Spend a Straw-cloaked Life in Mist and Rain—Su Shi

◎朱广春

苏轼是中国宋代著名的文学家、政治家和艺术家。“一蓑烟雨任平生”是他人生的最好写照，表达了苏轼豁达洒脱的人生态度，也反映了他对人生境遇的豁达态度，不受外界环境的干扰，坚持做自己。本期就让我们走进苏轼，了解他的精彩人生吧！

Su Shi (1037-1101) is one of the most popular ancient Chinese writers in history.He lived in the Northern Song period,who was born in the current city of Meishan, Sichuan.He was good at almost all kinds of writings and art, including poems,ciand prose as well as1)calligraphy and painting.His poems,covering all kinds of themes.He was not only respected for his talent, but also for his optimistic attitude towards life.

When Su Shi was young, he passed the2)imperial examinations and acquired the degree of Jinshi.After that, he became an official.Su Shi once worked in Hangzhou, Zhejiang.He was responsible for building a3)pedestrian4)causeway across the West Lake.It was named after him: Su Causeway.Spring Dawn at Su Causeway has been the top views of the West Lake.Due to his comparison, the West Lake was nicknamed “West Lake”.

The West Lake looks like the fair lady at her best,

Whether she is richly adorned or plainly dressed.

—Excerpt fromDrinking at the Lake,First in Sunny,then in Rainy Weather

During his service in Mizhou (now Zhucheng,Shandong), one Mid-Autumn Day, he wrote the following lines to show his love and concern to his younger brother Su Zhe:

Men have sorrow and joy;they part or meet again;

The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane.

There has been nothing perfect since the olden days.

So let us wish that man

Will live long as he can!

Though miles apart,

We’ll share the beauty she displays.

—Excerpt fromTune:Prelude to Water Melody

Unfortunately, Su was demoted several times to serve in remote areas because of false accusations.But he was not too discouraged.In 1079, he went to Huangzhou (now Huanggang, Hubei).There, he tried to enjoy life in the countryside.He5)farmed a piece of land which he called“Dongpo”.This is why people call him “Su Dongpo”.It’s said that he also invented a famous dish named Dongpo Pork during this period.Many of his best works were written there, too, includingTune:Calming the Waves, which expresses a positive attitude towards hardships in life.

Listen not to the rain beating against the trees.

Why don’t you slowly walk and chant at ease?

Better than saddled horse I like sandals and cane.

O I would fain,Spend a straw-cloaked life in mist and rain.

—Excerpt fromTune:Calming the Waves

Su was also banished to Danzhou, in today’s Hainan.At the beginning, he couldn’t get used to the hot, wet weather.

He couldn’t understand the6)dialect, either.Instead of keeping sad, he set up schools and got along very well with the locals.Many people traveled from afar to visit him.He was regarded as a pioneer and cultivator of native culture, winning deep respect for himself.

“Su was an incorrigible optimist, a great humanitarian, a friend of the people, a prose master…” writer Lin Yutang said in his bookThe Gay Genius.

“Charge at the toughest and aim at the farthest.” Su’s line was quoted by Xi Jinping, Chinese President in his 2023 New Year Address.It means to take on the biggest challenges and go after the most ambitious goals.As long as we keep our feet on the ground and forge ahead with our journey by making steady progress, we will turn our grand goals into reality.

Su’s open-mindedness has inspired and continues to inspire readers from generation to generation.

1) calligraphyn.书法

2) imperialadj.皇帝的

3) pedestrianadj.行人的；行人使用的

4) causewayn.堤道

5) farmv.耕耘

6) dialectn.方言

苏轼（1037—1101）是历史上最受欢迎的中国古代作家之一。他出生于今天的四川眉山，生活在北宋时期。他擅长几乎所有类型的写作和艺术，包括诗歌、词和散文，以及书法和绘画。他写的诗，涵盖各种主题。他不仅因才华受到尊重，还因对生活持乐观态度而备受推崇。

苏轼年轻时，通过科举考试考中了进士。之后，他成为一名官员。苏轼曾在浙江杭州上任，负责在西湖修建一条人行堤道。堤道以他的名字命名：苏堤。苏堤春晓已成为西湖的热门景点。由于他的比喻，西湖被昵称为“西子湖畔”。

欲把西湖比西子，

淡妆浓抹总相宜。

——摘自《饮湖上初晴后雨》

在密州（今山东诸城）就任期间，有一年的中秋节，他写下了这样的句子表达对弟弟苏辙的关爱与思念：

人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。

但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。

——摘自《水调歌头·明月几时有》

不幸的是，苏轼因遭诬陷，几次被贬到边远地区任职，但他并没有太灰心。1079 年，他去了黄州（今湖北黄冈）。在那里，他试图享受乡村生活，耕种了一块他称之为“东坡”的田地。这就是人们称他为“苏东坡”的原因。据说，在此期间他还发明了一道著名的菜肴——东坡肉。他在那里也写了许多优秀作品，包括《定风波·莫听穿林打叶声》，这首诗展现了他面对生活中困难的积极态度。

莫听穿林打叶声，何妨吟啸且徐行。

竹杖芒鞋轻胜马，谁怕？一蓑烟雨任平生。

——摘自《定风波·莫听穿林打叶声》

苏轼也曾被放逐到今天的海南省儋州市。起初，他无法适应那里炎热潮湿的天气。他也听不懂那里的方言。但他没有伤心，反而兴办了学校，和当地人融洽相处。许多人不远万里来拜访他。人们把他看作是当地文化的开拓者和播种者，对他怀有深深的敬意。

作家林语堂在《苏东坡传》中说：“苏东坡是一个秉性难改的乐天派，是悲天悯人的道德家，是黎民百姓的好朋友，是散文作家……”

“犯其至难而图其至远”，国家主席习近平在2023 年新年致辞中引用了苏轼的这句话。意思是说向最难之处攻坚，追求最远大的目标。只要脚踏实地，埋头苦干，积跬步以至千里，就一定能够把宏伟目标变为美好现实。

苏轼的旷达，激励了且在继续激励着一代代读者。