Han Zigao
When Emperor Wen of Chen ascended the throne, he brought a poor youth to court with him, Han Zigao, who served as his personal attendant. This intimacy gradually evolved into a romantic relationship.
Author’s Note
A warm welcome to all my new followers and subscribers. The poem that follows is part of a series dedicated to highlight queer love through the ages.
BACKGROUND
Jiankang, China, 559 CE
When Emperor Wen of Chen ascended the throne at the age of 37 he brought a poor youth to court with him. His name was Han Zigao and he was known for his beauty and grace. He served the emperor as his personal attendant, even helping him bathe. This intimacy gradually evolved into a romantic relationship.
While at court, Zigao learned riding and shooting skills, proving himself to be loyal and capable. Over time, this prompted the emperor to make him a commander. After several successful military campaigns, he promoted him to general of the Right Guard at his palace. From then on, the emperor and Zigao spent all of their time together, until the emperor’s death in 566 CE. Rivals of Zigao wasted no time in forcing him out of the imperial court and compelling him to commit suicide.
Han Zigao
I was Wen of Chen,
the emperor who gazed into your moonlit eyes
and saw reflections of your soul laid bare.
You bathed me once in waters warm
where gentle hands and burning thoughts
would one day yield a deeper bond.
I brought you into my court,
wrapped you in silken robes
and gave you rank,
trusting you in blood and sword—
that we might find each other
on the battlefield,
where glory crowned us
and dreams endured.
Until the day my strength began to fade,
and crows appeared
circling above my tired frame.
You came —with armor and with tears—
to shield me and defend me.
Alas, I was already riding the dragon
that would bear me
to the Celestial Realm.
At once,
our foes replaced me,
banished you,
and forced you to take the blade.
You bowed your head,
no plea, no outcry,
and walked alone to meet your fate.
Perhaps you knew,
our tale, our dream, our love,
would never die.
DCW
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Hi Ray. Thank you for your comment. Is your fantasy story in your Substack? Incidentally, I wrote a poem about the cut sleeve tale which will appear in a book of illustrated poetry soon to be published.
Thank you for another romantic poem. My fantasy story "Pingqinwang Prince" was based on Wen of Chen, the romance of the cut silk sleeve and similar stories.