What kind of person will only write two lines of poetry in his life, but because of this, he will achieve a quatrain for the ages?
When an old man was about to die, he met a talented poet in a corner of the place, and the two formed an indissoluble bond because of a parting quatrain. This is the story of Fan Zhongyan, the famous minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, and Su Lin, the county guard.
A chance encounter exchanged the blood of the young and the feelings of the elderly, bringing not only a turning point in life, but also a legendary story and a swan song for the ages.
In 1043, at the age of 38, Fan Zhongyan was in the prime of life, and he and his colleagues pushed for a far-reaching political change, the Qingli New Deal.
The goal of this political reform was to reform the political environment, which had been declining since the early years of Emperor Shenzong, to readjust the fiscal revenues and expenditures, to rectify the administration of officials, to reform the imperial examinations, and to strengthen the armed forces, so that the political situation would turn from crisis to peace and the national strength would increase day by day.
However, comedy always comes to an abrupt end at the most exciting moment of the climax. Seeing that the political spring breeze was blowing all over the land, and the enthusiastic changes had not yet been fully implemented, the Qingli New Deal died under many obstacles.
Fan Zhongyan and others, who led the new deal, failed and had no choice but to withdraw temporarily. At the age of 38, when he was in the prime of life, his dream of becoming famous was shattered, and Fan Zhongyan's state of mind can be imagined.
Six years later, Fan Zhongyan, who was already 44 years old, received an order and was sent to Hangzhou to serve as the governor.
Hangzhou was one of the most prosperous cities in the country at that time, and coming here was not a retirement mecca for many people. But for Fan Zhongyan, emotions are complex and contradictory.
What kind of mood did he have when he came to this different prosperous city and began his career in Zhizhou?
At the same time, in a county under Hangzhou, there is a ** named Su Lin who is working.
Su Lin is the inspector of this county, with a crepe character and an alias of Kucang. He is very literate, diligent and responsible, and is deeply respected by his superiors and loved by the people.
However, he has also been in this official position for a long time. Over the years, despite repeated miraculous achievements, it has not been further promoted and reused.
Su Lin was quite dissatisfied with this. He often looked at the wide canal outside the county, and a trace of depression rose in his heart.
He thought with emotion: "I, Su someone, have been an official for many years and have won the trust and love of the people. Why don't I guard this dilapidated little county town, and I won't be able to survive for the rest of my life!”
If I can meet a wise man and see my talent, I will definitely soar to the sky, make meritorious contributions, and serve the court!”
However, Su Lin also knew that it would be even more difficult to meet such a virtuous appearance.
Until one day, a piece of news came that shocked Su Lin's heart
Fan Zhongyan, the famous minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, was sent to Hangzhou to serve as Zhizhou!
In the winter of 1049, Su Lin heard that Fan Zhongyan had arrived in Hangzhou to take office. He was so excited that he couldn't wait to visit this famous man of the day.
However, the county official was busy with official duties, so he had no time to get out for a while.
Unexpectedly, the news came soon, and Fan Zhongyan actually embarked on an inspection trip in person to inspect Su Lin's county seat.
Su Lin was both surprised and delighted. He is busy on weekdays, but this time he rarely has time to tidy up the county and look forward to the visit of the famous minister.
Finally, Fan Zhongyan's car came to the gate of the county seat. Su Lin was dressed in formal clothes to greet him at the city gate, and handed over the welcome message he had personally written with both hands.
However, what Su Lin didn't expect was that it was an old man with gray hair who came to meet him.
Su Lin's mind turned for a moment, and he suddenly realized: "It turns out that the famous appearance in the prime of life back then is already over the age of sixties."
But even though the years had left a mark on that face, Su Lin still caught the sharpness and firmness of his youth from Fan Zhongyan's eyes.
Fan Zhongyan smiled slightly, took the welcome speech and read it carefully. Facing Su Lin's attentive gaze, he nodded approvingly: "Su Patrol is serious and responsible, and the officials have a very good reputation. I was very pleased. ”
Hearing the compliment, Su Lin's excitement was indescribable.
During the few days of inspection in the county, Fan Zhongyan saw Su Lin's style of being clear and winning the hearts of the people.
Whenever I pass by the street, there are always local people who greet me warmly: "Master Su, have you eaten?""Master Su, I'm tired today!”
Su Lin would also chat with them warmly, and the smiling faces of the county residents were full of sincere closeness.
