Chapter 541: Chapter 276
On the seventh day of the seventh month, the wind disperses the sound of cicadas, ushering in autumn among myriad trees.
Today, Linjiang County is exceptionally lively. County Magistrate Chen, along with numerous wealthy merchants and esteemed gentry, have come to the City God Temple to observe and worship.
The Pear Garden Theater has erected two stages in total. One is at the northern vegetable market, built on the spacious execution platform, while the other is outside the City God Temple in the south, which is dedicated to the Eight Banner Marshals, perfectly accommodating the citizens from both the north and the south.
Initially, Chen Guangrui thought the theater’s charity performance might be lively, but he never expected it to be even more bustling than the Baishui Temple fair in the Jin Sect.
People have flocked here not only from the county but also from the Jinmen Prefecture and other counties.
"During the charity performance, I hope the magistrate will pay attention to city defense and security. If there are not enough government officials, you can ask the martial guard for assistance. If the military can be called in for security, it would be even better."
Recalling what Xu Qing had once said, Chen Guangrui realized the truth of his words without any exaggeration.
But how did Xu Qing manage to make a small theater in Linjiang County so famous? Surely, it can’t just be because of the charity performance and free eggs that so many people are drawn here for fun?
At this moment, the instigator, Xu Qing, also known as Shopkeeper Xu, was at the vegetable market stage watching the excitement.
On the first day, only some warming-up plays were performed, without the acts of Overlord and the Eight Banner Marshals, so Xu Qing didn’t have to personally go on stage and rarely had the leisure to be a spectator.
Not far from the stage, Guo Dongyang, who had rushed over from the Jin Sect, had just gotten off the carriage when many people from the Jin Sect came forward to greet him.
In the entire Jinmen Prefecture, the most famous storyteller in the past few years is undoubtedly Mr. Dongyang. Many people from the Jin Sect came from afar because of the stories they heard from Guo Dongyang about the divine voice of Boss Liu.
In these times, many people are still unaware of what hype is, let alone that Guo Dongyang was invited by Xu Qing to be a ’crowd actor’.
Only the Cangyi Group rebels know a thing or two, but they cannot be considered experts yet.
There are two types of hype: one for those without skills, creating fake reputations, and the other for those with real talents, only needing a gust of wind and a fan to ignite them.
Those pretenders who lack skills can still become popular for a time through hype, let alone extraordinary talents with genuine skills!
There are many strange and talented people in the Jin Sect, but those who can create hype and have skills are few and far between.
A half-month ago, Xu Qing began building momentum for Boss Liu. Now, the government seal on the old garden of the western market in Jinmen has been removed, and the notice originally warning the citizens has been replaced with words like ’Evil eliminated, premises secure’.
For a time, thanks to Guo Dongyang’s tales, stories of Liu Su’e’s exceptional singing skills, overpowering ghosts and spirits, spread across the streets and alleys of the Jin Sect.
People cannot help but believe because Liu Su’e indeed visited the western market in Jinmen, and according to the broker, when the land deed of the market theater was sold, Boss Liu was among those who accompanied the buyer to view the house.
With the government posting an announcement beforehand, the broker confirming it afterward, and Guo Dongyang adding embellishments, the uninformed people of the Jin Sect couldn’t help but be curious.
They had heard of monks and Daoists exorcising demons, but the idea of singing driving away ghosts to be reincarnated was unheard of!
What kind of performer must one be to make even ghosts feel inferior?
The key point being those ghosts were former famous performers from the Pear Blossom Theater of the past in the Jin Sect.
Now, hearing that the Pear Garden Theater in Linjiang County is holding a public charity performance led by the lead performer Liu Su’e, the reaction can be imagined.
Whether they love opera or not, everyone wants to see what kind of awesome person this star truly is.
Half a month before the charity performance began, the Pear Garden Theater in Linjiang County was already nearly full each session. Master Chen couldn’t stop smiling but knew that these people were not here to listen to opera. They just wanted to catch a glimpse of the rumored Boss Liu.
Among the guests, there is no lack of gentry and gentlemen, noble sons, who are hard to please. Master Chen wanted to bring Liu Su’e out to meet them, but unfortunately, Boss Liu had already repaid her old debts to the theater over the past few years as the lead performer. Now, Xu Shopkeeper stands behind her.
As for the Pear Garden Theater, it mostly just has the name. If Master Chen wants Boss Liu to appear on stage, it certainly isn’t something that can be achieved easily!
Those who couldn’t meet Boss Liu became even more intrigued.
Many well-known opera enthusiasts, even those who set their minds on it, decided that if Boss Liu’s voice wasn’t as divine as rumored, they would surely ruin her reputation!
How dare an ordinary actress be so pretentious and showy?
Wouldn’t that be digging her own grave, looking for trouble for no reason!
"Boss Liu will find it hard to pass this hurdle!"
Lord Feng Er is a figure who has been mingling in the circle of enthusiasts for years, understanding their nature. Boss Liu has set the bar too high, raising their expectations even further.
So even if Boss Liu’s singing skills are indeed at the level of a Pear Garden star, unless she breaks through that barrier to reach the ’divine voice’ level, she will always be open to criticism.
"Isn’t Younger Brother Xu worried?"
Xu Qing, accompanied by Xuan Yu and Shiyue, had a young child chatting away on his left-hand side.
At first, Lord Feng Er thought Xu Qing had secretly had a child, but upon inquiry, it turns out that’s not the case. This little girl, little maid, little child belongs to someone else, and Xu Qing was just taking care of them.
Lord Feng Er also has a child, three years old, with his adopted daughter from a few years back.
Xu Qing does not judge; the Jin Sect has too many talents. As long as they are happy, nobody minds, especially since Lord Feng Er has now legally married that lady, and they get along very well. Otherwise, Lord Feng Er wouldn’t keep coming to him for pills to strengthen the body.