微行

微行

1. (literary, of a high-ranking official, emperor, etc.) to travel incognito

   • 上微行至於柏谷，夜投亭長宿，亭長不內，乃宿於逆旅。逆旅翁謂上曰：“汝長大多力，當勤稼穡；何忽帶劍群聚，夜行動眾，此不欲爲盜則淫耳。”上默然不應，因乞漿飲，翁答曰：“吾止有溺，无漿也。” [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     上微行至于柏谷，夜投亭长宿，亭长不内，乃宿于逆旅。逆旅翁谓上曰：“汝长大多力，当勤稼穑；何忽带剑群聚，夜行动众，此不欲为盗则淫耳。”上默然不应，因乞浆饮，翁答曰：“吾止有溺，无浆也。” [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Unknown, attributed to Ban Gu, 《漢武故事》, likely written in the Han dynasty and edited in the Six dynasties.

     Shàng wēixíng zhìyú Bǎigǔ, yètóu tíngcháng sù, tíngcháng bù nà, nǎi sù yú nìlǚ. Nìlǚ wēng wèi shàng yuē: “Rǔ chángdà duō lì, dāng qín jiàsè; hé hū dài jiàn qúnjù, yèxíng dòngzhòng, cǐ bù yù wéi dào zé yín ěr.” Shàng mòrán bù yìng, yīn qǐ jiāng yǐn, wēng dá yuē: “Wú zhǐ yǒu niào, wú jiāng yě.” [Pinyin]

     The Emperor toured incognito and reached Baigu. At night, he sought lodging from the local village chief, but was refused entry. He then stayed at a roadside inn. The elderly innkeeper rebuked him: "Tall and strong are you—a man of your build should toil in the fields! Why suddenly gather companions with swords and roam the night like a mob? If you are not plotting robbery, debauchery must be your aim." After a short while of speechlessness, the Emperor requested some water to drink. "I have only urine—no water for the likes of you!" Replied the old man.

   • 先君子嘗言，鄉先輩左忠毅公視學京畿，一日風雪嚴寒，從數騎出，微行入古寺。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     先君子尝言，乡先辈左忠毅公视学京畿，一日风雪严寒，从数骑出，微行入古寺。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. early 18th century, 方苞 (“Fang Bao”),《左忠毅公逸事》(The Story of the Revered Mr. Zuo Zhongyi)

     Xiānjūnzǐ cháng yán, xiāng xiānbèi Zuǒ zhōngyì gōng shìxué jīngjī, yīrì fēngxuě yánhán, cóng shù jì chū, wēixíng rù gǔ sì. [Pinyin]

     My deceased father once said that his predecessor and townsman, Zuo Guangdou, the revered Mr. Zhongyi, used to be an education commissioner in the environs of the capital. One freezing cold windy and snowy day, Zuo went out on horseback with several of his attendants and disguised himself by wearing plain clothes, walking into an ancient temple.