Xiqu

The Number One Scholar as the Matchmaker, also known as The Invincible Formation, was adapted by Ye Delin in 1960 and featured Zhang Junqiu at its premiere. It is a challenging piece for the performer who must have regal airs and at the same time, the shy reserve of a young girl. The delivery of lines and tonal changes require the performer to have a broad range and rich voice, a flamboyant yet elegant flair, and some coy charm mingled with some forthright appeal.

When the Song emperor went hunting with Princess Chai near the borderland, the princess was captured by Liao warriors. Yang Yanzhao defeated the Liao soldiers alone and rescued the Princess. Falling in love with Yang, Princess Chai recited a poem and gave him a dress embroidered with pearls as a token of her love. Fu Dingkui, the son of General Fu Long, also went to rescue the Princess. Mistaking Dingkui as the rescuer, the Song emperor betrothed Princess Chai to him. The Eighth Prince and the Number One Scholar Lü Mengzheng found out from the Princess’ poem that the Song emperor has made a mistake and reported it to him. But the emperor insisted that Fu Dingkui was the rescuer. The Eighth Prince and Lü Mengzheng went to see Princess Chai to find out the truth. Being asked, she told them she had given Yang Yanzhao the pearl dress as a token of her love. Princess Chai asked the emperor to clear the matter in the imperial court. Next day, Yang Yanzhao and Fu Dingkui went to the imperial court with their father. Yang showed the pearl dress to everyone and the case is settled. Princess Chai and Yang Yanzhao got married afterwards.