DVD commentary 3
Commentary requested by flemmings for the importance of being earnest
Title chosen for the allusion to pretending to be someone else while being yourself, the irony of said quality in reference to Bo Pi, and small caps because no English names are intended.
Background (from China Wiki and Baidu): Bo Pi fled Chu after his father and grandfather (upright and well-loved officials) were executed on the Prime Minister's orders, and sought the protection of Wu Zi Xu, like other men who had been persecuted by the Chu government.
He arrives in Wu in the early hours of the morning, alone and dishevelled after several days’ riding at night through unfamiliar territory and taking refuge in the meanest inns that he could find, and congratulates himself on having reached his destination after losing his pursuers some time ago. It does not occur to him that they have simply deemed him unworthy of their attentions, being the young son of a criminal who was executed by orders of the highest authority in Chu.
IMHO, Bo Pi is about a decade younger than Wu Zi Xu (Baidu calls him a 青年), which would make him about the same age as the Chancellor when he came to Wu.
When he asks the city gate guards where he might find the Chancellor Wu Zi Xu’s residence, their response (laughter, and incredulity that such a beggarly person would have the temerity to address the great man by name) teaches him his first lesson about how to act when one has come down in the world and needs a favour. His second lesson is paid for with his last silver piece. The few coins remaining are sufficient to buy him a room for the night, next to the stable. He would have sold his horse, but he has to keep his options open, as he had always kept a low profile in Chu, and he had heard that there were currently many foreign talents in Wu.
First lesson: It is better to bend when assailed by the winds of misfortune, lest one's stiff resistance be broken. Second lesson: Money talks in a universal language.
It is past sundown when Chancellor Wu’s attendant draws back the sliding doors, motioning the shabbily- but neatly-dressed youth to enter, and tells him to be quick about his business, for the Chancellor has been too busy with affairs of state to take his dinner. Wu Zi Xu has never seen the young man before, but welcomes him warmly when he is introduced.
Baidu: 伍子胥与伯嚭虽无私交，但是因为遭遇相似，同病相怜，就将他举荐给吴王阖闾 - "Though Wu Zixu and Bo Pi did not know each other personally, Wu Zixu pitied the similar fate that had befallen him, and recommended him to King Helu of Wu."
“I knew your father; he was a good and honest man. Many are the upright officials who have fallen victim to that cruel king and his evil cronies. Truly, Chu will repent of its iniquities!”
I was trying for series!WZX's way of putting things in black and white (according to his own opinions), and his tendency towards verbosity and exaggeration.
The young man raises his eyes, which are brimming with tears, almost to the level of the great man’s, and prostrates himself again as he cries,
“Bo Pi has heard that the lord Chancellor suffered greatly from their cruelties; please, sir, give me a chance to avenge our shared wrongs and contribute to building the great nation that Wu will surely become with our gracious king Helu at its head!”
Lesson number three: know who you're speaking to. Bo Pi learns fast.
“Has His Majesty granted you an audience?”
“The Chancellor was the first person Bo Pi thought of.” Really fast. OTOH WZX, the (silver) fox, has already gotten the measure of the young man, but he likes flattery too.
It is King Helu's habit to entertain foreign visitors on certain days of the month. Bo Pi has been placed at the foot of the table as befitting his youth and lack of position, but has contrived by a series of well-timed whispers to his immediate neighbours to move himself somewhat nearer to the King; this has not escaped Chancellor Wu’s attention, but he approves of the young man’s ingenuity. Besides, it will be interesting to see how Helu reacts to the lad’s fastidious manners and slightly overdone gestures, notwithstanding the intelligence and common sense that Bo Pi had earlier shown when discussing Wu’s strengths and weaknesses with himself.
I don't know what were the exact words whispered, since Baidu does not even mention that Bo Pi spoke to anyone before Helu saw him, but I imagine the conversation must have gone along the lines of:
Bo Pi: My good man, I couldn't help reading your petition to the king - no, don't put it away, it's very well-written, but as one of the Chancellor's staff, I have it on good authority that it's unlikely to succeed with His Majesty unless *looks around, whispers into the man's ear, leans back with satisfaction as realization dawns on his face*. I can help you with that - ask for me at the Chancellor's office tomorrow, and we'll discuss it in greater detail.
(A quarter of an hour later)
Bo Pi: Do I have the pleasure of addressing the Secretary of Pisciculture? Permit me to introduce myself as one of the Chancellor's new staff. (mutual greetings and pleasant conversation ensue.) By the way, I just heard that the Secretary of Sericulture has quite high hopes for expansion into areas around the lake. No, he didn't say exactly where, but he did mention that some fishing villages would have to make way. The best person to ask would probably be the under-secretary - I think he's at the other end of the room.
And so on.
