When it comes to Yang Wanli, many people may not be very familiar with him. He was a very famous literary figure in the Southern Song Dynasty, and was known as one of the “Four Great Poets of Zhongxing” along with Lu You, You Mao, and Fan Chengda! How did such a talented poet spend his life? If everyone likes poetry, they should definitely know him. Let’s take a look with the editor below!
1. Yang Wanli’s personal profile introduction
Yang Wanli (October 29, 1127- June 15, 1206), also known as Tingxiu, Chengzhai, and Chengzhai Yeke. He was born in Jishui, Jizhou (now Pengtang Village, Huangqiao Township, Jishui County, Jiangxi Province). Southern Song Dynasty literati and officials, along with Lu You, You Mao, and Fan Chengda, are known as the “Four Great Poets of Zhongxing” in the Southern Song Dynasty.
Yang Wanli studied under others multiple times in his early years. In the 24th year of the Shaoxing era (1154), he passed the imperial examination and was appointed as the military officer of the Ganzhou Sihu. He has served as a doctoral supervisor at the National Academy of Sciences, governor of Zhangzhou, and secretary supervisor of the Ministry of Personnel. In the court, Yang Wanli was a prominent figure in the war faction. In the first year of Shaoxi (1190), he was appointed as the accompanying envoy of He Zhengdan in the Jin Dynasty by borrowing the position of a scholar from Huanzhang Pavilion. Later, he was appointed as the deputy envoy of transportation in Jiangdong and opposed the use of iron coins in various counties in Jiangnan. He changed his position to Ganzhou and refused to go. He begged to resign from his official position and returned home. From then on, he lived leisurely in his hometown. He passed away at home in the second year of Kaixi (1206). Title: Wenjie.
Yang Wanli’s poetry has its own unique style, forming the Chengzhai style that has had a significant impact on later generations. I studied the Jiangxi Poetry School, later learned Chen Shidao’s Five Rhythms, Wang Anshi’s Seven Classics, and also studied late Tang poetry. Representative works include “Rice Transplant Song”, “Bamboo Branch Lyrics”, “Small Pond”, “Four Quatrains of Entering the Huai River”, etc. His words are fresh and natural, just like his poetry. He is known for his works such as “Wuxi Fu” and “Sea Squid Fu”. There are currently over 4200 poems in existence.
2. Introduction to Yang Wanli’s Life Experience
Yang Wanli was born into a poor family in Jishui, Jizhou. His mother passed away early, and his father was a private tutor who was proficient in the Book of Changes. Although their family is not wealthy, even if they live frugally, they still have to save money to buy books, and over time, their family has a collection of thousands of books. Growing up in such a family environment, Yang Wanli is spiritually nourished and has enjoyed reading since childhood. He has also persevered in receiving guidance from many famous scholars.
After Yang Wanli took the Ministry of Rites exam for the first time and landed there, he returned home to continue his studies. He passed the Shaoxing 24th imperial examination and was awarded the title of Ganzhou Sihu military officer. During his tenure in Ganzhou, his father Yang Fu took him to meet Zhang Jiucheng, who was exiled to Nan’an, and Hu Quan, who passed through Ganzhou. Their unyielding integrity and patriotic spirit of fighting against the Jin Dynasty had a huge impact on Yang Wanli’s career direction and poetry creation direction. Yang Wanli also paid a special visit to Zhang Jun, the leader of the main battle faction who was exiled to Yongzhou at that time, listened to his teachings, and took him as a model.
After Zhao Gou ascended the throne, Zhang Jun was appointed as the Privy Councilor, and upon his recommendation, Yang Wanli was appointed as a professor in Lin’an Prefecture. Before he could take up his post, his father passed away, and Yang Wanli stayed at home to observe filial piety for three years. After the end of the mourning period, Yang Wanli came to Lin’an and paid respects to the famous ministers Chen Junqing and Yu Yunwen. He angrily wrote the political commentary “Thousand Considerations and Strategies”. The article directly criticized the corruption and incompetence of the court, proposed a series of strategies and policies to revitalize the country, and demonstrated his political views.
It was precisely because Yang Wanli was too upright and radical that he could not stand firm in the court, offended many people, and was not given high positions. Soon after, he was demoted to the local level. Later, after experiencing several court visits and external transfers, he did not want to be disturbed by the secular world anymore, so he resigned from his illness and returned to Jishui, Jizhou to retire. Finally, he passed away at home at the age of 80.
Yang Wanli’s life went through four emperors, but his desire to enrich the country and strengthen the army, and recover the mountains and rivers of the motherland, never came true. He was deeply concerned about the country and its people until his death. In December of the sixth year of Jiading (1213), the imperial court issued a decree to bestow the posthumous title of “Wenjie” on Yang Wanli
