原文 Original text
繁體 Traditional
Reader's edition
有何話說
“What Would You Say?”
國王驚道：「國師有何話說？他才來報了姓名，正欲拿送國師使用，怎奈當駕太師所奏有理，朕因看遠來之意，不滅中華善緣，方才召入驗牒，不期國師有此問。想是他冒犯尊顏，有得罪處也？」国王惊道：「国师有何话说？他才来报了姓名，正欲拿送国师使用，怎奈当驾太师所奏有理，朕因看远来之意，不灭中华善缘，方才召入验牒，不期国师有此问。想是他冒犯尊颜，有得罪处也？」
逐句解 Line by line
國王驚道：「國師有何話說？
国王惊道：「国师有何话说？
The king said in alarm, “What is it the Preceptors would say?
驚道 “to say in alarm.” 有何話說 “what is there you would tell (me)?”
他才來報了姓名，正欲拿送國師使用，怎奈當駕太師所奏有理，朕因看遠來之意，不滅中華善緣，方才召入驗牒，不期國師有此問。
他才来报了姓名，正欲拿送国师使用，怎奈当驾太师所奏有理，朕因看远来之意，不灭中华善缘，方才召入验牒，不期国师有此问。
He had only just come and given his name, and I was of a mind to have him seized and handed to you Preceptors to deal with; but as the Grand Preceptor on duty had spoken to good sense, and I, moved by the thought of one come from afar, would not sever the good bond with the Middle Flower, I had just called them in to inspect the document — I did not expect the Preceptors would have this to ask.
拿送 “to seize and hand over.” 當駕: 當 = dāng. 看遠來之意: 看 = kàn. 中華: 中 = zhōng; 不滅: 不 = bù before 4th tone. 驗牒 “to inspect the document.”
想是他冒犯尊顏，有得罪處也？」
想是他冒犯尊颜，有得罪处也？」
I suppose he has offended your august persons — is there some point on which he has done wrong?”
冒犯尊顏 “to affront the honoured countenance.” 得罪: 得 = dé, “to give offence.” 處 = chù, “a point, respect.”
總評 Commentary
The king, still half-inclined to fairness, is caught between the Grand Preceptor's counsel and the immortals' evident anger. His careful account of his own reasoning — seizure considered, then set aside for the sake of a “good bond” — shows a ruler trying to keep faith with protocol even as he braces for his clerics' displeasure. The stage is set for the Daoists to override that fairness with a bill of particulars.