Poems on History - Liu Fuling

Ode to History·Liu Fuling

2023.9.17

The general compares himself to Zhou Gongdan, and wants to go to Yiyin to imitate Tian Cheng; but I am not Shang Taijia, and I am young and wise beyond Ji Song.

Born in a jade hook and pregnant with Yao's mother, the Emperor Wu was overjoyed; but he was only a chess piece in the battle, and the blood of witches and poisons covered his shoes red.

The chariot collapsed and tilted to the southeast. Shangguan Sang Honglang was heartbroken. The general did not have the courtesy of Zhou Gong. He wanted to save me but obeyed his orders.

Gazing at the stars during the day and searching for the sun at night, I also read about the turbulent waves of the sea; how is it different from the broken-winged phoenix in the forest when I am trapped in Weiyang and have rich food and clothing?

A strong wind blows, and a peng rides on it, frivolous enough to laugh at the Qin king's government; a giant deer with three thousand silver armor rolls, sleeping on salary, dreaming of millions of soldiers.

They are full of feathers, they are drunk and happy, and their fame is in vain; their hearts are locked and their ambitions are caged, their tails are restrained and their fur is wagging to pamper them.

I can live in the dandy Xiaoyao Gong, enjoying silent happiness and hiding in the deep palace; but I am not a sparrow, I will live like a swan and die to know.

General Mo Xiaofang has a weak crown, and the young eagle finally displays its iron armor; his soul is revealed to have been sick, and he kills Chaos and sweeps away the dragon city.

translate:

The general (Huo Guang) compared himself to Zhou Gongdan, and wanted to imitate Yi Yin and Tian Chengzi as powerful officials who controlled the monarch; unfortunately, I was not Taijia of the Shang Dynasty. Although I was still young, my wisdom had surpassed that of Ji Song.

I was born to Mrs. Gou Yi and grew up in the family of Yao's mother. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was overjoyed because he got his son; but I was actually just a pawn in the struggle with the Weihuo Group. The witchcraft disaster caused by this struggle caused blood to flow. The shoes were stained red.

Jin Rixi died, and the balance of power among the four auxiliary ministers was broken; Shangguan Jie and Sang Hongyang's ambition to replace me was clearly revealed. How could the general be willing to serve as an auxiliary minister like Zhou Gong and return power to me when I grow up? If I want to save my life, I can only obey the general's orders.

I chased the sun and watched the stars during the day and night, and I read about the rough seas in books. But I am deeply trapped in this Weiyang Palace. Although I have no worries about food and drink, what is the difference between me and the peacock who is raised in Shanglin Garden and whose wings are clipped just for viewing?

A man should have the ambition of Kunpeng and soar when the wind blows. He should be as frivolous and uninhibited as Liu Bang and dare to laugh at the King of Qin Yingzheng; be like Xiang Yu who led three thousand soldiers to sweep across the Julu battlefield; be like Gou Jian who slept on firewood but I always dream of millions of soldiers.

The ambitions of villains are like cicadas and sparrows. They are satisfied by jumping among the basil; they are addicted to simple sensory stimulation and feel complacent because of the false reputation praised by others. But that was just the intention of the superior to imprison him, put a bridle on him, tie him with a rein, and turn him into a pet that wagged its tail and begged for mercy.

I could also be a hedonist, seeking pleasure all day long, hiding in the shadow of the general, and being a puppet being raised. It's a pity that I am not a bird, I was born as a swan, and I will prove it even if I die!

General, don't laugh at me. I have just turned twenty. The young eagle will one day break free from the net and spread its wings. My old soul dispersed under the scorching sun, but the new me was like recovering from a serious illness. By then, I would definitely kill the monster Chaos and plow the enemy's lair.

(The last sentence has another layer of metaphor, which refers to that although Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty Liu Fuling was poisoned by Huo Guang, Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty Liu Bing will take over the mission of Emperor Zhao, kill the Huo family, regain power, eliminate the Huns and stabilize the northern territory)