by Tang Xianzu
The flowers dance in the Tang Dynasty
To hail our times of peace.
We’re glad to see that the sky is permeated
With mild breeze, sweet rain and benevolent smoke.
Enjoying bliss and longevity,
You hear the chanting greetings
From abroad.
The gentle music is heard in front of the palace hall
And cups of tasty wine are placed on golden plates.
VOICE WITHIN:
The Tubo envoys are to make toasts.
(Enter the Tubo envoys)
TUBO ENVOY A:
Gulu gulu. Lile lile. I am son of the Tubo general Re Longmang. Years ago, my father was defeated and pursued by Marshal Lu. In face of imminent danger, he sent a letter by a wild goose, asking Marshal Lu to withdraw his troops and let him go. The letter says, “Do not kill all the birds; they will requite when they can.” When Marshal Lu was held guilty for this, my father could not bear to hear about it and presented a memorial to the Tubo King, ordering me to be the envoy and bring envoys from all the western states to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty. He told me to appeal for a redress of the injustice done on Marshal Lu when I have an audience with the emperor. It is the time to requite Marshal Lu’s kindness. Now that I shall soon meet the Tang emperor, I’ll be very prudent.
TUBO ENVOYS:
Gulu, gulu.
(Kowtow to Emperor Xuanzong)
Long live the Emperor!
(Kowtow again, rise to their feet and start to dance)
(To the tune of Qianqiusui)
Times of prosperity
Reign over the Tang palace alone,
With dragons climbing on the columns.
Amidst drumbeats,
A scroll of longevity
Is presented from the Tubo King.
The envoys dance,
Making twirls and swirls.
On our satin hats,
Twigs with flowers quiver.
Waving long sleeves,
We squat and kneel like lions and elephants,
Lying prostrate before the steps.
We envoys make a toast to the heavenly khan, wishing him a long, long life.
EMPEROR XUANZONG:
Thank you very much for your long journey from your states. What virtue do I have to receive your tribute? Please state your reasons.
TUBO ENVOY A:
The Tubo states used to count on the mountains and rivers to ignore the power of your empire. Since Marshal Lu made the western expedition, the Tubo states have been shocked and have come to understand that the fireflies cannot match the brilliance of the sun. Therefore, we are dispatched as envoys to pay respect to your heavenly dynasty.
EMPEROR XUANZONG:
Yes, I see. Did you mention the former Administrator and Military Commander Lu Sheng? Eunuchs, count and distribute the satin bolts among the Tubo envoys and bring them to the guesthouse to attend the royal banquet.
EUNUCH GAO (Communicates the imperial edict):
Envoys, please accept your gifts in front of the palace gate. Down on your knees.
TUBO ENVOYS (Kowtow):
Long live the Emperor!
When we know the etiquettes of the heavenly empire,
We know how the generals have made their achievements.
(Exeunt)
EUNUCH GAO (Counts the bolts of satin):
Envoys, on your knees to accept the satins: four bolts of fine satin with the design of red flowers, six bolts of satin with the design of pink heavenly horses, eight bolts of satin with the design of purple flying fish, ten bolts of satin with the design of green lakes and lions, twenty bolts of satin with the design of wild geese, thirty bolts of satin with the design of gilded vultures, forty bolts of satin with the design of ball-games on horseback, fifty bolts of satin with the design of universal happiness, and one hundred bolts of red satin for reward. Your Majesty, the royal satins have been distributed among the Tubo envoys. Aside from the royal satins, there is another bolt.
EMPEROR XUANZONG:
Present it for my inspection.
(Looks at the satin)
Oh, there are a few lines of words woven into the satin.
(Reads)
(To the tune of Pusaman):
“A far-off scene of plum-blossoms predicts spring;
A woeful traveler passes through remote country with miasma.
When a lonely wild goose flies homeward,
The cold peaks cast their shadows on the green window-sash.
When the sun sets behind the weaving room,
I weave and weave under pressure.
