All original works of "Teahouse" by Lao She. Urgent, urgent, urgent~~

Act 1

Time In the early autumn of 1998 (1898), the reform movement of Kang Liang and others failed. Half a day early.

Location: Beijing, Yutai Tea House.

Characters

Wang Lifa

Liu Mazi

Pang Eunuch Tang Tiezui Kangliu Xiaoniuer

Song The second master, Fatty Huang

The fourth master, Song Enzi and Chang

Qin Zhongyi

Wu Xiangzi

Mr. Li San, Kang Shunzi and Er Dezi

Country women tea guests A, B, C, Ding Ma Wuye

One or two people in Xiaoniu teahouse

Large teahouses such as "Muqi" have disappeared now. A few decades ago, every city had at least one. Tea is sold here, as well as simple snacks and meals. People who play with birds, after walking enough with thrushes, yellow birds, etc., come here to rest their legs, drink tea, and let the birds perform and sing. Those who discuss matters and those who work as matchmakers also come here. In those days, there were often group fights, but there were always friends who came forward to mediate between the two parties. The thugs were in their thirties or fifty, and after the mediators talked about this, they all drank a bowl of tea and a bowl of rotten pork noodles (a special food in big teahouses). , cheap and quick to make), it can turn hostility into friendship. In short, this is a very important place on the day. You can come and sit here for half a day whether you have anything to do or not.

Here, you can hear the most ridiculous news, such as how a big spider somewhere became a spirit and was struck by lightning. Strange opinions can also be heard here, such as building a big wall on the seaside, which will be enough to prevent foreign soldiers from landing. Here you can also hear what tune a certain Peking Opera actor has recently created and the best way to smoke opium. Here you can also see someone's newly acquired treasure - an unearthed jade fan pendant or a three-color snuff bottle. This is really an important place, it can be regarded as a place of cultural exchange.

We are about to see such a teahouse now.

As soon as you enter the door, there is a counter and a stove - to save trouble, we don't need a stove on the stage; the sound of some pots and spoons in the back is enough. The room is very tall, with long and square tables, benches and small stools, all serving as tea seats. The backyard can be seen through the window, with a pergola set up high and a tea seat under the shed. There are places to hang bird cages in the house and under the pergola. "Don't talk about state affairs" notes were posted everywhere.

There were two tea guests, whose names were unknown, squinting their eyes, shaking their heads, clacking and singing in a low voice. There were two or three tea guests, whose names were unknown, admiring the crickets in the earthen pots. Two men in gray shirts, Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi, were talking in a low voice. It seemed that they were investigators (detectives) from Beiyamen.

Today there was another group fight. It was said that they were fighting over a domestic pigeon, causing a dispute that had to be resolved by force. If a fight really breaks out, someone will have to die, because the hired thugs include buddies from Shanpu Camp and Ku soldiers, all of whom are very skilled. Fortunately, there can't really be a fight, because before both sides have gathered their thugs, someone has already stepped forward to mediate - and now the two sides are meeting here. The thugs in twos and threes, all with stern looks and short clothes, could come in at any time and go to the backyard.

Mr. Ma Wu was sitting alone drinking tea in an inconspicuous corner.

Wang Lifa sat high at the counter.

Tang Tiezui came in with his shoes on, wearing a very long and dirty big cloth shirt, and holding a few small pieces of paper in his ears.

Wang Lifa: Mr. Tang, please go for a walk!

Tang Tiezui: (smiling sadly) Shopkeeper Wang, please praise Tang Tiezui! Give me a bowl of tea, and I'll give you a face first! Hand in hand, don’t take any penny! (Without any explanation, he takes Wang Lifa’s hand) This year is the 24th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu, the Reform Movement of 1898.

Your Geng is...

Wang Lifa: (Take his hand back) Forget it, I'll give you a bowl of tea, and you can't sell that business! There is no need to meet each other, since we are in the world, we are all miserable people! (Goes out of the counter and asks Tang Tiezui to sit down) Sit down! Let me tell you, if you don’t quit smoking, you will never have good luck! This is my physiognomy, more effective than yours!

