帕布莉卡第三出 投辕[1]
〔净、副净扮二卒上〕
〔净〕杀贼拾贼囊，
救民占民房，
当官领官仓，
一兵吃三粮。
〔副净〕如今不是这样唱了。
〔净〕你唱来！
〔副净〕贼凶少弃囊，
民逃剩空房，
官穷不开仓，
千兵无一粮。
〔净〕这等说，我们这穷兵当真要饿死了。
〔副净〕也差不多哩。
〔净〕前日鼓噪之时，元帅着忙，许俺们就粮南京，这几日不见动静，想又变卦了。
〔副净〕他变了卦，俺们依旧鼓噪，有何难哉。
〔净〕闲话少说，
且到辕门点卯，
再作商量。
正是“不怕饿杀，谁肯犯法”。
〔俱下〕
【北新水令】〔丑扮柳敬亭，背包裹上〕
走出了空林落叶响萧萧，
一丛丛芦花红蓼。
倒戴着接帽[2]，
横跨着湛卢刀[3]，
白髯儿飘飘，
谁认的诙谐玩世东方老[4]。
俺柳敬亭冲风冒雨，沿江行来，并不见乱兵抢粮，想是讹传了。且喜已到武昌城外，不免在这草地下打开包裹，换了靴帽，好去投书。
〔坐地换靴帽介〕
【南步步娇】〔副净、净上〕
晓雨城边饥乌叫，
来往荒烟道，
军营半里遥。〔指介〕
风卷旌旗，
鼓角缥缈，
前面是辕门了，大家趱行几步。
饿腹好难熬，
还点三八卯[5]。
〔丑起拱介〕两位将爷，借问一声，那是将军辕门？
〔净向副净私语介〕这个老儿是江北语音，不是逃兵，就是流贼。
〔副净〕何不收拾起来，诈他几文，且买饭吃。
〔净〕妙！
〔副净问介〕你寻将军衙门么？
〔丑〕正是。
〔净〕待我送你去。
〔丢绳套住丑介〕
〔丑〕呵呀！怎么拿起我来了？
〔副净〕俺们是武昌营专管巡逻的弓兵，不拿你，拿谁呀。
〔丑推二净倒地，指笑介〕两个没眼色的花子，怪不得饿得东倒西歪的。
〔净〕你怎晓得我们捱饿。
〔丑〕不为你们捱饿，我为何到此？
〔副净〕这等说来，你敢是解粮来的么？
〔丑〕不是解粮的，是做甚的？
〔净〕啐！我们瞎眼了，快搬行李，送老哥辕门去。
〔副净、净同丑行介〕
【北折桂令】〔丑〕
你看城枕着江水滔滔，
鹦鹉洲阔，黄鹤楼[6]高。
鸡犬寂寥，
人烟惨淡，
市井萧条。
都只把豺狼喂饱，
好江城画破图抛。
满耳呼号，
鼙鼓声雄，
铁马嘶骄。
〔副净指介〕这是帅府辕门了。
〔唤介〕老哥在此等侯，待我传鼓。
〔击鼓介〕
〔末扮中军官[7]上〕封拜惟知元帅大，
征诛不让帝王尊。
〔问介〕门外击鼓，有何军情，速速报来。
〔净〕适在汛地[8]捉了一个面生可疑之人，口称解粮到此，未知真假，拿赴辕门，听候发落。
〔末问丑介〕你称解粮到此，有何公文?
