James Poy Wong 黃培正
"How can I live a peaceful life in such an environment? Every breath I take is the smell of blood, and what I see is the unreasonable suffering of the weak."
"Criminal Citizens" - 1945
罪民
时间： 现在地点： 中国内地某县
人： 张善 （张）——商人
李县长： 李
陈保安大队长： （陈）
黄英： （英）学生
黄爱： 爱， 一女学生， 英之妹
曾雄： 雄， 学生， 英之友。
音乐
张： （声渐隐进）—— 所以，鄙人一句话，学过经济学的人，眼光就不同了。 （哈哈）在这个时候，如果不想发财，就永远没有这样的好机会了。 你说对吗？县长，尤其是我这行。 饭是人人要食的，但是米是哪里来的呢？本县的米，就是在丰收的时候，也是供不应求的。 何况今年又逢旱灾，现在就是整个天穿了，也是救不起田里已焦了的秧的。 所以——（哈哈）！
李： 我现在开始明白了。 。 。 。原来 。 。 。 。（哈哈） 张大哥，你确实是聪明。
张： 妙的地方还在后面呢。 米的来源，不外只有两个，一是上游，一是安南，缅甸。上游的米产量有限，我们可以把它用高价全部收买过来。 至于安南下面的米，可以无限量供给。 所以今日我要同县长你来商量。 你知道这是战时，中国的交通自来是不方便的，现在就简直没有交通可言。 交通既然不方便，中国人是不喜欢做麻烦工作的，因此就没有人从外面办米进来。 而且照国际的情形看来，安南，缅甸和南洋一带，都有很大的可能性落在日本人的手中。 假如一旦这些地方沦失了，那么，米的来源就完全断绝了。
李： 佩服。 张大哥的眼光确实是远大。
张： 现在的米价连同运费，最多也不能超过八十元一担。 但是将来（哈哈）有三四千元卖出的可能。
李： （微惊地）哗，有这样大的利益。
张： 不相信吗？ 县长，你看着吧。
李： 相信，相信，我怎不相信张大哥的话呢？
张： 所以现在越上得多米，将在发的财就越大了。 但是有利益的时候，我是不会独占的。 县长，你和我是多年的老朋友，有利益的时候，当然互相提携，我以我现在的决定同你一齐合作，你可以拿出五六万一份本钱，我这里已经有八九万了。
李： 可以，可以。 你想几时要呢？
陈： 说来说去，你们都是讲钱，我只有听和着急。 张大哥，今次不是将我划开吗？ 你也知道我手上的钱不多。
张： 陈队长，你怎样这样说呢？我老张哪一次有把你拨开过。 如果想，今日也 不叫你到这里来了。 钱， 许多人都有。 县长这几万块钱， 也只是近来意外获得的，是吗？ 县长。 （笑）
李： 是， 是。
张： 。 。 。 。 不过，今次的生意是要经济，政治，军事三样合作的。 你陈队长是保安队的大队长，你当然的工作是替我们保安的了。 将来到分利益的时候，你当然也不会缺少一份的。
（三人大笑）。音乐声起， 渐低。
飞机声，大炮声， 机关枪声，日本话，军队踏步声。
（报童声： 晚报，日军进犯安南。 晚报，安南没有半点抵抗就失了。 晚报，买一张一看就明。 晚报 。 。 。 。晚报。 。。）
音乐再起， 渐低。
碰酒杯声。 人嘈杂声。
张： 饮杯。 恭祝我们的成功。
李： 老张，你的语言确实准确，两个月就应验了。 安南已经被日本占了，大概我们发财的时候就到了。 （哈哈）
陈： 市面的米价开始涨了，但是人们似乎还不怎样觉得。
张： 时候就快到了。 不过还要忍耐一下，不出两个把星期， 就会起到一千元，不出两个月就要到三四千元了。 哈哈，幸喜我们的最后五百担已经在途中，不然，损失就不小了。 陈队长，还有几日就能运到呢？
陈： 后天准时赶到。 一切我都照你的吩咐办了，我们共分成五只船，由十个兄弟保护着，相信进行都很顺利。 而且有插着保安队的旗，一定不会被人发觉是米船的。 我想大概你不想运到城来吧，一定要运到那几所祠堂去。
张： 是，是，那里地位好。 近水，交通利便些，而且没有飞机去轰炸，又没有 在城里这么容易被人发觉。 今夜我想把城内所剩的米，也运到那里去。 这 里不安全，已经有人知道了。 李县长，对于那班米贼办了没有？
李： 我已经吩咐过了，照你的意思办，为首的明天枪决，其余的判无期徒刑。
张： 好， 办得好。
陈： 这班人胆大包天，竟然结伴行劫，有乱地方的治安，非枪决不可。 如果不是这样，那么这里不久就成了盗匪世界了。
张： 所以我叫你搬运要在夜间。 这班人既然知道，难免其他有人亦知道， 务要以秘密为重要。 我这里有十几廿个用人，你也可以派几十个兄弟来帮忙。 今夜搬不完，明晚可以继续工作。
