Appendix C

A Duel of Wits across the River between Two Army Counselors 1

Anonymous

ACT ONE

[ enters with soldiers.] Zhou Yu [recites]: Since a young age I have applied myself to the study of military strategies; During the Battle of Red Cliff, I demonstrated my martial powers. Surely and each have their fair share of capable generals, But only I—Zhou Yu—enjoy a prominent reputation to the east of the Yangzi River. My name is Zhou Yu, Gongjin. I am a native of Shucheng in Lujiang and a general serving under Zhongmou to the east of

1. A zaju play typically has a “topic” (timu 題目) and a “proper name” (zhengming 正 名), which appear at the end of the play. The heading of the play—or what we refer to as a “title”—is usually its “proper name.” In the case of this play, in Zang Maoxun’s edition the “topic” is “A Duel of Wits across the River between Two Army Counselors” 兩軍師 隔江鬥智, and the “proper name” is “Liu Xuande by a Lucky Turn of Events Contracted a Good Marriage” 劉玄德巧合良緣; yet, the heading of the play is given as A Duel of Wits across the River between Two Army Counselors. 372 Appendix C

the Yangzi River.2 During these declining years of the Han, Cao Cao monopolized power in court, forcing the three brothers, Liu [Bei], Guan [Yu] and Zhang [Fei], to forsake Fancheng and flee to Jiangxia. Later on, crossed the Yangzi River to enlist our help. My lent him a navy of thirty thousand men, with me as their commander-in- chief, and Huang Gai as the vanguard. At Xiakou, we attacked with fire and slaughtered Cao Cao’s entire army. Of Cao Cao’s eight hundred and thirty thousand soldiers, not a single one survived, and Cao Cao himself fled through the Huarong Trail, leaving behind in charge of the Southern Commandery. That bastard Liu Bei took advantage of the situation and snatched from us. The victory at Red Cliff was utterly due to the efforts of our army, but Liu Bei seized the nine commanderies of Jingzhou without lifting his little finger—how could I let this go! I have tried several times to get Jingzhou back, but each time my strategy was seen through by that scabby scoundrel Zhuge Liang. Now I have come up with another idea, and I shall discuss it with my generals. Soldier! Keep watch. When the generals arrive, let me know. Soldier: Yes, sir. [Gan Ning and enter.] Gan Ning: My name is Gan Ning, courtesy name Xingba. I was born a southerner. This general here is Ling Tong.3 We both serve under Sun Zhongmou, the King of Wu. The commander-in-chief has just summoned us, and we must go and find out what he wants. Soldier! Go in and report that Gan Ning and Ling Tong are here. Soldier: Gan Ning and Ling Tong are here. Zhou Yu: Ask them to come in. Gan Ning and Ling Tong: May we know why you, sir, summoned us? Zhou Yu: Please wait for a while. Soldier, ask Zijing to come in. Soldier: Grand Master Lu, the commander-in-chief invites you to come in.

2. Zhongmou 仲謀 was ’s courtesy name. 3. Gan Ning 甘寧 and Ling Tong 凌統 were both Wu generals whose biographies can be found in Sanguo zhi, 55.1292–95, 55.1295–97.