A Message to Censor Du Fu at His Office in the Left Court
- Poetry of Cen Shen

Five-character-regular-verse

In the second year of the Zhide reign (757) during the reign of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty, Cen Shen (岑参) was appointed Right Remonstrator (右补阙) upon Du Fu’s recommendation, a position responsible for advising the emperor and offering remonstrance. At the time, Du Fu served as Left Remonstrator (左拾遗), under the Secretariat, while Cen Shen’s position was under the Chancellery. Both were officials tasked with giving counsel, and they were also close friends. This poem is a poetic exchange between Cen Shen and Du Fu. While it seemingly describes the scene of attending court together, it actually expresses the poet’s deep disillusionment with the tediousness of court life and the hypocrisy of officialdom. Using evocative imagery and refined language, the poem conceals the poet’s inner frustration and disappointment, vividly portraying the awkward position of remonstrators—an office with little real influence. It also subtly conveys the poet’s helplessness and resentment toward the emperor’s refusal to heed advice.