National classics

Author: Qian Xuaming / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features:
【Original Text】Zhōu zhé dōng, wáng gāng① zhuì. Chěng② gān gē③, shàng④ yóu shuì. Shǐ Chūnqiū. Zhōng Guówèi, wǔ bà qiáng, qī xióng chū.
【Annotations】① Wáng gāng: The authority and prestige of the court. ② Chěng: Display, boast. ③ Gān gē: Ancient weapons, often used metaphorically for war. ④ Shàng: Admire, value.
【Translation】After King Ping of Zhou moved the capital to Luoyang, the prestige of the royal court began to decline, and the royal discipline and political system gradually disintegrated. The feudal lords ruled independently, fought for expansion, and the world became chaotic. Some strategists and opportunists seized the chance to rise, traveling between states as envoys seeking fame. They advocated for alliances, either through the vertical or horizontal strategy, leading to continuous warfare and unrest among the people. The Eastern Zhou period was divided into two phases: the Spring and Autumn Period began with King Ping’s eastward relocation, and the Warring States Period began after the three families of Han, Zhao, and Wei divided Jin. During the Spring and Autumn Period, five hegemons emerged in order: Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Xiang of Song, Duke Wen of Jin, Duke Mu of Qin, and Duke Zhuang of Chu. The Warring States Period saw the rise of seven powerful states: Qi, Chu, Yan, Zhao, Han, Wei, and Qin.
【Original Text】Yíng Qíng shì, shǐ jiānbìng, chuán èr shì, Chǔ Hàn zhēng. Gāozǔ xīng. Hàn yè jiàn. Zhì Xiàopíng, Wángmǎng cuàn①.
【Annotations】① Cuàn: To usurp, often referring to seizing the throne.
【Translation】Emperor Qin Shi Huang, surnamed Ying and named Zheng, conquered the six states one by one, unifying the empire. Unfortunately, he failed to rule with benevolence, ruling tyrannically and causing the people’s suffering. By the time of his second successor, Huaizi, he was overthrown by Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. Xiang Yu, the King of Chu, and Liu Bang, the King of Han, fought for supremacy. In the end, Xiang Yu was defeated and committed suicide, and the world once again became unified. Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, rose to establish the Han Dynasty, becoming the first commoner emperor in history. By the time of Emperor Ping of Han (the eleventh generation), he was overthrown by Wang Mang, a relative of the imperial family. After seizing power, Wang Mang changed the state’s name to Xin.
【Original Text】Guāngwǔ xīng, wèi Dōnghàn. Sìbǎi nián, zhōng yú xiàn. Wèi Shǔ Wú, zhēng Hàn dǐng①, hào Sānguó, jì Liǎng Jìn.
【Annotations】① Hàn dǐng: The empire of the Han Dynasty. In ancient times, Yu the Great cast nine bronze drums to symbolize the nine provinces, and later drums were often used to represent the state or empire.
【Translation】Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, restored the Han Dynasty, overthrew Wang Mang, and established the Eastern Han Dynasty in Luoyang. The Eastern Han lasted for over four hundred years and ended when Emperor Xian was deposed by Cao Pi, the son of Cao Cao. The three states of Wei, Shu, and Wu fought for supremacy, marking the Three Kingdoms period in history. This period ended when the Jin Dynasty rose, conquered the three states, and brought an end to the chaos. Due to the Five Barbarians’ rebellion and the relocation of the capital to Jiankang in the south, it became known as the Eastern Jin.
【Original Text】Sòng Qí jì, Liáng Chén chéng, wèi Náncháo, dū Jīnlín. Běi Yuán Wèi, fēn dōngxī, Yǔ Wén Zhōu, yǔ Gāo Qí.
【Translation】After the Jin Dynasty lasted over a hundred years, it was overthrown by Liu Yu, who established the Southern Dynasties. Later, it was replaced by the Qi Dynasty, followed by the Liang and Chen Dynasties. These four dynasties were all based in Jinling (modern-day Nanjing, Jiangsu) and had their territories limited to the south of the Yangtze River, hence they are collectively known as the Southern Dynasties. In the north, the Northern Dynasties were established by Tuoba Gui, who founded the Northern Wei. He emphasized rituals, music, education, and implemented Sinicization policies, changing his surname to Yuan. Therefore, his dynasty was also called the Yuan Wei. By the time of Emperor Xiaowu, it split into Eastern Wei and Western Wei. Soon after, Yuwen Tai overthrew Western Wei and established the Northern Zhou, while Gao Yang overthrew Eastern Wei and founded the Northern Qi. P14-15