Chapter 1 act one scene one
Time This is a famous year in modern Chinese history - 1898 (the twenty-fourth year of Guangxu).The so-called 1898 coup took place in this year.One or two days before the Dragon Boat Festival.The enactment of the reform was promulgated on the 23rd day of the fourth lunar month.
The location is a certain alley in the city of Beijing, the study of Qin Zhai.
figure
Qin Boren Qin
Gu Shimeng
Qin Shuli
Qiu Zihou
Qiu Liben Zeng Moxia
Old Mrs. Gu Xiucai and Qin [Curtain opening: Comrades who are responsible for the design of costumes, sets, props, etc., I am afraid that you need to think more carefully, because everything in this room is the style and style of half a century ago, and the society of more than half a century ago The changes are so great that even the style of teapots and bowls has changed many times.However, I believe they will overcome difficulties; and I need not say here what kind of pot and bowl should be used.
[I must say: not only must everything in this house be arranged according to the style of half a century ago, but more importantly, it must be recognizable at a glance. This is a middle-class family at that time—there are several Ten acres of land, there is a small cloth shop in the city, and there are scholars at home.To go into more detail, this family has probably lived in Beijing for several generations.How many generations are there, and what does each generation do? We haven't seen their genealogy, so we dare not talk nonsense.We only know that since Qin Boren's grandfather, the family has become more and more prosperous.In his father's (deceased) generation, he not only made a fortune more closely, but also had the strength to support Boren's education, so he wanted to change his family style.Therefore, the eldest son Boren became a very learned man, while the second son Zhongyi inherited his father's business and managed the business.Boren also married Gu Xiucai's daughter as his wife.The third uncle, Li, is an "old" son who is doted on. Although he is smart but fails to study, he learns a lot of bad habits on the street and may become a little hooligan.
[Bo Ren is alone in the room.The weather is very hot, but he still refuses to take off his big shirt, which shows that he has the cultivation of a scholar.He is copying a document in Gong Kai.After writing a few words, I gently wiped the sweat from my head so that the sweat does not fall on the paper.He tried to be calm, but inside he was very excited.
[Gu Shimeng (Boren's wife) walks in softly, holding a lacquer plate with a rather large porcelain pot on it.
[Shimeng stops and stays for a while before speaking; he knows he doesn't want anyone to disturb him.
Gu Shimeng (with a soft cough first) The old lady taught me to bring you some sour plum soup, it’s iced, it’s cold! (come closer)
Qin Boren (very upset that she disturbed her, and wanted to ignore her, but since she came here at her mother's order, she had to deal with it; stood up) What is the old lady doing?
Gu Shimeng (puts down the pot) After lunch, he took two puffs of cigarettes...
Qin Boren alas!
Gu Shimeng (knew he didn't like anyone smoking opium, but he didn't hear him sigh) endured a nap, and now he's talking to Dr. Meng.
Doctor Qin Boren and Meng is here again?The old lady... (Knowing that the old lady is not sick)
Gu Shimeng (already guessing what Boren is going to say) The old lady is not sick, but she is bored, looking forward to someone talking to her for a while.Besides, I eat cigarettes and my stomach becomes dry, so I have to take some small medicines to moisten my intestines from time to time.
[At this moment, Uncle San Ye imitated Wang Pai Xusheng's singing style, and sang "Wu Yuan immediately became angry..."
Qin Boren (unhappy) Humph!
Not to mention Gu Shimeng (who seems to know a lot about drama), the third master's voice is really clear and pleasant!
(Afraid that her husband would scold her, she quickly changed her words) The third master can also relieve the old lady by singing a few words.
When Qin Boren came to our generation, the old Qin family had no trouble getting out of school, so how could they learn to sing without a problem?
Gu Shimeng (unwilling to express his opinion) So what, why don't you go and see Dr. Meng?Save yourself from teaching the old lady that you don't know how to be polite!
Qin Boren, I'm busy here!
Gu Shimeng (learns over to look at the document on the table, Boren turns over the document and doesn't teach her to read it) Seriously, what did you write?
Qin Boren - don't worry about it, it's none of your women's business anyway!
Gu Shimeng is a man's business, we women should also care about it!
Qin Boren, don't you...
Gu Shimeng, what's the matter with me?
Qin Boren, do you suspect me...
Gu Shimeng is not suspicious, but worried!
Why is Qin Boren worried?Is there anything suspicious about me?
