Emperor Xuanwen initiated a remarkable undertaking, and his outstanding virtues shone through during the Taishi era. The wise emperor fulfilled his heavenly mandate and was appointed to rule the world. Why are all the nations of the world happy? Because there is a wise sovereign at the helm! Just like Tang Yao abdicated the throne in favor of Yu Shun, Shun accepted it humbly. He sat respectfully facing south, educating the people with morality, transforming societal norms. He issued a general amnesty, gradually restoring order from various rebellions, and spreading education to remote areas. He adhered to the natural order, practicing governance through non-action. His intelligence shone brightly like the sun and moon, and his sacred authority was as inviolable as heaven and earth. Even villains like the Three Villains did not dare to act rashly in the face of his silent majesty. Jie and Qi assisted him in achieving greatness, and Yi Yin and Lv Shang also became his wise ministers. The court was full of talents, fragrant like orchids and irises, with all of them competent. His words and actions naturally influenced others, reflecting his virtues like a mirror, inspiring others to follow his example effortlessly. Even the most unruly and obstinate individuals were subdued under his rule, and hidden dragons finally soared to the sky. He prepared various instruments, ensuring everything was in its rightful place, and handled government affairs in an orderly manner, following established protocols. He taught his subjects through self-restraint, showing them loyalty and compassion. The courtiers admired his integrity, and foreign countries were filled with respect for him. He followed the laws of nature, dispensing blessings like the clouds. In the past, people admired elaborate decorations, but now he championed simplicity; in the past, people liked complicated rituals, but now he simplified various ceremonies. He gathered many talents in the court, dedicating themselves tirelessly to the nation, handling countless government affairs in an orderly manner, and the emperor frequently convened with ministers regarding state matters. The ministers were like orderly stars, while the emperor shone like a rising sun. His achievements spread throughout the world; what great merits he had! The Five Emperors inherited the accomplishments of the Three Sovereigns, revered by all. His virtuous character resonated with the spirit of the age, and even heaven and earth could not go against them. His virtues were as lofty as the stars in the sky, hard to attain. He would once again revitalize a family as powerful as a dragon, and the phoenix would take refuge in his court.
【Heavenly Mandate】(When Wei Qu "The Holy Emperor of Taihe", ancient song "In the Second Year of Zhanghe".)
(To be continued here, please provide the content of 【Heavenly Mandate】)
The heavens have chosen the Holy Ancestor, destined to support the emperor of the Wei dynasty. In the court, he managed state affairs with great care; on expeditions, he fought across the land and brought peace to all corners. There was no oversight in the court, and the country was thus stable and prosperous. His virtues surpassed those of Emperor Shun and Emperor Yao, and his accumulated merits even surpassed those of King Tai.
Meng Da dared to rebel in the outskirts, attempting to disrupt the world. As a result, our army dealt with him decisively, fulfilling the emperor's orders and completely eliminating him. The Holy Ancestor pardoned those who had done wrong but were willing to repent, while the truly wicked had their power dismantled. The Holy Ancestor's prestige intimidated the powerful Shu kingdom, and his martial skills made the Wu kingdom tremble with fear.
Zhuge Liang failed to recognize the heavenly mandate and actually violated the principles of heaven, engaging in rebellion. He led over a hundred thousand troops to repeatedly invade our borders. Our emperor was extremely brave, personally leading troops to guard the Yongliang region. When Zhuge Liang saw the emperor's might, he was frightened before the battle even began and died directly.
The rise and fall of nations are governed by natural laws, and the changing times are fraught with challenges. The emperor marched eastward, all the way to the sea, and even launched a successful expedition to Korea. He inherited the aspirations of the late emperor, governed the country well with the Seven Policies, only for Cao Shuang to stir up trouble again. Those villains were all eliminated, and the country ushered in a time of peace and prosperity, with many auspicious signs emerging. Huang Hua marked the start of good fortune, while Wang Ling became a sign of impending disaster.
【Imperial Prosperity】(When Wei Qu "The Long History of Wei", ancient song "Long Live Joy".)
