Chapter 84: The Palindromic Poem and

If you want to see great ships, then go to Jiangnan. At the docks of Yangzhou, Runzhou, and Suzhou, you will find vessels of immense size.

If you wish to behold beautiful scenery, journey to Jiangnan. Jiangnan is wondrous, its landscapes familiar to the heart. When the sun rises, the river blossoms glow redder than fire; when spring arrives, the river turns a green as deep as blue. How could one not long for Jiangnan? Such delicate intricacy can never be found in the north. Yet, regardless of Li Zhi and Empress Wu Zetian’s affection or wariness toward Li Wei, perhaps he could wander as far as Taiyuan or Mount Song, but they would never send him to Jiangnan, that distant land.

However, if one considers the sheer number of ships, the vessels on the Luo River rank first in the entire empire.

Ships crowded densely together, moored from Huitong Bridge all the way to the city walls. They were not all small; some nearly reached a hundred tons in weight, and while there were smaller boats, most carried dozens of tons. Countless laborers loaded and unloaded goods. The sight was awe-inspiring from afar, and even more so up close.

Wan’er pursed her lips and, after a long pause, said softly, “Your Highness, there are so many people.”

Li Wei said nothing. The present-day Luo River reminded him of the Huangpu River in modern China—though not as grand, it bustled with similar energy.

Of course, the issue was not the number of people, but that so many were earning their livelihood here. Wan’er was still a child; there was no need to explain further.

By midday, it was easy enough to find a meal. Along the Luo embankment, many small stalls and vendors were set up, offering marinated eggs, tofu, and various meats—pork, beef, lamb—all braised and ready to eat, with a few tables and low benches for the hungry workers to rest and dine on affordable fare.

“We’ll eat here,” Li Wei said, choosing a table at random and sitting down.

Eunuch Jin hurriedly tried to stop him, whispering, “Your Highness, this is not appropriate.”

Li Wei merely smiled. “Why not? There is a saying among the people: ‘There are three transformations for an unfilial son. First, he becomes a locust, selling off estates for food; second, a bookworm, selling books for food; third, a tiger, selling servants for food. Such eaters exist in every era. ‘Wealth lasts no more than three generations’—precisely because people lose touch with the hardships of the common folk, and fail to preserve what they have inherited. The same is true for families and for states. No matter how vast the lands opened up by one’s ancestors, a couple of unworthy descendants can bring about a nation’s ruin, bringing suffering to both the imperial clan and the common people. Take Yang Guang as an example—after the careful governance of the founding emperor, his grandfather, and his father, even then, the population never returned to the peak of the early Sui dynasty.”

“But...” Eunuch Jin wanted to say that seeing and hearing were enough; there was no need to endure discomfort. Was this food even suitable for the prince?

Li Wei truly did not mind. In his own time, open-air eateries were much the same, and the boisterous atmosphere had its own charm.

Wei Yuanzhong said, “Eunuch Jin, let it be—sincerity matters more. His Highness is right in doing so.” In truth, neither he nor Yao Yuanchong minded much. For Ximen Chong, having meat was already a blessing.

But Xu Yanbo was hesitant, barely settling onto the bench, disturbed by the dark, greasy stains.

They ordered some wine and dishes. The vendor eyed the group warily, recognizing their unusual bearing, but being a straightforward businessman, served them without fear. The food was decent enough. After a while, Li Wei turned to Xu Yanbo and asked, “Are you not hungry, Secretary Xu?”

“Not hungry, not at all.” Xu Yanbo would rather go hungry than eat this food.

“If you’re not hungry, I won’t insist,” Li Wei said kindly, though inwardly he thought, “You’ll be hungry soon enough.”

How could he not be? Watching the others eat hungrily made his stomach churn with discomfort. Now, even if he wanted to eat, Li Wei’s words had left him too embarrassed.

His eyes wandered restlessly. The scenery was lovely: the Luo River shimmered green, willows swayed, and countless boats dotted the water. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He said, “Your Highness, I’ve just thought of a poem.”

“What poem? Recite it for us.”

“Spring city, willows droop anew, willows droop anew, beloved by people. People love the new drooping willows, new drooping willows, a city in spring.”

“Not good,” Shangguan Wan’er immediately interjected.

She had read only orthodox works and was unfamiliar with such novel forms. Li Wei whispered, “A palindrome—‘The Xuanji Map.’”

“Indeed, a palindrome,” Xu Yanbo replied proudly.

Though not first-rate, the poem’s lines looped and returned upon themselves, using only ten characters, with a fresh and elegant mood. He glanced at Li Wei, wanting to discomfort him—after all, folk tales already proclaimed Li Wei a master poet. If he could compose a palindrome on the spot, Xu Yanbo would have no peace at this meal.

