The Return of Mr. Su Wu

The plot of this play is adapted from historical events in ancient China. Su Wu is well known in Chinese history for his loyalty to his mission and his empire. Throughout Chinese history, Su Wu and his story have been popular subjects in many forms of art such as poetry, drama and music. This is one of several plays featuring Su Wu, all of which have similar plots and characters. (For other plays about Su Wu in this collection, please see the entries for Su Wu is Reluctant to Part, Rushing for the Departing Boat with Sadness and A Letter to Su Wu from Li Ling.)

Su Wu (140-60 B.C.) was a renowned messenger during the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220). At this time in Chinese history, ethnic groups from the north repeatedly invaded the Han empire — the most intrepid of which were the Huns.

In 100 B.C., there is a short-lived détente between the Han and Hun empires, which had long been adversaries. The Han Emperor sends Su Wu on a diplomatic mission into Hun territory. The Hun leader, or Khan, is far more arrogant than expected towards representatives of the Han empire. As a result, two young deputy commanders in Su Wu's delegation help one of the Khan's princes to plan a revolt against the Khan, without Su Wu's knowledge. The uprising is unsuccessful, and the Khan orders the prince's execution. Su Wu is then asked to surrender to the Khan as well. Knowing what has happened, Su Wu chooses the more dignified fate of suicide. Impressed by Su Wu's loyalty, the Khan sends his doctors just in time to save Su Wu's life. He then forces the Han representatives to surrender and serve him.

Many members of the Han mission surrender to the Khan and agree to be his advisors on Chinese affairs. Su Wu, however, is not one of them. He refuses to give in, even when people are beheaded right in front of him. The Khan imprisons Su Wu in a cave without food or water, hoping to wear him down. By eating the wool from his coat and melting the snow that falls into the cave, Su Wu is able to resist the Khan. He is then exiled to the desolate and uninhabited North Sea (now called Lake Baikal), where he spends nineteen years as a shepherd. Regardless of the hardships he faces, Su Wu makes sure to retain his diplomatic staff — a symbol of imperial messengers at the time. He uses it as a shepherd's crook, with all of its decorative fur wearing away with the passage of time.

During Su Wu's exile, the Khan twice sends General Li Ling, who had been defeated by the Khan in 99 B.C., to see if Su Wu has changed his mind. Through Li Ling, Su Wu also receives bad news from home: his mother has died, his wife has remarried, and his father and two brothers have been accused of crimes and have been executed. Su Wu still refuses to submit to the Khan, and tells Li Ling that it had always been his desire to sacrifice himself for his people, but there had never been an opportunity. Now, however, he feels he has a chance to give himself to his country, and says he is willing to be tested by any circumstances.

Ayun, daughter of the Hun captain Hukdan, has also been exiled with Su Wu, as a punishment for refusing to become the Khan's concubine. Ayun and Su Wu become husband and wife. Nineteen years pass before the Han Dynasty learns that Su Wu is still alive. They send troops to their border with the Huns, demanding the return of Su Wu. Only then is Su Wu released. The Khan does not release Ayun, however, using the excuse that she is not a Han subject. Su Wu is torn between the family with whom he has lived with for past nineteen years, and the country to which he has been loyal his entire life. To help her husband decide, Ayun commits suicide.

Today, this story can be found in many other local forms of opera as well. For example, in Sichuan opera there is a similar play called Bai Yanghe, and many other operas such as Henan opera, Hebei Bangzi and Hubei opera have parallel repertoire. In Peking opera this play is called Su Wu the Shepherd.