Yuan Zhen wrote "New Bamboo" to express his disillusionment with the corrupt government and to advocate for political reform. The text, written during the Tang Dynasty, serves as a reflection of Yuan Zhen's personal and political struggles. He uses the metaphor of bamboo to symbolize his own character and the ideal of integrity and purity. The poem also serves as a critique of the corrupt officials and the oppressive social order of the time.

The reasons behind Yuan Zhen's writing of "New Bamboo" are multifaceted. Firstly, Yuan Zhen was a member of the literati class, which was heavily involved in government and politics. However, he became increasingly disillusioned with the corruption and inefficiency of the government. This disillusionment is evident in the poem's opening lines, where Yuan Zhen describes the bamboo as "a man of integrity" (Yuan Zhen, 821). This metaphorical comparison highlights his own moral stance and his criticism of the corrupt officials.

Secondly, Yuan Zhen's writing was influenced by the Neo-Confucian movement, which emphasized the importance of moral integrity and the need for political reform. The Neo-Confucian thinkers, such as Zhu Xi, advocated for a return to the traditional values of Confucianism, which included the promotion of virtue and the reform of the government. Yuan Zhen's poem reflects these ideals, as he calls for a government that is based on moral principles rather than corruption.

Data from the Tang Dynasty supports the idea that corruption was a significant issue during this period. According to the "Tangshu" (History of the Tang), the government was plagued by corruption and inefficiency. The book states that "the officials were corrupt and the people were oppressed" (Tangshu, 205). This quote illustrates the extent of the corruption that Yuan Zhen was witnessing and that he sought to address through his writing.

Furthermore, the Neo-Confucian movement gained momentum during the Tang Dynasty, and Yuan Zhen's poem aligns with the movement's goals. The "Zhu Xi Zhuan" (Biography of Zhu Xi) notes that Zhu Xi's teachings were widely accepted during the Tang Dynasty, and his ideas influenced many scholars, including Yuan Zhen. This connection between Yuan Zhen's poem and the Neo-Confucian movement further emphasizes the importance of his work in advocating for political reform.

In conclusion, Yuan Zhen wrote "New Bamboo" to express his disillusionment with the corrupt government and to advocate for political reform. The poem serves as a reflection of his personal and political struggles, using the metaphor of bamboo to symbolize his own character and the ideal of integrity. The reasons behind his writing are influenced by the corruption of the Tang Dynasty government and the Neo-Confucian movement, which emphasized the importance of moral integrity and political reform. The data from the Tang Dynasty and the influence of the Neo-Confucian movement provide a clear understanding of why Yuan Zhen chose to write "New Bamboo" and its significance in the context of his time.