Li Wei was not especially competitive, but since his opponent was Xu Yanbo, the situation changed. He cheerfully continued eating, but said, “Secretary Xu, though it may barely be late spring now, spring is nearly gone. For the sake of wordplay, you used ‘new’ unnecessarily. Allow me to recite a ‘Four Seasons Landscape Poem’—then the season won’t matter. ‘Orioles sing, willows on the shore, bright spring nights and clear moonlight. Fragrant lotuses, green waters, cool breezes stir, long summer days. Autumn river, southern geese, sandbanks, shallow waters flow. The brazier glows, charcoal burns, cold winds ward off the deep winter chill.’”

“It doesn’t rhyme,” Shangguan Wan’er observed again. Poems need not always be five or seven syllables; there are three, four, six, or eight. This one was well-matched in couplets, but didn’t rhyme.

“Eat,” Li Wei said, tapping her gently on the head with affection.

After a few more bites, Shangguan Wan’er’s eyes brightened. “Now that is a fine poem.”

Xu Yanbo’s face turned a deep, liverish red. Li Wei said, “Secretary Xu, your knowledge of the classics is excellent. Palindromes are but a clever trick; poems and essays must have substance to be worthwhile. The ‘Xuanji Map’ is marvelously constructed, but its value pales compared to a simple five-character poem by Tao Yuanming.”

Thus, Li Wei both chided and consoled him, leaving Xu Yanbo both embarrassed and resigned.

After their meal, Wei Yuanzhong led them to Fengdu Market, known as the Eastern Market. As they strolled, they saw a troubling sight: many people selling their children. Li Wei frowned and asked Wei Yuanzhong, “This is the Eastern Capital, and the drought isn’t severe. Why are so many selling their children?”

“Your Highness, this has always happened, though not to this extent. Most of these people are refugees from Guanzhong, unable to survive, so they resort to this.”

“Children are the flesh of their parents. To sell them is already a pain; to sell them to distant lands is a tragedy beyond words. Bie’er, in the Eastern Palace...”

Li Wei was interrupted by Eunuch Jin, who said, “Your Highness, no. Not just the Eastern Palace—even within the Imperial City, because of repeated disasters, both Emperor and Empress have begun to economize. Have you not seen the Empress wearing rough hemp clothes?”

Wei Yuanzhong added, “Your Highness, I am willing to contribute a hundred strings of cash for their relief.”

“Thank you, Lord Wei,” Li Wei replied, then turned to Xu Yanbo. “Secretary Xu, I see your residence is grand, with many servants; you must be well-off. Help me with a bit of relief, won’t you?”

“Your Highness, I too am willing to give a hundred strings of cash.”

Li Wei’s face darkened. “Secretary Xu, I visited your home just two days ago and said we should let go of old grievances. Are you still holding a grudge?”

“Not at all.”

“Not at all? Since then, I have treated you with the utmost respect. Lord Wei gives a hundred strings because he cannot spare more. Yet when I ask you, you offer the same? Am I a beggar?”

“But there are too many victims, I truly cannot do more.”

“Cannot? If you sold just one of your mansion’s towers, who knows how many people you could save. Or shall I name the full extent of your wealth?”

The Xu family lived lavishly; it was impossible on salary alone. There were imperial rewards, but most of the fortune came from bribes and managed estates, much like Li Wei’s own. With Li Wei’s resources, uncovering most of Xu’s assets was not difficult.

After speaking, Li Wei clenched his fist and raised it.

It would be unreasonable to beat Xu Yanbo for no reason, but using this as a pretext sufficed—especially since Li Wei had always treated him with respect in public. Don’t think Li Wei wouldn’t dare; everyone in Yizhou had heard the story of Helan Minzhi losing a piece of flesh to him.

“I am willing,” Xu Yanbo said, bowing his head at the sight of Li Wei’s fist...

...

When the royal guard recited Li Wei’s poem to Empress Wu Zetian, she mused, “Hong’er does have some talent.”

Wang Caiyan said, “Your Majesty is most discerning, but this humble servant doesn’t quite see what’s so good about it.”

“Oh, you silly girl. If you do not study, you will always lack understanding. This is a single poem, though not perfectly rhymed, but if divided, it becomes four poems: the first line describes spring—‘Orioles sing, willows on the shore, bright spring nights and clear moonlight.’ Next, ‘Bright moon, clear night, spring returns to the willows.’ Then, ‘Clear night, spring returns, willows on the shore, orioles sing.’ The second line is summer: ‘Fragrant lotuses, green waters, cool breezes stir, long summer days.’ Then, ‘Green waters, cool breeze, long summer days.’ ‘Long days, summer cool, breeze stirs the water.’ ‘Cool breeze stirs the water, green lotuses are fragrant.’ The third is autumn: ‘Autumn river, southern geese, sandbanks, shallow waters flow.’ Then, ‘Geese rest on sandbanks, shallow waters flowing.’ ‘Flowing water, shallow sand, geese at rest, autumn river.’ ‘Sandbanks, geese, Chu river, autumn.’ The fourth is winter: ‘The brazier glows, charcoal burns, cold winds ward off the deep winter chill.’ Then, ‘Charcoal burns, cold wind, deep winter.’ ‘Winter, cold wind, charcoal burns, brazier glows.’ Each of these is more elegant than Xu Yanbo’s poem. That’s why little Wan’er praised it. But I suspect Hong’er composed this one in advance, so Xu Yanbo was at a disadvantage today.”

