Cai Wenji, Li Qingzhao, Zhuo Wenjun, Shangguan Wan'er (or Ban Zhao) are collectively known as the four most talented women in ancient China. Cai Wenji's name is Yan, both Wenji and Mingji. Her father is the famous Confucian Cai Yong. Li Qingzhao, also known as Yi'an Jushi, was an outstanding female writer in the Southern Song Dynasty and a native of Mingshui, Zhangqiu. Famous for his lyrics, he also writes poetry and essays, and is the author of poetry theory. He enjoys a high reputation in the history of Chinese literature. Shangguan Wan'er, a female poet of the Tang Dynasty. A native of Tianshui, Gansu. Granddaughter of Shangguan Yi. Zhuo Wenjun, a native of Linqiong in the Western Han Dynasty, was a talented woman in the Han Dynasty. She was beautiful and talented, good at playing the piano, and her family was wealthy. Ban Zhao, courtesy name Huiban, also known as Ji, was from Xianyang, Shaanxi Province. He had a rich family background and was especially good at literary talent. Her father, Ban Biao, was a great writer in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Ban Zhao himself was often called into the palace to teach the queen and other nobles how to read scriptures and history, and the palace respected him as their teacher.
Cai Wenji
Cai Wenji’s name is Yan, also known as Wenji and Mingji. Her father is the famous Confucian Cai Yong.
The end of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Cao and Wei Dynasties was an era full of blood and tears, an era full of grief, anger and pain. Poets collected the blood and tears, grief, anger and pain stoically and brewed a song of hatred. A sad song for a sad time. Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Wang Can... are all outstanding male singers produced in this era. In this majestic, high-pitched, and desolate chorus of the era, a passionate soprano is particularly eye-catching. She has experienced it all her life. Cai Wenji, a female writer who suffered from separation during the war.
When Cai Wenji married Dong Si, their married life was not very harmonious at first. Cai Wenji suffered from turmoil and sorrow, and was often in a trance. However, Dong Si was in the prime of his life. He was a talented person, well versed in history and music, and had a high self-esteem. Naturally, he felt inadequate towards Cai Wenji. However, due to the instructions of the prime minister, he had no choice but to accept her. In the second year after their marriage, Dong Si committed a crime and deserved death. She ignored the resentment and came to Cao Cao's prime minister's house to plead for mercy. Cao Cao thought of his old friendship with Cai Yong and Cai Wenji's tragic life experience. If Dong Si was executed, Wenji would be unable to survive, so he forgave Dong Si.
From then on, Dong Si was grateful for his wife's kindness and re-evaluated Cai Wenji. The couple also saw through the world, went up the Luo River, and lived in the foothills of the mountains with beautiful scenery and lush forests. Several years later, Cao Cao passed by here while hunting and even went to visit. Cai Wenji and Dong Si had a son and a daughter, and the daughter married Sima Yi's son Sima Shi.
Wenji married three times in her life, and her fate was bumpy. Ding Xie described her marriage in "Cai Bojie's Ode to Women":
The daughter of Yi Dazong was naturally blessed by the gods. ;
On the twenty-eighth day of the Chinese New Year, I wear the freshness of Deng Lin.
The six columns of the Ming Dynasty are still up to the mark, and they obey the language of female history;
After participating in the Ming Dynasty's instructions in the court, one can understand clearly and understand the clouds.
On the lunar month of the third spring, it will return to the sky;
Trailing the light clothes of Danluo, wearing the golden and green pearls.
I am envious of the prosperity and prosperity, but I am sad that the frost and frost have multiplied;
How can we expect to grow old together, and we will be happy for the rest of the years.
Wenji is knowledgeable and talented, and her musical talent has been outstanding since she was a child. When she was 6 years old, she heard her father playing the piano in the hall, and she heard the sound of her father breaking the first string through the wall. His father was surprised and deliberately broke the fourth string, but she pointed it out again. When she grew up, she became a musical genius. She missed her homeland day and night in the Hu region. After returning to the Han Dynasty, she referred to the tones of the Hu people and combined with her own tragic experience to compose the sad, melancholy and heart-breaking music piece "Eighteen Beats of Hu Jia". After marrying Dong Si, she was sentimental and confused and composed "Sorrow and Indignation". "Poetry" is known as the first autobiographical five-character narrative poem created by literati in the history of Chinese poetry. "The true feelings are so deep that they naturally become written", which is passionate and poignant, and is unique among Jian'an poems.
