The splendor of heavy equipment
What he didn't understand was why, since Gu Yi had already gotten up, he didn't let A Qiu report to him personally.
Why didn't A Qiu simply go in and wait for Gu Yi to get up before reporting the result to him, instead of having him relay the message?
However, since things had already come to this, he couldn't very well say to Gu Yi, "You heard what I just said, so there's no need for me to repeat myself." He could only cup his hands and say, "Young Master." He then added, "Miss Qiu just said that the matter has been settled and she will bring back the results in three days."
Gu Yi hummed in response, his expression remaining expressionless.
After pondering for a moment, Lie Changkong boldly said, "Why don't I go and invite Miss Aqiu back? If you have anything else to ask her, you can ask her yourself."
Gu Yishi withdrew his gaze from the area below Jinling Terrace and said calmly, "She has had a hard night too, there's no need for that."
A three-tiered bell stand, over ten feet tall, with an ancient and simple design, and a dark, somber appearance, taking up almost half of the hall, stands in the center of the Jixian Hall. Eight sets of bronze bells of varying sizes are suspended on it, arranged in a staggered pattern.
A man in a crimson brocade robe, with long, dark eyebrows, stood smiling behind the chime bell frame, hands clasped behind his back, waiting for the dancers to take their positions.
As soon as A Qiu stepped into the hall, she exclaimed in surprise, "Lord An!"
She had originally gone to Xiangxie Corridor first, but was told by the dancers practicing there that the rehearsal of "Yanshi Ning" had been moved to Jixian Hall, where the palace banquet performance was held, and that Zhang Exu and Cui Luzhu had already gone there.
She was initially puzzled as to why the dancers, who usually rehearsed in the Xiangxie Corridor, would suddenly move to the main hall. But upon seeing the massive chime bells weighing over a thousand pounds, she understood.
The Xiangxie Corridor is a wooden structure standing on the water. It's fine for dancers to practice their skills there, but if the chime bells were moved there, the foundation pillars would surely collapse. Furthermore, the Jixian Hall, used for banquets, is rarely used; moving it all at once saves the trouble of moving it again the night before the state banquet.
Upon seeing the bell, she immediately realized that she was certainly not the only one who hadn't slept a wink last night. Even just dismantling, moving, and reinstalling this bell from the music hall would have required at least dozens of people working through the night.
The solemnity and grandeur of the music played by bells and drums in the temple can be felt simply by looking at the instruments. The coldness and conciseness of bronze artifacts symbolize the majesty and power of the state; these are the so-called ritual vessels of the state.
A Qiu never expected that the person who composed the chime bells for "Yan Shi Ning" would be Cheng Hua Ling An Dao Ling. He is now the head of the Music Bureau and was known as the "Flute Immortal" in previous generations, but he has long been in semi-retirement in the Music Bureau and rarely makes a formal public appearance.
Although An Daoling was a eunuch, he had the air of a sage and smiled, saying, "The music composer has arrived. I am curious about the new piece that the young master composed for this dynasty. You know, the music bureaus of all dynasties have collected and composed contemporary pieces. But in the Dayan dynasty, this piece, 'Yan Shi Ning,' is the first piece that is considered the true sound of the nation. As the head of the music bureau, I am honored to witness this grand occasion."
He knew why A-Qiu was surprised that this semi-recluse had returned to the public eye, so he offered this explanation.
Ah Qiu knew that there must be another reason why An Daoling decided to personally oversee the situation.
She and Shangguan Yuqi, acting on An Daoling's orders, had gone to the post station to investigate the affairs of the Kucha music and dance troupe and Princess Wansui's group. They knew that the troupe harbored murderous intentions. Even if they weren't bold enough to assassinate her at the banquet, it still represented the northern barbarians' probing of the Southern Dynasty's strength.
The fact that Lord An personally oversaw the situation was precisely to prevent the other side from having any opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
Because if a musical performance goes wrong, it will inevitably start with the most important musicians. Music is the soul of the entire performance, indicating all the ups and downs, the cadences and rhythms. If the music is disrupted, the dancers will be disoriented, and the situation will descend into chaos.