李： 陈队长， 张大哥将来会变成一个很重要的人物，最好你派几个兄弟去保护他的家。 祠堂那边究竟有多少人呢？
陈： 都有五十多个。
李： 张大哥， 这大概也够了吧。
张： 我想最好加多五十人，因为我恐怕不久有一次暴民乱变。 不过这也很容易对付，中国人向来是怕事的，只要我们用一点手段，如果再不行的话， 一吓就也够了。 而且假如没有人煽动，民众是不会有行动的，所以我们要设法铲除一切不安的分子。 。 。 。呀，你可以这样，以那些祠堂做保安队的本营，那么就不会有人思疑那里所驻的大队人了。 现在的丘八不是完全都驻在乡村的祠堂吗？ 哈哈。
音乐。打靶的喇叭声，人杂声，锁链声。
（小孩： 妈， 我去看打 。 。 。）
（母：死仔， 你返来）。
（路人声： 他犯了什么罪。 杀人吗？）
不知道。
真好汉， 自己笔直地走着。
走啦， 现在打靶没有从前杀头那么好看了。
爱： 哥 。 。 。 哥 。 。 。
英： （突然地） 唉。
爱： 英哥， 回去吧。 站在这街上做什么呢？
英： 。。。。。。。
爱：这样痴痴呆呆想什么呢？ 又受了刺激吗？我以为把你带到城来或许会好一点，谁不知却比在乡间还要坏，这个地方对你是更加危险的。 我就怕 。 。 。 。 还是回乡下去吧。
音乐。
摇船声起。爱： 我又怕回乡后你又和以前一样。 怎么你这样喜欢管人家的事呢？ 在这世界上不关自己的是就算了，理得那些地主，土豪劣绅这么多事。
英： 爱妹，社会是大家的。 每人都有一份责任。 谁叫我看不过眼呢？ 你说是吗，雄？
雄： 爱，你也是明理的，中国人就是因为个个都只顾自己的事，所以今日才至有这样的地步。 大多数人是怕事的，又只顾着自己的利益，完全都是自私自利的人。
爱： 我不是和你说。 (假怒）英哥，为甚么你识的朋友都是这样的呢？
英： 他也是你的朋友。
爱： 。。。。呀。 你昨天一定又受了刺激了，整天都不和我说话，好像和我仇了似的。
英： 妹，你是明白我性格的人。 在这样的环境中，叫我怎样能够过着安息的生活呢？ 所呼吸的一口也是血腥的气味，所见的也是弱者无理受难。 昨日枪决的究竟犯了哪条国法才至判决死刑？ 因为肌饿而被迫着偷窃是他们自己的罪过吗？那么那些人从我们的手中抢去的，就算是正当的行为吗？ 妹，你也知道这是不对的，你也知道这是要毁灭的。 我知道的是为着我的安全， 你要我忍耐，但是我不能再容忍的。 我知道终有一天，我的理智压不住我的感情的。那时我要爆炸，要毁灭他们，也许我要毁灭我自己。
爱： （感情地） 哥 ————
雄： 看，怎么李家村前后有五只这么大的船。
爱： 插着保安队的旗，相信是军用品吧。
雄： 奇怪，军械运到这里有什么用呢？ 这一带又不是战争区域，而且保安队怎样能够有这么多的军械？ 呀！如果是军火也不会有那么大包，也没有这样轻。 我相信，那些是米。
英： （冷酷地哼）。 除了米还会是什么呢？ 雄，我相信你所说要等候的那个机会就快到了。 民众的力量，我们是要相信人民的力量的。 我们给他们看，他们要被铲光。 人类的渣滓，人类的污秽。 （狼狼地） 我就不怕把手弄脏。
雄： 我也感到这个雷雨的来临。
摇艇声渐快。音乐。
（独声： 天呀， 米一千元一担了。）
（独声：唉，我家的老母已饿死了。）
（独声：已经起到三千元。）
(独声： 世界一朝一朝变坏了。）
（应声： 是的。 从前那里曾有这样的情形，要有真命天子出来才行。）
（独声：这一带，半粒米也没有。）
（独声：谁说没有？）
（独声： 有。）
（独声： 有。）
（独声： 那里有？）
（应声： 张善有。）
（众声：张善有。）
（众声： 张善有，张善有 。 。 。 。 。 )
（众声：（去县府处要求。）
(众应声： 是，去，去，个个都去。
嘈杂声渐逝。
音乐。
嘈杂声渐起。
众声： 我们要见县长。
（独声： 叫县长出来。）
（和声： 叫县长出来。 叫县长出来 。 。 。 。 。）
（独声： 来了， 大家静一些。）
（众声： 来了，来了 。 。 。 。 。）
（众声： 静些， 静些 。 。 。 。）
李：你们集合在这里做什么？
嘈杂声。 （众声： 我们要米。 我们就要饿了。 静些。 是， 大家静些。 听县长说。）李： 我已经通告过你们，呈请省府的救济电已经发了。 你们要静等十日八日才有接济 。 。 。 。
嘈声又起。 （众声： 十日八日， 全都死光了。）李： 。 。 。 。 静些。 我也尽了我的责任。 现在是无法救济的 。 。 。 。
独声： 张善有几千担米。陈： （厉声地） 谁说张善有米？谁说？ 请他出来 。 。 。 。
李： 。 。 。。 你们这样的行为是不法的，骚扰治安。 我想你们都不愿有个 “罪民” 的 罪名。 现在快些安安分分地回去吧。
