When I travel, there is something I have always been passionate about, which is to visit the places mentioned in poetry. This often gives me a feeling, as Zhang Ruoxu said, "Through generations, the river and the moon remain the same." Another reason that makes me so passionate is that the personal feelings condensed by the ancients in a certain place due to events or scenery can still be read by me today. And the place or place name where they were at that time can be passed down to this day. Each of these two points is rare, and when both points occur at the same time, it is even more unique.
Yangzhou#
Weiyang#
The Slow Song of Yangzhou - Jiang Kui
On the day of the Chuxi in the Chunxi year, I passed by Weiyang. The night snow had just cleared, and the shepherd's purse stretched as far as the eye could see. Upon entering the city, I looked around and saw desolation everywhere. The cold water was blue on its own, and as night fell, the sound of the watchtower was mournful. I felt a sense of melancholy, reflecting on the past and present, and composed this song. The old man of Qianyan thought it was as sad as "Shu Li".
Huai's left capital, a beautiful place west of the bamboo, I dismounted for a short rest at the beginning of the journey. Passing through ten miles of spring breeze, the shepherd's purse was green all around. Since the departure of the Hu horse peering at the river, the abandoned pond and tall trees have grown tired of talking about war. As dusk approached, the clear bugle blew in the cold, echoing in the empty city.
The talented Du Lang, calculating the present, has returned with astonishment. Even though he is skilled in writing sweet words, the dream of the brothel is difficult to express deep emotions. The twenty-four bridges are still there, the waves are rippling, and the cold moon is silent. I think of the red medicine by the bridge, who knows who it blooms for every year?
Yangzhou has a tumultuous history, with many wars and conflicts. When Jiang Kui wrote this song, Yangzhou had just emerged from a period of turmoil. But he still depicted it in a very artistic way. I think the name of this song is beautiful in itself. With just a simple word "slow," it portrays a desirable pace of life.
Guazhou#
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On a snowy night, the ship crosses Guazhou, and the iron horse scatters at the Great Wall in the autumn wind.
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Between Jingkou and Guazhou, there is only one river.
Guazhou Ferry is now a park. I have passed by it, but I haven't been inside yet.
You can take the Yangzhou Ferry to experience the feeling of "one river." The experience is quite good: large trucks, cars, and people all sharing one boat. The river is wide, and the river breeze is strong, even a bit cold.
Twenty-Four Bridges#
- On a moonlit night at the Twenty-Four Bridges, where is the beauty playing the flute?
- The Twenty-Four Bridges are still there, the waves are rippling, and the cold moon is silent.
When I first read "On a moonlit night at the Twenty-Four Bridges," I instinctively imagined twenty-four bridges illuminated by moonlight. But now, the Twenty-Four Bridges is a scenic spot in the Shouxihu area, with only one bridge. However, according to the experience of Mr. Huang Yongyu, when he was young, he also went to look for it, but after "a tough trip," he couldn't even find the foundation of the twenty-four bridges. If the bridge is in the Shouxihu area, I don't think he would have had to go through so much trouble. So I still prefer to keep my previous imagination.
Chunjiang#
A Spring River in a Moonlit Night - Zhang Ruoxu
The spring river tide merges with the sea, and the moon rises above the sea.
The waves follow the current for thousands of miles, and there is nowhere on the Spring River without moonlight!
The river flows around the fragrant fields, and the moon shines on the flower forest like hail.
The frost flows in the air without notice, and the white sand on the bank cannot be seen.
The river and sky are one color without a speck of dust, and the bright moon hangs alone in the empty sky.
By the river, who was the first to see the moon? In what year did the moon first shine on people?
Through generations, the river and the moon remain the same. Every year, the moon looks just as it did before.
Who knows who the moon is waiting for? All I see is the Yangtze River sending flowing water.
A piece of white cloud floats away leisurely, and on the green maple shore, worries are endless.
Whose boatman is it tonight? Where is the longing in the bright moon tower?
Pity the moon lingering above the tower, it should reflect the departing person in the dressing mirror.
The jade curtain cannot be rolled up, and the beating of clothes on the pounding block continues.
At this moment, we can see each other but not hear each other. I wish to follow the moonlight to shine on you.
The geese fly for a long time without crossing the light, and the fish and dragons swim silently, turning the water into words.
Last night, in a dream by the quiet pool, the falling flowers were pitiful. Sadly, it is not yet time to return home in the middle of spring.
The spring water flows away, nearing its end, and the moon sets over the river, slanting to the west.
The slanting moon sinks into the boundless mist, and the Jieshi and Xiaoxiang have an endless road.
Who knows how many people return by moonlight? The falling moon shakes emotions in the trees along the river.
There are many interpretations of Chunjiang in this poem, but they all point to Yangzhou. (When I was in middle school, I memorized it because of its reputation as "the best poem of the Tang Dynasty," but even now, I still can't fully appreciate it. My memorization is also scattered and incomplete, I'm ashamed.)