Chapter 114

Chapter 114

Learning that the traveling merchants had come this time not with threats, the vendor guessed that those merchants arriving again in spring wouldn't stay to sell goods for as long as in previous years. This would give his own business an advantage.

He planned to stock up on more goods. In spring, before the large influx of merchants arrived, he would first sell a batch in the city. Later, he could buy goods from the arriving merchants to sell outside the city.

Having just entered the city and sold another batch of goods, Lu Yuan was in high spirits.

Later, a few acquainted vendors came to buy from him, and he took the opportunity to inquire more about the theater.

Nowadays, the Youyang City theater was packed for every show, with those entering being the city's powerful and wealthy elite.

The various aristocratic families, with their numerous family members, not only had wealth and power but would also book out the entire theater to please their elders.

People of somewhat lesser standing still hadn't managed to get a chance to see the drama "Snow Disaster."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan had no choice but to give up on the idea of going to the theater to watch "Snow Disaster."

If even the nobility were stuck on the waiting list, forget about a small traveling merchant from Westmoon like him.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Li Xing looked at the intelligence sent back by spies, his brow furrowed tightly as he gazed at Xie Yulin seated below him.

"Westmoon is preparing to ban 'Love Between Human and Ghost.' It seems our plan to capitalize on the story's popularity to sell related accessories and clothing won't work. If the story is banned, everything related will be banned."

Even Li Xing couldn't help but say, "That Song Zijun is quite something. That kid reacted fast enough."

Xie Yulin lowered his eyes slightly. "He won't necessarily succeed."

"What do you mean?" Li Xing asked, puzzled. "What did you do?"

"The Emperor of Westmoon is by nature sensitive and suspicious. Song Zijun was trained as a spy from childhood—he has loyalty in spades, but little trust. There was no need for me to do much; just planting a small seed of doubt in the Emperor of Westmoon's mind will make it quickly take root and sprout. Song Zijun cannot gain the Emperor's trust or be given important duties. At the same time, Song Zijun won't trust the Emperor either. He will be on guard against the Emperor and everyone around him at all times."

"As long as he is on guard, he cannot escape the notice of a ruler. The rift between monarch and subject will only deepen. Superficial harmony with underlying discord—nothing they attempt will succeed."

After Xie Yulin finished speaking, Li Xing let out an approving cheer and said happily, "Brother Xie, you've really thought of everything! It's a good thing I have your help, otherwise I wouldn't be sitting securely on this throne."

Li Xing knew himself well.

If he had to go to the battlefield and kill enemies, he could definitely cut down one with every swing of his blade.

But when it came to scheming and plotting—these brainy matters—he really wasn't cut out for them.

Fortunately, he and Brother Xie were good brothers who trusted each other.

If they were like Westmoon, where the emperor and the prime minister distrusted each other, things would go south sooner or later.

Since Xie Yulin said to watch and wait, and that nothing would go wrong, Li Xing felt relieved.

He then asked Xie Yulin what to do about the two Northern envoys still in Wu Country.

"Urgent reports from the border say the Northern Kingdom has been hit by a disaster. The villages along our border have been plundered again by those beasts disguised as bandits."

Li Xing spoke through gritted teeth, a fierce gleam in his eyes. "I say we should send back the heads of those two Northern envoys to intimidate the North and make them think twice about harassing our border people again."

Due to its geographical location, the Northern Kingdom was perpetually battered by wind and snow.

When Wu Country had light snowfall, over there it was unceasing heavy snow.

They suffered snow disasters almost every year.

Although they endured constant wind and snow, the people of the North were tall, strong, and immensely powerful. Their military might was the greatest among the nations.

The other countries all said Wu was barbaric and unreasonable, a land of brutes.

If truth be told, the Northerners were even more so.

But because their fists were hard enough, no one dared to say it.

The Northern Kingdom bordered Wu Country. Although there had been no major wars in recent years, minor skirmishes at the border had never ceased.

