Scene 5: Engaging a Tutor

Scene 5: Engaging a Tutor

【Huan Sha Xi】

(The Prefect, in official robes, enters with a yamen runner and an attendant.)

Prefect: The mountain scenery is fine, and lawsuits are few. At dawn I watch the birds fly out; at dusk they return. Fallen petals cover my seal-box; the curtain sweeps the ground. "The lofty virtue of Mother Du is hard to match; beneath the sweet pear tree I rest in Nan'an. Though I govern with much hidden merit, I still lack jade trees and fragrant orchids before the steps." I, Du Bao, have been appointed prefect of this commandery, with only my wife and one daughter. I wish to find an old Confucian scholar to instruct her. Yesterday the prefectural school recommended a stipendiary student named Chen Zuiliang, about sixty years of age, a man of broad learning all his life. He can teach my daughter and also keep me company. Today, having finished official business, I order preparations for gifts and a feast. Summon the gate attendant. (The attendants acknowledge.)

【Qian Qiang】

(The Scholar, in a square cap and blue gown, enters.)

Scholar: I must rouse my spirits and display my singularity. In worn cap and gown, I appear old and frail. I nourish the vast, flood-like qi, and in the hall I take my place as an equal.

Attendant: (announcing) Master Chen has arrived at the gate.

Prefect: Invite him to meet me in the yamen office.

Attendant: (chanting at the gate) The student of the Nan'an Prefectural School enters. (Exits.)

(The Scholar kneels, rises, bows, and kneels again.)

Scholar: The student Chen Zuiliang pays his respects and offers obeisance. (They exchange formal greetings.)

Scholar: "A lecture hall is opened for teaching."

Prefect: "Honoring Confucians, I recruit outstanding talents."

Scholar: "At the feast, wine and food are arrayed."

Prefect: "Host and guest take their places in order."

Call the attendants. Since Master Chen is here for refined conversation, order the gate runners to disperse and the household servants to attend. (The attendants acknowledge and exit. A servant boy enters.)

Prefect: I have long heard of your erudition, sir. May I ask your age, and whether your ancestors were also scholars?

Scholar: Allow me to explain.

【Suo Nan Zhi】

I am nearing sixty, soon to see seventy. The scholar’s cap has wasted my years, turning my hair white.

Prefect: And what have you been doing recently?

Scholar: A gentleman must understand medicine; my family has practiced it for generations.

Prefect: Ah, a hereditary medical family. Do you have any other accomplishments?

Scholar: I can dabble in various miscellaneous tasks, and I have a slight grasp of the different schools of learning.

Prefect: That makes you all the more useful.

【Qian Qiang】

I have long heard your great name; this is our first meeting. Truly, a great place produces a great Confucian scholar.

Scholar: I dare not accept such praise.

Prefect: I have a daughter who is quite well-versed in books and rites. You, sir, are skilled in textual exegesis.

Scholar: It would be my honor to serve, but I fear I am not worthy to be the young lady’s tutor.

Prefect: That female scholar—you can be her Ban Zhao. Today I have chosen an auspicious day; let her pay respects to her teacher. Steward, strike the cloud-shaped board and summon the young lady.

【Qian Qiang】

(The daughter, Chunxiang, enters with her maid, Tieniu.)

Chunxiang: Painting my moth eyebrows, shaking my pearl pendants, I am a beauty born from an embroidered screen. With lotus steps I walk to the courtyard, following the old rules of a Confucian household.

Tieniu: The tutor has arrived—what shall we do?

Chunxiang: There’s no avoiding it. Girl, those virtuous women of old are models for us all. Even if you only know a little of books, you must still behave as a proper maid.

Servant: (announcing) The young lady has arrived. (They meet.)

Prefect: Come here, my child. "Uncarved jade cannot be made into a vessel; without learning, one does not know the Way." Today is an auspicious day—pay your respects to the tutor. (Music plays within.)

(Chunxiang performs the ritual of obeisance.)

Chunxiang: Your student is ashamed of her poor natural endowments, but I presume to trouble you, sir, for your instruction.

Scholar: This old fool humbly accepts the care of a precious pearl in the palm, and mistakenly takes on the task of carving a fine gem.

Prefect: Maid Chunxiang, kowtow to Master Chen. Let her be your study companion. (Tieniu kowtows.)

Prefect: May I ask, sir, what books should my daughter read?

Scholar: She has already memorized the Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean, the Analects, and the Mencius in the women’s edition. Let her now study the essentials of the classics. The Book of Changes speaks of the way of yin and yang, profound in principle; the Book of Documents deals with governance, which is unrelated to women; the Spring and Autumn Annals and the Book of Rites are also cold, minor classics. Only the Book of Songs begins with the virtue of the queen consort; its four-character lines are easy on the tongue, and it is a family tradition of mine. So let her study the Book of Songs. There are many other histories and books, but it is a pity she is a girl.

【Qian Qiang】

I am nearly fifty, and by nature I love books. On my shelves are thirty thousand volumes with ivory bookmarks. (Sighs.) Like Deng You, I fear I may have no son; like Cai Yong, who will inherit my legacy? Sir, let her read whatever books she wishes. If she has any difficulty, beat the maid.

Tieniu: Aiyo!

Prefect: Beneath the official cap, let her be a female secretary. Little maid, be careful to protect her.

Scholar: I respectfully follow your instructions.

Prefect: Chunxiang, accompany the young lady back to the inner residence. I will go drink with the tutor. (Chunxiang performs a ritual bow.) "Wine is the tutor’s fare; a girl must become a gentleman-scholar." (Exits.)

Prefect: Sir, please join me for wine in the rear garden.

Prefect: The gate and study are private, free in the bright day.

Scholar: A coarse meal for a hundred years—a simple scholar’s fare.

Prefect: The Zuo family’s jade-playing was only their beloved daughter.

Both: Amidst the flowers we seek our teacher, reaching the apricot altar.