Prelude: Rebellion Against the Dynasty In 221BC, the first united China and founded the . During the rein of the Qin dynasty, the cruelty and dictatorship had eventually enraged its citizens, peasant rebellions erupted throughout China to overthrow the Qin Dynasty, plunging China into a state of anarchy.

Among those fighting the Qin dictatorship, there was a general named Yu, who lead his army to fight the Qin army and won the battle and claimed himself the Conqueror of Western .

An explosion of fire, smoke, galloping horses open the show the Conqueror of Western Chu with a blast. The conqueror is ready to leave for combat, his army is marching on…

Let us unveil the historical epic, taking you back thousands of years ago, here comes our hero, courageous, powerful yet tender in hearts to his loved ones. Let us show you the sentiments of the famous episode Farewell to My Concubine, a love story that has become a legend of love and faith in Chinese history.

Act One: Reminiscence of Love Xiang Yu and Yu Miaoyi (nicknamed as Beauty Yu before she married Xiang and became Consort Yu) grew up together and became lovers. After their engagement, Xiang Yu has to leave to fight the battle against the Qin Dynasty. The night before the departure, Beauty Yu expresses her tender love by dancing and reminicining their happy time together, eventually Beauty Yu decides to join Xiang Yu to go to the battle fields.

Act Two: The Battle of Julu Xiang Yu leads his army of 7,000 in combat with the Qin army. The marching, the shouting of the solidiers indicate the courage and the determination of the Chu army. Their cook utensils are destroyed, their boats are sunk, there is no turning back. Xiang Yu and his soliders fight a courageous battle and defeated the 30, 000 Qin army. The battle of Julu establishes Xiang Yu as a rebel hero and enables him to become the Conqueror of Western Chu later on.

Act Three: Feast at Hong Gate Liu Bang, another rebel general has won a battle against the Qin army, he claims himself the King of . Xiang Yu is not pleased. Encouraged by his advisor , Xiang Yu invited Liu Bang to attend a banquet at Hong Gate with the intension to kill his rival during the feast.

Entertained by beautiful courtesan dances and lovely Zither music, the feast is on, but the tension is brewing between the two parties. Xiang Yu can’t make up his mind and he keeps ignoring his advisor Fan Zeng’s signals to take the action. Liu Bang uses his excuses to convince Xiang Yu that Liu is loyal to him. Xiang makes a grave mistake to let Liu escape, thus sowing the seed to his downfall.

Act Four: Victorious Return Of Chu Troops to Homeland Xiang Yu eventually overthrows the Qin Dynasty and proclaims himself as the Conqueror of Western Chu. He sets fire to burn down the Qin Palace and decides to go back to his homeland. His homeland people welcome his victorious return with a parade of dances, songs and martial arts demonstrations.

Act Five: Chu– Contention After Liu Bang escaped from the Feast of Hong Gate, he has built his Han army to turn against Xiang Yu and the two engage in battles. At the Battle of Gaixia, after the Han army surrounds the Chu Army, Liu Bang ordered his troops to sing nostalgic Chu folk songs which makes the Chu soliders home sick and want to go back to their homeland. Some soliders desert the battle fields in despair, some refuse to fight any more battles. Liu Bang’s strategy has won him the battle and put Xiang Yu in a desperate situation.

Act Six: Farewell My Concubine Xiang Yu must escape from the trap by the Han Army, he is worried that his beloved concubine Yu can’t fight the battle with him. Xiang Yu sings the famous Song of Gaixia to express his despair. Not to become a burden to his beloved Conqueror, Yu Ji makes up her mind. She offers to do a dance for him to bid farewell.

Act Seven: Downfall of the Hero Xiang Yu is heart broken after Yu Ji’s death. He leads his army to fight a brave battle to break the entrapment of the Han Army. The battle is brutal, by the time they escape the Han Army, there are only 28 survivors. Xiang Yu arrives at the river bank of River, he has the opportunity to cross the river himself, but he refuses to go further. His army has diminished down to the last 28 from 8000, he doesn’t have the courage to face his homeland people if he goes back by himself without his army and his beloved concubine Yu Ji. So he fights his last brave battle with Han Army who chases him down to the river bank. His courage and his shortcoming have eventually brought about his downfall….

Act Eight: The Founding of the Liu Bang has risen from peasantry to become the emperor of the Han Dynasty. He walks up the steps leading to his throne with his empress and his officials to mark his victory. Han courtesans wave their sleeves and music plays out to celebrate Liu’s victory and the founding of the Han Dynasty.