Word Forest View

Author: Zhang Yi, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Zhang Xiaoxiang (Four Poems)
Zhang Xiaoxiang (1132—1169), styled An'guo, known as the Resident of Yuhu, was from Liyang Wujiang (now Heshan County, Anhui). He passed the imperial examination in the 24th year of the Shaoxing era (1154) and submitted a memorial demanding the exonerating of Yue Fei, which incurred the enmity of Qin Hui. After entering the civil service, he was constantly excluded by the peace faction for opposing peace talks and supporting Zhang Jun's northern expedition. Following the defeat at Fuli, he was dismissed from office. He authored works such as "The Collected Works of the Resident of Yuhu." Zhang Xiaoxiang was a renowned writer in the early Southern Song Dynasty who contributed to the transformation of lyric poetry. When inspired, he wrote with passionate and heroic fervor, his style even more powerful than that of Jia Xuan. His "Songs of Yuhu" contains over 220 lyrics.
Six States of Song (Replying to Pang Youfu)
The Long River Gorges are in sight, mountains and passes lie flat and desolate. Dust of war dims the air, frost winds bite fiercely. The quiet sounds of the frontier. In deep thought, he ponders past events—perhaps fate, not human strength. The waters of Zhu and Si, once places of learning, are now tainted with the stench of invaders. Across the river, the nomadic tribes live in tents, herds graze under the setting sun, and fortifications stretch endlessly. The chiefs hunt at night, their torches light the entire river, while bugle calls and drums echo in sorrow, stirring the heart. He thinks of the arrows at his belt, the swords in his scabbard, now covered in dust, what have they accomplished! Time slips away, his heart remains strong, yet years draw to a close. The capital seems distant. The dance of shields and drums once symbolized peace, but now they are silent. Envoys rushed about, driven by duty. They heard that the elders in the Central Plains still long for the southern court, their banners fluttering in the wind. When travelers reach this place, their loyalty and indignation fill their chests, tears flow like rain.
[Annotations]
Long River: Refers to the Huai River. Desolate: Dense with vegetation. Absorbed in thought: Deeply contemplative. Zhu and Si: The waters of Zhu and Si, flowing through Qufu, Shandong, where Confucius taught his disciples. Stench: The smell of livestock, referring to the devastation by the Jin invaders. tents: Refers to the dwellings of ethnic minorities. Fortifications: Military watchtowers. Chiefs: Commanders of the Jin army. Torches: Firelights held by cavalry. Dust-covered: Weapons covered in dust and corroded by insects. End: Finish, conclude. Capital: The former capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, Bianjing. Shields: Dance props held by performers. Beacon fires: Ancient warning signals built on high ground. Envoys: Messengers sent for peace talks with the Jin. Banners: Decorative carriages. [Commentary]
To return is impossible, long songs replace tears. This lyric expresses the grief and indignation of gazing at the lost northern lands. The rhythm is urgent, the emotions passionate and sorrowful, without a trace of frivolity—truly "vigorous and spirited, infused with the poetic spirit." It creates a vast and profound realm of sorrow and indignation.
Six States of Song (Replying to Pang Youfu)
The dust of invaders is washed away by snow, the wind holds back the clouds of Chu. Who will write of sorrow and heroism? Trumpets sound from the ancient city walls. Throughout his life, he carried the spirit of grandeur, now the frontier scenes are desolate. He cuts candles to admire the sword. Where the is lit, waves rise with the sky.
Recalling the past, Zhou and Xie were in their prime. Xiaoqiao was newly wed, her hairpins unfastened, their achievements leisurely. At the Red Cliff, the setting sun falls, at the Feishui Bridge, withered grasses stir sorrow. He longs to ride the wind, strike oars in the middle of the river.
[Annotations]
J: Refers to a sword.: Burning horn. According to the Book of Jin, Wen Jiao burned a horn to reveal water spirits. Rich in years: Youthful. Red Cliff: Located northwest of Huanggang County, Hubei, named for the reddish cliffs. Striking oars in the middle of the river: A from the Book of Jin, where Zu Ting vowed to reclaim the Central Plains, saying, "If I fail to clear the Central Plains and return across the river, may I be like the Yangtze!" [Commentary]
Through the sorrow of bugle calls and the heroism of sword-gazing, he reflects the spirit of a heroic figure. He is inspired by historical glory and dreams, determined to complete the great task of restoring the Central Plains. His style blends that of Su Shi and Jia Xuan, supported by a sense of righteous integrity.
