Since the Accounting: A Chronicle of the Roman Khanate

Chapter 211 Invincible Sun vs. Goddess of the Night
In the theater, Li Xuanying and Guo Kang sat side by side, watching the drama performance in the center of the square.

This large-scale amphitheater was newly built in the city when Marshal Zhang Gongliang made his triumphant return last time.

The style of such theaters has not changed much since classical times.The stage is a semicircle, surrounded by as many as dozens of circles of gradually rising seats outside the circle.

On the horizontal side of the stage, special walls and columns are set up to facilitate the setting.There are also special machinery and access doors to display various stage effects.There is also a row of houses behind and on both sides of the stage, which are used for various tasks such as makeup, rest, and changing scenes and props.

The Greeks in the classical era studied this kind of theater very deeply. Philosophers, mathematicians and architects conducted a lot of research and practice, and summed up many experiences and laws.In the theater, the ingenious design allows the audience in the back row to hear the lines clearly; the distance between the stage and the seats also takes into account the perspective of people, and careful arrangements are made to ensure that the visual effect is not compromised.

In the Eastern Roman era, drama declined—of course, the decline was relative.In Greece and Italy, the tradition of folk drama still exists, and at the official level, literati dramas also appeared.

As the Italian regions grew more prosperous, the local dramas tended to overshadow the Greeks.After the situation in the Purple Horde stabilized, the Greeks, who had been plagued by various wars for a long time, picked up this old tradition again, drawing on Italian operas and scripts brought by the Purple Horde, and formed various A new genre.

In fact, because of the accident that occurred when they took control of Dadu for the first time, the senior management of the Purple Tent even somewhat rejected drama.Even so, over the past few decades, this kind of art has still developed vigorously, and the upper echelons of the Khanate can only accept it.It can only be said that a strong cultural foundation is different.

When Guo Kang saw this, he couldn't help feeling sorry for the Greeks' obsession with it—this building and script are the crystallization of the wisdom of the Greeks, and it's no wonder Li Xuanying likes it here.

Now, the newly launched series "Invincible Sun vs. Evernight Goddess" is being staged in the theater.On the stage, several actors who played goddesses were singing loudly.Guo Kang, on the other hand, was facing the plot while holding the booklet of lines issued when he entered the venue.

After sending Zhu Wenkui and his party home, Guo Kang found Li Xuanying.In the end, he didn't talk much about the business, and was dragged here by him.

Fortunately, this matter is not too urgent.Li Xuanying insisted that the new play was very interesting, so he followed suit.

Now the actor in the middle of the stage wears a mask to indicate his identity.According to the brochure, she is playing the role of Nyx, the goddess of the night in Greek mythology.However, the costume of the goddess is not the black clothes recorded in "Theogony", nor the classical robes commonly seen on statues, but a modern Greek lady's attire.

She sang in a playful voice: "My son is becoming more and more disobedient. This is because all the soldiers in the Heavenly Realm will support him; the scorching sun hangs in the sky, and let the night of Ai's family disappear, how can we stop it?"

"Daughters—" she sang, "I have to think carefully about it, how can I stop it?"

As she said that, she took a few steps back and gave way to the center of the stage.

"Did the background setting be explained in the previous episodes?" Guo Kang asked Li Xuanying in a low voice: "I haven't watched it, so I don't know yet."

"Isn't this drama released by the church recently? I thought you knew the script." Li Xuanying was a little surprised.

"I just told Master Wang about the idea of ​​a series, and he made the others himself." Guo Kang said truthfully: "I really don't know."

"He still knows this?" Li Xuanying was surprised for a moment.

"Of course. The costumes and lines of the little princess were also designed by him." Guo Kang told him
"It's a pity that Master Wang didn't become a playwright." Li Xuanying shook her head and said with emotion.

Just as he was talking, another masked character stepped forward and sang: "I have tried my best, and I have been lurking and forbearing. However, the brotherhood is as strong as gold, so I am full of tricks, but seem to be stupid. .”

"Mother—" the goddess also sang, "what can I do for it!"

After all, she stepped back a few steps and left the center of the venue.

"This is the story review of the last episode." Li Xuanying took the opportunity to introduce to Guo Kang: "The main goddess at the beginning is the great god Nyx who symbolizes concepts such as darkness, fate, death, and pain. Orpheus is used here. According to the teaching setting, she is regarded as the adoptive mother respected by Zeus."

"After Zeus grew up, Nyx still regarded herself as an elder and didn't want to give up the power she had obtained. So, she and the daughters around her all day long planned various conspiracies in an attempt to maintain her position."

