272 Beijing Opera Performers - Jiao Zhenyuan - Number 103

Jiao Zhenyuan

Beijing Opera - "Sword-Peak Mountain"

Jiao Zhenyuan with a blue pointed three-tile face is a bandit chief in the list-opera "Sword-Peak Mountain," adapted from a story in a sequel to "Honorable Peng's Casebook." Jiuhua Niang (literally "Mistress Nine Flowers) owner of a wine and tea shop, is a seductive woman who has lured many men to their destruction. When soldiers come to arrest her, she flees to Sword-Peak Mountain where Jiao Zhenyuan has his stronghold, The soldiers give chase and meet a man called Sheng Kui on the way. The man says he is an old friend of the bandit chief, and volunteers to go and persuade him to give up the fugitive. However, when he arrives at the mountain stronghold and explains the purpose of his visit, his words provoke the bandit chief who not only refuses to grant he request but threatens to kill him. Only the intercession of the bandit's wife saves Sheng Kui's life. The latter now goes to Qiu Cheng, a sworn brother of his, to ask for help. Although Jiao Zhenyuan has always feared Qiu Cheng, he still refuses to give up Jiuhua Niang. Therefore, Qiu Cheng calls together some of his friends and with the help of government soldiers they storm the bandit stronghold, capturing both the bandit chief and the woman.