| The south of River Huai was very fruitful, and Yuan Shu, as governor of such a
large territory, was very influential. He was not a little puffed up. The
possession of the Imperial Hereditary Seal, pledged by Sun Ce, added to his
pride. And he seriously thought of assuming the full style. |
| As a
preliminary he assembled all his officers and addressed them thus: "The Supreme
Ancestor, the Founder of Han Dynasty, was only a very minor official, and yet he
became ruler of the empire. The dynasty has endured four centuries, and its
measure of fortune has run out. It no longer possesses authority; the cauldron
is on the point of boiling over. My family has held the highest offices of state
for four generations and is universally respected. Wherefore I wish, in response
to the will of Heaven and the desire of the people, to assume the Imperial
Dignity. What think ye of the proposal, my officers?" |
| Secretary
Yan Xiang rose in opposition at once, saying, "You may not do this. King Wen,
the Ancestor of the Zhou, was of distinguished virtue and held many offices.
Till the last years of Shang Dynasty, he had two thirds of the empire. Still he
served and was loyal to the ruling house. Your house is honorable, but it is not
so glorious as that of Zhou. The Hans may be reduced, but they are not so
abominably cruel as those of the Shang Dynasty that they are to be overthrown.
Indeed this should not be done." |
| Yuan Shu
did not hear this with pleasure. |
| Said he,
"We Yuans came from the Chen family, the same ancestry with King Shun. By the
rule of interpreting the signs of fate, the day has come when earth (Chen)
receives fire (Liu). Beside there is an oracle saying, 'One who replaces the
Hans must wade through deep mire.' My name means 'the high road.' It fits
exactly. Further than this, I possess the Imperial Hereditary Seal and must
become lord of all, or I turn from Heaven's own way. Finally, I have made up my
mind, so if anyone says too much, that person will simply suffer death." |
| Yuan Shu
arrogated himself the insignia of royalty and assigned Second Glory the reign
title. He set up officials with titles only given by an emperor, and rode in a
chariot decorated with the dragon and phoenix, and offered sacrifices after the
manner of an emperor in the north and south suburbs. Also he appointed the
daughter of Feng Fang his Empress and his son Heir Apparent, and he pressed for
the early wedding of Lu Bu's daughter with his son so that the Palace entourage
might be complete. |
|
語句解説
第二十四課
英語で三国志、トップページ
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第二十五課：袁術皇帝を名乗る
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