In the Chinese history, the Eastern Zhou dynasty entered the period of
the Warring States, which lasted 225 years, in 476 BC to 221 BC.
The many feuding vassal states in the kingdom had been reduced through
internecine wars to seven. The seven states were Qi, Chu, Zhao, Yan,
Han, Wei and Qin. They were essentially independent and only nominally
subject to the control of the king of the weak central Zhou government.
The warring states fought one another incessantly. Towards the end of
the Warring States period, the state of Qin grew in power and began to
annex the other vassal states.
Su Qin, the diplomat from the central authority of the Zhou Court,
was disturbed by the news of the impending war. At that time he had been
encouraging the six States to form an alliance to fight the powerful State
of Qin. Su Qin knew that if the two States were to go to war, the end result
would benefit Qin. So he went about the six states to put forth his view.
There were then a few peaceful years for the six states.
The princes of the six states decided to grant Su Qin the title as
Prime Minister of the six states. Gong Sun Yan, the Wei Officer, was
appointed to present the imperial edict to Su Qin.
Liu Guo Feng Xiang stands for the six states granting the Prime Minister.
It was the story about Gong Sun Yan visiting Su Qin and presenting
him the imperial edict. The supreme commanders of the six states escorted him.
I used to watch this traditional act as the prologue of the actual
show at the street opera (wayang) when I was young.
Many years ago, this act was to show the strength and resource of
the troupe. The large number of characters required almost all
the actors to be on stage. The skills of the actors would be
displayed through various performances. Such as leading, pulling
and controlling the horses. Actresses who were holding two silk
banners as a cart would perform the skill of pushing carts.
The leading actor would exhibit the art of sitting on the cart.
Ten Teochew Opera Troupes participated at the Confluence of Teochew
Opera Performances at the Kreta Ayer People's Theatre on Saturday,
14 July 2007 evening. Seven veteran artists from the 181-year-old
Sin Yong Hwa Heng Troupe performed Liu Guo Feng Xiang with the
actors of Joo Chiat Teochew Opera Troupe.
Pulling the horses of Supreme Commanders
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Leading the horses for Commanders' wives
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Pushing the carts
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Gong Sun Yan visiting Su Qin
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