Stone Forest Nightingale Chirp

Author: Ye Mengde
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1997-12-01
Features: In the fifth year of the Xuanhe era, I had chosen a secluded villa in the Shilin Valley of Bianshan, gradually distancing myself from the city and no longer engaging in worldly affairs. Friends and relatives often visited and socialized with me. Under the rugged cliffs, there was no one to share joy with, and our conversations often revolved around historical anecdotes and old tales, or the noble words and virtuous deeds of ancient and modern figures, which had been passed down by the elders and renowned figures since my youth, as well as the experiences I had encountered in the central government. Even the words of farmers and elderly villagers, along with witty and humorous remarks, sometimes brought us into laughter. With nothing to do in the secluded valley, I occasionally came across writing materials and jotted them down. In the second year of the Jianyan era, I returned to Ruyun to escape the chaos. After the devastation of war, wells and paths were abandoned, and the guests of the past had mostly perished, leaving only half remaining. I too had grown old. Having endured further hardships, my will and intentions had faded, and the sights and sounds I had once seen and heard were gradually forgotten. Therefore, I compiled them into ten volumes and named them "Shilin Yanyu." The words were originally in no particular order, and I did not rearrange them. Confucius once discussed Yu Zhong and Yi, saying, "Those who live in seclusion speak freely." He also discussed Gongming about Gong Shuwen, saying, "The Master speaks only when the time is right, and people do not tire of his words." The Master replied, "That is so." Whether to speak or not to speak, how dare I comment on it? However, if one speaks without originally intending to, then even though I may have spoken, it can be considered that I had never intended to speak in the first place. On the 15th day of the eighth month, written by the Shilin Mountain Hermit.