“Li Jing’s Drama 𝑅𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑌𝑖’𝑠 𝐶𝑜𝑎𝑡: Addressing China’s Moral Crisis”
Introduction and translation by Andreea Chirita
Li Jing (李静, b. 1971) is a playwright and literary critic who serves as the editorial director of Beijing Daily (北京日报). Her first play, Lu Xun (大先生, 2014), won the Lao She Literary Prize for Best Drama. Her second play, Comedies from the State of Qin (秦国的喜剧, 2017), is a metahistorical drama that portrays Chinese artists as comedians with social and intellectual agency. Her third play, Rong Yi’s Coat (戎夷之衣, 2022), excerpts of which are presented below, is another non-conventional historical drama conceived as a morality play, drawing on pre-Qin China to critically engage with today’s moral crisis in the country. All three plays have been successfully adapted for the stage by directors Wang Chong, Yi Liming, and Huang Longbin, respectively, with performances in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, and other cities, receiving widespread acclaim from audiences.
Rong Yi’s Coat was first published in Stage and Screen Reviews (戏剧与影视评论). The plot spans the final thirty-six years of the Warring States Period, just before Qin Shihuang’s unification of all Chinese states in 221 B.C. The play is based on a brief account from Master Lü’s Spring and Autumn Annals, compiled during the Qin dynasty, and re-imagines the story of Rong Yi, a scholar from the state of Qi who sacrifices his life to save his disciple. The narrative follows Master Rong Yi and his apprentice, Shi Xin, as they arrive on a cold winter night at the gates of Lu State to deliver a secret map to the King of Lu, intended to protect the state from Chu’s aggression. Trapped overnight by heavy snow, they realise that only one of them can survive the night by giving up his coat to the other, at the cost of his own life.
Inspired by Mohist ideals of universal love and grappling with a moral dilemma over the value of his sacrifice, Rong Yi chooses to save his apprentice’s life, ultimately freezing to death. The drama, however, centres on the fate of the saved disciple, Shi Xin, who over the years becomes a traitor. He abandons the ethical principles of peace and universal love upheld by his master, engaging in massacres, deceit, and military schemes that lead to the violent conquest of all the Chinese states by Qin, plunging the world into chaos and war. The play, structured in five acts and written in a stream-of-consciousness style, culminates in the moment when the unworthy disciple Shi Xin is sentenced to death by the very man he helped rise to power over all the Warring States: Emperor Qin Shihuang.
The excerpt from Act Two presented here humorously recounts an episode in which Shi Xin betrays his former friend, Meng Huan—a clear reference to the opportunism that pervades today’s realpolitik. Act Four delves into the final hours of Rong Yi’s life, exploring his moral dilemma as he must choose between saving the citizens of Lu or preserving his own humanity, ultimately making an extraordinary sacrifice for his unworthy disciple.
Li Jing constructs her metahistorical play around sociological concepts that reflect contemporary China’s moral crisis, such as the “trolley dilemma,” the “Good Samaritan,” and the theme of “restorative justice.” By addressing these prominent sociological issues in the context of today’s hyper-individualistic Chinese society, Li’s morality play advocates for the rebirth and strengthening of a socially engaged Chinese theatre. This theatre aims to stimulate the development of China’s civil society through the metafictionalization of the country’s distant past. Rong Yi’s Coat premiered at Lao She Teahouse in Beijing on August 4, 2024.
Rong Yi’s Coat [fragments]
Act Two
Two years later, The Great Hall of Yin in Lu County.
The City of Lu, now conquered by the State of Chu, has been turned into Lu County. Shi Xin sits behind a desk in the Great Hall of Yin, with a court clerk beside him. Guards stand on both sides. Meng Huan, his hands shackled, stands in the middle.
