The Great Wei Music Bureau

Chapter 3 1 Quqiao Point Opening

Last time, we talked about how Xiao Ye introduced Li Yi to a woman in a yellow skirt with a pleasant voice, and Li Yi also planned to resume his old profession, but this time he would perform in a brothel. So will Liu Mo Xuan accept him? Let's read on.

In front of Liumoxuan, the woman in yellow looked at the confident Li Yi and said, "Interesting, then come in with me and try your piano skills first!" He smiled at Xiao Ye and said, "Ye'er, if he plays really well, I will owe you a favor. If he doesn't play well..."

"Just have someone beat him to death. He's useless anyway."

The woman in the yellow skirt chuckled and said, "I understand. Then I'll take him in and try first."

Xiao Ye saluted, then looked at Li Yi and said, "Follow her in! Her name is Bai Ling, and she is the best singer in Liu Mo Xuan. If she says you play well, then it really is good. You should seize the opportunity! I'm leaving now!"

Li Yi bowed and said, "Thank you, Miss Ye'er. Please be careful on your way back!" Little Ye raised the corner of her mouth and then turned and left.

After watching her leave, Li Yi and Bai Ling entered Liumo Pavilion. Before entering the building, they threw away all the bedding and only carried a zither and some clothes to change into. The first floor is the Fragrance Pavilion, where you can smell the scent of ink, tea, wine, and of course, the scent of beauty. You can see many people dressed as Confucian scholars here reading other people's poems, drinking and commenting with the Qingxian people, some playing the zither with the Qingxian people, and some playing chess. Oh, then this floor is for playing with people, Li Yi thought to himself.

Not long after walking, two maids came over and asked, "What do you want, Sister Bailing?"

Bailing pointed at Li Yi and said, "Take him to change his clothes, eat something and wash up, then come to the listening room on the second floor to find me."

Under the guidance of two maids, Li Yi changed into clean clothes, took care of himself briefly, ate some snacks, and soon came to the listening room on the second floor. There were three screens in the room, and behind each screen there was a figure. Only the graceful figure could be seen, but the soft voice could be heard. "Sit down."

Li Yi sat down, with a zither in front of him. "Yer said you have a song that can make people cry and feel sad. Now play it for us to listen to."

Li Yi nodded and sang "Old Beauty" again. There was a faint sound of crying behind the screen, and only Bai Ling's voice came, "This song is sad and lamenting separation. The girl sent her lover to the battlefield, thinking and grieving, reluctant to let him go. I didn't expect this young man to have such a feeling of worrying about the country and such a moving perception."

Li Yi sighed in his heart: Finally there is someone who understands music, finally there is a soulmate, I have hope!

Li Yi bowed and said, "This is exactly the meaning of this song. What do you girls think of it?"

A voice came from behind another screen, "This song is good, but too sad. I miss you but cannot see you. There is no news of life or death. My beloved is waiting in vain. The words in the letter from home are as valuable as gold."

Li Yi sighed in his heart: Oh, this brothel girl is really extraordinary, she speaks like a poem, and her conversation is full of elegance. She really can't be underestimated. This brothel is really a place where high-level intellectuals can come! A high-end club!

The voice continued, "But if this song was appropriate during the war, it may not be suitable now. Sir, do you have any other songs?"

Li Yi asked, "What kind of mood do you want, young lady?"

"Of course it's more cheerful. After just listening to such a sad song, you have to let the sisters calm down."

Li Yi nodded, thought for a moment, put his fingers on the strings and began to dance. The sound of the piano rang again, this time it was a cheerful song "Rice Fragrance" by Jay Chou. He just danced lightly on the strings, the sound of the piano was pleasant and lingered around him, like a group of butterflies flying among the flowers.

After the song was over, a chuckle came from behind the screen. "It feels like running in the fields, looking at the endless fields, and I feel very relaxed."

Another soft voice came: "That's right, I thought it was the general who went to war just now and returned home. Seeing the green fields full of vitality, he sighed in his heart and was filled with joy."

Bai Ling's voice came, "Sir, have you written the lyrics for this song?"

Li Yi smiled and said, "Of course there are words."

"Then why didn't you sing it just now?"

Li Yi replied: "Of course I want to test whether the girls can understand the meaning of the song."

Laughter came from behind the screen, "Sir, did we hear the same thing?"

Li Yi nodded and said, "It's not much different. I will sing it for you ladies."

Bai Ling's voice rang out again, "Sir, wait a moment. Xiang'er, go get my pipa."

