We know that palm reading, fortune telling, divination using words or oracle bones, and so on can predict the fate of a person. However, it is rare to hear that the fate of a person can be predicted through the rhythm of their music. This story took place during Emperor Dezong’s time in the Tang Dynasty.
Song Yan contributed two volumes of musical composition to the Emperor. After Emperor Dezong looked at the volumes, he was impressed and invited Song Yan to the palace. Both of them sat face to face and happily discussed his compositions. Musicians from the Xuanwei court and the palace were also called in to participate in the discussion.
A few days later, a performance was held during which the musicians played. At the end of the performance, the emperor asked Song Yan: “What are the strengths and weaknesses of their performance this time?” Song Yan kept quiet and did not say a thing. Some of the musicians laughed at Song Yan and even ridiculed him.
Song Yan accuses musicians
This made Song Yan angry and he then answered the emperor in a serious tone: “Although the musicians performed well, it is not appropriate for some of them to perform again.”
Emperor Dezong was curious and asked: “Who are the musicians?” Song Yan pointed to a pipa player and said: “This person has committed a serious crime that is unethical and cannot be forgiven. He will be facing the law soon, therefore, it is not appropriate for him to perform in front of the emperor.”
Song Yan then pointed to another musician who played the flute and said: “This person’s soul has already left his body and is now wandering in a cemetery. Such a person cannot serve the emperor.” On hearing this, Emperor Dezong was shocked and ordered his men to monitor these two.
Not long afterward, someone lodged a case with the authorities against the musician who played the pipa. According to the case, his father hanged himself for no reason and this was about six to seven years ago. The man was arrested and put on trial. He finally pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to death. The musician who played the flute died after losing his appetite for more than 10 days and was consumed with worry.
After these incidents, Emperor Dezong respected Song Yan even more and conferred titles on him. He invited Song Yan to the palace many times. Each time the emperor asked Song Yan to check on the performance of the musicians, there was a lot of uneasiness among them and they kept quiet and dared not look at Song Yan. On seeing this situation, Song Yan was afraid that disaster might befall him. Finally, he retired due to physical illness.
Translated by Chua BC and edited by Helen
