Yu Hui Tushan
 T of C 
Home
My
Work
Hand-
books
Qin as
Object
Qin in
Art
Poetry
/ Song
Hear,
Watch
Play
Qin
Analysis History Ideo-
logy
Miscel-
lanea
More
Info
Personal email me search me
Zheyin ToC   Lyrics   SQMP version 聽錄音 Listen to my recording with transcription / 首頁 
04. [Emperor] Yu's Meeting at Mount Tu
- Zhi mode,2 standard tuning: 5 6 1 2 3 5 6, but played as 1 2 4 5 6 1 2
禹會塗山
Yu Hui Tushan1

For the general introduction to this melody, see the Yu Hui Tushan in Shen Qi Mi Pu. Although the versions are quite different, they are clearly the same piece and both are attributed to Mao Minzhong, a famous qin player who flourished at the end of the Southern Song dynasty in Hangzhou, its capital.

 
Zheyin Shizi Qinpu preface:4

The preface begins "The Beyond-Sounds Immortal says,"

It then quotes the preface to the Shen Qi Mi Pu Yu Hui Tushan,

and closes with,

"Ah! The peace of people in former times transposed into the music of today. What do you think of that!"

 
Music
Timings follow the recording on
my CD; 聽錄音 listen with my transcription.
Twelve sections (titled) and lyrics: 5 (Shen Qi Mi Pu had neither)

00.00   1. (Yu) boldly throws himself into fighting against the flood
01.18   2. Auspicious gathering at Shou Chun
02.05   3. Numerous gentlemen in full dress
02.36   4. The gentle sounds of jade and silk (brought as gifts)
03.18   5. Prosperity in the reigns of Yao and Shun
03.54   6. A glorious celebration
04.40   7. Paying respects to the (person facing) south (i.e., the emperor)
05.10   8. The emperor and his ministers enjoy the meeting ("君臣慶會"6
05.42   9. Everything is in good order
06.35   10. Taking a break from myriad responsibilities
06.56   11. The emperor and his subjects are fixed in their relative positions
07.27   12. The times are glorious
07.54         Closing harmonics
08.14         End

 
Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Yu Hui Tushan 禹會塗山
See the version in Shen Qi Mi Pu.
(
Return)

2. Zhi mode (徵調 zhi diao)
For more information about zhi mode see Shenpin Zhi Yi. For modes in general see Modality in Early Ming Qin Tablature.
(Return)

4. Preface
The Shen Qi Mi Pu Chinese preface can be seen under 禹會塗山.
(Return)

5. Section titles and lyrics
The original Chinese section titles can be seen under 禹會塗山. The original section titles and lyrics are as follows (concise translation by ChatGPT):

  1. 奮身胥溺 Stirring Himself to Save Those Drowning
    夏后氏文命,禹嗣舜帝禪位,而為天下所舉。奮身胥溺,濬川治水,䟽三江而通九河。胼手胝足而無已已。鑿龍門,排伊關,行所以通吾民之所用,懋遷有無,足民食安那民居,降丘而宅土。看他那孔脩六府,彝倫攸敍,任士作貢,下上之奉,因田而那制賦。不矜伐,會同四海之風聲,以聲為律,以身也為度,左準繩而右規矩。九功惟敍,大舜賢之薦於天龍飛你那九五。
    Great Yu received the abdicated throne from Shun, raised up by all under Heaven. He threw himself into the waters where all were sinking, dredging the rivers, opening the Three Jiang and the Nine He. With callused hands and worn feet he never rested—cutting the Dragon Gate, breaking the Yi barrier—opening passages for the people’s use, moving wealth where needed, providing food, securing dwellings. He organized the six offices, set proper human relations in order, assigned officials and tributes, and apportioned taxes according to the fields. Without boasting, he harmonized the winds of the four seas—using sound as pitch, his person as the measure, left hand the plumb line, right hand the compass square. The Nine Achievements laid forth; the Sage Shun praised him to Heaven. Dragons bore him to the exalted Nine-Five.

