Zhou Gongjin's firehouse

Translations | History | Poems | Maps Master of fire / Annihilator at Chibi

[zgongjin]

Maps of the Three Kingdoms

Over the past few months, I embarked on a little adventure making 3K maps, and now that I have finished everything, I'm pretty excited to share all the maps!

The maps are based on The Historical Atlas of China map collection for the 3rd year of Jingyuan (262), with topography provided by digital elevation models from HydroSHEDS.

The problem with using modern topography on ancient maps is of course that sometimes labelled landforms do not match nicely to the local topography, since measurements may not be so precise in the past. I tried my best to correct when I could, but otherwise, I left them as it is when I couldn't find a clear possible correction (so don't be surprised to see some rivers flowing along mountain peaks!).

Tumblr compresses images quite a bit so for now the full collection (including overall and individual provinces) is on SOSZ here.

[zgongjin]

I haven’t been able to get updates going on SOSZ in the past few months, so I have decided to start hosting my maps on a GitHub site here. From now on, I’ll post any debugging updates or new maps there, alongside my ongoing projects: translating official titles and a curated collection of interesting artefacts.

Here are a few snippets of how they look at the moment:

You can find the public repository here. As always, feel free to reach out if you’d like to reuse any content or if you notice any bugs.

[zgongjin]

Happy to announce that the official titles translation is now complete. As with the locations, one can also search for specific titles using the search tool. Here is what they look like:

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to reuse any content or if you notice any bugs!

[zgongjin]

A Goose Well Received

性愛鵝，會稽有孤居姥養一鵝，善鳴，求市未得，遂攜親友命駕就觀。姥聞羲之將至，烹以待之，羲之歎惜彌日。

-- 《晉書·王羲之傳》

Wang Xizhi was fond of geese. In Kuaiji there lived an old woman, who kept a goose renowned for its fine call. Xizhi tried to buy it, but could not. He then set out with a few friends to see it for himself. When the old woman heard that Wang Xizhi was coming, she slaughtered and cooked the goose to receive him. Wang Xizhi could only lament the loss, and did so for days on end.

-- Book of Jin, Biography of Wang Xizhi

[zgongjin]

Never Enough

八年，彭引兵從車駕破天水，與吳漢圍隗囂於西城。時公孫述將李育將兵救嚻，守上邽，帝留蓋延、耿弇圍之，而車駕東歸。勑彭書曰：「兩城若下，便可將兵南擊蜀虜。人苦不知足，旣平隴，復望蜀。每一發兵，頭鬚為白。」

-- 《後漢書·岑彭傳》

In the eighth year, Peng and his troops, together with the emperor, conquered Tianshui. He then joined Wu Han in besieging Wei Xiao at Xicheng. At the time, Gongsun Shu’s general Li Yu came to aid Wei Xiao and held Shanggui. The emperor left Gai Yan and Geng Yan to continue the siege, while he himself returned east.

He then sent an edict to Peng, saying: "If the two cities fall, you may lead your troops south to strike the Shu rebels. Men are ever hard to satisfy! Having pacified Long, I now look toward Shu. With each dispatch of troops, my hair and beard grow whiter."

-- Book of the Later Han, Biography of Cen Peng

[zgongjin]

Compared with Huan and Ling

帝嘗南郊，禮畢，喟然問毅曰：「卿以朕方漢何帝也？」對曰：「可方桓、靈。」帝曰：「吾雖德不及古人，猶克己為政。又平吳會，混一天下。方之桓、靈，其已甚乎！」對曰：「桓、靈賣官，錢入官庫；陛下賣官，錢入私門。以此言之，殆不如也。」帝大笑曰：「桓靈之世，不聞此言。今有直臣，故不同也。」

-- 《晉書·劉毅傳》

After offering sacrifices at the southern altar, the emperor asked Yi, "Which of the Han emperors am I like?" Yi replied, "Emperors Huan and Ling." The emperor said, "Though my virtue may not equal that of the ancients, I have restrained myself in governing. I have also pacified Wu and unified the realm. To compare me with Huan and Ling is surely too much!" Yi answered, "In the time of Huan and Ling, when offices were sold, the money went into the state treasury. When Your Majesty sells offices, the money goes into private hands. In that respect, I fear you are not even their equal." The emperor burst out laughing and said, "In the days of Huan and Ling, one never heard such words. Today there are upright ministers, and so it is different!"

