This is an excerpt from the historical fiction novel “The Chronicles of Jing and Chu's Struggle for Supremacy” by 黄易 (huáng yì).
Set during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history, this historical fiction novel focuses on the rivalry and battles between the states of 荆 (jīng) and 楚 (chǔ). The story features martial arts, political intrigue, and rich historical details, depicting the struggles and ambitions of the main character 郤桓度 (xì huán dù) and others in their quest for power.
The author, Huang Yi, blends historical facts with imaginative storytelling, offering a compelling and immersive experience that showcases his expertise in integrating traditional Chinese culture with engaging narratives.
《郤桓度躲在粮仓里》
这篇文字来自《荆楚争雄记》,作者是‘黄易’ 第四十九至五十页
这一天迅速过去,刚入黑的十分,郤桓度正在思索剑术上的招式时,忽有感应,睁目从杂物的缝隙往外望,粮仓的一扇窗户无声无息地敞了开来。
微弱的光线从敞开的窗户透入,跟着一个手长的男子身形灵活地掠了进来,顺手把窗门紧闭,粮仓内又回复一片漆黑。
郤桓度目力虽佳,可是在这完全与外面光纤隔绝密封的仓库内,他的夜眼也是英雄无用武之地。
“咿呀”一声,把郤桓度吓了一跳,仓门给推开了一线,投入微弱的光芒。
这粮仓是从外关闭的,此人必是从外面先解了门锁才能从内把门推开。这人不知用了什么手法,在推开门时,完全没有弄出声音,致使他全无所觉,这闯入者实处于人莫测高深的印象。
郤桓度心下飞快盘算,这男子行动间声息全无,如果不是亲眼目睹他的存在,真令人难以相信,好像他只是一具没有实体的幻象。
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Story breakdown by paragraph with vocabulary and audio
粮仓 = grain storehouse
荆楚 = two Chinese historical states
争雄 = struggle for supremacy
记 = chronicles, record
迅速 = quickly
十分 = 程度;degree
思索 = 思考;to contemplate
剑术 = 剑法;swordsmanship
招式 = styles, moves, techniques
忽有 = 突然间有了;suddenly, all of the sudden
感应 = 感觉;a sense, feeling
睁目 = 开眼睛;to open one’s eyes
杂物 = stuff, random things
缝隙 = a small gap
往外望 = 往外看;to look outside
一扇 = (measure word for doors and windows)
无声无息 (成语)= quietly, silently;without words
敞开 = 打开;to open up
Let’s take a closer look.
The English translation shows the characters followed by English, arranged by meaning.
这一天 (the day) 过去 (passed) 迅速 (quickly), 刚 (just as) 入 黑的十分 (it became dark) 时 (when)。郤桓度 (Xi Huan Du) 正在思索 (was pondering) 剑术上的招式 (the moves of swordsmanship) 时 (when), 忽有 (he suddenly) 感应 (had a feeling), 睁目往外望 (and peered out) 从缝隙 (through the small gap) 杂物的 (of the clutter). 粮仓的一扇窗户 (one of the storage doors) 无声无息地 (silently) 敞了开来 (opened up).
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微弱 = faint, weak
光线 = ray of light
透入 = to penetrate
身形灵活 = physical agility
掠 = to brush past, graze
顺手 = 顺便用手;to use one’s hand
回复 = 回到;to return to
目力 = 视觉;eyesight
虽佳 = 虽然好;though good
隔绝 = 隔开来;separated, removed from
密封 = to seal off
夜眼 = 夜间视力;night vision
无用武之地 = to be (in a place where one is) unable to use one’s skills
故事 = story
从外关闭的 = closed from the outside
必是 = 物必得是;must
解锁 = 把锁解开;to unlock the lock
手法 = 方法;method
弄出 = 引起;to make, create
致使他完全无所觉 = 使他完全没有意识到;to cause one to be completely unaware of something
闯入者 = intruder
实处 = 真是的地方;actual place
处于 = to be in (a place or position of)
莫测 = 无法测量;no way to measure
高深 = mystery [“高深莫测” (成语)= a profound mystery, unfathomable, enigmatic]
Let’s take a closer look.
The English translation shows the characters followed by English, arranged by meaning.
这粮仓 (this grain storehouse) 是从外关闭的 (is one that closes from the outside)。此人 (this person) 必是 (must have) 先解了门锁 (first opened the lock) 从外面 (from the outside) 才能 (and only then could) 把门推开 (push the door open) 从内 (from inside)。 不知 (He didn’t know) 什么手法 (what method) 这人用了 (this person used)。在推开门时 (When the door was opened), 完全没有弄出 (it made absolutely no) 声音 (sound),致使他全无所觉 (causing him to be completely unaware)。 这闯入者 (This intruder’s) 实处 (actual location) 处于 (was of) 人莫测 (an unfathomable) 印象 (sense ) 高深的 (of mystery)。
盘算 = to figure
行动 = 动作;actions, movement
声息全无 = 完全无声音;
亲眼目睹 = 亲自眼看;to see with one’s own eyes
实体 = physical body
幻想 = 幻觉;illusion
Character Radical:
门 = This is the “door” radical, 门字旁 (rén zì páng). 门 (mén) means “door.” The “door” radical is common in characters related to doors, gates, or openings. Consider:
问 (wèn) - “to ask, inquire”
闻 (wén) - “to hear, news”
间 (jiān) - “a room, space”
Examples from the reading:
窗门 (chuāng mén) - Window and door
仓门 (cāng mén) - Warehouse door
Character Etymology Notes:
The character 门 is the simplified form of the traditional character 門. It is a pictographic radical that resembles a door with swinging parts.
Yin-yang Character Groups:
光暗 (guāng àn) = light-dark; brightness and darkness.
开关 (kāi guān) = open-close; opening and closing, electrical switch.
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