The Second Master Song and the Fourth Master Chang both came in carrying birdcages, and Wang Lifa greeted them. They hung up the bird cage first and found a place to sit. The second master Song is elegant and carries a small yellow birdcage; the fourth master Chang is majestic and carries a large and tall thrush cage. Waiter Li San hurried over and poured a bowl of tea. They bring their own tea. After the tea was brewed, Second Master Song and Fourth Master Chang made way to the nearby tea seat.

Second Master Song and Fourth Master Chang: Drink this! (Then, he looked into the backyard)

Mr. Song: Something seems to be wrong again?

Fourth Master Chang: We can’t fight anyway! If we really wanted to fight, we would have gone outside the city long ago; why come to the teahouse?

Er Dezi, a thug, happened to come in and heard what Fourth Master Chang said.

Er Dezi: (leaning closer) Who are you gossiping to?

Fourth Master Chang: (unwilling to show weakness) What do you ask me? Who cares about spending money to drink tea?

Master Song: (Looking at Er Dezi) I said, Master, are you an errand in the camp? Come, sit down and have a drink, we are all outsiders too.

Er Dezi: You don’t care whether I am an errand or not!

Fourth Master Chang: If you want to show your prestige, go with the foreigners, the foreigners are great! The British and French allied forces burned the Old Summer Palace, and my family was eating official pay, but I didn't see you going to charge and fight!

Er Dezi: Don’t talk about beating foreigners, I will discipline you first! (Get hands-on)

Other tea guests are still going about their own business. Wang Lifa hurried over.

Wang Lifa: Brothers, we are all friends on the street, we have something to say. Mr. De, sit behind you!

Er Dezi didn't listen to Wang Lifa's words, so he threw a tureen off the table and broke it. He turned his hand to grab Fourth Master Chang's neck.

Fourth Master Chang: (flash) What are you going to do?

Er Dezi: What’s wrong? I can’t touch foreigners, so why can’t I touch you?

Ma Wuye: (without standing up) Er Dezi, you are so majestic!

Er Dezi: (Looking around and seeing Ma Wuye) Drink, Ma Wuye, where are you? I'm so blind that I didn't see you! (Go over and say hello)

Ma Wuye: If you have something to talk about, why do you keep talking about beatings?

Er Dezi: 嗻! You are right! I'll sit in the back. Li San, I'm waiting for the tea money here! (Walks to the back)

Chang Siye: (comes closer to complain to Ma Wuye) This gentleman, you are wise, please give me your opinion!

Ma Wuye: (stands up) I have something else to do, goodbye! (Going out)

Fourth Master Chang: (to Wang Lifa) Evil! This is quite a weirdo!

Wang Lifa: You don’t know this is Mr. Ma Wu! No wonder you offended him too!

Fourth Master Chang: Did I offend him too? I didn't pick a good day to go out today!

Wang Lifa: (in a low voice) What did you say about foreigners just now? They just eat foreign food. If you believe in foreign religions and speak foreign languages, you can always go to the county magistrate of Wanping County if you have anything to do, or else you won’t even bother with him officially!

Fourth Master Chang: (walking back to where he was) Humph, I don’t admire people who eat foreign food!

Wang Lifa: (tilting his head slightly toward Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi, and speaking in a low voice) Please be careful when you speak! (Loudly) Li San, make another bowl here! (Picks up the broken porcelain pieces on the ground)

Mr. Song: How much does it cost to cover a bowl? I'll pay! People outside don't do things like old ladies!

Wang Lifa: Not busy, let’s figure it out later! (Go away)

Slender-handed Liu Mazi led Kang Liu in. Liu Mazi first greeted Second Master Song and Fourth Master Chang.

Liu Mazi: You two work really early! (Take out the snuff bottle and pour out the cigarette) Try this! Freshly installed, authentically made in England, fine and pure!

Fourth Master Chang: Alas! Even the snuff had to come from abroad! How much money will go out!

Liu Mazi: Our Qing Dynasty has a mountain of gold and silver, which we can never spend all of! You sit down while I do some small things! (He led Kang Liu to find a seat)

Li San took a bowl of tea.

Liu Mazi: Tell me, can ten taels of silver work? Just say it! I'm busy and don't have time to serve you!

Kang Liu: Master Liu! Is a fifteen-year-old girl worth only ten taels of silver?

Liu Mazi: If you sell it to a brothel, you might get one, two or eight yuan more, but you won’t!

