Su Dongpo (A.D. 1037-1101), was one of the eight great masters of the Tang and Song dynasties and occupied an indelible position in the history of literature in China. His articles were smooth and flowing. He bemoaned the state of the world and pitied the fate of mankind. He was not afraid of power, and he had the courage to be the mouthpiece of the people.
Speaking out for the people
Back then, Wang Anshi was a Chinese economist, philosopher, poet, and politician. He served as chancellor during the Song Dynasty and attempted major and controversial socioeconomic reforms known as the New Policies. When Wang Anshi launched the reform movement across the country, Su Dongpo saw that the reform would bring a crisis to the people of the country and he raised objections. Unexpectedly, he was framed by the reformists and forced to leave the capital.
At the local level, seeing the suffering of the people, Su Dongpo wrote a 9,000-word petition to the emperor with no regard for his own safety. In it, he pointed out the shortcomings of the New Policies in an attempt to persuade the emperor to change his mind, abolish the New Policies, and save the people. He was also prepared to accept the fate of being removed from office. In the eloquent letter, we can see Su Dongpo’s sincere heart for helping the people and his concern for the country.
An unyielding spirit
Su was demoted and sent to Hangzhou where he was mostly in charge of matters such as grain transportation, family land, water conservancy, and litigation, and had the responsibility to supervise the chief executive of the state capital. Su exposed the truth again and again, and was exiled again and again. But he always abhorred evil deeds and faced them as if they were deadly foes. He told his friends that he had no regrets. If it was necessary to spit out the flies in the meal (expose the evil) again, he would do it again. This was the courageous Su Dongpo, always daring to speak the truth!
A martyr for truth
However, the “tall trees catch much wind.” In the second year of Emperor Shenzong’s reign (A.D. 1079), the officials of Yushitai extracted four lines from one of Su Dongpo’s poems and accused him of satirizing the government and being reckless and disloyal to the emperor. This was the famous “Wutai poetry case.”
Su Dongpo was then escorted back to the capital. Along the way, people came out to see him off, shedding tears like pouring rain. Upon his return and imprisonment in the capital, the jailers, knowing his identity, provided him with hot water so he could have a foot bath every day.
The interrogation went on for a long time, but before the Great Empress Dowager Cao died, she said to the emperor: “Su Dongpo was convicted of writing poems. Was he slandered by his enemies? Even if he wrote poems, his crime is insignificant… You can’t accuse the innocent, and should investigate in detail.” Soon after, Su Dongpo was pardoned and exiled to Huangzhou.
In Huangzhou, Su Dongpo learned to be a worker, a farmer, and a fisherman, enjoying everything in nature along the way. He suffered a lot in life, but his life became more mellow because of the suffering. It became richer, more joyful, and more satisfying.
Unyielding even in exile
His political opponents saw that he was still content, so they had him exiled to Hainan Island, the most southern part of China. Then, at the age of 66, the imperial court ordered Su to return to the capital. As a result, he died of illness on his journey back to the north.
Before his death, Su Dongpo gathered his three sons and said: “I have not committed any evil in my life. I will not go to hell.” He believed that he had adhered to all the rules of being a good human, and no matter the outcome, he could approach his fate with open-hearted acceptance.
Though known primarily as a man of letters, Su Dongpo bravely advocated for the people, striving to ensure freedom of speech and a healthy public opinion. He fearlessly confronted government corruption and incompetence, demanding grassroots political reforms. He fought for the basic rights of the people, seeking debt relief for the poor. He always prioritized the people’s interests. If he were in the 21st century, a time that highly values human dignity, Su Dongpo would undoubtedly be a stalwart defender of human rights.
The enduring beauty of Su Dongpo’s life
Su Dongpo’s life was a testament to the beauty of integrity and perseverance. His poetry and prose were beautiful, his candor and sincerity even more so. He had a unique ability to cultivate vitality where there seemed to be none. Such a life is worthy of admiration!
Translated by Patty Zhang
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