High Shi Collection. Cen Shen Collection -- Basic Collection of Chinese Family Books

Author: (Tang) Gao Shiqi, (Tang) Cen Shen, Ruan Tangming, Li Xin (Commentary and Interpretation)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Gao Shiqi and Cen Shen are outstanding representatives of the frontier poems of the High Tang Dynasty. The creation of frontier poems expanded the broad perspective of poetry, particularly reflecting the spirit of resilience and optimism in the long-term battle at the frontier. Some of Gao Shiqi and Cen Shen's frontier poems express the heroic passion for safeguarding the state, while others celebrate the bravery of frontier soldiers. Many of their works also vividly depict the unique landscapes and local customs of the frontier. In terms of reflecting the hardships of the people, Gao Shiqi stands out among the High Tang poets. He wrote with great empathy about the suffering of frontier soldiers and expressed their longing for home. Cen Shen excels in landscape poetry, embedding his heroic ambitions in vivid imagery. His imagination is extraordinary, and his emotions are rich, advancing the development of frontier poems.
Cen Shen (c. 715–770) was a Tang Dynasty poet. Originally from Nanyang (now part of Henan), he later moved to Jiangling (now part of Hubei). He came from a scholarly family. In his early years, he was poor and studied extensively in classics and history. At the age of 20, he went to Chang'an to seek official position but failed. He wandered between the capital and the regions of Luoyang and the Hebei area. In the third year of Tianbao (744), he passed the imperial examination. In the eighth and thirteenth years of Tianbao, he served in frontier posts twice. After returning to the court, he held positions such as Right Supplement and Court Attendant. During the Dali period, he became the prefect of Jiazhou, hence known as Cen Jiazhou. Later, he was dismissed from office and died in Chengdu as a traveling scholar.
In his early years, Cen Shen's poetry focused on landscapes, reflections, and gift poems. His landscape poems had a clear, elegant, and refined style, resembling He Xun. However, his language was extraordinary, his style was (tense and sharp), and his imagery was novel. His poems also expressed deep frustrations over his lack of success and his poverty. Examples include "Reflections on Encounters," "The Precious Bird," "Autumn Mountain Walk," and "Returning to Kuancheng from Daliang." Six years of frontier life further broadened Cen Shen's poetic horizons, enhancing his unique and imaginative style. His poems took on a majestic and romantic tone, celebrating the bravery and achievements of the Tang army while subtly revealing the cruelty and tragedy of war. Descriptions of exotic landscapes like volcanic clouds, snow on the Tianshan Mountains, the steamy heat of the Hot Sea, the extreme cold of the Gobi Desert, howling winds carrying stones, and sand swirling into the sky were all woven into his verses. Representative works include "Song of White Snow," "Marching Along the River," and "Song of Luntai."
Additionally, he wrote about frontier customs, the friendly coexistence of different ethnic groups, the longing for home among soldiers, and the disparities of joy and sorrow. These greatly expanded the themes and artistic boundaries of frontier poetry. In his later years, Cen Shen's poetry reflected on the times and the chaos, gradually becoming more subdued. After entering Sichuan, his landscape poems gained a sense of grandeur, but his thoughts of seclusion also developed in his works.