Ancient Wonders

Author: None
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Publish Date: 2002-02-01
Features: Youjian, which means offering advice in a humorous and playful manner. You, in ancient times, was interpreted as "teasing." Teasing generally refers to the jesting and humor of actors (performers). Youjian originated among actors, and its history is long-standing. In the late Western Zhou Dynasty, the king, seeking his own pleasures in music and dance, was no longer satisfied with the tedious performances of shamans and witches. He selected talented individuals from the and trained them, creating the earliest professional actors—You. You is also known as Paoyou, Changyou, Youren, or Youling. The earliest records of You people come from the Guoyu·Zhengyu, where Shi Bo mocked Zheng Heng Gong by saying, "The dwarfs and hunchbacks were actually serving beside King You of Zhou." Wei Zhao this saying: "The dwarfs and hunchbacks were all jesters." This was in 774 BC, when such performers already existed. In ancient times, those You people skilled in satire were called "Yan Wuyou" and were known as "Wuguochong." They were unreserved in their ridicule, targeting emperors, queens, ministers, and even virtuous officials. The Ying'an Xueshi states: "In ancient times, You people mocked in the presence of the emperor, not avoiding nobles or ministers, even the emperor's concubines were not spared." The Ducheng Jisheng by Naideweng of the Song Dynasty says: "In general, they used stories and worldly affairs to be humorous, which was meant as a warning, or sometimes as hidden advice." Hong Mai of the same era, in the Yijian Zhi, wrote: "Paoyou and dwarfs were the lowest and most despised in the Zhou court, yet they could use their performances to admonish the government, aligning with ancient practices of poetic and advisory counsel." These You people brought to the court were professionals who solely aimed to please the king, holding a low status unlike court ministers. Unable to give serious advice, they used humor and wit to persuade the king to change. The Chu man You Meng was cunning and eloquent, often using jokes to advise; the Qin dwarf You Zhan was also skilled in humor but in line with the greater good; the Qi man Chunyu Kun, a son-in-law, was even more witty and clever, quick in jesting; while in the Tang Dynasty's Kaiyuan era, Huang Fanchuo and Zhang Yehu were quick-witted and humorous, subtly pointing out flaws; in the Xiantong era, Li Keji was humorous and unique; and many You people of the Song Dynasty openly mocked and advised during the emperor's banquets or at the courts of ministers, truly inheritors of the Youjian tradition. The allusion "You Meng in Sun Shuao's robes" is a prime example of Youjian. Sun Shuao, the prime minister of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period, had notable achievements in governing under King Zhuang of Chu. However, after his death, King Zhuang forgot his contributions, and his son was so poor he had to make a living by cutting wood. You Meng dressed in Sun Shuao's robes and imitated his mannerisms to meet King Zhuang, who was shocked, thinking Sun Shuao had been resurrected! King Zhuang initially wanted to appoint him as prime minister, but You Meng said, "Let me go and consult my wife." Three days later, You Meng returned to see the king, who asked about the consultation. You Meng replied, "My wife said the prime minister of Chu is not for you. Sun Shuao was loyal and incorruptible, yet his son is now destitute. If he had reached Sun Shuao's position in office, it would have been better for him to commit suicide." You Meng then recounted the miserable fate of Sun's family. Overcome with shame, King Zhuang soon appointed Sun's son as an official in Qianqiu. During the Guanghua era of Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, the court minister Zhu Pu loved to boast. In front of Emperor Zhaozong, he...