Chapter 108: While you were preparing for the show, I was fighting before and after the war…
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Having organized numerous galas from Yunhe to Jinzhou, Qian Shiwen, despite never having personally organized one before, quickly got the hang of it once he started preparing.
"Stage setup, event order, and medical arrangements can all be put aside for later; let's talk about the program first."
A TV program?
Everyone expressed their opinions:
"Singing and dancing are a must. We can choreograph pure songs, pure dances, or a combination of singing and dancing."
"If you put it that way, you can simply perform an instrument, or you can sing while playing the pipa."
"Sword dance! Sword dance! Sword dance! Find someone to play the zither in the back, and a few people in the front will perform sword dances!"
"There must be opera performance!"
"I suggest we find someone to perform magic tricks, and while we're at it, we can also educate people and remind them not to be fooled by some tricks!"
"Street performance? Then I suggest acrobatics."
"A dozen or so people can also perform boxing. I've seen my husband doing quite impressive military boxing lately."
"Let's get the kids together for a big chorus."
"I think skits are a good option."
Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at the person who made the suggestion.
What is a skit?
The person who made the suggestion paused for a moment, then, in a hoarse voice, recited: "A rooster lays eggs, an egg-laying rooster, the fighter jet among roosters, oh yeah!" [Note]
Under the astonished gazes of her colleagues, she slightly raised her chin and said, "This is a skit!"
The colleagues were stunned.
Where did you learn that?
Is this a specialty of your hometown?
"Sketch... what is this? We still don't understand."
"That sounds quite interesting. How can a rooster lay eggs? Is this a topsy-turvy song?"
The person who made the suggestion explained, "I read it in a book from later generations; a skit is a vernacular version of opera."
She gave a brief introduction.
A colleague was intrigued, saying, "That's great! Since it's so popular in later generations, our people will surely like it too."
"Should we put together a script and let everyone take a look?"
Qian Shiwen was very straightforward: "Each person submits a proposal, and we'll determine the programs based on your proposals. Then we'll select the performers, present your programs, and then screen them based on the presentation."
Everyone nodded in unison.
They were already used to writing short essays to fully describe their thoughts and let others know what they specifically wanted to do.
After the meeting, Rong Qi caught up with Qian Shiwen and said, "Minister, I want to talk to you about something!"
Qian Shiwen asked, "What is it?"
Yung Hei said, "About museums and art galleries."
Qian Shiwen stopped in his tracks, looking at Rong Xi in surprise, "How could you suddenly..."
Rong Xi secretly clenched her fist. "Because many paintings, calligraphy works, and musical scores cannot be passed down to future generations, I thought that we should organize the works that are still alive today, make backups, and let them be passed down as much as possible."
Qian Shiwen thought for a moment, then smiled, "Your suggestion is very meaningful."
Rong Qi felt nervous, sensing that Minister Qian's next words were, "Go and write a proposal."
But Qian Shiwen didn't say that. He only said, "Let's talk about it later. I'm too busy now. Let's put this on the agenda when I'm less busy. You can collect some information and persuade everyone then."
Rong Xi's eyes lit up: "Great!"
Military camp.
Xiang Yuesheng was both amused and exasperated. "Finding several thousand people who are all the same height, weight and build is still too difficult for us. Let's relax our requirements a bit."
Zhu Youchuan agreed, rubbing his temples. "We don't have as many soldiers as people in later generations." They still screened candidates based on their education and height.
Xiang Yuesheng held up a finger and wagged it. "We can put people of similar height in one line, as long as they look about the same." After all, we don't have that many people. "The main thing is that when everyone is moving, swinging their arms, and kicking, they should all look like a straight line whether viewed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally!"
The captains, who were overwhelmed by the choices these past few days, agreed.
Vanguard Battalion: "I'm very reluctant to admit it, but our battalion can't find that many soldiers who are all the same height, weight and build."
Infantry Battalion: "It's all about morale, morale!"
Cavalry Battalion: "The horses and bows displayed by our cavalry battalion, isn't it enough if the horses are about the same height?"