Shi Xin (briefly looks at Meng Huan, then at his file and reads): “Felon Meng Huan, Mohist follower, Rong Yi’s disciple, a citizen of Qi State, with no connection to the State of Lu. Two years ago, he became the head of the Mohist army, leading the citizens of Lu in a life-and-death defence of the city. He considered himself a righteous master of resistance against our great State of Chu, but eventually crashed and burned. After the fall of Lu, this felon infiltrated himself among the civilians, gathered followers, and, under the pretext of establishing free schools, helped the citizens of Lu rebuild the country. He involved them in rebel activities, spread calumnies about us, and greatly influenced the commoners. Upon receiving the report, the Court of Justice immediately captured the felon, and the leaders of Yin County were charged with thoroughly investigating his crimes and judging his case.”
(Pauses briefly and glances at Meng Huan.)
(Meng Huan stares directly into Shi Xin’s eyes. Shi Xin tries to hide his discomfort, making an effort to maintain a calm appearance.)
Shi Xin: Am I wrong? If you have any objections, just file a complaint and we’ll see to it. Show us some virtues, and we’ll put the past behind you—the future will be all yours.
Meng Huan: What kind of virtues am I supposed to show?
Shi Xin (hiding his contemptuous and superior air): What kind of virtues? That’s simple. First, admit your guilt and confess that your words are slanderous and incite rebellion. Second, make a clean break with the past and become a brand-new man. Third—(he pauses)—tell us who your collaborators are and where they’re hiding.
Image credit: Li Yan 李晏
Meng Huan: If that’s the case, I do have one person to report.
Shi Xin: Let’s hear it!
Meng Huan: Name: Xin, surname: Shi. A former Mohist follower who changed his identity and now sits in the middle of the Great Hall of Lu City. Might want to change it again, depending on the benefits—who knows? A turncoat like that could pose a real threat to his leader.
Shi Xin (stunned): How dare you, Meng Huan! What a backstabber! (Then to the secretary): No need to record that one.
Meng Huan: Ha, ha, ha! You’re lucky I don’t call you ‘brother.’
Shi Xin: Meng Huan, I’m conducting my official duties rightfully—you can’t just set me up like this.
Meng Huan: Well, maybe you don’t fully understand the meaning of the word “right.”
Shi Xin: Shut your mouth! Who do you think you are to judge an official like me? You need to make your confession loud and clear: Over the past two years, what conspiracies did you and your collaborators plan to harm the great State of Chu? Where are these collaborators? If you want clemency, honesty is your only chance.
Meng Huan: What my collaborators and I do needs no clemency.
Shi Xin: To set up free schools, you’ve been plotting to restore the country and rebel against the great State of Chu.
Meng Huan: No one wants to rebel against Chu or restore the country; but the part about setting up free schools is completely true. After all, the State of Lu is the land of rites.
Shi Xin: You want me to believe there’s no restoration plot? But every time you open your mouth, all I hear is “The State of Lu!” (To the secretary): Write that down! (To Meng Huan): The State of Lu exists no more. Now there is only Lu County! Lu-Coun-ty!
Meng Huan: Well, Lu County, then! Not that I care about the succession of dynasties, but Lu County doesn’t sound quite right to me. All I’m saying is that Lu—Lu County—is the county of rites. Even the poor can’t find peace if their children remain uneducated or lack work skills. That’s why, together with my brothers, I set up schools to teach the children of poor families how to read and write, learn martial arts, and practice carpentry, all free of charge—just like Rong Yi once taught you. (Shi Xin coughs uncomfortably.) Oh, my apologies, I didn’t mean to bring up Master Rong Yi’s name on purpose.
Shi Xin: Schools free of charge? Who’s funding them? Who’s the boss behind this?
Meng Huan: We, the people of Lu, took on carpentry projects funded by wealthy families in the cities. We support ourselves; there’s no need for additional funding.
Shi Xin: What’s the point of free education?
Meng Huan: The point is to teach children what is right and wrong, how to stay healthy, (pauses) and not to do things that go against their conscience in moments of crisis.
Shi Xin (face twisted): If you want to teach, teach—but why are you offending the imperial court?
