Between Ink and Rebellion: The Life of Zheng Banqiao

Today, we’ll tell the story of Zheng Banqiao, a legendary artist and poet known for his humor and unique life philosophy. He used his wit and creativity to inspire generations, demonstrating that a heart full of passion for life can transcend challenges and leave a lasting legacy.

Transcript

Between Ink and Rebellion: The Life of Zheng Banqiao

Today, we’ll tell the story of Zheng Banqiao, a legendary artist and poet known for his humor and unique life philosophy. He used his wit and creativity to inspire generations, demonstrating that a heart full of passion for life can transcend challenges and leave a lasting legacy.

In the long course of Chinese history, there are some individuals whose names shine like brilliant stars, radiating wisdom and talent. And Zheng Banqiao is indeed one such figure. To commemorate his legacy, the new Yangzhou opera Zheng Banqiao opened on February 10 at the Yangzhou Grand Canal Theater in Jiangsu Province. This new adaptation is a landmark historical drama of the new era, blending historical facts with fictional elements. Although the plot is episodic, it is unified in spirit, vividly portraying Zheng Banqiao’s character through several witty yet profound stories. The opera presents Zheng Banqiao as a figure who maintains integrity by refusing to flatter those in power while showing deep compassion for the common people.

Moreover, the opera skillfully depicts conflicts between officialdom and the grassroots level of society, as well as contradictions between noble ideals and harsh reality. These juxtaposed elements help to captivate the audience and immerse them in the performance while evoking emotional highs and lows as they follow the characters’ fates. The audience is both moved and inspired, making Zheng Banqiao a compelling theatrical experience.

Now, let’s get to know more about this inspiring individual upon whom the opera is based. Zheng Banqiao rose from being a humble bricklayer to becoming a renowned painting master, and his legendary journey not only amazes but also conveys a powerful message of positivity, which is “With effort, anyone can achieve success against the odds.”

Zheng Banqiao was born in 1693 in a modest family in Xinghua, east China’s Jiangsu Province. His father was a minor official, and the family’s financial situation was not prosperous. To make a living, Zheng Banqiao worked as an apprentice at a local bricklayer’s shop, spending days making bricks and plastering walls. Despite the exhausting nature of this job, he never gave up on his passion for calligraphy and painting. This experience laid a solid foundation for his later artistic creations, and the spirit of craftsmanship became his lifelong motto.

The turning point in Zheng Banqiao’s life came in his twenties. In pursuit of his artistic dreams, he began to travel widely, seeking out renowned masters and dedicating himself to the study of calligraphy and painting. During this period, his talents were gradually recognized by others as his paintings combined a bold spirit with delicate emotions, showcasing a unique artistic style.

Once, after drinking himself into a drunken stupor at a banquet, Zheng Banqiao wrote the line, “I am a little bird”. Though the handwriting was sloppy, a famous calligrapher saw his potential and offered him guidance, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his artistic career. Zheng later said wistfully, “In my life, I am truly a talent who became famous through a drunken stroke!” 

In 1731, after numerous attempts, Zheng Banqiao finally passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, the highest degree awarded in the ancient imperial examinations, thus starting his career as a government official. In 1742, he was appointed as the magistrate of Fanxian County in Shandong Province. Fanxian County, located on the north bank of the Yellow River, had a large population but a small county town. While in office, Zheng Banqiao upheld principles of integrity and fairness, maintaining a policy that states “no bribes in the room, no documents left on the desk,” thus he was diligently managing government affairs. He frequently went undercover to visit the people and learn of their hardships, always doing his best to help.

As a county magistrate, Zheng Banqiao was known for his innovative and fair judgments. On one occasion, a wealthy man sued a poor farmer for accidentally damaging his property. Instead of imposing a heavy fine, Zheng ordered the farmer to work for the wealthy man for a month. However, he secretly instructed the farmer to do the work poorly. Frustrated, the wealthy man soon begged Zheng to release the farmer, realizing that the punishment was more trouble than it was worth. Zheng used this clever approach to teach the wealthy man a lesson about compassion and humility.

In 1746, Zheng Banqiao was transferred to be the magistrate of Weixian County in Shandong. That year, a famine struck, with drought followed by floods one after another, leading to widespread hunger. Facing this severe situation, Zheng Banqiao had the official granaries opened to distribute grain and relieve the suffering of the people. He ordered wealthy families to take turns providing porridge to feed the starving, and he set an example by donating his own salary. Some advised him to proceed cautiously and wait for approval from his superiors before acting, but he firmly responded, “There’s no time! If I wait for upper-level approval, how will the people survive? If I am punished, I will bear the consequences.” His bold actions saved countless lives, but they also angered his superiors and local elites, leading to his eventual dismissal from office.

