The Peach Blossom Fan

by K'ung Shang-jen

  [Fragrant Princess enters and greets Yang.]

  Yang: So many weeks since I saw you, and now there is time only for a hurried word before I go far away.

  Fragrant Princess: Where will you go?

  Yang: Back to Kweiyang, my native place.

  Fragrant Princess [sleeve raised to conceal her tears]: Hou Fang-yü is still imprisoned, and now you are leaving for home. I shall be left with no one to care for me.

  Yang: Even father and son cannot care for each other in turbulent times like these. [Sings]:

  When troubles press so close,

  Each must follow his nose,

  Not burden his back with others.

  Su K’un-sheng [rushing in, recites]:

  Generals give their lives,

  But leave their lords deserted.

  [Speaks]: Here is the place — in I go. Ah, His Honour Yang — and Fragrant Princess here also! But where is Master Hou?

  Yang: Our friend Hou Fang-yü is still in jail.

  Fragrant Princess: Honoured teacher, which way did you come here?

  Su: Hoping to rescue Master Hou, I travelled as far as Wuchang, but found everything in an uproar. I returned directly to the capital, and learning of the disorders there went straight to the jail, whose gates stood open. [Sings]:

  The prisoners all were fled,

  The prison gates burst open,

  But who has harmed our young scholar?

  Fragrant Princess [weeps]: Teacher, please find him for me as quickly as you can.

  Yang [Points offstage and sings]:

  A pall of dust and smoke,

  Wives and babes asunder,

  When can they expect reunion?

  [Says to Fragrant Princess]: Well, so be it. Now that you have the company of your teacher, I can leave the capital. [Calls]: Lan Ying, make your baggage ready and travel with me.

  Lan: My home is in Hangchow, how can I go with you?

  Yang: In that case, when I have changed into travelling attire we will take leave of each other. [Recites]:

  A thousand miles like a soul’s migration,

  A three-year’s journey in a dream.

  [Yang mimes the act of mounting his horse and exits, followed by porters with baggage.]

  Fragrant Princess [weeps]: Now His Honour Yang has gone, and you are my sole comforter. These past days you went to such pains, crossing a thousand hills and streams, searching for Master Hou on my behalf. But who could have imagined that we should be so kept apart, myself in the palace and Master Hou in prison. Now I have left the palace and he his prison, but still we cannot meet. Take pity on me, sir, once again, and let us search for him together wherever we can.

  Su: Since Master Hou has not come here to your house, he must have left the city. Where are we to search for him?

  Fragrant Princess: Wherever he may be. [Sings]:

  To the rim of the sky and the shore of the sea,

  In every corner of the land,

  In whatever world there be,

  Till boots of steel are worn through!

  [Speaks]: I cannot rest until we find Master Hou.

  Su: Battles rage all over the northwest; he could not have crossed the river. If we are to find him, we must search the hills of the southeast.

  Fragrant Princess: Then that is our direction. [Sings]:

  Over the rugged tracks of barren hills,

  To the land of the Immortals if need be.

  Our union, predestined, must prevail.

  Su: Since your heart is set on seeking Master Hou, and since I too wish to flee these troubles, I shall endeavour to escort you. But where to start?

  Lan Ying [pointing]: Yonder in the Clouds’ Roost Hills east of the city, where few ever penetrate, is the retreat of Chang Wei, who relinquished his command of the Imperial Guard to practise the Tao in seclusion. I have long wished to submit myself as his disciple. Let us journey there together and see what fortune has in store for us.

  Su: Excellent, excellent. Let us take up our loads and leave the city together. [They do so.]

  Fragrant Princess [sings]:

  Farewell to the camp of mists and flowers.

  When shall it be dissolved,

  This deep devotion?

  Su: Before us is the city gate. I fear we shall be questioned.

  Lan: Let us slip through this instant.

  Fragrant Princess: My feet hurt me so, I’m not sure I can keep up.

  [They sing together]:

  Fragrant Princess:

  Cheeks wet with tears at the hardship of the road.

  Su:

  Like broken stalks we are swept beyond the gate.

  Lan:

  No strife disturbes the realm of Peach Blossom Cave.

  Fragrant Princess:

  Pray that it shall be there I find my fate.

