APSIL -Chapter 190 Fabrication

Although the Twelve Yus might not necessarily be incapable of portraying the Twelve Beauties of Jinling, Zhang Shou felt that women who had spent years in the world of pleasure would have difficulty portraying the innocence and youthful romance of young men and women living in secluded aristocratic households. On the other hand, if they were to play the famous Eight Beauties of Qinhuai, then they would undoubtedly be performing as their true selves.

Zhang Kang’s eyes flickered slightly. Then, smiling, he said: “Doctor Zhang, this ‘certain dynasty’ you mentioned… I assume it is a fabricated story?”

“Whether it is fabricated or not, I truly do not know. It was a worn-out old book that Lu Sanlang happened to find in a bookstore one day. There seemed to be only this one copy, and he bought it back.” Seeing Lu Sanlang cooperate perfectly by nodding repeatedly, Zhang Shou chuckled and said, “Throughout history, both in China and abroad, have there ever been few legends and stories that were fabricated?”

Zhang Kang gave a dry laugh.

“Stories like Emperor Taizu’s Journey to the West, filled with demons and spirits, still had to be given the background of the Tang Dynasty. Shi Nai’an took nothing more than a small rebellion of river bandits during the reign of Song Huizong and turned it into Water Margin. Luo Guanzhong took the stories of Wei, Shu, and Wu during the Three Kingdoms period and embellished them wildly, yet still created Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a work that even Emperor Taizu enjoyed immensely. So why not simply change your ‘certain dynasty’ into the late Southern Song period?”

Seeing that Zhang Kang had clearly decided the story was something he himself had invented, Zhang Shou did not expose him. Instead, he smiled ambiguously.

“Actually, what you said is something I considered before. I only worried people would accuse me of making things up. Well then, since there are countless fabricated stories in the world, I might as well change the dynasty in the original story to the late Song period, and change Nanjing into Lin’an.”

Zhang Shou swept his eyes over Zhang Chen and the others, who still did not understand what was going on. Then, calmly, he explained:

“Previously, when the Marquis Weinan held a banquet here for me and Lu Sanlang, he invited the Twelve Yus to perform a dance. At that time, I was thinking that aside from being skilled dancers, many of the Twelve Yus are also talented in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, which is why they became famous throughout the capital. If they could perform on stage while retaining their original identities, it would surely create an even greater sensation.”

The moment he said this, Zhang Chen and Zhu Er exchanged glances, and the others did the same.

Among all the pleasure districts in the capital, Tingyu Pavilion had always held the top position. Although the Twelve Yus were extremely famous now, they had actually already gone through several generations. Their stage names had all been used by predecessors before them.

They rarely accompanied guests. Meanwhile, the other establishments had relied on quantity, quality, and even lower standards to catch up. In recent years, Tingyu Pavilion could no longer claim absolute dominance.

But if there was truly some new attraction, it was indeed tempting.

Zhang Wu, who had come to Tingyu Pavilion merely as Zhang Chen’s follower, could not help but politely advise:

“Little Teacher, although the Twelve Yus each have their own talents, performing opera is different from poetry, painting, calligraphy, or dancing… Besides, Tingyu Pavilion is extremely expensive. Ordinary people cannot afford to come here. As for making the already famous Twelve Yus even more famous than before, I fear that may not be easy.”

“I am not asking them to sing opera. It is more like how we are speaking here right now—using speech rather than singing. Of course, stagecraft is still extremely important. Acting is not something anyone can simply do. They do not need to wear those elaborate wigs and costumes, but they must still make people recognize the character they portray. In fact, that requires even greater skill…”

Seeing that Zhang Shou was busy explaining things to the others and paying no attention to him, Zhang Kang gave a meaningful glance toward Wan Yuanbao.

Understanding immediately, Wan Yuanbao quietly withdrew. Clearly, he had gone to bring the girls over.

Zhang Kang then sat there patiently, listening with great interest as Zhang Shou explained what this so-called “drama” was. Afterwards, Zhang Shou began telling everyone the story of The Peach Blossom Fan.

