War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1868 The Grandmaster and the Olive Branch

The next morning after returning to Tianjin, Sui Xin and Chen Luoxiang, who had stayed overnight, rushed to the high-speed railway station early to return to the capital. At the same time, they were busy contacting their friends to help Sui Sui put together the "Chinese band" she needed.

In comparison, Qin II was undoubtedly faster. Although he was still busy entertaining the descendants of Zhang Taichuan and others, it did not delay him at all in helping the Queen to set up the game and recruit people.

Because of this, in just one day, he had already called on his friends and almost put together a Peking Opera troupe.

While they were busy, Sui Sui and Wei Ran were not idle either.

Now that the New Year is over, it’s time to get busy.

Not to mention the film shooting work that has never been interrupted, the international travel banner that Wei Ran found a few years ago, and the coffee business that she invested in with the Spanish wrestler Miguel, is enough to keep her and her sisters busy for a while.

Although this business was nominally a collaboration between Miguel and Greva and a gang member, and the purpose was just for Miguel to place his men, the actual operation and management was remotely controlled by Susu.

Fortunately, now Sui Sui has people to help her. Regardless of anything else, whether it's Hela or Succubus, they all have professionally trained people who can be used.

Because of this, this business jointly invested by the gang, the rich woman, Hela and the succubus has already selected stores and renovated them in several major cities in Europe during this short New Year holiday.

Even for this purpose, the wrestler and gang leader named Miguel, together with his new friend Greva, each selected some trustworthy and skilled friends from the gang to form a construction team to speed up the progress.

While Sui Sui was busy coordinating the division of labor and thinking about the candidate for the "shopkeeper" in charge of this matter among the people around her, Wei Ran was waiting outside the courtyard gate for the people who were ready to visit him. It was also the people who made them decide to rush back to Tianjin last night.

"Please drive the car in." Wei Ran opened the gate and waved.

Seeing this, the driver of the car immediately turned the car around and backed it into the small yard with great skill.

It was not until Wei Ran closed the courtyard gate that the door of this ordinary car was pushed open by the driver from the inside.

"Happy New Year, Brother Liu," Wei Ran clasped his fists politely.

"Happy New Year, Mr. Wei"

Brother Liu, who had been invited by Qin II and took away Wei Ran's red-hot penny, also clasped his fists politely.

"Let's go in and talk," Wei Ran invited with a smile.

"Don't worry, I'll get some things first."

Brother Liu walked around to the rear of the car, took out a black suitcase from the trunk and handed it to Wei Ran. He then opened the door of the rear compartment and pulled out a larger suitcase with some difficulty.

After politely declining Wei Ran's help, Brother Liu dragged the large suitcase and walked into the first floor, then into the storage room leading to the basement, and finally arrived at the basement of the small western-style building.

"What good things did Brother Liu bring?" Wei Ran asked with a smile.

"I'm entrusted with this. Don't worry about it. Let's talk about it later."

Brother Liu pushed the large suitcase he had carried down to the wall, then took the suitcase that Wei Ran had helped to carry down, opened it, took out the things inside and said, "These are the aviation films that you gave to Xia Shushi and the negatives of the works of war correspondent Ms. Lee Miller. I brought them back for you."

"Have you made the copies?" Wei Ran asked as he placed the two metal censorship cans and photo albums handed to him by the other party on the table.

“Done”

Brother Liu nodded and explained, "We found a manufacturer to make it, and they also made several sets of reversal films. They are now on display in an exhibition hall in Hankou. In the past two days, many foreign tourists have come here specially."

"I'm sorry to trouble you," Wei Ran said while making tea.

"No trouble"

Brother Liu waved his hand, sat down at the tea table and said, "The exhibition hall in Hankou copied your library and also made some photo albums to sell as cultural creations."

"That's good," Wei Ran nodded, "At least the operating costs of the exhibition hall have been paid."

Seeing that Wei Ran had first characterized the benefits, Brother Liu just smiled and gave up the plan he had originally planned to say, and instead invited, "Do you want to go to your exhibition hall to take a look?"

"That's not necessary," Wei Ran waved his hand, "That exhibition hall is for foreigners and Tokyo bombing enthusiasts, so I don't need to go."

"Tokyo bombing enthusiast?"

Brother Liu smiled and said, "I guess you probably won't go either. In that case, let's talk about something else."

