Scene 4
A Scholar's Complaint

(Enter Chen Zuiliang. )

Chen (Singing to the tune of Double Toast ):

Reading by windowside and in Candlelight,

How could a bookworm turn from dull to bright?

I failed in exams again and again;

I am afraid I've wasted time in vain.

What is the use of reading books?

Asthma retains me in my nooks.

Ill, I can't drink much wine;

Poor, I've not much to dine.

How could a man ascend the sky?

A white-haired man can only sigh.

I am Chen Zuiliang, scholar of Nan'an Prefecture. My grandfather practised medecine, and I studied Confucian classics early in my life. At twelve I entered the county school and then I received an additional stipend. Having taken part in fifteen exams during forty-five years, I turned out to be the last in the last exam and was turned out of the school. What is worse, I have been out of job for two years, and have to earn a meagre living, so I am nicknamed Chen the Meagre or Mealless. As I know something in medecine, divination and geomancy, I am called Chen Good-for-Nothing. As I shall be sixty by next year, I don't think I have any more great expectations than running the drugstore left by my grandfather. When a teacher becomes a beseecher, you know what it means. It was said yesterday that Prefect Du was looking for a tutor for his daughter, and many would vie for this job. Why are here so many applicants? First, a tutor of the prefect's daughter may show off his qualification; secondly, he may have some connections with the prefect; thirdly, he may win support from the authority; fourthly, he may collaborate with the steward and servants in intrigues; fifthly, he may brag so as to be promoted; sixthly, he may bully inferior officials, and lastly he may cheat his own family. For these seven things, what won't they do to win the job? But they do not know it is not easy to work in the prefect's house, and still more difficult to teach a girl student. You can neither be too lenient nor too severe with her. If anything goes wrong with her manners, you can neither cry it out nor laugh it off. Only an old scholar like me knows how to solve the dilemna.

Book in hand, I can teach with closed eyes;

Without medicine, I can make the sick rise.

(Enter a courier.)

Courier: How can a scholar not be poor?

But old couriers know more and more.

(Seeing Chen) Congratulations, Master.

Chen: What for?

Courier: Prefect Du is looking for a tutor for his daughter. Our director has recommended a dozen of scholars, but none of them meet the requirements of the Prefect who would have an experienced teacher. Then I mentioned you to our director, and here is the invitation from the Prefect.

Chen: Trouble begins when each has much to teach.

Courier:Trouble ends when each has much food to eat.

Chen: Then let us go at once.

(Singing to the tune of Fairy in a Cave while they walk)

My hood should be sewn when it is torn,

And my shoes mended when outworn.

Courier: You don't work in the court;

Your long gown becomes short.

Together: Don't rinse your mouth with ink!

Or the rice you eat would stink,

And your toothpick would smell

Alas! Not so well.

Courtier: I've found a job for you.

Won't you pay me what's due?

Chen: You ask for a small fee.

Would the Prefect retain me?

Courier: On festive days

You will be invited always.

Bring something out, and don't be late!

Here we are at the Prefect's gate.

Epilogue of the Scene

Courier: Fickle are glory and delight.

Chen: Who cares for the hair silver-white?

Courier: When the Prefect enjoys his leisure,

Together: Who won't curry favor with pleasure? HkWUhEJ9uXHt2UiG392IT5o596vZ5xESw65gkB5ZTjZS0MTq1OYvJuh6VLpRgOx5