Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 205 "The Setting Sun Still Shines Red Over the River"

Zeng Bu's expectant gaze fell on his elder brother Zeng Gong's face, filled with the eagerness unique to young people who couldn't hide their feelings.

The eyes of everyone in the cabin then turned to look.

Lü Huiqing and Wang Shao's poems each have their own focus; one expresses feelings and laments, while the other analyzes from a military perspective. Both have their merits. At this moment, we naturally look forward to Mr. Nanfeng, who is famous in the capital for his classical prose and praised by Ouyang Xiu as "one of the eagles among a hundred birds," having an even more outstanding performance.

Zeng Gong simply smiled gently, his expression carrying a humility born of experience.

He gently patted his younger brother's shoulder, his voice calm: "Jifu is full of lofty ambitions, and Zichun is insightful. I am but a dullard, and it is difficult for me to come up with a good idea in a short time. Please allow me to think about it for a moment."

He wasn't shirking responsibility; it was just his personality.

Zeng Gong always advocated "literature to illuminate the Way" in his writing and poetry, emphasizing the richness of content and the depth of thought, pursuing a state of "simplicity and tranquility," and disliking ornate and empty rhetoric.

Among the "Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties," Zeng Gong and Su Xun were actually two extremes on the same track.

Both were particularly skilled at writing argumentative essays, but unlike Su Xun, who was full of emotion and had a powerful style, he was the least emotional among the "Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song". His articles rarely expressed personal emotions. They were usually insightful, with intricate reasoning and gentle and leisurely writing, which had a calm and unhurried atmosphere.

Zeng Gong's poetry skills were far superior to Su Xun's. Su Xun had virtually no outstanding poems, while Zeng Gong's poems, though not reaching the level of masterpieces, had quite a few noteworthy ones. Among them, lines such as "Few in the world are free to choose their own path, and few throughout history have been able to resist the allure of fame and fortune" are particularly thought-provoking.

If we consider not only prose but also literature, history, poetry, lyrics, rhapsodies, and essays, Lu Beigu's overall ranking of the "Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song" in the Song Dynasty should be: Ouyang Xiu > Su Shi > Wang Anshi > Zeng Gong > Su Zhe > Su Xun.

Ouyang Xiu and Su Shi are in the first tier, Wang Anshi and Zeng Gong are in the second tier, and Su Zhe and Su Xun are in the third tier.

Ouyang Xiu ranked higher than Su Shi in his mind, mainly for two reasons. First, Ouyang Xiu made significant contributions to literary innovation. He led the Northern Song Dynasty's literary reform movement, inherited and developed Han Yu's theories on classical prose, and pioneered a new literary style. Second, Ouyang Xiu was incredibly well-rounded, a typical all-rounder with no weaknesses. He had masterpieces in all fields: prose such as "The Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man," historical works such as "New Book of Tang" and "New History of the Five Dynasties," poetry such as "The Painted Eyebrow Bird," lyrics such as "Butterfly Loves Flowers: How Deep is the Courtyard," "Sheng Chazi: Lantern Festival," and "Waves Washing Sand: Raising a Wine Cup to the East Wind," rhapsodies such as "Autumn Sounds Rhapsody," and essays such as "On Factions."

While Su Shi excelled in prose, poetry, lyrics, and rhapsodies, and his poetry and rhapsodies might even be slightly better than Ouyang Xiu's, he was significantly inferior to Ouyang Xiu in historical writings and treatises. Therefore, his overall strength was not as good as Ouyang Xiu's.

As for Wang Anshi and Zeng Gong, there's not much to say. Given that their prose skills are roughly the same, Wang Anshi's poetry is superior to Zeng Gong's. He has several famous works that have been passed down through the ages, such as "New Year's Day," "Plum Blossom," "Mooring at Guazhou," "Climbing Feilai Peak," and "Written on the Wall of Mr. Huyin's Residence." Therefore, he is definitely ranked higher than Zeng Gong. However, his overall strength cannot compare with Su Shi, who ranks higher.

In terms of writing ability, Su Zhe and Su Xun were roughly equal. Although Su Zhe did not have any famous poems that have been passed down through the ages, his level of poetry was still significantly higher than that of his father.

At this moment, Cui Wenjing smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Brother Zigu has been thinking deeply, and I'm sure you're looking for a remarkable line. Why don't we admire the river view and wait for you to come up with your idea?"

He turned to look at Lu Beigu: "Just now in Wulin, I saw you walking alone on the hilltop, seemingly lost in thought. Did you gain anything from that?"

Lu Beigu was stroking the dark stone he had picked up on the top of Wulin Hill.

He had washed the stone with water, and its surface had a dark luster. Upon closer inspection, it seemed to have some marks as if it had been scorched by high temperatures.