"Although Zeus has supernatural powers and is fairly smart, he has a violent temper and is obsessed with women, which often leads to confusion between right and wrong. Therefore, the upright 'Invincible Sun' and his followers often persuade him and urge him to work hard. So that the three worlds of heaven, human, and underworld can be in harmony."

"So, Empress Dowager Ni and the goddesses around her are quite dissatisfied with them, and often devise various tricks to try to persecute them. But every time, they can use the virtues of justice, unity and friendship to resolve various conspiracies. Simple In other words, it is the struggle between light and darkness."

"Just now this is the classical era, representing the goddess of deceit, Apata, who is also the main villain of the previous film. She tried to trick the 'invincible sun' into the dark realm and imprison the light. But the sun and his friends united and bravely Killed all the monsters on the road, broke through the ambush, and returned to the heaven. The beginning of this paragraph is to carry on this story."

"All elements are stuffed up." Guo Kang said cheerfully: "This mix-and-match style really looks like Master Wang's handwriting."

With a sigh, the performance on the stage continued.

As the Goddess of Deceit recedes, another character, also dressed as a Greek lady, steps to center stage.

"I, Eris, the god of discord, will help my mother to solve her problems." She sang aloud: "My sister failed to accomplish anything, because his many helpers worked hard; but the more hearts, the more difficult it is to unify, let me try a little trick. "

"The battle of Troy started with me, and the chaos in the world came out of me. Who in the Three Realms can be free from jealousy? With my glass of wine, he can make him take a warrior and die!"

"This is an allusion to the story of the golden apple." Li Xuanying was afraid that Guo Kang would not know, so he introduced it to him: "It is said that before the Trojan War, Eris took out two golden apples, which caused the three goddesses to fight, which led to the subsequent war. ..."

"Did you remember it wrong?" Guo Kang said puzzled, "This is an apple, not a peach."

"Oh yes." Li Xuanying realized immediately: "You're right, I was wrong. In short, this is a classical Greek story, so I won't introduce it in detail."

"Hey, but I think this myth is still written conservatively." He shook his head: "I always feel that the development is normal. In order to grab an apple, these Greek gods did not hesitate to promise various priesthoods and statuses, and found other gods. In the end, everyone was taken over by the heavenly father. In this way, it is more in line with the Greek style."

Guo Kang thought about it, but he couldn't refute it.

Beside the stage, the singing team began to sing in unison.After a while of foiling, the Goddess of Discord took out a can of wine and introduced it:
"This is the best wine in the Three Realms. I will give it to the bravest warrior as a reward for breaking through the Dark Realm. Warriors like force and pursue fame. They will definitely fight."

"Jie Jie Jie, it will be much more convenient to do it when the time comes." She laughed exaggeratedly.

"Jie Jie, my sister is really smart." The other characters also expressed their approval in strange tones.

"Jie Jie Jie, we must seize the opportunity this time." Empress Dowager Ni also said with a strange smile: "Kakaya of evil virtue!"

"My daughter is here!" A goddess stood up.

"Philotes, lustful!"

"I'm here~" Another goddess also responded delicately.

"You guys go to help Eris, after the matter is done, the Ai family will have another reward!" Empress Dowager Ni ordered.

These two also obeyed the order, so the black curtain fell from the wall behind, and the goddesses hid behind the scenes while laughing strangely.The audience laughed out loud.

Immediately afterwards, the mechanical booms on both sides of the stage hung a white curtain further in front.The staff entered from the rooms on both sides and began to quickly replace the scenery and stage props.

"How is it? Does this new drama feel good?" Li Xuanying turned to ask Guo Kang.

"It's just that there are too many elements..." Guo Kang said: "Is it really okay to insinuate so bluntly?"

"Everyone doesn't care, who cares about this." Li Xuanying didn't seem to care much: "Not to mention, Master Wang is really good at doing these things. I don't know where to find these playwrights. do it."

"He's the patriarch, he wants to preach." Guo Kang is not too surprised: "They used to compose nursery rhymes or something, and now they learn to write scripts, which is normal development."

Li Xuanying thought about it, and felt that it made sense.After all, these market entertainments are indeed the best way to publicize, it's just that people didn't notice much before.

Just as we were talking, the second act also began.

A group of strong men in legion armor stepped onto the stage.The narration began to cooperate with the actors' movements, and introduced to everyone that these are the famous heroes of all ages. "This is even rubbing the Hall of Valor." Guo Kang was a little dumbfounded.

