Wang Wei Collection with Annotations (Complete 4 Volumes)

Author: Wang Wei
Publisher:
Publishing Time: Not Available
Features: Wang Wei (701–761), Tang Dynasty poet and painter. Known by the courtesy name Mojie. Born in Qi (present-day Qixian, Shanxi), his father moved the family to Puzhou (present-day Yongji, Shanxi), making him a native of Pu. He served as the Right Vice Minister of State and was widely known as "Wang Youcheng." Wang Wei demonstrated literary talent from a young age. In 721 (the ninth year of the Kaiyuan era), he passed the imperial examination and became the Assistant Minister of the Great Music Bureau. Due to certain circumstances, he was demoted to the post of Assistant Cangjun of Jizhou. Later, he returned to Chang'an. In 736 (the twenty-second year of the Kaiyuan era), Zhang Jiuling became the Chief Minister of the Secretariat. Wang Wei was promoted to the position of Right Supplementary. At that time, he composed the poem "Ode to the Chief Minister of Shixing," praising Zhang Jiuling's political stance against factionalism and excessive bestowing of titles, reflecting his desire to make a mark. In 736 (the twenty-fourth year of the Kaiyuan era), Zhang Jiuling was dismissed as Chief Minister. The following year, he was demoted to the post of Chief History of Jingzhou. Li Linfu became the Chief Minister of the Secretariat, marking the turning point from relatively clear governance to increasing darkness in Emperor Xuanzong's reign. Wang Wei was deeply disappointed by Zhang Jiuling's demotion and expressed his longing for seclusion in the poem "To the Chief Minister of Jingzhou," saying, "I shall join the farmers and gardeners, tending to the fields in old gardens." However, he did not leave the officialdom entirely. In 741 (the twenty-fifth year of the Kaiyuan era), he was sent as an envoy to the military camp of Cui Xiyi, the deputy military governor of Hexi, and later served as the Director of the Southern Selection as a Court Attendant. During the Tianbao era, Wang Wei's official position gradually rose. Before the An Lushan Rebellion, he reached the rank of Shisijun. He once said, "With few desires, I find joy in nature, but I fear attracting the burdens of the times" (from "To My Younger Brother, Shikugun Yuanwai"). On one hand, he grew weary and anxious about the court, but on the other, he clung to his position, unable to leave decisively. Thus, he drifted with the times, living a semi-official, semi-recluse life for a long time. Originally a follower of Buddhism, his belief deepened as his thoughts grew more pessimistic. In his youth, he lived in the mountains, and after middle age, he briefly settled in Zhongnanshan. Later, he acquired the Blue River Villa in Wangchuan from Song Zhiwen and spent his time there with his friend Pei Di, composing poems together in leisure. In 756 (the fifteenth year of the Tianbao era), the An Lushan rebels captured Chang'an, and Emperor Xuanzong fled to Sichuan. Wang Wei was captured by the rebels. He took medicine to feign illness but was still sent to Luoyang and given a false position. After the two capitals were recovered, those who had held positions under the rebels were tried and punished according to their ranks. Wang Wei was spared severe punishment because his poem "On the Clear Pool" expressing his loyalty to the Tang court was praised by Emperor Shizu, and his brother Wang Jin, who held a high-ranking position, pleaded to have his official post reduced to atone for Wang Wei's sake. Thus, he was merely demoted to the position of Chief of the Heir Appointer and later restored to his former rank, eventually becoming the Right Vice Minister of State.