Oh! This father-in-law and son-in-law really have a story!
Zhang Fei couldn't help but look at Sima Guang beside him with a gossipy look on his face, but before he could open his mouth, Sima Guang glared back at him.
"Go and do your thing."
"Yes, then I'll excuse myself first."
Zhang Fei bowed slightly, turned around and left with a hint of curiosity.
He looked around for a while, and suddenly saw Fan Zheng busy at work, and immediately walked over, "Master Fan."
"Third brother is here."
Fan Zheng bowed and breathed slightly.
Zhang Fei looked at him sweating profusely and asked, "How come you are the eldest son of Baifan Tower, so busy? Where is your usual calmness?"
Fan Zheng smiled bitterly and said, "Third brother, didn't you see who these people are? They are either the prime minister of the current dynasty, or the prime minister who has retired, or the prime minister's son. I have to keep a close eye on them, don't let anything happen."
...
...
The voice was trembling. Although Baifan Tower was the best building in Bianjing, this was the first time he had seen such a scene. A poor prime minister like Sima Guang rarely came here.
Zhang Fei tilted his head to take a closer look, and it was indeed true. Even Wang Anshi had come, and was standing with Han Jiang and several other scholars from the Hanlin Academy. He could not help but say, "I didn't expect Lord Yan to have such a high reputation."
Fan Zheng said: "I have heard of this. When Lord Yan was in office, he promoted many people. Lord Fan, Lord Fu, Lord Wen, Scholar Wang, and Scholar Sima have all received his favor."
indeed!
It can be said that Yan Shu promoted three generations of prime ministers for the Song Dynasty.
When it comes to recognizing talent with a keen eye, Yan Shu has never been better than anyone else.
But in fact, this is only a minor reason. The main reason lies with Zhang Fei himself. The previous exemption tax made the scholars and officials live a very depressed life. Now that the storm has passed, everyone wants to relax. They happened to encounter this incident and came here to have fun, so there is today's grand occasion.
This is really fate, and there is something arranged for it.
Zhang Fei couldn't help but say: "Since you know, you should have made adequate preparations. Why are you still so hectic?"
"This is one thing at a time."
Fan Zheng said depressedly: "Yan Gong's poetry collection was available in every bookstore before. It was not a rare thing. How could it alarm these prime ministers and scholars? I thought it would at most attract those young masters to come and see it, but I didn't know. Alas. This time it is really a mistake."
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "Don't be too nervous. I often deal with prime ministers like them. The higher the position, the less they care about these trivial matters."
Fan Zheng has always been cautious, but not as careless as Zhang Fei. "You'd better be more careful!"
When Zhang Fei saw him talking, he couldn't help glancing around and asked, "By the way! Are Yanei and the others here?"
Fan Zheng said: "I have been here for a long time, and I am preparing with Brother Xiaochun and the others in the back."
Zhang Fei wondered, "Is Yanei so concerned?"
Fan Zheng smiled and whispered, "Yanei just wants others to know that he also has a part in today's opera performance."
"I see!"
Zhang Fei suddenly realized, "This is like his style. Fine, I'll go backstage and take a look. I won't disturb you anymore."
Fan Zheng nodded.
He was just about to go backstage to find Cao Dongdong for a drink and chat, but halfway through, he was called over by Wang Anshi and others. At this time, Wang Anshi was standing with Sima Guang, Lu Gong and other ministers.
"I, Zhang San, greet the Grand Secretary Wang and the Temple Secretary Han..."
“That’s enough!”
Before Zhang Fei finished reporting his official title, Wang Anshi waved his hand and said, "I heard that this opera was created by you, kid?"
Zhang Fei smiled awkwardly and said, "I just gave an idea. The specific arrangement was designed by Mr. Yan Xiao and his team."
Han Jiang asked: "What exactly does your opera mean?"
Zhang Fei explained: "To put it simply, we find someone to interpret the background or story of each poem, hoping that people can be immersed in it, just like they are there!"
As he spoke, he pointed upwards, "As the lyrics say, the flowers fall helplessly, and the swallows return as if they were familiar. People cannot avoid birth, aging, sickness and death, but poems and stories can live forever."
"So that's how it is." Han Jiang stroked his goat beard and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to have made great achievements in poetry."
Lü Gong, who was standing by, smiled and said, "Don't say it's not heartbreaking. The curtains are rolled up by the west wind, and people are thinner than yellow flowers. Just follow what he did."
Han Jiang was surprised and asked, "Really?"
Sima Guang and the others all smiled but said nothing.
Based on their understanding of Zhang Fei, they all thought that this poem should not have been written by Zhang Fei. Although the article is the article and the poem is the poem, based on Zhang Fei's article, it is impossible for him to write such a quatrain.
This is not the way of genius!
