Fu Cheng quickly said, "Since we've come all this way, I'd like to see what this Republican-era theater is like. Let's listen in the main hall."
Meng Honghe nodded.
The waiter quickly called out, "Four of you downstairs, please bring tea and snacks."
After he finished speaking, he led the group to a table, dusted off the dust with a towel in his hand, and neatly set out teacups, pouring tea for them: "Please have a seat, all of you."
After the waiter left, the four of them drank tea, and as the initial shock subsided, they gradually became engrossed in the scene.
Fu Cheng casually inquired with his neighbor, "Hey buddy, what play is being performed on stage today?"
"You're not locals, are you?" The man looked them up and down. "Well, you're in luck. It's Mr. Yun's show in a bit, and she'll be performing her best piece, 'Beating the Drum and Cursing Cao Cao.'"
Someone else chimed in, "Speaking of which, Mr. Yun's voice is truly amazing. In all of Dongjiang, no one can rival her talent."
"Indeed, what was that saying again? 'The lingering sound will last for three days...'"
Then, the people around started talking about Yun Zhuoyi.
Yan Zhenxiong is very knowledgeable, and he took this opportunity to popularize the history of Peking Opera and how to appreciate it.
Fu Cheng had never heard of Peking Opera before. He only learned a little about it after taking on the role in "The Red Actress". However, he still had no interest in this kind of opera with its distinctive singing and singing. He only showed an interested look because of the filming.
Just then, the gongs and drums sounded on the stage.
The people who had been discussing so enthusiastically just moments before immediately fell silent, their expressions turning fervent as they watched the stage.
As the music began, a figure dressed in theatrical costume and wearing a beard walked out from the "general's gate".
The moment he opened his mouth, he immediately stunned the audience.
Chapter 78
Not only Fu Cheng, but also Meng Hong and the other two were stunned.
Because none of them expected that the performance on stage was live. They were some distance away from the stage, and there was no amplification equipment on site, yet they could hear it clearly.
This is the climax of the plot. Cao Cao humiliates Mi Heng by appointing him as a drummer. Mi Heng then uses the drumming to berate the court officials and Cao Cao.
The most brilliant part of this section is when Mi Heng uses variations in drumbeats to accompany the music, expressing his intense emotions.
Drumming may seem simple, but it is actually very difficult to play a variety of variations. You need to use your arms and wrists, and it is even more difficult to do so when you have to sing along.
However, Mi Heng on stage was completely at ease, his drumming was generous and passionate, and his singing was seamless, making for a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience.
Afterwards, Mi Heng and Cao Cao, among others, engaged in a heated debate.
The two sides cooperated perfectly, their rhythm was masterful, and they kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
Of the four, only Yan Zhenxiong usually listens to Peking Opera; the other three had almost never heard of it. They initially forced themselves to listen for the sake of filming, but unexpectedly, they became really engrossed in it.
When Mi Heng sang, "I would rather be a guest of a loyal and virtuous man than a servant of a treacherous villain!"
The sound was clear and resonant, striking the ground with unwavering force.
The four felt their blood boiling and cheered along with the other onlookers.
After the play ended, the four wiped their foreheads and found that they were covered in a thick layer of sweat. You have to understand, it was the dead of winter, and although Mujiang City was relatively warm, they could still feel a chill sitting outdoors. But after watching the play, they were not only not cold, but they were actually sweating.
Qiu Jie was almost completely dumbfounded the whole time: "Is this Peking Opera? It's...it's so amazing!"
The man next to him chimed in, "Is this your first time seeing opera, young man?"
Qiu Jie nodded, then couldn't help but ask again, "Is this Mr. Yun really a woman? When I listened to her sing, her voice was so powerful that I couldn't tell it was a girl's voice at all."
Before the man could speak, Yan Zhenxiong said unhurriedly, "It is said that Yun Zhuoyi's singing style is dignified and profound, without any feminine tone, making her the foremost female male singer in the entire Dongjiang region."
“This gentleman is knowledgeable about opera,” the man said. “Listening to Mr. Yun perform an opera is like drinking cool water on a sweltering summer day—it’s incredibly refreshing!”
The four of them agreed with what he said.
Just then, a man in a long robe ran over: "Reporter Meng, what are you doing here? I've been looking for you everywhere!"
Meng Honghe was listening intently to Yan Zhenxiong and the onlookers chatting when he heard his words, and he suddenly came back to his senses.
"Yes, yes, I've almost forgotten who I am."
They all have their own roles in the program, participating in history in a reasonable and appropriate way. In "Liyuan," Meng Honghe and others play newspaper reporters.
The man in the long robe said, "Mr. Yun has been waiting backstage for quite a while. Please follow me."
Meng Honghe and the others then realized their place and followed the man in the long robe into the backstage area.
As they walked backstage, they saw a person wearing a white undershirt with their back to them, seemingly removing their makeup.
After she took off her oversized costume, her shapely figure became apparent, revealing that she was indeed a woman.
Hearing the noise, she didn't turn around, but said slowly, "Are you reporters here for an interview? Please have a seat for a moment."
Her voice was clear and bright, without a trace of girlish coquetry. She even spoke with a slight accent, but it was very natural and unpretentious.
She gave the order as a matter of course, and the four people did so without any objection.
When the four of them finally realized what was happening, they were left speechless, both amused and exasperated.
The four of them are all seasoned veterans in the hosting industry for nearly twenty years, a talented history expert, a superb actor, and a fearless young star. They are all worldly-wise, yet they are as docile as quails in front of such a little girl.
Qiu Jie, arrogant and haughty by nature, immediately felt embarrassed and stood up, deliberately making things difficult for the other party: "Was that really you singing on stage just now? This voice doesn't sound like it at all?"