The Complete Dramatic Works of Tang Xianzu
Page 37
GENERALS:
Which is the most important among military affairs?
LIU GONGJI:
In the Han Dynasty, four counties were set up to cut off the Huns’ entry into the Qiang state. So now we should prevent the Qiangs from forming an alliance with the Tubos. In this way, we can keep peace in this area.
(To the previous tune)
The frontier and the capital are far apart
Like two ends of the world.
Why are military camps set up and fields reclaimed?
It is to prevent invasion from Tubo and Qiang.
GENERALS:
Please give us your suggestions on the military strategies.
LIU GONGJI:
Please listen to my suggestion.
Beware of Qiang’s tricks;
Never relax in times of peace.
The two catch phrases are:
“Share weal and woe;
Implement fair reward and punishment.”
Now I’ll be on my way. You are not to go beyond the base to see me off.
(Reports within)
The minority group leaders want to bid you farewell.
LIU GONGJI:
It’s not necessary. Just tell them to keep in accord with the empire.
(Starts to leave)
(To the tune of Guichaohuan)
I’ll return to the court,
I’ll return to the court
From this wide-stretching desert.
The central plain is prosperous
With rich natural views.
On my way home,
On my way home,
I hear the farewell music.
A general returns from the battlefield,
With his hair turning gray on his head.
In autumn when the frontier is picturesque,
His Majesty orders me back to court,
Where I can enjoy warm spring wind.
Through the Yumen Pass under the bright moon,
The general is to go home soon.
With a valiant army under his command,
No Huns will dare to invade our homeland.
Scene Thirty-Six
Reading the Paper Screen in Tears
(Enter Huo Xiaoyu and Huansha)
HUO XIAOYU, HUANSHA (To the tune of Juhuaxin):
I suddenly see a single file of wild geese
When I look at the autumn sky and lean against the railings.
The cold rain patters on the flowers
And spoils the beautiful scene.
(In the pattern of Hemanzi)
“Lotus flowers wither in the cold dew,
Leaving lingering fragrance in the courtyard.
I stay behind the half-rolled curtain,
Longing for my man more eagerly in the autumn.
I often stand there motionless and silent,
Looking at the wild geese flying past.
I haven’t received a line from my man since he left three years ago. It’s true indeed,
Chrysanthemums have bloomed and withered twice,
But my man hasn’t returned home,
And the heartless geese won’t bring me a line from him.”
HUANSHA:
He’ll come back sooner or later, so don’t worry.
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Guizhixiang):
On a clear day without a cloud,
I make up and get dressed.
In the sun I’m leaning against the screen,
Filled with sorrowful feelings.
Every day I’m getting thinner
And thinner,
Sighing lonely in my bridal chamber.
With no one to admire,
The moon will soon disappear;
Why is the autumn scenery so hard to endure?
HUANSHA:
Let’s climb the Fengxiao Tower to look into the distance!
HUO XIAOYU (To the previous tune):
I roll up the curtain
And see the picturesque water and mountains.
The sunset glow is shining over the clear river,
Where the leaves fall in the frost.
There is a place in the far distance,
There is a place in the far distance,
Where there are abundant sands and geese.
Leaning against the high railings,
I can imagine my man’s tearful face,
But where exactly can I find his trace?
(Enter Scout Wang with a paper screen)
SCOUT WANG (To the tune of Zhuan):
I gallop all the way from the frontier,
With a cheerful message for the lady in chamber.
HUO XIAOYU:
I stay alone behind closed doors,
With no mind for make-up.
Why do I feel so depressed
And have the beaded curtain rolled up?
(Scout Wang shouts)
HUANSHA:
At the calling of some visitor
To the lonely and quiet house,
I peep out from the corridor.
Who is it?
SCOUT WANG:
A scout bringing message from the frontier.
HUO XIAOYU (Pleasantly surprised):
You may be working under my man,
To whom I haven’t sent the winter coats yet.
SCOUT WANG (Takes out the paper screen):
In case a letter may not express his feelings well,
He paints on a paper screen instead.
HUO XIAOYU:
It takes several nights to bring the screen here,
Even by a wild goose.
To reward my messenger, chrysanthemum wine is the best.
(Huansha takes out some wine for Scout Wang)
SCOUT WANG:
By my master’s order I can’t stay for long.
HUANSHA:
Our young lady entertains you with sincerity.
HUO XIAOYU:
Who’s his new superior?
SCOUT WANG:
It’s General Lu.
HUO XIAOYU:
Who is General Lu?
SCOUT WANG:
He’s the younger brother of the prime minister Lu Qi and the elder brother of the favoured eunuch Lu Zhonggui. So he is very powerful and wealthy.
HUO XIAOYU:
Can you tell me when my man will return home?
