Scene 22: Lodging on the Journey

Scene 22: Journey Lodging

(Liu Mengmei enters with an umbrella and a bundle, looking ill.)

A man leaves home on a distant journey; a bird abandons its nest. (Sound of wind from offstage) The sky is filled with wind and snow, stirring my heart into turmoil, like a restless dream. These past days, my spirit has been weak, struck down by the bitter cold. “Setting out from Xiangshan Ao with my bundled luggage, a small boat from Sanshui reaches the shore and sets sail. Wanting to send my homesick heart through the cold year’s end, I break only a plum branch south of Lingnan.” I, Liu Mengmei, bid farewell in autumn to my elder cousin, delayed by farewell feasts from relatives and friends. Leaving the boat and crossing the mountains, it was already deep winter. I never expected the wind and snow of northern Lingnan to be so severe, and I caught a chill, yet I have no heart to turn back in disappointment. In the swirling snow, I see Nan’an ahead. How bitter this is!

(Liu Mengmei, to the tune “Shanpo Yang”)

Branches intertwine in crisscross patterns; hungry hawks cry out in alarm. The mountain range stretches far and long; my sick soul dangles in lonely suspense. My tattered headcloth is battered by hailstones and pierced by the cold wind; my thin clothes cannot ward off the chill; the umbrella rustles noisily in the gust. The narrow path cuts diagonally—in haste, I cannot find an inn to rest. Snow, why do you torment this pale-faced scholar so? Ice blocks the bridge, and my steps stumble unevenly. Ah, there is a willow tree—let it reward my crossing. In this convenient spot, the willow bends its trunk. (He leans on the willow to cross the bridge.) In vain the wind howls; my life hangs on this withered willow. How strange—the slippery sand makes me fall. (He falls.)

(Chen Zuiliang enters, to the tune “Bubu Jiao”)

I am a man lying in the snow, free from worry. Riding a donkey, I laugh to myself, knowing in my heart I have reached the Fifth Bridge. There, in the new year, a village school will offer vegetarian meals! (Liu Mengmei groans.) (Chen Zuiliang) Why is there such a loud sound of complaint? (He looks.) Ah, what is this—a broken kiln south of the city wall, spitting out a thin, shivering man? (Liu Mengmei) Help, help! (Chen Zuiliang) I, Chen Zuiliang, came here through the bitter cold to find a teaching post. By luck, I encounter this man hanging in midair—let me leave him be. (Liu Mengmei calls again.) Help! (Chen Zuiliang) Hearing him cry for help, any place is good for doing a good deed. Let me ask him. (He asks.) What kind of man are you, to have fallen here? (Liu Mengmei) I am a scholar. (Chen Zuiliang) If you are truly a scholar, let me help you up. (Chen Zuiliang helps Liu Mengmei, and they both fall, joking.) (Chen Zuiliang) May I ask where you have come from?

(Liu Mengmei, to the tune “Fengru Song”)

From Wuyang City, I crossed on a small boat through Nanshao; I, Liu Mengmei, have come to offer a treasure. (Chen Zuiliang) What treasure? (Liu Mengmei) I journeyed alone to the capital for the examinations; braving the cold without enough bedding or clothing, I fell ill. Who would have thought I’d tarry on this broken bridge and creek path, nearly breaking my Liu’s waist? (Chen Zuiliang) You must have judged yourself worthy of passing to endure such hardship. (Liu Mengmei) To tell you the truth, sir, I am a pillar that holds up the sky, a beam that bridges the sea. (Chen Zuiliang laughs.) Then how did you freeze and break that sky-holding pillar, and knock down that golden beam? Enough of that. I have some knowledge of medicine. Nearby is a Plum Blossom Convent; you can rest and recuperate there for a while, and set out again after the new year.

(Chen Zuiliang, to the same tune “Qian Qiang”)

Like Weisheng who clung to the pillar and inscribed the bridge pillar, this is a good omen for a fallen star of literature. Speaking of a coarse fellow like me, I can prepare medicine for you. Rest well at the Plum Blossom Convent for now. (Liu Mengmei) How far is it? (Chen Zuiliang points.) Look—that tree, heavy with snow, seems to be laughing; on the wall, embroidered banners flutter straight up. (Liu Mengmei) In that case, please lead the way, sir.

(Liu Mengmei) At thirty, without a home, like a traveler on the road—Xue Ju.

(Chen Zuiliang) Meeting you, we become close at once—Wang Wei.

(Liu Mengmei) On the immortal altar in Huayang Cave—Bai Juyi.

(Both) It seems that, by the east wind, there is another reason—Luo Yin.