This text is also preserved in the big drum performance, but only as fragments; the most essence is said to be in the latter part. The reason why Mo Gan previously expressed anticipation for Qi Shejiang’s performance was to look forward to the segments from the drum piece that weren’t retained. One estimates that tonight, both the big drum artists on stage and the drum enthusiasts in the audience share the same feelings.
As Qi Shejiang strummed the strings and opened his mouth to sing: “The master has commanded, Diao Chan shall enter; no other person is allowed to enter the camp. Upon hearing this, the woman moves her lotus steps, gracefully swaying her jade form into the courtyard. In the main tent, the soldiers halt their steps; this beauty leisurely flashes her autumn gaze, eyes wide open—”
Qi Shejiang took a deep breath; if there were elegant and melodious sections in the gentleman’s books that could be called show-off segments, then it must be this piece, this passage.
“But only to see on the left side of the tent tied a horse, with a horned head and scaly belly, standing eight feet tall, back length of twelve feet; its two heads see the sun walking a thousand miles, the red rabbit horse with blush…”
