CHAPTER 544: CHAPTER 277: CIVIL AND MARTIAL ACHIEVEMENTS, TWO LETTERS (PART 2)

The visitor raised his eyebrow and looked at the composed Wu Wencai, inwardly feeling a bit of admiration. He said, "Marshal Zhu has sent a letter, asking me to personally hand it over to you."

After speaking, the officer handed a letter to Wu Wencai.

"May I ask the general’s name?"

"My surname is Wang, and my given name is a single character, Liang."

Wu Wencai took the letter, opened it for a quick glance, and his eyes instantly widened.

"Zhu..."

As soon as he uttered the word "Zhu," Wu Wencai realized something and hurriedly put the letter away, saying, "I trouble General Wang to report back, allow me to consider this matter further, and I shall respond tomorrow."

Wang Liang nodded and said, "Our forces have already investigated that this county is rich and prosperous, the taxes are not harsh, the judiciary is clear, truly Wu County Magistrate governs wisely. Henceforth, I request Wu County Magistrate continue to govern kindly for the people, allowing the county to stabilize soon."

"General Wang, I am an official of Dayong, and you are the Beixiang..."

Wang Liang raised his hand interrupting, "Wu County Magistrate need not rush to reply. I know Wu County Magistrate cherishes the people like children, so for the sake of stability within the city, what harm is there in governing on behalf for a few days?"

"I still have pressing matters, and cannot linger, I hope Wu County Magistrate understands."

"..."

Wu Wencai wanted to say more, but saw Wang Liang cupping his hands, turning and leaving the government office.

Outside the office, Wang Liang walked to the group of soldiers, shouting, "All troops listen to orders! We are a righteous army; any soldier violating military discipline, taking even a single coin or thread from the people, will be executed! Those who abuse the people will be deemed treasonous; those who steal or claim false credit will be sentenced to death!"

Wu Wencai walked out of the government office, at this time Beixiang Army soldiers were marching down the street in front of the office.

The soldiers who met civilians on the street stood straight, swords at their sides, eyes straight ahead. The people stayed indoors safely, only the sound of hooves on dust, and clanking armor could be heard, the wind passed without a trace.

Wu Wencai sighed sincerely, "The roots of military discipline run deep here, as firm as mountains, truly a righteous army! Our Dayong... alas!"

The advisor joked, "This is a good thing, my lord at least gets to be the County Magistrate for a few more days, right?"

Wu Wencai sighed again at the words.

If he truly governed the county for the Beixiang Army for a few days, he would become a traitor to the nation, unable to return in the future.

Thinking of this, Wu Wencai rushed back to his study to retrieve the letter sent by the Beixiang Army’s commander to him once again.

The envelope bore the writing "Wencai, Brother, Open Privately".

Opening the envelope, the content of the letter was roughly as follows—

To Brother Wu Wencai:

The Dayong dynasty is rotten, the people cannot sustain life, you, who have always been talented, how can you bear to see the world fall? Brother Xu Qing once gave me a brilliant plan, showing allegiance to me, and soon we shall raise the banner of justice together, plotting a great cause. You hold the ambitions of a grand wild goose, why not join my army and collaborate on this righteous endeavor? The pleasure of floating cups in the past should transform into the sound of reforming the old; wish to join hands with you, eradicating filth. Honestly inviting you to join, I hope you decide soon.

Sincerely—Zhu Huai’an.

Wu Wencai furrowed his brow, contemplating for a long time, and finally clenched his fist, muttering to himself, "Brother Xu has always had great insight, if even he endorses Brother Zhu, I might as well join the Beixiang..."

A few days later, in Linjiang County.

Today was the last day of the opera troupe’s charity performance, on stage were performances like ’The Life Saving’, ’Cat Deity’, and ’Eight Banners General’ being played in turn, Liu Su’e was also singing the last part of ’The Tale of Infant Protection’, which totaled seven acts.

"The well is cold, the wind like a knife! Oh child... do not cry, do not be startled. Mother’s blood warms your spring coat, mother’s soul guards you till dawn."

"Goddess of Life! If you pity my child’s life like grass, please lead a kind-hearted person to save him from the desolation!"

On the last day, the embroiderer, embodied as Mother Sun, took to the stage to perform with Liu Su’e, her voice at the onset was a peerless aria that struck directly into everyone’s heart.

That voice, peeling off like silk, sharp enough to penetrate to the bones, the white water sleeves swayed, seemingly harboring endless sorrow.

The embroiderer sang thrice with a sigh, and her voice trembled as it trailed off, suddenly sinking low, turning into a faint whimper, truly every sound was a blood-cry, every word filled with emotion!

