Three Character Classic · Hundred Family Surnames · Thousand Character Characters · Disciple Guidanc

Chapter 6 Three Character Classic (5)
Zhou Gonghe [1], the beginning of the year.Li Xuanyou [2], then moved east.

【Note】

[1] Republic: In 841 B.C., King Li of Zhou fled from Haojing due to a riot among the people of the country, and was ruled by Zhou Gong and Yu Gong. This year was called "the first year of the Republic" in history, and it was the beginning of an exact date in our country. [2] Xuanyou: Refers to Zhou Xuanwang and Zhou Youwang.

【Translation】

Our country has an official calendar since the year of the republic of the Zhou Dynasty.After King Xuan of Zhou and King You of Zhou, the capital of the Zhou Dynasty moved eastward to Luoyang.

[Interpretation]

King Li of the tenth generation of the Zhou Dynasty was tyrannical and innocent, and was finally kicked out of the palace. Zhou Gong and Zhao Gong were in charge of the power together. Later, King Li's son Xuan Wang succeeded to the throne. The capital was moved eastward to Luoyang, which was called the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.

周辙东[1]，王纲[2]坠[3]，逞[4]干戈[5]，尚游说[6]。

【Note】

[1]周辙东：指周平王将国都东迁至洛阳。辙，这里指代车，意为搬迁。[2]王纲：指王朝的统治。[3]坠：衰落。[4]逞：显示、夸耀。[5]干戈：军事力量、武力。[6]游说：政客以口才劝说各诸侯采纳他们的主张献策。

【Translation】

Since King Ping of Zhou moved his capital to the east, his control over the vassals began to decline, and the vassal states often fought with each other by force, and the lobbyists also began to advocate and lobby, and prevailed.

[Interpretation]

The capital of the Zhouping Kingdom moved eastward to Luoyang. During the relocation process, Qin, Wei, and Zheng helped the royal family complete the task of moving eastward.In order to reward these vassal states, the royal family divided some regions and territories to reward the meritorious states. This made Qin, which was originally in the northwest corner, suddenly powerful, and the political structure changed a lot.At this time, the royal family gradually lost control over the vassal states. The vassal states all wanted to be kings and hegemony, and they fought at every turn to see it. The wars continued for years, and the common people suffered from the wars.

Beginning in the Spring and Autumn Period [1] and ending in the Warring States Period [2].The five tyrants [3] are strong, and the seven heroes [4] are out.

【Note】

[1]春秋：指公元前770年到公元前476年这一时期，因鲁国编年史《春秋》而得名。[2]战国：指公元前475年到公元前221年这一时期，因当时各诸侯国之间连年战争而得名。[3]五霸：指齐桓公、宋襄公、晋文公、秦穆公、楚庄王。[4]七雄：指齐、楚、燕、赵、韩、魏、秦七个强国。

【Translation】

The Eastern Zhou Dynasty is divided into two periods, the early period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty is called the Spring and Autumn Period, and the later period is called the Warring States Period.In the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Xiang of Song, Duke Wen of Jin, Duke Mu of Qin, and King Zhuang of Chu were known as the top five.The Seven Heroes of the Warring States Period were Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, and Qin.

[Interpretation]

After King Ping of Zhou moved to the east, the status of unifying the world has long existed in name only, but the "five tyrants" have the final say.Duke Huan of Qi was the head of the five tyrants. He put more emphasis on reforms, and his national power grew stronger day by day.Song Xianggong helped Qi Xiaogong ascend to the throne, and he was famous for his credibility and benevolence.Because Jin Wengong's father passed the throne to his youngest son, Jin Wengong lived in Wei, Qi, Cao, and Chu successively for more than ten years, and then returned to the state with the help of Qin. His own country became the king.The current Ching Ming Festival also originated from Jin Wengong's mourning for Jie Zitui who once helped him "cut shares to satisfy his hunger".Qin Mugong is the father-in-law of Jin Wengong. He appoints people on their merits and yearns for talents.He exchanged five sheepskins for Baili Xi, who was raising horses under King Cheng of Chu at that time, and later became a good minister of Duke Mu of Qin. "If the bird doesn't fly, it will soar into the sky; if it doesn't sing, it will be a blockbuster." It is said that King Chu Cheng's blockbuster and achievement of supremacy.

