Chapter 381: Let Him Compose

There is indeed surveillance in the Bian Dao Shi, but it is at most for preventing thieves, and incidentally for seeing if the trainees are slacking off.

If one were to zoom in on the surveillance footage, wanting to see what figures were drawn on the A4 paper or what characters were written, it would truly be asking too much.

The old lady did not hesitate; she had Cheng Nianjia make a call and summon Jing Zeyang back.

Cheng Nianjia understood the implication and did not mention the Editor-in-Chief—

In the small conference room, a few sheets of manuscript paper were laid out in the center of the table, and several people stood in a circle, staring intently.

From time to time, they would mutter a few words: "So many figures, yet the annotation is only one character: 'Dun' (Stomp)?"

"It is indeed too brief. Look at these movements; they contain at least 'Ta' (Step), 'Xuan' (Spin), 'Ting' (Pause), and 'Zhuan' (Turn)—"

"And this 'Yao' (Shake): head, neck, shoulders, chest, waist, hips—six segments, eighteen figures, all described with one character?"

"Don't be surprised; ancient scores from the Tang and Song dynasties were all like this—"

"Then, Editor-in-Chief Liu, is this 'Liu Yao'?"

"Don't be impatient, let's look first—"

The few people were exceptionally serious, discussing as they looked, with someone specifically taking notes.

Lin Sicheng and Jing Zeyang sat opposite them, exchanging glances from time to time.

The leader was the Editor-in-Chief of the Classical Dance Troupe No. 3, who was Group Leader Cheng's direct superior, and the superior's superior of Jing Zeyang.

It was said that after they left, Cheng Nianjia reported to the Editor-in-Chief, who became quite interested and had Cheng Nianjia call them back.

But both of them knew clearly: it must have been General Manager Lan who gave the word; otherwise, there would be no need to make another copy to send upstairs.

It's just that they didn't know what the old lady would think after seeing it.

Secretly turning these thoughts over, the two sat quietly on the side.

After a short while, it seemed that because of a set of movements, the group had a disagreement, and they argued for quite a while without reaching a conclusion.

Subconsciously, Editor-in-Chief Liu raised his head and looked at Jing Zeyang: "Little Jing, what does this character mean, just this 'フ'? This is Japanese, right?"

Before he could finish speaking, the others all curled their lips in unison: Editor-in-Chief Liu, you really are something; you're asking Jing Zeyang?

Never mind Japanese characters, if you asked him to translate what the Chinese annotations here mean, let's see if he could even say it.

Sure enough, Jing Zeyang's expression was like he was constipated.

Just as he was about to say he didn't know, Lin Sicheng glanced at it: "This is not Japanese, but a symbol in Tang scores representing a dance posture—um, this symbol should represent 'Tiao' (Lift): which means raising the fingers, flicking the sleeves, and lifting the wrists—"

"Eh?"

Editor-in-Chief Liu was stunned for a moment, his eyes brightening.

Whether Lin Sicheng was right or not, he didn't know, but below this symbol, there was indeed a complete set of dance posture diagrams for "raising fingers," "flicking sleeves," and "lifting wrists."

He raised his head: "Young man, which troupe are you in?"

"Editor-in-Chief Liu, I am not in a dance troupe; I study Cultural Relics and Artifact Research—" Lin Sicheng explained, "This ancient score is mine—"

"Ah?" Editor-in-Chief Liu was taken aback, "Then how do you understand this?"

"I have nothing to do usually, so I researched it a bit!"

Editor-in-Chief Liu was half-doubting: "What about this one, just this '1'?"

"This is a segment of 'Yao' (Shake), mainly referring to shoulder trembling."

"Isn't that just trapezius muscle vibration!"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "I don't know too much about that, but it should be about the same."

"What about this '⊥'?"

"This is a segment of 'Yang' (Raise)—" Lin Sicheng gestured, "Both hands diagonally upward, spreading arms like a crane—"

Editor-in-Chief Liu was startled: Eh, he really does understand?

But studying dance scores while researching Cultural Relics and Artifact Research, it always feels like a mismatch?

In the office upstairs, the Assistant knocked on the door.

In her hand, she held several sheets of manuscript paper, exactly the same as those in the conference room.

"Editor-in-Chief, General Manager Xiao!"

"So fast?" Lan Ling smiled, "Jing Zeyang didn't take the opportunity to ask for any conditions?"

"No, but the score doesn't seem to be his!" The Assistant recalled, "Editor-in-Chief Liu asked Jing Zeyang if he could make a copy, Jing Zeyang didn't speak; it was the young man next to him who nodded, and then they copied it!"

It didn't matter whose it was.

The old lady was noncommittal and took the manuscript paper handed over by the Assistant: "Old Xiao, come over and take a look!"

She was also an old lady, slightly younger than Lan Ling, looking to be fifty-five or fifty-six, and the two put on their reading glasses.

Just after one glance, both old ladies were stunned in unison: Cheng Nianjia hadn't seen it wrong; it was indeed a Japanese Yue score.

