Chapter 95
At nine o'clock on Sunday morning, the live broadcast started again. The six guests in the car greeted the audience before getting off one by one.
The camera zooms in on the main entrance of the Changfeng Peking Opera Troupe in Yancheng. It's an antique-style gate with a plaque reading "Changfeng" above it. In front of it stand a pair of small stone lions, and inside is a screen wall inlaid with unusual stones.
Wen Xisheng and Liu Qing, the two regular guests, began reciting their introductions. Everyone chatted and laughed for a while before someone came out to greet them. A middle-aged man with a respectable appearance and a gentle demeanor, he introduced himself as the troupe's manager.
The troupe manager led the group inside, introducing them along the way. Changfeng was indeed a renowned Peking Opera troupe in Yancheng. The courtyard was quite large, with three practice buildings and an administrative building arranged in a staggered pattern. Several trees were also planted in the courtyard.
After a brief introduction, the group manager led everyone to the administration building. "There's a performance hall in the building," he said with a smile. "Everyone's waiting for you there. We've prepared a welcoming performance. The cafeteria is on the second floor, so you can have lunch there."
Everyone followed the troupe's manager through the reception hall and into the performance hall at the back, where they found several people already seated in the auditorium. The manager simply explained, "They're all from the troupe," and without further ado, led everyone directly to the good seats at the front.
The three cameramen following behind quickly dispersed and each found a good camera position to film the stage.
After a while, the headlights went out, the stage lights came on, and the performance began.
The Changfeng Peking Opera Troupe selected an excerpt from "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" to welcome the program team. On the stage, the eight immortals laughed and showed off their magical powers, which was very lively.
The audience who were watching the live broadcast were also enjoying the show, and some fans had already started to post the names of the famous actors in the troupe.
I was young, and this was my first time watching an opera. I'm surprised Peking Opera is all about the long, drawn-out, slow singing. It's quite nice. [There are a variety of operas in the repertoire, so kids are welcome to join in.] [I enjoy reading the lyrics; many are so well-written.]
[First time watching +1, I didn't quite understand the lyrics. But the voice is really good, and the lyrics and dialogue are so nice.] [The production team didn't prepare this, they'll add subtitles when the edited version comes out.] [First time watching +2, the acting is so realistic, that Zhang Guolao riding the donkey upside down was hilarious!] [The guys on stage are really showing off their skills. Speaking of which, I recommend a compilation of Wusheng and Wudan roles, which Zhilei has, and it's amazing!] [Then I'd also like to recommend the Yuanchao compilation, it's absolutely amazing!]
After the wonderful performance, the actors left the stage, and the audience gathered in front of the stage. The troupe manager led the guests over, and the two sides exchanged greetings, which naturally led to another lively atmosphere.
The leader is quite enthusiastic. In fact, his willingness to cooperate with Zhilei shows that he is a leader who actively seeks new developments.
Afterward, the troupe's staff led the guests on a tour of the practice building. Today was the first day of the troupe's induction, and the overall situation of the Peking Opera troupe was introduced. The various aspects of Peking Opera were gradually introduced throughout the week. So, while the guests had a week to learn, they actually had to take into account two hours of daily general knowledge sessions.
After lunch, the group affairs officer took the six guests to a small meeting room, prepared some excerpts for them to choose what they wanted to learn, and then arranged for appropriate group members to teach.
Just as everyone was seated and the team manager turned on the projector, they suddenly heard a commotion coming from the corridor outside the door.
The group manager apologized sheepishly and went out to check what was going on. He came back trotting a few moments later and excitedly told everyone, "The old group leader is here! He heard that the program crew was coming to promote the program, so he came over to take a look today."
The "old director" he mentioned is Yu Nanyue, the second-generation and previous director of the Changfeng Peking Opera Troupe. He is the master of the current director and a national treasure-level performing artist.
Before he finished speaking, the team leader and several of his disciples came in, escorting Old Man Yu.
The old man is already seventy-eight years old this year. Although he is holding a wooden stick in his hand, he still walks steadily, his face is glowing, and he looks very energetic.
Seeing that the guests all stood up in a hurry, Yu Nanyue took two quick steps forward and shook hands with the six people one by one. When listening to Jing Qiong speaking, she also praised her good voice, which made Jing Qiong smile with joy.
In the director's van, watching the backstage view count skyrocket and continue to rise, the head director was grinning from ear to ear. The production team didn't even dare to invite this old man, but he showed up on his own accord! President Jin was right; the boss is indeed a popular project!
