XU WEI

The Female Mulan Joins the Army
in Place of Her Father¹

Act I

Characters:

MULAN, performed by dan (young female lead)

XIAOHUAN, performed by chou (clown)

HUA HU, performed by wai (old male)

MOTHER, performed by lao (old female)

YAO’ER, performed by xiaosheng (supporting young male)

MUNAN, performed by tie (supporting young female)

SOLDIERS

(Dan playing the girl Mulan enters)

MULAN: My surname is Hua, my name Mulan. Generations ago, in the time of the Western Han, my ancestors, being among those descended from good families of the Six Prefectures,² settled here in Hebei’s Wei Prefecture.³ My father’s name is Hu, and he is also called Sangzhi. All his life he has loved martial arts and was skilled in literature, and he was at one time a famous “commander of a thousand.” He married my mother, from the Jia family, and she gave birth to me.⁴ This year, I am barely seventeen years old. Neither my little sister, Munan, or my little brother, Yao’er, have reached adulthood. Yesterday I heard that Black Mountain’s head bandit, Leopard Skin, led hundreds of thousands of men on horseback in rebellion and is now calling himself king. Our great Wei’s Tuoba khan⁵ has sent down to our district, calling up troops. The army rolls have been arriving, twelve in a row, scroll after scroll bearing my father’s name. As I think of it, my father is not only old, but has no one in the next generation who can carry on for him. When I was young, I was a strong one, and had a bit of smarts, so I followed my father in studying books and martial arts. Now this is my opportunity to repay him. Just take a look at what it says in the books about Qin Xiu⁶ and Tiying;⁷ one of them willing to die, the other one willing to go to court to be a slave, both for their fathers’ sake. But, weren’t those two putting their buns in hairnets? Did they put put on male caps? Didn’t they just wear skirts and jackets? There’s just one thing: if I were to stand for him, I must have a new bow, horse, spear, sword, gown, and boots—all prepared from scratch. And I’d better go over my martial arts once or twice. Only then can I tell my family about my aims to take dad’s place. They will know that there is no alternative and certainly should not take pains to keep me. Where is Xiaohuan?

(Chou playing Xiaohuan enters)

Xiaohuan! Don’t let Father and Mother find out: we are going shopping!

(Mulan turns offstage and mimes buying things)
(Comes back leading Xiaohuan, carrying her packages)

XIAOHUAN: Miss, where should I tie up the horse?

MULAN: Stable it at Wang San’s home, across the way!

[Dianjiangchun]⁸

The Xiu girl braved death,
Tiying faced judgment,

They were both my female companions, in skirts and hairpins.

Standing on the ground, holding up heaven:

What’s this about men being heroes?

[Hunjianglong]

The army scrolls are in a dozen,

Roll upon roll, scroll upon scroll, listing my father’s name.

He is already aged,

And is plagued by debilitating illness.

To think, how in earlier times,

He fit an arrow, to hunt the hawk, piercing it with its white-feathered shaft.

Now, ah,

He leans on a staff, to count the wild geese, counting them against the blue sky.

He calls in the chickens, and feeds the dog,

He stays in the village, and minds the fields.

For training falcons, his wrist is too weak,

For chasing hares, his back is too bent.

He leads us sisters by the hand,

He combs the hair of us little girls.

Seeing us in front of mirrors touching up rouge, he laughs out loud,
Hearing about swords raised in battle, his brow furrows, in frowns.

With a long sigh, he says:

“For us parents, North Mang Hill⁹ is rearing,

For our girls, the “Bared Belly of the East” has yet to come.”¹⁰

If I want to practice martial arts, I’ve got to first let out these feet¹¹ and change to this pair of boots. Only then will I manage!

(As she changes footwear, she acts out pain)

[Youhulu]

Just-removed, the half-folded Tiny Ripple Socks bindings,¹²

How it hurts!

It took me several years to bind together these “Phoenix-head sharps.”¹³

Now I quickly turn them into floating boats.¹⁴

How will I now fill up these boots?

When I return, I’ll still want to get married. So what can I do? Well, no need to mope about that! My family has a method for shrinking golden lotuses:¹⁵ just take a bit of saltpeter, boil it, and use it to wash the feet. In this way, we make them even smaller!