Kang Liu: That is my biological daughter! I can...

Liu Mazi: You have a daughter, but you can't afford it. Who's to blame?

Kang Liu: Isn’t that because the farmers in the countryside have no way to survive? If my whole family can only eat one meal of porridge a day, if I still want to sell my daughter, I am not a human being!

Liu Mazi: That's your country's business, I can't control it.

I was entrusted by you to teach you not to suffer, and also taught your daughter to have a place to eat. Isn't that okay?

Kang Liu: To whom?

Liu Mazi: Once I tell you, you will definitely be happy from the bottom of your heart! A servant in the palace!

Kang Liu: Who among the servants in the palace wants a country girl?

Liu Mazi: Isn’t that your daughter’s life?

Kang Liu: Who?

Liu Mazi: Manager Pang! Have you heard of Manager Pang? Serving the Queen Mother, she is so red that even the vinegar bottle at home is made of agate!

Kang Liu: Uncle Liu, how can I be worthy of a eunuch if I give my daughter to him as my wife?

Liu Mazi: No matter how you sell your daughter, you will still be sorry for your daughter! You are confused! You see, when a girl comes in, she eats delicacies and wears silk and satin. Isn’t this a blessing? How about shaking your head instead of nodding and calculating, let’s just do it!

Kang Liu: Since ancient times, how could he just give ten taels of silver?

Liu Mazi: I have searched all over your village, but you can’t find ten taels of silver? In the countryside, five pounds of white flour can cost you a child. You don’t know that!

Kang Liu: I, alas! I have to discuss this with the girl!

Liu Mazi: Let me tell you, there is no shop like this after passing this village. Don’t blame me for the delay! Come quickly!

Kang Liu: Alas! I'll be back in a minute!

Liu Mazi: I'm waiting for you here!

Kang Liu: (walks out slowly)

Liu Mazi: (comes to Mr. Song and Mr. Chang) It’s really difficult for country people to get things done. Have fun!

Mr. Song: This business is not small, right?

Liu Mazi: It’s not too sweet. Once it’s done, you can earn a fortune!

Fourth Master Chang: What happened in the countryside? It would lead to selling one's son and daughter like this!

Liu Mazi: Who knows! Otherwise, even a dog would have to be born in Beijing!

Fourth Master Chang: Mr. Liu, you are really ruthless to win over this matter!

Liu Mazi: If I were not distracted, they might not be able to find a buyer! (busy talking) Mr. Song (takes out an hour watch), look at this!

Mr. Song: (receiving the watch) What a decent little watch!

Liu Mazi: Listen, the sound is loud!

Mr. Song: (Listen) How much does this cost?

Liu Mazi: Do you love it? Just leave it to you! In one word, five taels of silver! If you've had enough fun and don't like it anymore, I'll refund your money! The stuff is so authentic, a family heirloom!

Fourth Master Chang: I am experiencing this here: How many foreign things are there in each of us! Old Liu, just look at what you have on you: foreign snuff, foreign watches, foreign satin coat, foreign cloth trousers...

Liu Mazi: Foreign things are really beautiful! If I were dressed in homespun cloth and looked like a country boy, who would care about me?

Fourth Master Chang: I always like our large satin, Sichuan silk, more decent!

Liu Mazi: Mr. Song, please keep this watch. In this day and age, wearing such a good foreign watch will make people look at it differently! Is that what you said?

Erye Song: (I really love the watch, but I find it too expensive) I...

Liu Mazi: You can wear it for a few days and pay for it another day!

Fatty Huang comes in.

Fatty Huang: (Severe trachoma, unable to see clearly, please say hello as soon as you enter) Guys, look at me! My regards! We are all brothers, don’t hurt the harmony!

Wang Lifa: This is not them, they are in the backyard!

Fatty Huang: I can’t see clearly! Shopkeeper, prepare rotten meat noodles. No one can fight with me, the fat man! (Going inside)

Er Dezi: (Coming out to greet us) The two sides have already met. Come quickly!

Er Dezi and Huang Fatty entered.

The waiters delivered tea to the back again and again.

The old man came in, holding some toothpicks, combs, ear picks and other small things, and walked slowly by the tea seat with his head lowered; no one bought his things. He was going to the backyard, but was stopped by Li San.

