Chapter 319

Though he teased his son with his words, his heart ached deeply. If his son wanted to eat barbecue, then he would prepare it—after all, the family was well-off. In truth, Wang Xiujin was no different from any ordinary father; he doted on his child. In his eyes, his son was perfect, without a single flaw. He could joke around with his own son, but if anyone else tried, it would be unacceptable.

The barbecue prepared for his son was more than enough to satisfy him. Of course, Wang Xiujin wouldn’t openly say the barbecue was specially for his son; he found some excuse for it. The Li family all knew well the true reason behind the meal. The tale of the Li family’s eldest grandson and great-grandson shedding tears over missing barbecue had spread throughout the General’s Mansion. They said it was because he hadn’t gotten barbecue, but everyone knew it was more about worrying that his young father felt too embarrassed to say so outright. This barbecue was Wang Xiujin’s way of giving his son an honorable way out.

Yachang ate with great seriousness. Wang Xiujin wrapped the grilled meat in fresh vegetables, offering them first to the elders and only then to his son. Yet, if you counted carefully, it was clear that his son received the most. Wang Xiujin urged him to eat more greens, warning that eating meat alone would become cloying. The men of the Li family were all carnivores; getting them to eat vegetables was difficult. Plate after plate of meat on the table quickly emptied, only to be replaced by more.

Wang Xiujin loved meat too, but compared to the men of the Li family, in both speed and quantity, he fell far behind. Yachang didn’t eat quickly, but he certainly ate enough, to the point Wang Xiujin was fooled into thinking his son ate almost as much as he did. The old master of the Li family ate happily, watching the whole family gathered together in lively harmony. Pleased, he declared after the meal that they should have barbecue and hot pot twice a month from now on. This was no hard promise, and everyone readily agreed.

As the old master returned to the courtyard, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The Li household had once been plagued by turmoil caused by a few women in the back chambers, but now the home was peaceful, the brothers harmonious, and smiles graced their faces far more than before. Had he known it would be like this, he would have acted sooner to tidy up the back chambers.

The steward escorted the old master into the back courtyard, handing him an invitation slip along the way. The old master glanced at it and burst out laughing. “Send him a reply, and include a formal appointment.” The slip was an invitation to watch a play. The old master was no great fan of theater, but he accepted it for the sake of the sender—a comrade who had fought alongside him in battle. After the war was won, that man retired to farm, then later became a merchant. Though not the wealthiest, he was certainly prosperous. The old master often kept in touch with him and would think of him whenever anything good came along. Their friendship was one of life and death, and neither ever spoke of their family matters or the court, a testament to their tacit understanding.

When Wang Xiujin heard that the old master was going to watch a play at the event hall, his curiosity was piqued. He had never been there before, and though he wasn’t fond of opera, he wanted to try listening to a performance at the venue to see if he could hear the sound clearly. Not wanting to accompany the old master directly, he thought to ask the Fifth Prince about which famous performers were currently playing, then secure some good seats for himself, his parents, the old master, and his young father to attend together.

Having made up his mind, Wang Xiujin acted immediately. He first sought the Fifth Prince and obtained a few prime tickets, then invited his parents, the old master of the Li family, and his young father. Everyone knew Wang Xiujin wasn’t much into theater, so his sudden interest surprised them, but they humored him. At the event hall, guards checked tickets carefully at the entrance. Wang Xiujin’s tickets were evidently different from the common ones; the guards glanced briefly and respectfully ushered them inside. Some onlookers whispered among themselves, but neither the guards nor Wang Xiujin paid them any mind.

They sat not in the front row but in the second, in a small enclosed box separated by screens with a round table between the chairs. Over two screens hung drapes to block the harsh sun. The stage was set with musical instruments, and several performers dressed in costume paced the platform, apparently familiarizing themselves with the space. A woman in a brilliant gown held a slender drumstick in one hand, walking to the center and tapping the spot lightly.

Lady Wang sat beside her son, asking who was playing and which opera they would perform. Wang Xiujin, unfamiliar with these details, stumbled over his words and said little. Lady Wang didn’t press further. Though her son neither understood nor enjoyed this, he had taken the time to accompany them out of filial respect, and that was enough.

Li Linshan, holding Wang Xiujin’s hand, reflected after many years of acquaintance that he knew little about Wang Xiujin beyond his knack for making money. Wang Xiujin returned the grasp with a smile, curious about everything on stage.

