by Tang Xianzu
Smoke coils from incense-burners in my sleeves;
Fallen petals float on the royal moats.
Gentle music is sounding in the night breeze;
Zigzag goes the lengthy winding corridor.
High hangs the jade and golden tablet;
Supple dangle the willow twigs.
Densely-lined are the painted eaves;
Valiant stand the statues of roaring lions,
Staring at the ball-game field outside the gate.
(All arrive)
MISS CUI:
Master, look at the thirty-six sights in the Green Lotus Lake in front of the Emerald Pavilion bestowed by His Majesty.
LU SHENG:
They are indeed scenes from a fairyland! Singing girls, help me and Madam upstairs.
(All climb upstairs)
LU SHENG:
Bring wine in goblets and I’ll drink with my wife.
(To the tune of Northern Shangxiaoloufan)
I’ve climbed the pavilion
And visited the chambers.
I lean against the red cloud,
Step on red lotuses of feet
And play with the flushing faces.
MISS CUI:
A toast to you, Master.
LU SHENG (The wine spills and soaks his sleeve):
I laugh and see flowers in the wine
And lamps swirl with the wine.
When wine spills on my sleeves,
The moon seems brighter and the breeze gentler.
MISS CUI:
In the tall pavilion at such a wonderful night, you may enjoy yourself to the full, Master.
(The female singers and dancers vie to grab at Lu Sheng)
LU SHENG:
Now listen to me. You will be allotted in separate rooms. A sash-lantern is hung at the door of each of the twenty-four rooms as a signal. Whenever I stay over the night in any of these rooms, the lantern for that room is withdrawn and the others may withdraw the lanterns and go to bed. If I am in a good mood, I may tell two or three of you to wait on me.
(The female singers and dancers laugh and respond)
(To the tune of Southern Diezifan)
The girls roar aloud
With passions profound.
The time is running out
In cool breeze and dews.
With a view of birds on the lake,
The red sash-windows are left open.
With fragrance on the pillows,
The girls are eager to please.
As life lasts hundreds of years at the most,
I’d better get drunk and dream a pleasant dream.
MISS CUI:
The night is growing deep. It’s time to go to bed, Master.
LU SHENG:
I’ve enjoyed the best of life today, Madam.
(To the tune of Coda)
For my official career,
I’ve been Marshal and Premier
In these sixty years of grand feat.
Madam, from now on,
Let’s fully enjoy our wealth and distinction.
When heavenly guards open a splendid way,
The senior minister wines and dines every day.
Song and dance goes on night by night;
I visit the pavilion when the lamps are bright.
Scene Twenty-Eight
Friends’ Lamentations
(Enter Xiao Song)
XIAO SONG (To the tune of Guazhen’er):
When the Prime Minister lingers in his life,
I lament over his illness.
The singing girls in the palace
And the dancing girls at court
Are ever in high spirits.
You survive all my old friends,
But now your life is drawing to an end.
My face is stained with new tears,
Not because of the sad autumn days.
I am Xiao Song, Honorary Prime Minister at court. Prime Minister Lu is a close colleague of mine. He is over eighty years old now. As he has been ill for three months, he has to do his duties on bed. His Majesty bestows extraordinary grace by requiring all the temples under the Ministry of Rites to pray for him. Minister Pei in the Ministry of Rites has just offered incense in the temples and will surely come over here.
(Enter Pei Guangting)
PEI GUANGTING (To the tune of Fanbusuan):
As to whether Lu can recover,
His Majesty is anxious.
(Greets Xiao Song)
XIAO SONG:
Minister Pei,
What’s the result of this praying?
His illness will certainly take a long time.
Minister Pei, as Prime Minister Lu used to be in good health, how is it that he suddenly fell ill?
PEI GUANGTING (To the tune of Fengrusong):
I know something about his illness,
Which is a new story.
XIAO SONG:
Is it because he’s too busy in his official duties?
PEI GUANGTING:
It’s not because he’s too busy in office
But because he’s too busy in his chamber.
XIAO SONG:
Wow, is Prime Minister Lu still potent at his age?
PEI GUANGTING:
As he thinks that sex will prolong his life,
His Majesty has bestowed on him some girls.
XIAO SONG:
Is that true? Hasn’t Madam Lu tried to stop him?
PEI GUANGTING:
It is said that Peng Zu in the ancient times had sex to prolong his life when he was eight hundred years old.
XIAO SONG (To the previous tune):
Old men are like dried paper or remnant of candles;
How can they bear all the troubles?
The Peng Zu of longevity is dead and gone;
Minister Lu took the trouble at a loss.
PEI GUANGTING:
As Prime Minister Lu has enjoyed extreme luxuries, the only thing he thinks is longevity.
XIAO SONG:
That’s right.
Both of us are approaching eighty now;
What’s the difference as to age?
Now that he’s taken a wrong step, he can hardly survive. Congratulations on you for your coming promotion.
PEI GUANGTING:
I dare not assume that.
To cure the minister of his disease,
There is no master-hand in court.
