In 1079 A.D., Wang Gong, a famous poet of the Northern Song Dynasty, was implicated in the Wutai poetry case and was relegated to Binzhou (now Binyang, Guangxi), thousands of miles away. He worked as a minor official in the barbaric place for three (one says five) years. A talented songstress insisted on accompanying him through the miserable Time together. This singer-songwriter was called Yu Wen Zuonu, also known as Zuoniang.
Her father was a palace doctor who was framed and died in prison. Her mother, unable to bear the blow, was attacked by fire and died. This sudden disaster caused the decline of the Yuwen Family. Her uncle, who had a bad heart, sold Zoniang to a house of worship, a place where she sang and entertained.
Zoniang is intelligent, bright and beautiful, very popular with the owner of the house. The master carefully cultivated her, and Zoniang learned to sing and dance and play many musical instruments. Her outstanding attainments in singing and dancing made her famous in the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty at that time.
One day, one of the singers of the house fell ill, and Zhaoniang accompanied her to see the doctor. Surprisingly, she met an old friend on this trip. As it turns out, the doctor surnamed Chen and Zhaoniang’s father was a close friend. Since Zhaoniang was sold to the hospital, Dr. Chen made many inquiries to find her. Unexpectedly, the person he searched for suddenly appeared in front of him today. Dr. Chen sent someone to prepare silver and ransomed Zoniang from the house.
When Zhaoniang was young, her father taught her to read some medical books and left behind many remedies. Because of her natural talent and love of reading medical books, she was soon able to help Dr. Chen to play hands. Dr. Chen also often taught her some methods of treatment. Soon, Zhaoniang was able to treat people on her own.
At this time, Wang Gong was making great achievements in the world of poetry, painting and politics! In 1079, Su Dongpo was arrested for the “Wutai Poetry Case”, and Wang Gong, who was a good friend, was implicated in this case and was relegated to Binzhou, thousands of miles away.
After Wang Gong’s fall, his wife and servants were all dispersed, but only Zhaoniang was willing to accompany him to the barbaric place and spend the hard time of his Life with him. With her knowledge of herbal Medicine, she also treated the people of Lingnan for their diseases. She was known as a “miracle doctor” in Lingnan because she saved many people.
Wang Gong did not blame Su Dongpo for being implicated, and they still maintained close correspondence. The news of Zuniang’s treatment in Lingnan soon reached Su Dongpo’s ears.
In 1083 A.D., Wang Gong was rehabilitated and returned to the capital with Zhaoniang, and sought to catch up with Su Dongpo, asking Zhaoniang to pour wine for him. During the conversation, Dongpo asked Zhaoniang: “How is the terroir of Guangnan? It’s not good, is it?” Zhaoniang said calmly, “The place that gives peace of mind is my hometown!”
Dongpo was greatly moved by her frankness. He immediately poured ink on her face and filled in a song “Dingfengbo – Returning to the South China Sea to Wang Dingguo’s Servant Yuniang”, praising her: “Everyone says that the woman’s song is so melodious. When the wind rises, the song is like snowflakes, which can fly through the hot summer day and make the world cool. Seeing you return from afar, you look even younger; your smile seems to still carry the fragrance of the plum blossoms of Lingnan!”
In his lyrics, Su Dongpo calls her “the lady of the pastry”, which means a beautiful and intelligent woman. The steadfast love between Zhaoniang and Wang Gong was also widely spread by the world with the circulation of Dongpo’s ode.
The full lyrics are as follows
I often envy the man who cuts the jade on earth, but the sky should beg and order the maiden. The wind rises, the snow flies over the hot sea and becomes cool.
The year is getting less and less when I return from 10,000 miles, but I smile, and when I smile, I still carry the fragrance of plums. I ask if Lingnan should be bad, but I say, “This is my hometown where my heart is at peace.
(According to “Ancient and Modern Words” and “Donggao Miscellaneous Records”)
Recent Comments