Chapter 539: Lao Nanfeng's Investment Project
When Qiu Qianfan arrived before the Spring Wind Pavilion, it was already swarming with people, a scene of vibrant, bustling energy.
Qiu Qianfan was astonished to discover that almost all the city's dignitaries had flocked to the Spring Wind Pavilion. Throngs of merchants and even well-to-do commoners, those with a bit of money to spare, had also rushed over to partake in the spectacle, cramming the area in front of the pavilion so tightly it was impossible to move.
A little bewildered, Qiu Qianfan managed to corner a passerby and only then learned the reason: today marked Miss Cailin's inaugural "concert" at this very spot.
Miss Cailin was the Spring Wind Pavilion's most sought-after performer—the very woman Lao Nanfeng had taught the song "Lovelovelove." Her real name, naturally, wasn't Cailin; that was a stage name given to her by Lao Nanfeng himself.
Even the term "concert" was Lao Nanfeng's own "invention."
He had even personally financed the entire event.
Of course, Lao Nanfeng had gleaned all these novel ideas from the "short videos" shown by the Heavenly Lord.
Lao Nanfeng had splashed out several hundred taels of silver, erecting a massive, lavish stage on the open ground outside the Spring Wind Pavilion. It glittered with countless colorful lights, bathing the entire street in a dazzling, vibrant glow, a scene of opulent revelry.
He had also either rented or purchased a vast number of benches, arranging them in concentric circles around the stage.
The admission fee was a modest hundred copper coins—a mere trifle for the city's elite and merchants. Even for the common folk, if they worked for Gao Family Village, paying a hundred copper coins was no hardship at all.
Consequently, the thousand seats surrounding the stage swiftly filled up.
Many others, despite their money, couldn't secure tickets and were unable to enter. They stood outside the railings, craning their necks to watch from afar.
In the blink of an eye, Lao Nanfeng had already recouped a hundred taels of silver.
However, this revenue was still a long way from offsetting his total investment.
But Lao Nanfeng didn't care one bit.
"A grand open-air concert!" Lao Nanfeng cackled wildly from within the throng. "Hahahaha, I've finally brought the Heavenly Lord's 'Flower World' to the mortal realm!"
A militia soldier squeezed his way through the crowd, whispering, "Brother Nanfeng, it's almost time. Aren't you going on stage to say a few words?"
Lao Nanfeng scoffed, "What in the damn world would I say? I only know how to curse. I'd just ruin the atmosphere. No need for me, let the madam do the talking."
Under the gaze of the entire assembly, the madam, a woman in her thirties still possessing considerable charm, ascended the stage. She held up a tin megaphone and bellowed to the crowd, "Welcome, esteemed patrons, for your presence! Tonight, we host Miss Cailin's inaugural concert! She will delight you all by performing again the songs that have captivated so many hearts in recent days, guaranteeing a truly unforgettable experience!"
A collective gasp of "Wow!" rippled through the audience.
The madam continued, "This concert is generously sponsored by General Nan, a prominent commander under General Xing Honglang! Let's invite General Nan to the stage for a few words!"
Lao Nanfeng cursed under his breath, "Damn it, why do I still have to speak on stage?"
The militia soldier chuckled, "It's absolutely essential!"
Lao Nanfeng found himself utterly cornered, forced onto the stage like a duck to water. He grimaced and mounted the platform, prompting an immediate chorus of hoots and jeers from the audience, with Padi Tu's cries particularly raucous.
Lao Nanfeng shot a warning fist at Padi Tu, mouthing a promise to "deal with him later," before turning to the assembled audience with an awkward laugh. "Well... uh... Blast it all! This is a royal pain. I'm no speaker. Just make some noise, everyone! The more boisterous you are, the happier I'll be!"
The crowd roared, "Hoo!"
With that, Lao Nanfeng made a hasty, somewhat clumsy exit, and Miss Cailin gracefully stepped onto the stage.
