论文部分内容阅读
In the Spring & Autumn Period, a man named Ji Zhai, who was also called Jizi commonly, visited the State of Jin on behalf of the State of Wu. In the State of Jin, Ji Zhai visited a man who previously was the the ruler of State of Xu and was presently paying a visit to the State of Jin as well. Ji Zhai showed the Duke of Xu his sword, which was exquisitely crafted. The Duke of Xu watched Ji Zhai’s sword intensely. Though he said nothing, his expression revealed his desire for the sword. Ji Zhai, however, could not give his sword to the Duke of Xu because it represented his role as the emissary of his country. But he made a secret promise that he would send this sword to the Duek of Xu when he finished his task.
When Ji Zhai traveled in the State of Jin, he always thought of returning to the Duke of Xu and fulfilled his promise. Unfortunately, when he returned, the Duke of Xu had already died. Then, Ji Zhai untied his sword and planned to send it to the new Duke of Xu, who was the son of the deceased one. His underlings told him to stop and said: “This is a precious item in the State of Wu and cannot be sent to others as a gift.”
Ji Zha answered: “I do not send him. Last time I visited the State of Jin and met his father. He watched my sword intensely. Though he said nothing but I could read from his expression that he wanted this sword very much. At that time I was the emissary of the State of Wu. So I could not give him the sword. But I had made up my mind then to present this sword to him when I finish my task. Now he is dead. If I do not give out my sword, it is my conscience that is stained. I eat my words because of my fascination with a sword. This is not what an upright man will do.”
After saying that, he untied his sword and presented it to the new Duke of Xu. The new duke refused to accept the gift and said: “My father did not leave an order about this. I dare not accept the sword.”
Therefore, Ji Zhai hung his sword on a tree next to the tomb of the deceased Duke of Xu. People in the State of Xu composed a song and praised him: “Ji Zhai is a man keeping his sword. He offered his sword valuing thousands of golf coins to the tomb of a deceased duke.”
When Ji Zhai traveled in the State of Jin, he always thought of returning to the Duke of Xu and fulfilled his promise. Unfortunately, when he returned, the Duke of Xu had already died. Then, Ji Zhai untied his sword and planned to send it to the new Duke of Xu, who was the son of the deceased one. His underlings told him to stop and said: “This is a precious item in the State of Wu and cannot be sent to others as a gift.”
Ji Zha answered: “I do not send him. Last time I visited the State of Jin and met his father. He watched my sword intensely. Though he said nothing but I could read from his expression that he wanted this sword very much. At that time I was the emissary of the State of Wu. So I could not give him the sword. But I had made up my mind then to present this sword to him when I finish my task. Now he is dead. If I do not give out my sword, it is my conscience that is stained. I eat my words because of my fascination with a sword. This is not what an upright man will do.”
After saying that, he untied his sword and presented it to the new Duke of Xu. The new duke refused to accept the gift and said: “My father did not leave an order about this. I dare not accept the sword.”
Therefore, Ji Zhai hung his sword on a tree next to the tomb of the deceased Duke of Xu. People in the State of Xu composed a song and praised him: “Ji Zhai is a man keeping his sword. He offered his sword valuing thousands of golf coins to the tomb of a deceased duke.”