19th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, play, primary source, Qing dynasty, quotes, stories
During the Guangxu Emperor’s reign (1875-1908), the actor Liu Gansan 劉趕三 (1817-94), was acting the part of a bawd when he managed to crack a joke at the expense of three imperial princes who were in the audience. At the time prostitutes were called by their...