Li Guan

Li Guan (1601-1676) was born in Heyang, Shaanxi. When he was a scholar, he was known as a scholar in the Three Qin Dynasties and was called a talented scholar. After the Qing soldiers entered the Pass, he crossed the river to Shanxi to become a monk, and then returned to his hometown. Officials of the Qing court came to visit him, but he avoided seeing him and wrote a couplet outside the gate: "How can the breeze blow me, and the bright moon never fails to shine on people." He hated people who betrayed the Qing Dynasty and often ridiculed him in poetry. In order to avoid disaster, he sneaked into Huashan Mountain to collect medicine. Sometimes he wore Taoist robes and begged on the streets. He wandered for more than 30 years. In his later years, he returned to his hometown, dug a cave dwelling at the foot of Ruluo Mountain, and farmed more than ten acres to make a living. His writings are rich, his poems are clear and majestic, but unfortunately many of them have been lost. The only works that have been handed down from generation to generation are "The Story of Guanghui Diji", "The Man Who Mocking Comrades for Not Ending" and several inscriptions. Together with veteran artists, he made a series of major reforms in Heyang Line Puppetry from music to stage performance art, etc., and personally wrote the script (which has been lost), giving the line puppetry a strong "Mourning" color, and it is known as "Ming Dynasty" in the world. "Diaoxianhu" and "Diaomingge". There is a popular story in Heyang about Li Guan, who was not afraid of violence, upheld justice, was funny and wise, and fought evil skillfully. It is almost a household name, and is known to all women and children.

Chinese name: Li Guan

Alias: courtesy name Xiangruo, nickname Lianbi

Nationality: Chinese (Ming Dynasty)

Ethnicity : Han Nationality

Birthplace: Heyang, Shaanxi

Date of Birth: 1601

Date of Death: 1676

Occupation: Hermit, Literary writer

Belief: Confucianism

Representative works: "Guangqi Diji", "People who mock comrades for their unfinished business", etc.

Famous quote: How can the breeze be strong? Blow me, the bright moon never fails to shine on people

Character profile

In the sixth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty (1633), he was elected at the same time as Fan Ruyou and Guan Dasheng from the same city. He felt painfully that the Zhu Ming Dynasty was in a state of decay and would remain in office for the rest of his life. When the Qing soldiers entered the Central Plains, he became close friends with Lu Yuanzuo and others. In the Taihua area, he wrote poems to invite hermits, sang songs about the mountains and forests, and remembered the fallen Ming Dynasty. He also planned with Gu Yanwu, Fu Shan and others to raise troops to rebel against the Qing Dynasty. He stayed at home for more than thirty years. In his later years, he carved a valley through rocks and built a house to live in seclusion in the Jinshui River in Ruluo Mountain in the south of Heyang County. The couplet written on the door said: "How can the breeze blow me? How can the bright moon fail to shine on me?"

Li Guan wrote very richly. Kang Naixin collected his lost prose and poems into two volumes of "Collected Works of Mr. Xiang Ruo" and one volume of "Report of Xiang Ruo's Posthumous Stories". Today, only one volume of "Xiang Ruoyi's Poems" remains. Kang Naixin's "Mr. Li Xiangruo's Epitaph" says: "For the literary spirit, the pen straight down, the sea rises and the mountains rush, and the majesty cannot be seen; the poems are upright and bold, like thousands of pearls pouring out of the ground." When he was at home, he often surrounded himself with folk artists. , writing scripts for them. As far as we know, more than thirty kinds of plays have been written. Most of the contents contain strong national thoughts and indomitable spirit of resistance.