“So that’s it. I am truly dense—I didn’t understand a word.”

“It matters not. Just do your duty well within the palace,” Wu Zetian replied, then to the guard, “Continue.”

When the guard spoke of ‘children are the flesh of their parents,’ Wu Zetian fell into thought. Had her son truly changed? Yet in conversation, he seemed guarded. His illness had made him unreadable.

Hearing how Li Wei forced Xu Yanbo to give money, Wu Zetian frowned. “Is it really that severe?”

“It happens, but not so many.”

“Ha.” Wu Zetian understood. Her son had orchestrated the gathering of refugees there to extort Xu Yanbo. She was pleased—her son had learned to take revenge.

Wang Caiyan was worried. “Your Majesty, there is something I’m unsure whether I should say.”

“Speak.”

“The Crown Prince and Xu Yanbo have had past conflicts at the Academy. The Crown Prince’s actions today might offend the Grand Preceptor. He is highly respected—if he and the Crown Prince become estranged, it bodes ill for the state.”

“Nonsense. Xu Yanbo has been enriched under my favor and the Emperor’s. If not for our patronage, whence his wealth? Besides, he and Hong’er must work together in future. Losing some money now averts greater troubles later. If it helps Hong’er let go of old grudges, it’s all to Xu Yanbo’s benefit.”

“Your Majesty is wise. I failed to see it clearly. The Grand Preceptor will know who truly rules this realm. But the Crown Prince is still rather impulsive.”

“Wang Caiyan, you visited the Western Capital’s Eastern Palace three times and benefited from the Crown Prince’s generosity. As a servant, you have forgotten your place.”

“I deserve punishment, truly—I only wanted what was best for the Crown Prince.”

“Leave and slap yourself twenty times.”

“Yes,” Wang Caiyan replied, face bitter as she departed to carry out her punishment. Inwardly, she thought, Crown Prince, I have done as you instructed.

PS: Lady Su Ruolan of Former Qin was the wife of Dou Tao, Governor of Qinzhou. Dou Tao had a favored concubine named Zhao Yangtai, whom Ruolan deeply resented, often mocking her, much to Dou Tao’s regret and displeasure. When Dou Tao was appointed to Xiangyang, Ruolan refused to accompany him, so he took Zhao Yangtai instead and gradually cut off ties with Ruolan. Filled with regret, Ruolan poured her heart into weaving an eight-inch square of multicolored brocade, upon which she inscribed a palindrome poem—thus creating the renowned “Xuanji Map.”

The guqin’s clear notes flow, the zither’s strings stir the airs of Qin and Chu, sorrowful and plaintive as the music is hidden and sung, thoughts echoing in the empty hall, the heart heavy with longing and grief...

[The text continues with the full original palindrome poem, “Xuanji Map,” composed of 840 characters, forming a perfect square, twenty-nine characters on each side. It can be read horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and in myriad patterns, forward or backward, skipping or retracing steps, forming poems of three, four, five, six, or seven characters per line—altogether, it is said nearly 7,958 poems can be composed from it. For example, beginning from the far right column and following the lines back, or tracing the outermost characters clockwise, one reads: “Benevolence, wisdom, virtue, and saintliness flourish in Tang and Yu; steadfast in resolve, vowing under the heavens; longing and yearning, reckless indulgence brings sorrow; the heart grows heavy with longing and grief.” In reverse, it becomes, “Grief and longing, the heart grows ever heavier; reckless indulgence, yearning and longing; vowing steadfastly under the heavens; the Tang and Yu kings, sages of virtue, benevolence, and wisdom.” Or spiraling from the center: “A single light skiff drifts far on the stream, treading misty paths lined with flowers. In the fairy pavilion, a crane keeps idle company; fishing boats float with flocks of gulls. The terrace reflects the clear spring, the cold well is chill; the bright moon shines on a solitary temple amid ancient woods. Looking back at the four mountains, one watches the sunset, nestling by the woods, beside green, gently flowing waters.” Read in reverse: “Gently flowing green waters beside the woods, sunset over the four mountains, gazing back. The ancient woods and solitary temple under the bright moon, the cold well and clear spring reflected in the terrace. Gulls fill the waters as fishing boats drift, the crane’s idle company in the fairy pavilion. Walking the misty pathways among flowers, a skiff sets out on the distant stream.”]

I am not qualified to judge the quality of these poems, but the Xuanji Map is truly the pinnacle of literary gamesmanship.