雙語中國歷史故事
雙語中國歷史故事
中國歷史悠久,從盤古、女媧、后羿等神話時(shí)代算起約有5000年。在這悠長的歷史長河中,中國有著不少經(jīng)典的歷史故事值得后人思考。下面學(xué)習(xí)啦小編為大家?guī)黼p語中國歷史故事,歡迎大家閱讀!
雙語中國歷史故事:大義滅親
During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC), there was many dukedoms under the king of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. These dukedoms often fought one another to expand their territories. And within a dukedom, the struggle for power frequently occurred. A typical case was the murder of the Duke of Wei by his younger brother Zhou Xu.
春秋時(shí)期,在東周周天子的統(tǒng)治下有許多小公國。這些國家常常為了擴(kuò)大自己的領(lǐng)土而互相爭斗。而且,在一個(gè)公國內(nèi)部,權(quán)力之爭也時(shí)常發(fā)生。衛(wèi)國的州吁殺害自己的哥哥――衛(wèi)國的公爵就是一個(gè)典型的例子。
Zhou Xu committed the crime with the help of an important official called Shi Hou. Eventually, Zhou Xu became duke himself. Then he launched wars against other dukedoms and the people suffered. There were complaints and resentments all around.
在一個(gè)重要的大臣石厚的幫助下,州吁殺害了他的哥哥。最后,他作了衛(wèi)國的公爵。接著,他發(fā)動(dòng)了同其他公國的戰(zhàn)爭,使衛(wèi)國人民經(jīng)受了很多痛苦。人們?cè)孤曒d道。
When he learned about this, Zhou Xu was worried. He talked with Shi Hou about how to stabilize the situation and win back people's confidence. Shi Hou said: "That's easy. I'll ask my father to speak for us. He is highly esteemed by all the officials and the people. I'm sure he'll help us out."
州吁對(duì)此也很擔(dān)憂。他與石厚商量如何鞏固政局,贏得百姓的信任。石厚說: "這個(gè)容易。大臣和百姓們都十分尊敬我的父親,我去請(qǐng)他出來為我們說話。這樣我肯定他能幫我們解決這個(gè)問題。"
Shi Hou's father, Shi Que, had been a high-ranking official serving under the former duke. He resigned when Zhu Xu seized power. He hated Zhou Xu for his murder of the former duke. He also hated his own son, Shi Hou, for his part in the murder.
石厚的父親石碏曾是前任公爵的上卿。州吁奪權(quán)后,他辭去了官職。他痛恨州吁殺害了前任公爵。 同時(shí),他也恨自己的兒子石厚,因?yàn)樗麉⑴c了這場謀殺。
Now, Shi Hou came and asked him for help. the father said, "A duke' ascendance to power should be granted by the king. If the king approved it, all the problems will be solved."
現(xiàn)在,石厚來向他求助。石碏說: "諸侯接位,應(yīng)該得到周天子的許可。只要他同意了,所有的問題都好解決。
"But how can we bet the king's approval?" Shi Hou asked his father. The old man said, "The Duke of Chen is trusted by the king and his dukedom has good relationship with ours. If you and Zhou Xu go to the Duke of Chen and ask him for help, I'm sure he is willing to say a good word for you before the king."
"可是怎么讓周天子會(huì)同意嗎?" 石厚問。老人說:"陳國公爵受到周天子的信任,而且陳國和我國關(guān)系很好。如果你和州吁先去陳國,向他求助,我肯定他會(huì)樂意在周天子面前為你們說好話的。"
Shi Hou passed his father's word to Zhu Xu and they went to the Dukedom of Chen. But before they arrived, the old man sent an express letter in secret to the Duke of Chen asking him to kill the two murderers.
石厚把他父親的主意告訴了州吁,然后他們來到了陳國。但在他們到達(dá)前,石碏已經(jīng)秘密快信送至陳國公爵,要求他殺死這兩名兇手。
As soon as Zhou Xu and Shi Hou arrived in the Dukedom of Chen, they were arrested. Some officials from Wei made a special trip to Chen to kill the two men. They put Zhou Xu to death but hesitated to kill Shi Hou because of his father. When the old man learnt about this, he said firmly :'My son has also committed the murder of the duke. What's the good to have him in the world! " he sent his own man to Chen and beheaded Shi Hou. Later historians commented: "To safeguard the interest of the country, Shi Que did not bend the law for the benefit of his relative.
