Chapter 180: Northern Shaanxi Balladry
Chengcheng County....
In a quiet corner of the county town, there was a small ballad opera troupe. The troupe leader's surname was Zhang, so it was known as "Zhang's Troupe."
Zhang's Troupe consisted of two singers, four dancers, and four instrumentalists, making a total of ten people.
In good years, Zhang's Troupe had once been immensely popular. Whenever they set up their stage, crowds would immediately gather, three deep, to watch. After a performance, they could always collect a decent amount of copper coins.
Life for the troupe members was comfortable, free from worry.
However, for the past three years, ever since the great drought, life had grown increasingly difficult for Zhang's Troupe.
By this year, the ballad opera troupe was completely unable to sustain itself.
Each performance attracted only a handful of spectators who could offer little more than a few coppers in appreciation. With meals becoming scarce, Zhang's Troupe had no choice but to join the throngs of ordinary refugees at Magistrate Liang Shixian's relief station, scrambling for a bowl of watery gruel.
They wondered when such grim days would ever end.
Tan Liwen had long been a loyal patron of Zhang's Troupe. In years past, his figure was always among the audience whenever the ballad opera performed, even during the harshest periods of the drought. But for the last few months, even he had stopped coming.
Seeing Tan Liwen, Troupe Leader Zhang couldn't help but shed tears. "Master Tan," he choked out, "it has been too long. Every show, I used to see you supporting us, but for several months now, you've been absent. I've been quite worried something untoward had happened to you."
Tan Liwen sighed. "Thank you for your concern, Troupe Leader Zhang. I've repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, and I now accept my lack of talent. I've abandoned my scholarly dreams. A few months ago, I went to Gao Family Village and apprenticed myself to Steward San, becoming an assistant. I've been busy with various duties in Gao Family Village these past months and haven't been able to return to the county town to watch the Daoqing opera."
Troupe Leader Zhang mused, "Gao Family Village? Ah, I've heard that name mentioned quite often recently. Many people have been going there to find work; it seems like a wealthy family is undertaking a major construction project."
Tan Liwen smiled. "Yes, precisely that Gao Family Village. Troupe Leader Zhang, I've returned to the county town specifically to find you. I'd like to invite you to Gao Family Village to perform a Northern Shaanxi ballad opera."
Troupe Leader Zhang froze, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He thought, "A Daoqing troupe like ours usually performs only in bustling places like the county town. If we went to a small village, who would even watch? Unless, of course, there's some wealthy lord in that village who's holding a grand event, a wedding or a funeral, and hires a troupe to perform, covering all the stage fees..."
With that thought, he couldn't help but ask, "Which lord is inviting us to perform?"
Tan Liwen chuckled. "You'll find out when you get there, won't you? Rest assured, your payment will be generous. Do you not trust me, Tan Liwen?"
Troupe Leader Zhang glanced down at the watery gruel in his hand and sighed softly. "Fine," he conceded to himself. "Even in the county town, Zhang's Troupe is living like beggars. If we perform for a wealthy lord in the countryside, at least we'll get two full days of meals."
"Master Tan is a kind and honest man; he wouldn't deceive a humble, makeshift troupe like ours."
"In that case, we shall make the journey."
And so, Zhang's Troupe set off. Carrying all the instruments, costumes, and props required for their performance, the ten-member troupe, laden with their belongings, followed Tan Liwen, embarking on what felt like a grand adventure.
Troupe Leader Zhang immediately spotted the majestic and imposing Gao Family Fortress, surrounded by a sprawling collection of colorful, peculiar little houses. It was evening now, with the sun dipping below the horizon. The road construction crews had finished for the day, the farmers were resting, and even the labor reform prisoners were on their break, not working.
The group had set out at noon and walked until dusk, finally arriving at Gao Family Village.
Consequently, the area around Gao Family Fortress buzzed with people heading home from work, creating a vibrant, bustling scene.
Troupe Leader Zhang gasped in surprise. "Gao Family Village is this bustling? It's like a small market town!"
Tan Liwen smiled. "Ordinary townspeople aren't as prosperous as our villagers here in Gao Family Village, you know. Come, I'll take you to the stage."
He led the way, guiding Zhang's Troupe into the "Gao Family Commercial District." There, they found a plastic stage, styled to resemble an ancient one, which indeed looked quite lavish, grand, and high-class.
Zhang's Troupe was, after all, just a "makeshift troupe"—the "makeshift" in their name was no exaggeration. They had only ever performed on flimsy wooden stages before; this was their first time seeing a proper, luxurious grand stage.
All ten members of Zhang's Troupe suddenly felt intimidated, a slight trepidation in their hearts. "This... you want us to perform on such a magnificent stage?"
Tan Liwen replied, "Indeed. This is the only stage we have in Gao Family Village."
Troupe Leader Zhang, still a little daunted, stammered, "This... this stage... for us to perform on... isn't it a bit too grand for us?"
Tan Liwen waved a dismissive hand. "Nonsense! I've seen many of your performances; you're absolutely qualified. I strongly recommended you, and it was the Heavenly Lord himself who asked me to invite you. Don't look so timid and sing off-key, or you'll make me, your introducer, lose face before the Heavenly Lord."
Troupe Leader Zhang could only steel his resolve. "Thank you for your strong recommendation, Master Tan. But who is this 'Heavenly Lord' you speak of?"
Tan Liwen replied, "You'll learn in due time. For now, don't ponder it too much. Just prepare for the performance. Tonight, present one of your best Daoqing operas for the Heavenly Lord to enjoy."
Troupe Leader Zhang glanced up at the setting sun. "It's already late... if we start preparing now, by the time we're ready to perform, it will be quite dark. Won't everyone be going to bed?"
"No matter!" Gao Yiye suddenly popped out from nearby, a cheerful grin on her face. "The Heavenly Lord just issued a divine decree! He said not to worry about whether it's dark or not. He's bored up in the heavens and desperately needs some entertainment. So, get your Northern Shaanxi ballad opera ready immediately!"
Li Daoxuan truly was bored. While the diorama box was bustling with interesting sights during the day, once night fell, the ancients would "rest with the setting sun," turning the entire box into a "non-moving picture."
As a modern man, however, sleeping at sunset was out of the question. He had to stay up until midnight, and the time difference in between was excruciatingly dull. Now that something fresh had finally come along, how could he possibly not watch it?
Especially since what this troupe performed wasn't just ordinary opera, but a unique form called "Northern Shaanxi ballad opera"—something Li Daoxuan had never witnessed before.
"Yiye," he instructed, "inform the villagers: a troupe is here to perform Northern Shaanxi ballad opera."
Gao Yiye responded with a cheerful "Understood!" and skipped away happily. She, too, was delighted to watch a show; she had only heard tales of Northern Shaanxi ballad opera since childhood but had never seen it performed live. She practically bounced as she went. "A show to see!" she chirped.
Tan Liwen chuckled at Troupe Leader Zhang. "It seems the Saintess is very pleased! You'd best hurry and prepare!"
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