(Sings:)

Take the raw saltpeter, boil it so it is white like snowflakes,

And in a thrice, you’ve shrunk them back into golden lotus petals.

In these boots, I’m pretty much steady. Now I’ll put on these clothes!

(Changes clothes, puts on man’s felt military cap)

[Tianxiale]

Dressed up, I daresay I am a senior campaigning officer,

Among their ranks, it will be easy to hide.

Hook the belt tightly—

I shall hang my sword on the plates.

The chain mail is pliant and supple,

Its quilted lining is comfy and warm.

I’ll bring this armor back, and it will be good enough for my brother to wear.

Clothes and boots are all changed. I’ve got to practice some swordplay for a bit.

(Performs swordplay)

[Nezhaling]

This sword!

How long it’s been since I’ve drawn it,

I’ve got to say, I thought it wouldn’t be easy.

Hoisting it up and giving it a whirl—

Well, it’s just like old times.

Why aren’t my hands sore with pain,

Used as they are to threading the loom’s shuttle?

The girl of Yue still needed the instruction of the white ape.¹⁶

If I take dad’s place in the army, how can I not grasp this green serpent¹⁷

So fast that round my red skirt I hold this blast of frost!¹⁸

Now I am finished performing with the sword, I had better practice the lance.

(Acts practicing with lance)

[Queta zhi]

Whetted until fresh as a leaf of green,

Fixed onto this fine wood staff,

It is as good as any number of rounds of Pear Petals Dancing in Moonlight

And Ten-foot Snake Creeping.¹⁹

Wait, wait, until my feet have unfolded,

And with big steps I can stride again,

And then with one turn of my body, I will push over the tip of Black Mountain.

Ah, arrows! I can’t practice them here. I’ll just have to try to pull the bowstring.

I will see how my way with the bow and string compares to the old days.

(Acts pulling bow)

[Jishengcao]

The thumb ring is thin,

The frame’s ends are rounded.

With one fist closed tight, I grab the “Yellow Snake.”²⁰

For a single arrow, a full eagle’s tail has been pulled out.²¹

One outstretched arm holds forth with the strength of the white ape.

Singing drawn-out songs, the hero enters the pass,

Then, only then, will I reveal my Tianshan arrows.²²

As for riding a donkey or a horse, it is familiar enough to me. Even so, I’ve got to get the posture of jumping astride the saddle.

(Mounts horse in the posture of sitting astride a horse)

[Yao]

Embroidered front and back, my horse-riding vest,

Inlaid with coral, my horse-urging whip,

This costume is not army issue.

So with these two leather reins I’ll control my unicorn tightly,

And through millions of mountains I’ll catch alive a monkey companion.²³

With this one bit and bridle, I’ll trample out the foxes from their den.

I will only reveal that a lovely girl was the one in the saddle when I return home.²⁴

Who, then, will not call me a great hero?

Everything is taken care of now. I have to call Father and Mother to come out so I can talk to them.

(Addressing backstage, she asks father, mother, younger brother, and younger sister to come out)

(Wai playing father, lao playing mother, xiaosheng playing brother, and tie playing the younger sister enter. Upon seeing her, they are surprised.)

MOTHER: Child! Why are you dressed up like this today? You have unbound your feet! How strange! How strange!

MULAN: Mother! Father is supposed to join the army: how can he not go?

MOTHER: He is old already, how can he go?

MULAN: Could little sister or little brother be made to go?

MOTHER: You’re mad! How are two as young as they are able to go?

MULAN: Things being that way, then no one will go.

MOTHER: That’s precisely why we are at our wits’ end. Your father is ready to hang himself from worry!

MULAN: The way I am now … can I go or not?

MOTHER: Child! I know well your abilities. You could indeed go. (Crying) It’s just that … how can two old folks like us bear to let you go? And another thing, if you go … you’re still a girl. Through a thousand provinces and a million miles, you’ll be marching with men and keeping their constant company—breakfasting together in the morning, lodging together at night—you cannot prevent your you-know-what from showing! Don’t you think that this will create problems?

MULAN: Mom! Don’t worry. I will return to you still a virgin.

(They weep together)
(Two soldiers enter)

SOLDIER: Is this the Hua residence?

FATHER: Why do you ask?

SOLDIER: We are also recruits. Our home office said that in this ward there is a Hua Hu and told us to come and hasten him so that we may all travel together, so hurry up.

