Translation of Zhong Xing's Biography of Mr. Baiyun

Lin Gudu said: Mr. Baiyun Chen Ang, whose name is Yunzhong, is from Huangshi Street, Putian, Fujian. Judging from his food, clothing, housing and transportation, people don't know where he comes from. He lives in seclusion in poetry, regards poetry as his own life, and only befriends Ma Gongzi. Since Putian was invaded by the Japanese and the city was destroyed, Mr. Wang led his wife and children to Yuzhang County to make a living by compiling straw sandals. Later, due to the sluggish business, he made a living by divination. No matter going boating in Peng Li, resting and enjoying the scenery in Lushan Mountain, or paying tribute to the remains of Tao Yuanming, they all left poems. Soon he entered the state of Chu and entered Shu from Jiangling. He was attached to the monk's boat and was employed by the monk to cook for them. When I arrived in Shu, I was still employed by monks, so I had the opportunity to visit the Three Gorges and Jianmen and climb Emei to enjoy the beautiful scenery. After the monk died, he returned from Shu and lived in Jiangling, Songzi, Gongan in Hubei and Baling in Hunan. When he arrived in Jinling, Yao Taishou gradually regarded it as a guest, providing him with shelter and food. After a period of time, Yao Taishou also died, and he still made a living by divination on the Qinhuai River. Sometimes I put paper on the door and write poems for others. If people in that place have small weddings and funerals, they will bring him some money and rice, and he will do as the bearer asks. When I have nothing to do, I engage in divination, and sometimes I do some straw sandals weaving. Lin Gudu and his brother Lin Mao are the sons of Fujian native Lin Xiaolian Chuwen, who live in Jinling. One day, the two brothers passed by Mr. Baiyun's door, saw the handwritten paper posted on the door, and entered his home. Only by asking did they know that he was from Putian, Fujian. Mr. Baiyun described his situation in detail. His house is filled with straw mats as beds, crocks as stoves, and used paper and pens. Read his poems as soon as you see them. At this time, although Gudu was young, he could read the main idea of the poem and was amazed. Whenever he admires, Mr. Baiyun turns his face to the wall and tears and grieves, even losing his voice. Later, when I passed in front of his house, I brought him some food to eat, and Baiyun was very happy; He also took out poems to read to the Lin brothers, and he was as sad as before. After several years, he finally died of poverty. His son hurried out to buy a clothes coffin and buried it in the field. The Gudu brothers hurried to ask for his poems, but found nothing. Later, they got Mr. Gudu's calligraphy in five words. I can't name his poem. In his preface, he said, "When Chen Ang was young, he was particularly fond of five words. It's just that poor families don't have many ancient books. They get Wang Wei's books to study Wang Wei's and Du Fu's books to study Du Fu's. Sometimes I try to figure out the creation according to the format of the work, and sometimes I extend one of them to play, and write down what I think. Some critics say that people are famous for their poems, but only two or three gentlemen are famous for their poems. How narrow the road of poetry is! For those dignitaries, poetry is not what they need for friends and tasting, which makes it impossible for poetry to spread to the world. There are many cases. Besides, people in cloth like Chen Ang! Recently, Xu Wei and Song Dengchun were spread because of poverty, but they were not well-known in poetry. Their poems were inferior to those of Chen Ang, but not as poor as those of Chen Ang. I used to think about what Mr. Baiyun had in mind when he was weaving straw sandals, divining, being employed by people to cook and writing for people. He saw people passing in front of him, but what did he take them for in his eyes? Explore his inner thoughts but can't know. My friend Zhang Shenyan said: "When you go to the market today, you should take a good look at the people who sell vegetables, lest there be people like Baiyun." His words are very enlightening!