-- Book of Jin, Biography of Liu Yi

[zgongjin]

All I Saw Was Her Back

哲宗即位甫十歲，於是宣仁高后垂簾而聽斷焉。及寖長立，未嘗有一言。宣仁在宫中，每語上：「彼大臣奏事，汝胸中且謂何，乃無一語邪？」 上但曰：「娘娘已處分，俾臣道何語？」 如是益恭默不言者九年。……宣仁登仙，上始親政焉。數數與臣僚論昔垂簾事，曰：「朕只見臀背。」

-- 《鐵圍山叢談·卷一》

Emperor Zhezong of Song ascended the throne at the age of ten. The Empress Dowager Gao therefore ruled from behind the curtain, hearing and deciding various state affairs. As he gradually grew older, he never once uttered a word. In the palace, the Dowager would often ask him: “When the ministers present their memorials, what do you think in your heart? Why do you not say a single word?” The emperor would only reply: “Your Majesty has already made the decisions. What could I possibly add?” Thus he became ever more respectful and silent, speaking not a word for nine years.… When the Dowager passed away, the emperor at last assumed personal rule. He would often speak with his ministers about the years of rule from behind the curtain, saying: “All I ever saw was her back.”

-- Conversations from Mount Tiewei, Vol. 1

[zgongjin]

Quite Happy Here

司馬文王與禪宴，為之作故蜀技，旁人皆為之感愴，而禪喜笑自若。他日，王問禪曰：「頗思蜀否？」 禪曰：「此間樂，不思蜀。」

-- 《三國志·後主傳》注

King Wen of Jin (Sima Zhao) held a banquet for Liu Shan and ordered the old music and dances of Shu to be performed. Those who had once served Shu were overcome with grief, but Liu Shan laughed as though nothing had happened. Later, the king asked him, “Do you miss Shu?” Liu Shan replied, “I am happy here. I do not miss Shu.”

-- Records of the Three Kingdoms, annotations to Biography of the Latter Lord

[zgongjin]

How Big Is the Han, Anyway?

滇王與漢使者言曰：「漢孰與我大？」及夜郎侯亦然。以道不通故，各自以為一州主，不知漢廣大。

-- 《史記·西南夷列傳》

The King of Dian asked the Han envoy, “The Han — or I — which is bigger?” The Marquis of Yelang asked likewise.

Cut off from the world, each believed himself sovereign of all he saw, not knowing how vast the Han truly was.

-- Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of the Southwestern Barbarians

[zgongjin]

The Silent Bird of the South

楚莊王蒞政三年，無令發，無政爲也。右司馬御座而與王隱曰：「有鳥止南方之阜，三年不翅，不飛不鳴，嘿然無聲，此爲何名？」 王曰：「三年不翅，將以長羽翼；不飛不鳴，將以觀民則。雖無飛，飛必沖天；雖無鳴，鳴必驚人。子釋之，不穀知之矣。」 處半年，乃自聽政。所廢者十，所起者九；誅大臣五，舉處士六，而邦大治。

-- 《韓非子·喻老》

When King Zhuang of Chu first came to the throne, for three years he issued no commands and enacted no policies. Someone addressed the king in metaphor: "There is a bird perched upon a mound in the southern lands. For three years it has not spread its wings; it neither flies nor sings, remaining silent without a sound. What kind of bird is this?“

The king replied:

“For three years it has not spread its wings, so that it may grow its feathers. It neither flies nor sings, so that it may observe the ways of the people. Though it does not yet fly, when it flies it will surely soar to the heavens; though it does not yet sing, when it sings it will surely astonish men. Leave it be. I understand.” After half a year, he personally took charge of the government. He abolished ten measures and instituted nine; he executed five high ministers and elevated six worthy recluses. The state was thereby brought to great order.

