Wang Baochuan: The Legend of a Woman's Determination and Loyalty
2018-04-21T18:08:10+00:002018-04-21T18:08:10+00:00https://brandscovery.com/life/content-2254932-wang-baochuan-legend-woman-s-determination-and-loyaltyhttps://codecprime.com/partner/sites/default/files/images/2018/04/21/10759-china-1572774_1280-1024x682.jpg Benjamin Johnson https://img.brandscovery.com/s/3/2021-01/keyboard-338505_1920-мал.jpg Benjamin Johnson Last updated Apr 21, 2018 Page Views 13
The legend of Wang Baochuan of the Tang Dynasty has been passed down in China from generation to generation. Her perseverance and loyalty has touched the hearts of many. Near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in southern Xi'an, Shaanxi Province,…
The legend of Wang Baochuan of the Tang Dynasty has been passed down in China from generation to generation. Her perseverance and loyalty has touched the hearts of many.
Near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in southern Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, there is a desolate cave with three Chinese characters above it – "古寒窑" (ancient cold kiln); this cave is where Baochuan and her husband Rengui had once lived.
Baochuan was born into a very wealthy family. From a young age, she was understanding, intelligent, and devoted to her parents. When she reached the age to marry, she convinced her father to allow her to hold a ceremony and choose her husband by throwing a silk ball fashioned into a hydrangea flower.
Baochuan's beauty and intelligence was well-known across the city. On the day of the grand ceremony, all of the aristocratic young men had gathered in front of the balcony from which the ball was to be thrown.
Even though Rengui was a commoner of humble origins, he had superb martial arts skills, a gentlemanly manner, and was kind. (Image: via pixabay / CC0 1.0)
Her parents were waiting eagerly. However, what they didn't know was that Baochuan had already fallen in love with a young man named Xue Rengui. Baochuan had met Xue Rengui briefly, by chance.
His extraordinary qualities and talent had left a deep impression on her. Even though Rengui was a commoner of humble origins, he had superb martial arts skills, a gentlemanly manner, and was kind.
He liked that Baochuan was not only beautiful, but was graceful and elegant, with an aristocratic temperament. However, when Rengui discovered that she was from a wealthy family, his heart sank, knowing that he would not be permitted to marry her.
Wang Baochuan chooses her husband based on character
Baochuan knew that Rengui was the man worthy of her trust, for life. So in the ceremony, she threw the ball toward him. Baochuan's father became angry, saying:
"How could my precious daughter marry a man clothed in rags?!"
It was an embarrassment to the ancestors! Baochuan's father forbade the marriage. Yet, Baochuan stayed firm in her choice, leading the young couple to be banished from the family.
Xue Rengui had actually been the sixth grandson of General Xue Andu of the Northern Wei Dynasty. His father had passed away when he was young, leaving the family poor.
Rengui managed to survive as a farmer. Despite the poverty, he had great ambitions since childhood, studying poetry and martial arts. Rengui and Baochuan's marriage was simple; no beautiful brocade or exchange of dowry.
They began their life together in a frugal and quiet way. However, Baochuan knew of her husband's lofty ideal and great ambitions. She encouraged him to take the imperial exam in the capital, with the hope of him realizing his ambition to serve the country.
She encouraged him to take the imperial exam in the capital, with the hope of him realizing his ambition to serve the country. (Image: via pexels.com / CC0 1.0)
Rengui was not afraid of the battlefield, but was reluctant to leave his wife in the cave alone. In the end, Baochuan's firmness and deep compassion stirred Rengui's courage, and he decided to take the Imperial Exam.
Rengui was not afraid of the battlefield, but was reluctant to leave his wife in the cave alone. (Image: Kevin Poh via flickr / CC BY 2.0 )
General Xue returns triumphant
Sure enough, Rengui excelled in the exam and stepped forward to defend the country, which, at the time, was facing imminent danger from invasion. He was full of bravery and made great contributions on the battlefield.
Rengui won the love of Tang Emperor Taizong, who promoted him to the position of general to guard Xuanwumen City. In the meantime, Baochuan stayed alone in the cold cave.
In the beginning, she occasionally received news of her husband, but after a while, she had lost all contact with him. She had to struggle for survival alone, through the bitterly cold winters.
She believed that Rengui would return one day. At times, her mother visited her in secret, bringing her food and money. She tried to convince Baochuan to return to their house and give up hope for her husband. But Baochuan refused; year after year, she awaited her husband's return.
Eighteen years passed. One snowy winter day, Rengui, as General Xue, finally returned to the cave, triumphant. Through her loyalty and perseverance, Baochuan finally reunited with her husband.
New York-based performing arts company Shen Yun has been depicting Baochuan and Rengui's story on stage this year in their piece "Devotion."
Translated by: Chua BC, Edited by Emiko Kingswell
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The post Wang Baochuan: The Legend of a Woman's Determination and Loyalty appeared first on Vision Times.
By Vision Times
Tags: China, Life, Chinese Culture, Traditions, traditional virtues
Source: www.visiontimes.com
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