Selected Lyrics of Xin Qiji

Author: Zhu Deci
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-12-01
Features: A review of Xin Qiji's life can be divided into four periods:
1. Youth Period, ending at the age of 23 before crossing the southern border, which is the 32nd year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty (1162). This was the most spirited period of his life. According to Xin Qiji's later self-description, his grandfather Xin Zan served in the Jin Dynasty but "was not in line with his aspirations." He often took his children "to climb high and overlook the landscape, pointing out mountains and rivers, thinking of seizing an opportunity to rise and relieve the grievances of his sovereign and father." As a result, Jiaxuan was ordered to "follow the tax officials twice to Yan Mountain to observe the situation" [1] in the hope of serving his country. In the 31st year of Shaoxing (1161), the Jin ruler Wanyan Liang launched a large-scale southern invasion. Jiaxuan gathered 2,000 people, raised an anti-Jin flag. Soon after, he led his troops to join Geng Jing's uprising army, becoming the chief secretary, and strongly persuaded Geng Jing to submit to the Southern Song's control to achieve great success. The following year, he submitted a memorial to cross the southern border, only to find that Zhang An'guo killed Geng and surrendered to the Jin. On his way back north, he learned of this news and immediately led over 50 riders in a surprise attack on the Jin camp, capturing the rebel general and presenting him to the emperor. For this, "his heroic voice and magnificent spirit inspired the timid, and the sage emperor sighed three times upon seeing him."
2. Young and Middle Age Period, from the age of 23 to 42, which is from the 32nd year of Shaoxing to the 8th year of Chunxi in the Xiaozong reign (1162–1181), was the period of Xin Qiji's official career. During this period, Xin Qiji was full of ambition and lofty aspirations. The "Longxing Peace Agreement" having lasted long, he successively submitted a series of memorials such as "Ten Arguments on Beauty and Cabbage" and "Nine Discussions," analyzing the situation and advocating for national recovery strategies. Unfortunately, in the years when "discussing war made people fearful," his opinions were not adopted by the ruling authorities.
3. Middle and Late Age Period, from the age of 43 to 63, which is from the 9th year of Chunxi to the 2nd year of Jiatai in the Ningzong reign (1182–1202). During this period, except for a brief term in Fujian from the age of 53 to 55, he was twice impeached and spent 18 years in his home in Jiangxi, which was the forced seclusion period of Jiaxuan's life.
4. Late Age Period, from the age of 64 to his death at 68, which is from the 3rd year of Jiatai to the 3rd year of Kaixi (1203–1207), starting from commanding the eastern part of Zhejiang to serving as the prefect of Zhenjiang, and finally retiring to Lianshan, dying with his aspirations unfulfilled, a total of four years.