Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 90: It's finally our turn to take the stage!

Today, after the yamen was closed, Zhang Shuo and Zhang Jiuling came to Zhang Baishou's shop again.

The sharp-eyed Zhang Huai quickly went out to greet them, cupping his hands and saying, "This humble one greets Master Zhang and Mr. Qujiang. Please come in."

Zhang asked with a smile, "How's business at your shop lately?"

"Thanks to your concern, my shop has been doing quite well lately," Zhang Huai said happily.

"is it?"

"Yes."

Zhang Huai said, "I don't know why, but suddenly, none of the sons of high-ranking officials have come here anymore. Maybe they've already finished their exams."

Just then, a customer at the next table suddenly said, "Shopkeeper, you're really out of the loop. It's not that they've finished the exam; it's that Minister Zhang issued a policy regarding poetry and prose, which made that nameless academy behave itself a bit."

Immediately, many more customers stood up, bowed to Zhang, and expressed their support for the new policy.

They weren't flattering him, but rather referring to the six literary and artistic policies Zhang had just promulgated: emphasizing practicality, integrity, and grandeur; admiring beauty, valuing literary talent, and focusing on flavor.

This is indeed what many contemporary writers admire and hope to see.

Zhang humbly stated that this was all the legacy left by their ancestors, and he was merely an inheritor.

Realizing what had happened, Zhang Huai hurriedly said, "So it was Master Zhang who came to my aid. I deserve to die for talking nonsense just now."

Zhang chuckled and said, "Don't listen to what they say. In fact, those students from the Nameless Academy are just working hard for the exam, which is commendable. It's just that they're a little too overdoing it and disturbing others."

After saying that, he looked up at the crowd and said, "You are all broad-minded people, so don't complain about this. Let it go."

"Yes."

Everyone bowed again.

After chatting for a while, Zhang Shuo and Zhang Jiuling returned to their old seats and sat down.

After ordering the food and drinks, Zhang Huai tactfully left.

“It’s good that the nameless man knows his limits.” Zhang said with a smile, “To be honest, I was worried that he would cause some trouble. After all, the nameless man acts strangely and is unconventional.”

Zhang Jiuling said, "I think this is more in line with Mr. Wuming's teaching method. Those spoiled brats can't even be controlled by their parents, but Mr. Wuming's words can make them go back immediately and stop making noise here."

Zhang Shuo was taken aback for a moment, not expecting this, and couldn't help but laugh, "Jiuling, it seems you really admire this nameless one!"

He first learned about this nameless gentleman from Zhang Jiuling.

Zhang Jiuling truthfully replied, "To be honest, Your Excellency, I greatly admire Mr. Wuming's philosophy of non-action and his remarks on the importance of working and studying diligently."

Zhang shook his head and said, "In my opinion, this is not the Way, but a technique. Why do those spoiled brats go to great lengths to become his disciples? Is it really out of respect for him? In fact, we all know the reason. This is not the right path, nor is it the work of a famous teacher."

His words still carried a hint of disdain.

He believed it was a tactic, or to put it more bluntly, the act of a petty person, and not something to be praised.

Zhang Jiuling nodded slightly.

He was certainly aware of the reasons, but in reality, he ultimately guided those unruly students onto the right path.

No matter what, singing and memorizing lyrics are far better than cockfighting and playing with eagles, let alone fighting and brawling.

However, he did not deny that Zhang's words had some merit, and that if everyone followed suit, it would also cause trouble, so he did not argue with him.

In any case, the disappearance of these spoiled brats brought a sigh of relief to the shopkeepers of Dongshi and Pingkangfang. Although those spoiled brats were also customers, they couldn't stand their constant noise for long!
However, none of them expected that the Nameless Academy was not holding back at all, but was instead gathering strength and brewing an even bigger storm.

Inspired by Tao Mo, these spoiled young men worked extremely hard, practicing day and night.

Perhaps it was because they had been looked down upon for so long that this feeling had been suppressed in their hearts. At the same time, they met kindred spirits again and started learning songs and stories that interested them, instead of articles and poems.

They were filled with renewed confidence and became very dedicated to their studies.

After several days of training, they are finally ready to leave the academy and showcase their skills today.

Just to be on the safe side, this time we sent out four experienced students: Xue Jun, Cui Gu'er, Qin'er, and Linghu Baodi, to get off to a good start.

As for the freshmen, they will continue to stay at the academy to practice.

But just before leaving, Hongxiu suddenly had second thoughts.

"Wang Xiaoque, I'm not going today. You and Sen Nian keep an eye on them."

"why?"

Wang Xi was taken aback, then looked at Hongxiu for a moment, and then a thought struck him, and he said, "Teacher, are you perhaps blaming me?"

Hongxiu asked in surprise, "What's wrong with you?"

Wang Xi said, "When I first invited you, I told you that as long as you came to our academy to teach, you could leave Pingkangfang. But now you want to perform at the restaurant."

He actually noticed. Hongxiu was secretly startled, but said aloud, "It's not as complicated as you think. The teacher isn't going because she's afraid of causing you trouble."

Wang Xi retorted, "Teacher, who else could possibly cause us trouble?"

".!"

Hongxiu was speechless.

Yes!

Who else could cause them trouble? They're the troublemakers!

Wang Xi added, "Teacher, you really need to learn this from us."