"I feel pretty good, anyway, no one believes in these pagan religions now." Li Xuanying said: "The Greeks have always liked to use these gods as metaphors and symbols, and used them in literary works. Because they don't believe much now, so literature It could have been even better.”

"So that's the case." Guo Kang nodded.

The narration continues, saying that these people are gathering in the palace of the just and brave Sun, performing martial arts all day long, ready to fight evil at any time, and help Olympus.

The actors also posed in pairs practicing and wielding weapons, and danced vigorously to the rhythm of the music.

"Although it is a comedy, the standard is not as high as tragedy and drama, but the choreography is also very meticulous." Li Xuanying, an old theater fan, commented: "This kind of dance is also much more suitable than the common melody in everyday comedies. You can see who you are as a character.”

"That's true." Guo Kang complained: "No wonder the queen mother is jealous of them. It seems that these heroes often go to Mount Olympus to complain to Zeus Khan."

Soon, a tall man in a red robe, a phoenix-winged helmet, and a sun painted on the robe came onto the stage.Empress Dowager Ni walked out of the stage in small steps from the other side.

The two stood still, "Invincible Sun" turned sideways, half towards the audience, half towards Empress Ni, and sang:

"The Sun God meditates on Mount Olympus, and respectfully listens to the Queen Mother—"

The audience immediately cheered together.

The actor of the Sun God is obviously very solid in singing. Guo Kang, a layman, can hear his voice powerful and full of confidence.He paused for a while, let the applause pass, and continued:
"I remember congratulating Zeus on the vernal equinox, and I talked to you in the court room;

Speaking of returning to the political affairs, your expression is uncertain, I guess you must have been fascinated by power! "

The audience cheered in unison again, and Li Xuanying also applauded.

Just listen to "Sun God" slightly speeding up the rhythm, and asked:
"Now that all the gods in the court have come to admonish you, why don't you listen and deceive your loyal ministers instead?"

He cupped his hands and warned loudly: "It is right for me to persuade the Empress Dowager to abdicate in the sky, and I will regret it when the disaster is imminent!"

"Okay—" The audience's emotions were obviously mobilized.

However, Empress Dowager Ni quickly retorted and sang at a fast pace:
"I thought, you are an honest and loyal god; who would have thought, but took the lead, rampantly destroying family relationships.

In the Three Realms, there are rules and regulations, and all gods and gods must abide by them; how do you know that if there is no filial piety, how can the way of heaven exist? "

"Good!" Everyone applauded again without hesitation.

"Do the Greeks also understand Gang Chang's filial piety?" Guo Kang whispered.

"Then you have to ask Master Wang." Li Xuanying said while applauding: "But it doesn't matter, as long as everyone enjoys listening to the opera. This is called...subtle influence? Anyway, both parties are satisfied."

"That's okay, the villain's lines are also good." Guo Kang said.

"Well, the Empress Dowager is actually a very funny character. There are a lot of jokes about her in the play, so the audience is actually happy to see it." Li Xuanying explained.

Guo Kang nodded and continued to look at the stage.

After the queen mother sang her lines, the Sun God turned around, faced the audience, and said what was in her heart:
"The empress dowager has a deep mind, and I don't know what tricks she has. We must not be caught, and lose our righteousness. Let's see what tricks she has this time."

So, after some steps and movements that showed a tangled mood, the Queen Mother and all the heroes left the arena one after another.

The Goddess of Discord held up the wine jar and walked around the stage, showing that she was on her way before disappearing behind the scenes.Instead, Philotes, the goddess of lust, came out first and immediately entangled the sun.

"Oh, my love!" She praised loudly, and tried to get closer: "Your face is so resolute, is it to sink me, an infatuated goddess?"

"How can there be love between us?" The sun immediately reprimanded: "My expression and demeanor are used to cheer up my warriors in danger!"

"No, my lover!" The goddess praised loudly again: "Is your body so burly because I, a weak goddess, are obsessed with it?"

"How can there be true love between us?" Sun also reprimanded again: "My muscles and bones are used to reassure my warriors in times of crisis!"

After being repelled twice, Philotes immediately changed his face and cursed: "You don't know what to do, you will pay for your arrogance sooner or later! Now the doomed danger is approaching you, and I am the only one who can help you!" Your people. From me, I will let you escape from the judgment of my sister Lachesis."

"Who can interfere with fate, who can judge the future? If fate is already doomed, how can you change it?" The sun retorted: "You are just a group of liars who steal your name. Go away! When fate comes, I will personally welcome it .”

Philotes tossed off his robe, and left the stage bitterly amidst the chants of the chorus.

(End of this chapter)