Stone Chamber Where Sima Xiangru Studied

Stone Chamber Where Sima Xiangru Studied

Sima Xiangru was a great fu (rhapsody) writer and literary figure of the Han Dynasty in China. He was a pioneer of the fu genre following Qu Yuan. He established a unique style and form for literature in the Han Dynasty as well as in Chinese literary history. His “Hanfu” had a tremendous influence on his contemporaries, later scholars, and generations to come. Even today, this innovative stylistic form remains a distinctive, rare poetic meter that continues to inspire emulation. This ancient heritage and the profound historical connection to our hometown, Zitong, from this immortal literary giant compel us to revisit and cherish his legacy.

I. Who Was Sima Xiangru?

According to historical records such as “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji) and other sources, Sima Xiangru was born in the first year of Emperor Wen’s reign before the Yuanshou era—that is, 179 BCE—and died in the sixth year of Emperor Wu’s Yuanshou era (117 BCE). His courtesy name was Changqing, and he was from Chengdu in Shu Commandery. In his youth, he enjoyed reading and practicing swordsmanship; his childhood nickname was “Quanzi” (Puppy), but he admired the character of Lin Xiangru and changed his name to Xiangru (similar-sounding). Initially, when he entered Chang’an, he funded his way into officialdom as a “Lang” (a junior official), serving under Emperor Jing as a “Wuqi changzhi” (an attendant in charge of travel entourages). Dissatisfied with the role, and since Emperor Jing had no interest in the fu genre, he left to join Liu Wu, the Prince of Liang, where he associated with learned individuals to study literature and composed the “Fu on the Lord of Shang.” A few years later, he returned to Chengdu, “impoverished and without means of livelihood,” but became good friends with the county magistrate Wang Ji of Linqiong (now Qionglai). The wealthiest man in the region, Zhuo Wangsun, invited the magistrate to a banquet and asked him to join. During the feast, he requested Sima Xiangru to play the zither. Zhuo Wangsun’s daughter, Wenjun, recently widowed, was secretly listening from behind a screen. Sima Xiangru played the melody “Phoenix Seeks Phoenix” as a subtle romantic gesture. Wenjun was moved, and after a secret exchange through a small gift and message, the two fled to Chengdu together that very night. However, Sima Xiangru’s home was “bare with only four walls”—he owned nothing. His father-in-law was furious, calling him unaccomplished, and although he didn’t have the heart to kill her, he gave her no money. Later, they returned to Linqiong, borrowed money from her brother to open an inn, where “Wenjun tended the bar and Sima Xiangru washed the utensils.” The couple ran the tavern, and through the persuasion of others, Wenjun’s family eventually agreed to give them “property equal to that of sons.” They subsequently returned to Chengdu, “purchased land and residences, and became wealthy.”

During Emperor Wu’s reign, political stability was achieved, and fu literature was esteemed. When the emperor read the “Fu on the Lord of Shang,” he was highly impressed and ordered Yang Deyi, the imperial dog keeper, to summon Sima Xiangru to the capital. At the “Shengxian Bridge,” ten li north of the city, Sima Xiangru made a vow: “Unless I ride in a red-wheeled carriage drawn by four horses, I will not pass beneath you.” That bridge was later renamed “Simaqiao” (Four-Horse Bridge). After entering the capital, he was again appointed as a “Lang.” He was then tasked with pacifying the “southwestern Yi peoples” (ethnic minorities), successfully stabilizing the region, and achieved remarkable merit. As a result, he was granted the title of “Zhonglangjiang Jianjie Zhushi” (Middle-level General Envoy Carrying a Jade Tablet as Provincial Governor). Later, however, he was suspected of accepting bribes—he was wrongly accused of corruption due to “misreported funds” and dismissed from office. He was eventually reappointed again as a “Lang.”

“Sima Xiangru had a stutter but excelled in writing, and often suffered from diabetes. His marriage to the Zhuo family brought him wealth.” Yet, he “did not involve himself in affairs of state nobility, often claiming illness to live in leisure.” Sometimes he would accompany the emperor on hunting trips, discussing philosophy and offering moral advice on proper rulership. Later, he was appointed “Xiaowen Yuan Ling” (Prefect of the Xiao Wen Tomb).

In his later years, “after falling ill and retiring, Sima Xiangru resided at Maoling” (in present-day Xi’an’s northern area, the largest imperial mausoleum of the time), where he passed away due to illness at the age of 62.