A weaver weeps for her man at dusk,
Shedding tears until daybreak.”
“I look to Heaven for amnesty,
A lonely weaver with two bolts of satin.
Who will show pity on me,
With my man on exile in the swamps?
Separated alive,
I have my man in the remote land.
Heaven far away does not know my heart,
That expects the day of pardon.”
PEI GUANGTING (On his knees):
As far as I can see, this poem can be read backwards:
(Reads)
“I weep at dusk when I look at the bright river
While I weave and weave under pressure.
I leave my satin in the weaving room,
With my window-sash permeated with cold.
When the wild goose casts its shadow on the hill,
A woeful traveler is climbing a peak.
He is detained in the land of miasma,
The spring scene is dotted with plum-blossoms.”
“Do you know when my man will be pardoned?
He is now on exile in the far-away land.
He is dear to me even though we are separated,
A man who suffers in the swamps.
Who has wept for a man on exile?
I stay alone in front of the satin I weave.
When I look up at the sky when the satin is done,
I weep for the pardon of my man.”
EMPEROR XUANZONG:
How extraordinary! Extraordinary! There must be a signature at the end of the bolt. Yes, here it is. Made by Miss Cui of Qinghe, weaver in the Royal Weaving Mill. Well, Miss Cui, who is Miss Cui?
PEI GUANGTING:
She is the wife of Lu Sheng, the former Administrator and Military Commander of Quenching the West.
EMPEROR XUANZONG:
Oh, she is Lu Sheng’s wife, serving as a slave in the Weaving Mill. As she is in such deep remorse, Lu Sheng is to be pardoned.
YUWEN RONG:
Your Majesty, Lu Sheng had illicit relations with Tubo and was guilty of high treason. He is not to be pardoned for his crimes.
EMPEROR XUANZONG:
What’s your opinion, Xiao Song?
XIAO SONG:
According to what the Tubo envoy has said, Lu Sheng is a meritorious minister.
YUWEN RONG (Annoyed):
Oops, Xiao Song is contradictive in his words and thus shows his disloyalty. Your Majesty, he is to be executed as well.
EMPEROR XUANZONG:
Why do you say that he is contradictive in his words and thus shows his disloyalty?
YUWEN RONG:
The memorial to impeach Lu Sheng has Xiao Song’s signature on it.
XIAO SONG:
I have not signed.
YUWEN RONG:
Here is the original copy of the memorial. I’ll present the copy to you, Your Majesty.
(Eunuch Gao accepts the copy)
EMPEROR XUANZONG (Reads):
“Right Prime Minister Yuwen Rong and Left Prime Minister Xiao Song are to present an impeachment...” Yes, Xiao Song’s name is on the memorial. I’ll have a look at the end of the memorial. Well, here is Xiao Song’s signature. How can you say that you haven’t signed?
XIAO SONG:
It’s not my genuine signature.
EMPEROR XUANZONG:
&n
bsp; What is your genuine signature then?
XIAO SONG:
My name is Xiao Song, alias Yizhong, which means “Faithful”. I used to present my memorial to Your Majesty with the signature of “Faithful”. However, in this case of framing Lu Sheng, Yuwen Rong prefabricated a memorial for me to present with him. I was compelled to make a signature, but added an “un” before “Faithful” to make it “Unfaithful”. As Yuwen Rong’s memorial revealed his disloyalty, I did not make the signature out of my free will.
YUWEN RONG:
Your Majesty, Xiao Song has cheated the emperor and betrayed his friend. What crime is he guilty of?
EMPEROR XUANZONG (Irritated):
Yuwen Rong was a minister of the same rank as Lu Sheng. Who else but Yuwen Rong would like to overshadow Lu Sheng’s meritorious deeds by framing a false charge to cheat the emperor and betray his friend? Eunuch Gao, hold him under custody!
(Eunuch Gao binds Yuwen Rong)
YUWEN RONG:
Alas, this time misfortune falls on me.
Retribution comes in the end,
Whether it’s sooner or later.
