The Poems of Yue Fei: Loyalty and Kindness (Part 3 of 6)

(Minghui.org) Yue Fei, a legendary character in Chinese history, is an exemplar of loyalty for generation after generation of Chinese people. From driving off the invading Jurchens, to pulling off impossible feats on the battlefield, to defending the heartland of China—his story has been told time and time again in Chinese history books, dramas, novels, and movies. 

Chinese people often express their aspirations through poetry, and Yue was no exception. His poems in the Collection of Yue Wumu and Collection of Song Poems evinced his magnanimous character and lofty ideals. 

(Continued from Part 2)

But Yue’s ambition actually extends far beyond loyalty and kindness. Here is another of Yue’s poems. 

Man Jiang Hong: From Atop the Yellow Crane Tower

I look out afar at the Central Plain lands—Lost cities in smoke‘til the earth meets the sky, Once guarded by willows and shrouded in blooms, Where dragons and great birds Would rooftops alight. 

Before Wansui Mountain, fine pearls and jade twirled, Within Penghu Palace, the song of flutes swirled.

Now ironclad steeds lay our capital siege, The dust of their battles Blown far ‘cross the world. 

For where are our soldiers? Their blood dyes foul blades. And where are our people? They fill valley graves. 

The masses roam helpless, yet same the Earth stays. 

How I should seek an order to bring peace to our land! A crack of the whip and past the Yangtze I’ll go. 

Once victory’s mine, to this spire I’ll return,Astride a crane, Looking at Hanyang below. 

Written in 1134, this poem again shows Yue Fei’s aspiration to defeat his nation’s enemies to protect the country and its people. At the end, the poem also reveals his dream after achieving success—it’s not one of pursuing fame or material interest in the earthly world, but to ride the legendary Yellow Crane, a mythical beast in the Daoist tradition. The fanciful imagery concluding the poem shows his desire for higher truths and affinity with the divine.

History keeps unfolding like a drama. Very often, people are caught up in the details and neglect the theme. But every now and then, a discerning mind can get a glimpse of the true story that’s being told through our lives and understand why we came to this world. 

(To be continued-Part 4)