183 Beijing Operas, Bai Tianzuo - Number 116

Bai Tianzuo

Beijing Opera - "The Relief of Hongzhou"

Bai Tianzuo with a white flowered three-tile face plays a part in the opera "The Relief of Hongzhou," based on a story in "Romance of the Yang Family." Yang Yanzhou, a general of the Yang family, is besieged by Liao general Bai Tianzuo at Hongzhou. A Song army commanded by the woman warrior Mu Guiying is sent to relieve the city. As the two rival armies face each other, Mu Guiying suddenly gives birth to a child. Despite the excruciating pain, she takes on Bai Tianzuo and defeats him.