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墨書 Inktalez
Night at the Shouxiang City Listening to the Flute
Author: Li Yi
Poem Title: Night at the Shouxiang City Listening to the Flute
The sand before the Hui Le Beacon resembles snow,
Outside Shouxiang City, the moon is as bright as frost.
I do not know where the reed pipe is being played,
All night long, the soldiers long for their hometown.
This poem depicts the scene of border soldiers at night near Shouxiang City and their feelings of homesickness. The first line describes the desert in front of the Hui Le Beacon as if covered with a layer of white snow, with "Hui Le Beacon" referring to a beacon tower at the border. The second line mentions the bright moonlight outside Shouxiang City, which is as bright as frost, creating a sense of cold solitude. The third line expresses that on such a night, one does not know from where the melodious sound of the reed flute comes; the reed pipe refers to an ancient Chinese musical instrument. The final line portrays how, upon hearing the flute, the soldiers on guard feel a deep longing for their hometown.
The entire poem showcases the loneliness and nostalgia experienced by soldiers stationed at the border through vivid imagery of the night scene and their emotional response to the flute's sound. The language is beautiful, and the emotions are sincere, making it one of the fine works in classical Chinese frontier poetry.
Story Title: The Reed Flute Under the Moonlight
I live in a small town.
In this town stands Shouxiang City.
Shouxiang City is said to be the oldest city wall on the border, standing here for thousands of years.
The city walls are thick and sturdy, guarding the people and ensuring their safety. The townsfolk love to hear stories from the frontier. Old Li loves to tell them. I often listen. Old Li says, "When the moon is at its fullest, you can hear the sound of the reed flute in the frontier, a long and melodious sound that feels dreamlike and ethereal." He also says, "The moon in the frontier is different from ours; it is big and round, hanging in the sky like a jade plate, illuminating the entire night sky." I am captivated by his words.
But there is no moon, no reed flute, and no frontier in our town. I cannot see the beauty that Old Li describes. All I see is a gray sky and a night that never brightens. Yet I still love to listen, pestering Old Li again and again to tell me his stories. Each time he tells one, I feel as if I have moved a step closer to the frontier.
The people in town often say I am foolish. They say, "Xiaoyong, stop dreaming; you will never see the frontier in your lifetime." I do not believe them. I must go to the frontier at least once. This thought took root in my heart. It sprouted, blossomed, and bore fruit. I think about it every day.
Tonight is a full moon. I invited A-Bao to sit outside the city walls and daydream. The moonlight tonight is beautiful. I look up at the sky and say, "A-Bao, look, the moon is so round." A-Bao glances up and replies, "Yeah, it really is beautiful."
After he finished speaking, he lowered his head, not knowing what he was thinking. I ignored him and stared at the moon in the sky, lost in thought. Suddenly, a melodious sound came through the air. The sound was incredibly beautiful, like a celestial melody, weaving its way into my ears and penetrating my heart. I was captivated by it.
“Xiaoyong, do you hear that sound?” A-Bao nudged me and asked. I replied, “That’s the sound of a bamboo flute.” I recognized that sound. I had heard it countless times in my dreams.
“How do you know?” A-Bao looked at me with confusion. I said, “I just know.” I stood up and said to A-Bao, “Let’s go see what it is.” I pulled A-Bao along as we followed the sound.
I walked quickly, while A-Bao trailed behind me, repeatedly calling out, “Xiaoyong, slow down.” I ignored him and continued to walk briskly. The sound of the bamboo flute grew closer, and my heart raced with excitement. I was about to meet the person playing the flute. I was about to see the person Old Li had mentioned, someone only found at the border.
I was extremely excited but also a bit scared. However, with A-Bao by my side, I felt brave. I took a deep breath, gathered my courage, and continued forward. Under the moonlight, everything was covered in a layer of silver frost, becoming mysterious and elusive.
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