In March of Jiashen (1644), Chongzhen hanged himself at Meishan. He wrote "Tears at Meishan", expressing his condolences for the Ming Dynasty and his strong dissatisfaction with the Qing troops entering the customs; at the same time, he also expressed Showing his hatred towards Li Zicheng's peasant uprising army. Legend has it that "Black Mountain" written by him was based on the story of local farmer Wei Tianming's struggle against the Qing Dynasty. Because the play exposed the cruel rule of the Qing court, it was banned from being performed. He also innovated the singing, modeling, facial makeup, costumes and string-raising techniques of Heyang string puppet show. Many of the folk life dramas he created and revised promoted feudal ethics such as women's autonomy in marriage, opposition to parents' orders, and the words of matchmakers. The content is healthy, full of life interest and local flavor. During the Revolution of 1911, his plays such as "Seven Kingdoms Together" were used as important propaganda materials, which shows that his ideological content and art are extraordinary. He died of illness at home in the fifteenth year of Emperor Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1676). He is seventy-six years old.

Li Guan’s story

1. Yubo Pavilion

Li Guan went to Henan one year and ran out of money. He had no choice but to return home. He went to work as a servant in the house of a rich man named Wang. Soon, the rich man built a new pavilion in the garden. He wanted to inscribe a plaque on it, so he invited Liu Juren, the most famous local scholar, and said: "As long as the writing is good, the money will not be small. But the plaque only needs The three-character inscription also contains four meanings: My surname is Wang. I was originally a cobbler. Later I got money and there was water in front of the pavilion.

Sir, just write!" These conditions stumped Liu Juren. He couldn't figure it out even after staying there for a few days. He couldn't bear the good wine and food, so he had to shamelessly beg the rich man to invite a few more scholars. Let's stay together. They discussed and discussed. So, the rich man Wang invited five more scholars. These people usually talked about the wind and the moon, talked about words, and showed off their elegance. But now, when they heard the rich man Wang's conditions, they were all dumbfounded, and their mouths were like clay. It was as if he was stuck, and he had no idea how many strands of his beard had been broken, and how much hair he had scratched off. He was scratching his head and ears, but he couldn't do anything.

At this time, Li Guan happened to come to deliver tea, and he saw this group of people. Embarrassed, Rich Man Wang couldn't help but chuckle when he saw that his servants dared to laugh at these "talented and knowledgeable scholars" he had invited. Said: “I want to write one. Seeing that Li Guan was not afraid, Rich Man Wang said, "If you can figure out the topic, not only will all the rewards go to you, but you will also be invited to sit at the head of the table and everyone will take turns to toast. If you can't figure out the topic, you will have to work for me for free." Five years!" Then he repeated the conditions again. Li Guan didn't answer, but smiled slightly. He immediately spread out the rice paper, dipped his pen in thick ink, and wrote "Yu Bo Pavilion" with three big Chinese characters: "Yu Bo Pavilion". Everyone watched him take action. Bu Fan, secretly applauded. Rich Man Wang said, "Explain it first to see if it suits my needs." "Li Guan said calmly, "Your surname is Wang. Adding a dot to the character Wang means jade. If you have jade, don't you have money? The word "wave" is a leather character next to the water at three o'clock, which implies that you are originally a person. A cobbler also cut the meaning of water in front of the pavilion. I wonder if it meets your conditions?" After hearing the explanation, everyone praised the clever question. Only then did Rich Man Wang feel that he had underestimated Li Guan, so he poured a cup full of wine and offered it to him.

