Blood Wolf

  Twenty-one

  Ou Yang's "Que Qiu Sha" poem: "Green willow outside the building, autumn swing comes out." (1)

  Xu Zhi said: Just one word "out", and later generations cannot express it.

  I think: This is based on Zheng Zhong's "Shang Xing Bei" poem: "Willow outside, autumn swing comes out of the painted wall" (2), but Ou Yang's words are even more skillful.

  Note:

  (1) Ouyang Xiu [Paddling on a Creek]: "People strolling along the embankment follow the painted boats, spring water splashing against the sky. Green willows outside the building bring out the swing. Don't laugh at the white-haired man wearing flowers, the six cups are passed around quickly. Where in life is like being in front of an honored guest?"

  (2) Feng Yan yi [Shang Xing Bei]: "Plum blossoms fall with the rain, washing away the remaining powder. The clouds are heavy and the mist is light, the cold food is near. The silk curtains block the fragrance, outside the willow, the autumn swing comes out of the painted wall. Spring mountains are upside down, hairpins horizontal phoenixes, flying snowflakes enter the screen, spring sleep is deep. In dreams, only the courtyard flowers and moon know the good times."

  Twenty-two

  Mei Shengyu [Su Mu Zhe] lyrics: "The pear blossoms have fallen, and spring is over. The sun sets, the green smoke is old." (1) Liu Rong said: Mei Shengyu's life was like a lifelong study of this kind. (2) I say: Feng Zhengzhong [Yu Lou Chun] lyrics: "The fragrance of flowers comes one after another, and emotions are endless. In front of the wine cup, there are countless ways to welcome spring back, don't let the sorrow of parting with spring be too hasty." (3) Feng Zhengzhong's life was like a lifelong study of this kind.

  Note:

  (1) Mei Yaochen [Su Mu Zhe] (Grass):

  "The dew is flat, the smoke is misty. The disorderly green is luxuriant, after the rain, the river and sky are clear at dawn. Only Geng Lang is the youngest. Wearing a spring robe with a soft color, suitable for mutual reflection. Reaching the Long Pavilion, lost on the distant path. Can blame the prince, not remembering the early return date. The pear blossoms have fallen, and spring has ended again. The whole ground is covered with residual sunlight, the green color is harmonious with the old smoke."

  (2) Liu Xi Zai's "Yi Gai" Volume 4 "Ci Qu Gai" quotes this lyric as: "This one seems to be the first opened by Shao Yong."

  (3) Feng Yan-yi [Jade Building Spring]: "Snow clouds suddenly change into spring clouds, and I gradually feel that the years are worth bidding farewell. The northern branch of plum blossoms opens in the cold, while the southern reeds have a wine-green sheen. The fragrance is continuous, one after another, but my emotions are too much to be contained anywhere. In front of the wine cup, there are countless ways to welcome spring back, don't let sorrow for spring hasten your eyebrows."

  Twenty-three

  Ren Zhi and Jing 【dian jiang chun】 (1), Sheng Yu 【su mu zhe】 (2), Yong Shu 【shaonian you】 (3) three quatrains are chanting spring grass absolute tone. I don't know who was the first to have "zhong zhong"; "xi yu shi liu guang" (4); five characters, all of which can capture the soul of spring grass.

  Note:

  (1) Lin Bu [Dian Jin Quan] (Grass): "Golden Valley year after year, chaotic spring colors who is the master. Remaining flowers fall, full of mist and rain. Again it's parting sorrow, a long pavilion at dusk. The prince has left. Endless and countless, roads north south east west."

  (2) Mei Yaochen [Su Mu Zhe] See note 22.

  (3) Ouyang Xiu [Youthful Excursion]: "Alone I lean on the railing, twelve stories high, in spring. The clear blue sky stretches far and wide, connecting with the clouds. For a thousand miles, two or three months, travelers' faces are filled with sorrow and longing. At Xie's pool, by the riverbank, my spirit is dispersed, my soul departed. How can I bear the sparse rain at dusk, and especially miss the noble prince?"

