Wang Wei

  • The Founding of the Tang: Li Yuan’s Rise to Power [Sui & Tang]

    Brief: This article tells the founding of the Tang Dynasty by Li Yuan. Amid Sui’s collapse, Li Yuan plotted a revolt in Taiyuan, outwitted Li Mi to seize Chang’an, and installed a puppet emperor. After Emperor Yang’s assassination, Li Yuan took the throne in 618, establishing Tang and ending the chaotic Sui regime.

  • Seeing Secretary Chao Back to Japan [Tang Poems]

    — Wang Wei The sea is far and wide. Who knows the other side? How far is it away? A thousand miles, you say. Look at the sun, O please! Your sail should trust the breeze. Turtles bear the dark sky; Giant fish raise waves high. When you are in your isle, There are…

  • Seeing Yuan the Second off to Anxi [Tang Poems]

    — Wang Wei No dust is raised on the road wet with morning rain; The willows by the hotel look so fresh and green. I invite you to drink a cup of wine again; West of the Sunny Pass no more friends will be seen.

  • Seeing Li off to Zizhou [Tang Poems]

    — Wang Wei The trees in your valley scrape the sky, You’ll hear in your hills cuckoo’s cry. If it rained at night in your mountain, You’d see your tree tips hung like fountain. Your women weave to make a suit; You’d try to solve people’s dispute. The sage before you opened schools; Like…

  • At Parting [Tang Poems]

    — Wang Wei Dismounted, I drink with you And ask what you’ve in view. “I can’t do what I will; So I’ll do what I will; I’ll ask you no more, friend, Let clouds drift without end!”

  • Parting from Wang Wei [Tang Poems]

    — Meng Haoran Lonely, lonely, what is there to hope for? Day by day I come back without an end. I would seek fragrant grass in native shore. How I regret to part with my old friend! I’m one whom those in high place would elude, For there are few connoisseurs in the state.…

  • In the Hills [Tang Poems]

    — Wang Wei White pebbles hear a blue stream glide; Red leaves are strewn on cold hillside. Along the path no rain is seen, My gown is moist with drizzling green.

  • The Magnolia Dale [Tang Poems]

    –Wang Wei On treetops, the magnolia flowers bright, In mountains, the crimson buds take flight. The hut stands brook-side, void of human trace, The flowers bloom in profusion, fall without grace.

  • The Bamboo Hut [Tang Poems]

    –Wang Wei Alone I sit among the quiet bamboos, Carefreely I play on lute and croon. Deep in the woods, no human soul doth know my stay, Only the bright moon comes to shed its gentle ray.