Seeing an Ex-General Off

by Liu Changqing (?-about 789)

An ex-general in southern expeditions,

Who has commanded a hundred thousand troops,

Is now wandering destitute in old age,

Being discharged from service,

Without an estate or business.

You must be proud to recall your better days,

When your mere presence was enough

To keep all frontiers quiet;

And your sword can testify,

To your bravery on the battle fields.

Where and how are you going to settle down,

In the evening of your life?

In that vast area of Jiang-Han Rivers,

Where you are bound for?