Scene 45: Among the Bandits

Scene 45: Among the Bandits

Song of the Bun Steamer

(Old Woman and Man, in the guise of bandit scouts, enter on patrol)

The great king was once a little ruffian, ruffian.

The queen was once a little banner-wife, banner-wife.

Having set up a makeshift court, we're quite at ease;

Yet with guilty hearts we go to seize the rivers and hills.

(Together) On patrol we go round, a gong sounds before and behind the hill. Brothers, the great king is attacking Huai City. We need someone to go and speak with Du Anfu. On the main road there's not a shadow of a man; let's search along the bypaths. (They sing the refrain as before and exit.)

Listening to the Horse

(Mo, carrying an umbrella and a bundle, enters)

My home was in Nan'an; I made a living by teaching, but now I've lost my post. I longed for a fortune of a hundred thousand strings, to teach for a thousand years, and then be fully satisfied. I, Chen Zuiliang, to report the matter of Miss Du, went to Yangzhou to see Lord Du Anfu. Who would have thought that Huai'an would be besieged, leaving me with no way forward or back? I dare not travel on the main road, so I take the bypaths instead. Like the ancient master, I wander, eating as I go; a timid scholar, I flee from bandits, suffering hardship. Look at the withered shadows of the trees; the gibbons' cries and tigers' roars make one sigh. (Old Woman and Man enter) "Knowing full well there are tigers in the mountains, I still go toward them." Where are you going, you blackguard? (They seize him.) (Mo) Spare my life, great king! (Man) There's an even greater king. (Mo) Heaven! What can I do? Truly: "Crows and magpies walk together; good or ill fortune is still unknown." (They all exit.)

Song of the Commoner's Good Fortune

(Jing and Chou enter with a crowd)

In this vast world, a villain was born, unruly and bold; who says a bandit's heart is timid and cold! To the Southern Court I am no barbarian; to the Northern Court I am no foreigner. Wherever heaven has arranged for me to be? (Jing) My queen, you and I have besieged Huai'an for a long time without taking it. We need someone to go to Huai'an to negotiate and also to see how Du Anfu is faring. But at present, there is no one we can send. (Chou) We must get someone close to old Du, turn his own plot against him, and then it can be done.

Butterfly Lovers

(Man enters, binding Mo)

There is no path on the sheep's intestine trail; Heaven, oh Heaven, how can I escape once I've fallen into this butcher's door! (They meet.) (Man) I report to the great king: I have captured a man from the Southern Court. (Jing) An old man. From what place? What is his occupation? (Mo) Hear me:

Great Drumbeat

I am the scholar Chen Zuiliang, a native of Nan'an, visiting old friends in Huaiyang. (Jing) Visiting whom? (Mo) Lord Du Anfu. In his back hall, he once set up a teaching post. (Chou) So you were a tutor in his yamen. How many students were there? (Mo) His wife, née Zhen, had given birth to only one daughter. That young lady died young. (Chou) Who else? (Mo) There was the adopted daughter, Chunxiang, who attended the lady. (Chou laughs aside.) I never knew the affairs of old Du's household. Now that I know, I have a plan. (Turning back.) This pedant – take him outside the camp gate. (The crowd assents and escorts Mo off.) (Chou) Great king, I have a plan. Yesterday we killed a few men. We can take two heads from among them. Let it be said that Du's family, on their way back to Yangzhou, were killed by our men. We present the heads as proof. Deliberately release that pedant to inform old Du. When old Du's heart grows cold, he will surely have no will to defend the city. (Jing) An excellent plan! An excellent plan! (Jing rises and speaks in a low voice, giving orders.) Summon the adjutant. (Sheng enters.) (Jing) When I am speaking with that pedant, you are to come forward and present two heads of those killed yesterday, saying they are the head of Du Anfu's wife, née Zhen, and her maidservant Chunxiang. Remember this well. (Sheng acknowledges and exits.) (Jing) Attendants, bring the scholar back to see me. (The crowd escorts Mo on stage.) (Mo) Spare my life, great king! (Jing) You are a spy; I cannot easily spare you. (Chou) I advise you, great king, to release him. It would be better to let him speak of some military tactics. (Jing) Very well. As the queen says, release him. (The crowd unties Mo.) (Mo, kowtowing) I thank the great king and queen for their grace in sparing my life. (Jing) Rise. Speak to me of some military tactics. (Mo) Duke Ling of Wei asked Confucius about battle formations, but Confucius did not answer. He said, "I have never seen one who loved virtue as he loves beauty." (Jing) What does that mean? (Mo) It was because at that time, Duke Ling of Wei had his wife Nanzi sitting with him. Thus the Master was afraid to speak. (Jing) His wife was Nanzi. My queen is a person. (A drum rolls within. Sheng enters as a messenger.) Report! Report! Report! Soldiers on the Yangzhou road killed Du Anfu's family and have come to present the heads and claim a reward. (Jing looks.) It might be false. (Sheng) Absolutely true. The wife, née Zhen, and the maidservant called Chunxiang. (Mo looks, recognizes them, starts in fear, and weeps.) Heaven! It really is the old lady and Chunxiang! (Jing) Hey! Pedant, what are you crying for? I am still going to break through Huai City and kill old Du. (Mo) Spare them, great king! (Jing) To spare him, he must surrender this city of Huai'an. (Mo) Then allow me, a scholar, to go and convey the great king's majestic will, and I will promptly return with a reply. (Chou) The great king spares you the knife. Pedant, go quickly. (A drum rolls within, shouts rise, and a door opens.) (Mo, showing fear)

Epilogue

Displaying your might, remember this Golden King. (Jing, Chou) Go and tell Du Anfu: Put away your bluster and surrender soon. I truly intend to expand my kingdom; this is no lie. (They exit.) (Mo, bowing farewell) (Solo scene) Living bandits! Living bandits! They have killed Lady Du and Chunxiang. I must go into the city and report this.

The sea god, passing east, drives back the evil wind; Li Bai

At sunset on the battlefield, all turns to ash. Chang Jian

Today the old host of the mountain recluse, Liu Yuxi

Dust is swept from people's heads. Li Shanfu