Scene 43: Defending Huai'an

ACT 43: DEFENDING HUAIAN

【Liuyao Ling】(The Male Lead, leading the Young Male, the Extra, and soldiers costumed as troops, enters) The west wind howls and rages, filling the sky with the menace of slaughter and war. Gazing afar, the autumn waves of the Yellow and Huai Rivers churn and surge, their crests towering into the clouds. Arrayed in wild-goose formation, deploying the strategies of the Dragon Tactic, we break through rings of encirclement and cross the Heyang road. (Male Lead) I am weary! Soldiers, what place lies ahead? (Troops) We are nearing Huai City. (Male Lead, gazing into the distance) Heavens! [Lament of Zhaojun] "Only half the realm remains, severed by the sound of barbarian flutes. (Troops) Autumn weeds cover the old camps, and the wind carries the stench of blood. (Male Lead) Hearing the gibbons cry and cranes call, tears soak my campaign robe like sweat stains. (Troops) My lord! No tears remain to shed to heaven; for now, press forward to battle." (Male Lead) Soldiers, my lads, look at Huai City, so near yet so perilous, with battle urgent. We shall both fight desperately to break into the city and report to the court for reinforcements. Hear my command, and advance with courage. (Troops, weeping, respond) We obey your order.

【Sibian Jing】(Marching) Steady on the saddle, we hold the central command, with banners surrounding on all sides. As the flags unfurl, sunlight wavers; dust obscures the daylight, dimming its brightness. (Chorus) The barbarian troops are arrogant, while our southern army’s road is long. Bloodstains halo the many layers of siege; how can this solitary city hold out? (Male Lead) Enemy troops block the way ahead; charge through them. (All exit together)

【Qian Qiang】(The Painted Face, leading the Clown and the Female Role costumed as troops, shouts as they enter) General Li shoots a wild goose, piercing its heart as it falls; a leopard flips and bites. A single pointed stirrup picks up the jeweled stirrup, lightly shaking the wind-chasing silken banner. (Chorus repeated) (Painted Face, laughing) Look at me, Gold-Lipping King, with over ten thousand fierce troops, surrounding Huaiyin City in seven rings. How tight it is! (Drums and shouts from within) (Painted Face) Ah, a troop force on the road ahead. It must be Governor Du arriving. Divide a thousand men and advance to meet them in battle. (They exit briefly) (Male Lead and troops enter, singing the "Chorus" repeated; Painted Face’s troops step forward to parley, then engage in single combat) (Painted Face orders his men to form a long line to block the road) (Male Lead shouts, "Soldiers, break through the encirclement and charge into the city!") (Painted Face) Ah, Du’s troops have broken into the besieged city. Let them be for now. When their provisions run out, they will surrender of their own accord. (Chorus repeated) (Exit)

【Fanbusuan】(The Old Female Role and the Extra, costumed as civil officials, enter) All day, battle clouds drift, knocking off my black gauze cap. (The Painted Face and Clown, costumed as military officers, enter) (Painted Face) Long spears and great swords guard the river bridge. (Clown) Drums and horns roar like dragons. (They greet each other) Greetings. [Genglouzi] (Old Female Role) "Pillowed on the Huai River pavilion, near the sea’s edge. (Extra) The killing aura shakes heaven and earth. (Clown) Hearing the cannon and drums fills one with fear. I wish I could fly but cannot. (Painted Face) The sword in its scabbard, the arrow at the waist, ready for a final battle at the city walls. (Chorus) We dread tunnels and fear siege towers. When will we ever see Lord Du?" (Old Female Role) We are the marching military governors of Huai’an Prefecture, along with this advisor—all civil officials. Confronted by these bandit troops tightly besieging us, we long ago sent word to welcome the venerable Governor Du, but he has not yet arrived. May I ask you two garrison generals, what strategy do you propose? (Clown) In my view, surrendering to them is the answer. (Extra) How can you say such a thing? (Clown) If not surrender, fleeing is the best plan. (Old Female Role) One may escape, but not ten. (Clown) In that case, where do I stash my young mistress? (Painted Face) Locked in the big cabinet. (Clown) And the key? (Painted Face) With me. If Li Quan doesn’t come, I’ll entrust your wife and foster your son for you. (Clown) And if Li Quan does come? (Painted Face) I’ll hand over your wife and surrender your son. (Clown) Good friend, good friend! (Drums and shouts from within) (The Young Male, costumed as a messenger, enters) Report, report, report. From the due south, a troop has broken through the encirclement and is coming. Lord Du has arrived. (All) Quickly open the city gates and go to welcome him. "Heaven and earth daily flow with blood; who in the court will volunteer for the campaign?" (All exit together)

