The backstage of the theater seemed very crowded, with more than 20 people inside busy removing makeup and cleaning props. As soon as Zhou Hexuan and others entered, it became even more crowded, and the troupe actors looked over curiously.
Before Zhou Hexuan could say anything, Yu Fengzhi took Zhang Xueliang and walked up to Meng Xiaodong and said with a smile: "Boss Meng, congratulations!"
"Boss" is the honorific title given to famous actors in Peking Opera. In principle, only the main actors in a troupe can be called this way.
"Sister Yu is joking, I am not the boss," Meng Xiaodong quickly introduced the middle-aged man next to him, "This is my third uncle Meng Hongrong, known as Xiao Meng Qi, he is the boss."
Zhang Xueliang cupped his fists and said: "It turns out to be Boss Meng, disrespectful, disrespectful!"
Meng Qi was originally the nickname of Meng Xiaodong's grandfather. Among his sons, Meng Hongrong, the third, was the most promising. Therefore, Meng Hongrong was also called Xiao Meng Qi and was the pillar of the theater troupe.
"Thank you for the compliment," Meng Hongrong asked, "I wonder how many distinguished guests have their names?"
Meng Xiaodong introduced: "Third uncle, this is Marshal Zhang Xueliang and his wife Yu Fengzhi, this is Peking University President Zhou Hexuan, these are the editors of "Ta Kung Pao" Li Shoumin, Shen Congwen, Zhu Xiang and Zheng Mr. Evidence."
Everyone in the troupe was shocked. Zhang Zuolin was now extremely powerful and his military power covered most of China, and Zhang Xueliang naturally followed suit. They did not expect that Meng Xiaodong actually knew the young marshal, and they seemed to have a good relationship with him. This was incredible!
"It turns out to be Marshal Zhang. Please forgive me for being too distant to greet you!" Meng Hongrong quickly bowed.
Zhang Xueliang accepted with a smile, and Yu Fengzhi said with a smile: "Boss Meng, there is no need to meet outsiders. Xiaodong is my sister and she is one of my own."
While they were chatting here, Meng Hongqun wondered to his wife: "Our eldest son has lived in Tianjin for two or three years and actually got involved with the Zhang family. How come she kept it secret?"
Zhang Yunhe saw that Zhou Hexuan had been standing beside him. Although he did not speak, he seemed to be very close to Zhang Xueliang. She was also a shrewd person, and she actually guessed: "My daughter can know the young marshal, probably thanks to Mr. Zhou, he is The sweetheart of our boss."
Meng Hongqun raised his eyebrows, seeming to be worried about his daughter's marriage.
Zhang Yunhe advised: "Don't think too much. Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. Our troupe has just come to the north and has not yet established a stable footing. Isn't it a good thing to have the support of a young commander?"
"You are right." Meng Hongqun said helplessly.
The opera troupe belongs to the lowest level of society, and they appear to be glamorous, but if they have no backers, anyone can bully them.
In particular, Meng Xiaodong not only sang well, but also had a charming appearance. He was spotted by the warlord when he was in Hankou, so he hurried north to Tianjin to live in seclusion. Last year, Meng Xiaodong became Bai Yukun's teacher. When he went to Jinan with his master to perform, he was attracted by Zhang Zong Chang was chosen. Fortunately, there was a war at the time, so Zhang Zongchang was summoned by Zhang Zuolin urgently, and he escaped disaster. Later, Bai Yukun moved to Jinan to settle and develop, and invited Meng Xiaodong to go with him. Meng Xiaodong did not dare to go with him because he was afraid of Zhang Zongchang.
This year Meng Xiaodong was forcibly hired by Chu Yufeng again. Fortunately, Zhou Hexuan helped to save the situation. This was all because he had no backer.
Now that Meng Xiaodong has joined the young marshal and his wife, everyone in the troupe is naturally overjoyed. Meng Hongrong has even considered whether he should give up his role as the mainstay and let Meng Xiaodong be the head of the household (nominally).
"Oh, rare visitor, rare visitor!"
Liu Guangshun, the owner of Xinming Theater, heard the news and rushed over. With a smile on his face, he said: "Commander Zhang, Mrs. Zhang, I am Liu Guangshun, the owner of Xinming Theater. The presence of these two distinguished guests really makes our theater flourish."
Hui, Liu is very lucky throughout his life!"