MULAN: Brothers, sit a while! Allow me to prepare a few things, and I’ll be good to go. Xiaohuan, go fetch my horse!

(Mulan readies her military equipment)
(Everyone watches)

PARENTS: Fine horse! Fine arms! You’ll certainly be a success, returning to hurrahs. No matter what, you must regularly write to us, and spare us both from worrying. Now, we’d like to drink a toast to you, but things are so helter-skelter. I’ve sent Xiaohuan to go buy you some hot buns. Bring them with you for munching on the road. I’ll put these needles and thread in your bag, and you’ll be prepared if you get a rip in your clothes, or a break in your armor!

TWO SOLDIERS: Hurry up!

(Family members weep in parting, then leave first)
(Mulan goes to meet the soldiers)

MULAN: Elder brothers, thanks for waiting such a long while! Let’s mount our horses and be off.

(Mulan gets on the horse and starts on her way)
(The soldiers secretly confer)

SOLDIERS: This Hua Hu doesn’t look bad at all. He doesn’t look like a senior officer, but he’d be a nice morsel. Tomorrow we can take him to meet our needs.

MULAN:

[Yao]

I’m no further from home than a shot from an arrow,

But I hear the sputtering Yellow River’s flow.

The horse lowers his head, and I point far off to where the goose drops into the reeds.

My iron armor is unlined—suddenly there appears a fleck of frosty crystal.

From the intensity of the sorrows of parting, my peach-flower face has become drawn.

If I for a moment think of these tightly stitched clothes,²⁵

Two rows of tears drip from their pearl strings.

[Liu yao xu]

Ai! The smell of face powder still lingers on my face;

I try to wash off the mark left by my hair ornament.

It still isn’t gone even after a whole day.

But I have been twisted into a veritable man, and in great haste, I mount my horse, astride the saddle.

In my boots are planted a golden whip,

My feet push against the bronze rings,

Dropping the needle’s point,

I’ve slung on my strung bow.²⁶

Before I meet anyone, I am prepared to meet him by bending my back;

I cannot use anymore the curtsying I did in my woman’s skirts.

I don’t fear the mandarin ducks becoming a pair and asking for marriage,

I’m more concerned about the burning need to pee and poop.²⁷

I need a ruse.

[Yao]

Brothers! While we’ve been talking,

And without urging the whip,

We’ve crossed ten thousand green mountains like dots, and

Neared “Five Zhang”²⁸ Red Pass.

Where the sunlight rests on the city wall’s parapets,

Several banner flags are raised.

In tattered caps, and worn shirts,

They are not very intimidating,

This must be an officer of the guard!

Is he not like us, one of the same kind?

Relying on our youth,

Relying on Blue Heaven,

Not fearing hardship,

Not loving money,

Yet we all head toward recognition, for which our portraits will hang up in Lingyan Tower.²⁹

Isn’t this better than scheming and robbing someone of his command, and stealing someone’s glory?

It is worth much more than wealth and position, which is after all decreed by Heaven.

Even if the Black Mountain Bandits’ crimes are broad as heaven,

They began as nothing more than mere thoughts in the mind.

(Acts out asking)

[Yao]

Where are we now?

Feet and inches away, but

Seeming halfway to heaven,

The long slope ahead winds like a coiled snake.

It must be that the commander in chief is seated atop the platform,

A little Tiying is about to meet a great commanding officer.

By now my heart is shaken,

In time I will get comfortable with a warrior’s heart.

Commanding a thousand men and horses,

I will sweep across Black Mountain in battle,

I shall sweep away the traces of old rouge from my flower cheeks with my sable cap.

ALL: While we were talking, we happily arrived at the commander’s camp. We shall first select a place to set up, and tomorrow we shall all go together to see our commander. (Exeunt)

Act II

Characters:

XIN PING, performed by wai

MULAN, performed by dan

LEOPARD SKIN, performed by jing (male “painted face”)

EUNUCH, performed by chou

MOTHER, performed by lao

YAO’ER, performed by xiaosheng

MUNAN, performed by tie

WANG LANG, performed by sheng (young male lead)

XIAOHUAN, performed by chou

SOLDIERS

(Wai playing the commanding general enters)

