Scene 31: Drafting the Proclamation

SCENE 31: DRAFTING THE PROCLAMATION

(Su Kunsheng, in the painted-face role, enters.) In the Wanli reign I was but a child, by the Chongzhen era I was already half an old man; I experienced the imperial favor of the Tianqi years, and have now seen the eunuchs of the Hongguang court. I, Su Kunsheng, with these fifty-year-old eyes, have gazed upon four dynasties of men, and so I strung together this little jingle. Those two eunuchs who succeeded to the post—they are utterly lawless, bent on wiping out all upright gentlemen. Poor Marquis Hou—he became the first man to be condemned. I, old Su, being both his fellow townsman and a guest here with him, have traveled far to Huguang to seek help from General Zuo Liangyu, the Marquis of Ningnan. Who would have thought I’d stay three days without even getting through the gate? Today there’s a large-scale drill on the Yangzi River; as I watch his troops pass by, even the chickens and dogs fall silent—such solemn stillness. When he returns to camp, I must find some way to see him. (Calling out.) Innkeeper, where are you?

(The innkeeper, in the supporting role, enters.) At Yellow Crane Tower, few immortal guests; on White Cloud Street, many wine-selling houses. What does the guest have to say?

(Su Kunsheng.) May I ask, is the Marshal, Lord Zuo, about to return to camp?

(Innkeeper.) Not yet, not yet! Three hundred thousand men drill every day until lamplighting time; and today, with Governor Yuan and Inspector Huang staying behind to drink in the training ground, how could he return so soon?

(Su Kunsheng.) In that case, bring me a pot of wine. I’ll drink slowly and wait for him.

(The innkeeper fetches wine and enters.) Why wait for him? Have a cup and turn in early.

(Su Kunsheng.) I won’t be poking about; you can close up with an easy mind.

(The innkeeper exits.)

(Su Kunsheng looks into the distance.) Look at that bright moon, already risen over the eastern hills—a fine spring night of flowers and moonlight on the river. But my spirits are low. (Sits, pours wine, drinks.) Facing this cup, I’ll force out a song to lift my gloom. (He taps his own rhythm and sings.)

[To the tune Niannu Jiao Xu]

The vast, empty sky—how lovely the moon appears,

Without a single wisp of cloud.

The twelve railings are all drenched in moonlight,

Coolness seeps through pearl curtains and silver screens.

Best of all, it’s like being in the jasper tower on Immortal Isle,

Laughing as I fill the jade cup to the brim—

How often in life does one behold such beauty?

I only hope that year after year, on this night,

Both man and moon are equally clear and bright.

(He pours and drinks.) Such a fine tune—no one but Ruan Yuanhai (Ruan Dacheng) could appreciate it. Enough, enough! Better let it be buried in dust than offer it to those villains.

(He drinks again.) By now he should be returning to camp. Let me sing on slowly. If he hears it and says nothing, so be it; but if he asks about me, there’s my chance.

(He taps his rhythm again and sings.)

[To the same tune as before]

A solitary shadow—the southern branches just turning cold;

I see the magpies in the hazy void,

Startled, fluttering, with no place to rest.

(The innkeeper enters, complaining.) Guest, retire for the night! If the Marshal should hear you, you’ll bring trouble on this little inn—that’s no small matter!

(Su Kunsheng sings.)

Peak upon peak of emerald ranges—

Where is my simple home, ringed by bamboo groves?

(The innkeeper pulls Su Kunsheng to go to bed.)

(Su Kunsheng.) It’s nothing. I’m the Marshal’s fellow townsman; I’d be glad if he knew of me, so he might invite me into his headquarters.

(Innkeeper.) If that’s the case, suit yourself, suit yourself!

(The innkeeper exits.)

(Su Kunsheng sings again.)

I reflect and ponder—who has plucked the osmanthus?

The Moon Goddess dwells alone;

Old friends, a thousand miles apart, long in vain.