There were not many characters, only two or three lines per page, but most were Chinese characters, and occasionally one or two katakana could be seen.

It was recorded extremely briefly, similar to an outline of dance movements; those with poor foundations couldn't even read it, let alone learn it.

For example: Dancer, left hand holding a flute, vertical. Right foot forward, horizontal—this is the formation.

Musical section, three beats of the drum, one strike of the Chime, two rings of the Chime—this is the prelude to the grand music.

Taking imagery: humble bowing ritual, following the principle of the earth—this is the opening dance posture—

The rest were all figures, exactly the opposite of the annotations; not only were they not brief, they were extremely detailed:

There were postures (body movement trajectories: rotation/jump/sleeve path), segments (body parts: hand positions/foot positions/head and neck), and rhythm (beat count/speed).

There was also degree (formation matrix/directional movement), and clothing/equipment (costumes and props, sleeve/scarf usage/instrument holding methods).

About seventeen or eighteen pages, all of this kind; roughly calculating, it was only a small part of the dance postures for the third section of the 'Po' segment of the Grand Suite.

It was estimated to be less than one-tenth of the entire piece.

The problem was, although the dance postures were complete, the annotations were extremely minimal; one did not know the specific amplitude of the movements, such as how high the hands were raised, how long the arms were extended, or how long the feet stomped.

There was even less expression of intent, or central theme.

For example, the "extended hand": one can see from the diagram that the performer's hands are held in a hollow embrace, extended to the chest, while the upper body leans slightly and the shoulder blades stretch forward.

Then, the supporting leg bends slightly, the body half-turns, and the hands are withdrawn.

The annotation is just two words: "extended hand." But the meaning of this set of movements is unknown: is it offering a toast, reaching for the moon, bowing, or perhaps a formal greeting?

Should the expression be smiling, serious, coy, or perhaps a sidelong glance?

Therefore, it is not only a fragmentary score, but it is not fragmentary in the ordinary sense.

It is indeed as Cheng Nianjia said: the entire set of dance postures has never been seen before, but if broken down, similar traces can be found in many classical dances—

No one spoke; the two of them looked it over repeatedly, reading it a full three or four times.

Afterward, the two elderly ladies exchanged a glance, and Vice President Xiao frowned: "Editor-in-Chief, why does it feel like there's something to this?"

Lan Ling took off her reading glasses: Not only is there something, there is quite a lot. In all likelihood, this is the *Six Yao Score* lost since the Song Dynasty.

But where would Jing Zeyang get something like this?

It's not looking down on him, but if given to him, would he even be able to understand it?

Vice President Xiao flipped through it again: "This score, it shouldn't be complete, right?"

Does that even need to be said?

If it were all given, how would he still be able to negotiate terms?

"The value is certainly there, the problem is how to conduct Artifact Research," Lan Ling pointed to the manuscript paper, "If they are all like this, the workload is unimaginably large. Is the troupe willing to invest?"

Xiao Yinan was lost in thought.

If it really is the lost *Six Yao* score, it is by no means as simple as just "having value"; its significance far exceeds the field of art.

To put it in high-minded terms: decoding the history of literature and art, reconnecting the fault lines of civilization, and rebuilding the spirit of ritual and music.

But the problem is that the song and dance troupe is a performance unit, not a specialized research institution. To put it bluntly: you have to let the work speak for itself.

And with this score before us, with this format, even if Jing Zeyang handed over all the fragmentary scores, it is estimated that the time to research a "work" would have to be counted in years.

If you want high quality, or have bigger ambitions, like wanting to win some kind of award: well then, without a team of ten or eight people, and without two or three years, don't even think about it.

If it is only used for reference, to be honest, it is truly a bit of a waste of a precious resource, and there is no need.

"How about this, get the score first!" Lan Ling pinched the bridge of her nose, "As for whether to research it, and how to research it, we will report it up and let the group leadership decide."

Xiao Yinan nodded: "Then what about Jing Zeyang?"

Lan Ling thought for a moment: "Which department in our troupe doesn't have women?"

A department in the song and dance troupe without women, it seems there really isn't one?

Huh, that's not right—there is!

Xiao Yinan's eyes lit up: "The motor pool!"

"Then send him to the motor pool!" Lan Ling made the final decision, "Extend his internship by one year!"

"Ah?" Xiao Yinan was stunned for a moment, "What if he doesn't agree?"

"If he doesn't agree, then get out, take his score and get out!" Lan Ling snorted coldly, "I didn't issue a full-troupe notification, which is already giving enough face to the elders in his family—"

Xiao Yinan sighed.

Actually, the troupe does not forbid performers from dating; there is only one point: it must be reported in advance. Moreover, Jing Zeyang is not a performer, he is just an editor, so even the reporting is skipped.

But he shouldn't have, he really shouldn't have, let dating lead to an extremely serious performance accident?

To be honest, the two of them have been in the industry for most of their lives; similar accidents have happened, but at most, it was just a slight wardrobe malfunction.

