Inscribed at the Pavilion of Zheng County
— by Du Fu
By the ravine beside the pavilion of Zheng County,I lean upon high windows, new inspiration stirring.Clouds part—lotus-like peaks face the great road;Sky clears—palace willows darken Changchun.
Wild sparrows swarm, bullying swallows near their nests;Mountain bees beneath the flowers chase men from afar.I long to inscribe poems across green bamboo,Yet at dusk, solitude may wound the spirit.
Narrative Translation
The following day, Wu Tong and his two companions arrived at Xixi, a lake some three kilometers outside Huazhou City. Xixi was formed from waters flowing out of the ravines of the Qinling Mountains and served, in Tang times, as a naval training ground. Its scenery, famed as "Moonlit Night at Western Stream," was enchanting, and it had become a favored refuge for Du Fu to dispel his melancholy.
After repeated inquiries about Du Fu, who was then serving as Assistant Magistrate for Merits (Sigong Canjun) of Huazhou, local officials informed Wu Tong that Du Fu often wandered alone along the stream, climbing to high places to gaze into the distance—his heart heavy with sorrow at being far from Chang'an.
Guided by the officials, the three reached a pavilion by Xixi. Wu Tong saw a man of spare build, a middle-aged figure, standing within the pavilion and staring toward the heavens. Wu Tong stepped forward, clasped his hands respectfully, and asked:
"May I ask—are you Sir Du Fu, Assistant Magistrate of Huazhou?"
The friendship between Li Bai and Du Fu has been celebrated for over a thousand years. On one occasion, when the two met again in Shandong, Li Bai wrote the poem "In Jest, Presented to Du Fu":
At Fan-Kuai Hill I met Du Fu once more,Straw hat on his head, midday sun overhead.I ask—why have you grown so thin of late?Always from the hardship of forging verse.
From this, we know Li Bai described Du Fu as exceedingly thin.
The man in the pavilion replied in surprise:
"I am indeed Du Fu. May I ask what brings you here?"
Wu Tong produced an official token and said:
"I am Wu Tong, Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness. At the request of Lord Zhang Gao, I have come to inquire after an old friend."
Upon seeing the court insignia, Du Fu grew visibly moved.
"So it is Lord Wu of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness! My apologies for the discourtesy. Please—let us sit within the pavilion."
Wu Tong then introduced Ling Xian'er and Situ Kong. The four took their seats, and Ling Xian'er laid out the fine dishes she had prepared.
Wu Tong said:
"By Lord Zhang Gao's instruction, I have come to visit you. Travel prevents lavish preparations—please accept these humble dishes. Let us eat and drink together."
Ling Xian'er poured wine for everyone.
"A toast!" Wu Tong said.
The four raised their cups and drank.
Du Fu then said:
"Lord Zhang Gao lay dormant for many years, entering office only in old age—yet he is now a pillar of the court. I drink this cup first, in honor of my old friend."
He stood, gazed into the distance, and drained his cup. History records that Zhang Gao had long harbored great ambition but was confined like a bird in a cage, not entering service until late in life.
After several cups of wine, Situ Kong, his tongue loosened, asked:
"Forgive me, Brother Du—but what exactly does an Assistant Magistrate for Merits do?"
Du Fu smiled awkwardly. In his youth, he had spent over ten fruitless years trapped in Chang'an. On one occasion he had met Wei Ji, then Left Vice Minister of the Secretariat, who admired Du Fu's poetry. Du Fu had presented him with two poems, hoping for advancement, writing:
I deem myself outstanding, fit to tread the vital road;To aid the ruler as Yao and Shun once did,And restore pure customs to the realm.
Now, that youthful ambition had dissolved into weary complaint.
"An Assistant Magistrate," Du Fu said helplessly,"is no high official—merely a staff aide to prefectural authorities. I oversee rites and sacrifices, ritual music, schools, examinations, divination, medicine, and official evaluations."
Wu Tong replied earnestly:
"Lord Zhang Gao speaks highly of your brilliance and learning, Sir Du. You must not belittle yourself."
Du Fu was deeply moved. After a pause, inspiration stirred within him.
"Lord Wu, you speak truly. Recently I composed two memorials for Governor Guo of Huazhou: 'Memorial with Strategic Map on Eliminating the Remaining Rebels' and 'Five Policy Questions for the Huazhou Metropolitan Examination, First Year of Qianyuan.'Please deliver these to Lord Zhang Gao, that they may benefit the state and the people."
He rose and brought out two scrolls. Du Fu had always believed that prose must carry the Way, and poetry must voice the will. The first document analyzed the situation of the remaining rebels and advocated decisive military offense. The second proposed reforms in taxation, transport, and governance.
Wu Tong accepted them solemnly.
"I shall certainly deliver these to Lord Zhang Gao."
The four drank again, savoring the winter scenery—like a living painting. The lake lay cradled among mountains, its waters clear as a mirror; countless peaks stood emerald and serene. For a time, all worldly troubles were cast aside. Wine in hand, they spoke freely, resting in the cool breeze—life itself seemed but a dream.
They drank deep into the night, conversation flowing without end. Du Fu became thoroughly intoxicated. Wu Tong hired a carriage to escort him back to his official residence in Huazhou. By the time they entered the city, a crescent moon hung in the sky.
Wu Tong and his companions stayed the night at an inn. In the courtyard stood more than ten plum trees, their shadows and fragrance drifting softly. Beneath the moonlight, the three sipped tea to sober themselves, retiring only late at night.
The next day, they set out for Mount Hua. Situ Kong said he intended to visit an old friend there. Mount Hua, famed as "the most perilous mountain under Heaven," consists of five peaks:East Peak (Facing the Sun), West Peak (Lotus Flower), Central Peak (Jade Maiden), South Peak (Falling Wild Goose), and North Peak (Cloud Terrace).
Upon entering Mount Hua's domain, they found the roads crowded with martial artists rushing toward the mountain. After inquiries, they learned that a "White Lotus Flower" had appeared at the summit. It was said that consuming it would grant thirty years of inner power, and thus heroes from all quarters had converged.
Someone along the road said:
"The Black-Eating King, Sima Lun, has declared that anyone who dares contend for the White Lotus Flower makes an enemy of him. He means to claim it at all costs!"
Another added:
"The White Lotus Sect's leader has also proclaimed the flower belongs to their sect alone!"
Yet another said:
"But the master of Mount Hua Sect, Zhu Feng, insists the White Lotus Flower is a sacred treasure of Mount Hua—no one may seize it!"
At this, Wu Tong and his companions realized that a great storm was about to break upon Mount Hua.