The Rise of a Literary Genius in the Han Dynasty

Sima Xiangru (179–117 BCE), styled Changqing, emerged as one of the most celebrated literary figures of Emperor Wu of Han’s reign, earning equal fame with the grand historian Sima Qian as one of the “Two Simas of Western Han.” Born into wealth in Chengdu, his parents initially named him “Quanzi” (Dog Child)—a superstitious practice to ward off misfortune—before he adopted his illustrious name out of admiration for the Warring States diplomat Lin Xiangru.

His privileged background allowed him to purchase a position as a “Lang” (court attendant) under Emperor Jing, though he despised his military post as a cavalry officer. The emperor’s indifference to fu poetry—Sima’s passion—drove him to resign after befriending renowned poets like Zou Yang and Mei Sheng in the court of Prince Xiao of Liang. There, he composed his masterpiece Zixu Fu, establishing his literary reputation.

The Calculated Romance of a Lifetime

After Prince Xiao’s death in 144 BCE, Sima returned to poverty in Chengdu—a puzzling detail given his earlier wealth. His fortunes changed when Wang Ji, magistrate of Linqiong (modern Qionglai), invited him to the county. What followed was an elaborate performance: Wang’s exaggerated deference and Sima’s aloofness piqued the curiosity of local tycoons, especially iron magnate Zhuo Wangsun, the empire’s wealthiest merchant.

At a banquet hosted by Zhuo, Sima initially refused to attend until Wang personally escorted him. His striking appearance and refined manners captivated guests, including Zhuo’s recently widowed daughter, Wenjun. Sima sealed his courtship by playing qin melodies—exploiting Wenjun’s love for music—while feigning disinterest. The Shiji and Hanshu subtly reveal this as a staged “seduction by zither” (qin tiao), with the character miu (feigned) hinting at deception.

Scandal and Social Upheaval

The couple’s elopement to Chengdu exposed Sima’s “bare walls” poverty, prompting Wenjun—unaccustomed to hardship—to propose returning to Linqiong. Their subsequent tavern venture, with Wenjun serving drinks and Sima washing dishes in an apron, humiliated Zhuo Wangsun. Facing social ridicule, the magnate relented, granting them 1 million coins and 100 servants. The couple promptly abandoned their business, becoming landed gentry in Chengdu.

Unmasking the Legend

This iconic love story masks troubling questions:
1. Premeditation: Sima’s knowledge of Zhuo’s wealth, Wenjun’s musical inclinations, and his own financial limitations suggest the “romance” was a calculated scheme.
2. Motives: While Xijing Zaji describes Wenjun as beautiful, primary sources imply Sima targeted both her and her father’s fortune.
3. Cultural Impact: The tale became a template for later scholar-beauty romances, obscuring its mercenary undertones with poetic idealism.

Legacy: Between Romance and Reality

Sima’s later career as a court poet—including composing Shanglin Fu for Emperor Wu—couldn’t erase the ambiguities of his marriage. The story endures as both a cultural touchstone and a case study in Han-dynasty social mobility, where talent, ambition, and opportunism intertwined. Modern reassessments, like historian Wang Liqun’s critique, highlight the episode’s darker implications: a brilliant mind deploying literary charm for material gain, wrapped in the enduring allure of a love story for the ages.

The enduring paradox? A romance celebrated for two millennia may be history’s most elegantly executed con—one that continues to resonate precisely because it lets us believe, against evidence, in the purity of artistic passion.