Arriving in China after a failed emigration to America, Kasperl finds himself in the service of the Mandarin Quingquing, Emperor Schunschi's "Minister of Confused Affairs". While styling his master's pigtail for the audience, Kasperl gets annoyed at not understanding what Quingquing is saying in Chinese and slaps him to death. Kasperl disguises himself as a Mandarin and goes to the hearing in his place, where he argues with Schunschi. When Schunschi retires, he asks for a drink. A barrel is brought to him, but opening it is an actual Chinese puzzle. The ghost of Quingquing finally emerges. Kasperl knocks him out and then resolves to drink tea, promising himself to return to Germany without delay.

String marionette

Not specified

Pocci Franz von

Germany

Munich

Printed

Pigtail

Phantom

Despotism

Triviality

Minister

Barrel

Emigration

Journey

China

Farcical

German

Kasperl

Emperor

Valet de chambre

Slave

Apparition

Disguise

Monologue

Murder on stage

Macaronism

Hyperbolic action

Ridiculous fight

Talking at cross-purposes

Parody of formal language

Slaps

Kasperl in China

The Mandarin is sad. A new year has begun, and he must negotiate again with Homme-dragon (the Man-dragon), a monster that terrorizes his kingdom. The messenger Djin-Ti offers to speak with the monster for him, even though he is even more afraid of it than the Mandarin. But negotiation is impossible: Homme-dragon asks for princess Yin, the Mandarin’s daughter, or he will eat every child in China. The Mandarin asks Roland and another knight for help, but the monster defeats them effortlessly. The Mandarin, his daughter and Djin-Ti go to Charlemagne for help. Near Liège, Djin-Ti suggests that his master and the princess rest while he speaks with the emperor. But how can he approach Charlemagne? P’tit Colas, a child from Liège, advises Djin-Ti to speak with his friend Tchantchès instead. Tchantchès devises a plan to beat the monster. He suggests that he and the Mandarin set a trap for Homme-dragon. The princess will write a letter to lure him to Liège. The plan is successful: Homme-dragon arrives in Tchantchès’ home and is defeated by him. The Mandarin does not know how to thank his saviour, but Tchantchès needs no thank-you. He invites him to “celebrate this victory and the friendship between China and good old Liège” by drinking peket – the local Jenever alcohol.