弘明集 11.50

11.50

Having received your letter once more, I only now perceive your luminous awakening to profound understanding; one might say we look at each other and smile. Your insight inspects the many currents; your wisdom encompasses subtle principles. Whenever examining the source of stimulus and response, or probing the theory of splitting the stone, how have you not hit the mark with every phrase and thoroughly penetrated the doctrinal purports? Yet you falsely display modesty, contrary to [the sovereign's] sitting on the edge of the mat [in anticipation], still treading in the tracks of the overturned carriage without regretting the broken ruts—it is not that knowing is difficult, but acting is not easy! When one has left one's state for three years, one rejoices to see someone resembling a family member; when one has been a traveler for long, how could one not feel sorrow in one's heart? Now vow to lay down the heavy burden and sit in peace; abandon your wandering life like returning home. Facing the affection between brothers, foster the beauty of the nine degrees of kin; hurrying to the family gate with joyful cheer, the delight will already be supreme. How much more so when an enlightened culture governs the cosmic movement, and the descendants of Ji and Shao harmonize governance, longing for worthies to assist the Dao so that they forget their meals until the sun declines! With your talent, amplify your virtue; carrying jade pendants to make them resound at court, and donning brocade to spread your fame afar, your achievements will aid the state's policies and your fame will be praised after your lifetime. Compared with the disgrace of shaving the head and the bitterness of remaining solitary and without progeny, how could they be spoken of in the same breath? Having long shared hardships and being well acquainted through our enduring agreement, if your profound ambitions remain concealed, the worthiness of Zhanqin, I fear, would incur Zang's censure of disloyalty. Therefore, forcing myself despite illness to write my thoughts, I explain once more what was stated before. The year draws to a close; time waits for no man. You must exert yourself! Do not incur the regret of biting one's navel. Reply by Liu Junbai.