EXTRA BLOG: T’AO CH’IEN

When T’AO CH’IEN was young, he expected to achieve his dream, being an officer, so he put a lot of effort on studying. However, after working for government, his honest personality was not suitable for being an officer. Therefore, when he turned forty-one, he decided to farm like he mentioned in his “The Return.”
Without worrying about the politics, T’AO CH’IEN satisfied his farming living and very enjoyed the freedom that he had. I think because he knew that the empire and the government are things that he was unable to change, but he could change the way of his own living. He did try. And his ideal life has been written by him in his “The Peach Blossom Spring.”
In “The Peach Blossom Spring,” T’AO CH’IEN describes a hidden world. “Well-built houses were surrounded by rich fields and pretty ponds. Mulberry, bamboo and other trees and plants grew there, and criss-corss paths skirted the fields.” The environment of that little is beautiful and peaceful. Every body lives in that farming community seems so happy without being affected by “the disorders of Ch]in times.” Nevertheless, after the fisherman leaves, no body is able to find that secret place again.
So, that peaceful place can be treated as a ideal place for T’AO CH’IEN. He wished he can do farming work to support his living, he hoped he can have a quiet living without the effect of politics, and he expected he can live in that sort of ideal world.