（众声： 回去啦。 县长说得不错。 回去。） 嘈声渐逝。 音乐。李： 张大哥， 我想你还是和家人离开这城避一避的好。 对了这些暴民或许会管束不住的。 为安全计还是避一避好。 你以为怎样呢？
张： 好，我也正预备转转空气。 陈队长，你的调查究竟怎样？
陈： 似乎这次的暴动是出于自动的，中间没有煽动者。
张： 这是不可能的，其中一定有些不安分子。 你要尽力调查出来，尤其是那些读书的学生。
李： 为了安全计，本县的力量亦有限，我现在电请省政府派大队 （声渐低弱） 的人马来设法压制这班罪民。
音乐起英： 县政府是欺骗你们的。 你们愿意饿死吗？
众声：当然不愿意。雄： 大家联合起来，再到县政府那里去。
爱： 坐在这里等死，不是一条出路。
英： 你们都知道谁贮着所有的米。
众声：张善。 张善那个奸商。英： 我们要去取那些米。
独声：那是犯法的行为。英： 横竖都是一死，你们愿意饿死吗？
众声：当然不愿意。 去，我们去，先到县府处。 音乐转强， 渐隐， 嘈声再起。 众声：请县长出来。 我们要见县长。 嘈声渐稳，片刻沈静，再起。雄： 已经在这里白等了点多钟。 去，还等什么？
众声：还等什么？英： 好，我们自己去要。
嘈声逝去。李： （怒）喂， 喂， 我要接一零四！ 一零四哗。 听见么？ 你死了么？ 快些。（喃喃地） 真倒楣， 重要 。 。 。 混帐 。 。 。。（大声地） 陈队长么？我是李县长 （渐隐） 刚才 。 。 。
音乐 嘈声再起。玻璃碎声。 破门声。 毁家私声。
众声：（极混乱） 这里没有米，没有米。米在那里？放火烧！
英： 不要放火。（声音为嘈声所盖）到李家村去，所有米都在李家村的祠堂。 去，不要放火，不要放火。 （声渐现）。 到李家村去。米在那里。
众声：去，李家村去。 音乐。 嘈声由远而近。陈： （高叫） 停止，不要走近来。你们疯了吗？
众声： 打倒陈走狗。 去。米就在那里。陈： 再走近一步，我就开枪。
嘈声更响。陈： 兄弟， 开枪。
枪声人众散乱声， 惊呼声。 众声： （混乱） 走， 快些走。 妈呀！ 中儿，你在那里呀。 音乐。李： 本县长代表法官席，判决你们三人，因为煽动和领导羣众，放火打劫，骚扰治安，有遗法律。 现依照自治法令，为首黄英一名，罪该枪决，其余黄爱和曾雄二人，协助黄英，罪次一等，判决无期徒刑。
锣一声。音乐。
注： 此剧欢迎采用演播， 但须先得作者同意。
Criminal Citizens
Time: Now
Location: Certain county in mainland China
Character: Zhang Shan (Zhang) – Business man
County Mayor Li: Li
Captain of Public Security Chen: (Chen)
Huang Ying: (Ying) Student1
Huang Ai: Ai, a female student, Ying’s sister
Zeng Xiong: Xiong, student, Ying’s friend
Music
Zhang: (voice fades away) - So, I’d say in one sentence, people who have studied economics have a different perspective. (Ha ha) At this time, if you don’t want to get rich, you will never have such a good opportunity again. Don’t you think so, County Mayor? Especially in my line of work. Everyone needs to eat, but where does rice come from? Rice in this county is in short supply even during harvest season. Besides, there is another drought this year. Even if the whole sky is torn, we can't save the scorched rice seedlings in the fields. So - (haha)!
Li: I'm starting to understand now . . . . it turns out . . . . (Haha) Brother Zhang, you are indeed smart.