2. A pair of couplets shocked the prefecture

The Tongzhou Prefecture in the Qing Dynasty governed Hancheng, Heyang, Tongguan, Huaxian, Huayin, Dali, Baishui, Pucheng, Chengcheng and Chaoyi ten counties. After the new magistrate took office, he built a tall magistrate's office and wanted to carve a sculpture to suit him at the gate. For this purpose, he summoned many well-known literati, but none of them liked the couplets he proposed. Zhi then published a list of couplets, which read: As long as the couplet is successful, a reward of ten taels of silver will be given. At this time, Li Guan happened to be here in a hurry. After reading it, he pulled down the list. Someone was sent to take him to see the magistrate. When the magistrate saw it, he was furious and said, "Where are these unruly people who are so ignorant that they dare to rip off my official list and give me twenty big blocks first?" Li Guan said hurriedly: " Your Excellency went out to join the expedition, why did you go back on your word?" The magistrate said, "Every talent must have its appearance. You are like a beggar, how can you have any wonderful couplets?" Before he could finish speaking, Li Guan laughed and said, Said: "People cannot be judged by their appearance, how can the sea water be measured? Although Zhang Song of the Three Kingdoms is not outstanding in appearance, he is talented. If you judge people by their appearance, they may not be wise. I present this couplet. If you don't like it, I will blame you. If you do, what should I do? "When the magistrate saw his elegant conversation and impressive appearance, he couldn't help but blush, and he quickly said: "As long as you like it, you will be rewarded in full. If you can write it, you will pay double the amount of money." After that, he asked someone to bring him pen, ink, paper and inkstone. Li Guan did it without thinking. The first couplet is: "Erhuaguan Dashui", the second couplet is: "Three Cities Chao Heyang", and the banner is "Tongzhi Ten Generators". The "Erhua" in this couplet refers to Hua County. , Huayin, "Guan" refers to Tongguan, "Da" refers to Dali, "Shui" refers to Baishui, "Three Cities" refers to Pucheng, Hancheng and Chengcheng, "Chao" refers to Chaoyi, plus Heyang, *** are ten counties. After seeing it, the prefect clapped his hands and praised, saying: "What a beautiful Erhuaguan with great water, and three cities facing Heyang! Not only is the couplet wonderful, but the ink mark is also made of iron and silver hooks. With only a cross, it includes all the ten counties under the jurisdiction of this prefecture." Even the banner of "Tongzhi Ten Generators" is embedded with the same character of Tongzhou Prefecture. Good! Good! Wonderful! Wonderful! May I ask what your name is?" Li Guan smiled and said: "Kaoyezhi. My humble name is the Eighteenth Son, why should I reward you? I am from a poor family, so I would like to receive a reward of silver for you, but I don’t dare to expect more.” The magistrate had no choice but to reward me with twenty taels of silver.

After Li Guan left, the prefect called the literati he had gathered to reprimand them, and showed them Li Guan's couplets. When one of them said it was Li Guan's handwriting, the prefect thought to himself, "Why not hire him as a master because he said his name was Shibazi?" Thinking of this, he immediately asked the messenger to chase him back.

The messenger caught up with Li Guan and asked, "Are you Mr. Li Guan? Your Excellency has invited me!" Li Guan smiled and said, "Why am I Li Guan? Have you never heard anyone say Li Guan?" The messenger said: "I've never heard of him, what kind of person is he?" Li Guan said: "Li Guan, Li Guan, never shows up, travels across states and counties, and adapts to changes. I don't know anyone, you are really a fool!,, I sent someone back, and according to the original words, the prefect said: "Oh, you are the real fools!'

3. Biwen sleeps on the hot kang

One time, Li Guan and two waiters (meaning "buddies" in Shaanxi dialect) went out to rest in a shop. One of them was from Hancheng and the other from Chaoyi. I want to sleep on the fire road, but there is only room for one person on the fire road. What should I do? At this time, the guy from Hancheng said: "Here it is, let's each tell the highest place in our county. Whoever says it is higher will win." Sleeping fire said, the three guys looked at each other and smiled and said yes.

The Hancheng guy said: "Let me start by saying that there is a high temple in Hancheng (between today's Beichen Village and Nansu Village), two and a half fingers above the sky! How about it?"

The Chaoyi guy said: "No, no, no, listen, there is a Si Zhi (village name) in Chaoyi, which makes the sky grind! Is it taller than yours?"

Li Guanxiao He laughed and said, "You're not even close. I have a Wuzhong (ancient pagoda in Wuzhong Village) in Heyang, which poked a hole in the sky!"

After hearing this, the two guys were convinced. After admitting defeat, ask him to sleep on the fire path.

Li Guan laughed loudly and said: "I want to sleep on the fire road alone, so how can we be partners in the future? Let's enjoy the blessing together. The three of us have a cool place to rest our heads and a hot place to step on. How about warming your feet and chatting?"

The two guys kept saying hello, and the three of them had a wonderful (comfortable) night.

