Chapter 80

Today’s performance is "Fishing and Killing in the Family."

It’s a full set of plays from the famous Tianfulong Troupe in Jinan Prefecture. Speaking of Tianfulong, it is said to have a history of nearly a hundred years, passed down from generation to generation. It has always been an active and renowned troupe in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei-Shandong region. After being recognized by the government in the 1950s, many famous actors from the troupe became professors at the Shandong National Academy of Arts, thus establishing roots in Jinan Prefecture.

However, the academy is the academy, and the students are the students. The rules of the troupe have never changed: if you want to perform on stage, you must first spend five years at the theater! Regardless of whether you are a high-achieving graduate from a university or someone who has been learning in the troupe since childhood, it’s the same!

That’s right, the theater.

Previously, Cao Zhan invited Li Qian and Yu Bojun to visit the theater. It was no different from the old-style theaters he had seen in pre-Qing and Republican-era movies and TV shows. The first floor was the stage, and below it were the audience seats, with long benches lined up. When the play started, the place was packed. The second and third floors were VIP seats with tables, from which one could overlook the stage. This old-style performance method has been passed down for over several hundred years.

And the most remarkable thing about it is that there are no amplifiers in the entire theater!

Regardless of the size of the place or the number of people, the actors must sing with their natural voices. The effect is completely different from listening to amplified sound. When an experienced old actor goes up and sings a high note, you can savor it for days, relishing the aftertaste. The phrase "lingering for three days" probably describes this feeling.

Therefore, the rule of the Tianfulong Troupe is that you must first become famous and perform well at the theater with your natural voice before you have the资格 to perform on a larger stage, and then you can become a famous actor!

Li Qian, in his previous life, was involved in music and had heard Peking Opera, but he didn’t love it much. His personality as a rock musician, like a volcano, couldn’t possibly appreciate the slow and melodious Peking Opera.

However, after being taken to the theater by Cao Zhan and Yu Bojun, he suddenly became fascinated with Peking Opera.

The songs of this era are all new to him, as are the modern novels and movies. Even Hollywood films are mostly new to him.

So, in this time and space, despite knowing that he carries the advantages of an entire era, all the familiar things around him are gone. He can only recall "The Godfather" in his mind, and if he wants to listen to Teresa Teng, he has to play "Wildflowers by the Roadside" on his guitar. If he wants to watch "Four Generations Under One Roof," he can’t.

This feeling is really hard to bear.

But now he has discovered that he still has Peking Opera.

Even in a different time and space, Peking Opera is still Peking Opera, with its unique Beijing accent and traditional instruments, unchanged.

"Fishing and Killing in the Family" is still a heroic play, "The Dragon and the Phoenix" is still about Emperor Zhu Houzhao teasing a beauty, "The Empty City Strategy," "Farewell My Concubine," "The Meeting at the Ancient City," "The Fourth Son Visits His Mother," "The Drunken Concubine," "The Battle of Dingjun Mountain"...

The Beijing accent and melody are so beautiful.

...

"Last night, I drank and fell asleep in my clothes. The rooster woke me from my dream. My two younger brothers advised me by the river, telling me to give up fishing. I intended not to fish and to sit idly at home, but alas, my family is poor and I have no choice. In the early morning, I opened the door and the crows cawed. They flew back and forth, but why..."

Zhou Longcheng, the leading old actor of the Tianfulong Troupe, sang with a high and rich voice, hitting every note perfectly but stopping just in time. Even through the amplifiers, his voice was still so clear and sweet. When he sang "Alas, my family is poor and I have no choice," the tragic and heroic sentiment was vividly portrayed, like a pine tree on a steep cliff, standing tall and proud.

As the board fell, thunderous applause erupted.

In the box, Cao Zhan, Wang Huaiyu, and Li Qian all cheered loudly. Cao Linna shook her head and clapped, while the young Cao Boyuan and his sister, though they might not fully understand, were captivated by the performance and joined in the applause, their innocent voices adding to the charm.

However, Xie Bing and Chu Bingbing, sitting at a separate table behind, couldn’t get into the rhythm.

Xie Bing had heard plays before, although Peking Opera is less popular in the south than in the north, other regional operas like Kunqu, Huangmei, and Yueju are equally influential. Among them, Kunqu, the oldest Chinese opera, is often mentioned alongside Peking Opera as "Northern Opera and Southern Kunqu."

Although the development direction of this time and space is similar to the one Li Qian experienced, the preservation of traditional culture is clearly better. At least, in terms of people’s love for opera and the widespread presence of theaters and opera schools, the strong appeal of Peking Opera and Kunqu in this time and space is something that the era Li Qian experienced, no matter how much it promoted the protection of traditional culture, could never match.

For just thirty yuan, you can enjoy a play in any theater, and in this time and space, this is a popular form of entertainment for many people, not just the elderly but also many young people!

This is the power of tradition!

Xie Bing’s parents were not avid opera fans, but influenced by the local customs, they would occasionally go to the theater in the county to watch a play. Xie Bing, therefore, had heard a lot of Yueju and Huangmei, and could even sing a few segments of "The Female Prince" and "The Battle of Jinshan."

