Returning to the county opera troupe in 77

"It's laughable that the dignified Grand Commandant Gao..."

A rogue wears a hero's helmet.

Arrogant and domineering, eliminating dissidents

"Beating Wang Jin for his tyrannical power..."

The powerful strains of Peking Opera singing from the radio drifted gently into Fang Zhengsheng's small room.

Zhu Zhengkuo was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened suddenly, and he stood up abruptly, his face full of disbelief: "This is... 'Forced to Join the Liangshan Rebels'? This play has been unbanned?"

Feng Zhengxiao, who was sitting at the same table, hurriedly walked over with a smile and pressed the bewildered Zhu Zhengwei back into his chair: "Isn't that 'Forced to Join the Liangshan Rebels'? It's being broadcast from the provincial station by the local station. Secretary Zhu, do you think this could be a signal?"

"Signal?"

Zhu Zheng glanced at the smiles on the faces of his classmates Fang Zhengsheng, Han Zhengkui, and Feng Zhengxiao, and suddenly realized: "You mean... this is a sign that old plays are being unbanned?"

"Secretary Zhu, look, the provincial radio station broadcast it. Isn't that sending a signal to the public?" Chen Xiangdong, standing behind Fang Zhengsheng, pointed to the radio. "The fact that the radio can be broadcast means what? The higher-ups must have given their approval. The wind has picked up. Shouldn't we start making plans?"

Fang, Han, and Feng all stared at Zhu Zhengqu's face, but no one spoke, waiting for Zhu Zhengqu's response.

Zhu Zhengwei didn't answer immediately. After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke: "You summoned me here just for this? Why didn't you speak to Commander Jia?"

Feng Zhengxiao said with a wry smile, "Secretary Zhu, don't you know Jia Dafang's attitude towards traditional operas? If our troupe wants to stage old plays, he is the most difficult obstacle to overcome."

Zhu Zhengkuo fell silent. Since joining the troupe, he had privately inquired about some of the events of that year, how Fang Zhengsheng and the other two were reported, and what role Jia Dafang played in the process. He knew a little about it.

As a theater enthusiast, he sincerely hopes that old plays can be brought back to the stage. However, he is not just an ordinary theater enthusiast; he is also one of the decision-makers for the future planning of the Dongping County Theater Troupe, so he has to consider many things.

"Well... I can't guarantee whether I can persuade the troupe to prepare to stage an old play. However, you can start preparing early, and once the documents from above come through, I will definitely give you my full support."

Without a concrete guarantee, it's just empty talk.

If the document had already been issued, would they still be in such a hurry to beg Zhu Zhengguo?

"Secretary Zhu, opportunity waits for no one!" Seeing Zhu Zheng's lowered eyelids and ambiguous words, Chen Xiangdong's eyes darted around: "Think about it, once the ban on old plays is lifted and the opportunity arises, with so many troupes across the province, who wouldn't want to get involved? If we start staging old plays then, will we still be able to get a piece of the action?"

Zhu Zheng's eyelids twitched slightly, as if his heart had been awakened by those words.

Seeing his expression, Chen Xiangdong quickly pressed his advantage: "Our Dongping County Troupe now boasts three Qinqiang opera masters; you won't find another like them in the entire Northwest! With such excellent resources, it's a shame to leave them unused, Secretary Zhu, don't you think?"

He paused briefly, then continued, "Over the years, our troupe has only staged a few modern plays over and over again; the audience is long tired of them. The theater doesn't even open for a month or two. Don't you want to change things up?"

Zhu Zhengke's heart skipped a beat. He looked up at Chen Xiangdong, a slight smile playing on his lips: "I didn't realize you were so quick-witted, kid."

After saying that, he tapped his fingers on the table, as if he had made a decision: "How about this, aren't we going to perform in the countryside of Hongxing Commune in a few days? I'll arrange for us to sing an old opera excerpt in the middle of the performance and see how the audience reacts."

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhengxiao and the others' eyes widened immediately. "Really?"

Zhu Zhengkuo nodded with a smile: "I'm under pressure right now to fight for your opportunities. If you can really make a splash among the masses, then I'll take the results to Commander Jia and talk to him so that you can return to the center stage openly and legitimately."

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhengxiao, Fang Zhengsheng, and Han Zhengkui exchanged excited glances. Ten years had passed, and these old Qinqiang opera performers, who had been forgotten by history, had finally gotten the chance to return to the stage and regain their former glory!

Before they could even catch their breath, Zhu Zhengwei added, "But you all need to decide in advance what kind of opera you're going to perform. Anyone with superstitious beliefs absolutely cannot perform!"

Chen Xiangdong quickly put on a smile and nodded repeatedly: "Secretary, don't worry, we know what we're doing. We definitely won't make things difficult for you when it comes to choosing roles."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Feng Zhengxiao, Han Zhengkui, and Fang Zhengsheng hurriedly echoed their agreement.

Zhu Zhengkuo then grunted in acknowledgment, picked up his little red book, and slowly walked out of the theater.

The theater was silent for two or three seconds.

Suddenly, Feng Zhengxiao slapped his thigh, his voice cracking, "It's done! It's done! We old men are going to take the stage again!"

His face was all wrinkled to one side, looking like he was both laughing and about to cry. Fang Zhengsheng stood beside him, his lips trembling, gripping Han Zhengkui's arm, his fingers shaking slightly.

Han Zhengkui winced as he was pinched, his eyes reddening: "Okay, okay!"

Standing to the side, Chen Xiangdong watched his three mentors' excited, flustered expressions, and his nose tingled with emotion. He took a deep breath, grinned, and said, "This is nothing! The play hasn't even been rehearsed yet, and you're already this excited?"

Han Zhengkui raised a hand, wiped his eye, and laughed, scolding, "What do you know, you idiot!"

Fang Zhengsheng, his voice hoarse, released Han Zhengkui's arm: "Don't just get excited. Secretary Zhu just said we need to finalize the play first. Let's all think about which one to stage."

The three of them exchanged glances, their excitement slowly fading, replaced by a solemn expression.

Feng Zhengxiao thought for a moment and was the first to speak: "How about 'The Orphan of Zhao'? There are no gods or ghosts, and it doesn't violate any taboos."

Fang Zhengsheng shook his head and said, "We can only perform one act. You still want to play Tu Anjia? For our first performance back on stage, we must use our best skills to completely captivate the audience!"

Feng Zhengxiao immediately fell silent. Tu Anjia was a painted-face actor, whose main strengths were recitation, acting, and momentum; his martial arts scenes were not particularly outstanding.

"It's a pity my leg is crippled, otherwise, I could perform 'Picking the Chariot,' a perfect example of a long-robe martial arts actor, and I would definitely be a sensation!" Fang Zhengsheng touched his crippled leg, shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Alas, I'll never be able to perform on stage in my life..."

Han Zhengkui frowned: "The first performance must be a hard-hitting martial arts play! If you ask me, you two should stop arguing. This time, I'll take the lead, and it'll definitely be a hit! Either 'Stealing the Armor' or 'The Crossroads,' your choice."

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhengxiao and Fang Zhengsheng fell silent.

If Fang Zhengsheng is in good health, then without a doubt, he will be the one to take the lead. Although Feng Zhengxiao's painted face is also exceptional, he is not known for his martial arts skills.

What they desperately need is a spectacular martial arts film that can immediately captivate everyone!

Seeing that neither of them responded, Han Zhengkui chuckled and said, "Neither of you're saying anything? Fine, then I'll decide. Xiang Dong, go tell Zhu Zhengkuo that on the day of the performance, we'll put on 'Shi Qian Steals the Armor'!"