  SCENE 37

  THEFT OF THE JEWEL

  1645, FIFTH MONTH

  [Enter General Huang Te-kung in full armour, followed by his adjutant T’ien Hsiung.]

  Huang [sings]:

  Like the Long River, far as eye can see,

  Flows the swift torrent of the warrier’s woes.

  When shall we hand our bows to waiting boys

  And gather for joyous drinking bout?

  [Speaks]: Here I come, Huang Te-kung, fresh from my victory at Pan-chi, where my rival Tso Liang-yü died of fright. But he has left a son, Tso Meng-keng, who maintains his base at Kiukiang. Until these crows are dispersed, I must hold Wu-hu against attacks from the north.

  Messenger [entering]: Beg to report: The northern forces crossed the Huai River overnight and are besieging Hangchow. Nanking’s in a panic, its citizens have taken to flight.

  Huang: Why was there no resistance from the garrisons north of the river, at Feng-yang and Huai-an?

  Messenger: There are reports that both generals Liu have turned upriver to block the movements of Tso’s troops, leaving Feng-yang and Huai-an without a man to guard them.

  Huang [startled]: What now! T’ien Hsiung, you are my most trusted aide. Take troops and cavalry and hasten to the defence of Nanking. [Sings]:

  Juan Ta-ch’eng, War Minister of mighty powers,

  Issues commands by night,

  To defend this place and that.

  But like a beggar whose tattered gown,

  Tug as he may, cannot conceal his body,

  He leaves Feng-yang and Huai-an

  Bereft of all protection.

  How can the boats of lotus-gatherers

  Suffice to hold the river?

  Dust of battle darkens the Nanking skies:

  Let us devote all efforts to relieve it.

  [Exeunt. Enter, on horseback, the Emperor Hung-kuang, attended by the Grand Eunuch.]

  Emperor [sings]:

  Alas for a forsaken ruler

  Who mourns alone beside the river,

  Begging for nourishment from village huts.

  [Speaks]: On my headlong flight from Nanking, I have been abandoned by one after another of my eunuchs and consorts. Now only the Grand Eunuch Han Tsan-chou remains by my side. [Sings]:

  My scrawny nag plods on

  Through the heat of the day.

  Where can cool shade be found?

  [Speaks]: Yesterday I sought out the residence of Hsü Hung-chi, Duke of Wei, but he pretended not to recognise me and drove me forth. Now we are approaching Wu-hu, and the garrison of General Huang Te-kung lies ahead. Will he agree to take us under his protection? [Sings]:

  In our distress

  We roam the corridors of mansions

  Pleading for hospitality.

  [Dismounts and says]: Here is General Huang’s headquarters. Grand Eunuch Han, inform the General of our presence.

  Grand Eunuch: Is anyone there?

  Soldier: Where are you from?

  Grand Eunuch: From Nanking. [He draws the man aside and whispers]: It’s the Emperor — tell your General to hurry to his welcome!

  Soldier: Ha! How could it be the Emperor turning up here? D
on’t try to frighten me.

  Emperor: Call General Huang, and you will soon know the truth. [Sings]:

  Here is a General who once before

  Received our royal procession by the river.

  Soldier [gnawing his thumb in doubt]: Doesn’t look like the Emperor, but he sounds like somebody important. Better announce him and find out. [He hurries in to report.]

  Huang [hastening onstage]: How could this be? Let us promptly investigate.

  Emperor: How have you been, General Huang?

  Huang [falls to his knees]: Long live Your Majesty! Pray ascend this temporary throne and receive my homage. [The Grand Eunuch seats the Emperor, whereupon Huang prostrates himself, then sings]:

  Here in full armour I salute my lord,

  Raising my eyes to the Imperial visage.

  But how comes Your Majesty here,

  Riding the dusty road alone,

  Dragon displaced from river home,

  Buffeted by the storm?

  [Speaks]: All of us share the guilt for this! [Sings]:

  Each single minister

  Each single general

  Who has betrayed his lord.

  Emperor: Now that events have reached this pass, it is too late for regrets. I only demand your protection.

  Huang [pounds the floor and weeps]: When Your Majesty was secure in the recesses of his palace, I ventured my utmost in obedience to the Imperial command. Now that Your Majesty is in flight and powerless, I have no means either to advance to battle or to fall back in defence, I am left without the wherewithal to serve.

