Inscriptions for Fanning the Dust at the Grotto-Heaven of Five Hundred Stones

In this age, there is an extraordinary gentleman;
In the Southern Realms, the fate of poetry begins to bloom.
His books rival those stored in the Imperial Stone Chamber;
His dwelling is as secluded as the immortals' isle of Penglai A mythological island mountain in Chinese folklore, home to the Eight Immortals..
In his grotto-dwelling, he carves characters into the clouds;
In the school of discourse, his talent falls like driving snow.
Throughout my life, he is the one I have most admired;
His family’s collection continues the legacy of Qiongtai original: 瓊臺 (Qióngtái). Likely referring to Qiu Jun, a famous Ming Dynasty scholar from Hainan, suggesting a shared lineage or literary excellence..

He has not wasted these years of youth;
The books he has authored now stand as tall as himself.
The landscape is that of the Kingdom of Johor The southernmost state of the Malay Peninsula, neighboring Singapore where the author resided.;
In poetry and wine, he is a Banished Immortal original: 謫仙人 (zhéxiān rén). A famous epithet for the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai, suggesting the author is a genius from the heavens living on earth..
Fervently he discusses the affairs of the day;
His loud singing moves the spirits and gods.
Reading your works, which will be passed through the ages,
I imagine your easy laughter and your scholar's silk cap.

Among the mountains and seas dwells a singular man;
Fanning the dust original: 揮塵 (huīchén). To hold a fly-whisk while engaging in refined conversation or philosophical debate., he discusses the core principles of life.
An understanding friend may be difficult to find;
But in gathering these stones, I find my fulfillment.
Of the thirty-six Grotto-Heavens original: 洞天 (dòngtiān). Sacred sites in Taoism; here, the poet notes that tradition usually lists thirty-six, but the author has created his own.,
I had heard the number stopped there.
But at this spiritual palace of five hundred stones,
One bows in admiration as did Old Mi Mi Fu, a famous Song Dynasty painter and calligrapher known for his obsession with beautiful rocks, whom he addressed as "elder brother.".

With great strength, he carries them along;
Miniature verdant landscapes are arranged on elegant tables.
Every stone is a grotto-heaven unto itself;
The cliffs and gullies within them startle the viewer.
He summons ten thousand mists and clouds;
Is this undertaking not truly magnificent?
When the Master is in high spirits,
He grasps his fly-whisk original: 麈尾 (zhǔwěi). A whisk made from a deer's tail, used by orators and scholars to emphasize points during "pure conversation." mid-discourse.

Long ago, wandering by the bridge,
A hero once retrieved the shoe for the Old Man of the Yellow Stone A reference to the strategist Zhang Liang, who showed humility to an old sage and was rewarded with a book of military secrets..
The Master shares a refined bond with the Old Man of White Stone original: 白石翁 (Báishí Wēng). Likely a reference to the poet/artist Shen Zhou or perhaps a contemporary friend.;
His lofty chanting captures a divine likeness.
His discussions on poetry reach transcendent depths;
The power of his voice splits rocks and startles the musical scales.
Discussing military strategy, he speaks of the Secret Tally original: 陰符 (Yīnfú). Referring to the Yinfujing, a classic text on Taoist philosophy and military strategy.;
He arranges his stones like a battle array of drifting clouds.