  (4) Feng Yan yi [Nan Xiang Zi]: "Fine rain wets the flowing light, fragrant grass grows year after year with endless longing. Smoke locks the phoenix tower, infinite matters, vaguely. The swan mirror and mandarin duck quilt tear my heart in two. My soul and dreams are carefree and distant, I wake up to find the bed covered in willow catkins. Unfortunately, you don't come, the door is half-closed, sunset. How many lines of tears have I shed for you, wasted spring?"

  Twenty-four

  "The Poem: Reed (1) One article, the most profound and sincere. Yan Tongshu's "Last night, the west wind withered the green trees. Alone on a high building, looking out at the distant roads (2)". The idea is quite close to it. But one splash of ink, one tragic and majestic tone."

  Note:

  The Book of Songs - Cai Wei:

  The reeds are green, green,

  White dew turns to frost.

  They say that she is on the other side of the water.

  I follow her upstream, but the way is difficult and long.

  I follow her downstream, and she seems to be in the middle of the stream.

  The reeds are sorrowful, sorrowful,

  White dew has not yet dried.

  They say that she is at the head of the stream.

  I follow her upstream, but the way is difficult and steep.

  I follow her downstream, and she seems to be in the midst of the stream's shallows.

  The reeds are lush, lush,

  White dew has not yet stopped.

  They say that she is on the sandy bank of the stream.

  I follow her upstream, but the way is difficult and right.

  I follow her downstream, and she seems to be on the sandy bank in the midst of the stream.

  (2) Yan Shu [Die Lian Hua]: "The railing chrysanthemum is sorrowful with smoke, the orchid weeps with dew. The thin curtain is lightly chilled, the swallows fly away in pairs. The bright moon does not understand the pain of parting, the slanted light reaches the dawn and penetrates the vermilion door. Last night's west wind withered the green trees. Alone I ascend the high tower, gazing out at the distant roads. I want to send a colorful letter along with a foot of white silk, but the mountains are long and the waters are vast, where can I find you?"

  Twenty-five

  I gaze in all directions, but my heart is troubled and has nowhere to roam. (1) This is the poet's worry about his life.

  Last night the west wind withered the green trees. I climb alone to a high tower, gazing out at the distant roads that stretch to the horizon (2). It is similar.

  All day I drive my chariot, but do not see the ferry I seek. (3) This is the poet's worry about the world.

  The hundred grasses and thousand flowers line the cold food road, the fragrant carriage is tied to someone's tree (4). It is similar.

  Note:

  (1) The Book of Songs - Minor Odes - Jie Nan Shan: "I drive those four steeds, with four steeds' heads held high. I gaze in all directions, but my heart is troubled and has nowhere to roam."

  (2) Yan Shu 【Butterfly Lovers' Flower】 See note 24.

  (3) Tao Qian [Drinking Wine] 20th poem:

  "Xi Nong left me long ago, and the world has few true men.

  The old man from Lu is diligent in refining his nature.

  Although the phoenix does not arrive, rituals and music are temporarily renewed.

  The faint sound of the Zhe River is far away, drifting to the crazy Qin dynasty.

  What crime have poetry and books committed, that they should be reduced to ashes overnight?

  The humble old men are truly diligent in their affairs.

  How can one cut oneself off from the world below, with no affinity for the Six Classics?

  Racing carriages all day, without seeing the ford I asked about.

  If I don't drink quickly, I'll waste my headscarf.

  I only regret many misunderstandings, please forgive me, sir."

  (4) Feng Yan yi [Magpie Treads Branch]: "For several days, where has the wandering cloud gone? I've forgotten to return, and didn't realize that spring is about to end! The hundred grasses and thousand flowers line the cold food road. Whose house tree is the fragrant carriage tied to? With tearful eyes, I lean against the building and speak to myself repeatedly: When the pair of swallows come, will they meet on the outskirts? The disheveled spring sorrow is like a willow catkin, in the distant dream there's no place to search."

  Twenty-six

  The greatest achievements and loftiest pursuits in life must go through three stages: "Last night the west wind withered the green trees. Alone I climbed the high tower, gazing out at the distant roads." This is the first stage. "My belt has gradually loosened, yet I do not regret it; for her, I have become worn and haggard." This is the second stage. "In the midst of a crowd, searching for him in vain for a thousand times, suddenly turning my head, that person was there, in the dimly lit place." This is the third stage. Such words cannot be expressed by anyone but a great poet. However, if one hastily interprets these lines with this intention, I fear it would not be permitted by Yan and Ou.

