Digital Library of Chinese Theatre 中国戏剧资料库

Hua Mulan is a legendary female-warrior from the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420–589 AD). Her story was first seen in the Ballad of Mulan (Mulan ci). As an ordinary girl of the time, she did the housework and helped her mother weaving cloth to earn some petty cash for the family. While everyone was happy in the family, Hua Mulan's father received an order to serve in the army again. The father was old and unwell, while Mulan’s brother was much too young. So Mulan decided to disguise herself as a man to take her father's place. She fought in the battlefield for twelve years, famous for her bravery and excellent sword skills. She gained high merit, but she refused any reward and retired to her hometown to join her elderly parents and her brother. Only when her former comrades in the army went to visit her, did they realize that she was a woman.

The clip shows Hua Mulan in her female attire, weaving and then receiving the military order from the messenger sent by the local government. Hua Mulan was played by Chang Xiangyu, who established the Chang School for her style of singing and repertoire.

《花木兰》是南北朝时期的一个女将士的传说。她的故事最早见于《木兰辞》。她本是一个普通家庭的姑娘，帮助父母家务，也织布挣一些银钱帮助家用。就在这时，要求花木兰年父亲返回军队服役的通知下达了。父亲年迈多病，家里的弟弟年纪又小，于是，木兰决定替父从军，从此开始了她长达12年披挂跨鞍的军旅生活。花木兰以勇猛及其优秀的剑术出名。战争结束以后，皇帝对她进行嘉奖，给她高官厚禄，花木兰都拒绝了，请求朝廷能让自己回家，去补偿和孝敬父母。直到她的战友们去探望她，他们才发现这位优秀的军士居然是一位女子。

选段来自1956年拍摄的戏曲电影，是全剧的开始，花木兰身着女装，正在织布，收到了地保送来征兵的通知。女主人公由常香玉扮演，她唱腔字正腔圆，该剧为她的代表作。