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| Once I started writing a letter to you, I drifted to that place, which was actually a state situated south of the [[Tang dynasty|Tang]]: the name is [[Vietnam|Annam]]. The moment when we searched for the people of the land to make clear our identity and ask for rescue, we suddenly came under attack by a group of mysterious people. As a result, the majority of the entire ship of more than a hundred people met slaughter. Only Lord [[Fujiwara no Kiyokawa]] and I alongside a small number of warriors managed to escape tragedy and flee that hell. | | Once I started writing a letter to you, I drifted to that place, which was actually a state situated south of the [[Tang dynasty|Tang]]: the name is [[Vietnam|Annam]]. The moment when we searched for the people of the land to make clear our identity and ask for rescue, we suddenly came under attack by a group of mysterious people. As a result, the majority of the entire ship of more than a hundred people met slaughter. Only Lord [[Fujiwara no Kiyokawa]] and I alongside a small number of warriors managed to escape tragedy and flee that hell. |
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| But those people continued to unrelentingly pursue us. Therefore, we were evading the pursuit of death on one hand and striving to survive in a strange country on the other. I think that they learned somewhere that our squadron of [[ship]]s was to secretly send the [[śarīra]] abroad, that they thought the śarīra was with us. This originally was a secret. People in general would not have known about it. Could it be that they had been directed by the "[[Golden Turtles]]"? I cannot at all be certain, but I know that they must have some link. | | But those people continued to unrelentingly pursue us. Because of this, we were evading the pursuit of death on one hand and striving to survive in a strange country on the other. I think that they learned somewhere that our squadron of [[ship]]s was to secretly send the [[śarīra]] abroad, that they thought the śarīra was with us. This originally was a secret. People in general would not have known about it. Could it be that they had been directed by the "[[Golden Turtles]]"? I cannot at all be certain, but I know that they must have some link. |
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| In the whole process of fleeing death, one of the things that kept me supported was my fine memory of the past. But gradually, my memory also began to become muddled: I am beginning to be unable to recall many circumstances. People say that an individual's proof of existence in the world is their own memory and others' memory of them, the combination of the two added together. I was in a foreign land where there was not anyone who knew me, in a different state without a language I could communicate, and I began to forget my past, becoming more and more numb. | | In the whole process of fleeing death, one of the things that kept me supported was my fine memory of the past. But gradually, my memory also began to become muddled: I am beginning to be unable to recall many circumstances. People say that an individual's proof of existence in the world is their own memory and others' memory of them, the combination of the two added together. I was in a foreign land where there was not anyone who knew me, in a different state without a language I could communicate, and I began to forget my past, becoming more and more numb. |
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| Dear Li Bai, | | Dear Li Bai, |
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| Your honour, [[Luoyang]] has [[Fall of Luoyang|fallen]]. My prior fear ultimately still became reality. | | Your honour, [[Luoyang]] has [[Fall of Luoyang|fallen]]. My prior fear has ultimately still become reality. |
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| I heard that before General [[Gao Xianzhi]] and General [[Feng Changqing]] withdrew to [[Tong Pass]], they continuously chopped down pagoda trees on both sides of the road to block the road behind them. This is not to mention that they opened the [[Taiyuan]] storehouses, distributing all money and goods to the troops, and furthermore incinerated the granaries, so as to prevent the supplies from being used by [[An Lushan]]. But the [[Yeluohe|rebel army]]'s pursuit was still quicker than the retreating army. Thereupon, the [[soldier]]s who had not yet undergone training scattered in four directions, tossed aside their [[helmet]]s, forsook their [[armor|armour]], trampled one another, and the casualties were numerous. | | I heard that before General [[Gao Xianzhi]] and General [[Feng Changqing]] withdrew to [[Tong Pass]], they continuously chopped down pagoda trees on both sides of the road to block the road behind them. This is not to mention that they opened the [[Taiyuan]] storehouses, distributing all money and goods to the troops, and furthermore incinerated the granaries, so as to prevent the supplies from being used by [[An Lushan]]. But the [[Yeluohe|rebel army]]'s pursuit was still quicker than the retreating army. Thereupon, the [[soldier]]s who had not yet undergone training scattered in four directions, tossed aside their [[helmet]]s, forsook their [[armor|armour]], trampled one another, and the casualties were numerous. |
