When mountains and rivers seem to block the way, suddenly willows and flowers reveal another village.

This line comes from the seven-character regulated verse "A Visit to the West Village" by Southern Song Dynasty poet Lu You. The complete poem reads: "Don't laugh that farmer's winter wine is cloudy—/In harvest years, guests are served with chicken and pork./Mountains multiply, streams double back—I doubt there's even a road;/Willows cluster darkly, blossoms shine—another village appears./Flutes and drums follow as spring festival approaches;/Simple hats and clothes preserve ancient ways./From now on, if allowed to ride the moon in leisure,/With walking stick in hand, I'll knock on doors at night." These two lines form the second couplet of the poem, expressing profound insights about life through depicting the winding mountain paths and the delightful surprise of suddenly discovering a village.

"Mountains multiply, streams double back—I doubt there's even a road" depicts the predicament of traveling, where layers of mountains and winding streams seem to block the forward path, creating a sense of hopelessness that there might be no way forward. "Willows cluster darkly, blossoms shine—another village appears" shows the turning point, where among dense willow shade and bright flowers, a village suddenly emerges, bringing hope and delight. These two lines reveal the philosophy of life through sharp contrast: when things seem most difficult and hopeless, a turning point often appears; as long as we persist in moving forward, new hope will emerge. It embodies the Chinese spirit of optimism and resilience when facing difficulties.

Regarding the creation of these two lines, there is a widely circulated story. Legend has it that during one of his travels, Lu You was following a mountain path when he was blocked by layers of mountains and streams. Just as he felt there was no way forward, turning around a mountain bend, he suddenly saw a beautiful village among dense willow shade, where villagers were celebrating the spring festival with songs and dances, creating a joyful and harmonious scene. This unexpected discovery deeply moved Lu You, leading him to write these immortal lines. While the authenticity of this story cannot be verified, it vividly illustrates the life philosophy contained in the verse and reflects people's love and admiration for these two lines.

These two lines have produced profound historical influence, becoming classic expressions of hope for scholars and writers throughout the dynasties. After the Song Dynasty, these lines were widely quoted, appearing not only in literary works but also in political, military, and commercial contexts. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, these lines were included in various enlightenment readers and textbooks, becoming required memorization for children. In modern times, these lines continued to exert influence—during the Anti-Japanese War, they became spiritual strength inspiring people to persist in resistance; during the Reform and Opening period, they were used to describe the wisdom of finding new opportunities amid difficulties. Calligraphers throughout the dynasties have also loved to write these lines, making them classic subjects in the art of calligraphy.

To apply the wisdom of these two lines in modern life, you can proceed from the following aspects: Maintain calmness and patience when facing difficulties—avoid rushing to negative judgments and give yourself time to seek turning points; Cultivate the habit of thinking about problems from multiple perspectives—when one path is blocked, actively seek alternative possibilities; Build a support system—when experiencing "mountains multiplying and streams doubling back," proactively seek help from family, friends, or professionals; Maintain a learning and growth mindset—view difficulties as opportunities for learning and personal development; Set phased goals—during prolonged difficult periods, maintain hope and motivation by achieving small goals; Develop hobbies and interests—when your main career encounters difficulties, side projects or hobbies may bring the delightful surprise of "bright willows and flowers"; Establish contingency plans—prepare in advance for potential difficulties so you can respond calmly when you "doubt there's even a road"; Maintain physical health—good physical condition is the fundamental guarantee for getting through difficult periods; Record and reflect—keep journals or other records of your feelings and gains during difficult times to provide experience for your future life.