SCOUT WANG:
When I was in the frontier, I heard that Mr. Li said to Governor Liu Gongji, “I’ll keep my promotion out of mind.”
(Huo Xiaoyu is annoyed)
SCOUT WANG:
Don’t worry.
I’ve heard about His Majesty’s decree
That another post will soon be assigned to Mr. Li,
Who is bound to return in honour for his grand feats.
I’ll drink the wine and take leave at once.
(Exit)
HUO XIAOYU:
At last the message comes from a remote place,
Which is very precious,
Which is very precious.
(To the tune of Jinsuoguawutong)
The crows fly in the glorious sunset glow,
And the magpies bring enjoyable weather.
I gaze at the river far away,
Which flows with green ripples.
(Unfolds the paper screen)
Oh my man,
In three years not a letter comes from you;
Is it because you don’t miss me at all?
The screen,
Why is it delivered to me in so many folds?
My man, you’re grateful for the kindness and appreciation from Governor Liu Gongji, so you’ll keep your promotion out of mind.
Indulged in the sumptuous banquet with beauties,
You don’t care how I live in sorrows.
In fierce sandstorms,
Fallen tree-leaves settle on the flower roots.
HUO XIAOYU, HUANSHA:
We don’t know his date of return yet,
But we’re happy for his message for the moment.
HUO XIAOYU:
Now I know he’ll soon come back. Let me unfold the paper screen and see what he says in the poem. Oh! It’s a painting by himself.
(Reads the poem aloud)
“The sand before the Huile Peak is like snow;
The moonlight in the Shouxian City is like frost.
Where is the flute music coming from
That makes us homesick all night?”
In this paper screen, the poem and the scenery enhance each other. What a gloomy frontier!
(To the previous tune)
The sands are like snow;
The moonlight is like frost.
The dim moonlight and hazy desert
Best represent the frontier sight.
I’ve never been to the Great Wall,
But it seems that someone is absent
From the painted landscape.
My man,
I’m pointing at the painted desert,
And you’re playing the flute in moonlight.
Please remember
That in the dream we’ll meet each other.
HUO XIAOYU, HUANSHA:
We don’t know his date of return yet,
But we are happy for his message for the moment.
HUANSHA:
Our family has declined since Mr. Li left home three years ago.
(To the tune of Wutonghua)
We used to enjoy to our hearts’ content
The untold wealth and high honour,
As well as the beautiful flowers and moonlight.
But who cares about all this for the present?
Seeing the lonely daughter and the declined house,
The old lady is tormented by great sorrows.
HUO XIAOYU, HUANSHA:
Only Li’s return is the best solution.
HUO XIAOYU:
It’s no use talking about wealth. What a pity that our best time is wasted!
(To the previous tune)
For what reason
Are tears dropping down?
By the lotus pond in autumn,
I mix the painting rouge.
Who knows my great sorrows and distresses?
I’ll send my man a painting of autumn sights.
HUO XIAOYU, HUANSHA:
Only Li’s return is the best solution.
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Yibujin):
Wives are busy making winter clothes for husbands;
HUANSHA:
Mr. Li will be back before we send the clothes.
HUO XIAOYU, HUANSHA:
How happy we’ll be when he returns!
The lonesome lady weeps for her man,
And moistens the painted screen.
If her man fails to come back next year,
She’ll turn into a cloud and fly to the west.
Scene Thirty-Seven
Transference to Another Garrison
(Enter General Lu)
GENERAL LU (To the tune of Fanbusuan):
The frontier in autumn is dreary and hazy with grass and mist;
The fierce west wind has stopped.
A talented young man will come to work under my command,
So I hold in his honour a reception banquet with music.
“Our family boasts countless wealth
And wields great power and influence.
So far we’ve achieved great military victories,
Now I welcome the meritorious young man of genius.”
I’m General Lu, now guarding the Mengmen Pass. I’ve asked for His Majesty’s permission to have Li Yi as my military consultant. He’ll report to the post today, so I’ll welcome him. Attendants, wait at the camp gate.
(Enter Li Yi, followed by attendants)
LI YI (To the tune of Shenzhang’er):
Leaving the northwestern frontier,
Leaving the northwestern frontier,
I go to work under General Lu.
SCOUT WANG (Kowtows):
Your Excellency, I’ve sent the paper screen to your wife.
LI YI:
Thank you. Is she well?
SCOUT WANG:
Yes, she’s expecting you home.
LI YI:
Now give him some silvers. Scout Wang, you’re my native, so I’ll tip you well if you can bring me letters from my wife when you are on an errand to Chang’an.
SCOUT WANG:
Yes, no problem!
LI YI:
Now I’m told my wife is well,
But even so,
How can I not miss her?
Confined in the military camp,
I can’t see my house.
