Chapter 40 The Art of Concealment and Showmanship in the Text

Why is it that only when a literary and artistic worker has a far-sighted mind can his articles be profound and profound? In fact, this is just like a natural phenomenon, the origin must be long, and the roots are deep. Therefore, if the article can be called a style, it must not only have a subtle and deep meaning, but also have a particularly outstanding artistic highlight. Among them, the meaning of the so-called "subtle and profound" is the "hidden" to be talked about in this article, and the value of "highlighting the highlights" is where the "show" lies. Therefore, when it is defined as "love is outside the word, it is hidden; At present, it is said to be beautiful. ", or is it said that "those who are hidden, those who are important outside the text; The one who shows is also the one who stands alone in the article. In short, although there are indeed differences in the appearance of the words and phrases in these two interpretations, the meaning of the meanings they express is actually fundamentally the same. Because it is implemented in a certain article, if there is no clear and straightforward meaning, if it can be "hidden" just right, it not only requires the ingenuity of the author, but also must pay attention to avoiding pretentious smearing and carving; Similarly, if the author does a "show" that is like the finishing touch, it will be called ingenious if the author does it as if it were natural and easy to come by. In this regard, if you go to the source, it is not difficult to find: in the past celebrity masterpieces, especially those who can be called classics, not only used "hidden" and "show" just right, but also the key to the success of their works; That is to say, the authors of excellent works compete with each other at the level of "hidden" and "show", and strive to show their abilities and talents of "morality, talent, learning, and knowledge".

If we compare the value and significance of "hidden" in previous literary and artistic works, they are indeed not only meaningful and touch-by-side in terms of writing and sentences, but also need to have a well-informed intuitive perception, coupled with a kind of erudite and knowledgeable active exploration. This is just like the 64 hexagrams in "Zhou Yi", which not only has the external meaning of the subject and object hexagrams, but also the internal evolution of the "mutual hexagrams"; It is also like the middle of the sand and stones in the river, which must be accompanied by the mixed ups and downs of gold, stone, pearl and jade. Therefore, in the hexagram of the Book of Changes, for example, the interplay of the four images of "truth, falsehood, righteousness, and use" has exhausted the possibility and inevitability of the rotation and change of world affairs; The ups and downs of gold, stone, pearl and jade in the rivers and rivers may also indicate the causes and consequences of the rise and fall of heaven and earth. By analogy, those masterpieces rich in "hidden" meanings, even if they are the same in appearance and undisturbed, but in essence, each of them is rich in jewelry, so that they can shock the world; Each of their successful works not only has artistic qualities that can make connoisseurs who know how to play endlessly, but even some special readers can not only fall in love at first sight, but also walk alone like a long night, and the stars are lit.

Looking at the characteristics of the "show", it is like the waves in the blue waves, and like the strange peaks highlighted among the mountains. The image landscape is as graceful as a slender hand, which is not only pleasing to the eye, but also feels complementary; It is like the light of the distant mountains, just like the beautiful girl Fandai, and the elegance is enough to contrast with each other, and the foil can be called fluffy and shining. However, from ancient times to the present, in terms of artistic feelings, singing the majestic mountains is important for the achievements of natural creation, and praising the natural beauty is suitable for heavy makeup and light makeup. Therefore, the outstanding "show" in a work of art must be natural, and the most avoidance of carving traces is even more disdainful of self-defeating.

Ancient and modern artistic masterpieces, all the authors who are good at making up their hearts, are accustomed to deliberately hide the meaningful feelings and ambitions between the lines, but the finishing touch of ingenuity is inked in dazzling places. How many of them have spent their lives in poverty in pursuit of such a singular effect; They strive to attract whimsy and ingenuity, on the one hand, to confuse the average reader, and on the other hand, to excite the sharp edge, which is enough to amaze the appreciators. At the same time, those who are good at contemplation and contemplation can also chant the sounds outside the strings, and their hearts will be relaxed every time; Those who delve into sharp words can often be amazed when they savor the witty words. Therefore, looking at the excellent works in "Yinxiu", they are as ingenious as the clouds in the brocade, and they are more like the ingenuity of jade carving flowers and fruits. Therefore, if there is no "hidden" artistic characteristic in the middle of the article, it is equivalent to a person who is called "Su Confucian" but has not solid knowledge. If it lacks the distinctive characteristics of "show", it is like claiming to have "treasures", but there is no gold and jade jewelry in it, once it needs to be exhibited, it will be embarrassing and embarrassing. According to this, the "hidden" and "show" in the article seem to be generally related to the semantics of words, but in essence they reflect the level of literary thinking and learning.