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| {{!}}-{{!}} | | {{!}}-{{!}} |
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| Apparently, at the moment that the [[ship]] I was embarked on encountered disaster at sea, Master Jianzhen’s ship fortunately managed to avoid it and eventually arrived safely in [[Japan]]. Master Jianzhen established an ordination platform at the [[Tōdai-ji|Eastern Great Temple]] in [[Nara]] for the [[Emperor Shōmu|Emperor]] and members of the imperial house to receive the {{wiki|Bodhisattva Precepts}} and moreover to help the monks of Japan discard the old precepts for the new. | | Apparently, at the moment that the [[ship]] I was embarked on encountered disaster at sea, Master Jianzhen’s ship fortunately managed to avoid it and eventually arrived safely in [[Japan]]. Master Jianzhen established an ordination platform at the [[Tōdai-ji|Eastern Great Temple]] in [[Nara]] for the [[Emperor Shōmu|emperor]] and members of the imperial house to receive the {{wiki|Bodhisattva Precepts}} and moreover to help the monks of Japan discard the old precepts for the new. |
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| Japan originally did not have the orthodox {{wiki|Risshū (Buddhism)|Risshū}} [[Buddhism|Buddha dharma]], and it is now from this moment that they have begun to inherit them. The [[śarīra]] that Master Jianzhen has been protecting has also constantly been under his personal care. Reportedly, the Master is preparing to erect an entirely new temple where the śarīra would be safely installed. This brand-new temple will be built in the style of the [[Tang dynasty]]. Its name will be "[[Tōshōdai-ji|the Temple where the Tang Beckons and Carries]]". | | Japan originally did not have the orthodox {{wiki|Risshū (Buddhism)|Risshū}} [[Buddhism|Buddha dharma]], and it is now from this moment that they have begun to inherit them. The [[śarīra]] that Master Jianzhen has been protecting has also constantly been under his personal care. Reportedly, the Master is preparing to erect an entirely new temple where the śarīra would be safely installed. This brand-new temple will be built in the style of the [[Tang dynasty]]. Its name will be "[[Tōshōdai-ji|the Temple where the Tang Beckons and Carries]]". |
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| Thousands of years ago, amidst the interchange of Chinese dynasties, there was a secret society that continuously controlled the power at the core of government. At times, they supported a suitable individual to be selected as emperor. At times, they had one of their members personally seize power and assume the throne as emperor. | | Thousands of years ago, as the dynasties of China interchanged, there was a secret society that continuously controlled the power at the core of government. At times, they supported a suitable individual to be selected as emperor. At times, they had one of their members personally seize power and assume the throne as emperor. |
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| Just as you are aware, under the Tang dynasty's system of protocols and regulations, officials ranked five and higher wear {{wiki|koi|carp}}-shaped fish tallies to authenticate their identity. During the era of [[Wu Zetian]] more than sixty years prior to our time, because Wu Zetian thought that the character of her surname "{{wiki|Wu (surname 武)|Wu}}" correlated with "{{wiki|Black Tortoise|Xuanwu}}", which signifies the turtle and [[snake]], she thereupon changed the accessory from the fish to the turtle. Notwithstanding this, she used the decorative pouches filled with turtle tallies as a means of distinguishing officials' ranks. Among the nine ranks of officials, ranks three and higher wore golden turtle pouches, ranks five and higher wore silver turtle pouches, and ranks six and lower did not have turtle pouches. Wu Zetian became empress regnant, bolstered her own relatives' influence, and consolidated tremendous power. | | Just as you are aware, under the Tang dynasty's system of protocols and regulations, officials ranked five and higher wear {{wiki|koi|carp}}-shaped fish tallies to authenticate their identity. During the era of [[Wu Zetian]] more than sixty years prior to our time, because Wu Zetian thought that the character of her surname "{{wiki|Wu (surname 武)|Wu}}" correlated with "{{wiki|Black Tortoise|Xuanwu}}", which signifies the turtle and [[snake]], she thereupon changed the accessory from the fish to the turtle. Notwithstanding this, she used the decorative pouches filled with turtle tallies as a means of distinguishing officials' ranks. Among the nine ranks of officials, ranks three and higher wore golden turtle pouches, ranks five and higher wore silver turtle pouches, and ranks six and lower did not have turtle pouches. Wu Zetian became empress regnant, bolstered her own relatives' influence, and consolidated tremendous power. |