II. Sima Xiangru’s Literary Works

From a young age, Sima Xiangru loved studying and was diligent in his writing. Thus, throughout his life, he produced a vast and significant body of work. Especially notable were his “Hanfu,” which introduced an innovative and uniquely structured literary form. These works were of refined classical elegance and have left over 20 surviving masterpieces to posterity, including renowned pieces such as the “Fu on the Lord of Shang,” “Fu on the Supreme Man,” and “Fu on the Changmen Palace.” Among his essays are “A Message to Bashu,” “Difficulties of the Elders of Shu,” “Memorial Against Hunting,” and “The Fengshan Sacrificial Text,” among others. In the “Fu on the Lord of Shang,” he employed a fictional dialogue between characters “Zixu” and “Wuyou” to express his creative vision and ideals. Particularly in the “Fu on the Shanglin Park,” he wrote: “Striking stone bells, erecting great stone altars, raising emerald banners,…drums playing Tao-style dances, listening to songs of the Ge Tian people, with a thousand voices singing and ten thousand joining in harmony — causing mountains to tremble and valleys to ripple.” The grandeur of his language stirred hearts and energized spirits. He believed Emperor Wen indulged excessively in hunting—lavish in form yet neglectful of governance, bringing hardship to the people. With gentle words yet subtle remonstrances, he practiced what is known as “praising ninety-nine to criticize one.” Though the emperor heeded little, it nevertheless awakened the patriotic spirit among the people. Thus, all of his works were sought after so fervently that not a single piece was left in his household upon his death.

III. Sima Xiangru and Zitong

Along the ancient Jinniu Path from Chengdu to Chang’an—a journey of a thousand li—apart from existing relics in Chengdu such as “Fumin Street,” “Wenjun Wine,” “Wenjun Tavern,” and the “Simaqiao” ten li north of the city, there exists only one place nationwide named after the great Han Dynasty fu master Sima Xiangru: “Changqing Mountain.” And this is in Zitong, for a reason.

Sima Xiangru traveled north and south during his lifetime, passing through Zitong five times. In the first year before the Yuanshou era of Emperor Jing (156 BCE), he first journeyed to the capital, Chang’an. En route, he passed through Zitong, hiked the mountain to enjoy the scenery, stayed overnight and studied there before continuing on. Five years later he returned to Sichuan. The third time was after his “Fu on the Shanglin Park” was praised by Emperor Wu. In the third year of the Jianyuan era (138 BCE), he was summoned to the capital and passed through Zitong again. In the sixth year of Yuanshou (129 BCE), he was tasked with pacifying the southwestern Yi peoples and traveled south. In the first year of Emperor Wu’s Xianyuan era (128 BCE), having succeeded in quelling the rebellion, he returned to report to the emperor and brought his wife with him. They hiked the mountain to admire the view once more. Out of the five times he passed through Zitong, he hiked the mountain twice, even studying inside a cave on the mountain—hence it is called “Reading Cliff.” This led to Emperor Xuanzong (Ming Huang) naming it “Changqing Mountain” during his visit to Shu, and the name has endured to this day.

IV. Postscript on Sima Xiangru

Based on historical accounts, Sima Xiangru was not only a fu writer, originator of the Hanfu, and a great literary figure, but also a strategic military leader—he was truly a man of both letters and arms. Especially in his youth, his marriage to Zhuo Wenjun defied class and rigid feudal customs; Wenjun broke societal norms and voluntarily pursued love. Their romance influenced modern concepts of “love at first sight” and free marriage. His romantic life story earned him the nickname “literary talent with flair.” With extraordinary literary innovation and martial achievements, he could be called a true genius of both pen and sword. These traits also forged his noble character of patriotism and care for the people. His unique personality showed in his youth when he turned down the ideal-sounding role of “Wuqi changzhi” for something more meaningful, and later returned to his hometown. After quelling the “southwestern Yi peoples” and earning the title of “Middle General Envoy,” he still did not aspire to officialdom, “not engaging in affairs of nobility, claiming frequent illness to live in leisure”—a display of lofty character. However, he was falsely accused of “losing or taking bribes” (or perhaps accepting gifts), which distressed him. Though later appointed as “Xiaowen Yuan Ling” and living in quiet retirement at Maoling, he eventually contracted diabetes and passed away. Although he has been gone for over two thousand years, his legacy and the remnants he left behind remain monumental. Therefore, Sima Qian wrote a detailed biographical volume about him, praising him as a man of “great elegance.”