I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 912 Huangmei Opera Research Institute
Holding up his front lapel, Dong Li, followed by two followers, excitedly turned back to Liangbaqingcai Hutong near Yuhuang Street. He walked to a courtyard, raised his hand and knocked on the door.

The door creaked open, revealing a man in green clothes and a small hat, who shouted in surprise, "Manager Dong is back."

Dong Li walked into the yard.

The yard was more than 100 square meters, with more than a dozen people standing there, most of them women, wearing cotton jackets and cloth pants, practicing martial arts in the open space.

There was a team of drummers and musicians, almost all of them men, sitting in a corner, playing drums, cymbals, small gongs, large gongs and erhu, tinkling and humming.

Huangmei Opera was originally called Tea Picking Opera and Huangmei Tune. There were usually seven people singing on the stage, and three people playing percussion instruments such as drums, cymbals and gongs in the audience, joining in the chorus.

It’s called three beats and seven sings.

Kunqu Opera was popular for a time, and the old artists of Anqing Huangmei Opera absorbed its strengths and tried to use erhu, pipa and other string instruments for accompaniment, but the results were not good. After trying many times, they finally improved it and used gaohu, which was finally settled.

Later, yangqin and bamboo flute were added to make the accompaniment richer.

When everyone saw Dong Li coming in, they all greeted him.

"Manager Dong is back."

Dong Li held up the front of his clothes, nodded with a smile, and walked straight to the main room of the north house. Someone lifted the thick cotton curtain for him.

When I walked into the house, it was warm as spring.

There was a pot of charcoal in the corner of the room, and the flames were burning brightly.

Yu Qiaolian was wearing a jacket and skirt, practicing her body movements with her eyes closed in the middle of the room.

With every gesture and movement, he was like a heroic, dazzling top scholar.

Dong Li stood by and watched quietly without making any noise to disturb them.

The troupe will be performing at Nanyuan Changyiguan Theater the day after tomorrow. Yu Qiaolian, the troupe leader, has asked the entire troupe to rest for three days to recuperate.

Although it is a rest, I dare not delay my daily practice.

On the contrary, as the day of the official performance approaches, the troupe seems more nervous.

Everyone practiced quietly and consciously, although they were relaxed on the outside and tense on the inside. As the head of the troupe, Yu Qiaolian repeatedly reminded everyone not to push too hard and hurt their throats, hands or feet, which would delay the performance at Changyi Pavilion.

Yu Qiaolian finished practicing the set of body movements as smoothly as flowing water, her face as red as a spring peach, and beads of sweat oozing from the tip of her nose.

"Uncle, I'm back."

Dong Li walked forward and sat down on the chair on the right side in front of the main wall.

Yu Qiaolian sat down on the chair on the left, with a jujube wood red lacquer table between them.

He picked up the cup and gulped down two sips of the warm tea. Before the tea had completely gone down his throat, Yu Qiaolian couldn't wait to ask.

"Uncle, is it done?"

"Done." Dong Li took out two pieces of paper from his sleeve pocket and placed them on the jujube wood table.

"This is the registration paper from the Nancheng District Registration Office. It says, Beijing Huangmei Opera Research Institute."

Yu Qiaolian asked curiously, "Why is it called the Beijing Huangmei Opera Research Institute?"

"The official Li sent by the Imperial Household Department said that since the Yuan Meigong Wang Shizhen opened the Opera Research Institute in Suzhou, this name has become popular everywhere.

In Beijing, there are the Kunqu Opera Research Institute and the Hui Opera Research Institute, which were established by several famous Kunqu and Hui opera actors and several Kunqu and Hui opera troupes.
He suggested that we also call it Huangmei Opera Research Institute, but I thought that was too arrogant and didn't dare to do it. So he suggested that we call it Beijing Huangmei Opera Research Institute, and then took me to the Nancheng District Registration Office to register. After paying 1.6 yuan, I got this registration paper with the official seal.

The institute is called a formal legal entity, and I became the legal representative. According to the previous agreement, you hold 60% of the shares, and you are the major owner, and the rest of the troupe holds 40% of the shares, and they are the minor owners. "

"Uncle, where are your shares?" Yu Qiaolian asked anxiously.

"I share the 40% with everyone else, but I get a little more."

"That won't work. You are the only one who manages the troupe, so how can you only take such a small share? I will give you 20% of my shares."

Dong Li waved his hands repeatedly, "No, this would be a mess. Everyone knows that without you, the Qingmeixi Opera Troupe is just an empty shell.

