Xiao-changgan Song
By Cui Guofu (Tang Dynasty)
Breeze is blowing from the lake in the dim light of the moon,
The road twists as if it is impassable for people.
the song of picking water chestnut is melodious and intermittently persistent,
He knows that the beloved girl is in this pond.
小长干曲
（唐）崔国辅
月暗送湖风，相寻路不通。
菱歌唱不彻，知在此塘中。
Introduction of related words
- Xiao-changgan: it’s belonging to Changganli, the site is located in the south of present-day Nanjing City.
- Changgan Song: it’s the lyrics and titles of Yuefu Zaqu, mainly describe the life and interests of women by the riverside in the Changganli area.
- Water chestnut: The water chestnut originated in warm regions of Europe and Asia, but now the only countries that truly cultivate are China and India. And the Indian diamond horn was still imported from China.
About Cui Guofu
Cui Guofu is a poet of the Tang Dynasty. In the fourteenth year of the Kaiyuan era (726 AD), he became a Schoolar and was ranked alongside Chu Guangxi and Qi Wuqian. He was appointed to be Shanyin Captain. At the beginning of the Tianbao reign, he entered the court as the Zuo Bu Que, and the Wailang of the Ministry of Rites. In the eleventh year of the Tianbao reign (752 AD),Wang Yan who is the Officer of Capital was killed for his crimes. Cui was a close relative of Wang and was implicated and demoted to the position of Jingling Sima.
Cui Guofu had a deep friendship with Meng Haoran and Li Bai, while he also received help and encouragement by DuFu.
I have something to say
Compared to other poets such as Du Fu, Li Bai etc., I think Cui’s poetry lacks of a sense of patriotism, maybe he is lucky so he didn’t meet too much unfair things or he met the right people.
In any time, to meet the great people is very important to us. How can we catch the chance? I bet that the only way is to make ourselves much better.