Dāngnián tā fǔshàng sānqiānkè, rújīn lěnglěngqīngqīng.
Back then his household hosted a throng of retainers; today it's deserted.
Tips
history
Recalls the four Warring States noble patrons - Mengchang of Qi, Xinling of Wei, Pingyuan of Zhao, Chunshen of Chu - each said to feed 3,000 guest-scholars (门客). The phrase now hints at powerful networks or a glittering salon.