(When I was a child, I heard the old man "Wang Ren'an" talk about it in the northeast corner of Wangjiawa Waterlogging Pond in Heyang)

4. Rescue

There was a young man driving a cart Went to Seo-eup to deliver cotton, and when we were approaching the bottom of Boryeong slope, the heavy truck accidentally crushed and killed Cai Dong's dog lying on the road. This dog is usually very vicious. People say that the dog bites through the flesh. This dog always barks when it sees the poor, and often bites the poor's children until they bleed. But when it saw those who were rich and well-dressed, it remained silent and kept wagging its tail. So everyone was very happy when they heard that the vicious dog was run over to death. Who knew that this rich man was the famous "Iron Claw" in the area of ??more than ten miles, and he was always trying new ways to extort money from the poor. How could he let it pass when he got this good opportunity? He blocked the young man's car and refused to let him go, saying that his dog was a special I asked someone to buy a tiger racing dog from Beishan, and I had to pay ten taels of silver. The young man worked hard and couldn't make ends meet. How could he afford ten taels of silver? He looked worried and didn't know what to do. At this time, someone gave him advice and said: "Mr. Li Xiangruo is teaching in a nearby village. Why not ask him to help you."

This is really a reminder to the man in the dream! The young man went to Li Guan and explained reason. Li Guan promised with all his heart, and said with a smile: "But I want to aggrieve you, you have to call me uncle!" The young man said cheerfully: "What's so difficult about this?" Li Guan asked him to go ahead, and he followed.

The young man saw Li Guan approaching the car and shouted loudly: "Uncle!" Li Guan responded: "Hey!" Then he complained to him: "If you don't hurry, what are you doing here? ?" The young man said aggrievedly: "I killed someone's dog." Li Guan said, "What? You drove the cart to the door of the house?" The young man hurriedly argued, "No, no, the cart doesn't even have a track." Leave!" Li Guan turned to the rich man and said, "Master, this is your fault! As the saying goes, a dog has a leash and a chicken has a cage. Why are you leaving the dog untied at home and letting it roam on the road?" Watching the excitement? Everyone admired Li Guan for what he said. The rich man knew that he was wronged, but he said unwillingly: "Then a living dog of mine was run over to death in vain?" Li Guan smiled and chanted four sentences casually: "The slope is very steep, and the cars roar like thunder. Since it is a living dog, Dog, why don't you leave?" Everyone cheered in unison, and the rich man had nothing to say.

5. Making Lantern Couplets

One year during the Lantern Festival, Li Guan made two red lanterns and hung them in front of the door, and also posted a couplet:

Hang out and be brave with the universe,

Looking at the future, it will bring glory to the sun and the moon.

The lanterns were well pasted and the couplets were beautifully written, and everyone in the village rushed to see them. There was a wealthy man in the village, but when he saw people crowding in front of Li Guan's house, he felt angry, so he crowded over to see what was going on. When he came to see it, it turned out to be a good couplet, so he raised his hand to Li Guangong and said, "Mr. Li, please write a good couplet for me during the Lantern Festival. What do you think of me?" This wealthy man usually curry favor with the government and bully the government. Poor man, Li Guan had long hated him. Seeing him asking for a couplet, I had an idea and said: "Okay!" I took out a pen and paper, thought for a moment, and wrote a couplet:

Wax fills the heart, and I am used to going underworld at dusk;

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Paper made of leather, when will the sky be seen in daylight!

． When everyone saw it, they burst into laughter and praised Li Guan for his good writing. Caidong knew that he was being scolded, but he asked others to write this couplet. He had no choice but to shamelessly agree with everyone.

