183 Beijing Operas - Jin Chanzi - Number 170

Jin Chanzi

Beijing Opera - "Striking Down the Golden Cicada"

Jin Chanzi with a black-and-gold broken-flower face has a role in the opera "Striking Down the Golden Cicada." Jin Chanzi, whose name is literally translated as "Golden Cicada," was a formidable general of the JIn (Jurchen) army. In the opera he wins a series of victories against the Song armies under Yue Fei. Hoping to take the edge off the enemy's fighting spirit by a stalemate, Yue Fei puts up signs refusing to fight any more battles. His son, Yue Yun, misunderstanding his father's strategy, and, accusing the Song generals of cowardice, smashes all the signs. His father orders him to fight the enemy to atone for his disobedience. To his great surprise, the young man kills the Golden Cicada with his powerful sledgehammer.