You have to take the lion’s share, so that everyone can feel at ease and think that you will not abandon them and start your own business.”

Yu Qiaolian was about to say something, but Manager Dong stopped her and said, "Alian, actually that Director Li has a suggestion. You can entrust your shares to me for management. Sign a contract. This is called a trust."

"Trust?"

"Yes, that's the new name. It seems to mean that you trust me, entrust me with the management of your property shares, and then calculate the profits and losses regularly. If there is a loss, I will take the responsibility and leave. If there is a profit, you can share the money.

That’s probably the reason.”

"Uncle, of course I trust you. I entrust it to you." Yu Qiaolian said immediately.

"Don't worry, we can find a lawyer to handle this matter. Don't worry, just take your time."

"Lawyer?"

"It's the lawyers of the past. They can work as litigators in the courts of the Magistrates' Courts and help people fight lawsuits. They usually help people deal with legal matters, and they are called lawyers.

Mr. Li said that signing this trust agreement is a legal act, and a lawyer must help draft a contract that complies with legal requirements, and then the lawyer must sign it as an intermediary.

He has received a lawyer's fee, and after receiving the money, he will supervise the two of us to fulfill the contract. If one of us breaks the contract, he will help the other party to sue the one who broke the contract. "

Yu Qiaolian couldn't help but sigh: "It's not easy to live in the capital. The capital is under the emperor's feet, not only is the cost high, but there are also many rules. It's really not easy."

When Dong Li heard the emperor's feet, he couldn't help but look up at Yu Qiaolian, but he refrained from speaking.

No one knows what Xiyuanli means.

If you keep yelling and annoy the people inside, you will be in big trouble!

Dong Li picked up the teacup, took a few sips of warm tea, moistened his throat, and continued: "After the establishment of the Beijing Huangmei Opera Research Institute, we can deal with an office called the Asset Management Office of the Shaofujian.

The Chang'an Theater was purchased by the government called the Asset Management Office two days ago, and now it is being sold to our Huangmei Opera Research Institute at a discount of 160 yuan."

The price was agreed upon long ago, and it means buying a small portion and giving away the larger portion.

Yu Qiaolian shook her head, "One hundred and sixty yuan to buy such a big theater, and it's on Roma Street between Yuhuang Street and Liulichang, it's not in some remote place.

I feel uneasy just thinking about it." Dong Li, on the other hand, feels at ease, "Alian, what's there to be uneasy about? We have the eldest princess and the face of Yang Gong, the supervisor of the Ministry of Households. If it weren't for the Wanli period, the rules would not be strict, and we wouldn't have to pay the 160 yuan to cover up our tracks."

Yu Qiaolian remained silent.

Dong Li glanced at her and knew that his niece had accepted this, and said happily: "Okay, now Chang'an Theater is registered under the name of Huangmei Opera Research Institute, and Huangmei Opera has a foothold in the capital.

In the future, when Huangmei Opera troupes come to Beijing, they will not be alone. Ah Lian, we have lived up to the expectations of our fellow villagers and colleagues. "

One of the major owners of Wanhe Building is the Beijing Kunqu Opera Research Institute, so it naturally became the home of Kunqu Opera.

One of Guangdexuan’s major owners is the Beijing Hui Opera Research Institute, so it has become the home venue of Hui Opera.

Although Chang'an Theater is not as famous and located as Wanhe Building and Guangdexuan, it is completely part of the Huangmei Opera Research Institute.

Huangmei Opera is performed every day. Even if the Huangmei Opera troupe is tired and takes a break for two days, Chang'an Theater will also close for two days. They do not arrange any arrangements for troupes of other operas, and no other owners come out to make trouble.

"Uncle, we are lucky that Chang'an Theater now belongs to our Huangmei Opera Research Institute.

You can talk to the local opera troupes in Beijing, such as Yue Opera, Henan Gaodiao Opera, Xiqinqiang, Puzhou Bangzi Opera, and Shu Opera, and tell them that Chang'an Theater welcomes them to perform.

In addition to the opera troupe, we can also arrange for other folk art forms such as storytelling, lotus opera, Pingdiao, and drum to be performed by anyone who is willing to come to Chang'an Theater."

Dong Li clapped his hands and said happily: "Alian is very thoughtful! The Qingmeixi Opera Troupe will continue to build its reputation and perform at the Changyi Pavilion and the Shengshi Art Museum.

