Reading “Mountains and Seas Stories” : Thirteen Poems: No. 13
读 “山 海 经”： 十 三 首
岩 岩 显 朝 市
帝 者 慎 用 才。
何 以 废 其 鲧
重 华 为 之 来。
仲 父 献 城 言
姜 公 乃 见 猜。
临 没 告 饥 渴
当 复 何 及 哉！
Du “Shan Hai Jing“: Shi San Shou
(13)
Yan yan xian zhao shi
Di zhe shen yong cai.
He yi fei qi gun
Chong hua wei zhi lai.
Zhong fu xian cheng yan
Jiang gong nai jian cai.
Lin mei gao ji ke
Dang fu he ju zai !
Reading “Mountains and Seas Stories” : Thirteen Poems: No. 13
The power elite in the palace are like rocky crags
The emperor needs to be very cautious how he uses those of talent.
Even though he had two sons
Emperor Chonghua dismissed them from the court.
Zhongfu offered honest and sincere advice
But emperor Jianggong did not believe him.
This disbelief was almost fatal
He should have listened to Zhongfu.
Notes:
Emperor Chonghua: Also known as Emperor Shun (2294-2184 BC). He was famous for being last of the Five Emperors. Held in high regard for his modesty and filial piety. There are many stories and legends about his achievements.
Zhongfu: The Duke of Qi was so well respected during the Spring and Autumn period [Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-476 BC)], that he treated like a second father. The name “Father Zhong” was then used as an expression of high regard.
Jianggong: Also known as Jiang Ziya (1128-1015 BC): Ancestor to a long line of royalty, he helped the Zhou to overthrow the Shang Dynasty. While in exile, he waited for his imperial summons by fishing in a tributary to the Wei River. Famous for using either a barbless hook, or no hook at all, he told passersby that, “the fish will come to me.” When King Wen of Zhou went looking for him, he found him by the stream. After an interview, the king made Jiang a prime minister. Years later, as he was giving advice to King Wen’s son, King Wu, he recommended caution when invading a neighboring land. “While I was fishing, I realized one truth–success requires patience…one must wait for an appropriate opportunity.”