His observation of Bo Pi’s animated re-enactment of the scene in his house (I suspect Helu, like his son, enjoys acting and being entertained, especially since Baidu says that Helu was extremely touched (颇为伤叹) by Bo Pi's impassioned declaration of fealty unto death (大王您有什么需要我效力的，万死不辞), which just could not bring myself to write) is interrupted by High Constable Bei Li (被离, described as a 大夫, but for purposes of the fic I made him a military official.) murmuring at his ear,
“Do you trust that young man, Chancellor?”
“Bo Pi and I bear the same grudge towards Chu; has the Constable not heard that those afflicted by the same illness must offer assistance to each other in times of need?”
Baidu again: After Wu Zi Xu has explained his sympathies towards Bo Pi as a countryman in the same predicament as himself all those years ago,
Bei Li: 您只见其表，不见其内。我看伯嚭为人，鹰视虎步，本性贪佞，专功而擅杀。如果重用他，恐怕您日后定会受到牵累。(Which I have tried to translate in Bei Li's next speech.)
Bei Li shakes his head slowly. “Has Bo Pi? I fear that he is as ambitious and ruthless as an eagle watching a tiger’s movements. You and I will be much afflicted, sir, if we assist that young man in his ambitions!”
It is almost the third watch of the night; Wu Zi Xu attributes the sudden chill to the lamps burning low in the great hall, now empty of all save themselves, the guards, and the King and Bo Pi deep in discussion at the head of the table. Bei Li leaves, though the King hardly notices. Wu Zi Xu clears his throat, and both men look up at him: Helu surprised at the interruption, and Bo Pi’s earnest eyes shining in the candlelight.
“It is getting late; Your Majesty needs Your rest for tomorrow’s early court session. “
“Ah yes, of course. This young man is your protégé, Chancellor Wu? Most interesting things he’s been telling me. He must attend me tomorrow!”
“I humbly thank Your Majesty for deigning to listen to my unworthy ramblings-”
Helu holds up his hand. “That will do, Bo Pi. Good night, good Chancellor.” WZX still winz Bo Pi
Wu Zi Xu pretends not to notice Bo Pi’s smirk concealed by his bowed head as he trots merrily along after his acknowledged mentor to his quarters (next to the Chancellor's office, where the other staff sleep in shifts, in case the Chancellor needs something checked or transcribed in the middle of the night), and waves him off to bed when he again expresses his profuse thanks for the Chancellor’s kindness. He looks in on Bo Pi sleeping with a smile on his face (on a soft bed and after a square meal, probably for the first time in days), and his expression softens. Still, he is unable to sleep, and decides to work on that problem of the marshes on the border with Yue. WZX is an insomniac workaholic, which accounts for his expression and temper.
The sun rises early in summer; Wu Zi Xu blinks at the light streaming in through the blinds which Bo Pi is pushing back. He looks on in astonishment as a basin and a tray are set before him and his work is put aside.
I really have no idea where Bo Pi learned his domestic skillz, in between runnng from Chu and playing politics. Possibly from the same place the scriptwriters pulled his cooking a fish for Fu Chai from. There is young!WZX/younger!Bo Pi slash in Mandarin, but let's not go there yet.
“Bo Pi did not want to wake the Chancellor earlier since you must have had a busy night from the looks of it, but there is just enough time to wash your face and eat. I took the liberty of making breakfast, but please excuse me as I only know how to cook in the Chu style, sir.
Whatever Wu Zi Xu might have said (forty years later when reflecting on the circumstances that led him to be fool enough to take Bo Pi under his (ahem) wing , he will still be uncertain if he would have replied)(A simple "Thanks.You're looking rather delicious yourself" would do, if his mouth weren't so wide open) is stopped by Bo Pi’s sudden yelp of surprise at a small boy cannoning into the backs of his legs and falling over. The morning calm is shattered by a strident female shout of, “Your Highness, don’t go so fast!”
The child stares fearlessly at the Chancellor as Bo Pi sets him on his feet and dusts him off with a kindly smile, admonishing him gently for being so excited; Wu Zi Xu wonders which of Helu’s sons (the youngest, a.k.a. Fu Chai) this is (and who let him in), and notes with no small surprise that Bo Pi seems to like children. The nursemaid (followed by a boy of about the same age as the first, also carrying a wooden sword (Wangsun Luo, starting young with the soldiering) gasps when she sees who her young charge has disturbed, and prostrates herself, stammering as she berates herself for her negligence.
“Bo Pi, see the prince home.” (Possibly the first and last time that WZX is glad to have Bo Pi take Fu Chai with him, instead of dealing with his young compatriot himself) The gleam in the young man’s eyes does not escape Wu Zi Xu; he watches Bo Pi take the two boys by the hand and lead them out, their fascinated faces upturned to him (Bo Pi always had a way with kids) as he talks to them about the great man they have just unwittingly disturbed, and he looks away only when the sun hurts his eyes.