Fan Zhongyan couldn't help but sigh secretly, it was really rare for such a county official to be close to the people. It seems that the Su patrol inspection takes good care of the people on weekdays and is clear and clear, so the people trust it so much.
Once, the two passed by the county school. When the children after school saw Su Lin, they surrounded him in surprise: "Master Su!."Sue-sama!”
Su Lin laughed and made them laugh, and then asked them about their studies and life.
Fan Zhongyan stood aside, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion: it turned out that the Su inspection was still thinking about the county school, and the feelings of teaching and educating people could be seen.
In just a few days of contact, Fan Zhongyan was even more convinced that Su Lin was not only a talented man with outstanding literary talents, but also a good official who was honest and honest and won the hearts of the people.
If it is placed in **, it will be able to support a new atmosphere!
In this way, in the eyes of Fan Zhongyan, who was in various complicated moods, Su Lin's figure became taller and taller.
And Su Lin also deeply felt Fan Zhongyan's wisdom and courage in this short inspection process.
He is even more convinced that as long as he is promoted by such a virtuous minister, he will definitely achieve great ambitions and have a bright future!
However, Fan Zhongyan's inspection soon ended. Before leaving, Su Lin respectfully presented a letter and words, hoping to show his face in front of Fan Zhongyan and draw a little essence from it.
Fan Zhongyan smiled and nodded, and soon left the county seat.
After that, Su Lin waited patiently, hoping for any shred of news.
However, as the days passed, there was no movement.
Su Lin's heart went from eagerness to disappointment, from disappointment to irritability, from irritability to anger!
More than two months later, that night, he sat alone in the study, and Fan Zhongyan's figure appeared in his mind over and over again.
I thought that he would reuse me and show my talent to the world!”
I thought I was going to soar and become a blockbuster!”
But he forgot about me like this, and never even considered promoting me!”
In indignation, Su Lin picked up the brush and quickly wrote on the plain note:
The buildings near the water get the moon first, and the flowers and trees are easy to spring.
Su Lin boasted that this was his life's work. An elegant poem, but it hides its own grievances.
He believes that Fan Zhongyan, who has such a profound literary accomplishment, will be able to see through the overtones in his words at a glance.
This is his last complaint to Fan Zhongyan, and it is also the masterpiece of his officialdom career.
I didn't expect this to be a swan song for the ages!
When the messenger presented Su Lin's letter, Fan Zhongyan was reviewing a pile of papers.
When I opened the letterhead, I saw only a short poem, dignified and smooth.
However, this bland text made Fan Zhongyan smile slightly and praise again and again. Because he is a connoisseur, he can see through the meaning between the lines at a glance.
It turned out that this was Su Inspector's dissatisfaction with himself, and it was the swan song of his creative career!
Fan Zhongyan sighed again, he is really a talented man with backbone!I appreciated him so much at the beginning, but I didn't look away. Just because he was busy with official business, he completely forgot about him!
So Fan Zhongyan immediately wrote a letter of recommendation, highly praising Su Lin's talent and character, and strongly recommending the imperial court to reuse it.
The envelope was stamped with a bright red fire paint seal, and Fan Zhongyan personally handed it over to the businessmen who traveled to and from the capital, and asked him to directly transfer it to the cabinet scholars.
It didn't take long for Fan Zhongyan to receive an excited and grateful letter from Su Lin. It turned out that under the effect of that letter of recommendation, the imperial court promoted him and made him soar to the sky!
Since then, the poem "The building near the water gets the moon first" has become a swan song for the ages and has been passed down all over the world.
People appreciate the elegant and lofty rhetoric of this poem, and praise the good story of Su Lin and Fan Zhongyan.
This poem has achieved Su Lin's life, and it has also achieved Fan Zhongyan's insight into the characters he admires.
However, there is also a life of ups and downs, a romantic encounter due to fate.
It carries the bond of two souls, crosses the gap of time, and leaves an eternal mark in the long river of words.
An old name, a talent who is not reused.
Accidental encounters, but friendship through the ages. That's what makes it so appealing that it lives on in people's memories and lives on forever. Perhaps, as Su Dongpo said: "I don't see the ancients before, and I don't see the people who come after." Thinking of the world and the world, I am alone and crying!”
The best encounters in the world are always short-lived. But that moment of spark is enough to ignite a thousand-year-old warmth in our hearts. That warmth is enough to make people nostalgic for a lifetime, just like this quatrain for the ages.