  2. 壽春佳會 Auspicious Gathering in Beautiful Spring
    授以天,即位三年,美仁遂民賢其賢。謙以那自牧,仁以愛人美哉也,而以愛物那為先。猶戒之勸之謹之也,俾民物壤無有終窮焉。後世詠風水也,詳觀洛河,見舞你那大廈,仰思禹績綿綿。
    He received Heaven’s charge; within three years of ruling he perfected benevolence and uplifted the worthy. Modest in self-cultivation, loving the people, compassionate even to creatures. He admonished and guided, ensuring that the people and all things would not fall into ruin. Later ages sing of wind and water—surveying the Luo River, seeing the great edifice he raised, recalling Yu’s merit unending.

  3. 衣冠濟濟 Lords in Full Regalia
    五服五章,弼成聖人那之所制,儼然冠服文明世。充耳靑黃華餙,美色相那宜,其所以天下一人,系當斯世賢良相際遇。世道兩相忘,君臣禮,天地父子而不啻,朝聘而會同,你看序列鴛班的那衣冠而濟濟。
    Five robes, five insignia—the regulations made by the Sage—solemn the dress of a civilized age. Blue, yellow, and splendid ornaments—beautiful, fitting. Thus the world was united under one lord; the worthy found their rightful place. Ruler and minister, Heaven and Earth, father and son—each without overstepping. At court receptions the ranks were like matched mandarin ducks—look at their ordered rows of dignified robes!

  4. 玉帛鏘鏘 Jade and Silk Resounding
    執玉執帛執玉帛,貢臨五玉諸侯國,附庸國貢來三帛。肅然佩玉鳴珂,王臣俱絳績。九衢香霧,拜天顏而咫尺,君義也看臣心而傾赤,而傾赤赤。見柳拂旌旗,花迎那劒佩,雨露天錫。正星朝,雞人鳴紫陌,貢球琳,歸化而南北。和陽春鳯凰池客。
    Bearing jade and silk, bearing jade and silk, the princes offered the Five Jades; the tributary states brought three silks. Jade pendants chimed; ministers in crimson rank arrayed. Nine avenues fragrant with mist—audience with the Son of Heaven but a step away. The lord shows righteousness; the ministers bare their loyal hearts. Willows brush the flags, flowers greet the sword-belt; Heaven’s rain and dew descend. The morning star rises; the cockcrow sounds in the purple lanes. Tribute of precious jades comes from north and south—harmonious like spring, guests of the Phoenix Pool.

  5. 唐虞承盛 Tang and Yu Continuing the Great Line
    姒姓夏後氏,紹繼唐虞世,明盛治。思陶唐,童謠立我烝民,辭那莫匪爾極,不識不知治知治,有虞氏,格奸丞義的那成居成邑成都市。河濱不苦窳,八元八愷才人舉,阜財觧慍,五弦琴調,聽歌他那南來風薰兮。
    The Xia descendants continued the line of Tang and Yu, illuminating their bright governance. Remembering ancient Tang, children’s songs proclaimed the people’s flourishing. “All your works are excellent”—so the rhyme said. They knew governance without knowing they knew it. The Yu lineage suppressed disorder and established righteousness, founding towns and cities. Riverbanks were free of want; the Eight Yuan and Eight Kai, able ministers, were raised up. They enriched wealth and eased resentment. The five-string qin tuned—listen to the song, the southern breeze brings its warmth.

  6. 熙皞加風 Radiance and Harmony Increase
    孝悌忠信也尊崇,詩書禮樂也樂雍容,熙皞熙皞兮也總同風。君臣際會塗山,良會遭逢。君道盡義,臣道盡忠,喜祝那華封,天祿的那永終。竭力他那而勞萬民生寄也,仁愛無窮。
    Filiality, brotherly respect, loyalty, trust—esteemed. Poetry, rites, music—graceful and harmonious. A radiance, a warmth spreading—one unified wind. Ruler and ministers met at Tushan—an auspicious encounter. The ruler fulfilled his righteousness; the ministers their loyalty. May the “Hua-feng” blessings be fulfilled, Heaven’s favor never end. Exerting themselves for the people’s livelihood—benevolence without limit.

  7. 禮尊南面 Ritual Honor Facing South
    禮尊南面寵大褒,塗山良會,應得預時髦。德配天地大禹的那大功勞,名並乎日月之高。聦明睿智臨,足以察秋毫,發強剛毅執,足以三略六韜。
    Facing south in the seat of honor, he received great praise. At Tushan this excellent gathering occurred rightly in its time. His virtue matched Heaven and Earth; Yu’s great labors—his name stands high with Sun and Moon. Bright and wise, he could discern even the smallest hair; strong and resolute, he could command the strategies of war.

