A Man of Science and Engineering in Troubled Times Wandering in the Late Qing Dynasty

Chapter 22 The Stage
As for Yang Xiaolou, needless to say, later on he was the big boss of Liyuan who was as famous as Mei Lanfang, Cheng Yanqiu and others.

The famous "Farewell My Concubine" was first performed by Yang Xiaolou, Mei Lanfang, Shang Xiaoyun and others.

Many people think that Leslie Cheung's classic movie "Farewell My Concubine" is about Mei Lanfang. In fact, the prototype of Cheng Dieyi played by Leslie Cheung is Cheng Yanqiu.

Many people think that Duan Xiaolou, the character played by Zhang Fengyi, is based on Yang Xiaolou, but this is not the case.

In the play, Duan Xiaolou finally betrayed Cheng Dieyi and his wife, which is a somewhat negative and tainted character.In history, however, Yang Xiaolou was a patriotic man with strong bones, and he was very strict about his integrity. In his later years, he did not hesitate to quit the theater in order not to perform for the Japanese.

Although Yang Xiaolou hadn't become famous at this time, he was already the most important martial arts actor in Tan Peixin's celebration class.

Sigege said to Zaizhen: "Are you going to Xiulou now? Didn't you just say that the theater troupe will come in the afternoon?"

"I know, I'm not going to perform two songs for my sister first."

Yikuang could tell early on that Zai Zhen wanted to avoid embarrassment, and said: "Okay, okay, just go to see the stage, the last time the Sanqing troupe came to sing, the people behind always said that the voice is not too loud. "

The Embroidery Building in Prince Qing's Mansion is a large theater building, which still exists today.The embroidery building has two floors, more than 1300 square meters, and can accommodate up to 400 people. Whenever Yikuang and his son celebrate their birthdays or when there is a festive event in the mansion, the troupe will be invited to perform Peking Opera for several days.

——Setting up a stage at home can definitely be called a super fancier, and a super rich fancier.

Yikuang turned his head and saw Li Yu who was about to go out to exercise. Li Yu was still reciting Japanese hiragana silently in his heart.

"Sir." Yi Kuang called him.

Hearing Yikuang's voice, Li Yu replied, "My lord, why are you in the mansion during the day?"

Yikuang said: "It just so happens that my daughter is returning home today. By the way, the British envoy came to the Zongli Yamen to look for you."

Li Yu felt that Yikuang's tone was a little too good today, and asked, "British Minister?"

"That's right, he said that your article was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of England, and their president and someone called Lord Kelvin wanted to ask you to write another article."

I'll go, Li Yu screamed in his heart, he didn't expect this little essay to have such a big impact.

Yikuang asked Li Yu to sit down in the hall, and continued: "I observed that the British Minister's speech shows a lot of respect for their President and Lord of the Royal Society. It seems that your article this time belongs to high school."

After Li Yu's "careful teaching", Yikuang already has a good understanding of common sense of science, but he still doesn't understand advanced things, especially scientific research papers.

The rank of British envoys is high, and the Qing Dynasty generally regards them as the second rank, which happens to be the level of a baron, so Yikuang feels that Lord Kelvin is very powerful.

And to be able to publish a paper in the Royal Society, wouldn't it be the Hanlin of the Imperial Academy!Isn't it Jinshi!
Li Yu immediately explained modestly: "My lord, that's not the case. I just published it in a scientific journal of the Royal Society of England."

Yikuang stroked his beard and said, "Then I don't understand, but it's rare for me to grow a face today! You don't know how angry you are as a minister of the Prime Minister's Office."

Li Yu hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "My lord has worked hard!"

"The British Minister invites you to come over tomorrow. If you don't know the way, you can ask Mr. Ding to teach you. Also, there is a play at the house today, so you should come and listen to it."

Li Yu said, "Thank you, my lord."

Li Yu was very happy in his heart. Although he hadn't seen the report yet, even Yikuang knew about it, and it seemed that the effect was good.

Yikuang thought for a while and then said: "Zai Zhen, you ask this little gentleman to go to Xiulou together, maybe he has a way."

Zai Zhen was also a little shocked when he heard that the British envoy went to the prime minister's office to invite Li Yu in person. When he got out of the hall, he called Li Yu and said, "Mr. Li, why did the British envoy seek you? That man is famous for his upturned nose. Very angry."

Li Yu shrugged: "I published an article in their British journal, and they wanted to ask me to write another article, but they couldn't contact me, so they sent a telegram to the embassy directly. I think so."

"Awesome!" Zai Zhen gave a thumbs up. "It's a good thing to get foreigners to come to find them, but there are not many! Besides, the other party is a minister."

Li Yu smiled and said, "It's just luck."

Si Gege has been walking behind them silently, without saying a word. Li Yu had discovered her just now. After all, it is not easy to see a beautiful woman in this era.

When they arrived at Xiulou, Zai Zhen asked Si Gege to stand at the farthest distance, then jumped onto the stage, and sang with a pinch of his voice: "The last general is not talented, the leader needs horses, and fights against Zhang Yun!"

Then he shouted at Si Gege: "How is it, can you hear me clearly?"

Si Gege came over and said with a smile: "It's a little unclear, and..."

"And what?"

"You sing too badly." Si Gege laughed.

Zai Zhen cleared his throat in embarrassment: "It's on fire recently!" Then he said: "The windows are closed now, why is the sound not loud enough?"

Li Yu observed it. As a "family theater", this place is indeed not too small. There is no loudspeaker. Although it can be heard in the back row, the effect is indeed a little bit poor.

Zai Zhen asked, "Mr. Li, what can you do?"

Li Yu stood on the stage, stomped his feet, and found that the bottom of his feet was empty, so he said: "It's the only way to do this. Ask someone to bring some large water tanks over."

"Big water tank?" Zai Zhen asked suspiciously.

Li Yu said, "Yes, put some water tanks filled with water under the stage."

Although Zai Zhen had many question marks in his mind, he arranged for people to remove the wooden planks and carry down several large water tanks.

Li Yu went over to help adjust the distance of the water tank, and then said to Zai Zhen, "Master Bei, try singing again."

Zai Zhen first said to Si Gege: "Don't laugh at me!" Then he opened his voice and sang the line of Dingjunshan just now.

"Sister, how are you?"

Si Gege pursed his lips and said, "It's much better than before."

"It's so strange!" Zai Zhen said, "It's all right to put a few water tanks."

"It's just a simple resonance principle." Li Yu said, "It's a bit complicated to explain, but it should work if it works."

Si Gege has been watching from the side: "There is such a good way, next time I will tell the Queen Mother."

Zai Zhen immediately said: "You also praise me by the way."

"This is obviously the credit of Mr. Jia." Si Gege said and glanced at Li Yu, and found that this person was obviously different from everyone he had met, but it seemed impossible to say what was different.

Perhaps, it is particularly "foreign"?

(End of this chapter)