Chapter 008: To wear without gathering, what harm is there to the orchid
More importantly, this individual was a key figure of the reformist faction. After Wang Anshi was dismissed from his position, Zhang Dun gradually rose to prominence, becoming one of the mainstays of the reformist faction. Unfortunately, Emperor Shen Zong passed away at a young age, and the new ruler Zhao Xu was still a minor. The Empress Dowager held power behind the scenes and favored conservative ministers such as Sima Guang, leading to the complete exile of Zhang Dun and the other reformists.
During a debate with Zhu Guangting at the provincial academy, Yang Yi mentioned that during the Xining period of Emperor Shen Zong, the Song Dynasty was engaged in the Hehuang War in the northwest while simultaneously waging war against the Jinghu Miao people in the south. At that time, the Liao state posed a military threat to the Song Dynasty. In order to avoid a three-front war, Wang Anshi had no choice but to cede land north of Daizhou to the Liao state. Leading the troops against the Jinghu Miao people at that time was Zhang Dun.
The person playing the zither in the pavilion seemed to have heard Yang Yi's recitation. The sound of the zither appeared to be influenced by the verses he recited, gradually becoming vast and boundless, like a river surging past the obstacles of the mountain gorge, flowing unimpeded for thousands of miles, grandly pouring into the sea, like waves rising and falling, with a clear light stretching for miles, unobstructed and untroubled
Today’s rotation, what is the reason for it
The injuries of a gentleman, the preservation of a gentleman
Su Shi was not wrong; Zhang Dun was indeed capable of killing. The barbarian tribes in the mountainous areas of Hunan Province frequently attacked the local government, and for over a hundred years, they had not been pacified. During the Xining period, Zhang Dun led troops from the southern bank of Dongting Lake and fought his way through, reaching the borders of the Dali Kingdom, instilling fear in all the barbarians, who then obediently accepted the rule of the court.
After bidding farewell to the Han family, Yang Yi walked down the mountain alone. The sound of pine trees swaying in the breeze accompanied him. Looking down the mountain, the vast blue waves of West Lake brought a sense of great comfort to his heart. As he passed a pavilion halfway down the mountain, Yang Yi suddenly heard a series of琴 sounds emanating from it
Seeing the old man was cheerful, Yang Yi did not stand on ceremony and sat down directly opposite him. A young servant came over to pour wine for Yang Yi. The mountain breeze gently blew in, carrying the fragrance of the wine. Once the wine cup was filled, Yang Yi lightly wrapped his left hand around the large sleeve of his right hand and raised his cup, saying: "I am being presumptuous, please allow me, sir"
If we really trace back to the roots, Zhang Dun's original identity was that of an illegitimate child! Just like us now, he was also an illegitimate child
The sound of the zither! Although the master's playing has taken on a more unrestrained quality, it still carries the essence of Confucius's unfulfilled aspirations during his return to Lu. If one were not a wanderer in this vast world, how could one so vividly infuse such sentiments into the music? The dream of King Wen and the vastness of the Wei River—back in the day, Jiang Taigong, at the age of eighty, could still fish with a straight hook by the banks of the Wei River. Such an open-minded spirit is surely worthy of our emulation. Therefore, I, a latecomer, dare to advise the master: the dream of King Wen will eventually come to fruition. It would be wise for you to open your heart and sit back to watch the waves rise and fall.
I travel in all directions, day by day, year by year
Yang Yi, while speaking, snatched the wine jug and refilled the cups of both the old man and himself, exhibiting a distinct air of taking the initiative.
This person is actually Zhang Dun, the renowned Zhang Dun!
Yang Yi sat down again; apart from that bow, his attitude did not change significantly upon learning of Zhang Zhun's identity
The elder raised his cup in invitation, and Yang Yi, resonating with his琴声, temporarily set aside the mundane affairs of his heart. He stepped into the pavilion with an air of grace and performed a bow, saying: "I am unworthy of your praise as a connoisseur, but I, Li Yi, am honored to meet you!"
"We are all lost souls in this vast world; why must we have known each other before meeting? I mention my name out of respect for my elders. As for whether you, sir, are willing to impart your wisdom, that is of no consequence. After we share a drink today, who can say if we will be fortunate enough to meet again in the future"
Han Yu expresses in his poem, "Not picking and yet wearing, what harm is there in orchids?" and "The gentleman's sorrow, the gentleman's integrity." These lines convey the idea that a person of talent who is unrecognized and unappreciated suffers no real damage to his abilities and character. A gentleman, even when faced with adverse circumstances, will still uphold his aspirations and moral integrity.
Yang Yi raised his wine cup and nearly choked halfway through drinking, as he was suddenly startled by the name Zhang Jun.
Frost and snow are abundant, and the buckwheat flourishes.
Confucius then stopped the carriage, played the zither, and sang, expressing his feelings of aging and his melancholic mood of being out of sync with the times
Good! Hahaha! Not wanting to hear a tune from the young friend, yet treating me as if observing the patterns on my palm, a true confidant is indeed hard to find! In my half a lifetime of ups and downs, I find myself outdone by a young man by the West Lake who sees things so clearly, how shameful! Young friend, please join me for another drink, I have learned from you!
The sound of the zither gradually dispersed into the mountains and forests, and Yang Yi also approached the pavilion. He saw an elderly man in his fifties inside the pavilion, with a solemn beard and hair, a gaunt face, dressed in simple casual attire, sitting cross-legged in front of the guqin. Beside him was a wine jug, and behind him stood a young attendant. While most people accompanied their zither playing with tea, this elderly man was different; the slight flush on his face indicated that he had been drinking.
