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A Fragile Peace, A Fateful Mission After their crushing defeats by Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, the Xiongnu retreated beyond the Gobi Desert. For years, they pretended to seek peace – sending envoys to Chang’an while secretly rebuilding their armies. Both sides routinely detained each other’s diplomats: over a dozen Han envoys had been…
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— Wang Changling A cold rain dissolved in East Stream invades the night; At dawn you’ll leave the lonely Southern hills in haze. If my friends in the North should ask if I’m all right, Tell them I’m free from blame as ice in crystal vase.
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— Zheng Gu Do not compare your leaves with tumbleweed in hue! On Mountain-climbing Day our head’s adorned with you. When poolside shores are sweet with your blooms wet with dew, None envy pine-like plants high on the eaves in view.
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— Du Fu The lonely swan won’t drink nor eat, But longs to join its flock to fleet. Who will pity its shadow lonely, Astray in the clouds, it wails only. Out of sight, still it seems in view; Lost in grief, its song’s heard anew. What do insensible birds know? You hear only…
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— Luo Binwang Of autumn the cicada sings; In prison I’m worn out with care. How can I bear its blue black wings Which remind me of my grey hair? Heavy with dew it cannot fly; Drowned in the wind, its song’s not heard Who would believe its spirit high? Could I express my…
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The Master said, “The noble person worries about his own lack of ability, not about others’ failure to recognize him.”