Qitian Yue (Yellow Bell Palace)
Yellow Bell Palace, also known as Zheng Palace, with Feng Shenju ascending the Yulu Tomb. Three thousand years of history lie beyond the scattered crows, his voice weary as he leans on autumn trees. Rivers flow, mountains change, who remembers the great Yu then?
Mysterious clouds and rain, the green lotus drenches the beams, flying away at night. Wild geese rise from the blue sky, their call like old letters hidden in the clouds. Solitary, he sits by the western window for a long time, friends rarely meet, they trim candles and talk. Moss-covered steles, scattered jade fragments, dusted with the world's grime.
The frost-red dance ends, the mountain is green, misty morning and evening. The shore locks spring boats, colorful banners and festive drums.
[Annotations]
Ascending the Yulu Tomb with Feng Shenju: Feng Qifan, styled Kexian, known as Shenju, was from Nanкан. He passed the imperial examination in the first year of the Chunyou era (1241) and served as a transport official in Huai East before becoming a tutor at the imperial academy. Yulu Tomb: Located beside the Yushan Temple in Shaoxing, Zhejiang. Great Yu: The legendary hero who tamed the floods. "Mysterious clouds and rain" three lines: Describe the magic of the Yulu Tomb. The Four Minh Mountains Atlas says: "On the top of Mount Daméi, there was a tree cut for the Yulu Tomb. Zhang Sengyao painted dragons on it, which flew into a quiet lake at night to fight with water dragons. Later, people noticed water dripping from the beams and were amazed, locking them with iron chains." "Wild geese rise from the blue sky" two lines: The wild geese in the sky resemble the books stored by Yu. The Shaoxing Prefecture Gazetteer says: "Shiqi Mountain, fifteen li southeast of the prefecture city, resembles a storage chest. Legend has it that Yu stored books here after taming the floods." "Solitary, he sits by the western window" three lines: Describe the reunion with Feng Shenju, talking by candlelight. "Rarely meet" (): Lacking, short of. "Moss-covered steles" two lines: The steles refer to the burial stones of the Yulu Tomb. The Shaoxing Prefecture Gazetteer says: "Burial stones, at the Yulu Tomb. An old text says: Yu was buried at Yushan, taking these stones for burial, with ancient ligatures unreadable now, now covered by a pavilion." Scattered jade fragments and broken walls refer to the ancient jade and jade tablets stored in the Yulu Tomb. The Shaoxing Prefecture Gazetteer says: "During the Shaoxing era, a night suddenly glowed with light, and digging there revealed ancient jade tablets and rings, which were stored in the tomb." "The frost-red dance ends" three lines: Describe the scenery of the Yulu Tomb from autumn to spring. "The shore locks spring boats" two lines: Describe the lively scene of sacrificial ceremonies at the Yulu Tomb during spring festivals. Sacrificial drums, used in ceremonies to appease spirits. Bai Juyi's poem "Spring Festival" says: "At dusk, the path below the forest, drums and pipes return from the sacrificial festival." [Commentary]
This lyric is a lament for the past and sorrow for the present. "Three thousand years" is distant history, while "scattered crows" is the present scene. This interweaving of time and space blends the real and imagined, merging the marvels of Yu with contemporary reflections. The scene shifts frequently with emotions, filled with mystery and strangeness, yet also passion. The author skillfully uses metaphors and hints, combined with omitted subjects, overlapping images of reality and psychology, creating vivid local scenes within a misty overall atmosphere. The imagination is rich, the associations unique, yet the realm is elusive, hard to trace. Due to insufficient transitions and excessive allusions, some parts are obscure. Wang Guowei in Words on Human Life says: "Of Meng Chu's lyrics, I would take one phrase to describe them: 'Shadows of dreams, chaos of green.'"
Eighth Sound of Ganzhou (Accompanied by Yu's Staff)
Vast smoke fills the distance, when did a long star fall from the blue sky? It transformed into green cliffs and clouds, the golden houses of famous beauties, the ruins of a once-great city. The arrow path carries bitter wind, the water of the palace is stained with floral scent. The sound of sandals on the corridor, the autumn leaves rustle.