〔丑〕没有公文，止有书函。
〔末〕这就可疑了。
【南江儿水】
你的此来意费推敲，
一封书信无名号，
荒唐言语多虚冒，
凭空何处军粮到。
无端左支右调，看他神情，
大抵非逃即盗。
〔丑〕此话差矣，若是逃、盗，为何自寻辕门。
〔末〕说的也是。既有书函，待我替你传进。
〔丑〕这是一封密书，要当面交与元帅的。
〔末〕这话益发可疑了。你且外边伺候，待我禀过元帅，
传你进见。
〔净、副净、丑俱下〕
〔内吹打开门，杂扮军卒六人各执械对立介〕
〔小生扮左良玉戎服上〕荆襄雄镇大江滨，
四海安危七尺身[9]。
日日军储[10]劳计画，
那能谈笑净烟尘[11]。
〔升坐，吩咐介〕昨因饥兵鼓噪，本帅诈他就粮南京；后来细想：兵去就粮，何如粮来就兵。闻得九江助饷，不日就到，今日暂免点卯，各回汛地，静候关粮。
〔末〕得令。
〔虚下[12]，即上〕奉元帅军令，挂牌免卯，三军各回汛地了。
〔小生〕有甚军情，早早报来。
〔末〕别无军情，只有差役一名，口称解粮到此，要见元帅。
〔小生喜介〕果然粮船到了，可喜，可喜!
〔问介〕所赍[13]文书，系何衙门？
〔末〕并无文书，止有私书，要当堂投递。
〔小生〕这话就奇了，或是流贼细作[14]，亦未可定。
〔吩咐介〕左右军牢[15]，小心防备，着他膝行而进。
〔众〕是！
〔末唤丑进介〕
〔左右交执器械，丑钻入见介〕
〔揖介〕元帅在上，晚生拜揖了。
〔小生〕！你是何等样人，敢到此处放肆？
〔丑〕晚生一介平民，怎敢放肆。
【北雁儿落带得胜令】
俺是个不出山老渔樵，
那晓得王侯大宾客小。
看这长枪大剑列门旗，
只当深林密树穿荒草。
尽著狐狸纵横虎咆哮，
这威风何须要。
偏吓俺孤身客无门跑，
便做个长揖儿不是骄。
〔拱介〕求饶，军中礼原不晓。
〔笑介〕气也么[16]消，有书函将军仔细瞧。
〔小生问介〕有谁的书函？
〔丑〕归德侯老先生寄来奉侯的。
〔小生〕侯司徒是俺的恩师，你如何认得？
〔丑〕晚生现在侯府。
〔小生拱介〕这等失敬了。
〔问介〕书在那里？
〔丑送上书介〕
〔小生〕吩咐掩门。
〔内吹打掩门，众下〕
〔小生〕尊客请坐。
〔丑傍坐介〕
〔小生看书介〕
【南侥侥令】
看他谆谆情意好，
不啻教儿曹。
这书中文理，一时也看不透彻，无非劝俺镇守边方，不可移兵内地。
〔叹介〕恩师，恩师！那知俺左良玉，一片忠心天可告，怎肯背深恩，辱荐保[17]。
〔问丑介〕足下尊姓大号？
〔丑〕不敢，晚生姓柳，草号敬亭。
〔杂捧茶上〕
〔小生〕敬亭请茶。〔丑接茶介〕
〔小生〕你可知这座武昌城，自经张献忠一番焚掠，十室九空。俺虽镇守在此，缺草乏粮，日日鼓噪，连俺也做不得主了。
〔丑气介〕元帅说那里话，自古道“兵随将转”，再没个将逐兵移的。
【北收江南】
你坐在细柳营，
手握着虎龙韬[18]，
管千军山可动，令不摇。
饥兵鼓噪犯天朝，
将军无计，
从他去自逍遥。
这恶名怎逃？
这恶名怎逃？
说不起三军权柄帅难操。
〔摔茶钟于地下介〕
〔小生怒介〕呵呀！这等无礼，竟把茶杯掷地。
〔丑笑介〕晚生怎敢无礼，一时说的高兴，顺手摔去了。
〔小生〕顺手摔去，难道你的心做不得主么？
〔丑〕心若做得主呵，也不叫手下乱动了。
〔小生笑介〕敬亭讲得有理。只因兵丁饿得急了，许他就粮内里。亦是无可奈何之一着。
〔丑〕晚生远来，也饿急了，元帅竟不问一声儿。
〔小生〕我倒忘了，叫左右快摆饭来。
〔丑摩腹介〕好饿，好饿！
〔小生催介〕可恶奴才，还不快摆！
〔丑起介〕等不得了，竟往内里吃去罢。