Gu Shimeng, don't worry, listen to me!This process, you don't notice it yourself, but I can see that it seems like you are suffering from a disease.I can't eat or sleep uneasy, sometimes I laugh, and sometimes I frown and frown!
Qin Boren really?Am I also so high-spirited now?
Gu Shimeng looked at your eyes, how bright they are, like the eyes of our black cat, a bit scary!
Qin Boren, I am so happy!
Gu Shimeng, what made you so happy?You didn't even tell me a word!
I won't tell Qin Boren, but you should know too.Since ancient times, there have been several emperors who are as long live as our present!Don't you know that on April 23rd the edict for reform was issued?
Shun Shimeng, so the old man guessed right?
Qin Boren's father-in-law is here?
Gu Shimeng (nodding) The old man wants to talk to you!
You, Qin Boren, don’t come here to deliver sour plum soup at all, but to teach me to talk to his old man!
Gu Shimeng looks at you with a lot of eyes!
Qin Boren, you have a lot of eyes, you are the daughter of a scholar!First ask the old man to talk to the old lady, and I will stay for a while and go over to say hello to him.
Okay Gu Shimeng! (Walking to leave and standing still) I said, you know I was born in a poor family, and I am not afraid of suffering.Even if you go to teach in a private school and eat porridge twice a day, I won't complain.
Qin Boren, I will not fall into that world yet, we still have some property!
Gu Shimeng is just an example.I mean, don't you mess around just because you want to be an official and get rich!
Qin Boren, I am not a villain who is "poor and overwhelmed"!
Gu Shimeng, if you are not careful and cause some trouble, what will I do?
Qin Boren, you are thinking wildly, I will not do anything to offend others! [A child cries.
Gu Shimeng!Big baby wake up! (to go)
Don't spoil Qin Boren, hug him whenever he cries!Didn't our third child teach the old lady to be spoiled!
Mrs. Gu Shimeng forbids the child to cry! (Going out) It’s hot, please write less!
Qin Boren, I'm not hot!I……
Qin Shuli (humming a joke, with a prescription in his hand, runs up, bumping into the door with his sister-in-law) Sister-in-law, go and see Dabao!Hmph, this kid's voice is not bad, he will be able to sing blackheads when he grows up!
Gu Shimeng (talking back) How beautiful that is! (Down)
Brother Qin Shuli, give me a tael of silver, and I'll get my mother some medicine!
What kind of medicine is Qin Boren?so expensive! (Takes the prescription and looks at it) A few herbs are not worth five hundred dollars. (In Beijing in the past, one coin was worth one hundred, and ten coins was one hanging.)
Qin Shuli and Doctor Meng told me to tell my mother that it was worth one tael of silver, otherwise the medicine would not work!
Qin Boren, then you can go with five hundred dollars.
Uncle Qin, whoever likes to grab medicine will go, I don't have that much effort!
Qin Boren, why do you want a tael of silver?
Brother Qin Shuli, look, I'm showing off Wen Zhaoguan in the rehearsal at the box office today.Can I go empty-handed about spending money to buy face?
So Qin Boren is like this!I don't like singing, and I don't want to have an actor at home!
Brother Qin Shuli!You don't understand at all!
Qin Boren said again, the second child is in charge, so go with him!Don't keep bothering me!
Isn't Qin Shuli's second brother not at home?
Qin Boren went to find his second sister-in-law!
Qin Shuli to her?Magnetic cock, ten cents!Come on, brother, let me greet you!You support me this time!
Qin Boren (whispering) You, third child, you are smart, why don't you do something serious?
After Qin Shuli has sung his tricks, he can go to the inner court as an offering, and he can eat and receive money, isn't it a serious matter?You have never left your books since you were a child, and you haven't been in an official position until now, so you don't count!
Qin Boren (caught by the third child) Don't say it, don't say it! (pulls out the drawer and takes out some bills) I have this little money, so take it all, isn't that all right? [The second grandmother outside the door is called the third child.
Qin Shuli (busily hides the money and goes out to greet her) Second sister-in-law, I'm leaving right away!You gave me medicine money!
Qin Boren's third child!
[Qin Shuli hastily bows to his elder brother.
Mrs. Qin Zhao (at the door) I will give you the five hundred coins, hurry up! (pass money)
Qin Shuli (looks at the money) Good guy, with this little money, people are running around. On a hot day, why don’t they have a bowl of sour plum soup?
Qin Boren (angrily) Here it is, drink it before leaving!