The orchids are fragrant, their scent wafting gently.
After Yang Yi finished speaking, he downed his drink in one go. The old man was momentarily taken aback, then burst into hearty laughter again, raised his own cup, and drank it dry. Only then did he say: "Interesting! Interesting! You drink my wine without even asking who I am, a madman indeed! Zhu Guangting was fainted out of anger, and it is not unjust! Hahaha!"
The poem recited by Yang Yiyin has a significant origin. In ancient times, Confucius traveled through various states, hoping that the feudal lords would adopt his teachings to govern their realms, but he was unsuccessful. On his way back to the State of Lu from the State of Wei, he passed through the Hidden Valley and saw orchids quietly blooming in the valley. He could not help but exclaim: "The fragrance of the orchid is distant yet pure; it is the king among flowers. Yet now it can only associate with the common grass, just as a sage, when out of favor, can only dwell among the vulgar."
It is rare to encounter a kindred spirit; why not pause your journey, young friend, and come in for a drink together
Young friend, why must you be so formal? What is there to discuss about being a scholar? My current official title is the Supervisor of Dongxiao Palace! Hahaha! Supervisor of Dongxiao Palace!
The sound of the zither harmonizes with the pine waves, echoing in Zhongshan, flowing over the surface of the tranquil lake, vast and distant. Upon careful listening, the zither releases a multitude of complex emotions, lamenting the passage of time and the feeling of unrecognized talent, while simultaneously carrying a hint of wildness, expressing its own nobility and purity, like the blue lotus emerging from the mud, like the roc soaring above the earth. Yang Yi could not help but be entranced, his steps slowing down.
In the late hours, I observe the celestial phenomena! The brilliance of the Purple Star shines brightly, rising in the mid-sky; the time when winds and clouds converge is surely not far off
To wear without plucking, what harm is there to the orchid
The old man, unfazed, asked with a smile: "How can you be so certain that I am a wanderer lost in the world?"
Zhang Dun once traveled and studied with Su Shi. While passing through the deep ravine of Heishui Valley, Zhang Dun crossed a single-log bridge and composed a poem on the cliff, while Su Shi, terrified, felt his legs go weak and did not dare to cross the bridge. He lamented to Zhang Dun, saying: "Zihou (Zhang Dun's courtesy name) must be capable of killing!"
Zhang Zhun looked up to the sky and laughed, then reached out to sweep his hand across the guqin, producing a series of resonant sounds that echoed through the mountains
No wonder Zhang Zhun just expressed such a sense of frustration amidst the sound of the qin. The once formidable Grand Scholar Zhang, who had swept through the Southwest and faced no opposition, has now been demoted to manage a Taoist temple in Hangzhou. Yang Yizhen is somewhat skeptical that the old faction in court has invented a magnifying glass in advance, just to find such a minor official position for Zhang Zhun to 'enjoy'.
If you do not harm, I will not encounter you
Hahaha ... ...
He had never imagined that a person could express such complex emotions through the sound of a piano, evoking such a profound resonance in others, akin to a general hearing the call to charge, or a traveler at midnight listening to the mournful cry of a solitary goose. Yang Yijing listened for a long time and could not help but softly recite:
After Yang Yi sat down, he smiled faintly and said: "Thunder serves as the war drum, and lightning as the flag. When the winds and clouds converge, some individuals are inherently a sharp blade that cleaves through thorns and brambles. Even if they are confined within a pouch, they will eventually break free; it is merely that the emergence of such divine weapons often awaits a moment of great convergence of winds and clouds"
The poem that Yang Yifang just recited in response to *Tu* is a composition by Han Yu from the Tang Dynasty, created during his exile when he experienced a mindset similar to that of Confucius. However, overall, it transcends Confucius's original poem by a level in terms of its realm.
"I, a latecomer, have been presumptuous! Today is indeed a fortunate day, as I have the honor of meeting Scholar Zhang, who has been appointed to pacify the sixteen provinces of the Southwest! Please allow me to pay my respects!" Upon realizing that this person was actually Zhang Dun, Yang Yi then stood up and offered his greetings once more
The abundance of buckwheat, the presence of buckwheat
Zhang Dun was the illegitimate son of Zhang Yu and his wet nurse. In the second year of the Jiayou era, he passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi. However, his nephew Zhang Heng achieved the highest honor as the top scholar, even though his nephew was ten years older than him. Zhang Dun still felt humiliated, thinking it unacceptable to be outdone by his nephew. Therefore, he did not give up and insisted on waiting for the next examination, ultimately passing the first class of the jinshi examination, after which he finally ceased his efforts
It can be said that since the establishment of the imperial examination system, such a case is unique, with no other comparable instances. Others, even if they are merely mentioned alongside Sun Shan's name, eagerly rush to take up official positions. Yet, who possesses the same fortitude as this gentleman?
This person has a straightforward and resolute character, with clear likes and dislikes. He views people and situations in a strictly black-and-white manner, allowing no room for gray areas
Zhang Zhun could not help but find it amusing, and he laughed heartily, saying: "So, my young friend, when do you think will be the time of great opportunities and challenges?"
Li Yi! Hahaha! You are the Li Yi who made Zhu Guangting faint at the Hangzhou Academy? Come, come! Then we must invite you to share a drink, please take a seat
Yang Yi felt quite emotional upon hearing this. The Dongxiao Palace is not a grand imperial palace, but rather a Taoist temple located outside Hangzhou. The official title held by Zhang Zhun, which is that of a supervisor, pertains to the management of a Taoist temple, and his authority is even less than that of a head constable in Qiantang County.