Scene 42: Relocation of the Garrison
Scene 42: Relocation of the Garrison
【Ye You Chao】(Enter Du Bao, the Pacification Commissioner, leading his retinue)
The west wind rustles the trees at the Yangzi ferry; far off the misty waves of the Huai River fill me with sorrow. Here we lean on the south of the river as a barrier, linking to the northern frontier. So grand a landscape—how many places remain? 【Su Zhong Qing】“The washing block’s sound announces another autumn. The river flows endlessly on. Where are the frontier grasslands and the Central Plains? A lone goose passes the Huai River tower. The great affairs of the realm, the sorrow at my temples, all go with the eastward current. I only hate that my young Du (Du Mu) dreamed drunkenly of Yangzhou in times of peace.” I am Du Bao, Pacification Commissioner of Huaiyang. Since coming to Yangzhou three years ago, though Li Quan has caused occasional disturbances, all has been mostly peaceful. Yesterday I learned that border troops are about to attack; I am deeply worried. But my wife, understanding nothing, insists on grieving over our dead daughter.
【Si Niang Zi】(Enter the elderly lady, followed by the maid)
My husband holds the military tally; I follow him, staying briefly in his camp. (Sighs) Beyond the painted screen lie the trees by the Qinhuai River. I gaze at the two hills, Gold and Jiao, filled with brow-knitted sorrow, a lone shadow adrift on the lakes and rivers. (Lady) Greetings, my lord. (Du Bao) No need for ceremony. 【Yu Lou Chun】(Lady) “My lord, ‘Years parted from the road to Nan’an, spring passes, autumn comes, dawn and dusk. (Du Bao) In vain I cherish my homeland of Jinshui, yet I see not the pleasure grounds of Yangzhou. (Lady) You stroke your old sword and discuss past and present—what hero can live idly?’ (Weeping) (Together) ‘Forgetting sorrow, I only regret having few sons; tears fall on the trees beyond the ridge’s clouds and by the river.’” (Lady) My lord, whenever I mention our dead daughter, you fall silent. How can you know the grief in my heart? First, I mourn for our daughter; second, we have no heir. I thought to find a concubine in Yangzhou to carry on your line. What do you think? (Du Bao) Impossible—she would be a daughter of the governed. (Lady) Then, could we cross the river to Jinling and find a daughter there? (Du Bao) Now state affairs press urgently; I have no mind for this. (Lady) Ah, my poor Liniang, you have killed me! (Weeps) (Enter a messenger, in plain clothes) “Edicts issue from the sun-and-moon’s majestic light; armies sweep through Jianghuai, killing vapors rise high.” Report, my lord—a court gazette has arrived. (Du Bao rises to read) A memorial from the Privy Council concerning border troops invading Huai lands. By imperial decree: Command Du Bao, Pacification Commissioner of Huaiyang, to cross the Huai River within days. No delay permitted. By imperial order. Ah, the military situation is urgent, the decree stern. Madam, I shall move the garrison to Huai’an together with you. Let us set out at once. (Enter a post station master, in comic role) “Urgent military dispatches from the counselor’s office; ivory slips mark the relay stations.” Report, my lord—the boat is ready. (Music from within, drums and pipes) (They board the boat) (A voice within announces: “Subordinate officials await to see you off.” Du Bao orders: “Cast off.”) (Du Bao) Madam, here is another river in autumn.
【Chang Pai】Heaven’s intent is early autumn, heaven’s intent is early autumn; the golden wind blows gently; beyond the city gate, painted bridges and misty trees. Look at the gathered heat just fading, tender coolness born, fine rain dampening the lapels. The painted boat moves, as if immersed in Penglai’s pot-gourd realm. The tide rises, the air grows harsh; waves splash, white gulls dot the near ferry. The wind dies, sunset lights the sail, swaying amid green rushes; in white clouds and autumn hues faintly come flute and drum sounds. From somewhere rises the song of gathering lotus, stirring thoughts of rivers and lakes. (Du Bao) Ah, who is that riding on the bank?
【Bu Shi Lu】(Enter a messenger, in plain clothes, riding up)
Riding swiftly, I call out; slow the oars, stop the boat, read the urgent dispatch. (Du Bao) How came you here? (Messenger) At Huai’an Prefecture, Li Quan is about to run wild. (Du Bao) Can we send troops to defend? (Messenger) How to hold out? Night and day, raising troops and deploying generals depends on the Pacification Commissioner. I fear delay on the water route—you must take the overland road. (Du Bao) Do not panic. Madam, I shall ride the road by the red pavilion. You turn the boat back, turn the boat back. (Lady) Alas, another dispatch rider comes behind.
【Qian Qiang】(Enter another messenger, in comic role)
Ten thousand horsemen of the Hu barbarians; they will cut through the long Huai and block the five lakes. My lord, hurry, do not delay. I go ahead. I fear the besieged city’s urgency—they may surrender to the Hu. (Exits) (Lady weeps) What shall we do? Your temples gray, you must resist the foe; like beacon fires filling the heavens, they cover every road. (Du Bao) Truly sorrowful and urgent—I fear Yangzhou will be cut off with no road back. Where shall we meet again, where meet again? Madam, I take my leave now. Yangzhou is surely threatened—you may go directly to Lin’an.
【Duan Pai】Old bodies parting, old bodies parting, like the staff officer Du Fu, sending his wife weeping toward the sky’s edge. (Lady weeps) No daughter, I am alone and bitter; amid the chaos of war, I part from my husband. (Together) What is a lord and what a lady? We are all widowed and solitary! In life and death, we seek only dreams and letters.
【Wei Sheng】(Lady) This old, fading life, I must support it alone in two places. (Du Bao) I am the military governor of this region. (Lady) My lord, treasure yourself—a mere scholar amid a sea of swords. (Du Bao exits) (Lady sighs) Heaven! Look at Yangzhou, roads filled with war’s fire. Chunxiang, you and I shall go directly to Lin’an.
The Sui embankment’s scenery is already desolate—Wu Rong
How can the lands of Chu and Han be left as a battlefield? Han Wo
In the inner chambers, they know nothing of war and horses—Xue Tao
Together we hurry on the road under the setting sun. Luo Ye