【Jinqian Hua】(The Male Lead, leading the troops, enters) The killing aura fills the sky, desolate, desolate. The city is surrounded on all sides, all around. The wind howls, the battle flags flutter. Call to open the city gates and lower the drawbridge. (The Old Female Role and others enter) (Chorus) Civil and military officials, all come to welcome. (The Old Female Role and others kneel) The civil and military officials welcome the venerable lord. (Male Lead) Rise, and meet me on the enemy tower. (The Old Female Role and others respond, rise, and exit)

【Qian Qiang】(Male Lead) Barbarian dust has stained the campaign robe, the robe. Blood-stained wind has rusted the treasured blade, the blade. (Drums from within) The drums of Huai’an, the flutes of Yangzhou. Display the phoenix banners, ascend the city tower. (Chorus) Arrange the ceremonial guard, line up the subordinate officials. (They arrive) (The Female Role, costumed as an attendant, enters) Report that the lord is ascending the hall.

【Fen’die’er Yin】(Male Lead) Entrusted with the Dragon Tactic from ten thousand li away, how can I hear the clear whistle from the garrison tower? (Attendant announces at the gate) The civil and military officials request an audience. (The Old Female Role and others bow in audience) This solitary city is as precarious as a pile of eggs, in a time of utmost peril. Your Excellency, the commandery governor, has come with measured composure to face the difficulties of both sides. As your officials, we should, by protocol, offer our thanks with obeisance. (Male Lead) The blades of war have risen on all sides, causing you, my lords, much toil. This is all the fault of this old man’s tardiness. A simple bow will suffice. (All respond, rise, and bow) (Male Lead) It seems this bandit has considerable military strategy. Letting me enter the city must be part of a scheme. (All) It is likely just digging tunnels and erecting scaling ladders; we lower officials have a rough grasp of defense and resistance methods. (Male Lead) What I fear is the tactic of locking the city. (Clown) May I ask what is meant by locking the city? Is it locking from the inside or the outside? If from the outside, it locks in Gold-Lipping King; if from the inside, even I, your humble official, would be locked in. (Male Lead) Let us not speak of this. How many troops are in the city? (Painted Face) Thirteen thousand. (Male Lead) How many provisions? (Extra) Enough to last half a year. (Male Lead) If civil and military are united in heart and strength, relief can be expected. (Drums and shouts from within) (The Young Male, costumed as a messenger, enters) Report, report, Li Quan’s troops have tightened the siege. (Male Lead, sighing deeply) This bandit is utterly unreasonable.

【Qian’er】With many troops and ample grain, they tighten the siege, demanding that you civil and military officials be in harmony. (All) Patrol the city from dusk till dawn; these soldiers and civilians are greatly wearied. (Shouts from within) (Weeping) (Chorus) The battle wind howls, while our army’s sounds are still. (Male Lead bows to heaven; all support him in a joint bow) Tears fall on the solitary city, silently praying to the blue heavens.

【Qian Qiang】(All) From the hundred-foot-high perilous tower, one can give a long whistle; the matter of frontier defense is entrusted to the hero. (Male Lead) The region of Jiang-Huai should not be taken lightly; you, my lord, wear the treasured blade. (Chorus repeated) (Male Lead) From today onward, civil officials will defend the city; military officials will go out and respond flexibly. (Clown) I fear the great Jin troops may come. (Male Lead) As for the Jin troops, ah!

【Wei Sheng】They will act according to the situation, without fixed intent; do not first break the banner of the Zhao house. Even if they come, we must still employ the hard tactic of seeking life amidst death.

(Painted Face) Daily the wind blows the dust of the barbarian cavalry. —Chen Biao

(Clown) Three thousand armored troops surround the vermilion-wheeled chariot. —Chen Tao

(Male Lead) Within my breast, I have a strategy for pacifying the border. —Cao Tang

(All) Do not let merit and fame fall to others. —Zhang Ji