The original text and translation of Xie Shang's biography of Jin Shu are as follows:
1. Original text
Xie Shang, courtesy name Renzu, was the son of Xie Kun, the prefect of Yuzhang. I have had a sense of filial piety since childhood. When he lost his elder brother at the age of seven, his mourning went beyond etiquette, and all his relatives were surprised. By the age of eight, he appears smart and precocious. Xie Kun once took Xie Shang to bid farewell to the guests. One of the guests said: "This boy is the beauty of the audience." Identify Yan Hui!" All the guests at the table were amazed. When he was more than ten years old, when his father died, Danyang Yinwenqiao came to the house to express his condolences, and Xie Shang howled in grief. Then he cried and told me that his behavior was unusual, which was very strange. As he grows older, he is open-minded and smart, has an unrivaled understanding of things, is careful in his actions, and does not do things that are commonplace. His fathers scolded him for his good clothes and tattoos on his hakama, so he changed himself and became famous. At the age of eight, enlightenment was imminent. ?
Kun tried to take it with him to see off guests, or said, "I'm so embarrassed to sit down here." All the guests at the table were surprised. When he was more than ten years old, his father was worried about him. Danyang Yinwenqiao mourned him, and he still howled in great sorrow. Then he cried and told me that his behavior was unusual, which was very strange. As he grows older, he is open-minded and smart, has an unrivaled understanding of things, is careful in his actions, and does not do things that are commonplace. His fathers scolded him for his good clothes and tattoos on his hakama, so he changed himself and became famous. Good at music and versatile in various arts. King Situ was a master of deep weapons, and compared with Wang Rong, he often called him "Xiao'an Feng" and established him as a 掾. ?
He succeeded his father as the Marquis of Xianting. When he first came to the mansion to pay a visit, he led him to a successful meeting and said: "I heard that you can do the owl dance. I sat down and thought about it. Wouldn't it be better to do this?" Shang said: "Excellent." If it is not what you want, it will only open the door to stealing and lead to evil.
2. Translation
Xie Shang, courtesy name Renzu, was the son of Xie Kun, the prefect of Yuzhang. He has had the good character of being filial to his parents and respecting his elder brothers since he was a child. When he was seven years old, his brother died. Relatives were astonished by his display of grief, which went beyond what was customary. By the time he was eight, he displayed precocious intelligence. Xie Kun once took Xie Shang with him to see off guests. One guest said: "This child is Yan Hui in the table."
Xie Shang immediately replied: "There is no Zhongni in the table, how can we identify Yan Hui!" All the guests present were impressed. Amazed by his intelligence. When he was in his teens, his father died. Danyang Yin Wenqiao came to express his condolences. Xie Shang cried loudly and was very sad. Afterwards, he wiped away his tears and recounted what happened. His actions and words were very different from ordinary children. Wen Qiao valued him very much.
When he grows up, he will be smart and frank, with superior intelligence, unparalleled ability to discern and understand, behave freely and informally, and will not do anything vulgar. He liked to wear embroidered clothes and pants, and his uncles blamed him, so he gave up this hobby. He gained a good reputation in society and inherited his father's title of Marquis of Xianting.
As soon as Xie Shang arrived at Situ Mansion to announce his name, Director Wang said, "I heard that you can dance "Owl Dance". All the guests are eager to have a look. I wonder if you can satisfy everyone's wishes?" Xie Shang replied: "Okay. Director Wang asked the guests to clap their hands and Xie Shang shook his head in front of everyone as if there was no one around. Xie Shang was so forthright and willful.
Xie Shang
Xie Shang was a famous scholar and general during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He was born in Yangxia, Chen County (now Taikang County, Henan Province). He was the son of Xie Kun, the governor of Yuzhang. , the elder brother of Taifu Xie An. He showed extraordinary talents when he was young. He was proficient in music, dance, calligraphy, and good at conversation.
Xie Shang enjoyed a reputation in his early years and served successively as Wangyou of Kuaiji, Minister of Huangmen, Prime Minister of Jiangxia, Governor of Jiangzhou, and Shangshu Pushe. Later, he was promoted to the title of General Zhenxi, and was in charge of the military affairs of Henan, Hebei, You, and four states. Xie Shang served as the governor of Yuzhou for twelve years, which enabled the Xie family in Chen County to be listed as a Fangzhen. During the Northern Expedition, he obtained the jade seal passed down to the country, and quarried the stone in Niuzhu to make a stone chime, which was the beginning of Jiang watch clocks.
However, in the first year of Shengping (357), Xie Shang died at the age of fifty. The imperial court posthumously awarded him the titles of Sanqi Changshi, Guards General, and Kaifu Yitong, with the posthumous title "Jian". Although he passed away, his talent and grace have always been praised by people.
In addition, Xie Shang has high attainments in music.
He is good at playing the pipa, and has composed music such as "The Concubine's Pity" and "The Song of Thieves", and is known as "the best in the ZTE". It is said that when he played the pipa in Niuzhu Mountain, he could hear the music hundreds of miles away, which shows his high musical talent.
In general, Xie Shang is a talented and knowledgeable celebrity and general. He has high attainments in music, literature, calligraphy, etc., and is especially good at conversation. His passing made people feel sorry for him, but his talent and grace will always be engraved in the long river of history.