Xiqu

The Number One Scholar Zhang Xie
This is the oldest play of Southern Chinese theatre recorded in the Yongle Encyclopedia. The version adapted by Yongjia Kunqu presents a number of southern theatre elements, such as using actors as props, changing costumes on stage and one actor
playing several roles. So, in the story, the Netherworld Judge and the Temple Ghost are at the same time a demon of much lesser status, a bystander and a commentator, sometimes even a prop such as a door or a chair, and at other times a spirit who ‘sucks
up’ the altar offerings. Most important of all, there is the symbolic representation of the dilemma in Zhang the protagonist’s heart. The so-called ‘happy ending’ is a parody of the actual tragedy of women of ancient times, when their wills and wishes are often
at odds with their fate.

Scene One
Sichuan scholar Zhang Xie went to the capital for the imperial examination. On his way he was robbed, and he escaped to an old temple in the mountain for shelter. There he met a poor young woman. The Netherworld Judge and the little ghost of the temple acted as their match-maker and the two became husband and wife in poverty.

Scene Two
Wang Deyong wanted to find a husband for his daughter Shenghua. Hearing that Zhang Xie has become the number one scholar of the year, he wanted to offer him the silk rope as a token for the marriage proposal.

Scene Three
After becoming the number one scholar, Zhang Xie paraded the streets of the capital on horseback. Wang Deyong offered him the silk rope and he wanted to accept it, but feared that his marriage with the poor girl if exposed would affect his future. So reluctantly, Zhang Xie refused Wang’s silk rope which bred enmity between them.

– Intermission of 15 minutes –
Scene Four
After being publicly rejected by Zhang Xie, Wang’s daughter Shenghua died in grief. Hearing that her husband had become the number one scholar, the poor girl went to the capital to look for him. But the unfaithful Zhang Xie refused to see her. The poor girl had to sing and beg all the way back to her home.

Scene Five
Zhang Xie was sent to Zizhou to serve as a local official. He blamed the poor girl for ruining his name and career, so on his way to his new office, he went to the old temple to kill her, but was stopped by the Netherworld Judge and the Temple Ghost. Full of grudge and sorrow, the poor girl beat the Netherworld Judge and the Temple Ghost while in tears, accusing them for being blind and incapable. When Wang passed by the old temple on his way to his new posting, he found the wounded poor girl and adopted her as his daughter.

Scene Six
To revenge the insult of his daughter being publicly rejected by Zhang Xie, Wang went to Zizhou to be Zhang’s supervising official so that he could give him a hard time. When Zhang Xie went to see Wang, he was startled to find the poor girl there. Filled with regret,
Zhang Xie asked for forgiveness, and the poor girl was touched and could not bring herself to kill him. With Wang’s blessing, Zhang Xie and the poor girl married once more.