Stories of the Hui Merchants, Part I: Mount Yuhui

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Cast List
Xie Huiyun (Lady Lanxiang):
Wu Tongke (The Guest from Tongcheng):
Lady Wanjing:
Lady Ping'an:
Manservant 1:
Manservant 2:
Dancer 1:
Dancer 2:

Props and Costumes
Act I Props: Desk, writing brush, inkstone, paper, ink stick, a transparent glass cup filled with Huangshan Maofeng tea, several small paper tasting cups (for audience interaction).
Act II Props: Four chairs, table, vase, mirror, writing brush, inkstone, paper, ink stick, three sets of covered tea bowls, one tray, two tea bags, rice paper with calligraphy.
Act I Costumes: Xie Huiyun (Modern-style Qipao), Wu Tongke (Casual attire).
Act II Costumes: Lady Lanxiang (Elegant Qing Dynasty attire), Lady Wanjing (Exquisite Qing Dynasty attire), Lady Ping'an (Simple Qing Dynasty attire), Two Manservants (Traditional short-jacket laborer attire), Two Dancers (Classical dance attire with water sleeves).

Story Synopsis
(Modern Setting) Xie Huiyun is grinding ink to paint at a desk in front of her tea shop. A tourist, Wu Tongke, happens to pass by and is drawn to the fragrance of the tea. Wu questions how Huizhou culture is manifested, leading Xie to guide him back into the days of the past.
(Qing Dynasty Setting) Lady Lanxiang, a tea merchant’s wife, returns home to find Lady Wanjing, whose husband is a government official, and Lady Ping'an, whose husband is a merchant, waiting in the main hall. They congratulate Lady Lanxiang on the success of her family's tea business. During their conversation, Lady Ping'an asks Lady Wanjing for advice on raising children. Just then, a manservant announces the arrival of a visitor from Tongcheng, a student seeking an audience with Lady Wanjing's husband; unable to see the master, he has come to bid farewell to the mistress. Lady Wanjing, having prepared the "Four Treasures of the Study," explains the principles of Confucianism, the art of child-rearing, and the path to upright living.

Content Design: Based on the "Xieyuda" tea business founded by Xie Zheng'an, the play incorporates the culture of Huizhou halls. By transitioning from the modern context of "Tea Culture" being listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage to an ancient setting, it expresses the Huizhou cultural symbolism behind the "vase on the left, mirror on the right," and highlights the humanistic spirit of the Huizhou people—their Confucian values, their emphasis on integrity as officials, and their prayer for peace as merchants—while showcasing the continuity of Huizhou tea culture.

Script
Act I
Scene: Modern Tea Shop
Props: Desk, brush, ink, paper, inkstone, transparent glass cup with Huangshan Maofeng tea, several small paper tasting cups (audience interaction).
Actors: Xie Huiyun, Wu Tongke.
(Xie Huiyun sits at the front of the shop, grinding ink to paint.)
(Wu Tongke approaches, examining the tea cup.)
Wu Tongke: (Clears his throat, slightly awkward) Boss, may I taste this tea? (Points to the cup.)

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(Xie Huiyun places her brush on the rack, stands up, and pours tea from the glass cup into a small paper cup.)
(Wu Tongke takes the tea and tastes it.)
Xie Huiyun: (Smiling as she pours, handing the tea to the tourist) It has been one year since tea culture was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Taste the Huangshan Maofeng, appreciate the cultural charm of Huizhou. (Hands tea to the audience) Try it, it’s free.
Wu Tongke: (Sets down the paper cup) It is indeed good tea, but I have heard that what you Anhui people are most famous for is being "Huizhou Merchants." If you don't charge money, whose money are you trying to earn as a merchant?
(Wu Tongke stops a tourist from taking the tea; Xie Huiyun pours a fresh cup for the tourist.)
Wu Tongke: (Smiles at the tourist, turns back to Xie Huiyun, suspicious) Furthermore, what does this have to do with "cultural charm"?
Xie Huiyun: (Laughs) White walls and black tiles are like black ink on white paper—doing things with integrity and openness. By saying that, you don't believe me, do you?
Wu Tongke: (Shakes his head) I don't believe it... (Turns to the audience) Do you believe her?
Xie Huiyun: (Grabs Wu Tongke’s wrist, leading him forward) You truly don't believe?
Wu Tongke: (Steps backward) I don't.
(Dance movements are incorporated between Xie Huiyun and Wu Tongke.)
Xie Huiyun: Then come with me and see!
(Xie Huiyun leads, Wu Tongke follows; as they run, they shed their outer modern clothing to reveal Qing Dynasty costumes underneath.)

