enjoy an easy and happy life
an encounter with the ancient city of jiazhou
i have been sitting by the rivers
i see reflections of the moonthe ancient city of jiazhou on the other bankhas gone through the past vicissitudessongs from the founder and can still be heard on the riveramidst morning bells and evening drums
alongside prayers in the past millennium
i was built to and for
the best wishes of the masses
at the time, jiazhou appeared to be a phoenix prepared to fly with three rivers as its wingsthe thick red walls defended the residents against floodsthe towering watchtowers safeguarded the locals from invasions
clamant bell tinkles from the ancient post road presented a scene uncommon for a remote citywaving flags before the ferry embodiedthe magnificence of the great tang dynastythe gate tower stands by the rivers full of power and grandeur,with crabapples blossoming by the battlementsthriving banyan trees beside the ancient city wall witness the coming and going of boats on the rivervisitors travel in picturesque scenes when the city is mirrored in the water and the river flows forward between green mountainswithout an encounter with jiazhoudu fu wouldn’t have left the verses “i’d like to visit jiazhou this year, because i miss so much the spirits and flowers there”the sound of reading can be heard in the secluded caotang temple even today
without a stay in jiazhousu dongpo wouldn’t have versified “i denied as a teenager to take a high position or to be acquainted with han jingzhou.i’d rather be appointed the magistrate of jiazhou so that i can enjoy both the profound spirits and breathtaking scenery.”the silent qingyin pavilion has witnessed the passing down of the poetic culturewithout a visit to jiazhou
the broadminded huang shangu wouldn’t have composed that
“peach blossoms are thriving when clouds are set apart.
i finally get to a place deserving
the name ‘home’ after three decades.”
i guess he eventually understood the thusness
in addition, fan chengda and wei liaoweng
also obtained their respective happiness in jiazhou
“凌云西岸古嘉州，江水潺潺绕郭流”
流光斑驳了我的面孔
但郡土嘉美，风雅依存
千年以降
我的目光穿过一条条人来人往的街巷
观古城自在
阅众生欢喜
“the ancient city of jiazhou is situated to the west of mt. lingyun, with rivers flowing around the city walls”my appearance has been worn by timebut the beautiful scenery and rustic customs have remainedi have glanced through one bustling street after anotherto enjoy the ease of the ancient cityand witness the fortune of the massesjingles of iron plates are echoed in the jiulong alley
the jingling candy has recorded the childhood memory of so many generationspictures and songs have carried forth the traditionin the confucius temple, righteousness of students of wuhan university(resettled in leshan from 1938 to 1946)can still be seen in local teenagers today
“左披九顶云，右送大峨月”
老霄顶上，万景楼中，几圈二七十
听松声入座，看万象纷繁
“while clouds enshroud mt. jiuding in the left,
moon hangs over mt. emei in the right.”
in wanjing tower on the laoxiao summit,
local residents are playing bridge
sitting in the chair and hearing breezes penetrate pine trees,
they have witnessed the prosperity and decline of nature.
顺城街氤氲了时光
雪沫乳花轻泛
细品禅茶一味于雅室雕窗
沉寂入定
一盏茶里依稀窥得年少模样
shuncheng street has braved the time
with snows falling gently outside,
locals are relishing tea by carved windows of the vip rooms
a cup of tea recalls one of his childhood time
婺嫣街里岁月绵长
窗扉紧掩，跫音不响
是谁的容颜如莲花开落
用一生等待良人归乡
wuyan street has recorded the passing of time
windows are tightly closed, without any sound of footsteps
who is waiting for the return of her lover
when her appearance has faded like the fall of a lotus?
光透过叶子
揉碎了时间
东大街的榕荫下斜躺
撸把串，吃碗豆腐脑
看谁家庭院深深
繁花挂满了高墙
light penetrates leaves to cut apart the timeunder the shade of banyan trees on the east street, you can savor the food strings and beancurd jellyor enjoy flowers hanging above the wall of a courtyard肖公嘴畔，一杯香茗
待白露横江，素月流天
铁牛门下，每块砖石
都砌满故事，酿成诗行
beside the xiaogongzui, you can enjoy a cup of tea and
observe dews over the river and moon in the sky
under the tieniu gate, every brick has recorded a story and a poem
这里自在，坚守传统的居民
依然有滋有味活色生香
这里欢喜，五湖四海的青年
经营着关于理想的铺坊
in the city of ease, residents adhere to a traditional and joyful lifein the city of happiness, youngsters from all across the nationare doing business to fulfill their dreams我已在江边安坐1200多年了
我看着对岸的城兴盛更迭
i have been sitting by the rivers for over 1200 years
i have witnessed the vicissitude of the city across the river
我是一座山
也是一尊佛
我在嘉州，等你遇见
i am waiting for an encounter
和我一起
观自在，阅欢喜
let’s relish the ease of the cityand the happiness of the locals together