You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 91 Imperial Censor Jiang leads his troops to encircle the flag-bearing territory
Van Gogh once said: "Painting is divided into front and back, art into left and right."

Ballet, yoga, small indoor orchestral performances, and oil painting exhibitions—because they emphasize elegance, enjoyment, and romance—can be categorized on the right.

Drama, choral singing... because of their passion, rousing nature, and strong sense of power, can be categorized as left-handed.

Of course, there will definitely be controversy.

Therefore, Van Gogh said:
When you try to refute me, you'll be astonished to find that you can't refute me at all, and you'll even have to loudly agree with me. Because I'm already dead, and you want to hype up my paintings to make money.

……

Shunzhi, gender: male, age: 14, identity: feudal emperor.

Drama was definitely not suitable for Shunzhi's physique; dance was more appropriate.

Classical dance is not unrestrained enough.

Western ballet and jazz are too straightforward, appearing somewhat vulgar and not in line with the aesthetics of the Confucian scholar-official class at the time.

The only solution was a combination of Chinese and Western elements, which not only solved the emperor's urgent need for sensual pleasures but also overcame most of the psychological barriers.

South City.

The inner courtyard of the Jiang residence.

The table was covered with papers, some in tiny characters and others in ink paintings.

Jiang Qingyun, Wanchun, and Sanhuamao huddled together, whispering and discussing how to form this song and dance troupe.

Although it's said that three cobblers together can form a Zhuge Liang (a brilliant strategist), the venue, costumes, music, dance moves, makeup, and even expressions all need to be created from scratch.

It is indeed a huge project.

Jiang Qingyun had to be hands-on with everything, because only he knew what he wanted to create.

……

Wan Chun was a graduate of Qingyin's small class, and her major was a perfect match. The only thing that didn't satisfy Jiang Qingyun was her makeup.

"Young master, how is this makeup?"
"Or not."

"What kind of makeup does the young master want? This is already the fourth one."

"It should highlight gentleness and charm without being vulgar, and it should fully evoke the audience's wildness." Jiang Qingyun patted the calico cat's head.

Meow~
The calico cat stretched out fully on the table.

When Wan Chun saw it, she felt a little jealous and thought to herself, "This cat is really shameless and brazen."

Jiang Qingyun stood up:
"I have other things to do. Go out and select rouge and face powder. Buy me everything that can be bought in the capital, regardless of its price."

"Oh dear, how much silver will that cost?"

"The Ministry of Revenue will pay for it."

“That’s wonderful, I’ll go right away.”

"Ready-made clothes definitely won't do. Go buy some silk. Remember, don't choose thick, heavy, or complicated patterns. Choose light-colored, thin, and shiny ones, preferably with some elasticity."

"Don't worry, young master, I understand everything."

Late spring coiled around her like a snake, but Jiang Qingyun pushed her away.

"Time is tight and the task is heavy. Do you have any good sisters from your previous opera troupe? You can bring them back to the mansion to discuss the makeup together."

"No need, no need. What do they know about eyebrow painting? One concubine is enough."

Late Spring, like a cat that had been scalded, vehemently denied it. She was already on the train; how could she let the opera troupe get on as well?

……

Just as Jiang Qingyun was about to leave, Green Pearl, heavily pregnant, came over.

"Young master, this was delivered by the charcoal gang."

Jiang Qingyun opened the envelope, inside was a compilation of banquet invitations from all the private restaurants in Nancheng recently, recording the time, place, guests, and snippets of conversation that the female manager had overheard.

Every private restaurant in the southern part of the city needs to get approval before it can open.

All the female shopkeepers were informants, and in return, the Military Command provided them with long-term protection, so neither Wanping Daxing nor any Jianghu gangs would bother them.

With its unique business philosophy, Nancheng Private Kitchen has become the top choice for banquets among the nobility and officials of the capital.

