警世通言

In the waning glow of a mid‑autumn night, the renowned qin master Bo Ya drifts down the river after a long diplomatic mission. A sudden gust snaps a string, and the lone melody is interrupted by a mysterious voice from the cliffs—a humble woodcutter who claims to have heard his playing. Intrigued and wary, Bo Ya invites the stranger aboard, setting the stage for an unexpected encounter on the quiet waters.

The woodcutter, surprisingly versed in the ancient theory of the qin, answers Bo Ya’s probing questions about the instrument’s origin, construction, and the emotions it can convey. Their exchange quickly moves beyond scholarly trivia; each note and comment reveals a deep, unspoken understanding. Bo Ya recognizes in the stranger a rare kind of “zhiyin” — a true confidant who can hear the heart behind the music. Their budding friendship hints at the timeless bond between a master and his perfect listener, a theme that resonates through the ages.