Wiping the Dust at the Five-Hundred-Stone Grotto Heaven, Vol. 1

Through these writings, one realizes that while the poetry of the Central Plains original: 中原 (Zhōngyuán). The cradle of Chinese civilization, referring to the Yellow River Valley. has nearly exhausted its vastness, the poetry of the outer oceans is just now flourishing in its unique creativity.

The Xiaolian original: 孝廉 (Xiàolián). Literally "Filial and Incorruptible," a title for those who passed the provincial-level civil service examinations. and I once discussed poetry. He described it using the qualities of being "winding" and "clear." I reflected on the words of the Classic of Changes, the Book of Documents, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, finding that none are not winding in their depth. Similarly, the words of Quzi Qu Yuan, the famous poet of the Warring States period known for "The Lament.", the Master of Longmen Sima Qian, the "Grand Historian" who wrote the Records of the Grand Historian., and Changqing Sima Xiangru, a master of the fu (rhapsody) poetic form during the Han Dynasty. are none if not clear. Zhongni The courtesy name for Confucius. once said: "Language should simply express the meaning." Those whose words truly express their meaning naturally possess a "winding" quality within them.

Liu Xie A 5th-century literary critic, author of The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons. remarked that the "winding" and the "clear" are qualities to be savored, and that clarity and elegance are the foundations of all literature. Is this not how we should examine the source of an author's inspiration?

Regarding the "Grotto of Five Hundred Stones": the Xiaolian crossed the sea and obtained five hundred extraordinary stones. He used this number to name both his estate and this book. This volume does not merely discuss poetry; it holds poetry as its very soul. He has painstakingly polished every chapter and carved every line, pouring his heart into the work. Daily, he greets the spirits of the great masters—the two Xies, Li Bai, Liu Zongyuan, Meng Jiao, and Han Yu—amidst the grotto and the vast, dark sea. There, he fully expresses a spirit that "surpasses the eight horizons and is as vigorous as a sudden wind."

The man who wrote this is surely a magnificent and extraordinary scholar. Selat original: 息力 (Xīlì). A phonetic rendering of "Selat" (Straits), referring to Singapore. is a place I once traveled to. The heavenly winds there are brisk, and the seafaring raft is ready at hand. Floating along, I intend to follow the Xiaolian, waving the whisk original: 揮塵 (huīchén). A "chowry" or fly-whisk held by scholars during "pure conversation" (intellectual debate). as we each testify to the spiritual heights we have reached.