Zhang Fei saw that their eyes were full of teasing, and his strong character came out again. Anyway, his idol had not been born yet, so he bowed and said, "No! It was written by me. In my opinion, this lyric is a painting in a poem, which can be understood and expressed in words."
“A painting in a poem?”
"Exactly."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Reading poetry is more about communicating with the author's mind, while reading lyrics will involuntarily bring up images in your mind. If you regard poetry and lyrics as one, then the lyrics are the painting in the poem.
Especially the poems of Yan Gong, which make people feel as if they are there. That is why I thought of presenting Yan Gong’s poems through performance. I even dare to conclude that once my drama is released, my Song poems will definitely reach a higher level and be more widely spread than Tang poems. ”
Speaking of the latter part, it is full of heroic spirit.
But you have to know that there are a group of literary masters in front of him. If we want to take our lyrics to the next level, we still have to rely on you, kid?
Is that what you mean?
It's so crazy that there is no limit.
"You are a bit arrogant!" A man walked over.
This person's name is Wang Gui. He was also supported by Yan Shu and is currently a scholar of the Hanlin Academy.
Of course, he has another identity, that is, Li Qingzhao's grandfather.
But Zhang Fei didn't know, otherwise, he would definitely give some respect, and said with a smile: "Let's wait and see."
As he was speaking, he suddenly heard a bang from upstairs.
Everyone looked up and saw a woman on the second floor gently stroking the strings of a musical instrument, and the soothing sound of the piano spread out.
"Is this about to start?"
The guests who were standing together just now took their seats one after another.
In fact, this is the meaning of the arrangement. The opera is about to begin, so you should take your seats quickly.
Soon the building became quiet.
Then the sound of the zither gradually changed, and the singing girl sang: "A new song and a glass of wine, the same weather and pavilion as last year. When will the setting sun return? The flowers fall helplessly, and the familiar swallows return. I wander alone in the fragrant path of the small garden."
The graceful music of Yan Jidao, the sad words of Yan Shu, and the graceful and melodious singing of the courtesan seemed to reverse time and space, pulling the thoughts of the literati on the first floor back to the past.
But just as everyone was immersed in this beautiful song, they suddenly heard a heart-wrenching cry: "My dear!"
Everyone suddenly woke up and looked down at the stage on the first floor, only to see a young woman stepping through a fake door with one foot, holding the door with one hand, looking affectionately at the "young" talent in front of her who was carrying a bag on his back. Her clear eyes were filled with tears and showed endless reluctance.
This scene made the scholars and young masters present feel nervous.
Song poetry is about love in the boudoir and the pain of separation, so for them, this scene is like bringing the poetry into reality.
It was like opening a window for them, and they finally understood what Zhang Fei meant by "interpretation".
Looking at the couple parting on the stage, and seeing the young woman alone in her boudoir, waiting for news, they could not help but feel sad.
This scene gave Zhang Fei goose bumps all over his body, just like a group of old people watching a love story of life and death with tears streaming down their cheeks.
Zhang Fei, who grew up watching Meteor Garden, was completely unable to resonate with the show. He first went to the inner room, wanting to have a few drinks with Cao Dongdong and the others, but that guy was even busier than Fan Zheng. He was so busy that he wanted to lie through the crack of the door to peek at the actors changing their costumes that he had no time to pay attention to him.
Zhang Fei, who had asked for trouble, walked out of the door and suddenly found a familiar figure standing in front of the dim back door. He immediately walked over and said with a smile, "Fourth brother, are you also interested in this opera?"
This person is Ma Tianhao.
"I wanted to join in the fun, but I found out that the prime minister has come. I can only stand here and watch for a while, and then I will go back."
There was no way. All the people sitting inside were nobles, and he, a wealthy businessman with tattoos on his face, could only stand here.
As he spoke, Ma Tianhao looked at Zhang Fei again, "You are really ruthless! Xiangguo Temple has never suffered such a big loss before."
He knew very well that the salt money was Zhang Fei's doing.
Zhang Fei did not deny it and said, "They were the ones who started it. I showed mercy to them. Otherwise, their losses would be much greater than this."
Ma Tianhao said: "They are not going after you, why bother yourself? Don't forget that our business is under the favor of Xiangguo Temple!"
Zhang Fei said: "But they also made money. We are not puppets of Xiangguo Temple, but a cooperative relationship. Does Fourth Brother want to work for Xiangguo Temple all his life?"
Ma Tianhao glanced at him and said with a smile: "Why? Are you still trying to turn me against you?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I just think that the way Xiangguo Temple plays is outdated. What's popular now is our charity foundation. Fourth brother should also make plans for himself."
Ma Tianhao said: "Don't be ungrateful!"
Zhang Fei said: "Xiangguo Temple cooperated with me, never to help me, I don't owe them anything."