6. Scolding the rich man

One year, Li Guan passed by a village and saw a rich man and his son sitting on a bench, basking in the sun on the slope. , while supervising the long-term workers to beat the excrement, and kept cursing. When Li Guan saw this scene, he became very angry. He pretended to be out of breath and walked up to the rich man and said, "Old man, have you seen my donkey?" The rich man asked strangely: "What donkey?", Li Guan Said: Two donkeys use a smelly stick, and they keep talking to each other!" Caidong said: "I didn't see it, look for it quickly!",,

Li Guan left, and the rich man's son suddenly I understand, "Where have you ever seen two donkeys using one smelly stick? You are scolding us!" It turns out that when the donkeys were being prepared in rural areas of Guanzhong, they were afraid that the saddle would slip forward, so they used a stick behind the donkey's buttocks to hold them, as the saying goes. "Stinky stick". When the rich man thought about it, he suddenly realized that he quickly sent people to chase Li Guan back and hold him in the ancestral hall for interrogation. '

Li Guan walked to the door of the ancestral hall and saw the words "Li Guan" hanging above it. His ancestral hall, the big plaque, gave him confidence. As soon as he entered the ancestral hall, he knelt down in front of the ancestral tablet of the rich man's family and burst into tears. The rich man hurriedly asked why, and Li Guan said, "The picture above is my brother. I felt sad when I saw him!" When the old rich man heard that he was from the same clan, he let Li Guan go.

After Li Guan left, the rich man’s son thought more and more wrong. He said to his father: “The ancestors on the ancestral card are our ancestors of dozens of generations, but he says they are his brothers. Isn’t he a grown-up?” Have you killed our ancestor?" Only then did the old rich man realize that he had been fooled again and sent people to chase him again. Li Guan had already run away without a trace!

7. Punish the policemen

One year, a new county magistrate came to Heyang. In order to decorate the appearance of Corporal Li Xian, he sent two messengers to deliver invitations to Li Guan.

Heyang County is more than 40 miles away from Li Guan’s hometown, Nanshun Village. It was the weather in June, and the two messengers were thirsty, tired, and covered in dust. When he arrived at the village, he saw an old man picking up excrement, so he asked angrily: "Old guy, is Li Guan here?" Unexpectedly, this old man picking up excrement was Li Guan. Mr. Li had always hated these pretentious things, and he became even more angry when he saw the policeman's glaring look, but he didn't show his face and said slowly: "I am Li Guan, what's the matter? "When the messenger heard that the old man was Li Guan, he said with a smile on his face: "Mr. Li, I have a letter for you!" Li Guan lifted the dung cage on his shoulder and said: "Two squad leaders, please come in for tea!" When they got to the room, someone took out the invitation from the county magistrate. Li Guan took it out, glanced at it, and said to himself: "Oh, so that's what happened! What does he want this for?" The messenger quickly interrupted and asked, "What does my master want?" Li Guan waved his hand: "You two come with me!" He led the two policemen to the backyard, pointed to a large stone mill and said, "This is it!" When the two policemen saw this thick and heavy stone mill, they thought, I Damn it, it weighs at least two hundred kilograms. If you have to carry this to the city, you won't be able to fight to death! He asked, "What do you want this for? Is there no mill in the city?" Li Guan spread his hands and pretended. He looked helpless and said, "I don't know about that! The master asked for it, how dare I not give it to him?" These few words, which were neither soft nor hard, made the policeman silent, so he had to borrow it from Li Guan's house. Li Guan picked up the rope and pole and prepared to carry the grinding fan back to deliver the goods. Li Guan said, "Don't be too busy. Please give the master a reply as well."

You two, please be careful on the road. If it gets damaged, it will look bad on you and me. ”

The hot sun made the two police officers dizzy. After finally carrying it to the county seat, they were already exhausted. The county magistrate was very surprised when he saw a pair of stone mills brought back. It was so bad. The man said breathlessly: "This is what you asked for. Mr. Li has a reply to you!" The county magistrate opened Li Guan's letter and saw that it read: "Just because I came to the village." His name was Li Guan, so he was punished as carrying the grinding fan. ,' The county magistrate was furious after seeing this: "I have offended Mr. Li by telling you two losers! I will carry it and send it back to Mr. Li tomorrow!"

