Feng Tang is easy to get old, but Li Guang is hard to seal. It means that it is difficult to achieve anything when you are old, your work is not noble, and your fate is good.
This sentence comes from Wang Bo's Preface to Wang Tengting's Autumn Farewell. In the fifth paragraph of the article, the author compares himself with Jia Yi, Hong Liang, Feng Tang and Li Guang with allusions to describe his current predicament. However, the author did not stay in sadness for too long, but made a better annotation for this passage with his optimistic spirit.
The author says that he is still a talented person and knows how to live. "When you are old and strong, you would rather use your head." If you are poor, you will change your mind, and you will never lose your ambition. "
In adversity, I am still open-minded and determined to serve my country. This passage uses many allusions, but it is reasonable and appropriate, and there is no sense of piling up. Wang Bo wrote about his ambivalence of incompetence and deep trouble, but he solved it with optimism. This noble feeling has aroused the resonance of many scholars for thousands of years.
Feng Tang: People in the Western Han Dynasty were talented, but they were never taken seriously. Feng Tang was recommended by some people when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty chose sages, but he is over ninety years old, so it is difficult to be an official any more. Li Guang: A famous soldier in the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, he fought against the Huns for many years with outstanding achievements, but he was never appointed as a life-long marquis.
Allusions in Feng Tang's Yi Lao;
According to Sima Qian's Biography of Historical Records, Zhang Shizhi and Feng Tang in the Western Han Dynasty, Feng Tang was a famous talent with both ability and political integrity. He was older when he was Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, but his official position was humble and not valued. When I arrived at Jingdi, I was slightly promoted, but I was soon relieved of my official position. Later, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was thirsty for talents. When he heard people praising Feng Tang, he summoned him. But at this time, Feng Tang was over 90 years old and could not be reinstated as an official.
Li Guang's Unsealable Allusions:
The allusion of "Li Guang is hard to seal" comes from Sima Qian's Biography of General Li in Historical Records in the Western Han Dynasty. Li Guang, the son of a good family, joined the army to fight against the Huns, because he was good at riding and shooting and killed many enemies.
He used to travel with the emperor, often taking the lead, resisting the enemy and killing wild animals. Wendi said it was a pity that he didn't meet the opportunity. If we are in time for the reign of Emperor Gaozu, it is not a problem to seal a Wan Huhou. Li Guang, a flying general, won't rest until he dies, although he has made great contributions.