Chapter 539: Chapter 274: The Last Man of Dayong
Xu Qing seemed not to understand at all, his eyes brightened as he said, "Then in the future, all the ghost opera performances in my shop will rely on Boss Liu!"
"Just this?"
"Of course, if Boss Liu knows any dancers and performers who can be bold, it would be perfect to have them perform at the anniversaries of the deceased."
"..."
A seductive dance for the dead? Liu Su’e’s almond eyes widened; is this a tradition in the funerary business?
Xu Qing kept his promise, reciting a few spells symbolically, then reaching behind the other person and gently brushing, soon having a bright green horse whip in his hand.
"Please look, Boss Liu, your foster mother has always been with you in spirit..."
Liu Su’e looked at Xu Qing pulling a trick with the willow whip, surprised and delighted, "This is the horse whip given to me by my foster mother!"
"How did Brother Xu see it?"
Xu Qing smiled and, answering with something seemingly unrelated, said, "I need someone daring enough to sing ghost operas, Boss Liu will see many things once they’ve sung enough."
"But Boss Liu need not fear, partings of life and death are just so!"
Having said this, Xu Qing drove the carriage forward, leaving a trail of dust behind from the wheels.
...
On this day, many common folk gathered in front of the town’s bulletin board.
Educated individuals who could read aloud recited the announcement above.
"Proclamation to the people in the sixth year of Jingzhi:
To strictly enforce national law and ensure the safety of the people, it has been determined that bandit leader Zhao Dahong and thirteen others, calling themselves the ’Cangyi Group,’ are indeed rebels and chaos-mongers. These heinous criminals disregard the king’s law, their crimes well-known.
Firstly, spreading falsehoods: falsely claiming evil techniques, creating misleading prophecies, spreading rumors to unsettle the people’s hearts.
Secondly, endangering lives: setting up altars for profit, harming the innocent, enraging both humans and deities;
Thirdly, colluding with foreign enemies: secretly communicating with the Southern Barbarians, divulging our secrets, bringing wolves into the house, intending to harm the country.
Fourthly, rebellion and treason: privately forging weapons, hoarding grain and fodder, initiating events in Jingzhou, unforgivable crimes!
The Divine Strategy Camp’s Hundred Households and the Demon Hunting Bureau’s officers have been in pursuit, and the main culprits Hong Dayuan and the thirteen others have now been fully captured, with conclusive evidence. According to Dayong law, those guilty of treason and conspiracy cannot be pardoned, thus sentenced: to be executed as an example by decapitation at the execution ground at Vegetable Market, bringing peace back to the community.
Below is a cautionary message: To all good citizens, be sure to tend to your duties and do not believe in rumors. If anyone harbors evildoers or withholds knowledge, they will be guilty as traitors!"
The surrounding people began to chatter with excitement; more spectacle to see now!
"Silence, I haven’t finished reading, there’s another announcement here."
"Issued by Linjiang County’s Ritual Office:
Shopkeeper Xu of the Funeral Shop on Underground Street is holding an anniversary celebration to thank the community, specially inviting Master Chen of the Pear Garden Opera Troupe, presenting a post to meet the local elders: With the county government’s approval, from the 7th to the 10th of this month, stages will be set up at the East City God Temple and the Vegetable Market to present series of operas. With the support of good citizens from all directions, we make this announcement.
Opera Performance Schedule—
On the 7th: Matinee: Lock of Lin Bag, Butterfly Dream, Baby Protection Record (Sending Scales); Evening performance: Exorcising Yellow Ghost, Zhong Kui catching ghosts, Cat God (Upper).
On the 8th: Matinee: Farewell My Concubine, Fixing the Mountain Pass, Eight Banners Opening the Frontier Town; Exorcism Baby Protection Record (Protecting Fetus), Cat God (Lower), Yang City God solving cases.
On the 9th: Matinee: String-leading Matchmaker, Series of Cat God; Evening performance: Dragon King’s Daughter, Baby Protection Record (Yin’s Entrust), Eight Banner Marshals defeating the King of Dharma..."
Whoa! Shopkeeper Xu of the Funeral Shop isn’t giving away eggs, instead inviting opera troupes for a charity performance!
The onlookers chattered, and the announcer interrupted: "Who says no eggs are given, it says down here that eggs, rice, and oil will still be distributed, but only after the County Magistrate goes to the City God Temple to pay respects to the Eight Banner Marshals."
...
Meanwhile, in Luojing City.
After Zuo Zixiong interrogated the rebel Cangyi Group, he immediately hurried back to the Capital City to report the matter to his superiors.
"Commander Qin, this is of great importance. If the Dayong Kingdom’s fortune suffers because of this, we are all guilty of dereliction..."
Commander Qin dared not delay, drafting a memorial to the Emperor that very day.
"I’ve already reported this matter to the Emperor,"
Zuo Zixiong repeatedly