Ailien said that the translation has detailed notes.

Ailian said.

Zhou Dunyi (Northern Song Dynasty)

The flowers of land and water plants are very fragrant. Tao Jin Yuanming loves chrysanthemums alone; Since Li Tang came, people all over the world love peony. Love lotus alone, dirt-free, clear but not demon. Straight outside, not crawling, fragrant and clear. It is slim and elegant, so you can look at it from a distance without looking ridiculous.

Want to call chrysanthemum, the hermit of flowers; Peony, blooming with wealth; Lotus, the gentleman of flowers. Hey! The love of chrysanthemum flowers is rarely heard after Tao; Who gave the lotus love? Peony love is suitable for all ages!

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There are many flowers in all kinds of vegetation on land and water, which are worth cherishing. Tao Yuanming of the Eastern Jin Dynasty only loved chrysanthemums. Peony has been loved by the world since Li in Tang Dynasty. I only like lotus, because lotus grows from mud, but it is not polluted. It just looks unattractive after being washed with clear water. Its stems are straight in the outer space, without branches and vines, and its fragrance spreads far away, becoming more and more quiet and straight in the water. People can only look at it from a distance, but they can't fiddle with it at will.

I think chrysanthemum is a hermit in flowers; Peony is a rich person in flowers; Lotus is a gentleman among flowers. Alas! Tao Yuanming's love for chrysanthemums has rarely been heard of since then. Who else likes lotus as much as I do? There should be many people who love peony!