Scene 17: The Encirclement
Scene 17: The Encirclement Hunt
(Four barbarian generals enter: the Outer Role, the Minor Role, the Secondary Role, and the Young Man.)
Outer Role: A three-foot machete of steel gleams with snowy light.
Minor Role: At my waist hangs a crescent horn-bow, already drawn taut.
Secondary Role: Drunk on grape wine, my blood is as red as rouge.
Young Man: My sable cap is adorned with flowers, my brocade robes more splendid still.
Outer Role: I am He Qiannian, General of the Eastern Route at Fanyang Garrison.
Minor Role: I am Cui Ganyou, General of the Western Route at Fanyang Garrison.
Secondary Role: I am Gao Xiuyan, General of the Southern Route at Dangyang Garrison.
Young Man: I am Shi Siming, General of the Northern Route at Fanyang Garrison.
(They bow to each other.) Greetings. Yesterday we received the Prince’s command to assemble, so we have come together to wait before his tent. No sooner said than the Prince is holding court.
(Drums and horns sound from within.)
(The Painted Face enters in military attire, leading barbarian women and soldiers.)
Yue Diao • Zi Hua Bo Si: Commanding fierce troops, I hold the border strong; my eyes pierce through barbarian and Han lands; the realm rests in the palm of my hand. First, I deploy the claws and fangs around me.
I, An Lushan, have long harbored great ambitions and secretly nurtured rebellious schemes. Only because I have long served at court, enfeoffed as the Prince of Dongping, enjoying unparalleled favor—my wealth and rank have reached their peak, and I was content. But I detest that Yang Guozhong, who is at odds with me, and has had me sent out of the capital to guard Fanyang. Fortunately, I have escaped the cage, and now I can secretly plot great deeds. My domain originally governed thirty-two routes of generals, both barbarian and Han. But their dispositions vary, and they are hard to trust as confidants. Therefore, I petitioned to replace them all with barbarian generals. Now, every commander, great and small, is of my own tribe. (Laughs.) I act as I please, with nothing to fear. Yesterday I summoned them all to the tent; they should all be present now.
(The generals enter and pay respects.) The thirty-two route generals pay homage.
Painted Face: Generals, no need for ceremony.
Generals: May we ask the Prince why we have been summoned? What are your orders?
Painted Face: Generals, now that autumn is high and the horses are strong, it is the perfect time to practice martial arts. I have specially called you to join me on the sandy plains for a great encircling hunt and contest of skill. How splendid!
Generals: We obey your command.
Painted Face: Then mount your horses and let us go.
(They all mime mounting horses.)
Painted Face:
Hu Bo Si Fan: Lightly I gather the purple reins,
All: Lightly we gather the purple reins, vault onto our horses, and press down the red tassels of our helmets. (They advance.) The banner shadows flow like clouds, startling dragons and serpents, piercing straight to the heavens. We deploy the Nine Links formation according to the Mystic Gate, fixing our eyes on the tiny Central Plains before us, which hardly requires such a host of fierce barbarian troops.
(The generals stand in four directions. The Painted Face points and gestures.) This one is robust in build, that one in sturdy armor; this one is coarse, tall, with curly hair and a hooked nose; that one is ferocious, with eagle eyes and a beard; this one can draw his bow to a full moon in an instant; that one can make his hammer whirl like a falling star; this one’s spear flashes with a clatter and crackle; that one’s sword rains down with a howl and hiss. Truly, like tigers leaving the mountain stream, they display the might of the Heavenly Khan! (They advance.)
All: Shaking the army’s might, the drums thunder, shattering souls and breaking courage; arraying the battle lines, the horns drone on and on, men swift and horses at ease. This rivals thunder and lightning, like the sea boiling and rivers overturning. Even with walls of bronze and ramparts of iron, what fortified pass could not be breached?
Painted Face: This place is open, with flat sandy ground. Let us set up the hunting grounds and shoot for a while.
(The Painted Face stands on high with the barbarian women. The generals spread out the hunting grounds and gallop offstage.)
Painted Face: Set the hunting grounds here, here; close in from all sides, press together. Horses’ hooves gallop like a whirlwind, bows drawn tight, strings plucked fast. In a moment, hares and deer scurry headless across the sandy field, unable to move, crouching and huddling on the ground.
(The generals return onstage, having shot birds and beasts.)
Painted Face: Release the hawks and hounds!
(The generals comply, release hawks and hounds, and gallop offstage.)
Painted Face: Aiya! Swiftly, the jade-taloned hawks are loosed, their wings brushing the sky; the golden-haired hounds, their paws treading the mist, intercept along the road. In an instant, the game piles up like a mountain.
(The generals return onstage, presenting their prey.) We report to the Prince: the generals present their catch.
Painted Face: Distribute the birds and beasts among the soldiers. Let us rest the men and horses on this high slope. Everyone, roast meat and warm wine! Let the barbarian women sing and dance. Let us enjoy ourselves!
Generals: We obey!
(They all sit on the ground. A barbarian woman offers wine to the Painted Face. The generals mime drawing their swords, cutting meat, and pouring wine from leather flasks, eating and drinking heartily. The barbarian women play the pipa and the hunbushi; the others beat the Taiping drum.)
All: Fill the cheese brew, brimming the golden cups, brimming the golden cups. Further, we devour the raw, bloody meat, laughing as we embrace the ruddy-cheeked barbarian women, strumming the pipa with a te-leng-leng, singing a new tune: "Bodhisattva Barbarian."
(The Painted Face rises.) We have eaten and drunk a while—drunk with wine and full of meat. The day is late. Let each general return to his post. Sharpen your weapons, drill your cavalry, and await my orders.
Generals: We obey!
(They all mime mounting horses, blowing conch shells, tipping their caps, and waving their hands as they gallop in a circle.)
Hearing the command, we swiftly vault into our embroidered saddles, tipping our caps and waving our hands lightly. Each returns to his own post, guarding the border lands and frontiers. Set up the banners, fit the spokes, and await the summons to wield our ferocity. Heaven sends down ruin; earth stirs up waves. Gazing toward Yuyang, one flying arrow races to the war altar, awaiting your choice, O loyal-hearted general.
(The generals exit.)
Painted Face: See how every barbarian general is strong in men and horses. It is clear that my wings have grown. (Laughs.) Emperor of Tang! Emperor of Tang! How can you withstand this?
Sha Wei: Without informing, I first removed those Han officials who hampered me; secretly, I added these barbarian lads to aid my arm. Before the "Rainbow Robe" melody at the Huaqing Palace feast has ended, you shall see me, the fierce general of Yuyang, raise rebellion with drum and battle cry!
The six barbarian tribes from the border don their war-saddles, (Xue Feng)
War-horses idly neigh as the Han land stretches wide. (Liu Yuxi)
Suddenly, they rise on the wind, sprouting wings and feathers, (Luo Binwang)
On mountains and rivers, the dragon wars drench the land in blood. (Hu Cao)