hidie

Preface to the Tengwang Pavilion#

Wang Bo [Tang Dynasty]

Yuzhang, the old capital, and Hongdu, the new prefecture. Stars are scattered, connecting the earth and the sky. Embracing the three rivers and surrounding the five lakes, controlling the barbarians and leading the Ouyue. The treasures of nature, the dragon's light shines on the battlefield; the talented people, Xu Ru sits on Chen Fan's couch. The misty state of Xiongzhou, the talented people shine. The temple guards the border between the Yi and Xia states, and the host and guests enjoy the beauty of the southeast. The elegant reputation of General Yan Gong, the flagpole is far away; the outstanding talent of Xu Wenzhou, the tent is temporarily stationed. Ten days of vacation, friends are like clouds; thousands of miles to meet, high friends are full. Soaring dragons and rising phoenixes, the words of Master Meng; purple lightning and blue frost, the martial arts arsenal of General Wang. The family is in charge, and the road is famous; the child does not know, and he meets a victorious feast.

It is now September, belonging to the third autumn. The flowing water is exhausted and the cold pool is clear, the light of the smoke is condensed and the purple of the sunset is shining. The horses are on the road, looking for the scenery in Chong'e. Visiting the emperor's son's Longzhou, I found the old mansion of the immortal. Layer upon layer of green mountains, rising above the sky; flying pavilions, flowing red, overlooking the boundless land. The egret pavilion and the duck island, the winding islands; the laurel palace and the orchid palace, the hills and mountains.

Wearing embroidered gates, overlooking the carved eaves, the mountains and plains are vast, and the rivers and lakes are shocking. The officials prostrate themselves on the ground, the bells ring and the food is served; the boats are lost in the river, the green birds and yellow dragons. The clouds disappear and the rain clears, the colors penetrate the district. The setting sun and the lonely duck fly together, the autumn water shares the same color as the sky. The fishing boat sings in the evening, the sound echoes on the Pengli shore, the geese formation is startled by the cold, and the sound breaks on the Hengyang shore.

With a distant heart and a free spirit, the joy of music is flying. The melodious sound brings a clear breeze, and the delicate song brings white clouds. The Sui Garden and the green bamboo, the spirit of Pengze; the Yue River and the red flowers, the light shines on the river. The four beauties are complete, the two difficulties are combined. Looking up at the sky, enjoying the universe; when the joy is exhausted, knowing the abundance and emptiness. Looking forward to Chang'an in the setting sun, looking at Wu meeting in the clouds. The terrain is extreme and the Southern Ocean is deep, the Tianzhu is high and the North Star is far away. The mountains and rivers are difficult to cross, who pities the lost person; meeting in the floating water, all are strangers. The emperor's door is closed and unseen, how many years have passed since the Xuan Palace?

Alas! The fortunes of the times are uneven, and the path of destiny is full of twists and turns. Feng Tang ages easily, and Li Guang is difficult to enfeoff. Qu Jia Yi in Changsha, not without a wise ruler; Lian Hong fled to Haiqu, not lacking a bright era. It is thanks to the gentlemen that they are content with poverty, and the wise understand their fate. When old, one becomes stronger, why move the heart of an old man? When poor, one becomes more determined, not falling from the ambition of reaching the sky. Drink from the greedy spring and feel refreshed, stay in the dried-up rut and still be happy. Although the North Sea is in debt, it can support the soaring; the eastern corner has passed, and the mulberry and willow are not late. Meng Chang is noble and pure, with only a sense of patriotism left; Ruan Ji is arrogant, how can he imitate the mourning of a desperate road!

Bo, a man of three feet and a humble destiny, a mere scholar. Without a way, he asks for a military appointment, waiting for the crown of youth; with a heart full of thoughts, he admires the wind of the ancestors. He abandons the treasure tree of the Xie family and joins the fragrant neighbors of the Meng family. In the future, he will rush to the court and accompany the carp; now, he raises his sleeves and is happy to enter the Dragon Gate. Yang Yi did not meet, stroking the Lingyun and regretting himself; Zhong Qi met, playing the flowing water without embarrassment?

Alas! The famous places do not last, and the grand banquets are hard to repeat; the Lanting Pavilion is gone, and the Zize Mound is deserted. Farewell words, fortunately received the grace of a great feast; climbing high and writing poetry, this is what I hope for from the public. I dare to express my humble thoughts, respectfully and briefly; one word for each poem, four rhymes complete. Please sprinkle the Pan River, and pour out the land and sea:

The Tengwang Pavilion overlooks the Jiangzhu, and the jade rings stop singing and dancing.

The painted eaves fly towards the southern shore, and the pearl curtains roll up the western mountain rain.

The leisurely clouds and the shadow of the pool are leisurely, and the things change with the movement of the stars in autumn.

Where is the emperor's son in the pavilion? The railing is empty, and the Yangtze River flows on its own.

Record of the Yueyang Tower#

Fan Zhongyan

In the spring of the fourth year of the Qingli period, Teng Zijing was exiled to the prefecture of Baling. The following year, the government was prosperous and harmonious, and all the abandoned projects were completed. The Yueyang Tower was rebuilt and its old system was expanded. Tang and contemporary poets' works were engraved on it; I wrote this article to commemorate it.

I have seen the magnificent scenery of Baling, on the Dongting Lake. It embraces distant mountains and swallows the Yangtze River, vast and boundless; the morning sun and the evening clouds, with countless changes; this is the grand view of the Yueyang Tower, which has been described by previous generations. But the Wuxi Gorge in the north and the Xiaoxiang River in the south, many wanderers and poets gather here, can they not have different feelings when they admire the scenery?

When it rains heavily for a long time, the sky is overcast; the wind roars, and the muddy waves fill the sky; the sun and stars are hidden, and the mountains and rivers are hidden; merchants and travelers cannot travel, and masts and oars are broken; dusk is dark, and tigers roar and apes cry. When you climb this tower, you will feel homesickness and worry about slander and ridicule. Everything is desolate, and those who are deeply moved will feel sad.

But when spring comes and the scenery is beautiful, the waves are calm, the sky is clear, and the lake is as blue as ten thousand acres; seagulls fly and gather, colorful fish swim, and the shore is full of fragrant orchids. Sometimes there is a long empty smoke, a bright moon a thousand miles away, floating light and leaping gold, quiet shadows and sinking jade, fishermen singing and answering each other, this joy is boundless. When you climb this tower, you will feel a clear mind and a joyful spirit, forgetting both favor and disgrace, and holding a wine glass in the wind, full of joy.

Alas! I have been searching for the heart of the ancient benevolent man, but it seems different from the two. Why? Not pleased by material things, not saddened by oneself. When living in the high palace, I worry about the people; when living far away from the rivers and lakes, I worry about the ruler. I worry when advancing, and I worry when retreating; so when will I be happy? The answer must be: "Worry about the world's worries first, and then be happy about the world's joys." Alas! Who am I, a humble person, to return to?

Written on the fifteenth day of the ninth month of the sixth year.