Translation of Han Yu's A Letter to Lu Yishan

You wrote me a letter blaming me for not driving for a sage like Xin. Naxin Lingjun, the son of the Warring States Period, wanted to make a name for himself with the wise men he acquired. Like me (unlike Xin), if there is no Confucius in the world, I should not be among the students (that is, I should be a teacher). Because you have just come from the mountains, you are as beautiful and simple as the trees in the mountains, just afraid that you have not experienced the tempering of the world. From the late Zhou Dynasty, when literature declined, a hundred schools of thought contended, each wrote his own book and claimed to be a famous writer, which disturbed the patriarchal clan system of saints. Later generations learn to spread, at sixes and sevens, unable to go deep, so I set a question to test you. If you are mature, I will treat you as a friend. If you are immature, I will teach you to get rid of mistakes, get close to the right, and discard the false and retain the true. I won't trade pottery like the son of six countries.

In today's world, if you want to be an official, you can only achieve it through the examination of Jinshi, Mingjing and the recommendation of literati. Most of these people who want to be officials are familiar with the world, good at literature, aware of changes in the situation and good at watching others wink. So such a big world is deteriorating day by day, and I'm afraid I can't stand up again. I want to recommend a person like you who doesn't care about personal interests even in the face of death to enter the court to save the world; It's not that there are no bureaucrats who can write articles, have profound knowledge and profound opinions like you in the current dynasty. Don't compare me with the new Ling Jun.

But suddenly you came to see me in rags and Ma Xie; I don't regard you as my master, but I can't say that I am not sincere to you. You walk in the world and are treated well by others. So you can blame me for my shortcomings. This sincerity is just what I need. Although your accusation is inappropriate, your refusal to flatter is obvious. I will burn incense and take a bath for you. Let me show you. Don't be impatient. Han Yu bowed.