Zhang: The marvelous part is yet to come. There are only two sources of rice, one is upstream, and the other is Vietnam, Myanmar. The rice production upstream is limited, so we can buy it all at a high price. As for the rice below in Vietnam, it can be supplied in unlimited quantities. So today I want to discuss this with you, county Mayor. You know this is wartime, and transportation in China has always been inconvenient. So now there is simply no transportation at all. Since transportation is inconvenient, Chinese people don't like to do troublesome work, so no one from outside comes to sell rice. And viewing from the international situation, there is a high possibility that Vietnam, Myanmar and Southeast Asia will fall into the hands of the Japanese. If these places are lost, then the source of rice will be completely cut off.
Li: Impressive. Brother Zhang’s vision is indeed far-reaching.
Zhang: The current price of rice, together with freight, cannot exceed 80 yuan per load at most. But in the future (haha) it’s possible to sell it for three to four thousand yuan.
Li: (Slightly surprised) Wow, there are such huge profits.
Zhang: Don’t believe it? County Mayor , you just watch.
Li: Believe, I believe. Why wouldn’t I believe what Brother Zhang’s words?
Zhang: So the more rice you take up now, the greater the wealth you will make in the future. But when there is profit, I will not monopolize it. County Mayor, you and I have been old friends for many years. When there are interests, we will of course mutually support each other. I will cooperate with you based on my current decision. You can contribute 50,000 to 60,000 yuan. I already have 80,000 to 90,000 yuan.
Li: Okay, okay. When do you want it?
Chen: Back and forth, you are all talking about money, but I can only listen on and feel anxious. Brother Zhang, didn’t you cut me off this time? You know that I don't have much money.