Meng Huan: Offending the imperial court? How is that even the case?
Shi Xin: You dare to deny it? Call the witness! (The yamen brings in three middle-aged commoners.)
Shi Xin: Do you know each other?
Meng Huan (looking at all three): Old Xiong, Old Tian, Old Chen—how come you’re here?
(All three avoid Meng Huan’s gaze.)
Shi Xin (addressing all three): Well, can you tell us, what has Meng Huan been preoccupied with for the past two years? Did he engage in any actions offensive to the court?
(The three men nudge each other until Old Chen is pushed forward.)
Old Chen: Your honour, Mr. Meng—
Shi Xin: You mean, felon Meng!
Old Chen: Felon Meng, right. Although felon Meng says he taught my child how to read, write, practise martial arts, and do carpentry, the boy can only craft simple chairs, tables, and benches—no complicated furniture. (Silence)
Shi Xin: Is that all you have to say?
Old Chen: This means that Mr.—I mean, felon Meng’s teaching abilities need improvement. (Silence)
Shi Xin: Is that all?
Old Chen: That is all, your honour.
Shi Xin: You two, do you have anything to add?
(Old Xiong pushes Old Tian forward.)
Old Tian: Your honour, Mr. Meng—I mean, felon Meng—although felon Meng claims he taught children certain skills, he actually did more good things than bad.
Shi Xin: More good things than bad?
Old Tian: Wait, my mistake… I meant more bad things than good!
Shi Xin: Such as?
Old Tian: Well… I couldn’t read or write before. He taught me a few characters, but I couldn’t really use them. Despite my efforts, he had no patience to explain them clearly so I could understand.
Shi Xin: I see. Is that everything?
Old Tian: That is everything.
Shi Xin (making eye contact with Old Xiong): And you? If you don’t have anything relevant to say, just remain silent.
Old Xiong: Your honour, this felon Meng has committed an abominable crime and deserves to die.
Shi Xin: What are you saying? Please elaborate!
Old Xiong: Let’s not even discuss his lack of enthusiasm in teaching martial arts or his joylessness in instructing carpentry. However, when it comes to writing, he inserts his personal ruminations and poisons the children’s minds.
Shi Xin: Really? Does he? Go on! (To the secretary): Write that down word for word!
Old Xiong: One day, when I had some free time, I went with the kids to attend a lesson and heard him clearly attacking the great State of Chu.
Shi Xin: Attacking? How exactly did the attack unfold? (To the secretary): Record that carefully!
Old Xiong: He said: “If a man enters someone’s garden and steals peaches and plums, he knows he is wrong. If another man enters someone’s garden and steals chickens, ducks, pigs, and dogs, he also knows he is wrong. A man who steals someone’s horse and cow is even more aware of his wrongdoing. Finally, if a man kills an innocent person and takes away his coat and sword, that is even more outrageous; everyone under heaven knows that he is a wicked outlaw. How outrageously unfair it is then for a country to attack an innocent one, for far more innocent people are killed in the process. Yet, nobody dares to criticise; on the contrary, the whole world praises the victorious king. What does that mean? It means that people cannot truly distinguish between right and wrong. It’s like when people see a small spot of black and call it black, but when they see countless spots of black, they claim these spots are actually 'white.' Such a person cannot tell black from white, right from wrong.” (Pauses) “Mr. Meng, am I right?”
Image credit: Li Yan 李晏
Meng Huan: Totally right. Your memory is impeccable.
Old Xiong: Magistrate, felon Meng said these very words just one year after the great State of Chu conquered Lu. What is their significance?
Shi Xin: Meng Huan, you answer this question!
Meng Huan: Magistrate Shi, Old Xiong, don’t you know where these words come from?
Old Xiong: From your mouth.
Shi Xin: I obviously know they come from The Book of Mozi, chapter Condemnation of Offensive War.
Meng Huan: Taught by Master Rong Yi himself.