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| From then on, a new secret society began to take shape. They controlled the government's key posts and military power, manipulating from behind-the-scenes the fate of the world under Heaven. These ministers high in stature and immense in power were precisely the "Golden Turtles". | | From then on, a new secret society began to take shape. They controlled the government's key posts and military power, manipulating from behind-the-scenes the fate of the world under Heaven. These ministers high in status and immense in power were precisely the "Golden Turtles". |
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| And one of the core personages of Golden Turtles in those years was none other than Empress Wu's paramour (male lover): [[Zhang Yizhi]]. In the [[Shenlong Revolution]] fifty years prior, Empress Wu abdicated, Zhang Yizhi and the Golden Turtles were accordingly also executed, and the Tang dynasty was restored. The turtle tallies that the court officials were wearing were, following this, freshly changed back to fish tallies as well. And yet there was still some lingering force which covertly preserved the turtle tallies and even transmitted them down the line in secret to serve as proof of membership tokens—all while continuing to exert influence at court. The members of the Golden Turtles are no longer limited to officials ranked three and higher. They need only be approved by the society, and they will be able to secretly wear a golden turtle pouch. | | And one of the core personages of Golden Turtles in those years was none other than Empress Wu's paramour (male lover): [[Zhang Yizhi]]. In the [[Shenlong Revolution]] fifty years prior, Empress Wu abdicated, Zhang Yizhi and the Golden Turtles were accordingly also executed, and the Tang dynasty was restored. The turtle tallies that the court officials were wearing were, following this, freshly changed back to fish tallies as well. And yet there was still some lingering force which covertly preserved the turtle tallies and even transmitted them down the line in secret to serve as proof of membership tokens—all while continuing to exert influence at court. The members of the Golden Turtles are no longer limited to officials ranked three and higher. They need only be approved by the society, and they will be able to secretly wear a golden turtle pouch. |
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| According to my investigation, Zhang Yizhi, while still alive, secretly gave birth to an illegitimate child with a servant girl in order to leave behind progeny. This illegitimate child—his name is "[[Yang Guozhong]]". | | According to my investigation, Zhang Yizhi, while still alive, secretly had a secret girl give birth to an illegitimate with him in order to leave behind progeny. This illegitimate child—his name is "[[Yang Guozhong]]". |
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| As a result, based on my conjecture, Chancellor of the Right Yang Guozhong is precisely one of today's members of the Golden Turtles and is even a chief figure. A few years ago when he advocated for the rehabilitation of his biological father Zhang Yizhi, this too proves this point. | | As a result, based on my conjecture, Chancellor of the Right Yang Guozhong is precisely one of today's members of the Golden Turtles and is even a chief figure. A few years ago, he advocated for the rehabilitation of his biological father Zhang Yizhi—this too proves the point. |
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| Perhaps military power-wielding An Lushan is also a Golden Turtle. | | Perhaps military power-wielding An Lushan is also a Golden Turtle. |