When disasters struck over there, the lives of Wu Country's border people only became harder, and the soldiers didn't fare much better either.

Xie Yulin could understand Li Xing's thoughts and his current anger, yet for the greater good, he had to dissuade him.

"If Your Majesty truly does that, you would be giving the North a pretext to attack us."

Li Xing was well aware of this. He originally thought being emperor was the most comfortable—able to do whatever he wanted, his word being law.

Who knew it wasn't like that.

Being emperor wasn't as satisfying as when he was a ruffian in West City.

At least back then, if someone annoyed him or bullied his family, he could just fight.

He'd fight until the other party didn't dare fight back, fight until they never dared show up again.

Now, everywhere he turned, it was about prioritizing the bigger picture.

Li Xing let out a deep sigh, out of ideas, finally blurting out a rustic phrase, "Then what're we s'posed to do?"

Xie Yulin had to remind Li Xing to pay attention to imperial dignity. Li Xing nodded, agreeing with a distracted "hmm, hmm," though it was unclear if he really took it in.

"Have the two envoys go to the theater to watch a play," Xie Yulin said.

Li Xing made a puzzled sound. "Huh? Why give them preferential treatment?"

"Only by watching the play can they learn its content."

Li Xing shook his head like a rattle-drum, quickly stopping Xie Yulin's dangerous idea. "Wouldn't that let the people of the North learn the life-saving techniques from 'Snow Disaster'? The drama arranged by your wife contains practical methods for snow disaster rescue, construction, and settling refugees that can actually be implemented."

"Having those two watch 'Snow Disaster'—how is that any different from telling the North how to manage snow disasters?"

Li Xing shouted, his voice then growing softer and somewhat guilty. "Is my thinking wrong?"

Xie Yulin's gaze was calm, his expression showing no emotional fluctuation as he slowly shook his head.

"Your Majesty, does our country have a strong army and capable generals?"

Li Xing counted. "In terms of martial skill, besides you, Little Chang, and me, there's only General Wang, General Zhao, General Xu, and the elderly General Fang."

"Your Majesty, along with me and General Chang, must guard Youyang and cannot easily leave. General Wang guards the sea borders. General Zhao defends against Westmoon and the Southern Kingdom to the west. General Fang is advanced in years and has been stationed at the border for many years. Does Your Majesty expect General Xu alone to lead a group of soldiers who are cold and hungry to resist the Northern army?"

Li Xing fell silent.

Naturally, he understood the logic. He knew Wu Country had few capable generals and insufficient military strength. Ultimately, the nobility grew increasingly decadent and hedonistic, while the state treasury was empty. They could neither afford to support the military nor the people.

So even if border people were bullied, for the sake of the bigger picture and for the survival of more people, they could only endure it.

Wu Country could not withstand further turmoil.

If the North learns certain things from "Winter’s Calamity" and implements them, the lives of the border soldiers and civilians will naturally improve.

But only slightly. It was suffocating, the way the Wu Kingdom was bullied and couldn't fight back.

Li Xing pressed his hand on the saber at his waist, his thick dark eyebrows lowering into a deep frown.

"Brother, tell me, when will we finally stop having to put up with this crap?"

Xie Yulin lowered his eyes, and Li Xing did not press for an answer.

He knew the answer.

It was an unspoken understanding between ruler and subject.

If the Wu Kingdom does not make a change, it will continue to be bullied like this.

And no matter what kind of change is made, regardless of success or failure, it will be a grueling ordeal that shakes the kingdom to its core.

If it succeeds, all is well; but if it fails, it is the common people who will suffer.

Li Xing sighed deeply, the silence in the grand hall weighing heavily on both their hearts.

...

Shen Yuan received word that two Northern envoys were to be shoved in to watch "Winter’s Calamity."

Based on Eunuch Cheng's implications, Shen Yuan figured out that the Emperor intended for him not to give the two any special treatment—in fact, it would be best if they were made to suffer a bit.