州吁和石厚一到陳國,就被抓了起來。衛(wèi)國的大臣特地到陳國去執(zhí)法處死這兩個(gè)人。他們斬了州吁,但對(duì)石厚是否要被斬首很遲疑,因?yàn)樗吘故鞘F的親兒子。 當(dāng)老人得知這個(gè)情況后,他堅(jiān)定的說: "我兒子殺衛(wèi)公有罪,留他在這世上何用?" 他派家臣去陳國斬了石厚。
It's really a case of cutting off consanguinity for the sake of righteousness!" Hence comes the idiom "Uphold justice at the cost of one's blood relation".
后來,史學(xué)家們?cè)u(píng)論道: "為了維護(hù)國家的利益,石碏不因親人而違法。實(shí)在是大義滅親呀!"成語"大義滅親"由此而來。
雙語中國歷史故事:網(wǎng)開一面
Beginning with Yu the GREat, the Xia Dynasty had lasted about four hundred years before Jie became the supreme ruler.
從大禹到桀,夏朝一共持續(xù)了四百多年的歷史。
And that was in the 18th century BC. Jie was extremely tyrannical and dissolute. This aroused GREat resentment among the people. Tang, the Chief of the tribe Shang took advantage of this situation to overthrow the Xia Dynasty and established the Shang Dynasty in the early 17th century BC. Among the preparations for the overthrow had been the winning over of popular support.
那是在公元前十八世紀(jì)。桀是個(gè)極端殘暴,放蕩的人。他激起了人民的極度不滿。部落商的領(lǐng)袖湯利用這個(gè)形勢,推翻了夏朝,并在公元前十七世紀(jì)早期建立了商朝。在準(zhǔn)備這場推翻夏朝的行動(dòng)中,湯贏得了廣泛的支持。
One day, Tang was having a walk in the open country. He saw a man catching birds with a big net spread in a box-like and mumbling: "Come on, birds! Come into my net. All of you, whether you are flying high or low, east or west. Come into my net!"
一天,湯在一片開闊的田野里散步。他看見一個(gè)人正在捕鳥。那人支開一張像籠子般的大網(wǎng),喃喃的說: "來吧,鳥兒們!飛到我的網(wǎng)里來。無論是飛得高的還是低的,向東還是向西的,所有的鳥兒都飛到我的網(wǎng)里來吧!"
Tang walked over and said to the man, "This method is ruthless! You'll spare no birds this way!"
湯走過去對(duì)那個(gè)人說: "你這種方法太殘忍了!這樣作你連一只鳥也不放過!"
With these words, he cut the net down on three sides. Then he murmured in a light voice as if praying: "Oh, birds! Fly to the left or right as you like. And if you're really tired of your life, come into this net!"
一邊說著,湯砍斷了三面網(wǎng)。然后,像做祈禱那樣,他輕輕的低聲說道, "哦,鳥兒們,喜歡向左飛的,就向左飛;喜歡向右飛的,就向右飛;如果你真的厭倦了你的生活,就飛入這張網(wǎng)吧!"
When chiefs of other tribes heard about this, they were all moved. They said, "Tang is a good king indeed. He is so kind even to birds and beasts. He must be more merciful to human beings." And very soon, about forty tribes pledged allegiance to Tang.
一邊說著,湯砍斷了三面網(wǎng)。然后,像做祈禱那樣,他輕輕的低聲說道, "哦,鳥兒們,喜歡向左飛的,就向左飛;喜歡向右飛的,就向右飛;如果你真的厭倦了你的生活,就飛入這張網(wǎng)吧!"
From that story came the idiom "Open the net on three sides". Later, people changed it into "Give the wrong-doer a way out.", indicating to be lenient to the wrong-doers.
其它部落的首領(lǐng)得知這件事后都非常感動(dòng)。他們說: "湯真是一位賢王啊。他對(duì)鳥獸都如此仁慈,何況是對(duì)人呢?" 不久就有四十多個(gè)部落宣誓效忠湯。
"網(wǎng)開三面"這個(gè)成語就是由此而來的。后來,人們把它改為"網(wǎng)開一面",表示寬容的對(duì)待做錯(cuò)事的人。
雙語中國歷史故事:退避三舍
During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.), Duke Xian of the State of Jin Killed the crown prince Sheng because he had heard slanders about Sheng and believed them. He also sent his men to arrest Chong Er, Shen Sheng and believed them. He also sent his men to arrest Chonh Er, Shen Sheng's brother. Hearing the news, Chong Er escaped from the state of Jin, remaining a fugitive for more than ten years.
