Setting Up a Ring for Lu Xun: All Men Who Support Lu Xun — Step In!
2006/10/20 16:33:35
The Ring
Men, it's up to you!
Recently, Mr. Zhou Shuren seems to be all the rage. These past few days — whether it’s the Nth anniversary of the birth or death of this May Fourth man who has been hyped up for N years under the name Lu Xun, I’m not sure — but in any case, his name is everywhere, which finally reminded this ID that “Super Girls” didn’t start today; cultural and political “Super Girls” have existed for a long time. This ID has recently been busy dealing with Old Master Kong, so I had no interest in this vernacular Chinese “Super Girl” famous for “opposing Confucius.” But this ID does love a good spectacle, and people have been complaining that this ID’s blog is all about Old Master Kong with none of the former excitement. Want excitement? That’s easy enough! This ID will join in the fun and set up a ring for this Lu Xun.
Lu Xun made his living peddling ink and brush, so naturally this ring will be on that topic. This “Super Girl” Lu Xun was always itching to tear down Old Master Kong’s temple, yet he himself often dabbled in classical poetry, and wrote the most seven-character regulated verses. So let’s use seven-character regulated verses for the ring, with Lu Xun the “Super Girl’s” life as the theme. This ID will compose one first; others may follow the rhyme scheme or not. But Kong Qingdong is an exception — because Lu Xun frequently cursed your ancestors, and you’ve made a name for yourself researching Lu Xun. Moreover, this ID has already matched the rhyme scheme of one of your regulated verses. So unless Kong Qingdong concedes defeat on behalf of the Chinese Literature department, if he steps into the ring he must follow the rhyme scheme.
The rules are simple: if this ID loses, I will never again discuss or criticize Lu Xun, and will go bow three times and kowtow nine times before Lu Xun’s statue. Otherwise, all those men who curse Old Master Kong must go bow three times and kowtow nine times before Old Master Kong’s statue. Fair enough, right?
All you men who support Lu Xun and curse Old Master Kong — pay attention, this ID’s regulated verse is coming.
Shuren
Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán
Hanging the healing gourd, in vain to save dead souls
In fury turning pen to blade, awakening a nation’s darkness
Across the wilderness, wandering, lamenting fate’s cruel canopy
Hometown, mourning the departed, heralding a new era
Not pardoning one man — that is true forgiveness
All things hard to say, finally spoken in outrage
The tribulations unfinished, yet brothers are gone
Spirit banners vie to hang at the illusory city gates
Men, it's up to you!
Replies
缠中说禅 2006/10/20 17:24:04
Addendum: You must use Pingshui rhyme — Lu Xun himself always used Pingshui rhyme in his own poetry.
缠中说禅 2006/10/20 17:37:19
[Anonymous] 老麻花
2006-10-20 17:18:52
Dashed this off in a hurry, please pardon the poor quality!
Shuren
Sky collapsed, China ailed, a sickly scholar, / Wild Grass, Battle Cry, rousing the sleeping dragon.
Bad habits, old customs, piled beyond return, / Confucian rites, imperial power, men turned to insects.
Borrowing Nietzsche’s Superman dream, / Returning to our nine provinces a living rainbow.
In the end a passing traveler, leaving only regrets, / Nihilism and reality, all too hazy.
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Never mind whether it’s good or not — the tonal patterns are wrong to begin with, and it’s not in Pingshui rhyme either. Please revise and try again.
缠中说禅 2006/10/20 22:01:07
Zhang Yanhan
2006-10-20 21:48:20
Lu Xun’s criticism of Confucius was correct, and Confucius himself also had his correct aspects. Your one-sided argumentation of right and wrong is extremely boring, and I find it utterly beneath me!
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If you’re a man and you support Lu Xun, then step into the ring. Otherwise you can watch from the sidelines — empty talk doesn’t count!
缠中说禅 2006/10/20 22:03:18
Feihuoliudan
2006-10-20 19:42:57
Why can’t you be broad-minded like Confucius?
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The village hypocrite is the thief of virtue!
缠中说禅 2006/10/20 16:47:18
Men, it's up to you!