Shih [sings while reading it]:
“From the two founding Emperors,
Through the line of their descendants,
The glories of our dynasty passed
To our present Lord, who laboured to maintain them.
Suddenly he is gone, and who shall succeed?
Set out herein
Are three crimes and five objections
Which proclaim Prince Fu unworthy of the Throne.
The successor of our choice
Must be a truly virtuous heir to the Imperial line.”
Shih: I think the facts are sufficiently clear in this letter. After reading it, they are not likely to make this foolish move. [To servant]: Hand this to the messenger and shut the door. Don’t let anyone disturb me. [He stands and says]: His Majesty’s orphaned servant has turned grey from grief.
Hou: Under the lamplight, the lone traveller laments long separation from his love. [Exeunt Shih and Hou.]
Servant [goes out and calls]: Where is Governor Ma’s messenger?
Messenger: Still waiting.
Servant: Here is the reply. Now take it away with you. I’m going to lock up.
Messenger: But you can’t lock up yet. His Honour Juan is expecting to see the General.
Juan [to servant]: I spoke to you not long ago. Have you forgotten?
Servant [pretending not to recognize him]: Who are you?
Juan: I am that “Juan the Soft.”
Servant: What, still soft, and it’s nearly midnight? You wouldn’t be much use in bed! [Pushes him]: Go on, off with you! [He finally shuts the door.]
Messenger: I shall take this reply to the Governor. [Exit.]
Juan [furiously]: This is outrageous! He has locked me out. Ah well, that’s that! Ten years ago I had to suffer similar affronts for the sake of my career. [Rubs his hands]: This time I shall let nothing stand in my path, but Shih K’o-fa holds the highest office as President of the Board of War. One of the most important seals of the government is in his grasp. If he objects to Prince Fu, there is nothing we can do about it. But how stupid of me! Since even the Emperor’s seal has disappeared, what is the use of his? [Pointing towards the gate]: Old Shih, old Shih, I came to offer you a precious gift, full of meat and nourishment, yet you refused to touch it. Now I shall take it elsewhere. You needn’t blame me henceforth! [Recites quatrain]:
When you reach the end of the road, you will taste my spite.
Any hand can grab an empire without a master.
I have a precious gift to offer luck’s favourite;
You never know where luck will fly the faster.
[1] Kuang-wu, 4 B.C. — A.D. 57, in A.D. 25 after bloody battles placed himself on the throne as first Emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty.
SCENE 15
THE CORONATION
1644, FOURTH MONTH
Ma Shih-ying [enters in official dress and sings]:
The capital is lost, now all are “chasing the stag.”
Furiously the ministers compete for the highest rank!
By putting a new Emperor on the Throne, I shall hold power in the nation.
[Speaks]: I, Ma Shih-ying of Kweiyang, Kweichow, obtained the doctor’s degree in the year 1619 and currently hold office as Governor-General of Feng-yang. It is lucky for me that the country is in such turmoil. People of my sort have golden opportunities at present. Recently I wrote to Shih K’o-fa, asking him to support Prince Fu as prospective Emperor. In his reply he stated three sins and five reasons why the Prince should not succeed to the Throne. Juan Ta-ch’eng went to sound him personally, and was refused admittance. It looks as if Shih’s mind is determined, and he wields the supreme military power. In deference to his opinion, other high officials might hesitate to agree with me, and this would create difficulties over the succession; so I sent Juan to the commanders of the four chief outposts who are susceptible to influence. I also sent him to various members of the Imperial household and eunuchs likely to cooperate. I hope he returns with a favourable report; I burn with impatience.
Juan [enters and recites]: When I have a perfect plan in mind, I fear no adverse wind. Here is Governor Ma’s study. I’m all agog to see him.
Ma: So you’re back, old Juan! How did everything go?
Juan: All the commanders were delighted with your proposal. They promised to be ready for the ceremony on the twenty-eighth of the fourth month.
Ma: Excellent. What did they say: Kao, Huang, and the two Liu?