The King of Wu, drunk on wine and beauty, left the weary traveler of the Five Lakes to fish alone,. He asks the sky in vain, his white hair cannot resist the green mountains. The water mirrors the sky, high above the balustrades, sending wild geese flying as the sun sets over the fishing islet. He calls for wine, ascends the qin platform, where autumn meets the clouds.
[Annotations]
Accompanied by Yu's Staff on Ling Rock: Wu Wenying once served as a clerk in the Cangtai office. Yu's staff, a respectful term for office clerks. Ling Rock: A mountain in the northwest of Mudu Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu. "Vast smoke fills the distance" three lines: Under the boundless sky, how did a fallen star become the great Ling Rock? Long star: A comet. "It transformed into green cliffs and clouds" three lines: It transformed into green cliffs and clouds. Famous beauties: Refers to Xi Shi. Golden houses: The pavilion of the King of Wu for Xi Shi, on Ling Rock. Once-great city: Refers to the King of Wu. Arrow path: The fragrant path where the King of Wu had women collect flowers. Bitter wind: Li He's "Song of the Golden Bronze Immortal Leaving the Han Palace": "The east gate's bitter wind shoots the pupils." Floral scent: Flowers are also scented with the palace's fatty water. Fatty water: From Du Mu's "Elegy on the Abandoned Palace": "The Wei River's fatty water rises, abandoned palace's grease." Sandals: Slippers. Double mandarin ducks: Women's shoes. "The King of Wu, drunk on wine and beauty" three lines: Drunk, in wine and beauty. The weary traveler of the Five Lakes: Fan Li, a minister of Yue, said after helping Goujian defeat Wu, he "rode a flat boat out of the Threes and into the Five Lakes, no one knowing where he went." The Five Lakes: Xuhu, Lihu, Taohu, Louhu, and Taihu, here referring to the Taihu Lake facing Ling Rock.: Clear-headed. Qu Yuan's "Fisherman": "The world is muddy, I alone am clear; all are drunk, I alone am awake." White hair cannot resist the green mountains: Life is fleeting, the mountains remain. Water mirrors the sky: Distant water merges with the sky. Fishing islet: A place by the water for fishing. [Commentary]
With a cold hue, it depicts a fantastical and desolate scene. Through the lament of the King of Wu's downfall due to wine and beauty, it expresses sorrow for the nation's current state. Frustration and sorrow stir imagination, the lyric is filled with magical and splendid images. Yet, this beauty is tinged with sadness, creating a cold and eerie artistic world, carrying the meaning of critiquing the present through the past. As a scholar from the Jianghu world, Wu Wenying's early lyrics imitated those of "Huajian" and Liu Yong. Later, as the world deepened, witnessing the nation's precarious survival, he lived a life of disappointment and hardship, filled with spiritual sorrow and resentment, thus composing such lyrics of lament for the times.
Zhang Yan (1248—c. 1323), styled Shuxia, known as Yutian, also as Lexiao Weng, whose ancestors were from Western Qin (now Fengxiang, Shaanxi). Since his sixth-generation ancestor Zhang Jun moved to Lin'an (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang), they became Hangzhou natives. Born into a family of officials, he learned poetry from his father and later mastered musical theory from Yang Zan. He was a lyric poet with Zhou Mi, Wang Yishun. Before the fall of the Song, he lived as a noble, but after entering the Yuan, he went to Dadu and stayed there for eleven years in Yan and Jiyin before returning in disappointment. In his later years, he wandered in Zhedong and Suzhou, ultimately settling in, leaving the world in poverty and hardship. He authored works such as "The Collected Lyrics of Yutian" and "The Theory of Lyric Poetry." Zhang Yan marked the end of Song lyric poetry, as the era of new sanqu was emerging. Based on his creative practice, he summarized the experience of Song, especially the Southern Song's elegant school, in theory, proposing the concepts of "clear and empty" and "poetic elegance" in The Theory of Lyric Poetry. He praised Jiang Kui's style of "wild clouds flying alone, leaving no trace of their departure." "Clear and empty" refers to lofty interests and broad horizons, with meaning and novelty, reflected in lyric techniques as flexible use of connecting words, alternating dense and sparse phrasing, and a balance of skill and simplicity, making the lyrics flow gracefully. This is also evident in his "Collected Lyrics of Yutian."