Volume 1, Chapter 27: Appreciating Snow, Composing Poetry (1/2)

Volume 1, Chapter 27: Appreciating Snow, Composing Poetry

Standing, I turned to face the small lake and in a clear, bright voice, recited:

<blockquote cla.s.s=”Quote”>The absolute and limitless snow are like lotuses.Bamboo spirits, sighing in the dark, jut up into the blue sky.Upon the flowers on red silk itself are attached touching emotions.An empty hand gently brushes away the water on the instruments.”</blockquote>

Finished reciting, I couldn’t help but laugh happily. Extending a hand forward, I caught a snowflake in my palm, watching as it melted in a flash. At this moment, someone laughed aloud from a distance, stating, “Sir Jiang has such a refined and elegant att.i.tude of mind, why have you not invited your host to come?”

When I turned and looked, I caught sight of Li Zhi wearing a light fur cloak. Standing behind him were his advisers. All of their faces were filled with smiling expressions. Following them were two servants; one carrying a large vat of wine, while the other carried a food container.

“Your Imperial Highness has to handle much official business,” I stated with a faint smile. “Suiyun is an idle person. How would I dare bother Your Imperial Highness and the others?”

Li Zhi entered the pavilion, brus.h.i.+ng away the snow on his clothes, as he replied, “I am only a person, profaned by the world, who has come to disturb Sir’s refined ambience. This vat of wine is imperial wine gifted by Imperial Father. Sir won’t want to miss out!”

With a slight smile, I suggested, “Everything is dependent on order of arrival. Since Suiyun has arrived first, you gentlemen will have to listen to my compositions. Xiaoshunzi, come heat the wine. As we drink, everyone must recite a poem. The topic is ‘Chanting Snow.’ If the poem is good, he will drink one cup in appreciation. If it isn’t, then the poet will have to drink three cups as punishment.”

Seeing that I wasn’t displeased at his sudden appearance, Li Zhi replied in a delighted fas.h.i.+on, “Since Sir has set these rules, then this Prince can only comply. That’s fine. Everyone listen up … if you can’t compose a good poem, you will have to drink three cups of imperial wine. This prince has to tell you that this wine is rich and fragrant. You will regret it your entire life if you drink too much and miss out on Sir Jiang’s wonderful poetry.”

While we sat down in a circle around the table, one of the servants began to remove the snacks and fruit from the container, placing them one by one on the table. The other servant removed the lid from the vat of imperial wine. The rich fragrance of the wine a.s.sailed our senses. Smelling the fragrance, Gou Lian remarked, “If it weren’t for the necessity of listening to Suiyun’s masterpieces, I almost wish I could get thoroughly drunk.”

Li Zhi gestured for the servants to withdraw. With a smile, he stated, “That’s fine. I’ll send you a vat of this imperial wine tomorrow, and allow you to drink as you please.”

Gou Lian hurriedly expressed his thanks. “Your Imperial Highness must not regret this decision.”

Not long after we began conversing, Xiaoshunzi had finished heating the first pot of wine and had brought it over, filling each of our cups. I slowly drank the wine, feeling its effects upon my teeth and cheeks, as it warmed my limbs and bones. I could not help but exclaim, “Good wine! Although the wine from my Southern Chu is exceptionally good, when compared to the wine from the north, it inevitably feels diluted and weak.”

s.h.i.+ Yu smiled and said, “Since Suiyun enjoys this wine, you should drink some more.”

Li Zhi raised his cup with a faint smile. All of us drank several cups in succession, feeling as if we were floating in the air like immortals. The atmosphere gradually became warm and enthusiastic. With a smile, Li Zhi said, “Just a moment ago, we had already heard Suiyun’s composition. In that case, it ought to be our turn to recite poetry. Yongquan, your skill with composition is the quickest out of all us. Let’s start with you.”

Gou Lian stood, turning to look at the falling snow outside. Agreeing, he said, “Fine, I will start.” So speaking, he began to recite:

<blockquote cla.s.s=”Quote”>A warm lake covered by a cloud of jade.Not envying utopia or immortals.”</blockquote>

“Excellent,” stated Li Zhi first. “Although the creative conception is ordinary, it closely coincides with what is before our eyes. You may drink a cup.”