Shi Xin (struggling): Hm! It is not appropriate to discuss this further. If you do, it will seem you have ulterior motives.
Meng Huan: Is truth just a passing fancy or a steady rock?
Shi Xin: Be careful not to cause harm to yourself with the weight of that rock.
Meng Huan: I’d rather harm my feet than my head.
Shi Xin: What do you mean? Who harmed their head?
Meng Huan: You, obviously. How was it even possible for someone like Master Rong Yi, who excelled in martial arts, to freeze to death wearing only a shirt? What was it like before he died? People are entitled to know. Everyone knows you stole his rescue plan, betrayed him for your own glory, and posed as a virtuous, capable man. This led to the fall of Lu City, the State of Lu capitulated to the iron fist of Chu State, and you sold your conscience for an official position in Lu County. This cannot last forever. Men may be weak and give in, but God is never weak and will “reward” you for what you have done. Watch your back. (To Old Xiong) Old Xiong, you too!
Old Xiong: Well… don’t worry about me.
Shi Xin: Guards!
The Guards: Here!
Shi Xin: Criminal Meng Huan plotted against the State of Chu. The evidence is conclusive. Take him to the court and behead him immediately.
The Guards: Understood!
(The guards push Meng Huan off stage. Furong hurries forward.)
Furong: Spare him!
Meng Huan: Furong?
Shi Xin (withholding his enthusiasm): Fu… What is the name of this commoner here?
Furong: That commoner’s name is Rong Furong, and she has met you before, Magistrate!
Shi Xin: What are you doing at the court?
Furong: Magistrate, I beg you to release Brother Meng Huan. He is no criminal.
Shi Xin: What is your… connection to Meng Huan?
Furong: He is my brother.
Shi Xin: Is he only your brother?
Furong: He is your brother, too.
Shi Xin: That is a matter of the past.
Furong (pauses): Can you simply forget the past, Magistrate?
Shi Xin (his expression changes, pauses, then tries to appear cold and indifferent): Miss Rong, the evidence is solid. I’m afraid this is beyond me.
Furong (tears streaming): I beg you!
Meng Huan: Furong, there’s no need to beg this cold-blooded person! Take care of yourself.
Shi Xin (pauses): Out with him! Behead him!
(The guards push Meng Huan off stage.)
Furong (frozen, her voice fading): Shi Xin, Shi Xin, your heart is made of stone.
(She leaves the stage like a wandering ghost.)
Shi Xin (absently): I’m off.
(Everyone withdraws, leaving only Shi Xin behind the desk, disoriented. Chun Yujiao comes to his mind surreptitiously.)
Chun Yujiao: Well done, child. You have become a grown man now.
(Rong Yi appears on the canopy wearing his white shirt. Shi Xin and Chun Yujiao turn and watch him in silence.)
[…]
Act 4
At the Gate of Lu City
Rong Yi (pressing the sword against Shi Xin’s neck): I must do this for the sake of the 80,000 citizens of Lu City and the freedom of the common people in this world. I am the master, and this is the right thing to do.
Shi Xin (closing his eyes): Go ahead, kill me, you moralist impostor! You think you’re bringing freedom to the masses, but their freedom is stained with my blood. My blood! Your conscience will never find peace!
Rong Yi: At last, you speak with some sense. Do you have a conscience now? Can you recall these words?
Shi Xin: Oh! (Crying) What difference does it make if I remember or not?
Rong Yi (pressing the sword even more forcefully against Shi Xin’s neck, ready to pierce it): Take off your clothes if you want to live a little longer. Otherwise, you’ll die by this sword.
(Shi Xin realises that Rong Yi has no intention of sheathing the sword. He obediently and slowly removes his cotton-padded coat and throws it onto the snow.)
Rong Yi: Pick it up!
(Shi Xin picks up the coat.)
Rong Yi: Put it on me!
(With the sword in one hand, Shi Xin stretches out his other arm. Shivering, Shi Xin helps Rong Yi put on the coat's sleeve.)
