中國寓言故事雙語版 第32期:脣亡齒寒
Between the States of Jin and Guo was the State of Yu.
晉國和擄國的中間，隔着一個虞國。
Once, the State of Jin intended to invade the State of Guo and had to seek for permission to go by way of the State of Yu.
有一次，晉國要去進攻擄國，得向虞國借路。
The King of Jin was worried that the State of Yu would refuse to consent.
國王擔心虞國不答應。
Xun Xi, a high official of the State of Jin, offered his scheme to the King.
晉國的大臣荀息向國王獻計。
He said:"If you offer that piece of round jade and that fine steed as gifts to the King of Yu to ask his permission, he is sure to give his consent."
說:“如果您把那塊璧玉和那匹良馬送給虞工，向他借路，那麼他一定會答應的。”
The King of Jin said: "The round jade from Chuiji is an heirloom from my ancestors.
晉王說:“垂棘的璧玉是我祖先的傳家寶。
The fine steed from Qudi is a great favorite of mine.
屈地的良馬是我最喜歡的駿馬。
If the King of Yu accepted our gifts, yet would not give us permission, what shall we do then?"
如果虞王接受了我們的禮物，卻又不肯借路，那怎麼辦呢?”
Xun Xi replied: "That is not likely.
荀息回答說:“不會。
If the King of Yu does not consent to give us permission, he certainly dares not accept our gifts.
如果虞王不答應借路，必然不敢接受我們的禮物;
If he accepts our gifts and gives us permission, that will be like moving the round jade from the storehouse inside to the storehouse outside, and the fine horse from the stable inside to the stable outside. Why should you worry?"
如果他接受了禮物，把路借給我們，就好像將璧玉從裏邊的倉庫放到外邊的倉庫，把良馬從裏邊的馬廄拴到外邊的馬廄裏一樣，您何必擔心呢!”
Sure enough, the King of Yu, coveting the round jade and the fine horse, was ready to give permission.
虞王果然貪圖璧玉良馬，想答應借路。
At this moment, his high official Gong Ziqi quickly stepped forward to dissuade him, saying:
這時候，他的大臣宮子奇急忙上前勸阻，說:
"You shouldn't give your consent! The State of Guo is our neighbour.
“不能答應!被國是我們的鄰邦。
Its relation with us is just like that of the lips with the teeth.
跟我們的關係，就像嘴脣和牙齒一樣。
If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.
脣亡齒寒。
If we give permission to let the State of Jin invade the State of Guo, then when the latter is subjugated, will our state still be safe?
如果借路給晉國去進攻擄國，擄國被滅亡了，我們虞國還會安全嗎?
That absolutely won't do!"
萬萬不能答應!”
The King of Yu did not listen to Gong Ziqi's advice and consented to the request of the State of Jin.
虞王沒有聽宮子奇的話，還是答應了晉國的要求。
Soon, Xun Xi led his forces and conquered the State of Guo.
不久，荀息帶領兵馬，滅了擄國。
Three years later, the State of Jin conquered the State of Yu, too.
三年後，晉國又滅了虞國。
Carrying the round jade and leading the fme horse, Xun Xi returned in triumph and gave them back to the King of Jin.
荀息捧着璧玉，牽着駿馬，凱旋而歸，把這兩件國寶奉還給了晉王。
Immensely pleased, the King of Jin smiled and said:"The round jade remains the same; only the fine steed has aged a bit."
晉王得意地笑着說: “璧玉依舊，只是駿馬老了點兒!”
