Biography of Li Yu

Author: Tian Jujian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: The words are soul-stirring, and the person is soul-stirring. The carved railings and jade steps should still be there, but only the red faces have changed. A Biography of Li Yu Revised Edition, The flowers of the forest have withered, spring red too swiftly. Too sadly the morning rain comes, and too sadly the evening wind. The blush of the cheek, lingering to charm, when will it return again? Naturally, life is long and sorrowful, like water that flows ever east. "The words in The Flower Pavilion are like ancient jade, precious but not practical. The Song Dynasty words are practical but less precious. Li the Postmaster combines both beauty, and is even more full of misty and dreamlike charm." —Nalan Xingde, Miscellaneous Notes from the Green Water Pavilion "Wen Feiqing's words are elegant in form; Wei Duanyi's words are elegant in spirit; Li Chonghao's words are elegant in soul." —Wang Guowei, Words of the World "The tear spring washing the face is in vain for talent born, meeting again in the next life is a pity. Awaken Wen and Wei to see the realm, and let the wind and flowers wave their hands as the great river comes." —Xia Chengtao, Qu Ruan's Poetic Notes on Words "A river of spring water flows eastward, a great talent sits at the top. The fall of the Postmaster is no misfortune at the end, two masterpieces alone last for a thousand years." —Qi Gong, Qi Gong's Collected Works · Poems and Lyrics Volume
Li Yu, originally named Congjia, was the sixth son of Li Jing. He ascended the throne in 961, without a reign name. When Li Yu took the throne, Southern Tang had already become a vassal state of Song. He faced the pressure of the Song Dynasty, submitting passively in hopes of temporary peace. In 975, the Song army entered Jinling, captured the Postmaster, and Southern Tang was destroyed. Emperor Taizu of Song enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Defying Orders. In 978, Li the Postmaster was poisoned to death at the age of 42.
Li Yu was a foolish ruler in politics but a talented poet and writer in literature. His main achievements were in poetry and lyrics. His early works primarily reflected court life, such as Longing, Rice-Washing Sand, and others. After his capture, he made great breakthroughs, with representative works like Beauty of the Yue, Breaking Formation, and Rushing Tide. This book is well-founded in fact, with sources for its words, and employs literary techniques, alternating between narration and commentary, vivid and lively. It is both a biography and a reliable historical account, reading it is like tasting tea, gradually entering a delightful realm.