Emperor Jing, truly a man of extraordinary intelligence and divine favor, his virtues can rival those of heaven and earth. Being an emperor is not easy, establishing a foundation is difficult, and maintaining the country is even harder. With Xiahou Xuan on the outside and the Zhang and Li families on the inside, these three villains plotted to disrupt the court's order. Emperor Jing acted in accordance with the will of heaven and thoroughly exposed their treachery. The frontier generals also timely stopped their schemes, preventing their rebellious plans from materializing. All criminals were punished, and Emperor Jing's authority was felt throughout the land. He handled state affairs meticulously, ensuring that no national matters were left unattended.
However, the Huan family in Shaoling disregarded the rules, leading to chaos both inside and outside the court. Petty individuals formed factions, acted recklessly, and were so ignorant that they couldn't tell the difference between governing and creating chaos. Emperor Jing was wise and decisive, ruling the country with both military force and civil administration. He deposed and appointed monarchs in accordance with the will of heaven, dispelling dark clouds and clearing the fog. Yet, as the dark clouds dispersed and the skies cleared, reports of conflicts began to surface from various regions, and trouble erupted once more on the southeastern border. Jian Qin, like a serpent, even allied himself with the Wu barbarians. The entire country was in turmoil, resulting in widespread unrest. Emperor Jing, valiant and martial, personally led the army to suppress the rebellion.
Jian Qin launched his rebellion in Shouchun, with the vanguard troops seizing Xiangcheng. He caught the enemy off guard and utilized surprise tactics. These surprise tactics proved unstoppable, leaving the enemy unable to mount a defense. In the decisive battle at Shayangpo, the enemy was defeated, fleeing in all directions. With divine providence, Emperor Jing granted pardons to the guilty, restoring peace in the east, swiftly quelling the rebellion.
[Chapter of the Great Jin] (To the tune of Wei Qu's "Heavenly Steamed People" and the ancient melody "Four Emperors of the Four Directions.")
The Great Jin Dynasty is truly impressive, and King Wen is even more remarkable! The country is powerful, well-governed, and more impressive than the ancient Yao, Shun, and Yu. People used to say that the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were the best, and now the brilliance of King Wen shines anew! He possesses nine virtues, excelling in both civil and military affairs. He aims to bring peace to the world and help all the people. By promoting talents like Yuankai within the court, he maintains order in governance; by employing military officials externally, he commands respect and is unbeatable. Those who follow his orders enjoy peace and prosperity, while those who disobey can only await destruction! His kindness is as warm as the spring sun, and his majesty is as severe as autumn frost. The court is full of talents, a scene of prosperity.
Historically, during peaceful times like those of Tang, Yao, and Shun, there were also troublemakers like the "Four Evils" causing chaos. King Wen defeated them, and he was widely respected. His grace moved the entire nation; even countries overseas came to pay homage, offering musical instruments and gifts, declaring themselves subjects of King Wen. In the region of West Shu, someone dared to declare themselves emperor and occupy a piece of land. King Wen sent troops to subdue them, forcing them to submit. The people of Wu also obeyed orders, stopping enemies on the river. King Wen swiftly dispatched messengers to notify different regions, and everyone actively responded, joining forces against the enemy. In the past, the former kings established numerous countries, with nine vassal states. After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, the feudal states were also eliminated, dynasties changed, and few lasted for two generations. Hundreds of years have passed, yet no one has been able to restore the previous order; more than five hundred years have passed!
Our emperor is truly wise and has established a new system according to the mandate of heaven, dividing the land into five classes and clearly defining the territories of vassal states. Countless civil and military officials assist the emperor; it's truly a golden age! The emperor's grace extends throughout the country, and the spirit of kindness has spread even overseas.
【The Wise Ruler】(from the piece "It's Not Easy for the Emperor" by Wei Qu and the ancient song "The Guizhou Tree in Front of the Hall".)
If the emperor is a wise ruler, governing the world, he can listen to all kinds of opinions. As long as you are loyal and responsible, even if there are criticisms and punishments, in the end, you will be recognized and promoted step by step, just like orchids and aromatic grasses growing out of the wilderness and eventually entering the palace. Conversely, those who are like weeds will only clog the court and will eventually be purged. Therefore, everyone should avoid deceiving one another; officials must uphold integrity and propriety. Be cautious and careful, do your work earnestly, and as long as you put in the effort, there is nothing you cannot accomplish.