But like this time, in a theater with thousands of people, being naked in front of so many leaders, it is unheard of—

Thinking secretly, Xiao Yinan nodded: "I will have the Third Troupe's Editor-in-Chief notify him!"

"No need, just let Cheng Nianjia go."

"Alright!"

Just as they were talking, there were two "knock-knock" sounds, and Editor-in-Chief Liu of the Third Troupe stood at the door.

"Editor-in-Chief, General Manager Xiao!"

The two nodded, and Editor-in-Chief Liu entered the office, sat down below them, and handed over a piece of paper.

It was roughly an analysis and judgment of the dance score; several people all believed that what Jing Zeyang provided should indeed be the lost *Six Yao* score.

After a rough glance, Lan Ling set it aside: "What conditions did Jing Zeyang raise?"

"Just one, allow him to transfer after the Spring Festival!"

The old lady shook her head decisively: "Impossible!"

A transfer means becoming a permanent staff member; what if this dog of a man refuses to leave when the time comes?

To be honest, let alone seeing the person, every time she hears this name, Lan Ling feels like she has swallowed a fly—

"However, they gave a guarantee: they will restore a portion of the ancient score before New Year's Day—"

Editor-in-Chief Liu paused, "Their original words were: based on this ancient score, integrate contemporary theater aesthetics and the aesthetic concepts of modern audiences to create a new-classical imagery-style work—"

At first, Lan Ling was listening seriously, but when she heard halfway through, she suddenly laughed out loud: New-classical, imagery-style work?

Him, Jing Zeyang?

Let alone restoring, let alone re-creating, give this score to Jing Zeyang and ask him again: what is a "double brush-face," what is a "broken silk throw," how do you perform a "send step," and how do you properly execute a Talisman?

If he could answer, let alone three months from now, Lan Ling would make him a permanent staff member right now, and approve his transfer report right now—

"Editor-in-Chief, it wasn't Jing Zeyang who said it, it was his friend, that young man who is a graduate student at Xida."

"Hmm, it feels very strange!" Editor-in-Chief Liu recalled, "Sometimes, he seems like a layman. For example, some basic terminology: when we mentioned spiral-pulling and anti-torso techniques, he basically couldn't understand—"

"But at other times, I feel he is particularly knowledgeable—like with these—"

Editor-in-Chief Liu pointed to the dancer figures on the manuscript paper, "He knows how to perform the 'sinking waist three sighs,' he also knows how to perform the 'broken hand right brush,' and he knows how to divide the beats into the 'prelude, break, and urgent' sections, as well as the specific rhythm parameters—"

"The key is, these symbols on the diagram: ⊥ is to turn the foot, and how many degrees to turn. ⊥ is to raise the arm, and how high to raise it. is to stamp the foot, and how long to stamp it, C is to rub the sleeve and look back—as well as the emotional state when performing these movements: is it resentment, is it sorrow, is it joy, is it worry—he can name them all, and it feels very reasonable!"

Impossible.

This is an ancient score; never mind a fragmentary one, even a complete score couldn't possibly be this detailed.

The two old ladies were both stunned for a moment: "He has the complete score?"

"I thought the same, but he said he didn't! And he repeatedly guaranteed: although the score wasn't taken in full, it is basically all in this format—these were all things he pondered out himself—"

After a brief pause, Editor-in-Chief Liu's face revealed a trace of strangeness, "He also said he is involved in Cultural Relics and Artifact Research, so he has studied it a bit more deeply."

What on earth, archaeology, cultural relics—at first thought, what kind of messy nonsense is this?

But looking again at the manuscript paper before them: aren't the originals of these photocopies cultural relics themselves?

The problem is, he is still a graduate student, so where does this "studied it a bit more deeply" come from?

"Xida, Northwest University? What major is he studying?"

"He said Cultural Relics Protection, I don't really understand it either!"

Editor-in-Chief Liu didn't understand, but the old lady did: it truly belongs to the field of cultural relics and archaeology; Northwest University not only has this major, but it is ranked second, only after Peking University—

"Does that mean these guarantees were all made by that friend of Jing Zeyang's?"

"Yes, but Jing Zeyang agreed throughout! And he patted his chest to guarantee: if it isn't handed in by New Year's Day, or if it can't satisfy you, you won't even need to speak up, he'll get lost on his own—"

Lan Ling was slightly suspicious: so confident?

In her view, Jing Zeyang is just a piece of sticky candy; anyone else would have already left in disgrace. Being able to persist for so long shows that this dog is determined to stay in the troupe.

But suddenly, he dares to issue a military order?

But then again: it's only a month, it won't delay anything.

Thinking of this, Lan Ling tapped the table: "Let them edit!"

"They said they need a Bian Dao Shi, and if possible, could three or four actors be arranged to do some action storyboarding—"

"The space can be given, but people are impossible!" The old lady shook her head, "Let them find their own—"

There are performances for New Year's Day, and even more for the Spring Festival, where would there be so many idle people?

"Understood!" Editor-in-Chief Liu stood up, "Then I'll go notify them?"

"Just have Cheng Nianjia say a word, so that dog doesn't get ahead of himself—"

>