As the final notes faded, there was a barely perceptible breath sound leaking out, as if the singer had become so heartbroken that it was difficult to continue.

Tears wet their skirts, heartbroken, who could understand the meaning within?

"Oh my god, where did the Pear Garden Theater find this famous performer?"

Many soft-hearted women in the audience were moved by the atmosphere on stage and had become a mess of tears.

Even the tough-hearted men looked up to the sky, saying today’s wind and sand were really heavy.

Xu Qing watched Liu Su’e and the embroiderer performing together on stage and also sighed inside.

This is what it means to listen to opera, this is art, this is enjoyment!

When ’The Tale of Infant Protection’ finished its entire performance, one could hear a pin drop in the audience.

Someone with a coarse voice exclaimed ’good’, breaking the silence below the stage.

"Good!" Zhao Zhonghe took out the silver ingot he had recently found and tossed it onto the stage, suddenly the audience flung copper plates, jade pendants, silver coins, bracelets, felt hats, towels, and all sorts of miscellanea onto the stage regardless of value.

The martial actor responsible for collecting the scattered money had never seen such a scene, even the opera troupe leader accompanying the County Magistrate to watch the play wished to go up and help personally.

At the night show, the stars of the troupe no longer performed, only an old man with half his body buried in the soil swayed onto the stage, picked up the wooden fish and rapped the table, fluttering his folding fan he began to tell unperformed tales about the Goddess of Life and the Cat Deity.

This was an ending program Xu Qing specifically thought up, the day performance of Liu Su’e and the embroiderer was too outstanding, singing anything at night would seem lacking, thinking it over, he decided to talk about things outside the play as a supplementary extra.

This way not only would everyone be willing to listen, but it also wouldn’t feel pointless due to the lack of an evening performance.

Xu Qing sat in the front row, listening with joy, when someone wearing a corrugated cap, in a wide robe yet as thin as a stick, approached him.

"Here is a letter for the Sect Leader, the messenger seemed urgent, insisting to personally deliver it into the Sect Leader’s hands..."

"Where is he?"

Xu Qing lowered his voice, asking the red-tailed monkey.

The latter laughed softly, "I tossed him aside to snore, this letter was found in his clothes."

"..."

Xu Qing shook his head, got up and came to the side of the stage, under the light of the lamps, he looked at the letter.

To Brother Xu Qing:

The Dayong dynasty is declining, traitors are rampant, you, a wise man, must be worried for the country’s demise. Brother Wu Wencai has already joined my command, working together towards this righteous venture. If you align your heart, great things can be achieved; the fires of the four seas can still exchange for a renewed heaven. Remember the elegance of floating cups and crooked waters, now turning into the aspirations of heroes. Inviting you to join, do not hesitate.

Sincerely—Zhu Huai’an.

Xu Qing pouted, and with a flick of his hand, burned the letter entirely with a Yin-Burning Fire.

How can this little chubby keep daydreaming all day long!

——————————

As the final notes faded, a barely perceptible breath sound leaked out, as if the singer had become so heartbroken that it was difficult to continue.

Tears wet their skirts, heartbroken, who could understand the meaning within?

"Oh my god, where did the Pear Garden Theater find this famous performer?"

Many soft-hearted women in the audience were moved by the atmosphere on stage and had become a mess of tears.

Even the tough-hearted men looked up to the sky, saying today’s wind and sand were really heavy.

Xu Qing watched Liu Su’e and the embroiderer performing together on stage and also sighed inside.

This is what it means to listen to opera, this is art, this is enjoyment!

When ’The Tale of Infant Protection’ finished its entire performance, one could hear a pin drop in the audience.

Someone with a coarse voice exclaimed ’good’, breaking the silence below the stage.

"Good!" Zhao Zhonghe took out the silver ingot he had recently found and tossed it onto the stage, suddenly the audience flung copper plates, jade pendants, silver coins, bracelets, felt hats, towels, and all sorts of miscellanea onto the stage regardless of value.

The martial actor responsible for collecting the scattered money had never seen such a scene, even the opera troupe leader accompanying the County Magistrate to watch the play wished to go up and help personally.

At the night show, the stars of the troupe no longer performed, only an old man with half his body buried in the soil swayed onto the stage, picked up the wooden fish and rapped the table, fluttering his folding fan he began to tell unperformed tales about the Goddess of Life and the Cat Deity.

This was an ending program Xu Qing specifically thought up, the day performance of Liu Su’e and the embroiderer was too outstanding, singing anything at night would seem lacking, thinking it over, he decided to talk about things outside the play as a supplementary extra.