I also smiled and observed, “‘The half snow-covered fields s.h.i.+ne in the night, / A warm lake covered by a cloud of jade.’ Brother Yongquan really does have a shrewd poetic sense. Everyone’s relations.h.i.+p with the Prince of Yong seems to be that of liege and va.s.sal on the outside, but in reality the relations.h.i.+p is one of flesh and blood. There is no animosity or suspicion. Here on this winter day, drinking and making merry, truly no need to envy utopia or immortals.”

Seeing an opening, Gou Lian said, “His Imperial Highness has treated us as his own flesh and blood. Why doesn’t Suiyun should follow our example and serve His Imperial Highness, sampling the ambiance of not having to envy utopia or immortals.”

“Suiyun has no other apt.i.tude aside from composing poems,” I replied with a faint smile. “As such, I will compose a poem to repay sir’s kindness and hospitality …

<blockquote cla.s.s=”Quote”>The colors of the flowers are diluted and washed away by the gentle appearance of the constellations.from the stove of the small banquet spews columns of warm air.from four sides, songs stir the fog and restore the clear skies.throwing dice across the vast skies.’”</blockquote>

Dong Zhi clapped his hands and exclaimed, “What an excellent ‘To claim to be rich and yet desolate, / throwing dice across the vast skies!’ One can see that Suiyun’s mind is bright as the moon and clear as the skies. There are very few who are so broadminded … You deserve to drink a cup.”

Accepting the cup of wine handed me by Xiaoshunzi, I responded with a smile, “Although my position was low back when I was in Southern Chu, I could only rack my brains and dared not relax. Now, I have finally been able to escape confinement, the so-called ‘returning to the natural state.’ How can brother Yongquan have the heart to force me to be disloyal and confine me in a cage?”

Gou Lian was silenced and could only smile wryly. I smiled and continued, “I have previously discussed war and tactics with Brother Dong. Today, I hope to experience Brother Dong’s poetry.”

Clasping his hands together, Dong Zhi replied, “Please do not laugh at my inadequacy …” So saying, he stood and began to recite:

<blockquote cla.s.s=”Quote”>My brother travels to the north.Losing count of the opposing warlords.When morning arrives, he wears a fur coat.While intoxicated hears the news of spring from a turtledove.”</blockquote>

Upon hearing these verses, my hand trembled, almost spilling my cup of wine on the table. That year, when I became an official of Southern Chu, although I originally did not serve a wise liege and did not have the lofty goal of unifying the world, everything that happened subsequently caused me to faintly regret the decision that I had made at the time. If I had been brought to Chang’an by the Prince of Yong, I probably wouldn’t be expressing the prospect of my country ruined and its people starved. Now that I was a guest here in Chang’an, I could not see the smoke and clouds of Southern Chu. This sorrowful and dismal feeling was like a lone goose separated from its flock. Even though I had ultimately yielded and abandoned my country, I was filled with bitterness and misery. I raised my cup and drank the wine. As the wine flowed into my stomach, my worries increased.

Somewhat drunk, I picked up a pair of silver chopsticks. Knocking the chopsticks against a jar to keep rhythm, I began to sing:

<blockquote cla.s.s=”Quote”>Seeing far and deeply, distinguished and accomplished,</sup>Treading on tips of the pine branches, it scatters the snow,The remnant hills and rivers have no bearing,Two or three wild geese look sad and dreary.Regretting that the clear river could not be crossed in winter,No wheels can go forward on the broken roads,Who do I ask, why have you come with such worries?If I knew originally, I would have used all my courage.</sup></blockquote>

Finished singing, I repeated the last several lines, “Was I wrong to yearn today? / If I knew originally, I would have used all my courage. / Now hearing the flute at night, don’t blow us apart.” I recalled the time that I spent unable to sleep when I was strategizing for the Prince of De. Alas, no matter what I did, I was kept at a distance. I recalled the critical essay that I had submitted and the outcome of never being employed again by the state. Sorrow couldn’t help but rise in my heart, as tears fell like rain.

Dong Zhi hurriedly stood and apologized, “It was my fault for evoking Suiyun’s thoughts filled with sorrow. Please forgive me.”

Gesturing with my hand, I replied, “Many days of worry and melancholy are swept clean. Thank you, Brother Dong for your wonderful poem.”

