The Duke of Han planned to build three victorious walls
To stop the foe from coming near our capitals.
Could he anticipate the Western cavaliers,
After their victory, would not leave Northern frontiers?
The Pass could not prevent the foe from coming near;
After the dragon's rise, we can see our land clear.
Should the sovereign worry about the country's fate,
Generals could not have done their duty for the State.
Original Poem:
「诸将五首 · 其二」
杜甫
韩公本意筑三城，拟绝天骄拔汉旌。
岂谓尽烦回纥马，翻然远救朔方兵。
胡来不觉潼关隘，龙起犹闻晋水清。
独使至尊忧社稷，诸君何以答升平。
Interpretation:
This poem was composed in the first year of Emperor Daizong’s Dali reign (766), a period when the An Lushan Rebellion had been quelled but border threats remained unresolved. Du Fu, witnessing the court’s poor decision-making—particularly the reliance on Uyghur forces to suppress the rebellion—criticized this strategy as one that not only failed to stabilize the nation but also invited wolves into the fold, leaving behind endless troubles. Through this poem, the poet satirized the court's incompetence and expressed profound concern for the nation’s fate alongside a rational critique of the prevailing circumstances.
First Couplet: “韩公本意筑三城，拟绝天骄拔汉旌。”
(When Zhang Renyuan built the three fortresses, his goal was to resist the Turkic invaders and safeguard the Central Plains.)
This couplet reflects on history, highlighting Zhang Renyuan’s foresight in constructing defensive fortifications. The poet uses this example to emphasize that past military strategies were aimed at ensuring border security, contrasting them with the short-sighted policies of his own time. This contrast implicitly critiques the current court’s failings.
Second Couplet: “岂谓尽烦回纥马，翻然远救朔方兵。”
(Who would have thought that we would now trouble the Uyghur cavalry and bring them to Shuofang as rescuers?)
Here, the poet directly addresses the current predicament, exposing the Tang court’s over-reliance on Uyghur forces as a grave error tantamount to inviting wolves into the fold. With a tone of irony and regret, the poet critiques this strategic blunder and hints at the crisis and hidden dangers it has created.
Third Couplet: “胡来不觉潼关隘，龙起犹闻晋水清。”
(When the barbarians invade, even the strategic Tong Pass seems defenseless; we still hear of Jin River’s clarity, recalling the Tang founder’s triumphs.)
This couplet weaves geographical and historical reflections. The poet first points out that the loss of Tong Pass stems from incompetent leadership, then contrasts it with the flourishing era of Tang’s founding. By revisiting history, the poet underscores the importance of wise governance and the employment of capable leaders.
Fourth Couplet: “独使至尊忧社稷，诸君何以答升平。”
(Now the emperor alone worries about the nation’s fate—how will you generals repay the peace hard-earned by the dynasty?)
The final couplet directly targets the heart of the issue, criticizing the generals’ indolence and reliance on the status quo. While ostensibly reproaching the military leaders, the poet implicitly condemns the court’s mismanagement, expressing deep concern for the nation’s destiny and hope for collaborative governance between ruler and ministers.
Writing Characteristics:
- Historical Allusion to Reflect Contemporary Reality: By invoking Zhang Renyuan’s achievements and the golden era of early Tang, the poet contrasts them with current difficulties, amplifying the poem’s satirical tone.
- Candid Expression of Sentiments: The language is straightforward and incisive, leaving no room for ambiguity, showcasing the poet’s deep insights into the realities of his time.
- Logical Progression: The poem transitions seamlessly from historical examples to contemporary realities, and from geographical observations to leadership critiques, creating a coherent and compelling argument.
Overall Analysis:
Building on the themes of the preceding poem, this work juxtaposes Zhang Renyuan’s fortification efforts and the Tang Dynasty’s early prosperity against the strategic missteps and incompetence of Emperor Daizong’s reign. The poet sharply criticizes the complacency of the generals while denouncing the absurd reliance on Uyghur forces for internal stability. Throughout the poem, the poet’s anxiety about the nation’s future is palpable. This piece not only reflects on historical lessons but also embodies Du Fu’s patriotic spirit and rational critique of the status quo.
Insights:
This poem serves as a reminder that national strength depends on competent leadership and responsible generals. While relying on external forces may offer temporary relief, it often comes with hidden dangers and long-term consequences. True peace and stability can only be achieved through self-reliance and internal strength—an enduring principle with profound relevance across eras.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Du Fu (杜甫), 712 - 770 AD, was a great poet of the Tang Dynasty, known as the "Sage of Poetry". Born into a declining bureaucratic family, Du Fu had a rough life, and his turbulent and dislocated life made him keenly aware of the plight of the masses. Therefore, his poems were always closely related to the current affairs, reflecting the social life of that era in a more comprehensive way, with profound thoughts and a broad realm. In his poetic art, he was able to combine many styles, forming a unique style of "profound and thick", and becoming a great realist poet in the history of China.
