In the spring of fourth year of Qingli, TengZijing was exiled to Balingjun , to be the profect there.
In the second year of his office, because of his excellent administration,people lived in peace and
contentment, and all previous neglected matters were taken care of. The YueYang tower was
renovated and enlarged, and described on its walls were the poetries and rhymed prose of Tang
and present dynasty. I was invented to record this restoration effect in writing.
The beauty of Baling center round the Dongting lake, which holds the mountain ranges in the
distance and swallows the water of the yangtz river.It so vast and mighty that it seems boundness.
dazzling in the morning sun and fading in the grew evening mist, it offers a myriad scenes , this
is the magnificent view of yueyang tower commanded. Of which many describtions hava been
written. The beauty scenic spot is linked with the Wu gorge in the north and Xiao and xiang
rivers in the south. Exiled officials and poets often gather here, how could there be no difference
in their feelings?
In the rainy season, an unbroken wet weather lasts for months,. Chilly wind howl and turbid
waves surge the sky high. The sun and stars lose their luster, and the mountain ranges
scarcely visible.. The merchant and travelers have to put off their voyage.. for the masts
of ships have collapsed and the oars broken.. It is dark towards evening mist, and the
roaring of tigers and the cry of monkeys can be heard. At such a time anyone ascending
the tow will be filled with nostalgia for the imperial court and his hometown as well as fears
of calumny and derision against him. Around him is a scene of desolation. Emotions
well up him so strongly that he feels pain at heart.
In springtime it is warm and the sun is bright, the lake is tranquil and it merges with the
azure sky into a vast expanse of blue. The water-bird are playing, some fluttering in the
sky, some gathering together on the sandbars. fishes of varies hues swimming merrily
in the water. Sweet-smell grass by the banks and the faint scented orchid on the sandy
beaches are rush and green. Sometimes when the mist over the lake vanishes. The
glorious moon shines over the vast land. Its brightness glistening with golden light on
the lake. The reflection of the moon is like a piece of jade in the depth of the water.
On ascending the tower at such a time, one will feel a spiritual uplift , neither glory
nor shame. with a cup of wine in the gentle breeze ,he will enjoy the greatest happiness
in life.
Ah! I have tried to study the minds of lofty ideals in ancient times. Perhaps they were
different from the people I motion above. Why is this? The reason is that they were
not thrown into ecstasies over their success ,nor felt depressed over their failures.
When they were in high postion at court, they concerned about the people, when
they were in remote place, they concerned about their emperor. They worried when
then got promoted or when they were sent into exile. then , when they were happy?
they would say :”To be the first to worry about the affairs of the state and the last to
enjoy oneself!” Oh,who else should I seek company with save them.