Chapter 541 Spring Festival Gala (Part 2)
"A thousand years of ritual and music return to Donglu, and for ten thousand ages, the sages pay homage to the Uncrowned King. Confucianism, rooted in 'benevolence' and imbued with 'rites,' tonight, on this highly anticipated Spring Festival Gala stage, please join us in enjoying 'The Splendor of Rites,' a collaborative performance by Confucian scholars—"
After Huo Qubing finished his introduction, the stage went dark. Soon, with the clear and melodious sound of the chime bells, thirty-six jade palace lanterns were lit one after another, bathing the stage in a warm amber color.
Fu Nian stroked his beard and stood atop the high platform. Behind him, Confucian scholars such as Yan Lu and Zhang Liang, all dressed in dark robes, held bamboo slips and recited in unison: "The way of the Great Learning lies in manifesting one's bright virtue—"
The sound waves rose in layers, like the resounding tolling of a great bell, causing the copper bells on the eaves to tinkle.
As the final melody of "Striving for Perfection" faded, thirty-six disciples selected from the Confucian Academy filed out to the tune of the ancient melody "Deer Cry".
Their long swords, covered with plain silk, moved in perfect unison, drawing their swords from their sheaths simultaneously.
Amidst the flashing sword light, the group used their swords as brushes to outline the illusory seal characters for "benevolence," "righteousness," "propriety," "wisdom," and "trustworthiness" in the air.
Every sword move subtly embodies the rhythm of the Book of Rites. The slashing, thrusting, parrying, and flicking are all like the yielding of a gentleman, combining strength and gentleness. The candle flame flickering on the tip of the sword rises and falls, yet never goes out, just like the Confucian belief of passing on the torch.
Accompanied by chanting, Zhang Liang and Yan Lu leaped down from the high platform and stood in front of the many disciples. The two exchanged a tacit look and drew their swords from their waists.
Zhang Liang moved with graceful movements, his sword flowing like a dragon. Wherever his sword swept, the words on the bamboo slips turned into golden light that wrapped around the sword. Yan Lu's sword style was steady and calm. With a move called "The Doctrine of the Mean and Upholding Righteousness", he condensed twelve sword energies into a perfect circle of light, just like a gentleman who is prudent and impartial.
As the chanting of "Restraining oneself and returning to propriety is benevolence" reached its climax, all the sword lights in the arena suddenly merged into one, condensing in the air into a jade sword with a dazzling light, the four characters "The Way of the Great Dao" shining brightly on the hilt.
The audience erupted in applause and cheers.
Gongsun Hong smiled and leaned closer to Dong Zhongshu, asking, "Why didn't Zhongshu go on stage?"
Dong Zhongshu glanced at him lightly: "I'm getting old, it's time to make way for the younger generation."
“Hey,” Gongsun Hong said seriously, “At the age of sixty, you should be striving hard. Zhongshu, how are you old?”
Dong Zhongshu was speechless. "Well, I think that being in one's eighties is still considered youthful in today's Han Dynasty. And since the court is busy with affairs lately, Brother Gongsun, why don't you..."
"Cough cough..." Gongsun Hong pretended to cough, "I can't take it anymore, I can't take it anymore. I've been retired for so many years, I'm too old to do it anymore."
The 90-year-old Gongsun Hong, who practiced Confucian arts, was sharp-witted and had a ruddy complexion, looking like a robust young man. This statement was not convincing at all.
But Dong Zhongshu was only teasing him and didn't continue. After all, this guy was capable of doing something as absurd as dyeing his hair white in order to retire.
It's heartbreaking to think about. They both practiced Confucian arts and magic, and he was 20 years younger than Gongsun Hong, yet he looks much older now.
The main problem was that Gongsun Hong ran away so suddenly that it was difficult for him to retreat!
In the past, people in their sixties were pampered and allowed to enjoy their retirement. But when it came to him, he worked for three days and three nights without rest. Sometimes he even hated that he was too talented in Confucianism!
He won't really study until he dies, will he?
On such a pleasant day, the thought of this made Dong Zhongshu feel uneasy.
