Renowned for its co-rule model between emperor and scholar-bureaucrats, the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties offered a complex stage for intellectuals. They encountered a spectrum of experiences, from triumphs to tribulations, grand ambitions to examination failures, political dismissals, or quiet retirements. Through their pens flowed a rich tapestry of emotions – joy, anger, sorrow, and delight – weaving into masterpieces that resonate across centuries. This book delves into this rich tapestry, selecting the finest works of Song poetry and illuminating their artistic conception through the lives of figures like Su Shi, Li Qingzhao, Xin Qiji, and Liu Yong. Carefully chosen allusions and insightful quotations enrich the exploration, while the author’s skillful integration of modern perspectives and relatable stories brings readers closer to both the vibrant souls of these poets and the cultural undercurrents of Song poetry. Ultimately, the book not only offers a window into the vivid personalities and artistry of these literary masters but also paints a picture of an era marked by both prosperity and loss, where grandeur coexisted with desolation.