。。。
And he said to them; 〃After my death you must diligently attend to your womanly labors。 You can make silken shoes for sale; and so earn your own living。〃
He also bade them go on living in the Bronze Bird Pavilion and celebrate a daily sacrifice for him; with music by the singing women; and presentation of the eatables laid before his tablet。
Next he manded that seventy…two sites for a tomb should be selected near Jiangwu; that no one should know his actual burying place; lest his remains should be dug up。
And when these final orders had been given; he sighed a few times; shed some tears; and died。 He was sixty…six; and passed away in the first month of the twenty…fifth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity Era (AD 220)。*
A certain poet posed 〃A Song of Yejun〃 expressing sympathy for Cao Cao; which is given here:
I stood in Yejun and saw the River Zhang
Go gliding by。 I thought no mon human
Ever rose from such a place。 Or he was great
In war; a poet; or an artist skilled。
Perchance a model minister; or son;
Or famous for fraternal duty shown。
The thoughts of heroes are not ours to judge;
Nor are their actions for our eyes to see。
A man may stand the first in merit; then
His crimes may brand him chief of criminals。
And so his reputation's fair and foul;
His literary gifts may bear the mark
Of genius; he may be a ruler born;
But this is certain: He will stand above
His fellows; herding not with mon people。
Takes he the field; then is he bold in fight;
Would he a mansion build; a palace springs。
In all things great; his genius masters him。
And such was Cao Cao。 He could never be
Obedient; he a rebel was; fo