XIN PING: I am the “Subduing the East” commanding general, Xin Ping. Our ruler ordered me to lead 100,000 brave troops to kill the Black Mountain bandits, and I have been victorious in every battle. But we can’t do anything about the chief bandit, Leopard Skin, who has hidden himself behind high, steep cliffs and won’t come out from behind their walls. The other day, three thousand braves newly arrived, and I will appoint them after trying out their martial skills. There is a Hua Hu, who seemed capable. Now I am about to roll out this catapult, to fire on those steep cliffs above. This chief bandit will have no choice but to come out and fight. When the troops are drawn up against each other in battle formation, I will have Hua Hu cut through in the middle on horseback, and we are bound to capture Leopard Skin at the first roll of the drum. Where are Hua Hu and the new soldiers?

(Mulan and the group of soldiers enter and kneel)

XIN PING: Hua Hu! Tomorrow I will attack Black Mountain. After two rounds of battle, you have to let your horse gallop and dash into the troops. You will be sure to capture the bandit chief alive. Then I will recommend you to the emperor, and your reward will not be meager. If you disobey, you will be beheaded.

MULAN: Yes, sir. I have received your command!

XIN PING: Then let’s raise the troops and go forth!

[Qingjiang yin]

Black Mountain’s little bandit is truly shortsighted!

He continues to hide himself—what can he accomplish?

When the flower opens, butterflies fill the branches.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter off.

The more you hide, the more I’ll seek the sight of you.

CHORUS OF SOLDIERS:

[To the same tune]

Black Mountain’s little bandit is truly farsighted!

Left or right, he’s used to getting defeated.

All day long he feels no shame at all,

And in all three meals, gobbles his fill.

The more you seek him out, the more he hides and watches what will happen.

Your Lordship! We have arrived at the bandit hideout.

XIN PING: Tell the troops to raise the catapult and fire!

(They fire the catapult. A jing playing the bandit chief thrice comes out in front of the ranks to fight. Mulan dashes out in front and captures him.)

XIN PING: Call back the troops to return!

CHORUS OF SOLDIERS:

[To the same tune]

Our great leader is truly farsighted,

Only after careful calculation did he act.

This bandit was a false case of: When the flower opens, butterflies fill the branches,

In truth, he was like: When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter off.

Returning with a victory song, we share in his pride.

XIN PING:

[To the same tune]

My gathered soldiers, the great sight that you witnessed a moment ago

Means we’ll have an extra string of cash every month.

No more “all day long he knows no shame”;

I’ll make sure each man shall have three meals to gobble his fill.

When it comes to weighing merits, it is Hua Hu who claims the greatest share of credit.

(Arriving at the capital, sound of bells and drums. They act out an audience at court.)

XIN PING: (memorializing to the throne) The humble “Subduing the East” commanding general, Xin Ping, respectfully reports: by Your Majesty’s grace, we were sent to march against the bandits from Black Mountain and have fully pacified them. The bandit chief, Leopard Skin, was indeed captured by my soldier, Hua Hu, in front of the ranks; he has been brought here for your disposal. As for the other worthy men, I have put down their names on the registers and made distinctions according to their merits, and hope you will make your decisions accordingly.

(Chou playing eunuch presents emperor’s edict)

EUNUCH: His Majesty commands: you have gained great merit in eradicating the bandits, and We have specially enfeoffed³⁰ you as the marquis of Chang-shan. We present you with a tablet of office for perpetual inheritance. Hua Hu shall be the secretarial court officer in the Imperial Secretariat. Bearing in mind his many years of laboring in military service, We order that he return home posthaste to rest for three months, then await the new appointment. He will be given official cap and girdle, and, following this, he and Xin Ping may give thanks for Our imperial grace. Leopard Skin will be beheaded. As for the other worthies, We will act once their cases are verified.

(Mulan puts on official cap and girdle)

(General and Mulan give thanks, and receive the decree. Chou exits.)

MULAN: I, Hua Hu, am grateful to Your Honor for raising me up with this recommendation to receive imperial glory and grace beyond my due. But as I am anxious about visiting my parents, I cannot go to your office to give thanks. Allow me first to kowtow to you here, and allow me to one day repay you as a dog or horse would its master.

XIN PING: What you achieved you did on your own. What does it have to do with me? Because we are in such haste, I, too, cannot send you gifts to congratulate you properly.

MULAN: Today you have helped me greatly.

