Wang Zhaojun, Wang Zhaojun, Why Do Your Tears Fall So Freely?

In the thirteenth year of the Nanjing era, the civil sphere flourishes while the military declines.

The Qi army has guarded the northern frontier for ten years. Though it has repeatedly repelled the Yelu cavalry and held firm against their southward advance across the desert, the imperial court pays tribute year after year, hoping to buy a brief respite.

But the court's pens and papers prove deadlier than the blades beyond the border.

As factions at court tear each other apart, an imperial edict replaces the commander in the midst of battle. The frontier army descends into chaos, and a force of battle-hardened soldiers is routed in a single day.

The northern horsemen break through the passes and ride south, setting the northern frontier ablaze.

With the Yelu tribes at the city gates, they loudly demand Qi Hong's head, threatening to march straight for the capital if their demand is refused.

The entire court is terrified.

An expertly forged edict deceives a loyal hero. Qi Hong is framed and killed, and his head is sent to the enemy camp.

The two sons of the Qi family, Qi Yunzhao and Qi Yunyan, are handed over as tribute to their enemies, the Yelu tribe.

Once scions of nobility, they become prisoners overnight, fallen into enemy hands.

The northern wind sweeps the barbarian sands, while every note of the pipa stirs tears.

Zhaojun, Zhaojun, why do your tears stream down?