有客語省兵,兵省非所先。
方今將不擇,獨以兵乘邊。
前攻已破散,後距方完堅。
以眾亢彼寡,雖危猶幸全。
將既非其才,議又不得專。
兵少敗孰繼,胡來飲秦川。
萬一雖不爾,省兵當何緣。
驕惰習已久,去歸豈能田。
不田亦不桑,衣食猶兵然。
省兵豈無時,施置有後前。
王功所由起,古有七月篇。
百官勤儉慈,勞者已息肩。
遊民慕草野,歲熟不在天。
擇將付以職,省兵果有年。
有客語省兵,兵省非所先。
方今將不擇,獨以兵乘邊。
前攻已破散,後距方完堅。
以眾亢彼寡,雖危猶幸全。
將既非其才,議又不得專。
兵少敗孰繼,胡來飲秦川。
萬一雖不爾,省兵當何緣。
驕惰習已久,去歸豈能田。
不田亦不桑,衣食猶兵然。
省兵豈無時,施置有後前。
王功所由起,古有七月篇。
百官勤儉慈,勞者已息肩。
遊民慕草野,歲熟不在天。
擇將付以職,省兵果有年。
有客人談論裁減軍隊,
但裁軍並非當前首要之事。
如今將領的選拔並不審慎,
只是單純派兵戍守邊疆。
前方的進攻已經潰散,
後方的防禦卻還堅固完整。
以人多對抗人少,
雖然危險,或許還能僥倖保全。
將領既然沒有相應的才能,
朝廷決議又不能專斷執行。
兵少戰敗,誰能接續支援?
胡人一來,便將直入秦川飲水。
即使萬一沒有發生這種情況,
裁減軍隊又該以什麼為由呢?
驕縱怠惰的習氣已積久成疾,
遣散回鄉,他們怎能耕種田地?
不耕田也不採桑養蠶,
衣食來源依然像當兵時一樣(依賴國家)。
裁軍並非沒有合適的時機,
但實施安排要有先後次序。
君王功業的興起有其根源,
古時就有《七月》那樣的詩篇(教導農事)。
百官勤勉、節儉、仁愛,
勞苦的人民才能得以休養生息。
流民嚮往迴歸田野,
豐年收成不靠上天賜予。
選拔將領並賦予其職責,
裁減軍隊才能真正在將來見效。
A guest speaks of trimming the troops,
But troop-trimming is not the foremost affair.
Nowadays generals are not chosen with care,
Only troops are massed to guard the frontier.
The vanguard assaults have been shattered and dispersed,
The rear guard still stands firm and rehearsed.
With many against their few, we might hold the line,
Though in peril, we still hope to survive and shine.
Generals lack the talent they ought to possess,
Councils cannot decide with full finesse.
If troops are few and defeat should come to pass,
Who will reinforce? The Hu will drink from Qin's grass.
Even if such a disaster does not occur,
On what grounds should we the troops now deter?
Pride and sloth have long been the common practice,
Dismissed, could they return to till the soil with practice?
They neither farm nor tend the mulberry tree,
Food and clothing still depend on military fee.
Trimming troops is not without its proper season,
Arrangements must be made with due reason.
The king's achievements have their origin,
As in ancient times, the "July" chapter has been.
All officials diligent, thrifty, and kind,
The toilers have already laid down their load to find.
The wandering folk yearn for the rustic plain,
A year's good harvest does not depend on heaven's reign.
Choose generals and entrust them with their duty,
Then trimming troops will indeed bear fruit in time of beauty.
對省兵議題的深度認知,關乎國家戰略安全週期。
借客人之口討論精簡兵役,表達對國防政策的審慎思考。
本詩為五言古詩,押平聲韻。
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