Firearms Battalion: "That's right, we mainly showcase firearms so that the people can see our firearms. People are not important."
Hu Dazhu nodded helplessly, "Alright, at least there aren't many centurions who are roughly the same height, weight and build, so let's relax our requirements a bit."
Zhu Youchuan said, "The most impressive part of mastering the marching drill is the goose-stepping!"
Mo Jingchun laughed and said, "I think the biggest highlights are the siege engines, chariots, and firearms."
Infantry battalion commander: "Hey, at least show some respect for us men."
Mo Jingchun quickly said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Ning Huai'an said, "Then let's choose new people. Shall we go now?"
Xiang Yuesheng said confidently, "Go now, finalize the roster as soon as possible, and start training as soon as possible."
So the veterans and new recruits who were training were all called together, and everyone stood in neat rows.
Ning Huai'an was slightly dissatisfied, but he quickly adjusted his mood: it's impossible to train to be like the soldiers of later generations all at once, take it slowly.
The "leaders" stepped down from the stage, walked among the ranks, and selected soldiers they deemed suitable.
"You, step forward."
"You, you, you, step forward."
"You, step forward."
The soldier whose name was called took a step to the side, feeling both nervous and excited.
Hu Dazhu and Ning Huai'an returned to the platform, and Hu Dazhu announced loudly, "All those who were just called out of the line, please stay. Starting today, you will participate in the training for the New Year's Eve military parade."
Ning Huai'an said, "You represent the face of Jinzhou. You must perform well in front of the goddess and the people. If anyone disgraces me, I will not be lenient."
Everyone: "..."
Ning Huai'an: "Did you understand?"
While the soldiers in Jinzhou were preparing for the New Year's Eve military parade and the war of the coming year, and as the battle between Lu Wei, Lu Hong, and Sun Yannan was nearing its end, the Song family, father and daughter, on the northern border had already repelled the invasion of foreign tribes for the fourth time.
Damn it, the reason why the imperial court and the feudal lords have been able to fight each other back and forth and remain evenly matched all these years is because the soldiers and civilians of the border cities have been holding them off and resisting the foreign invaders. Otherwise, if the foreign army marched south, would they have had the time to fight a civil war?
At the celebration party, Song Zhiyun took a sip of the sorghum liquor that had just been delivered from Jinzhou. The mellow and refreshing liquor made her squint her eyes with pleasure as it went down her throat: Delicious!
She didn't know how Jinzhou's wine was brewed, but it tasted better than any wine she had ever drunk before.
She held the wine glass in one hand, watching her father laugh and drink, watching her uncles running around with wine jugs, toasting with the soldiers, watching the female soldier dancing drunk after drinking half a bottle of corn liquor, watching the soldiers, drunk, start practicing drunken boxing...
The young woman tilted her head back and drank another glass with gusto.
The imperial court needs them to guard the border, yet they cut off their food supplies!
The officials in the nearby prefectures and counties were also brainless. They weren't afraid that the border city would be lost due to lack of food and supplies, and that they themselves would become victims of foreign invaders. Instead, they were single-mindedly trying to make things difficult for the father and daughter.
No wonder people say they're not afraid of bad people, but they are afraid of stupid people.
It was also a miracle that the soldiers and civilians of the border town were destined to die, as the goddess from Jinzhou was sent down from the heavens.
With monthly aid from Jinzhou in the form of food, clothing, medicine, and weapons, the soldiers and civilians on the border were able to survive and repeatedly repel invasions by foreign tribes.
I must thank her in person someday!
Song Zhiyun's eyes glistened with tears as she smiled at the female general walking towards her, raising her empty wine glass.
The female general shook the wine pot in her hand; it was still half full. She poured Song Zhiyun a full cup.
The bright moon in the sky was reflected in the crystal-clear wine. Song Zhiyun touched the female general's wine pot with her wine cup, and the two smiled at each other.
The woman gulped down half of it, then let out a long sigh: "Awesome!"
Song Zhiyun laughed and said, "Don't drink too much, or the enemy might attack in the middle of the night, and you won't be able to lift a knife."
