Hou: Well spoken; you are right.
Liu: Which dynasty do you wish me to tell of today?
Hou: I do not mind, so long as the tale’s exciting.
Liu: You may not realize that excitement produces depression. Pleasant events are mingled with unpleasant. Perhaps it would be better to tell of the decline of empires and shed compassionate tears over orphans and loyal ministers who died frustrated.
Hou [sighing]: Alas, I had no idea that you, too, had reached this conclusion!
Yang Wen-t’sung [enters in haste, reciting couplet]:
Don’t let the iron chain sink in the depths of the river;[2]
The flag of surrender may fly on the city wall.
[Speaks]: I have a matter of extreme urgency to discuss with Brother Hou. Having sought him everywhere else, I suspect he may be here.
Hou: You are just in time. Sit down with me and listen to Liu’s stories.
Yang [impatiently]: In times like these, how can anyone listen to stories?
Hou: Why are you so upset?
Yang: General Tso Liang-yü is leading his armies towards the east. They will probably pillage Nanking and then march north to seize the capital. The local commander Hsiung Ming-yü feels utterly helpless, and he has asked me to beg a favour of you.
Hou: What can I do for him?
Yang: We heard that your noble father had been a beloved patron of General Tso. If your father sent him a personal letter, his advance could be stopped. What is your opinion?
Hou: I am sure my father would gladly do this, but he is living in retirement. Moreover, he is a thousand leagues away and this emergency calls for immediate action.
Yang: I have always admired your courage. Faced with this national calamity, you cannot keep your hands in your sleeves. Why don’t you write a letter on your father’s behalf? You could explain the facts to him later, and he will certainly not blame you for it.
Hou: The case warrants me to act as you suggest. I’ll go home and draft the letter, and then we’ll discuss whether it is suitable.
Yang: We have no time for discussion. Even if the letter is sent at once, it may arrive too late.
Hou: Then I’ll write it here and now. [Sings]:
“Senile and foolish as I am,
I have words for your attention.
Halt your standards awhile;
An army marching without clear goal
Can only arouse suspicion.
The Imperial tombs and parks
Still honour the capital;
Who would dare lead his horses
To trample them under foot?
Though your troops lack supplies,
Still take thought for their provision,
But do not let your heart turn from its loyalty.”
[Hou hands the letter to Yang.]
Yang [examining it]: This is both persuasive and forcefully expressed. It is bound to influence him, and is further proof of your literary skill.
Hou: Even so, it should be submitted to General Hsiung for correction.
Yang: That is needless. I shall report to him later. But there is yet another problem to be solved. We have the letter, but who is to deliver it in the shortest possible time?
Hou: I have only two servants, and they are too young for so important a mission.
Yang: It should be delivered by a man we trust implicitly.
Hou: What are we to do?
Liu: Don’t worry, gentlemen. I’ll be glad to undertake this mission.
Yang: There is nobody else we trust so completely as you, most honoured Elder. But you will have to endure many cross-examinations on the way, and it will be hard to deal with all of them.
Liu: My wits are always ready, and my arms are sturdy despite my age.
Hou: I have heard that General Tso’s camp is very closely guarded and that no travellers are allowed in that zone. With your distinctive appearance, how will you manage to gain admittance to him?
Liu: You are saying this as a challenge. My story books have taught me how to cope with such situations. If I believe I can reach him, I shall do so. [He rises and sings]:
Eloquent words are marshalled by your pen,
While subtle plans are hatched within my breast.
My tongue will be my weapon;
Do not underrate my abilities.
Like famed Liu Yi[3] of yore,
I’ll dive to the bottom of the sea;
Shedding my feigned simplicity,
I shall exploit my mother-wit.
Quietly I go; in triumph I’ll return,
Winning the plaudits of a myriad men.
Yang: I never doubted your skill. I trust you will explain the gist of this letter persuasively to the General, and ensure the success of our plan.
Liu [sings]:
To explain the letter would be a waste of breath.
Even if I went empty-handed, your aim would be achieved.
I’ll stop his cavalry with the tip of my tongue,
And make them withdraw eight hundred leagues away.
Hou: What will you say?
Liu [sings]:
Since he is defending the country against bandits, Why should he risk being taken for one of them?
Hou: Excellent. Your words will be more effective than my letter.
Yang: Please get ready while I fetch your journey money. You had better leave tonight.
Liu: Of course. Excuse me now. [He bows and exits.]
Yang: I did not expect this Liu to be so resourceful.
Hou: I have always said he’s as good as any of us. Story-telling is only one of his talents. [sings]:
A letter is merely the envoy of our wishes,
On the wit of Liu Ching-t’ing we must rely
To stop the rash Commander before dawn, And ensure the safety of the state by sunset.
Yang:
That sheet of paper was worth several battles.
Hou:
No warships must sail hither from the West.
Yang:
The left bank of the Yangtze may rightly boast of its native talent.
Hou:
With a pen-stroke I prevent a national crisis.
