Wiping the Dust at the Five-Hundred-Stone Grotto Heaven, Vol. 5

...presenting them to the Minister, recording the poems for the lecturer, and compiling them for the Imperial Historian. Burning incense at midnight, I personally performed the funeral rites, feeling miserable when facing the posthumous manuscript from the Jade Terrace. Zhang says: "On the road to the Singapore Settlement, I met the guest Mr. Qiu Shuyuan. I asked for his correction on my clumsy drafts and was also honored with his gift of many books." I replied with this: "Singapore is a single body of water, purely containing emptiness; I imagine your deportment, until I reach you, the guest. Your worldly talent is in your hand; the moon shines on your liver and gallbladder. Your talent is like scattered planting, who can recognize it? Your friendship is one of forgetting form, truly worthy of being called a wind. I am but a tired traveler from ancient Meizhou; how dare I challenge an old man with my slang verses?" Original note: Also called the South Traveler Guest

"Reading your cloud-like writing until late at night; your great reputation has long been known as an ancient. I hear of the plum blossoms; in how many lives did you cultivate this blessing?" Original note: I heard the words given by the scholar Xu Liangquan to you: 'In the small building, for one night, I pay respects to the poet.' It is said that at the time of your birth, there was an omen of the plum blossom, and so on."

"Your new poetry competes, emerging from the crowd." Original note: In the winter of the Renchen year, I was fifteen years old and composed the 'Jade Flute Poem' original: "Yudi Shi", which was highly praised by my peers. "There are people of the current generation to push it; the great elegant style is overflowing, who can hold back the crazy atmosphere? The arena of the Lisao poetry is built high for a thousand feet; can one allow the weary man to lead an army?"

Comparing this to my own ambition, can it not serve as a maxim for my pursuit of learning?

Mr. Xu of Lunting, having used Western photography techniques to create a portrait for me, the "Singapore Selected Poetry Picture," was famous throughout the island. The Teochew person Cai Qiuyu was formerly a photographer for the British office. All the island's strongholds, fortresses, gardens, and scenic spots...