I only hope that year after year, on this night,

Both man and moon are equally clear and bright.

(Several soldiers, in minor roles, pass by carrying bows, arrows, helmets, and armor.)

(Su Kunsheng listens.) The clatter of hooves outside—he must be returning to camp. Let me sing one more song.

(He taps his rhythm again and sings.)

[To the same tune as before]

The moonlight is crystalline;

I want to break my jade flute, ride a phoenix away—

But where is the cold Jasper Tower of the immortals?

(Four soldiers, in minor roles, enter leading the way with banners.)

(Su Kunsheng listens.) The sound of clearing the way draws near. Let me sing out even louder. Girdle pendants are damp, as if the fairy Feiqiong were returning under the moon.

(Zuo Liangyu, in the young male role; Yuan Jixian, in the old male role; and Huang Shu, in the end role, all in official caps and belts, enter on horseback.) At court, they’re lately teaching songs and dances; by the Yangzi River, the remnants of the army test their war drums.

(Yuan Jixian listens.) Ah! General, your town has taken to teaching songs and dances too.

(Zuo Liangyu.) Military orders are strict; among the people, who would dare?

(Huang Shu points.) Indeed, someone is singing a tune.

(Zuo Liangyu stands and listens.)

(Su Kunsheng sings loudly.)

And more—the cloudlike hair veiled in fragrant mist,

The jade arms bathed in pure radiance—

Even the Moon Goddess in her palace is her equal.

I only hope that year after year, on this night,

Both man and moon are equally clear and bright.

(Zuo Liangyu, angry.) At a time of martial law, you defy military discipline by singing in the dead of night. Seize him and lock him up!

(Soldiers break down the door, drag out Su Kunsheng, and make him kneel before the horses.)

(Zuo Liangyu asks.) Was it you singing just now?

(Su Kunsheng.) Yes.

(Zuo Liangyu.) Military orders are strict. How dare you be so bold?

(Su Kunsheng.) I had no choice. I risked death to sing, and I only beg Your Lordship’s forgiveness.

(Yuan Jixian.) From what he says, it sounds like drunken talk.

(Huang Shu.) The tune he sang was exquisite.

(Zuo Liangyu.) This man is suspicious. Take him back to the headquarters for thorough questioning.

(They proceed, taking Su Kunsheng with them.)

[To the tune Sudi Jinzhang]

(Chorus.) Night patrol on the river, entering Wuchang’s gate,

Chickens and dogs still as in a wild village.

At the third watch, we meet a man striking his lute—

His causeless sorrow and song must have a reason.

(They arrive at the headquarters.)

(Zuo Liangyu, to Yuan Jixian and Huang Shu.) Pray take your rest in this humble office, and we’ll discuss military affairs together.

(Yuan Jixian and Huang Shu.) How could we presume to impose?

(They all take seats.)

(Yuan Jixian.) That singing fellow—he ought to be dealt with promptly.

(Zuo Liangyu.) Quite so. (Orders.) Bring that singer here!

(Soldiers bring Su Kunsheng in and make him kneel.)

(Zuo Liangyu asks.) Confess the truth of your offense.

(Su Kunsheng.) I have come from Nanjing, Your Lordship, expressly to seek your aid. Having no way to gain entry, I deliberately broke the law in order to get an audience with you.

(Zuo Liangyu.) Pah! You damned slave, you still won’t tell the truth.

(Huang Shu.) No need for anger. Let him speak: what reason does he have for seeking the Marshal?

[To the tune Suonan Zhi]

(Su Kunsheng.) Affairs in the capital are murky as fog;

Daily they take revenge, hunting down the Donglin Party.

Now they’ve seized Marquis Hou,

Thrown him into prison to suffer.

I hope, for old friendship’s sake, for past kindness,

You will remove this new grievance for the new court.

(Zuo Liangyu.) Marquis Hou is an old family friend of mine. Since he sent you for help, he must have given you a letter in his own hand. Show it to me.

