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Ancient Love Story of the Han Dynasty

The romance of Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru, based on a true story from the Han Dynasty of 2000 years ago, has been memorialized in plays and operas.  
 

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Young widow Zhuo Wenjun, was the daughter of Zhuo Wangsun of Lin Hong County in Sichuan Province. She was well versed in literature and music, and enjoyed reading the works of Sima Xiangru, the contemporary poet.

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Sima Xiangru, on his way home to Chengdu, passed through Lin Hong County, and was honored by the magistrate who recommended him to the literary circle of that district.

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Sima Xiangru dropped in one day at Cho Wangsun's house.  Cho Wenjun, peering through the curtain, listened to his musical performance on the 'gu qin', which at once touched her heart. By a sudden gust of the wind, the curtain shifted.  They saw each other and fell in love at first sight.

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With the help of her maid servant, Zhuo Wenjun eloped one night to the embrace of Sima Xiangru. They swore to be together forever.

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In the dark of night, they left together for Sichuan, leaving her home behind

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They returned to Lin Hong nine months later, but was ignored by Zhuo's father, angered by her elopement to a poor scholar.  She pawned her jewels and opened a wine shop with her husband.

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They returned to Lin Hong nine months later, but was ignored by Zhuo's father, angered by her elopement to a poor scholar.  She pawned her jewels and opened a wine shop with her husband.

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The Han emperor, who admired Sima Xiangru's writings, summoned him to the Capital.

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Zhuo Wenjun bade farewell to Sima Xiangru, as he prepared for his trip to the Capital to see the Emperor.

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Sima Xiangru was bestowed the title of 'general,' and ordered to carry the Emperor's edict to the southwestern border of China.  While passing through Linhong county, Zhuo Wangsun changed his attitude toward his son-in-law, welcoming him with an elaborate feast.

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Sima Xiangru returned to the Capital in glory. However, other courtiers became jealous of his rise and plotted his downfall. Sima found himself imprisoned for no cause.

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Zhuo Wangsun, learning that Sima Xiangru was imprisoned, ordered his daughter to remarry. She defied his ultimatum and fled to Chengdu.

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The Emperor knew that Sima was innocent, and  reinstated his title upon release from prison a year later.

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A cynical, disillusioned Sima lost interest in the court and asked to be transferred to Mouling where he met a young woman whom he intended to take as a concubine.

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Learning of her husband's intention,  Zhuo Wenjun sent Sima her well-known poem " A White-haired Couple."

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Sima was so deeply touched by the poem that he immediately abandoned his plan with the young woman. He and Zhuo Wenjun reunited and lived together until they became a white-haired couple.

Zhuo Wenjun/Sima Xiangru video clips
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/oiBwIf-ezeM/
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/A_GjzxNqnDs/
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/1K9wyY4bOic/
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/jOvKxZyNUsc/
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/s0U-62RfaK4/
http://tv.mofile.com/0E37KK7P/

Sima Xiangru's "Rhapsody to the Tall Gate"
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTExNjg0MzI=.html

Sima Xiangru's poem "Peacock Flies South"
http://tv.mofile.com/QWT9S01B/

love songs to Zhuo Wenjun/Sima Xiangru
http://tv.mofile.com/B74
http://tv.mofile.com/K3H2MUXY/
http://tv.mofile.com/B74IBKFS/
http://tv.mofile.com/N6JLIYNP/
http://tv.mofile.com/46NSPMIL

Zhuo Wenjun/Sima Xiangru opera version
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/60AZOhfJOOU/

Tang Dynasty love story (english sub)
 http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/4Eh_Ynfpw4k/

Tang dynasty love story
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPGZ0aBpthc

Han Dynasty romance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUDS2GyArOk

Romance of Wang Zhaojun
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_cd00XNzcwMDQ2NA==.html
 

Wedding scene from Emperor Han Wudi drama series
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwatb7JMbpM

video clips from Emperor Han Wudi drama series
http://video.baidu.com/v?word=%BA%BA%CE%E4%B4%F3%B5%DB&ct=301989888&pn =0&db=0&s=0&fbl=800
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGxs6lPYUs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnpQPrpmbrQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsqMsVDq9_c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx4YRWFD3LM&feature=related

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