The Gathering of Heroes (Qun Ying Hui)
Overview. The Gathering of Heroes is a traditional Peking Opera adapted from Chapter 45 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms (at the gathering of heroes, Jiang Gan is duped), a highlight of the Chibi (Red Cliffs) cycle.
Synopsis. Jiang Gan, an adviser to Cao Cao and an old acquaintance of Zhou Yu, volunteers to cross the river and persuade Zhou Yu to surrender. Zhou Yu, seeing through the ploy, turns it to his advantage: he hosts a grand banquet for his generals and friends, proclaimed the "Gathering of Heroes." Feigning drunken intimacy, he places a forged letter, supposedly from Cai Mao and Zhang Yun (Cao's commanders who know naval warfare) offering to defect, on his desk. Jiang Gan, failing to persuade Zhou Yu, discovers the letter by chance while Zhou Yu pretends to sleep, and flees back to the north that very night to report to Cao Cao. Cao Cao, believing the letter, immediately executes Cai and Zhang, precisely Zhou Yu's aim, eliminating Cao's naval commanders.
Artistic Features. The play is a showcase for the xiaosheng (young male) and laosheng roles, famous for Zhou Yu's drunk acting and the elegant, witty sparring; the forged-letter episode is a comic yet tense masterclass in dramatic irony.
Why Watch. Often performed with The River Borrowed and other Chibi scenes, it is a beloved episode of the Three Kingdoms repertoire.
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