Origin: Two Poems of Liangzhou by Wang Zhihuan, a poet in Tang Dynasty.
Excerpt from the original text: Why should a strong brother complain about Liu? The spring breeze does not pass through Yumen Pass.
Why do soldiers complain that willows don't sprout, and spring breeze can't blow outside Yumen Gate at all.
This poem depicts the special feeling of overlooking the Yellow River from a special perspective, and at the same time shows the magnificent and desolate scenery of the frontier fortress area, which is tragic and desolate and exudes a generous spirit. The cold of the frontier fortress reflects the sadness that the border guards can't return to their hometown. This kind of sadness is not depressed, but heroic and broad.
Extended data
The first sentence of the poem, featuring "The Yellow River is far above the white clouds", depicts a moving picture: On the vast plateau, the Yellow River rushes away and looks at the west as if it were merged into the white clouds.
The second sentence, "An isolated city, Wan Ren Mountain", is about an isolated city in the fortress. A lonely city located in the frontier fortress, standing tall by mountains and waters. These two sentences describe the majestic momentum of the motherland's mountains and rivers, outline the geographical situation of this important national defense town, highlight the desolate situation of foot soldiers guarding the border, and provide a typical environment for the latter two sentences to describe the psychology of defending the army.
In this environment, I suddenly heard the sound of Qiangdi, and the tune I played happened to be "Folding Willow", which aroused the sadness of the garrison. The ancients had the custom of parting and giving gifts. "Liu" and "Liu" are homophonic, and giving Liu Zuo as a souvenir is very popular in the Tang Dynasty.
Thus, there is a close relationship between willow and parting. Nowadays, when the foot soldiers guarding the border pass hear the sad tune of "Folding Willow" played by Qiangdi, it is inevitable that they will feel sad and not hate it.
Therefore, the poet explained in an open-minded tone: Why does Qiangdi always play the sad tune of "breaking willow"? You know, outside Yumenguan is a place where spring breeze can't blow, so there are no willows to fold! To say "why complain" is not to complain, nor to persuade the guards not to complain, but to complain is useless. The use of the word "why complain" makes poetry more subtle and meaningful.
Wang Zhihuan wrote this poem about the homesickness of frontier soldiers. It is desolate and generous, sad without losing strength. Although the resentment of garrison soldiers who were not allowed to go home was greatly exaggerated, there was no sense of depression and depression, which fully showed the open-mindedness and broadmindedness of poets in the prosperous Tang Dynasty.