〔向内行介〕
〔小生怒介〕如何进我内里？
〔丑回顾介〕饿得急了。
〔小生〕饿得急了，就许你进内里么？
〔丑笑介〕饿得急了，也不许进内里，元帅竟也晓得哩。
〔小生大笑介〕句句讥诮俺的错处，好个舌辩之士。俺这帐下倒少不得你这个人哩。
【南园林好】
俺虽是江湖泛交，
认得出滑稽曼老[19]；
这胸次包罗不少，
能直谏，
会旁嘲。
〔丑〕那里，那里！只不过游戏江湖，图啜耳。
〔小生问介〕俺看敬亭，既与缙绅[20]往来，必有绝技，正要请教。
〔丑〕晚生自幼失学，有何技艺。偶读几句野史，信口演说，曾蒙吴桥范大司马、桐城何老相国，谬加赏赞，因而得交缙绅，实堪惭愧。
【北沽美酒带太平令】
俺读些稗官词[21]，
寄牢骚，
稗官词，
寄牢骚，
对江山吃一斗苦松醪[22]。
小鼓儿颤杖[23]轻敲，
寸板儿软手频摇；
一字字臣忠子孝，
一声声龙吟虎啸；
快舌尖钢刀出鞘，
响喉咙轰雷烈炮。
呀！似这般冷嘲热挑，
用不着笔抄、墨描[24]。
劝英豪，
一盘错帐速勾了。
〔小生〕说得爽快，竟不知敬亭有此绝技，就留下榻衙斋，早晚领教罢。
【清江引】
从此谈今论古日倾倒，
风雨开怀抱。
你那苏张[25]舌辩高，
我的巧射惊羿奡[26]，
只愁那匝地烟尘[27]何日扫。
〔丑〕闲话多时，到底不知元帅向内移兵，有何主见?
〔小生〕耿耿臣心，惟天可表，不须口劝，何用书责。
〔小生〕臣心如水照清霄，
〔丑〕咫尺天颜路不遥；
〔小生〕要与西南撑半壁，
〔丑〕不须东看海门潮[28]。
〔众下〕
注释：
[1]投辕：辕即辕门。投辕是指柳敬亭到辕门去见左良玉。
[2]接（lí）帽：白接，头巾的一种，因为用白鹭的羽毛来装饰，故称白接。
[3]湛（zhàn）卢刀：古代著名的剑，传说是春秋战国时的著名铸剑师欧冶子制造的。
[4]东方老：东方朔，是汉代著名的滑稽人物。
[5]三八卯：卯即点卯，点名的意思。三八卯是逢三、八（如三日、八日、十三日、十八日）日的例期点名。
[6]鹦鹉洲、黄鹤楼：鹦鹉洲在今武昌西南江中；黄鹤楼在武昌西南江边，都是武昌的名胜。
[7]中军官：明清时代，凡在统军将领本营里管理营务的首领官称作中军官。
[8]汛地：军队防守的地方。
[9]四海安危七尺身：意说他的七尺之身关系着四海安危。
[10]军储：军需。
[11]谈笑净烟尘：在谈笑之中平息了战乱。
[12]虚下：戏曲演出时的术语，指演员到了舞台左边入口又上来，表示他已经离开了刚才演出的现场，到另一个场合来了。
[13]赍（jī）：携带。
[14]细作：军事上的暗探、间谍。
[15]军牢：指卫兵。
[16]也么：只是帮助腔调的两个音，没有什么意义。
[17]辱荐保：荐保即推荐保举，辱是玷辱，亏负之意。
[18]手握着虎龙韬：意指手握兵权。
[19]滑稽曼老：东方朔，字曼倩。
[20]缙绅：指一般官僚绅士。
[21]稗官词：稗官野史。
[22]松醪：酒名。
[23]颤杖：抖动着小鼓槌。杖，指小鼓槌。
[24]“似这般冷嘲热挑”二句：说这些冷嘲热挑的话，比笔抄墨描的文章更有效。
[25]苏张：苏秦、张仪，都是春秋战国时的著名说客。
[26]羿奡（yì ào）：羿是夏时有穷的君主，也是我国神话传说里的有名射手。奡是夏时寒浞的儿子，相传他能陆地行舟。
[27]匝地烟尘：遍地烟尘，指兵乱。
[28]不须东看海门潮：不须引兵东下。
Scene 3 The Camp Gate
(Enter two soldiers.)
