Introduction
The Generals of the Yeung Family is a well-known story based on the achievements of the three generations of the Yeung family who guarded the northern territories of China during the Northern Song dynasty. It has been adapted into novels, plays and operas, and among them is the battle of wits between Muk Gwai-ying and Yeung Chung-bo most popular.
Muk Gwai-ying, the daughter of Muk Yu, King of Dingyao, was zealous, arrogant, and good at military tactics. She once captured Yeung Chung-bo alive and made him her husband. Being a favored child in the family, Yeung Chung-bo was impetuous and ambitious, and often acted rashly and got into trouble. There is much fun seeing them acting as rivals or battle partners in the opera. Although they were husband and wife, Gwai-ying was the commanding general and Chung-bo had to follow her order. Their relationship in different situations illustrates traditional ethical values, such as the hierarchy of the husband and wife in the family and the supremacy of the country over the family.
Muk Gwai-ying Routing Hongzhou is about the battle fought by Gwai-ying and Chung-bo in order to rescue General Yeung Yin-chiu, who was trapped in Hongzhou by Liao troops. Frequent fighting scenes build up tension and excitement in the opera. During a critical moment of the battle, Gwai-ying, concealing her pregnancy from her husband, assumed the role of the commander-in-chief. In Hongzhou, despite Gwai-ying’s order for the troops to stay put, Chung-bo was provoked by the enemies and led his army to fight. Defeated, he returned to face with the punishment of execution imposed by the infuriated Gwai-ying, only to be rescued by the petition of Yeung Yin-chiu. At the end, they joined force to defeat Liao troops and freed Hongzhou.