---
title: "Ping Zhang"
description: "Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, established the mandate and spread his rule. He slew the serpent and raised the beacon, dividing the stars to mark the Han territory. The legacy passed down for a thous"
type: "topic"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/topics/38741631.md"
published_at: "2026-02-14T10:19:29.000Z"
author: "[奇迹的交易员cola](https://longbridge.com/en/profiles/10743314)"
---

# Ping Zhang

The Han founder, Liu Bang, spread his civilizing mandate.  
He slew the serpent and raised the fire, dividing the Han realm among the stars.  
The legacy passed down for a thousand sacrifices, the Milky Way vast and flowing.  
With straw and mats, he laid the foundation, rites and music began to flourish.  
Seven days at Baideng, enduring humiliation to strive for strength.  
The reigns of Wen and Jing brought prosperity to the common people.

The martial Han emperors expanded the territory and opened the frontiers.  
Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, their iron cavalry galloped forth.  
Zhang Qian pierced the void, the Silk Road stretching long.  
Debates on salt and iron, the state's foundation grew ever clearer.  
The Luntai Edict of self-blame, his benevolent heart never ceased.

The Restorer, Emperor Guangwu, the Han's virtue shone anew.  
Thunder moved at Kunyang, he restored order to heaven and earth.  
With grand sacrifices he reported to the ancestral temple, the sun and moon shone doubly bright.  
The twenty-eight generals of Yuntai, constellations arrayed in order.  
He cast aside the brush to join the army, pacifying the far west and the Qiang.

My ancestor, the Illustrious Emperor, with benevolence as his pillar.  
The Three Visits set an example, his virtuous words greatly manifest.  
Leading the people across the river, how could he bear to abandon and harm them?  
At Baidi, he entrusted his orphan, his loyalty pure as snow and frost.  
He stopped at the utmost good, not merely among the Three Sovereigns.

My ancestor, the Duke of Anle, knew perilous borders in his youth.  
Blood rain at Changban, yet the scent of mother's milk remained.  
Zhao Yun protected him, charging in and out seven times, wounded seven times.  
In tender years he inherited the throne, the Prime Minister was his support.  
The two memorials for the northern expedition, tears and snivel soaked his robes.

Wooden oxen and gliding horses, the vastness of Mount Qi.  
Six expeditions from Mount Qi, the people's strength gradually waned.  
Jiang Wan and Fei Yi, succeeding to his will, found no leisure.  
Jiang Wei's nine campaigns, the state's power withered and declined.  
My ancestor wept blood, his heart anxious for the ancestral temple.

The Wei army pressed the border, Deng Ai crossed the Yangping Pass.  
Zhuge Zhan died, Mianzhu was already lost.  
Some urged flight south, some begged to defend the borders.  
My ancestor sighed deeply, how could he bear to bring further calamity?  
Better to betray the ancestral temple than to betray the black-haired masses.

Bound and with a coffin in tow, tears fell like pouring rain.  
A million soldiers and civilians were spared death in a foreign land.  
A guest dwelling in Luoyang, could he truly forget joy?  
Sima tested him, he feigned foolishness and pretended blindness.  
He only sought that the people of Shu would not suffer the ravages of war.

Recounting fallen states, blood stained the city moats.  
Xiang Yu slaughtered Qin, Xianyang's fires blazed.  
Dong Zhuo threw the capital into chaos, Luoyang became a mound of ruins.  
Hou Jing brought disaster to Liang, Jiankang was a wave of blood.  
Huang Chao breached the passes, Chang'an echoed with ghostly songs.  
Li Zicheng captured the capital, Chongzhen hanged himself.  
Ten days in Yangzhou, three massacres in Jiading.

Only our Shu surrendered, the markets and alleys unchanged.  
The common people lived in peace, chickens and dogs came to no harm.  
Sima entered Shu, sighing at his measure of benevolence.  
Enfeoffed as the Duke of Anle, his fiefdom remained as before.  
The people of Shu offered private sacrifices, un forgotten for a thousand years.

In Chengdu, the Martial Marquis enjoys eternal incense.  
Hui Mausoleum is just a stone's throw away, stone statues stand in rows.  
Some ask why the Later Lord is also enshrined.  
The people wipe their tears, saying, "This is our father and brother.  
Had he not sacrificed himself, how could we have today?"  
A thousand households offer incense, silently raising their cups.

The cuckoo cries blood, King Wang's spring heart.  
Bieling controlled the waters, Kaiming succeeded him.  
The three ancient kings of Shu, abdicating with fragrant virtue.  
My ancestor was named Shan (Abdication), how could it be without basis?  
In sacrifices he was the sole participant, governance was left to Huang Hao.  
The grievances within, who will discuss them in detail?

Forty years in Luoyang, treading on thin ice.  
His three sons received noble titles, all met good ends.  
When the Jin court fled south, they still sacrificed to the Han ancestors.  
Liu Yuan raised troops, also upholding the Han lineage.  
The legacy of my ancestor lies not in martial prowess.

Alas, ah! Please listen to my words.  
Rise and fall are not solely about armies clashing.  
There is a blade that sheds no blood, saving a million people.  
There is an edge that is not sharp, giving life immeasurable.  
The ultimate in benevolence and virtue is neither war nor strife.  
He who can stop the killing is the strongest of all.

The merits and crimes of a thousand autumns, who will judge and record?  
Chen Shou wrote the history, his account is vague.  
Xi Zuozi's discussion faintly reveals a glimmer of light.  
Sima Guang's brush shows a slightly clearer picture.  
Waiting until today, to redress our ancestor's record.

My ancestor Liu Shan, childhood name A Dou.  
Not truly a "dipper," but one who could contain.  
He could contain enemies, he could contain slander.  
He could contain surrender, he could contain yielding.  
His heart held the four seas, embracing all things.

Now I compose this long song, one hundred and eight verses.  
Corresponding to the Heavenly Stem numbers, Earthly Branches added.  
May this long song spread to the ends of the seas.  
Let it be known that the benevolent one is not in bluster and command.  
He who can bring peace to the people, thereby continues the Han lineage.

> The crown changing hands is none of my concern, the banners changing color is not my responsibility. What matters is that cooking smoke rises again, and chickens and dogs hear each other.

> Let it be known that the benevolent one is not in bluster and command.  
> He who can bring peace to the people, thereby continues the Han lineage.

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> **Disclaimer**: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.
