LI Bao-Chun on Traditional Chinese Operas

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8/7 The Promotion of Xu Jiu-Jing

In Ming Dynasty, Marquis An-Guo’s adopted son, Liu Yu, had a fiancé, Li Qian-Niang, who was betrothed to him in early childhood. While Liu Yu left for war, Duke Bing-Jian’s brother in-law tried to force Li Qian-Niang to marry him. Liu Yu came home in time to rescue Li Qian-Niang, and the two took the matter to court. The judges in the court didn’t want to offend either family, so they refused to take the case. Duke Bing-Jian remembered Xu Jiu-Jing, Mayor of Yu-Tian City, had an old grudge with Marquis An-Guo because the latter named Xu a low-ranked mayor due to Xiu’s unsightly features, despite Xu placed first in the qualification test. Duke Bing-Jian promoted Xu Jiu-Jing to royal court and named him judge of the case. Xu Jiu-Jing was able to set away his personal grudges and rule with justice. With wisdom he settled the case. He then resigned and left the office.

8/14 Rescuing from a Fall

Song Yin-Zhang worked in Brothel Yi-Chun in Bianliang. She was in love with An Xiu-Shi, but was also moved by Zhou She, who was rich and passionate. Despite warnings from her sworn sister in the brothel, Zhao Pan-Er, Yin-Zhang married Zhou She who started to abuse her after they got married. An Xiu-Shi tried to rescue her, only to get violently beaten. Zhao Pan-Er, moved by An Xiu-Shi’s love, designed a clever plan to trick Zhou She into writing a divorce letter. Song Yin-Zhang was rescued and able to wed her true love An Xiu-Shi.

8/21 Koo Cloud Live from Stage

Rescuing Mother from Hell

Mu-Lian became a monk following Kṣitigarbha. Just when his study and self-realization were about to complete, he heard his mother Liu Qing-Ti had strayed from the study of Buddhism while she was alive, and has been sentenced to hell upon her death. Mu-Lian rushed to hell, and saw his mother being transferred to the Mountain of Sliding Oil. After talking with his mother, Mu-Lian vowed to rescue her.

The Little Cowherd and The Wench

This light-hearted musical piece is about a little boy who. while tending to his herd of cows, met a little girl from next village. They danced and sang lovers duets, and, made confessions.

At Mount Tielong

General Jiang Wei led his troop to conquer the state of Wei. He successfully defeated Si-Ma Shi and Chen Tai, driving them to Mount Tielong. There Sima and Chen awaited Guo Huai’s reinforcement. Jiang Wei befriended Mi Dang with gold and silks, and they pledged to join forces. When Mi Dang approached Mount Tielong with his troop of one hundred thousand, Si-Ma Shi was frightened. However, Chen Tai and Mi Dang being old acquaintances, Chen Tai makes Mi Dang believe that Jiang Wei insulted him in public. Mi Dang then changed his camp, and Jiang Wei was defeated by the joint forces of Mi Dang and Sima Shi.

8/28 Koo Cloud Live from Stage 

Monkey King Fights the Spider Demon

An episode based on the story of “Journey to the West.” Monk Tang and his fellows were on their way to the West to seek for the Buddhist sutras. The Spider Demon set a trap to lure Monk Tang, so she could eat Monk Tang and get eternal life. However, Monkey King saw right through the trap, defeated and captured the Spider Demon. Monk Tang and his disciples were able to continue their journey to the West.

One Child Must Die

“One Child Must Die” is a scene from Peking Opera “The Magical Lotus Lantern”. Chen-Xiang, son of Liu Yan-Chang and Mother Goddess, finally grew up. One day, as he was trying to protect his half-brother, Qiu-Er, from bullies in school, he fought too hard and killed Qin Guan-Bao, son of an aristocrat. As the brothers tried to protect each other with their lives, Qiu-Er’s mother, Wang Qui-Ying, was in an impossible dilemma to pick which child to save. At the end, she agreed to save Chen-Xiang to repay Mother Goddess’ love for the Liu’s.