Li San: Old man, please stay outside! In the backyard, people are making peace, but no one is buying your stuff! (Hands over a bowl of leftover tea to the old man)

Mr. Song: (in a low voice) Li San! (Referring to the backyard) Why on earth did they use knives and sticks like this?

Li San: (whispering) I heard it was for a pigeon. Zhang Zhai's pigeon flew to Li Zhai, but Li Zhai refused to return it... Well, we'd better talk less. (Ask the old man) Old man, do you live long?

Old man: (drank tea) Thank you! It’s eighty-two and no one cares! In this day and age, people are worse than a pigeon! well! (walks out slowly)

Qin Zhongyi, well-dressed and with a spring breeze on his face, walked in.

Wang Lifa: Ouch! Mr. Qin, why are you so idle that you think of coming to the teahouse? You didn't bring anyone with you?

Qin Zhongyi: Come and see if you, a young man, can do business!

Wang Lifa: Oh, let’s learn while doing it, and just eat by pointing to this. Who told my father to die early? I can’t do it if I don’t do it! Fortunately, my caregivers were all old friends of my father's. They were willing to forgive me for any inconveniences I had, so I just closed my eyes and let it go. When you work on the street to earn a living, popularity matters the most. I follow the old method inherited from my father, say more nice things, say hello more, and please everyone, and nothing big will go wrong! Sit down and I'll make you a bowl of leaf tea!

Qin Zhongyi: I won’t drink! Don’t even sit down!

Wang Lifa: Sit down! With you sitting here, my face feels bright!

Qin Zhongyi: That’s fine! (Sitting) But there is no need to flatter me!

Wang Lifa: Li San, make a bowl of something high! Second Master, how is everything in your house? Is everything going well for you?

Qin Zhongyi: Not very good!

Wang Lifa: What are you afraid of? With so many deals, your little fingers are thicker than my waist!

Tang Tiezui: (comes closer) This gentleman is so good-looking. He has a full heaven and a square pavilion. Although he does not have the power of prime minister, he is rich as Tao Zhu!

Qin Zhongyi: Avoid me! go!

Wang Lifa: Sir, you’ve had enough tea, it’s time to go outside and do some activities! (Gently push Tang Tiezui away)

Tang Tiezui: Alas! (He bows his head and walks out)

Qin Zhongyi: Xiao Wang, does the rent here have to be raised so much? The rent money your father gave me back then was not enough for me to drink tea!

Wang Lifa: Second Master, you are right, so right! However, you don’t need to be distracted by this little thing. You can send the manager here and I will discuss with him how much the rent should be. I will definitely do it! yes!嗻!

Qin Zhongyi: You kid is slipperier than your father! Hum, just wait, sooner or later I will take the house back!

Wang Lifa: Don’t scare me. I know how much you take care of me and care about me. You will never ask me to carry a big teapot and go to the street to buy hot tea!

Qin Zhongyi: Just wait and see!

The country woman dragged a teenage girl in. The girl has a straw mark stuck in her head. Li San wanted to stop them from going forward, but he felt sad and ignored them. They both walked slowly inside. The tea guests suddenly stopped talking and laughing and looked at them.

Girl: (walks to the middle of the room and stops) Mom, I’m hungry! I'm hungry!

The country woman stared blankly at the girl, then suddenly her legs went weak and she sat on the ground, covering her face and crying.

Qin Zhongyi: (to Wang Lifa) Get out!

Wang Lifa: Yes! Get out, we can't sit here!

Countrywoman: Which one is better? I want this child for two taels of silver!

Fourth Master Chang: Li San, I want two rotten meat noodles and take them outside to eat!

Li San: Yes! (Going to the country woman) Get up and wait at the door. I'll serve you some noodles!

Country woman: (stands up, wipes tears and walks out, as if she has forgotten the child; after taking two steps, she turns back, hugs the girl and kisses her) Baby! baby!

Wang Lifa: Hurry up!

Country women and chicks go out. Li San then brought out two bowls of noodles.

Wang Lifa: (Come over) Mr. Chang, you have done well and rewarded them with noodles! However, let me tell you: there are too many things happening on this road, and they are so right! No one can control it! (To Qin Zhongyi) Second Master, do you think what I said is right?

