Night tour of Chengtian Temple
Song sushi
Genpox, on the night of October 12, 2006, took off his clothes and went to bed. He just saw the moonlight on the door and got up happily for a walk. Thinking that there was no one to play with, I went to the Tianhou Palace to find Zhang Huaimin. People didn't sleep, so we walked in the yard together. The courtyard is as empty as water, and the algae and grass in the water are intertwined and covered with bamboo and cypress. What night is there no moonlight? Where is there no bamboo and cypress? It's just the lack of free people like us.
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In the sixth year of Yuanfeng, on the evening of1October 12 (or 10831October/2), (I) took off my clothes and got ready for bed. Just when I saw the moonlight shining on the door, I got up happily and went out for a walk. I thought no one would play with me, so I went to Chengtian Temple to find Zhang Huaimin. Huaimin didn't sleep either, so we walked in the yard together. The moonlight is as clear and transparent as clear water in the courtyard, and the algae and weeds in the water are interlaced, which turned out to be the shadow of bamboo and cypress. What night has no moonlight? Where is there no bamboo and cypress? It's just the lack of idle people like us.
This article can be appreciated in three layers.
The first narrative: explain the time, place and reason of the night tour.
The first sentence points out the time of the incident "October 12th, the sixth year of Yuanfeng", and Su Shi was demoted to Huangzhou for four years because of the Wutai Poetry Case. That night, the moonlight shone into his room. The author wanted to sleep, but he was fascinated by the beautiful moonlight and got excited. But he thought that no one could enjoy this kind of fun, so he set off for Chengtian Temple not far away to find Zhang Huaimin. When he was in Su Like, he was also demoted to Huangzhou and made friends with Su Shi. That night, Zhang Huaimin didn't sleep, so they went for a walk in the middle of the yard together. This narrative is simple, indifferent and natural. (Looking for friends at night)
The second layer of scenery: depicting the night in the court.
The author cherishes ink as gold, and only uses eighteen words to create a quiet and charming night scene with clear moonlight, mottled bamboo shadows. Readers can use their imagination: the moonlight is crystal clear, as clear as a pool of empty water. Even better, there are aquatic plants floating and wandering in the "water", and suddenly they are like entering a fairyland. The beauty of the author is that the shadows of bamboo and cypress trees set each other off against the moonlight, and the metaphor is accurate, novel and appropriate, which renders the beauty and solemnity of the scenery. It also reflects the cool and clear moonlight, which sets off the author's leisurely mood.
Third floor: It's a pity that no one enjoys the moon.
Then turn to the discussion. The author regrets that there are no bamboos and cypresses anywhere, but apart from him and Zhang Huaimin, I'm afraid not many people have leisure and elegance to enjoy the scenery. The crowning touch of the whole article is the word "idle people", while Su Shi lives in Huangzhou, "not allowed to sign books to do business". He is just a nominal official and the other side of the Confucian ideal of "helping the world and the people". The moonlight is beautiful and the bamboo shadow is beautiful, but people can't know it. It is a pleasure for these two people to enjoy it! Su Shi's thoughts span Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, which makes his attitude towards life extremely inclusive and can be said to be modest and comfortable. Of course, his chapters in adversity can better reflect his personality charm!
The article gives a wonderful description of the moonlit scenery and truly records the author's life when he was relegated to Huangzhou. This also reflects his deep friendship with Zhang Huaimin and his infinite affection for a few intimate friends. At the same time, he also expressed his depression and self-abandonment, and showed his optimistic attitude towards life. The full text is sincere and concise, starting at the right time and ending at the right place, like flowing water, in one go.