Brother Qin Zhao, don't listen to the third child, he drank half a jar of sour plum soup before cooling it down!
Qin Shuli's second sister-in-law, don't give in!I only drank half a can! (Runs out) [A guest in the yard asks: "Is Boren at home?" The third child answers: "At home, please!"
Qin Zhao Shi!There are guests! (get off quickly)
Qin Boren (puts away the documents on the table and greets him outside) Who is it?
[Qiu Zihou, Qiu Liben and Zeng Moxia are the same as above.
Qiu Zihou Boren, I haven't seen you for several days!
Qin Boren, old man Qiu!Are you tough?Ink man!How did you meet one place?Senior Brother Zeng Moxia, it's really a blessing in my life, I ran into Old Man Qiu at the door.Old man Qiu, if you... I'll go in and see the old lady first.
Qiu Zihou has nothing to say to others, let's talk about it together!Liben, meet your elder brother Boren.
Brother Qiu Liben, how are you?
Qin Boren please!Please!
[I have given way to Qiu for a long time, but no one is willing to come in first.In the end, Zeng won, and old man Qiu took the first step.Once again he gave in to Young Master Qiu and won again; he would rather give in for twenty-four hours than be rude.After entering the room, Zeng originally planned to win another victory and let the Qiu family father and son sit on the seat, but seeing that the old man Qiu became a little impatient, he pushed him down.Everyone sit down.
Qin Boren, please take off your clothes, the weather is really hot! (Pours plum soup for everyone) Please have a cold drink!
Qiu Zihou, I won't bother you too much, let's get straight to the point, I'm here to ask you something!
How dare Qin Boren!What instruction does uncle have?
Qiu Zihou (seems to have prepared the manuscript for a long time): Boren, for decades, we have neglected our internal affairs, frequent foreign insults, and the country is in peril, imminent.The old man is over half a hundred years old, and there is nothing he can do!I want to teach Liben to travel across the ocean and learn some new knowledge abroad.The old man only has this son to comfort his old age; however, everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the country, and if the country does not survive, what will happen to the common people?
Uncle Zeng Moxia Gao Zhanyuan said, I admire him so much!
Qin Boren, which country do you want to teach Liben to go?
Qiu Zihou This is exactly what I want to ask for advice.Your new learning is better than mine, Bokai memorizes, you give me an idea!There are only two countries in my mind... Zeng Moxia is right!Britain and France are both powerful countries!
Qin Boren depends on what Liben learns, right?
Zeng Moxia's words hit the nail on the head!Uncle Qiu, forgive me for saying too much!In my opinion, our shortcoming is that we don't have battleships, huge guns, and armored soldiers. It seems that Brother Liben should study mechanics or military science.
Qiu Zihou, Mo Xia, whoever is not!In the Sino-Japanese War, we had a fleet, but the entire army was wiped out!There are machine bureaus all over Nanyang, and the country is in decline.Today's long live is wise, unprecedented in ancient times, to order reforms to determine the country's affairs.Today's safety, prosperity, and failure must be determined by internal affairs. If internal affairs are not repaired, even if there are strong soldiers, they will not be able to save the peril!Therefore, I want to teach Liben to study political affairs.Learn from others' strengths, make up for my weaknesses, improve politics and laws, and a strong country can be expected!
Uncle Zeng Moxia, hearing what you said overnight is really better than reading ten years of books!admiration!admiration!Qiu Zihou Boren, what do you think?
What Uncle Qin Boren saw was right! (Hurry up and take out the files you just put away from the drawer)
Uncle, you see, since the Holy Majesty opened the way, I decided to show Chen Dayi's foolishness.What was said on the watch was exactly the same as what my uncle had clearly seen!You see!You see!
Qiu Zihou (takes the document, but does not read it) You and I see the same?You see what I think right?So, tell me, which country should Liben go to? (Put down the file casually)
Qin Boren's nephew thinks Britain is better!
Zeng Moxia, as the name suggests, is the country of heroes in the United Kingdom, good!
Qin Boren Britain is a constitutional monarchy, which is enough for me to testify.France has repeatedly revolutionized and killed people like hemp, which seems to be insufficient.The president of France...Zeng Moxia's foreign character is "Belixi Tiande".
Qin Boren...a change in a few years is not as good as the emperor of the eternal line, which can maintain the hearts of the people, like the sun in the middle of the sky, shining brightly.
Qiu Zihou Boren, your words won my heart!Even if I go bankrupt, I will send Liben out.