The tree stands alone in the breeze;
To its heirs it can offer support.
Scene Twenty-Nine
Revelations
(Enter Miss Cui, with a worried look)
MISS CUI (To the tune of Jinjiaoye):
My woe and sorrow is so great
That it won’t go away from my gate.
It is difficult for me to talk about it.
Oh heavens, heavens, heavens!
How can you cure my man for a while?
If you don’t think well, sooner or later you’ll repent. My man and I have lived to an old age in great wealth and distinction. Now that we are over eighty years old with five sons and ten grandsons, we have enjoyed extreme happiness in the human world. He used to drink with a few maidservants waiting on him and with me taking care of him. Some time ago, the emperor gave him some female singers and dancers who sang, danced and played music for his entertainment when he drank. However, he followed the advice of an official, who wanted to be promoted, to have sex with the girls. Since there was something wrong with him three months ago, he has been seriously ill all these days. Thanks to the consideration of His Majesty, the officials in the Ministry of Rites are required to pray for him in different temples and relatives of the royal house are required to burn incense for him. We have won extreme favour from His Majesty. I’m afraid that misfortune will follow bliss and that the heavenly gods will not be so merciful. Oh heavens, I won’t expect him to live a hundred years, but ninety-nine years will do for him.
(Enter Lu Sheng, seriously ill, supported by his sons and Meix
iang)
LU SHENG (To the tune of Xiaopenglai):
As Prime Minister at the age of eighty,
How much time do I have with me?
I feel so sad in a flash
To think of the swift passage of life
And the hardship of Prime Minister.
(In the pattern of Collected Tang Poems)
With the power of Prime Minister,
Who’d like to give up to death?
When I drink to lament spring,
Wild grass and blooms seem to be so sad.
Madam, as I’m seriously ill and feel dizzy all the time, I’m afraid I’m at the end of my life. When I first met you, I was all by myself. After I passed the imperial examinations, I became an official at court. I served in large prefectures and consulted in state affairs. When I returned from exile in the south, I resumed my official career. For the past fifty years I’ve toured at home and abroad, dealing with people of high ranks. The grace of His Majesty has been extended to my sons and grandsons. I have countless mansions and farms, beauties and steeds. There is no equal to my power and distinction. Before I can requite the grace of His Majesty, I’ve fallen ill. Madam, our sons do not know the hardships we experienced. It is predestined that I have to die at the age of eighty.
(To the tune of Shengruhua)
When I studied hard and failed in the examinations,
I rode my lean donkey in the arid farmland.
After I entered your residence by chance,
I passed the examinations and rose high in positions.
It’s my fate to experience the vicissitude of life,
Digging canals
And fighting on battlefields.
I had a narrow escape from the execution ground
And went on exile to a land of miasma.
Later I enjoyed fame and wealth until I am over eighty.
ALL:
He used to suffer from toil and terror,
And now he’s suffering from illness.
MISS CUI:
Master, predestined as it is, your illness is also your own bitter fruit. How can you hope to gain vital energy by having sex with the girls at the age of eighty?
LU SHENG (Annoyed):
Sex, sex, I’m having sex in order to obtain longevity for the benefit of our future generations. Do you think that I have done all this behind your back for my personal joy?
MISS CUI (To the previous tune):
You should think for yourself at this age,
Instead of having sex with the girls.
You’ve done all this for the court,
But you do not care for your health,
Not knowing whether you can ever recover.
Master, I’ll say nothing if you are safe and sound. Should there be anything wrong with you, I’ll make these twenty-four girls pay for your life.
LU SHENG (Annoyed):
None of your nonsense! None of your nonsense!
SONS:
Mom’s words are too harsh
While Dad’s temper is too hot.
We shall be filial enough
To provide the best food for you.
LU SHENG:
I don’t want to eat anything.
SONS:
Here’s the liquid medicine.
(On their knees to present the medicine)
You’ll be able to eat after you’ve taken the medicine.
LU SHENG (Annoyed):
I want none of your medicine.
ALL:
He used to suffer from toil and terror,
And now he’s suffering from illness.
VOICE WITHIN (Announces):
Report, report, report! Ministers Pei and Xiao have arrived to inquire about Master’s health.
MISS CUI:
Who will receive them?
LU SHENG:
Eldest son, you go and receive them in my stead. You just thank Uncle Pei and Uncle Xiao, saying that they are welcome to have a chat here when the court is over.
(Exit the eldest son with a response)
VOICE WITHIN:
A host of dukes, marquises, royal sons-in-law and royal relatives have arrived to inquire about Master’s health.
LU SHENG:
Second son, you go and receive them in my stead. These are all our relatives. You just thank them, saying that I’ll thank them by myself when I’ve recovered.
(Exit the second son with a response)
VOICE WITHIN:
Eighty high officials from different ministries have arrived and present their cards to inquire about Master’s health.
LU SHENG:
Third son, you go and receive them in my stead. You just thank them all.
(Exit the third son with a response)
VOICE WITHIN:
One hundred and eighty chief officials from different sections have arrived to inquire about Master’s health.
