Textbook reform drama about pleading guilty

To plead guilty with thorns on one's back is an idiom, carrying a stick of thorns on one's back, to express admission of guilt and to plead guilty to the person concerned. It describes taking the initiative to admit one's mistakes and apologize to others, and to severely punish oneself. The story of bearing a thorn to plead guilty comes from "Historical Records: Biography of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru", which tells the story of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru in the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period. The story is also called the Harmony of Generals and Prime Ministers.

Original text

Original picture

Lin Xiangru is the Shangqing, and he is above Lianpo. Quite displeased and wanted to humiliate him. Xiangru avoids seeing him. The speaker said: "The reason Qin did not dare to send troops to Zhao was because he was afraid of us. If we are fighting for selfish reasons, how can we secure the country?" After hearing this, he went to Xiangrumen to apologize. He was killed by his friend who cut his neck to death.

Translation

Lin Xiangru has already served as Shangqing, and his position is above Lianpo. Lian Po was unhappy and wanted to insult Lin Xiangru. After Lin Xiangru found out, he often avoided meeting Lian Po. Lin Xiangru said to others: "The reason why the King of Qin did not dare to send troops to attack Zhao was because he was afraid of us. If we fight for personal reasons, how can we defend the country?" Lian Po heard about this, and came to Lin Xiangru with his upper body naked and carrying a thorn stick on his back. Please apologize in front of the door. The two eventually became lifelong friends.