Chapter Three. The Pentametrical Regulated Verse Of He Zhu, 1076–98

Fanghui’s pentametrical Regulated Verse is much more likely to be written in apparent solitude, either in contemplation of a scene or while stopping on a journey. Like He Zhu, Wen Tingyun is most famous in literary history for his lyrics (ci). It is unlikely that Fanghui is using his poem for anything so serious or personal, especially since he is writing it for a companion in Xuzhou who is not up to the task. His achievement rather is in fashioning a simulacrum of Wen Tingyun’s personal and coded expression. Fanghui’s output continues to be meager as he creeps south again late in 1095, in bad health and destined for the mint at Jiangxia. Finally, pentametrical Regulated Verses are not hermetically sealed off from the outside world. Naturally, they document friendships, such as Fanghui’s relationship with Mi Fu.Keywords: Fanghui; He Zhu; Jiangxia; Mi Fu; pentametrical regulated verse; Wen Tingyun; Xuzhou