Chapter 5 Section 2 Songs and Dances Joining the Army in the Tang Dynasty

The Tang Empire established in 618 A.D. is a rare prosperity in the history of our country.On the basis of the unification of the Sui Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty expanded its borders to the outside world, selected talents and appointed talents internally, enforced the rule of law, cracked down on tyrants, developed production, and won the "Government of Zhenguan" and "The Prosperous Age of Kaiyuan". vitality.The cultures of the north and the south merged with each other at an unprecedented speed, and the large-scale exchanges between Chinese and foreign cultures created a good social environment for the prosperity of literature and art.

Poetry in the Tang Dynasty was brilliant, famous scholars emerged in large numbers, and the style of poetry was extensive.Numerous genres and different styles form a magnificent spectacle in which a hundred flowers bloom in the poetry kingdom. The legendary novels of the Tang Dynasty are magnificent and colorful, with bizarre plots and twists and turns, and have become one of the important sources of opera materials.Yuan Zhen's "Hui Zhen Ji", Chen Hong's "Song of Everlasting Sorrow", Jiang Fang's "Huo Xiaoyu Biography", Bai Xingjian's "Li Wa Biography", Li Gongzuo's "Nanke Prefect Biography", Shen Jiji's, Chen Xuanyou's "Leaving Soul", Yuan Jiao's "Red Thread", and Xu Yaozuo's "Liu Shi Biography" were all adapted into famous dramas by later generations.

The Tang Dynasty set up a pear garden and a teaching workshop, and music, singing and dancing flourished for a while.The Nine Parts of Music in the Sui Dynasty increased to Ten Parts of Music, namely: One Banquet, Two Qingshang, Three Xiliang, Four Funan, Five Koryo, Six Kuci (qiuci Qiuci), Seven Anguo, Eight Shule, Nine Kangguo, Ten Gaochang.Delete Yale, make up Hule, and Dingyanle; perform sword dance, Hu Xuan, Zhezhi and other healthy dances, as well as soft dances such as Lvyao and Liangzhou.There are songs and dances in the Tang Dynasty. The famous "Neon Clothes and Feather Clothes Dance" is said to have been created by Concubine Yang. The dancers are dressed in peacock green clothes and long crimson skirts around their waists. "Dance of Seven Virtues" (that is, "Song of Breaking the Array") is carried forward vigorously and vigorously. "Sword Dance" flashes the light of swords and swords, like Yi shooting nine suns, dragons flying, fiery and changeable."Fan Kuai [kuai block] Fighting the King's Difficulties" developed from "Gongmo Dance" has strong action and vivid characters.The performance level of musical instruments in the Tang Dynasty has also been greatly improved. Bai Juyi's "Pipa Xing" describes the singer playing the pipa, sometimes like a rainstorm, sometimes like whispers, sometimes like pearls falling on a jade plate, sometimes like a warbler's voice, sometimes like The gurgling of the secluded spring, sometimes like a silver vase bursting, swords and guns blaring...reached the level of perfection.

In the Tang Dynasty, various forms of speaking and singing literature emerged—such as Bianwen, Ciwen, vulgar talk, and poetic talk. Save Mother Bianwen, Conquer the Demon Bianwen, Meng Jiangnu, Wu Zixu Bianwen, Li Ling Bianwen, Wang Zhaojun Bianwen, Catch Jibu Bianwen, Qiu Hu, etc.The famous folk lecture master Wen Xu is well-known all over the world. In the Tang Dynasty, the songs and dances such as "Lanling King", "Botou", and "Ta Yao Niang" handed down from the Northern Qi Dynasty became more sophisticated and dramatic.In particular, "Ta Yao Niang" has developed from the original two characters to three characters, adding a pawn shop guy, and made fun of it on the spot, which is a bit similar to the "three little plays" of Xiaosheng, Xiaodan, and clown.Actors perform on the Jinyan (colored banquet) in the square, and there are crowds of people around the horses, which is very lively.The audience automatically forms a circle and helps each other in unison, the dramatic effect is very strong.

The drama of joining the army that appeared in the Tang Dynasty is the evolution and development of the comedians' burlesque performances in the pre-Qin Dynasty.Joining the army was originally an official title.According to legend, in the later Zhao Dynasty, Zhou Yan, an official who joined the army, embezzled hundreds of yellow silk.The emperor pardoned his crimes, but every banquet he ordered comedians to play him, making people laugh.The actor who played Zhou Yan was called Canjun, and the actor who played the mocking role was called Canghu [Gu Gu]. Canjun pretended to be stupid and stupid, while Canghu was witty and flexible.The performance of the two is mainly Kebai, one is funny [gen], and the other is flattering, a bit like today's cross talk.Later, the drama of joining the army gradually changed from simple to complex, and absorbed singing and dancing elements.Zhao Lin's "Yinhualu" says: "Suzong held a banquet in the palace, and actresses played fake official dramas. Those who wore green clothes and wore simple clothes were called army posts." Like Xue, my daughter joins the army." It can be seen that in the later period of joining the army, singing was added, with the accompaniment of strings, pipes and drums, and actresses participated in the performance.

Joining the army drama was the main drama style in the Tang Dynasty, and many famous actors emerged.Famous court actors include Huang Fanchuo, Zhang Yehu, Li Xianhe, Li Keji and so on.Huang Fanchuo is known as the "comical hero" and is deeply favored by Xuanzong. "Longyan will feel uncomfortable if he doesn't see him for a day" (Gao Yanxiu's "Tang Que History").Li Keji is quick-witted and witty.His "Three Religions on Balance" uses homonyms and string meanings, and ridicules Confucius, Laozi, and Sakyamuni, the founders of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, which makes people laugh.Folk opera artists who joined the army include Cao Shudu, Liu Quan, Zhou Jinan, Zhou Jichong and his wife Liu Caichun.Zhou Jichong and Liu Caichun are from Huaidian. The husband and wife are good at joining the army, and their songs are so popular.The drama of joining the army in the Tang Dynasty was so popular that even children could learn to act.Li Yishan's "Poems of Jiaoer" says: "Suddenly returned to school to join the army, and called the falcon by voice." It can be proved.

Songs, dances, and military dramas in the Tang Dynasty had a profound impact on future generations. Although the current situation in the subsequent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms was turbulent, a certain generation and a certain country were in a relatively stable state.In particular, Emperor Zhuangzong Li Cunxu (xu preface) of the later Tang Dynasty, like Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, was able to sing with acquaintances and enjoy himself, so he was named "Li Tianxia" and was revered as a god of opera by later opera artists.Li Cunxu has a close relationship with actors. "The History of the Five Dynasties: The Biography of Lingguan" records the story between him and Jing Xinmo, a well-known actor at that time.Once, when Zhuang Zong and Qun You were playing in the courtyard, they looked around and shouted, "Li Tianxia! Where is Li Tianxia?" Jing Xinmo hurried forward and slapped Zhuang Zong.Zhuang Zong turned pale with astonishment, and all the people around were terrified. They asked in unison: "Why did you slap the emperor?" Jing Xinmo calmly replied: "There is only one Li Tianxia, ​​and he is Li Tianxia. Who else is he called?" The words made everyone laugh, Zhuang Zong was overjoyed, not only did not blame Jing Xinmo, but instead gave him a generous reward.