Scene 4: Spying on the Performance

Fourth Scene: Spying on the Performance

【Shuang Quan Jiu】(Villain role, playing Ruan Dacheng, enters with a worried expression) The former dynasty's situation has completely reversed, old companions have all scattered; I drift everywhere, temples streaked with gray, too troubled even to sing. I suffer scorn and contempt from the famous men of this age—how can I rest easy or eat well?

I, Ruan Dacheng, also known by my style name Yuanhai. I am a talent in poetry and prose, a master of the civil examinations; perfectly suited to the post of Reciter in the Court of Imperial Entertainments, exactly matching the nature of a Colonel of the Infantry who loves drinking. I have a golden courage, my gaze fixed on the Central Plains; I have a snow-white reputation, galloping through the capital. But alas, I care too much for my family and my own life, and have too much zeal for power and profit; by chance I attached myself to the faction of Ke Shi and Wei Zhongxian, and thus slipped into the ranks of their disciples. In those days, when their power blazed like a raging fire, I became a wolf on the road, at their beck and call; now that their influence has withered to cold ashes, I am left alone like an owl in a withered forest. Everyone spits at me, I am attacked from every side. On careful reflection, I, Ruan Dacheng, am a man who has read through ten thousand volumes—can I not distinguish between loyal ministers and treacherous sycophants, worthy men and villains? At that time, I was neither struck with madness nor suffering from heatstroke—how could I have made such a mistake, to become a member of the Wei faction? (Stamps foot) Just mentioning the past brings shame and regret. Enough, enough! Fortunately, this capital city is vast enough to accommodate all sorts of people. I have recently bought a large mansion in Kuzidang (a place in Nanjing), built exquisite gardens and pavilions, and carefully trained singers and dancers. As long as any powerful court official is willing to associate with me, I spare no expense, flattering and entertaining them doubly. If I happen to encounter an upright gentleman who takes pity on me and accepts me, I might yet redeem myself as a reformed man. (Speaks in a low voice) If the cycle of Heaven's retribution turns, and dead ashes flare up again—I, Ruan the Beard, care not for reputation or integrity; I will simply act recklessly, reversing right and wrong. But let that pass for now. Yesterday, at the Confucian temple's Ding sacrifice, I suffered a thorough humiliation from the young men of the Fushe Society. Although they were rash, it was also my own meddling. Still, I wonder what means I can use to befriend these frivolous fellows. (Scratches head, thinking)

【Bu Bu Jiao】These young men are all flippant and arrogant, forming cliques to bully men of standing, stirring up storms time and again. They pulled out my poetry-writing beard, broke my calligraphy wrist. I have no way to repay this deep enmity, and can only shut my gate and blush in vain.

(Clown role, playing a servant, enters holding a name card) In this remote place, few officials' carriages come and go; the courtyard is deep, cut off from the sounds of swallows and orioles. Reporting to you, master, someone has sent a card to borrow the theater troupe. (Supporting role looks at the card) "From your friend in the same path, Chen Zhenhui, respectfully." (Starts in surprise) Aiya! This is Chen Dingsheng from Yixing—famous and illustrious, a remarkable young gentleman—how could he deign to borrow my troupe? (Asks) What did the messenger say? (Clown) The messenger said there are two other young gentlemen, one called Fang Mizhi and another Mao Bijiang, all drinking at Jiuming Ridge. They want to see my lord's newly written The Swallow's Letter, and have specially come to borrow it. (Supporting role orders) Quickly go upstairs and bring out the best set of costumes; tell the troupe members to comb their hair and wash their faces, then follow the costume chest posthaste. You also take my name card and go along—be careful and attentive in everything. (Clown acknowledges and exits) (Miscellaneous servants carry the costume chest, the troupe members circle the stage and exit) (Supporting role calls the clown back) Turn around. (Speaks in a low voice) When you reach their banquet, listen to what they discuss while watching the play, and hurry back to report to me. (Clown) Yes. (Exits) (Supporting role laughs) Haha! So they still have some regard for me in their eyes—interesting, interesting! For now, I'll sit in my study and quietly await news. (Exits for a moment) (End role, wearing a scholar's cap and plain clothes, playing Yang Wencong, enters) Zhou Yu listens to new tunes beneath the fan, Mi Fu visits an old friend in his boat. I, Yang Wencong, am a close literary friend of Yuanhai's. His lyrics and my paintings and calligraphy—the two families' unique skills—are both passed down through generations. With nothing to do today, I've come to hear his new swallow lyrics. I'll go straight in. (Enters) This is the Stone Nest Garden—look at these rocks and flowers, arranged with extraordinary skill; it must be the work of Zhang Nanyuan from Huating. (Points)