Soon, a man in a pale gray robe took the erhu position, followed by others taking their places with various instruments. The drummer raised his hand, struck a beat, and shadows appeared on the side stage. The drumbeats quickened as performers entered and appeared on stage, drawing applause once they stood firm.

Wang Xiujin couldn’t make much sense of it. As others cheered, he attempted to join in, only to have Li Linshan grip his hand tighter, preventing him from pulling away. Wang Xiujin had no choice but to follow along silently.

At first, Wang Xiujin listened attentively, but soon drowsiness overcame him. He fought back yawns, but his eyes stubbornly closed. Just as he was about to drift off, the drumbeats suddenly thundered, startling him awake. He forced his eyes open, found nothing unusual, and tried to regain focus. But the cycle repeated—sleepiness would return, only to be broken by sudden drumming jolts. The experience was torturous. Had he known, he might have preferred not to come at all. The only part that intrigued him was how the Fifth Prince managed to make the voices resonate so clearly within the hall. He saw no obvious difference in the venue’s design.

Determined, Wang Xiujin planned to ask the Fifth Prince how it was done. If he could learn the method, he wanted to build a theater and stage dramas, pioneering a new form of performance. At least, he thought, dramas would be less likely to lull audiences to sleep. Yet, when it came to money, he hesitated. He worried that such an endeavor might provoke hostility, with critics accusing him of degrading literature and tarnishing the reputations of revered scholars. But then he reminded himself he wasn’t afraid of such trouble.

After the play ended, Lady Wang poked her son’s forehead, half amused, half exasperated, but said nothing reproachful. She and her husband boarded their carriage and left. The old master of the Li family and the steward led Yachang away. Wang Xiujin, however, went to find the Fifth Prince—first to thank him, then to inquire about how the sound was amplified in the hall. Li Linshan accompanied him.

The Fifth Prince smiled upon seeing them arrive together. Wang Xiujin was straightforward. After greetings, he explained his purpose. The Fifth Prince candidly shared his efforts to amplify sound in the venue, describing numerous trials and modifications that led to the current success. Wang Xiujin then asked if it would be possible to convert one of the seldom-used rooms in the event hall into an indoor theater. As he spoke, he described what a theater entailed.

The Fifth Prince had no objections. Many rooms in the hall were rarely used year-round. But he asked why Wang Xiujin wanted to make such a modification.

“I want to hold a school opening ceremony,” Wang Xiujin explained, “where students from different grades sit together. Each year, an outstanding student will speak on stage, and honors like ‘Excellent Student’ and ‘Three Goods Student’ will be awarded.” He did not mention drama outright but introduced it through the opening ceremony concept. “After the ceremony, I plan for students to enact learned historical anecdotes through dialogue.”

“Historical anecdotes? That’s a fine idea,” the Fifth Prince nodded. “When I last visited the palace, the Emperor praised the school’s anecdotes, even asking some great scholars to compile them into volumes for students across the realm to learn.”

Hearing this, Wang Xiujin’s first thought was whether those great scholars would object. He shook his head wryly. “I doubt anyone would agree.”

“Why think no one would agree? When the great scholars heard the content, though their expressions were not exactly pleased, they consented. I am the one responsible for overseeing it.” The Fifth Prince looked somewhat proud. He guessed Wang Xiujin’s worries but saw them as unnecessary. Even if the scholars resisted, what could they do if they couldn’t offer anything better? They had to lower their proud heads. “The world’s literati are not only these scholars. Those who revere them for their reputation also risk losing it. Scholars seek not only profit but fame.”

Wang Xiujin was speechless. The Fifth Prince was both right and wrong. Scholars desired more than fame; good fame naturally brought profit. Ultimately, what they sought was profit—otherwise, why chase greater fame? There were many ways to sully a person’s reputation. Wang Xiujin stroked his chin, pondering whether to test someone’s mettle. Unfortunately, the minister he wanted to enlist was too elusive. Otherwise, he might have tried.

“Why do you look like you’re scheming something?” Li Linshan, noticing Wang Xiujin’s calculating expression after leaving the event hall, asked directly.

“Just thinking, but I have no one to test it on,” Wang Xiujin replied, shaking his head with some regret. He quickly let it go, deciding to visit the school and discuss the criteria for selecting outstanding students with the teachers.