XIN PING: I have done no more than lend wind to the sail of a boat going with the current.

(Xin Ping exits first)

MULAN:

[To the same tune]

Everything is—when I think of it—an illusion, after all;

Why should I boast that I succeeded in this scheme?

The “I” who killed bandits, and captured their king,

Was a woman who changed place with a man.

After all, these successes did not cost me a drop of sweat.

(Two soldiers hurry onstage)

SOLDIERS: Sir Hua! How well you have done!

MULAN: Why are you two so late in coming?

SOLDIERS: We two awaited successful investigations, and now we have acquired centurion positions. We hope that you will look out for us!

MULAN: Happy news! Now we can travel together.

SOLDIERS:

[To the same tune]

When you think of it, Big Brother Hua is really weird!

Whether he’s pissing or shitting, he won’t allow anyone to watch.

(Companions to each other) That’s a mark of gentility for you!

If heaven gives birth to a worthy man,

It brings luck to his three companions.

The two of us, with offices puny as sesame seeds, raised our eyes to take a look at him.

MULAN:

[To the same tune]

How am I, Hua Hu, so weird?

I only know of one thing that is weird.

Right next to my home, in a temple,

There is a protecting demon statue, whose face

Suddenly changed into Chang’e’s!³¹

SOLDIERS: Truly?

MULAN: If you don’t believe me, when we reach my home I will bring you to see it.

(Exit)

(Father, mother, Xiaohuan enter)

PARENTS: Since the time our girl, Mulan, left, there hasn’t been a bit of news. The good thing is that at New Year’s, Minister Wang’s son, Mr. Wang, impressed that Mulan was so filial as to take her father’s place, sought to be affianced with her. Who would have thought that Mr. Wang would go on to succeed in the “Wise and Good” and “Literary Scholarship” categories?³² Now he is home, visiting his parents with the title “collator of the Imperial Library.” Mulan, too, has been gone for more than ten years. With the two of them each grown into man and woman, and of marrying age, this is no light matter! But how do we get her to come home, so that we can conclude this betrothal and die with a clear conscience?

(Two soldiers enter with Mulan)

SOLDIERS: Sir Hua! We’ve arrived at your home! We two will take our leave and go!

MULAN: What kind of talk is this? Please have a seat in the left chamber, and wait until noon to go on.

(Soldiers assent, stepping aside so as to indicate leaving room)
(Mulan advances and sees parents)

MOTHER: (to maid) Girl! Quick, call Second Sister and Third Brother to come out, tell them that Big Sister has come back!

(Maid calls younger sister and brother, who enter)
(Mulan, facing her mirror, changes back to female makeup, then bows in greeting to her parents)

MULAN:

[Shua haier]

Your child left, cutting down bandits with martial sword,
Wiping them away like the wind scattering clouds;
I captured the bandit chief alive, then left the capital:
This black gauze cap came from the khan himself.

MOTHER: Your office, what office is it?

MULAN:

It is Secretarial Gentleman. Mother!

I have been bound up tightly so many years in a hall with the nightly rain of pear-blossom petals,

But I return to you as before, a little box of dogwood bud in spring winds.³³

How could I shame my parents?

MOTHER: My child, to think of what you have done!

MULAN:

I don’t mean to boast that … true gold withstands fire,

Or that it well compares to … the red lotus emerging from the mud.³⁴

(Bows in greeting to brother and sister)

[Er sha]

When I left, you were just a little thing,

Now I’ve returned, your shoulders reach mine,

Right now you are quite ready to go to battle on Father’s behalf.

Sister, thank you for supporting our two elderly parents,

Brother, all of our generation should consider you its number one.

When I left the city, I could not find time to buy some perfume or handkerchiefs.

To give to sister: just a package of face powder,

And for brother: two boxes of pine-soot ink.

(The two soldiers hurry onstage)

SOLDIERS: Sir Hua! You were a girl all along! We lived with you for a dozen years, and none of us knew at all. So it turns out the demon that you spoke of on the road, who turned into Chang’e, was this riddle! You are the greatest miracle of all time. It will be known the world over, and everyone will remember you.

MULAN:

[San sha]

It is said that between men and women, even their mats shouldn’t touch,

But when there’s no other option, one must use expedient means.

The clever blossom hid securely from the butterflies’ ardor.

