The poem that expresses gratitude to Zhongshu about the beauty of the combination of colors in the scenery is

"A Reply to Zhongshu" is a masterpiece of landscape sketches of the Six Dynasties. It is also a letter written by Tao Hongjing, a writer of the Southern Dynasties, to his friend Xie Zhongshu. The "answer" in the title means "reply" or "write to".

The full text has a clever structure and exquisite language. In just sixty-eight words, it has gathered the beauty of the south of the Yangtze River, described the natural beauty of the mountains and rivers, and reflected the author's noble thoughts of entertaining the landscape. It can be called a masterpiece of landscape sketches of the Six Dynasties.

Original text

Thanks to Zhongshu Shu (Southern and Northern Dynasties: Tao Hongjing)

The beauty of mountains and rivers has been talked about since ancient times. The peak reaches the clouds and the clear stream reaches the bottom. The stone walls on both sides of the bank are in five colors. Green forests and green bamboos are available for all seasons. The mist is about to break at dawn, and the apes and birds are chirping wildly; the sunset is about to fade, and the sunken scales are dancing. It is truly the fairy capital of the world of desire. Since the time of Kangyue, no one has been as amazing as him.

Translation

The beauty of mountains and rivers has been admired and admired by literati since ancient times. The majestic peaks tower into the clouds, and the clear streams are crystal clear. The stone walls on both sides of the strait are colorful and complement each other. Green trees and bamboo bushes exist all year round. When the morning mist is about to dissipate, the chirping of apes and birds can be heard; when the sun is about to set, the fish swimming in the water rush to jump out of the water. This is truly a paradise on earth. Since Xie Lingyun in the Southern Dynasties, no one has been able to appreciate this wonderful scenery.

Literary knowledge

Tao Hongjing, a native of Liang in the Southern Dynasties. A famous medical expert, alchemist and writer, he is known as the "Prime Minister of the Mountain". There is "Tao Yinju Collection". "Xie Zhongshu" is Xie Zheng (zhēng), with the courtesy name Yuandu, from Yangxia (Taikang, Henan Province), Chenjun. He once served as Zhongshu Honglu (in charge of confidential documents of the imperial court), so he was called Xie Zhongshu.