【夜读河北】雄州古易水 此处别荆轲
Jing Ke’s story in Xiongxian
雄州古易水 此处别荆轲
With a history of thousands of years and profound cultural background, Xiongxian is one of the 15 ancient towns in Baoding City. According to the
historical records, Jing Ke once passed the Yishui River in Xiongxian, and went to the State of Qin in an attempt to assassinate the emperor of Qin.
雄县是一个千年古县，是保定市确定的十五个千年古县城之一，有着悠久的人文历史和深厚的文化内涵。据史料考证，荆轲刺秦王易水送别就从雄县经过。
At that time, Yishui River was the boundary river between State of Yan and State of Zhao. Crown Prince Dan of Yan once was held hostage by the State of Qin, so he harbored great resentment against the emperor of Qin. After coming back to his own country, Dan appointed Jing Ke as the assassina to kill the emperor of Qin.
易水为燕、赵分界线。当年燕太子丹曾在秦国做过人质，十分怨恨秦王嬴政，归国之后，急欲报仇，特派荆轲出使秦国，刺杀秦王。
Prince Dan and other guests wore white clothing and white hats at the Yishui River to send the assassin off. There Jing Ke reportedly sang a song:
"the wind blows, the river freezes. The hero fords, never to return!"
燕太子丹率人送荆轲至易水，拜祭路神，弃舟上岸登车。上车前荆轲唱歌作别，歌曰：风萧萧兮易水寒，壮士一去兮不复还。
People began to weep when they heard Jing Ke’s words. Then Jing Ke went to the State of Qin. But in the end, Jing Ke failed. In the 20th year of the establishment of the State of Qin, the general of Qin army called was sent against the Yan state at Yishui River, and the State of Yan lost the battle.
众人听后皆怒发冲冠，掩面而泣。荆轲歌毕登车而去，至秦刺杀未成。秦二十年，秦大将王翦从中山（今定州）与燕大战于易水河，燕国大败。
Although Jing Ke failed to assassinate the emperor of Qin, but due to his courage, braveness, loyalty and integrity, his story touches later generations, so Yishui River has become one of the 8 scenic spots in Xiongxian.
荆轲虽未成功，但舍生取义，杀身成仁的英雄气概却气贯长虹，感动后世，千古留名，此地遂成古雄州八景之一。
更多英文夜读
本期朗读者
Juan E.Robles
来自美国新墨西哥州拉斯克鲁塞斯
现任河北科技大学外语教师
Today’s Reader
Juan E.Robles
Las Cruces,New mexico,USA
An English Teacher from Hebei University of Science and Technology
《夜读河北（英文版）》由河北广播电视台综合广播与河北省委外宣局联合推出