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Li Chiao (644–713) served as prime minister during three reigns but was cashiered for his arrogance when Hsuan-tsung ascended the throne in 712. Although his poems on everyday objects were highly esteemed, those written at imperial request, such as this one, were rather superficial and probably included by the editor as examples of the genre. Here, Li records a visit by Chung-tsung (r. 705–710) to his daughter’s estate east of Ch’ang-an. Blue is the color of the east, and purple of the royal realm. Mandarins and egrets represent higher and lower officials, and the phoenixes are the princess and her husband. The Chungnan Mountains are to the south, and the Wei River is to the north.

Attending a Banquet at Princess Ch’ang-ning’s Eastern Estate

LI CHIAO

Her country estate overlooks a blue domain

carriages come ringing out of a purple sky

mandarins and egrets flock to an endless feast

phoenixes play celestial flute serenades

tree-covered mountains rise to the south

mist-shrouded marshes stretch to the north

everyone is drunk from drinking in such favor

their philanthropic majesties postpone their departure