The Rogue of Otherworldly Skies

  Twenty-one

  Ou Yang's "Que Qiu Sha" poem: "Green willow outside the building, autumn swing comes out." (1)

  Xu Zhi said: Just one word "out", and later generations cannot express it.

  I think: This is based on Zheng Zhong's "Shang Xing Bei" poem: "Willow outside, autumn swing comes out of the painted wall" (2), but Ou Yang's words are even more skillful.

  Note:

  (1) Ouyang Xiu [Paddling on a Creek]: "People strolling along the embankment follow the painted boats, spring water splashing against the sky. Green willows outside the building bring out the swing. Don't laugh at the white-haired man wearing flowers, the six cups are passed around quickly. Where in life is like being in front of an honored guest?"

  (2) Feng Yan yi [Shang Xing Bei]: "Plum blossoms fall with the rain, washing away the remaining powder. The clouds are heavy and the mist is light, the cold food is near. The silk curtains block the fragrance, outside the willow, the autumn thousandth appears in the painted wall. Spring mountains turn upside down, hairpins horizontal phoenix, flying snow enters the screen, spring sleep is heavy. In dreams, only the courtyard flowers and moon know the good times."

  Twenty-two

  Mei Shengyu [Su Mu Zhe] lyrics: "The pear blossoms have fallen, and spring is over. The sun sets, and the old smoke and green colors are mixed." (1) Liu Rong said: Mei Shengyu spent his whole life studying this kind of lyrics. I think: Feng Zhengzhong [Yu Lou Chun] lyrics: "The fragrance of flowers comes one after another, and emotions are endless. In front of wine, a hundred plans to return in spring, don't let the eyebrows be sad." (3) Mei Shengyu spent his whole life studying this kind of lyrics.

  Note:

  (1) Mei Yaochen [Su Mu Zhe] (Grass):

  "The dew is flat, the smoke is misty. The disorderly green is lush, after the rain, the river and sky are clear at dawn. Only Geng Lang is the youngest. Wearing a spring robe with a soft color, suitable for mutual reflection. Approaching the Long Pavilion, lost on the distant path. Can blame the prince, not remembering the early return date. The pear blossoms have fallen, and spring has ended again. The whole ground is covered with residual sunlight, the green color harmonizes with the old smoke."

  (2) Liu Xi Zai's "Yi Gai" Volume 4 "Ci Qu Gai" quotes this lyric as: "This one seems to be the first opened by Shaoyou."

  (3) Feng Yan-yi [Yu Lou Chun]: "Snow clouds suddenly change into spring clouds, and I gradually feel that the years are worth bidding farewell. The northern branch of plum blossoms opens in the cold, while the southern reeds have a wine-green sheen. The fragrance is continuous, one after another, but my emotions are too much to be contained anywhere. In front of the wine cup, there are countless ways to welcome spring back, don't let sorrow for spring hasten your eyebrows."

  Twenty-three

  Ren Zhi and Jing 【dian jing chun】 (1), Sheng Yu 【su mu zhe】 (2), Yong Shu 【shao nian you】 (3) three quatrains are chanting spring grass absolute tone. I don't know who was the first to have "zhong zhong"; "xi yu shi liu guang" (4); five characters, all of which can capture the soul of spring grass.

  Note:

  (1) Lin Bu【Dian Jin Quan】（Grass）："Golden Valley year after year, chaotic spring colors who is the master. Remaining flowers fall, full of misty rain. Again it's parting sorrow, a long pavilion at dusk. The prince has left. Endless and countless, roads north south east west."

  (2) Mei Yaochen [Su Mu Zhe] See note 22.

  (3) Ouyang Xiu [Youthful Excursion]: "Twelve lone bamboos lean against the spring, clear blue sky far-reaching to the clouds. Thousands of miles, in February and March, travelers' faces are filled with sorrow. At Xie's pool above, Jiang's bay below, I recite poems with a wandering spirit. How can I bear the sparse rain at dusk, especially when thinking of the royal descendants?"