春秋時(shí)候,晉獻(xiàn)公聽信讒言,殺了太子申生,又派人捉拿申生的弟弟重耳。重耳聞?dòng)崳映隽藭x國,在外流忘十幾年。
After innumerable hardships, Chong Er arrived at the State of Chu at last. King Cheng of the State of Chu treated him with high respect as he would have treated the ruler of a state, believing that he would have a vright fuure.
經(jīng)過千幸萬苦,重耳來到楚國。楚成王認(rèn)為重耳日后必有大作為,就以國群之禮相迎,待他如上賓。
One day, King Cheng of the State of Chu gave a banquet in honoudr of Chong Er. Suddenly, amid the harmonious atmosphere of drinking and talking, King Cheng of the State of Chu asked Chong Er. "How will you repay me when you return to the State of Jin and become its ruler one day?" After thinking for a moment, Chong Er said, "You have plenty of beauties and attendants as well as jewelry and silk cloth, and the state of Chu abounds in rare brides and animals. What treasure can the State of Jin boast having to present to your majesty?" King Cheng of the State of Chu said, "You are too modest. Nevertheless, you still have to show your gratitude to me in one way or another, I presume?" Smiling, Chong Er answered, "If I should be fortunate enouge to return to the State of Jin and become its ruler, the State of Jin would be friendly to the State of Chu. If, one day, there should be a war between the two states, I would definitely order my troops to retreat three SHE (one SHE is equivalent to thirty LI. The LI is a Chinese unit of length equivalent to 1/2 kilometre. And, therefore, three SHE is about thirty miles.) as a condition for peace. If, under that condition, you were still not reconciled, I would have to fight with you."
一天,楚王設(shè)宴招待重耳,兩人飲灑敘話,氣氛十分融洽。忽然楚王問重耳:“你若有一天回晉國當(dāng)上國君,該怎么報(bào)答我呢?”重耳略一思索說:“美女待從、珍寶絲綢,大王您有的是,珍禽羽毛,象牙獸皮,更是楚地的盛產(chǎn),晉國哪有什么珍奇物品獻(xiàn)給大王呢?”楚王說:“公子過謙了。話雖然這么說,可總該對(duì)我有所表示吧?”重耳笑笑回答道:“要是托您的福。果真能回國當(dāng)政的話,我愿與貴國友好。假如有一天,晉楚國之間發(fā)生戰(zhàn)爭,我一定命令軍隊(duì)先退避三舍(一舍等于三十里),如果還不能得到您的原諒,我再與您交戰(zhàn)。”
Four years later, as might be expected, Chong Er returned to the State of Jin and became its ruler. He was none other than Duke Wen of the State of Jin famous in ancient Chinese history. Ruled by him, the State of Jin became increasingly powerful.
四年后,重耳真的回到晉國當(dāng)了國君,就是歷史上有名的晉文公。晉國在他的治理下日益強(qiáng)大。
In the year 533 B.C., the Chu troops and the Jin troops confronted each other in a battle. Faithful to his promise, Duke Wen of the State of Jin ordered his troops to retreat about thirty miles. After retreating, the Jin troops were stationed at Chengpu. Seeing that the Jin troops were retreating, the Chu troops thought that the enemy troops were afraid, and began chasing them. Taking advantage of the Chu troops' arrogance and their talking the Jin troops lightly, the Jin troops concentrated their forces and inflicted a crushing defeat on the Chu troops, thus winning the victory of the battle of Chengpu.
公元前633年,楚國和晉國的軍隊(duì)在作戰(zhàn)時(shí)相遇。晉文公為了實(shí)現(xiàn)他許下的諾言,下令軍隊(duì)后退九十里,駐扎在城濮。楚軍見晉軍后退,以為對(duì)方害怕了,馬上追擊。晉軍利用楚軍驕傲輕敵的弱點(diǎn),集中兵力,大破楚軍,取得了城濮之戰(zhàn)的勝利。
This set phrase, "retreating about thirty miles as a condition for peace," is derived from the Chapter "The Twenty-second Year of Duke Xi" in ZuoZhuan, the famous commentary by Zuo Qiuming on The spring and Autumn Annals. The idea of this set phrase is to give way to somebody in order to avoid a conflict.
故事出自《左傳·僖公二十二年》。成語“退避三舍”比喻不與人相爭或主動(dòng)讓步。
雙語中國歷史故事:勢如破竹
In the last years of the Three Kingdoms period,Sima Yan conquered the Kingdom of Shu and seized the state power of the Kingdom of Wei, and became Emperor Wudi of the Jin Dynasty. Then he planned to send his troops to attack the Kingdom of Wu so as to unify China. He called his civil and military officials to discuss the plan to destroy the Kingdom of Wu. Most of them thought that it would be difficult to try to destroy the Kingdom of Wu with one action because the Kingdom of Wu was still powerfull. So it would be better to wait until fuller preparations were made.