(Su Kunsheng kowtows.) That day Ruan Dacheng himself led the constables, seized him on the spot, and threw him into prison. There was no time to write a letter.

(Yuan Jixian.) How can we believe your bare word?

(Zuo Liangyu, after thinking.) I have it. In my staff there is an old acquaintance of Marquis Hou. Let him come and identify you—then we’ll know the truth. (Orders.) Summon Mr. Liu.

(A soldier responds.)

(Liu Jingting, in the clown role, enters.) A boon companion of wine and meat—ask for old Liu. Let me take a look.

(He lights a candle and examines.) Ah! It’s Su Kunsheng, my sworn brother.

(They both wipe away tears.)

(Zuo Liangyu.) You know him, then?

(Liu Jingting.) He is Su Kunsheng of Henan, the foremost singer in the empire. Who doesn’t know him?

(Zuo Liangyu, pleased.) To think that a singer should prove to be such a righteous man! (Helps him up.) Pray be seated, be seated.

(Su Kunsheng bows and sits.)

(Liu Jingting.) First, tell us: why was Marquis Hou imprisoned?

[To the same tune as before]

(Su Kunsheng.) Because he was of the Donglin and Fushe parties,

Who once distinguished Wei Zhongxian and Cui Chengxiu’s crew.

Young Ruan (Ruan Dacheng) wants to avenge old scores,

The old fellow (Ma Shiying) has no sense of measure.

On Three Mountains Street, the constables were savage,

Suddenly swooping down like falcons.

They seized Lord Hou and threw him into prison,

Cut off from all news.

Helpless, I risked death to come and beg for help.

Thanks to Your Lordship’s mercy in not killing me,

I also have the good fortune to meet Brother Liu. (Bows.)

I only beg you, elder brother, to implore the Marshal

To send a letter of deliverance soon,

So that this long journey of mine will not have been in vain.

(XIAOSHENG, angrily) My worthy friends Yuan and Huang, look at how the court's affairs have come to this—how can one not be consumed with hatred?

(WAIJIAO) It is not only that. I hear that the former consort, Lady Tong, traversed mountains and rivers to come here, yet Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng refused to acknowledge or shelter her. Moreover, they have hidden away private individuals, preparing to select beautiful women to forge marriage ties with the imperial house. Should they not be put to death?

(MOJIAO) There is another matter: the Crown Prince of the Chongzhen Emperor, who was the heir apparent for seven years, with his tutors and high ministers as clear evidence, is now to be imprisoned. Every person shares this outrage, and all wish to tear Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng into ten thousand pieces to atone for their crimes before the late emperor.

(XIAOSHENG, enraged) We have exerted ourselves on the battlefield solely to serve the court. Yet unexpectedly, the court trusts treacherous factions, slays upright men, daily sells offices and ranks, stages dances and teaches songs—a sovereign who seeks restoration, yet pursues policies that ruin the state. Only one man, Minister Shi Kefa, possesses considerable loyalty, yet Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng hinder him from within the court, forcing him to merely go through the motions. Left alone with my single hand, how can I reclaim the Central Plains? (Stamps his foot) Enough, enough, enough! I have no choice but to become a minister who threatens his sovereign. (Bows to WAIJIAO) Marquis Linhou (Yuan Jixian), write a memorial of impeachment for me.

(WAIJIAO) How shall it be written?

(XIAOSHENG) Simply denounce the crimes of Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng with full force.

(WAIJIAO) I take your instruction!

(CHOUJIAO brings paper and brush; WAIJIAO writes)

(FORMER TUNE) At court, wicked ministers are employed, openly casting aside the consort and imprisoning the crown prince. Acts of vengeance and reversal of verdicts arise in chaos; upright men have all fled. Seeking out beautiful women, teaching lascivious songs and dances, selling offices and ranks—these evils are too numerous to record in full.