First Soldier(Singing):
Killing the foe,we take the things they leave;
We occupy their houses but none grieve.
Officers eat from the stores a great deal;
Soldiers have from dawn till dusk their meal.
Second Soldier: Now we do not sing like that.
First Soldier: How do you sing now?
Second Soldier(Singing):
We can take nothing the foe leave;
People’s empty houses make us grieve.
Officers eat nothing from the store;
Soldiers can have their meals no more.
First Soldier: If what you sing is true,we poor soldiers would die of hunger.
Second Soldier: That is almost true.
First Soldier: Last time when we shouted for food supply,our general promised to station us around the food stores in the vicinity of the Southern Capital.But now days have passed without further information.Could our general have changed his mind?
Second Soldier: If he changes his mind,we may raise another tumult.
First Soldier: Do not talk about tumult.We had better go to the camp gate for the daily manoeuvre.Do not forget the punishment for violation of martial law is more terrible than hunger or even death.(Exeunt.)
(Enter Liu Jingting with his baggage on the back.)
Liu(Singing to the tune of New Water Song):
Coming out of the forest where leaves fall in showers,
I see here and there green weeds and red flowers.
I wear my hat on the back side
And hang my sword on a belt wide.
My white beard hanging down,
Who knows I am the clown
Of undying renown?
I come along the river in wind and rain without seeing any soldier plundering the food store,so it must be a rumor.I am glad now I have arrived at the city wall of Wuchang.So I may take out of my baggage clean hat and shoes to put on in order that I may send the message to the general.
(Sitting down on the grass and changing his hat and shoes)
(Re-enter the two soldiers.)
First Soldier(Singing to the tune of Charming Step by Step) :
On this rainy morning by town-walls cry hungry crows;
On the deserted path no people goes.
The camp is half a Li away.(Pointing)
Flags in the breeze stream and sway.
Hear the muffled drumbeats and bugles blow!
The camp gate stands ahead and there let us go!
Hunger is hard to bear.
For the manoeuvre,who would care?
Liu(Saluting the soldiers):Excuse me.May I ask where the camp gate of General Zuo is?
First Soldier(Whispering to Second Soldier):This old man speaks with a Northern accent.If he is not a deserted soldier,he must be one of the rebels.
Second Soldier: Why don’t we cheat some money out of him to buy food?
First Soldier: Let us try.
Second Soldier(To Liu):You want to go to the general’s camp gate?
Liu: Yes.
First Soldier: Let us lead you there.(Throwing a rope to bind Liu up)
Liu: Ah!Why should you bind me up?
Second Soldier: We are soldiers on patrol.Who should we arrest if not you?
Liu(Thrusting them down in laughter):You are two beggars without eyes.No wonder you are too hungry to stand up.
First Soldier: How can you know we are hungry?
Liu: Why should I come here if I do not know?
Second Soldier: Then are you coming with food supply?
Liu: For what am I coming if not for food?
First Soldier: Sorry,we have eyes but see not.Let us bear your baggage to the camp gate.
(They walk together.)
Liu(Singing to the tune of Laurel Branch):
The city lies by undulating riverside
With Yellow Crane Tower high and Parrot Isle wide.
Few dogs bark and few cocks crow;
Few people on the street come and go.
But leopards have eaten their fill;
The riverside town lies deserted still.
We hear but hue and cry up to the cloud,
The drumbeats loud
And neighing battle horses proud.
Second Soldier(Pointing):Here is the camp gate of our general.Will you please wait here for me to beat the announcing drum?(Beating the drum thrice)
(Enter an officer.)