  Emperor: Don’t upset yourself so. My sole concern at present is for my personal safety. I have no desire to continue as Emperor.

  Huang: Ai-ya! This empire is the empire of your forefathers. How can Your Majesty cast it aside?

  Emperor: Whether the empire is cast aside depends on you, General.

  Huang: Feeble as I may be, my powers are dedicated to Your Majesty’s service, to the death.

  Emperor [wiping away tears]: So you are loyal to the Throne after all.

  Huang [kneeling]: Will Your Majesty deign to retire and rest after the hardships of the journey? Tomorrow I shall await Your Majesty’s instructions concerning our problems of state. [Grand Eunuch conducts the Emperor within. Huang muses]: What a pass we have reached! The Ming dominion of three hundred years now hangs on this moment, the Imperial control of fifteen provinces centers on this spot. It is a heavy responsibility for me to bear. [He shouts instructions]: Orders for all troops: No horse to go unbridled, no man to remove his armour, strict watches to be kept with bells and rattles.

  Troops: Aye, aye, General.

  Huang: T’ien Hsiung, you and I must act as His Majesty’s body-guards. We will keep our post here outside his lodging-place. [Huang takes a whip in either hand and lies down with his head pillowed on T’ien’s knees. Bells and rattles sound the watch.]

  T’ien [whispers]: General, this Emperor strikes me as one who has little good fortune to look forward to. The northern forces have already crossed the river, and everyone is declaring allegiance to them. You should be trimming your sails to the wind.

  Huang: What sort of talk is this? “Filial service demands every effort; loyalty to the prince demands life itself.” How can a servant of the Throne divide his loyalties? [Drum rolls offstage. Huang says, startled]: What are these drums? [Huang and T’ien sit up as Messenger enters.]

  Messenger: Beg to report: A troop of riders has arrived from the northeast. They say it is the two garrison commanders Liu, arriving to confer with Generalissimo Huang.

  Huang [rises]: Excellent! With our three garrisons united, we can guard His Majesty from all harm. Let me see them.

  [Enter on horseback General Liu Liang-tso and Liu Tse-ch’ing with their troops.]

  Liu Liang-tso and Liu Tse-ch’ing: Where is Brother Huang?

  Huang: Ah, it’s really you. I’ve been hoping so long for your arrival. [The two Liu dismount.]

  Liu Liang-tso: You found yourself a jewel and were keeping it from your brothers!

  Huang: What jewel?

  Liu Tse-ch’ing: Hung-kuang!

  Huang: Not so loud. His Majesty is resting.

  Liu Liang-tso [whispers]: What are you waiting for? This is the time to make your gift.

  Huang: What gift?

  Liu Tse-ch’ing: Offer Hung-kuang to the northern Court, and we’ll all be made mighty princes. This is the gift we mean.

  Huang: Scoundrels! Don’t ask me to put up with this dastardly trick! [Huang beats the two Liu with his whips. They call for help.] Rebel scum! [Sings]:

  Bowing to the prevailing wind,

  Lusting for profit like Persian pedlars.

  Appointed to serve the Throne,

  You would betray this precious hostage,

  Turning your blade against your Prince

  To win reward for vilest treachery.

  Miserable turncoats! Rebel curs!

  Liu Liang-tso: No need for such abuse, we’re all brothers here.

  Huang: Ha! Curs like you who have lost sight of your own true Prince. You are no brothers of mine. [Attacks them again.]

  T’ien [dodging behind the two Liu]: There’s a stubborn ox, who still doesn’t see how the land lies. [He draws his bow]. I’ll raise the siege for you!

  [His arrow pierces Huang’s leg. Huang falls, the two Liu laugh, and T’ien runs offstage, to reappear at once with the Emperor on his shoulders.]

  Emperor: Grand Eunuch Han! Quickly! [There is no response.] Ah, he has deserted me, the wretch. [He beats his fists on T’ien Hsiung’s head.] Where are you taking me?

  T’ien: To Peking! [The Emperor bites him in the shoulder.] Ow! He’s biting me! [T’ien flings the Emperor to the ground, then bows to the two Liu.] One Emperor, at your disposal.

