Li Si's "Kuaiji Stone Carvings"
Qin Shihuang traveled in October of the thirty-seventh year (210 BC), accompanied by his left prime minister Li Si and his youngest son Hu Hai. He went south to Yunmeng (today's Hubei Province), went down the river, climbed Mount Kuaiji, worshiped Dayu Temple, and looked at the South China Sea. . Li Si was ordered to write an article praising the virtues of Qin, offending the six countries, clarifying laws and regulations, and correcting customs. He personally wrote in small seal script, carved stones and erected stele. On his way back, this "Eternal Emperor" died of illness in Sand Dunes (today's northwest of Guangzong, Hebei). This article is an inscription in terms of style, with four characters per sentence and three sentences per rhyme. Solemn and concise, it is a representative work of inscription style.
Interpretation: The emperor Xiu Lie is peaceful in the world, and his virtues and benefits are long-lasting. In the thirty-seventh year, I personally patrolled the world and looked into the distance. Then he went to Kuaiji to announce the customs of the province and Zhai Village in Qianshou. The ministers recited their merits and deeds, and pursued the wise path. When Qin Sheng came to the country, he began to determine the names of punishments, which showed the old rules. At the beginning, the law was established, and the duties were reviewed to establish permanence. The six kings were especially powerful, greedy, ruthless and fierce, leading the people to strengthen themselves. He acts violently and recklessly, and is arrogant despite his strength. The yin communicates with the messengers, and the things are coordinated and the actions are made in a new way. There are deceptions inside, and external invasions on the border, causing disaster. The righteousness and power will be punished, the violent rebellion will be extinguished, and the rebels will be destroyed. Holy virtue is vast and dense, and it is boundless in the world. The emperor is in harmony with the universe, and listens to everything. He knows everything from far to near. Manage things, test facts, and record their names. The noble and the humble are both connected, good and bad are not revealed before the public, and there are hidden secrets in the extravagance. Decorating the province to declare righteousness, marrying with a son is twice as unchaste as death. Separate the inside and outside, prohibit adultery, and make men and women sincere. The husband is a slave, and he is not guilty of murder. The man is loyal to Cheng. The wife ran away from marriage, and the son lost his mother, so he became incorruptible. The great governance of the customs of zhuozu, the world inherited the trend, and Meng was menopausal. Everyone obeys the rules, is harmonious and diligent, and everyone obeys the orders. The head of Guizhou is repairing the palace, people are enjoying themselves, and peace is guaranteed. Later, he respected the Dharma, always governed without limit, and never tipped his boat. I would like to engrave this stone as a tribute to my sincerity.
