Preface to Ma Sheng (Song Lian) in Dongyang

I was fond of learning when I was young. The family was poor and could not write a book to read.

I loved reading when I was a child. My family is poor and I have no way to buy books to read.

Every time I borrow it from a library, I write it down by hand and count the days to return it.

I often borrow books from people who collect them, and copy them by myself, counting the days to return them on time. It is very cold in winter, and the inkstone is very hard.

The weather is very cold in winter, and the ice formed by the inkstone (the ink in it) is very hard.

The fingers cannot be flexed or stretched, and they cannot be relaxed.

My fingers were too cold to bend or stretch, nor could I relax.

After recording, I went to see him off, not daring to exceed the appointment.

After copying, I ran to deliver the book, not daring to exceed the agreed deadline.

So many people take a break from reading, and I have to read all the books. Therefore, people mostly lend me books, so I can read a wide range of books.

With the crown, I admire the way of the sages.

When I reach adulthood, I envy the principles taught by saints and sages even more.

I am also worried about not having a master's degree, celebrities and travel,

I am also worried about not having knowledgeable teachers and famous people to associate with me.

He traveled hundreds of miles away and followed the ancestors from his hometown to hold scriptures and ask questions.

I once traveled hundreds of miles away and consulted local moral and knowledgeable people with scriptures.

The first Dade Long Wangzun, whose disciples filled his room, did not even lose his words.

The senior was highly respected, and his room was crowded with students and apprentices, without ever softening his words or expression. Yu Li waited on his left and right, asking questions and asking questions, leaning over to ask questions;

I stood on his left and right waiting on him, raising questions and exploring principles, bending over and listening with my ears. Or when I encounter his scolding, my expression becomes more respectful and my etiquette becomes more thoughtful.

Sometimes when I encounter his scolding, (my) expression becomes more respectful and my etiquette becomes more thoughtful.

Don't dare to say a word in reply; when he is pleased, he will ask again.

Don’t dare to say a word to reply; wait until he is happy, then ask for advice.

So although I am stupid, I have learned something.

So although I am stupid, I finally gained some knowledge.

When Yu Zhi followed his teacher, he carried his bag and dragged his clothes while walking in the deep mountains and huge valleys.

When I was studying as a teacher, I (often) walked in the deep mountains and valleys carrying a bookcase and dragging my shoes. In the harsh winter, the wind is strong, the snow is several feet deep, and the skin of the feet is chapped without even realizing it.

In the severe winter, the wind is biting, the snow is several feet deep, and the skin on the feet is frozen and cracked.

When I arrived at the guesthouse, my four limbs were so stiff that I couldn't move. The nun was holding a cup of soup and fermented water, and covered her with a quilt.

When I arrived at the guest house, my limbs were so stiff that I couldn't move, but the waiter came to warm me up. Soak in water and cover with a quilt.

It will become harmonious over time.

It took a long time to warm up.

Living in the opposite direction, the owner eats again and again every day, and does not enjoy the taste of fresh fat.

When you stay in a hotel, the host takes care of two meals a day, so you don’t have the opportunity to enjoy fresh and delicious food. When staying in a hotel, the host takes care of two meals a day, so you don’t get to enjoy fresh, rich and delicious food.

All the students in the same room were embroidered with silk and wore hats decorated with red tassels.

The people in the same room were all dressed in beautiful clothes and hats decorated with red tassels and gems.