"Jia Sheng" is an epic poem by Li Shangyin, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, who uses the past to satirize the present. It is intended to use the experience of Jia Yi to express the poet's emotion of not being recognized for his talent. Its focus is not on personal gains and losses, but on pointing out that feudal rulers cannot truly value talents and make them play a political role. The poem selects the scene in which Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty summoned Jia Yi and had a late-night conversation, describing Emperor Wen's inability to recognize and appoint virtuous people; "not asking about the common people and ghosts and gods" reveals the mediocre character of the late Tang emperor who took medicine to seek immortality, neglected political affairs, and ignored people's livelihood. . This poem is full of satire, profound and powerful. In its sympathy for Jia Yi's underappreciated talent, it embodies the author's sadness of being politically marginalized and unable to achieve his ambitions.
"Jia Sheng"
Author: Li Shangyin
The promulgation office seeks talents and visits ministers, but Jia Sheng's talent is even more unmatched.
It’s a pity that I sit down at the front table in the middle of the night and don’t ask about the common people or the ghosts and gods.
Notes:
1. Xuanshi: the main room in front of the Weiyang Palace of the Han Dynasty;
2. Zhuchen: refers to Jia Yi who was demoted.
3. Talent: talent.
Rhyme translation:
Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty consulted the wise officials who had been demoted in the Xuanshi.
Jia Yi's talent and style were unparalleled.
When talking late into the night, Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty moved his knees to get closer to him.
It was a pity that he did not inquire about the people's livelihood, but he only inquired about ghosts and gods.
Commentary:
This is a satirical poem that refers to ancient times. It is intended to use Jia Yi's experience to express the poet's emotion about not being able to appreciate his talent. The poem is selected from the Han dynasty
The story of Emperor Wen’s promulgation office summoning Jia Yi and having a late-night conversation. It is written that Emperor Wen was unable to recognize and appoint virtuous people; he “didn’t ask about the common people or ghosts and gods”
But it exposed the late Tang emperor Taking medicine to seek immortality, neglecting political affairs, incapable of appointing virtuous people, and disregarding people's livelihood are the characteristics of mediocrity. The poem contains emotion
Satire, and the satire effect is quite good.
The full text and appreciation of Li Shangyin's "Jia Sheng"