Since the Anhui troupe came to Beijing for a hundred years, Kunqu opera has not been as popular as it used to be. However, as the capital of the former imperial court, Beiping left behind a large number of refined imperial literati who still admired Kunqu Opera. A gathering is often held to recruit a popular opera singer who can sing Kunqu opera. A group of elegant scholars listen to the opera in the corridors, pavilions and waterside pavilions, while reciting poems and paintings, tasting tea and playing the piano. In the past, when Yuan Xiaodi, the leader of the Kunqu opera circle, was still there, Yuan Xiaodi was once the darling of literati. Because he is mature and prudent, has studied a little, can write and draw, and speaks well. The literati's emphasis is naturally different from that of ordinary people in the market. They value these academic qualities more than their appearance and singing voice. But now Yuan Xiaodi wanted to get rid of his identity as an actor, and he would not attend such occasions anymore, and the title of favorite fell to Shang Xirui, who deserved it. Shang Xirui is too young and has never read a book, but he is well-behaved and smart, he can recite poems and songs by ear, and has a bit of unique ideas and viewpoints, among the literati, he is unique. Back then, he met Du Qigong, his imperial poet, at Du Mingyu's literary and ink brush club.
This day Shang Xirui went to Dong Hanlin's house to sing a concert, went through three tours, and drank tea with them. The literati talked about it, and they all said that there are no good Kunqu opera actors in the capital now, Shang Xirui may be the youngest actor who sings Kunqu opera, and counting up, apart from Yuan Xiaodi, only the actress Yao Xifu is good.
Shang Xirui laughed when he heard it: "Yao Xifu is my master! She taught me Kunqu Opera."
All the people praised in unison that the famous teacher produced excellent apprentices, and said: "In this way, the original boss is regarded as the uncle of Shang Boss!"
Shang Xirui was taken aback for a moment, and immediately understood. Fortunately, he had studied opera with Yao Xifu for two years, but he didn't know that Yao Xifu was Yuan Xiaodi's junior sister, and he and Yuan Xiaodi still had this relationship!
"I've never heard of Master Yao talking about this level. It's probably because I'm an apprentice of her Koumeng, and there's no need to explain to me how many disciples there are."
The complexions of several old people present changed subtly, and they said with a smile: "Boss Yao has a bold temper and talks a lot, so he didn't mean not to tell you. She was a great number one person in Peking back then. Kunqu opera became famous in the crowd! She is better than her senior brother! Later, because of the entanglement between the teacher and the school, she left the mess and ran to Pingyang in a fit of anger."
The use of the word "also" is equally subtle. Shang Xirui has a narrow mind, so he passed by without paying attention. Hearing it, he secretly took a look at Shang Xirui, thinking that Yao Xifu also ran away with his senior brother after being frustrated in love, and apart from their singing, their pair of master and apprentice have also inherited the same thing.
Dong Hanlin said with a smile: "It was really strange in those years. Several famous actors took turns to go to that small place in Pingyang to take acupuncture points. Pingyang was plagued by drought and soldiers. Why did they go there?"
Thanks to several famous actors who went to Pingyang to make appearances in turn, Shang Xirui had a chance to learn from his teacher. It seems that the famous actors gathered in Pingyang for the sake of becoming a Shang Xirui somewhere.
At this moment Dong Hanlin spread out the paper and was about to write two strokes of poetry, Shang Xirui skillfully took the ink ingot and grinded it, it seems that he has done it many times, he winked and didn't need to be told. And this group of literati are willing to let actors serve their pen and ink, which shows how much they love Shang Xirui. Shang Xirui lowered his head and rubbed his ink, said: "Kunqu Opera has hundreds of years of foundation, I don't believe that the capital can't find a good one."
Someone said: "The foundation of hundreds of years is true, who can sing Beijing opera, who can't sing Kunqu opera? But it is really rare to sing it to the ears of us old people."
Another person said: "Why don't you go to the Yunxi class to shop? Isn't Si Xi'er, who is in charge of the class, specialized in Kunqu Opera? There should be decent children under the class?"
Shang Xirui silently read the name of Yunxi Troupe, recalling that Yuan Xiaodi had recommended to him an actor surnamed Zhou in Yunxi Troupe a while ago, secretly looking forward to it.
It was dinner time when Shang Xirui returned home from Dong Hanlin's residence, when he entered the door, he saw Cheng Fengtai sitting in the hall as if he was on trial, and Sheng Ziyun, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, stood in the hall. Sheng Ziyun was caught by Cheng Fengtai as soon as he showed his head, he thought it was his bad luck, so he slammed into the muzzle of the gun back and forth. He didn't know that Cheng Fengtai was with Shang Xirui at Tianmao now, as long as Sheng Ziyun showed his face, he could bump into him.
As long as Cheng Fengtai is serious, Shang Xirui thinks he is prudish. She couldn't help but smile at Cheng Fengtai behind Sheng Ziyun's back, Sheng Ziyun turned around and saw him, and couldn't help smiling at him too. Cheng Fengtai glared at them with a very serious expression on his face.
"Okay, people are here, let's go back after handing over the things. Lao Ge's car is outside."