(Greets General Lu)
GENERAL LU:
“You did well through your literary talent;
LI YI:
You have great prestige and influence.
GENERAL LU:
To realize your ambition this is the best place;
LI YI:
A free and carefree life is my wish.”
GENERAL LU:
I’ve had high esteem for you since I saw you last, Mr. Li. How lucky I am to have you as my military consultant! Now serve the wine!
(Enter the attendant)
ATTENDANT:
“A talented man is sought after
To work under my master.”
Here’s the wine.
GENERAL LU (To the tune of Suohanchuang):
On the boundless central plain with its sandy storms,
I am the general that gives command.
Beyond the Mengmen Pass,
Before the Shaohua Peak,
Numerous military flags are fluttering
Along the riverside.
Our victory also depends on your literary talent.
GENERAL LU, LI YI:
As it’s hard to predict
Whether we’ll meet or not,
We must treasure the banquet today.
LI YI (To the previous tune):
Wars can be suppressed through my proclamations,
The power of which needs no flatteries.
Transferred from the Yumen Pass to this garrison,
I’ve never left the battlefields.
Even the most talented literary consultants
And the greatest generals
Are not always on the move like me.
GENERAL LU, LI YI:
As it’s hard to predict
Whether we’ll meet or not,
We must treasure the banquet today.
GENERAL LU:
I’ve heard of your poem that says you’ll keep promotion out of your mind. Is that true?
LI YI:
It’s casual talk after drinking. Don’t take the trouble thinking about it!
GENERAL LU (Laughs):
(To the previous tune)
You write the poem out of gratitude
To express your indifference to coming back.
Please don’t look down on your post, Mr. Li.
You have an outstanding talent,
And produce prominent essays.
No matter how profusely you write,
Or how brilliantly you compose,
You have to serve in the court.
GENERAL LU, LI YI:
As it’s hard to predict
Whether we’ll meet or not,
We must treasure the banquet today.
GENERAL LU:
Do you have a wife?
LI YI:
I’ve been married and lived with my wife Huo Xiaoyu’s family.
GENERAL LU:
I see. In ancient times, it often happened that a man would desert his first wife when he became wealthy and powerful. With your talent and achievement, why don’t you enter the wedlock with an influential family? It’s helpful to your promotion.
LI YI:
I won’t go back on the vow I made to her.
(To the previous tune)
The tears my wife dropped on my sleeves give off a sweet smell;
Several years have passed but she is still yo
ung and pretty.
GENERAL LU:
Have you sent a letter to your wife?
LI YI:
One of your men sent a letter for me, the first within three years.
GENERAL LU:
You’ve been serving His Majesty, so how can you be over-concerned about love affairs?
LI YI:
When the wife prepares her man’s clothes at night,
He will return in the moonlight.
Swallows and wild geese are flying to and fro,
To bring messages between man and wife.
How can they be ever severed?
GENERAL LU, LI YI:
As it’s hard to predict
Whether we’ll meet or not,
We must treasure the banquet today.
LI YI:
I can’t drink any more.
GENERAL LU:
We’ve military banquets every day here.
(To the tune of Coda)
I cherish your talent and reputation;
LI YI:
This is because you’re broad-minded.
GENERAL LU, LI YI:
We’ll soon win the war and return to the capital.
(Exit Li Yi)
GENERAL LU (Left alone on the stage):
Who’s the one that brought a letter home for Li Yi?
SCOUT WANG:
It’s me.
GENERAL LU:
Now I’ll have you bound and imprisoned.
(Scout Wang begs for mercy)
GENERAL LU:
I’ll give you a chance to make amends for your fault. Now you go to Governor Liu Gongji’s office to congratulate him on his return to the court. Then you go to Li Yi’s house and tell his wife that Li Yi has married my daughter and lived with us. Let her be driven crazy. This is a chance for you to render a service.
SCOUT WANG:
Yes, I see.
With great power and influence in his hand,
He has the scholar under his command.
He will not hurt the scholar in the dark,
But have him hooked through his scheme.
Scene Thirty-Eight
Taking a False Message
(Enter Bao Siniang)
BAO SINIANG (To the tune of Boxing):
The clouds are drifting in the sky,
When the rain has just wetted the balcony.
The setting sun sheds placid light
On the infinite autumn sight.
I’m looking into the mirror,
Wondering if you can make a guess
Of how old I am exactly.
The phoenix tree by the well often appears in my dream;
Now the rain dripping on it increases my solitude and gloom.
(In the pattern of Xijiangyue)
“Long skirts and broad sleeves were popular in the past,
But are now replaced by tight socks and bowed shoes.
Evening flowers bloom when morning flowers wither,
Which no one would buy without the vendor’s cries.
I frequently do embroidery with the maids
And write poems with the lasses.