In Father’s place, I, ah! Was like the younger brother-in-law for whom

It’s impossible to let go of his sister-in-law’s hand, to save her from drowning.³⁵

Toward you men, ah! You were like fire raging for dry tinder—how could I not deceive you?

I was like the heron which is seen only when it soars from the snow.³⁶

In total we were together for ten years,

That makes for half a marriage.

SOLDIERS: With them so busy, we should make ourselves scarce. So we won’t take our leave, but just go!

(Exit)

XIAOHUAN: Mr. Wang has come to offer congratulations.

MOTHER: This is the son-in-law that I wrote to you about the other day. I was about to invite him over, so that you could have your wedding. What perfect timing!

(A sheng in official cap and girdle playing Mr. Wang enters and sees them)

MOTHER: Mr. Wang … stay your greetings! I have just looked at the almanac for an auspicious day. You two are as old as cast bronze elephants,³⁷ so let’s make ourselves a family today! Quick, quick, bow and greet each other!

(Mulan turns her back, shyly)

MOTHER: Child! After a dozen years as an officer, what do you have to be shy about?

(Mulan turns and bows)

MULAN:

[Si sha]

Barely reunited with my family,

Who would have dreamed it would be a wedding?

Now, meeting this way, how can I help but perspire with embarrassment?

I’ve long known of your honors in literature at court,

I’m ashamed that I’ve returned from the din of battle.

I cannot match up with this Eastern Couch³⁸ mate.

I shall serve you as the Divine Immortal flutist,³⁹

Don’t fear that I’ll be a little sister like Sun Quan’s.⁴⁰

[Wei]

I was a woman till I was seventeen,

Was a man for twelve more years.

Passed under thousands of glances,

Which of them could tell cock from hen?

Only now do I believe that a distinction between male and female isn’t told by the eyes.

Who was it really occupied Black Mountain Top?

The girl Mulan went to war for her pop.

The affairs of the world are all such a mess,

Muddling boy and girl is what this play does best.⁴¹

Translated by Shiamin Kwa

____________________

¹ The Female Mulan is one of the four plays that comprise Xu Wei’s Four Cries of a Gibbon. The translation is taken from Xu Wei, 1984, pp. 44–59.

² Meaning Longxi , Tianshui , Anding , Beidi , Shangjun , and Xihe , in present-day Gansu and Inner Mongolia.

³ The Wei district was founded in 195 B.C.E. by Han Gaozu, in the Ye jurisdiction. Modern-day Hebei, southwest of Linzhang.

⁴ That is to say, Mulan is the daughter of her father’s first wife, not of a concubine.

⁵ The version from the Historical Romance of the Sui and Tang places this story in the Tang dynasty, but Xu Wei places it in a non-Han setting, during the Northern Wei period. The rulers during this period were from the Tuoba family, which was ethnically part of the non-Han nomadic Xianbei tribe federation. They used their word “khan” for emperor, and Mulan is here referring to the emperor when she references the Tuoba khan.

⁶ According to a yuefu written by Zuo Yannian during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 C.E.) in Wei, found in the “Miscellaneous Songs” (“Za qu ge ci”) section, and titled “Song of the Qin girl, Xiu,” Qin Xiu is a girl who avenges the death of her father by killing his murderers in the marketplace. She is incarcerated and given the death penalty, although she is later pardoned.

⁷ Tiying is the youngest daughter of the physician Chunyun Yi of the Western Han. Her father was sentenced to mutilation for embezzling government funds and was sent to the capital for execution. Tying submitted a memorial to Han Wendi (Emperor Wen of the Han), begging to be her father’s substitute to pay off his debt as a slave at court. Wendi was moved, and he thereupon abolished corporal punishment, which was a significant reform of existing Han law.

⁸ The arias in Chinese opera are set to existing song tunes. The titles in brackets refer to the melodies in a repertory of aria tunes.

⁹ This hill north of Luoyang in Henan province is the burial site of royals from the Eastern Han and the Wei and thus functions as a metaphor for death.

¹⁰ The famous calligrapher of the Eastern Jin dynasty (217–420), Wang Xizhi (303–361) is the source of this allusion. When the emperor’s adviser Xi Jian approached Wang’s father about finding a son-in-law for his daughter, Wang told him to go to the Eastern Room to take a look at his sons. Xi returned to report to the emperor that all of the men were fine, but they almost all seemed nervous, whereas one of them lay on a couch with his belly exposed. The emperor selected the relaxed one.