Qin Boren Then, brother Liben, what do you think?
Since Qiu Liben's father is willing to train me, I will cross the ocean and die!Hello Zeng Moxia!Like father, like son!It's a pity that I have a lot of money, otherwise, I will follow Brother Liben and go to get a foreign Jinshi and a foreign champion!Brother Liben, I wish you ten thousand miles of prosperity and great future!
Qiu Zihou, Mo Xia, a man with small affairs, but a country with great affairs!Boren, don't delay your work anymore, come to learn again some other day! (Busy and blocked Zeng) Customers do not see off!Zeng Moxia (No matter what, I must give it away) Uncle, please!
[Boren and Zeng sent Qiu's father and son.After a while, Shi Meng and the old man went up.
Gu Shimeng, please persuade him well, don't lose your temper!
Gu Xiucai, I know, go and see Dabao!
Gu Shimeng reasoned with him, don't get angry, he has a tough temper! (Down)
Gu Xiucai, okay! (Sees the documents on the table, takes out the glasses, puts them on, and looks at them) [Bo Rentong once sent a guest back, talking.
Zeng Moxia Yes, the more I think about it, the more I am convinced, the earth must be round!
Qin Boren (seeing his father-in-law) Oh, how are you, old man?
Gu Xiucai (puts down the document, takes off the mirror) Good!Mo Xia, what did you just say?
How are you, Zeng Moxia?teacher!
I'm fine with Gu Xiucai, but I'm worried about you young people!I'm Mr. Kaimon for you two, did I say the earth is round?If the ground was round, my old man would have fallen!
Zeng Moxia, I just heard people say that, but I didn't believe it!
Is Gu Xiucai?Pretend to be the Restoration!The earth is obviously flat, but they stare blankly and spread rumors, saying it is round!Could it be that everything on the ground looks like Luo Guoqiao?
Teacher Zeng Moxia, don't be angry!So what, let me see the old lady (walk out with accosts)
Gu Xiucai Boren, come here!I'll tell you well
If Qin Boren has anything to say, please tell him!
Gu Xiucai, what are you doing all this time?
Qin Boren, I'm afraid you have already guessed it, right?
Gu Xiucai guessed?I got it!You hang out with that group of reformers all day long, go to this society, that society, and even go to their homes to copy things for them.Is there such a thing?
Qin Boren - yes!
Gu Xiucai, do you know that they are going to rebel?
Qin Boren, who wants to rebel?
Gu Xiucai, you know what to ask!
Qin Boren, I know that they want to restore the country and save the country, and they don't want to rebel.The emperor is also willing to establish a constitutional reform and strive to become rich and strong!Constitutionalism is not a rebellion, but it teaches people to be more affectionate, and the Pope is even more loved!
Gu Xiucai Oh!The emperor is willing, is the queen mother willing?Are you willing, am I willing or not?The power is in the hands of the Queen Mother, and the military power is in the hands of Rong Zhongtang!When the Queen Mother stomps her feet, all your heads will fall off!
Qin Boren, you also know a lot of things!
Gu Xiucai, for you, I went around to inquire!
Qin Boren, why don't you go and have a look, what are we talking about?
I can't hide from Gu Xiucai, so I'll go see it myself!
Qin Boren, we knelt down and begged the Empress Dowager to make a constitution, and the emperor agreed, so why behead him?
Gu Xiucai has taught his ministers to die since ancient times, and the ministers dare not not die.The king is the king, and the minister is the minister. What kind of constitution do you want to use to control the emperor? It's ridiculous!
Mr. Qin Boren, the Western powers have already done that!
Gu Xiucai devils are devils, we are us!Taking myself as an example, I was in my fifties, and I was only selected as a scholar.Am I willing?Hmph, as long as I have the breath, I'll still rush for the exam. It's not too late to raise a Jinshi in No. 670 High School.What do you say about abolishing the imperial examinations, teaching me that there will never be a day of success, so many scholars will never have a day of success, think about it, is that something that wins people's hearts?
Qin Boren's imperial examinations have not yet been abolished, but stereotyped essays have been changed into political theory.
Gu Xiucai, I have been stereotyped all my life, and I knew that stereotyped can teach me to show my relatives and fame, and seal my wife and son!What is your set?What good can it do?
Qin Boren's reform is beneficial to the whole country, not just myself!Even if I plan for myself, the adults can sponsor me. Once I get an official position, I will never disappoint the emperor and will serve the country loyally!