Fourth Master Chang: (to Second Master Song) Second Master, I see, the Qing Dynasty is about to end!

Qin Zhongyi: (Old-hearted) It doesn’t matter whether someone gives the poor people a bowl of noodles or not. Xiao Wang, to be honest, I really want to take back the house here!

Wang Lifa: Don’t do that, Second Master!

Qin Zhongyi: Not only did I take back the house, but I also sold all the land in the countryside and all the business in the city!

Wang Lifa: Then why?

Qin Zhongyi: Put the capital together and open a factory!

Wang Lifa: Open a factory?

Qin Zhongyi: Well, a very big factory! Only then can we save the poor, only then can we boycott foreign goods, only then can we save the country! (Speaking to Wang Lifa while looking at Fourth Master Chang) Oh, why am I telling you this? You don’t understand!

Wang Lifa: Do you just sell all your property for others and ignore yourself?

Qin Zhongyi: You don’t understand! Only by doing this can the country be prosperous and strong! Okay, it's time for me to go. I saw it with my own eyes, your business is good, don’t be a rogue and don’t make money for rent!

Wang Lifa: Wait, I’ll call a car for you!

Qin Zhongyi: No need, I am willing to wander, wander!

Qin Zhongyi walked out and Wang Li sent.

Xiao Niuer walked in with Eunuch Pang on his arm. The calf is carrying a hookah.

Eunuch Pang: Yo! Second Master Qin!

Qin Zhongyi: Master Pang! Have you felt settled over the past two days?

Eunuch Pang: Is there any need to say that? The world is at peace: after the imperial decree comes, Tan Sitong will be killed! Let me tell you, whoever dares to change the constitution of our ancestors will lose their heads!

Qin Zhongyi: I knew it a long time ago!

The tea guests suddenly fell silent, almost holding their breath while listening.

Eunuch Pang: You are smart, Second Master, otherwise how would you make a fortune!

Qin Zhongyi: My little property is not worth mentioning!

Eunuch Pang: Isn’t that too polite? You see, who in the whole city of Beijing doesn’t know Mr. Qin! You are even more powerful than an official! I heard that many wealthy people are talking about reform!

Qin Zhongyi: You can’t say that. I can’t display my power in front of you! Hahaha!

Eunuch Pang: Well said, let’s just cross the sea and let each of us show his talents! Hahaha!

Qin Zhongyi: I’ll go over and say hello to you another day. Goodbye! (Part 2)

Eunuch Pang: (To himself) Huh, how dare such a small rich man dare to quarrel with me, times have really changed! (Ask Wang Lifa) Where is Liu Mazi here?

Wang Lifa: Manager, please rest inside!

Liu Mazi had already seen Eunuch Pang, but he did not dare to get close for fear of disturbing the conversation between Eunuch Pang and Qin Zhongyi.

Liu Mazi: Drink, my old man! Good luck to you! I've been waiting for you for a long time! (Help Eunuch Pang go inside)

Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi came over to say hello, and Eunuch Pang whispered to them.

After a while of silence, the tea guests began to talk.

Tea Guest A: Who is Tan Sitong?

Tea Guest B: I think I’ve heard of it! Anyway, he committed a serious crime, otherwise, why would he be beheaded?

Tea Guest C: For the past two or three months, some officials and students have been making troubles. How can we know what they are doing?

Tea Guest Ding: Yes! Anyway, my hardcore crops were saved again! Didn't the man named Tan and Kang Youwei tell the flag soldiers to make a living for themselves regardless of money and food? What a vicious mind!

Tea Guest C: If the superiors deduct more than half of the food and money from us, it will be hard for us!

Tea Guest Ding: That’s better than nothing! It is better to die than to live. If you ask me to make a living on my own, I must die!

Wang Lifa: Dear patrons, let’s not talk about state affairs!

Everyone calmed down and talked about their own things.

Eunuch Pang: (Has sat down) What do you say? A country girl wants two hundred silver?

Liu Mazi: (Serving Li) Country people are so handsome! Bring him to the city, dress him up and train him properly, and he will be sure to look good and well-behaved! I work for you more diligently than I do for my own father, and I can’t be careless in any detail!

Tang Tiezui is back again.

Wang Lifa: Tiezui, why are you back?

Tang Tiezui: The streets are in chaos. I don’t know what’s going on!

