136

Tseng Chi (1084–1166) was born in Kanchou near the southern border of Kiangsi province and grew up in Loyang. He is better known to history as the teacher of the Sung-dynasty lyric poet Lu Yu (1125–1210), but during his career he served as judicial commissioner of Kiangsi and Chekiang and eventually headed the Ministry of Rites and the Secretariat. At one point he was forced into temporary retirement when Ch’in Kuei was prime minister, but he returned upon Ch’in’s death. On this occasion he is leaving the Southern Sung capital of Hangchou to take up his new post as prefect of Chuchou at the southwest corner of Chekiang province, which most officials would have viewed as a demotion. Normally, as noted in verse 134, this season is marked by constant light rains. But this is a poem about finding good fortune where one doesn’t expect it—the silver lining in rustication to Chuchou. Taking advantage of good weather, Tseng travels from Hangchou by boat up the Fuchun and Chuchiang Rivers as far as he can go and then continues on foot over Sanchu Mountain for the final part of the journey. As he nears his destination he hears the welcome songs of like-minded poets.

On the Sanchu Road

TSENG CHI

Plums are yellow and days are sunny

where the river turns shallow I take the trail

the canopy of green doesn’t get less shady

the occasional sound of orioles though is new