[1] Ch’en T’uan, died 989, semi-legendary poet and profound student of the Book of Changes who wrote a treatise on the elixir of life. Failing to obtain a degree, he retired to the Wu-tang mountains in Hupeh for over twenty years. Five supernatural beings were said to have transported him to the Hua mountain in Shensi, where they taught him the art of hibernating so that he could sleep for a hundred days at a time.
[2] In naval warfare, iron chains were strung across rivers just below water level to “lower the boom” on enemy ships.
[3] Liu Yi was the hero of a T’ang story which describes his visit on a mission of chivalry to the undersea palace of the Dragon King.
SCENE 11
A VISIT TO HEADQUARTERS
1643, NINTH MONTH
[Enter two Soldiers]
First Soldier:
We say we fight the bandits,
But we merely collect their baggage.
We say we protect the people,
But we requisition their houses.
The officials are only concerned with hoarding grain;
One soldier seeks to devour the rations of three.
Second Soldier: That version of the song is no longer correct.
First: You sing the correct one then.
Second:
The bandits are too wily to leave their bags behind them.
The people escape; their vacant homes remain.
The officials are too poor to possess a granary,
And a thousand soldiers have not enough rations for one.
First: So there is starvation ahead of us!
Second: That is almost certain.
First: The other day when we made a mass protest, the General was so alarmed that he promised to move to Nanking. But there has been no sign of moving yet. He must have changed his mind.
Secon
d: If he has, we shall repeat the protest. That is simple enough.
First: Let us not waste time here. Come along to the gate and see what is happening. Unless we’re threatened with starvation, we should not break the rules. [Exeunt.]
Liu [enters, his baggage-roll on his back, and sings]:
I come from the empty wood where only the dead leaves whisper,
Pale reeds and tawny bracken all the way,
With my bamboo hat and broadsword and whiskers flowing,
Who would recognize the old jester who scoffs at the world?
[Speaks]: Through wind and rain I have travelled along the river without seeing a single soldier search for food. All this must be hearsay. Now that I have reached the suburbs of Wuchang city, I’ll change my clothes in this meadow. Before delivering the letter I must make myself presentable. [He proceeds to change.]
Two Soldiers [enter and sing]:
After the morning rain the hungry rooks are cawing,
The paths in all directions are deserted,
The camp is only half a league away. [They point.]
Our flags and banners flutter in the wind —
How feeble sound the bugle and the drum!
The gate lies just ahead; let us quicken our pace.
How hard it is to bear an empty stomach!
Even so, we must attend the roll-call.
Liu [saluting]: May I ask Your Excellencies where is the General’s headquarters?
First [whispering to Second]: This old fellow sounds like a northerner. If he’s not a deserter, he must be a prowling spy.
Second: Let us get some money out of him to buy food.
First: A good idea. [To Liu]: Are you looking for the General’s headquarters?
Liu: I am, sir.
First: I’ll show you the way. [He throws a rope around Liu’s neck.]
Liu: Why do you arrest me?
Second: We are soldiers on patrol in Wuchang city. Of course we must arrest you.
Liu [knocks both soldiers down and laughs, saying]: How starved you two blind beggars must be to fall at a single push!
First: How do you know that we’re starved?
Liu: If you weren’t, I should not be here.
Second: So you are the official who is bringing our provisions?
Liu: Who else could I be?
First: Forgive us, forgive us; we are blind indeed! We’ll carry your bags and lead you to headquarters.
Liu [sings]:
Behold the town above the rolling river,
The lofty Yellow Crane Tower, Parrot Island,[1]
But even the dogs are scarce — all is still,
The chimneys void of smoke, the market empty . . .
As if wolves and leopards had been feasting there —
The noble vista of a river town reduced to a mere sketch.
Only a clamor of shouted orders,
The rolling of the drums to fill the ears,
And whinnying of mail-clad steeds.
Second [pointing]: Here is the General’s headquarters. Please wait while I report. [Beats the drum.]
Orderly [enters and recites]:
Behold the awesome might of our Commander,
Whose powers to punish or behead
Rival the ruler himself.
[Speaks]: What is so urgent that you beat the drum? Answer me at once.
First: We caught a stranger in the suburbs. He says he is an official to deliver supplies, but we don’t know whether it is true. Consequently we brought him here for your inspection.
Orderly [to Liu]: If this is your mission, where are your papers of identity?
Liu: I only have a letter.
Orderly: That looks suspicious. [Sings]:
Your purpose in coming here
Must be made clear.
You will need more than a letter in evidence.
How can supplies come out of nowhere?
Obviously you are trying to deceive us.
Either you are a deserter or a bandit.
Liu: You are mistaken. Why should a deserter or bandit seek the General’s headquarters?
Orderly: That sounds sensible. Hand the letter to me and I’ll take it to the General.
Liu: But it is strictly confidential. I must deliver it to the General in person.
Orderly: This looks even more suspicious. You wait outside while I report to the General.