(Exit)
EMPEROR XUANZONG:
Xiao Song and Pei Guanting, deliver my decree: Lu Sheng is to be fetched back at once and nominated as Prime Minister. His wife Miss Cui is to be released at once, to resume her title as First-Rank Lady and be bestowed a cloak of royal satin. His sons are to be restored to their former positions.
(Sighs)
But for the words of the Tubo envoys, I
(To the tune of Coda)
Have wronged a meritorious minister.
His whole family is to be rehabilitated.
ALL:
Your Majesty and your ministers are all virtuous.
Unable to see the sun and wronged to the most,
A prisoner is sent on exile in a far-off land.
When he is restored to his former post,
He will serve the emperor and hold command.
Scene Twenty-Five
Amnesty
(Enter County Official)
COUNTY OFFICIAL (To the tune of Zhaopixie):
A former student in the imperial academy,
I am eager to pursue my official career.
Everyday I wine and dine;
For a remote official, his life is fine.
I am a County Official in Yazhou, A genuine king in a remote land. In dreams of being in a high position, I rise at midnight to piss on the sand. Funny, funny indeed. How can a County Official climb to the position of a minister? It happens that a Minister Lu has come to settle down here. It is said that he has connections in the court and may be rehabilitated someday. Therefore, I have not pressed him too much. Who knows whether he has connections in the court or not? Yesterday I received a secret letter from Prime Minister Yuwen, saying that he hates Minister Lu the most and asking me to finish off his life. If I do as he tells me, he promises to summon me to the capital and to promote me. Well, if an eighth-rank official can do such an easy job and move to the capital, what is there to be blamed? As my superior is not in office this morning, Lu Sheng will come to pay respects to me.
(Enter Lu Sheng)
LU SHENG (To the tune of Buchangong):
I have eaten enough southern olives
With a bitter-sweet taste.
I have become skinny in these three years,
Much skinnier than I can imagine.
I am Lu Sheng, on exile here in Yazhou. As the County Magistrate is not in office and the County Official is in charge, I have to go and see him.
(Greets County Official)
My respects to you, sir.
COUNTY OFFICIAL (Annoyed):
Well, who are you?
LU SHENG:
I am Lu Sheng, whom you often meet here.
COUNTY OFFICIAL:
It’s all right if you don’t mention the name of Lu Sheng. Lu Sheng is a man on exile. As I am in charge of this office to supervise you, shouldn’t you kowtow and stand aside to wait on me? As you just greet me with “sir”, you’re asking for a sound beating! You’re asking for a sound beating!
LU SHENG:
Who dares!
COUNTY OFFICIAL:
The attendants will beat you.
(The attendants drag Lu Sheng and beat him)
LU SHENG:
What is my blame?
COUNTY OFFICIAL:
Don’t you know?
(To the tune of Hongna’ao)
I beat you because you do not greet me properly,
Because you do not stand in the office,
Because you talk all the nonsense,
Because you deserve ten thousand deaths for treason.
LU SHENG:
Yuwen Rong is hateful! Detestable!
COUNTY OFFICIAL:
Are you scolding such a good man as Prime Minister Yuwen?
I’ll beat you because you scold a Prime Minister.
LU SHENG:
Don’t worry. I’ll return and serve in the court sometime.
COUNTY OFFICIAL:
I’ll beat you because you are so audacious.
(Lu Sheng laughs)
I’ll beat you till you are bruised and lacerated;
After the sound beating,
I’ll burn your head with hot iron.
LU SHENG (To the previous tune):
I’ll plead innocence in the higher court,
But not defend myself in your small office.
Now that I live within a dog fence,
How can I expect to suffer tortures across the Ghost Gate Pass?
Well, let it be.
Standing under low eaves,
I cannot but bow my head.
I keep silent as to whatever happened in court;
When I resume my position, you will never dare.
As I feel such great pain after the beating,
How can I bear the scorching iron?
