A memorial of thanks for the added office of grand commandant謝加太尉表
1Receiving the added title of acting grand commandant
臣某言。今月某日。宣慰使供奉官嚴遵美至。奉宣聖旨慰諭臣及將校等。並賜臣勑書手詔各一封。加臣檢校太尉。依前充淮南節度使兼東面都統者。仰窺鳳詔。謂對龍顔。寵榮極而何力負山。戰灼深而自容無地。臣某誠抃誠感。頓首頓首。臣伏以大司馬之威權。百官所仰。上將軍之法令。十道皆遵。豈唯整戢五兵。實在諧和七政。況當今日。宜屬全材。如臣者。德乏潤身。智虧周物。於儒則筆慙五色。在武則劍敵一夫。但以荷寵天庭。分憂水國。擁旄重寄。榮冠絶於一時。仗鉞專征。冀折衝於萬里幸逢聖鑑。得盡忠誠。今者已率雄師。將誅巨猾。征旗指路。遠趨堯日之光。戰艦凌波。方託舜風之力。豈期王人遠降。帝命俄臨。獎其外鎭之微勞。授以上司之劇任。未著緇衣之美。旋叨錦被之榮。況乃兼制利權。廣潤軍食。瑞節不移於南兗。兵符亦綰於東陲。將何異能。勝此寵寄。謹當冰爲夕飯。蘖作朝飡。褰帷則面撫烝黎。建旆則身先士卒。群寇旣蝟毛而起。偶恣侜張。諸侯必馬首是瞻。共成翦滅。唯力斯視。何心自安。必也臨亂忘身。見危致命。仰解焦勞之念。粗伸式遏之功。臣旣當下瀨屯師。佇欲中流設誓。枕雕戈而輟寐。跡寄轅門。瞻帝座而馳誠。魂飛輦路。未獲稱謝行在。無任感恩戀聖榮抃戰懼之至。謹因宣慰使嚴遵美廻。附表陳謝以聞。臣某誠感誠懼。頓首頓首謹言。
Your servant So-and-so speaks. On a certain day of this month the commissioner of consolation, the attendant officer Yan Zunmei, arrived. He conveyed the imperial word, comforting and instructing your servant and his officers, and he bestowed on your servant an edict and a hand-written rescript, one of each, adding to your servant the title of acting Grand Commandant and keeping him as before in the charge of Military Commissioner of Huainan and Commander in Chief of the eastern front. Looking up at the phoenix edict, he felt he was facing the dragon countenance. Your favor and honor are at their height, and with what strength could he carry such a mountain? His dread runs deep, and he has no place to put himself. Your servant So-and-so truly claps his hands and is truly moved, bowing his head to the ground, bowing his head to the ground. Your servant humbly considers this. The authority of the Grand Marshal is what the hundred officials look up to, and the orders of the Senior General are obeyed in all ten circuits. How should it be only to set in order and put away the five weapons? It lies truly in bringing the seven governances into harmony. How much more in these present days, when such a charge should fall to a man of complete talent. One like your servant lacks the virtue that enriches the person and falls short of the wisdom that reaches all things. In letters his brush is ashamed before the five colors; in arms his sword is a match for one man only. He has only received favor at the heavenly court and shared its cares in this land of waters. Holding the yak-tail standard, a heavy charge, his honor stood first in its time. Grasping the battle-axe with sole command of the campaign, he hoped to break the enemy ten thousand li away, and he was fortunate to meet your sage discernment, so that he could give his loyalty to the full. Now he has already led out his brave army and is about to cut down the great villain. The campaign banners point the way, hurrying far toward the light of Yao's sun; the warships ride over the waves, leaning on the strength of Shun's wind. How could he have looked for the king's envoy to come down from afar and the imperial command to arrive so suddenly, praising the small labor of an outer garrison and granting him the heavy duty of a high office? Before he had shown the beauty of the black robe, he has presumed at once upon the honor of the brocade coverlet. Still more, he now holds also the control of the state revenues and makes the army's provisions ample. The auspicious tally does not move from Nanyan, and the military seal too is bound to the eastern border. With what uncommon ability could he be equal to such a trust of favor? He will take ice for his evening meal and bitter bark for his morning food. When he lifts the curtain, he will face the people and comfort them; when he raises the banner, he will go before his officers and men in person. The bandit crowds have risen like the bristles of a hedgehog and for a while give free rein to their deceit, but the lords will surely look to the head of his horse, and together they will make an end of them. He looks only to his strength; with what heart could he be at ease? He will forget his body when disorder comes and give his life when he sees danger, to relieve your burning cares and to unfold in some small measure the merit of holding back the enemy. Your servant has already brought his troops down the rapids and quartered them there, and waits to swear his oath in midstream. He pillows his head on a carved spear and breaks off sleep, and his footsteps stay at the camp gate. He looks up to the imperial seat and sends out his loyalty, and his soul flies to the road of the imperial carriage. He cannot offer his thanks at your traveling palace, and he cannot bear the utmost of gratitude for your grace, of longing for his sage ruler, of clapping at this honor and trembling in fear. By the return of the commissioner of consolation Yan Zunmei he respectfully sends this memorial of thanks for Your Majesty's hearing. Your servant So-and-so is truly moved and truly afraid, bowing his head to the ground, bowing his head to the ground. Respectfully spoken.