Dong Zhi did not dare to continue to try and persuade me, realizing that I had deep emotions towards Southern Chu. How was this going to be resolved? He looked at the Prince of Yong, seeing the admiration and sorrow on Li Zhi’s face.

Seeing this, Guan Xiu quickly said, “I only have superficial literary ability. Please do not mock me …” So saying, he rose from his seat, holding the cup of wine in his hands, as he recited:

<blockquote cla.s.s=”Quote”>Loving its snowy wind and enduring its cold.Adding to the eldest, turning to the silly and mischievous,The Taoist believer returns the debt of a happily married couple, intoxicated by the paper veiled plum blossoms as if within a dream.</blockquote>

Hearing this poem, everyone could not help but laugh out loud. Gou Lian choked on the wine that he was drinking. While he wiped away the tears in his eyes, he choked out, “Old Guan, I never knew that you had this kind of wit. I have finally gotten the chance today to experience it.”

I could not help but also laugh. Raising my cup, I toasted, “Good verses, Brother Guan. Suiyun cannot compare, cannot compare.” Everyone laughed heartily for some time, turning the atmosphere increasingly lively and vivacious.

A moment ago, seeing my grief, Xiaoshunzi secretly glowered at Dong Zhi. Now seeing that Guan Xiu’s poem had caused me to smile, Xiaoshunzi couldn’t help but be happy. He promptly refilled Guan Xiu’s cup, a cheerful look appearing in his eyes. His behavior was clearly seen by the smiling spectator, s.h.i.+ Yu. In his head, he thought, What a sincerely loyal servant.

Seeing that I was in a joyous mood, everyone loosened their breath and relaxed. They hadn’t come to anger me. In addition, there was a further hidden meaning to this gathering. I could not be allowed to leave early.

s.h.i.+ Yu stood and spoke. “Sir Jiang, I have met Sir Jiang much too late. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to seek Sir’s guidance. This cup is to toast Sir, praying that Sir will have fortune and good health.”

I also stood, returning his respect, “For Sir s.h.i.+ to be like this, you flatter me too much. Suiyun has long heard that Sir s.h.i.+ is the Prince of Yong’s Xiao He. When His Imperial Highness is away on campaign, it is Sir who takes care of the logistics and administration. Without Sir, His Imperial Highness would probably face enemies in front and behind. Suiyun greatly admires Sir’s great talent.”

With a smile, s.h.i.+ Yu replied, “I am ashamed that Suiyun esteems me so highly.”

The Prince of Yong rose from his seat and stated, “It really isn’t esteemed too highly. Without Sir, this Prince would not be where I am today.” Thinking back to his many campaigns and the constant efforts by the crown prince to impede, he would not have been able to be so successful without s.h.i.+ Yu’s help. Raising his cup, Li Zhi toasted, “Today, this Prince salutes Sir, to modestly show the appreciation within my heart.”

s.h.i.+ Yu hurriedly raised his cup in thanks, as tears filled his eyes. A moment later, he said, “I do not have much talent with poetry, but will endeavor to do my best. I hope that Your Imperial Highness and everyone does not mock me.” So saying, he began to recite:

<blockquote cla.s.s=”Quote”>Ama.s.sing the plain concentrated magnificence of dawn’s suns.h.i.+ne.The light of the silver candles dazzles the court dress.The northern watchtower is surrounded tightly by clear skies.The origin of this song gives people hope.”</blockquote>

I smiled, clapping my hands. Admiringly, I said, “Sir’s poem has the dignity and aura of a prime minister. It is a pity that Suiyun cannot bear to reside long in the magnificence of the capital. Otherwise, I would most definitely see the elegance and grace of Sir’s leaders.h.i.+p.”

So speaking, I calmly began to sing:

<blockquote cla.s.s=”Quote”>A companion in the light snow, the early plum blossoms float in thanks.Song of a beautiful person, wine in a restaurant, facing this scenery, suddenly raising the price.Good timing, how do you lightly abandon?Jade earth planks, full of magnificent ca.s.sia flowers, within the plain light, more worthy of a tour.</blockquote>

Finished singing, I smiled and stated, “Everyone is having a lovely time right now, just right for touring. There is no need to speak of matters of state. Such pursuits only serve to cause distress. In the olden days, able persons composed poems and lived the life of recluses. I am untalented and cannot eat Great Yong’s grain, and also do not love being paid by Great Yong.”