-- Han Feizi, Illustrating Laozi

[craftercat]

I feel like telling whoever wrote this nonsense on China and religion about Kou Qianzhi's influence over Northern Wei and Tuoba Tao's persecution of Buddhists:

[zgongjin]

Between Law and Rites

人嘗有言部亭長受其米肉遺者…………茂曰：「凡人所以貴於禽獸者，以有仁愛，知相敬事也。今鄰里長老尚致饋遺，此乃人道所以相親，況吏與民乎？……亭長素善吏，歲時遺之，禮也。」人曰：「苟如此，律何故禁之？」茂笑曰：「律設大法，禮順人情。今我以禮教汝，汝必無怨惡；以律治汝，何所措其手足乎？」

-- 《後漢書·卓茂傳》

Someone once accused a neighborhood chief of accepting gifts of rice and meat ... Mao responded, "What distinguishes human beings from animals is that we possess benevolence and know how to treat one another with respect. Even elders among neighbors exchange gifts—this is the human way of fostering bonds. How much more so between officials and the people? … The chief has long been a capable official, and the seasonal gifts given to him were matters of propriety."

The accuser said, "If that is so, why does the law forbid it?"

Mao smiled and replied, "The law lays down broad rules, but rites and virtues accord with human feelings. If I guide you through rites and virtues, you will harbor no resentment. But if I govern you by law alone, where would you even dare to place your hands and feet?"

-- Book of the Later Han, Biography of Zhuo Mao

[zgongjin]

Knowing the Living

徽之為車騎桓沖騎兵參軍，沖問：「卿署何曹？」對曰：「似是馬曹。」又問：「管幾馬？」曰：「不知馬，何由知數！」又問：「馬比死多少？」曰：「未知生，焉知死！

-- 《晉書·王徽之傳》

While serving as Cavalry Staff Officer under Huan Chong, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Huizhi was asked by Huan Chong, “Which section have you been assigned to?” He replied, “It seems to be the Horse Section.”

Huan Chong then asked, “How many horses do you manage?” He answered, “If I do not know the horses themselves, how could I know their number?” Huan Chong pressed further, “Then how many have died?” He replied, “If I do not yet know the living, how could I know the dead?”

-- Book of Jin, Biography of Wang Huizhi

[zgongjin]

Who Ranks First?

齊太祖善書，及登位，篤好不已。與王僧虔賭書畢，謂虔曰：「誰為第一？」僧虔對曰：「臣書臣中第一，陛下書帝中第一。」

-- 《太平御覽·工藝部四》

Emperor Taizu of Southern Qi was skilled at calligraphy, and even after ascending the throne, remained deeply fond of it. After finishing a calligraphy contest with Wang Sengqian, he asked Sengqian, “Who ranks first?”

Sengqian replied, “Among your servants, my calligraphy ranks first; among emperors, Your Majesty’s calligraphy ranks first.”

-- Taiping yulan, Crafts and Arts IV

[zgongjin]

No Regrets

述夢有人語之曰：「八厶子系，十二為期。」覺，謂其妻曰：「雖貴而祚短，若何？」妻對曰：「朝聞道，夕死尚可，況十二乎！」

-- 《後漢書 · 公孫述傳》

Gongsun Shu once had a dream in which someone spoke to him, saying, "The descendants of the lord, twelve is the appointed term." When he awoke, he said to his wife, "Though exalted, my reign will be short—what then?"

His wife replied, "If one may hear the Way in the morning and die in the evening with no regret, how much more so twelve years?"