Hongxiu asked curiously, "Learn from you?"

“That’s right! No matter what, you have to be confident.” Wang Xi said confidently, “Others think that singing and dancing are lowly jobs, but we don’t believe it. We want to make them noble. We’re going to perform for charity, for those poor people. We hold this great cause in our hands. Who dares to say anything?”

Hongxiu frowned slightly, still appearing somewhat hesitant.

In fact, Wang Xi guessed correctly. Although the students were enthusiastic, Hongxiu felt that performing in a restaurant was like going back to her old profession. But now she just wanted to completely break away from the past and be a pure teacher.

Having experienced the previous incident, she cherishes this opportunity even more.

Wang Xi added, "Teacher, the happiest thing for a teacher is to witness the growth of their students. If you miss this day, there is no point in being a teacher."

Hongxiu glanced at Wang Xi in surprise. Wang Xi's words had hit the nail on the head. She said, "It seems you've figured out my thoughts completely." Wang Xi said smugly, "Otherwise, how could I have invited you here, teacher?"

Hongxiu smiled, hesitated for a moment, and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll go with you. Wait a moment while I change my clothes."

Wang Xi asked anxiously, "Do you need any help?"

"Ok?"

"Uh, the student means, to help keep watch at the door."

"???"

Hongxiu suddenly said to Qin'er, "Qin'er, you talk to Wang Xiaoque, I'm going to go inside to change my clothes."

"Yes."

Qin'er walked over and stood in front of Wang Xi.

Seeing the girl looking at him cautiously, Wang Xi couldn't help but say, "Junior Sister Qin'er, the teacher asked you to chat with me, not to keep an eye on me."

Qin'er said, "Let's chat!"

"never mind!"

Wang Xi scoffed, "I'm not Jia Baoyu."

However, the most nervous people today are not Hongxiu, but the Bai family father and daughter. They agreed in a daze at first, but when the day actually came, they regretted it.

A bunch of fearsome playboys are coming to perform at my place. Is that really going to work? What if they tear my shop down?

I wonder how I could have agreed to it so carelessly.

Just as Bai Siyong was standing in front of the door, feeling anxious and uncertain, he suddenly heard someone say, "Brother Bai, you've finally seen the light."

Bai Siyong looked up and saw that it was one of his old customers, so he quickly asked, "Brother Huang, what do you mean by that?"

The old customer surnamed Huang pointed to the notice next to him and said, "You finally know to hire people to perform. No matter how good your Hero Wine is, what's the point of just drinking it? You should have done this a long time ago."

Bai Siyong nodded awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

It turns out that the sign only said "charity performance," without specifying who would be performing. Of course, this was all at Wang Xi's behest; if it were clearly stated, would anyone even come? They had to lure people in first.

The old customer asked again, "What's being performed today?"

Bai Siyong said awkwardly, "We'll find out when the time comes."

He always prioritizes honesty in business and is truly not good at lying. Just thinking about what might happen made him sweat profusely.

Another customer came in and asked, "Shopkeeper, which courtesan did you invite to perform today?"

Bai Siyong chuckled dryly again, "You'll find out when the time comes."

This is a rare opportunity for a performance, and these regular customers have all come to support it.

This made Bai Siyong feel immense pressure. They were so excited, but if they were to see a bunch of spoiled brats later, would they never come here again?

Just then, a servant came up to him and said, "Master, Young Master Wang and the others have arrived."

Bai Siyong shuddered. "Where?"

"In the backyard. Master, if you are so afraid, why did you invite them here?"

"Do you think I wanted to invite you?"

Bai Siyong sighed bitterly and hurried to the backyard.

Before her, Bai Ningsu had already arrived at the backyard. Looking at the group of playboys in the yard, she couldn't help but lean closer to Wang Xi. Little did she know that Xue Jun and the others were too busy practicing to pay attention to her.

They don't lack women now, what they lack is dignity.

"Young Master Wang, can you...can you really do this?" Bai Ningsu asked softly.

Wang Xi said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, I guarantee your Yixianjue business will reach new heights."

Bai Ningsu said, "Just don't fall into the valley."

"Tsk."

Wang Xi said, "Xiao Bai, can't you have a little more confidence?"

Bai Ningsu remained silent.

Looking at this group of people, how could I possibly have any confidence!

At this moment, Bai Siyong ran over, slightly out of breath, "Young Master Wang, you've finally arrived."

"What? Afraid we'll stand you up?"

"No, no, no, how could that be?" Bai Siyong thought to herself, "I wish you guys would just stand me up."

Wang Xi asked, "Is everything arranged outside?"

"Alright. Alright," Bai Siyong said, "It's all according to Young Master's request."

"very good."

Wang Xi shouted to Xue Jun and the others, "Brothers, it's our turn to go on stage."

"It's finally our turn to go on stage."

Xue Jun and his men immediately roared, scaring the Bai family father and daughter so much that they trembled and wanted to cry but had no tears.

Is this an attempt to rebel?

Meanwhile, the customers inside the building were already eagerly waiting.

Why all this secrecy? Could it be that you've invited some famous courtesan, like Ni Chang? Or perhaps the one known for her midnight flying shoes?

Finally, someone came up on the stage.

Everyone looked closely, and then a cry of surprise rang out, "A dog-headed vulture!"

(End of this chapter)