心旷神怡 — “To feel relaxed, happy, and refreshed in spirit”

Yueyang Tower is located in present-day Yueyang City, Hunan Province, on the west gate of the old county town. This three-story tower offers a magnificent view of the shimmering waters of Dongting Lake below. The tower was first built in the early Tang Dynasty and was renovated during the Northern Song Dynasty.

Teng Zijing and Fan Zhongyan were close friends, both having passed the imperial examination in 1015 AD. In 1044 AD (the fourth year of Emperor Renzong's Qingli reign), Teng Zijing was appointed the prefect of Yuezhou. The following year, he oversaw the renovation of Yueyang Tower and invited his friend, Fan Zhongyan, to write an essay to commemorate the event. Fan Zhongyan gladly accepted his friend's request and penned 'Memorial to Yueyang Tower,' a timeless piece that has been recited through the ages.

The essay describes the scenery observed from the tower and the different feelings experienced under various seasons and weather conditions. One famous passage reads: "As for when spring is mild and the landscape is bright... upon ascending this tower, one feels refreshed and joyful, forgetting both favor and disgrace, and holding wine to the breeze, one's joy is immense." This vividly depicts the scenery when spring winds are warm and the sun shines brightly, seen from Yueyang Tower. It forms a stark contrast to the previous paragraph, which describes: "When continuous rain falls... upon ascending this tower, one feels exiled from home, worried about slander and criticism, seeing desolation everywhere, and being extremely sad."

In the delightful spring conditions, you would feel open-minded, suddenly enlightened, and your spirit would be exceedingly joyful. At this moment, all honors and disgraces, gains and losses, would be forgotten completely. You would then pick up a wine cup, bathed in sunlight and caressed by a gentle breeze, drinking to your heart's content. This joy is truly endless!