Juan [sitting down, sings]:
They said,
“Dukes and earls of the Yangtze region,
Remote from the capital, we still are anxious to serve.
Now that the capital is lost,
How can we stand idle at our posts?
We will lead our valiant troops down the river
To welcome the new Emperor and avenge the old.
This is no time for wavering.”
Ma: Who else is prepared to join us?
Juan: The Duke of Wei, Hsü Hung-chi; the Imperial Director of Ceremonies, Han Tsan-chou; Li Chan of the Civil Service; and the Grand Censor, Chu Kuo-ch’ang.
Ma: That’s gratifying. What did they say?
Juan [sings]:
They said, “Since His Excellency Ma takes the lead,
How dare we Imperial servants hang back?
We shall all subscribe our names.
Let us make a public petition
To support the new Emperor and revive our national life.
When we pay homage to our new master in the Dragon Tower,
Our efforts will be rewarded with promotions and fresh favours.”
Ma: Perfect. But my official post is outside the court, and those commanders are not in the cabinet either. How can we make our list of names look more impressive?
Juan: That’s easy enough. We can procure a directory of nobles and officials and add their names to our list.
Ma: That is all very well, but if only a handful of us appear to welcome the new Emperor on his arrival and the majority fail to turn up, it will seem a practical joke.
Juan: I have noticed that few officials hold a definite opinion on the subject. As soon as the Imperial chariot arrives, I am sure they will all rush out to fawn on the new Master.
Ma: That’s quite ingenious. The appeal is drafted, so we had better find the directory and put down all the names.
Secretary [enters with the directory and says]: Here’s the Directory of Officials published by Hung’s Bookstore on West Riverbank. [He exits.]
Juan: I’ll copy them out, but they should be inscribed in the most formal style. My eyesight is not good enough. What shall I do? [He takes up a pair of spectacles and puts them on while he copies.] The Minister of Public Affairs, Kao Hung-t’u . . . My hand is shaking and the case is urgent. What shall I do?
Ma: Get the clerks to copy them.
Juan: But there is still the matter of selection. They are bound to bungle it.
Ma: Not if you supervise them personally. [He summons clerk, and Juan gives the necessary directions. Ma remarks]: It is said that in chasing the stag on the central plain, one should be the fleetest of runners. We must not lag behind. Let us pack at once and leave the city today. [Steward comes in to help him pack.]
Juan: What clothes should I wear for the occasion?
Ma: Naturally, you should wear your official cap and gown.
Juan: But I have lost my official rank.
Ma: Of course — I had forgotten! I shall appoint you the official bearer of the petition, though the post is far beneath you.
Juan: That will have to suffice. When a man has vaulting ambition, he must swallow certain indignities in the beginning.
Ma [laughing]: Sad but true.
Juan [changing into robes of a minor official, sings]:
I feared my career was a heap of cold ashes,
Today I rejoice that a dried-up sea is to flow again.
A golden tortoise is baited on my hook;[1]
Wit
h one flourish of my fishing rod,
I shall enjoy fame and riches forever.
What boots it if I must swallow my pride for the nonce?
A minor post may prove stepping-stone to Prime Minister;
Others may mock, but I need feel no shame.
Clerk [entering]: The list is completed. Please examine it, Your Honour.
Juan [doing so]: It is correct. You may put it in my dispatch case. I shall have to carry it on my back. [The clerk and steward strap the case on Juan’s back.]
Ma [laughing]: Old Juan, this is indeed a fine service you are performing.
Juan [seriously]: Please do not scoff. One day my portrait will hang in the Hall of Meritorious Ministers, so I do not mind appearing in this humble role. [Horses are led in by the steward.]
Steward: It is growing late. The horses are ready for Your Excellencies.
Ma: For this grand occasion, I cannot take many attendants [i.e., to the new Emperor’s audience], but I shall take both of you.
Juan [to clerk and steward]: You are in luck. Your names will be placed on record.