嬴秦氏[1]，始兼并。传二世[2]，楚[3]汉[4]争[5]。

【Note】

[1] Ying Qin Clan: Qin Guojun's surname is Ying, so Qin is also called Ying Qin, which refers to Qin Shihuang Ying Zheng. [2] The Second Emperor: Named Huhai, the son of Qin Shihuang, who succeeded the first emperor as the second emperor. [3] Chu: Chu Overlord Xiang Yu. [4] Han: Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty. [5] Struggle: struggle for power.

【Translation】

At the end of the Warring States period, the power of the Qin State became stronger and stronger, annexing other vassal states, and establishing a unified Qin Dynasty.When Qin passed to the second Huhai, the world was in chaos again, forming a situation where Chu and Han were fighting each other.

[Interpretation]

At the end of the Warring States Period, Qin Shihuang unified the six kingdoms and established the Qin Dynasty, which was the first centralized feudal country in Chinese history.Although Qin Shihuang's 15-year reign has produced many negative comments such as tyrannical administration, miscellaneous taxes, large-scale construction projects, burning books and burying Confucianism, but it is undeniable that it has the historical significance of unifying China, making books with the same text, vehicles with the same track, and degrees with the same system. , Homotopy and unified currency, weights and measures and other contributions.In addition, Qin Shihuang also promoted the system of prefectures and counties, and built a large-scale military project - the Great Wall.Today, the Great Wall has long been regarded as one of the symbols of China by the world.The title of emperor originated from Qin Shihuang, which means big in ancient times, and emperor is the highest god who ruled all things in the imagination of ancient people.The emperor means having supreme authority and status, and it is bestowed by God, which is the divine right of kings.Qin Shihuang also took many measures to sanctify the status of the emperor. For example, only the emperor called himself Zhen, and only the jade seal used by the emperor was called Xi.

Gao Zuxing [1], Han Yejian, Zhi Xiaoping [2], Wang Mang [3] usurped [4].

【Note】

[1] Xing: Rise. [2] Xiaoping: Emperor Xiaoping was murdered by his relative Wang Mang when he was in power for five years. [3] Wang Mang: Grand Sima of the Han Dynasty, nephew of the Han Yuan Emperor, killed Emperor Xiaoping and usurped power as emperor, and changed the name of the country to "Xin". [4] To usurp: to seize.

【Translation】

Han Gaozu defeated Xiang Yu and established the foundation of the Han Dynasty.When the throne of the Han Dynasty passed to Emperor Xiaoping, it was usurped by Wang Mang.

[Interpretation]

After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, through the "rule of Wenjing" by Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty Liu Heng and Emperor Liu Qi of Han Jing, and after the expansion of territories by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty became stronger and entered its heyday.But the internal chaos caused the officials and relatives to fight each other, and Wang Mang appeared.Wang Mang, courtesy name Jujun, was the nephew of the Empress of the Han Yuan Emperor.After the death of Emperor Ai of the Han Dynasty in 1 BC, Emperor Ping of the Han Dynasty ascended the throne, and the Empress Yuan came to rule.In AD 3, under Wang Mang's planning, Emperor Ping of the Han Dynasty Liu Jin married Wang Mang's daughter who was three years older than him.In AD 6, when the ministers celebrated Liu Jin's birthday, Wang Mang took the opportunity to offer poisoned wine, and Liu Jin drank it all in one gulp.In AD 9, Wang Mang usurped the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, changing the name of the country to "Xin" and the name of the year to "Shi Jianguo".After the Green Forest Army invaded Chang'an in 23 AD, Wang Mang was killed and reigned for 15 years.

