Zhangshiguan
长史官
“The Prince's Errand”
His Story
Chamberlain of the Prince of Zhongshun’s household, and unnamed in the novel — the office stands in for the man. In Chapter 33 he calls at the Jia mansion and, past Jia Zheng, questions Baoyu directly about the actor Jiang Yuhan, who has left the prince’s service. When Baoyu denies knowing him, the chamberlain names the crimson sash at Baoyu’s waist. Baoyu gives up the address. The visit is the first of the two blows that end with Jia Zheng beating his son nearly to death.
In Xiang Li's Hands
Court cap with flat wings, blue-grey robes, a gold rank panel, one hand thrust out flat at someone off the sheet. The only heat anywhere is a slab of red laid across his arm and lap. Given the errand, that red is hard not to read as the sash.
The Calligraphy
The inscription is 忠顺府长史 — the household he serves and the post he holds, with no personal name, which is precisely how the novel treats him.
Connections
- Jia Baoyu 贾宝玉 — questioned, caught out, and made to give up the address.
- Jiang Yuhan 蒋玉菡 — the actor he has come to reclaim.
- Jia Zheng 贾政 — receives him, and beats Baoyu once he has gone.
Others of the same kind · official / noble / royal Qin Zhong 秦钟 · Jia Yucun 贾雨村 · Bei Jing Wang 北静王 · Leng Zixing 冷子兴 · Zhang Rugui 张如圭 · Menzi 门子 · Xiping Junwang 西平郡王 · Nan'an Taifei 南安太妃 · Feng Ziying 冯紫英 · Sun Shaozu 孙绍祖 · Yun Guang 云光 · Fu Shi 傅试 · Fu Qiufang 傅秋芳 · Li Yanei 李衙内 and 9 more
Dream of the Red Chamber
Xiang Li painted all 413 characters of the novel between 1975 and 1985, the first person to complete the entire cast. See the whole collection · Chinese Empresses
