Beyond The Great Wall
The Han Emperor Yuan Ti has such a large harem that he cannot meet all the inmates in it. He depends on the portraits of his wives to decide on the ones he would command to appear before him.The court painter Mao Yen-shou thus wields a strange power over the girls in the Emperor’s harem.Wang Chao-chun is selected for her beauty for the Emperor’s harem. But Mao Yen-shou demands one hundred taels of gold from her. When Wang Chao-chun refuses to pay the bribe, he with the connivance of the eunuch minister Shih Hsien, paints an ugly portrait of her.So for three long years, the Emperor has not summoned Wang Chao-chun, though she is the fairest of them all in his court. For three long years Wang Chao-chun pines away in the loneliness of the palace, cut off from the rest of the world. She can only lament her fate to the melancholy notes of her pipa.But one night while the Emperor is strolling in the garden of the palace, he was attracted by the melancholy notes of Wang Chao-chun’s pipa.Emperor Yuan Ti finds his way to Wang Chao-chun’s quarters. He is delighted at the beauty of Wang Chao-chun, who unaware of the presence of the Emperor softly cries to the sad notes of her pipa.Emperor Yuan Ti is touched by her tears. He is on the point of asking her, when another girl in the harem taking him for the court painter hands him a bribe of gold and begs him to be merciful towards her.Suspecting Mao Yen-shou. Emperor Yuan Ti orders the portrait of Wang Chao-chun to be brought before him, and finds it completely different from the actual person.Shih Hsien secretly advises Mao Yen-shou to flee the court and take refugee with the Huns.For Wang Chao-chun, her lonely days are over. She is the Emperor’s favorite and is always by the Emperor’s side.Among the nomadic tribes of the north, Mao Yen-shou seeks revenge on Wang Chao-chun. He presents a real portrait of Wang Chao-chun to the Khan of the Huns, claiming that Wang Chao-chun was a princess, whose hand the Han emperor has offered to him.The Khan is captivated by the beauty of Wang Chao-chun. He sends his emissaries with rich gifts to the Han court in acceptance of the offer.Emperor Yuan Ti is startled at the Khan’s emissaries. He sends them back and rejects all the gifts.The Khan, feeling slighted, raises an army against the Han empire. Emperor Yuan Ti is undecided whether to sue for peace or go to war, when Wang Chao-chun, to save her country from the ravages of war and thousands of innocent people from dying because of her, decides to go into exile to the wastelands of the north to become the wife of the Khan.Wang Chao-chun dons the garb of the nomadic tribe to prepare for her journey to cold and forbidding northern deserts.Clutching her pipa to her, Wang Chao-chun bids farewell to Yuan Ti and her country to journey beyond the Great Wall to the north.The Khan parades his best in greeting the Chinese beauty. Banquets are given but Wang Chao-chun is not happy. The Khan, however, comes to learn the tricks of Mao Yen-shou. He orders the prompt execution of Mao.The war is over. Chao-chun’s mission is accomplished. On the eve of her wedding to the Khan, she jumps into the river. The Khan tries in vain to save her.The Huns and the Chinese thus have come to respect Wang Chao-chun as a patriotic, chaste beauty.
Madam White Snake
Madam White Snake is a famous Chinese classical legend, which will remind the western viewer of the Lamia theme of John Keats’ poem. For this story tells of two snakes, one white and one green, which assumed human form during the days of the Mongol invasion of China, when the capital was removed to beautiful Hangchow. The snakes, now two beautiful women who take the names of Pak Su-cheng (Linda Lin Dai) and Ching-ching (Margaret Tu Chuan), arrive in Hangchow. Pak Su-cheng encounters a young man Hsu Hsien (Chao Lei) who, in a former life, had saved her life when she was a snake a thousand years ago. She recognises him and decides to reward him now by marrying him, with the aid of Ching-ching, acting as matchmaker.Of course, in this fay world of spirits, charms and magic, there are all sorts of difficulties, not the least being that of the beauties to conceal their real serpent identity.But when dangers threaten the happiness of the mortals and the spirits, the latter draw upon their supernatural powers, and eventually win out, but in a far happier world than this.The beautiful tale is unfolded with charm, and cannot fail to fascinate both the Chinese and the European members of the audience.
