Translation:

I know that the three ancient kings (Xia Yu, Shang Tang, and Zhou Wu) can achieve the king's career and truly become king. The Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period were the ones who achieved hegemony despite knowing that they could not achieve kingship. Someone once said: "Those who attempt to achieve kingship but fail, in the worst case can still achieve hegemony."

Alas! If Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin were allowed to do what King Tang of Shang and King Wu of Zhou did (the royal way), then it would be too late for them to seek their own destruction. Even if they wanted to dominate, would they be able to succeed? The so-called royal way cannot be used in small places. If you use it in a big place, you can achieve the king's fortune; if you use it in a small place, it will be destroyed.

At that time, King Xu Yan and Duke Xianggong of Song Dynasty once implemented their benevolence and righteousness, but in the end they destroyed themselves and lost their country. Why? Because what they promote is not enough to satisfy what they pursue. Therefore, if there is a way to conquer the world, but you don’t have the idea of ??conquering the world, then you can talk to him about the kingship.

In the Spring and Autumn Period, Fan Li, a senior official of the Yue State, and Zhang Liang, a Marquis of the Western Han Dynasty, were not wise ministers who assisted King Tang of Shang and King Wu of Zhou, but they could be said to be resolute and courageous figures with outstanding talents and no confusion when faced with difficulties. There is something he must do. See how King Wu Fu Chai was trapped in Gusu City and begged King Goujian of Yue to save his life. Goujian once wanted to pardon him, but only Fan Li thought it was not possible. Then he beat drums and marched into Gusu City, and finally killed King Wu. .

(During the conflict between Chu and Han) when Xiang Ji broke through the siege and fled eastward, Emperor Gaozu also wanted to abandon his army and return westward, but Zhang Liang remonstrated and said: "This is God's intention to destroy Xiang Yu. Chase quickly and don't miss the opportunity." These two historical figures believed that small benevolence and righteousness were not enough to change our military and national plans. well! Le Yi was originally a hero during the Warring States Period. He did not know the true royal way, but had only heard about it in private, which was enough to destroy him.

The commentators believe that it was because King Hui of Yan was not wise enough that the enemy used a counter-intuitive trick to replace Le Yi as general with robbery, which finally made Le Yi escape from Yan. They believed that the reason why Le Yi could not succeed in conquering Qi was entirely due to misfortune of fate, rather than the fault of his military command. However, assuming that King Yan Zhao was still on the throne at that time, even if Qi's counterintuitive plan failed, Le Yi would eventually fail.

Why is this? Because Yan wanted to annex Qi, but this was not in the interests of Qin, Chu and the three Jin states (Zhao, Wei, and Han). Le Yi now used millions of troops to attack the remaining defeated generals in the two cities (Ju and Mo), but he could not win after several years. The army was away all year round, so enemies would definitely take advantage of his empty national power. The princes were in rebellion internally, while the state of Qi was attacking from outside. At this time, even if Jiang Taigong and Tian Zangju were still alive, they would have to fail.

However, Le Yi used a force a hundred times that of the enemy and was unable to capture two cities for several years. This was not because he lacked resourcefulness and strength, but because he planned to use benevolence and righteousness to conquer the people of Qi. Obey, so you can't attack the city ruthlessly and lead to such a result.

Because the people of Qi State suffered from the tyranny of King Min, if Le Yi retreated at this time, stopped the war, managed government affairs, relaxed taxes and labor, so that farmers could return to their hometowns, the elderly and children could live a stable life, and Qi State would The Chinese people no longer have the fighting spirit, so who will Tian Dan use to fight against him? Why did Le Yi use millions of troops to confront the two small towns for several years without a decisive battle? This is what allowed Qi to slowly plan this matter.

During the Warring States Period, countries with strong military strength annexed countries with weak national strength. Is it just our Yan country? How can anyone say that it is impossible to use the troops of Yan and Qi to besiege two cities and intensify the attack? We must have the determination to destroy the enemy before eating again? oops! If you want to be a king, then be a king. If you don't want to be a king, you must understand your position. You cannot lose both ends and make the world laugh at you.

Extended information:

"Le Yi Lun" is in small regular script. Liang Mo originally had the inscription "Book to be paid to official slaves on the fourth day of December, Gan, the fourth year of Yonghe (348)". It is said that the original stone was buried in the Zhaoling Mausoleum with Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, or that the book "Le Yi Lun" was scattered in Princess Taiping's house when Wu Zetian was in power. It was later stolen and burned in the stove for fear of being hunted down.

Wang Xizhi said to Wang Xianzhi in "The Theory of Brushwork": "The present book "Le Yi Lun" and one chapter of "The Theory of Brushwork" are for your benefit, do not spread them outside, and keep them secret. Don't show it to your friends." He used his carefully created "Le Yi Lun" as a model and "Bi Shi Lun" as a theory to inspire Wang Xianzhi's understanding from both virtual and practical aspects and guide him to the right track of calligraphy.

From the existing manuscripts, we can also see that the strokes are flexible, horizontally and vertically, and vertically and horizontally. They are either large or small in structure, either straight or sideways, closed or closed. Shrink; distribution is more vertical than horizontal. On the whole, the charm and vitality can be seen in the silence.