江天一，字文石，新安人也。少孤，家贫，好读书，不事生产。尝从乡先生学，穷经究史，博览群书，尤精于《春秋》之学。性刚直，不阿权贵，常以正道自守。
康熙初年，海内多故，盗贼蜂起。新安地当要冲，屡遭劫掠。天一慨然曰：“吾乡里子弟，岂能坐视家园沦丧？”遂纠集乡勇数百人，与盗贼周旋，屡立战功。时有官府招抚，天一拒而不受，曰：“吾辈为民除害，非为官效力。”
后盗贼渐平，天一归乡，潜心学问，著述甚丰。其所作《春秋讲义》，条分缕析，义理深邃，为学者所重。又尝撰《乡贤录》，表彰先贤德行，以励后人。
乾隆年间，朝廷征召天下名士，天一亦在被举之列。使者至其家，天一避而不见，曰：“吾老矣，不堪任事。”使者再三敦请，终不得见。
天一晚年，贫病交加，然志节不改。尝语人曰：“人生在世，当以忠孝为本，以仁义为先。苟得此二者，虽死无憾。”卒年七十有五。
翻译：
Jiang Tianyi, whose courtesy name was Wenshi, was from Xin'an. He lost his father at a young age and grew up in poverty, yet he loved reading and never sought material wealth. He once studied under a local teacher, delving deeply into Confucian classics and historical texts, becoming particularly adept at the study of the "Spring and Autumn Annals." His nature was upright and unbending, refusing to flatter those in power, always adhering to moral principles.
In the early years of the Kangxi era, the country faced many upheavals with bandits rising everywhere. Xin'an, being strategically important, suffered repeated raids. Tianyi said resolutely: "How can we stand idly by while our homeland is ravaged?" Thus, he gathered hundreds of villagers to fight against the bandits, achieving numerous victories. At that time, officials attempted to recruit him but he refused, stating: "We fight for the people's safety, not to serve the authorities."
After the banditry subsided, Tianyi returned to his hometown, immersing himself in scholarship and producing many works. His "Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals" was praised for its meticulous analysis and profound insights. He also wrote "Biographies of Local Worthies," honoring the virtues of past sages to inspire future generations.
During the Qianlong period, the court called upon renowned scholars nationwide, including Tianyi. Envoys were sent to his home but he avoided them, saying: "I am old now and unfit for office." Despite repeated entreaties, they could not meet him.
In his later years, Tianyi lived in poverty and illness but maintained his integrity. He once told others: "In life, one should prioritize loyalty and filial piety as the foundation, and benevolence and righteousness as the foremost values. If these two principles are attained, death holds no fear." He passed away at the age of seventy-five.
This article presents both the original text and its translation, aiming to preserve the essence of Jiang Tianyi's story while making it accessible to modern readers.