Ah Qiu sincerely said, "Ah Qiu never imagined that she would see Lord An take the reins of the Music Bureau again." Not only had Lord An not made a move for many years, but he had also nurtured Xiao Chang'an, a disciple specializing in music. She had always thought that Lord An had not only long since retired from the martial arts world, but had also been planning to withdraw from power and the arts.
After all, as an old man who had served in the palace for nearly forty years, An Daoling had long since taken a detached view of honor, disgrace, power, and position. He had no interest in anything and no desire for honor or favor.
An Daoling smiled and looked back at her, replying irrelevantly, "I also hope that in my lifetime I will see a successor to the role of music."
Sun's wife explained from the side: "The simpler the instrument and the simpler the technique, the more important it is for the performer to have a profound understanding of the world. The chime bells seem to only require striking, with one bell producing two notes, unlike orchestral instruments which have many fingering techniques and variations. But each note represents a state of being, encompassing and resonating with the soul, and cannot be mixed with any tricks or techniques. In the entire Music Bureau, apart from An Gong, who is highly respected, no one else is qualified to do this."
Xiao Chang'an added, "Actually, given his position as Junior Tutor, he is the most suitable person to play this set of bells. He is both the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and a pillar of the state, so playing this national ceremonial instrument is in accordance with the law. However, since the guests at the banquet are Marquises of Guannei, it would be too disrespectful to have the Junior Tutor do it. Therefore, Master decided that he should play it instead."
Ritual is used to clarify the hierarchy and social status of superiors and inferiors. Strictly speaking, Li Chongyu was not even a prince; nominally, he was still a military officer under the Southern Dynasty. Appointing Junior Tutor Gu Yi as the music master for state banquets would be considered obsequious.
Gu Yi played the zither and made music at the banquet in the Southern Dynasty palace, but he was actually enjoying himself behind closed doors with his own civil and military officials, as well as ordinary people. The nature of their music was different.
Apart from Cui Luzhu and Zhang Exu, Shangguan Yuqi, Pei Yu, and others had already arrived, but A Qiu was the last to arrive, and she was the only one who hadn't taken a close look at the magnificent chime bells.
The person with the highest authority present was Shangguan Yuqi, the chief of the Flying Phoenix Clan, while the one with the deepest virtue and seniority was An Daoling. A Qiu had no reservations about either of them, so she circled the clock tower several times to observe them.
The bell is decorated with colorful gold inscriptions, the beam is painted, and it is supported by bronze warriors on both sides, which are simple and vivid.
Ah Qiu couldn't help but say, "I have been to the Water Sound Corridor where musicians practiced in the Music Bureau, but I have never seen it before."
A smug look appeared on Xiao Chang'an's face as he said proudly, "This bell does not belong to the Music Bureau. It was originally kept in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Last night, when Master learned that the Junior Tutor wanted to use bells and drums for music, he immediately borrowed it from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. No one in the Music Bureau knows how to play this instrument right now. It was Master who spent the whole night practicing here to familiarize himself with its scale and mode."
A Qiu gasped and sincerely said to An Daoling, "Lord An truly deserves to be called the foremost figure in the music bureau. Although he lives a secluded life in the city, he always takes on responsibilities when needed."
She was almost certain that when Gu Yi made the decision to use chime bells for the music, he did not consider that the musicians in the Music Bureau were all from folk music backgrounds and none of them knew how to play such an important national musical instrument as chime bells.
Shangguan Yuqi, who had been silent all along, smiled and said, "This bell has been kept in the Imperial Ancestral Temple for so many years, never seeing the sunlight, and no one has taken care of it. Even the crossbeams were damaged by insects. However, last night, Zhao Zhaorong took the measurements and drew up the design, and ordered the Shaofu to temporarily carve and draw it using the beams that were available in the palace. It fits perfectly and is flawless."
A Qiu looked at the painted beam and saw that it was indeed newly painted. The two dragon heads were finely carved, but the patterns on them depicted the movement of stars, which was in harmony with the ancient clock. Therefore, she did not realize at a glance that the beam had been newly replaced.
Her mind raced, and she said, "It must be Miss Shangguan who conveyed the message to Consort Zhao. Aqiu thanks Miss Shangguan on behalf of the Music Bureau."
