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Tsu Yung (699–746) was born in Loyang and passed the civil service exam in 725. Through the good offices of such friends as Wang Wei, he was able to serve in several minor posts in Ch’ang-an and here visits a friend’s retreat southwest of the capital on the Feng River. The second line was not an idle thought. Not long after he wrote this, Tsu resigned his post and retired to a hermitage on the Jushui River, south of his family home in Loyang. The presence of mountains and water are important in choosing a residence, and bamboos represent the indomitable will of a person of humble virtue. However, some editions have wu-fu (roofs are covered) in place of chu-fu (bamboos bend). The darkened courtyard suggests proximity to mountains as well as the absence of worldly affairs.

Mister Su’s Country Retreat

TSU YUNG

Your country retreat is such a quiet place

I think of retiring each time I come

the Chungnan Mountains fill your doors and windows

the Feng River brightens your trees and garden

your bamboos bend with winter-long snow

your courtyard is dark before dusk

beyond the sound and reach of man

I sit and listen to the birds of spring