After delivering the message, Eunuch Cheng hurried back to the palace. A short while later, five people entered the theater.

Shen Yuan recognized the man in the lead: it was Chang Linyan.

He was in charge of both the suburban camp of Youyang and the Imperial Guard; the nobles in the city loathed him with such a passion that they gnashed their teeth at the sight of him. Among the officials, they feared Xie Yulin the most, but they detested Chang Linyan above all.

At this time, many people were already seated in the theater. Acquaintances were eating pastries and drinking hot tea, chatting quietly in total comfort.

Suddenly seeing this harbinger of doom, Chang Linyan, their dissatisfied gazes turned into physical daggers, piercing toward him like sharp swords.

Shen Yuan knew why the nobles disliked Chang Linyan.

Chang Linyan had no family background or foundation; this was a weakness, but it also made him invulnerable.

No matter what he did, he had no strings attached.

Furthermore, his temperament was naturally resolute, and he was fiercely loyal to Emperor Wu, serving as the best and most lethal blade in the Emperor's hand.

Whatever the Emperor ordered him to do, no matter who the opponent was, he would never be soft-hearted.

The power of the nobles meant nothing to Chang Linyan, and they couldn't kill him even if they wanted to; not only was he highly skilled, but he also held significant military power.

Aside from having their sons under his command engage in passive-aggressive defiance to annoy him, there was nothing they could do.

Chang Linyan had long since grown accustomed to these looks; he didn't care.

If many people loved him, it wouldn't grant him a longer life; if many people loathed him, it wouldn't skin his nose.

General Chang, who utterly disregarded the opinions of others, stood before Shen Yuan with a stern face. He nodded slightly, "State Preceptor Shen, I have brought the men."

Shen Yuan glanced at the people behind Chang Linyan.

The two from the North were tall but gaunt, looking like skin and bones.

It seemed the Emperor had put them through quite a lot lately.

Two soldiers in armor followed at their sides with sabers. When the soldiers saw Shen Yuan, they also nodded in greeting.

Shen Yuan arranged temporary seats for them near the stage. To avoid blocking the view of those behind them, the two soldiers sat down as well.

The Northern envoys, who had been starved by Li Xing for a long time, had no interest in the drama; their eyes were practically glued to the pastries on the table behind them.

Even from a distance, they could smell the sweet aroma and involuntarily swallowed their saliva.

Chang Linyan spoke up to warn them, "You two had better not have any other ideas. There are heavy guards stationed outside. Even if there are Northern spies in Youyang, they cannot save you."

The Northern envoys, who had already tried to escape several times, both snorted coldly. Wu Ming said, unable to endure any longer, "A street thug is still a thug, even if he wears a crown. Looking back over the past few hundred years, which monarch has acted like this, imprisoning the envoys of another country!"

Chang Linyan turned his head, his face cold and clearly displeased. "If this General remembers correctly, the ancestor of the Northern Royal Family wasn't a noble either; he was a lowly butcher. If Envoy Wu doesn't remember, I don't mind taking you to refresh your memory after the play is over."

Wu Ming couldn't help but shudder.

He remembered at the very beginning, in order to trouble the people of Wu, he had claimed whatever food they sent was terrible, nitpicking and criticizing it as utterly worthless.

After Chang Linyan found out, he didn't have the day's meals taken away. He simply instructed his subordinates that Envoy Wu would not be sent anything new until he finished what he had.

One cannot easily back down when competing out of spite, and he hadn't believed Chang Linyan would truly deny him food. If he were to starve to death in Wu, that would be a different story altogether.

Who would have thought that Chang Linyan really wouldn't give him food?

The previous meal had been thrown to the ground in his anger, scattered everywhere.

In the end, he was truly on the verge of starving to death. In a daze, he picked up all the food from the ground and ate it. Afterward, he was sick to his stomach for days and had to take medicinal soup for quite a while before recovering.

