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Li Ang (809–840) was the name of Emperor Wen-tsung (r. 827–840). Following his failed attempt to resolve the bitter factional strife at court in the autumn of 835, the eunuchs made him a virtual prisoner in the palace, and he died of a chronic illness a few years later. He was, however, a man who loved simplicity and enjoyed poetry and wine in equal measures. Here, he looks out from the balcony above the palace wall in the spring of 836 and considers his plight. Even though he is the emperor, he has lost the prerogatives of his position and cannot even visit the royal orchard, which covered thousands of acres west of the palace and which was famous for its pear blossoms. The weed-covered path reminds the emperor that he has not been able to leave the palace since his attempt to assassinate the eunuchs failed the preceding fall. As the only males besides the emperor in the inner palace, eunuchs often wielded more power than government ministers during the reigns of weak emperors—or weak ministers. Implicit here is the emperor’s sense that only the Son of Heaven understands the duty of caring for the realm, which even his confinement cannot diminish, while the eunuchs, and those officials who carry out their will, are only concerned with their own welfare.

Written in the Palace

LI ANG

The Shanglin Woods are in bloom

but autumn weeds hide the royal path

my ministers no longer know

how vast is the view from on high