Jiangchengzi: Hunting at Mizhou
老夫聊发少年狂，
Lǎo fū liáo fā shào nián kuáng.
Though old, I indulge for a moment
In the bold spirit of my youth.
左牵黄，右擎苍，
Zuǒ qiān huáng, yòu qíng cāng.
Holding the leash of a yellow hound in my left hand
And a falcon perched on my right arm.
锦帽貂裘，千骑卷平冈。
Jǐn mào diāo qiú, qiān qí juǎn píng gāng.
In brocade cap and sable cloak,
A thousand riders sweep across the rolling hills.
为报倾城随太守，
Wèi bào qīng chéng suí tài shǒu.
To repay the townsfolk who have followed their governor in throngs,
亲射虎，看孙郎。
Qīn shè hǔ, kàn Sūn Láng.
I shall shoot the tiger myself—
Just as young Sun Quan once did.
酒酣胸胆尚开张，
Jiǔ hān xiōng dǎn shàng kāi zhāng.
With wine flowing freely,
My heart and courage soar ever wider.
鬓微霜，又何妨！
Bìn wēi shuāng, yòu hé fáng!
Though frost now touches my temples,
What matter is that?
持节云中，何日遣冯唐？
Chí jié Yúnzhōng, hé rì qiǎn Féng Táng?
When will the court, like Emperor Wen of old,
Send another Feng Tang to summon me to service?
会挽雕弓如满月，
Huì wǎn diāo gōng rú mǎn yuè.
One day I shall draw my carved bow
Round and full as the harvest moon,
西北望，射天狼。
Xī běi wàng, shè Tiānláng.
Gaze toward the northwestern frontier,
And shoot down the Heavenly Wolf.
Background of Creation
Jiangchengzi: Hunting at Mizhou is a renowned bold and heroic ci poem written by the Northern Song poet Su Shi in the eighth year of the Xining era (1075), when he served as the governor of Mizhou (in present-day Zhucheng, Shandong). It is regarded as one of the most important works marking Su Shi’s transition from the graceful style of traditional ci poetry toward the bold and expansive style for which he later became famous.
II.Historical Context
At that time, the Northern Song Dynasty was undergoing Wang Anshi’s reforms, while intense political conflicts arose between supporters and opponents of the new policies. Because Su Shi disagreed with some aspects of the reform measures, he was sent away from the political center to serve in local offices, including posts in Hangzhou and Mizhou.
Although he was far from the imperial court, Su Shi never lost his enthusiasm for life or his sense of responsibility. During his years in Mizhou, he devoted himself to local governance, cared about the welfare of the people, and maintained an optimistic and ambitious spirit.
III. The Hunting Expedition at Mizhou
In the winter of 1075, a large-scale hunting expedition was held in the Mizhou region. As the local governor, Su Shi personally took part in the event.
The poem vividly portrays the magnificent scene of this hunt:
” Holding the leash of a yellow hound in my left hand and a falcon perched on my right arm.”
Here, “黄” refers to a hunting dog, while “苍” refers to a falcon. Although Su Shi was already approaching forty years old, he appeared full of youthful passion and heroic spirit, as if returning to the vigor of his younger days.
Leading his attendants on horseback, he galloped across the hunting grounds among a vast formation of riders, creating a powerful and majestic scene.
IV. Unfulfilled Ambitions and the Desire to Serve the Nation
On the surface, the poem describes a hunting expedition; however, beneath this heroic imagery lies Su Shi’s profound aspiration to serve his country.
At that time, the Northern Song Dynasty faced constant military pressure from the Western Xia and the Liao Dynasty. Su Shi had always hoped to contribute to national affairs and make achievements in both military and political fields.
Therefore, he wrote:
“When will the court, like Emperor Wen of old,
Send another Feng Tang to summon me to service?”
This line alludes to the historical story of Feng Tang, who recommended the capable general Wei Shang to Emperor Wen of Han.
Through this reference, Su Shi expressed his longing to be recognized by the court, entrusted with important responsibilities, and given the opportunity to fulfill his ambitions.
V. The Central Theme of the Ci
The Ci reaches its emotional climax in the final lines:
One day I shall draw my carved bow, round and full as the harvest moon, gaze toward the northwestern frontier, and shoot down the Heavenly Wolf.
The “Heavenly Wolf” originally refers to a star in the sky, but in ancient Chinese literature it often symbolizes enemy forces threatening the borders.
Through the image of drawing a powerful bow and aiming at the “Heavenly Wolf,” Su Shi expresses:
the heroic determination to defend the nation;the aspiration to achieve great deeds;the unwillingness to surrender to hardship;and a deep sense of responsibility toward the country, even while serving far from the capital.
Conclusion
Although Jiangchengzi: Hunting at Mizhou describes a hunting scene, its true spirit goes far beyond the hunt itself. Behind the image of a bold rider carrying a bow lies Su Shi’s unyielding heart—a man who remained ambitious despite setbacks, remained passionate despite aging, and continued to hold his country and ideals close to his heart.