中國寓言故事雙語版 第24期:曹商得車
There was a man named Cao Shang in the State of Song.
宋國有個人，名叫曹商。
Once, he was sent on a mission by the King of Song to the State of Qin.
一次，他受宋王的派遣，出使秦國。
Before departure, the King of Song bestowed upon him several horse-drawn chariots.
臨行時，宋王賜給他幾乘車馬。
Upon arriving in the State of Qin, Cao Shang won the favour of the King of Qin.
到了秦國，曹商很得秦王歡心。
Consequently, the King bestowed upon him 100 chariots.
於是秦王又賜給他百乘車馬。
Soon afterwards, Cao Shang returned to the State of Song.
不久，曹商返回宋國。
One day he met Zhuang Zi and said proudly:"In the past, I lived in poor streets and humble alleys.
一天，他見到莊子，得意洋洋地說:“過去我身居窮街陋巷。
I was very poor, and made my living by making shoes.
非常貧困，靠編鞋過日子。
I was sallow and thin.
面黃肌瘦。
This was my weak point.
這是我的短處。
Now, relying on my clever tongue, I have touched the heart of the King of Qin, who is the sovereign lord with 1,000 chariots.
現在，我憑着三寸不爛之舌，打動萬乘之主的秦王。
He bestowed upon me 100 chariots. This is my strong point."
賜給我車馬百乘，這是我的長處。”
When Zhuang Zi heard this, he gave a snort of contempt and said sarcastically:
莊子聽了，嗤之以鼻，諷刺他說:
"I heard that the King of Qin was ill.
“我聽說秦王有病。
He let the physicians treat him, and rewarded them according to their contributions:
讓醫生治病，實行論功行賞:
those who sucked pus and ate sores would get 1 horse-drawn chariot;
吸膿吃瘡的，可得車馬一乘;
those who licked the piles would get 5 chariots.
舌甜痔瘡的，可得車馬五乘。
The more filthy the illness you treat, the more chariots you would get.
治的病越骯髒，得的車馬越多。
You have probably licked his piles; otherwise, how could you acquire that many chariots?
您大概爲秦王甜過痔瘡吧，不然怎麼會得到那麼多車馬呢?
You had better go away!"
您還是給我走開吧!”