Gu Xiucai hahaha!Boren, you make me sneer!Don't follow the right path of imperial examination fame, but wait for other people's recommendation, and still want to be recommended by the reformers. Isn't this abandoning the right path and committing suicide?How many days will their adults be popular?When they're done, you'll be done too!Weng Xiangguo has been dismissed and will leave Beijing immediately. Can't you see which way the wind is blowing?
Qin Boren heard that Mr. Yuan can help the reformers!He has a new army!
Gu Xiucai, Mr. Yuan, a high-ranking official has to work, and a horse has to be ridden. Will he help you group of reformers?Boren, your old Qin's family was originally a businessman, and it was only in your generation that you knew how to read.I see that you are diligent, inquisitive and promising, so I betrothed my beloved daughter to you.Think about it, if you cause trouble, what will my girl do when she is young?My girl has already given birth to a boy for your Qin family. How can you go astray and bring about your own destruction?Just think about it!
Qin Boren (thoughts)...
Gu Xiucai, is this (referring to the document) your memorial?The sage said: If you are not in your position, you will not seek your own government!You don't even have a reputation, how dare you hand it over to Qin Zhe?The empress dowager was furious, and everyone who wrote the letter would be condemned!pick up the file, shred)
Qin Boren (went to grab it, it was too late) Your old man... (angry, but helpless)
Gu Xiucai, I am for you!
Qin Boren, I am for the Qing Dynasty!
Gu Xiucai, the Qing Dynasty belongs to the emperor, do you need to be distracted?It's okay to say that the monarchy is too powerful, the emperor is the emperor, and the power is not great?He still talks nonsense, saying that the land is round, and whoever the land provokes... [Zeng Moxia enters.
Teacher Zeng Moxia, I figured it out, the earth cannot be round!So what, big brother, the old lady wants to go to the rehearsal with the third master, will you go?
Qin Boren, I'm not in the mood to go to the theater!
Gu Xiucai is diligent and meritorious, and the theater is useless. It is right not to go to the theater, but you can't sit in the room and attack heresy!
[Shu Li helps the old lady go up.
Mrs. Qin's father-in-law, let's go to the rehearsal together, it's really interesting!
Gu Xiucai, you know that I, a poor scholar, have no preference other than gnawing on books!In-laws please!Let's go together, I'll go home.
Mrs. Qin, Bo Ren, how about you?
Qin Boren has the third child to serve you, so I will... Mrs. Qin, your father-in-law and son-in-law are a couple of nerds!Little San'er, let's go!
Uncle Qin salutes!
[Exit Mrs. Qin, Gu Xiucai, and Shu Li.Mo Xia also followed out.Bo Ren picked up the shredded paper on the ground.Mo Xia ran back again.
Brother Zeng Moxia!So what, (taking out two red paper envelopes from his pocket and handing them over)
What is Qin Boren doing?
Zeng Moxia There were too many people here just now, I can't take it out.So what, you are familiar with Mr. Kang and Mr. Liang.
Qin Boren, I only know Lord Liang.He also wrote a letter to Tan Sitong.Zeng Moxia, that's fine!This is my little idea, you can tell me something, give me a little errand, so that I don't have to be so idle all the time!
Qin Boren is clearly offering bribes!
Zeng Moxia is not!It's a trifle!
If Master Qin Boren sees this, (pointing to the red seal) will never talk to me again!
Here you go, take it back!Never do this again in the future!What we hate are corrupt officials, how can... Zeng Moxia stay with you first, you can figure it out!
Qin Boren, I don't look at stolen goods for others, here they are for you!
Brother Zeng Moxia, you are too difficult!
Qin Boren, if you are a passer-by, don't come here in the future!
Oh, Zeng Moxia!Brothers from childhood, don't turn your back on others! (Takes the red envelope) Goodbye, Senior Brother! (Down)
[Boren is angry and wanders around the house.Shi Meng came in gently.
Did Mr. Gu Shimeng offend you?
Qin Boren did not!
Gu Shimeng, your face is not pretty!What exactly is going on?You tell me a little bit!
Qin Boren told you, you can't understand either!
Gu Shimeng, I have also read the Four Books and Five Classics, so I am not too confused!
What's the use of Qin Boren?
Gu Shimeng didn't look at me, but for Dabao's sake, tell me, you won't cause trouble!I'm young and timid, you shouldn't hide it from me, don't tell the truth!
Qin Boren, I, I, I don't know!
- the curtain falls