The Equal To Heaven · 跟天庭平等 · Havoc in Heaven · Traditional Mandarin · HSK 3

孫悟空的山上，有一面很大的旗子。風吹著這面旗子。上面寫著他跟天庭平等。玉皇大帝看到這面旗子。他非常生氣。他要李靖去抓孫悟空。

李靖帶了一支很大的軍隊。他們準備攻擊孫悟空。雖然這支軍隊很大，但是孫悟空一點都不害怕。孫悟空拿出金箍棒。他變出很多隻小猴子。他們很快就打敗了李靖。李靖覺得很害怕。他只好把軍隊帶回天庭。雖然李靖很生氣，但是他沒有別的辦法。

玉皇大帝問大家該怎麼辦。太白金星有一個聰明的辦法。太白金星說：「除了給他一個新名字以外，我們都沒有別的辦法。」太白金星準備去見孫悟空。他說要讓孫悟空保護仙桃的果園。「除了這個辦法以外，我們不能打敗他。」玉皇大帝同意了。

太白金星來到地上。他告訴孫悟空這個消息。孫悟空覺得自己很聰明。他很高興跟天庭平等。所以他同意回天庭。

孫悟空來到仙桃的果園。他以為他要保護這裡。他走進了這個安靜的地方。他不知道神仙們在騙他。

語法 · Grammar

Concessive Conjunction 雖然...但是...

雖然 + [Clause 1]，但是 + [Clause 2]

This structure is used to link two clauses where the second clause expresses a contrast or unexpected outcome to the first. While in English we simply say 'although', Chinese typically pairs 雖然 (although) with 但是 (but) to connect the ideas.

雖然這支軍隊很大，但是孫悟空一點都不害怕。Although this army was very large, Sun Wukong was not afraid at all.

雖然李靖很生氣，但是他沒有別的辦法。Although Li Jing was very angry, he had no other alternative.

Expressing Exception with 除了...以外

除了 + [Exception] + 以外，+ [Subject] + 都/也...

This structure indicates an exception. When followed by negative words and adverbs like 都 (all) or 也 (also) in the second clause, it usually means 'except for [X], there are no others' or 'apart from [X], all others [Y]'.

除了給他一個新名字以外，我們都沒有別的辦法。Except for giving him a new name, none of us have any other way.

除了這個辦法以外，我們不能打敗他。Apart from this method, we cannot defeat him.

練習二 · Matching

Match each word to its meaning.

1.平等

2.辦法

3.消息

4.同意

5.安靜

a.to agree

b.equal

c.quiet

d.method / way

e.news / information

1-b · 2-d · 3-e · 4-a · 5-c

譯文 · Translation

On Sun Wukong's mountain, there was a very large flag. The wind was blowing this flag. Written on it was that he was equal to the Heavenly Court. The Jade Emperor saw this flag. He was very angry. He wanted Li Jing to go and catch Sun Wukong.

Li Jing brought a very large army. They prepared to attack Sun Wukong. Although this army was very large, Sun Wukong was not afraid at all. Sun Wukong took out his golden cudgel. He magically produced many little monkeys. They very quickly defeated Li Jing. Li Jing felt very afraid. He had no choice but to take the army back to the Heavenly Court. Although Li Jing was very angry, he had no other alternative.

The Jade Emperor asked everyone what they should do. Taibai Jinxing had a clever idea. Taibai Jinxing said, "Except for giving him a new name, none of us have any other way." Taibai Jinxing prepared to go see Sun Wukong. He said he would let Sun Wukong protect the immortal peach orchard. "Except for this method, we cannot defeat him." The Jade Emperor agreed.

Taibai Jinxing came down to earth. He told Sun Wukong this news. Sun Wukong felt he was very smart. He was very happy to be equal with the Heavenly Court. So he agreed to return to the Heavenly Court.

Sun Wukong came to the immortal peach orchard. He thought he was going to protect this place. He walked into this quiet place. He did not know that the gods were deceiving him.