In ancient times, there was a group of people, holding brushes, dressed in green shirts, strolling among the mountains and rivers, chanting the wind and snow. They are those ancient poets who used words to write emotions and poems to tell life. So, why did this group of literati and writers write poetry? Can their psalms be exchanged for a house full of gold and silver? What do they depend on for their livelihood? Today, let's go into their world and explore the stories hidden behind the poems.
First of all, we have to understand that ancient poets didn't just write poems to sell them for money. Of course, everyone likes money, but for them, writing poetry is more of a catharsis and expression of emotions. They express their inner joys, sorrows, and sorrows through poetry, and record the bits and pieces of life. For example, after Li Bai was drunk, "you don't see the water of the Yellow River coming up from the sky, rushing to the sea and never returning", what a lofty ambition it was; is also like Du Fu's "will be at the top of the mountain, at a glance of the mountains", what a top gun. These poems are a true portrayal of their inner world, and they are the imprints of life carved by them with words.
Of course, having said that, writing poetry can sometimes bring in some "extra income". In ancient times, some literati would earn their living expenses by selling their poems. However, it depends on the quality and fame of the work. Big names like Li Bai and Du Fu, their works are naturally in short supply, and the tide is also rising. And those fledgling little poets may have to climb around the poetry market, and whether they can be sold depends on luck.
Were there any other ways for ancient poets to make money other than selling their works directly? The answer is yes. Some of them will serve as ** or staff members, and seek a position by advising the court or the powerful, so as to obtain a stable income. For example, Wang Wei is a famous poet and **, and his poems and political achievements have been recognized by the world. Of course, this method requires a certain amount of political wisdom and connections, which not every poet can easily do.
In addition, some poets would choose to become "cultural merchants", earning tuition fees by opening private schools and teaching students. In this way, they can continue to pursue poetry and provide a stable guarantee for their livelihood. For example, the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi once opened a private school in Jiangzhou Sima Ren to teach poetry and literature, attracting many students to come to study.
But then again, while ancient poets had a variety of ways to make money, their lives weren't always so glamorous. Many times, in order to pursue the ultimate state of poetry, they do not hesitate to give everything and even pay the price of their lives. For example, the Tang Dynasty poet Jia Dao, when he wrote the poem "The Hermit is Not Met", in order to pursue the perfection of the poem, he meditated in the mountains for several days, and finally died of overwork. Such examples are not uncommon in ancient poetry.
Therefore, ancient poets wrote poems more out of love for poetry and perception of life. They used their pen and ink to write the beauty and sorrow of the world, leaving behind countless precious cultural heritages. And the stories of how they made money may be just a small part of their legendary lives. When appreciating their poems, we might as well pay attention to the lives behind them and feel the tenacity and perseverance.
Finally, let's end this article with a poem: "Life must be full of joy, don't make the gold bottle empty to the moon." "I hope that every friend who loves poetry can show his talent and passion on the stage of life and leave his own glorious chapter.