The prosperity of the park dissipates like the fragrant dust
2.
The water flows relentlessly and the grass still grows like in Spring
3.
At sunset the east wind brings a bird's dirge 4.
The falling flowers are like the lady who jumped from the tower
5.
1
Golden Valley Park was built by Chong Shi during the West-Jin dynasty. It
was located northwest of present day Lo-yang City in Henan Province. The preface
to The Poetry of Golden Valley Park was written by Chong Shi. It says, "I
have another mansion in Henan Province. It is located on an island in the Golden
River Gorge. There are a clear spring and luxuriant trees around the estate. The
park includes bamboo and cedar trees, as well as many fruit trees. It also
contains all kinds of herbs. The park was beautifully landscaped."
There is another poem of Du's, titled "The Inscription on the Temple of Mrs.
Peach Blossom", that praises Lü -zhu. It
says,
"In the harem of thin waists, the dewy peach blossom was new.
She had never spoken for several springs ("several springs" can refer to a
woman who has married several times).
For what reason was the State of Xi destroyed?
It was a pity that the lady jumped from the tower in the Golden Valley."
Its interpretation is as follows:
"Someone told the King of the State of Chu about the beauty of the Queen of
the State of Xi (i.e., Mrs. Peach Blossom). It led the King of Chu to destroy
the State of Xi. The Queen of Xi became a captive and was sent to Chu's palace.
Later, she bore two sons. However, she was silent every day and unhappy. The
King of Chu asked her why. She replied, 'I am a woman who has served two
husbands. Now that I am not allowed to die, I have nothing more to say.' There
is a Chinese saying: A loyal woman does not serve two husbands. Mrs. Peach
Blossom remained silent as a passive protest. Lü
-zhu adopted a more radical solution. She committed suicide in response to a
bully's shameless demand."
2 The Junior Counselor Concubine says, "Chong Shi spread the sawdust
from aloes wood on his elephant-tusk bed. Then he asked his favorite dancers to
dance on the bed. Those who were light and left no footprints behind would be
awarded pearls." This story shows how extravagant Shi was.
3
This line says that history belittles Chong Shi's wealth and praises Lü
-zhu's virtue. The park no longer exists. Only the water and grass remains. The
word "Spring" refers to virtue.
4
"Dirge" refers to the death of Lü -zhu,
Shi's favorite concubine.
5
The lady jumping from the tower refers to Lü
-zhu (green pearl). The chapter titled "The Biography of Chong Shi" in The
History of Jin Dynasty says, "Lü -zhu
was Shi's favorite concubine. She was extremely beautiful and accomplished at
playing the flute. Xiu Sun sent people to demand that Shi hand over Lü
-zhu. Chong Shi said, 'Lü -zhu is my love.
You cannot have her.' Consequently, Xiu Sun accused Shi of a false crime in
front of King Lun. The king sent armed guards to arrest Shi. Shi said to Lü
-zhu, 'I am being accused because of you.' Lü
-zhu cried and said, ' am loyal to you and will commit suicide in front of the
guards.' Then she jumped from a tower and died."