8. Outwit the county magistrate

One year, a new county magistrate came to Heyang. This guy was just starting out, young and energetic. He was a little dissatisfied when he heard that his previous predecessors had suffered losses in front of Li Guan, so he set up a vicious plan to kill Li Guan's majesty. He sent two police officers to arrest Li Guan. When the people came to Nanshun Village, they had experienced Li Guan's suffering and did not dare to play tricks. They handed over the detention ticket respectfully and said, "Master Li, my master has something to ask you!" When Li Guan saw the detention ticket, he felt in his heart. Understand: "The dog officer wants to give me a slap in the face. Humph, your dog eyes are blinded!" He frowned, made up his mind, and replied calmly: "Please tell me, sir, I will wait till the end of the month, and come back in a few days after the moon is out!" People knew that Li Guan was not the kind of person who would follow him as soon as the iron chain was tied, so he had to go back and tell the county magistrate: "Master, this Li Guan is full of nonsense. He said that he was in confinement! This It's obvious that he is neglecting the master——" The county magistrate said fiercely: "Don't worry, I will let him taste my power when the time comes!" It turned out that this guy made a wish to a newly caught out-of-town thief and asked him to be a false witness. , framed Li Guan, and wanted to make Li Guan obey him.

A few days later, the county magistrate came on a donkey and saw Li Guan. Her face was covered tightly, with only two eyes exposed. She really looked like a rural woman who had just completed confinement! The county magistrate came to the court, slapped the gavel on the wall and said: "You are so bold and unruly!" Li Xiangruo, why did you gang up to steal and not recruit them from the truth!" Li Guan retorted: "Master said that I ganged up to steal, is there any circumstantial evidence?" The county magistrate said proudly: "Of course there is!" He called false witnesses to the court. He pretended to ask the false witness: "Did this person instigate you?" The false witness quickly said: "Yes. ,' The county magistrate asked Li Guan, "What else can you say now?" Li Guan was not intimidated by him, and sneered and asked the false witness: "Since you were ordered by me, you must have recognized me?" After all, the false witness had a guilty conscience. He did not dare to look up at Li Guan and said hesitantly: "I recognize it. I recognize it." "Li Guan said: "Well, you can tell me in front of the master, am I short-sighted or squinted? Am I pockmarked or bald?" This frightened the false witness. He even asked Li Guan I have never met him, so how can I give an answer? My face turned pale with fright, and my whole body was trembling. Li Guan's words were sarcastic: "Master, the dog bit him and it penetrated three parts of his body. Today I am going to sue him for the crime of confusing right and wrong and falsely accusing a good citizen. Please make a decision!" After hearing this, the county magistrate had no choice but to show off, and then He slapped the alarm bell and said, "What kind of gangster dares to frame Mr. Li? You are so audacious!" Li Guanxian said in a voice: "Sir, we have a saying in Heyang, if you have a slanted eye and a wrong heart, you will have a bad heart." There is a strange disease here. This guy is cross-eyed and has evil intentions. He just wants to do harm to others. You must treat this strange disease for him!" After hearing this, the county magistrate's face turned red and white. Like a layer of chicken excrement smeared on it

Nine. Writing petitions for dumb people

In the past, there was a man in the Heyang County Yamen El who set up a desk and stool with the four treasures of the study on it, specifically to write letters to people. One day, a mute came to the petitioner and told him that someone had beaten him and he wanted to go to the county government and ask for a petition. There were many petitions, but this time it was difficult. Who was this mute's name? What was he trying to sue? I couldn't tell at all. How should I write this petition? There were many people watching, but no one wanted to. No good solution can be found.

Li Guan happened to be going to the city for the market and saw a crowd of people gathered around him. He asked what was going on. The person who wrote the petition told him the reason. Li Guan smiled slightly and said, "What's so difficult about this?" He picked up his pen and wrote on the paper. Write four lines:

The complainer is mute,

I don’t know who I am complaining about.

Go to the two policemen and the mute,

point where to catch him.

The mute presented the petition to the county magistrate. When the county magistrate saw that it was Li Guan's handwriting, he did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly sent two police officers to follow the mute to arrest the person and avenge the mute.