I quickly skimmed through it.
Jiang Qingyun's gaze fell on one of the names—Ning Wanwo, Jiang Hede, and Li Shutai, followed by a row of people he wasn't so familiar with.

How did they end up together?

"Master, are you okay?"

"nothing."

"It's getting cold, so yesterday I had someone deliver a cartload of things to the Master and Madam of Tongzhou in the young master's name."

“I’m too busy to take care of household chores. Green Pearl, you’re doing a great job.”

"Hey."

"Go back now, be careful of the slippery ground."

After Jiang Qingyun left.

"Second Madam, let me help you back to your room."

"it is good."

Once in the room, the old woman continued to flatter him.

"Second Madam, this servant can tell that the young master truly dotes on you." "Yes, I would be content to die if I could marry the young master in this life."

Green Pearl was very happy all day, with a smile on her face. She was very happy and content with her life.

She walked up to the Buddha statue and lit three sticks of sandalwood incense.

"May the Bodhisattva bless my daughter and give her a boy."

May the Bodhisattva protect you, young master, and may you always be healthy and well.

……

Dongcheng is not far south of the former Prince Xin's Mansion.

Wherever Jiang Qingyun pointed, the rope circled. This area was originally the Zhenglan Banner defense zone, but now it's deserted.

Hearing the commotion outside, several Manchu people emerged from the house, some old, some young, and two women in the middle.

"What are you going to do?"

"Land grabbing!"

"this is my house."

"Not anymore."

"Sir, where shall we stay?"

"Move away, this place now belongs to the royal family."

Jiang Qingyun gave him a wink.

Jiangbei spurred his horse forward, grabbed the whip, and lashed out at the old man, making him roll on the ground in agony.

Several women rushed forward to stop them.

"Stop hitting him, stop hitting him. Grandpa did meritorious service when he entered the pass."

Seeing that Jiang Qingyun remained unmoved, the guards rushed forward and began punching and kicking him.

Amidst the wailing, several young boys from the Plain Blue Banner clenched their fists, their eyes filled with hatred and their faces radiating hostility.

Jiang Qingyun saw all of this and turned to give instructions.

"Zhou Cang, attack them!"

"Yes."

The large, burly Zhou Cang jumped off his horse, swung his arm and knocked one of them down, then kicked another to the ground.

The elderly, women, and children of Zhenglan Banner who were watching silently watched without uttering a sound or moving, like a group of dead people.

As long as a person is alive, their hatred will not be extinguished.

Sooner or later, a new rebel army will emerge in this area inside Chongwen Gate.

……

Beside~
The men sent by the Ministry of Works trembled with fear. They knew this man was arrogant, but they never imagined he was this arrogant.

Jiang Qingyun seemed to sense the man's emotional fluctuations and beckoned him to come closer.

"This humble official pays his respects to the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief."

"Get up. What job do you do in the Ministry of Works?"

"I am an eighth-rank assistant in the Ministry of Works' archives."

Instantly, Jiang Qingyun became furious.

"Who sent you?"

"Lord Zhao, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works."

"You little eighth-rank official dare to talk back to me? Guards, give me a good beating!"

So, Zhou Cang, who had just returned from beating the brat, didn't have time to rest and went up to give him another round of slaps.

The soldiers of the Five Cities Garrison all liked to slap people.

The superiors set an example for the subordinates.

……

"Come on, help him up, let's go to the Ministry of Works."

"Yes."

Just then, Zhou Cang saw a patrol team belonging to the Five Cities Garrison passing by and immediately went forward to intercept them.

"Commander Zhou, what are your orders?"

"You're all under my command for now. Go to the Workers' Department, all of you better stay alert."

"As ordered."

The escort team quickly expanded to 50 people, fully armed, and headed towards the Ministry of Works.

"Where are you from...?"

Before the doorman could finish speaking, he was dragged to a side room to sign documents and slapped across the face.

Positive and negative~
Crackling sounds~
(End of this chapter)