Wang Mang’s Usurpation of the Han Throne
Xiqu
Description
Description
During late Western Han, Emperor Ping is young and weak. The Prime Minister Wang Mang usurps, bringing an army to seize the throne. Emperor Ping writes a decree and commands Wu Qiong and Qin Zhong, two important ministers, to take the crown prince Liu Xiu and escape from Chang’an. The royal seal is given to Ma Cheng, a trusted minister, for safekeeping. Wang Mang poisons Emperor Ping and calls himself king. Risking his own life, Wu Qiong escorts the crown prince Liu Xiu to flee. Before Wu Qiong passes away, he asks his sworn brother Qin Zhong to pass the heirloom loyalty sword of the Wu’s to his son Wu Han, reminding him to avenge for him by eliminating the treacherous and restoring the Han dynasty. Wu Han and his mother are separated in their escape. Wu Han is saved by a Taoist monk, who teaches him martial arts at Mount Kunlun. Sixteen years later, Wu Han finishes his training. As he descends from Mount Kunlun, Wu Han kills a fierce tiger and saves Wang Mang’s daughter Wang Lanying. The two go to the capital city together. Wang Mang has just begun recruiting talents. With his superior martial skills, Wu Han is appointed as a high-rank officer and offered the hand of the princess. Qin Zhong’s heart is still with the Han dynasty, and he sneaks into the inner court and discloses the origins of Wu Han. Wu Han finds it very hard to believe. Qin Zhong fails in his assassination of Wang Mang and is captured by Wu Han. Qin Zhong rides on the opportunity to cast a bone between Wang and Wu. Wang Mang becomes sceptical with Wu Han, and commands him to guard a border city Tongguan; he also releases Qin Zhong. Wu Han does not want his mother to stay nearby. He goes to the temple and meets her. The mother and son reunite.
Info
$140
$220
Indoor
Local, Non-local
