After the college entrance examination, Xu Yan fell into endless emptiness.
The provincial examination would not be held until two years later, and there were no other important examinations during this period.
Although he still had to practice every day to maintain his touch, the intensity was reduced a lot.
Now that he had some free time, Xu Yan naturally had to find something to do.
In view of the great success of Journey to the West: The Evils, Xu Yan decided to publish another popular book.
This time he extended his "claws" to "The Peony Pavilion".
Yes, it is "The Peony Pavilion", one of the four famous operas.
As for Tang Xianzu, Brother Tang, I'm sorry, it's your fault that you were born three years later.
The reason why Xu Yan wanted to write "The Peony Pavilion" was because he wanted to promote Ming Dynasty opera.
After the mid-Ming Dynasty, four major vocal styles became popular in southern opera.
It is divided into Haiyan Opera, Yuyao Opera, Yiyang Opera and Kunshan Opera.
Among them, Kunshan Opera is the most popular.
However, at first, Kunshan Opera was not as graceful and moving as it later became. It was not until Wei Liangfu improved it, reorganizing the palace tune, accompaniment, rhyme, and the use of level and oblique tones that he created a fresh and elegant vocal style, which was then called "Shuimo Diao", or the New Kunshan Opera.
The emergence of Shuimoqiang marked the prosperity of Kunqu Opera.
In fact, there are many shadows of Haiyan Opera in "The Peony Pavilion", but after the integration of various parts, it is more appropriate to call it Shuimo Opera or New Kunshan Opera.
If the historical development of Shuimoqiang is to be fully developed, it will take at least several decades. Xu Yan wrote "The Peony Pavilion" in advance to promote this process.
It seems that after writing The Peony Pavilion, I can talk to Xu Wei about it. After all, Xu Wei is also a master of opera.
As for his future brother-in-law Hong Yu, he is also an expert in this field.
Xu Yan felt that he suddenly had a lot more "comrades-in-arms".
"What can be done about the beautiful scenery? Who can enjoy the pleasure? I am like a beautiful woman, like a flower, and time is like flowing water."
Xu Yan couldn't help but hum, feeling very comfortable.
Just do it!
Xu Yan sat at the desk, spreading out paper and grinding it, brewing his emotions.
"Leaving people behind in busy places, living in idle places. Thinking of a hundred things, but finding no place to be happy. Spending the day with heartbroken words, the only thing in the world that is hard to express is love. Morning and evening pass before the Jade Tea Hall. Red candles welcome people, handsome with the support of the country. But don't let down my love, the three lives of the Peony Pavilion."
It has to be said that Tang Xianzu was indeed very talented, and many of his poems would be masterpieces even in the Song Dynasty.
Xu Yan was wondering if it would be a pity to use it like this.
However, after comprehensive consideration, Xu Yan decided to ensure the integrity of "The Peony Pavilion".
If these masterpieces were missing, would "The Peony Pavilion" still be "The Peony Pavilion"?
But it is: Du Bao Huangtang, gave birth to Miss Li Niang, who loved to walk in the spring sunshine. A dream of a scholar breaking willow branches, heartbroken by love. A photo was taken to commemorate the burial of plum blossoms in the desolate Taoist temple. Three years later, I dreamed of plum blossoms and willows, and went to Gaotang. If I were resurrected, I would marry him and go to Lin'an to take the imperial examination. Bandits rose in Huaiyang. Just as Du Gong was being besieged, Miss Li Niang was terrified. She sent Liu Lang to investigate, but he was met with suspicion, angering Pingzhang. A romantic situation, while carrying out the difficult task, was reported as the top scholar...
Xu Yan wrote a short paragraph and then stopped.
The Peony Pavilion was first published in the 45th year of the Wanli reign. Now it is the 26th year of the Jiajing reign.
A full seventy years passed between them.
The Jiajing period can only be regarded as the middle Ming Dynasty, but the end of the Wanli period is the late Ming Dynasty.
The degree of ideological liberation varies in different eras.
Although the people of Jiangnan had become more liberated in their thinking during the Jiajing period, they still could not accept some aspects of The Peony Pavilion.
Therefore, Xu Yan decided to make some slight modifications to it to adapt to the actual situation of the Jiajing Dynasty.
Unlike "Journey to the West", "The Peony Pavilion" is a legendary drama, and it would be a waste if it were only published as a book.
Xu Yan felt it necessary to discuss cooperation with the Hangzhou opera troupe.
As long as it is arranged properly, "The Peony Pavilion" will surely become a hit.
As for "Journey to the West", Xu Yan also wants to develop it a second time. If he tells the story in the wine shops and tea houses in Hangzhou, it will be of great benefit to spread its popularity.
Of course, all of this has to be done by Xu Wei.
After all, Xu Yan doesn't plan to go to Hangzhou again in the short term.
Just as he was thinking about it, the little servant Shuangxi walked in and said with a smile, "Master, guess who's here."
Xu Yan shook his head and said, "How can I guess if you don't tell me anything?"
"It's Yang Pengju, the second son of the Yang family. He's back from studying in Jiangxi."
Xu Yan's face was full of confusion.
He seemed to have some impression of Yang Pengju, but was he very familiar with him?
Seeing Xu Yan's bewildered look, Shuangxi asked in fear, "Is the young master's brain disease acting up again?"
Xu Yan feigned anger and said, "If you continue to behave disrespectfully, I'll send you to the kitchen to chop firewood."
This scared the little boy.
Shuangxi huddled up in a ball and said timidly, "Master, I don't dare anymore."
Xu Yanzhi was helpless. It seemed that he had spoiled him.
"Is this Young Master Yang close to me?"
Xu Yan asked.
"Master, do you really not remember? The Xu and Yang families are old friends. Second Young Master Yang and Master are close friends. When we were studying in Suzhou, Second Young Master Yang and Master lived and ate together."
Xu Yan seemed to recall something.
But overall his memory was somewhat fragmentary, so it couldn't be connected.
However, judging from the description of the little servant, Yang Pengju and him should have had a good relationship.
But isn’t it too exaggerated to eat and live together?
"Where is Young Master Yang now?"
"I'm waiting in the flower hall."
Xu Yan nodded. Since the person was here, he should go and meet him.
Xu Yan changed into a Confucian robe, tied a net scarf around his neck and went to the flower hall.
In fact, this outfit is quite formal, especially the net scarf, which is usually only used by men after they wear a crown.
However, during the Jiajing period, young men generally wore a net scarf to show their maturity.
This is a trend.
Xu Yan didn't have much impression of Yang Pengju, and thought it would be better to dress more formally.
But as soon as Xu Yan arrived at the flower hall, he saw through the gap in the screen a short, fat little man sitting on an armchair, stuffing dried fruits into his mouth.
This guy has a round face. Because he is too fat, his facial features seem to be embedded in his face, and even his neck cannot be seen. It looks very strange at first glance.
Xu Yan couldn't help but gasp.
After comparing it with the remaining image in his memory, Xu Yan was sure that this guy was Yang Pengju.
Xu Yan swallowed hard and mustered up the courage to take a step forward.
"Brother Pengju, long time no see!"
Xu Yan pretended to be very familiar and walked towards Yang Pengju with a smile on his face.
Yang Pengju turned his head and saw that it was Xu Yan, so he stood up excitedly and rushed over.
Poor Xu Yan was knocked down by Yang Pengju before he could react. He was a fat man weighing nearly 200 pounds. Xu Yan was so fat that he wanted to cry but had no tears.
After finally struggling to stand up, Xu Yan didn't have time to complain when he heard Xu Pengju exclaim, "Brother, why have you changed?"
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