Li Qingzhao
Li Qingzhao (1084-1155), known as Yi An, was an outstanding female writer in the Southern Song Dynasty and a native of Zhangqiu Mingshui (now Jinan). Famous for his lyrics, he also writes poetry and essays, and is the author of poetry theory. He enjoys a high reputation in the history of Chinese literature. Qingzhao's exquisite writing and uncanny craftsmanship are unprecedented and unprecedented. He is revered as the Master of the Graceful Sect and is a monument in the history of Chinese spiritual civilization. Li Qingzhao was the most talented woman. She was born into a family of famous officials. She had an unforgettable memory when she was young, spoke amazing words, and was well-read. The magnificent mountains and rivers of Qilu nurtured Qingzhao's creative spirit, and she became famous and distinguished as a girl.
After getting married, Qingzhao and her husband Zhao Ming were in love with each other and became like glue, "a husband is like a good friend." However, the good times did not last long. The struggle between the old and new parties in the DPRK intensified. A pair of mandarin ducks were torn apart alive. Zhao and Li looked at each other across the river and suffered from lovesickness.
Later, the Jin Dynasty’s army marched southward, and the Southern Song Dynasty was corrupt and incompetent, destroying the Great Wall. Zhao Mingcheng was full of love and passion, but unfortunately he died before he left the army. Witnessing the ruin of her country and her family, Qingzhao was "unyielding in spite of the hardships and poverty". In her later years when she was "searching, deserted, and miserable", she worked hard to compile the "Inscriptions on Gold and Stone" to complete her husband's unfinished work.
Shangguan Wan'er
Shangguan Wan'er (664-710) was a female poet of the Tang Dynasty. A native of Shaanxi County, Shaanzhou (now part of Henan). Granddaughter of Shangguan Yi. The first female prime minister, she inherited all the talents of her grandfather. She was good at poetry and had extremely high talent. After Shangguan Yi was convicted, she was banished to the palace, while Shangguan Wan'er and her mother, Zheng, were banished to Ye Ting. His mother, Zheng, was the sister of Taichang Shaoqing Zheng Xiuyuan. Under Zheng's training, Shangguan Wan'er was familiar with poetry and books and understood official affairs.
In the second year of Yifeng (677), he was blessed by Wu Zetian for his intelligence, and he was quite good at poetry. When Empress Wu became emperor, he was responsible for many imperial edicts and was called "Neisheren" at that time.
Shangguan Wan'er was a native of (now Shaanxi County, Sanmenxia, ??Henan) and the granddaughter of Shangguan Yi, the prime minister during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. In the first year of Linde, Shangguan Yi drafted an edict for Emperor Gaozong to depose Wu Zetian. She was killed by Empress Wu and her family was lost. Shangguan Wan'er, who was still in her infancy, was assigned to Yeting together with her mother Zheng. When she was fourteen years old, she was charming and gorgeous, graceful and light, with every frown and smile, her own style. In addition, she was born with intelligence, her sight could be remembered, her literary talent was outstanding, and she could write a thousand words. In the second year of Yifeng's reign, Shangguan Wan'er was summoned to the palace by Wu Zetian, who made a proposition on the spot and asked her to write an article accordingly. Shangguan Wan'er's writing was completed in a matter of seconds without adding any details. It is round and round, and harmonious with the sound of leaves. Especially her calligraphy is beautiful and imitates hairpin flowers. Wu Zetian was overjoyed after seeing this, and immediately ordered her to be removed from her status as a slave and let her take charge of the palace's imperial edicts. After that, most of the imperial edicts issued by Wu Zetian were written by Shangguan Wan'er. The Queen repeatedly exclaimed: "This woman is absolutely extraordinary!".
