Yi Qiao Jin Lü

03. Going for Shoes under the Bridge
- gong mode,² standard tuning: 5 6 1 2 3 5 6

圯橋進履 ¹
Yi Qiao Jin Lü
Zhang Liang meets Huangzhi Gong ³

This melody concerns an incident which led to Zhang Liang becoming the chief strategist guiding Liu Bang in his effort to establish a new dynasty. The origin of the story is Chapter 55 of the Book of History, the biography of Zhang Liang, Marquis of Liu.⁴ Zhang Liang's countryside and family were destroyed by the Qin. When Zhang's attempt to assassinate the emperor failed he went into hiding in Xiapei. One day while walking by himself he saw an old man deliberately drop his shoe down an embankment. The old man asked Zhang to fetch it, then put it on him. Zhang Liang swallowed his initial resentment and did it. In return the old man (later said to be named Lord of the Yellow Stone⁵) said Zhang Liang could be taught, and asked him to return at dawn five days later. When Zhang Liang did so the old man was already there, berating him for being late. This was repeated three times until Zhang Liang finally got there at midnight. At this point the old man gave Zhang Liang a book and said that with it he could be come the teacher of kings. Zhang Liang read the book, which was called Tai Gong's Art of War.⁶ This is what enabled him eventually help Liu Bang establish the Han dynasty.

Altogether the title Yi Qiao Jin Lü can be found in about 38 handbooks to 1994.⁷ The earliest surviving version, here in Feng Xuan Xuan Pin (1539), has three titled sections and lyrics. The lyrics tell the story from Zhang Liang's point of view. The second version, in Xilutang Qintong (1549), says that the Marquis of Liu was so moved by the events along the embankment that he wrote this melody; that version has seven sections, as do most later versions. Beginning with Wuzhizhai Qinpu (1722) it is sometimes identified as a beginner's piece.

The final appearance is in an introductory qin book published in 1994, but at present no recordings are available. I have written out a transcription but not learned to play it properly.

Original preface

None

Three sections ⁸

1. Arrogantly Testing the Sage (Ao Man Shi Xian)
2. Offering Hard Work, Respecting the Aged (Gong Qin Jing Lao)
3. Learning from an Outstanding Book (Shou Yi Qi Shu)
harmonics
end

Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Yi Qiao Jin Lü 圯橋進履 4991.xx (Return)

2. For further information on gong mode see Shenpin Gong Yi and Modality in Early Ming Qin Tablature. (Return)

3. Image: (張良 Zhang Liang earns respect from) 黃石公 Huangshi Gong
The illustration here of Zhang Liang helping Huangshi Gong with his shoes is from 中國的神仙 Immortals in Ancient China, 岳麓書社 Yuelu Publishing House, 2003, p. 96; its images are said to come from 王世貞 Wang Shizhen, 列仙全傳 Lie Xian Quan Zhuan. (Return)

4. Zhang Liang (張良, d. 187 BCE)
Zhang Liang's biography is in Shi Ji, Annal 55. See Burton Watson, tr, Records of the Grand Historian, Han Dynasty I; HK, 1993, p.100. Zheyin Shizi Qinpu credits Zhang Liang with having created the melody Chu Ge. (Return)

5. Huangshi Gong 黃石公
Literally, Lord of the Yellow Stone. 48904.147 tells the story with reference to Shi Ji 55, Han Shu 40 高士傳中. In Shi Ji the old man prophesizes success for Zhang Liang, adding that Zhang Liang will see him again in 13 years: as a yellow stone at the foot of 濟北穀城山 Mt. Guzheng in Jibei. (Return)

6. 太公兵法 Taigong Bingfa. No further information. (Return)

7. See Zha Fuxi's Guide 15/157/345. (Return)

8. Original Chinese not yet online. (Return)

Return to the annotated handbook list or to the Guqin ToC.