Guangwu [1] Xing, for the Eastern Han Dynasty [2], 400 years, finally dedicated [3].

【Note】

[1] Guangwu: Refers to Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu.Liu Xiu, courtesy name Uncle Wen, proclaimed himself emperor in AD 25 and rebuilt the Han Dynasty, known as "Guangwu Zhongxing" in history. [2] Eastern Han Dynasty: Refers to Emperor Guangwu’s capital in Luoyang, so it is called Eastern Han Dynasty, formerly known as Western Han Dynasty. [3] Dedication: Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, the last emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

【Translation】

In order to restore the Han Dynasty, Liu Xiu rose up, overthrew the new dynasty, and restored the country's title to Han.The Eastern Han Dynasty lasted for 400 years and perished when Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was born.

[Interpretation]

Liu Xiu joined the Greenwood Uprising Army, calling for the restoration of the Han family system, defeated Wang Mang's main force in the Kunyang area, invaded Chang'an City, and set fire to Weiyang Palace.Afterwards, Liu Xiu took advantage of the contradiction between the Red Eyebrow Uprising Army and the Green Forest Army to flatten the separatist forces, wipe out the local tyrants, and restore the unity of the world.At the end of the Han Dynasty, relatives, eunuchs, and scholar-bureaucrats attacked each other. Warlords from all over the country used their troops to control the regime and fought with each other.By the time of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao coerced the emperor to order the princes, and Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty had been a puppet for more than 20 years.Until Cao Cao's son Cao Pi deposed Han Xiandi and became the Great Wei Emperor, the Han Dynasty perished.

蜀[1]魏[2]吴[3]，争汉鼎[4]，号三国，迄[5]两晋[6]。

【Note】

[1] Shu: Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor in Chengdu, the country was named Han, and it was called Shu Han in history. [2] Wei: Cao Pi replaced Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty and proclaimed himself emperor in Luoyang. The country was named Wei, and it was called Cao Wei in history. [3] Wu: Sun Quan proclaimed himself king in Jianye (now Nanjing, Jiangsu Province) and proclaimed himself emperor in 229. [4] Ding: The real object of the country, symbolizing the state power. [5] So far: to. [6] Two Jins: The collective name of the Western Jin and Eastern Jin. Sima Yan proclaimed the emperor on behalf of Wei and set his capital in Luoyang, which is the Western Jin Dynasty.After the fall of the Western Jin Dynasty, Sima Rui rebuilt the regime and ascended the throne in Jiankang (now Nanjing), which was the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

【Translation】

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Kingdom of Wei, the Kingdom of Shu, and the Kingdom of Wu competed for the world, forming a melee situation in which the three kingdoms fought with each other.Wei destroyed Shu and Wu, but the Sima family established the Jin Dynasty.The Jin Dynasty was divided into two periods, the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the Western Jin Dynasty.

[Interpretation]

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms describes the political and military struggles during the Three Kingdoms period, reflects the infiltration and transformation of various social contradictions during the Three Kingdoms period, and summarizes the historical changes in this period. It is a well-known classical novel in my country and a treasure house of world literature. a part of.The author Luo Guanzhong has successfully created a group of powerful and vital characters, such as Zhuge Liang's great righteousness of "devote himself to death"; Liu Bei's "mighty and resolute" and "righteousness to the sky"; Liu Bei's "benevolence to the people and things, respect to the virtuous and corporal, knowing people and doing well", and so on.

