Qin and Han · Musician and Court Jester

You Zhan 優旃

Attested BC 221 - BC 210

Passages: 6
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

You Zhan was a Musician and Court Jester.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 221 to BC 210 秦始皇時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 91, 93

Career and standing

dwarf entertainer of Qin 秦倡侏儒
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 92

Places and affiliations

Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 91-92

Learning and skills

Skill witty remarks aligned with the greater Way 善為笑言，然合於大道 · Level renowned
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passage 93

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode quotation Speaker You Zhan (優旃)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 94, 96, 98, 100-101

Events and relationships

Pitied the rain soaked step guards and coached them to answer his call
Political · Remonstrant
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 94, 96

Assessments and attributes

a dwarf, short of stature
Physical description
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 126, passages 92, 101

References in the histories

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 126Biographies of Jesters · 6 passages

其後二百餘年，秦有優旃。 More than two hundred years after this, there arose in Qin a jester called You Zhan.

優旃者，秦倡侏儒也。 You Zhan was a dwarf entertainer in the court of Qin.

優旃見而哀之，謂之曰：「汝欲休乎？」 You Zhan saw their misery and felt pity for them. He called out: "Would you like a rest?"

優旃曰：「我即呼汝，汝疾應曰諾。」 You Zhan said: "When I call out to you, answer 'Aye!' as quick as you can."

優旃臨檻大呼曰：「陛楯郎！」 You Zhan leaned over the balustrade and bellowed: "Gentlemen of the guard!"

優旃曰：「汝雖長，何益，幸雨立。 You Zhan called out: "Tall as you are, what good does it do you? You get the privilege of standing in the rain.