What is ventriloquism?
"What's called ventriloquism?"
Shh...don't talk, I hear a bird chirping!
Upon hearing about this novel contraption, everyone began to discuss it animatedly. Just then, a bird call suddenly rang out around them.
Then the sounds of some animals gradually became clearer, followed by the conversations of women and children.
Every sound was clearly audible, gradually giving those around them a sense of immersion. Just as the conversation reached its climax, a gavel suddenly sounded.
Everyone suddenly came to their senses.
"Hey, what just happened?"
"What kind of trick is Yaojie's mother playing? How many people did she hire?"
"Yes, yes! Where did you get that bird? It's really strange!"
As everyone was discussing, the screen on the stage was suddenly lifted away by two people, and Xiao Wuzi's slightly restrained figure appeared in front of everyone.
A gasp rippled through the crowd, followed by whispers. Seeing that things had reached their climax, Jiang Ling slowly walked out from backstage and said to the crowd, "Hello everyone, this is the ventriloquism I was talking about. All the sounds just now were done by this young man all by himself!"
"No! I don't believe it! Unless you make him perform one right now in front of us!"
"Exactly! Who are you trying to fool! How could so many sounds be coming from just one person!"
Some skeptical people raised doubts, and Jiang Ling glanced at Xiao Wuzi and said, "Wuzi, give them a performance in front of everyone!"
Fortunately, Jiang Ling had already instructed Xiao Wuzi on this matter beforehand. Xiao Wuzi put down his fan, nodded, and walked to the front, beginning to imitate the birdsong and the voices of women and children from the opening scene.
This left everyone even more astonished.
"Yes! What happens next?" some engrossed audience members asked eagerly.
Jiang Ling gave Xiao Wu a look, and Xiao Wu smiled faintly, first bowing to everyone to express his gratitude, and then said, "Thank you all for your love. The story is quite long and cannot be finished in one night. In order to give everyone a better experience, you are welcome to come again tomorrow!"
After Xiao Wu finished speaking, he left the scene without waiting for anyone to ask questions.
The crowd was displeased to see Xiao Wuzi leave the stage, and some of the wealthy merchants immediately shouted at Jiang Ling on the platform, "Yaojie's mother, I'll offer twenty taels if you let that child finish his story!"
“Yes, yes, I’ll offer another twenty taels, and you can make that kid tell the rest of the story! Otherwise, I’m itching to know!” Another merchant said, somewhat reluctantly.
Seeing their expectant eyes, Jiang Ling knew that Xiao Wuzi's ventriloquism performance was a great success. Jiang Ling smiled faintly and explained to everyone, "I'm sure you all experienced the beauty of ventriloquism just now, but I hope you understand that ventriloquism is very physically demanding. If you want to experience the most satisfying ventriloquism effect, please come again tomorrow!"
Jiang Ling's words prompted everyone to think, and the two who took the lead nodded and did not continue speaking.
Seeing that the matter was more or less resolved, Jiang Ling continued, "Our next program is even more exciting, so please continue watching!"
As she spoke, Jiang Ling placed the prepared colored paper over the candles, and the stage immediately became a kaleidoscope of colors. Bing Ning played the piano and Xue Ning danced, one playing the piano and the other dancing. The music was melodious and the dance was graceful, as if fairies had descended to earth, a sight to behold.
After the dance ended, it wasn't until Jiang Ling spoke that everyone realized what had happened.
Everyone lingered over the performance, even exclaiming that they hadn't seen enough. Jiang Ling looked at the enthusiastic audience and felt even more troubled. Dancing and ventriloquism were no longer enough to satisfy them; she had to find something new.
After the last guest left, Xu Baining's mouth almost stretched to her ears in a wide grin.
"Yaojie's mother, you are really amazing! In just one day, you have achieved the same amount of alcohol sales as I did in the previous week. Some people have even bought several drinks from me in a row!" Jiang Ling was also very happy to see Xu Baining's expression.
Xu Baining suddenly pursed her lips and leaned closer to Jiang Ling, tentatively saying, "Yaojie's mother, there's something I'm afraid I might be so bold as to say it?"
Seeing Xu Baining's expression, Jiang Ling nodded encouragingly, somewhat puzzled.
"I was thinking, could we do some discounts or promotions? After all, people have been so supportive of me. I feel that small profits but quick turnover is the key!" Xu Baining kept looking at Jiang Ling as she spoke.
Jiang Ling was secretly delighted. "I knew I was right, Xu Baining is definitely a natural businesswoman!"
Suppressing her excitement, Jiang Ling said to Xu Baining, "Yes, yes! Baining, you're really smart. You can definitely do this. I'll give you two days to think about it, and then you can discuss it carefully with Jiang Yaojie to confirm its feasibility!"
Encouraged by Jiang Ling's words, Xu Baining's confidence immediately soared. She nodded gratefully to Jiang Ling and returned to her bar counter to start tidying up.
Jiang Ling glanced out the window; it was already past midnight. After yawning and saying a few words to Xu Baining, she went home and fell asleep immediately.
The next morning, Jiang Ling called Jiang Shan over again. This time, Jiang Ling planned to go directly to Ye City. She felt that only there could she find a more suitable person.
After exchanging a few words with Jiang Ling, Jiang Yaojie, Xiao Wuzi, and the two sisters Bing Ning and Xue Ning, Jiang Ling packed her clothes and took Jiang Shan to Ye City.
The three-day journey was neither too long nor too short. Fortunately, Jiang Ling did not get seasick and got enough rest.
After arriving at the inn in Yecheng, the two rested briefly before heading out to search for the person they were looking for.
Yecheng was far more luxurious than the two neighboring counties, and it even had things that the two counties didn't have. Jiang Shan accompanied Jiang Ling as they walked down the street.
A burst of noise caught Jiang Ling's attention.
"Heh! You dare to cheat on my turf! Kid, I think you don't want your hands anymore!" A burly man with a scar on his face warned, holding up a thin man with a ferocious expression.
After the scarred man finished speaking, he slammed the man in his hand to the ground. The man lay on the ground clutching his chest and groaning for a long time.
The scarred man pointed at the man smugly and shouted, "You little thief, if I ever see you in my casino again, I'll kill you!" With that, the scarred man spat at the man and left.
Seeing the scarred man return to the casino, the man slowly sat up against the wall. A moment later, he stood up, now carrying a cloth bag. He cautiously surveyed the casino, and seeing that the scarred man hadn't come out, he immediately prepared to flee.
Seeing this, Jiang Ling gave Jiang Shan a wink. Jiang Shan nodded and walked up to the man. Although the man was somewhat flustered, he tried to remain calm.
"Who are you? I don't know you!" the man said, looking for an opportunity to escape.
Jiang Shan didn't explain much. He covered the man's mouth, hoisted him onto his shoulder, quickly walked to Jiang Ling, and then put the man down.
“Madam, we have no past grievances or recent feuds. Isn’t this a bit inappropriate of you?” The man’s eyes darted around incessantly as he spoke.
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