Story Summary

Part 2: Introduction to the Performance Art of Suzhou pinghua; Mr. Jin performs a short section of “Yan Renmin Thrice-Tested”三試顏仁敏 in Suzhou dialect. In the translation of Sanxia wuyi (Tales of Magistrate Bao and His Valiant Lieutenants Selections from Sanxia wuyi), this episode unfolds in chapters 32-39. It is called “The Hero-,” Test Tale” and the hero being tested is named Yan Chasan. Mr. Jin’s Yan Renmin is the same person.

More Info

This episode is from the oral narrative straight storytelling cycle about Magistrate Bao (ca. 11th century), the incorruptible Song Dynasty Magistrate, whose smile was as rare as a clear spot in the Yellow River. This episode is about Yan Renmin, a new young Magistrate, who is hero-tested—and passes superbly—by the most talented and elegant of the Heroes, Bai Yutang 白玉堂. Yan and Bai swear brotherhood and Bai comes to Yan’s rescue when he is in trouble in the Capital.