Wu Ming had experienced Chang Linyan's methods and had no wish to repeat the experience.

Beside him, Xu Shengping whispered disapprovingly, "Why is your temperament still like this? Can't you just hold your tongue?"

Wu Ming also knew he had a big mouth and spoke without thinking, but he couldn't lose face, so he ignored Xu Shengping.

Just then, the large hanging curtain in front was pulled open from the inside. Wu Ming's gaze inadvertently drifted over, and once he saw the scenery behind the curtain clearly, his eyes widened.

How could there be cottages and inhabitants on a wooden stage?

Wu Ming and Xu Shengping were extremely surprised and wanted to ask something, but the words died in their throats under a cold glare from Chang Linyan.

Better not to court disaster.

Wu Ming somewhat regretted his lack of restraint just now, having offended the man.

Then he felt he wasn't in the wrong; it was the Wu Kingdom barbarians who lacked etiquette and dared to provoke a Northern envoy.

If he returned to the North later, he would certainly find a way to make these people who had humiliated him pay.

However, currently under someone else's roof, he had to bow his head to survive.

Wu Ming put on a long-suffering look, his desire for revenge written all over his face—obvious to everyone but himself, as he thought he was hiding it well.

Xu Shengping couldn't be bothered to remind him, thinking to himself, "What a fool."

The performance on stage began.

When the play reached the part where the old man worried about the wind and snow outside, Wu Ming and Xu Shengping were already certain in their hearts that such a snowstorm would inevitably become a disaster.

The North Country suffered snow disasters almost every year; they were used to it.

Just as the two had thought, the disaster unfolded.

Watching the "snow" drifting on stage, they stared at the railing just two steps ahead, the ground covered in a blanket of white.

Upon closer inspection, they realized the so-called "snow" was actually paper scraps.

In the North Country, paper was a commodity that circulated among the nobility; their respective families were prominent and influential, so they knew its value well.

Even they considered paper precious and hard to come by.

Yet Wu Country had shredded it into pieces to scatter as snow, just for people to watch a play?

Wu Ming really wanted to say, "Typical of someone with a street rat's upbringing, no concept of how to cherish such treasures!"

Fortunately, Xu Shengping held him back in time, preventing Wu Ming from uttering more reckless words and offending Chang Linyan again.

As the plot thickened, Wu Ming and Xu Shengping's emotions rose and fell with it, ultimately bringing them to tears.

And the snow disaster relief efforts depicted in the story left the two completely stunned.

No one understood better than they did just how useful those methods would be.

The two were so overjoyed they wept. If the North Country had these methods, they could surely accumulate even greater wealth! In time, they could raise more and stronger troops, and annexing the surrounding countries might not be impossible!

Wu Ming's eyes practically shone with excitement, but Xu Shengping remained firmly seated, gripping Wu Ming tightly to stop him from doing anything rash.

Emperor Wu had them watch this play for a reason; there must be a deeper meaning. Only by restraining themselves and not tipping their hand could they secure more opportunities for planning.

But what he didn't expect was that after they watched "Snow Disaster," the Wu Country court showed no reaction whatsoever.

Not only did no one come to see them, but there wasn't even a dog passing by their door.

Xu Shengping couldn't figure it out. Had he been mistaken?

"Oh, you're the smart one, the capable one, the great strategist," Wu Ming had been chewing Xu Shengping out daily for the past few days. "I was a fool too, believing your words and not asking the Wu people more about the relief methods. Now look, the Wu people aren't contacting us at all, and we can't even get our messages out."

They had even lost many North Country spies within Wu because they tried to send messages out, all caught by Chang Linyan.

These were people who had been embedded for a long time; losing so many at once made both of them feel sick to their stomachs.

Xu Shengping was starting to suspect a trap. The Wu Country had them watch the play precisely to provoke them into sending messages, flushing out their spies.

