The Conquest of China

About the show

The play opens in a Tartar camp outside the gates of Beijing. Theinmingus, King of Tartary, has invaded China to avenge his father, slain in the King of China's campaigns. His bloodthirsty son, Zungteus, is determined to destroy China. The Chinese provincial queen Amavanga arrives as an ambassador of the King of China alongside her confidante Vangona, disguised as soldiers. Theinmingus dismisses her as delaying and orders immediate preparations for an assault on Beijing. Vangona notices a glimmer in Zungteus's eye, suggesting Amavanga shed her disguise. Zungteus orders his confidant Palexus to launch the assault but Amavanga stops him, challenging him to a duel. He praises her courage, and they embrace, instantly falling in love with each other. Zungteus, emboldened by living in the Ming court as a child, has a sudden change of heart, abandoning his quest for revenge to pursue Amavanga. In the Palace of Beijing, the King of China is faced with a succession crisis. The prince who marries his daughter, Orunda, shall inherit the throne. Twelve Ming princes enter the palace in a masquerade ball. Orunda instantly falls in love with the honorable Quitazo, but the King rebuffs, forcing her to select a second prince. She picks the horrible Lycungus, setting the two against princes each other. He divides his powers among them, entrusting Quitazo to lead the army as general and Lycungus to govern as regent. Lycungus, unsatisfied with dull administration, envies Quitazo's military might and affection from Orunda. Quitazo is already betrothed to the innocent and humble Alcinda, attempting to part with Orunda, she only becomes even more enamored, whereas Lycungus pledges his absolute loyalty to Orunda, disgusted by him. Quitazo and Alcinda meet and embrace. Their peace is intruded by Lycungus, who humors Quitazo with the wondrous power he will have when he marries Orunda. Lycungus stokes a fierce dispute, saying Quitazo had kidnapped Alcinda and forced her into a relationship. After Quitazo threatens to kill him, he feigns mistaking her for another woman named Lycanza, and apologizes. Quitazo plans to meet Alcinda in disguise. Lycungus lays out his plan to manipulate Orunda, eliminate Quitazo, and seize absolute power. In the Tartar camp, the Tartars return from the assault on Beijing. Zungteus tells his father that the young ambassador from before is actually an exceptionally formidable warrior, seeing him behind wall of Tartar bodies. Zungteus praises his courage, saying he cannot bring himself to kill such a valiant foe. In the Chinese camp, Amavanga enters with Vangona and her army of women, all disguised. Lycungus brings word from the King that she has won a laurel crown for saving the city. A messenger reminds her of the impending duel with Zungteus. She is reluctant but Vangona convinces her to go to protect her honor and show her love. Back in the palace, Orunda learns of Quitazo's lover, wishing to kill them. Orunda appeals to her father of Quitazo's infidelity, who immediately condemns Quitazo and anyone associated with him to a torturous death, horrifying Orunda. Alcinda runs in, pursued by slaves, pleads for her life. The King commands them to strangle her, but Orunda convinces him to spare her. They reconcile, but after Alcinda pines for Quitazo, Orunda orders for the slaves to kill her. She grants all of Quitazo's affection to Orunda for her life, but begins a dispute over who should have him. Orunda calls for the slaves to stab, strangle, and kill her, only for Alcinda to reveal she has conquered death. For her courage, she spitefully does not allow her to die. Lycungus reveals to Orunda that Quitazo and Alcinda will meet under the Pagode-Grove to conspire the downfall of the empire. Lycungus plans to place an ambush of armed men to snatch Alcinda and force her to drink poison. Orunda, disappointed that she has no hand in the murder, disguises herself and concocts her own poison. Quitazo and Alcinda meet. Quitazo finds himself ruined by fame, torn between taking the throne or true love. Alcinda reveals her dread of revenge from Orunda, but Quitazo consoles her, reaffirming their love even if it means death. Amavanga continues discussing the duel with Vangona. She is moved by Vangona, that the duel will bring peace, revenge the King of China, and that she and Zungteus will be reunited in Heaven. Amavanga wishes Vangona