Sheng Ziyun snorted, and handed the playbook he was holding in his hand to Shang Xirui, his face full of enthusiasm and his eyebrows furrowed. Because Sheng Ziyun is also a literati, literati somewhat admire Kunqu opera. He recently learned that Shang Xirui had sung two more Kunqu operas, he was very happy, he saved up a playbook overnight, the story was taken from "Three Words, Two Beats", he thought the rhetoric was gorgeous, and Shang Xirui was very talented. Xirui will definitely appreciate it.
Sheng Ziyun's hand had just reached Shang Xirui, before he had time to say a few words. Cheng Fengtai rolled their eyes, and taught them a lesson: "Sixth young master, your second brother Cheng has always been the most easy-going person. Look at my children, I have always let them go. But you are different Ah, your brother told me to keep a close eye on you, you are not allowed to step out of school, I can't let my friend down! Right?"
Sheng Ziyun let go of Shang Xirui's hand resentfully, and said: "I know. I'm going back to school right now." Turning his head, he said softly and firmly to Shang Xirui: "I wrote this book just for you, be serious. look?"
Shang Xirui didn't nod or agree, just looked at him and smiled. This smile is reassuring, as if it already means the promise. Sheng Ziyun followed with a distraught smile, then resolutely put on his student cap, turned and walked away. As soon as he left, Shang Xirui threw the playbook on the table nonchalantly, right in front of Cheng Fengtai. Cheng Fengtai thought it was for him to read, turned to the first page and only read two words, Shang Xirui said: "Why are you reading it? I don't want to listen."
Cheng Fengtai smiled and said: "Why, you know all the characters?"
"I don't know it. Don't listen to it if I don't know it. He can't write a good book."
Cheng Fengtai closed the opera book and weighed it, such a book is quite thick, no matter what the content is, it would take a lot of time to just talk about the neat small script.
"Boss Shang, you are so disappointing! Master Yun is not easy, why don't you take a look?"
"No! Don't!" Shang Xirui took the playbook away: "He gave me four or five such playbooks at least! It's meaningless at all... I'll never read his again!" Turned around in the room, found a place where the sun was out of the corner, and stuffed the book in.
Cheng Fengtai said: "Leave it there and let the mice eat it."
Shang Xirui clapped his hands: "It's not a pity to eat it."
Cheng Fengtai frowned and said with a smile: "Boss Shang, is this how you treat fanciers who deeply love you?"
"There are many fans who love me deeply, how should I treat them?"
Out of a complex psychology, Cheng Fengtai sincerely spoke good words for Sheng Ziyun: "Master Yun's hard work on you is pure and pure, you should cherish him."
Shang Xirui said disapprovingly: "They're all the same. They're all sweet potato heads."
Cheng Fengtai couldn't understand: "Why is it called sweet potato head?"
"When I was young, I was frightened when I first went on stage. My master told me that I would not be afraid to treat the seats in the audience as sweet potato heads. Later, when I thought about it, I was really not afraid anymore."
Cheng Fengtai walked behind him with a smile, spoke softly, and blew his breath into his neck: "Oh! So Boss Shang looked down from the stage, and there is a vegetable garden below. No wonder he didn't take it to heart when he poured water and booed of."
Shang Xirui turned around and looked into Cheng Fengtai's eyes: "Not really. Not when Second Master is in the seat."
Cheng Fengtai thought to himself that this child really has a singing mouth, and can speak so beautifully. Occasionally, a sweet word is said, and the words of love and love are not touched at all, and it can be sweet to death. Cheng Fengtai actually likes to see Shang Xirui being ungrateful and ungrateful to others, that makes him appear to have deep affection for him, only he treats him differently.
Shang Xirui was completely unaware of what love words he had said, turned his head and smiled and said: "Speaking of which, Second Master also failed Master Yun! Master Yun respects you very much, but you are always so fierce to him."
Cheng Fengtai said: "To tell you the truth, Boss Shang, I don't think much of Master Shang Yun either. A young man of eighteen or nineteen years old has nothing serious to do. He spends his days talking about trivial affairs, and even arguing with his classmates would bring tears to his eyes... At an older age, he led a team of caravans back and forth eight times in and out of the customs! Holding money at gunpoint to support his family, he has never suffered any crimes!"
Shang Xirui was a little dazed, unable to connect the scene of begging for life at gunpoint with Cheng Fengtai, suspecting that he was actually bragging. Because Cheng Fengtai looks like a rich and rich young master with no flaws at all, not like a desperado who has suffered and suffered at all.
Cheng Fengtai saw that he didn't seem very convinced, and said: "I will tell you about the vicissitudes of the second master someday."
Shang Xirui said: "It was all forced. If the family is prosperous, maybe Second Master will be like Master Yun."
Cheng Fengtai thought for a while, then smiled and said: "Boss Shang is right. But I won't be the same as Young Master Yun, I won't do such a thing as writing a playbook to please your gentility. I must be a loafer Brother."
Shang Xirui looked at him with a smile and hummed: "There's no need to assume that, you already are!" Cheng Fengtai pretended to be angry, rubbed his hands and was about to smack him viciously. Shang Xirui suddenly called out: "Oh! I almost forgot the business! Second Master, let's go!"
"Where are you going?"
Shang Xirui took his arm and dragged him away: "Let's find someone!"