"Row"

Wei Ran nodded happily, and then just like when they first met, he filled the four cups on the tea table between the two of them with clear tea.

Brother Liu naturally noticed this little detail and understood Wei Ran's hint.

After picking up one of the teacups and tasting it carefully, he stood up and walked to the entrance of the basement, lifted the second suitcase he brought onto the small stage and opened it.

"This is?"

“This is a sculpture of Emperor Minghuang of Tang carved from golden nanmu.”

Brother Liu explained, "This was entrusted to Miss Jiaya by her friend, and she asked me to pass it on to you, saying it was to show her support and gratitude for your plan to set up a drama troupe."

It's them.
Wei Ran keenly realized something from the "thank you" in the other party's words. It was OK to be "supported" for setting up a drama troupe, but it was also OK to be "thanked".
That's absolutely an excuse. I guess it's a thank you in exchange for those photo albums?
Wei Ran had a rough guess, but at the same time he looked at the statue of Emperor Minghuang of Tang lying in the cushioning sponge of this 32-inch suitcase.

This statue of Emperor Minghuang of Tang is less than one meter tall. He wears a folded turban on his head, a round-necked, narrow-sleeved ochre-yellow robe, and Liuhe black leather boots. His left arm hangs naturally on his knee, his right arm is bent at the elbow and raised to his chest, with his index and middle fingers slightly bent in a "beating gesture". He sits on a pedestal in the shape of a theater box with a plump and smiling face.

On the left side of his waist hung a gilded "Siliyue Lingfu" with "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe" engraved on the face. On the right side he wore an ivory filigree bamboo flute with a five-colored silk ribbon tied to the end of the flute.

Looking at the pedestal in the shape of an opera box, there is an intricately carved scene of Liyuan disciples playing music.

This large suitcase contains not only a statue of Emperor Minghuang of Tang, but also an incense burner and even a large bundle of incense sticks.

"This letter was sent along with the statue of Emperor Minghuang of Tang. It was given to you by Jiaya's friend." Brother Liu said as he handed an envelope to Wei Ran.

The style of the envelope is quite retro, and there is a line of calligraphy written on it: From Mr. Wei Ran himself.

I looked up at Brother Liu, but he just smiled and raised his hand.

Seeing this, Wei Ran reached into his pocket as a cover, took out a paratrooper knife from the metal notebook, swung out the blade, carefully cut open the envelope, and pulled out the letter inside.

This letter, written in calligraphy, sincerely thanked Wei Ran for finding the photo albums and introduced the statue that was sent to him.

According to the explanation in the letter, this golden nanmu statue of Emperor Minghuang of Tang was carved by the "Mr. Ji" in the story and given to the Lihua Theatre Company when the "Mu Anzhi" in the story founded the "Lihua Theatre Company" in the United States after the war.

However, later on, the Lihua Opera Society founded by Mr. Mu Anzhi was disbanded for some reasons, and this Emperor Minghuang of Tang never enjoyed the incense of the opera world again.

At the end of the letter, the writer did not introduce himself. Instead, he simply thanked Wei Ran again and asked him to burn the letter after reading it.

After exchanging a glance with Brother Liu, Wei Ran handed the letter to him. Seeing that he smiled and shook his head to refuse, he took out a lighter, lit it together with the envelope and threw them into the waste tea bucket.

"Mr. Wei, where does your drama troupe plan to recruit people from in the future?" Brother Liu and Wei Ran asked as they sat down at the tea table again.

"To be honest, Brother Liu," Wei Ran smiled and shook his head, "This idea was decided by my girlfriend on the spur of the moment, and now we can't even be considered a makeshift team.

Where will the manpower come from in the future? Don’t say I don’t know. My girlfriend herself is probably confused and can’t figure out the solution.”

"It's a good thing that Miss Sui Sui has this ambition."

Brother Liu said gently, "If Mr. Wei and Miss Sui Sui don't mind, I can help find a friend to go to the school and ask. This way, you will have more people, and those children who like traditional culture will have a way out."

“That would be the best.”

Wei Ran said quickly, he knew very well that the other party was showing goodwill and making friends with him, and he had no reason to refuse as long as his head had not been squeezed by the manhole cover.

As for whether the other party would take this opportunity to interfere with the drama troupe, he was very willing for them to do so.

"In this case"

Brother Liu smiled and said, "I'll say hello for you guys. Who should I tell them to contact then?"