Eunuch Pang: Can we still not search Tan Sitong’s remnants? Tang Tiezui, don't worry, no one will arrest you!

Tang Tiezui: Hey, manager, if you can reward me with some cigarette bubbles, I will be more promising!

Several tea guests seemed to have a premonition of some disaster and ran out one by one.

Mr. Song: It’s time for us to leave! It’s getting late!

Fourth Master Chang: Hmm! Let's go!

The two men in gray - Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi came over.

Song Enzi: Wait!

Mr. Chang: What’s wrong?

Song Enzi: Did you just say that "the Qing Dynasty is about to end"?

Fourth Master Chang: I, I love the Qing Dynasty, and I am afraid that it will end!

Wu Xiangzi: (to Mr. Song) Did you hear that? Is that what he said?

Erye Song: Guys, we drink tea here every day. Shopkeeper Wang knows: We are all good people!

Wu Xiangzi: Did you hear it?

Mr. Song: Well, I have something to say. Please sit down, both of you!

Song Enzi: If you don’t tell me, I’ll even lock you away! He said that "the Qing Dynasty is about to end", which means he is in the same party as Tan Si!

Second Master Song: I, I heard it, he meant...

Song Enzi: (to Fourth Master Chang) Let’s go!

Mr. Chang: Where are you going? Things need to be explained clearly!

Song Enzi: Do you still want to resist arrest? I have the "King's Law" with me here! (Take out the iron chain from his waist)

Fourth Master Chang: Let me tell you, I am a banner man!

Wu Xiangzi: If a bannerman is a traitor, his crime will be increased! Lock him up!

Fourth Master Chang: Leave the lock on, I can’t run away!

Song Enzi: I can’t run away even if I measure you! (To Mr. Song) You also go and tell the truth in the hall, it’s none of your business!

Fatty Huang and three or five others came from the backyard.

Fatty Huang: Come on, the clouds have cleared one day, so my errands were not in vain!

Mr. Song: Mr. Huang! Mr. Huang!

Fatty Huang: (rubbing his eyes) Who is it?

Mr. Song: Me! Shoji! Come here and say something nice!

Fatty Huang: (See clearly) Oh, Master Song, Master Wu, where are you two handling the case? Please!

Mr. Song: Mr. Huang, please help me and give me a kind word!

Fatty Huang: I will take care of things that the government can’t take care of! It’s not something that the government can take care of, I can’t talk too much! (Ask everyone) Is that right?

Crowd: Wow! right!

Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi took Fourth Master Chang and Second Master Song out.

Mr. Song: (to Wang Lifa) Look at our bird cage!

Wang Lifa: Don’t worry, I’ll send it to your home!

Exit the Fourth Master Chang, the Second Master Song, Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi.

Fatty Huang: (Tang Tiezui told Eunuch Pang that he was here) Oh, where is the master? I heard that you are going to live in peace, so let me congratulate you first!

Eunuch Pang: Waiting for the wedding bar!

Fatty Huang: Thank you! Thank you! (Part 2)

The country woman came in with an empty bowl and put it on the cabinet. The chick follows.

Girl: Mom! I'm still hungry!

Wang Lifa: Alas! Get out!

Country woman: Let’s go, be good!

Little girl: You don’t want to sell Niuniu? mom! Not for sale? mom!

Country woman: Be good! (Crying, get out with the girl)

Kang Liu came in with Kang Shunzi and stood in front of the counter.

Kang Liu: Girl! Shunzi! Dad is not a human, he is a beast! But what do you ask me to do? If you don't find a place to eat, you'll starve to death! If I can't get a few taels of silver, I'll have to be beaten to death by my boss! You, Shunzi, accept your fate and accumulate virtue!

Kang Shunzi: I, I... (speechless)

Liu Mazi: (running over) Are you back? Nod? good! Come see the steward! Kowtow to the manager!

Kang Shunzi: I... (about to faint)

Kang Liu: (supporting his daughter) Shunzi! Shunzi!

Liu Mazi: What’s wrong?

Kang Liu: I was so hungry and angry that I passed out! Shunzi! Shunzi!

Eunuch Pang: I want to live, not die!

Quiet field.

Tea Guest A: (Playing chess with Tea Guest B) Check! You're done!

——The curtain falls