Biographies of the Four Great Beauties of China Nie Meng -- Xi Shi

Author:
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-05-01
Features: Xi Shi, the first of the Four Great Beauties of Ancient China, like a rainbow rising in the sky of the Spring and Autumn Period. The legends of Xi Shi are as countless as the lotus flowers in West Lake. However, how did this Jiangnan woman go from the village of Zilu to the grand stage of the Spring and Autumn Period, and how did she transform from a village girl into a peerless beauty?
2500 years ago, the Wu-Yue War ended in a devastating defeat for Yue. After returning to his kingdom, King Goujian endured hardships and plotted revenge. Minister Wen Zhuang proposed nine strategies to destroy Wu, the most ruthless being the Beauty Strategy. Minister Fan Li was tasked with touring the country to scout for beautiful women. Fan Li was charming and free-spirited, earning the title of "Fan Lang." He was the of young Yue women and secretly fell in love with Zheng Dan, Xi Shi's close friend. Zheng Dan and Xi Shi were like a pair of beautiful sisters from Zilu Village, captivating all the village boys.
When Fan Li came to Zilu Village and saw the two beauties, he nearly forgot his duties, lost in the intoxication of love. He loved Zheng Dan, but he loved Xi Shi even more. During a masquerade ball, he confessed his feelings to Xi Shi, who also fell in love with this "Fan Lang." However, Wen Zhuang's arrival ended this sweet romance. He took Zheng Dan and Xi Shi back to Kuaiji, where they were trained in singing and dancing to be presented to King Fuchai of Wu.
The clever Xi Shi struggled to learn Wu dialect but failed. Only when she was drunk could she speak Wu fluently. On the eve of their departure, Xi Shi and Fan Li spent a passionate night together, vowing to love each other for life. Then, Fan Li sent the two beauties to the capital of Wu—Gusu.
King Fuchai was stunned by their beauty. Minister Bo Pi, bribed by Wen Zhuang, acted as a spy for Yue, while Wu Zixu, wise and cautious, instantly recognized the Beauty Strategy and demanded the execution of Xi Shi. Fuchai, the greatest hero of his time and the Spring and Autumn, would rather abandon his kingdom than give up Xi Shi. He killed Wu Zixu.
To please Xi Shi, Fuchai built Xiang Xiu Corridor, Jian Jing, and Ming Jing. Xi Shi, too, became obsessed with Fuchai's infatuated love. Together, their souls and bodies intertwined, feeling the pulse of youthful love.
Ten years later, after gathering strength, King Goujian returned and reclaimed Kuaiji, destroying the city in the process. Fan Li led his army to defeat Wu and rescued Xi Shi. However, Xi Shi was heartbroken and scorned Fan Li for his opportunistic pursuit of fame and fortune, preferring to die for Fuchai. Out of jealousy, the Queen of Yue sent someone to kidnap Xi Shi.
Fan Li rescued Xi Shi, abandoned his ambitions, and the two reunited in love, retiring to live in the misty Taihu Lake.