In the conference room, everyone sat down again.
Yu Nanyue smiled and said, "I heard that the group is doing a new form of publicity for the show, so I came to see the fun."
As he spoke, he waved towards a camera: "This is live. Hello, viewers?"
A disciple beside him came over with a cell phone in his hand: "Master, take a look."
Yu Nanyue looked down and saw that the phone was playing the image of him waving and saying hello (network delay), and many messages such as "Hello, Captain Yu" and "Hello, old man" were also flashing on the screen.
"Okay, okay!" He laughed heartily. "Times are changing, and our troupe's publicity must keep up so that more young people can get to know Peking Opera, this national treasure."
Everyone in the group naturally nodded in agreement.
Yu Nanyue chatted with the six guests for a few more words. Perhaps because Ye Yuze didn't talk much, he looked at him carefully and asked hesitantly, "Young man... have you ever sung opera?"
Hearing this, everyone's attention was immediately focused on Ye Yuze.
Ye Yuze was stunned for a moment before replying, "I studied Yue Opera for a while when I was a child, but I never performed on stage."
Yu Nanyue nodded and asked with great interest, "Can you sing a song for me?"
This was actually a bit presumptuous, and both the team leader and the team manager couldn't help but show a look of surprise for a moment.
Ye Yuze didn't refuse. He stood up and took two steps back. After a moment of adjustment, he opened his voice and said, "Outside the gate... three cannon shots... the sound was like thunder..."
When he said this, everyone except He Tong and Yu Nanyue were shocked.
The barrage was blank for a moment, and then it was filled with "666".
[I'm so impressed! Is this something I only "learned as a kid"?!]
[I learned it when I was a kid, so I can understand the lyrics now, but singing it is impossible...] [He's even doing a cross-dressing role, what a resonant voice.]
How many hidden talents does Master Ze possess that us fans don't even know about? Yue Opera fans say it's a shame he doesn't perform, as he can maintain this level without going on stage. No, no, no, movie fans say we need a Best Actor too!
After Ye Yuze finished singing "Mu Guiying Takes Command", everyone applauded.
Yu Nanyue also exclaimed, "Hearing your singing voice and seeing your figure, it reminds me of an old friend. I wonder if you've heard of Zejun?"
Ye Yuze bowed slightly and said, "Zejun is my mother. I am named after her."
Yu Nanyue was a little surprised, then nodded as if suddenly realizing something: "You are her son, which means... So that's how it is, you and your son are of the same bloodline."
Ye Yuze didn't respond, but nodded with a faint smile.
The audience was somewhat confused by the two people's seemingly sharp remarks.
[Shocked! Ye Yuze reveals his life story! Is Zejun a famous Yue Opera artist?] [I've never heard of him...]
[Baidu came back and found no such person.]
[But from what Old Man Yu said, it's clear he's quite famous.] Yu Nanyue had no idea how big news she'd made with just a few words. After a few more words of encouragement, she stood up and prepared to leave.
Before leaving, he suddenly remembered and asked, "By the way, who are you going to ask to teach the guests?"
The regimental officer replied softly, "We're planning to look for someone from the Second Regiment..."
It is called the "Second Troupe", but in fact it is just the reserve members and interns who are not yet able to go on stage.
Yu Nanyue frowned slightly and scolded in a low voice, "Nonsense! They haven't even completed their apprenticeship yet, how can they teach others? Even if it's only for seven days, if you promised to teach someone, you have to teach them well."
The troupe leader immediately took over the conversation and said that he would arrange for formal troupe members to teach, and asked the young apprentice Bi Gui, who was about the same age as the guests, to stay and help choose the singing parts.
Only then did Yu Nanyue leave with a satisfied look on her face.
After the incident, the six guests sat down again, and the group manager played several famous and relatively easy-to-learn singing segments for them to choose from.
Bi Gui suggested that he wanted to hear a few voices, so Liu Qing, Wen Xisheng, Yu Nan, and Jing Qiong all sang a few lines. Following his recommendation, Liu Qing and Wen Xisheng chose an excerpt from "Wujia Po," while Yu Nan and Jing Qiong chose an excerpt from "Dragon and Phoenix Opera."
When it was He Tong's turn, he didn't sing, but asked directly: "I want to choose a martial arts scene, is there anything suitable?"
