Diaochan

 

Diaochan  is  one of the four famous  ancient Chinese beauties.   The other three are Xishi, Wang Zhaojun and Yang Gui fei.    There is no historical records of Diaochan.   Her story was told in the well-known Chinese literary classics Romance of Three Kingdoms.

It was the time when the Han Dynasty fell apart and many warlords emerged and fought for power and held the Han emperors as puppet.   One of the warlords, Dong Zhuo, with the help of his god-son Lü Bu, a formidable  young warrior,  came into power.   The puppet emperor hated Dong and sought the help of Wang Yun ,  one of his courtiers , to dispose off Dong Zhuo.   Wang knew that Dong could not be touch with Lu Bu protecting him.  He came up with a scheme which involved his maid, Diaochan whom he treated like a daughter. 

Wang Yun invited Lu Bu to his residence and later  introduced him to Diaochan.   Lü Bu was captivated by her beauty and was very happy when Wang  offered to marry them in a few days.  The following day, he presented her to Dong Zhuo as a concubine instead.   Dong immediately left with Diaochan.    Wang complained to Lu Bu that Dong Zhuo has snatched away Diaochan.  Despite his anger, Lu Bu decided to let matter rest.

From then, Diaochan would seek every opportunity to create hostility between Dong and Lu bu.    She would complain of Lü's harassment before Dong, and her resentment of Dong for nabbing their love before Lü.  One day Dong Zhuo caught Lü Bu courting Diao Chan in his own backyard.   Enraged, he chase after Lü  and attempted to kill him. Lu fled in fear.  Dong later came to his sense and realised he needed  Lu as an ally to stay in power and hence sought reconciliation with Lu Bu.   But in the meantime, Wang has convinced Lu Bu to kill Dong Zhuo. They  staged a coup d'etat and killed Dong Zhuo.

Episodes from the Romance of Three Kingdoms was a subject quite commonly featured on Qing ceramics.  Below is one Qing Kangxi/Yongzheng blue and white saucer from the Ca mau shipwreck.