國清百錄 4.22

4.22

自江東披破，弟子前預送京，不獲虔禮于茲五載，丹誠懇結豈筆札所宣，山川永遠無因諮述。邃師奉命爰到闕廷，天子降情君主殊遇，新故崇待南北傾心，可謂使乎使乎，仲尼是以興歎。仰陳勝託有慰延欽，天高氣清願道體康愈。棲真千仞寂慮四禪，梁穗煙雲餐悅法喜，固非世俗之徒所能稱讚。徵年衰事迫可以意求，弟姪兒孫隨時過日，撫塵擊壞用畢餘齡，既達於窮通之數，亦不常以賤貧自恥，但覲奉翛然實增馳欷。伏願珍重。繼復下承脫值行人賜訪存沒。開皇十三年九月十七日。前陳侍中安右將軍中書令領軍將軍南雍州大中正新豐縣開國侯弟子濟陽蔡徵稽首和南。

Since the realm east of the river was broken and ruined, this disciple was sent ahead to the capital. I have not been able to pay you reverent homage for five years now. How could my sincere and earnest feelings be expressed by brush and paper? Separated by vast mountains and rivers, I have had no means to consult you or express my thoughts. Master Sui received orders and arrived at the imperial court; the Son of Heaven lowered his favor, and the ruler granted him exceptional treatment. Both new and old gave him high honor, and North and South turned their hearts to him. Truly, one may say: 'A worthy envoy, indeed an envoy!'—this was why Zhongni raised that sigh of praise. Looking up to your superior trust, my long-cherished admiration was comforted. As the sky is high and the air is clear, I pray your venerable body remains healthy and well. Resting your true nature amid thousand-fathom heights, quieting your thoughts in the four dhyānas, feeding upon the smoke and clouds of millet-ears, and taking joy in the bliss of Dharma—these are certainly not things that worldly people can praise. I, Zheng, am declining in years and pressed by circumstance, as you can well imagine. My younger brothers, nephews, sons, and grandsons simply pass their days as time allows, brushing off dust and beating earthenware vessels to finish their remaining years. Having understood the destined cycles of adversity and success, neither do I constantly feel ashamed of being humble and poor; yet, when I think of you living free and untrammelled, my longing and sighs only increase. I prostrate myself in the hope that you take good care. Furthermore, I shall continue to receive your news below, should a passing traveler happen to inquire after my welfare. On the seventeenth day of the ninth month in the thirteenth year of Kaihuang. Your disciple, former Palace Attendant, General of the Peaceful Right, President of the Department of the Chancellery, General of the Palace Guards, Grand Impartial Judge of Southern Yongzhou, and Founding Marquis of Xinfeng County under the Chen, Cai Zheng of Jiyang, bows his head in homage.