  8. 慶會君臣 The Ruler and His Ministers Celebrate Together
    君與臣而相逄,雲龍風虎那兩相從,塗山夏禹來英雄。諸侯附庸,君臣慶會的那恩重封,享安逸,明良相遇,臣職而盡忠。皐夔稷契,今千載而同風,商周伊呂而同風。
    Ruler and ministers meet; cloud-dragon and wind-tiger follow each other. At Tushan, Xia Yu came as a hero. Princes and vassals gathered; ruler and ministers celebrated, favors heavy as conferral. They enjoyed peace and harmony; the worthy met the enlightened lord. Gao, Kui, Ji, Xie—these ministers from a thousand years ago shared the same spirit; As did the Yin-Lü line of Shang and Zhou.

  9. 類聚群分 Assembling the Many, Ordering the Classes
    竭力而勞民,看類聚群分。道盡人君,洪纖高下,一視同仁。蟋蟀秋吟秋吟,蜉蝣出陰理緒綸,君道何如人,繰絲補袞,臣道何如人,帝禹而為君。受命於天的那福祿從天申,際遇人臣,會塗山出狩南巡,尊禮命而尊神。校庠序,明人倫,子醜而建乎寅,忠質之異而尙文,松稻栗而殊分,大本而相因。
    Exerting themselves for the people—see how groups assemble and classes divide. The Dao of the ruler is fulfilled in equal regard for great and small, high and low. The cricket sings in autumn; the mayfly rises from shade—the patterns of nature are woven. How should a ruler be? He spins silk and mends the royal robes. How should a minister be? Emperor Yu served as ruler. Receiving the Mandate of Heaven, good fortune flowed from Heaven. When ruler and ministers met at Tushan on the southern hunt, they honored command and revered the spirits. Schools and academies clarified human relations. Branches differ—pine, rice, chestnut—but share the same root.

  10. 一息萬機 One Breath, Ten-Thousand Affairs
    朝退一息而萬機,人臣罷奏南歸,人君罷聽南離,罷聽南離。響玉佩珊珊,車馬駢聞,聽武文風響而南旋。擁出那天関天廷,暫離你那天顏。
    After court, in a single breath, ten thousand affairs rest. Ministers finished their reports and went south; the ruler stopped listening and returned south. Jade pendants sounded softly; chariots and horses crowded the roads. Hearing martial and civil music, he returned southward—leaving Heaven’s gate and court for a moment, briefly apart from Heaven’s countenance.

  11. 乾坤定位 Heaven and Earth Set in Place
    乾定,坤定,君定,臣定,的那乾坤位定。乾道九五為君位,利見九五之人臣位定,坤道九五也為臣位,利見九五人君位定,君臣相慶,君臣慶。
    Heaven fixed, Earth fixed—ruler fixed, ministers fixed—Heaven and Earth in their proper order. The Qian line at the Nine-Five is the ruler’s place; “beneficial to see the Nine-Five” is the minister’s place. The Kun line’s Nine-Five is the minister’s place; “beneficial to see the Nine-Five” is the ruler’s place. Ruler and ministers celebrate together—celebrate together.

  12. 日月光華 Sun and Moon Radiant
    日月也麗天,光華普遍,今古無偏。那聽卑臨下,四時發生也,萬物洞涵機見。大禹有大焉,詠新詞,儼然見當時面。
    Sun and Moon adorn the sky; radiance spreads everywhere, ancient and modern without partiality. Hearing the lowly below, causing the four seasons to generate—all things hold the inner mechanism. Great Yu indeed achieved something great—singing new verses, one beholds his face as if present.

These lyrics are almost the same as they are in 1585: see this .pdf file (from Zha Guide [613] 89).
(Return)

6. 君臣慶會 The emperor and his ministers enjoy the meeting
This is also either an alternate name for this melody or the title of another melody presumably with a similar theme. See, e.g., the mention in this essay and inclusion in this list.
(Return)

Return to the Zheyin Shizi Qinpu index or to the Guqin ToC.