“Beyond the mountains are more green mountains, beyond the towers are more towers. When will the singing and dancing by West Lake ever end? The warm winds intoxicate the travelers, who mistake Hangzhou itself for Bianzhou.”

“After the Southern Song moved its capital, it remained content with occupying a corner of the realm. By its final years, the Mongols had risen. They first allied with the Song to destroy the Jin, but afterward they sharpened their blades and turned their ambitions toward conquering the Song. At such a time, naturally, those with insight in Lin’an were deeply worried.”

Zhang Kang had never expected Zhang Shou to immediately transform the earlier “end of a certain dynasty” setting into the late Southern Song period. He instantly understood.

This National Academy scholar had probably originally intended it this way, but due to certain concerns—perhaps fear that people would accuse him of using history to criticize the present—he had changed it into an unnamed dynasty.

“As everyone knows, during the Song Dynasty, the imperial examinations produced more than a thousand successful candidates every three years, far surpassing the Tang Dynasty, where only a dozen or so candidates passed the jinshi examination each year. But after too many people passed, the court did not actually need so many officials. The result was a huge number of redundant officials. Everyone had to wait desperately for vacant positions, and newly promoted jinshi without fame had no idea how long they would have to wait.”

“That year, Mongol armies had already campaigned across the north and south, seizing countless territories. Yang Longyou held a banquet at the Lakeside Tower beside West Lake to comfort his friend Hou Fangyu, who had already waited two years in Lin’an for an official appointment. The lake was filled with music and singing. Hou Fangyu angrily cursed:

‘The singing girls know nothing of the hatred of a fallen nation, still singing The Courtyard Flowers across the river.’

“But at that moment, a famous courtesan who was coming upstairs coldly mocked him:

‘Those who know nothing of the hatred of a fallen nation… are not only the singing girls.’”

Outside the room, Wan Yuanbao had already brought the Twelve Yus over.

Knowing that the person inside was the prospective son-in-law of the Duke of Zhao’s residence—the man favored by the eldest Miss Zhu—even though they had already witnessed Zhang Shou’s elegant and handsome appearance last time, Qingyu could not help but snort softly when she remembered how Zhang Shou had completely ignored them and how she had almost gotten into trouble because of her sarcastic remarks.

However, when she suddenly heard Zhang Shou’s final sentence, Qingyu froze.

The others did as well.

Living in the pleasure district, they had long become accustomed to forcing smiles and swallowing every tear and grievance.

Yet the thing that hurt them most was precisely that sentence: “Those singing girls know nothing of the hatred of a fallen nation.”

Therefore, when they heard Zhang Shou continue, describing a proud and self-respecting Li Xiangjun who resisted powerful figures, refused marriage, and devoted herself wholeheartedly to Hou Fangyu, they gradually became entranced.

Especially when he described the blood-stained Peach Blossom Fan, and how Li Xiangjun later discovered that after enduring countless hardships and finally reuniting with Hou Fangyu, he had surrendered to the Yuan.

Her heart broken, she condemned him, tore apart the Peach Blossom Fan that symbolized their love, and Zhang Shou once again repeated: “Those who know nothing of the hatred of a fallen nation… are not only the singing girls.”

At that moment, Qingyu, whose temper was the most impulsive among them, could not help but blurt out: “Excellent!”

The next instant, realizing the room outside had suddenly become silent, she knew she had caused trouble again.

Seeing that Feiyu, who had always been closest to her, immediately stepped in front of her as if afraid someone would open the door and scold her, and seeing the other companions glaring at her with either annoyance or anger, she lowered her head guiltily.

Yet no one inside reprimanded her.

Instead, after a moment, Zhang Shou’s voice continued: “This is only the story of Li Xiangjun. At that time, the other famous courtesans each had their own extraordinary stories.”

