To General Wang, I, Zhao Tie, a commoner of Luancheng, take the liberty of writing to you, for I have one hum…
To General Wang,
I, Zhao Tie, a commoner of Luancheng, take the liberty of writing to you, for I have one humble request.
My son Buyi is twelve this year. Since childhood, he has admired the General's bearing. He often carves wooden swords and drills in the courtyard from morning till night, saying, "I will follow the General's example and bring peace to the realm." For several birthdays now, his dearest wish has been to see the General with his own eyes.
A child with such high aspirations fills me with both joy and shame. I rejoice in his spirit, yet am ashamed of my own poor circumstances, for I cannot help him travel far. Now that his birthday draws near, there is little I can do for him. And so I dare to beg the General to come to Luancheng and grant him this one wish.