Nine Chapters: Without Regret

墨呈禾Oct 2025

2.7

Word count: 13K words
Chapters: 12

Summary

The "Nine Songs" (Jiu Zhang) is a set of nine poems, attributed by some to Qu Yuan and doubted by others. The nine poems are, in order, "Xi Song," "She Jiang," "Ai Ying," "Chou Si," "Huai Sha," "Si Mei Ren," "Xi Wang Ri," "Ju Song," and "Bei Hui Feng." This volume excerpts "She Jiang" and "Ju Song." "From youth I loved this wondrous attire, and though old I have not let it fade." "If my heart is upright and true, what harm can remoteness do?" "The fine tree of the sovereign, the orange, submits to its charge, not to be moved, born in the southern land." Some roads once walked, without regret. To the end, the resolve unchanged.

Editor's review

Taking the "Nine Songs" as its point of departure, this small book excerpts "She Jiang" and "Ju Song" and unfolds a personal reading and reflection around the theme of "no regrets." Its value lies not in providing a complete annotation of the Chu ci, but in transforming the steadfast resolve of the classical text—keeping one's wondrous attire unchanged, holding to uprightness, accepting one's charge and not being moved—into a life attitude that contemporary readers can feel. The prose has an essayistic quality, emphasizing resonance between feeling and resolve; it is suited to moments when one needs a measure of spiritual steadiness. It should be read not as scholarly textual criticism but as a dialogue with the ancients: watching how the author reads from "From youth I loved this wondrous attire" to "though old I have not let it fade," and how he settles his own choices within "born in the southern land." The book is short and rewards slow reading: first read straight through for the tone, then return to the original lines and see how the author develops them, then close the book and think about the part of yourself that is "without regret." For readers expecting a systematic translation and annotation of the Chu ci, it may not be "complete" enough, but as a thin volume that opens the way, it is just enough to send one to the source.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginners interested in the Chu ci who want an entry through excerpts
General readers seeking spiritual encouragement and resonance of resolve
Readers who enjoy essayistic readings of the classics and do not seek textual scholarship
Readers who wish to use short texts for recitation or sharing activities

Not a good fit for

Researchers needing complete translation, annotation, and scholarly textual criticism of the "Nine Songs"
Students preparing for exams who expect systematic literary history
Readers who prefer plot-driven narrative and feel little for poetic reflection

Reading tips

First read straight through for the tone, then return to the original lines of "She Jiang" and "Ju Song" to see how the author develops them.
Read passages aloud, attending to rhythm and pauses, and feel where the tone of "no regrets" lands.
Prepare a sheet of paper and write down a experience of perseverance that comes to mind after reading, in dialogue with the text.
If interest grows, seek out a complete edition of the "Nine Songs" or a reliable annotated translation for further reading.

版权信息
序
涉江
奇装异服与个性
走过的路
无怨无悔
结语
橘颂
橘子的优秀品质
表面工作也要做
改了的志向就不是志向
后序那些有关楚辞的风花雪月

FAQ

Can I understand this book without having read the original "Nine Songs"?

Yes. The book consists mainly of excerpts and reflections, and the language is not difficult; the author places the original lines in context and unfolds from there. If you meet unfamiliar words, look up brief notes as you read, or read the original lines once before returning to the interpretation for a fuller understanding.

Is this book an annotated edition of the "Nine Songs"?

No. It is closer to an essayistic reading taking "She Jiang" and "Ju Song" as points of departure, focusing on personal reflection and the expression of resolve; it does not undertake line-by-line annotation or textual scholarship. If you need scholarly annotation, you should look for a dedicated translation and annotation of the Chu ci.

What does "no regrets" in the title mainly refer to?

It mainly refers to the steadfast resolve that recurs in "She Jiang" and "Ju Song": not changing one's loves because of age, not shifting one's heart because of remoteness, accepting one's charge and not being moved, holding to uprightness. Through these lines the author speaks of a life attitude of not turning back after a choice is made.

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About the author

墨呈禾 Author

Mo Chenghe is an author about whom little public information is available. Nine works are known under this name, all devoted to the appreciation of classical Chinese literature and ancient poetry. Judging from the representative titles, the writing draws mainly on Qu Yuan and the Chu ci tradition: the three "Tianwen" volumes approach the "Heavenly Questions" from the angles of humanity, heaven, and earth respectively; the two "Lisao" volumes offer readings of the "Li Sao," one on lessons for rulers and one on the poet's resolve; further titles touch on the "Nine Songs" and the "Nine Pieces." His works typically pair a classical text or section with a concrete theme, restating and interpreting ancient poems in a topic-based manner that serves both literary appreciation and popular understanding of classical verse. As his dates, nationality, and biography are unknown, his background and scholarly formation cannot be traced; readers can best approach him through the subjects and interpretive angles of the works themselves.