It is common to see you at the home of the King of Qi.
Cui Tangjiu has heard it several times before.
It is the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan.
When the flowers fell, I met you again.
Imagine that you meet a very popular star in the street. What kind of experience will it be? In the past, you could only see him in programs or concerts. Now, he is standing in front of you, with no screen and hands waving by thousands of fans, so you can get along with him alone. Think about it. Are you excited, even excited to jump?
But the hero I want to talk about today may not be able to jump, because he was already an old man in his fifties. When he was young, he met the most popular and famous singer in Chang 'an. Who is it? Li Guinian. This poem is "Meeting Li Guinian Downstream on the River".
How to describe Li Guinian's position in the entertainment circle in the Tang Dynasty? Poet Li Bai wrote lyrics for him, and Yang Guifei danced with him. He can also compose and play musical instruments. It is simply a combination of powerful singers and creative singers. Today is Jay Chou Garang Lang. Tang Xuanzong admired him very much. With the support of the royal family, his status is higher, and it is hard to get a ticket for the concert. Except for high-ranking dignitaries, ordinary people can't hear it if they want to.
Du Fu was also a talented young man in his early years. When he was in Chang 'an, he hung out in the upper class at that time, so he was lucky enough to hear Li Guinian sing. Maybe Li Guinian sings so well that he has an unforgettable feeling. When we met again decades later, the vivid memory remained in his heart.
The first two sentences of this poem describe the scene when Li Guinian set fire to Chang 'an. It's common to see it at the home of Qi Wang, but I've heard it several times before Cui Tangjiu. Who's Wang Qi? Friends who are familiar with Tang Dynasty poets' allusions and listen to previous programs will be familiar with them. He is the younger brother of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, and his position is noble. The most rare thing is that he is essentially a literary youth. According to historical records, he likes reading, is good at calligraphy, and especially knows music. He usually likes to drink and write poems with literati. It was with his help that Wang Wei was appreciated by Princess Yu Zhen and won the highest prize. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that he was a leading figure in the cultural circles at that time and a confidant and protector of artists from all walks of life.
Cui Jiu is not an ordinary person. His name is Cui Di, and his family ranks in Laojiu. He was a favorite of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty and was born in Boling Cui Shi, one of the five great families in the world. The Cui Shi family has been passed down for hundreds of years, and numerous famous ministers have been produced. In the eyes of ordinary people in the Tang Dynasty, their status was as high as that of the royal family.
The characters who appeared in front of Qi Wang's house and Cui Tiansheng's capable and visible popularity. However, Du Fu also used two words, one is "seeing together" and the other is "hearing several times". What do you mean? People in the past, whether Du Fu or Li Guinian, all thought these things were very common. This era is so prosperous and they are so talented that they should always enjoy this infinite scenery. Their future is as beautiful as a dream.
The poet is magnanimous. He recalled the best prosperous time of the year, and mentioned the former celebrities in a very plain tone, without the ostentatious tone of celebrities sending friends. This is to pave the way for the last two sentences.
"It's the beautiful scenery in the south of the Yangtze River, and it's the season of falling flowers." Isn't Li Guinian always in Chang 'an? Why did you come to Jiangnan? Are you here for a concert tour? This is related to the background of the times. With the outbreak of Anshi Rebellion, the prosperous Tang Dynasty is gone forever. Even after the rebellion was put down, the society was still in turmoil. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty was forced to abdicate and died of depression. King Nagi and Cui Jiu died long ago. Ordinary people are lucky to survive the turmoil. Du Fu himself has been wandering for many years and is coming to the end of his life.
The situation in Li Guinian is not much better. He used to perform only on the most brilliant stage, but now he lives on the streets and sings for a living. Two people, one is no longer young and the other is no longer famous. When they meet, there should be too much to feel.
However, there seems to be no sadness in Du Fu's poems. Look at the scenery of Ming Xiu, a water town in the south of the Yangtze River. It's the flower season. Is it more beautiful than Chang 'an in those days?
Yes, the scenery is better, but when people get old, everything they once owned disappears in a blink of an eye. Our youth is gone, and so is Datang. What Du Fu wanted to say was not clearly written, but it left readers with infinite aftertaste and reverie.
Later generations commented that this poem is the last quatrain written by Du Fu, and it is also his best quatrain. It is also said that just 28 words, with profound meaning, can be equivalent to Bai Juyi's 6 12 word "Song of Eternal Sorrow".