Prefect Qu watched with a furrowed brow, while Shu Zhan seemed thoroughly enjoying himself. Although he didn't quite understand what was being said, judging from the reactions of the others, the performance was clearly a success. He cast an approving glance at Lu Huai, thinking, "Who knew this guy could write plays?"
Lu Huai didn't even glance at him out of the corner of his eye.
Shu Zhan pursed her lips and started listening to the opera again.
Next comes the story of the second city. Also in this era of turmoil, this city is called Dengcheng, where the people are simple and honest, and the people are friendly and harmonious.
However, they were also a city that had revolted, and were called rebels by the imperial court.
The prefect here is approachable and cares deeply for the people of Dengcheng. When he heard that the army sent to quell the rebellion was approaching, he was very worried and sent people out overnight to investigate the enemy's movements.
Upon learning that the opposing general was the former General Tuoyuan, he felt a sense of relief. The general was a war god of the nation, the kind who was invincible in every battle. He had no connection with this general, yet he felt inexplicably at ease.
This general, though loving his soldiers like his own children, had protected his country for many years, leading his men to defend their homeland with their own flesh and blood, earning him the admiration of many.
Even though they had been on many expeditions, there had never been any record of any extremely serious killings, let alone any massacres of entire cities.
After pondering for a whole night, the governor of Dengcheng finally decided to have the people send some fruits and grains to the soldiers who came to quell the rebellion, in order to repay their kindness in guarding the city for many years.
The soldiers were deeply moved when they suddenly received the grain. This grain was all new rice, a rare food for the people of Dengcheng in the chaotic world, and it was many times better than the damp and moldy rice of the imperial court.
They were all men willing to sacrifice their lives for their country, and they were unwilling to go to war with the people they had protected for so many years, as that would only result in mutual destruction. The soldiers who were still hesitating immediately went to find the marshal—who was none other than the general.
The general, who had been wondering why the rice had become so fragrant and sticky overnight, was equally moved to tears upon hearing his lieutenant's words and uttered only one sentence—
'Is it better to die for one's country than to wait for death?'
So the rebels and the pacification forces staged a feigned battle, then coordinated from within and without, ultimately overthrowing the tyrant's rule and establishing a new dynasty. The governor and the general were also recorded in history as founding heroes.
The curtain fell on the stage, and the performance ended there. The entire audience was silent, unaware that even the actors had bowed and left the stage.
Prefect Qu was so engrossed in it that he fell into deep thought.
Shu Zhan quietly gave Lu Huai a thumbs up and mouthed, "You're really something."
Lu Huai raised an eyebrow slightly, accepting the praise without any modesty. Then he softly called out to Prefect Qu, who was still in a daze, "My lord."
"Ah? Ah..." Prefect Qu then looked at them, and seeing that the two of them had just come to their senses, he chuckled and took the lead in clapping.
"Excellent! Excellent! The plays at Shuji Theater are truly different from those at other theaters! They are vivid and lifelike, with captivating stories—truly a masterpiece!"
Upon hearing Prefect Qu's words, the people all echoed his sentiments.
"The plays at Shu's Theater are truly excellent!"
"I told you today's show would be great, but you still didn't want to come. Now you've proven me wrong!"
"Thank you so much! Otherwise I would have missed such a wonderful show. Thank you, Brother Shen!"
"Of course, of course!"
"The owner of Shu's restaurant is really kind, treating everyone to a show for free and not charging a penny. They've gone to so much trouble and effort; they're truly a conscientious business owner."
"That's why they've become so successful—they're incredibly generous and treat ordinary people well. If Shu Ji doesn't get rich, who will? I'm happy to buy things from Shu Ji!"
Agreed!
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