  Liu Liang-tso and Liu Tse-ch’ing [bowing in return]: Many thanks. [They tug at the Emperor’s gown to drag him off. Huang clings to the Emperor’s legs.]

  Huang: T’ien Hsiung! Help me save the Emperor!

  [T’ien pretends to add his weight to Huang’s, but lets go, and the two Liu drag the Emperor offstage. Huang tries to rise but fails.]

  Huang: Why can’t I get to my feet?

  T’ien: You’ve been hit by an arrow, sir.

  Huang: Who shot at me?

  T’ien: We were shooting at the rebels and hit you by mistake, sir.

  Huang: Cross-eyed fool! And answer me this: What were you doing, bringing out the Emperor on your shoulders?

  T’ien: I was trying to help His Majesty escape. I never dreamt they would kidnap him like that.

  Huang: Follow them instantly!

  T’ien [laughing]: I don’t need your orders for that, sir! Here’s one escort, all ready and willing, baggage packed, off to see the Emperor safe — to Peking! [He takes up baggage and umbrella and hastens off.]

  Huang: Bah! Bunch of evil turncoats — I should have killed every one. Ah Heaven, Heaven, that ever the empire of the Ming was placed in the hands of Huang Te-kung! [Sings]:

  None could match my martial pride —

  Yet I gave up my Emperor!

  The story of this tug-of-war

  Will make old gaffers split their sides.

  [Speaks]: So be it. My life is all I have left to offer my country. [Draws his sword and calls]: You men! Come and behold a headless general! [With a single slash he cuts his throat.]

  SCENE 38

  LOST IN THE RIVER

  1645, FIFTH MONTH

  [Enter Shih K’o-fa wearing bamboo rain-hat and felt cloak. He looks behind him as he hastens onstage.]

  Shih [sings]:

  Beacon fires blaze,

  And the reek of blood rises;

  Clamour fills the air of Yangchow;

  Slaughter of the populace like rolling up a mat.

  And my foolhardiness to blame for all of this!

  Men and officers alike

  Have reached the limits of their strength,

  And all we have achieved is
a pile of corpses.

  [Speaks]: I, Shih K’o-fa, undertook the defence of Yang-chow with three thousand loyal subjects, but our strength failed, our rations were exhausted, and still no reinforcements arrived. Tonight the Northern troops breached the north wall, and I determined to take my own life. But I realize that three centuries of Ming rule rest on my shoulders alone for their perpetuation. What is the value, then, in a useless death which leaves my Prince deserted? So I scaled the south wall by rope and made for Yichen, where I was able to cross the river in a passing patrol-boat. [He points offstage]: There, hazy in the distance, are the walls of Nanking. But these old legs ache so that they will carry me no further. But ha! From heaven knows where, a white mule appears! I will ride it along the river bank. [He mounts the mule, plucking a willow branch for a switch, and sings]:

  Astride a white mule,

  Down a wild track by the deserted river,

  I fill the empty fields with bitter wailing.

  “The sun itself is nearer than the capital.”

  But ply the whip,

  And soon we’ll see the palace in the clouds.

  [Enter, in haste, the old Master of Ceremonies, with his belongings strapped on his back.]

  Master of Ceremonies [recites]:

  Old as I am, I seek to flee these troubles;

  as the sun goes down, I think of my old home.

  [Shih’s mule bumps against him and knocks him down.] Hey, hey! I nearly went into the river! You should look where you’re going, General!

  Shih [dismounting to help him to his feet]: I beg your pardon. But tell me, where have you come from?

  Master of Ceremonies: From Nanking.

  Shih: How is it in Nanking?

  Master of Ceremonies: You haven’t heard? The Emperor fled two or three days ago. Now the Northern forces have crossed the river, and the city is in an uproar with all its gates locked.

  Shih: Ha! Then it’s useless to try to go there. [He gives a great wail.] O Heaven, O Earth, O ancestors! Not even this corner of the empire can we hold!

  Master of Ceremonies: This sounds like the voice of General Shih K’o-fa. Is that who you are?

  Shih: That is who I am. How did you guess?

  Master of Ceremonies: I was a Master of Ceremonies in the Imperial Temple, and in the past I attended you by the Gate of Peace.

  Shih: Of course! When you bewailed the late Emperor so bitterly.