Through the Dynasties · LD11

Ten Kingdoms

Transition and regional military commands

18works

3forms

7authors

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Classical Poetry

Orthodox classical Chinese poetry spanning archaic ballads to Tang regulated verse.1 works
  1. Poem on the Fall of the StateLady Huarui · Regulated QuatrainsThe King hoisted the surrender flag high upon the city wall; how could I within the deep palace have known? A hundred and forty thousand soldiers disarmed in unison—and not a single one among them was a real man!

Ci Lyrics

Pinnacle of lyric verse and musical poetry spanning delicate grace and heroic grandeur.14 works
  1. Magpie on the Bough: Who Says Idle Longings Have Long Been Cast AwayFeng Yansi · Short LyricsWho says idle longings have long been cast away? Whenever spring arrives, melancholy returns as before. Daily before blossoms drinking myself sick, begrudging not my rosy cheeks wasting away in the mirror.
  2. Magpie on the Bough: Plum Petals Fall from Crowded Boughs in Ten Thousand FlakesFeng Yansi · Short LyricsPlum blossoms shed from crowded boughs in ten thousand flakes, still lingering in tender passion, imitating snow twirling in the wind. Last night's flute songs scattered so easily; sobering from wine only brings infinite sorrow.
  3. Paying Homage at the Golden Gate: Sudden Breeze RisesFeng Yansi · Short LyricsA sudden breeze rises, wrinkling a whole pond of spring water. Idly teasing mandarin ducks along perfumed paths, fingers rubbing crimson apricot pistils.
  4. Lady of Longevity: Spring Day BanquetFeng Yansi · Short LyricsAt the spring day banquet, a cup of green wine and a song sung anew. Bowing twice to make three wishes: first, may my lord live a thousand years; second, may I forever stay in health; third, like swallows upon the roof-beams, may we meet year after year.
  5. Extended Silk-Washing Stream: Lotus Fragrance Fades, Emerald Leaves WitherLi Jing · Short LyricsLotus fragrance fades and emerald leaves wither; autumn winds stir sorrow between emerald ripples. Wasting away together with glorious spring light, too painful to behold.
  6. Extended Silk-Washing Stream: Rolling Pearl Curtains onto Jade HooksLi Jing · Short LyricsRolling up pearl blinds onto jade hooks, spring sorrow locks the tiered tower as before. Who is master of petals falling in the wind? My thoughts wander on and on.
  7. The Beautiful Lady Yu: When Will Spring Blossoms and Autumn Moons EndLi Yu · Short LyricsPray ask how much sorrow can one mortal bear? Just like a river of spring waters surging endlessly to the east.
  8. Joy of Meeting: In Silence I Ascend the West Tower AloneLi Yu · Short LyricsCut it, it severs not; untangle it, it tangles more—such is the sorrow of parting. A taste unlike any other lingering in the heart.
  9. Joy of Meeting: Forest Blossoms Shed Their Spring CrimsonLi Yu · Short LyricsForest blossoms have shed their spring crimson, all too fleetingly. Powerless against morning cold rain and evening gale. Naturally human life is filled with eternal regret, as rivers forever surge to the east.
  10. Ripples Sifting Sand: Outside the Blinds Rain MurmursLi Yu · Short LyricsLean not alone upon the balustrade—boundless homeland rivers and mountains! Parting was easy, reunion is impossible. Flowing waters, fallen blossoms, spring is gone—one in Heaven, the other in the mortal world.
  11. Dance of the Cavalry: For Forty Years My Country and HomeLi Yu · Short LyricsMost agonizing was the day of hurried farewell to ancestral temples, when court musicians still played parting songs, weeping helplessly before palace maidens.
  12. Gazing South: How Boundless the RegretLi Yu · Short LyricsHow boundless the regret in last night's wandering dream! Returning to my lost kingdom in dream, waking to tears streaming down both cheeks.
  13. Peace and Happiness: Half of Spring Has Passed Since PartingLi Yu · Short LyricsThe sorrow of parting is just like spring grass: the further one journeys, the more it flourishes anew.
  14. Crows Chanting at Night: Last Night Wind Blended with RainLi Yu · Short LyricsLast night wind blended with rain, rustling through curtains in autumnal cries. Candles guttered, water-clocks ran dry as I tossed upon my pillow; rising and sitting, my soul found no peace.

Sayings & Idioms

Living Chinese linguistic heritage comprising idioms, proverbs, aphorisms, and couplets.3 works
  1. Adapting to CircumstancesLiu Xu et al. · IdiomsTo adapt flexibly and act as circumstances change.
  2. Seamless Heavenly RobeNiu Qiao · IdiomsA celestial robe with no seams; flawless and without a trace of imperfection.
  3. Opportunity Must Not Be MissedOld Book of Tang · IdiomsA rare opportunity must not be lost; urges prompt action.