Rong Yi (wearing the padded coat, looking at Shi Xin quivering): So, how do I look?
(Shi Xin remains silent.)
Rong Yi: Do you admire and envy me for being the winner?
Shi Xin (trembling with cold, crying loudly): You old devil! You and your wolf’s heart!
Rong Yi: Why did you take off your coat and bear such humiliation? Why not perish under my sword and let me endure a life of discomfort for spilling your blood? Wouldn’t you prefer that to the state you’re in now, almost frozen to death?
Image credit: Li Yan 李晏
Shi Xin (crying): Every second counts!
Rong Yi: Soon enough, the blood in your veins will freeze like an icy river, unable to carry heat through your body. (Touches Shi Xin’s arm) Your skin will turn as cold as iron. Your heart will gradually lose the ability to feel or think. Eventually, you’ll meet your end peacefully and without resistance, like a ghost terrified of its fate.
(Shi Xin cries feebly.)
Rong Yi: Remember how your body feels right now!
(Shi Xin cries faintly.)
Rong Yi: Remember how I, a winner in life, deprived you of your coat!
(Shi Xin’s cries become barely audible.)
Rong Yi: Remember the humiliation you endured, you scared ghost, when you were on the brink of death!
(Shi Xin falls silent.)
Rong Yi: If you change your mind, humiliation may turn into glory, and your master could transform from a selfish winner into a righteous man who “acts rightly.”
Shi Xin (breathing faintly): You’re… such a liar!
Rong Yi (displaying a mysterious, ironic air): As long as you follow the rules of mathematics, everything is clear-cut. Consider this logic: eighty thousand is greater than one. Lu City has eighty thousand inhabitants, and I, Shi Xin, am only one person. According to the rules of mathematics, it is justifiable for my master to take my coat and wear it, even if it means freezing me to death. Is this the value of virtue? Is it immoral? Perhaps a bit. But what a noble sacrifice for my master! He is not afraid to die, but for the sake of saving eighty thousand lives, he gives up the chance for self-empowerment and willingly accepts sin upon himself. What a glorious crime! I will honour it with beautiful lyrics, grateful to be part of his sacrifice. I can imagine that in the future, after we might have saved Lu City, people will come to lay flowers at my grave, calling me a martyr. Oh, yes, this is as it should be. I voluntarily give away my coat and let my master fight in the name of freedom and justice! (Pauses) Well, what do you think? Try to see it from this perspective, would you?
Shi Xin: You disgust me!
Rong Yi: Willing to die this way?
Shi Xin (mumbling): Willing my ass!
Rong Yi (pauses, takes Shi Xin’s arm, and rubs it): In that case, get up! (Pulls him up) Move around a bit to warm up! (Supports him as he staggers; suddenly, picks him up in his arms.)
Shi Xin (mumbling): You old devil, what are you doing…?
Rong Yi (takes off Shi Xin’s coat and puts it back on him): What am I doing? Teaching you a lesson!
Shi Xin (pressing the coat to his body immediately): You’re giving it back to me? … How ironic, just as I was ready to freeze to death.
Rong Yi: Were you? Then give it back to me!
Shi Xin: No way!!!
(With incredible agility and speed, Shi Xin puts on his coat and prepares to flee. Rong Yi deliberately follows him from behind.)
Rong Yi: Where are you running?
Shi Xin: I’m afraid you’ll snatch it away again.
Rong Yi: If I were going to snatch it, why would I be willing to give it back to you?
Shi Xin: Who knows what’s going on in that twisted mind of yours?
Rong Yi: Stop!
Shi Xin: No way!
Rong Yi: If you don’t stop, you won’t have a second coat.
Shi Xin: What second coat are you talking about? Not even God could send me one.
Rong Yi: Actually, He can.
(Rong Yi stops, takes off his coat, and throws it into the air. It lands on Shi Xin’s head as he runs off. Stunned, Shi Xin catches it.)
Rong Yi: Put it on!
