LI Bao-Chun on Traditional Chinese Operas
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2/5 Guan Yu
Plucking the Silk Robe at Ba Bridge
The Reunion in Old Town
Director: LI Bao-Chun
GUAN Yu by LI Bao-Chun
CAO Cao by LEE Ching-Fong
ZHANG Fei by LEE Ching-Fong
Groom by WANG Yung-Tseng
LIU Bei by LI Long-Xian
CAI Yang by KAO Hao-Chun
Guan Yu, having been captured by Cao Cao and treated as a VIP, learned the whereabouts of his comrades Liu Bei and Zhang Fei one day. He found Zhang Fei had taken over Gu-cheng, where Zhang and Liu’s army was now stationed. At once Guan Yu returned, in a sealed envelope, the gold Cao Cao gave him and hanged the stamp that signified power, also given to him by Cao Cao, and left for Gu-cheng. Cao Cao, on hearing about Guan’s departure, followed Guan to Ba Bridge and presented good wine and a silk robe as a token of friendship. Pouring the wine over his weapon and pricking the robes aside with his spear, Guan Yu rode away.
Arriving at Gu-cheng, Zhang Fei who suspected Guan of turning into Cao’s spy, cross-examined Guan Yu harshly. Meanwhile, Cao’s army had chased Guan to Gu-cheng. Zhang Fei would not open the gate for Guan. Guan had to kill Cao’s general to prove his integrity. Liu, Guan, Zhang, the three brother-like comrades, re-united in Gu-cheng in the long run, but Zhang Fei had to apologize repeatedly before Guan would pardon him.
2/12 Bao Zheng Running Into the Empress Dowager
Judge Bao brought supplies and relieves to Chen State, where a blind beggar lady prevented his sedan chair from moving ahead and filed a serious complaint. The beggar lady turned out to be mother of the current emperor, and she had a royal handkerchief, a gift from the previous emperor, as the proof of her identity. On Lantern Festival, Judge Bao put on a play for the emperor, suggesting the emperor was an ungrateful son. The emperor sentenced Judge Bao to death in a fury. Eunuch Chen Lin testified that it was Concubine Liu who framed Concubine Li and took her son. Judge Bao was released, and the empress dowager was welcomed back to the palace. After her eyes were cured, she was going to punish the emperor but ordered Judge Bao to carry out the penalty. Judge Bao then beat the emperor’s golden robe with a cane to symbolize the punishment.
2/19 Xue Ping-Gui and Wang Bao-Chuan
Xue Ping-Gui and Wang Bao-Chuan lived a very humble married life in an abandoned kiln. One day, Xue tamed a fiery horse with red mane and got promoted.
Unfortunately, conflicts broke out in Xiliang, and Xue had to part with Bao-Chuan to join the army. He was then framed by his brother-in-law, Wei Hu, and captured by the enemy. The king of Xi-liang, impressed by the young man, married his daughter, Princess Dai Zhan, to Xue.
Later Xue became the king and returned to Wu Jia Slope where his wife had stayed loyal and firm. When the king passed away, Xue, with the help of Princess Dai Zhan, succeeded to the throne. He sentenced Wei Hu to death but pardoned his father-in-law under his wife’s pleading. Princess Dai Zhan as well as Wang Bao-Chuan and her parents were all given royal titles.
