-
Conclusion
- State University of New York Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
Conclusion 215 It is by the “mutual evidence” of history and poetry that we have picked our way through the distorted reports in extant sources and reconstructed the substantial information relating to Wen’s life. That is to say, guided by a general understanding of the historical background, we have undertaken a study of Wen’s poetry, and facilitated by concrete details found in this poetry, we have obtained a fuller grasp of the historical background. In this sense, to understand Wen’s life is to fathom his poetry, and vice versa. Born into an aristocratic clan in decline and related to the imperial family by marriage, Wen had, from childhood, received a Confucian education and become determined to contribute to the restoration of a powerful state dynasty and the retrieval of his family’s glory. Because of the ongoing con- flict between Wen’s family and the eunuchs, and because of Wen’s unyielding integrity, the power-entrenched eunuchs would not allow any political advance on his part. Moreover,Wen was unable to find a source of opportunity for political promotion in either of the two political factions existing in his time. Consequently, even in his attempts to find a livelihood under local patrons, Wen suffered severely from the eunuchs’ persecution. The whole Jianghuai Incident, and especially his marriage to a singer-prostitute, should be highlighted. The whole story reflects how both eunuch power and social convention worked against him, turning an unconventional marriage into a scandal. Rumors were spread in Wen’s lifetime by the eunuchs. Tales were recorded and retold by many authors after his death, and, worst of all, were taken up by the Song Dynasty historiographers. For our poet, this amounted to a political “frame-up” consigning to him a notoriety that has lasted for more than a thousand years. Thus,Wen’s path to a favorable official career in his lifetime was blocked not by his “moral failings,” but for most part by the hostility of the eunuchs. Comparing Wen with many of his eminent contemporaries , we find the claims that Wen was to any degree “immoral” to be dubious. On the contrary, we suggest that his affection for a singer-prostitute evinces a remarkable humanity transcending class and gender bias in a manner extremely rare for his time. His unremitting resistance to the eunuchs exhibits a political courage and tenacity, making Wen one of the most admirable men of his time. The choice of Wen as attendant of the Heir Apparent makes it clear that he was regarded as a man of great talent and honesty by most of his contemporaries, including the emperors. Emperor Wenzong exerted great care and effort in selecting “honest and serious literati and court officials to be mentors and attendants” for his son.1 In the face of these historical records, all the slander of the eunuchs and the censure of the Song Dynasty historiographers , as well as their later echoes, collapse completely.2 Wen’s attendance upon the Heir and his political stance in connection with each of the interested parties in the Heir Apparent Incident speak eloquently as to what kind of man he was. Furthermore, we are able to justify Wen’s behavior in changing his name in order to sit for the examination. He was forced to do so, because it was the only way he could take, much less pass, the examination. This ruse, marking the crux of Wen’s protracted efforts to elude the eunuchs and pass the examination, was a typical instance of the Late Tang times, characteristic of the strife between the “Southern Office” and the “Northern Office.” It also illustrates the degree to which Wen struggled with adversity. As to his “cheating”—his taking the examinations for others—this was not blameworthy. It was an “abnormal” form of protest engendered in a normal but frustrated individual. If Wen is to blame for anything, it is perhaps that he was too persistent in his desire to realize his political ambitions. In summation, all Wen’s involvements in the political troubles of his day, taken as a series, present us with: a man who was true to himself as well as to others; a soul who revolted against social injustice and prejudice; a figure who defied brute force and the entrenched authority; and a poet who had concern for the fate of his country and the well-being of his people. Of course,Wen was...