In the first year of Shenlong (705), after Tang Zhongzong was restored to power, he still gained the favor of Zhongzong and Empress Wei and was responsible for drafting edicts. He also had frequent contacts with Princess Taiping and had an affair with Wu Sansi. He once suggested that Zhongzong expand the library and add more bachelors to comment on the world's poetry on behalf of the court. He also manipulated politics with Empress Wei, Princess Anle and others, established private parties, and accepted bribes. In the fourth year of Jinglong (710), Zhongzong died. Empress Wei wanted to imitate Empress Wu and proclaim herself emperor. King Li Longji of Linzi launched a coup, killed Empress Wei and Princess Anle, and supported his father Ruizong of Tang Dynasty. Shangguan Wan'er held a candle and led the palace people to greet her, and showed Liu Youqiu the edict she and Princess Taiping had drafted. Liu Youqiu took the edict and begged Li Longji to show mercy, but Li Longji insisted on killing Shangguan Wan'er. He was only 46 years old. In the early years of Kaiyuan, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty collected Shangguan Wan'er's works and compiled them into 20 volumes of collected works, with Zhang Shuo writing the preface. "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty" contains thirty-two of his poems.
Wan'er struggled with the right and left in the turbulent era and became the "uncrowned queen" in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Wisdom, body, aura, talent... Wan'er relied on these magic weapons to shuttle among the important officials in the court, composing a beautiful and sad chapter of life.
Even if Wan'er, a young girl at that time, had just begun to fall in love, the prince at that time was Li Xian, who was 24 years old at the time. The man Shangguan Wan'er had seen the most, besides Emperor Li Zhi, was probably Li Xian. . Therefore, there is another legend: Wan'er was Li Xian's attendant, and fell in love with Li Xian, who was "rong and elegant". However [1] even if the legendary love existed, it was soon crushed to pieces.
On August 22, 27-year-old Li Xian was deposed as crown prince. The deposing edict that killed him was drafted for Wu Zetian by the seventeen-year-old Shangguan Wan'er. There is no love in the palace. Facts have once again proved that Wan'er has strengthened her determination to follow Wu Zetian. And this determination will follow her throughout her life.
Wu Zetian regarded Shangguan Wan'er as a confidant and did not avoid her even when she and Zhang Changzong had sex on the bed. Shangguan Wan'er couldn't help but be tempted, and Zhang Changzong was so beautiful that she couldn't help but feel like a deer. One day, Wan'er and Zhang Changzong were having a private banter. Wu Zetian saw her, pulled out a golden knife, inserted it into Shangguan Wan'er's bun, hurting her left forehead, and said angrily: "You dare to come close to me, you will be punished by death." Fortunately, Zhang Changzong replaced him. She begged on her knees and was forgiven. Because Wan'er had a scar on her forehead, she tattooed a red plum blossom on the scar to cover it up. Unexpectedly, it made her look even more charming. The ladies in the palace all thought it was beautiful, and some secretly imitated it by applying rouge to their foreheads. Gradually, this kind of red plum makeup appeared in the palace.
There is another story about Wan'er's scar. Shangguan Wan'er was disgusted with Wu Zetian's male favorite and closed the corridor. As a result, the Mingtang, a symbol of imperial power, was destroyed in revenge. Wu Zhao was furious and issued an edict. Kill it. Before she was executed in the palace, she changed her mind and gave Wan'er a chance to survive, but the word "disobedient" was carved on her forehead. From then on, Wan'er, firstly to commemorate Li Xian, and secondly because she had no desires or pursuits, dressed up in plain clothes all day long and no longer looked in the mirror.
From then on, Shangguan Wan'er served her carefully and catered to Wu Zetian's needs. Starting from the first year of the Holy Calendar, he was allowed to handle hundreds of memorials and participate in government affairs, and his power became increasingly powerful.
In the first year of Shenlong, Zhongzong was restored to power. After Zhongzong ascended the throne, the political power was in the hands of Queen Wei. Zhongzong lived a life of wandering and precarity, and developed a weak character. Empress Wei devoted herself to imitating Wu Zetian and colluded with her daughter Princess Anle to control Chao Gang. Later, Zhongzong was deposed and You imprisoned in Fangzhou. Only Wei accompanied Emperor Zhongzong in You imprisoned and suffered all the hardships. After Zhongzong was restored to power and had great power, he then summoned Wan'er to Xingxing, combined them into a Luanfengjiao, registered her as Zhaorong, and named Wan'er's mother Zheng as Mrs. Peiguo. He also ordered Wan'er to take charge of drafting edicts.