But Peking Opera, she had no interest in it... and the long and short tunes were often incomprehensible to her.

So, at this moment, listening to the opera was just a matter of daydreaming.

During a break in the performance, Wang Huaiyu turned to Li Qian and said, "You probably haven’t heard much of the Southern Kunqu and Northern Peking Opera. You should listen more; it’s truly beautiful! The Southern Kunqu is delicate and sincere, while the Northern Peking Opera is high-pitched, unrestrained, and free... it’s never tiring to listen to."

Li Qian smiled and nodded, "Since ancient times, the land of Yan and Zhao has been home to many generous and heroic people!"

Wang Huaiyu clapped his hands and laughed.

Xie Bing and Chu Bingbing, sitting a couple of meters behind, heard their conversation. Xie Bing stared at Li Qian’s back with wide eyes, while Chu Bingbing wore a half-smile.

Then, she leaned over and whispered to Xie Bing, "Hey, what do you think of him? Besides you beautiful girls, I’ve never seen him or heard of him having any young friends. He just hangs out with a bunch of old men! And they actually get along! Like our old Cao, like Yu Shao, and this old Wang. They all enjoy hanging out with him! ... I’ve never met such a strange person in my life!"

Xie Bing nodded, seemingly agreeing with Chu Bingbing, but she stared at Li Qian’s back for a moment and then whispered, "He... is very talented! Maybe it’s mutual admiration?"

Chu Bingbing, munching on sunflower seeds, nodded, "Probably! You haven’t had much contact, so you don’t know. Our old Cao and this old Wang, they are both top-notch people. But they both have a high opinion of your Li Qian. At home, our old Cao talks about him non-stop. In the past two months, I’ve heard Li Qian’s name so many times that my ears are about to grow calluses! I met him when I was sixteen, and I’ve been his mistress for almost ten years, but I’ve never seen him praise anyone like that!"

She paused and added, "And he’s just a kid!"

Xie Bing smiled, her face slightly flushed.

The phrase "your Li Qian" was, of course, inappropriate and clearly not true, but Xie Bing’s big eyes darted around, and though her face was a bit red, she held back and didn’t contradict it.

At this moment, Li Qian suddenly turned and nudged Wang Huaiyu, seemingly having an idea, and said, "Brother Wang, I remember Cao mentioned that you play the suona very well. How about I learn the suona from you?"

Wang Huaiyu, who was engrossed in the play, was taken aback for a moment before his eyes lit up, and his voice became uncontrollably loud, "Sure! If you want to learn the suona, I’m a hundred percent in! Whenever you’re free, just let me know... Hey, on a weekend when you’re free, I’ll take you to the countryside to perform! Whether it’s fun or not, I can’t say, but you’ll have to experience it yourself. You’ll see and hear it, and then you’ll know if it’s fun! I’ll tell you, the suona carries the joys and sorrows of the Chinese people, a truly Chinese flavor!"

Li Qian chuckled and said, "Alright, let’s make a deal. I’ll come to you to learn the suona!"

Wang Huaiyu said enthusiastically, "Sure!"

Behind them, Xie Bing and Chu Bingbing exchanged glances. Xie Bing wanted to laugh, while Chu Bingbing rolled her eyes.

She leaned over and whispered, "Did you hear that? That’s them!"

Xie Bing smiled faintly.

But when she looked at Li Qian again, the admiration in her eyes was even stronger.

Yes, admiration.

Before meeting him, Li Qian was just a symbol, a symbol of the power that could make them famous. Joking about seducing him or dreaming of him writing a song for them was just talk, not to be taken seriously.

But since meeting him, seeing this young and handsome guy write songs specifically for them, and experiencing his patient and meticulous guidance, those once frivolous words and actions are no longer just talk.

The real person is right in front of her!

At Xie Bing’s age, with her tendency to admire strong people and her inherent lack of security, how could she not feel some admiration for Li Qian?

In terms of ability, Li Qian used just five songs to make the previously unknown Liao Liao a star, and according to producer Li Jinlong, the company is very optimistic about their new album after the listening session. Even the company’s music director, Du Xiaoming, personally told them that as long as they stick with Li Qian, they can be famous for ten or twenty years!

What more can be said about his ability?

In terms of appearance, he is over 1.8 meters tall, with a tall and handsome figure... his face is absolutely in line with the traditional Chinese aesthetic!

Although he is young, even a few years younger than Xie Bing, his knowledge, talent, and demeanor show no sign of immaturity!

If this isn’t enough to attract a girl of Xie Bing’s age, what would be?

Moreover, today Xie Bing discovered another side of him.

Look, he is a master of lyrics and music, isn’t he? After making Liao Liao a star, even a queen of sweet songs like He Runqing has to ask for a song through friends, and even the CEO of Huachang Records has to send a message through them, saying that if Li Qian goes to Shunfu, he will invite him for a drink. What does this mean? It means that as long as Li Qian is willing, they are ready to welcome him with open arms!

So,