It refers to the highest level of Qianxun Tower, but actually it is a metaphor for the highest decision-making level in politics.
Original text: "Climbing Feilai Peak" by Wang Anshi of the Song Dynasty
Feilai Mountain Qianxun Pagoda, I heard the rooster crow and saw the sun rising.
Don’t be afraid of the floating clouds covering your eyes, because you are at the highest level.
Translation:
I heard that from the very high tower of Feilai Peak, you can see the rising sun when the rooster crows.
I am not afraid that the clouds will block my sight, just because I am at the top now.
Extended information
1. Creation background
In the summer of 1050 AD (the second year of Emperor Renzong of Song Dynasty), the poet returned to Linchuan, Jiangxi Province after completing his term as magistrate of Yin County, Zhejiang Province I wrote this poem while passing through Hangzhou in my hometown. At this time, the poet was only thirty years old. He was in his prime and had great ambitions. He just took advantage of climbing Feilai Peak to express his thoughts and broad feelings.
2. Theme
This poem reflects the poet's courageous and fearless enterprising spirit in order to realize his political ambitions. In the first sentence of the poem, the poet uses the exaggerated word "Qianxun" to express the height of his own foothold by referring to the height of the ancient pagoda on the peak. The second sentence of the poem cleverly simulates the glorious scene of the rising sun seen on the tower, showing the poet's vigor, ambition for reform, and full confidence in the future, which becomes the emotional tone of the whole poem.
The last two sentences of the poem follow the first two sentences to describe the scene, discuss and express emotions, making the poem both vivid and profound in philosophy. The ancients often worried about floating clouds blocking the sun and evil ministers covering the wise, but the poet added the word "not afraid". It shows the poet's courage and determination to be far-sighted in politics and not afraid of evil.