Shangguan Wan'er once had an affair with Wu Sansi. Wu Sansi had an extraordinary appearance and was very satisfied with her skills on the mat. In order to maintain the declining status of the Wu family and to ensure that the Wu family and the Li family could continue to be on good terms with each other from generation to generation as Wu Zhao wanted, she recommended Wu Sansi to Empress Wei after some careful consideration. Empress Wei loved to gamble on Shuanglu in the palace on weekdays. She and Wu Sansi sat opposite each other and gambled on Shuanglu. Empress Wei deliberately acted like a coquettish girl and teased Wu Sansi. Zhongzong held a toothpick in his hand and played for him. People count the chips of winning and losing.
Due to the addition of Wu Sansi, Empress Wei's power increased greatly, completely eclipsing Tang Zhongzong's authority. Wu Sansi relied on the support of Empress Wei, Princess Anle and others, and successively planned to demote and kill five kings, including Zhang Jianzhi, Huan Yanfan, Jinghui, Yuan Shuji and Cui Xuanwei. He had overwhelming power and arrogance.
In order to protect her lover's status, Shangguan Wan'er often praised the Wu family and suppressed the royal family in the edicts she drafted, which made Prince Li Chongjun very angry. In July of the first year of Jinglong, Li Chongjun, Li Duozuo, the general of the Zuo Yulin, and others, corrected the emperor's decree and sent out the Zuo Yulin army and more than 300 Qianqi. In the middle of the night, they divided the army and horses into two groups and attacked Wu Sansi and Wu Chongxun's mansion. No. . He also killed more than ten people close to him, and commanded more than 300 troops. They went straight to Suzhangmen, cut through the pass, and searched for Queen Wei, Princess Anle, and Shangguan Wan'er. Shangguan Wan'er rushed to Tang Zhongzong and Empress Wei, and threatened: "The prince's intention is to kill Shangguan Wan'er first, and then arrest the queen and your majesty in turn." Empress Wei and Zhongzong were furious, so they took them with them Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Anle boarded the Xuanwu Gate to avoid the enemy, and ordered General Liu Jingren of Youyu Lin to lead more than 2,000 flying cavalry to camp in front of the Taiji Hall and defend themselves behind closed doors. The prince was defeated and killed. Zhongzong issued an edict to present the prince's head to the Ancestral Temple. At this time, Queen Wei felt extremely desolate when she saw the death of Wu Sansi. When she heard that the prince's head had arrived in Beijing, she issued an edict: "The prince's head should be sacrificed in front of the coffins of Sansi and Chongxun." Queen Wei and Princess Anle Come and pay homage to the deceased in person.
Shangguan Wan'er encouraged Zhongzong to set up the Xiuwen Museum, summoned poetry and prose talents from all over the world, and invited ministers who were good at poetry and prose to join the Xiuwen Museum to promote their talents. He gave many banquets and entertainments, composed poems and sang songs, and lingered all night long. He was so drunk that he didn't want to go back. Shangguan Wan'er replaced Zhongzong, Empress Wei and Princess Anle at the same time every time, and composed several poems at the same time. The poems were so beautiful that most people at that time recited and sang them. Zhongzong also ordered Shangguan Wan'er to evaluate the poems written by ministers. Those who ranked first were often rewarded with golden titles, which were extremely valuable.
It is said that when Wan'er was about to be born, her mother Zheng dreamed of a giant who gave her a scale and said: "Use this to weigh the people in the world." Zheng expected that there must be a man in her belly, and she would be a man in the future. She could weigh the world's talents, but she was born with a daughter. Zheng was very unhappy. This Wan'er is beautiful, but better than her mother. She has grown up to be smart and smart since she was a child. She was only one month old when she was born. Zheng held Wan'er in her arms and jokingly said, "Can you weigh the world's scholars?" The ground responded, and now it is true. Therefore, reciting poems and writing poems became a common practice both inside and outside the imperial court. Empress Wei was not good at poetry, so she left Wan'er to write the poem for her. All the officials knew clearly that the poem was not written by the empress, but they had no choice but to recognize her in person and praise her for her self-control. Empress Wei then doted on Wan'er even more.