The Kingdom And The Beauty
The young emperor Cheng-te was at his studies, but his mind was not on his lessons. He was rapt in the song of a lady-in-wai-ting, singing beauties of the south.Chou Yung, commander of the Imperial Guards was leaving to visit his home town in the south, so the emperor decides to go along incognito.Brought up in the deep confines of the Imperial Palace, Cheng-te was enraptured with the scenic beauty of South China.One day the couple arrived at Mei Lung, a small country town. The townsfolks were in a gay holiday mood, giving thanks to the gods with gay celebrations.Packed in the crowds of happy revelers a shower of blossoms suddenly fell on the emperor. He caught one and looked up in time to see the fleeting smile of the lovely country girl who had strewn the flowers.He was captivated by that fleeting smile, and that night, back at the inn, his thoughts were on the girl. Early next morning, he strolled out of the inn and came upon a wine-shop.To his great joy, he found the girl of his dreams in the wine-shop. She was Li Feng, sister of the owner of wine-shop.It was love at first sight for the lovely girl and the handsome emperor. Their romance blossomed, and the days flew by. All too soon, the royal tutor Liang Chu, under the orders of the empress mother, found the emperor and asked him to return to his court.To her shock and amazement, Li Feng finds out that the man to whom she had given her love and herself was none other than the emperor. Cheng-te left with a promise that Li Feng would be his empress and that he would send for her.One long year dragged slowly by, Li Feng gave birth to a son. Tortured by the separation from her lover, and the gossip of the townsfolk, Li Feng fell ill.Ta Niu, the wine-shop attendant, worked his way north to see the emperor. Through the royal tutor, Liang Chu, the plight of Li Feng was brought to the attention of the emperor.Too late, the emperor sent for Li Feng. Her weak health could not stand the arduous journey north. She arrived just to die in the arms of the man she loved.
West Chamber
While visiting Pu Chiu Temple, scholar Chang Chun-jui is enchanted by the beauty of a young lady. The lady is named Tsui Ying-ying, daughter of the late Prime Minister. She is staying with her mother, brother and maid Hung Niang at the East Chamber. They are on route home to bury her father. A revolt led by Sun Fei-hu has forced them to stay till the trouble is over.Chun-jui manages to talk the Abbot into putting him up at the West Chamber. Chun-jui pleads again with the Abbot to let him attend a memorial service for the late minister on the excuse that he, too, wants to offer sacrifices to the souls of his deceased parents.As expected, Ying-ying follows her mother to the service. The ritual has just begun, when the party is frightened by battle cries of the rebels who have come to abduct Ying-ying for the leader Sun Fei-hu. Ying-ying in desperation, says she will marry anyone who routs the bandits. Surprisingly, Chun-jui responds to the call. He immediately sends a letter to General Tu Chueh for help. Next he persuades the rebels to withdraw for three days, as Ying-ying is still in mourning. He promises to help her over to Sun Fei-hu as soon as the memorial service is over.When the rebels are rooted, Madam Tsui throws a party in Chun-jui’s honour. Surprisingly, the old lady tells the scholar to treat Ying-ying as his sister.Hung Niang drops in to express to the disappointed young man her sympathy. The visit revives his hope. Chun-jui then asks the maid to deliver a letter to Ying-ying. Soon he gets a reply asking him to visit her at the East Chamber.On second thoughts Ying-ying decides to break her promise, as she is afraid that her meeting with him will stain the family’s honour. Broken-hearted, Chun-jui soon takes ill. But his troubles vanish when Ying-ying’s second letter tells him that she will meet him at the West Chamber. When the lady turns up as promised, Chun-jui is elated beyond description. The two spend the night together, thus fulfilling a dearly-cherished dream.Their romance is discovered by Madam Tsui as Hung Niang divulges the whole story under torture. Madam Tsui who broke her original promise, now realizes that there is nothing she can do to stop the lovers and reluctantly gives her consent to their marriage.