Ma Tianhao looked at him and said seriously: "But I owe it."
Zhang Fei shrugged slightly and said no more.
Ma Tianhao said: "You have to understand that Xiangguo Temple lost to the imperial court this time, not to you in business."
Zhang Fei said: "They forced me to this point. I never thought of going against Xiangguo Temple."
Ma Tianhao smiled and said, “But Xiangguo Temple might not think so.”
Zhang Fei asked, "Brother, have you heard about what happened in the court recently?"
Ma Tianhao asked, "Are you talking about being asked to serve as an official in the northwest?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "This is my capital, so I think it is better to make money in harmony, otherwise, both sides may suffer."
Ma Tianhao looked at him in surprise, "Are you really going?"
Zhang Fei said: "Maybe."
Ma Tianhao said: "I advise you not to go. I have been a soldier there before. If you are not careful, you may be crushed to pieces!"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "It takes risk to get rich. I have worked hard to get to where I am today."
Ma Tianhao stopped trying to persuade her and just said, "If you go, don't bring Xiao Ma with you."
Zhang Fei said, "Don't worry, fourth brother, I won't take him with me." He added in his mind, why should I take Xiao Ma with me? If anyone is to take someone, it should be Yanei who takes him with him!
At this moment, the sound of piano was heard again from upstairs.
The singing girl sang loudly again: "The chrysanthemums on the railing are sad in the smoke, and the orchids are weeping in the dew. The curtains are cold, and the swallows fly away in pairs. The bright moon knows nothing of the pain of separation, and its slanting light shines through the red door until dawn. Last night the west wind withered the green trees, and I went up to the high building alone, looking at the road to the end of the world. I want to send you a piece of colored paper and a piece of white paper, but I don’t know where you are across the mountains and rivers?"
As the sound lingered in the air, an excited voice came from the third floor, "I knew it was this poem that was being performed."
It turns out that according to the arrangement, a song will be sung at the end of each story to correspond to it.
"Haha. That brat is absolutely right. This opera is truly unique."
Wang Anshi nodded approvingly.
Lu Gongzhu couldn't help but say: "This play mixes lyrics and music together, which really makes people feel like they are in the scene. It is very exciting."
Wen Yanbo said: "Not only that, the arrangement of this play also makes the artistic conception of this poem more perfect. It may not be long before this opera will be popular all over the country."
At this point, no one really doubted this statement anymore.
This opera really suits the taste of the literati. The key is that it can also make their poems more famous. It can be said that they can gain both fame and fortune. How can they not love it?
One song after another, one after another.
The guests were so intoxicated that they couldn't help themselves. Some were so moved that they even wiped their eyes secretly.
Just like those kids who were watching idol dramas for the first time, they would cry together when there was just a random separation. Only when they grew up did they realize that they were not crying for their loved ones, but for their BMWs.
Another song is over!
Just as everyone was looking forward to the next act, they suddenly saw the singing girls who had just performed on stage coming up one after another and bowing to the guests around them.
Is that all?
It’s so enjoyable to watch!
Sing a few more songs!
No matter whether it was the scholars on the first floor or the young men upstairs, everyone was still not satisfied.
But when I asked the time, two hours had already passed.
Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo and other old men came to their senses and suddenly felt sore in their waists and legs. They quickly stood up, stretched their muscles and bones, and were about to leave.
Suddenly, several people came up with a wooden table, on which were placed many thick books. The exquisite cover with a very textured feel especially made the scholars present open their eyes wide again.
The performers on the stage picked up a book each and faced around to show the book in their hands.
A man with a small moustache came up to the stage and struck the gong and drum three times.
Everyone present is very familiar with the sound of gongs and drums; it means a big buy!
I rushed to buy that book, and after listening to the man's introduction, I learned that this book was a collector's edition of Yan Shu's poetry collection. There are only 100 copies currently, and it is not sold to the public, so it can only be obtained today.
Always on sale.
"Phew, I finally got to my favorite part."
The drowsy Zhang Fei suddenly became energetic and looked at the stage nervously.
"I'll pay one tael."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw the rich man standing in front of a private room, shouting loudly.
Immediately, many young men became restless, but when they looked back, they saw that it was Mr. Fu, so they gave up.
As expected, the rich family bought the first copy for one tael.
The second book was bought by Wen Yanbo for one string of coins.
The third book was bought by Lu Gong for one string of money.
Sima Guang and Wang Anshi did not make a move. Since they had already bought it, they could just borrow it. Why waste the money?
Hou Donglai, who had personally escorted these books here not long ago, could not help but stare at Zhang Fei blankly, "Sanlang, this is different from what you said!"
Zhang Fei looked up at the third floor, seeing the young man who was ready to make a move but dared not open his mouth. He closed his eyes and sighed, regretting, "Even a wise man can make mistakes!"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