Bi Gui was stunned, but thought about it carefully. Then, while looking at him and Ye Yuze, he said, "Teacher Ye just played the role of Mu Guiying, so how about... the part where Mu Guiying meets Yang Zongbao in "Mu Kezhai"?
He Tong asked again: "Should I sing?"
Bi Gui: "There are seven or eight lines of lyrics."
He Tong continued to ask, "Are there any pure martial arts scenes that don't require singing? Or ones with spoken lines would be fine too."
Bi Gui looked embarrassed: "Well... yes, I do, but..."
He Tong touched his chin: "I remember "Three Crossroads" and "Fighting Ma Chao" seem to be both?"
Seeing He Tong's bargaining-like look, the comments on the screen went crazy with laughter, and Tongze fans rushed to the front and laughed at their idol without any hesitation.
What is Tongtong thinking? Is it so difficult to get him to sing a few lines?
[No, Tongzi, one minute on stage takes ten years of hard work off stage. Pick a song, if you can't sing it into an opera tune, just sing it as a normal song. Is it that easy to practice martial arts?] [The program team requires the song to be about four minutes long. It's good enough if you can learn the movements well in this week, and you still want to sing "Fork in the Road". Don't make things difficult for the little brother!] [Hahahaha, even Master Ze couldn't stand it and taught him a lesson.] Ye Yuze raised his hand and patted He Tong on the forehead: "Don't be silly."
He Tong looked aggrieved: "But I really can't sing. My pitch-deafness is so extreme that I'm afraid if I sing, we won't be promoting the quintessence of Chinese culture, but will instead be tarnishing it."
Ye Yuze ignored him and turned to Bi Gui and said, "For 'Mu Ke Zhai', I'll sing both roles. I'll record the part for Yang Zongbao first, and then have him lip-sync during the performance."
After hearing what he said, everyone looked at him with wide eyes - is this possible?
Ye Yuze remained calm, "Both the female and male roles are using falsetto voices, and this isn't a formal performance, so let's just leave it that way."
After saying that, he looked at the MC outside the camera and said, "Ask the director."
What could the director say? He couldn't disobey the boss.
So that was settled.
Rows of question marks flashed across the barrage in shock.
What does this mean? Has Zezi decided to sing all the songs?
[So, Tongtong's singing is really scary, right?]
[I was just so happy they picked a duet, but suddenly it turned into Master Ze taking the blame?!] [Don't do that upstairs 23333, Tongtong should at least show her body!] [Sister in front, there's something wrong with you!]
[Am I the only one curious about how bad Tongzai's singing is?] [Add me in, the more I'm like this, the more I want to hear it!]
Not only did the audience want to hear it, but the people at the scene were also extremely curious.
Jing Qiong couldn't help herself and mustered up the courage to ask, "Brother He, is your singing really that..."
He Tong looked around at those pairs of eyes that were filled with "I really want to hear it" and shrugged: "If you want to hear it, I can sing a few lines, as long as you don't regret it later."
Then he turned his gaze to the camera: "But you have to turn off the microphone. You have to give me some face, right?"
Although the sound couldn't be recorded, it was still a big gimmick. The director didn't object and instructed the cameraman to turn off the microphone.
He Tong checked with each machine one by one, and even tried it with a tablet that played live broadcasts. Only then did he feel relieved and started singing.
The audience in front of the screen were so curious watching his mouth open and close.
[Huh? I felt like the footage was shaking just now. Was it the camera guy's hand shaking?] [Master Ze actually hid away so early. Did he secretly put something in his ear just now?] [My face turned pale!]
[Yu Nan's forehead is sweating. I think he's using all his energy to endure not plugging his ears...] [Jing Qiong's face wrinkles up, hahaha.]
[Brother Sheng has been through so many ups and downs, yet he still manages to smile.] [Haha, the camera guy betrayed him; the corners of his mouth are trembling in the close-up!] After He Tong finished singing, the microphone was turned back on, and the audience heard Bi Gui say in a trembling voice, "I think everyone should stop practicing singing today and start learning the movements first..."
Liu Qing, Wen Xisheng, Yu Nan and Jing Qiong all nodded with haggard expressions.
Yu Nan said weakly, "I hope I can find my tune again tomorrow..."
He Tong spread his hands innocently: "You asked me to sing."
The four of them looked at him with complicated expressions.
Wen Xisheng gave him a thumbs up: "Xiao He, your singing... touches the soul!"
Therefore, although He Tong's singing did not spread in the world, the legend of his singing remained.
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Of course, there are some extra chapters later.
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