Echoes of Jinshan: A Poetic Journey through Honor and Longing

The “Huadeng” lights, magnificent beacons of decoration.

The “Zongbo,” indulging freely in gambling, portrayed as an act of chivalrous bravado. In the “Jiannan Shigao,” Volume 25, “Poems Written on the Night of September 1st, Sensing the Manuscripts and Writing a Song,” it reads: “At forty, stationed in Nanzheng, reveling in military banquets night after night… Under the dazzling lights, the sounds of gambling fill the building, with precious hairpins shining amidst the dances…”

The “jiutu,” originally referring to ordinary people in the market, commoners. In the “Records of the Grand Historian,” Volume 97, “Biographies of Li Sheng and Lu Jia,” it states: “Li Sheng glared at the messenger with a sword and shouted, ‘Go, tell Pei Gong! I am a simple commoner from Gaoyang, not a Confucian scholar.'”

The “yufu,” an old fisherman, one who fishes.

The “zhanduan,” to completely take possession of.

The “Pingzhou,” a small river overgrown with water chestnuts.

The “Jinghu,” located at the border between Kuaiji and Shanyin in Zhejiang, extends for over three hundred li, famous for its mirror-like surface.

The “xianren,” a self-deprecating term used by the author, expressing discontent.

During the era when I indulged in gambling under the splendid lights, galloping and hunting on a spirited horse, who remembers my gallant military life? Those boring commoners have received titles and positions, while only a few of us are willing to retreat to the riverside to become fishermen. Along the riverbank, there is an eight-foot light boat. Propelled by three low sails, I enjoy the sight of the water’s edge, covered with lush water chestnuts. The Jinghu naturally belongs to idle folk like me. Why must we rely on the “imperial court” for such things?

This was written by Lu You during his retirement in his hometown of Shanyin. Because Shanyin is close to Jinghu, many of his poems during this period are “fishermen’s songs and water chestnut chants.” He describes the scenery and the pleasure of rowing a boat, seemingly clear and remote, detached from worldly concerns, yet he himself is situated by the lakes and mountains, with a heart yearning for the rivers and mountains. His depiction of “aging on the Cangzhou River” portrays the bleakness of life, reflecting the painful twists and turns of “the heart in the Tian Shan mountains.” This poem, “Magpie Bridge Immortal,” is a typical example. Careful appreciation reveals the poet’s thoughts and real circumstances.

The poem starts with a description of life in the military camp in Nanzheng. The opening lines deeply reminisce about his unforgettable military career. Gambling under the dazzling lights with colleagues, riding on spirited horses for hunting and shooting—what a magnificent life it was! At the time, Nanzheng was strategically located on the northwest frontier for the restoration of the Central Plains. When Wang Yan entered Sichuan, Emperor Xiaozong of Song once gave orders to arrange for the northern expedition; Lu You also planned strategies for Wang Yan, saying, “The strategy to recover the Central Plains must begin with Chang’an, and taking Chang’an must start with Longyou” (see “History of Song, Biography of Lu You”). When he first arrived in Nanzheng, he sang confidently, “The country has been lost for four eras, and it is not easy to swallow Jianghuai. I will see the drums of Jin from the world and use the middle of the barrier as my base” (see “Shannan Xing”). Therefore, he felt extremely relaxed in the army, which led to the “splendid gambling” and “sculpture of the saddle.” The words are bold and refined, and the momentum is magnificent. But the third sentence is realistic, closely related to “who remembers,” and suddenly refers to a lonely and sad picture. The change of the country’s policy has lost a golden opportunity. In less than a year, Wang Yan was recalled, and Lu You was promoted to Chengdu. The wind and cloud, the greatness of the world, the great ambition of the story. This is a fine show