Beating Jiao Zan

Introduction

The kitchen maid Yang Paifeng beats Jiao Zan with her fire-poker

Beating Jiao Zan is a traditional Qinqiang play from the Yang family saga, listed in the repertoire of the fourth troupe of the Shaanxi Opera Research Institute. The Song general Yang Zongbao is guarding the Three Passes with his father Yang Yanzhao when, on an outing with Meng Liang and Jiao Zan, he is captured by the enemy general Han Chang, whom none of the generals at the passes can match. Meng Liang brings in the kitchen maid Yang Paifeng, and she beats Jiao Zan with her fire-poker. In the wider Yang family tale she defeats Meng Liang and Jiao Zan in turn, then overcomes Han Chang and brings Yang Zongbao back. Its author and adapter are unknown.