The woman raised an eyebrow smugly, "Don't worry, don't worry, I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, hiccup~"
Song Zhiyun raised her eyebrows. "This wine is much stronger than the wines you usually drink."
"It's really strong." The female general hiccuped and took the wine pot to offer Song Gui a toast.
Song Zhiyun shook her head helplessly and got up to find the soldier on night duty.
"General Song, please rest assured!" Captain Zhu, who was on night watch, patted his chest and assured him, "I will keep a close watch and will not let the enemy launch a sneak attack on us!"
Song Zhiyun nodded in satisfaction, "I trust you to do things right."
Captain Zhu suddenly remembered something, "Are the doctors in Jinzhou really able to cure smallpox?"
The Jinzhou Propaganda Department did a good job; the newspaper was sold to the border town, and many people saw it.
But everyone was very skeptical: that was smallpox!
Song Zhiyun smiled and affirmed, "Song Li said that next time she comes, she will bring a doctor to give us smallpox vaccinations."
Lieutenant Zhu: "...What is smallpox vaccination?"
This stumped Song Zhiyun, as Song Li hadn't mentioned it in his letter. She said, "We'll know when Song Li brings the doctors. We can ask them to tell us how they saved the people of Liangzhou."
Captain Zhu nodded repeatedly; he enjoyed listening to stories.
The victory celebration banquet in the military camp lasted until 9 PM.
It was almost midnight when everyone happily went back to sleep.
But not long after they lay down, the enemy invaded, and the loud bugle call woke them from their dreams. Before the soldiers were fully awake, they jumped out of bed, put on their armor, grabbed their weapons, and rushed to assemble!
The wind at 1 AM blew on my face, taking away the last trace of sleepiness.
The soldiers were full of fighting spirit.
"Damn it, they're keeping people awake at night! I'm going to teach those bastards a lesson!"
"Kill them!"
"We'll beat those bastards to a pulp!"
...
Song Gui raised his spear high, "Gentlemen, follow me to meet the enemy!"
The soldiers responded in unison.
When Song Li arrived at the border city with his men, many soldiers, except for those guarding the city, were still catching up on sleep.
She understood immediately; they had just finished a war.
“Then let’s go for a stroll in the city. The doctors have never been to this border town before and would like to see the local customs and culture,” Song Li said to the centurion who was receiving them.
The centurion nodded. "Alright, go and take a look." He said proudly, "Our woolen textiles are very well made, no worse than those from Jinzhou."
Song Li laughed, "Then we should go and take a look."
The greatest virtue of the people in the border town is their optimism.
The young doctors' biggest takeaway was after strolling through the city market.
Song Li's gentle smile revealed a hint of helplessness. "I can't be objective, can I? The enemy is so close. Whether I'm anxious or optimistic, it's still just another day. I might as well make the most of it."
That's true.
A female doctor stood in front of the stall, picked up a ball of yarn, which felt very soft to the touch, and asked, "Vice Minister Song, is this our technology?"
“Yes,” Song Li explained, “the processes from wool to yarn are enough to open a factory, so…” She blinked.
This process was handed over to the people of the border town.
They directly purchased yarn from the border town at low prices in Jinzhou for the employees of the knitting workshop and sweater factory, saving a lot of manpower and resources.
The female doctor gave a thumbs up, "As expected of you, Vice Minister Song."
Many stall owners and ordinary people along the street greeted Song Li.
We've been running a bit short of salt lately.
"The canned fruit you brought last time was delicious, did you bring any this time?"
"We would like to ask you to bring more books over. The children at our academy really like the batch of books you brought before."
"Try my sesame seed cakes!"
"How is this purse I embroidered? It's based on the pattern you gave me before."
The young doctors were astonished. "Vice Minister Song, you're so popular in this border town!"
Song Li said modestly, "It's all thanks to the goddess."
She said, "If you stay here for a while, they will like you too." (Free medical care, though.)
The young doctors didn't see it that way. One doctor shrugged and said, "Prevention is less popular than emergency care; that's just our fate."
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Author's Note: 1. [Note] Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan's skit "Planning"
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