Returning to the county opera troupe in 77

Chapter 119, another scene added.

The play "A Visit to Guishan" caused a sensation throughout the entire Hongxing Commune.

It wasn't until very late that the villagers reluctantly stood up, carrying their stools and folding chairs, and slowly dispersed to their respective villages.

The bright moonlight spread across the road, casting long shadows.

The performance was a complete success, and the two dishes served at the commune canteen were also well received by everyone.

After the performance, veteran artists Feng Zhengxiao and Xue Rong sat at a table with Zhu Zhengguo, Han Wenxue, and Secretary Li. Each person had a bowl of pork stew with cabbage in front of them. This was the main dish, and its main feature was its affordability. A thin layer of oil floated on the soup noodles, which was still steaming.

There were four dishes on the table: spicy and sour shredded onion, sweet and crisp radish slices, two plates of fish, one plate of sweet and sour sauce, and one plate of garlic stir-fry.

"The opera was excellent today, and the dishes were delicious too." Secretary Li laughed heartily, picking up a piece of garlic-fried fish with his chopsticks, and asked Zhu Zheng, "What opera are you planning to perform tomorrow? The same old one?"

Zhu Zheng put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand: "We've only put on this old show these past few days. Let's start with something new tomorrow."

"A new play?" Upon hearing this, Secretary Li's smile faltered slightly, and he then showed a hesitant expression: "How about adding an old play before the new one? The commune members don't like watching new plays, and I'm afraid they won't agree."

He put down his chopsticks and said, "You didn't see it, did you? When the show ended, several people tugged at my sleeve and asked, 'Are you performing again tomorrow?' I said yes, and then they asked, 'Are you still performing Hu Fenglian?' You hear that? They're all here for the old opera."

The laughter at the table subsided, and everyone looked at Zhu Zhengwei.

"Then how about—" Zhu Zheng frowned, glancing hesitantly at Mao Shidao, whose expression was moved, before turning his gaze to Secretary Li: "Tomorrow's main play or the new play, how about adding a segment of 'The Top Lamp' before the performance? Firstly, to satisfy the old opera fans' cravings, and secondly, to warm up the audience for the new play. What do you think?"

"What! Your troupe can perform this play?" Secretary Li was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with surprise: "I've seen that play before! Oh, I was just a kid back then, going to the commune with my classmates. There was a crowd gathered around the stage, and the clown on stage was doing somersaults on that bench with an oil lamp on his head. The lamp never went out and the oil never spilled. I was so scared that I didn't dare to breathe."

As he spoke, gesturing with his hands, his eyes shining brightly, he exclaimed, "You guys can really act? That's an amazing skill!"

All eyes at the table immediately turned to Mao Shidao, who grinned widely and nodded repeatedly, "I can act! I can act! Secretary Zhu saw me rehearse this play these past few days!"

As he spoke, he excitedly patted his chest and declared, "I guarantee a flawless performance tomorrow! No flickering lights, no spilled oil, and not a single tumble!"

Upon hearing this, the group exchanged smiles. It was clear that Lao Mao was truly anxious. After waiting for so many years, he had finally gotten the chance to go on stage and showcase his skills. Even if it were them, they would definitely be too excited to sit still.

Secretary Li laughed heartily: "Oh dear! Then I'll definitely sit in the first row tomorrow. It's been so many years since I've seen such a spectacular performance!"

The lively scene in the commune canteen lasted for a long time, until the moon had fallen to the western treetops, at which point everyone yawned and dispersed.

The next morning, just as dawn broke and a thin layer of frost still covered the ground, Jiang Dashuan, wrapped in his black cotton-padded coat, ran over. Seeing Han Zhengkui squatting at the commune entrance brushing his teeth, he waved and called out, "Han Wuchou! Han Wuchou!"

Chen Xiangdong, who was squatting next to Han Zhengkui brushing his teeth, had a mouthful of white foam when Jiang Dashuan came running over. He spat out the toothpaste foam, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and turned to Han Zhengkui in confusion: "Teacher Han, who's this?"

Someone who calls you "Han Wuchou" is definitely not someone you're very close to. If you're really familiar with someone, you should either call them "Old Han" or their full name.

The moment someone utters the term "Han Wu Chou," they're probably a seasoned opera fan.

Chen Xiangdong blinked. This old man in the black coat must be a true fan of Han Zhengkui.

Han Zhengkui tilted his head back and gulped down his mouth twice, then mumbled something indistinctly to him: "The local opera fans live in the village over there."

Jiang Dashuan grinned as he approached the two of them: "We agreed yesterday to have drinks at my house at noon! My wife's already started preparing the food!"

Han Zhengkui stood up, feeling both amused and exasperated. He thought to himself, "When did we agree to go to your house? You were the one who kept tugging at my sleeve yesterday, insisting on going to your house, but I didn't agree."

He wiped his mouth and quickly waved his hand, "Oh, Brother Jiang, don't trouble yourself! Our troupe has a performance today, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to leave without permission."

Jiang Dashuan waved his hand dismissively: "No need for that trouble, it's settled then, I'll go back and help prepare the vegetables."

As she turned to leave, she turned back and said to him, "Do you know the way? It's the fifth house from the west end of the village, there's a big poplar tree in front of it."

"Hey! No—"

Han Zhengkui reached out to grab him, but the old man had already turned and walked away briskly, waving as he went: "I'll wait for you at home. My son-in-law should be coming over from the county committee compound soon, so I have to go home first."

Chen Xiangdong glanced at Jiang Dashuan's departing figure, then looked at Han Zhengkui, whose brows were furrowed, and couldn't help but laugh, "It seems this old man really went home to prepare vegetables. Ah, it's good to have a few opera fans like this; they can even freeload a lot of meals."

Upon hearing this, Han Zhengkui glared at him fiercely, about to reprimand him, when Zhu Zhengwei's voice came from the courtyard behind him: "What? Another county committee compound? Another freeloader?"

The two turned their heads at the same time and saw that Zhu Zhengwei had already walked up behind them, glancing at Jiang Dashuan's back in front of them: "What are you two doing so early in the morning?"

Han Zhengkui's face couldn't help but look a little embarrassed: "Nonsense! I just ran into a theater fan who insisted on inviting me to his house for drinks at noon. The guy he mentioned in the county committee compound is his son-in-law. He said he's Xu Hongqi, the deputy director of our county's Revolutionary Committee."

"Is Director Xu his son-in-law?"

Zhu Zhengkuo pointed with some surprise at Jiang Dashuan's retreating figure, his eyes lighting up.

Xu Hongqi was the deputy director in charge of education, culture and health, which was equivalent to the deputy county head. He was just wondering how to make connections, and now the opportunity had come!

Chen Xiangdong's expression changed slightly. He hadn't really taken the old man's words to heart, thinking they were just casual remarks from a friendly opera fan. But he never expected that this unassuming old man would have a son-in-law who was a high-ranking official.

Zhu Zheng slapped his thigh, his face beaming with joy: "Old Han, I'll go with you at noon!"

"Um?"

Han Zhengkui and Chen Xiangdong were taken aback and looked at him at the same time.

Chen Xiangdong's heart skipped a beat. This old Zhu was indeed very quick-witted. He wouldn't let go of even the slightest opportunity to get to know the leaders. No wonder he was able to thrive in the officialdom in his previous life.

Zhu Zhengkuo paced back and forth for a couple of steps with his hands behind his back, then stopped and turned to Chen Xiangdong: "Xiangdong, go to the supply and marketing cooperative on the street and buy me some things. You can't go to someone's house empty-handed."