Chapter 48

No one knew how long the thunderous applause lasted. People were genuinely giving their utmost support and recognition to the performance and the actors on stage.

On stage, Wanrou was moved to tears, feeling that all her efforts had finally paid off. Without the solid foundation from her long-term practice, she would never have been able to grasp the鼓舞 (encouragement) so accurately in just two short days.

Of course, she was most grateful to Jiang Xingchen, who had given wings to her dreams, allowing them to start flying.

Bowing several times to the audience, Wanrou, unable to control herself, suddenly turned and hugged Jiang Xingchen, patting his back forcefully with her right hand.

This action made the applause even more enthusiastic, and a few strange shouts could be heard from the audience.

"Uh!" Jiang Xingchen was slightly taken aback, gently placing his hands on Wanrou's shoulders and patting them lightly. The significance of this hug was clear to everyone in the audience, and it would have been awkward for him to be at a loss.

However, while his arms appeared to be around her, they did not actually touch Wanrou, and he was not in the mood to feel any sensations. His eyes had already wandered to the audience. Sure enough, he saw Mo Hongxian glaring at him with a murderous look.

At that moment, Meier pouted, looking unhappy. For some reason, even though she knew that Sister Wanrou was just overwhelmed with joy, she still felt uncomfortable.

Fortunately, the two only embraced for a moment before separating and bowing to the audience again. Meier's mood quickly turned to joy and excitement.

The six soldiers on stage also followed Jiang Xingchen, bowing to the audience. Their extreme excitement was evident from their flushed faces.

Originally, they had come with a mindset of going all out, never expecting such high recognition. Especially seeing the envious looks from the soldiers in the audience and the nods of approval from the military leaders, they felt as if they were basking in the warm sun on a winter day, feeling incredibly comfortable.

At that moment, they even imagined what kind of admiration and praise they would receive when they returned to the military after the performance became widely known.

Finally, several judges from the Imperial Academy stepped onto the stage, gesturing to quiet the audience, and the applause gradually subsided.

After a long pause, the oldest judge finally spoke: "We cannot judge this song, 'A Man Should Be Strong'..."

"Ah?" The entire audience was stunned. Such a song was clearly excellent, so why couldn't it be judged?

"Is there some kind of foul play?" Many people in the audience, especially the soldiers, immediately felt dissatisfied. This song, which resonated with their hearts, was like their favorite thing, which they wanted to be shared and recognized by more people, but it could not be buried or defamed.

However, before their dissatisfaction could turn into anger, the judge continued: "Because this song is unprecedented, we feel that an excellent rating is simply not enough to match its outstanding quality and impact... However, we can confirm that this song will definitely be included in the New Year's performance in the capital!"

"Damn! You could have just said the song won, why did you have to say it couldn't be judged, teasing us like that..." countless audience members thought to themselves.

On stage, Jiang Xingchen and Wanrou also cursed inwardly: "Old man, why can't you just say everything at once, you have to take such a big breath!"

The first sentence from the judge had really scared them. If they had been rejected, the fall from the heights would have been too much for Wanrou to bear.

Even Ding Beihou and Tang Chuxue in the audience felt the urge to punch the old man and kick him a few times.

The judge suddenly shivered and looked around in confusion: "Strange, why do I suddenly feel a chill down my spine?"

Shaking his head in confusion, the judge paused again and then said: "The new performance format and the new instrument have significant implications for the development of music and dance. We will submit a report to the empire to commend the Purple Thistle Dance Troupe!"

"Wow~" The audience was in an uproar. Whether nobles or commoners, everyone knew what merit and contribution meant, and their gazes toward the stage became even more intense. The song echoed in their ears again, and the theme that inspired them to strive forward was best embodied by the performers themselves, reigniting the audience's fighting spirit.

"See! Men can also have a future in music and dance! As long as you work hard, you can definitely become a noble!" countless commoners whispered to their children.

"Watch carefully, that's your role model!" the nobles also emphasized to their children.

"Didn't you notice, that boy is so handsome..." a noblewoman's eyes sparkled.

In the front row, Ding Beihou smiled with satisfaction. He could imagine that after this performance, Wanrou's noble status would be elevated, which was exactly what she had always wanted, and it had finally come true.

Mo Hongxian, Second Brother, Fourth Brother, Zhao Danqing, and Sun Sanqiang stared at Jiang Xingchen, all thinking the same thing: "Is there anything this kid can't do..."