Title chosen for the allusion to pretending to be someone else while being yourself, the irony of said quality in reference to Bo Pi, and small caps because no English names are intended.
Background (from China Wiki and Baidu): Bo Pi fled Chu after his father and grandfather (upright and well-loved officials) were executed on the Prime Minister's orders, and sought the protection of Wu Zi Xu, like other men who had been persecuted by the Chu government.
He arrives in Wu in the early hours of the morning, alone and dishevelled after several days’ riding at night through unfamiliar territory and taking refuge in the meanest inns that he could find, and congratulates himself on having reached his destination after losing his pursuers some time ago. It does not occur to him that they have simply deemed him unworthy of their attentions, being the young son of a criminal who was executed by orders of the highest authority in Chu.
IMHO, Bo Pi is about a decade younger than Wu Zi Xu (Baidu calls him a 青年), which would make him about the same age as the Chancellor when he came to Wu.
When he asks the city gate guards where he might find the Chancellor Wu Zi Xu’s residence, their response (laughter, and incredulity that such a beggarly person would have the temerity to address the great man by name) teaches him his first lesson about how to act when one has come down in the world and needs a favour. His second lesson is paid for with his last silver piece. The few coins remaining are sufficient to buy him a room for the night, next to the stable. He would have sold his horse, but he has to keep his options open, as he had always kept a low profile in Chu, and he had heard that there were currently many foreign talents in Wu.
First lesson: It is better to bend when assailed by the winds of misfortune, lest one's stiff resistance be broken. Second lesson: Money talks in a universal language.
It is past sundown when Chancellor Wu’s attendant draws back the sliding doors, motioning the shabbily- but neatly-dressed youth to enter, and tells him to be quick about his business, for the Chancellor has been too busy with affairs of state to take his dinner. Wu Zi Xu has never seen the young man before, but welcomes him warmly when he is introduced.
Baidu: 伍子胥与伯嚭虽无私交，但是因为遭遇相似，同病相怜，就将他举荐给吴王阖闾 - "Though Wu Zixu and Bo Pi did not know each other personally, Wu Zixu pitied the similar fate that had befallen him, and recommended him to King Helu of Wu."
“I knew your father; he was a good and honest man. Many are the upright officials who have fallen victim to that cruel king and his evil cronies. Truly, Chu will repent of its iniquities!”
I was trying for series!WZX's way of putting things in black and white (according to his own opinions), and his tendency towards verbosity and exaggeration.
The young man raises his eyes, which are brimming with tears, almost to the level of the great man’s, and prostrates himself again as he cries,
“Bo Pi has heard that the lord Chancellor suffered greatly from their cruelties; please, sir, give me a chance to avenge our shared wrongs and contribute to building the great nation that Wu will surely become with our gracious king Helu at its head!”
Lesson number three: know who you're speaking to. Bo Pi learns fast.
“Has His Majesty granted you an audience?”
“The Chancellor was the first person Bo Pi thought of.” Really fast. OTOH WZX, the (silver) fox, has already gotten the measure of the young man, but he likes flattery too.
It is King Helu's habit to entertain foreign visitors on certain days of the month. Bo Pi has been placed at the foot of the table as befitting his youth and lack of position, but has contrived by a series of well-timed whispers to his immediate neighbours to move himself somewhat nearer to the King; this has not escaped Chancellor Wu’s attention, but he approves of the young man’s ingenuity. Besides, it will be interesting to see how Helu reacts to the lad’s fastidious manners and slightly overdone gestures, notwithstanding the intelligence and common sense that Bo Pi had earlier shown when discussing Wu’s strengths and weaknesses with himself.
I don't know what were the exact words whispered, since Baidu does not even mention that Bo Pi spoke to anyone before Helu saw him, but I imagine the conversation must have gone along the lines of:
Bo Pi: My good man, I couldn't help reading your petition to the king - no, don't put it away, it's very well-written, but as one of the Chancellor's staff, I have it on good authority that it's unlikely to succeed with His Majesty unless *looks around, whispers into the man's ear, leans back with satisfaction as realization dawns on his face*. I can help you with that - ask for me at the Chancellor's office tomorrow, and we'll discuss it in greater detail.
(A quarter of an hour later)
Bo Pi: Do I have the pleasure of addressing the Secretary of Pisciculture? Permit me to introduce myself as one of the Chancellor's new staff. (mutual greetings and pleasant conversation ensue.) By the way, I just heard that the Secretary of Sericulture has quite high hopes for expansion into areas around the lake. No, he didn't say exactly where, but he did mention that some fishing villages would have to make way. The best person to ask would probably be the under-secretary - I think he's at the other end of the room.
And so on.
