The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

The backstage of the theater seemed very crowded, with more than 20 people busy removing makeup and cleaning props. Once Zhou Hexuan and the others entered, it became even more crowded, and the troupe actors all looked over curiously.

Before Zhou Hexuan could speak, Yu Fengzhi brought Zhang Xueliang to Meng Xiaodong and said with a smile, "Boss Meng, congratulations!"

"Boss" is a respectful title for famous Peking Opera actors. In a troupe, in principle, only Tai Zhuzi 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 Mengqi, he is the boss."

Zhang Xueliang clasped his fists and said: "It turns out to be Boss Meng, disrespect, disrespect!"

Meng Qi was originally the nickname of Meng Xiaodong's grandfather. Among his several sons, the third eldest, Meng Hongrong, was the most promising. So Meng Hongrong is also known as Xiao Mengqi, who is the pillar of the troupe.

"Thank you for the face," Meng Hongrong asked, "I don't know the names of the distinguished guests?"

Meng Xiaodong introduced: "Third Uncle, this is the young marshal Zhang Xueliang and his wife Yu Fengzhi, this is the president of Peking University Zhou Hexuan, these are the editors of Ta Kung Pao Li Shoumin, Shen Congwen, Zhu Xiang and Zheng Zhengyin gentlemen."

Everyone in the troupe was shocked, now that Zhang Zuolin is so powerful, covering most of China, and Zhang Xueliang naturally also rose with the tide. They didn't expect that Meng Xiaodong actually knew the young marshal, and he seemed to have a good relationship with him, which is amazing!

"It turned out to be Young Marshal Zhang. I have lost my way, please forgive me!" Meng Hongrong hurriedly bowed his hands.

Zhang Xueliang accepted it with a smile, and Yu Fengzhi said with a smile: "Boss Meng doesn't need to meet outsiders, Xiaodong is the sister I know, and they are all from my family."

While chatting here, Meng Hongqun wondered to his wife, "The eldest of our family has lived in Tianjin for two or three years, and yet she has become involved with the Zhang family. Why is she keeping it a secret?"

Zhang Yunhe saw that Zhou Hexuan had been standing beside him. Although he didn't speak, he seemed to be very close to Zhang Xueliang. She is also a shrewd person, so she guessed roughly from this: "I am afraid that my daughter can know the young marshal because of Mr. Zhou. He is the sweetheart of our boss."

Meng Hongqun frowned, as if he was a little worried about his daughter's marriage.

Zhang Yunhe persuaded: "Don't think about it too much, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Our theater troupe just came to the north, and our foothold is not stable. Isn't it a good thing to have the support of a young commander?"

"You're right." Meng Hongqun said helplessly.

The theater troupe belonged to the bottom of the society, and they looked good on the surface, but if they didn't have a backing, anyone could bully them.

In particular, Meng Xiaodong not only sang well, but also had a charming appearance. He was favored by the warlords when he was in Hankou, so he hurried north to Tianjin to live in seclusion. Last year, Meng Xiaodong worshiped Bai Yukun as his teacher, and when he went to Jinan to perform with his master, he was picked up by Zhang Zongchang again. Fortunately, there was going to be a war at that time, and Zhang Zongchang was called away by Zhang Zuolin urgently, so he escaped the catastrophe. Later, Bai Yukun moved to Jinan to settle down and develop, and invited Meng Xiaodong to go there with him, but Meng Xiaodong dared not go with him because he was afraid of Zhang Zongchang.

This year, Meng Xiaodong was forced to invite by Chu Yufeng again, thanks to Zhou Hexuan's help, he was able to save himself from danger, this is because he had no backing.

Now that Meng Xiaodong climbed up to the young marshal and his wife, everyone in the troupe was naturally overjoyed. Meng Hongrong was even thinking about whether he should give up his identity as Tai Zhuzi and let Meng Xiaodong be the head of the family (in name).

"Oh, rare guest, rare guest!"

Liu Guangshun, the owner of Xinming Theater, hurried over when he heard the news, greeted him with a smile on his face and said, "Commander Zhang, Mrs. Zhang, here is Liu Guangshun, the owner of Xinming Theater. The presence of two distinguished guests here really makes the theater flourish." Hui, Liu Mou Sansheng is lucky!"

Liu Guangshun is also a wonderful person, unexpectedly knowing that Zhang Xueliang likes others to call him a military position, so he specially called him "Commander Zhang" to please him.

