Autumn Water Night Reading

Author: Wang Jiaju
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-05-01
Features: From "Autumn Water," I also thought of Zhuangzi. His "Autumn Water" writes: "Autumn water comes in season, all rivers pour into the Yellow River. The vast flow makes it impossible to distinguish oxen and horses between the banks and cliffs. Then the River God rejoices greatly, thinking that all the beauty of the world is within him." At this scene, it is indeed something not often seen in daily life, and the River God naturally rejoices immensely. But when he reaches the Northern Sea, "looking east, he cannot see the end of the water," a vast expanse of water, and he can't help but lament, "I will always be laughed at by the wise." In fact, reading is the same. It seems that after reading a little, one becomes complacent. But who knows that being "unable to distinguish oxen and horses" vaguely is a state of being, and the boundless sea of books, "unable to see the end of the water," is yet another state. At least one knows that books are endless to read and knowledge is also boundless.
At this point, it could have ended, but I suddenly remembered an incident recorded in Zhang Duanyi's "Valuable Ears Collection," which says that Emperor Zhenzong Zhao Heng hosted a banquet for his close ministers. During the banquet, they discussed Zhuangzi, and the emperor said, "Then let 'Autumn Water' come." Suddenly, a small girl in green clothes, graceful and elegant, appeared and recited the "Autumn Water" in a clear voice. All the listeners stood up in astonishment.