Scene 15: Welcoming the Emperor

[Divination by Fanbu Suan] (Black face, playing Ma Shiying, wearing an official hat and sash, enters) Once the capital falls, watch the heroes of the Central Plains vie for the deer. The swift runner seizes the lead, earning the title of minister and marquis, relying on this great merit of installing the new sovereign to grasp power in my hands.

I, Ma Shiying, courtesy name Yaocao, a native of Guiyang Guard in Guizhou, earned my jinshi degree in the jiwei year of the Wanli era, and now serve as Governor of Fengyang. Fortunate to encounter this time of national turmoil, it is precisely our moment of triumph. The other day, I sent a letter to arrange with Shi Kefa to jointly welcome Prince Fu. His reply mentioned "three great crimes and five reasons why he cannot be established." Ruan Dacheng went to discuss it face-to-face, but he shut his door and refused to receive him. It seems he is unwilling to proceed. But he now holds military power; if he raises such an objection, among the Nine Ministers, like Gao Hongtu, Jiang Yueguang, Lü Daqi, Zhang Guowei, and others, who would dare to follow through? This matter of welcoming and installing the prince then becomes somewhat problematic. With no other choice, I again entrusted Ruan Dacheng to meet with the four garrison generals, as well as the meritorious officials and palace eunuchs. I don't know the outcome yet, and I am extremely anxious. (Vice-black face, playing Ruan Dacheng, enters hurriedly) A well-laid plan makes even mountains easy to split. This must be Master Ma’s study; no harm in entering directly. (Black face sees him and asks) Old Yuan, you’ve returned. How goes the great affair? (Vice-black face) The four garrison generals saw the letter and gladly agreed. They’ve set the date for the 28th of the fourth month to prepare the full regalia and proceed together to Jiangpu. (Black face) Wonderful, wonderful! What did Gao Jie, Huang Degong, Liu Liangzuo, and Liu Zeqing say? (Sits down)

[Urging the Beat] (Vice-black face) He said they received the emperor’s grace to be enfeoffed as marquises, guarding the rivers and lakes of Jianghuai with a thousand-mile strategy; the capital not yet recovered, the capital not yet recovered, like us who merely fill a post, waste provisions, and set up offices, we are truly ashamed. At Jiangpu, we welcome the sacred carriage, willing to lead elite troops, support the new sovereign, and take up the staff to seek vengeance. Faced with a great event, how dare we hesitate?

(Black face) Besides these, who else is willing to go? (Vice-black face) There is also Xu Hongji, Duke of Weiguo, Han Zanzhou of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Li Zhan of the Office of Scrutiny for Personnel, and Imperial Censor Zhu Guochang. (Black face) There are a few among the meritorious officials, eunuchs, and censors—that’s good enough. What did they say?

[Previous Tune] (Vice-black face) He said that Vice Censor Ma should take the lead first; among the ministers, who would be willing to linger? Submit the official titles early, submit the official titles early, everyone will go to present memorials and petitions, crowding into the imperial capital. The new sovereign will restore the dynasty, paying homage at the dragon tower, and for today’s hard work and merit, we will be promoted to former posts and expand new plans.

(Black face) If it’s truly so, excellent. But there’s one thing: I am a local official, and those few military generals and meritorious guards are not even ministers of the boards or courts. How should we list the names when writing the memorial now? (Vice-black face) What’s the precedent for this? Take the Jinshen Bianlan (Directory of Officials) and copy from it. That will do. (Black face) Even so, if the sacred carriage arrives and there are no hundred officials to welcome it, how can we three or five officials lead the procession into court? (Vice-black face) I see that among all the court officials, none have firm opinions. Once the sacred carriage arrives, I’m afraid they won’t even be able to squeeze in to submit their names. (Black face) Yes, yes! The memorial is already written, only the official titles and names are left blank. Bring the directory quickly and fill them in. (Outer, playing a clerk, brings the directory) Here is the fine directory from the Hong family on Xiheyan. (Exits) (Vice-black face) Let me copy it now. (Tilts head and looks into the distance) The characters on the memorial must all be in fine script. My eyes are dim, making it hard to write. What to do? (Thinks) Got it. (Takes out glasses from his waist and puts them on, copies) "Minister of Personnel, Your Servant Gao Hongtu." (His hand trembles) This hand is trembling again. We’re about to set off soon. I can’t write it all at once. It’s driving me mad. (Black face) Better have the clerk write it instead. (Vice-black face) The names all involve choices and omissions; how can he write them? (Black face) If you instruct him clearly, it will naturally be correct. (Calls out) Clerk, come quickly! (Outer enters) (Vice-black face, following the directory, points to the outer) (Outer exits) (Black face) As the old saying goes, "In the Central Plains hunting the deer, the swift foot gets it first." We must not fall behind others. Quickly dress in official robes, pack the luggage, and we must leave the city today. (Ugly, playing a servant, packs) (Vice-black face asks) May I ask, Your Excellency, how should I dress? (Black face) The grand ceremony of welcoming the carriage is not like ordinary private audiences; we all need official hats and sashes. (Vice-black face) I was originally a dismissed official; how can I wear official hat and sash? (Black face) Indeed. (Thinks) I’ll temporarily appoint you to an office, though it will be a slight compromise. (Vice-black face) What are you saying? A great man must establish merit and achieve fame; why not? At a time like this, who still speaks of integrity and uprightness? (Black face laughs) Wonderful, wonderful! You are truly a soft and round old Yuan. (Vice-black face changes into a clerk’s uniform)

[Previous Tune] I’ve cast aside the dying embers of my remaining life, rejoicing today that the dried-up sea flows again; the golden turtle takes the hook, the golden turtle takes the hook, like the Grand Duke’s single catch, enjoying the kingdom for a thousand years. Amid wind and dust, like oxen and horses, a temporary compromise is no worry; the roots of a prime minister begin as a clerk; people may mock and curse, but I feel no shame.

(Outer enters) The memorial has the names listed; please review, Your Excellency. (Vice-black face looks) Indeed, not a single mistake. Wrap it up and put it in the box. (Outer wraps and packs it into the box) (Vice-black face) I’ll have to carry it on my back then. (Outer and ugly tie the box onto the vice-black face’s back) (Black face looks and laughs) Old Yuan, this merit of yours is no small matter! (Vice-black face, with a serious expression) Don’t mock me; when it’s painted on the Lingyan Pavilion one day, it will look quite impressive. (Ugly leads a horse) It’s getting dark; please mount, Your Excellency. (Black face instructs) This great affair of welcoming the carriage can’t take many people; only you two will follow. (Vice-black face) You’re lucky; later, you’ll both be evaluated for merit and appointed. (All mount horses, hurry and circle the stage)

[Previous Tune] (Together) Taking advantage of the evening sun after the southern mountain rain, riding a black-maned horse through misty inns and water posts, quickly drawing the golden whip, quickly drawing the golden whip, soon we see the clouds over Pujiang, at the border of Chu and Wu. The heroes of destiny, like tigers and dragons, hurry to their meeting, wishing they had a pair of swift wings, beneath the silver candles, to bow before the imperial crown.

(Black face) Order the attendants to find an inn quickly. (Vice-black face) Ah! What are we doing? Do we still think of resting today? Hurry, hurry! (Whips the horse and runs)

(Black face) River clouds and mountain mist linger late in the evening,

(Vice-black face) Horses gallop on the plain like flowing water,

(Black face) Don’t imitate Fangfeng who arrived late,

(Vice-black face) Tomorrow at Tushan, we’ll meet the lords.