¹¹ This refers to bound feet—an anachronism, as discussed in the Introduction.

¹² A metaphor for bound feet.

¹³ Another metaphor for bound feet.

¹⁴ That is, they’ve become big and flat.

¹⁵ Another metaphor for bound feet.

¹⁶ A legendary heroine, the girl of Yue is a peasant girl who was taught swordplay by a white ape that came to her from the mountains.

¹⁷ That is, the sword.

¹⁸ Her swordplay will be so swift that the glints around her will blend into a whirl of frost-like silver, set off by her red skirt.

¹⁹ Various fighting methods involving lances.

²⁰ The character translated as “cast,” cuan, is the same character used for casting a shuttle (as in weaving), but here it is used to refer to the snakeskin-covered bow.

²¹ Arrows were traditionally made with eagle tail feathers as fletchings.

²² During Tang Taizong’s reign, one of his generals, Xue Rengui, was surrounded on Tian Mountain (Tianshan) under attack by the Tiele. He was challenged to fight ten members of the Tiele cavalry. The three arrows he shot killed the three top generals, and this show of skill caused the rest of the Tiele to surrender.

²³ It was thought that exhausted horses, if allowed to sleep for too long, would become severely ill; therefore, the horses keeper would house a monkey in the stables with the horse to distract it and keep it awake, making a monkey part of riding paraphernalia.

²⁴ It is impossible to replicate in English the play on words and sounds here. The word for “beautiful,” which is definitely a feminine adjective (jiao ) sounds similar (indicated by the shared sound element) to the word meaning saddle (jiao ).

²⁵ An allusion to Meng Jiao’s (751–814) “Song for the Traveler”:

The thread in his mother’s hand,

Sews clothes for the traveler.

Close together, these tight stitches,
fearing a late return.

Who can say that the inch-long heart of grass
requites three months of spring’s rays?

This poem is the classic exposition on a mother’s love.

²⁶ Replacing one kind of “needle” and “thread” with another.

²⁷ Thus revealing her female genitalia to the soldiers.

²⁸ A “zhang” is a Chinese measurement equivalent to 11 feet 9 inches.

²⁹ This refers to portraits commissioned by Tang Taizong of twenty-four meritorious officials. Here, Mulan says that she and the other soldiers are not looking for glory, but only to serve their ruler.

³⁰ Given a title and stipend.

³¹ From a masculine protective demon (jingang) statue to that of the feminine goddess of the moon, Chang’e.

³² These exam categories can be understood roughly as “Civics” and “Composition.”

³³ That is, still a virgin after all these years.

³⁴ The lotus is prized because it blooms pure and unblemished in spite of the mud from which it springs.

³⁵ Mencius’ clarification that whereas men and women should keep a distance between them, extenuating circumstances (such as the woman’s risk of drowning!) could cause a man to extend his hand to touch his sister-in-law.

³⁶ This line appears in Xu Wei’s play The Mad Drummer Plays the Yuyang Triple Roll (Mi Heng) as well.

³⁷ A Ming turn of phrase indicating that they are of age.

³⁸ Another reference to Wang Xizhi (see note 10), the ideal son-in-law.

³⁹ Xiao Shi (the Divine Immortal) is a legendary figure skilled in xiao flute playing, who could imitate a phoenix cry on the flute. Nongyu, the daughter of Duke Mu of Qin, was also a skilled xiao player, and the duke gave his daughter in marriage to Xiao Shi. One morning, Nongyu mounted a phoenix and Xiao Shi mounted a dragon, and they flew off together.

⁴⁰ During the Three Kingdoms period, the Wu kingdom ruler, Sun Quan, had a younger sister who was skilled in martial arts. She was given by Sun Quan to Liu Bei in marriage. On their wedding night, Liu Bei found their bridal chamber filled with weapons, which Liu Bei asked her to remove. In spite of these beginnings, the two had a loving marriage.

⁴¹The play is followed in the earliest printed edition by the following additional notes: “When Mulan tries out a weapon and changes clothes and shoes, she absolutely must do wonderful kicks and jumps. When each part of the stage work is done, then she will sing, otherwise it will be a mess.”