Xiqu

“The Magnificently-cloaked General Saves His Country” tells a story that takes place during the reign of Emperor Taizong in the Tang Dynasty. A martial arts contest is held to choose a military leader. Qin Huaiyu, son of General Qin Qiong who helped found the regime, meets his match at the contest grounds in the valiant Luo Tong. The Emperor decrees that the winner will be the one who can raise a stone lion with one hand and compose a poem and write it with the other. Huaiyu wins and is given the title of Top Performer in Military Feats. Princess Yinping is attracted to Huaiyu. Later, a northern force invades the border, and the Emperor wants to appoint Yuchi Gong as marshal. Huaiyu feels jealous and takes it out on Yuchi, which makes the two enemies. The Emperor arranges for Princess Yinping to marry Huaiyu. But when his father the general dies, Huaiyu cannot lead the army to war while in mourning. Yuchi suffers defeat on the battlefield, and is trapped in Tiger City together with the Emperor. In view of the dire situation, Huaiyu moves his army on an aiding expedition. But Yuchi, still bearing a grudge against him, refuses to open the city gate to let him and his army in. Huaiyu breaks through four squadrons but is on the verge of defeat. Fortunately, the Princess and Cheng Yaojin arrive in the nick of time and fight off the enemy. The Emperor orders Yuchi to apologise to Huaiyu, and the two finally reconcile their differences.