  (4) Feng Yan-yi [Southern Country Child]: "Fine rain wets the flowing light, fragrant grass grows year after year with longing. Smoke locks the phoenix tower, endless matters, vaguely. The mirror and quilt are both heartbroken. My soul and dreams are carefree and distant, waking up to find the embroidered bed covered in willow catkins. Unfortunately, you don't come, half-closing the door, slanting sun. I owe you tears for the remaining spring, how many lines?"

  Twenty-four

  "The Poem: Ode to the Reed (1) This poem is the most deeply felt and expressed. It's similar to Yan Tongshu's "Last night, the west wind withered the green trees. Alone, I ascended a high tower, gazing out at the distant roads (2)". The meaning is quite close, but it's just a splash of ink, a tragic and majestic tone."

  Note:

  The Book of Songs - Cai Wei:

  The reeds are green, green,

  White dew turns to frost.

  They say that she is on the other side of the water.

  I follow her upstream, but the way is difficult and long.

  I follow her downstream, and she seems to be in the middle of the stream.

  The reeds are sorrowful, sorrowful,

  White dew has not yet dried.

  They say that she is at the mouth of the river.

  I follow her upstream, but the way is difficult and steep.

  I follow her downstream, and she seems to be on a sandbank in the river.

  The reeds are dense, dense,

  White dew has not yet stopped.

  They say that she is on a sandy beach by the water,

  I follow her upstream, but the way is difficult and right.

  I follow her downstream, and she seems to be on a sandy beach in the river.

  (2) Yan Shu [Die Lian Hua]: "The railing chrysanthemum is sorrowful with smoke, the orchid weeps with dew. The thin curtain is lightly chilled, the swallows fly away in pairs. The bright moon does not know the pain of parting, the slanting light reaches the dawn and penetrates the vermilion door. Last night's west wind withered the green trees. Alone I ascend the high tower, gazing out at the distant roads. I want to send a colorful letter with a few inches of silk, but the mountains are long and the waters are vast, where can I find you?"

  Twenty-five

  I gaze in all directions, but my heart is troubled and has nowhere to roam. (1) This is the poet's worry about his life.

  Last night the west wind withered the green trees. Alone I climb the high tower, gazing out at the distant roads (2). It is similar.

  All day I hurry along in my carriage, but do not see the ferry I am seeking (3). This is the poet's worry about the world.

  The hundred grasses and thousand flowers line the cold food road, the fragrant carriage is tied to someone's tree (4). It is similar.

  Note:

  (1) "Book of Songs · Small Ya · Jie Nan Shan": "Drive those four steeds, with four steeds' heads held high. I gaze in all directions, but there is nowhere to gallop."

  (2) Yan Shu [Die Lian Hua] See note 24.

  (3) Tao Qian [Drinking Wine] 20th poem:

  "Xi Nong left me long ago, and the world has few true men.

  The old man from Lu is diligent in refining his nature.

  Although the phoenix does not arrive, rituals and music are temporarily renewed.

  The faint sound of the zither is interrupted, drifting to the crazy Qin.

  What crime have poetry and books committed, that they should be reduced to ashes overnight?

  The humble old men are truly diligent in their affairs.

  How can one cut off all worldly connections, with no affinity for the Six Classics?

  Racing carriages all day, without seeing the ford I asked about.

  If I don't drink quickly, I'll waste my hat on my head.

  I only regret many misunderstandings, please forgive me, sir."

  (4) Feng Yan yi [Magpie Treads Branch]: "For several days, where has the drifting cloud gone? I've forgotten to return, and didn't realize that spring is about to end! The hundred grasses and thousand flowers line the cold food road. Whose house tree is the fragrant carriage tied to? With tearful eyes, I lean against the building and speak to myself repeatedly: When the pair of swallows come, will they meet on the outskirts or not? The disheveled spring sorrow is like a willow catkin, in the distant dream there's no place to search."

  Twenty-six

  The accomplishments of great men and women in the past and present, as well as their great achievements, must all go through three stages: "Last night the west wind withered the green trees. Alone I climbed to the top of a high building, gazing out at the distant roads." (1) This is the first stage. "My belt has gradually become loose, but I will not regret it, for I have worn myself out for her sake." (2) This is the second stage. "I searched for him in the crowd a thousand times, and suddenly turned around, only to find that he was standing right there, in the midst of the lanterns' dim light." (3) This is the third stage. These words cannot be expressed by anyone but great writers. However, if I were to hastily interpret these lines with this intention, I fear that it would not be allowed by the likes of Yan Yu and Ouyang Xiu.

