Chapter 164: Yellow River Grand Chorus

Later, when they discussed the performance matters.

Jin Fu pondered for a moment, then advised: "Your Majesty, although I am not versed in this theatrical performance, since the play will be staged, it would be wise to put extra effort into casting. We should select actors who truly understand the roles and can embody their essence; only then can the audience empathize."

Liu Ju nodded in agreement.

Wei Xiang also added: "The performance venue also needs careful arrangement to ensure that more common people can watch it, so that this play can exert its maximum influence."

Others also voiced their opinions one after another.

Although they were not particularly professional, after all they were all high-ranking officials in the court, each clever; they quickly grasped the essentials of theater and also put forward some sensible suggestions.

Thus, 'White-Haired Girl' moved on to the staging work.

After receiving the order, Li Nian immediately threw himself into the tense preparations.

He carefully studied the script, constantly conceiving in his mind each scene's setting, dance movements, and musical melodies.

To select suitable actors, he conducted a strict audition within the Han Music and Dance Troupe.

One by one, dancers and musicians took the stage to display their talents, while Li Nian observed attentively from below, seeking traits in their performances that matched the characters of 'White-Haired Girl'.

After successive rounds of screening, the cast was finally confirmed.

The actor playing Yang Dalang had a weathered visage, his every gesture revealing simple honesty; whereas the actor portraying Lu Batian embodied that greedy, ruthless temperament to the fullest.

Yet the actor for Xi'er remained undecided.

Although the Han had already promoted women's liberation and education, women who dare to appear on stage and even understand performance are now as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

To avoid delaying progress, Li Nian reported to Liu Ju, Sima Qian, and Liu Xijun, then first found a temporary actor to play Xi'er to rehearse with, and the play began intensive rehearsals.

On the rehearsal ground, Li Nian repeatedly guided the actors' movements, expressions, and vocal techniques.

He sometimes demonstrated personally, sometimes patiently explained the characters' inner worlds.

The dancers continually refined their coordination in rehearsal, each dance step and each gesture striving for precise accuracy;

The musicians also repeatedly adjusted their instruments, letting the music blend perfectly with the plot.

Meanwhile, Li Nian and others continued searching for an actor to play Xi'er.

The performance date of the play was also repeatedly postponed.

One day, Liu Ju summoned the core members of Li Nian's music and dance troupe to the imperial presence.

He wore a solemn expression, holding several scrolls in his hand, and said slowly: "Now our Han dynasty is at a time of change; whether building the secondary capital or facing various challenges, we must unite hearts and raise morale. Since the selection of the play's female lead has hit a bottleneck, after much deliberation I feel that the repertoire of the Han Music and Dance Troupe could be adjusted to align with the court's propaganda work."

Having spoken, he handed the scrolls to Li Nian, saying: "These are a few songs I have recently composed; please take a look."

Li Nian received the scrolls with both hands, his heart full of curiosity and apprehension.

When he unfolded the scrolls and saw the lyrics and music of 'Yellow River Grand Chorus' and other songs, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

The concise, powerful, rhythm-filled lyrics, together with the hitherto unheard yet stirring and uplifting melody that played, left him momentarily stunned.

He began to hum it softly; the more he sang, the more his blood boiled, and a look of delighted surprise gradually appeared on his face: "Your Majesty, this melody belongs only in heaven! Such a lofty, spirited song that inspires the people, I have never heard before. Its melody is stirring, its lyrics full of power; it will surely boost the morale of soldiers and civilians alike."

The musicians nearby gathered around, passing the scrolls among themselves, their eyes full of awe.

One of the elder musicians excitedly said: "Your Majesty, this melody's arrangement is ingenious; between the notes seems to have the momentum of ten thousand horses galloping. We will surely be able to present it perfectly with our instruments, letting the song's power reach every corner of the Han."

Jin Fu stood aside, listened attentively to the songs, nodded slightly, and praised: "Your Majesty, this move is wise. Now the Han people are bustling everywhere for construction, and the soldiers, toiling without complaint to guard the frontiers, need such songs to unite hearts. These songs are like war drums, able to spur everyone forward courageously."

Liu Xijun's eyes sparkled with excitement as she said: "Your Majesty, these songs will not only shine brilliantly in the music and dance troupe's performances; if they spread through the streets and alleys, they will surely unite the Han from top to bottom, and the common folk will grow even more united."

Everyone chimed in, praising Liu Ju's songs without end, and they all expressed the desire to quickly incorporate them into the music and dance troupe's performances, letting these powerful songs resound across every inch of Han land, injecting strong spiritual momentum into Han's prosperity and flourishing.

Naturally, they also expressed admiration for the lyricist and composer.

As for Liu Xijun, Li Nian, and others who wished to meet the lyricist and composer, Liu Ju refused on the pretext that finding an author convenient to meet was not possible.

Actually, there is no other author; it is simply Liu Ju himself, relying on memory, plucking out these songs to match emergency propaganda; many of the words and tunes he did not recall fully, he barely pieced together, yet even so, it is enough to astonish people of this era.

And when the Han Music and Dance Troupe formally performed the 'Yellow River Grand Chorus,' as the prelude sounded, that stirring, powerful melody instantly penetrated the crowd, seizing every person's heart.

Many officials, who had been sitting upright with solemn expressions, now could not help but lean forward slightly, their eyes showing surprise and admiration.

A middle-aged official in a brocade robe instinctively clenched his fist, nodding lightly to the rhythm, and inwardly mused: "This song bears a grand momentum, like ten thousand horses galloping; it will surely boost the morale of our Han soldiers and civilians. Your Majesty truly possesses boundless talent."

Another young official, his face flushed with excitement, muttered to himself: "Such an invigorating song will surely spark heated discussion throughout the court, motivating us to strive for the Han's prosperity."

The nobles of the clans, who originally bore an air of aloof superiority, were now also deeply attracted by this unique melody.

They set down their teacups, sat upright, and fixed their gazes tightly on the stage.

A white-haired clan elder, eyes glistening with tears, said slowly: "This song seems to let me see the glorious future of the Han, and the honor of my clan will be closely tied to the Han's prosperity."

The young lords and ladies, unable to contain their inner excitement, swayed lightly to the rhythm, whispering to each other praises of the song's beauty.

The peasants, who had been laboring under the scorching sun, now had faces slightly weary but filled with surprise.

They ceased their farm work, gathered around, eyes wide open, fearing to miss any note.

A young peasant leapt up excitedly, shouting: "This song is so energizing! Listening to it fills my whole body with vigor; I feel I could till several more mu of land."

Beside him, an old peasant firmly nodded, lamenting: "Our ancestors have toiled on this land for generations, never having heard such an invigorating tune; this is the voice of our Han!"

The elders sat nearby, their faces full of relieved smiles.

An elder leaning on a cane, humming softly along with the song, eyes gleaming, said: "It has been a long time since I felt such fervent blood-boiling sensation, as if I had returned to my youthful days when I fought to defend my homeland."

Other elders also chimed in, immersed in the memories and strength brought by the song.

The children, meanwhile, ran excitedly through the crowd, infected by the joyful, stirring rhythm, their little hands clapping until red, their mouths humming along to a simple melody.

A little girl with her hair tied in sheep-horn braids, holding her mother's hand, said happily: "Mom, this song is really nice; I want to learn it too."

The little boys imitated the stage movements, waving their arms, as if they too had become part of the grand chorus; the scene was filled with a joyous and fervent atmosphere.