It's amazing that someone would ask such a deep question about Chinese historical literature. If you're not familiar with the story of Jing Ke's attempt to assassinate King of Qin, I highly recommend that you learn about it before reading this text. Jing Ke's attempt to assassinate King of Qin was a significant event in Chinese history, well-known to everyone. It not only affected the political landscape of the late Warring States period but also became a timeless theme in literary and artistic works. Jing Ke's image, blending chivalry, tragedy, and courage, has become a typical representative of the "righteous warrior" in Chinese culture. Here's a related explanation: https://www.warhistoryonline.com/ancient-histor...
1. Jing Ke's Life Among the Commoners (From Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian)
This first passage, taken from Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian, specifically the chapter on Assassin's Biography, offers a glimpse into Jing Ke's life before his fateful mission.
Original Text: 荊軻既至燕，愛燕之狗屠及善擊筑者高漸離。荊軻嗜酒，日與 狗屠及高漸離飲於燕市，酒酣以往，高漸離擊筑，荊軻和而歌於 市中，相樂也，已而相泣，旁若無人者。荊軻雖游於酒人乎，然 其為人沈深好書;其所游諸侯，盡與其賢豪長者相結。其之燕， 燕之處士田光先生亦善待之，知其非庸人也。
Translation: After arriving in Yan, Jing Ke befriended a dog butcher and a skilled zither player named Gao Jianli. Jing Ke loved to drink, and he would often drink with the butcher and Gao Jianli in the Yan market. When they were drunk, Gao Jianli would play the zither, and Jing Ke would sing along, both enjoying themselves. Afterwards, they would cry together, oblivious to the world around them. Although Jing Ke mingled with the drunkards, he was actually a deep and reserved man who loved books. He had befriended many wise and noble figures among the princes he visited. When he arrived in Yan, the recluse scholar Tian Guang treated him kindly, recognizing his exceptional qualities.
Explanation: This passage reveals Jing Ke's multifaceted personality. His friendship with the lowly dog butcher and Gao Jianli, and his unrestrained singing and crying in the marketplace, demonstrate his unpretentious and bold nature. However, the text also emphasizes that he was no ordinary man. His love of books and ability to cultivate relationships with noble figures suggest a man of depth and ambition, someone capable of both boisterous camaraderie and deep thought.
2. The Farewell at the Yi River (From Liu Xiang's Strategies of the Warring States)
The second passage, from Liu Xiang's Strategies of the Warring States, depicts the poignant farewell scene at the Yi River before Jing Ke's departure for Qin.
Original Text: 太子及賓客知其事者，皆白衣冠以送之。至易水之上，既祖， 取道，高漸離擊筑，荊軻和而歌，為變徵之聲，士皆垂淚涕泣。 又前而為歌曰:“風蕭蕭兮易水寒，壯士一去兮不復還!”復為 羽聲忼慨，士皆瞋目，髮盡上指冠。於是荊軻就車而去，終已不 顧。
Translation: The prince and his guests who knew about this mission all wore white clothes and hats to bid farewell to Jing Ke. When they reached the Yi River, after performing the ritual of offering sacrifices to the road spirits, they were about to set off. Gao Jianli played the zither, and Jing Ke sang along, producing a mournful sound that caused the guests to weep. Then, he stepped forward and sang, "The wind whispers, the Yi River is cold; a valiant warrior departs, never to return." He then sang with a powerful and resolute tone, causing all the guests to stare wide-eyed with their hair standing on end. Jing Ke then boarded his carriage and left without looking back.
Explanation: The "Farewell at the Yi River" is one of the most tragic and memorable scenes in the story. Liu Xiang's concise language paints a powerful picture of both impending doom and heroic resolve.
The white garments worn by Prince Dan and his guests, traditionally associated with mourning, foreshadow the perilous nature of Jing Ke's mission. The bleak environment of the Yi River, coupled with the mournful music of Gao Jianli's zither, emphasizes the solemnity of the occasion.
Jing Ke's famous song, "The wind whispers, the Yi River is cold; a valiant warrior departs, never to return," encapsulates his courage and patriotism. His final departure, without looking back, exemplifies his unwavering commitment to his mission. In contrast, the reactions of Prince Dan and his guests, filled with grief and fear, highlight the tragic weight of the moment.
Conclusion
These two passages reveal different aspects of Jing Ke's personality and the significance of his actions. He is presented as a complex individual, capable of both deep friendship and unwavering loyalty, a man who understood the weight of his mission and embraced his fate with courage. The story of Jing Ke's assassination attempt continues to resonate with readers due to its themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the enduring struggle between individuals and powerful forces.
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