Liu Yong

Overview

Liu Yong (984-1053), originally named Liu Sanbian and later renamed Liu Yong, was a renowned Ci poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. He was also known by his literary names Liu Qi and Liu Tun Tian. Born in Fei County, Yizhou (present-day Fei County, Shandong Province), Liu Yong spent much of his life traveling throughout China, serving in minor official positions while developing his distinctive poetic style. His works, particularly those collected in "Yue Zhang Ji" (Anthology of Musical Pieces), significantly influenced the development of Ci poetry by incorporating vernacular language, expanding thematic scope, and innovating musical structures.

History

Early Life

Liu Yong was born around 984 CE in Fei County, Yizhou, where his father Liu Yi was serving as an official. In 990 CE, when Liu Yi was summoned to Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng), the young Liu Sanbian accompanied him. The family moved to Yangzhou in 994 CE, where Liu Yong wrote his "Encouragement to Learning" essay. In 997 CE, Liu Yi was appointed as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy and sent Liu Sanbian back to his ancestral home in Chong'an (present-day Wuyishan City, Fujian Province) to comfort his grandmother.

During his time in his hometown, Liu Yong developed an interest in poetry and literature. In 1000 CE, he read the "Mei Feng Bi" poem, which greatly influenced his understanding of poetic composition. The following year, he married according to family arrangements and wrote "Wu Shan Yi Duan Yun·Liu Liu Zhen You Dong" (Song of the Spirit of Wu Mountain: The True Cave of the Six Sixes).

Wandering in the Jianghuai Region

In 1002 CE, Liu Yong planned to travel to Bianjing to participate in the imperial examination but became captivated by the beautiful scenery and urban prosperity of Hangzhou, where he lingered and immersed himself in a romantic lifestyle of entertainment and socializing. In 1003 CE, when Sun He served as the prefect of Hangzhou, Liu Yong composed "Wang Hai Chao·Dong Nan Xing Sheng" (Gazing at the Sea Tide: Southeastern Strategic Position) to gain an audience with him. This poem became widely circulated and established Liu Yong's reputation.

During this period, Liu Yong traveled extensively through cities like Suzhou and Yangzhou, composing numerous poems that reflected his experiences and observations of urban life and natural landscapes.

Failed Imperial Examinations

Liu Yong attempted the imperial examination multiple times without success. In 1009 CE, after his first failure, he composed "He Chong Tian·Huang Jin Bang Shang" (Crane Soaring to Heaven: On the Golden List), expressing his frustration with the examination system. Despite his literary talents, Liu Yong faced repeated rejections, which influenced his poetic themes and style. His fourth attempt in 1024 CE also ended in failure, leading him to compose the famous "Yu Lin Ling·Han Chan Qi Qie" (Rain Bell in the Forest: Cold Cicadas Chillingly).

Wandering Throughout China

After his repeated examination failures, Liu Yong embarked on extensive travels throughout China. From 1029 to 1033 CE, he wandered in the northwestern regions, along the Wei River, and through the Yangtze River basin, including areas such as Guanzhong, Chengdu, and the Three Gorges. These travels provided rich material for his poetry, as he documented landscapes, urban scenes, and the lives of common people.

Official Career

In 1034 CE, Emperor Renzong of Song opened a special examination with relaxed standards for previously unsuccessful candidates. Liu Yong finally passed the imperial examination alongside his brother Liu Sanjie and was appointed as a judicial official in Muzhou (present-day Jiande, Tonglu, and Chun'an counties in Zhejiang Province). He later served as county magistrate in Yuhang (present-day Yuhang District, Zhejiang Province) and as a salt supervisor in Xiaofeng, Dinghai.

Liu Yong's official career was modest, with limited advancement despite his administrative achievements. He eventually served as an Assistant in the Bureau of Sacrifices and as an External Aide in the Bureau of Military Colonization before retiring to Runzhou (present-day Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province), where he died around 1053 CE.

Key Information

Cultural Significance

Liu Yong made significant contributions to the development of Ci poetry through his innovative approaches to theme, style, and structure. As one of the first professional Ci poets, he merged vernacular language with literary expression, bridging the gap between folk songs and scholarly poetry.

Themes and Innovations

Liu Yong's poetry covered diverse themes, including:

1. Love Poetry: His romantic poems, often depicting relationships with courtesans, were characterized by their emotional intensity and direct expression. Works like "Ding Feng Bo" (Calming the Wind Waves) showcase his ability to convey complex emotions through straightforward language.

2. Travel Poetry: His extensive travels inspired numerous poems depicting landscapes, urban scenes, and the lives of common people. "Yu Lin Ling·Han Chan Qi Qie" (Rain Bell in the Forest: Cold Cicadas Chillingly) is one of his most famous works in this genre.

3. Urban Poetry: Liu Yong's descriptions of cities like Hangzhou in "Wang Hai Chao·Dong Nan Xing Sheng" (Gazing at the Sea Tide: Southeastern Strategic Position) captured the prosperity and vitality of urban life during the Northern Song Dynasty.

4. Imperial Praise Poetry: Unlike his more vernacular works, some of Liu Yong's poems were written to praise the emperor and the court, reflecting his ongoing desire for official recognition.

Stylistic Innovations

Liu Yong revolutionized Ci poetry through several innovations:

• Vernacular Language: He incorporated colloquial expressions and popular vocabulary into his poetry, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
• Expanded Structure: Liu Yong developed the "slow Ci" (慢词) form, which allowed for more elaborate expression and narrative development.
• Thematic Diversity: He expanded the range of subjects in Ci poetry, moving beyond traditional themes to include urban life, travel experiences, and social observations.
• Emotional Directness: His poetry often expressed emotions with unprecedented directness, breaking from the more reserved conventions of earlier Ci poetry.

Modern Status

Today, Liu Yong is recognized as one of the most important figures in the development of Ci poetry. His works continue to be studied and appreciated for their literary value and historical significance. Modern scholars particularly value his ability to capture the essence of urban life during the Northern Song Dynasty and his innovative contributions to poetic form and expression.

Liu Yong's influence extends beyond literature into popular culture, with his poems frequently referenced in various media. The famous line "Willows by the shore, morning breeze, waning moon" (杨柳岸，晓风残月) from "Yu Lin Ling" has become one of the most iconic lines in Chinese literary history.

References

1. Hightower, James R. "The Songs of Liu Yung." Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies, vol. 17, no. 3/4, 1954, pp. 167-215.

2. Plaks, Andrew H. The Four Masterworks of the Ming Novel. Princeton University Press, 1987. (Contains analysis of Liu Yong's influence on later literature)

3. Chang, Kang-i Sun. The Evolution of Chinese Tz'u Poetry: From Late Tang to Northern Sung. Princeton University Press, 1980.

4. Yu, Pauline. The Reading of Imagery in the Chinese Poetic Tradition: Early Medieval Period to the Thirteenth Century. Princeton University Press, 1987.

5. Mair, Victor H., ed. The Columbia Anthology of Traditional Chinese Literature. Columbia University Press, 1994.