The central theme of Tao Hongjing's "Reply to the Chinese Book of Letters" during the Southern and Northern Dynasties is to express the author's joy of being intoxicated with the landscape and his sense of pride in enjoying the beautiful scenery with close friends of ancient and modern times.
Original text:
The beauty of mountains and rivers has been talked about since ancient times. The peak reaches the clouds and the clear stream reaches the bottom. The stone walls on both sides of the bank are in five colors. Green forests and green bamboos are available for all seasons. The mist is about to break at dawn, and the apes and birds are chirping wildly; the sunset is about to fade, and the sunken scales are dancing. It is truly the fairy capital of the world of desire. Since the time of Kangyue, no one has been as amazing as him.
Vernacular translation:
The beauty of mountains and rivers has been appreciated by literati since ancient times. The majestic peaks tower into the clouds, and the clear streams are crystal clear. The stone walls on both sides are colorful and complement each other. The green dense forests and green bamboos are evergreen all year round.
When the morning mist is about to dissipate, the chirping of apes and birds comes one after another; when the sun is about to set, the fish swimming in the water rush to jump out of the water. This is truly a paradise on earth. Since Xie Lingyun in the Southern Dynasties, no one has been able to appreciate this wonderful scenery.
Extended information:
Creative background:
"Thanks to Zhongshu" was written by Tao Hongjingjun after appreciating the mountains and forests and purifying his soul. Both Xie Zhongshu (Xie Wei) and Tao Hongjing died in the second year of Datong (536), the reign of Emperor Liang Wu of the Southern Dynasty. Xie Wei was appointed Zhongshu Sheren in the seventh year of Liang Phong (526), ??and he was appointed Zhongshu Lang in the fourth year of Liang Datong (532), both after Tao Hongjing was seventy years old. Therefore, this article should be regarded as the work of Tao Hongjing in his later years.
Appreciation:
The full text of "Thanks to Zhongshu" has a clever structure and exquisite language. In just sixty-eight words, it has gathered the beauty of the south of the Yangtze River and truly expressed the natural beauty of the mountains and rivers. The article starts with emotion: the beauty of mountains and rivers has been talked about since ancient times. Only those with elegant feelings can appreciate the beauty of mountains and rivers. It is a great pleasure in life to communicate inner feelings with friends, which reflects the author's thought of entertaining mountains and rivers.