  Note:

  Yan Shu 【Butterfly Lovers' Flower】 See note 24.

  (2) Liu Yong [Feng Qiu Wu]: "Leaning against the railing of a tall building, the wind is gentle and fine. Looking out at the distant horizon, spring sorrow is born in the darkening sky. In the fading light of dusk, the grass and trees are shrouded in misty haze. Who can understand my silent longing as I lean on the railing? I'd like to indulge in a wild and carefree drinking bout, but even with wine and song, there's no joy to be found. My belt is gradually loosening, yet I won't regret it, for her sake, I'll waste away until I'm worn out."

  (3) Xin Qiji [Qing Yu An] (Yuan Xi):

  "The east wind blows at night, releasing a thousand trees of flowers. The stars fall like rain as it blows again. Precious horses and carved chariots fill the streets with fragrance, phoenix flutes sound, jade pots shine, and fish and dragons dance for one night. Moths flutter around willows with golden threads. Laughter and whispers overflow with hidden fragrance. Searching for her in the crowd a thousand times. Suddenly turning back, that person is there, in the dimly lit lantern area."

  Twenty-seven

  "Life is full of emotions, this sorrow has nothing to do with the wind and moon. One must see all the flowers in Luoyang City before parting with the spring breeze is easy. (1) With a heroic spirit, there is a deep and solemn tone, which makes it even more magnificent."

  Note:

  (1) Ouyang Xiu [Jade Tower Spring]: "Before the respected one, I intended to speak of my return date, but spring's face has already turned pale. Human life is inherently sentimental and foolish; this sorrow is not related to the wind or moon. Don't sing a farewell song just yet, for one melody can make my heart ache. Only after seeing all the flowers in Luoyang City will I bid an easy farewell to the spring breeze."

  Twenty-eight

  Feng Menghua's "Preface to the Selection of 61 Song Dynasty Ci Poets" says: "Huaihai Xiaoshan, the ancient heartbroken people. Their light words are all flavorful, their shallow words are all meaningful." I think only Huaihai is worthy of being compared to him. Xiaoshan is too proud and arrogant, but just barely comparable to Zidi Fanghui, not enough to rival Huaihai.

  Twenty-nine

  The lyrics of Shao Yong are the most melancholic and elegant. When it comes to "Can bear the cold spring in a lonely inn, the cuckoo's voice is in the slanting sunset"; it becomes even more mournful and shrill. Dongpo praised his last two sentences (1), which are still superficial.

  Note:

  (1) Qin Guan [Treading on the Grass] See note 3. Dongpo absolutely adored its last two lines, and wrote them on a fan: "A brief visit is already over, even if there were ten thousand people, what could they ransom?"

  Thirty

  "The wind and rain are gloomy, the chickens and dogs are not yet still."

  "The mountains are steep and high, blocking out the sun; below, it is dark and overcast with much rain; the snowflakes swirl about without end, the clouds are dense and press down on the roof."

  "All the trees have turned autumn colors, all the mountains are bathed in the fading light of sunset."

  "How can I bear to be alone in my humble lodge, closing out the spring chill, as the cuckoo's cry echoes through the slanting sunlight of dusk?"

  All these scenes are similar in atmosphere.

  Note:

  (1) "Poem: Zheng Wind: Wind and Rain":

  "The wind and rain are dreary, the cock crows loudly. Now that I have seen you, sir, why should I not be pleased? The wind and rain are howling, the cock crows shrilly. Now that I have seen you, sir, why should I not be delighted? The wind and rain are gloomy, the cock crows incessantly. Now that I have seen you, sir, why should I not rejoice?"

  (2) "Chu Ci: Nine Chapters: Crossing the River" (the full text is too long to be recorded).

  (3) Wang Ji's "Wild Longing":

  "East hill, dusk, gazing out, leaning alone, what to rely on. Every tree is autumn color, every mountain only sunset glow. Shepherd drives cattle back, hunting horse brings game home. Looking at each other without recognition, long song holds memories of picking cattails."

  (4) Qin Guan [Treading on Grass] See note 3.