Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

"Da Mao, I'm sorry for wronging you last year. From now on, you have to take charge of the external publicity work of our factory. I'm counting on you for this."

"Don't worry, Director Li. I am very familiar with this area and I won't let you down. But I do have a suggestion."

"What do you want to say? Just say it."

"A few days ago, I ran into a teacher I used to know. His wife is from a Peking Opera troupe. Now they are performing Peking Opera model plays. I think as a large factory, we can also do some of this. Firstly, it is to enrich the lives of the employees, and secondly, it is to follow the revolutionary trend. We can also stage one or two plays, and maybe we can even participate in the department or city competitions. What do you think?"

"Okay, since you're the one who proposed this, then you go and implement it. How long will it take to get results?"

"I think I should first find a group of people who are suitable for rehearsing plays, and then I will go to the Peking Opera Theater to invite teachers to come. In half a year at most, I will definitely put on a decent revolutionary opera performance. I can't really say the exact time. But Director, I will do my best to complete this arduous task as soon as possible."

Xu Damao suddenly had an idea. He thought of his master's wife Yan Zhen and Pu Su, who were working in the Peking Opera Theater. If he transferred them to the Red Star Factory first, there would be no trouble. It would also make his master Pu Yulin feel more at ease. Maybe he could get some benefits from the factory and live a better life. He would definitely live a more comfortable life if he was in control of the factory.

With Li Huaide's permission, Xu Damao immediately went to Pu Yulin's home. Pu Yulin's museum had already stopped working, and most of them were on standby at home, regularly attending and studying ideological reports under the new situation.

"Teacher Pu, your wife and Pu Su are still working at the Peking Opera Theater? Are they busy?"

"It doesn't seem to be busy. I heard they are rehearsing a play, but most of the actors are still idle."

"I have something to ask. I'm wondering if I can borrow Master's wife and Pushu to come to our factory to help rehearse the play. The factory is simpler than the theater."

"Can it be done?"

"Sure, I've been reinstated as the head of the factory's publicity department. I have the final say on this matter."

"Okay, I'll ask about the situation tonight. If possible, you can write a letter of introduction to the Peking Opera Theater to borrow them. Your information is great. This way, I won't have to worry when I leave Kyoto."

What, Mr. Pu, are you leaving Kyoto?"

"Well, I may be sent to Xianning, Hubei. Damao, you may not be in the cultural department and don't know the situation of the museum. Last year, the museum was taken over by the Military Control Commission and the Workers' Propaganda Team was in charge. This year, a large number of our craftsmen will be dispersed to two places to participate in learning. One is Jinghai County in Hebei, and the other is Xianning City in Hubei. I may go to the cadre school there, and I am still waiting for notification on when to leave. If you can get them and their mother to your unit, it will relieve my worries. I am not worried about Pu Ju, and I am not worried about Yan Ji, but I am worried about my wife. You have helped a lot. I will ask in the evening and give you the news as soon as possible."

"Okay, Mr. Pu, you must take care of yourself. We are far away from Kyoto, and I can't help you even if I want to. You must be safe and protect yourself."

"I know. Don't worry. At my age, I've thought it through. It's no big deal to be transferred from Beijing to the countryside. I can handle it now. Don't worry. As for Pu Ju, you have to worry about her. Wan Xi just gave birth to a child. Their school is in a mess now. Pu Ju is a sullen guy. And I know that Professor Hu is not having an easy time either. Please pay more attention to him."

"Okay, Mr. Pu. I'll do my best."

As expected, the Peking Opera House was also rehearsing model operas. However, when they heard that the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill wanted to second people to the factory to rehearse model operas, the Peking Opera House was still very supportive. Not only did they agree to Yan Zhen and Pu Su, they also specially approved a zither player to be seconded to the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill. The zither player had a good relationship with Yan Zhen, and it was Yan Zhen who originally nominated him. Although Xu Ziqing is now a second-level zither player, Yan Zhen said that his level is completely up to the first-level performance level, and he also has the ability to write scripts.

"Director Li, let me introduce you to this person, the qin player of the Peking Opera Theater, Master Xu Ziqing. Our theater will have to rely on Master Xu's skills when rehearsing plays in the future.

This is a first-class actress, Teacher Yan Zhen. We will rely on her to control our singing in the future.

And this is Pu Su, a second-level actor."

Xu Damao immediately introduced the three people who were on loan from the Peking Opera Theater to Li Huaide. In fact, he was informing Li Huaide that the model opera of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill was about to begin.

The next step is to recruit Peking Opera fans and masters who can play various musical instruments from the factory to form a small model opera team.

"Xiao Dong, your next task is to follow the model opera team and try to run our small theater troupe well. Take as many photos as you can."

"Okay, Chief Xu. I'll try my best."

"The first thing is to have the broadcasting room announce that there are workers who have Peking opera singing skills and who think they are good, as well as those who can play musical instruments, such as the huqin, yueqin, small drum, big gong, and sanxian. Let them voluntarily sign up and select the best candidates. Those who are admitted will receive an additional three yuan per month in performance fees."

"Chief, do I get any subsidy?" Xiao Dong asked without losing any time.

"You have benefited from it, so don't think about the three yuan. You can spend more time with the three teachers and let them have a good lunch in the factory. You can also eat together. It's better than the three yuan subsidy. You little rascal, you are thinking about getting benefits before you even finish the work. Go ahead and set up the Red Star Factory small theater as soon as possible. You will be the first to do it. I will definitely ask Director Li for credit for you and promote you to a higher position. You can do it yourself."

"Okay, Chief, just watch."

The Red Star Little Theater was in full swing, and Xu Damao was also making continuous progress. Even though he ate and drank with Li Huaide every other day, it was also a sign of gaining experience and progress.

At the end of May, the Red Star Theater was established, including the director Li Huaide, deputy directors Xu Damao, Wu Lingjuan, Qin Zhen, 9 actors including Pu Su, 20 musical instruments including Xu, and props Xiao Dong, a total of people in the troupe were established.

Starting from June, the procession starts from Shajiabang.

"Da Mao, how about coming to my house for dinner tonight?"

"Master's wife, what's the matter?"

"Well, Lao Pu is leaving for Hubei next week, and he asked me to ask you to come to his house."

"Okay, you and Pu Su go back first. I'll go home and say hello to my family and come later."

"Okay, come early, you don't need to bring anything, we have everything at home."

"Master's wife, see you later."

Xu Damao knew that Pu Yulin must have something to tell him before he left. He knew that this matter was very important, so he rode his bike back to Dongsi, said something to Gu Meifang, went to Bianyifang to buy a roast duck, and rushed to Pu's house.

As expected, Pu Yulin and Ruan Fangshui were both sent to the May 7th Cadre School in Xianning, Hubei, and were required to report within a week.

The Pu family had the most people gathered today, including Yan Ji's family of four, Pu Su's family of four, Pu Ju's family of three, Pu Yulin and his wife, as well as disciples Liu Suhua, Kong Xizheng and Xu Damao.