English Original
During the Western Jin Dynasty, two young men named Zu Ti and Liu Kun served as chief clerks in Luoyang. Both were chivalrous, optimistic individuals of high ideals. They were not only skilled writers but also practiced martial arts diligently, aspiring to serve their country meritoriously.
Although the Jin Dynasty nominally controlled the Central Plains, it was internally weak and threatened by foreign invasions. Zu Ti and Liu Kun often discussed the state of the nation late into the night, their conversations filled with passion.
One night, after such a discussion, Liu Kun fell asleep. Zu Ti, too excited to sleep, heard a rooster crowing in the wasteland. He jumped up, woke Liu Kun, and said, "Listen! The rooster's crow is so inspiring. Let's get up and practice on the slope." From that day on, they practiced swordplay vigorously every morning at the first crow of the rooster.
Deeply moved by Zu Ti's patriotic zeal, Liu Kun was determined to devote himself to his homeland. In a letter to his family, he wrote: "At this time of dire peril for our country, I am resolved to dedicate myself to its service. I often fear lagging behind Zu Ti in serving the nation, and indeed, I am behind him..."
The phrase "sleeping with my head pillowed on a spear, waiting for the day to break" vividly captured Liu Kun's resolve to serve his country and fight the enemy at any moment. Later, this set phrase came to mean maintaining sharp vigilance and being ready to fight at all times.
中文翻译
西晋时期，有两位名叫祖逖和刘琨的年轻人在洛阳担任主簿。他们性格开朗，仗义豪侠，胸怀大志。两人不仅文章写得好，还勤练武艺，强身健体，立志要为国建功立业。
当时，晋朝表面上统治着中原地区，实则内部虚弱，外患不断。祖逖和刘琨常常深夜谈论国事，每次谈起都慷慨激昂。
一天深夜长谈后，刘琨不知不觉睡着了，祖逖却因兴奋难以入眠。荒原上传来雄鸡的啼叫声，祖逖一跃而起，踢醒刘琨说：“听！这鸡鸣多么振奋人心。快起来，我们到坡上练剑去！”从此，他们每天清晨听到第一声鸡叫，就来到荒原精神抖擞地练习剑术。
刘琨被祖逖的爱国热情深深感染，决心献身报国。他在给家人的信中写道：“在国家危难之际，我决心以身许国。我常担心自己报效国家会落在祖逖后面，事实上，我也确实落后于他……”
“枕戈待旦”这个成语，形象地表达了刘琨随时准备杀敌报国的决心。后来，这个成语用来形容时刻保持警惕，准备随时投入战斗。