amaotonovel Chapter 949 A New Play
Chapter 949 A New Play
Chapter 949 A New Play
In fact, Chang Mao and Chang Sheng came here not specifically to support Zhu Xiongying's performance, but for a routine inspection of the camp.
The Ming army was elite, but the training intensity was also high. The rules in the army were strict, and the soldiers were trained very hard. Basically, they had to train for five consecutive days before being given one day off. And during the rest time, they were not allowed to run around. If they wanted to leave the barracks, they had to ask for leave from the captain, explain the reason, and agree on a time to return to the camp. If they did not return on time, they would be punished.
Depending on the severity of the offense, the punishment may include criticism, forced labor, spanking, etc.
On weekdays, because of the fierce training and strict management, and the fact that Daning is located in the bitter cold of the northern border, where no one lives, the soldiers have always been very resentful and often fight privately. This also caused headaches for many generals guarding the border, who could only patrol the camp more often to suppress the suffocating and nameless evil spirit in the army at any time.
Because of the great victory in the past few days, Chang Mao was somewhat worried because he had been slacking off in patrolling the camp. He was afraid that some of the fighters would be so angry that they would embarrass him in front of the Crown Prince.
But after walking around the military camp, Chang Mao was surprised to find that almost all the soldiers not only had no complaints, but also found the training fulfilling and interesting, and they worked very hard during the training.
From the conversation of these people, Chang Mao learned that they talked about the prisoner-of-war camp every three sentences... The prisoner-of-war camp had been borrowed by the crown prince a few days ago, and several Tatar noble prisoners of war in it were also borrowed by the crown prince... Chang Mao was curious at this time, what did His Highness do in this prisoner-of-war camp? Why did the whole army look at him with expectation?
"Look at these little monkeys. It's more lively than a church meeting." Chang Mao couldn't help but be surprised when he saw the huge crowds of people at the entrance of the prisoner-of-war camp, all of whom were groups of soldiers.
The military orders were as strict as a mountain, and the soldiers guarding the border had a heavy responsibility, so naturally not all the military camps in Daning City were given a holiday to rest. It was just that because of the great victory, the commander Chang Mao wanted to reward the soldiers according to their merits, and also gave the soldiers of each camp a holiday to rest in turn. Every day, several thousand soldiers could take turns to rest.
There are three thousand households resting today. Just looking at the grand scene here, it seems that all the soldiers on rest from the three thousand households have crowded into this prisoner-of-war camp.
Chang Sheng, however, had more free time than the commander Chang Mao. Seeing that Chang Mao still didn't know what Zhu Xiongying had done, he smiled and explained to him, "It's just a party."
"Your Highness asked the prisoners to tell stories and play songs for the soldiers, and even built a stage. It was more lively than a party."
"Later, there will be opera performances on stage. Last night, I listened to a play in this prisoner-of-war camp with everyone else..."
"A play?" Chang Mao was immediately interested when he heard that, and asked casually, "What play? The Injustice of Dou E? Or The Single Sword Meeting?"
He was talking about the two most popular operas in the north at that time. Dou E Yuan was well-known even in later generations. However, Duan Dao Hui did not appear after the spread of the book Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but had already existed in the pre-Yuan Dynasty.
"The Duel" is also a work by the famous opera artist Guan Hanqing. The story is not much different from that in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Both tell the story of Dongwu plotting to seize Jingzhou, Guan Yu going to the meeting alone with a sword, being both wise and brave, and finally returning safely.
Moreover, in the Yuan Dynasty, the common people and peddlers who listened to operas had already shown great preference for the characters of Shu Han. Whenever the Shu Han won, the audience would cheer; when Cao Cao appeared, the audience would often frown and glare.
Those bizarre historians in later generations who attracted attention regarded carrying people across the river as hypocrisy and massacring and killing people as true nature. If they were in this era, they would be torn to pieces by the people.
The people are not stupid, they have their own simple and clear judgment. Those who are good to them and considerate of them are naturally good people worthy of respect. And those who treat them like grass will not be praised by them no matter how powerful they are.
Chang Mao also likes to listen to operas, especially stories about the Three Kingdoms. Chang Sheng knows his preference and says with a smile, "It's a new opera. Although it's not a duel of swords, it's also a story from the Three Kingdoms period."
"This story is called 'Seeing the Dragon Undressed'. It will begin soon. Brother, why not come and watch it here?"
Chang Mao nodded repeatedly. Seeing how lively the place was, and hearing that there was a play to watch, his desire for drama really kicked in.
Sure enough, after a while, more people came to the prisoner-of-war camp. They seemed to be officers and soldiers who were taking a break and came here to listen to the opera. The crowd was so surging that it almost squeezed Chang Mao, the commander, out.
After finally "making it" into the first row with the privilege of his status as a commander-in-chief, Chang Mao discovered that his good nephew, the Grandson Zhu Xiongying, was actually in the front row, chatting and laughing with a group of generals, waiting for the show to begin.
Seeing Chang Mao and Chang Sheng squeeze in, Zhu Xiongying's eyes lit up and he greeted them, "Uncle, uncle, here!"
"Uncle, did you bring uncle to watch the opera?" He took out a handful of dates from his pocket and stuffed them into Chang Mao's hand. "Uncle, these are given to me by General Liu... Eat them and watch while you eat!"
General Liu was a general under Chang Mao who was known for his bravery. He was fearless and was the only one who expressed dissatisfaction when he knew that the crown prince was coming to supervise the army. At this time, he was standing next to Zhu Xiongying, grinning and eating dates.
Seeing Chang Mao looking at him, the warrior, whose hands were already covered in the blood of the Tartars, actually smiled like a farmer in the field, and said to Chang Mao: "Duke, what are you looking at me for? Eat!"
"My wife hid these dates for me. They smell delicious!"
Chang Mao was somewhat surprised. He was surprised that the unruly Old Liu seemed to be closer to the grandson than to himself... He was also surprised that his nephew, who was of noble status, was chewing dates like a wild child in the countryside after not seeing him for a few days...
"Your Highness, you are here..." Chang Mao looked around Zhu Xiongying, somewhat worried about his safety.
"Hmm?" Zhu Xiongying looked around himself, then suddenly realized and said with a smile: "Uncle, don't be surprised. The so-called military supervisor needs to understand the situation in the army. It doesn't mean he should be high above the soldiers and get along well with them."
"This is also what my fifth uncle taught me."
Chang Mao had received a secret letter and knew that Zhu Xiongying came to the army for another purpose besides training, which was to try to reform the military supervision system in response to the expectations of His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and King Zhou... He admired Zhu Su the most, and when he learned that his nephew's behavior was taught by Zhu Su, perhaps it was related to the reform of the military supervision system, he said no more.
The generals around the Crown Prince are all loyal to the Ming Dynasty. Although they are all a little rude, there is no need to worry about the Crown Prince's safety.
At this moment, the new play on the stage began to be performed with drums and gongs.
(End of this chapter)