A statement of thanks for the added office of Palace Attendant and for a real fief謝加侍中兼實封狀
1Seven times moved from one command to another, and no merit to show
右得進奏院狀報。伏奉十一月十一日恩制。加授侍中。仍加食實封一百戶者。伏以某材輸美箭。業紹良弓。早勤式遏之規。敢怠聿修之訓。遂得一分戎閫。七換師壇。提漢法之重權。陟秦官之極品。恩榮獨盛。績効何申。況自蠆尾之徒。蝟毛而起。神州傾陷。御輦巡遊。不能踊躍用兵。有類遷延之役。雖進退惟命。不敢爭功。而行藏相時。豈無懷愧。而又積山煑海。瓜剖豆分。莫成贍國之權。徒竊經邦之位。唯甘廢棄。永見沈淪。敢期渥澤之無私。俯念涓埃之有效。許登玉署。高戴金璫。仍忝眞封。式加懋賞。且如講能奪席。諫切引裾。方升鸞渚之榮。俾稱鳳池之望。豈伊孱劣。所可貪叨。此皆相公仰贊萬機。俯安九牧。無使怨乎不以。能令可者與之。唯當三命益恭。一辭無退。入則撫安疆圉。出則誓掃氛雺。佇成滅寇之功。冀贖曠官之責。戎鎭有限。不獲陳謝。下情無任感恩兢懼之至。謹奉狀陳謝。謹錄狀上。
For the above: I have had the report of the Bureau of Memorials. I respectfully received the gracious decree of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, which added to me the office of Palace Attendant and granted besides a real fief of one hundred households. I humbly consider that my timber went into the making of fine arrows, and that my calling carried on a good bow. Early I was diligent in the rule of holding the enemy off, and I have not dared to be slack in the teaching that bids a man cultivate himself. So it came about that once I was given a share of the frontier command and seven times I was moved from one command to another. I have held the heavy powers of the law of Han and climbed to the highest grade of the offices of Qin. The favor and the glory are full beyond all others. What achievement have I to set forth? Still more so since the crowd with scorpions' tails rose up thick as a hedgehog's bristles, the sacred land fell away, and the royal carriage went wandering abroad. I have not been able to leap forward and use my soldiers, and there has been about me something of the man who drags out his service. Though in advancing and retreating I followed orders alone and never dared to contend for merit, still, when I match going forward and lying hidden to the times, how should I not be ashamed? Then too the piling of mountains and the boiling of the sea were split like a melon and divided like beans, so that I could not make the power that enriches the state, and I only stole the place of one who orders the realm. I took it as my due to be cast aside and to sink out of sight forever. How should I have looked for a rich favor without partiality, one that bends down to reckon the worth of a drop and a mote, that lets me climb to the Jade Office and wear the gold ornament high, and that adds to me, all unworthy, a true fief and a generous reward? A man who can carry off the mat in discussion, or who tugs at the imperial robe in earnest remonstrance, may rise to the glory of the Phoenix Islet and answer to the hopes of the Phoenix Pool. How should a weak and poor thing like me covet it and take it? All this is because the Chief Minister looks up and aids the myriad affairs of state, and looks down and settles the nine shepherds, so that none complains of being unused and the fit man is given his place. I can only grow more respectful at each of the three commands, and never draw back by a word. Within, I will soothe and settle the borders. Without, I swear to sweep away the baleful mists. I wait to finish the work of destroying the bandits, and I hope to redeem the charge of leaving my office empty. Bound to my frontier command, I cannot come to give thanks. Your servant's heart cannot bear the fullness of my gratitude and awe. With respect I present this statement of thanks. Respectfully submitted.