【Feng Ru Song】Flowering trees sparse and scattered, mountain stones with mottled colors, all gathered into the painterly eye of Ni Zan and Huang Gongwang. (Looks up, reads) "Hall of Chanting Thoughts, inscribed by Wang Duo of Mengjin." (Praises) Vigorous brushwork. (Looks down) A red felt carpet spread on the ground—this is the place for appreciating music. In the thatched cottage painting, a man in a black turban stands by the shore, just pointing at the silver zither and red clappers. (Points) Over there is the depths of a hundred flowers—why is the gate shut so coldly and quietly? Could it be he's revising new lyrics, deleting old drafts?

(Stands and listens) Faint sounds of chanting—Old Yuan is reading inside. (Calls out) Brother Yuan, rest a little—your life is precious! (Supporting role comes out to greet, laughing loudly) I thought it was who—turns out it's Longyou. Please sit, please sit! (They sit) (End role) With such beautiful spring weather, why are you shut up inside? (Supporting role) It's only because the four new plays are about to be printed; I'm afraid of errors, so I'm proofreading here. (End role) Quite right—I heard that The Swallow's Letter has already been given to the troupe; I've come specially to hear it. (Supporting role) As it happens, the whole troupe is away today. (End role) Where have they gone? (Supporting role) Some young gentlemen borrowed them for an outing in the hills. (End role) Let me have the manuscript copy to look at for now; I'll use it to wash down my wine, like the Book of Han. (Supporting role calls) Have the servants prepare wine and dishes; I want to have a small drink with Master Yang here. (Voice from offstage) Understood. (Miscellaneous servants enter, set out wine and fruits) (End role and Supporting role drink together, reading the manuscript)

【Qian Qiang】(End role) The new lyrics are finely written on ruled paper, all carefully chosen like gold from sand. They resemble a lady wearing flowers, her mood unhurried, and also evoke lazy mists and weary clouds. Seeing this, one is moved to deep feeling. This swallow carries spring, not yet fading—I only fear that when the willow catkins turn white, one's temples will be streaked with gray. (Supporting role) These coarse verses and rustic songs are an embarrassment before a connoisseur. (Urges wine) Please, drink a cup. (They drink together) (Clown enters hurriedly) Conveying what I heard casually, reporting to the one who cares. Reporting to you, master, I reached Jiuming Ridge; I saw that the wine had been poured ten rounds, and the play had been performed three acts, so I hurried back to report. (Supporting role) What about those young gentlemen? (Clown) Those young gentlemen, watching my lord's new play, praised it greatly.

【Ji San Qiang】Nodding heads as they listened, tapping time in admiration, setting down their cups to watch closely. (Supporting role, delighted) Wonderful, wonderful! So they can appreciate it after all. (Asks) Did they say anything? (Clown) He said truly a talent, with brushwork beyond the ordinary. (Supporting role, startled) Aiya! Such admiration—rare indeed. (Asks) What else did he say? (Clown) He said, speaking of literary grace, it was like a celestial official from Heaven, exiled to the mortal world. Truly you should hold the bull's ear and preside over the poetry world.

(Supporting role feigns alarm) Too much praise—I can hardly bear it. As one reads on, who knows what it will be like. (Orders) Go inquire again, and hurry back to report. (Clown exits quickly) (Supporting role laughs loudly) Who would have thought this group of young gentlemen would prove to be my bosom friends! (Urges wine) Please, drink another cup.