Zhang Xueliang smiled and said: "It's easy to say, Boss Liu is being polite."

Liu Guangshun took the opportunity and said: "I will prepare a little wine and food. If the commander has spare time, why don't you go and have a drink or two."

"I still have something to do, so I'm leaving first." Zhang Xueliang didn't give the other party a chance to build a relationship.

"I'll see you off!" Liu Guangshun hurriedly followed.

After Zhang Xueliang left, Zhou Hexuan smiled and said, "Xiaodong, congratulations on your successful performance."

Li Shoumin also said: "Xiaodong, your singing of "Dingjun Mountain" has already become a proficiency!"

"Thank you two big brothers. I still have a lot of shortcomings and need to continue to improve." When Meng Xiaodong spoke, he looked at Zhou Hexuan with a shy smile.

Zhu Xiang is not interested in Peking Opera, but rather curious about troupe props. He regarded this place as his own bedroom, and wandered around, not long after, he even put on his beard and walked around ostentatiously, stroking his long beard.

"Cluck!"

Meng Youdong pointed at Zhu Xiang and laughed loudly, and said in a childlike voice, "You are so naughty!"

Zhu Xiang despises the rich and powerful, and looks down on his peers, but he especially likes children. Maybe it's because he still retains the innocence in his heart, and he actually had a great time playing with Meng Youdong.

Zheng Zhengyin stared at the flower gun in the corner, and finally couldn't help being curious and walked over, mentioned the bag in his hand, and said disdainfully: "It turns out that it's a good-looking thing, and it doesn't hurt to beat someone."

Meng Kexue is a martial arts student, and he is very slick with a flower gun in one hand. Hearing this, he immediately retorted: "It's not a show, we also have real kung fu. My grandfather served as a soldier in the Tianping Heavenly Kingdom for more than ten years, and even fought with the King of England. His marksmanship is amazing!"

"Hehe, take the move!"

Zheng Zhengyin smiled, and suddenly raised his gun to stab. I saw the shadow of the gun flickering, and the tip of the gun brushed across Meng Keke's scalp and got stuck in the wig on top of his head.

Meng Keke was so frightened that he stood on the spot blankly, and it took him a long time to recover, and worshiped: "You are so good, teach me how to use a gun!"

"My marksmanship is not for show." Zheng Zhengyin took off the flower gun, threw it back to the corner, and walked slowly to Zhou Hexuan.

The actors of the troupe looked at Zheng Zhengyin and Zhu Xiang, who was playing with a beard, and they were all speechless, thinking: Why are Xiaodong's friends all weird?

Zhou Hexuan laughed and said, "Zi Yuan, stop playing, and return the beard to him."

Meng Xiaodong smiled and said: "It's okay, if brother Zhu likes it, he can often come to the troupe to entertain himself in the future."

Liu Guangshun sent Zhang Xueliang and his wife out of the gate, then ran back in a hurry, and said to Zhou Hexuan: "Mr. Zhou, I was negligent just now, forgive me."

"Boss Liu is polite, let's go, I invite everyone to dinner!" Zhou Hexuan said proudly.

Liu Guangshun hurriedly said, "I'm here to treat you."

More than 30 people went to the restaurant next door, followed by the troupe actors. The adults behaved calmly, but the juniors couldn't help themselves, whispering from time to time——

"Miss Xiaodong is really good, even the young commander of Fengjun and the principal of Peking University are friends with her!"

"In the future, we will have a good life in Chunhe class."

"That Mr. Zhou is tall and big, really handsome."

"Ni'er, don't think about it, that is my future big brother-in-law!"

"Really? Mr. Zhou is Miss Xiaodong's best friend?"

"Don't talk nonsense, any lover is now called free love."

"..."

Before she knew it, Meng Xiaodong seemed to be the pillar of the troupe, and even the elders were more polite to her. Profound attainments in opera are only second, and the most important thing is to know the great people.

After drinking for three rounds, when the show is about to end.

"Little Meng Qi" Meng Hongrong believed that the president of Peking University must be knowledgeable and good at calligraphy, so he begged: "Principal Zhou, I, Chunhe, and my class just moved to the north, please give me a calligraphy and write the name of the class."

"Write calligraphy?" Zhou Hexuan was confused.

What a retribution, he was looking for people everywhere to beg for calligraphy, and now it was finally his turn, but unfortunately his calligraphy was really hard to see.