[All mount horses, and exeunt, singing together.]
All [singing]:
Before sunset the rain stopped over the southern hills.
We spur our horses past many a misty station;
We crack our golden whips beside the shore,
As we hasten to the rising glory across the river.
All the heroes of the age
Rush forward like tigers and dragons.
Oh, that we had wings
To be first in paying homage to the new Emperor!
Ma: Where shall we find lodging on the journey?
Juan: Does Your Excellency expect to sleep on the way? No, let us hurry on. [They apply their whips and sing]:
Ma:
Vapours rise from the river and mist from the hills, as twilight gathers.
Juan:
Along the highroad our horses gallop madly.
Ma:
Let us not be the last to arrive!
Juan:
Tomorrow we’ll meet the noblest man alive.
[1] Allusion to Chiang T’ai-kung (see Scene 1, n. 4). Legends describe him as engaged in fishing in the River Wei when he was recruited to become founding minister of the Chou dynasty.
SCENE 16
THE NEW REGIME
1644, FIFTH MONTH
[The Emperor Hung-kuang enters, preceded by two eunuchs. Formerly Prince Fu, he has assumed the Throne and now wears the Imperial robes.]
Emperor [sings]:
Behold this ancient palace
Built by our Imperial Founder!
For the first time after many years,
The gates are opened again.
New purple clouds arise;
A mountain of ten thousand feet screens the walls from view.
I shall make the virtue of my ancestors shine again,
And enjoy the veneration of my subjects;
They will raise me to the bluest Heaven.
As a curtain is lifted, the clouds clear from the sky.
How majestic, this misty land of the southeast!
[Recites]:
I dreamt I lay in a royal bed, borne aloft by a yellow cloud;
On waking, I felt doubtful of reality.
Without fighting a single battle, I have mounted the Throne in this crisis.
No sooner is the dust washed from my face than I don my Imperial robes.
[Speaks]: I am the grandson of Emperor Shen-tsung, and the son of His Highness the Prince of the Fu Palace. Since childhood I have been Junior Prince of Te-ch’ang. Last year the bandits captured Honan and my father fell, a martyr for his country. I contrived to escape to Chiang-p’u. Now that the capital is lost and His Majesty has gone to Heaven, the people and officials of Nanking have supported my ascent to the Throne. This is the first day of the fifth month in the year Chia-shen,[1] and I have just returned from a pilgrimage to my ancestral tombs. I shall wait in this wing of the palace for my officials.
[Enter Shih K’o-fa, Ma Shih-ying, Huang Te-kung, and Liu Tse-ch’ing in court attire, with ivory tablets and jade girdles.]
Subjects [reciting in unison]:
Day dawns again on royal pageantry;
The palace is re-opened with new splendour.
The golden vessels are still intact,
The jade candlesticks newly supplied.
[Speaking]: We ministers and officials have escorted His Majesty to the palace, after accompanying him to the Imperial Tombs. Though our names and titles have all been registered in the Imperial record, we have not yet paid formal homage to His Majesty on his ascension of the Throne. [All kneel to present the petition, saying]: Your servants beseech Your Majesty to mount the Throne and adopt a new reign-title, in response to the deepest desire of all your people. [They sing]:
For an age Your Majesty has hidden like a dragon in your palace.
Your noble aspect is that of your grandfather, His Majesty Shen-tsung;
Your reputation for wisdom and benevolence has won universal acclaim.
All look up to you as to the wisest monarchs of antiquity.
The most precious branch of the golden Imperial tree,
You are appointed successor to the Lord of the Empire;
We implore you to ascend the Throne,
That the continuance of rule may be delayed no longer.
Emperor: Although a member of the Imperial family, I lack the talent and virtue to undertake so formidable a task. It is only in response to the earnest prayers of my people and ministers that I have come to reside in the palace of the first Emperor. But until the deaths of His late Majesty and my father are avenged, I have not the temerity to mount the Throne formally. For the present I should prefer to act as regent and retain the reign-title of Ch’ung-chen.[2] Let all records be dated accordingly. Persuade me no longer, oh loyal ministers, for it would only increase my sense of unworthiness. [Sings]:
Cease persuading me.