Shi Xin: Why? (Pauses) Are you insane?
Rong Yi: Your master is indeed insane!
(Shi Xin hurriedly puts on Rong Yi’s coat.)
Shi Xin: I hope you’re not having second thoughts! (Briefly enjoying the warmth of the coat in disbelief) It’s so warm! (Looking at Rong Yi) Do you have some special method to stay warm without a coat?
Rong Yi (pauses): Well, I do have a special method for staying warm. Want to know how?
Shi Xin (determined to keep his coat): It wouldn’t hurt to know, would it?
Rong Yi: The core idea of this special method is to replace the mathematics of justice with the law of snowflakes. (Sitting at the city gates)
Shi Xin (whispering to himself): Let’s see what nonsense he’s spouting now.
Rong Yi: What did you say?
Shi Xin: Oh, nothing, nothing at all.
Rong Yi (speaking to Heaven): Dear God, my apprentice may not understand my words, but You do. Should I save the eighty thousand people of Lu City or just him? After all, who is my apprentice? He might just be a selfish, greedy individual, potentially capable of great evil in the future. Can I truly take this scoundrel’s coat—and with it, his life—in order to save the lives of the many in Lu City? It seems like a reasonable choice. But the snow falling from the sky tells me otherwise: I cannot do that. The moment I take this scoundrel’s life, I, the virtuous Rong Yi, would become pure evil. That’s what I’ve realised. Even as I pretended to steal his coat to teach him a lesson, I became aware that I was transforming into an all-powerful God. I understand now: if I were to become God, I would want to remain God forever. Just as I stepped on the first patch of snow, I would continue stepping on countless patches of snow, eternally. The peace You granted me—pure and perfect, born from my desire to protect all snowflakes—would be lost forever. After such a crime, only the devil would find a place in my heart. In the name of justice, I would end up taking more and more lives, becoming the very evil I once opposed in Your eyes. (Pauses) Thank You for the peace You gave me, God. I will cherish it until I meet You. Thank You for holding my hand and preventing me from committing this crime. Thank You, benevolent, righteous, and loving God! (Joyfully worshipping Heaven)
(The distant city bell rings four times.)
Rong Yi: Two more hours until the city gates open.
(Shi Xin quickly moves his body, without making a single sound.)
Rong Yi: Little Xin.
(Shi Xin looks at Rong Yi with caution and remains silent.)
Rong Yi: Little Xin!
Shi Xin: What do you want?
Rong Yi: Come here.
Shi Xin: I don’t want to.
Rong Yi: Afraid I’ll steal your coat again?
Shi Xin: Is there anything you can’t do?
Rong Yi (smiles sadly): After five years, you can hardly understand your master.
Shi Xin (wailing): Just now, I simply didn’t know who you were anymore.
Rong Yi: If you remember the dialogue we just had for the rest of your life, then your master’s death won’t have been in vain.
Shi Xin: But you’re still alive and kicking. (Looking at how he is wearing Rong Yi’s coat, Shi Xin feels slightly embarrassed.) Well, didn’t you say you had an exceptional method to keep warm?
Rong Yi: Come! Your master wants to teach you the law of life. Come!
(Shi Xin approaches hesitantly, keeping his distance from Rong Yi. Rong Yi takes the city rescue map out of his bag and throws his sword at Shi Xin’s feet.)
Rong Yi: Come closer. (Shi Xin picks up the sword and squats beside Rong Yi.) This is the rescue and defence map of Lu City. Look carefully! I’ll explain the meaning of these symbols to you. These are changes made from the original map that your brothers took with them—changes drawn at a later time. Tomorrow, after you enter the city, give this map to your brothers Meng Huan and Lu Zhang and ask them to deploy the forces accordingly.
Shi Xin: But… what if tomorrow morning… you are no more?
Rong Yi: There is no “what if.” That is a sure fact. Tomorrow, I won’t be here anymore.
