Chapter 261 Rong Family Opera Troupe
Even though the Ma family was so rich, they had never thought of inviting a troupe to perform. At most, they would go to a teahouse to listen to some music.
In fact, Su Tai didn’t know how Shen Ying knew about the opera, but since Shen Ying had asked for help and the villagers were happy, she had to help.
"Sister Bai, our strawberry jam is selling well this year, and the village has more money. The village chief wants to reward the villagers and the elderly. You said that there has always been food and drink, but everyone has never heard of a play, so they definitely want to see one, right?"
Bai nodded, showing her understanding. "As for the opera troupe, I do know one in the county."
"Just one?" Su Tai was a little surprised.
Mrs. Bai looked amused, "It's good to have just one! Opera troupes take in helpless children. A play needs at least seven or eight to be complete. Before they can go on stage, the troupe owner has to spend money to support them and put in a lot of effort to cultivate them. He also has to make sure the children don't grow up with crooked looks. Just imagine how much effort goes into this!"
In addition, singing opera is a skill, which not everyone has. As far as I know, there are only two opera troupes in the capital, which specialize in singing opera for dignitaries. They only go to the opera house to perform occasionally when there is no work. "
"Sister, you know so much." Su Tai praised sincerely.
Bai smiled more brightly and said modestly, "It's not that I know more, but when my grandmother was still alive and celebrating her birthday, my father invited a troupe to perform at home for three days, and then I learned about it.
But having said that, it is indeed a little surprising that ordinary people would think of the opera troupe. I believe your village chief must have some knowledge. "
Su Tai pulled the corner of her mouth awkwardly and said, "Sister Bai, can you tell me the location of those troupes?"
Bai thought for a moment and said, "If you really want to invite them, you can ask my husband to tell you. It just so happens that my family's goods have to pass through the county town, but the cost of hiring a troupe is not low."
"Isn't it just one or two taels of silver?" Su Tai blurted out.
Bai was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "That's in the county town. If you invite people over, you have to pay for their travel expenses! With so many people, you can't come here without a few taels of silver."
Su Tai suddenly realized what was going on, and stood up to thank Bai. "Sister Bai, I have to go back and discuss this with the village chief. If the village chief is willing, I will give you a definite answer. Is that ok?"
Bai was very understanding and agreed.
As soon as Su Tai left, she told Ma Xingteng about the situation, "Shenjia Village is really not simple. Even the village chief knows to hire a troupe. How much money do you think they make!"
The Ma family was already the richest family in Moshi Town, but even so her stingy father-in-law had never thought of hiring a theatre troupe.
Ma Xingteng pondered and said, "We should have made quite a lot of money from the strawberry jam this year. At least it's more interesting than just selling strawberries. I understand why they invited a troupe. Do you think we should invite one too?"
Bai was a little tempted, but then shook her head and refused, "Forget it. There's a funeral at home, and my father-in-law is always unhappy. And your cheap stepmother is crazy. If we really invite a troupe, it's just for the two of us to watch. It's meaningless, and there might be gossip outside."
Ma Xingteng thought about it and realized that this was the truth, so he stopped thinking about it.
After Su Tai returned to the village, she went to Shen Ying's house as soon as possible and told him the situation. "Village chief, if we really invite you, I'm afraid we'll have to spend two or three more taels of silver. It's too expensive."
He came out of the house and after knowing the situation, she gritted her teeth and said, "Our family will pay for this."
"Ah?" Su Tai was shocked. "Auntie, this is inappropriate!"
He waved her hands. "It's nothing inappropriate. We've already said it. If we don't invite the troupe, the villagers will definitely be disappointed! There are several other villages. They all know that our village is going to invite a troupe. Many people are planning to come and watch the fun. If we don't invite them, then where will our face be!"
Su Tai thought about it and realized that it was true. "Okay, I'll go over and talk to him."
A few days later, an ox cart was seen swaying and bumping forward on the official road from the county seat to Moshi Town.
A couple in their forties was sitting on the ox cart, and they were followed by a group of tall boys and girls. I wouldn’t say they were very pretty, but they had really good figures.
Unfortunately, the beautiful girl and boy did not receive the couple's mercy. Not only were they dressed in rags, but they were also starving and had pale faces and thin muscles.
The two children beside the girl walked slowly and fell behind, so they were hit by the whip by the lady and screamed in pain.
The people around the child quickly stepped forward and pulled him back, stopping the woman from getting angry any further.
Qiu proudly waved the whip in her hand, without even looking at the figure behind the ox cart. She only said cheerfully to the man beside her, "I didn't expect there is such a wealthy village in Zhaohua County that knows how to hire a troupe! Boss, don't you think we haven't been out for too long? How many opportunities to make money have we missed!"
Rong Lao Si showed his big yellow teeth and smiled obscenely, "What are you afraid of! Take advantage of this opportunity to make more money. The villagers are ignorant. Can't we coax them to listen to the opera for a few more days? We can also take the opportunity to look for something. If we come across a good deal, we must not miss it."
"Yes, yes, yes. My eldest sister is waiting there! If there is really good stuff, she will definitely not lack our money." Qiu said happily.
She turned around and glared at the others, warning them fiercely, "Sing for me this time. If anyone dares to smash the sign of my Rong Family Opera Troupe, I will make him pay! Do you hear me?"
"I heard it!" The boys and girls responded with trembling, frightened voices.
Qiu snorted arrogantly and ignored them.
The child who had just been whipped pulled Chunqin's hand in fear and asked in a low voice, "Sister Chunqin, are those two bad guys going to do something bad again?"
Chunqin made a gesture to him in fear to keep quiet, "Don't talk nonsense, or you'll get beaten by Auntie again."
Little Twelve was not convinced, but he really didn't dare to continue speaking. It was so painful when the whip hit his body. Even though he had been beaten countless times, he was still afraid.
It took the group a day to reach Moshi Town.
Su Tai had already booked a room for them.
After the group checked in, Rong Laosi and Mrs. Qiu couldn't wait to wander around the town.
After looking around, the two came back with downcast faces.
Chunxiang went over to serve them, pouring them water with great care, and asking about their well-being, "The Fourth Master and the Madam went out for a walk, but did they find anything?"
Qiu spat in anger, "I thought Moshi Town had become prosperous, but it's still as poor as before. More than half of the town's industries belong to the Ma family, and the Ma family doesn't invite us to perform, so we can't make any money at all! It's not market time now, and there's not even a single person around. It's unlucky!"
"Forget it, take a rest quickly and go to Shenjiazhuang tomorrow." Rong Laosi said in a bad tone, and it was obvious that he had no expectations for Shenjiazhuang.
The next morning, the group left the inn and headed straight for Shenjiazhuang.
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