Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui｜Peking Opera by Hong Kong Cheung Mei Cultural Arts Company Limited

Description

The Legend of the White Snake

Plot Summary

Xu Xian from Qiantang passes by West Lake during a rainy day and meets two girls, Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing, who are actually white and green snakes in disguise. They fall in love with each other and Xu Xian lends them his umbrella, promising to visit them. This leads to their marriage. However, the monk Fahai from Jinshan Temple tells Xu Xian that Bai Suzhen is a snake demon and instructs him to force her to drink realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival, causing her to reveal her true form and frightening Xu Xian. Bai Suzhen steals a lingzhi herb to cure Xu Xian, but when he goes to Jinshan Temple to offer incense, he is detained by Fahai and doesn't return for several days. Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing go to the temple to beg for Xu Xian's release, but Fahai refuses. Out of desperation, Bai Suzhen gathers her water tribe to flood Jinshan Temple. Fahai summons celestial soldiers and generals to fight against her. Bai Suzhen, being pregnant, retreats. As they reach the Broken Bridge, Xu Xian catches up with them. Xiao Qing draws her sword to kill Xu Xian, but Bai Suzhen, despite blaming Xu Xian for being unfaithful, forgives him due to their deep love. The three of them reconcile. After giving birth to a son, Bai Suzhen is captured by Fahai, who seals her in an alms bowl and imprisons her under Leifeng Pagoda. Xiao Qing escapes back to Emei to practice martial arts. She defeats the tower god and topples Leifeng Pagoda, rescuing Bai Suzhen and reuniting their family.

Loss of Street Pavilion · Empty City Strategy · Execution of Ma Su

Plot Summary

During the battle between Shu and Wei, Sima Yi leads his troops to Qishan. Zhuge Liang predicts that Wei Jun will definitely seize the Street Pavilion and selects Ma Su to defend it, with Wang Ping as his assistant. Ma Su is stubborn and arrogant, choosing to camp at the top of the mountain, which leads to a siege by Wei Jun and the loss of the Street Pavilion. Sima Yi takes advantage of this victory to attack the West City directly. Zhuge Liang employs the Empty City Strategy by opening the city gates wide and sitting calmly in the tower, playing the guqin and drinking wine. Sima Yi suspects an ambush and does not dare to enter the city, retreating with his army. Ma Su has caused a serious military mistake, and Zhuge Liang, in order to maintain Yan and Ming's military discipline, reluctantly executes Ma Su despite recognizing his talent. He reports this to the young emperor and requests punishment for himself.