If the emperor is foolish and incompetent, lacking self-confidence, then the court officials will hold onto their own opinions and go astray. The honest will find themselves marginalized, while the treacherous hold great power. Loyal ministers wish to be faithful but cannot speak up, afraid to voice their thoughts. Why are they afraid to speak? Because loyalty can lead to their own downfall. Even clear rivers can become murky with swirling dust. Life's journey presents many forks, and once you take a wrong turn, it is hard to turn back. Loyal ministers in the court will adhere to their principles, regardless of personal safety. Evil and justice cannot coexist, much like the Hu and Qin peoples; although they may temporarily cooperate, they will ultimately go their separate ways. When loyal ministers encounter a wise ruler, they will be proactive and strive for continuous improvement, just like stars surrounding the moon, with everyone rallying around the emperor.
However, if they encounter a foolish ruler, loyal ministers will be demoted and become ordinary people. Even a modest contribution, akin to white grass, holds value. Yet, in the harsh winter, even orchids and cinnamon may be used as firewood. Treacherous ministers are full of schemes and meticulous thoughts; they will cater to the emperor's preferences, focusing only on immediate benefits, regardless of right or wrong. To safeguard their positions, they form cliques and behave inconsistently, greedy as an insatiable abyss. If they are discovered, they could lose their positions at best, or face the annihilation of their families at worst.
"The Fluttering Dance," originated in the Jiangnan region, formerly known as Wu Dance, but a closer look at its lyrics reveals that they are not in the Wu dialect. It has also been performed in the imperial court. Yang Hong wrote in the preface: "Since arriving in Jiangnan, I have seen the 'White Dove Dance,' some say it is the 'White Pigeon Dance,' which is believed to have a history of several decades. Upon careful examination of its lyrics, it is found that the people of Wu longed for the Jin Dynasty due to the tyranny of Sun Hao." Now I will put the lyrics of this dance at the end.
【White Dove Section】 (Original text is retained here, not translated)
A white dove, flying back and forth, calling incessantly. It seems to express loyalty to the monarch, so it flew into the palace. Look at that white sparrow, with its feathers pure and bright, dancing in the palace, as if responding to the monarch's grace. And those white doves, some with red feathers, some with yellow feathers, they also happily fly back and forth, expressing their gratitude for the monarch's grace. Just like the sunlight streaming in from the east wall, fish swimming freely in rivers, lakes, and seas, the monarch's favor is like sunshine and rain, silently nourishing, yet enabling all things to flourish. I am eager to serve the monarch, like riding a fine horse and mastering the art of carriage driving, always ready to serve the monarch, even if I grow weary, I will find joy in it, forgetting my hunger. My heart is calm and peaceful, my aspirations are fulfilled as well. Usually, I play the zither to entertain myself.
I yearn to ascend lofty peaks, soaring freely through the vast sky, like a dragon and phoenix, gliding gracefully.
This poem conveys a sense of positivity and ambition.
【Ji Ji Section】
This poem depicts a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, full of the momentum of dancing and beautiful imagery. The poet recalls the good times of the past, laments the passing of time, aging, but still wants to enjoy life in time, not to be troubled by sorrow, hoping to receive support and encouragement from all.
**"Du Lu Pian"**
This poem is filled with desolation and helplessness. The poet is alone, grappling with a harsh existence, as if struggling in deep water, stuck in the muck. Seeing couples of wild geese only deepens the poet's sense of loneliness and sorrow. He considers shooting the geese, but then thinks of his solitude and ultimately gives up. The poet compares himself to duckweed floating on the water's surface, floating aimlessly, with no one to rely on. In the stillness of night, he feels even more isolated; his fine clothes can't hide the pain inside. His father's grievances remain unaddressed, making the poet feel that life is pointless. Even when faced with fierce beasts, he cannot change his fate.