This is more likely due to geological changes or the erosion of long years, but being on this land that was once swept by towering flames, it is hard not to have a subtle association.

Eight hundred and forty-eight years is enough time for iron armor to turn into rust and blend into the soil, but this stubborn rock may have been one of the witnesses to that earth-shattering fire.

Upon hearing Cui Wenjing's question, Lu Beigu snapped out of his reverie and showed the stone to everyone.

"It was just a stubborn rock I picked up on the hill, something to remember it by."

Lu Beigu then said, “Just now, standing atop the hill and gazing at the great river, the Red Cliffs were like blood, and the Wulin Forest was vast and desolate. I suddenly felt my own insignificance. Judge Wang’s words, ‘To pluck the laurel in the moon palace,’ still ring in my ears. But ‘plucking the laurel’ is merely personal glory. Looking at this ancient battlefield, I realize that there have been countless heroes throughout history, yet the Yangtze River still flows eastward. Today we are heading north to seek fame and fortune. If we one day stand in the court, we should always think of this place, so that future generations will not have to lament for us.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Shao nodded and said, "That's very well said! Fame and fortune are like fleeting clouds. Only by making real contributions to the country and the people can one live up to this life and this land."

He already harbored great ambitions, and Lu Beigu's words undoubtedly hit the nail on the head.

Zeng Gong looked at Lu Beigu with admiration in his eyes. At first, Zeng Gong was not familiar with Lu Beigu, but subconsciously thought that since the other party was a member of the Qingsong Society and was recognized by Zen Master Zuyin, he should be able to become friends.

After spending the last few days with him, Zeng Gong discovered that this young man traveling with him often displayed a maturity far beyond his years in his speech and behavior, and seemed to be a person who could accomplish great things.

These words now reveal even more about his character and aspirations.

After all, it is extremely rare for a young person under twenty to have such an understanding of history and a clear awareness of achievements.

The passenger ship sailed downstream at a considerable speed.

As dusk fell, the outlines of the mountains on both sides of the river gradually blurred, merging into the deep indigo hue.

They had lit oil lamps inside the cabin, their dim yellow light flickering on the bulkhead.

After a long period of contemplation, Zeng Gong finally spoke, his voice clear and distinct: "Your insightful discussions have deeply impressed me. I was just reflecting quietly when I came up with a few lines, which, though not a complete piece, are merely a record of my thoughts on this trip."

He paused, then slowly recited:
"The river flows on endlessly for a thousand years, and the smoke of war at Red Cliff has long since dissipated."

A grand ambition, built on the strength of a fleet of ships, ultimately vanished in the wind.

The hills and forests are silent, burying the loyal tomb; the boats leisurely carry the guests away.

Do not ask about Zhou Yu's regretful path; the setting sun still paints the river red.

His poetic style is just like Zeng Gong himself—simple and profound.

The first couplet points out the eternity of time and space and the dissipation of the smoke of war. The second couplet directly points out the futility of Cao Cao's strategy of relying on "chained boats". The third couplet contrasts the desolate Wulin hills and valleys with the insignificance of the travelers on the boat. The final couplet takes a different turn, concluding with the unchanging "the setting sun makes the river red", placing personal regrets against the backdrop of the eternal universe, leaving a lingering aftertaste and a sense of enlightenment after experiencing the vicissitudes of life.

"What a wonderful poem!"

Cui Wenjing was the first to applaud, saying, "The couplet 'The hills and forests are silent, burying the loyal tombs; the boats and oars leisurely send off the guests' is very much in the style of the poets of the early Tang Dynasty. It fully expresses the feelings of those who come to pay their respects throughout the ages. It reveals true meaning in simplicity and shows a broad mind in desolation! As for the concluding line 'The setting sun still shines red all over the river,' it is even more expansive in its imagery and leaves a lasting impression!"

Wang Shao also sincerely admired him.

In terms of its starting point and content, Zeng Gong's poem is not much different from Lü Huiqing's poem, but its level is clearly superior.

Zeng Gong did not pursue ornate language or intense emotions. Instead, with the calm perspective of a historian and the profound sentiments of a scholar, he carefully crafted his words and sentences, expressing his unique insights into rise and fall and achievements. This level of understanding was completely different from that of Lü Huiqing.

Lu Beigu secretly praised him even more.

—No wonder he is one of the "Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties"!

His poetry, like his classical prose, is devoid of artifice, yet possesses a powerful and vigorous style.

At this moment, night completely enveloped the river, and the passenger ship seemed to be sailing in an endless expanse of darkness, with only the spray from the waves breaking at the bow shimmering with faint phosphorescence.

A few fishing lights occasionally appear on both banks, like distant stars, further highlighting the vastness of the river and the loneliness of night navigation.

After Zeng Gong finished reciting his poem, it was Lu Beigu's turn.

(End of this chapter)