Wu Ming put on a show of being anguished, shifting all the blame onto Xu Shengping. "We received news that the North Country is facing another disaster this year. If it weren't for your insistence on scheming, and if I had gone to ask, the methods would have already been sent home!"

After being scolded by Wu Ming for several days in a row, even the most patient person would lose their temper. Xu Shengping immediately retorted, "Have you forgotten how you offended Chang Linyan? Even if you had asked, do you think he would have told you? And you talk about the methods being sent back? Look at those messages—they only come in, none go out. We only hear what Wu Country wants us to hear. Can't you, this fool, use your brain?"

"How do you know he wouldn't have said anything if you didn't ask! You're the fool!" Wu Ming ignored the fact that messages were blocked, trying to absolve himself.

Xu Shengping snorted coldly. "Do you think Chang Linyan looks like he wants to deal with you?"

"You messed things up yourself and won't admit it, insisting it's my fault!"

"With a mouth like yours, what can we possibly accomplish? It wasn't me, Xu Shengping, who was kicked down the steps by Emperor Wu back then."

"You wanna die, Xu?!"

The two began arguing in the room, a common sight for the Wu Country soldiers guarding outside.

Following Xie Yulin's advice, Li Xing left the two North Country envoys hanging for over a month. Even when they later requested an audience, he didn't grant it.

This made Xu Shengping even more panicked. Could it be he had guessed wrong? Did Emperor Wu not intend to use the things in "Snow Disaster" as leverage?

But if he didn't want to exchange benefits with the North Country using this, why specifically take them to see it?

Surely it couldn't be out of kindness, just wanting them to watch a Wu Country play.

On the North Country envoys' side, their days now started with them blaming each other and fighting constantly.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan's theater business was getting better and better, with daily revenues reaching astonishingly high levels.

Li Xing was very pleased. Although this income was a drop in the bucket for the national treasury, even a mosquito's leg is meat. As long as there was income, he wasn't picky.

Ji Shuang had been continuously scouting for performers.

Previously, there was no concept of acting like this, so no one understood. Those brave enough to try at the Union were more adaptable to the stage than others.

Ji Shuang actually managed to find several talented individuals. In Anjia Alley, there was a girl named A Ju who usually seemed timid and didn't dare speak much, but once on stage, she transformed completely.

Shen Yuan was astonished by A Ju's explosive power and acting skills. If no one told them, no one would know the A Ju on stage and the A Ju off stage were the same person.

There was also an old man named Lu Fang. When he played poor commoners, it made people's hearts ache. When he played a cunning merchant, it made people angry. When he played a corrupt noble, it made people resentful.

Within the Union, many wanted to know how Old Master Lu managed to embody every role so perfectly. But remembering this was his livelihood, not a single person actually went to ask.

In the end, Old Master Lu himself couldn't stand it anymore and began guiding those whose acting was unbearable, telling them to observe people more.

People of different social classes and personalities do different things and say different words.

The more you observe, the more you naturally understand.

Even if you haven't eaten pork, haven't you at least seen a pig run? Just express what you've seen and experienced on stage, and the character will come to life.

As the Union's vice president, Ji Shuang took note of Old Master Lu's guidance.

He asked Old Master Lu why he was willing to impart everything he knew.

Old Master Lu only smiled and said, "Now that this old man's life is better, I also want to help others."

The Lu Fang of the past wouldn't have thought this way. But on the day he went to the Storytellers' Union, he had originally intended to end his life.

Yet, in the biting wind, he happened upon a tea stall where an elderly couple gave him a bowl of hot water.

The warmth flowed through his lungs. The knife-like cold wind still cut into him, but he no longer wanted to die.

That day, the elderly couple talked with Lu Fang for a long time. Lu Fang drank several bowls of hot water. Even such hot water was hard for him to come by in winter.

For a lonely, helpless old man, even preparing firewood for the winter was a task as difficult as climbing to the sky.

That day, Lu Fang drank more hot water than he had in many winters.