**"Jie Shi Pian"**
I stand atop Jie Shi Mountain, gazing at the vast and boundless sea. The water is so clear, and the mountain islands are so tall and majestic. The trees are lush, and the wild grass is abundant. The autumn wind is brisk, and the waves are crashing. The sun and moon move as if rising from the sea; the stars and the Milky Way seem to emerge from the ocean as well. What luck I have! I write this poem to express my aspirations! — "Guan Cang Hai"
In November, the north wind blows fiercely. The weather is cold and everywhere is covered in thick frost. Roosters crow in the morning, and wild geese fly south. Birds of prey have all hidden away, and bears are hibernating. Farming tools are put away, and the crops have all been harvested and piled in the fields. Inns are tidied up, convenient for merchants to come and go. Isn’t it great! I’ll write a song to share my thoughts! — "Dong Shi Yue"
My hometown is different; the north is particularly cold. Ice floats, making it hard for boats to navigate. You can’t even get a drill into the ground, and the woods are thick and tangled. The river is dry, and the ice surface is solid enough to walk on. Poor hermits and gallant knights are often looked down on. They sigh and complain often, wearing frowns and feeling down. Isn’t it great! I’ll write a song to share my thoughts! — "Tu Bu Tong"
Although the tortoise has a long lifespan, it will eventually die. The flying snake, even riding on clouds and mist, will eventually turn into dust. Even when a thoroughbred horse grows old and lies in the manger, it still dreams of galloping a thousand miles. A determined hero, even in old age, will not lose their ambition and heroic spirit. The length of one’s life isn’t solely dictated by fate. Taking care of body and mind can lead to longevity. It's truly wonderful; let me write a song to express my feelings! - "The Longevity of the Turtle"
【Huainan King Chapter】
The Huainan King, who claimed to be noble, built a hundred-foot-high building that pierced the clouds. In the backyard, he dug a well with a silver well rail and drank chilled water from a golden jug. Drinking the cold water, he thinks of his youth, when he was beautiful and intelligent—a true treasure! Singing loudly, his voice echoed through the clouds. I want to cross the river, but there is no bridge; I really want to turn into a pair of wild geese and fly back to my hometown. Returning to my hometown, wandering through my hometown, physically and mentally exhausted. Magnificent dances, beautiful songs—everything is beautiful, wandering near my hometown, as if soaring through the sky.
The music of drums and horns, where does this music originate? "Drum," according to the records of the "Rites of Zhou," was used to command armies in battle. And "horn," some say that Chi You led ghosts and monsters to battle the Yellow Emperor in Zhuolu, and the Yellow Emperor ordered the blowing of horns, whose sound resembled that of a dragon's roar, used to intimidate the enemy. Later, when Cao Cao marched north to fight the Wuhuan, crossing deserts, the soldiers missed their homes, so they muted the horns, making their sound more mournful.
The Hu Jia was originally played with the Hu Jia instrument, but it later came to be used with transverse wind instruments, resulting in the double-pipe Hu instruments. Zhang Qian, during his diplomatic mission to the Western Regions, brought the performance methods of Hu music to Chang'an, and only one piece, "Mo He Dou Le," has survived. Li Yannian adopted it as military music, creating twenty-eight new pieces based on Hu music. Later, the Han Dynasty bestowed it upon the generals stationed at the borders, and during the reign of Emperor He, it was also used by the ten-thousand-man generals. After the Wei and Jin dynasties, the twenty-eight pieces were no longer intact, with the commonly performed pieces including "Huang Hu," "Long Tou," "Chu Guan," "Ru Guan," "Chu Sai," "Ru Sai," "Zhe Yang Liu," "Huang Qin Zi," "Chi Zhi Yang," and "Wang Xing Ren," totaling ten pieces.
During the Wei and Jin periods, there was a musician named Sun who excelled at performing traditional pieces, Song Shi was good at keeping time while singing, Chen Zuo was skilled at solo singing, Lie He was skilled at playing the flute, Hao Suo was adept at playing the zheng, and Zhu Sheng was proficient in playing the pipa. They also created many new pieces. As a result, Fu Xuan noted in his writings: "Isn't it foolish to focus only on what one hears while ignoring what one sees? If these six people lived in ancient times, surpassing both ancient and modern without comparison, wouldn't that be a meeting of minds like Bo Ya and Zi Qi?" This suggests that the music that followed was a continuation of the performance techniques of Sun, Zhu, and others.
"Xiang He" is an old song from the Han Dynasty, performed using a blend of silk and bamboo instruments, with someone keeping time while singing. It was originally a complete musical suite, but Emperor Ming of Wei split it into two sections, played alternately at night. There were originally seventeen pieces, which Zhu Sheng, Song Shi, Lie He, and others rearranged into thirteen pieces.