Outside, the Twelve Yus listened as Zhang Shou briefly outlined the lives of the other women:

Gu Hengbo, who married a talented scholar but carried the blame after he surrendered, yet somehow herself received the title of imperial noble lady;

Kou Baimei, who married into a wealthy household, was eventually neglected, but after her husband was captured, raised money to rescue him, only to decisively sever their relationship afterward;

Bian Yujing, whose love was sincere, but whose lover failed to take responsibility;

Liu Rushi, who married a high-ranking official, and after he surrendered, attempted suicide by drowning, but was rescued, eventually persuading her husband to resign and live in seclusion…

One after another, stories of famous courtesans—some choosing the wrong men, some losing their love, some retreating into religious life—flowed gently from Zhang Shou’s mouth.

The Twelve Yus listened in a daze, their hearts filled with countless emotions.

From the Han and Tang dynasties to the Song and Yuan dynasties, there had indeed been legendary stories about women like them.

But when had they ever been portrayed so vividly and movingly?

Inside the room, Zhang Chen and the others had originally only found the idea of having the Twelve Yus perform amusing.

But once Zhang Shou seriously told the stories of seven or eight women, they became completely fascinated and had long forgotten the little incident of someone shouting praise outside.

Lu Sanlang, who had previously examined the scroll Zhang Kang held, could not help but exclaim:

“The original book was already somewhat interesting, but after Little Teacher added your descriptions, it became far more fascinating. I have read works like Beili Records, Collection of Courtesans, and Records of the Teaching Academy. Although they describe those famous women in detail, they are often only a few brief sentences with some teasing commentary. How could they compare to something this stirring?”

Zhang Chen also said: “Exactly. It really doesn’t feel fabricated!”

“When falsehood is made truth, truth itself becomes false.”

Zhang Shou smiled faintly, then tapped the armrest.

“Now that we are hundreds of years removed from the late Song period, who knows whether among the common women of that time there were not stories even more moving than these? Do not call it ‘stirring and heroic.’ In the end, it only appears to have a lofty style. Who knows how much beautification has been added?”

At this moment, Marquis Weinan Zhang Kang finally understood the deeper meaning.

He smiled and said: “Even if it only appears to have a lofty style, it is still far superior to today’s miscellaneous plays and southern operas! If you do not believe me, ask the Twelve Yus outside who have been listening for so long whether they are willing to portray the characters Doctor Zhang described.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened.

Wan Yuanbao pushed it aside, and Zhang Chen and the others immediately saw the Twelve Yus enter one after another—each with different beauty and charm.

Someone like Lu Sanlang, who had often visited thanks to Zhang Kang’s favor, naturally recognized them all.

But whether it was Zhang Chen, Zhu Er, or the others, they found their eyes unable to move away.

And these twelve women, each possessing their own unique beauty, spoke together: “We are willing!”

Zhang Shou had already expected this answer.

He smiled and nodded.

“That book is very short. I only added many details just now while explaining it casually. If you are willing, choose one character yourselves and carefully complete that person’s story. Just remember: it must have dignity, it must serve as a warning to the world, and it must be different from those ordinary tales of talented scholars and beautiful women meeting under flowers and moonlight.”

“Once the twelve stories are completed, compared against one another, and refined, the performance can begin. This kind of drama is different from opera. Beautiful singing is not the goal. The important thing is to regard yourselves as that character…”

Zhang Shou casually introduced some basic Western acting principles.

Only after leaving the Twelve Yus and everyone else completely stunned did he smile and say: “I am already too busy with matters at the National Academy. I can only offer an idea. The rest depends on yourselves. Oh, right—the script I just showed the Marquis Weinan, and the lines I casually made up, you can try performing them.”

“Marquis Weinan, shall we step aside and talk?”

Seeing that every one of the Twelve Yus had expressions of surprise and delight, clearly none unwilling, Zhang Kang burst into laughter.

“Since Doctor Zhang has pointed out such a path for you, try it. Let us see who can perform this section from The Peach Blossom Fan best!”

“Lu San, you and Zhang Chen, Zhu Er, and the others judge who is the best!”

“Doctor Zhang, let us go outside and talk.”