When mentioning Kou Zhun, the prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, the first thing that everyone thinks of is probably the upright, knowledgeable and upright prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty who advocated fighting against the Liao invaders and spoke uprightly in court many times. Yes, according to historical records, Kou Zhun was a hardline political figure who was not afraid of power and dared to stick to his own ideas, but few people knew that he was also an accomplished writer.

Kou Zhun was born in a scholarly family. He studied "Spring and Autumn" at the age of 14 or 15, and was able to write good articles. Especially the words he wrote are clear, graceful, eloquent and moving, which is even more impressive. What's amazing is that Kou Zhun is very good at using the environment to express his inner feelings. The same scenery can produce completely different artistic conceptions and feelings in his paintings. Today we will take a look at the same spring, in Kou Zhun's paintings What extraordinary realm will there be under his pen?

1. Use Wing Chun words to thank guests and encourage students to serve the country

This year coincides with the big exam, and students gathered in Beijing. It was early spring, the sun was shining brightly and the scenery was pleasant. Prime Minister Kou Zhun took this opportunity to host a banquet in honor of the tribute scholars. During the banquet, Kou Zhun wrote "Gongyi Xiuba Garden Sunflower Ode" and "General Huo Zhidi's Poems" as the titles. The students each composed poems to cheer up the fun.

Why are there two questions like these? Kou Zhun had a purpose. Let’s take a look at the allusions involved in the title to understand:

Let’s look at the first one first: Gong Yixiu was the prime minister of the Lu State during the Warring States Period. He was honest and dedicated to the public. Once Gongyixiu saw that the vegetables in his field were growing very well, so he ordered people to pull out the vegetables in his own garden. The servant was puzzled. Gongyixiu said: "If the vegetables in my vegetable field have a good harvest, then I will inevitably compete with ordinary farmers for sales. I have already received a salary from the state, do I still have to compete with farmers for food? ?

Look at the second one: Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty wanted to reward Huo Qubing with a large mansion because of his outstanding military exploits, but Huo Qubing refused the reward from Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and said: "The Huns are not destroyed, how can they have a home?" Why? This famous statement.

Kou Zhun used these two events as the theme and asked the tributes to present poems. Obviously, he had a profound meaning: he hoped that these talents selected through the national examination would be able to honor Gongyi Xiu and Huo Qubing. As an example, be considerate of the people, be honest and serve the public, and be able to do your best for the country and the people when you are an official in the future.

The atmosphere of this banquet was harmonious and positive. The students showed off their talents one after another. At the invitation of everyone, Prime Minister Kou also composed a poem "Licorice Seed" and asked the musicians to perform it on the spot. Play and sing to promote elegance. The full text of this poem is:

Early spring. The willow silk is weak, and the green doorway is lightly brushed. Birds sing in a cage on a warm day. The peach blossoms are small at first.

Looking at the clear blue sky from a distance. Dragging a wisp, the light smoke is misty. It's a pity to thank Fangcao for passing time. Let the jade pot fall over.

Is there a kind of spring breeze blowing on your face, an immersive tenderness? ?The willow silk is weak, the peach blossom is young? Such a fresh and gentle writing style seems more like a gentle young man coming from the street. It is difficult for people to think of the majestic, tough and prudent prime minister of the dynasty.

Despite this, the poem is full of joy and encouragement, "What a pity for the fleeting years of thanking the grass?" Today, I drink happily and the jade pot falls over. In the Ming Dynasty, you must not let down the expectations of the public and make yourselves beautiful. Dedicate your youthful years to the cause of serving the country and the people. Not flashy or preachy, but affectionate and sincere, containing hope in the spring scenery. So wonderful, so wonderful!

2. The overt and covert fighting in the court continued, and he used poetry to express his feelings

Although Kou Zhun was resolute, the political struggle above the court was fierce and cruel. Although Kou Zhun gained the trust of Song Taizong and Song Zhenzong because of his integrity, he could not help but offend villains. During his tenure as prime minister, Kou Zhun was framed by Wang Qinruo and Ding Wei. In addition, he had political disagreements with the Queen Mother Liu E. Kou Zhun was repeatedly demoted and used several times.