宋[1]齐[2]继，梁[3]陈[4]承，为南朝[5]，都金陵[6]。

【Note】

[1] Song: Liu Yu proclaimed himself emperor on behalf of Jin, established his capital at Jiankang, was named Song in the country, and was called Liu Song in history. [2] Qi: Xiao Daocheng proclaimed himself emperor in the Song Dynasty, the country was named Qi, and it was called Southern Qi in history. [3] Liang: Xiao Yan proclaimed himself emperor on behalf of Qi, the country was named Liang, and the history was called Xiao Liang. [4] Chen: Chen Ba proclaimed himself emperor on behalf of Liang, and his country name was Chen. [5] Southern Dynasties: The Song, Qi, Liang, and Chen dynasties all established their capitals in Jinling, known as the Southern Dynasties in history. [6] Jinling: The ancient name of Nanjing, as well as Jianye and Jiankang.

【Translation】

The royal family of the Jin Dynasty declined shortly after it moved south, and then Liu Song, Nan Qi, Xiao Liang, and Chen.History is called the Southern Dynasties, and the four dynasties established their capitals in Jinling.

[Interpretation]

The Southern and Northern Dynasties were a period of division in Chinese history, starting with Liu Yu usurping the Eastern Jin Dynasty and establishing the Southern Dynasty Song Dynasty, and ending with the Sui Dynasty destroying the Southern Dynasty Chen Dynasty.Although the two dynasties in the north and the south have changed, they have maintained a confrontation for a long time, so they are called the northern and southern dynasties.The Southern Dynasties included the Liu Song, Southern Qi, Xiao Liang, and Chen dynasties, while the Northern Dynasties included the Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, and Northern Wu dynasties.The Song referred to here should not be confused with the Song Dynasty established by Zhao Kuangyin later. The founding emperor of "Song" here is Liu Yu, also known as Liu Song.Liu Yu was originally a general of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. After usurping the throne, he killed all the royal family of the former Eastern Jin Dynasty. Later, Xiao Daocheng, the leader of Liu Yu's forbidden army, successfully usurped the throne, killed all Liu Yu's descendants, and changed Song to Qi.It really echoes the old saying: tit for tat.

Northern Yuan Wei [1], divided into East and West, Yuwen Zhou [2], and Gao Qi [3].

【Note】

[1] Northern Yuan Wei: The Northern Wei Dynasty was the king of the Xianbei people, and the country was named Wei. Later, Emperor Xiaowen moved his capital to Luoyang and changed his surname to Yuan, also known as Yuan Wei. [2] Yuwen Zhou: Yu Wenjue proclaimed himself emperor on behalf of the Western Wei Dynasty, established his capital in Chang'an, was named Zhou in the country, and was called Northern Zhou in history. [3] Gao Qi: Gao Yang proclaimed himself emperor on behalf of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, the country was named Qi, and it was called Gao Qi and Northern Qi in history.

【Translation】

The Northern Dynasty first had the Yuan Wei, which later split into the Eastern Wei and Western Wei.The Western Wei Dynasty was replaced by Yu Wenjue to build the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and the Eastern Wei Dynasty was replaced by Gao Yang to establish the Northern Qi Dynasty.

[Interpretation]

Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty established Pingcheng (now Datong, Shanxi) as his capital at that time. He believed that Pingcheng was a place for military strategists to fight for, but it was not suitable for carrying out reforms and could not develop and expand the capital of the dynasty. He wanted to move the capital to Luoyang, the core area of ​​the Central Plains.However, the Xianbei people in the Northern Wei Dynasty were accustomed to living in the north, and there were no grasslands in the south where they could graze horses. Obviously, such a decision was challenging for nomads.But Emperor Xiaowen cleverly used the slogan of sending troops to attack Qi, and the cavalry moved south to Luoyang.Not only beneficially controlled the Central Plains area, but also carried out Sinicization reforms under the influence of the Central Plains culture, such as changing to speak Chinese, wearing Han clothes, changing to Han surnames, etc. Therefore, Emperor Xiaowen's original name was Tuoba Hong and his surname was changed to Yuan.Emperor Xiaoming of the Northern Wei Dynasty succeeded to the throne at a young age, and his mother, Empress Dowager Hu, assisted the government. She was very extravagant and believed in Buddhism. She built grottoes (including Yungang Grottoes and Longmen Grottoes) to promote Buddhism, which cost a lot of manpower, material and financial resources, and greatly weakened the national power of the Northern Wei Dynasty.The Northern Wei Dynasty was in chaos and slowly split. Gao Huan controlled the Eastern Wei Dynasty, and Yu Wentai controlled the Western Wei Dynasty.Gao Yang, the son of Gao Huan, established the Northern Qi, so it is also called Gao Qi; Yu Wenjue, the son of Yuwen Tai in the Western Wei Dynasty, established the Northern Zhou Dynasty, also known as Yuwen Zhou.