While serving as magistrate of Weixian, Zheng Banqiao carved a seal with an inscription expressing his resolve: “I wish I could repay the famine debts across the world.” He also wrote a poem on a painting he gave to the circuit governor:

“In the magistrate’s study, I lie listening to the rustling bamboo,
Wondering if it is the sound of the people’s suffering.
We, the petty officials of this county,
Every branch, every leaf, carries our concern.”

This reflected his deep empathy for the hardships of the common people. When Zheng Banqiao left his post, the people came in droves to bid him farewell. He served as magistrate for 12 years, and throughout his tenure, he maintained an unwavering commitment to honesty and fairness.

Zheng Banqiao’s achievements in painting and calligraphy were also unparalleled. His paintings, primarily featuring flowers, birds, and landscapes, were particularly known for their vivid and lifelike depictions of bamboo. His bamboo paintings seemed to come alive, as if the bamboo itself was telling its story. Some said that Zheng Banqiao’s bamboo resembled his own life – unyielding and reaching ever upward. His famous line, “Biting down on the green mountain and never letting go, its roots lie deep in the crumbling rocks,” not only showed his love for bamboo but also reflected his life philosophy: no matter the difficulty, one must remain steadfast and move forward with courage.

In addition to his bamboo paintings, Zheng Banqiao’s calligraphy was also unique. His characters were bold and powerful, exuding a free-spirited aura, as if proclaiming, “I am who I am; even a bricklayer can write a legend!” He often incorporated humorous lines into his works, bringing a smile to the viewer. For example, next to one of his paintings, he wrote, “A heart of ice in a jade pot, why worry about fame and fortune?” This line comes from his poem "Bamboo and Rock. "A heart of ice" symbolizes a pure and untainted mind, free from corruption or selfish desires. "A jade pot" represents a noble and refined character. Together, the phrase conveys that no matter how the external world might change and no matter what challenges may arise, Zheng Banqiao advises us to maintain a heart as pure as ice that is steadfast in its moral principles. It not only showcases his distinctive artistic style but also embodies his open-minded approach to life.

Zheng Banqiao was also a poet, known for his unique style that often used humor to express his observations of society and reflections on life. He wrote, “Everything in the world can be painted, but life is the hardest to depict.” This line continues to resonate with countless people today. Zheng was not only an outstanding artist but also a humorous and witty person. He would use humor to diffuse awkward situations and make people laugh even in serious settings.

Once, while walking on the street, he encountered a vendor selling fans. The fans had rough, crude landscape paintings on them. Upon seeing them, Zheng Banqiao found the paintings unbearable and said to the vendor, “The paintings on these fans are so poor, let me help you fix them.” The vendor, skeptical, handed him a fan. Zheng took the brush and, with just a few strokes, created a beautiful landscape. The vendor stood in awe and quickly thanked him. Zheng Banqiao smiled and said, “No need to thank me. I just wanted your fans to sell better.”

On another occasion, Zheng Banqiao was visiting a friend’s house, and the friend asked him to paint a picture. Zheng happily agreed but asked for a good pot of wine. The friend complied, and Zheng began painting while drinking. After a few drinks, he suddenly paused and said to his friend, “This painting is still missing something. Let me have a few more drinks.” Reluctantly, the friend continued to refill his cup. In the end, Zheng Banqiao was quite drunk, and the painting was finished. When the friend looked at it, the bamboo in the painting appeared lifelike, swaying in the wind, and he couldn’t help but marvel. Zheng Banqiao, however, smiled and said, “This painting was done while I was drunk. Once I sober up, I probably won’t be able to paint it again.”

In 1752, Zheng Banqiao moved back to his hometown to spend his twilight years. He passed away in 1765, but his artistic achievements and life philosophy have had a profound influence on later generations. His works are still regarded as classics today, and many calligraphy and painting enthusiasts look up to him as a role model, learning from both his skills and his spirit. His life philosophy has also become a goal for modern people to strive for: no matter where you are, always maintain a heart that loves life.

There is a memorial hall in the city of Weifang, Shandong Province where he spent seven years as its magistrate. Today, he is best remembered as one of the so-called “Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou,” a group of artists who defied convention and embraced individuality in their work. Zheng Banqiao’s life and legacy are a testament to the power of creativity, integrity, and resilience, making him one of China’s most beloved cultural icons.

Well, that’s the end of our podcast. Our theme music is by the famous film score composer Roc Chen. We want to thank our writer Lü Weitao, translator Wang Yuyan, and copy editor Pu Ren. And thank you for listening. We hope you enjoyed it, and if you did, please tell a friend so they, too, can understand The Context.