efforts, and appointed him to hold power, uniting horizontally and vertically, and gathering righteous hearts. Although they were divided between the north and south, the weight of the world still lay with them. Outside Xi Cai, on the outskirts of Nanyang, in the fields of Yanling, the victory of Yao Mountain, the victory of Helan, the alliance of Hetao, diligently for several years, what were called extraordinary achievements and unprecedented merits, without Bo Ji’s call in the Jingkang era, would have all disappeared like ice melting and fog dispersing, the Dream of the Eastern Capital would have vanished. When the entire court was in a state of inaction, he was the first to advocate resisting the Jin, and in a world of panic, he settled people’s hearts, established the foundation of the Zhongxing period, and retreated to the remote martial world. Since the beginning of Pangu, this was rarely seen. The strength of one minister, shaking the past and shining on the present, even Xiao Ge Meng could be his peers.

In the past, because the imperial heir died young, there was resentment within, and treacherous and sycophantic people took the opportunity to slander, causing many mouths to melt gold, and accumulated slander to destroy bones. Thanks to the blessings of the ancestors, and enlightenment. I regretted my past mistakes and remembered his original merits, so in the autumn of Wulin, when all the virtuous men gathered, with the lake and mountains as witnesses, and everyone’s eyes as proof, Li Gang’s merit was to be shared with the country, I bestow you an iron certificate, to show your honor. Among you gentlemen, there are also those of this kind, overcoming difficulties and hardships, loyal and brave in Tokyo, Yao Wu Yang Fen, Yan Xian Zhang Rong, planning day and night, Yue Fei Shi Zhong, heroes in Taihang and Hebei, Ma Kuo. Now the national strength is increasing, and the virtuous are helping, south of the Great River, it can be called peaceful, to the end of the Yangtze River, no military operations have been heard. But hundreds of millions of people are waiting for the King’s army in the north, hoping to reduce taxes in Jiangnan, if there is no northern expedition, when will it end? Therefore, establishing meritorious service in Yanyun is beneficial to hundreds of millions of people, and relieving the people’s livelihood is also greater than righteousness.

Those who are participating in the banquet, either followed me from Mingdao, cutting through thorns together; or they have a heart for the country, taking different paths but returning to the same goal. We should together settle the rivers and mountains, assist with all our heart, be impartial, and help to achieve peace!

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《Proclamation of the Northern Expedition》

Emperor Wu of Han made a northern expedition, and the Xiongnu returned to virtue. Emperor Taizong of Tang personally led an expedition, and the Bohai Sea was at peace. The small eastern barbarians did not receive the kingly transformation, and the Khitan were in decline, taking advantage of the opportunity to display ferocity. The majestic country north of the border was overthrown, and even though heroes continued the lineage, the homeland was difficult to return.

The two foolish rulers of the Huang Song dynasty, with their treacherous and mediocre ministers, burdened hundreds of millions of innocent people with their private desires. The barbarian chieftains came north, indulging in cruelty and tyranny, dangerous situations flowed rampant, the Jin瓯 (Jīn ōu, unbroken territory) was in danger like piled eggs, while the two fools indulged their relatives and parties, chewing on the common people, heavy labor and complicated laws, increasing large taxes, the Bianliang Dream was gone, with high-ranking officials and wealthy families, bowing their heads and tying their necks, the Song of Millet was reversed, the Huaiyang roads, were full of starving corpses, everyone looked north, thinking of restoring their homeland.

Mingdao was born in response to the times, the national fortune underwent a transformation, the great cause was just beginning, and the hidden dragon was in the abyss. The descendants of the barbarian chieftains had desires that were difficult to fill, first seizing the two He (regions north and south of the Yellow River), then eyeing the Central Plains, devastating Jingdong, wreaking havoc in Huaibei, Guangshi led the army, taking advantage of the opportunity to cause chaos, greedy, foolish, weak, and private, the Eight Dukes were executed.

After the battle of Xi Cai, the thief's power was still expanding, with foreign enemies and internal thieves, working together to create disaster, reasoning with a sincere heart, it must be collusion in secret, so there was a definite purpose, clearly defining the enemy and ourselves, and just settling the Xingzai, the old and new were repeating, colleagues hated each other, and fought like enemies. The court combined its strength, neither by force nor by deceit, taking the grand road, through the prestige of Yanling, Yao Mountain, and Helan, carrying out the affairs of the palace gate, the white horse, and Hangzhou. Today, Heaven has sent a response, and the earth has shown a sign, the period of annihilation is revealed in the golden tablet, the opportunity to settle chaos is revealed in September, the times are harmonious, the years are abundant, the government is well-connected, and