Travelogue Essays of China: Henan Volume

Author: / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-08-01
Features: Preface to Chen Jingshou by Song·Ouyang Xiu
Ouyang Xiu wrote: "The Yi River originates from Luhun County, flows south of Luoyang, crosses over Yi Mountain, and merges with the Yellow River to the east. The two mountains on the east and west sides embrace the Yi River, facing the city gates of Luoyang to the north, directly at the Double Gate. When Emperor Yang of Sui first built palaces in Luoyang, he climbed Mount Nanman and looked south, saying, 'Isn’t this the Dragon Gate!' Thus, the world calls it the 'Dragon Gate,' but it is not the one mentioned in the 'Yu Gong' of the Book of Documents where the Yellow River is guided from Jishi and called the Dragon Gate. However, the mountain here is broken, with towering cliffs opening like a gap, as if naturally fractured or artificially carved. During the time of Yu the Great in governing the nine provinces, he cleared mountains and cut through forests, traveling across the world. Any river breaking through the mountains was all carved by Yu—was it only the Dragon Gate? However, the Yi River flows clear and shallow, with water splashing and murmuring among the rocks. Steering a boat along the waves can be a leisurely float; fishing for yellowtail and digging for soft-shell turtles can provide fine dining. The foothills of the two mountains are submerged in water, without dangerous cliffs or treacherous terrain, allowing for high views. From the long summer, it is only eighteen miles away, allowing for a morning excursion and evening return. Thus, those who visit the Dragon Gate can enjoy the pleasures of nature without physical strain, and even frequent visits do not grow tiresome. However, Luoyang is the Western Capital, and those who come here are mostly high-ranking officials and respected dignitaries, so they cannot casually visit. If one were to go to the Dragon Gate, they would be blocked by soldiers leading horses, riders, and clerks from the office, shouting and singing along the way, with attendants flanking them. Before even completing the climb, their enthusiasm would already fade. Thus, they lack the pleasure of drifting in the rapids of the Yi River, moving freely with fish and birds. Yet, such enjoyment is suitable only for those of low status and leisure. I, as the Assistant Censor of the Western Capital, Yang Zicong as the Registrar of Henan Prefecture, Zhang Yingzhi as the County Magistrate of Henan, and the scholar Chen Jingshou, who came here to study, are all of low status and leisure. Therefore, we agreed to stay overnight at the Western Peak of the Dragon Gate, Xianghua Temple, and stroll among the pines under the moonlight, climbing to the upper pavilion of Puti Peak, returning to the temple when the path ended. The next day, we climbed to the Stone Pavilion on Xiangshan, listened to the rapids of the Eight Sections, and in the evening, took a boat along the Yi River, leisurely drifting down the foothills, composing poems and drinking, returning only as night fell. Three days later, Chen Jingshou told me he was heading west to Chang’an. I was delighted to have met him and enjoyed his company, but he left suddenly. Therefore, I wrote down our journey as a farewell gift.
Extracted from Complete Works of Ouyang Xiu
[Translation] The Yi River originates from Luhun County, flows south of Luoyang, crosses over Yi Mountain, and merges with the Yellow River to the east. The two mountains on the east and west sides embrace the Yi River, facing the city gates of Luoyang to the north, directly at the Double Gate. When Emperor Yang of Sui first built palaces in Luoyang, he climbed Mount Nanman and looked south, saying, "Isn’t this the Dragon Gate!" Thus, the world calls it the 'Dragon Gate,' but it is not the one mentioned in the Yu Gong of the Book of Documents where the Yellow River is guided from Jishi and called the Dragon Gate. However, the mountain here is broken, with towering cliffs opening like a gap, as if naturally fractured or artificially carved. During the time of Yu the Great in governing the nine provinces, he cleared mountains and cut through forests, traveling across the world. Any river breaking through the mountains was all carved by Yu—was it only the Dragon Gate? However, the Yi River flows clear and shallow, with water splashing and murmuring among the rocks. Steering a boat along the waves can be a leisurely float; fishing for yellowtail and digging for soft-shell turtles can provide fine dining. The foothills of the two mountains are submerged in water, without dangerous cliffs or treacherous terrain, allowing for high views. From the long summer, it is only eighteen miles away, allowing for a morning excursion and evening return. Thus, those who visit the Dragon Gate can enjoy the pleasures of nature without physical strain, and even frequent visits do not grow tiresome. However, Luoyang is the Western Capital, and those who come here are mostly high-ranking officials and respected dignitaries, so they cannot casually visit. If one were to go to the Dragon Gate, they would be blocked by soldiers leading horses, riders, and clerks from the office, shouting and singing along the way, with attendants flanking them. Before even completing the climb, their enthusiasm would already fade. Thus, they lack the pleasure of drifting in the rapids of the Yi River, moving freely with fish and birds. Yet, such enjoyment is suitable only for those of low status and leisure. I, as the Assistant Censor of the Western Capital, Yang Zicong as the Registrar of Henan Prefecture, Zhang Yingzhi as the County Magistrate of Henan, and the scholar Chen Jingshou, who came here to study, are all of low status and leisure. Therefore, we agreed to stay overnight at the Western Peak of the Dragon Gate, Xianghua Temple, and stroll among the pines under the moonlight, climbing to the upper pavilion of Puti Peak, returning to the temple when the path ended. The next day, we climbed to the Stone Pavilion on Xiangshan, listened to the rapids of the Eight Sections, and in the evening, took a boat along the Yi River, leisurely drifting down the foothills, composing poems and drinking, returning only as night fell. Three days later, Chen Jingshou told me he was heading west to Chang’an. I was delighted to have met him and enjoyed his company, but he left suddenly. Therefore, I wrote down our journey as a farewell gift.