Zhang: Captain Chen, why do you say that? Since when have I, Old Zhang, cut you off before? If I wanted to, I wouldn't have asked you to come here today. Money, many people have it. The County Mayor's tens of thousands of dollars were only recently obtained by accident, right? County Mayor (laugh).
Li: Yes, yes.
Zhang: . . . . However, the business of this occasion requires economic, political, and military cooperation. You, Captain Chen, are the captain of the security team. Naturally your job is to provide security for us. When it comes time to share the benefits in the future, you will certainly not be short of a share.
(The three laugh).Music begins and gets lower.
The sound of airplanes, cannons, machine guns, Japanese language, and the sound of military footsteps.
(Newsboy's voice: Evening News. The Japanese army invaded Vietnam. Evening News, Vietnam was lost without any resistance. Evening News, buy a copy and you will understand it at once. Evening News ... Evening News...)
Music starts again and fades away. The sound of glasses clinking. Sound of people and noise.
Zhang: Toast. Congratulations on our success.
Li: Old Zhang, your words are indeed accurate, and they came true within two months. Vietnam has been occupied by Japan, and it will probably be the time for us to get rich. (Ha ha)
Chen: The price of rice in the market has started to rise, but people don’t seem to feel it very much yet.
Zhang: The time is coming. But you have to be patient. Within two weeks, it will reach 1,000 yuan, and within two months, it will reach 3,000 or 4,000 yuan. Haha, fortunately our last five hundred loads have already been on the way. Otherwise, the loss would be huge. Captain Chen, how many days will it take for the shipment to arrive?
Chen: It will arrive on time the day after tomorrow. I did everything according to your instructions. We were divided into five boats and protected by ten brothers. I believe everything went smoothly. And with the flag of the security cadre flying, no one would notice that it was a boat carrying rice. I think you probably don’t want to transport it to the city. You must have wanted to transport it to those ancestral halls.
Zhang: Yes, yes, the location is good there. Being close to the water, transportation is more convenient, and there won’t be any planes bombing there, and it is not as easy to be discovered in the city. Tonight I want to transport the remaining rice to the city. It's not safe here, and someone already noticed it. County Mayor Li, have you done anything about those rice thieves?
Li: I have already given instructions. I will do as you wish. The leader will be shot tomorrow, and the rest will be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Zhang: Okay, well done.
Chen: This group of people is outrageously bold that they actually collude to commit robberies. If they disturb the public order of the place, they must be shot. If not, then this place will soon become a world of bandits.
Zhang: That’s why I asked you to transport it at night. Since this group of people knows, it is inevitable that others will also find out, so keeping it secret is crucial. I have more than ten or twenty employees here, and you can also send dozens of brothers to help. If we can't finish moving tonight, we can continue working tomorrow night.
Li: Captain Chen, Brother Zhang will become a very important figure in the future. It is best for you to send a few brothers to protect his home. Exactly how many people are there at the ancestral hall?
Chen: There are more than fifty.
Li: Brother Zhang, this is probably enough.
Zhang: I think it would be better to add fifty more people, because I'm afraid there will be a mob rebellion soon. But it is also easy to deal with. Chinese people have always been afraid of trouble. As long as we use some tactics, if that doesn't work, a scare will be enough. Besides, if there is no incitement, people will not take action, so we must try to eradicate all restless individuals . . . . Oh, you can do this: use those ancestral halls as the headquarters of the security cadre, then no one will be suspicious of a brigade stationed there. Aren’t sold-iers currently stationed in ancestral halls in rural areas? Ha ha.
Music.The sound of target shooting, horns, human noise, and chains.
(Child: Mom, I’m going to go watch shooting ...)
(Mother: Rascal, come back).
(Voice from passer-by: What crime did he commit? Murder?)
No idea.
What a good man, walking straight and upright by himself.
Let's go. Target shooting now is not as entertaining as beheading in the past.
The noise died down. Low music begins.
Ai: Brother. . . elder brother . . .
Ying: (suddenly) Oh.
