张九龄与南海神庙

ZHANG Jiu-ling and Nanhai Temple

开元十四年,因久旱无雨,时任太常少卿的张九龄奉唐玄宗之命前往南海神庙祭祀南海神.路遥途艰,行程严谨,张九龄借诗明志,寓意于景,坦露出一代贤才忠贞为国的情操,亦可见其政治失意进退维谷的内心矛盾.综观张九龄奉使南海神庙,既为大唐礼神制度增添了一道绚丽的色彩,开创了皇帝派重臣南来御祭南海神之历史先河,也为后世留下了悠长的寻思.

In the year of Kai-yuan 14 of Tang Dynasty （726 A.D.）, in which the whole country suffering from a severe drought , the emperor Tang Xuanzong sent Zhang Jiu-ling who was deputy officer of Taichang Temple to offer sacrifices to the God of South-China Sea .During that distant and rigorous journey , Zhang clarified his ambition through poems , in which his intention was expressed by scene description , reflecting his loyalty to the country as well as his inner conflicts because of his political frustration .All in all , Zhang＆#39;s journey to Nanhai Temple added a gorgeous color to the ritual system of the God of Tang Dynasty , and created the historical precedent of the emperor sending ministers to worship to the God of South-China Sea and left for the future generations with an everlasting pondering .