Liu Guangshun was also a wonderful person. He actually knew that Zhang Xueliang liked others to address him by his military title, so he specially called him "Commander Zhang" to please him.
Zhang Xueliang smiled and said: "That's easy to say, Boss Liu is so polite."
Liu Guangshun took the opportunity and said: "We are going to prepare a few drinks and food now. The commander said that we have some free time, so why not move over and have a few drinks."
"I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave now." Zhang Xueliang didn't give the other party a chance to have a relationship.
"I'll see you off!" Liu Guangshun quickly followed.
After Zhang Xueliang left, Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Xiaodong, congratulations on your successful performance."
Li Shoumin also said: "Xiaodong, you sang "Dingjun Mountain" very well!"
"Thank you two brothers. I still have many shortcomings and need to continue to improve." When Meng Xiaodong spoke, he looked at Zhou Hexuan with a shy smile.
Zhu Xiang was not interested in Peking Opera, but he was quite curious about the opera props. He regarded this place as his bedroom and wandered around. After a while, he even put on his mustache and swaggered around stroking his long beard.
"Grrrr!"
Meng Youdong pointed at Zhu Xiang and laughed loudly, saying in a childlike voice: "You are so naughty!"
Zhu Xiang despised the powerful and looked down on his peers, but he was particularly fond of children. Perhaps because he still retained his innocence in his heart, he actually had a great time playing with Meng Youdong.
Zheng Zhengyin, however, stared at the flower gun in the corner. Finally, he couldn't help but walked over out of curiosity. He picked it up in his hand and said disdainfully: "It turns out that it's just the same thing. It won't hurt even if you hit someone."
Meng Keke is a martial arts student, and he is very good at wielding a spear. When he heard this, he immediately retorted: "You are not a showman, we also have real kung fu. My grandfather served as a soldier in the Tianping Heavenly Kingdom for more than ten years, and he also
Fighting with the King of England, his marksmanship is amazing!"
"Haha, take the move!"
Zheng Zhengyin smiled and suddenly raised his gun and stabbed him. The shadow of the gun flashed, and the tip of the gun scraped across Meng Keke's scalp and was stuck in the wig on his head.
Meng Keke was so frightened that he stood on the spot. It took him a long time to recover and admired him: "You are so powerful. Please teach me how to use a gun!"
"My marksmanship is not for show." Zheng Zhengyin took off his spear, threw it back into the corner, and walked slowly to Zhou Hexuan's side.
The actors in the troupe looked at Zheng Zhengyin and Zhu Xiang, who was playing with a beard, and they were all speechless. They thought to themselves: How come Xiaodong's friends are all weirdos?
Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Ziyuan, stop playing around and give your beard back."
Meng Xiaodong said with a smile: "It's okay. If Brother Zhu likes it, he can come to the troupe to perform often in the future."
Liu Guangshun sent Zhang Xueliang and his wife out of the gate, ran back in a hurry, and said to Zhou Hexuan: "Mr. Zhou, I was negligent just now. Please forgive me."
"Boss Liu, you're welcome, let's go, I'll treat everyone to dinner!" Zhou Hexuan said proudly.
Liu Guangshun rushed to say: "I'm here to treat you."
More than thirty people went to the restaurant next door, followed by the troupe actors. The adults acted very calmly, but the juniors couldn't help but whisper from time to time——
"Sister Xiaodong is really good. Even Marshal Fengjun and the president of Peking University are friends with her!"
"Our Chunhe class will have a good life in the future."
"That Mr. Zhou is tall and big and really handsome."
"Nier, don't think too much, that's my future brother-in-law!"
"Really? Mr. Zhou is Miss Xiaodong's lover?"
"Don't talk nonsense, any good relationship is called free love now."
"..."
Unknowingly, Meng Xiaodong seemed to have become the backbone of the opera troupe, and even the elders were much more polite when talking to her. Having profound knowledge in opera was only second, the most important thing was to know the important people.
After three rounds of drinking, it was almost time to leave.
"Little Meng Qi" Meng Hongrong believed that the president of Peking University must be knowledgeable and skilled in calligraphy, so he implored him: "Principal Zhou, I just moved to the north with my class in the spring. Please give me a calligraphy treasure to inscribe the class name."
"Write calligraphy?" Zhou Hexuan looked confused.
It was such a bad retribution. He was looking for people everywhere to ask for calligraphy, and now it was finally his turn. Unfortunately, his calligraphy couldn't be seen by anyone.
