Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 206: Before fighting against the outside world, one must first make peace with the inside
The reason why the lie of "Nameless Academy" has been able to persist for so long and continue to grow is that many seemingly unorthodox actions are actually backed by a whole set of logic, and the key is that this set of logic is really convincing, at least there is nothing wrong with it, and this set of logic is the thought of Taoism.

If it were merely about being unconventional, eccentric, and unconventional, then neither Hongxiu nor Zhang Jiuling, who had wanted to visit last time, would support it, nor would some court officials, students' parents, and so on.

We cannot judge things solely by their benefits; we must also have something convincing enough.

In fact, these children have many similarities with Linghu Changge and her friends. The difference is that Linghu Changge and her friends are still rational, while those children are weaker in this respect. They just want fun and to fight, without considering the consequences.

This is so ruthless it's terrifying, and this is the predicament that Linghu Changge and her companions are currently facing.

It's like a mirror; whatever you do, those kids will do the same, or even worse.

There is an internal logic to it, rather than it being as inexplicable as it seems.

This is also why Linghu Changge was willing to accept it.

The next day.

Linghu Changge and the others arrived at the academy early.

The front yard was completely silent; despite the bright spring sunshine, it was as quiet as late autumn.

Even though they had come prepared, they still felt a cold sweat running down their backs.

Upon closer inspection, it's clear there's a trap inside.

Heaven knows what mischievous tricks those kids will come up with next.

This is almost entirely unpredictable.

Suddenly, Linghu Changge pulled out a brocade pouch from his sleeve, took out a yo-yo from it, flicked his wrist, and with a flick and a flick, the little wooden wheel went up and down.

After a while, Xue Bao'er asked anxiously, "Sister, will this really work?"

Linghu Changge was also unsure and said, "I don't know either."

After a while, several small heads peeked out from the top of the wall, and there was a rustling sound from the trees.

One by one, children emerged from various corners, slowly approaching Linghu Changge and the others, their bright, lively eyes fixed on the small wooden wheel in Linghu Changge's hand.

All I can say is that I didn't know how good my sister was when I was young!

The young women immediately became tense.

Suddenly, there was a splash, and a little child accidentally fell into the trap he had set. Soon, a little mud figure climbed out of the pit, grinning and laughing.

Xue Bao'er and the others saw this and instead of being amused, they felt a chill run down their spines.

As these children themselves said, this is how they usually play.

With opponents like that, how could you possibly win unless you killed them? No matter how much you beat them, they probably wouldn't care and would even find it more interesting.

Before long, the group of children had arrived in front of Linghu Changge and the others.

"Girl, what's that in your hand?" the leader, Chen Haonan, asked curiously.

Linghu Changge's lips curled up slightly, "Yo-yo!"

Another child asked very obediently, "Sister, can we play with it?"

From their expressions and voices, you could not tell that just a moment ago they were enemies at each other's throats.

Linghu Changge laughed and said, "Of course, I'd even give you this yo-yo, but I have one condition."

"I know whether or not you are allowed to enroll. Don't worry, we will definitely support you, sisters."

"Ah."

The other children nodded very affirmatively.

"That's not true."

Linghu Changge shook his head and said, "I plan to organize a competition, and whoever comes in first place will get this yo-yo."

"Is it going to be memorizing texts?" Chen Haonan asked nervously.

Linghu Changge shook his head and said, "No."

"What are we comparing?"

"Wielding spears and sticks, doing somersaults," Linghu Changge laughed.

"That's okay."

"Interesting. Interesting. I wonder when the competition will be held?"

Upon hearing this, the children's eyes lit up, and they nodded repeatedly.

Sitting on the wall not far away were four senior disciples from the Nameless Academy.

"There's nothing left to play."

Li Jie pouted his thick lips, his chubby little legs swinging back and forth, and said with a very aggrieved expression, "We trained for so long, but we only got to play for a few days. It's so boring."

Wang Xi laughed and said, "There's no other way. With such a formidable enemy at hand, we must quickly resolve our internal problems so that we can unite against external threats."

Huangfu Sengnian laughed and said, "Actually, playing with Linghu Changge and the others is not as interesting as playing with Lady Zixia."

Wang Xi looked at Huangfu Sennian with a strange expression: "Sennian, don't talk so evilly, okay? She is still my aunt, don't make it sound like something."

Huangfu Sengnian asked, "Is there a problem with what you said?" "Whatever."

Wang Xi rolled his eyes, then suddenly jumped down from the wall and said, "I'm going to talk to the teacher about letting Junior Sister return to the brothel."

Li Jie hurriedly said, "Go ahead, go ahead. I won't get involved in this kind of thing. If my junior sisters find out, they'll be heartbroken. I'm most afraid of seeing these kinds of things."

Wang Xi snorted, "I wasn't counting on you either."

After saying that, he walked forward and saw Hongxiu inside the front hall, watching everything at the entrance.