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| Remember when the court first learned of An Lushan raising his forces in rebellion, Yang Guozhong was even quite pleased with himself as though the whole scenario was under his control—it was truly funny. Now, His Majesty cannot contain his fury. Sending down an edict clearly expressing his desire to personally lead the campaign, he has ordered his [[Li Heng|crown prince]] to supervise the state. In this case, Yang Guozhong has also begun to fret restlessly. | | Remember when the court first learned of An Lushan raising his forces in rebellion, Yang Guozhong was even quite pleased with himself as though the whole scenario was under his control—it was truly funny. Now, His Majesty cannot contain his fury. Sending down an edict clearly expressing his desire to personally lead the campaign, he has ordered his [[Li Heng|crown prince]] to supervise the state. In this case, Yang Guozhong has also begun to fret restlessly. |
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| Having the crown prince supervise the state in a time of emergency signifies that the great authority of the court is shifting into the crown prince's hands. It also signifies that the [Emperor’s] yielding of the throne is not far off. Just as you are aware, the open and veiled strife between Yang Guozhong and the crown prince has already gone on for a long time. Yang Guozhong constantly thinks of any means to beat down the crown prince and preserve his own position and power. Should the crown prince begin to hold real authority, the first person he would clear out would precisely be Yang Guozhong. | | Having the crown prince supervise the state in a time of emergency signifies that the great authority of the court is shifting into the crown prince's hands. It also signifies that the passing of the throne is not far off. Just as you are aware, the open and veiled strife between Yang Guozhong and the crown prince has already gone on for a long time. Yang Guozhong constantly thinks of any means to beat down the crown prince and preserve his own position and power. Should the crown prince begin to hold real authority, the first person he would clear out would precisely be Yang Guozhong. |
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| I learned from my good friends in the palace that Yang Guozhong and the [[Lady of Guo]] work together to talk around Yang Guifei, causing her to keep her mouth shut with clay while pleading on their behalf to His Majesty. | | I learned from my good friends in the palace that Yang Guozhong and the [[Lady of Guo]] work together to talk around Yang Guifei, causing her to keep her mouth shut with clay while pleading on their behalf to His Majesty. |
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| {{!}}-{{!}} | | {{!}}-{{!}} |
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| When a country is at a perilous juncture, being a prime minister should normally mean giving their utmost efforts to devise strategies for defending the peace and pacifying rebellion, but Yang Guozhong is only ever looking after petty feuds and the preservation of his own position. It is truly unbelievable to anyone. Saying this, with Yang Guozhong inciting An Lushan to rebel time and time again, could it signify that this calamity originated in an internal power struggle of the Golden Turtles? Of those with high status and immense power at court, how many of them are affiliated with the Golden Turtles as a member? | | When a country is at a perilous juncture, being a prime minister should normally mean giving their utmost efforts to devise strategies for defending the peace and pacifying rebellion, but Yang Guozhong is only ever looking after petty feuds and the preservation of his own position. It is truly unbelievable to anyone. Saying this, with Yang Guozhong having incited An Lushan to rebel time and time again, could it signify that this calamity originated in an internal power struggle of the Golden Turtles? Of those with high status and immense power at court, how many of them are affiliated with the Golden Turtles as a member? |
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| I still need to further my investigation, so that I can verify my conjecture. | | I still need to further my investigation, so that I can verify my conjecture. |
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| Someone said that you have fled south to avoid the turmoil and that your person is in Xunyang. There was also someone who said that you are in Jinling, but given the present chaos of war and obstructed roads, there is no one in Chang'an who can verify your fate. | | Someone said that you have fled south to avoid the turmoil and that you are located in Xunyang. There was also someone who said that you are in Jinling, but given the present chaos of war and obstructed roads, there is no one in Chang'an who can verify your fate. |
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| Because of this, I still do not know to what location would I send this letter, and for the time being, it will be by my side for safekeeping. | | Because of this, I still do not know to what location would I send this letter, and for the time being, it will be by my side for safekeeping. |