Gongsun Hong, who was standing next to him, noticed the change in his expression and couldn't help but nudge him, "Are you alright?"
Dong Zhongshu gave him a sour look: "Brother Gongsun, you're quick to run. Now His Majesty is keeping a close eye on you and is unwilling to release you." As he spoke, he leaned close to Gongsun Hong's ear and whispered his suspicions.
Gongsun Hong couldn't help but chuckle. Meeting Dong Zhongshu's reproachful gaze, he gently patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Look on the bright side. The Han Dynasty might be gone soon, so you won't have to work for so long."
"..." Dong Zhongshu choked, speechless. What kind of hellish digestion was this? "Brother Gongsun, you don't teach like this at the academy, do you?"
"It's not that bad," Gongsun Honghao waved his hand dismissively. "I'm just telling them that everyone dies eventually, whether they die sooner or later!"
"You must have a good relationship with His Highness the Crown Prince."
"You guessed right!"
Seeing Gongsun Hong's surprised look, Dong Zhongshu remained silent. "After retiring, you've lived like a prince. Who wouldn't have guessed it?"
...
"As the mechanisms turn, the ink flows. Let us step into the fantastical world of the Mohists and experience the charm of mechanical arts and the chivalrous spirit of the Mohists!"
"Please enjoy the Mohist mechanical arts performance, 'The Marvelous Charm of Mechanisms'—"
The stage curtains slowly opened, and the cool moonlight poured down.
Gao Jianli gently plucked the strings, and a deep, melodious tune flowed out like a babbling brook. The Snow Maiden, dressed in a white gauze dress, danced gracefully to the rhythm. As her wide sleeves fluttered, her ethereal voice echoed throughout the entire venue.
In the center of the stage, an adorable mechanical beast moved with clumsy steps, shaking its head and dancing to the beat. Its round body and silly expression made the audience below laugh and chuckle.
Suddenly, the music changed, becoming intense and chilling, and the Snow Maiden's dance became even more fierce.
In this tense rhythm, the previously dull-looking mechanical beasts suddenly roared, their metal parts rubbing against each other with a clanging sound, as they rapidly disassembled and reassembled. In the blink of an eye, their cute appearance vanished, replaced by towering, imposing weapons of mass destruction.
The cold metallic luster and the menacing sharpness of the blades seemed ready to cut through any obstacle on the battlefield, leaving everyone in awe and instantly pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
As the melody slowed down again, the mechanical beasts marched in unison on both sides of the stage, the clicking of metal gears meshing perfectly matching the rhythm.
Suddenly, the central platform rose up with a roar, and the disciples of the Mohist Academy, led by Dao Zhi, filed out and climbed up the crisscrossing network of ropes and mechanisms in the blink of an eye.
They moved with the agility of monkeys, flipping and leaping on the rope net three zhang above the ground. The Mo family rope darts in their hands accurately hooked the copper rings falling from the air. Each leap drew gasps of amazement from the audience.
The mechanical beasts on both sides of the stage also started at the same time. The mechanical kites spread their wings and projected a sky full of phantom images, adding a mysterious atmosphere to the performance; the mechanical crossbows slowly rotated, and the arrows they shot out turned into kites in mid-air.
Suddenly, dozens of mechanical pillars rose from the ground, and the Mohist disciples stepped on the pillars, which were constantly changing in height, to complete a series of difficult human pyramid movements.
Amidst the ever-changing light and shadow created by the mechanical arts, the acrobatic performances of the Mohist disciples flowed smoothly and captivated the audience. It was as if everyone was in a fantastical world of mechanisms, with exclamations of amazement and cheers lasting for a long time.
Hearing the praise around him, Liu Che's lips curled up, and he clapped his hands lightly. While clapping, he curiously leaned closer to Liu Ju beside him and asked in a low voice, "I remember Jing Tianming had been pestering you for a long time, wanting to go on stage, right? What role did you assign him?"
Liu Ju stared at the performance on stage without turning his head and casually said, "Oh, he's not in the Mo family's performance."
"Not in the Mohist school..." Liu Che paused for a moment. The leader of the Mohist school was not present in the Mohist school's performance. Was that correct?
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