Act II
Scene: Main Hall
Props: Four chairs, table, vase, mirror, brush, ink, paper, inkstone, three sets of covered tea bowls, one tray, two tea bags, rice paper with calligraphy.
Actors: Lady Lanxiang, Lady Wanjing, Lady Ping'an, The Guest from Tongcheng, two manservants, two dancers.
(The two manservants stand at the entrance.)
Lady Lanxiang: (Walks quickly into the room, smiling apologetically) Forgive me for keeping you two sisters waiting. (Sits in the primary seat) I was just at the shop settling accounts and lost track of time. My apologies for the neglect. (Waves to the dancers and manservants.)
(Manservant 1 remains at the door; Manservant 2 brings out a tray with three cups of tea.)
(Manservant 2 slips and nearly falls; the two dancers each take a cup of tea, perform a dance in the hall, and finally offer the tea to Lady Wanjing and Lady Ping'an. The two ladies applaud.)
Lady Wanjing: (Takes a sip, sets down the bowl, and bows to Lady Lanxiang) My husband sent a letter home on his way to his post, saying that the tea from your Xie family shop is now in high demand. Congratulations, congratulations!
(Lady Wanjing and Lady Ping'an stand to bow; Lady Lanxiang hurriedly helps them up, and the three sit back down.)
Lady Lanxiang: (Laughs) My husband does not care much for how the shop is run; he only hopes our descendants will walk the right path, serve as officials in the court, and support the great cause of the nation...
(Manservant 2 brings out two bags of tea; Lady Lanxiang stands to accept them.)
Lady Lanxiang: My husband knows that you two are my dearest friends. He specifically asked me to prepare this tea for you before he left on his trip. (Smiles, handing the tea first to Lady Wanjing, then to Lady Ping'an. The two ladies decline modestly before accepting.)

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Lady Ping'an: When Lady Lanxiang spoke just now of raising children (sighs), I remembered that Lady Wanjing comes from a scholarly family. My little one is quite mischievous (frowns), and I truly wish to seek your guidance.
(Lady Ping'an and Lady Lanxiang look at Lady Wanjing.)
Lady Wanjing: (Smiles and stands up) How could it be called seeking guidance? (Turns to Lady Lanxiang) I must trouble you, sister Lanxiang, to prepare the brush and ink.
(The two dancers and Manservant 2 bring in the Four Treasures of the Study. Lady Wanjing turns her back to the door and begins to write; the two dancers and Manservant 2 form a screen, incorporating dance elements.)
The Guest from Tongcheng: I am from Tongcheng (points to himself), and I have come to see the Master (bows). I have come to the door but cannot find him.
The Guest from Tongcheng: (To female tourists) Does this lady know where Lady Lanxiang's house is? (Turns to a child) Does this young master know where Lady Lanxiang's house is? (Turns to a male tourist) This gentleman...
(If there are many tourists, dance movements are added, with the Guest from Tongcheng being jostled about in the crowd.)
Manservant 1: Here.
(The Guest from Tongcheng looks around in a dance, unable to find the place.)
Manservant 1: Here, here (voice growing louder)... (Walks to the Guest from Tongcheng and pulls him to the door) Here!
Manservant 1: (Respectfully, toward the room) My Lady, a guest from Tongcheng wishes to see Lady Wanjing.
(The two dancers and Manservant 2 retreat to the side; Lady Wanjing turns around.)
The Guest from Tongcheng: (Respectfully, bows) Mistress... (Stands to the side.)
(The two ladies surround Lady Wanjing in the center.)
Lady Wanjing: (Holding the rice paper with calligraphy) Emulate the sages in loyalty and righteousness.
(The two dancers and two manservants bow to the four directions.)
Lady Wanjing: Protecting home and country is the duty of all.
(The two dancers and two manservants bow to the tourists.)
Lady Lanxiang: (Takes the rice paper from Lady Wanjing) Be not pedantic, foolish, or greedy for wealth.
(The two dancers and two manservants give a thumbs up.)
Lady Lanxiang, Lady Wanjing, Lady Ping'an: Stand in this world with clean hands and a pure heart!
(Everyone applauds.)
The Guest from Tongcheng: (Respectfully, bows) The student came to see the Master, but I have learned wisdom here from the Mistress. (Bows) I bid you farewell, and I shall return another day to visit the Master and Mistress.
(The Guest from Tongcheng leaves in a hurry; the three ladies remain in the center, with the two manservants and two dancers dancing around them.)