There are four songs titled "Dan Ge" that originated in the Han Dynasty. Without string instrument accompaniment, the musicians first sing, featuring one lead singer supported by three harmonizing voices. Emperor Wu of Wei particularly liked this song. At that time, there was a musician named Song Ronghua, known for his clear and bright voice. He was particularly skilled at singing this song and became quite famous. After the Jin Dynasty, it was lost to history and completely vanished.
The ancient music and songs that have survived to this day are mostly folk songs from the Han Dynasty, like "Picking Lotus in Jiangnan," "Wusheng's Fifteen Sons," and "White-haired Lament." Wu songs and various other tunes originated in Jiangnan, with more being added after the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
"The Song of Ziyue" was composed by a woman named Ziyue. During the reign of Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there was a ghost singing "The Song of Ziyue" in the home of Prince Ke of Langye, suggesting that Ziyue was known before Emperor Xiaowu's reign.
"The Song of the Phoenix Raising Chicks" is an ancient song. Ying Qu's "One Hundred and One Poems" mentions "saying it is 'The Song of the Phoenix Raising Chicks'," suggesting that this song has ancient origins. "The Song of Qianxi" was created by General Shen Chong of Chariots and Cavalry.
Now, "The Son" and "Joyful News Song" originated during Emperor Mu's Shengping era. After finishing the song, they would call out, "Hey, Son, did you hear that?" This is recorded in the "Records of the Five Elements." Later people passed down these two songs based on this saying.
As for "The Round Fan Song," the story is rather amusing. Wang Min, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, had a fling with his sister-in-law's maid, and their relationship was very good! His sister-in-law beat the maid severely, who was known for her beautiful singing, and Wang Min liked to play with a white round fan, which led to the creation of this song.
"The Song of Regret" is a folk ballad passed down during the Long'an era, which is also noted in the "Records of the Five Elements." "The Song of the Chief Historian's Transformation" was composed by Wang Xin, the Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, as he faced imminent failure.
These songs were originally performed a cappella, and later instrumental accompaniment was added. Some songs were created based on the tunes of musical instruments, like the San Diao Song Ci from the Wei Dynasty.
As for "The Cup Dance," it's said to have been the popular "Jin Shi Ning Dance" during the Taikang era. Dancers had to catch the cup with their hands and flip it around. Actually, in the Han Dynasty, there was only the cup dance, and it was not until the Jin Dynasty that the cup was added, along with the flipping action.
"The Gong Mo Dance" is now called "The Handkerchief Dance." According to legend, Xiang Zhuang wanted to assassinate Han Gaozu with a sword dance, but Xiang Bo blocked him with his sleeve, preventing Xiang Zhuang from carrying out his plan, and said to him, "Gong Mo!" In ancient times, people used to address each other as "Gong," meaning "do not harm the Han king!" Nowadays, using a handkerchief to cover their actions imitates Xiang Bo's action of blocking the sword with his sleeve. However, there is also a piece in "Qin Cao" called "The Gong Mo Crossing the River Tune," which suggests that this piece has a longer history; claiming it belongs to Xiang Bo may not be accurate.
"The White Zhubo Dance" mentions the handkerchief robe. Zhubo is a product of the Wu region, so this likely originates from the Wu region. In the Jin Dynasty's "Pai Ge," it is also written: "White threads, tied in pairs." The people of the Wu region pronounce "threads" as "zhubo," so I think this white zhubo refers to white threads.
There is a piece titled "The Bell Dance Song" and another titled "The Banner Dance Song," as well as six songs of "The Drum Dance Performers," all of which were performed at the Yuanhui. It is said that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, on the first day of the first month, the emperor received congratulations from the officials in the Deyang Hall. At this time, a rare and strange thing flew in from the west and started playing in front of the hall. It first stirred up the water, turning into a pair of bream fish, jumping around in the water, spraying water and creating mist that obscured the sun. After playing with the bream fish, it transformed into a dragon about eight or nine zhang long, flying out of the water to frolic, shining in the sunlight. At that time, there were also two thick silk ropes tied to two pillars, several zhang apart, with two female performers dancing on the ropes. When they met on the ropes, they stood shoulder to shoulder without swaying at all. By the Wei and Jin periods, right through to the Jiangzuo region, performances of music and dance continued, including "Xia Yu Carrying the Cauldron," "The Giant Elephant Milking," "The Divine Turtle Dance," "Carrying the Sacred Mountain," "The Gui Tree in White Snow," and "Drawing a River on the Ground."
