Chapter 213 – On the Banks of the Jinsha River

Laifang whispered, “Big Brother, can we eat the peanuts and sunflower seeds?”

As she spoke, the little girl looked at Zhou Yimin with pitiful eyes.

Zhou Xuqiang quickly interrupted, “Laifang, how can you ask your big brother for food?”

After all, their family’s good life was thanks to Zhou Yimin. If they kept being greedy and annoyed him, life in Zhoujia Village would become difficult for them.

It was well known that the entire Zhoujia Village was thriving under Zhou Yimin’s help. If word got around that Yimin disliked someone, that person definitely wouldn’t have it easy in the village.

Zhou Yimin rolled his eyes, then directly handed over a bag of peanuts and a bag of sunflower seeds. “Eat slowly. Once it’s gone, there’s no more.”

“Third Uncle, don’t say that. As the eldest brother, what’s the big deal about giving some peanuts and sunflower seeds to my younger siblings?”

Hearing Zhou Yimin say this, Zhou Xuqiang finally relaxed. “Quick, thank your big brother!”

The three kids said in unison, “Thank you, Big Brother!”

After thanking him, the three children began eating while staring intently at the performance on stage.

Zhou Yimin also handed a bag of peanuts to his grandparents. “Grandpa, Grandma, you should have some too. Don’t let it go to waste!”

The old man and the elderly lady beamed with joy. “Alright, alright!”

Before long, Lu Anguo came over carrying over a dozen bags of peanuts and sunflower seeds.

He jogged up to Zhou Yimin, panting. “There’s about fifteen bags left in stock. Adding the ones just now, that makes twenty-eight bags. If you want them all, I can give you a two yuan discount—twelve yuan total.”

Though he’d earn two yuan less, selling them all in one go would still net him around three yuan and sixty cents. If he missed this chance, who knew how long it would take to sell them.

He had just been shouting from the sidelines for nearly half an hour and only managed to sell two bags.

Zhou Yimin said, “I’ll take them all, but I need you to do me a favor.”

“Team Lead Zhou, don’t say one—ten favors would be no problem at all,” Lu Anguo replied.

Zhou Yimin was fairly satisfied with Lu Anguo’s attitude.

These days, when you go shopping, the shop attendants often act so arrogant, as if their noses are in the air. Not only is there no service, but sometimes you even get attitude. A few rare ones might even scold or hit customers. It’s nothing like the 21st century, where customer service reigns supreme.

“It’s nothing difficult. Just help me distribute these peanuts and sunflower seeds to the elderly and children. Just give each person a handful.”

Lu Anguo hadn’t expected Zhou Yimin to buy so many snacks just to give them away—especially to all the village’s elders and kids. He was genuinely impressed from the bottom of his heart. “Team Lead Zhou, don’t worry. I’ll take care of this properly.”

Zhou Yimin nodded. “Then I’ll trouble you.”

He pulled twelve yuan from his pocket and handed it over.

Lu Anguo took the money and immediately began distributing the peanuts and sunflower seeds to the elders and children of Zhoujia Village, explaining that it was a gift from Zhou Yimin.

Because everyone from Zhoujia Village had their own seats, it was easy to distinguish them from villagers of other places.

If a performance hosted by Zhoujia Village didn’t come with this little perk, it wouldn’t sit right.

And if most of Zhoujia’s people had to stand, it would block the view for those behind them, leaving them unable to see anything.

Lu Anguo worked quickly, handing out the treats to the appropriate recipients.

At first, the old village secretary was startled when he received his share. He waved his hand in alarm. “Comrade, I didn’t order any.”

He was a bit tempted, but when he heard the price—fifty cents a bag—his craving vanished. After all, it might take him two or three days to save up fifty cents. He’d rather save the money for his son or grandson.

Lu Anguo explained, “Old comrade, this is free. Team Lead Zhou is treating the elders and children of Zhoujia Village.”

With that, he handed over a handful.

The old secretary was a little dazed but still accepted it.

If anyone spoke ill of Zhou Yimin in the future, he’d be the first to shut them down.

And he wasn’t the only one thinking that way. Just about every elder who received some felt the same.

Without Zhou Yimin, Zhoujia Village wouldn’t have made it through the food shortages so easily. Other villages had seen people starve.

As for those who didn’t get peanuts or sunflower seeds, most didn’t complain. Even if someone had thoughts, they didn’t dare say it out loud, afraid of being ostracized from Zhoujia Village.

Happiness makes time fly by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for the final act—”On the Banks of the Jinsha River” performed by Xin Fengxia.

On the Banks of the Jinsha River tells the story of how, in 1936, during the Long March, the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army crossed the Jinsha River and entered a Tibetan region. In an effort to sow discord between the Tibetans and the Red Army, an opposing party impersonates Red Army soldiers and kidnaps the daughter of a local chieftain, Zhuoma. This causes the Tibetan people to misunderstand and cut off food and water from the Red Army. Through hard effort and perseverance, the Red Army exposes the plot and is able to continue their march north.

The work vividly portrays the Red Army’s heroism, the simplicity and kindness of the Tibetan people, and the deep bonds between soldiers and civilians.

This classic masterpiece’s first performance brought together representatives of the five major Peking opera schools, including Xin Fengxia, Xiao Baiyushuang, Wei Rongyuan, Ma Tai, and Zhang Defu. It was the first and only time they shared a stage.

Famous performers like Xi Baokun, Zhao Lianxi, Xi Caichun, Li Zisen, and Chen Shaofang all appeared as well. Even the then-rising star Zhao Lirong played the role of an ordinary Tibetan woman in the play.

This artistic collaboration between greats not only elevated the show’s artistic quality but also became a landmark in the preservation and development of Pingju opera. Many of its classic arias are still fondly remembered by opera fans today.

Xin Fengxia’s portrayal of the Tibetan chieftain’s daughter, Zhuoma—spirited, brave, and valiant—was the first Tibetan female character to be brought to life on the Pingju stage.

This time, of course, it wasn’t the original cast performing, but rather members of the experimental Pingju troupe. Still, Xin Fengxia herself once again took the role of Zhuoma.

As Xin Fengxia stepped on stage, the atmosphere reached its peak. Many couldn’t help but shout out loud—but were immediately met with sharp glares from those around them. Any further outburst would surely provoke public anger. For their own safety, they kept quiet.

The once noisy crowd quickly fell silent, leaving only the sounds coming from the stage.

An hour passed quickly. After the performance, Xin Fengxia led all the troupe members in bowing to the audience before exiting the stage.

Many audience members remained lost in the performance, reluctant to leave. But the old secretary, putting everyone’s safety first, arranged for staff to help disperse the crowd and send everyone home.

Just as the old man was about to leave—

Zhou Yimin called out, “Grandpa, Grandma, don’t go just yet. I have a surprise for you.”

He had invited Xin Fengxia to come and chat with his grandparents.

(End of Chapter)