Scene 10: Composing a Letter

Volume Two, First Part

Scene Ten: Writing the Letter

(Clown, playing Liu Jingting, enters) I boast and brag throughout the rivers and lakes; gathering tales old and new is my trade. In recent years, I’ve avoided the mansions of the mighty, idling on street corners and sipping cold tea. (Laughs) I, Liu Jingting, have been without support since childhood, drifting through the rivers and lakes. Though I am a storyteller, I am not one who lives only for food and drink. (Bows) What do you gentlemen take me for? I seem like a King Yama, holding this great ledger, tallying countless ghostly names; or a Maitreya Buddha, with this huge belly, storing endless vicissitudes of the world. A light tap on my drum and clappers brings forth wind, thunder, rain, and dew; a slight move of my tongue and lips can critique the times and seasons. Those wronged filial sons and loyal ministers cannot but have their spirits lifted; those smug villains and evil factions cannot escape their share of man-made disasters and heavenly punishments—this is a small art to mend the ways of the world, a clever tool for praise and satire. (Laughs) I, Liu the Pockmarked, speak recklessly, yet it brings great satisfaction. Yesterday, the young master Hou of Henan sent tea money, promising to come this afternoon to hear a tale. For now, let me bring out my drum and clappers to drum up some business. (Takes out drum and clappers, beats and sings) Idle times, spinning yarns, with bittersweet flavors; since ancient times, ten thousand eight thousand years, a blink and the wild geese are gone. A few violent storms, each camp with tiger tents and dragon boats, a brief clamor for fame and profit, leaving Chen Tuan to sleep flat. (Leading male, playing Hou Fangyu, enters) Seeking beauties in the mist of fragrant grass, discussing heroes in the slanting sunlight. Today I come to hear Old Liu tell tales; inside, the drum and clappers ring out—someone has already begun. (They meet and laugh) None of the audience has arrived; you’re here alone—who are you performing for? (Clown) This storytelling is my trade, just as you, young master, sit idly in your study, playing the zither or chanting poetry—must there always be someone listening? (Leading male laughs) Well said. (Clown) May I ask which dynasty’s story you wish to hear today? (Leading male) Any dynasty will do; just pick a lively and thrilling passage to tell. (Clown) Young master, you don’t understand: lively scenes are the root of coldness, and thrilling deeds are the branches of entanglements. Better to speak a few words of these leftover hills and broken rivers, these orphaned ministers and wronged sons, and let us all shed a few tears. (Leading male sighs) Ah! I never expected that even you, Elder Jing, would see things this way—truly worrying! (Extra, playing Yang Wencong, enters hastily) Don’t let the iron chains sink to the riverbed; fear there may be a surrender flag raised from Stone City. I, Yang Wencong, have urgent, grave matters and seek Brother Hou for counsel. I’ve inquired all along the way, knowing he’s here, so I’ll enter directly. (They meet) (Leading male) Perfect timing—let’s all listen to Elder Jing’s storytelling together. (Extra, anxious) What times are these, and still listen to storytelling? (Leading male) Why is Lord Long so alarmed? (Extra) Brother, do you not know? Zuo Liangyu has led his army eastward, aiming to seize Nanjing, and there are signs of coveting the capital. Minister of War Xiong Mingyu is at his wit’s end and has sent me to beg for a brilliant plan. (Leading male) What plan could I, your younger brother, have? (Extra) I have long heard that your esteemed father, the elder gentleman, was Ningnan’s teacher. If he would deign to send a personal letter, it would surely turn back the enemy. What is your view? (Leading male) Such a good deed—how could I refuse? But my father has retired from office and lives in seclusion; even if he were willing to write, it might not be effective. Moreover, a round trip of three thousand li—how could that resolve the crisis at hand? (Extra) You, brother, have always been known for your chivalry. Faced with such a national crisis, how can you bear to stand by? Why not write a letter on his behalf to temporarily save the situation? Later, when you inform your father, I expect he will not take offense. (Leading male) An expedient measure could work. Let me return to my lodging to draft it, and we can discuss it together. (Extra) There’s no time to lose. Even if we send the letter immediately, I fear it may be too late—how can we wait for discussion? (Leading male) In that case, I’ll write it here. (Writes the letter)

[A Letter in One Scroll] This old man, foolish and unwise, advises the general to decide for himself; let the banners slow down for now—a march without cause will raise suspicions. The high emperor’s mausoleum trees in the old capital still stand—who would dare let horse hooves trample them? Lacking grain and fodder, make proper arrangements; with a loyal heart, poverty does not change.

(Finishes writing; Extra looks at it) Marvelous, marvelous! Written with passion and tact, with feeling and reason, making it hard for him to disobey and impossible for him to ignore—this shows your worldly talent, brother. (Leading male) Even so, it should be sent to Grand Minister Xiong for careful revision to be truly safe. (Extra) No need to trouble him; let me just explain it to him later. (Frowning) But there is one thing: though the letter is ready, we must send a trustworthy servant posthaste to deliver it. (Leading male) I travel light and only brought two boys—how can I send a letter? (Extra) Such a secret letter—how could it be entrusted to a stranger? (Leading male) Then there’s no solution. (Clown) Don’t worry—how about letting me, Old Liu, make the trip? (Extra) If Elder Jing is willing to go, excellent! But the checkpoints along the way are no joke. (Clown) To be honest, sir, I, Liu the Pockmarked, originally surnamed Cao. Though nine feet tall, I don’t eat for nothing. I still have some skill in improvising speeches and the strength to push through obstacles. (Leading male) I hear Zuo Liangyu’s army is strict; no mountain recluses or wandering scholars are allowed in without permission. With your aged appearance, how can you go? (Clown) Young master, you’re trying to provoke me again—this is a trick from my storytelling days. I go if I want, and stop if I want—why need provocation? (Stands up and asks)

[The Northern Dipper and Quail] You there, weaving words with your pen; I here, plotting strategies in my heart. Debating with a host of talents, let me, this unworthy one, try; like Liu Yi delivering letters, what harm is there in braving the sea? Shed my foolishness, use my wit, go secretly or openly, and win a thousand cheers.

(Extra) A fine skill indeed! But you must clearly explain the letter’s meaning for it to be useful.

[Purple Flower Sequence] (Clown) The letter’s meaning needs no fine explanation, nor need I waste my tongue. With empty hands, I’ll still take on the task, and play the cunning game. With my tongue, I’ll scold his men and horses back, retreating eight hundred li away. (Leading male) How will you scold him? (Clown) I’ll ask him: if he guards against thieves but acts the thief himself, is that right or not?

(Leading male) Good, good, good! Even clearer than my letter. (Extra) Hurry in and pack your bags; I’ll send you travel money. You must leave the city tonight. (Clown) Understood, understood! (Bows) I can’t keep you company. (Exits directly) (Extra) I never knew Liu Jingting was such a useful talent. (Leading male) I’ve often praised him as a man of our caliber; storytelling is merely his sideline.

[Epilogue] A single letter written on behalf, relying on Liu’s sharp tongue and quick words, to stop the rash general’s ten thousand horses in the morning frost, preserving this fine river city’s three hills in the evening mist.

(Extra) A single letter surpasses the toil of battle,

(Leading male) Jingzhou no longer sees war ships sail;

(Extra) Famous men have always boasted of Jiangzuo,

(Leading male) Waving a whisk, now they mount the general’s dais.