He also learned from the elderly couple that the Storytellers' Union was looking for actors—simply put, people who could portray different characters.

Once he had drunk his fill of hot water, Lu Fang went to the address the old couple had given him for the Storytellers' Union.

In his over fifty years of life, Lu Fang had seen many people and experienced many things.

He used all his past observations, experiences, and feelings in his audition performance, earning himself a chance at survival.

All actors auditioned at the Storytellers' Union, but after being hired, they worked at the theater.

They helped with backstage chores and odd jobs, watched the performers on stage, and had set times for group study and training.

Currently, Shen Yuan personally led all the acting training. He intended for Lu Fang and A Ju to eventually take over, so he was even stricter with them.

The hardship of learning to act paled in comparison to the hardships of life.

A Ju and Lu Fang didn't even notice that Shen Yuan was being stricter with them; they simply thought they weren't doing their best and practiced tirelessly in private.

When it was time to prepare for outside performances, Shen Yuan was the first to notify everyone.

Everyone was overjoyed.

Actors at the theater received a fixed monthly salary of three hundred wen, plus two meals a day. If the commute was difficult or they lived too far away, the theater also provided accommodation.

The living quarters in the building were a hundred times better than their own homes. Not only were there charcoal braziers in winter, but each person had their own small wooden bed and didn't have to squeeze onto a shared one.

One person was assigned to clean the living area each day, so it was always clean and tidy.

If they performed, they would earn extra.

For each performance, depending on the importance of the role, they earned between five and fifty wen. If a tip was specifically meant for someone, that person could keep one-third. If no one was specified, the theater took two-thirds, and the remaining amount was split equally among everyone.

If the amount wasn't enough to split evenly, it was recorded and saved until it was sufficient.

The actors who performed on stage at the theater now all had a tidy sum of silver saved up.

Their families were even eating meat. To keep the right physique for their roles, they didn't dare eat too much, but their clothing was visibly cleaner and warmer than before.

A Ju was cleaning the staff dormitory; it was her day to clean.

The sunlight outside was bright and warm.

A Ju wiped the table until it was spotless, then washed the cloth and hung it to dry.

She touched the torn hem of her clothes. This outfit was the only decent one in her family; in previous years, only her father wore it when he went out on business.

Now, the family's only decent piece of clothing was on her.

The shoes she wore were makeshift, made by her mother over several sleepless nights by dismantling her own tattered clothes.

Thinking of her parents, A Ju's eyes welled up, and tears fell onto the patched toes of her shoes.

She was the middle child, with older brothers and sisters above her and younger siblings below.

With many children in the family, favoritism was inevitable.

She had been quiet and withdrawn since childhood, so her parents paid even less attention to her.

A Ju had always thought she was an unlikable child.

But she discovered that her aging parents, to protect her, were beaten bloody by thugs and still refused to let go.

They said that even if they died, they wouldn't let her marry that scoundrel and ruin her life.

A Ju realized that her parents had no money and were sometimes timid, but they cared about every child in the family, including her.

Going to the Storytellers' Union for the audition was A Ju's own decision.

Her parents had been beaten so badly they couldn't get out of bed. Everyone in the family was desperately trying to earn money and protect her; she couldn't do nothing.

A Ju had once doubted if the Storytellers' Union was a scam, but then she thought: what did someone like her, who had nothing, have to be scammed out of?

Wrapped in the warm, gentle sunlight, A Ju felt endlessly grateful for the decision she had made back then.

She had made up her mind: once she saved enough money, she would buy a good set of clothes for every member of her family.

And she would buy a pair of shoes for each of her parents.

"A Ju! Time to eat!"

Hearing the call, A Ju wiped away her tears and ran outside with a smile.

"Coming!"

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Author's Note: During the time I haven't been updating, I've been writing every day, but I just couldn't produce anything. Writing a few hundred words a day, writing and deleting, deleting and writing. Today went a bit smoother.