[Notes]
① This is a farewell piece written by the author at the age of 26 when he was sent to Luoyang as the Assistant Censor of the Western Capital.
② Yi out of Luhun: Yi refers to the Yi River; Luhun refers to an old county name, its ruins located in northern Song County, Henan Province, the source of the Yi River.
③ Guo Nan: Nan refers to the south of the capital, meaning Luoyang.
④ Double Gate: Gate refers to ancient structures often built in front of palaces and temples. Typically, two high platforms are built on either side, with pavilions on top, called gates. They also refer to the capital. Here, it refers to the Double Gate of Yi, also called the Dragon Gate because the two mountains face each other like a gate.
⑤ Yu Gong: A chapter of the Book of Documents, an important ancient Chinese geographical text. Yu Gong states: "The Yellow River is guided from Jishi to the Dragon Gate." This Dragon Gate refers to the Yumen in northwest Hetao County, Shanxi Province, and northeast Hancheng County, Shaanxi Province. Jishi refers to a mountain in southeastern Qinghai, where the Yellow River winds around its southeastern side.
⑥ Jiè gao: Jiè means to pierce. Zhuangzi states: "In winter, pierce the soft-shell turtle in the river."
⑦ Ouyang Xiu as the Assistant Censor, Yang Zicong as the Registrar of Henan Prefecture, Zhang Yingzhi as the County Magistrate of Henan, and the scholar Chen Jingshou: At that time, Ouyang Xiu served as the Assistant Censor of the Western Capital, Yang Zicong as the Registrar of Henan Prefecture, Zhang Yingzhi as the County Magistrate of Henan, and Chen Jingshou came here to study.
⑧ Xiangshan Stone Pavilion: A scenic spot in Luoyang, Henan, built by the great Tang poet Bai Juyi. New Book of Tang·Biography: "Built a stone pavilion on Xiangshan, dug the Eight Sections."
⑨ Yiyou: Also known as Yiyou, meaning leisurely and at ease.
Recorded from Outer Collection of the Scholar
[Translation] Among the nine provinces of the world, each has famous mountains as guardians, and Luoyang is at the center of them. It was the capital of the Zhou Dynasty and also the capital of the Han Dynasty. Since ancient times, it has often been the center of the empire, ruling over the four directions with the grandeur of a king. Its mountains and rivers are majestic and magnificent, inspiring admiration from all nations. To the south and east of the city, there are mountains such as Que, Sai’an, Huangyuan, and Gushi, all connected to Songshan, winding and turning for over a hundred miles. From the city center, looking up, the mountains stretch endlessly, some visible, some hidden, but only Songshan stands out, its towering peaks and scenery rising above the others, unconcealed. Its name is recorded in the rituals, and it is one of the four great mountains, where the emperor offers sacrifices during inspections, holding a very high status, so its grandeur is natural. Among the buildings in the city that can be seen from a distance, the most prominent is the Inspection Office in northern Luoyang. The Inspection Commissioner, Lord Lidan of the Inner Chamber, upon taking office, chose the southwest corner of the office to expand it and built a pavilion there, opening its north and south sides to overlook the scenery. From the pavilion, one can see the mountains connected together, peaks rising, grottoes deep, one after another, low ones clinging to high ones, high ones rubbing against each other, some standing abruptly, some stopping gently, coming towards you, some turning away. The cliffs and ravines are steep and strange, as if running, crouching, fighting, or leaning. The thirty-six peaks of Songshan mentioned in legends can all be counted from the pavilion. Therefore, based on the lush and clustered appearance of the mountains in front of the pavilion, it was named "Cao Cui." When the pavilion was completed, Lord Li and his guests climbed up for a celebration with wine and food. Isn’t this what the ancients called "gaining clarity from height and distant views"? Later, he wanted to record the month of its completion, so he asked me to write it and carve it into the stone.
Extracted from Outer Collection of the Scholar