Translation of Right Creek Notes, Original Text of Right Creek Chronicles, Translations and Commenta

More than 100 steps west of Daozhou City1, there is a small stream. It flows a few dozen paces south and merges into the camp stream (2). On both sides of the stream, there are strange rocks, which are inclined and inlaid and twisted, and their posture is so strange that it cannot be described in words (3).

The clear stream hits the rocks, stirring up the waves and streams. There are also beautiful trees and rare bamboos (4) on the shore, which are shaded by the shadows (5). If the stream were in an open mountain, it would be suitable for hermits to visit and live in (6); If it is in a crowded place (7), it can also become a tourist attraction for city dwellers and a garden for those who love tranquility to rest (8).

However, since the city of Daozhou became the seat of the state (9), no one has come to appreciate it and love it; I wander by the brook and feel sorry for it (10)! So it was opened to the ground, the messy vegetation was removed, the pavilions were built, and pine and laurel trees were planted, and lemongrass was planted to protect the slope bank (11) to enhance its beautiful scenery. Because the brook was on the right side of the state city (i.e., to the west), it was named the "right stream" (12).

The original text of Youxi Ji, as well as the translation and commentary, are as follows:

Original text: More than 100 steps west of Daozhou City, there is a stream. Dozens of steps to the south, joint camping stream.

When the water reaches both banks, there are strange stones, and they are indescribable. The clear stream touches the stone, and the suspense is excited. Good wood and bamboo, weeping shade.

If this stream is in the mountains, it is suitable for the people to swim; In the world, it can be the victory of the capital and the forest pavilion of the quiet.

Translation: More than a hundred steps west of Daozhou City, there is a small stream. The creek flows a few dozen paces south and joins the Yingxi.

Both sides of the river are full of strange stones, some of which are tilted and nested, some of which are twisted and swirling, and cannot be described in words. Clear streams crash against the rocks, and the water swirls down from above, agitating and pouring; The beautiful trees and rare bamboos on the shore cast shadows on each other.

If this stream is in an open mountain, it is very suitable for hermits to live; If it is in a densely populated place, it can also become a popular tourist attraction for citizens, and a garden for people who like to be quiet to rest.

Appreciation of "The Story of Right Stream":

Although there is not much ink in the scene writing part of this article, the author grasps the basic characteristics of the scene, not only depicts it concretely, but also conveys the harmony of the overall spatial layout, thus creating an infectious artistic conception. The whole environment is centered on the creek, and the bank stones, bamboo and wood, all three have their own style and self-interest.

When the author writes about the stones, he does not write about the staggered arrangement of the stones, but highlights the "inlaid coils" of their shapes", with its weirdness to create a sense of seclusion, with its unevenness and the offset of the flowing water as a backdrop, turning stillness into movement. The author writes about water, not about its trickle, but highlights the twists and turns of the water waves hitting the rocks, making the stream full of momentum. The bamboo tree is not depicted as lush with its branches, but its thick shade is superimposed, creating a dark sense of bright colors.

Translation: If this stream is in an open mountain field, it is very suitable for seclusion and hermits.

1. Original text. More than 100 steps west of Daozhou City, there is a stream. Dozens of steps to the south, joint camping stream. When the water reaches both banks, there are strange stones, and they are indescribably coiled. The clear stream touches the stone, and the suspense is excited. The good wood is different and the bamboo is leaking, and the shade is in the shade.

If this stream is above the mountains, it is suitable for the people to swim; In the world, it can be the victory of the capital and the forest pavilion of the quiet. Since the state, no one has appreciated it; Wandering on the stream, stunned. It is a sparse and filthy, and it is a pavilion; Plant pine and cinnamon, and vanilla, to win in the shape of the pity.

For the creek is on the right side of the state, and the right creek is called the fate. On the inscription stone, the comer is revealed.

2. Translation. More than a hundred steps west from Daozhou City, there is a small stream. The creek flows a few steps south and joins the Yingxi stream.

Both sides of the river are full of strange stones, some of which are inclined and inlaid and some of which are twisted and swirling, and cannot be described in words. The clear stream hits the rocks, the water swirls and flows, and the torrent hits the rocks and splashes high waves, agitating and pouring; The beautiful trees and rare bamboos on the shore cast shadows on each other.

If this stream is in an open mountain field, it is very suitable for seclusion and hermits; If it is in a densely populated place, it can also become a resort for urban towns (citizens visiting) and a garden for benevolent people to rest. But since Daozhou became the seat of the state, no one has come to appreciate and care for it; I walked around the stream and felt sorry for it (beautiful but no one knew about it)!

So it was opened, the messy grass and trees were removed, the pavilion was built, and pine trees, laurel trees, and flowers and herbs were planted to enhance its beautiful scenery. Because the stream is on the right side of Daozhou Castle, it is named "Right Stream". Engrave these words on the stone and tell them clearly to future generations.

3. Source. Yuanci Mountain Collection" and "The Story of the Right Stream".