Cao Cao's Looking at the Sea accurately and vividly depicts the image of the ocean, which is simple and full, rich but not trivial, like a thick charcoal brush stroke. What is particularly commendable is that this song not only embodies the image of the ocean, but also gives it character.
Looking at the Sea was written by Cao Cao, a poet in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
Excerpt from the original:
On the east coast, climb Jieshi Mountain to see the vast sea. The sea is so vast that the islands stand high on the sea.
Trees and paraquat are very lush. Autumn wind makes trees make sad sounds, and the sea is surging. The movement of the sun and the moon seems to come from the vast ocean.
Translation:
Climb Jieshi Mountain to the east and enjoy the wonders of the sea. The waves are stirring, and the islands in the sea are listed and towering into the sky. Surrounded by lush trees and flowers, the bleak wind came, the vegetation shook, and the sea set off huge waves, rolling and whistling, as if to engulf the universe.
The poem "Unfolding Information" is a magnificent sea scene outlined by Cao Cao when he climbed the mountain in Jieshi Mountain and looked at the sea with a lot of romantic passion. It depicts the magnificence of the motherland's rivers and mountains, not only the magnificence of mountains and seas, but also the enterprising spirit of the poet who lives by heaven and cares for the world. The whole poem is concise in language, rich in imagination, magnificent, desolate and tragic.
Creation background: Wuhuan was a great disaster in Northeast China at that time. In the 11th year of Jian 'an (2006), Wu Huan invaded Youzhou and captured more than 100,000 Han people. In the same year, Yuan Shang and Yuan, the sons of Yuan Shao, colluded with Ta Dun, the leader of Wuhuan in western Liaoning, and repeatedly harassed the border, so that Cao Cao had to resolutely decide to conquer Wuhuan in the 12th year of Jian 'an (207).
Later, under the guidance of Tian Chou, he used tricks. Cao Cao finally won a decisive victory in the great war in August this year. This victory consolidated Cao Cao's rear areas and laid the foundation for the next year's conquest of the south, with a view to realizing the grand aspiration of reunifying China. "Looking at the Sea" is about the time when Wu Huan, who won the Northern Expedition, crossed Jieshi Mountain and returned to Li.
This poem not only describes the scenery, but also expresses feelings through the scenery, skillfully integrating the seascape in front of him with his own ambition. The climax of this poem is at the end. Its feelings are unrestrained, but its thoughts are subtle. Not only did the scene blend, but also the combination of reason and emotion. Because it is implicit, it is more enlightening, more stimulating to our imagination and more intriguing.
In the past, people praised Cao Cao's poems as deep, full and powerful, which can be confirmed from here. The tone of the whole poem is desolate and generous, and it is also a masterpiece of Jian 'an's character. The whole poem is concise in language, rich in imagination, magnificent, desolate and tragic.
About the author: Cao Cao (155 ~ 220), born in Mond County (now Bo County, Anhui Province), was an outstanding politician, strategist and writer in Jian 'an era. In the first year of Jian 'an (196), he welcomed Emperor Xu (present-day Henan), took the emperor as a vassal, and successively put down the separatist forces such as Lu Bu. After the battle of Guandu defeated warlord Yuan Shao, the northern part of China was gradually unified.
In the 13th year of Jian 'an (208), he became prime minister and led the army south. He was defeated by Sun Quan and Liu Bei in Chibi. Wang Wei was later blocked. His son Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor and made him Emperor Wu. For the deeds, see Volume 1 of the History of the Three Kingdoms. There are 30 volumes that have been lost. The Ming Dynasty compiled the Collection of Wei Wudi, and now there is the Collection of Cao Cao.