There are ancient poems about the Grand Canal:
1. "Bianhe River Nostalgia Part 1"
Tang Dynasty: Pi Rixiu
Thousands of dragon boats carrying green silk boats will never return them to Yangzhou.
It should be that Tianjiao opened Bianshui River, and there are no mountains in more than a thousand miles.
Translation
Thousands of colorful boats sailed among the green willows on both sides of the canal, but this fleet never returned after they arrived in Yangzhou.
It should be God who taught people to open the Bianhe River. There is not a single mountain visible on the ground for more than a thousand miles here.
2. "Nostalgia for the Bianhe River Part 2"
Tang Dynasty: Pi Rixiu
This river died in the Sui Dynasty, and it still relies on Tongbo for thousands of miles.
If there was no dragon boat incident in the Water Palace, Emperor Yu would not have made much merit.
Translation
It is said that the fall of the Sui Dynasty was due to this river, but it is still flowing, so boats from the north and the south can flow unimpeded.
If it were not for the construction of dragon boats to patrol Jiangdu, Emperor Yang of Sui's achievements could be equal to those of Dayu.
3. "Ships Entering the Bianhe River Straight"
Tang Dynasty: Li Jingfang
The Bianhe River's connection to Huaihe River brings the most benefits, and harms both living and human beings.
This is the river that drains all the fat from the forty-three states in the southeast.
Translation:
After the tunnel between Bianshui River and Huaihe River is dug, there will indeed be many conveniences. However, the sufferings suffered by the people were also profound.
In the vast area of ????the forty-three southeastern states, all the people's wealth and anointing were carried away by this river and sent to the capital for the royal family to enjoy.
4. "Sui Palace"
Tang Dynasty: Li Shangyin
The Ziquan Palace is locked in haze, hoping to take Wucheng as the imperial home.
The jade seal is not destined to return to the sun, but the brocade sail should reach the end of the world.
Today there are no fireflies in the rotting grass, but in ancient times there were dusk crows in the weeping poplar trees.
If you meet Empress Chen underground, why should you ask the flowers in the backyard again?
Translation:
The locked city of Chang'an is shrouded in layers of haze, and they want to choose Jiangdu as their gorgeous villa.
If the emperor's jade seal had not fallen into the hands of the Li family, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty's dragon boat would have traveled all over the world.
The fireflies of that year are no longer visible in the rotting grass. The shadows; the weeping willows on the bank of the canal, only the crows returning to their nests are chattering forever.
If I met Empress Chen in the underworld now, would there still be Yaxing to ask my beloved concubine to sing another piece of "Flowers in the Backyard of Yushu"?
5. "Bianhe Pavilion"
Tang Dynasty: Xu Hun
The Huasheng Emperor of Guangling traveled eastward and first attacked the Kunlun faction.
One hundred and two forbidden soldiers resigned from Xiangque, and three thousand palace ladies got off the dragon boat.
The clouds are condensing, the drums are vibrating, the stars are moving, the flags are blowing, the sun and the moon are floating.
The righteous masters from all over the world return to the right way, and the Lost Tower is still the Jingyang Tower.
Translation:
The Qionghua flowers in Yangzhou were in full bloom, and Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty wanted to visit them. He split mountains like Kunlun and created a river.
The mighty imperial army bid farewell to the palace, and three thousand concubines and concubines went south together on dragon boats.
The drum music that resounded through the sky stirred the stars in the sky, and the banners on the dragon boats fluttered in the wind day and night.
The rebel armies from all over the world have surrendered to the righteous army. The maze of beautiful women is just another Jingyang Tower where the country has perished.
Baidu Encyclopedia - Poetry Grand Canal