[Exeunt Liu and two Soldiers. A flourish of trumpets and drums. Six armed guards enter and stand at each end of the stage. Tso Liang-yü enters and recites the conventional quatrain.]
Tso [recites]:
I guard the most famous city on the river,
The commonweal of the empire depends on me.
But my army’s sustenance has become a pressing problem,
Not one for carefree gesture to resolve!
[He sits down and says]: Yesterday my troops were clamouring for food, and there was almost a mutiny. To humour them, I promised a move to Nanking, but I’m sure it is unwise to move troops for the sake of provisions. Instead, I should explore every means of procuring fresh supplies. I am still hoping that those contributed by the people of Kiukiang will arrive. There will be no roll-call today. Let everybody return to his post until the distribution of rations.
Orderly: Yes, Your Excellency. [He exits, to re-enter shortly.]
The order has been proclaimed. All the men have returned to their posts.
Tso: Have you anything new to report?
Orderly: Nothing, except the arrival of a stranger who claims that he has come to deliver supplies. He wishes to see you personally.
Tso: So the supply boats have arrived! Thank Heaven! But has this man brought any official documents?
Orderly: He has only a private letter for Your Excellency.
Tso: That is odd. There may be something shifty about him. Guard him carefully and order him to approach on his knees.
[Orderly summons Liu. The Guards form a lane with weapons raised.]
Liu [stooping low to enter, merely bows, saying]: I salute Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.
Tso: How dare you address me so impudently?
Liu: I am a mere commoner. I had no intention to be rude.
[Sings]:
I belong to the class of fisherman and woodcutters
Who seldom stray far from the rivers and mountains.
How should I know that princes are so high and their guests so low?
When I saw the long spears and broadswords at your gate,
They seemed like the trees of a jungle,
The abode of tigers and foxes.
Why such a display of might
To alarm a lone traveller with no hope of escape?
When I saluted you with a bow, it was not impudence.
[He bows again, and says]: Forgive my ignorance of military etiquette. [Laughing]: You are still vexed, but here is a letter for you.
Tso: Who sent it?
Liu: It comes from old Master Hou of Honan, who sends you his regards.
Tso: The former Minister Hou was my beloved patron. How do you happen to know him?
Liu: I too have been a guest in his house.
Tso [bowing]: I apologize for my rudeness. Where is the letter? [Liu presents the letter. Tso orders the doors to be closed and is left alone with Liu.] Please sit down, honoured sir. [Liu sits while Tso reads the letter and sings]:
Thanks, venerable Master,
For your sincere and affectionate message!
How kindly he gives me advice,
As if I were his son!
[Speaks]: Though the letter is written with such delicate discretion, his purpose is clearly to dissuade me from going to the capital. [Sighing]: My beloved Master, how could you fathom my true motives from such a distance! [Sings]:
Heaven bears witness that my heart is loyal.
Never will I oppose your wishes,
Nor prove unworthy of your respect!
[To Liu]: What is your name, my honored guest?
Tso: Since the bandit Chang Hsien-chung and his rabble have pillaged and burned this city of Wuchang, nine houses out of ten are vacant. Though ordered to garrison the place, I have never had enough provisions for my army. Night and day they are clamouring for food. I begin to despair of controlling the situation.
Liu [angrily]: Why talk like that, Your Excellency? As the ancients put it, soldiers can move only when their commander leads them. No general should follow the soldiers’ lead. [Sings]:
You command over a million men;
You wield the power of the dragon and the tiger,
And your strength can move mountains.
Now the hungry soldiers wish to invade the capital;
Instead of restraining them you let them run wild.
How can you escape blame for this?
It is wrong to pretend
That a general cannot control the movements of an army.
[Liu dashes his teacup on the floor.]
Tso [angrily]: Your manners are extraordinarily offensive. Why did you break that cup?
Liu [laughing]: I had no intention to break it, but in the heat of the moment it fell from my hand.
Tso: Do you mean that your mind cannot control your movements?
Liu: If the mind were a good general, the hand could not have made a mistake.
Tso [laughing]: You are quite right, but the fact remains that my troops are hungry. It is difficult to restrain them.
Liu: Oh, I’ve travelled such a distance that I am hungry too. Why didn’t Your Excellency inquire about my stomach?
Tso: I’m so sorry! I forgot. I’ll have a meal prepared for you at once. [Gives orders.]
Liu [rubbing his stomach]: Oh, I’m starving. I’m simply starving!
Tso: How useless the servants are! Why don’t they hurry up?
Liu [rising]: I really cannot wait. May I go to your private quarters and find something to eat?
Tso: Certainly not. They are out of bounds.
Liu: But I’m absolutely famished.
Tso: However hungry you may be, you cannot go where it is strictly forbidden.
Liu: So Your Excellency realizes that there should be no trespassing on forbidden ground, despite the pangs of hunger.
Tso [laughing]: What a satirist you are! How neatly you have exposed my failings! You are the very person I need here in my camp. [Sings]:
Though but a wanderer over lakes and rivers,
I recognize a celebrated wit.
The Peach Blossom Fan Page 11