Li Yannian (musician)
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Li Yannian (Chinese: 李延年; pinyin: Lǐ Yánnián; died 90 BC) was a Chinese musician during the Han dynasty. He became a court musician during Emperor Wu's reign, but was eventually executed for treason.
His wrote the song Jiaren Qu (literally: The Beauty Song), describing a lady with exceptional beauty. Upon hearing this song, the Emperor did not believe there could be such a woman on earth, but his sister Princess Pingyang mentioned Li has a younger sister who could match the description, so Emperor Wu took Li's sister Li Furen as a concubine. Li Yannian himself allegedly was homosexual. When Emperor re-established the Imperial Music Bureau, Li Yannian was appointed a musician in the court. Li Yannian's brother Li Guangli also became a general in the Han armies.
Jiarenqu (佳人曲, The Beauty Song) Book of the Later Han 67:34[1]
- 北方有佳人, There is a beauty in the north,
- 絕世而獨立. who stands out among the generations.
- 一顧傾人城, One look will topple the men of the city.
- 再顧傾人國. A second look will topple the men of the country.
- 寧不知傾城與傾國. I would rather not know about toppled cities and toppled countries,
- 佳人難再得. because a beauty of this caliber may not come around again!