The Drunkard

The Drunkard is a zither composition by Ruan Ji, a famous writer and musician during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). It deals with the wild antics of the drunken Ruan Ji in order to keep away from the politics, and is full of hidden meaning. The tune's clear cadences portray the drunkard's unsteady steps and his befuddled state, to reveal his troubled mind.

It is said that Ruan Ji was a righthearted man and looked down upon snoblings. Sima Zhao, the then ruler, asked someone to propose to Ruan Ji's son. Ruan Ji kept drinking for 60 days and got drunk to slide over the person. The Drunkard was created in such a situation.