近被御筆帖 After received the imperial edict

【About the author】

李綱，北宋末、南宋初抗金名臣。字伯紀，福建邵武人，民族英雄。靖康元年（1126）金兵侵汴京時，任京城四壁守禦使，團結軍民，擊退金兵。但不久即被投降派所排斥。多次上疏，陳抗金大計，均未被採納。後抑鬱而死。宋代著名愛國民族英雄。

Inside Story

The letter was about Li Kang’s feeling as he received the imperial edict. Li Kang forwarded an analysis of pros and cons on border guarding to the emperor; he gave suggestions on how to deal with the invasion of foreign tribes. Li Kang was glad to receive the imperial edict, yet he was a little bit sad, for he had gone through lots of danger for the past 10 years, not till now his loyalty was finally recognized by his country. In the end of the letter Li Kang mentioned that his health condition was getting worse and he was almost no longer able to serve his country, but under such circumstance he had more free time to do some gardening and lived a relaxing life.