LU SHENG:
Fourth son, you go and receive them in my stead. You just say that I know.
(Exit the fourth son with a response)
VOICE WITHIN:
Three thousand and seven hundred minor officials have arrived and presented their letters to inquire about Master’s health.
LU SHENG:
Butler, tell them that I know all about it.
(Exit the butler with a response)
VOICE WITHIN:
Report, report, report! At His Majesty’s decree, Eunuch Gao has arrived with the court doctor.
(Miss Cui is in a flurry)
LU SHENG:
Madam, get fully dressed and prepare to receive the imperial edict.
(Enter Eunuch Gao, followed by the court doctor)
EUNUCH GAO (To the tune of Diliuzi):
The horsemen,
The horsemen
Lead the procession.
By imperial edict,
By imperial edict,
I bring the court doctor along.
I’ll meet Minister Lu in his house,
Who is indeed ill,
Without question.
I am cosier than he,
But he’s above all other ministers.
(Arrives at Lu’s residence)
Here comes the imperial edict. On your knees and listen to me. The imperial edict says: You have exerted your virtue to serve as my right hand. You subdued the Tubo troops and managed interior affairs. For the past two decades, I have relied on you. Since you fell ill, I’ve been expecting that you will soon recover. However, I’m sorry to hear that your illness is becoming more serious. Now I decree that Cavalry General Eunuch Gao visit you in your residence. I hope you will take good care of yourself and do it for me. I hope that you will be all right and I’m expecting good tidings from you. So much for my edict!
(Miss Cui kowtows and rises to her feet)
LU SHENG:
Your Highness, I’m greatly indebted to His Majesty’s grace and thank you for your coming to my house. I don’t know how to requite you.
EUNUCH GAO:
I haven’t called on you often enough because I have been occupied with palace management. His Majesty is quite worried about your health. Although he has often sent a minister to inquire about it, he does not feel assured enough. Therefore, he has decreed that I bring a court doctor to make prescriptions for you. He hopes that you will take good care of yourself and live up to his expectations. Court doctor, come forward and see the patient.
COURT DOCTOR (Feels Lu Sheng’s pulse):
(To the tune of Liuhuaqi)
Raise your hand and I’ll look at your fingers;
There is sweat on the back of your hand.
Well,
Like fish and sparrows on the move,
You have a long thread of life.
Minister Lu, I’m good at feeling the pulse. I’m glad to tell you that you and your sons will be promoted again as your pulse goes in a broad way.
LU SHENG (Smiles):
Inconceivable! Inconceivable!
COURT DOCTOR (Aside to Eunuch
Gao):
Prime Minister Lu’s pulse is turning for the worse.
His soul will rise to the sky
And he is about to die.
EUNUCH GAO (Weeps):
Oh, deplorable Prime Minister Lu, for several dozens of years,
You’ve thought and acted in the same way,
But now your form and shadow will separate.
COURT DOCTOR:
Prime Minister Lu, here’s your prescription.
It is a pity for the court doctor
That he cannot save a life with medicine.
(Exit)
LU SHENG:
Your Highness, as I’m seriously ill in my old age, medicine is not of much use. I can hardly requite the grace from His Majesty.
(To the previous tune)
What virtue do I have that I receive royal grace
And prescriptions for the immortals?
I’ll learn from Jiang Gongwang in ancient days,
Who served the king when he was over eighty.
Your Highness, as I cannot rise from the bed, I have to kowtow on my pillow.
(Kowtows three times)
Long live the Emperor!
I’ll never forget the heavenly grace
And I’ll requite His Majesty in the next life.
Your Highness, Minister Xiao and Minister Pei passed the imperial examinations in the same year as I and we’ve served His Majesty together for many years. I hope you will give them due help.
EUNUCH GAO:
I’ve also developed a long-time friendship with them.
LU SHENG:
I have something important to say. You are aware of my grand feats in the past sixty years. I’m afraid that something might be missing when Minister Xiao and Minister Pei compile the national chronology.
EUNUCH GAO:
Since your grand feats are all recorded in the Book of Meritorious Deeds and have been checked one item after another, who dares to miss anything?
LU SHENG:
I rely on Your Highness to help my family
And rely on colleagues to keep my record.
May I ask what title I will get when I am dead?
EUNUCH GAO:
His Majesty will take care of it. You don’t have to worry about it. I’m off now.
LU SHENG (Weeps):
Alas, I have something else to say. My youngest son Lu Yi has not come of age yet. Bring him here and tell him to make a bow to Eunuch Gao.
(Enter Lu Yi)
LU YI (Bows to Eunuch Gao):
My dear granduncle, please do take care of your grandnephew!
LU SHENG (Smiles):
You are smart enough, sonny.
EUNUCH GAO:
He’s been assigned Secretary to the Seals Department.
LU SHENG:
I’ve written about my military feats on the border, but have not written about my feats in digging the canal. I’d like to ask for another position for this youngest son. I hope you will offer some help on this matter.