Translation of "Giving Xiao Yu": Only in the fierce and strong wind can we see whether the grass is strong and tall, and in the era of fierce turmoil can we identify whether the minister is loyal and loyal. How can a brave man understand the justice of serving the public, the country, the people, and the country? A man with both wisdom and courage must have the love of loyalty to the emperor and the people in his heart.

Original text:

The strong wind knows the strong grass, and the rough wind knows the honest minister.

A brave man must be aware of righteousness, and a wise man must be benevolent.

"Giving Xiao Yu" is a five-character quatrain given to Xiao Yu by Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty. This poem praises Xiao Yu's benevolence.

The first two sentences are about knowing people, and each sentence uses appropriate metaphors to praise Xiao Yu for withstanding the test in times of turmoil and crisis, showing the loyalty and stance of a courtier. The last two sentences are about knowing people and making good use of them. They use contrast to set off the positive. They want to promote but suppress before they want to promote. They are intended to highlight Xiao Yu's benevolence and righteousness as a wise man.

The first two lines of the poem are famous lines that have always been praised. The phrase "The strong wind knows the strong grass" comes from Fan Ye of the Song Dynasty, "The Book of the Later Han·Biography of Wang Ba". This phrase was originally written by Liu Xiu, Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty. The words praising the overlord were later used as a metaphor to describe who has a strong will and who is loyal and reliable only after going through the severe test of crisis or war. The author Li Shimin used this poem to praise Xiao Yu.

The "Bandang" in the second sentence is the name of two works in "The Book of Songs·Daya". The two poems "Ban" and "Dang" ridiculed King Li of Zhou for being unruly and corrupting the political situation. Later, "bandang" was used to refer to political instability. On a sunny day, "strong grass" is confused with ordinary grass; in a peaceful and stable environment, "sincere minister" is easily confused with ordinary people. Only after being tested by strong winds and turbulent times can we See what kind of grass is strong and what kind of people are loyal.

The last two sentences change the angle and continue to praise Xiao Yu. The "brave man" who is only brave for a moment does not understand the true "righteousness", but the true "wise man" must have benevolence in his heart. Here I tell the readers that being loyal alone is not enough. Only one who has wisdom and courage can be considered a useful talent. If there is courage but no plan, it is difficult to express righteousness; if there is wisdom but no courage, it is difficult to show kindness.

Extended information

Creative background

In the ninth year of Wude (626), Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji failed in their plot to kill Li Shimin and framed Li Shimin against Li Yuan. After Li Yuan heard this, he planned to punish Li Shimin. After Xiao Yu's persuasion, he gave up the idea of ??punishing him. Soon after, Li Shimin killed Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji in the "Xuanwu Gate Incident". Only after Xiao Yu's persuasion did Li Yuan hand over the power to Li Shimin.

In 627 AD, Li Shimin ascended the throne and made Xiao Yu prime minister. However, because Xiao Yu had an upright temperament and could not get along with ministers such as Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng, Li Shimin changed Xiao Yu to the position of Crown Prince and Tutor. Xiao Yu came to the East Palace without any complaints and took up a position in the East Palace. He tutored the prince very dutifully. Li Shimin was very satisfied with his teachings to the prince. In the ninth year of Zhenguan (653), he named Xiao Yu "Special Jin", participated in political affairs, and presented this poem to him. Give it to him.

Comments from famous writers

Editor Zhang Jian of the Institute of Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: The whole poem is simple, insightful and has a grand realm. The descriptions in the first two sentences may seem ordinary, but they are valuable life experiences extracted from long-term natural phenomena and social events, and have become well-known mottos; the last two sentences are lofty and lofty, showing the majestic spirit of promoting benevolence to the world.

About the author

Li Shimin played an important role in the establishment of the Tang Dynasty. After he came to the throne, he often took the death of the Sui Dynasty as a warning, knowing that water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. Knowing people well, paying attention to accepting advice, and working hard to govern, the social economy in the early Tang Dynasty was greatly restored and developed, and what is known as the "Government of Zhenguan" appeared in history. In literature, he also had certain attainments. He wrote some poems and was the author of "The Collection of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty".