Chapter 885: The Seats Are Full
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan did not know any contractors in the capital. After some thought, she said, “Publish a recruitment notice in tomorrow’s newspaper. I’ll form a construction team to work for me.’
“Right away, Master.”
After strolling the streets for a while, Su Binglan said, “Let’s go to the theater to watch the General’s Order.’
Su Chun perked up. “That’s great, Master! I thought you forgot.”
“l might forget other things, but not that. Although 1 wrote the script, I’ve yet to watch the play.” Su Binglan had wanted to see the effects of the play.
Although she knew the effect was good, she still wanted to watch for herself. Su Binglan also needed inspiration for her next play.
When the duo arrived at the theater, the staff was excited to see Su Binglan. They almost knelt before her, but she had previously instructed them not to do that whenever she came out in casual clothes. She did not want them to draw attention to her.
Therefore, the staff suppressed their excitement and brought Su Binglan to the high-class private room on the second floor. From there, she and Su Chun could see the performance better. There was also food there, so they could eat while watching.
As the duo headed to the second floor, Su Binglan saw Chen Chengkang and Chen Zhuzhu on the viewing platform. The uncle and niece were focused on the stage and did not notice anyone else.
However, the staff member was attentive as he followed Su Binglan’s line of sight and hurriedly explained, “Your Highness, that’s Duke of Chen’s younger brother, and the other one is Young Master Chengkangs niece.
“They come here often. Everyone says Young Master Chengkang likes Miss Xiaoxun. He treats her very well, and everyone can see how sincere he is. He also respects Miss Xaoxun very much and even sent people to protect her in secret. ”
Su Binglan smiled and nodded. After all, she knew about these things. If Chen Chengkang were a bad person, she would have told her guards to chase him out.
Although this was just a theater, she had people guarding the area. If anyone dared to cause trouble here, the guards would arrest them immediately. Those with good senses knew Su Binglan ran the theater. Those who visited the theater to watch the plays had to abide by the rules.
After entering the private room, Su Binglan waved and let the staff return to his post. She and Su Chun then sat at a table to watch the show.
The General’s Order play had several scenes, and each plot was brief. Otherwise, the story would be too lengthy. The first scene was of a ten-year-old youth practicing his swordsmanship in a courtyard.
Immediately after, an urgent drumbeat sounded, and the old general gathered his sons to tell them about the war at the border. He intended to bring everyone to the border to protect the people.
Although the youth was only ten, he insisted on going to the battlefield with his father.
The youth’s elder brother doted on him, saying, “Nonsense. You’re only ten. You can’t go to the battlefield.”
“But Father, Big Brother, Second Brother, and our uncles also went to battle when they were only ten.”
Every man in the general’s estate had to lead troops to the battlefield and fight at a young age. Nonetheless, the general looked at his youngest son with a heavy heart before bringing his sons to the ancestral hall.
Pictures of those who had died on the battlefield were in the ancestral hall of the General’s estate. Each had guarded this land through generations.
The spectators felt a lump in their throats as they watched what happened before the expedition scene.
Everyone knew about the glory of the general’s estate. However, they were unaware of the generations of accumulated meritorious deeds that brought glory to the estates.
The family had made countless sacrifices to protect the people, but the commoners knew nothing about it.
The general brought his sons to kneel in the ancestral hall, saying, “You must never forget our ancestors’ teachings. We must protect our country and its people. We wouldn’t have a home without Chu Country.
“You mustn’t fear making sacrifices. If you retreat at the border, the enemy will occupy the city and leave our people homeless. Since we’re going to war soon, you must remember your responsibilities.”
The second scene showed what the ten-year-old youth witnessed and heard at the border. War was crueler than anyone could have imagined. It was not easy to protect a city from the enemy.
The actors reenacted the scene of golden spears and iron-clad horses on stage with sound effects, music, and light. The audience was on the edge of their seats as they watched.
The third scene consisted of the Crown Prince roping in the general while the latter remained neutral. The emperor feared the general and tried suppressing him in secret. The former typically refused to pay the army or provide them with rations.
The general had lived frugally to feed his soldiers. The Imperial Court deliberately stopped supplying pensions, and the general had to take it from his own manor. Very few were privy to this.
The third scene showed the war from three years ago. This war lasted a long time and exposed the emperors’ and princes’ selfishness. It also exposed the fact that the Crown Prince had conspired with the enemy to kill the soldiers.
Many soldiers died in vain on the battlefield that day.
The crowd was furious as they watched. They only felt relieved when the new emperor ascended the throne and vindicated the general’s family.
Although the play was ambiguous and did not specify which general’s manor it was about, everyone knew it was about General Jin’an and his family. Many cried after watching the General’s Order.
Su Chun could barely return to her senses after watching the play.
“How touching! ‘
Su Binglan watched the crowd’s reactions and smiled lightly. Later, she could advertise the play in the newspapers. She even considered allowing the host to go on stage during intermissions to advertise food shops. That way, the theater could collect advertising fees.
Of course, the shops would have to pass a review before being eligible for the advertising slots. After all, Su Binglan did not want to deceive the consumers.
“That was a beautiful play.”
“Yeah, I couldn’t help tearing up. I never knew how much pain and sorrow General Jin’an experienced.”
“l heard he won a battle when he was only ten. It turns out winning battles isn’t that easy, not to mention how young he was.”
“It’s not like we only saw his glamorous side. Still, we didn’t know the Wei family had experienced such hardships.”
“My heart aches for them. I watched this play twice, yet I always tear up.”
“There will be another play in two days. I heard they’re outstanding. Before this, the actors only performed in the prefecture. They even showcased many myths and legends in their plays.”
“Ah, I’m so excited! I need to watch those plays when I have time.”
“l need to consider buying tickets. The seats are always full.”
Everyone discussed the play and upcoming ones as they left the theater. Su Binglan knew they were also discussing her previously written plays. She would write a few more plays for the actors soon.
The sky was already dark when Su Binglan exited the theater. She planned to return to the Wei Manor with Su Chun. Su Binglan wanted to finish cooking dinner just in time for Luo Jin’an’s return.
However, she happened to see a horse galloping toward her with Luo Jin’an on it..