This concept is about achieving a rhythmic balance between speech and emotion to produce a cadence of speech in poems, which is advocated by Chen Zi'ang (659-700), an early Tang Dynasty scholar. It has multiple meanings. It refers to the author’s thoughts and emotions rising and falling with the tempo of the poem. It also means the poet’s intention to create an aesthetic effect through the rising and falling of the voice and emotional rhythm. The term also refers to the meter of the poem and the poet’s own emotional rhythm which together give the reader the feeling of rising and falling. The “cadence of speech” means building up energy and generating tension by pausing and blocking, so to make the sound and rhythm of the work more resonant and powerful, the tempo more distinct and exciting, and thus achieve the overall robust style of poetry.

Kong Rong was aloof and detached, and his poems were resonant and emotional. His words and actions were in stark contrast to the world and his aloof sentiments are seldom echoed. (The History of the Later Han Dynasty)

The other day at Xie San’s house, I read your work “The Lone Empress Tree.” It is forceful and has a resounding and undulating tone. It is sparkling, yet clear and concise, and it sounds like a bell being repeatedly struck. (Chen Zi’ang: “The Bamboo” with a Preface)