Tales of Huizhou Merchants, Volume Four: Part Two — "Staining the Fine Hours"-Os muros de cabeça de cavalo refletem a essência pura de Huizhou(Ci Liansheng)

Character List
Ruan Bi:
Ruan’s Father:
Ruan’s Mother:
Ruan Brothers 1 and 2:
Commoner Male 1 (can be played by Wu Tongke from "Yuhui Mountain"):
Commoner Male 2:
Commoner Female 1:
Commoner Female 2:
Wokou Pirate Male 1:
Wokou Pirate Male 2:
Wokou Pirate Male 3:
Court Official Male 1:
Court Official Male 2:
Palace Maid Female 1:
Palace Maid Female 2:

Costumes and Props
Act One Props: Writing brush, travel bag, several silver coins, abacus, red oil-paper umbrella (can be opened)
Act Two Props: Red oil-paper umbrella (can be opened), travel bag, dyeing herbs, Wuhu-dyed fabric, small dye vat, wooden stick for dyeing cloth, several silver notes
Act Three Props: Several silver notes, jade pendant, wooden Japanese sword, wooden kitchen knife, wooden spatula, plaque inscribed “Bi Fu Men,” brocade cloth

Act One Costumes: Ruan Bi (clean long robe), Ruan’s Father (clean long robe), Ruan’s Mother (clean Qing dynasty female attire), two Ruan brothers (two sets of clean long robes), four commoners (two sets of coarse cloth short jackets for men and women)
Act Two Costumes: Ruan Bi (patched short jacket, brocade long robe), Ruan’s Father (brocade long robe), Ruan’s Mother (Qing dynasty female brocade attire), two Ruan brothers (two sets of brocade long robes), four commoners (two sets of coarse cloth short jackets for men and women)
Act Three Costumes: Ruan Bi (brocade long robe), Ruan’s Father (brocade long robe), Ruan’s Mother (Qing dynasty female brocade attire), two Ruan brothers (brocade long robes), three Wokou pirates (three sets of Japanese-style coarse cloth short jackets), four commoners (two sets of brocade short jackets for men and women), two court officials (Qing dynasty official robes), two palace maids (Qing palace costumes with long water sleeves)

Story Summary
Ruan Bi repeatedly fails the imperial examinations and his medical practice attracts no patients. His parents offer continual consolation, and his brothers provide financial support for his livelihood. Driven by ideals and a desire to achieve something meaningful, Ruan Bi chooses to bid farewell to his family, repeatedly leaving and returning home weary from travel. Ultimately, he attains success, returns in splendid attire, and imparts the craft of dyeing to the townspeople. Just as the commoners prosper and their lives improve, the Wokou pirates launch a sudden attack. Under Ruan Bi’s command, the prepared townsfolk defeat the invaders decisively. The imperial court, moved by Ruan Bi’s achievements, presents him with a plaque inscribed “Bi Fu Men.”

Content Design: Based on the life of the historical figure Ruan Bi and his contributions to the development of Wuhu dyeing, this play showcases the spirit of brotherhood among Huizhou merchants and their noble role in protecting the nation and safeguarding the people.

Script Text

Act One
Scene: Street and roadside pharmacy
Props: Writing brush, travel bag, several silver coins, abacus, red oil-paper umbrella (can be opened)
Actors: Ruan Bi, Ruan’s Father, Ruan’s Mother, two Ruan brothers, four commoners

(Ruan Bi stands in the middle of the street, holding a writing brush and carrying a bundle on his back.)
Ruan Bi: (With helplessness) Repeatedly failing the exams, I shame my ancestors. How can I face my parents with any dignity?

(Ruan’s Father and Mother approach and comfort him through expressive dance.)

(The two Ruan brothers hand Ruan Bi silver coins and pull him aside to the pharmacy, all depicted through dance.)

(Ruan Bi embraces an abacus and calculates accounts, walking from the pharmacy toward the street as townsfolk pass by, all shown in dance.)
Ruan Bi: (Despondent) With careful diagnosis, my medical skills are clear, yet how dare I treat the old and young of the village?

(Ruan’s Father and Mother console him again through dance.)

(The two brothers hand Ruan Bi more silver coins, portrayed through dance.)

(Ruan Bi shoulders his travel bag, takes up the red oil-paper umbrella, and secretly leaves his hometown, expressed through dance.)

(Ruan’s Father and Mother rush out, holding onto Ruan Bi.)
Ruan’s Parents: Son, do not worry. Stay in the hometown; we will find you a wife...

(The two brothers hastily appear with a bag of silver coins.)

(Ruan Bi turns to bow farewell to his parents and brothers.)

Act Two
Scene: Street
Props: Red oil-paper umbrella (can be opened), travel bag, dyeing herbs, Wuhu-dyed fabric, small dye vat, wooden stick for dyeing cloth, several silver notes
Actors: Ruan Bi, Ruan’s Father, Ruan’s Mother, two Ruan brothers, four commoners

(Ruan Bi walks with the oil-paper umbrella along a rough road, portrayed through dance.)

(Ruan Bi returns to the original street; his parents and two brothers help unload his travel bag and give him silver coins.)

Act Three
Scene: Street and roadside shops
Props: Several silver notes, wooden Japanese sword, wooden kitchen knife, wooden spatula, plaque inscribed “Bi Fu Men,” brocade cloth
Actors: Ruan Bi, Ruan’s Father, Ruan’s Mother, two Ruan brothers, three Wokou pirates, four commoners, two court officials, two palace maids

(Commoner Male 1 dances in the center of the street holding silver notes and coins, a precious jade pendant hanging at his waist, silver notes scattered on the ground. Laughter rings from the shops nearby.)

(Wokou pirates 1, 2, and 3 rush forward wielding swords and seize Commoner Male 1. Ruan Bi steps out from a shop, signals to advance, and the townsfolk burst from surrounding shops, subduing the pirates in a dance portrayal.)

(Everyone celebrates in the street, expressed through dance.)

(Ruan’s Father and Mother pat Ruan Bi on the shoulder.)
Ruan’s Parents: This is the true son of the Ruan family.

(Ruan’s parents pull the two brothers forward.)
Ruan’s Parents: These are all fine sons of the Ruan family!

(The townsfolk circle around the three men, clapping.)
Townsfolk: No, these are the true sons of Wuhu!

(The two court officials and two palace maids carry in the plaque.)
Court Officials and Palace Maids: No!

(The crowd parts, leaving Ruan Bi standing center stage.)
Court Official: Such a loyal subject is the nation’s blessing! (Solemnly unveils the plaque to reveal the golden inscription “Bi Fu Men.”)

(Palace maids dance around.)
All: Such a loyal subject is the nation’s blessing!