Ai: Brother Ying, let’s go back. What are you doing standing on the street?
Ying: . . . . . . .
Ai: What are you thinking about in such a dumbfounded way? Are you being provoked again? I thought it might be better to bring you to the city, but who knows it's even worse than being in the country. This place is more dangerous for you. I'm afraid. . . . It's better to go back to the countryside.
Music. The sound of boat rowing started.Ai: I'm afraid that you will be the same again after returning home. Why do you like to meddle in people's affairs so much? Forget about things that don't concern you in this world, and never mind about the landlords, local tyrants and evil gentry.
Ying: Sister Ai, society belongs to everyone. Everyone has a responsibility. It is not up to me that I can't bear it? Do you think so, Xiong?
Xiong: Ai, you are also sensible. It is really due to the fact that Chinese people only care about our own affairs, so we have reached the situation of today. Most people are afraid of trouble and only care about their own interests. They are completely selfish people.
Ai: I’m not speaking to you. (Feigning anger) Brother Ying, why are all your friends like this?
Ying: He's your friend too.
Ai: . . . . Oh. You must have been provoked again yesterday. You didn't talk to me all day long, as if you had a grudge against me.
Ying: Sister, you do understand my personality. How can I live a peaceful life in such an environment? Every breath I take is the smell of blood, and what I see is the unreasonable suffering of the weak. Which national law did the ones executed yesterday commit that warranted the death penalty? Is it their own fault that they were forced to steal due to hunger? So what those people snatched from our hands is considered a legitimate act? Sister, you also know that this is wrong, and you also know that this is going to be destroyed. I do know that for my safety, you asked me to be patient, but I can no longer tolerate it. I know that one day, my rationality will not be able to suppress my feelings. Then I'm going to explode, I'm going to destroy them, and maybe I'm going to destroy myself.
Ai: (emotionally) Brother ————
Xiong: Look, why are there five of such big boats in front and behind the village of the Li family?
Ai: It has the flag of the security cadre. It is probably for military supplies.
Xiong: Strange, what is the purpose of transporting the ordnance here? This area is not a war zone, and how can the security cadre have so many ordinances? Oh! If it were ammunition, it wouldn't be such big bags, nor would it be so light. Those are rice, I believe.
Ying: (snorts grimly). What else could it be but rice? Xiong, I believe the opportunity you said you were waiting for is coming soon. The power of the people, we must believe in the power of the people. We showed them that they were going to be wiped out. Human dregs, human filth. (Fiercely) I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty.
Xiong: I also feel the coming of this thunderstorm.
The sound of boat rowing became faster and faster.Music.
(Solo voice: Oh heaven, rice is one thousand yuan per load now.)
(Solo: Alas, my mother has starved to death.)
(Solo voice: It has reached 3,000 yuan.)
(Solo: The world has become worse over time.)
(Response: Yes. There was such a situation there in the past, but the destined person must turn up for it.)
(Solo: There isn’t even a grain of rice in this area.)
(Solo: Who said there isn’t?)
(Solo: There is.)
(Solo: There is.)
(Solo: Where is it?)
(Reponse: Zhang Shan has it.)
(Voice of Crowd: Zhang Shan has it.)
(Voice of Crowd: Zhang Shan has it, Zhang Shan has it . . . . )
Voice of Crowd: (Go to the county office to request it.)
Everyone responded: Yes, let’s go, let’s go, everyone go.
The noise dies down.
Music.
The noise gradually increases.
Voice of Crowd: We want to see the county Mayor.
(Solo: Call on the county Mayor to come out.)
(Mixed Voice: Call on the county Mayor to come out. Call on the county Mayor to come out . . . . )
(Solo: It’s coming. Please be quiet.)
(Voice of Crowd: It’s coming, it’s coming...)
Voice of Crowd: Be quiet, be quiet . . . . )
Li: What are you all assembling here for?
Noise.(Voice of Crowd: We want rice. We're about to be starved. Be quiet. Yes, everyone, please be quiet. Listen to the county Mayor speak.)
