To Li Qing, Magistrate of Lujiang — the volunteer soldiers of eighteen stockades廬江縣令李淸
1Whether to stay a magistrate or take charge of the troops
報李令。昔有桓榮祖者。少曾學武。或曰。何不學書。答云上馬橫槊。下馬談經。方可謂不負飮食矣。若無自全之伎。何異於犬羊乎。昨見所申。衆情可獎。昔也一百里之疲俗。託在神君。今則十八砦之義兵。請爲軍師。若非寬將猛濟。惠與威行。則何以鱦魠懷仁。各能遂性。熊羆聚黨。盡得降心。姑抛堂上之琴。便握匣中之劍。所謂文一變而至於武者也。況李令族聯天派。名比水源。才機爲一代之雄。心術是萬人之敵。足得以指麾銳卒。掃蕩叛徒。不惟除郡邑之災。亦可定國家之難。然而軍務旣常獨理。職銜須有可稱。未見所求。固難抑致。爲復願兼知戎役。却守縣曹。爲復欲改轍從知。乘機立事。察斯二者。決取一途。專期奏論。早與飛報。且如班超投筆。蒯恩捨蒭。當池蛟得水之秋。有天驥追風之便。古詩云。寧爲百夫長。羞作一書生。信知倜儻之人。懶守低徊之節。勉成勳業。永荷寵光。戎務方殷。善自將息。諸寨將士。各與慰問。悉之。
Word to Magistrate Li. Long ago there was one Huan Rongzu who studied arms in his youth. Someone said, "Why do you not study books?" He answered, "To level a lance when mounted and to discuss the classics when down from the horse — only then may a man be said not to have wasted his food and drink. Without the skill to keep himself whole, how does he differ from a dog or a sheep?" I have seen what you reported, and the feeling of the many deserves praise. In the past a worn people of a hundred li was entrusted to a divine lord; now the volunteer soldiers of eighteen stockades ask you to be their commander. Had leniency not been helped by severity and kindness not gone with authority, how would the fishes have held humaneness in mind and each fulfilled its nature, and how would bears and grizzlies have gathered in bands and all surrendered their hearts? For now you have thrown aside the zither in the hall and taken the sword from its case; this is what is meant by letters changing once and reaching arms. Moreover, Magistrate Li, your clan is linked to the branch of Heaven and your name matches the source of the waters. Your talent and resource make you the hero of an age, and the workings of your mind are a match for ten thousand men. You are fit to direct keen soldiers and sweep away the rebel crowd, and not only to remove the calamity of the commanderies and towns but also to settle the troubles of the state. Yet you have always managed military affairs alone, and your office and title must be something that can be named. Until I see what you ask for, it is truly hard to press it upon you. Do you wish to take charge of the campaign as well and still keep the county office, or do you wish to change your track and follow this charge, seizing the moment to make your name in affairs? Look at these two and decide on one road. I mean to report and argue it for you, so send your answer flying to me soon. When Ban Chao threw down his brush and Kuai En laid aside his fodder, it was the season for the dragon of the pool to find water and the chance for the heavenly steed to chase the wind. An old poem says, "Better to be a captain of a hundred men; I am ashamed to be a mere scholar." Truly I know that a man of lofty spirit is slow to keep to a constancy that lingers low. Strive to accomplish deeds of merit and bear the light of favor forever. Military business is heavy just now, so take good care of yourself. Give my greetings to the officers and men of the several stockades. Know all of this.