to hold her a private funeral if she dies. The Tartars and Chinese gather under a truce on opposing sides for the duel. A herald reads out a treaty made by the King of China and Theinmingus that whoever loses the duel will become the tributary of the victor's empire. Zungteus fatally strikes Amavanga in the duel, killing her. He laments her death and reveals she was a woman. Zungteus tears up the treaty, provoking his father. Zungteus renews challenge, which Quitazo accepts. Though the King of China finds Zungteus so godlike and powerful, he refuses to risk his general's life. Zungteus reminds the King that their truce expires tomorrow. Vangona carries Amavanga's body away to her funeral but Zungteus keeps trying to follow her. Theinmingus summons Zungteus to a war council for the battle tomorrow. Zungteus considers falling upon his sword, but Palexus offers to be killed instead. Theinmingus returns, chiding Zungteus as an effeminate degenerate for killing himself over a woman. Zungteus hardens his resolve, leading the Tartar army to charge Beijing. Disguised, Orunda steals from the court to hunt Alcinda in the Pagode-Grove. Quitazo and Alcinda meet, disguised as shepherds, retreating deeply into the grove. Arriving late, Lycungus's mercenaries miss Alcinda, mistakenly taking disguised Orunda instead. She explains her true identity but the greedy mercenaries force her to drink the poison anyway. Lycungus is shocked to find they have poisoned Orunda, admonishing them. Orunda wishes to see Quitazo and die in his arms. Quitazo and Alcinda emerge from the trees. The dying Orunda has a sudden change of heart, repenting her maliceand relinquishing her claim to Quitazo. Quitazo and Alcinda mourn Orunda's death. Lycungus ambushes and seizes them, accusing Quitazo and Alcinda of poisoning Orunda. To protect Alcinda, Quitazo falsely confesses that he was the one who orchestrated the poisoning. He forgives his captors, and they are forced out of the grove. King of China is shown Orunda's body and is determined to rack Quitazo and Alcinda as traitors for poisoning her. He bestows Lycungus power over all of China. With complete control, Lycungus is determined to kill the King and seize the throne for himself. Zungteus mourns his father, who died of gangrene from a poisoned arrow in the battle. Quitazo and Vangona desert the city to inform Zungteus that Alcinda is captured has been captured by the tyrant Lycungus. Zungteus takes Palexus, Quitazo, and Vangona to get avenge his father and Alcinda. At his desk, the deposed King of China is alerted by prince Legozun that Lycungus has slain the eight remaining Ming princes and gathered sixteen thousand law students to his council before having them burnt alive. The King orders Legozun to instruct his wives to kill themselves to escape from Lycungus's lust. Another Ming prince warns the King of China that Lycungus has arrived to murder him. The King bids his wives to witness him fight Lycungus, but Legozun reveals that all of his wives had killed themselves according to his order. The King of China uses his blood to write a will, passing the crown to Zungteus. The King of China and the final two princes commit suicide by falling on their swords. Lycungus finds the King's bloody will and declares he will kill Zungteus. Three soldiers inform Lycungus that Quitazo has allied to the Tartars and is leading an army to depose him. Quitazo and the Tartar army battle Lycungus, but he is surrounded and taken prisoner by Lycungus's men. Alcinda is brought in by guards, Lycungus plans to execute her and force Quitazo to drink her blood mixed with poison while he is torn on the rack and scorched by hot irons. Quitazo offers his life and loyalty in exchange for her safety, but Lycungus orders her execution anyway. A messenger interrupts him to report that Zungteus has broken Lycungus's rebel army. Zungteus and his soldiers battle with Lycungus, slaying him, hailing "Long live Zungteus Emperour of China." Zungteus, having accomplished his quest for revenge, draws his sword to kill himself and reunite with Amavanga in Heaven. However, Quitazo and Vangona reveal that Amavanga is still alive, merely unconscious after their duel. Zungteus bestows Quitazo the crown of Tartary to civilize the barbaric Tartars, while he in China will teach the effeminate Chinese of warfare. The play ends as Zungteus exalts his wedding as the crowning triumph over all.