(Lu Sheng is scorched on the head and feet)
(Enter Imperial Messenger, followed by attendants carrying a court costume)
IMPERIAL MESSENGER (To the tune of Lülüjin):
The gentle rain falls
From the misty sky.
The imperial decree is urgent
To call back the former minister.
The road to high position
Was darkened by the sea wind.
The Imperial Messenger stops here
When he crosses the Ghost Gate Pass.
(Enter an attendant)
ATTENDANT:
The Imperial Messenger has arrived to bring the Prime Minister to the capital.
COUNTY OFFICIAL (Overjoyed):
Oh Master Yuwen, I haven’t done what you’ve told me yet and you’re going to bring me to the capital. I accept your gracious offer. I accept your gracious offer. Take the old man to prison.
(Greets Imperial Messenger without kowtowing)
IMPERIAL MESSENGER (Asks County Official):
What rank of official are you that you do not fall on your knees?
COUNTY OFFICIAL:
The Imperial Messenger is to bring me to the capital and to be nominated as the Prime Minister. I am too dignified to kowtow.
IMPERIAL MESSENGER:
Ugh, step aside! Where is Master Lu?
(County Official hurries to bring Lu Sheng)
IMPERIAL MESSENGER:
Oh, Master Lu, you look so wan and tired! Here’s your court costume bestowed by His Majesty.
(Lu Sheng changes into the court costume)
(County Official is thrown into a panic)
IMPERIAL MESSENGER (Reads the imperial edict):
Here is the imperial edict: The former Administrator and Military Commander of Quenching the West and Defense Minister Lu Sheng, you have got in the mire for three years because I was bemuddled for a moment. Now that Yuwen Rong has been put to death, you will resume your title as Marquis of Conquering the West. When you return to the capital, you will be appointed Prime Minister and
take charge of national defense. Wherever you go, you can kill anyone before you report to me. That’s my edict.
(Greets Lu Sheng)
May I venture to ask how long you have stayed here?
LU SHENG (To the tune of Hongshaoyao):
I’ve been away from the court for three years
Since I left my wife and sons on the execution ground.
I was fortunate to be pardoned;
I’ve shed floods of tears in the south
Amid heat and salt
Before the calm climate comes back to me.
ALL:
It’s good news that Lu Sheng has resumed his position,
Thanks to the grace of His Majesty.
(Enter County Official, bound by himself )
COUNTY OFFICIAL (Admits his mistake and asks for punishment):
Who knows that he has indeed been rehabilitated. Yuwen Rong, Yuwen Rong, you have put me in the mire and I have to ask for a death sentence.
(Greets Lu Sheng)
I am a small man and did not recognize Your Excellency. I’ve bound myself to ask for a death penalty.
LU SHENG (Laughs):
Rise to your feet. You’ve just followed the way of the world.
(To the tune of Hongshan’er)
Men of the world
Have acted in a blind way.
For people who have done wrong,
I have to let go.
I won’t hold any grudge against you.
If you feel ashamed,
You should repent for your vicious tongue.
COUNTY OFFICIAL:
Even if you spare my life now, I won’t rest at ease. You’d better finish me off at this very moment.
LU SHENG (Laughs):
Are you afraid of my future retaliation?
A great man never goes back on his word;
I swear by the azure sky above.
COUNTY OFFICIAL:
You are indeed broadminded, Your Excellency. I wish you a long life!
LU SHENG:
In answer to the imperial edict, I have to be on my way now.
(Enter three woodmen)
WOODMEN:
We Black Ghosts are here to see you off, Your Excellency.
LU SHENG:
Thank you for taking care of me in these three years.
(To the tune of Huiheyang)
I went all the way through
Qiongzhou, Yazhou, Wanzhou and Zhanzhou.
I thank you for meeting me at the Ghost Gate Pass.
COUNTY OFFICIAL:
A living temple is to be set up in your honour, so that you will be remembered for thousands of years.
LU SHENG:
The living temple is to be set up above their dog fences.
I’ll accept homage