Viewing General Cao's painting of horses at Wei Fang's residence

Viewing General Cao's painting of horses at Wei Fang's residence

Since the founding of the dynasty, painters of saddled horses—

In divine mastery, none surpasses the Prince of Jiangdu.

The general won his fame thirty years ago,

And now the world again sees the true *Cheng Huang*.

He once painted the late emperor's *Zhao Ye Bai*—

For ten days at the Dragon Pool, thunderbolts flew.

From the inner treasury, a bowl of glowing red agate:

The *jieyu* conveyed the edict, the court musicians made their request.

The bowl bestowed, the general bowed, danced, and returned home,

With light silks and fine brocades fluttering in his wake.

When nobles and powerful houses obtained his brushwork,

Only then did screens and walls begin to radiate with splendor.

In the past, Emperor Taizong's *Quan Mao Gua*;

More recently, the Guo family's *Shi Zi Hua*.

Now this new painting shows two horses,

Once again making connoisseurs sigh in long admiration.

These are steeds that fought as one against ten thousand—

Across vast plains of white silk, wind and sand unfold.

The remaining seven horses are also wondrous beyond compare,

Soaring like smoke and snow stirred in the cold sky.

Frosty hooves trample among the tall catalpa trees,

While grooms and stable hands stand in solemn ranks.

How lovely—these nine horses vying for divine excellence,

Gazing about with noble bearing, their spirits deep and calm.

Tell me—who is this devoted admirer who cherishes them so?

Behind, there is Wei Feng; before him, Zhi Dun.

I recall when the imperial progress reached Xinfeng Palace—

The emperor's canopy brushed the sky as it came from the east.

Thirty thousand steeds, towering and magnificent,

All shared the same sinew and bone as the horses in this painting.

Since the precious offerings were made to the River Lord at the court,

No more was the water-dragon shot in the river.

Do you not see—before the hill of golden grain, among the pines and cypresses,

The dragon-steeds have all departed, and only birds cry in the wind?