“Yuan Jie’s Critique of Tang Officials Post-Rebellion”

The thief retreated and showed the officials

Tang Dynasty

Yuan Jie

In the year of the Water Rat, the Xiyuan bandits entered Daozhou, burning and killing, and then left almost completely. The following year, the bandits attacked Yongbaoshao again, but did not attack this border town and retreated. Could they have been able to control the enemy? It was because they were injured and pitied. Why do the envoys tolerate the suffering of the people and collect taxes? Therefore, I wrote a poem to show the officials. In the past, I lived in peace and quiet for twenty years in the mountains. The springs were in the courtyard, and the caves were in front of the door. The tax on wells was regular, and I could sleep late into the evening. Suddenly, the world changed, and I spent several years in the army. Now I have come to govern this county, and the mountain barbarians are in turmoil again. The city is small, and the thieves do not slaughter. The people are poor and pitiful. This is why this county is the only one to have escaped the invasion of its neighbors. The envoys carry the king’s orders, so why are they not better than the bandits? Now those who levy taxes are pressing them like a fire. Who can extinguish human life to be a wise man of the times! I wish to hand over the seal and flag, and stab myself with a pole. I will go home to fish and wheat, and live out my days by the rivers and lakes.

Translation and Expansion:

Reflections After the Rebellion: A Poem for Officials

In the Gui Mao year, the rebels from the western regions invaded Daoxian County, ravaging the land with fire and violence, leaving almost nothing behind before eventually retreating. The following year, the rebels continued their rampage by attacking Yongzhou and capturing Shaozhou, but they did not encroach upon Daoxian’s borders. Was it due to Daoxian’s formidable defenses? No, it was simply that the rebels chose to show mercy to this county. This situation prompted me to compose a poem to convey the harsh realities faced by officials.

In times of peace, I had lived a secluded life in the mountains and forests for twenty years. The clear springs flowed gently beside my courtyard, and the ravines and valleys were right at my doorstep. Taxes were consistent and fair, allowing me to enjoy restful naps even during the day. However, the world suddenly changed with the outbreak of conflict, and I spent several years in military service. Now, as I am tasked with overseeing this county, I am confronted with new troubles as the barbarians stir unrest once again.

The county town is too small for the barbarians to plunder, and the people are so impoverished that they elicit sympathy. Consequently, the barbarians turned their attention to neighboring territories, sparing this county from their wrath. The officials dispatched to collect taxes on behalf of the emperor are less merciful than the rebels. They impose their demands with a cruelty that feels like being scorched by fire. How can anyone be praised as virtuous by causing such suffering?

I am considering resigning from my official position and abandoning my administrative duties. I yearn to pick up a fishing pole, board a boat, and retire to a peaceful life by the river, spending my remaining years in tranquility.

Explanation for American Readers:

This poem, composed by the Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Jie, offers a poignant reflection on the aftermath of the An Lushan Rebellion and the difficulties encountered by officials during this tumultuous period. Yuan Jie uses his own experiences and observations to criticize the ineffectiveness and harshness of contemporary officials compared to the relative mercy shown by the rebels.

Historical Context:

An Lushan Rebellion: A devastating rebellion during the Tang Dynasty (755-763 AD) led by the general An Lushan against the Tang court. This period of unrest had far-reaching impacts on the Tang Dynasty and its administrative structure.

Yuan Jie’s Experience: The poet, who had previously enjoyed a peaceful life in seclusion, was forced into military service due to the rebellion’s impacts and was later assigned to oversee a troubled county.

Poem’s Message:

The poem criticizes how the officials tasked with tax collection are more oppressive than the rebels themselves. It highlights the suffering of the common people during wartime and critiques the harsh practices of officials who are supposed to serve them.

Imagery and Themes:

Peaceful Past vs. Tumultuous Present: The contrast between Yuan Jie’s serene past and the chaos of the present underscores the personal and societal losses caused by war. This juxtaposition emphasizes the poet’s disillusionment with the current state of affairs.

Critique of Officialdom: Yuan Jie’s frustration is directed at the officials who are perceived as more cruel than the rebels due to their harsh tax collection practices. This critique highlights the poet’s dissatisfaction with the governance of his time.

Desire for Retirement: The poet expresses a longing for a peaceful retirement away from the burdens of official duties and the miseries of war. This desire reflects his wish to escape the harsh realities of his current position and return to a simpler, more tranquil life.

The poem’s vivid imagery of springs, mountains, and a peaceful past serves as a stark contrast to the devastation wrought by war. This contrast accentuates the poet’s yearning for a return to a more peaceful and fulfilling existence.