One after another, he had come up with new food recipes, new methods for treating wounds, sutures that could be absorbed by muscles, and not to mention the toothbrush. Now he had invented a new instrument, the drum, and created a song that broke traditional boundaries... In just over twenty days, he had come up with so many things, and each one had significantly advanced his status.

"The only thing I can match this kid in is martial arts!" Second Brother's voice was tinged with a sour note.

Sun Sanqiang was about to speak but immediately remembered the dazzling knife skills Jiang Xingchen had displayed when dissecting the boar rabbit, and he couldn't help but grin, remaining silent.

Beside him, Meier bit her lower lip, her hands clenching the hem of her dress as if it were a wrung-out towel. If this merit was confirmed, the territory could be reclaimed.

The soldiers on stage were so happy they were almost fainting. They didn't play the drum, but they had participated in the performance of the song. This meant that they would also share in the merit of the new performance format.

"Nobles! There's a chance to become nobles!" The soldiers stood on stage, repeating this in their minds, their mouths curved into silly smiles.

The soldiers in the audience were envious: "What kind of luck did these guys have to encounter such a good thing... Why wasn't it me..."

Just as everyone was envious of Jiang Xingchen, an even greater shock hit them like a wave.

Ding Beihou stepped onto the stage and announced that Jiang Xingchen had been granted the title of Third-Class Baron, handing him the new identity card.

"What's going on?" Everyone was stunned.

If the commendation from the Imperial Academy was still within the audience's tolerance, the current ennoblement was like a mountain falling on them, leaving everyone dazed.

"Jiang Xingchen has made significant contributions to Hongyuan City and the empire, and has been directly elevated from a commoner to a Third-Class Baron!" Ding Beihou explained loudly.

According to the original plan, the ennoblement would be announced after the entire selection process, along with the other students from the Imperial Academy who were to be ennobled. However, in this situation, the immediate ennoblement would better inspire people's fighting spirit and have a better effect!

"What kind of contribution could it be to jump from the lowest noble rank to a Third-Class Baron? There hasn't been such a case in the empire's history since its founding!"

"It must be more than one contribution, today is just the opportunity to announce it!" The more intelligent people thought of this possibility.

"More than one contribution, heaven! What has this Jiang Xingchen done, he looks only in his teens!"

"That's not important, what's important is that his Third-Class Baron title wasn't earned through cultivation... Damn, doing something else can be more promising than cultivation!"

"I can do the same in the future, it's not too late to start now. Even though I don't have a talent for cultivation and my family won't focus resources on me, I can still succeed in other fields, just like this example..."

"That's right! I've always been interested in music and dance, I will specialize in them from now on..."

"I should also help my father with the family business..."

Seeing Jiang Xingchen's success and the lingering impact of "A Man Should Be Strong," the nobles were all filled with enthusiasm, their aspirations rising higher and higher.

However, this was not the end. Ding Beihou was determined to ignite the selection venue today.

"In twenty days, Jiang Xingchen has transformed from a commoner to a noble! Twenty days ago, he lived in the commoner district, renting a drafty room for two copper coins a day... But he seized one opportunity and achieved today's success!"

"The title of Third-Class Baron is based on his contributions before today, and does not include the invention of the new instrument... Therefore, I have decided to grant Jiang Xingchen a fief as a reward!"

"Boom~" The audience erupted in chaos, a cacophony of noise.

Today, they had come to watch a performance, but their hearts had been touched in a profound way. From the initial ridicule of Jiang Xingchen to the later surprise, the stirring of their blood, the resonance, the commendation, the ennoblement, and now the grant of a fief, wave after wave of impact had left the audience's emotions in turmoil, reaching a new peak.

In their eyes, Jiang Xingchen had become a model, a role model, a goal!

Some girls were now looking at Jiang Xingchen with predatory eyes, even the girls from other dance troupes backstage were the same. Who wouldn't want to get a head start on such a promising young man?

As for the commoners, their eyes had turned to admiration, and Jiang Xingchen would be a topic of conversation for a long time to come.

"Future generations must be like Jiang Xingchen!" This became the most common phrase they used to educate their children.

At this moment, Jiang Xingchen was also filled with joy. The goal of reclaiming his territory had finally been achieved. Although the Duke did not say he could choose the territory himself, the meaning was clear with the personal ennoblement in front of thousands of people!

Stepping forward, Jiang Xingchen bowed deeply: "Third-Class Baron Jiang Xingchen, thank you, Duke, for your ennoblement!"