“It was grand. The first day everything passed off splendidly. I was in my finest heroic vein. The second day I was even better, and the third day I could hardly be heard because of the applause of the Three Bridges people and the vituperations of the low scum from Ten Li village. That night was a landmark in my life. The villagers of Three Bridges made me a hero; I was fêted everywhere after the discomfited Ten Li folk had departed. Undoubtedly everyone in Three Bridges loved me as a brother, and everyone in Ten Li wanted my blood. Our satisfaction was, however, but short-lived; next day Ten Li made violent war against us. I say ‘us’ because I had now grown to love the people of Three Bridges. Jealousy had aroused the evil passions in Ten Li, and Three Bridges was, I fear, somewhat incapacitated from over-indulgence the previous night. My friends were defeated, Ten Li was victorious, and they dragged our company away as their prize, and, making their own terms, ordered Three Bridges to attend a five days’ performance at the expense of their conquerors. And now another theatre was built, this time over the clay pits, and far more gorgeous in appearance than that of Three Bridges. Rehearsals again occupied our time, and my part was even more heroic than previously. On this occasion I became superhuman; not only did I fight against fearful odds on earth, but I ascended to the skies, and there did battle against demons, foul dragons, and numberless evil spirits, capable of every transformation, all of whom I vanquished eventually. My former friends and admirers eyed these performances sullenly, with rage in their hearts, whereas my previous detractors extolled me to the skies and gave me food and drink till I nearly burst. Three Bridges had ruined itself by war, theatre building, and paying our fees, but Ten Li village must be in debt for all eternity over our performance in their town. This lavish display, far from pleasing their guests, only tended to rouse their most evil feelings, and by the end of the third day of our play my former friends of Three Bridges had become my bitterest enemies. All their spite was vented upon me, for, being the most important actor, I secured the greater proportion of praise from my backers and the maximum of hatred from my enemies.