After performing in the two places, Huangmei Opera became famous in the capital. Thereafter, it was mostly performed in Zhongleyuan and Yuhuang Street. After all, those were the recognized Liyuan opera venues in the capital.

Chang'an Theater has less to take care of, and now a telegram has been sent to Anqing, asking them to quickly organize two more Huangmei Opera troupes to come to Beijing, but they will have to go next year.

Chang'an Theater is now ours, and we can't let it sit there empty. Since there are few performances by the Qingmeixi Opera Troupe, we invite local opera troupes to perform, which will not only win a good reputation among the same industry, but also allow Chang'an Theater to continue to make money.

Ah Lian, you are smarter than me."

Yu Qiaolian glanced at Dong Li and said unhappily, "I was just thinking about the local opera troupes in the capital. It's not easy for them. Many troupes can't even make a living, let alone become famous."

That's right. Over the past decade or so, Ming Dynasty's industry and commerce have flourished, and the industrial revolution has been underway. Productivity has increased rapidly, the economy has developed rapidly, and the lives of local people have improved visibly.

When everyone's material life is satisfied, the demand for spiritual life will naturally rise.

Especially in economically developed and relatively developed areas such as the southeast, Luanzhou, Jingji, Taiyuan, and the Yangtze River coast, people's demand for spiritual life is unprecedentedly high.

Driven by this, local opera developed rapidly.

Those simple singing styles popular in the local area, after integrating Yiyang Opera, Qingyang Opera, and Xiqin Opera, and absorbing the characteristics of mature operas such as Kunqu Opera and Hui Opera, quickly formed local operas with their own characteristics.

In addition, the imperial court had always encouraged the use of opera to spread education, and literati could get considerable "subsidies" by writing opera scripts.

Many down-and-out scholars and juren from the "old times" devoted themselves to this.

Based on local legends and various strange stories, a large number of plays were written, enriching the repertoire of local operas.

However, opera artists from all over the country have a common obsession, which is to go to Beijing!

In the capital, at the feet of the emperor, in the heart of the Ming Dynasty, in the place where royal family nobles, civil and military officials, and celebrities gather most, sing your name.

Being famous in the capital is equivalent to being famous all over the world!

As a result, in recent years, dozens or even hundreds of local opera troupes have come to Beijing every year.

According to some Beijing masters, there are now more local opera troupes in the five cities of the capital than turtles in the Yongding River.

Once the number increases, it will naturally become more and more crowded.

Many opera troupes were very popular in the local area and were enthusiastically sought after by the folks. They came to the capital with full confidence, but were met with a bucket of cold water.

The millions of officials, common people, soldiers and civilians in the capital have all seen everything and have high vision.

The local tricks are of no use to them at all.

Many local opera troupes met with great failure in the capital and were not even allowed to enter small theaters.

There was no other choice but to set up a stall in the streets and alleys, where he was chased everywhere by the patrolmen from the police station.

There is no income, and life in the capital is very expensive.

In the end, many opera troupes had to return to their hometowns in disgrace.

Even worse, they pawned all their belongings and begged their way back home.

Dong Li smiled awkwardly and disagreed.

He is the manager of the opera troupe, and what he is most concerned about is that the troupe makes money and that everyone in the troupe has enough food to eat.

I'd better leave the other humanistic feelings to my niece.

Although the starting points are different, the destination is the same.

Dong Li and Yu Qiaolian agreed that after all the miscellaneous matters were finished, Dong Li would come forward and invite local opera troupes to perform in the name of Chang'an Theater.

Why in the name of Chang'an Theater?
Peers are enemies.

Even though people are invited in the name of the Huangmei Opera Research Institute, they may not dare to come because of face.

How can you survive in the industry if you rely on support from your peers?
I can't raise my head!

But under the name of Chang'an Theater, it was very different, just normal business transactions.

In order to open a theater and attract audiences to buy tickets to watch the plays, it is necessary to find different troupes to perform.

The opera troupe needs a theater to perform in so that they can sell tickets and make money to make a living.

As the two were discussing the details, someone ran to the door and shouted, "Boss, manager, an official is here to visit."

An official?
Dong Li said hesitantly, "The Supervisor of the Imperial Household has already sent Li, who has helped us a lot. They shouldn't send anyone else. Could it be someone from Xiyuan?"

Yu Qiaolian blushed and waved her hands repeatedly, "Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Dong Li saw that Yu Qiaolian was deceiving herself and was half happy and half worried. He said, "No matter where the official is from, we can't afford to offend him. Let's go and greet him quickly."

(End of this chapter)