Inside The Forbidden City
The reign of Emperor Jen Tsung of the Sung Dynasty (960 – 1280 A.D.) was a quiet and happy one, except for a mysterious affair, which took place in the royal palace.One day, while on an official tour of the countryside, the Governor of Kaifeng, Lord Pao Cheng, ran into a storm, which blew away the covering of his sedan. He instinctively felt that something was amiss.In trying to retrieve it, he agreed to a local headman’s suggestion to see an old clairvoyant woman living in a hut. Lord Pao was astonished when the aged woman handed him a gold pellet with the inscription “Yu Chen Palace.” Only then did he realize that he was face to face with Empress Li, mother of the heir apparent. She told him the following story:Twenty years ago, a woman named Li Fei, was a royal concubine of the then Emperor Chen Tsung. In the same palace there lived another concubine, Liu Fei. Mutually jealous, each tried to discredit the other in the eyes of the Emperor. When Li Fei became pregnant, Liu Fei panicked fearing that the Li Fei’s pregnancy would bring forth a prince and win imperial favour. So Liu Fei devised a plot to eliminate Li Fei and her baby.When Concubine Li later produced a son, the jealous Liu and a eunuch named Kuo Huai switched the royal baby with a skinned, dead cat. They ordered a maid-in-waiting to drown the real baby and to keep quiet. Then they reported to the Emperor that the birth was a “freak,” which enraged him so much that Li Fei was banished to the cold palace.But the maid-in-waiting defied the order, and unknown to the plotters, did not drown the baby prince. A loyal eunuch raised the baby.Time passed by quickly, as the rescued baby soon reached the age of 10. While playing about, he inadvertently entered the cold palace where he saw but failed to recognize his own mother. The maid told him not to forget this old woman when he would eventually became Emperor.Meanwhile, the jealous Liu Fei and her accomplice Kuo Huai suspected that the 10-year-old boy was a prince born of Li Fei. They spared no effort to ferret a confession from the maid and other palace hands, but to no avail. They even ordered another eunuch to burn the cold palace, but the jilted concubine Li Fei managed to escape and live in a hut for 10 more years.Having heard the true story, Lord Pao Cheng decided to avenge the old woman by bringing the mean concubine Liu Fei and her accomplice Kuo Huai to justice. He revealed that her son had been enthroned as the new Emperor and that he would elevate her to be the mother of the Emperor.The brilliant governor later arrested Kuo Huai who subsequently confessed. At last, both of them were sentenced by the Emperor.Vindicated, the old woman made a triumphal entry into the main palace as Emperor’s mother, while her son, the Emperor Jen Tsung, personally welcomed her.Mother and son had a most happy reunion.
Lady General Hua Mu-Lan
This is the story about China’s Joan of Arc.In a tiny Hunen village, there lives the happy Hua family. Father Hua Hu, a veteran of many wars, is now retired. He is especially fond of his younger daughter Hua Mu-lan who is adept both in combating arts and in feminine chores.Mu-lan’s sister, Mu-hui, is a typical Chinese lady who is more interested in embroidery, weaving and household work than in hunting or combating, the sports having a special appeal to tomboy Mu-lan. Their younger brother is Mu-ti.Peace in China comes to an end when a frontier tribe invades in force. The Emperor calls all able-bodied men to colors. Hua Hu, though aged and frail in health, wants to go. Mu-lan asks to volunteer in lieu of her father but Hua Hu turns her down.The father is all ready to leave for the war when his nephew, Hua Ming, visits with a young man. The young man challengers Hua Hu to a friendly a contest of arms. The old man loses, only to find that the young man is his daughter Mu-lan in disguise.Hua Hu thus reluctantly agrees to let Mu-lan answer the call. Mu-lan and Hua Ming are joined by many patriots en route to Marshal Ho’s headquarters.Marshal Ho holds a contest for the new recruits. Hua Mu-lan, in man’s disguise, distinguishes herself by winning over 32 other warriors in a row. The marshal assigns Mu-lan and her cousin to the logistics department commanded by Li Kuang.Li Kuang holds a