Act 12: Quarrel of the Favorites
Scene 13: Quarrel of the Powerful
[To the Tune "Autumn Fragrant Buds"]
(Deputy Chief, leading attendants, enters)
A wolf cub’s heart is hard to fathom—watch his arrogance swell, his raging roar. He bites the hand that feeds, spurns gratitude, arouses my ire. I must feign loyal counsel and report at court.
I, Yang Guozhong, rely on the right chancellor’s status abroad and the imperial consort’s favor at home. All court officials vie to flatter me—except that wretch An Lushan, who feigns folly while harboring cunning. Why does His Majesty cherish him so, granting him a prince’s title? He forgets I saved his life, insults me at every turn, and speaks with insolence! How hateful! I once memorialized that he harbors wolfish ambition and bears the look of a rebel, but the Emperor ignored me. Today at court, I must seize the moment to impeach him again—he must be dismissed for my peace of mind. Here I am at the palace gate. Withdraw! (Attendants exit. He hears shouting from offstage.) Ah, someone is shouting. Who can it be?
(An Lushan, leading attendants, enters)
[To the Tune "After the Jade Lotus"]
His favor secures the sovereign’s heart, but dark schemes lurk beneath.
Withdraw! (Attendants exit. An Lushan sees the Deputy Chief.) Greetings.
(Deputy Chief, laughing) Oh, it’s An Lushan!
(An Lushan) Old Yang, what are you calling me for?
(Deputy Chief) This is the Forbidden City—how dare you shout so loudly?
(An Lushan, posturing) Old Yang, look at me: the Emperor himself bestowed robes for me to wear, and I often ride his dragon steed when summoned. I receive secret decrees, attend court frequently, and linger late after reporting border affairs. As a prince, is a single shout so wrong? I even precede you, the Right Chancellor!
(Deputy Chief, sneering) Fine, fine—"not so wrong"! An Lushan, let me ask you: when did you start putting on such airs?
(An Lushan) I’ve always been this way.
(Deputy Chief) You should think back a bit!
(An Lushan) Think of what?
(Deputy Chief) Recall the day you came to see me—was that your manner then?
(An Lushan) That was then, this is now. Why bring it up?
(Deputy Chief) Alas, An Lushan,
[To the Tune "Wind Through Pines"]
You were a ghost escaped from the blade, guilt beyond redemption, kneeling at my steps in tearful plea. I sealed a memorial, wove clever schemes, and saved your wretched life.
(An Lushan) My pardon and reinstatement came from the Emperor’s grace. What has that to do with you?
(Deputy Chief) Fine! How cleanly you put it! Yet you’ve utterly buried your conscience. Gratitude and duty—all float away like duckweed on water.
(An Lushan) Bah, Yang Guozhong, do you know—
[To the Tune "Wind Through Pines"]
Glory and ruin meet by chance in this world? Don’t boast of your power over all ministers. You speak of my military blunders—remember the affair of Nanzhao? You glossed over defeat, stole credit for victory, and blamed floating clouds for obscuring the sun.
(Deputy Chief) The Sage Emperor sees all from above—who dares deceive him? Are you slandering the sovereign?
(An Lushan) You call that no deception? How many offices and titles have you sold for gold? You gorge on bribes, draining the people’s marrow.
(Deputy Chief) Silence! You speak of selling offices—tell me, where did your own wealth and rank come from? (Sneers)
(An Lushan) That’s not all. As an imperial kinsman, you practice deceit and treachery, bringing a thousand wrongs upon the state.
(Deputy Chief) Cease these slanders and baseless fabrications! (Grabs An Lushan) Let us go together and face His Majesty!
(An Lushan) Who fears you? Come, come! (They grapple and enter the court, prostrating themselves.)
(Deputy Chief) Your servant Yang Guozhong reports:
[To the Tune "Wind Through Pines"]
Lushan harbors treason—a dagger hid in his heart, a fool’s face masking cunning, treacherous as Shi Le howling at the eastern gate. He refuses to bow to the Crown Prince, insolent and unbridled—such rudeness cannot be tolerated in the sacred court. I beg Your Majesty to strip him of rank, banish the villain, and sever the root of calamity.
(An Lushan, prostrate) Your servant An Lushan reports:
[To the Tune "Wind Through Pines"]
Unworthy, I received Your Majesty’s high favor, which bred suspicion among the powerful. My folly offended the mighty, and I know I cannot be spared. (Weeps) O Sovereign, I fear isolation will trap me in their snare. My loyal heart, pure and true, only Your Majesty can see. Allow me to guard the frontier, to serve like a horse or dog with all my might.
(Voice from within) The imperial decree: Yang Guozhong and An Lushan have impeached each other, sowing discord between general and minister. They cannot serve together at court. Let An Lushan be appointed Military Governor of Fanyang and assume office by a fixed date. Give thanks.
(An Lushan and the Deputy Chief) Long live the Emperor! (They rise. An Lushan bows to the Deputy Chief.) Old Chancellor, I depart today. Spare me your reproaches for my arrogance. Within the palace gates, you may brandish your claws and fangs—I shall open my own headquarters and roam free.
(Deputy Chief sneers. An Lushan turns back as he leaves.) One more word: my command today, I suppose, owes something to your power to turn the tide and your guiding hand. (Raises his hand in farewell) Farewell. For now, I’ll watch your fates with a cold eye.
(Exits. Deputy Chief watches him go.) Ah—so this is how it ends!
[To the Tune "Wind Through Pines"]
How can my pent-up rage dissolve? I meant to crush his pride, but instead he gains the tally and axe of command, adding glory to his name. This farce invites mockery. Well, let Lushan go—may he stir up trouble, so my loyal warning is proved right! O Sovereign, O Sovereign, then you will regret this day!
Root out treachery—be resolute, never hesitate, (Zhou Tan)
Calamity brews within, yet no one sees. (Chu Sizong)
Valor unspent, I sigh in vain, (Xu Xuan)
Sweet words and sly plots—how can the infatuated understand! (Zheng Yu)