After the mid-Ming Dynasty,one major issue faced in playwriting was that some scripts were detached from stage performance,serving only as reading material.The play Tan Hua Ji by Ningbo scholar Tu Long,written during the Wanli period,is regarded as a representative of such scripts.It is known for its obscure language,disregard for musical rules,and loose structure,which has long led it to be considered unsuitable for performance and singing,only occasionally staged by Tu Long's family troupe on small tours.However,historical records indicate that Tan Hua Ji was performed in regions like Jiangxi province and Fujian province,with its influence in popular culture lasting at least until the late Ming and early Qing periods.Various late-Ming drama anthologies,aimed at guiding performance and singing,enthusiastically included Tan Hua Ji,suggesting that it was a widely performed and loved piece of its time.Its theme of immortals and Buddhas resonated with the era,its vivid scenes compensated for structural flaws,and its elegant and bold lyrics were favored by amateur singers.Despite its artistic flaws,it was far from disconnected from audiences and indeed met the demands of the time.
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