His observation of Bo Pi’s animated re-enactment of the scene in his house (I suspect Helu, like his son, enjoys acting and being entertained, especially since Baidu says that Helu was extremely touched (颇为伤叹) by Bo Pi's impassioned declaration of fealty unto death (大王您有什么需要我效力的，万死不辞), which just could not bring myself to write) is interrupted by High Constable Bei Li (被离, described as a 大夫, but for purposes of the fic I made him a military official.) murmuring at his ear,
“Do you trust that young man, Chancellor?”
“Bo Pi and I bear the same grudge towards Chu; has the Constable not heard that those afflicted by the same illness must offer assistance to each other in times of need?”
Baidu again: After Wu Zi Xu has explained his sympathies towards Bo Pi as a countryman in the same predicament as himself all those years ago,
Bei Li: 您只见其表，不见其内。我看伯嚭为人，鹰视虎步，本性贪佞，专功而擅杀。如果重用他，恐怕您日后定会受到牵累。(Which I have tried to translate in Bei Li's next speech.)
Bei Li shakes his head slowly. “Has Bo Pi? I fear that he is as ambitious and ruthless as an eagle watching a tiger’s movements. You and I will be much afflicted, sir, if we assist that young man in his ambitions!”
It is almost the third watch of the night; Wu Zi Xu attributes the sudden chill to the lamps burning low in the great hall, now empty of all save themselves, the guards, and the King and Bo Pi deep in discussion at the head of the table. Bei Li leaves, though the King hardly notices. Wu Zi Xu clears his throat, and both men look up at him: Helu surprised at the interruption, and Bo Pi’s earnest eyes shining in the candlelight.
“It is getting late; Your Majesty needs Your rest for tomorrow’s early court session. “
“Ah yes, of course. This young man is your protégé, Chancellor Wu? Most interesting things he’s been telling me. He must attend me tomorrow!”
“I humbly thank Your Majesty for deigning to listen to my unworthy ramblings-”
Helu holds up his hand. “That will do, Bo Pi. Good night, good Chancellor.” WZX still winz Bo Pi
Wu Zi Xu pretends not to notice Bo Pi’s smirk concealed by his bowed head as he trots merrily along after his acknowledged mentor to his quarters (next to the Chancellor's office, where the other staff sleep in shifts, in case the Chancellor needs something checked or transcribed in the middle of the night), and waves him off to bed when he again expresses his profuse thanks for the Chancellor’s kindness. He looks in on Bo Pi sleeping with a smile on his face (on a soft bed and after a square meal, probably for the first time in days), and his expression softens. Still, he is unable to sleep, and decides to work on that problem of the marshes on the border with Yue. WZX is an insomniac workaholic, which accounts for his expression and temper.
The sun rises early in summer; Wu Zi Xu blinks at the light streaming in through the blinds which Bo Pi is pushing back. He looks on in astonishment as a basin and a tray are set before him and his work is put aside.
I really have no idea where Bo Pi learned his domestic skillz, in between runnng from Chu and playing politics. Possibly from the same place the scriptwriters pulled his cooking a fish for Fu Chai from. There is young!WZX/younger!Bo Pi slash in Mandarin, but let's not go there yet.
“Bo Pi did not want to wake the Chancellor earlier since you must have had a busy night from the looks of it, but there is just enough time to wash your face and eat. I took the liberty of making breakfast, but please excuse me as I only know how to cook in the Chu style, sir.
Whatever Wu Zi Xu might have said (forty years later when reflecting on the circumstances that led him to be fool enough to take Bo Pi under his (ahem) wing , he will still be uncertain if he would have replied)(A simple "Thanks.You're looking rather delicious yourself" would do, if his mouth weren't so wide open) is stopped by Bo Pi’s sudden yelp of surprise at a small boy cannoning into the backs of his legs and falling over. The morning calm is shattered by a strident female shout of, “Your Highness, don’t go so fast!”
The child stares fearlessly at the Chancellor as Bo Pi sets him on his feet and dusts him off with a kindly smile, admonishing him gently for being so excited; Wu Zi Xu wonders which of Helu’s sons (the youngest, a.k.a. Fu Chai) this is (and who let him in), and notes with no small surprise that Bo Pi seems to like children. The nursemaid (followed by a boy of about the same age as the first, also carrying a wooden sword (Wangsun Luo, starting young with the soldiering) gasps when she sees who her young charge has disturbed, and prostrates herself, stammering as she berates herself for her negligence.
“Bo Pi, see the prince home.” (Possibly the first and last time that WZX is glad to have Bo Pi take Fu Chai with him, instead of dealing with his young compatriot himself) The gleam in the young man’s eyes does not escape Wu Zi Xu; he watches Bo Pi take the two boys by the hand and lead them out, their fascinated faces upturned to him (Bo Pi always had a way with kids) as he talks to them about the great man they have just unwittingly disturbed, and he looks away only when the sun hurts his eyes.