Wan'er took this opportunity to make Cui Shiyin, the minister of the Ministry of War, her chief minister. There are always beautiful and talented people who do not cherish each other! Shangguan Wan'er and Wu Sansi had a personal relationship when they met Cui Shi. Now Wu Sansi is under the control of Queen Wei, leaving Wan'er alone and desolate, and all her infatuation is pinned on Cui Shi. Cui Shi is young and talented, and he and Wan'er are a good couple. Now that they have formed a close relationship, Wan'er can get her wish, but there is still something unsatisfactory. Cui Shi is outside the palace, and Wan'er is inside the palace. Although the palace is relaxed, After all, it is inconvenient to have Zhongzong on top. Wan'er came up with another idea, asking for a place outside the camp so that she could enjoy the tour. Zhongzong sent people to build a marsh through the pond at Shangguan Wan'er's residence, piled rocks into rocks, and made exquisite carvings, which often attracted the ministers to enjoy themselves. This place, with its pavilions, pavilions, corridors and verandas, was the first elegant house in Luoyang. From then on, Shangguan Wan'er and Cui Shi played and bathed together every day. Cui Shi's brothers Cui Li, Cui Ye, and Cui Di were all born with beautiful features and beautiful faces. Cui Shi led them into the palace one by one to meet Shangguan Wan'er. When Wan'er saw so many beautiful young men, she couldn't fall in love with them for a while. From then on, Shangguan Wan'er was always accompanied by the four Cui brothers when she walked, sat or lay down. Shangguan Wan'er often held banquets in the palace. In the middle of a beautiful woman, four young men sat, drinking, laughing, and composing poems. Later, when Cui Shi presided over the election, he made many mistakes and was impeached by the censor Li Shangyin. He was demoted to the Sima of another state for the crime. However, because Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Taiping appealed for him, he was still reinstated. In order to protect his lover Cui Shi, he was introduced to Princess Taiping by Wan'er.
In the fourth year of Jinglong's reign, the power became stronger and stronger, so Princess Taiping, whom Shangguan Wan'er had always been friends with, came in handy. In June, after Tang Zhongzong was poisoned by Empress Wei and Princess Anle, Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Taiping drafted a posthumous edict to make King Wen Li Chongmao the crown prince. Three days later, he ascended the throne as Emperor Shang of Tang Dynasty. Empress Wei knew the political affairs, and the Prime Minister Li Dan participated in the political affairs. In July, Linzi King Li Longji led Yulin soldiers into the palace and killed Queen Wei and her party members. And Li Longji was the imprisoned grandson of the emperor who Wan'er had protected and predicted that he would have the appearance of an emperor. Because he accidentally saw Wu Sansi and Wan'er having an affair in the courtyard, he made up his mind, "I will definitely kill this woman in the future." This is exactly the meaning of "I would rather be broken into pieces than destroyed." Knowing that Li Longji was leading the army, Wan'er knew that she was about to die soon, so she went out to greet them with a candle. After a long day of hard work, all the officers and soldiers were stunned to see such a beautiful and peaceful scene, especially since one of them had been killed. The woman gets the warmth here. Liu Youqiu softened his heart and said to Wan'er, please let me intercede on your behalf. Wan'er agreed without hesitation. After hearing this letter, Li Longji galloped from the command post, and the sound of horse hooves was particularly loud that night. He rushed into the hospital, only to see a sword inside Wan'er's body. Scenes of this woman who was like a fairy and a mother, exuding the radiance of motherly love, telling herself stories and caring for herself when she was a child appeared in front of her eyes. "I don't want you to die. Come back to life. I want to hear your story..." Then he yelled, "Who killed her? Didn't I say you wanted me to do it myself?" A soldier commanded the station. out. "It was the empress who snatched our swords. She said that King Linzi was coming, and hearing the sound of his horse's hooves eager to take my life, it was time for me to go.
