Scene 31: Repairs Prepared

【Fan Bu Suan】 (Attendant in civilian robe, Attendant in military robe enter)

The coast is flanked by rivers, yet cannot block the dust raised by the Hu tribes. Yangzhou has newly built two city walls; wine is poured on the river. Greetings, everyone. We are the civil and military officials of Yangzhou Prefecture. The Grand Pacification Commissioner, Old Master Du, because of Li Quan’s harassment of the region, has added an outer rampart. Today it is completed with a feast, and Old Master Du will soon arrive.

【Qian Qiang】 (Crowd ushers in the lead role)

Three thousand guests line up in two rows, a hundred passes and barriers regain their splendor. (Civil and military officials greet) (Lead role) Yangzhou’s scenery is unmatched in this world, straight up to the high tower to gaze afar. (They meet) (Crowd) “The northern gate requires a defender of venerable age and virtue.” (Lead role) “I only regret lacking a hundred thousand mighty troops in my breast.” (Crowd) “Heaven lends Gold Mountain as a pillar in the midstream.” (Lead role) “I take myself as Iron Urn City, a Great Wall.” Yangzhou’s inner and outer double walls were soon completed. This is all due to the efforts of the civil and military officials, as well as the gentry and commoners. (Crowd) This is all the far-sighted vision and extraordinary strategy of the old Pacification Commissioner. We subordinate officials are ashamed to be unworthy, and boldly offer a cup of wine, following the ancient precedent of feasting at the city corner. (Lead role) Very well. Let us go to the new tower for a view. (They gaze) How magnificent this wall! Truly: “The unparalleled strategic point north of the Yangtze, the highest tower south of the Huai River.” (Crowd) Please present the wine.

【Shan Hua Zi】 (Crowd)

Congratulations—the layered towers suddenly pierce the clouds with vastness, the battlements soar and gleam, pressing down on the cold river. They command the mountains and rivers of a single region, controlling the long Huai River, a golden moat for ten thousand li. (Together) The watchtowers rise high, overlooking the parapets; facing the wind, we pour wine as banners flutter. Suddenly I recall the years when qiong blossoms wafted hidden fragrance; at several places of new pavilions, endless vicissitudes. (Lead role) Those four or five dozen mounds ahead, rising high like frost and snow—what mountains are those? (Crowd) They are salt mounds accumulated by the various salt yards, paid in by the merchants. (Lead role) Where are the merchants? (Attendant and elderly woman, playing merchants, enter) “Occupying the sea fields, they rise high like white jade; churning the salt wells, they let flow golden streams.” The merchants bow in greeting. (Lead role) Merchants, I fear that sooner or later we will need military provisions; you must hasten to deliver them.

【Qian Qiang】

This salt—like silver mountains and snow barriers, stretching to the sky and dazzling the eyes—is boiled from seawater into summer fodder and autumn grain. Level with the salt-flower stoves, everything is allocated to the border merchants for payment. (Together as before) (Lead role) The wine is finished. It is gratifying that military provisions are ample, but I require all civil and military officials to guard the passes according to regulations.

【Wu Ni Shang】 (Crowd)

Civil and military officials guard the border, guard the border. Do not damage this land of farming and sericulture, nor the scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. (Together) I only fear that the Great Jin will sooner or later come with insolence; prepare the cannon, fire arrows, flags, and spears. Listen to the border winds, the sand and dust billowing; suddenly startled, I see the old border generals in their coiled-flower battle robes.

【Hong Xiu Xie】 (Crowd)

On an auspicious day, we sacrifice to the city god, the city god. We return to the spirits, thank the earth for safety and health, safety and health. We sacrifice to the army banners, reward the military gear. Before the battle line, who will resist? Within the arrow slits, good for hiding.

【Wei Sheng】 (Lead role)

According to the Three Strategies and Six Arts, I arrange the flag gates; civil and military officials stand solemnly in order. Only wait for the sound of that single cannon on the coastal border beacon.

The layered city, warm clouds, lower the rainbow banners—Du Mu

A thousand li of the Xiao and Han passes, a dream of toil—Tan Yongyong

Unexpectedly, the new city rises, connecting the mountain peaks—Qian Qi

At night, the bolt of the Dipper ascends—how high its spirit—Tan Yongyong