From [1] to Sui [2], a Tuyu [3], it is no longer passed on, and the lineage is lost [4].

【Note】

[1] 迨 (dài): and, wait until. [2] Sui Dynasty: Yang Jian proclaimed himself emperor on behalf of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. [3] Yituyu: the merger of the north and the south, and the unification of the world. [4] Tongxu: Inheritance of the throne in one continuous line.

【Translation】

Until Yang Jian rose up to proclaim himself emperor and established the Sui Dynasty, the world was reunified.His son, Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty, was licentious and immoral after he came to the throne, and only passed on for one generation, and the Sui Dynasty soon perished.

[Interpretation]

Compared with China's long history of thousands of years, the history of the Sui Dynasty is very short, with only two emperors.Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was named Yang Jian, and his Xianbei name was Pu Liuru.He had profound knowledge and a strategy of generals. He sent troops south to destroy the Chen Dynasty in the south at that time, and ruled the world from north to south.After Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty established the Sui Dynasty, he carried out specific and subtle reforms in politics, economy, and people's livelihood, such as establishing the system of three provinces and six ministries, simplifying local systems, setting up granaries, issuing orders to equalize land, and opening canals to build canals.However, this talented and bold emperor was fearful of his succession to the throne. He listened to his wife's suggestion and abolished the eldest son Yang Yong as the crown prince and replaced him with Yang Guang, who became Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty.The tragedy began. Yang Guang killed his brother and his father, was cruel and promiscuous, and lived a luxurious life, which made the people complain and live in desperation.But it is hard to say that he has no merits, such as he went to the battlefield to attack the Chen Dynasty, continued to build canals, expanded the west and conquered the east, and so on.

Tang Gaozu[1], uprising teacher[2], eliminated Sui chaos, created[3] Guoji[4].

【Note】

[1] Emperor Gaozu of Tang Dynasty: Li Yuan, who was originally staying in Taiyuan in the Sui Dynasty, was granted the title of Duke of Tang. [2] Righteous Division: The army of righteousness. [3] Create: create. [4] Guoji: National foundation.

【Translation】

Li Yuan, Emperor Gaozu of Tang Dynasty, rebelled against the Sui Dynasty, raised up the division of benevolence and righteousness, cleared up the chaos of the Sui Dynasty, won the world, and created the foundation of the Tang Dynasty.

[Interpretation]

Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan of Tang Dynasty and Emperor Yangdi of Sui Dynasty were cousins. As relatives of Emperor Yangdi of Sui Dynasty, they were very popular. At that time, they stayed in Taiyuan, known as the northern gate of the Central Plains, to fight against the Turks. They had sufficient money, food and weapons.In the last years of the Sui Dynasty, the peasants revolted and turmoil broke out everywhere. Li Yuan raised his army, wiped out the heroes, and established the Tang Dynasty.Later, Prince Li Jiancheng competed with King Qin Li Shimin for the succession of the throne. Although the prince was right and proper to inherit the throne, Li Shimin fought east and west during the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, and his military exploits were far greater than Li Jiancheng.After the two brothers fought openly and secretly, Li Shimin staged a coup at Xuanwumen, killed the crown prince Li Jiancheng and his fourth brother Qi Wang Li Yuanji, and was established as the new crown prince, who soon succeeded to the throne.

(End of this chapter)