Upon seeing Wang Xi, Hongxiu smiled slightly and said, "Sir, your wisdom is truly astonishing."

Wang Xi sighed softly, "But there are some problems that even you, sir, cannot solve."

Hongxiu looked at him, puzzled.

Wang Xi said, "Li Zhongyun came here before, so the teacher should know that."

Hongxiu nodded.

Since that incident, she has tried to keep her distance from Li Linfu, and even when he comes, she pretends not to know.

Wang Xi said, "His purpose in coming here is to represent the Jiaofang (a music and dance academy) and recall Qingzhi and the others."

"what?"

Hongxiu's lips parted slightly, then a hint of sorrow flashed in her eyes, and she asked again, "Why?"

Wang Xi said, "Because the Jiaofang (a type of opera troupe) is also preparing to rehearse, they need to go back and help."

Hongxiu was filled with reluctance. She knew the hardships of working in the brothel and was very clear that Qingzhi and the others would not want to go back. But they were palace prostitutes after all, and they were bound to go back. This was their fate. She said, "But their skills are not yet proficient. Can we wait a little longer?"

If we can delay it for a while, we will.

Wang Xi said, "I have been trying my best to negotiate with the Jiaofang (Imperial Music Academy) on this matter. They will still live here, but they will have to go to the palace to rehearse every day."

Hongxiu nodded and said, "That's a bit better."

Ministry of Rites.

"Your humble servant Li Linfu greets Vice Minister Han."

Li Linfu bowed to Han Xiu, and a scholar beside him cupped his hands and said, "Lord Cui, how have you been?"

The scholar cupped his hands and said, "Greetings."

This scholar is named Cui Qiao, the son of Cui Rong, one of the Four Friends of Literature, and currently serves as a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat.

Han Xiu asked, "Master Li, how are your preparations going regarding the opera?"

Li Linfu hurriedly said, "I just reached an agreement with the Wuming Academy. They said that those palace prostitutes are not yet proficient in their skills and need to continue learning. Therefore, I have decided to let those palace prostitutes continue their studies at the academy while rehearsing operas here."

Moreover, maintaining this relationship allows us to consult the Nameless Academy on certain issues.

Han Xiu smiled and said, "Master Li, please don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to urge you, it's just that the situation has changed a bit."

Li Linfu asked, "What changes?"

Han Xiu said, "Master Li, have you ever thought about why the first performance of opera at Wuming Academy attracted so much attention and caused such a sensation?"

Li Linfu pondered for a moment, then glanced at Han Xiu and said, "Is Vice Minister Han referring to Hongxiu?"

"Exactly."

Han Xiu smiled and nodded, saying, "As the first Duzhi of Chang'an, Hongxiu's going to Wuming Academy will naturally attract a lot of attention. Moreover, as far as I know, Mr. Wuming is not very knowledgeable about singing and dancing. Hongxiu is the one teaching those students all of these."

Li Linfu nodded and said, "That's indeed the case."

Han Xiu said, "Although the court can recall those palace courtesans, they are not very famous, and their talents cannot compare with those of Hongxiu and others. Even if the script is well-written, it may not have a significant impact."

Li Linfu said, "But Hongxiu has not only left the brothel, but His Majesty has also recently exonerated her family. She is currently focused on teaching and is probably not willing to perform in this play."

Han Xiu laughed and said, "There are other people in this world who know about this besides Hongxiu. We can also invite Ziye, Feilu, and Nichang to perform this opera."

Li Linfu said awkwardly, "Not to mention that the three of them are currently in Luoyang, even if they were in Chang'an, it wouldn't be so easy to invite them. It would be very difficult to invite all three of them at the same time. If we force them to come here, it will cause some negative effects."

Cui Qiao, who was standing to the side, suddenly laughed and said, "Don't worry, Master Li. I have already invited these people. You only need to make adjustments in the arrangements. They will play the three leading roles, and the palace courtesans will only be responsible for accompanying the performance."

Li Linfu exclaimed in shock, "Lord Cui has invited all three of them?"

Cui Qiao nodded.

Li Linfu found it unbelievable.

Given the prestige of the Cui family, inviting any one of them individually wouldn't have surprised Li Linfu; the problem was that they invited three at once.

This is actually very, very difficult, because the three of them are in competition with each other, and it is impossible for them to appear in the same song and dance, let alone in the same opera.

Seeing that Li Linfu remained silent, Han Xiu asked, "What does Master Li think?"

Li Linfu was taken aback, then quickly replied, "Yes, I will make the adjustments."

Han Xiu added, "As for the script, Cui Sheren and Zhang Jiuling will personally write it. Master Li only needs to arrange the personnel and supervise the process."

"It's Cui Qiao again, and Zhang Jiuling again. Doesn't that mean I'm just a gofer? That's outrageous!" Li Linfu frowned inwardly, but nodded with a smile and said, "This subordinate understands."

(End of this chapter)