Translation: “The Echoes of Lingyan Mountain: A Journey through Time and Memory”
Lingyan Mountain, also known as Shigu Mountain, is located in the northwest of Mudu Town in Suzhou’s southwestern region. At its peak lies Lingyan Temple, believed to be the site of the palace of Wu King Fuchai. This rich historical and cultural context has inspired many poets and writers, including the renowned poet Wen Ying from the Southern Song Dynasty. His poem “Ba Sheng Gan Zhou” serves as a profound meditation on the ephemeral nature of power and beauty, using Lingyan Mountain as a backdrop for his reflections.
The title “Ba Sheng Gan Zhou” (Eight Sounds of Gan Zhou) refers to a ci (a type of classical Chinese poetry) composed by Liu Yong. The name “Gan Zhou” comes from the ancient border tune of the Tang Dynasty, named after the frontier region of Gan Zhou. The term “Ba Sheng” (Eight Sounds) signifies the eight rhymes within the ci’s two sections, comprising ninety-seven characters in total. This intricate poetic form requires a deep understanding of both historical context and poetic structure.
As we traverse the ancient paths of Lingyan Mountain, we are transported back to a time when Wu King Fuchai ruled with grandeur. His palace, a symbol of his fleeting glory, housed the legendary beauty Xi Shi, a tribute from the Yue King Goujian. This palace, known as Guanwa Palace, represents both the peak of Fuchai’s power and the beginning of his downfall. The palace’s opulence is immortalized in the phrase “Ming Wa Jin Wu” (Golden House for the Beautiful Xi Shi), echoing the grandeur and the ultimate impermanence of Fuchai’s reign.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the landscape: “Gazing into the distance, the vast sky stretches endlessly, clouds and mist drifting away.” This ethereal imagery sets the tone for the reflective journey ahead. Wen Ying continues, “Who knows in which year and month the comet fell from the blue sky, transforming into this verdant cliff, covered with lush trees.” Here, the comet symbolizes the rise and fall of great leaders, their power as fleeting as a meteor’s brilliance.
Lingyan Mountain’s historical significance is further underscored by the reference to “Can Ba” (Faded Hegemon), alluding to Wu King Fuchai’s ultimate defeat and death. The once powerful king, who had defeated the Qi and the Yue kingdoms, ended his days in ignominy, a stark reminder of the transient nature of earthly power.
Walking along the “Jian Jing” (Arrow Path), also known as the Fragrance Gathering Path, one can almost hear the echoes of history. The poem poignantly captures this: “The cold autumn wind stings the eyes, tainted water flowing with the makeup residues of palace maidens, staining the flowers with a hint of their essence.” This vivid imagery not only evokes the physical landscape but also the lingering presence of past lives and stories.
The poem also touches upon the human experiences associated with these historical sites. “Earthen sounds of wooden clogs walking on the echoing corridor” refer to the resounding steps of beauties like Xi Shi in the palace corridors, now only a memory. The juxtaposition of “Shuang Yuan” (Double Mandarin Ducks), the elegant shoes worn by the maidens, with the sound of wind rustling the autumn leaves, creates a hauntingly beautiful image of the past intertwined with the present.
Reflecting on the downfall of Wu King Fuchai, Wen Ying draws a parallel with the fate of the Southern Song Dynasty. “The wise recluse of the Five Lakes, Fan Li,” who served the Yue King Goujian and retired after their victory, represents the ideal of a wise advisor who knows when to withdraw. The poet laments, “I ask the vast waves, what force governs the rise and fall of history? The waves remain silent, the mountains, ever green, stand indifferent to my gray hair, a result of endless sorrow.”
This introspection leads to a broader contemplation on the cycles of history. “The clear sky reflected in the vast water” symbolizes the timeless and indifferent nature of the universe. As the poet stands alone, gazing at the distant landscape, he is reminded of the eternal continuity of nature, contrasted with the fleeting lives of men. “Only the head-cleared Fan Li, fishing on the Five Lakes, achieved his goal and retired.” The poem concludes with a sense of resigned acceptance, acknowledging the unchanging beauty of the mountains and waters, despite the rise and fall of human endeavors.
In translating “Ba Sheng Gan Zhou,” one must not only convey the literal meaning but also capture the emotional depth and cultural nuances embedded in the original text. The poem serves as a meditation on the impermanence of power, the intertwining of past and present, and the eternal beauty of nature. It reminds us that while empires may rise and fall, the mountains and rivers remain, bearing silent witness to the ever-turning wheel of history.