Shi Xin: But master… (Touches Rong Yi’s coat that he’s wearing as if intending to give it back to Rong Yi, but then abandons the idea.)
Rong Yi: No use fighting over it! If you give it back to me, I won’t be able to wear it.
Shi Xin: Master, your kindness will never be forgotten by your disciple.
Rong Yi (Patting Shi Xin on the shoulder): Stand up!
Shi Xin: But master, if tomorrow morning you are no more… and I live… and my brothers ask, what should I tell them about all this?
Rong Yi (Looking at Shi Xin): After surviving a freezing night like this, you can survive anything.
Shi Xin (With a dry voice): That is right, master!
(Both remain silent for a while)
Rong Yi (Humming a song): “Mother, did you see the treecreeper? It’s me. I have come to you…”
Shi Xin (Continues the melody): “My poor child, mother saw you. All is fine. Be careful not to hurt yourself.”
Rong Yi: What?
Shi Xin: This is Furong’s melody.
Rong Yi: Indeed.
Shi Xin (Pauses): Don’t worry, I’ll be good to her.
Rong Yi: Really?
Shi Xin: Really!
Rong Yi: Swear to God.
Shi Xin (On his knees): I swear to God to marry Furong and take good care of her forever.
Rong Yi: Or else…
Shi Xin: Or else, I die.
Rong Yi: There’s also one more thing I want you to take care of.
Shi Xin: What is that?
Rong Yi: In the future, never take refuge in the states of Chu or Qin.
Shi Xin: I won’t, for sure.
Rong Yi: Swear to God.
Shi Xin: I swear to God.
Shi Xin: Dear God, I swear to never take refuge in the states of Chu or Qin in the future, or else, I will die.
(Lights on old Shi Xin and Furong. Young Furong and Shi Xin freeze.)
Old Furong: Did you really mean that?
Old Shi Xin: Does it really matter now? It all depends on luck. Some people are lucky enough to keep their vows without much pain. For my part, all I can say is that I wasn’t lucky enough.
(The lights become dim. The city clock strikes five. Wearing only a white shirt, Rong Yi lies alone under the city gate, covered by a layer of snow. Young Shi Xin stamps and jumps away from him.)
Rong Yi (Teeth chattering with cold): My little Xin, let me tell you a secret: this cold is just a temporary feeling. Soon enough, it will be cold no more. Your skin gets thick like a quilt; just put it on and feel how you warm up, ready to sleep…
Shi Xin (Barely audible): Sleep, sleep; speaking wears you out.
Rong Yi: Before I sleep, I have a couple of words to tell you. Do you know why your master wants you to stay away from the states of Chu and Qin?
Shi Xin (Barely audible): Because they invaded other lands. Because you are a Mozi disciple.
Rong Yi: Because they want to become as vast as this snow. But their snow is black. With every minute and every second, this black snow crushes you, crushes the people and their houses, the fields and the rivers, the mountains…You look up at the sky and feel that even the sky has been crushed. The sky is black and you cannot see anything—no sun, no moon, no stars…Nothing at all. This world is dark and cold, everything around is frozen…Not a living thing…The worst is that you don’t even realise that everything is frozen. You are not blind, yet it feels as if you were blind. You’re not mute, yet it feels as if you were mute. At first, you are still aware of your blindness and muteness, but later on, you won’t even manage to recognize these feelings anymore, because your eyes and mind will be empty…The snow falls heavily…Time is frozen…There is no air to breathe…You are no more a living thing…Nobody is a living human anymore, the dark snow wins…Because dark snow only aspires to a lifeless world, a world owning its own sky…If you don’t prevent this from happening, that’s how our world is going to look…This is the reason your master asks you to hand the rescue plan to your brothers and stay away from the States of Chu and Qin…Do you understand, my little Xin? Do you?
Shi Xin (Stomping his feet, running up and down, or stretching): I do, master, I do!
Andreea Chiriță is a lecturer of Chinese Studies at the University of Bucharest and specialises in contemporary Chinese theatre.