In "Dan Ge Xing", Cao Cao borrowed the allusion of Zhou Gongdan to express his thirst for talents in two sentences: "The mountains never get too high, and the sea never gets too deep. The Duke of Zhou spits out food, and the world returns to its heart." . These four sentences are the finishing touch, clearly expressing my sincerity, hoping that all talents will come to me, and clearly clarifying the theme of this poem.
The allusion of "The Duke of Zhou spits out food" comes from "Han Shi Wai Zhuan". It is said that the Duke of Zhou said to himself: "I am the son of King Wen, the younger brother of King Wu, and the uncle of King Cheng. It’s not light. However, if you wash your hair three times and spit out food three times, you are afraid of losing the people of the world.” It means: In order to receive the people of the world, Zhou Gong would sometimes wash his hair and eat a meal, but he would interrupt it several times. , this kind of legend is of course too exaggerated. However, the use of this allusion here highlights the author's thirst for talents.
The two sentences "The mountains never get too high and the sea never gets too deep" also use metaphors to express very convincingly that the more talents, the better, and there will never be "the problem of overcrowding".
I borrowed what Chen Hang said in "Guanzi·Xingjie": "The mountain never tires of soil, so it can reach its height; the sea never tires of water, so it can reach its depth; the king never tires of his scholars, so the world returns to its heart." It means. : Mountains are majestic only when they do not abandon the earth and rocks; only when the sea does not abandon its trickling water can it appear majestic. I wish to be as courteous and virtuous as the Duke of Zhou, and wish that all the heroes in the world would sincerely submit to me. (See also "Shi Bi Xing Jian") These words are very helpful in explaining the background, theme and meaning of the last sentences of this poem.
Extended information:
"Dan Ge Xing" The Two Han Dynasties: Cao Cao
Singing over wine, what a life! Like morning dew, it will be more painful every day when it goes away.
Generosity should be treated with generosity, and worries will be unforgettable. How to relieve worries? Only Du Kang.
Qingqing Zijin, my heart is leisurely. But for your sake, I still ponder it.
Yo yo, the deer roars, eating apples in the wild. I have guests who play the harp and sheng.
It’s as bright as the moon, when can you wipe it off? Worry comes from it and cannot be cut off.
The more unfamiliar you are, the more you cross the border, the more useless you are. Qi Kuo talks about Yan, thinking about old kindness. (Talking about Yan, Part 1: Talking about Banquet)
The moon and stars are few and far between, and the black magpies are flying south. Three twists and turns around the tree, where is the branch to lean on?
The mountains never get too high and the sea never gets too deep. The Duke of Zhou vomits food, and the world returns to its heart.
(Sea: Water)