|
48、The Unlikely Friendship 负荆请罪 战国时期，赵国有两位官员，一个叫蔺相如，另一个叫廉颇。廉颇是武将，他保家卫国，蔺相如是文官，很有辩才。蔺相如因为“完璧归赵”有功而被封为上卿，位在廉颇之上。廉颇很不服气，扬言要当面羞辱蔺相如。蔺相如得知后，尽量回避、容让，不与廉颇发生冲突。蔺相如的门客以为他畏惧廉颇，蔺相如将作何反应呢？During the Warring States Period, the two highest officials of the Zhao Kingdom were Lian Po and Lin Xiangru.Lian Po was the head of the army. He was in charge of all the soldiers. He made sure the Kingdom of Zhao was safe. He was strong and proud. People knew he was wise at military strategy.Lin Xiangru was the chief minister. He was not like a soldier at all. Instead, he worked in the government. He made sure that it worked well. He was smart and a great speaker.Lin Xiangru had quickly become powerful in the government. The king of Zhao liked him very much. He trusted him. Lin Xiangru had once saved the king from embarrassment.However, Lin Xiangru’s quick rise made many others jealous. Even Lian Po. Why? Well, Lin Xiangru was in charge of even Lian Po.Lian Po told his soldiers, “I had to risk my life in many battles to get where I am. But then this guy, Lin Xiangru, he gets to the top by doing nothing! All he did was talk!” Lian Po was so angry that he thought of a plan to embarrass Lin Xiangru.Word of Lian Po’s plan made its way to Lin Xiangru. He didn’t want to meet Lian Po. He stopped going out. He even faked being sick for a while, so he could have an excuse to stay inside.One day, Lin Xiangru could not stay inside. He went out in his carriage. Soon, he saw Lian Po’s carriage coming toward him. He told his driver to quickly turn around. Lin Xiangru went back home. When the government ministers heard about it, they mocked him. They said he should be embarrassed. They said he was a coward.But Lin Xiangru responded calmly. He said, “Do you want to know why I do not want to meet Lian Po? The conflict between us is personal. As the chief minister, I make sure that the government works correctly. As the head of the army, Lian Po makes sure that we stay safe. Together, we keep the kingdom running smoothly. So, if other kingdoms learn of our conflict, they might think that our government is weak. Then they might attack and destroy us. So, you see, I cannot let a personal matter destroy the kingdom!”The ministers were inspired by Lin Xiangru's words. Lian Po heard about what Lin Xiangru had said. His jealousy turned to regret. He asked Ling Xiangru for forgiveness. The two leaders became good friends. Due to their strong relationship, the State of Zhao remained peaceful for many years.Question: How quickly do you forgive others? 核心词汇 in charge of 主管，负责; 照料 military strategy 军事战略 embarrassment n. 难堪; 窘迫; 令人难堪或耻辱的事 jealous adj. 妒忌的; 吃醋的; 羡慕的 battle n. 战役，战斗，会战 fake v. 伪装，假装 mock v. 愚弄，嘲弄; 使受挫折; 不尊重，蔑视 coward n. 胆小鬼，懦夫 respond v. 作答，回答 run v. 运转 smoothly adv. 顺利地; 平稳地; 平滑地; 流畅地 inspire v. 激励; 鼓舞; 启迪; 赋予灵感 regret v. 悼念，哀悼; 感到后悔，感到抱歉 forgiveness n. 宽恕; 原谅 due to 由于; 因为; 欠下债[账]，应给予; 应归于 以下翻译来自百度翻译： 连波是军队的首领。他负责所有的士兵。他确保了赵国的安全。他坚强而自豪。人们知道他在军事战略上很聪明。林相如是首席部长。他一点也不像士兵。相反，他在政府工作。他确保它运行良好。他很聪明，是一位伟大的演说家。林相如在政府中很快变得很有权势。赵王非常喜欢他。他信任他。林相如曾经把国王从尴尬中解救出来。然而，林相如的迅速崛起引起了许多人的嫉妒。连连连波都有。为什么？那么连连连连波都是林相如管的。连波对士兵们说：“我不得不冒着生命危险在多次战斗中到达目的地。但是这个叫林相如的家伙，他什么也不做就登上了顶峰！他所做的只是说话！”连波非常生气，他想到了一个让林相如难堪的计划。连波计划的消息传到了林相如那里。他不想见连波。他停止了外出。他甚至假装生病一段时间，这样他就有理由呆在家里。有一天，林相如无法呆在屋里。他坐着马车出去了。不久，他看见连波的马车向他驶来。他告诉他的司机赶快掉头。林相如回家了。当政府部长们听到这件事时，他们嘲笑他。他们说他应该感到尴尬。他们说他是个胆小鬼。但林相如反应平静。他说，“你想知道我为什么不想见连波吗？我们之间的冲突是个人的。作为首席部长，我确保政府正常运作。作为军队的首脑，连波确保我们的安全。我们一起确保王国顺利运转。因此，如果其他王国知道我们的冲突，他们可能会认为政府是软弱的，那么他们可能会攻击并摧毁我们。所以，你看，我不能让一件私事摧毁这个王国！”大臣们被林相如的话所鼓舞。连波听到了林相如的话。他的嫉妒变成了后悔。他请求林相如原谅。两位领导人成为了好朋友。由于他们之间的密切关系，赵国多年来一直保持和平。
|