If we cite the literary masterpieces that have "hidden" and "showy" in the past, in the case of the former "hidden", such as "Nineteen Ancient Poems: Xingxing Re-Xingxing" and Yuefu poem "Drinking Horses in the Great Wall Caves", they are full of deep grievances and deep grievances, and they also use comparisons; is also like Cao Zhi's "Noda Yellow Sparrow" and Liu Zhen's "Gift to the Younger Brother", which are as strong and vigorous, and also contain irony; There are also the series of Ji Kang's "Gifting Xiucai to Enter the Army" and Ruan's "Yonghuai", which are not only tranquil, but also subtle and self-assured; There are also Lu Ji's poems, which have always been forbearant and meticulous, while Tao Yuanming's words are usually concise and profound. As for the representative of the latter "show", use specific example sentences to illustrate: like "I am often afraid of the autumn festival, and the cool soars to seize the heat." (It is said that Ban Jieyu's "Song of Resentment" when Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty expressed the lady's concern about falling out of favor; And "the river is long, and the thoughts are long." (Biography as Li Ling's "Poems with Su Wu" in the Western Han Dynasty) shows the melancholy of the husband's ambition unpaid; Again, "the east and the west are in peace, wandering around the emperor." (seen in the ancient lyrics of Yuefu "Wounded Song Xing") shows the confusion of staying alone in the boudoir; In addition, "the wind moves the autumn grass, and the side horses have a home." (seen in the Western Jin Dynasty poet Wang Zan "Miscellaneous Poems") shows the sadness and eagerness of the wanderer in the autumn and winter, and so on.

At this time, the sea of literature is vast, and all of them are masterpieces, but less than one-tenth. In the past masterpieces, if they can be called classics, they are only 2%. Therefore, the production of all classic words, in the creation, must be the natural result of feelings and conjectures, and it is by no means a deliberate product of carving and polishing. In this case, some of them, although they do have profound meanings, they often seem obscure and incomprehensible, so they cannot be classified as artistic "hidden"; Similarly, some of them are obviously deliberately carved words, although they may be shocking, but they still cannot be regarded as the same kind of literary and artistic "show". The so-called natural beauty, like spring flowers and plants, not only blooms with the brilliance of purple and red, but also exudes a natural fragrance; The brilliant luster of the article "hidden and showy" is just like a dyed brocade, which must not only show colorful brightness, but also see the artificially woven warp and weft silk threads. Look at the plants and trees in the world, because of the light and dark and color differences, so as to show the personality of each plant; Looking at the masterpieces in art, due to the companionship and splendor, we can interpret the brilliant talents of the world.

In short: no matter how profound and profound the mind is, it needs to rely on the expression, transmission and communication of language and writing. In literature and art, the so-called "hidden" and "show" creative techniques are not only to understand the implicit meaning of the unfinished, but also to know the outstanding value of the finishing touch. Whether it is the author or the reader, if they understand the unfinished "hidden", they also understand the truth of the 64 hexagrams "I Ching". Among them, there is not only the meaning of each hexagram itself, but also the rhythmic content such as changing the hexagram one by one. As for the value and significance of "show" like the finishing touch, it lies in how anyone who has a thousand words, if they have to be summed up in one sentence, how can they use "clear, subtle, and precise" words to express them.

Therefore, artistic creation must be planned, and the success or failure of hidden shows is also crucial; Implicitly taboo guessing dumb riddles, highlighting the avoidance of shouting oaths. Ingenuity is like nature, and magic is like nature; The article is eternal, just like a clever hand.