Chapter 36 He Huaizhi/He Lao Pipa House

He Huaizhi, Tang Dynasty musician and famous pipa player. During the period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, singing, dancing and music flourished, famous performers of singing, dancing and instrumental music emerged in large numbers, and pipa players were even more talented. Even Yang Guifei was a master at playing pipa.However, the one most loved by Tang Xuanzong was He Huaizhi.In Yuan Zhen's "Pipa Song", it said: "There are eighty-one pipa tunes, but the third tune of Xuangong can't be played. Xuanzong favored He Huaizhi, and Duan Shi's skills are comparable." The pipa player who said he could compete with He Huaizhi, Probably only Duan Shanben from Emperor Dezong's reign.It is said that Tang Xuanzong had a valuable pipa, and only He Huaizhi (later Duan Shanben) could play it.Yuan Zhen also has a song "Lianchang Palace Ci", which describes an old palace official recalling the scene when Tang Xuanzong watched the song and dance performance with Yang Yuhuan in Wangxian Tower and said: "The emperor is in Wangxian Tower, and Taizhen stands on the rails. Upstairs is full of pearls and emeralds in front of the upstairs, and the dazzling light shines on the sky and the earth...The cold food is one hundred and sixty at the beginning of the day, and the shop is smoke-free. , is what we call the "finale show" today.It can be seen that He Huaizhi's pipa playing skills are superb.He Huaizhi's pipa is made of chicken tendons and played with an iron plectrum, which is different from others.Because of this, he was called by Tang Xuanzong to perform alone in the palace from time to time.Once, when Xuanzong played chess with the prince, he asked He Huaizhi to play the pipa beside him.Concubine Yang stood on the sidelines watching the battle, holding a little lap dog - Kang Guoyongzi in her hand.Playing and playing, Xuanzong was about to lose. Concubine Yang Guifei was quick to use her wits, and put the Kang Guoyong pieces in her hand on the chessboard, disturbing the chess pieces, and the game was over. Xuanzong was very happy to solve the siege for the emperor.

After the "Anshi Rebellion", Tang Xuanzong returned to Chang'an from Shu and was revered as the Supreme Emperor.Once, when He Huaizhi recalled this incident, he also took out a turban, saying that the wind blew Concubine Yang’s scarf onto his turban, and after returning home, he found that his body was full of fragrance, so he kept the turban well. When it rises, there is still a lingering fragrance.Tang Xuanzong took the turban and said, this is Dipterocarpus, which is why it has been preserved for such a long time. He Huaizhi can also clap the clapper and play Fangxiang, he is a versatile musician.