Du Kui

Historical Record

Du Kui, styled Gongliang, was a native of Henan. For his outstanding musical talent he was appointed Gentleman of Elegant Music (Yayue Lang). In the fifth year of Zhongping he resigned his office due to illness. As the age was one of turmoil, although he was summoned by the provincial and commandery authorities and by the Minister over the Masses, he chose to go to Jing Province and take refuge with Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province ^c:5726. Under Liu Biao, Du Kui worked with Meng Yao to perform elegant music for the Han Son of Heaven. When the elegant music was ready and Liu Biao wished to view it personally in his courtyard, Du Kui remonstrated: "Now you, General, are not assembling the music for the Son of Heaven, yet you perform it in the courtyard—is this not improper?" Liu Biao accepted his advice and canceled the courtyard viewing ^c:5726.

Later, when Liu Biao's son Liu Cong surrendered to Cao Cao, Du Kui also entered the ranks of Cao Wei. Cao Cao appointed him Libationer of the Army Council and had him take part in the affairs of the Grand Music office, charging him with creating elegant music ^c:5726. During the Huangchu era, Du Kui was promoted to Director of Grand Music and Commandant for Harmonizing Pitch. At that time there was a Han bell-casting artisan named Chai Yu, skilled in his craft and much esteemed by his contemporaries. Du Kui ordered Chai Yu to cast bronze bells, but the bells, once cast, were often out of standard in their clarity and pitch, and Du Kui repeatedly demanded they be destroyed and recast. Chai Yu was quite displeased, believing Du Kui's judgments of clarity and pitch were arbitrary, and so resisted Du Kui in many ways. Du Kui and Chai Yu each reported the matter to Cao Cao. Cao Cao personally examined the cast bells, and after repeated listening, finally concluded that Du Kui's judgment was accurate while Chai Yu was guilty of false claims. Thereupon Chai Yu and his sons and brothers were all punished and demoted to horse-grooms ^c:5728.

Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi, was rather fond of Chai Yu. On one occasion, Cao Pi ordered Du Kui and Zuo Yu and others to play the sheng and the zither before guests, but Du Kui showed reluctance, which displeased Cao Pi. Later, Cao Pi imprisoned Du Kui on some other pretext and had Zuo Yu and others learn from him. Du Kui, considering that what he had learned was the orthodox elegant music and that his official career had a proper foundation, still felt resentful in his heart. In the end he was dismissed from office and died in melancholy ^c:5728.

In the Novel

Romance of the Three Kingdoms gives no literary portrayal of Du Kui, so there is no specific episode or dialogue concerning him in the novel. The image of Du Kui found in the historical sources—an official of elegant music versed in the art of pitch and forthright in remonstrance—is not mentioned in the novel, and so no comparison can be made between it and history. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Du Kui is a figure unattested in the text.

Key Relationships

* Liu Biao's faction (serves): In the troubled times Du Kui took refuge with Liu Biao, Governor of Jing Province, and performed elegant music for him. He once bluntly remonstrated that Liu Biao should not privately view in his courtyard the elegant music prepared for the Son of Heaven, reflecting his insistence on ritual propriety ^c:5726.
* Cao Wei (serves): After Liu Cong surrendered to Cao, Du Kui entered Cao Cao's service, was appointed Libationer of the Army Council, and was charged with creating elegant music. During the Cao Wei period, he came into dispute with the bell-casting artisan Chai Yu over matters of pitch, and Cao Cao finally ruled Du Kui correct. However, his relationship with Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi, was not harmonious; his displeasure at a performance occasion provoked Cao Pi's displeasure, and he was ultimately dismissed ^c:5728.

Iconic Scenes

* Remonstrating to stop Liu Biao's courtyard viewing of elegant music: Du Kui assembled elegant music for Liu Biao, and when Liu Biao wished to view it in his courtyard, Du Kui bluntly remonstrated: "Now you, General, are not assembling the music for the Son of Heaven, yet you perform it in the courtyard—is this not improper?" Liu Biao accepted his advice ^c:5726. This scene displays Du Kui's deep understanding of and insistence on the system of rites and music.
* Disputing pitch with Chai Yu, and Cao Cao's ruling: During the Cao Wei period, Du Kui came into dispute with the artisan Chai Yu over the pitch of cast bells. After examining them personally, Cao Cao ruled that Du Kui's judgment was accurate and punished Chai Yu. This not only highlighted Du Kui's professional mastery of pitch but also reflected Cao Cao's regard for elegant music and his keen discernment ^c:5728.
* Provoking Cao Pi's displeasure by his attitude at a performance: Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi, once ordered Du Kui to play the sheng and zither before guests, but Du Kui showed reluctance, displeasing Cao Pi. This incident ultimately became one of the reasons for Du Kui's dismissal, reflecting his forthright character and his inability to flatter ^c:5728.