Wang Wei is a relatively special existence in the poetry circle of the Tang Dynasty, and in his ethereal verses, people can often feel the truth, so posterity gave Wang Wei the reputation of "poetic Buddha".
Although Wang Wei is proficient in Buddhism and yearns for freshness and elegance, Wang Wei has a complicated private life. According to the research of historians, Wang Wei had an ambiguous relationship with Princess Yuzhen at that time. To put it more bluntly, that is, Wang Wei was once raised by Yuzhen and survived the most difficult time by "eating soft rice".
Princess Yuzhen is the younger sister of Li Longji's compatriots. Li Longji was a very emotional emperor, so he doted on his sister. In other dynasties, a politically-encrusted imperial daughter like Princess Yuzhen was bound to be sent away to Fanbang and marry or marry a powerful political family, but Li Longji did not arrange any political marriage for his sister but allowed her to fall in love freely.
Although she had the support of her brother, Princess Yuzhen had a very high vision, and she did not meet the object of her choice until she was twenty years old. Perhaps in order to escape the fate of marriage, the princess finally chose to "change the makeup of the past years" and became a female crown. Between the opening of the Tang Dynasty, Princess Yuzhen, who became the female crown, was free to choose a "temporary boyfriend" to satisfy her physical and psychological desires. Therefore, when she was a Taoist priest, Princess Yuzhen knew many celebrities and junjie, including Wang Wei, who was more famous.
The reason why later generations believe that there is an ambiguous relationship between Wang Wei and Princess Yuzhen is for three reasons:
First of all, Wang Wei fought the first battle in the eighth year of the new century, but he was famous for his articles that were not appreciated by the examiners. After falling in the first place, the sleepy Wang Wei got closer to Princess Yuzhen because of the music. When he participated in the imperial examination again, Wang Wei successfully entered the list.
Second, the relationship between Wang Wei and Li Bai is still unknown. It is reasonable to say that Wang Wei and Li Bai are of similar age, they also have talents that are higher than ordinary people, and they are both Iron Brothers of Meng Haoran, and at the same time, they live in the Taoist Temple to be appreciated by Princess Yuzhen. It is reasonable to say that with this same encounter, the two will at least become friends.
However, in any historical data, we cannot find records of Wang Wei and Li Bai's friendship. Some people speculate that the two are not harmonious and the relationship is tense, the main reason is that they are both the lovers of Princess Yuzhen. The reason why the two are not openly hostile may also be because the relationship is too awkward.
In the end, although Wang Wei was admitted to the army, his official position was relatively low, known as "Tai Le Cheng". From the perspective of modern people, this position is equivalent to the conductor of the "Royal Orchestra", although it has no real power, but it is a very comfortable and well-paid profession. After Wang Wei married his wife, he was demoted to the local granary treasurer because of a small mistake.
Combined with Wang Wei's experience, it is very likely that he broke off relations with Princess Yuzhen because Wang Wei married his wife, so he will encounter such setbacks in his career.
Combining these views, we may wish to sort out the ins and outs of the matter: like most young Junjie at that time, the depressed Wang Wei came to the Yuzhen Temple to try his luck, because he was good at music and elegant temperament, he was favored by the princess and became the princess's lover. Although there are no such records in the historical records, this speculation can explain Wang Wei's tortuous life. It is no wonder that with Wang Wei's achievements in art and literature, his popularity at that time was obviously higher than that of Li Du. Moreover, Wang Wei's "beautiful years are white and beautiful", which is the leader of the young Junjieli at that time, it is not surprising that he can harvest the heart of the princess.
In the nineteenth year of the new century, Wang Wei's original wife passed away, and since then Wang Wei has never found another new love, but has never married for the rest of his life. Although his wife died, Wang Wei, who was frustrated in the love field, ushered in the rising period of his career. In the next thirty years, he gradually achieved the right hand of Shangshu. From the poem "A few sad things in a lifetime, do not sell to the empty door" we can see that Wang Wei's rest of his life is very difficult, he seems to be seeking some kind of liberation, or repentance.
Returning to Wang Wei's early experience, carefully ponder why he "eats soft rice". According to the understanding of modern people, Wang Wei's practice of "rich wife" is nothing more than to eat mixed food and obtain the convenience of his career and obtain a direct train into the imperial court. Everything is forced by livelihood, but Wang Wei does not want to be attached to the princess for life, so he will stay away from the Jade True Temple after Dengke enters the army.
In fact, people like Wang Wei have read books in all the dynasties and dynasties. These talents from the cold door have no skills at all except for their talents. Up to now, these talents can completely rely on their talents to mix in the literary world, and it is not difficult to produce a best-selling book. However, in ancient times, where was there room for them to play?
Therefore, as long as Wang Wei did not consider the hidden mountains and forests, and still had hopes and illusions about Dengke's entry into the army, then he was bound to give up his dignity because of his livelihood. Of course, Wang Wei was lucky, at least willing to take care of him, it was princess Yuzhen who was high above.
Resources:
[Quan Tang Wen Vol. XVIII, New Book of Tang, Book 8 of the Chronicles of the Emperors and Princesses]