Officer(Singing): We only obey our general’s order,
And make expedition within the empires border.
(Asking)What are you beating the announcing drum for?Is there anything important?Make your report to me.
First Soldier: We have caught a doubtful stranger,saying he comes for food supply.So we have brought him here for your disposal.
Officer(Asking Liu):You say you come for food supply.Have you any official message?
Liu: I have brought no official message but a personal letter.
Officer: If you have only a personal letter,then the matter is rather doubtful.
(Singing to the tune of Water in Southern River):
I wonder why you come from Southern Capital
With nothing more than a letter personal.
How can I know you are not telling lies?
Where would come your food supplies?
Your talk now left now right,if I am not wrong,
To rebels you belong?
Liu: How can you not be wrong?If I were a rebel,why should I come to the camp gate?
Officer: Perhaps you are right.Since you have a letter to the general,give it to me and I will submit it for you.
Liu: This is a confidential message I must submit to the general in person.
Officer: So to speak,it is all the more doubtful.Anyhow,you may just wait here.I shall report to the general and see if he will grant you an audience.(Exeunt.)
(Trumpets within.The camp gate opens,and six soldiers come out,weapon in hand,and stand left and right,face to face.Then enter General Zuo in military array.)
Zuo(Singing) : My army stationed by the riverside,
Its safety hinges on me far and wide.
I should make plans before and after.
How can I pacify the land in laughter!
(Taking his seat and giving orders)Last time I promised hungry soldiers to be stationed around the food stores in the Southern Capital.Upon second thought,to move the army is not so good as to provide food for them.It is said that food supply will soon come from Jiujiang.Officer on duty,there will be no roll-call for today.Tell soldiers to return to their barracks and wait for the arrival of food supplies.
Officer: Your order shall be obeyed.(Exit and re-enter.)
By the order of our general,there will be no roll-call for today,and soldiers may go back to their barracks.
Zuo: Have you any report to make?
Officer: There is a messenger coming with food supplies,who is waiting for an audience with your generalship.
Zuo: The food supply arrived at last!What good news!Where is the official message?By whose order is he coming?
Officer: There is no official message,but the messenger will submit a personal letter to your generalship in person.
Zuo: It is unusual.This messenger may be a spy from the rebels.(Giving orders)Officers and soldiers,beware of the spy!Order him to come in on his knees!
All: Yes,sir.
(Officer calling Liu to come in under the crossed arms of two rows of soldiers.)
Liu(Saluting General Zuo with clasped hands)I salute your generalship.
Zuo: Who are you?How dare you come here without an official message?
Liu: What dare a humble civilian do in the presence of your generalship?
(Singing to the tunes of Northern Wild Geese and Triumphant Song):
How can a mountaineer like me know
Military officers high and low?
Your swords and spears under the flags frighten me;
I seem to pass in deep forest from tree to tree,
And see your forces run riot and tigers roar,
So terrifying that I try to flee by the door.
Since there is no escape,I clasp hands to ask grace;
I do not know how to salute you face to face.
(Laughing)My anger vented,I am freed.
Here is a letter for your generalship to read.
Zuo: Whose letter is it?
Liu: It is a letter from Marshal Hou.
Zuo: Marshal Hou was my respectable teacher.How could you know His Excellency?
Liu: I am now in His Excellency’s service.
Zuo(With clasped hands) : Excuse me for my misbehavior.Where is the letter?
(Liu gives the message to General Zuo.)
Let the camp gate be closed!
(Trumpets blow and the camp gate is closed.Exeunt officers and soldiers.)
Will you please take your seat?
(Liu takes his seat.Zuo reads the letter.)
(Singing to the tune of A Charming Song):
The letter is a sincere one,
As if a master were advising his son.
It is not easy to fully understand.
In short,I should not leave the garrisoned land.
(Sighing)Dear Marshal,dear Marshal!
I can avow to Heaven high,
Your advice I shall never belie.
(To Liu)Will you please tell me your name?
Liu: Your humble servant is named Liu Jingting.
(Tea is served.)