【Feng Ru Song】As for me! Amid the Southern Dynasties, I have seen all the rivers and mountains of past and present, pored over the old records of romantic affairs; I have spent nights by lamp-lit windows in flowered towers and rainy pavilions, vomiting out endless heart's blood. Playing my zither daily facing the wall, now I have found a discerning ear—this one time.

(Attendant) May I ask which gentlemen borrowed the opera troupe? (Vice Lead) Chen Dingsheng from Yixing, Fang Mizhi from Tongcheng, and Mao Pijiang from Rugao—all are men of extraordinary learning, and they even admire me. (Attendant) They are not ones to praise others lightly. This script The Swallow's Note is excellent to begin with, so there's nothing more to be said. (Clown rushes in) Left as swift as a hare, returned as fast as a bird. Reporting to you, sir, your servant went again to Jimingdai, watched half the play, and as the feast was nearly over, hurried back to report. (Vice Lead) What else did those gentlemen say? (Clown) He said, about you, sir!

[Urgent Three Blows] He is the finest talent of the southern lands, a gifted scholar of the Donglin Party, a man of the Hanlin Academy. (Vice Lead feigns surprise) Every word is praise of me, which only makes me more abashed. (Asks) What else did they say? (Clown) He asked why you threw in your lot with Cui Chengxiu and Wei Zhongxian, destroying yourself. (Vice Lead frowns, slams the table in anger) That one small blemish—no need to speak of it now. (Asks) What more did they say? (Clown) There is much more, but your servant dares not speak. (Vice Lead) Speak freely, it's no matter. (Clown) He said you call Wei Zhongxian your foster father and style yourself his adopted son, disgracing your face, merely relying on another's power like a dog.

(Vice Lead enraged) Aiya, aiya! Unbearable! They've even started cursing! I'm furious!

[Wind in the Pines] What concern is it of yours to critique wind, flowers, snow, and moonlight? I helped you enjoy flowers and wine, and my new tune earned your praise in vain. You don't explain or vindicate my feelings, but instead add vicious mockery and ridicule—such bullying is hard for me to bear.

(Attendant) May I ask why this cursing broke out? (Vice Lead) Even I don't understand. The other day, I went properly to pay respects at the temple and was soundly beaten by five scholars. Today, I came properly to borrow the opera troupe and was severely cursed by these three young gentlemen. If I don't think of a way out in the future, how can I go out? (Looks distressed) (Attendant) My friend, don't worry. I have a plan, but I'm not sure if you'll agree to it. (Vice Lead pleased) Wonderful! How could I not agree? (Attendant) My friend, do you know that Wu Ciwei is the leader of the scholars, and Chen Dingsheng is the head of the young gentlemen? If these two generals lay down their arms, the thousand troops and ten thousand horsemen will all disarm and return to the fields. (Vice Lead slaps the table) Right! (Asks) But who could go to mediate with them? (Attendant) No one else will do—only Hou Chaozong from Henan. He is a close friend of those two in poetry, literary, and drinking gatherings; there's nothing they won't heed when he speaks. Yesterday, I heard that Hou is idle and bored, seeking a beauty from the Qinhuai River. I've already found someone for him, named Xiangjun, with excellent looks and skills, likely to suit his taste. If you, my friend, are willing to provide the betrothal costs to cheer him up, then entrust him to mediate on both sides—I guarantee it will kill two birds with one stone. (Vice Lead claps and laughs) Splendid! A fine plan. (Thinks) This Hou Chaozong is originally my nephew by association; I should help with the arrangements. (Asks) But I wonder how much silver it will take. (Attendant) The costs for dowry and feast, about two hundred taels of silver, will be quite generous. (Vice Lead) That's not difficult. I'll send three hundred taels to your residence, and you may arrange it as you see fit. (Attendant) That's more than enough.

(Attendant) The slender willow of White Gate—who may climb it?

(Vice Lead) Literary feasts, songs, and music are all trivial.

(Attendant) Only a beauty serves as a fine scheme,

(Vice Lead) With your funds, buy her brow paint to draw spring hills.