"(This paragraph comes from Zhao Mei's novel)
Shangguan Wan'er is a talented woman in history. Her life can be described as a legend of ups and downs. Although she does not have the name of prime minister, she has the reality of being prime minister. Kaiyuan During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, in memory of Shangguan Wan'er's talent, he ordered the collection of her poems and essays into twenty volumes. Zhang Shuo wrote for her: "Listen with sensitivity, explore the micro-mirror, open the volume and accept it, just like hearing it before, shaking it." The pen clouds fly and form the same structure. In the ancient times, there were female historians who recorded meritorious deeds, and there were also female ministers who made decisions and made decisions. They were beautiful in both dynasties and in both dynasties. They were able to provide advice every day, and they responded as expected. Although they were called Ban Yuan in the Han Dynasty, they were praised as Zuo Yu in the Jin Dynasty. The way is not different, but the auxiliary effect is different. "This collection is lost today, and "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty" contains only thirty-two of his poems. In the Zhenyuan period, Lu Wen once wrote "Song of Shangguan Zhaorong's Library", and fragments of his literary life can still be seen. Shangguan Wan'er's role in the history of the Tang Dynasty She is a very attractive harem woman, and there are special records in the "Biography of the Concubines" in "Old Book of Tang" and "New Book of Tang"
Although Shangguan Wan'er also enjoyed all the glory for a time. With power, she still had to rely on the emperor, the queen, and the princess, and she still had to bow to them. I am afraid that only she knew the joys and sorrows of this. Later, she still did not escape her bad luck and became a victim of the struggle for imperial power.
Zhuo Wenjun
A native of Linqiong in the Western Han Dynasty, she was a talented woman in the Han Dynasty. She was beautiful and talented, good at playing the piano, and her family was wealthy.
Zhuo Wenjun was born with a good appearance and a wealthy family. She is smart and trustworthy, knowledgeable and well-versed in poetry. She is also good at music and has unparalleled piano skills.
She is the daughter of Prince Zhuo. After her husband died, many celebrities proposed to her. However, she fell in love with Sima Xiangru, a poor scholar who could play the piano and write poems. Zhuo Wenjun understood his talents and emotions and fell in love with her wholeheartedly. After Sima Xiangru's family had nothing, Zhuo Wenjun eloped with him. Sima Xiangru set up a wine shop and worked as the shopkeeper himself, while Wen Jun sold wine and Xiangru worked as a handyman. He was not afraid of ridicule. Prince Zhuo helped the two of them because of their reputation. From then on, Sima Xiangru finally became famous in the world. . The story of Wenjun running to Xiangru at night became popular among the people and was used as the basis for later novels and operas.
Sima Xiangru's literary talent and Wenjun's beauty made him prosperous while selling wine. Resentment, Nagato's spiritual poem; Feng Zen's posthumous letter has been passed down as an eternal legend. There is also the famous "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix" that has been passed down to the world: "The phoenix returns to its hometown, travels all over the world to seek its phoenix, and there is a beautiful girl here." Hall, the people in the room are poisonous to my intestines, why should I be handed over to a mandarin duck? "And Zhuo Wenjun's sad and angry "Baitou Yin": "Today's drinking party, the water in the ditch will start tomorrow, and the ditch will stop, and the ditch water will flow from east to west. Desolate and desolate, there is no need to cry when you get married. If you want to have the one you love, we will never be apart. Why is the rod curling, why are the fish migrating, men value loyalty, why do they use money and knives? ", and the sad "Farewell Book": "The spring flowers compete with each other, the five colors are exquisite, the piano is still in the palace, and the new sound replaces the old one! There are mandarin ducks in Jinshui, and water in Han Palace. These things are new, and people who lament the world are so greedy that they don’t realize it! The red string is broken, the bright mirror is missing, the morning dew is shining, the fragrance is resting, the old head is groaning, the pain is parting, try your best to eat more and don't miss the concubine, the golden water is soup, and we will say goodbye to you! "
Zhuo Wenjun, a beautiful and intelligent woman, good at poetry and prose, and good at playing the piano. What is sad is that at the age of seventeen, she became a widow in her natal family. One day during the dinner, just because Sima Xiangru was Zhuo Wenjun, who had admired Sima Xiangru's talent for a long time, fell in love at first sight with his passionate and bold confession of the song "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix". However, their love was strongly hindered by his father. With longing for love, determination to pursue happiness, and extraordinary courage, he resolutely escaped from Zhuo Mansion in the dark night and eloped with his beloved. Life was difficult, but the relationship between the two grew stronger. . This is also the most romantic night run in the love story that has been circulated to this day.