Chapter 180: Shaanbei Diaoqu
Chapter 176 of "The Great Ming in the Box" opens showing developments: Chengcheng CountyâŚAt the edge of the county town, there was a small Diaoqu troupe. Since... Keep reading!
Chengcheng CountyâŚAt the edge of the county town, there was a small Diaoqu troupe. Since the troupe leaderâs surname was Zhang, it was called the Zhang Family Troupe.
The Zhang Family Troupe consisted of two singers, four dancers, and four musiciansâa total of ten members.
In better years, the Zhang Family Troupe had enjoyed great fame. Whenever they set up to perform, crowds would gather in thick layers. After each Diaoqu show, they always collected a fair amount of copper coins.
The troupe members never worried about survival.
But following three years of severe drought, life for the Zhang Family Troupe grew increasingly difficult.
By this year, their performances had completely stopped drawing audiences.
Each time they staged a show, only a handful of spectators showed up, offering barely any coins. Unable to fill their stomachs, the Zhang Family Troupe joined ordinary refugees at County Magistrate Liang Shixianâs Charity Platform to scavenge for bowls of noodle soup.
There seemed no end in sight to such days.
Just when despair loomed, Master Zhang bumped into an old acquaintance, Tan Liwen, at the aid and food distribution site.
Tan Liwen had been a loyal spectator. In the past, he never missed any performance, even during the worst drought. But for months now, heâd vanished.
The moment Master Zhang spotted Tan Liwen, tears welled up. âMr. Tan, itâs been so long. When every curtain rose, you were there to cheer us on. But these past months, fearing something had happened to you.â
Tan Liwen sighed. âThank you for your concern, Master Zhang. After failing imperial exams repeatedly, I realized my limitations. Months ago, I abandoned the scholarâs dream and went to Gaojia Village. Steward Thirty-Two became my Dong Weng, and I now serve as his advisor. Busy with village affairs, I simply couldnât return to see your Diaoqu.â
Master Zhang responded, âGaojia Village? Lately, that nameâs on everyoneâs lips. Many are flocking there for work. Sounds like a wealthy clanâs large-scale construction.â
Tan Liwen smiled. âExactly that Gaojia Village. Master Zhang, I returned specifically to find you. I ask you to visit Gaojia Village and perform your Shaanbei Diaoqu.â
Master Zhang paused, thinking: Troupes like ours only thrive in bustling towns. In some remote village? Whoâd attend unless a wealthy lord hosted some occasionâcovering our feesâŚ
Baffled, he asked, âWhich wealthy lord invited us?â
Tan Liwen teased, âWouldnât you rather learn upon arrival? Donât worryâyouâll be paid. Surely you trust me, Tan Liwen?â
Master Zhang lowered his gaze to the noodle soup in his hand, sighing softly. Fine. Even in this county, weâre starving refugees. Performing for a wealthy lord would fill our bellies for two whole days.
Mr. Tan is an honorable man. He wonât trick a humble troupe like ours.
âIn that case, weâll go.â
Thus, the Zhang Family Troupe gathered their instruments, costumes, and props. Their small party trekked alongside Tan Liwen, embarking on an improbable adventure.
Setting out at noon and marching till dusk, they finally reached Gaojia Village.
Master Zhangâs eyes locked onto Gaojia Fortressâmajestic and imposingâsurrounded by cluttered, brightly colored small houses. Sunset fell, closing the road construction sites. Farmers rested. Even labor offenders paused duties during free time. Work had halted everywhere.
Across Gaojia Fortress, laborers streamed home, filling the area with vibrant chaos.
Startled, Master Zhang gasped, âThis Gaojia Village dazzles like a bustling town!â
Tan Liwen chuckled. âOrdinary townsfolk lack our villagersâ wealth. ComeâIâll take you to the stage.â
He led them into the Gaojia Business Circle. There stood a plastic stage mimicking ancient architectureâa strikingly luxurious, elegant structure.
As mere itinerant players (their name âZhang Family Troupeâ signaled lowly status), theyâd only performed on crude wooden platforms. Never before had they encountered a proper, grand stage.
Terrified, the ten members trembled. âThis⌠stage⌠us performing here?â
Tan Liwen nodded. âItâs the only stage in Gaojia Village.â
Master Zhang stammered timidly, âItâs beneath us⌠We shouldnâtâŚâ
Tan Liwen retorted, âHah! Iâve watched your shows countless times. You deserve it. On my recommendation, the Deity personally summoned you. Donât behave like cowards! If you miss a note and embarrass me before the DeityâŚâ
Master Zhang straightened his spine. âThank you for your trust, Mr. Tan. But⌠this âDeityâ?â
Tan Liwen answered, âYouâll understand soon. Focus nowâdeliver your finest Diaoqu play tonight for His Reverence.â
Master Zhang glanced at the fading sun. âBut night falls soon. Audiences would be asleep once we prepare.â
âNot an issue!â Yiye suddenly popped out, beaming. âThe Deity just decreedâignore darkness. He yearns for liveliness above. Prepare for Shaanbei Diaoqu immediately.â
Indeed, Li Daoxuan felt utterly bored. The miniature world offered daytime fascination, but when night came and villagers rested, everything stilled.
As a modern man, he rarely slept before midnightâleaving hours of utter monotony. The troupeâs arrival thrilled him immensely.
Especially since Shaanbei Diaoqu represented local cultureâa genre Li Daoxuan had never witnessed before.
âYiye, announce the Diaoqu show.â
Yiye bounced away excitedly. Watching Diaoqu enchanted her tooâsince childhood tales, she hadnât witnessed one firsthand. Skips and jumps marked her steps. âA performance! How splendid!â
Tan Liwen grinned at Master Zhang. âThe Saint Lady looks ecstatic. Prepare quickly now!â