Li: I have already informed you all that the relief letter petitioned to the provincial government has been sent out. You have to wait until ten or eight days to receive the aid . . . .
The noise started again. (Voice of Crowd: In ten and eight days, we will all be dead.)Li: . . . . Be quiet. I have already fulfilled my responsibility. There is no relief now . . . .
Solo Voice: Zhang Shan has several thousand loads of rice.Chen: (Sternly) Who said Zhang Shan has rice? Who said that? Ask him to step out . . . .
Li: . . . . Your behavior is illegal and disturbs public order. I don’t don’t think you all want to be labeled as “criminal citizens”. So, let’s now quickly go back and behave well.
(Voice of Crowd: Let’s go back. The county Mayor is right. Go back. ) The noise gradually dies down. Music.Li: Brother Zhang, I think it’s best for you and your family to leave this city for a while. By the way, these mobs may not be restrainable. For safety's sake, it's better to stay away. What do you think?
Zhang: Alright, I’m also preparing to move to another environment. Captain Chen, how is your investigation?
Chen: It seems that this riot was spontaneous and there were no instigators.
Zhang: This is impossible. There must be some restless individuals among them. You should do your best to investigate, especially those students.
Li: For safety reasons, the ability of this county is also limited. I am now calling the provincial government to send a large army (voice gradually lowers) of people to try to suppress this group of criminals.
Music begins.Ying: The county government lied to you. Are you willing to starve to death?
Voice of Crowd: Of course not.Xiong: Let’s unite and go to the county government.
Ai: Sitting here waiting to die is not a way out.
Ying: Do you all know who stores all the rice?
Voice of Crowd: Zhang Shan. That profiteer Zhang Shan.Ying: We're going to get that rice.
Solo Voice: That is illegal conduct.Ying: Either way, we will die. Are you willing to starve to death?
Voice of Crowd: Of course not. Go, let's go, go to the county office first. The music gets louder, fades out, and the noise begins again. Voice of Crowd: Please come out, county Mayor. We want to see the county Mayor. The noise gradually subsides, followed by a moment of silence, then starts again.Xiong: We have been waiting here in vain for more than an hour. Go, what are we waiting for?
Voice of Crowd: What are we waiting for?Ying: Okay, we'll get it ourselves.
The noise dies away.Li: (angry) Hello, hello, I want to connect to 104! One hundred and four. Did you hear that? Are you dead? Hurry up. (Muttering) What bad luck, it's important . . . Goddamn. . . . (Loudly) Captain Chen? I am County Mayor Li (fade out) just now . . .
Music. The noise returns. The sound of broken glass. The sound of breaking the door. The sound of furniture being destroyed.Crowd: (Extreme chaos) There is no rice here, no rice. Where is the rice? Set fire to it!
Ying: Don't set fire. (The voice is covered by the noise) Go to the Village of Li family. All the rice is in the ancestral hall of the Village of Li family. Go, don't set the fire, don't set the fire. (Voice fades). Go to the Village of Li family. The rice is there.
Voice of Crowd: Go to the Village of Li family. Music. The noise comes from far to near.Chen: (Shouting) Stop, don't come any closer. Are you all crazy?
Voice of Crowd: Down with Chen’s lackey. Go. The rice is there.Chen: If you take another step closer, I will shoot.
The noise is louder.Chen: Brother, shoot.
The sound of gunshots, the crowd's dispersion, and the screams of shock. Voice of Crowd: (Chaos) Let's go, go faster. Oh mom! My son, Zhong , where are you? Music.Li: The county Mayor, on behalf of the panel of judges, sentences you three for inciting and leading the masses, setting fire, looting, rioting, disturbing public order and disregarding the law. According to the Autonomy Act, one of the leaders, Huang Ying, is sentenced to be shot, and for Huang Ai and Zeng Xiong, who assisted Huang Ying and committed first-degree crime, are sentenced to life imprisonment.
The sound of gong.Music.
Note: This play is welcome to be staged, but must first obtain the author's consent.