Zuo: Please take tea.(Liu takes tea.)You know the city of Wuchang has turned into a deserted town after the plunder of Zhang Xianzhong’s rebels.My army is stationed here without enough food supply,so the soldiers shout for hunger from day to day,and would not listen to my orders.
Liu: I beg to differ with your generalship.Since the olden days soldiers are obediant to generals and no general is obedient to his soldiers.
(Singing to the tune of Recapture of the South):
In the camp you are in charge of the cavalcade;
Your order moving mountains can’t be disobeyed.
The hungry soldiers run riot against the crown,
Your generalship should calm them down.
If you allow their claim,
Can you be free from blame?
Can you be free from blame?
How dare your soldiers tarnish their general’s name!
(Sweeping the tea cup down and breaking it on the ground)
Zuo(Angered): Ah!How can you be so impolite as to sweep down the tea cup and break it on the ground!
Liu(Laughing):How dare I am impolite before your generalship!It is only because I am so agitated that my hand sweeps the tea cup away with my sleeve.
Zuo: How could you allow your hand to do so?
Liu: If I could not allow my hand to sweep the cup away,how could your generalship allow your soldiers to run riot?
Zuo(Laughing):You are right.But when soldiers are hungry to death,what could I do but promise them to be stationed around the food stores in the Southern Capital?
Liu: Now coming from afar,I am hungry to death.Why don’t your generalship condescend to offer me some food?
Zuo: Excuse me for my negligence.
Liu(Stroking his belly):I am so hungry,so hungry!
Zuo: Soldier,make haste.
Liu: I am so hungry that I can no longer wait.Let me go in to take my meal!
(Going towards the inner part of the camp)
Zuo(Angered):How can you go into my camp!
Liu:(Turning back):I am hungry to death.
Zuo: Are you allowed to go into the camp even if you are hungry to death?
Liu(Laughing): If the hungry are not allowed to go into the camp,could hungry soldiers be allowed to go into the Southern Capital?
Zuo(Laughing) : How eloquent you are!Each shot makes a hit.You are indeed the talent we need in our camp.
(Singing to the tune of the Southern Garden):
Though we have just made our acquaintance now,
I know you are the clown to whom all men bow.
There is nothing your fun cannot embrace;
You can blame face to face
Or admonish with grace.
Liu: You flatter me.I am only earning a living from hand to mouth,from mouth to hand.
Zuo: Since you have made friends with so many intelligentlemen,you must have your own long suit.Will you please tell me some?
Liu: How could I have any long suit since I did not attend any school while young?I have only read a few books of history and learned to speak at random.By luck I have won the appreciation of Minister Fan and Premier He,so some intelligentlemen condescend to make friends with me.In reality,I am not worthy of their friendship.
(Singing to the tune of Buy Good Wine and Peaceful Song):
I have read unauthentic history to vent
My discontent,my discontent,
As if I had drunk the bitter wine
Made in the land of bitter pine.
Beating my little drum,I stand
And wave the clappers in my hand.
Word by word I talk about loyal and pious throng,
And imitate the tiger’s and dragon’s song.
My tongue is sharp as sword unsheathed under the sun,
My throat is loud as thundering gun.
I may jeer at one
Or sneer at none.
I need not write
In black and white.
I advise heroes,right or wrong,
To cancel the account however long.
Zuo: You may say what you will.I do not know you have such a long suit.Will you please stay in my camp so that I may consult you from time to time?
(Singing to the tune of the Clear River):
From now on we may talk present or past;
In wind or rain we may talk heart to heart at last.
Your eloquence outshines from east to west;
I can shoot better than the archer best.
What fills our mind with woe
Is when to sweep away the foe.
Liu: You have talked so long without telling me if your army will march eastward.
Zuo: I have made my vow to Heaven,so I need neither man nor letter to dissuade me.
Zuo: As sky and water my mind is as clear.
Liu: The way to the celestial court is near.
Zuo: I will uphold the state on southwest side.
Liu: You need not go east to see the high tide.
(Exeunt.)