Shangguan Yuqi smiled politely and said, "Last night, I happened to be on patrol when I saw the craftsmen dismantling and transporting the chime bells. It was An Gong who discovered that the bell frame was damaged, so I immediately reported it to Zhao Zhaorong of the Imperial Archives. Fortunately, Zhaorong was on duty at the Ministry of Personnel, and without saying a word, she immediately came with me to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to inspect and draw up plans. She also immediately mobilized the palace craftsmen. She said that this is a major event in recent days, and we should set aside any sense of hierarchy or factionalism and work together as one."
Before she could finish speaking, Pei Yu snorted coldly and interrupted, "Please let Lord An perform!" He then looked at everyone and said, "This piece, 'Yan Shi Ning,' is mainly based on bells and drums. Lord An will play the bells. Who will step on the drum first to make a sound and then join Lord An for a round?"
Of the six, A Qiu and Xiao Chang'an were the most accomplished in music. Xiao Chang'an was skilled in the flute and xiao, while A Qiu had been taught by Wan Qiqing.
A piece titled "Chang'an Wind" played on a Qiang flute was selected for the Music Bureau, but it was later manipulated and turned into a dance performance.
As Pei Yu spoke, her eyes involuntarily glanced at Xiao Chang'an. This was because Xiao Chang'an had once served as a musician in the Music Bureau, and she had personally witnessed this before the Emperor.
Xiao Chang'an spread his hands and laughed, "Sister A Qiu, come on. When it comes to drum dancing, I must admit defeat."
A Qiu handed the sheet music to An Daoling, then leaped onto the drum. With her excellent memory, the sound of the "Yan Shi Ning" melody was as clear as if it were in her ears, and the rhythm and cadence resonated vividly in her mind.
If there is such a thing as a soulmate in this world, A Qiu thought she might be considered Gu Yi's soulmate. Gu Yi's poem "Yan Shi Ning" is grand and magnificent, yet it also contains a poignant and sorrowful lament. In reality, although the Southern Dynasty had enjoyed temporary peace for the past ten years, it was still surviving in the cracks between the various northern Hu regimes, which were locked in a stalemate, leaving it no time to look south.
If we truly want lasting peace and stability in the world, we must rely on our own strength rather than external changes, and forming an alliance with Li Chongyu is imperative.
The sincerity shown by the Southern Dynasty during Li Chongyu's visit to the capital was especially important.
Back then, Li Chongyu's father, Li Mingyuan, paid tribute to Empress Shangguan, the most talented woman of the Southern Dynasties, with three Han Dynasty portrait stones from Chang'an, the western capital. His deepest intentions were far more than just the vast and exquisite music and dance of the Han Dynasty. Li Mingyuan commanded the most powerful army of the Southern Dynasties, the Shuofang Iron Cavalry, and his thoughts must have been on the restoration of the Han Dynasty in the Central Plains and the reconstruction of his family and country.
However, Li Mingyuan's campaign ended in failure, as he perished during the crossing of the Yangtze River.
This was a huge thorn in Li Chongyu's heart, and also a formidable barrier between him and the Southern Dynasty.
No matter how much Gu Yi wanted to prove to Li Chongyu that the Dayan dynasty he had helped establish was not a corrupt and scheming dynasty like the former Huan dynasty, he had to demonstrate genuine sincerity and strength.
As the chime bells emitted a soaring and clear melody, A Qiu leaped up, waving her long sleeves, and her foot stomped out with a "thump," as if in perfect harmony.
Next, the bell tolled, sometimes like large and small pearls, with a bright and clear tone, and sometimes deep and leisurely, full of magnificent grandeur.
And every time A-Qiu stomps or strikes the drum, he steps on the accented note of each musical phrase.
Not only are her footwork precise and steady, and her timing accurate, but her long sleeves also flow and fold in a continuous, undulating motion, like wild geese soaring into the distance or swallows returning to the forest in spring. When she stands at an angle in her dance posture, she resembles a lone crane or pine tree, seemingly emerging from the edge of a drum.
Whether it was Lady Sun, Xue Hongbi, or even An Daoling after the chime bells, their eyes shone with a strange light.
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