banquet for the new arrivals. He sings to the delight of all the comrades-in-arms. Mu-lan is drunk and Li takes over her sentry assignment. Mu-lan is grateful.The war goes on for twelve years. With many achievements to her credit, Mu-lan has risen in ranks and won the respect of Marshal Ho. Li Kuang has been called into the general headquarters. But he and Mu-lan often meet and play together although Li has no idea that his best friend is a lady.Hua Mu-lan inspects the grounds one night and is surprised by flying birds. Birds should not fly in the night and there must be a reason. She suspects an enemy raid and reports her suspicion to the marshal. An ambush is thus ordered.The enemy chief leads troops in the raid. He finds himself trapped. When retreating, he is intercepted and captured by Mu-lan who is wounded too by an arrow. The enemy humbly seeks peace which is promptly granted.Marshal Ho promises Hua Mu-lan a peerage but Mu-lan asks for retirement to be with her parents. The marshal is moved by her filial piety and agrees. But he wants to grant Mu-lan the hand of his daughter. Mu-lan finds herself in a very awkward situation.Li Kiang comes to see Mu-lan off. She tries to make him see that she is a girl. But Li fails to pick up the hint. Mu-lan has to tell him that she is trying to be his matchmaker.The Emperor happily endorses the marriage between Hua Mu-lan and the marshal’s daughter. Li Kuang is sent to the Hua village as the marriage emissary.In the excitement, Mu-lan comes out to meet Li in her feminine attire. Li Kuang is first surprised and then overjoyed. His mission, however, is a complete failure.When Li is leaving, Mu-lan sends him off and they exchange tokens of betrothal. Mu-lan then goes home, waiting for Li to come back.
The Dream Of The Red Chamber
The Chia family is a wealthy and prominent one, in the province of Chin Ling. The Ancestress’ granddaughter, Lin Tai-yu (Sylvia Chang) who is an orphan, as sentimental and intelligent as she is beautiful, comes to take up residence with the Chias. Tai-yu is much liked by the other members of the family, and in particular by her cousin, Pao-yu (Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia). In time, another relative, the sophisticated Hsueh Pao-chai (Michelle Mei Suet) visits them, and endears herself to the family, replacing Tai-yu in their affections.Wang Hsi-feng (Hu Chin) decides to be a match-maker for Pao-chai and Pao-yu, basing her trust on the good omen of a golden pendant worn by Pao-chai complementing the jade ornament Pao-yu wears. Pao-yu and Tai-yu are kept in ignorance of this plan, however, as the two are devoted to each other, and inseparable.Tai-yu begins to feel that Pao-yu has transferred his affections to Pao-chai, and she refuses to talk to him for several days. But Pao-yu meets Tai-y near the brook and immediately pours out his feelings to her; together, the couple sobs their hearts out. Chi Chuan (Deborah) a household maid, who looks after Tai-yu, decides to test the depth of Pao-yu’s feelings towards Tai-yu by telling him that Tai-yu will return to her own home soon. The news leaves Pao-yu stunned and temporarily mentally unbalanced. The Ancestress is told of the love between Pao-yu and Tai-yu, and decides that it would be best for Pao-yu to be married. Wang Hsi-feng seizes the opportunity to convince the Ancestress that a plot should be hatched to make Pao-yu marry Pao-chai instead of Tai-yu. They would tell Pao-yu that he is marrying Tai-yu but once the marriage ceremony is solemnized and the bridal veil lifted, he will find that he has married Pao-chai. They agree that Pao-yu cannot but accept such a fait accompli.The marriage is arranged, and Pao-yu is ecstatic; however, Tai-yu learns from a simple-minded maid that arrangements are being made for Pao-yu’s marriage to Hsueh Pao-chai. The news proves too much for Tai-yu; she is heart-broken, and succumbs to an old ailment. No one except Chi Chuan sympathises with her, and Pao-yu is kept in ignorance of the state of her health. Tai-yu dies, alone but for Chi Chuan, while the wedding music echoes through the chambers. Pao-yu, when he discovers the deception that has been practiced upon him, is demented, and crushed by the death of his beloved Tai-yu, Pao-yu shaves his head and becomes a monk.
