Uncommon ingenuity of an ancient war strategist
Shen Yun brings essence of traditional Chinese culture to life through classical Chinese dance
When Zhuge Liang was given 10 days to produce 100,000 arrows for battle, it was the year 208 in ancient China. No machines could help the military strategist produce so much ammunition in a short time.
But Zhuge Liang, revered as the “embodiment of wisdom”, had no trouble accomplishing this incredible feat. His wisdom told him he only needed three days with the help of some large boats, and a small army of men.
How he succeeded is a tale among the many cherished myths passed down through the Middle Kingdom’s 5,000 years of history and culture. Zhuge Liang’s legend made for a captivating performance of classical Chinese dance against a striking backdrop presented by the renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts during its 2015 global tour.
This timeless story, from the Chinese classic historical novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” is just one of many vividly brought to life by New York-based Shen Yun, the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, since its establishment in 2006.
A life-and-death challenge
The richly expressive power of classical Chinese dance and Shen Yun’s innovative digital backdrop mesmerized theatregoers with its setting of the banks of the mighty Yangtze River where the story took place. Converged there, 1,800 years ago, were the armies of the three rival states. On the river’s south were the 50,000-strong forces of reluctant allies, the Shu and the Wu. North of the Yangtze was the massive Wei army of 800,000.
Zhuge Liang, the chief strategist of the Shu, had enemies in the Wu camp that wanted to see him downfall. They challenged him to produce 100,000 arrows for the war in 10 days. To their shock, he uttered with calm and confidence that he only needed three days. He even agreed to sign a pledge that would see his execution should he fail.
How he prevailed was depicted through Shen Yun’s dancers’ seamless interaction with the action backdrop, transporting patrons back in time amid the detailed developments of Liang’s story.
A heavy fog blanketed the river in the early morning of the third day. Zhuge Liang commanded his fleet to sail toward the enemy’s bank as his soldiers pounded their battle drums. Panicked and blinded by fog, Wei archers fired endless volleys of arrows in the direction of the thunderous sound. Instead of striking the bodies of live men, the arrows lodged in figures made of straw -- fashioned to capture enemy ammunition and cover the soldier-drummers.
It was a spectacular performance of a success story loved by the audience young and old as Zhuge Liang sailed home victorious with boats laden with arrows from his powerful foe.
Achieving the Tao— the Heavenly Way
Sagas such as Zhuge Linag’s, featured by Shen Yun every year, display excellent artistry, sophisticated entertainment and reflect China’s wisdom-filled millennia-old culture. Year after year, it is the spirit Shen Yun performers seek to revive and embody through classical Chinese dance.
This essence is characterized by morals vital to human beings like honesty and kindness; propriety and tolerance; and harmony between humanity and the universe. The latter refers to a profound respect toward heaven and earth and its respectful relationships to its people.
The ancient Chinese believed that by cultivating their character to abide by these virtuous principles, they could gradually transcend the human realm to achieve the Tao, or the Heavenly Way. One would then become an enlightened being able to see and gain access to the full wisdom and truths of the universe.
In the 100,000 arrows story, the harmony and wisdom is manifested in Zhuge Liang’s ingenuous plan and his confidence that he only needed three days to achieve his goal. As a grandmaster of the Tao, he had the ability
Shen Yun will have their Canadian opening performance at Centre in the Square in Kitchener on December 29. For more information, please visit ShenYun.com/GTA. to see what others could not see and accomplish things ordinary people could not. His transcendence foresaw the favourable conditions of fog on the third day, and the weather became a critical factor for his success.
Theatregoers can look forward to an all-new program in Shen Yun’s 2017 season featuring other beloved stories of wisdom that will entertain and inspire.