Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 37 The unexpected visit of the lobbyist

"Professor Lin, I think this song should be sung by a female voice with a long, thin voice to convey the feeling you want.

Whether it is "The snow is dyed with thousands of brilliant lights, and the sound of bells shapes the Buddha shrine" or "In an instant, vivid shadows and floating lights reflect on the palace, and I mistakenly ask what year it is tonight", it is not suitable for male voices to sing.

If Mr. Mei."

Meng Xiaodong realized that she had said the wrong thing. Mr. Mei referred to Mei Lanfang, the leader of the four famous Dan actresses and also her ex-husband.

"How about this, Mr. Lin, please wait a moment. I'll ask Gu Zhengqiu to sing for you. Is that okay with you? She happens to be in Hong Kong right now.

Gu Zhengqiu is a female dan, so she is the perfect person to sing this role. However, she has performed on the island in the past and has lived there for a long time. I wonder if you mind?

However, the other party was only performing on the island and there was no other contact."

Lin Ran actually realized this problem. When he listened to Meng Xiaodong's singing, he felt that although her singing skills were absolutely top-notch, there was a gap between her singing skills and the original meaning of the song.

Only after listening to the other party's explanation did he realize where the problem lay.

There are many types of Peking Opera actors. For example, Meng Xiaodong is a female actor with a female body and male voice, which means that although she is a female, her voice is completely male.

The dan role, especially the male dan, is the exact opposite of the kunsheng role, with a male body and a female voice.

There are female dan but no male kun, because men play male roles, which belong to the sheng line.

The reason why Meng Xiaodong mentioned Gu Zhengqiu's background was because she was afraid that if she were to sing, it would cause misunderstandings.

Professor Lin clearly wanted to "watch from the sidelines". What if he asked Peking Opera actors from the island to come? Would it cause trouble for the other party, or would the other party have other considerations?

At first, Meng Xiaodong had only a vague impression of the talented young Chinese professor in front of her, but after singing "Watching from the Wall", she had a new understanding of his talent.

It is no exaggeration to describe this song as brilliant and talented. From her perspective, this song can even be said to have created a new genre.

It is hard to imagine that this song could have been written by a Chinese who grew up overseas.

Lin Ran's life story has been reported many times in Hong Kong media, all of which quoted official statements from American newspapers. He grew up and studied in Europe and became famous in North America.

So her consideration for the other party was not out of a desire to curry favor, but out of respect for the talent, and this song should also receive the treatment it deserves.

Therefore, the person who immediately came to her mind was Gu Zhengqiu, the most outstanding female role in Hong Kong.

Lin Ran thought about it and decided it wasn't a big deal. He was already accepting the role of a visiting professor at the fugitive version of Tsinghua University, so having Gu Zhengqiu sing a song wouldn't be a big deal. "Okay."

Meng Xiaodong then asked, "So, Professor Lin, would you like to schedule an appointment another day, or wait here for a while while I invite her over?"

Lin Ran said, "It's better to do it today than to wait for a day."

"Okay, then Professor Lin, please take a rest here."

Meng Xiaodong had just left when a servant walked up to Lin Ran and asked, "Professor Lin, Mr. Zhang has been waiting outside for a long time and hopes to see you."

"Mr. Zhang?"

"Zhang Shizhao." Lin Ran reacted. He had seen this name in Meng Xiaodong's information and had come from the other side of the river to persuade Meng Xiaodong to go back.

Simply mentioning Zhang Shizhao may sound unfamiliar. He has a granddaughter named Hong Huang. Hong Huang’s ex-husband is a famous director named Chen, who filmed "Farewell My Concubine".

Lin Ran guessed it immediately after seeing this. Maybe it was when he sent the visiting card, or maybe it was after he arrived that the servant informed the other party of his visit.

That's why this scene is happening.

Because after he arrived in Hong Kong, apart from attending a dinner organized by Hong Kong University that day, he attended classes during the day and stayed at Hong Kong University at night.

"Let him in." Lin Ran said, just so that the other party could listen to his carefully prepared "Watching from the Wall".

"Professor Lin, I have long heard of your great name. My name is Zhang Shizhao." The man opposite was wearing an old-fashioned long gown, looking very refined.

Zhang Shizhao was very puzzled. After the initial greetings, no matter how he expressed his purpose, whether explicitly or implicitly, the other party did not respond. He just smiled and said that he would wait for Meng Xiaodong to come back before talking.

He knew very well that if Meng Xiaodong came back and saw him here, she would know it was the servants who did it and he would have one less thorn in his side.

But if he turned around and left now, the servant would most likely be exposed, and he was unwilling to do that because he had received information that he should do his utmost to persuade the other party to return home.

From China's perspective, if Meng Xiaodong's value is 1, then Lin Ran will burst the numerical system.

Zhang Shizhao had already reached the limit of his authority, which was to become the head of the Department of Mathematics at Yenching University, and said that he could go back and take a look before making a decision.

But the other party was unmoved, neither saying anything good nor bad.

Zhang Shizhao sat restlessly on the sofa, not knowing what Lin Ran was selling.

Lin Ran was also speechless. It was true that he had information gaps, but having information gaps did not mean he was omniscient and omnipotent. Who knew your identity was, whether you had multiple identities, and who the servants were from? The servants could give you information, but could they give information to other organizations?

He didn't dare to say anything at all. Hong Kong was still too sensitive.

As Meng Xiaodong brought Gu Zhengqiu back, the four people in the living room each had their own thoughts.

However, Gu Zhengqiu was probably the least concerned. Like Meng Xiaodong, he was excited when he saw the music score and couldn't help humming along.

Zhang Shizhao's heart skipped a beat when he heard the name "Watching from the Wall"—"Watching from the Wall?" "So he's using this song to express his attitude? This is the first time I've seen such a way of expression."

Is “the rich colors of the entire Tang Dynasty” hinting at the glorious history of Chinese civilization?
"For a moment, vivid shadows and floating lights illuminate the palace." Does this mean that our ideals are as illusory as dreams and bubbles and are difficult to achieve?

What does "Where will the lights of the light-hearted Hu xuan dancers and the dancing girls sleep forever" mean?
What is the saying "The snow is dyed with thousands of brilliant lights and the sound of the bells shapes the Buddha shrine, and this time we will go to the dusty feast"?
"How can we not see the former splendor of the cave paintings when their faces have changed?" Does this mean that compared with history, the heyday of the Tang Dynasty is no longer there?
However, Zhang Shizhao understood the last sentence "but woke up and watched from the sidelines". The other party's attitude was clear and he would not accept his invitation at all.

The sad style of the whole song was fully brought out by Gu Zhengqiu's voice. Zhang Shizhao didn't even remember how he left Meng Xiaodong's house. He just felt that the lyrics were circling in his mind, and he was trying to interpret their meaning.

Before leaving Meng Xiaodong's house, Lin Ran asked Meng Xiaodong and Gu Zhengqiu:
"I'm going to be interviewed by Hong Kong Radio this Friday. I implore you two to record it before that day. Whether or not to add Chinese classical instruments to enhance the Chinese cultural flavor is entirely up to you two experts."

Lin Ran immediately took out an envelope from his suit pocket and handed it to Meng Xiaodong:
"This is the fee for hiring a band or musicians. If it's not enough, you can always come to the Department of Mathematics at Hong Kong University to see me. As for your compensation, I'm planning on $200. What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)