  Note:

  Yan Shu 【Butterfly Lovers' Flower】 See note 24.

  (2) Liu Yong [Feng Qiu Wu]: "Leaning against the railing of a tall building, the wind is gentle and fine. Looking out at the distant horizon, spring sorrow is born in the darkening sky. In the fading light of dusk, the grass and trees are shrouded in misty haze. Who can understand my silent longing as I lean on the railing? I'd like to indulge in a wild and carefree drinking bout, but even with wine and song, there's no joy to be found. My belt is gradually loosening, yet I won't regret it, for her sake, I'll waste away until I'm worn out."

  (3) Xin Qiji [Qing Yu An] (Yuan Xi):

  "The east wind blows at night, releasing a thousand trees of flowers. The stars fall like rain as it blows again. The precious horse and carved carriage fill the road with fragrance, the phoenix flute sounds move, the jade pot's light revolves, one night of fish and dragon dance. The moth-like snow and willow are yellow gold threads. The laughter and words are full, the dark fragrance goes away. Searching for her in the crowd a thousand times, suddenly turning back, that person is there, at the place where the lamp light is dim."

  Twenty-seven

  "Life is full of emotions, this sorrow has nothing to do with the wind and moon. One must see all the flowers in Luoyang City before parting with the spring breeze is easy. (1) With a heroic spirit, there is a deep meaning, so it's even more lofty."

  Note:

  (1) Ouyang Xiu [Jade Tower Spring]: "Before the lord, I intended to speak of my return date, but spring's face has already turned pale. Human life is inherently sentimental and foolish; this sorrow has nothing to do with the wind or moon. Don't sing a farewell song just yet, for one melody can make my heart ache. Only after seeing all the flowers in Luoyang City will I bid an easy farewell to the spring breeze."

  Twenty-eight

  Feng Menghua's "Preface to the Selection of 61 Song Dynasty Ci Poets" says: "Huaihai Xiaoshan, the ancient heartbroken people. Their light words are all flavorful, their shallow words are all meaningful." I think only Huaihai is worthy of comparison. Xiaoshan is too proud and arrogant, but just barely comparable to Zi Ye and Fang Hui, not enough to rival Huaihai.

  Twenty-nine

  The lyrics of Shao Yong are the most desolate and delicate. When it comes to "Can bear the cold spring in a lonely inn, the cuckoo's voice is in the slanting sunset"; it becomes even more mournful and shrill. Dongpo praised his last two sentences (1), which are still superficial.

  Note:

  (1) Qin Guan [Treading on the Grass] See note 3. Dongpo absolutely adored its last two lines, and wrote them on a fan: "A brief visit is already over, what can be done to redeem it even with ten thousand people?"

  Thirty

  "The wind and rain are gloomy, the chickens and dogs are not yet still."

  "The mountains are steep and high, blocking out the sun; below, it is dark and overcast with much rain; the snowflakes swirl about endlessly, the clouds are dense and press down on the universe."

  "All the trees have turned autumn colors, all the mountains are bathed in the fading light of sunset."

  "How can I bear to be alone in my humble abode, closing out the spring chill, as the cuckoo's cry echoes through the slanting sunlight of dusk?"

  All these scenes seem similar.

  Note:

  (1) "Poem: Zheng Wind: Wind and Rain":

  "The wind and rain are dismal, the rooster crows loudly. Now that I've seen you, sir, why not stay? The wind and rain are howling, the rooster crows shrilly. Now that I've seen you, sir, why not rest? The wind and rain are gloomy, the rooster's crowing won't stop. Now that I've seen you, sir, why not be delighted?"

  (2) "Chu Ci: Nine Chapters: Crossing the River" (the full text is too long to be recorded).

  (3) Wang Ji's "Wild Longing":

  "East hill, dusk, gazing out, leaning alone, what to rely on. Every tree is autumn color, every mountain only sunset glow. Shepherd drives cattle back, hunting horse brings game home. Looking at each other without recognition, long song holds memories of picking cattails."

  (4) Qin Guan [Treading on the Grass] See note 3.