Chapter 540 Spring Festival Gala (Part 1)
After Liu Ju's words, "As long as the ideology endures, the Han Dynasty will never perish," spread, preparations for the Spring Festival Gala began in earnest.
It was initially thought that not many people would be willing to perform on stage. But upon learning that this might be the last historical record of the Han Dynasty, everyone wanted to appear in this "swan song".
Not only did they not show any disdain, but in order to secure a performance spot and more performance time, the various academies held one competition after another in advance, both among themselves and among students and teachers within the academies.
In short, the capable rise, and the mediocre fall.
Those who appear on the Spring Festival Gala must be the best, the ones who best showcase the grandeur of the Han Dynasty!
Meanwhile, in order to allow all the people of the Han Dynasty to participate in this grand event, the imperial court sprang into action, setting up branch venues in various places and using the projection technology first researched by the Mohists to connect real-time images. Various places in the Han Dynasty also had to prepare programs to present as gifts.
It's said to be for relaxation, but in reality, everyone has more to do and is busier than before.
But Liu Che made a strange discovery: not only had the efficiency of doing things improved, but everyone's morale had also improved. He gradually began to feel the necessity and appeal of a grand event for the Han Dynasty.
“Ju’er…”
Jing Tianming had somehow slipped behind Liu Ju and was giving him a back massage in a flattering manner.
Liu Ju tilted his head slightly and glanced at him sideways, "Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of ulterior motives or theft."
"How could you say that?" Jing Tianming feigned grievance. "Have you forgotten? We're like bosom friends, like Bo Ya and Zi Qi!"
"Oh?" Liu Ju suddenly grabbed his wrist, a half-smile on his face. "What if I wanted to play 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' for my confidant?"
Jing Tianming froze for a moment, then stammered, "This...this won't be necessary, don't trouble yourself."
"It's no trouble at all. How can playing for a close friend be considered troublesome?"
Liu Ju was deliberately teasing him. If he was indeed bursting with confidence when he was young and didn't understand his true playing level, then now he was acting entirely, enjoying seeing people unable to stand it but too embarrassed to refuse.
"Really, you don't need to!"
Jing Tianming quickly circled around to his side, grabbed Liu Ju's arms with both hands, afraid that he would use the zither to torture his ears, and quickly stated his purpose: "I just wanted to ask if you have any suggestions for performing? I really want to be on the Spring Festival Gala!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Ju slowly straightened his sleeves. "Want to be on the Spring Festival Gala?"
Jing Tianming nodded, his eyes sparkling.
Liu Ju scrutinized him closely, making Jing Tianming's heart pound. "W-how is it?"
"Do you want to go alone or with someone?"
"Anything is fine, anything is fine, I'm not picky!" Jing Tianming grinned. "As long as I can play, it's fine."
"I see..." Liu Ju looked at Jing Tianming thoughtfully, then smiled slightly as if he had thought of something. "Alright, let me think about it. Once I've made up my mind, I'll tell you. I guarantee you'll be on the Spring Festival Gala!"
"Really?" Jing Tianming jumped up happily. "Good brother!"
He excitedly patted Liu Ju on the shoulder, then suddenly gritted his teeth and said, "You wanted to play the zither, didn't you? I'm listening!"
Seeing Jing Tianming's expression of making a great sacrifice, Liu Ju snorted, "You want me to play just because you want to hear me? Maybe next time."
Jing Tianming couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief, his smile widening even more: "Next time, next time..."
...
The bronze chimes resounded loudly, and thirty-six dragon-patterned palace lanterns lit up simultaneously, illuminating the central nine-zhang-high platform.
Seventy-two Confucian scholars, dressed in black robes and holding bamboo slips, recited "The Great Way prevails" in unison, their voices like a tidal wave sweeping across the entire venue.
The Mo family's mechanical kite carried dozens of disciples across the dome, scattering countless paper kites, each of which transformed into the glowing characters for "universal love";
The twelve priests of the Yin-Yang School formed the Yin-Yang Array. Where the Moon Goddess's fingertips swept across, a bronze Bagua diagram suddenly bloomed on the ground, and golden and red flames shot into the sky.
The Taoist master Xiaoyaozi and Xiaomeng combined their swords, their sword energy stirring up the wind and clouds, and gathering the starlight in the sky into a Tai Chi pattern.
The Legalist Li Si wielded his brush, and a three-zhang-long scroll bearing the inscription "When those who uphold the law are strong, the nation is strong" was unfurled in mid-air. The ink transformed into a golden hammer phantom, which crashed down onto the drumhead.
The farmers used the Twenty-Four Formations of Earthly Marsh to plow the ground, and golden waves of wheat instantly surged from the black soil.
Military strategist Meng Tian waved his command flag, and a hundred soldiers formed a goose-shaped formation. Sparks from the clash of spears and halberds formed the character "spring" in the air.
The physician Bian Que sprinkled five-colored medicinal powder into the cauldron, and the rising smoke transformed into a totem of healing the sick and saving lives.
The famous scholar Hui Shi and Gongsun Long were engaged in a heated debate, and their words, like pearls, condensed into tangible golden sentences that floated in the air.
The swords of the strategists Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang clashed, their sword energy cleaving through the night...
After a hundred performances, everyone stood on the stage in an orderly fashion, their heights varying, and sang in unison, the rousing song opening the Spring Festival Gala.
The gilded cloud-patterned pillars reflected the bright light. After the opening show, Huo Qubing, dressed in a magnificent and powerful outfit, strode onto the main stage, the silver dragon-patterned sword tassel at his waist swaying gently with his steps.
The young genius, having shed his childishness, stands tall and straight like the Qilian Mountains. His talent in command is unmatched, not only in military affairs but also in public speaking.
Therefore, he successfully took on the role of host of the Spring Festival Gala.
Still within the Jixia Academy, the expanded and upgraded venue can accommodate nearly a thousand people. Among those present were important officials of the Han Dynasty, outstanding representatives from various academies, and lucky individuals randomly selected from various regions.
However, most of the people from Dahan were scattered across various regions, watching the Spring Festival Gala stage through projection screens in their respective branch venues.
"A hundred schools of thought contend to celebrate the New Year! Thank you to the representatives of the hundred academies for the wonderful opening performance! Farewell to the old year, welcome the new..."
Huo Qubing spoke eloquently on stage, and as he spoke, the large screen above the stage gradually lit up with a festive light, displaying the eye-catching gold-embossed seal script characters "Grand Gathering of the Han Dynasty, Spring Festival for All Families".
Upon seeing this, the branch venues across the Han Dynasty were filled with excitement and erupted in enthusiastic cheers and applause once again.
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