The nation's key fortress is Youdu alone,
Deterring eastern tribes, controlling northern Huns.
Five armies' finest troops, three hundred thousand strong,
Victorious in every battle, capturing the Khan.
Facing Hutuo River, backed by Yishui's flow,
High mountains, fertile fields stretch a thousand miles.
In old Yan, worthy men were held in high esteem,
Gold-built terrace began with Guo Wei's acclaim.
Swiftly a king rose, secured Jihqiu's ground,
Han house again enfeoffed its princes there.
Wei and Jin declined, chaos overflowed,
Xianbei usurped, ruled over five domains.
Our Tang's Central Realm lasts ten eras more,
Military might shines for myriad rites.
Red bows, gold axes bestowed on the marshal,
Plowing the great desert, making it our land.
Late autumn, glue cracks, border grasses wither,
Training troops, hunting, thus launching the campaign.
Thousands of camps, countless ranks with banners linked,
Viewed like fire, then like lightning, swift they race.
Xiongnu flee in fear to the barren north,
Vast wilderness, ten thousand miles dust-free.
Have you not seen? Sui once ruled all under heaven,
Exhausted troops, war-weary, attacked Liaohai.
Southern wind weak, filled with sounds of death,
Drums fallen, banners broken, yellow clouds loom.
All six armies' officers and men lie dead,
War horses return to camp with empty saddles.
Time shifts, ways change, the world finds peace,
White jade rings arrive as tribute, seas turn clear.
Farmers now can rest easy on high pillows,
No need for captains to patrol and dominate.