三國末年,晉武帝司馬炎滅掉蜀國,奪取魏國政權(quán)以后,準(zhǔn)備出兵攻打東吳,實(shí)現(xiàn)統(tǒng)一全中國的愿望。他召集文武大臣們商量滅大計(jì)。多數(shù)人認(rèn)為,吳國還有一定實(shí)力,一舉消滅它恐怕不易,不如有了足夠的準(zhǔn)備再說。
However,General Du Yu did not agree with them, so he wrote a memorial to the throne. According to Du Yu, it would be better to destroy the Kingdom of Wu as soon as possible, because it was still weak at that time. It would be more difficult to defeat the Kingdom of Wu later if it became stronger. After reading it, Emperor Wudi decided to send troops to attack the Kingdom of Wu as early as possible, so as to avoid future trouble. So Emperor Wudi made up his mind, and appointed Du Yu the Grand General for Conquering the south . In 279, sima Yan, Emperor Wudi of the Jin Dynasty, mustered more than two hundred thousand troops who were divided into six army divisions to proceed by both land and water to attack the kingdom of Wu. Battle drums thundering and the colours fluttering, the soldiers were full of power and grandeur. The next day, Jiangling city was captured, and a general of the Kingdom of Wu was killed. And the Jin army pushed on in the flush of victory. Hearing this, the troops of the Kingdom of Wu south of the Yuanjiang River and the Xiangjiang River were overwhelmed with fear, and they opened the gates of cities and surrendered one after another. Sima Yan ordered Du Yu to advance to Jianye, capital city of the Kingdom of Wu, by water.Someone feared that the Yangtze River might have a sharp rise and thought it more advantageous to withdraw the troops for the time being and wait until winter came. Du Yu resolutely opposed the idea, saying ," Now our army's morale is high,and our army is winning one victory after another, just like a sharp knife splitting a bamboo. It won't be too strenuous to conquer the Kingdom of Wu with one action. " Under Du Yu's command , the Jin army charged at the capital city Jianye, occupied it ,and thus destroyed the Kingdom of wu. In this way, Emperor Wudi of the Jin Dynasty unified the whole country.
大將杜預(yù)不同意多數(shù)人的看法,寫了一道奏章給晉武帝。杜預(yù)認(rèn)為,必須趁目前昊國衰弱,忙滅掉它,不然等它有了實(shí)力就很難打敗它了。司馬炎看了杜預(yù)的奏章,找自己的最信任的大臣張華征求意見。張華很同意杜預(yù)的分析,也勸司馬炎快快攻打吳國,以免留下后患。于是司馬炎就下了決心,任命杜預(yù)作征南大將軍。 公元279年,晉武帝司馬炎調(diào)動(dòng)了二十多萬兵馬,分成六路水陸并進(jìn),攻打吳國,一路戰(zhàn)鼓齊鳴,戰(zhàn)旗飄揚(yáng),戰(zhàn)士威武雄壯。第二年就攻占了江陵,斬了吳國一員大將,率領(lǐng)軍隊(duì)乘勝追擊。在沅江、湘江以南的吳軍聽到風(fēng)聲嚇破了膽,紛紛打開城門投降。司馬炎下令讓杜預(yù)從小路向吳國國都建業(yè)進(jìn)發(fā)。此時(shí),有人擔(dān)心長江水勢暴漲,不如暫收兵等到冬天進(jìn)攻更有利。杜預(yù)堅(jiān)決反對(duì)退兵,他說:“現(xiàn)在趁士氣高漲,斗志正旺,取得一個(gè)又一個(gè)勝利,勢如破竹(像用快刀劈竹子一樣,劈過幾節(jié)后竹子就迎刃破裂),一舉攻擊吳國不會(huì)再費(fèi)多大力氣了!” 晉朝大軍在杜預(yù)率領(lǐng)下,直沖向吳都建業(yè),不久就攻占建業(yè)滅了吳國。晉武帝統(tǒng)一了全國。
This story appears in "The Life of Du Yu "in The History of the Jin Dynasty. Later the set phrase" like splitting a bamboo" is used to refer to irresistible force or victorious advance.
故事出自《晉書·杜預(yù)傳》。成語“勢如破竹”,形容戰(zhàn)斗節(jié)節(jié)勝利,毫無阻擋。
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