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Sui Palace
Poem Title: Sui Palace
Author: Li Shangyin
The purple spring palace locks the misty clouds,
The jade seal may not return to the sun's edge,
The brocade sails should reach the ends of the earth.
Now, the decayed grass has no fireflies,
For ages, the weeping willows have only dusk crows.
If underground I were to meet Chen Houzhu,
How could I dare to ask again about the flowers of the rear courtyard?
Interpretation:
This poem is a satire by Li Shangyin on the luxurious life of Emperor Sui Yan (Yang Guang) during the late Sui Dynasty and a lament for the fall of the Sui Dynasty. The "purple spring palace" refers to the luxurious palace built by Emperor Sui Yan in Chang'an, surrounded by misty clouds, vividly depicting its grandeur. The mention of Wucheng refers to Jiangdu (present-day Yangzhou), where Emperor Sui Yan intended to establish a new capital, showcasing his extravagance and ambition. The jade seal symbolizes imperial authority; if it had not fallen into Emperor Sui Yan's hands, perhaps the Sui Dynasty would not have fallen so swiftly. The brocade sails represent his lavish lifestyle as he once sailed on ornate boats along the Grand Canal, seemingly wanting to travel to every corner of the earth. Now, the once-prosperous Sui Palace lies in ruins, with even fireflies absent. For a long time, only crows resting on the weeping willows remain, hinting at the palace's decline. If Emperor Sui Yan were to meet Chen Shubao, the last ruler of the Southern Chen Dynasty, in death, he would feel shame. The reference to "the flowers of the rear courtyard" symbolizes a life of indulgence and suggests that Emperor Sui Yan should no longer inquire about such pleasures.
The entire poem expresses the poet's reflections on the rise and fall of history through the depiction of Emperor Sui Yan's extravagant lifestyle and the contrast with the decline of Sui Palace. Li Shangyin uses this poem to warn people against indulging in luxury and pleasure, as it may lead to a tragic fate.
Story Title: "The Enchanted Journey to Sui Palace"
My name is Xiao Xuan, and I am a child who particularly loves historical stories. In my spare time, I enjoy going to the library to read books that recount tales of the past and ancient relics. One day, I found a mysterious book in the library that told the story of a place called Sui Palace. The book contained beautiful illustrations that vividly depicted Sui Palace, and I couldn't help but be captivated by it. In a daze, I embarked on a journey to find Sui Palace.
After setting off, I entered a dense forest and began my adventure. Along the way, I encountered various difficulties, but I did not give up; with courage and wisdom, I overcame each challenge. I trekked through mountains and crossed rivers, navigating countless rugged paths. Finally, after several days, I discovered a magnificent palace hidden deep within the forest. It was the legendary Sui Palace.
Everything in Sui Palace was just as described in the book—radiant and dazzling. I strolled through Sui Palace, feeling its mysterious aura enveloping me. Gently touching the palace walls and gazing at the exquisite murals and artifacts, my heart was filled with awe for ancient civilization. At that moment, I felt as if I had traveled back in time to witness that prosperous empire.
Just as I was immersed in the enchanting atmosphere of Sui Palace, I suddenly triggered a mechanism and was transported into a wondrous world. This world was filled with strange lights and vibrant colors that dazzled my eyes. When I regained my senses, I found myself in a splendid palace where a person dressed in luxurious attire and wearing a golden crown stood before me. He asked, "Who are you? How did you come to be here?"
I replied, "My name is Xiao Xuan; I found Sui Palace but was brought here." The man smiled and introduced himself: "I am Emperor Sui Yan; welcome to my palace." Emperor Sui Yan invited me to tour his palace, showcasing his wealth. I saw walls made of gold and decorations adorned with pearls; the opulence of the palace exceeded my imagination. However, I soon noticed some unsettling aspects.
I found that the flowers and plants in the palace no longer grew; they had stopped growing and stood there quietly, motionless. I also noticed that although the people in the palace were busy, they did not seem happy. There were no smiles on their faces, and their eyes were vacant, as if they had lost their souls. I realized that true happiness does not come from the accumulation of material wealth but from inner satisfaction and peace. I thought that Emperor Sui Yan did not realize this.
I decided to help Emperor Sui Yan recognize his mistakes. I discussed with him how to improve the lives of the people and make them happier. However, Emperor Sui Yan was unwilling to change. "I possess countless riches and power; why should I care about those commoners?" he said. "Doesn't my luxurious life prove that I am happy?"
I told him a story, a story about happiness. "Once there was a man who was very wealthy, but he was not happy. One day, he saw a poor farmer who was very impoverished but seemed very happy. The rich man asked the poor man, 'Why are you so happy?' The poor man replied, 'Because I have nothing to lose.'"
"This story teaches us that true happiness does not come from material accumulation but from inner satisfaction and peace." My story left Emperor Sui Yan deep in thought. He began to reflect on his actions and ultimately realized his mistakes. Under my guidance, he started to pay attention to the welfare of the people. He dismantled unnecessary palaces, reduced taxes for the commoners, and committed himself to developing agriculture and education.
As time passed, Sui Palace became more prosperous, and the people became happier. I witnessed all these changes and felt greatly comforted. I returned to the real world, but I learned valuable life lessons from this experience. I understood that true wealth lies in inner peace and the happiness of people. I vowed to remember this experience and practice these values in my future life.
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