Disaster overwhelms the central plain;
The Imperial family beg by the riverbank,
Living among the fens or in the wilds,
Surrounded by dust and sand,
While in Loyang the flowers bloom as before.
The end of calamity is not in sight.
Tombs and monuments are levelled to the ground;
Dead warriors grip their swords, with none to bury them.
How shall I have the heart to wear the Imperial robes
And face south to receive universal acclaim?
Subjects: [kneel and cry out]: May the Emperor live ten thousand years. Your Majesty has pronounced the wisest words of a benevolent reign. How dare we disobey? But the dynasty must be avenged as soon as possible; the central plain must be recovered; and new generals and ministers must be appointed. We offer these proposals for your Imperial consideration. [They sing]:
Auspicious omens have appeared;
Lucky mists and clouds of blessing have arisen.
The empire will be built up again;
No bandits can share the same sky with us.
We shall eat gall and sleep on faggots to remind ourselves of the immediate task.
Let us appoint patriots to recover the central plain,
Skilled officials of every rank to direct our national policy.
These should be chosen now.
Emperor: We appreciate your very loyal proposals. Regarding appointments, we have made our choice. [Sings]:
First, a Prime Minister and National Commander.
Those who laboured most strenuously to enthrone the Emperor shall lead,
For they travelled with the petition all night
And escorted the Imperial chariot on its return.
They never faltered in their duty
Until they had invested us with the yellow robe,
Cheering us so vociferously
That we could not refuse the Imperial seal.
We are cognizant of those who deser
ve the highest rewards,
And shall appoint them in order of merit.
[Speaks]: Our loyal ministers, please retire for the present. Await our orders at the Gate of Noon.
[Exeunt Emperor with eunuch attendants. Shih, Huang, Ma and Liu step back and stand at attention.]
Shih: Among those who worked hardest on His Majesty’s behalf, you, General Ma, stand foremost. Of course the highest appointment should be yours.
Ma: Being only an outside official, I cannot expect such promotion. Now that the country is torn by war, you as Minister of War should also be appointed Prime Minister. [Turning round]: But you, commanders of the four outposts, have been most dutiful in escorting His Majesty. You must be ennobled instantly.
Liu and Huang: We thank you, beloved patron.
[The Grand Eunuch enters with the Imperial decree.]
Eunuch: Hearken to the Imperial decree! The Governor of Feng-yang, Ma Shih-ying, who was first to meet His Majesty, is deemed the most meritorious. He is appointed Prime Minister and Minister of War concurrently. The Minister of Public Affairs, Kao Hung-t’u; the Minister of Ceremonies, Chiang Yüeh-kuang; and the Minister of War, Shih K’o-fa, are all promoted to Vice Premiership, while retaining their former titles. Kao Hung-t’u and Chiang Yüeh-kuang will both cooperate with the Premier in the Cabinet; Shih K’o-fa will proceed north of the river and assume command of the army. Other officials in all the ministries and departments will be promoted three grades. Vacant posts will be filled by those who took part in escorting the Imperial chariot, and the military commanders of the four outposts[3] are awarded earldoms. Give thanks for the Imperial favour!
Subjects: [prostrating themselves]: We thank His Majesty’s Imperial favour. May the Emperor live ten thousand years. [They rise.]
Shih: [to Huang and Liu]: I am so anxious to recover the central plain that I am overjoyed to command the armies north of the river. I shall expect Your Excellencies at Yangchow on the tenth day of the fifth month. We shall hold a conference to discuss our future strategy. Let there be no delay.
Huang and Liu: We hear and obey.
Shih: Now I must return to my duties. [Recites]:
Truly,
As when an enlightened prince restored the Eastern Han,
So now I am commissioned to recover the central plain.
The Peach Blossom Fan Page 14