The Dream Of The Red Chamber
The Chias are a rich and powerful family of noble birth in the capital. Their home is the rich and elegant House of Yung with its sprawling gardens and luxurious buildings.Into all this comes Lin Dai-yu, a sickly melancholy girl. Her mother has died and she has journeyed north to live with her maternal grandmother – Grandmother Chia.Grandmother Chia’s favourite grandson is Chia Pao-yu, who takes to Dai-yu immediately. The two young persons are always in each other’s company and soon they grow to love each other.Auntie Hsueh and her daughter Pao-chai also come to live with the Chias. Pao-chai is a clever girl who soon wins the affection of all in the House of Yung.One day Grandmother Chia, her daughter-in-law Madam Wang, Auntie Hsueh and Hsueh Pao-chai are chatting when Dai-yu and Pao-yu call on Grandmother Chia to pay their respects. Grandmother tells Dai-yu to learn from Pao-chai how to behave, while Auntie Hsueh teases Dai-yu and Pao-yu that they are a perfect young pair. Dai-yu retires bashfully.Wang Hsi-feng, Grandmother Chia’s grand-daughter-in-law suggests that Hsueh Pao-chai is a perfect match for Pao-yu.Pao-chai wins over Pao-yu’s maid Hsi-jen by giving the latter her own ring. Hsi-jen is filled with gratitude and remarks that she will loyally serve Pao-chai after she has married Pao-yu.Madam Wang’s maid King Chuen overhears their conversation. King Chuen meets Pao-yu who is looking for Dai-yu, and she unwittingly tells him what she has overheard. Shocked at the news Pao-yu catches hold of King Chuen and insists that she tells him more about it. At that moment Madam Wang, the mother of Pao-yu, sees them and scolds King Chuen, saying that she is trying to seduce Pao-yu.The next day Pao-yu is summoned by his father Chia Cheng, who orders the servants to whip Pao-yu for forcing King Chuen to commit suicide, but Grand-mother Chia comes to Pao-yu’s rescue and gives Chia Cheng a good scolding.Pao-yu is convalescing from his wounds, when Dai-yu visits him. He sees that her eyes are red from crying. He also finds out that she cried because he was whipped. He takes out his handkerchief to wipe her tears then gives her the handkerchief as a token of his love.Dai-yu returns to her chambers and composes a poem on the handkerchief. That evening Pao-yu gets drunk. When Dai-yu calls on him, she is turned away by Pao-yu’s maids, Dai-yu is hurt and goes away in tears, as she thinks that Pao-yu has slighted her.One morning Dai-yu is sweeping up the fallen flowers to bury them, when Pao-yu finds her. He reiterates his love for her. Hsi-jen overhears their conversation and tells Madam Wang.Madam Wang thinks it is serious and that action should be taken without delay. They hasten to see Grandmother Chia and agree that Pao-yu should marry Pao-chai immediately, but that they should keep it a secret from both Dai-yu and Pao-yu, who is to be told that he is marrying Dai-yu.Preparations are going ahead for the wedding and Pao-yu is beside himself with joy at the thought of marrying Dai-yu.Dai-yu however sends out when she overhears a conversation between the servants and finds out that Pao-yu is marrying Pao-chai.The news shocks her and she falls sick. On her sick bed she hears merry revelry. She burns her poems and the handkerchief given to her by Pao-yu. As she watches the handkerchief turn to ashes she breaths her last.Pao-yu only finds out that he has been tricked after the ceremony. He rushes out of his bridal chamber to see Dai-yu but it is too late.As he sorrowfully stands in Dai-yu’s chamber, with Dai-yu’s maid Tse-chuan, he hears the distant toll of the bells of a monastery. Then he walks out of the House of Yung and fades into the night in the direction of the temple bells.
