Chapter 176

Speaking of the ruler slapping the palm of the hand, it really hurts...

In the office, Hu Zhengyuan glanced at the few disciples peeking in by the window and could only shake his head with a wry smile.

"Young friend Su, the children are being unruly—sorry for the embarrassment."

Although these were all established artists, in his eyes they were still children.

Su Meng chuckled, also feeling a bit helpless.

"I didn't expect the several troupe leaders to be so... uh... enthusiastic..."

Hu Zhengyuan sighed, a touch of melancholy creeping into his tone.

"You should know the current state of folk music in the country, right?"

"Folk music is on the decline. Many young people find it too old-fashioned and toss it aside like a worn-out rag."

"If this keeps going, folk music... is going to be on the brink of extinction."

"The three major folk-music troupes in the country sound impressive, but their days are far from easy."

"Your pieces are excellent—very accessible, and especially well-suited for performance by a large folk-music troupe."

"If they can get authorization from you—"

"On a small scale, it gives a few folk-music troupes a chance to catch their breath."

"On a larger scale, the wide spread of these folk-music pieces will draw more attention to folk music and give it a chance to catch its breath."

"So, old man that I am, I'm putting on a thick skin to ask Young Friend Su to graciously lend a hand..."

Saying this, he stood up and was about to bow.

"Oh! Teacher Hu, what are you doing?" Su Meng startled and quickly held him up.

"Master, since I've come today, I certainly want to do my part for folk music, for traditional art."

"A few pieces of music—just take them as my greeting gift."

Hu Zhengyuan nodded and said solemnly.

"Thank you, Young Friend Su. Don't worry, you certainly won't be shortchanged on the fee."

"Master, what are you saying?" Su Meng waved his hand dismissively.

"Just a few pieces of music—what's there to talk about money?"

"Just look at you and your disciples' attitude toward folk music—anything I can help with, I definitely will!"

What he said was also from the heart.

In the system shop, there was the cultural crystallization of an entire civilization.

There were countless ways to make money—why fleece a few folk-music pieces?

The instrument-shop boss said it well: those who do folk music are poor!

Even if you fleece them to death, how much money can you squeeze out?

Hu Zhengyuan's face lit up with joy. He beckoned toward the door, and several people rushed in with a clatter.

Although they didn't dare be unruly in front of their teacher, the eagerness in their eyes was plain for all to see.

Hu Zhengyuan nodded and said earnestly.

"Teacher Su has already agreed to let you all perform these pieces."

"And he's not planning to charge you?"

"Aren't you going to properly thank Teacher Su?"

The group immediately beamed with joy and bowed respectfully to Su Meng.

"Thank you, Teacher Su!"

Su Meng quickly dodged aside, waving his hands repeatedly.

Teacher Hu gave further instructions.

"Since I've let you perform them, you have to bring out everything you've got."

"Don't disgrace these fine pieces."

"Don't worry, Teacher!" the eldest senior brother said, thumping his chest.

"Everyone in our troupe is here except those with performance duties."

"We'll be rehearsing these few days at Yinyuexue Academy in the capital."

"Teacher Su is welcome to come by and give us guidance."

"Same here!" Third Senior Brother and Sixth Senior Brother shouted in unison.

The two then locked eyes, and the air between them instantly crackled with sparks and lightning.

Bai Xiao Ling was also a bit helpless with these people and cut in.

"Third Senior Brother, Sixth Senior Brother, why are you two still at each other like swords drawn?"

"Hasn't Teacher Su already agreed?"

Qin Qianyan was also in high spirits and explained with a smile.

"Of Teacher Su's pieces, only 'Spring Festival Overture' and 'Xi Yang Yang' are best suited for folk-music ensemble."

"Our troupe definitely wants to grab one as our signature piece. As for the other—who it falls to, those two still have to fight it out."

"Little Junior Sister, don't bother with them. We just watch the show."

Saying this, she produced a pack of sunflower seeds from somewhere.

Su Meng shook his head helplessly and began to counsel them.

"The two of you, teachers..."

Hu Zhengyuan cut him off directly.

GLOSSARY:

【Su Meng, Hu Zhengyuan, Bai Xiao Ling, Qin Qianyan, Yinyuexue Academy】

"Young friend Su, your suona playing technique is unrivaled under heaven; even I feel ashamed to compare, let alone them."

"If you call them teachers, they really can't bear it."

"They're older than you, so just call them Third Brother and Sixth Brother."

Su Meng nodded compliantly and continued.

"Third Brother, you all stop fighting over it—I still have a folk ensemble piece here."

"One piece per family, nobody loses out."

Really? Third Brother and Sixth Brother immediately grew excited.

Su Meng nodded, a flicker of pain crossing his face.

"Mm, yes, this piece is called… 'Golden Snake Wild Dance'!"

The pain was real pain!

Although he had the erhu versions of "Spring Festival Overture" and "Joyfully," the folk ensemble versions still had to be purchased separately.

Let alone "Golden Snake Wild Dance."

And these three pieces, in the system Shangcheng, were priced at a whopping 1,000,000 popularity points each!

If Su Meng's popularity points hadn't been climbing a bit fiercely lately, he really might not have been able to fork it out.

But then again, spend a thousand gold and it comes back again.

Once these pieces are released, they're bound to spread widely, and by then the popularity points will return.

Just consider it an advance investment.

Su Meng could think it through quite openly.

……

Qin Qianyan thought for a moment, then said a little shyly.

"Um… Teacher Su, I'm your big sister Qin Qianyan."

"Big sister has a favor to ask you, alright?"

Su Meng hurriedly said.

"Big sister, what's with calling me Teacher Su? Just call me Xiao Su or Xiao Meng."

Qin Qianyan nodded and said somewhat sheepishly.

"That erhu piece of yours, 'Grapes Are Ripe'—can I perform it?"

"There's a New Year concert at the end of this year, and we're still short a few pieces…"

"I see…" Su Meng stroked his chin, falling into thought.

Just when everyone thought he would refuse, Su Meng finally spoke.

"This piece has a minority ethnic style, so if it's promoted, it'll still be a bit niche."