The moment she appeared, she launched into her signature hit, "Lovelovelove." The "Heartthrob of Youths," as she was known, proved truly formidable, instantly captivating the hearts of countless listeners.
Only Qiu Qianfan remained displeased. Gnawing on the roasted chicken he'd just had the madam send over, he bellowed, "This official doesn't want to hear this! I want to hear 'Koi Transcription'!"
Fortunately, "Koi Transcription" was the very next song, so the Prefect's hopes were not dashed.
Next came "Ode to Yu," leaving the wealthy merchants in the audience utterly mesmerized, their gazes lost in a trance.
In these times, it was customary to tip performers after a play. The audience, unfamiliar with the concept of a "concert," simply assumed it was like any other theatrical show. Thus, as each song concluded, they unhesitatingly reached into their robes, pulled out silver, and tossed it onto the stage.
The generosity of the dignitaries was exceptional; silver ingots, each weighing a tael, rained down onto the stage, and some even tossed golden pellets...
With a resounding clatter and jingle, countless silver pieces accumulated on the stage.
The militia soldier gasped, "Wow, Brother Nanfeng, you're rich! You're going to be incredibly wealthy! You're the organizer; all this income is yours!"
Lao Nanfeng, swaying rhythmically to the music, grumbled, "Damn it, concentrate on the song, not the money!"
Just as everyone was completely swept up in the revelry, a sudden roar erupted from the edge of the assembly: "What in the world are you doing here?!"
Xing Honglang burst into the scene, leading a furious detachment, her gaze immediately locking onto Lao Nanfeng in the dense crowd. "You... you scoundrel! What kind of shady business are you conducting?!"
Lao Nanfeng jumped, startled. "Huh? Did I break military discipline?"
He was still fumbling for an explanation when Xing Honglang suddenly froze mid-stride, rooted to the spot.
It turned out Xing Honglang had spotted the Heavenly Lord—a Puppet Heavenly Lord—also jostling in the crowd, swaying to the rhythm of the music just like Lao Nanfeng.
The Puppet Heavenly Lord's body displayed an alarming flexibility; with one twist, his entire form coiled into a bizarre serpentine shape, then reversed with another twist, undulating back and forth with incredible elasticity, seemingly brimming with joy...
Xing Honglang immediately broke into a cold sweat. "Heavenly Lord, you're here too?"
The Puppet Heavenly Lord giggled, "Isn't this lively gathering rather pleasant?"
Xing Honglang stammered, "Uh! But, doesn't the Heavenly Lord detest brothels? Lao Nanfeng spending money to hire girls from a brothel for something like this, it's truly... ahem..."
The Puppet Heavenly Lord chuckled, "Engaging in *those kinds* of activities in a brothel is absolutely forbidden, that must be prohibited. But if it's merely singing and dancing for everyone's enjoyment, well, that's perfectly wholesome entertainment, entirely healthy, and something we can vigorously promote! From now on, let these young women no longer ply *that* trade; let them sell their talents, not their bodies. Let them all come out to sing and dance, to start anew!"
Xing Honglang was speechless.
At that moment, the music on stage underwent a dramatic shift. Cailin began her next song, "Treading the Mountains and Rivers." The previously gentle melody abruptly transformed into a spirited, almost warlike anthem. Cailin dashed backstage, and when she reappeared, her attire had astonishingly changed: she now wore a female-style armor reminiscent of the legendary Mu Guiying. Wielding a decorative spear, she sang powerfully, "My spear strikes like a dragon, shaking heaven and earth, a single roar piercing the firmament..."
The moment the song began, Xing Honglang forgot all her reservations. Her head snapped toward the stage, her gaze fixed. "This song is incredible!"
Lao Nanfeng burst out laughing. "Hahahaha, powerful, right? Go on, give her a tip!"
Xing Honglang pulled out a tael of silver and tossed it onto the stage, then began singing along, "My long spear pierces the clouds, letting go of a lifetime of worries..."
The moment the woman opened her mouth, she was completely off-key.
Still, the entire audience erupted in thunderous applause!
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