(WAIJIAO finishes writing)

(XIAOSHENG) There is also a proclamation. May I trouble Zhonglin (Huang Shu) to draft it? (Bows)

(MOJIAO) Should it also be written in this vein?

(XIAOSHENG) Say that I intend to raise troops and march east to punish them, so that they shall die with no place even for burial.

(CHOUJIAO) Rightly so, rightly so!

(XIAOSHENG) The other day you advised me not to advance. Why do you now support this?

(CHOUJIAO) Now it is the Hongguang Emperor's reign. That was then; this is now.

(XIAOSHENG) Yes, yes! I, Zuo Liangyu, am an old general of the late emperor. The late emperor still has a crown prince, who is my young sovereign. When Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng presumptuously installed Hongguang, I was far away on the frontier and never received any imperial decree.

(MOJIAO) Let me write it. (CHOUJIAO brings paper and brush; MOJIAO writes)

(FORMER TUNE) Clearing away the wicked ministers from the sovereign's side, issuing the proclamation of punitive expedition, the mighty army raises the banner of righteousness, stirring up dust on the road. In the blink of an eye, we cross the Yangtze River, arriving straight at the Phoenix Gate. Paying homage at the imperial palace, offering sacrifices at the Xiaoling Mausoleum, searching the cabinet, testing the sharpness of the blade.

(Finishes copying) (XIAOSHENG) Then let us list the names. (WAIJIAO) For such a great matter, we should still request the newly appointed Governor He Tengjiao to add his name. (XIAOSHENG) He is stubborn in character; there is no need to inform him. Just write his name directly. (WAIJIAO and MOJIAO list the names) (XIAOSHENG) Tonight, make a fair copy. Tomorrow morning, dispatch it by rapid courier. I will then raise the troops shortly after. (WAIJIAO) I fear the relay stations may cause delays. (XIAOSHENG) Why? (WAIJIAO) Anonymous documents in the capital fall like raindrops. Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng send men to search for them each morning, burning whatever they find without even reading them. (XIAOSHENG) In that case, we can only send a man directly. (MOJIAO) That won't work either. I hear that Ma and Ruan have secretly ordered General Du Hongyu of Anqing to fortify Banji, already preparing against my forces. Once this proclamation arrives, how would they let it go? The man sent will have more chance of death than life. (XIAOSHENG) What is to be done? (CHOUJIAO) Let this old man go there myself. (WAIJIAO and MOJIAO, astonished) This Mr. Liu is indeed a figure like Jing Ke. We should don white robes and white caps to see him off. (CHOUJIAO) What is so precious about this old life? As long as I can accomplish the marshal's mission, that is enough. (XIAOSHENG, overjoyed) With such a loyal and righteous man, I, Zuo Kunshan, must bow to you. (Calls out) Attendants, bring a cup of wine! (A servant brings wine; XIAOSHENG kneels and offers the cup to CHOUJIAO) Please drink this cup. (CHOUJIAO kneels and drains it) (All bow to CHOUJIAO; CHOUJIAO returns the bows)

(FORMER TUNE) Raising the cup, wiping away tears, Jing Ke's short song chokes in the throat. Clasping hands at midnight with earnest words, the whole company is lost in sorrow. When shall he return? None can ask. The night moon sinks low, the spring wind blows fierce.

(All wipe away tears) (CHOUJIAO speaks to JING) I thank you, worthy brother, for keeping the marshal company for now. I will pack my bags and head east. (JING) I only pray that you rescue the young master and free him from prison quickly. Then we shall meet again, old brother. (They take leave together) (CHOUJIAO exits first) (XIAOSHENG) A righteous man, a righteous man! (WAIJIAO and MOJIAO) How heroic, how heroic!

Mist and smoke stretch vast, the night air dims;

A single cup of wine drained, guests' souls are seized with grief.

Never has a brave man returned from such a quest;

Behold the Yangtze River rushing to the sea's gate.