In the seventh year of Emperor Cheng's reign during the Xian Kang era, the Grand Secretary Cai Mo submitted a proposal stating, "For the grand court assembly held once every eight years, it suffices to perform only drum and gong music during the rituals, and all other musical and dance performances should be omitted." The Chamberlain Zhang Cheng and the Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate Chen Kui disagreed, arguing, "The emperor holds rituals to educate the world, and the distinction between auspicious and inauspicious events has been an unchanging principle since ancient times. Now that people from all over the country come to participate in the court assembly, with sacrificial ceremonies taking place in the mausoleum and court music performed in the hall, the simultaneous occurrence of these two ceremonies, with mourning music blending into celebratory music, is a matter of great importance concerning the national system!" The emperor issued a decree saying, "Since the overall situation of the world is taken into account, the rituals can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual circumstances. The sacrificial rites for the New Year's grand court assembly should entirely use auspicious ceremonies. As for the music that serves only to please the ears, I truly cannot bear to listen to it, so it has been omitted. As for more important rituals, such as offering longevity wine and shouting 'long live,' these are already quite grand, so there is no need to omit the drum and gong music." Zhang Cheng and Chen Kui submitted another proposal saying, "Although the rituals for the grand court assembly have been simplified, the atmosphere in the court remains celebratory. However, the mausoleum has sacrificial ceremonies, and the mourning atmosphere has not yet dissipated; the ceremonial robes stipulated in the classics also do not fully reflect auspiciousness. Therefore, the grand court assembly during the Xian Ning period included the ritual of complete music, performed in its entirety, which was a practice of the previous dynasty that adhered to ancient statutes, setting a precedent for future generations!" The emperor issued a decree saying, "If during the New Year's grand court assembly, the lords of the world pay homage to the emperor but the performance of drums and gongs is canceled, and even the daily rituals are omitted, with no chime music played in the court and guests lacking proper etiquette in their movements, wouldn't that be too disrespectful? We should weigh the importance of these matters and handle them appropriately."
Gu Zhen reported: "I have heard that the wise king established music to praise the correct path of politics, to cultivate the people with benevolence, and to prevent them from acting immorally. Music can be used for ancestor worship and educating the people. It follows the principles of the Five Elements theory and harmonizes the Eight Winds to influence all things. Court music is dignified and bright, inspiring goodness; the ceremonial music is powerful and harmonious, guiding people to observe etiquette. A full array of string instruments, songs, bells, drums, and metal instruments is present. Therefore, music can resonate with the divine, reach the realm of nurturing all things, change customs, and achieve the highest harmony and joy."
He continued: "However, the music and performances of today are only for show, completely irrational and chaotic, like trying to fit one's head and feet into a bamboo basket. They may seem glamorous on the surface, but are rotten inside. Even if these performers trample on reeds, they care little, much less about trampling living beings. Do they not feel any compassion? Moreover, people from all over the world come to pay homage to the emperor, come to the court to watch, listen to the music of 'Ya' and 'Song,' and see the solemn rituals. This should evoke a sense of the vast power of heaven in people, but they still engage in such behavior that goes against the natural order of things, undermining the fundamental principles of humanity."
"The border is currently being invaded by barbarians; urgent action is needed for external defense. Those soldiers only eat seven sheng of food a day, yet they risk their lives for the nation, while those performers can receive five dou of rice a day, living a life of indulgence. We are currently sweeping through the Central Plains, restoring peace in all directions; such matters absolutely cannot be seen by people from afar. The Ministry of Rites should recompile the court music, perform the 'Shao' music nine times to display the achievements of the prosperous era, and let the praise of merit spread to future generations. This is the fundamental principle of 'protecting the state and ensuring prosperity for future generations.' All those vulgar and decadent music and performances should be abolished. We should promote the virtue of frugality, emulate the poetry of Kang Zai, and let the spirit of righteousness prevail throughout the world; the people will naturally respond; this is the right path. The above are my humble opinions; please consider, Your Majesty!"
Therefore, Gu Zhen proposed the cancellation of "Gao Geng," "Zi Lu," "Qi Xing," "Bie Shi," as well as "Qi Wang Juan Yi," "Ze Er," and other music and dances, and also reduced their salaries. Later, he reinstated the two performances, "Gao Geng" and "Zi Lu."
