As if a spring breeze came overnight, thousands of trees are in bloom with pear flowers.

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Many people know this line, but do they know the whole poem? Tang and Five Dynasties period: Cen Shen, “Song of White Snow to See Judge Wu Off on His Return to the Capital”. The north wind sweeps across the land, breaking the white grass; in August in the lands of the Turks, snow already begins to fall. As if a spring breeze came overnight, thousands of trees are in bloom with pear flowers. Scattered like beads on wet silk curtains, the fox fur coat offers no warmth, and the brocade quilt is thin. The general cannot control his bow, while the military commander still wears his iron armor in the cold. Endless seas covered in ice a hundred zhang thick; gloomy clouds stretch for miles in darkness. The army held a feast to see off the guests, with huqin, pipa, and Qiang flutes. One after another they left the gate in the falling snow; the wind whipped the red flags, yet they did not flip. At the east gate of Luntai, I see you off; as you go, snow covers the mountain paths. The path winds through the mountains; I can no longer see you. Only the traces of the horse’s footsteps remain in the snow.