"Chen Luoxiang Bar"

Wei Ran said cheerfully, "From now on, the drama troupe will basically be managed by Chen Luoxiang and Sui Xin."

"Okay, then let them contact Chen Luoxiang." Brother Liu nodded, "Next is the last thing."

Seeing that Wei Ran was listening attentively, Brother Liu smiled and said, "The hot potato tasted good last time."

"What hot potato?" Wei Ran spread his hands with an innocent and confused look.

Brother Liu smiled and picked up the teacup. "There is a technical school in the south of Beijing not far from the new airport that closed down two years ago. Although it is not very large, the conditions and location are quite good. It is close to the airport and the subway station. Give it to your troupe. It will be convenient for you to fly back and forth to the airport in the future."

"Then I'm not welcome."

Wei Ran simply agreed. He had no reason to refuse such a good offer, and he had to accept the other party's kindness. This was the beginning of friendship.

“That’s all I have to say.”

Brother Liu changed the subject while holding a small teacup, "When does Mr. Wei plan to go to Kazan?"

“It’s time to go in the next two days.”

Wei Ran helped the other person fill another cup with tea and said, "My studies are heavy and I have no free time at all."

"What are your plans for the future?" Brother Liu asked, drinking the tea in his cup in one gulp. "After graduation, will you stay in Russia or come back?"

"I will definitely come back, but I haven't decided what to do yet."

Wei Ran smiled and said, "Maybe I'll open a photo studio by then."

"Photo studio?"

Brother Liu looked at Wei Ran with interest, but did not continue the topic. He just picked up the cup that had just been filled with tea and said, "Then I wish Mr. Wei success in his studies and a speedy return."

"Thank you for your good words, Brother Liu." Wei Ran also picked up a cup of tea.

After drinking the cup of tea, Brother Liu also stood up and said goodbye.

Wei Ran naturally did not try to persuade him to stay. He just helped the other party open the gate himself, and watched him drive out of the yard and finally disappear around the corner of the street, and then he breathed a sigh of relief.

He could tell that the other party was here to make friends.

This is good news. The next thing to do is to set up the drama troupe that Suo Suo wanted to form on a whim, then they can really become friends.

When I returned to the basement in the midst of my wandering thoughts, Sui Sui was already studying the statue with the Kajianka sisters, Marta, and Lucinda.

"Is this from the person who just gave it to you?"

Sui Sui looked at him and asked curiously, "Who is this? He doesn't look like the God of Wealth."

"This is Emperor Tang Minghuang, the ancestor worshipped by the opera troupe."

As Wei Ran spoke, he asked the other party to help move an altar table to the center of the stage in the basement, and then carefully placed the extremely heavy statue on it, while teasing, "You are really a bit unlearned as a troupe leader."

"I am just an amateur. The Grandmaster will definitely not blame me."

Although Sui Sui said this, she still bowed seriously after Wei Ran placed the offering statue and the small but heavy incense burner.

“Will this be placed here from now on?”

In the swirling green smoke, Wei Ran Suisu asked.

“Just put it here.”

As Wei Ran spoke, he repeated the origin of the statue and the promise made by Brother Liu.

"This Brother Liu is such a great guy!" Sui Sui exclaimed.

"The other party is a drama enthusiast, probably."

Wei Ran made up an excuse, "That's probably what happened. You should remember it."

Before he could finish his words, Sui Sui's cell phone rang.

"It's Sui Xin," Sui Sui said as she answered the phone.

After a conversation mixed with various exclamations, Sui Sui hung up the phone, "No need to notify them, someone has already contacted them."

"So fast?" Wei Ran raised his eyebrows.

"Can't"

Sui Sui put the phone back into her pocket and said, "They just got home, and the person who contacted Chen Luoxiang said that the school is already being cleaned up, and it is expected to be cleared by noon today.

The most exaggerated thing is that the caller also said that if they have time, they can take them to meet some drama teachers. "

"How much money will it take to invest?" Wei Ran said with a helpless smile.

"If we sell this statue of Emperor Minghuang of Tang, it will probably be enough for us to pay the wages of our newly formed opera troupe for several years." Sui Sui said with particular clarity, "How generous."

"It seems that someone is more concerned about this matter than we are," Wei Ran said with a smile, "We have to get this troupe started no matter what."

"This Brother Liu really loves listening to opera, doesn't he?" Sui Sui couldn't help but mutter as she looked at the ancestor enshrined on the stage.