Translation of Yuan Zhongdao's A Tour of the Gaoliang Bridge,

There used to be a clear cloth bag river on the high beam bridge, and the willow color stretched for dozens of miles, just as the weather was sunny and warm. Zhonglang took me to visit with Wang Zhang Pu. That's the citizens dredging the silt in the river. Mud piled up on the road, and the thin horse couldn't walk. We walked outside Xizhimen.

It was mid-March, the willows had not germinated and the ice had just melted. I sat under the withered willow by the water and drank. Just as the conversation was carefree, the storm came from the north, and the dust covered the sky, even the people opposite could not see it. Sand hits the eyes, blocks the nose and mouth, and makes a noise when chewing. The frozen branches blow off, the old trees moan, and the troubled times are hit. It was very cold, so they put on mink hats and thick fur coats to resist the storm, but they couldn't stand it, so they hurried home. At dusk, I walked clumsily between ditches, and went through hardships to get home, sitting in the middle of the night with broken sand in my mouth.

Alas, in February and March in the south of the Yangtze River, the grass is lush, the urban and rural areas are full of flowers, and the weather is beautiful. You can go for an outing in the first month. Why is Kyoto so bad? I don't think it's necessary to come here. It's ridiculous. Besides, people with high status have to live here in order to be officials and travel. People who are engaged in divination and fortune telling have to come here in order to get enough food and clothing. There is no job now, but I can't get it after repeated efforts. The effect can be seen. But my family has an industry to make a living, but I gave up enjoying the scenery of flowers and birds and ran to a place full of turbid smoke. I have asked myself this question, and I can't explain it. In that case, this trip should also be written down to record my infatuation with trying to get a job without shame, putting the cart before the horse and lacking consideration.