The ups and downs of the officialdom and the changes in world affairs made it hard for Kou Zhun to calm down. After several turmoils, he used the scenery of late spring to write "Traveling on the Shasha" to express his sorrow after leaving the court and worrying about the political situation:

The spring scenery is about to end, and the orioles are getting older. Hong Ying has fallen into nothing. The painting hall is filled with quiet rain, and the lingering fragrance lingers in the half-covered mountains.

The secret agreement is deep, and the separation is gone. The water chestnut flowers are full of dust and will be illuminated.

Leaning on the building, I am speechless and want to lose myself in ecstasy. The sky is dim and even the grass is dim.

The spring is coming to an end, the flowers have fallen, and the fruits are still there. I am thinking about Kou Zhun in court, but my thoughts cannot calm down. The spring rain outside the painting hall is non-stop, and the distant mountains look so ethereal, just like the current situation in the court, erratic and unpredictable, making it difficult to see clearly. Can those strategies for governing the country that have not yet been implemented satisfactorily be implemented as scheduled? When can I return to the court and assist the emperor in carrying out his unfinished plan? Leaning against the railing of the painting hall, I looked at the misty rain outside. Although there was a beautiful scene of green grass stretching all over the sky, I was unable to appreciate it because of my feelings of separation.

As a virtuous and loyal minister, although he was demoted, Kou Zhun could not help but worry about the situation of the court. He was worried about the sycophantic ministers' slanderous words and deceiving the emperor, and was also worried about the future of the country. Worry can only be turned into mist and rain, drowned in the scenery of late spring.

3. Being demoted to Leizhou, he used poems to express his feelings and ambitions

Kou Zhun was wronged in his later years because he was framed by Ding Wei. Because Ding Wei concealed the truth, he was afraid that Song Zhenzong would descend after knowing the truth. It was his fault that he hid the truth from the sick Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty. He demoted Kou Zhun again and again until he was demoted to the then wild Leizhou to join the army, which was equivalent to being sent to the army.

When Kou Zhun first arrived in Leizhou, he didn’t even have a decent residence. Local officials and people admired Kou Zhun’s character and donated money to help him settle down. From being an extremely human minister to being nothing more than a prisoner, Kou Zhun suffered such a huge change in his life, which made Kou Zhun inevitably feel a little disappointed. Therefore, when writing his poems, it was inevitable that his words would be "poignant", but his words were more sincere and sincere. The posture is very generous?, such as "Dian Crimson Lips":

The water is slightly cold, and the rain in the community is slow enough and the east wind is slow. The new swallows are settling in their nests, and the wet rain is passing through the flowers.

The elephant ruler smokes the stove, and the needlework stops at dawn. Chou'e is shallow. Feihong is messy, and the bead curtain is rolled on its side.

Although he is also describing spring, at this time, Kou Zhun is no longer in the mood to experience the scenery of spring. Instead, he uses the lovesickness and sorrowful mood of the woman in his boudoir to express his inner loss. Sleepless melancholy, lingering sadness, full of looking back on the past, mixed with expectations for the future.

However, Kou Zhun was not knocked down by the cruel fate. Even in the wilderness, he did not forget his ambition to contribute to the country and benefit the people. During his stay in Leizhou, he opened volunteer schools to spread the advanced culture of the Central Plains region; built water conservancy projects, imparted farming experience in the Central Plains region, and promoted local agricultural development; popularized knowledge of astronomy and geography for the local people, and got rid of local ignorant customs; it can be said that he was right It was the arrival of Kou Zhun that promoted the development of Leizhou area.

I think that at the spring banquet where the tributes gathered, Kou Zhun once encouraged all the students to cherish the time and use their lives to benefit the people. He himself also He used his own practical actions to interpret this inspiring saying. No matter what position he holds or where he lives in the officialdom, he is always an official who puts the people first and the country first.

Kou Zhun did not wait until the day when he was rehabilitated. In 1023 AD, Kou Zhun died in Leizhou due to illness. When he was about to die of illness, Kou Zhun wrote "Poetry on Illness":

I will be sick for many years, so I can't be flattered. The book only reads medicine records, and the guests only treat the doctor and monk. Ambition sells like snow, and deep feelings are as cold as ice. After the wind and rain in the county, I can't sleep in front of the green lantern.

Even at the last moment of his life, even in the face of a tragic and unfair fate, Kou Zhun still remembered his ambition. Even though he had gone through ups and downs in this life, he had no regrets.