Frontcover

Historical Key to A Poetic Labyrinth

–Rediscovering Wen Tingyun

Mou Huaichuan

Abstract

Wen Tingyun (798-868?) is a great poet of the Late Tang, the harvest season of the golden age of Chinese poetry. However, until now, he has been subjected to long-lasting prejudice and misunderstanding, resulting from the slanders he suffered in his lifetime. In probing the political intricacies of the major events of Wen’s life, this book presents a historical key to going in and out of Wen’s artistic labyrinth, unravels many of Wen’s poetic puzzles and rediscovers a historical past which vividly represents Wen’s life, a life remarkable for its unyielding pursuit of ideal government and true love. Sharing the author’s explorations of Chinese culture and human nature becomes not only a fascinating and rewarding academic journey but also an enjoyable and exciting literary appreciation of many masterpieces, filled with novel and romantic thrills.

Acknowledgement

This book is a revised version of my PhD. dissertation at the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Upon completing this study, I must first of all express my gratitude to my professor Ma Maoyuan (1918-1990) of Shanghai Teacher’s University, who initiated me into the study of Chinese classic poetry. I would also thank the professors in the Department of Asian Studies, UBC, among whom are Professor Michael Duke, Professor David Overmyer, and especially, Professor Jerry D. Schmidt, for his wise instruction and Professor Catherine Swatex, for her generous help. I cordially appreciate the enthusiastic recommendation of Professor James M. Hargett and Professor Charles Hartman of New York University at Albany, without which I would not even have dreamed of its publication in English. I have also been greatly indebted to my Canadian elder sister Judy Karen, who has taken pains to polish the language. I am also grateful to my parents, who, at the age of 90, keep encouraging me with all their might. Finally, I share my joy upon finishing this book with my wife Zhong Dai, she has extended understanding and support to me throughout the writing process. It is my responsibility, and my responsibility alone, that problems may still exist in this book.

In a time when Chinese culture is going to the world while the cultures of all the world are going to China, both in unprecedented scale, I am glad to see that Chinese classic poetry has also become a worldwide academic concern and interest. This is perhaps why this book can be published. Insignificant as it is, I would very much like to present it as a small gift to all those kind friends in whom I see the reflection of God.

Abbreviations

CS–Yao Silian (姚思廉): Chenshu (陳書)

DKJK–Xu Song (徐松) Dengke Jikao (登科記考)

HHS–Fan Ye (范曄): Hou Hanshu (後漢書)

HS–Ban Gu (班固): Hanshu (漢書)

JS–Fang Xuanling (房玄齡): Jinshu (晉書)

JTS–Liu Xu (劉煦) et al: “Jiutangshu” (舊唐書)

Liji– Liji Zhengyi (禮記)

LS–Yao Silian: Liangshu (梁書)

Lunyu–Lunyu Zhengyi (論語正義)

Maoshi–Maoshi Zhengyi (毛詩正義)

Mengzi–Mengzi Zhengyi (孟子正義)

NQS–Xiao Zixian (蕭子顯): Nanqishu (南齊書)

NATW–Richard. B. Mather, trans. A New Account of Tales of the World

NS–Li Yanshou (李延壽): Nanshi (南史)

QTS–Cao Yin (曹寅): Quantangshi (全唐詩)

QTW - Dong Gao (董誥): Quantangwen (全唐文)

SGZ - Chen Shou (陳壽): Sanguozhi (三國志)

Shangshu - Shangshu Zhengyi (尚書正義)

SS - Shen Yue (沈約): Songshu (宋書)

TFZNB - Wu Tingxie (吳廷燮): Tang Fangzhen Nianbiao (唐方鎮年表)

WFQ - Wen Feiqing Shiji Jianzhu (溫飛卿詩集箋注)

XTS - Ouyang Xiu (歐陽修): Xintangshu (新唐書)

Zuozhuan - Chunqiu Zuozhuan Zhengyi (春秋左傳正義)

YFSJ - Guo Maoqian (郭茂倩): Yuefu Shiji (樂府詩集)

Zhouyi - Zhouyi Zhengyi (周易正義)

ZZhTJ - Sima Guang (司馬光): Zizhi Tongjian (資治通鑒)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgement 3

Abbreviations 4

Table of Contents 5

Introduction 7

The Time of Wen Tingyun: Rampant Eunuch Power 7

The Study of Wen Tingyun: Lasting Historical Prejudices 11

Is Wen Tingyun Writing Another’s Dream? 17

Chapter One Family Background 22

Clan Origin and Native Place 22

Remaining Prestige of an Aristocratic Family 27

Special Social Connections 41

Chapter Two Wen’s Birth Year 51

A Most Abstruse Allusion to the Eunuchs 51

The Year Of Having the Way and Epistle Presented to Prime Minister Pei 57

Other Circumstantial Evidence 69

Chapter Three Before the Year of “Having No Doubt” 78

Days of Diligent Studies 78

Far Wanderings and Wen Zao 85

Journey along the River And Friendship With Buddhist Monks 99

Chapter Four Wen’s Marriage--A Case of Scandal in Jianghuai 105

Relationship with Wang Ya 105

An Initial Investigation of the Jianghuai Incident 110

Epistle Presented to the Bureau Director Han 117

Further Study and Clarification of the Incident 124

Chapter Five Secret Attendance upon the Heir Apparent 140

Introductory Remarks 140

Clues Found In Wen’s Works 148

Evidence Elicited From A Study of Two Epistles 153

The Hidden Story in Hundred-Rhyme Poem 171

Chapter Six Mystifying Poetry 190

An Enigma of the Sphinx 190

Theory Guiding Wen’s Poetic Composition 211

Chapter Seven Changing Name and Taking the Examination 228

Equivalent to Passing Yet Failing to Pass 228

The Change of Name 244

Wen’s Afterthought 258

Chapter Eight Highlights In the Dazhong Era 267

Complication In Wen’s Frustrated Efforts 267

The Truth of the Fourteen Pusaman 292

Conclusion 330-44

Notes 345-96

Bibliography 397-414

Appendix 415-28