-- Book of the Later Han, Biography of Gongsun Shu

This is a reference to the famous Analects line, "朝聞道，夕死可矣"

If a man in the morning hear the Way, he may die in the evening without regret

[zgongjin]

No Shame Before Heaven

後秦王萇即皇帝位於長安，與群臣宴，酒酣，言曰：「諸卿皆與朕北面秦朝，今忽為君臣，得無恥乎！」趙遷曰：「天不恥以陛下為子，臣等何恥為臣！」

-- 《資治通鑒·卷一百六》

When Yao Chang, king of Later Qin, ascended the throne at Chang’an, he held a banquet with his ministers. As the wine flowed, he remarked, "All of you once faced north and served the Former Qin court together with me. Now, in an instant, you have become my officials—ought you not be ashamed?"

Zhao Qian replied: "If Heaven itself is not ashamed to call Your Majesty its Son, how could we be ashamed to serve you?"

-- Zizi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance), Volume 106

[zgongjin]

Of Stones and Streams

孫子荊年少時欲隱，語王武子「當枕石漱流」，誤曰「漱石枕流」。王曰：「流可枕，石可漱乎？」孫曰：「所以枕流，欲洗其耳；所以漱石，欲礪其齒。」

-- 《世說新語 · 排調》

When Sun Zijing was young, he wished to live in reclusion. Speaking to Wang Wuzi, he said, "I shall rest my head on stones and rinse my mouth in the stream," but misspoke, saying instead, "rinse with stones and rest my head on the stream."

Wang said, "Can one rest on flowing water? Can one rinse with stones?"

Sun replied, "I rest my head on the stream in order to wash my ears; I rinse with stones in order to sharpen my teeth."

-- Shishuo Xinyu (A New Account of the Tales of the World), Paidiao (Mockery and Teasing)

[zgongjin]

Left to the Historians

宋太祖嘗彈雀於後園，有群臣稱有急事請見，太祖亟見之，其所奏乃常事耳。上怒，詰其故，對曰：「臣以為尚急於彈雀。」上愈怒，舉柱斧柄撞其口，墮兩齒，其人徐俯拾齒置懷中。上罵曰：「汝懷齒欲訟我邪？」對曰：「臣不能訟陛下，自當有史官書之。」

-- 《涑水記聞 · 卷一》 Emperor Taizu of Song was once shooting sparrows in the rear garden when an official requested an audience, claiming urgent business. Taizu hurried to receive him, but what he presented was merely routine affairs. Enraged, the emperor demanded an explanation. He replied, "Your servant thought it more urgent than shooting sparrows."

The emperor grew furious and struck him in the mouth with the handle of a ceremonial axe, knocking out two teeth. The official calmly bent down, picked up the teeth, and tucked them into his robe. The emperor cursed him: "You keep those teeth—do you mean to sue me?" He answered, "Your servant cannot sue Your Majesty, but the court historians are bound to record this."

-- Notes from the Shu River, Vol 1

[zgongjin]

Why is Your Majesty Rebelling?

帝不堪憂辱……荀濟知帝意，乃與華山王大器、元瑾密謀，於宮內為山，而作地道向北城。至千秋門，門者覺地下響動，以告文襄。文襄勒兵入宮，曰：「陛下何意反邪！臣父子功存社稷，何負陛下邪！」

-- 《魏書 · 帝紀第十二》

The emperor could no longer endure the humiliation...... Xun Ji, knowing the emperor’s sentiments, secretly conspired with Yuan Daqi, Prince of Huashan, and Yuan Jin. Within the palace, they feigned the construction of an artificial hill, while secretly digging a hidden passage northward toward the city wall.

When the tunnel reached the Qianqiu Gate, the gate guards detected sounds coming from beneath the ground and reported them to Gao Cheng. Gao Cheng immediately mustered his troops and forced his way into the palace, crying out:

"Why is Your Majesty rebelling? My father and I have rendered great service in upholding the state; how have we failed Your Majesty?"

-- Book of Wei, Imperial Annals, Chapter Twelve