Daily Chit-Chat

Longmenzhen is a form of folk cultural activity in China. It is said to have gotten its name from the battle formation deployed by Xue Rengui during his eastern expedition in the Tang Dynasty. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, folk performers throughout Sichuan have been fond of telling the story of Xue and his formation, with its twists and turns, strange happenings, and unpredictable changes. Over time, "Longmenzhen" became a term in its own right, referring specifically to discussions that are varied, intricate, dramatic, and endlessly entertaining. Today, "chatting" or "shooting the breeze" is generally what people mean by "bai Longmenzhen," a dialect expression used in Chongqing, Chengdu, and the Sichuan region.