Another voice said, "Sister Bailing wants to play together. Very good. Xiaole, get me my flute."

Another voice, "Miaoyin, bring me my tambourine."

After a while, several maids went out and came back with musical instruments. They removed the screen and three graceful women surrounded Li Yi, each holding a musical instrument and looking at him with smiles. Li Yi was very happy at this scene. It is hard to find a soulmate!

Li Yi smiled and said, "Since the ladies are willing to play together, I must show off my skills! May I ask if you have a zither? I can borrow it for you."

The guzheng has more strings and a wider range of sound than the qin, so it can be played with a better feeling. At this time, Li Yi was really excited to exchange the guzheng for the qin, and wanted to make friends with songs. The three girls smiled at each other, and Bailing waved her hand. The guzheng behind her was carried out by two maids to replace Li Yi's qin.

Bai Ling smiled and said, "So you still have some secrets, that's really not fair. The three of us sisters are all music lovers, most of the music in Liu Mo Xuan was composed by the three of us, so please don't underestimate us, sir."

Li Yi bowed and apologized, "It is Li Yi who is ungrateful. I apologize profusely. I know I was wrong. I hope the ladies will not mind."

"Okay, Mr. Li, stop pretending and start now. I'm waiting to hear the music."

Li Yi casually swept the strings of the zither and sighed, "What a good zither, what a good zither. Come on, come on, let's start!" Then the music started again, but this time the three girls did not just listen, but integrated into the music with their hand-held instruments.

The lingering sound of the music made people intoxicated. Li Yi used all the playing techniques he mastered, such as scraping, shaking fingers, flower fingering, sweeping strings, etc. It can be said that he tried his best and sang while playing.

When they played together, brilliant purple air flowed into the room, swaying with the music, just as the phrase "the sound lingers in the air" goes. The talent swirled around them in the room, sometimes jumping, sometimes speeding up, like a happy stream flowing between them.

This time, Li Yi saw the purple air, and so did several girls, but none of them were surprised or nervous. After the song was over, they looked up and saw the purple stream flowing into Li Yi's body. Li Yi felt the changes in himself, and felt refreshed, his fatigue dissipated, and he felt much more comfortable.

He looked at the smiling girls and asked in surprise: "What is this? What's going on?"

Bai Ling smiled and said, "This is talent. Master Li is extremely talented. This song has drawn talent into your body and blessed you. Congratulations, Master, for reaching the ninth level of Confucianism and Taoism."

Another girl said, "I never thought that this piece of music would be a masterpiece passed down from generation to generation. The music condenses the Qi, circling in the room, gathering into a stream, and the purple Qi enters the body."

The last girl smiled and said, "Such a crystal clear purple air, I never thought that the three of us sisters could see such a scene, it is really a blessing."

The ninth level of Confucianism is called "Kaiqiao". This is a state that can be achieved through continuous learning, accumulation, and understanding of worldly principles. This understanding is not simply knowing, but not only understanding, but also implementing. Many scholars read books mechanically, but do not know how to apply the bright principles, and they cannot open their minds in their entire lives. Now that Li Yi has opened his mind and entered the level, he has embarked on Confucianism, which can be said to be a brand new beginning. After opening his mind, his memory has been greatly improved and his thinking has become more flexible.

Li Yi asked: "Can any of you ladies see the purple air just now?"

Bai Ling explained, "Ordinary talents are invisible to ordinary people. Only talents condensed from masterpieces passed down from generation to generation, like the purple aura just now, can be seen by ordinary people. We three sisters have not yet entered the rank, and this is the first time we have seen such a scene. Thank you, Master Li, for broadening our horizons."

Then the three sisters looked at each other, and Bailing asked, "With your talent, you will surely achieve great things in the future. I wonder if you are still willing to stay here?"

Li Yi sighed, "I have trouble even with food and shelter, so where else can I go? I hope you girls will take me in."

The three girls breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. Bailing smiled and said, "From today on, Liumoxuan will have one more musician. Master Li, don't be secretive in the future!" Li Yi bowed and expressed his gratitude.

In this way, Li Yi finally found a new job. Although it was considered a low-class job in this era, he was still very happy. After all, being recognized by others was a good start. Miss Bailing arranged a place for Li Yi to live and brought him to a beautiful woman in her thirties.

Bai Ling bowed and said, "Sister Ruyun, this is Master Li Yi, our newly recruited musician. He is very talented and his lyrics and music are extraordinary. I specially brought him here to meet you, sister."

Bai Ling then said to Li Yi, "Master Li, this Sister Ruyun is the person in charge of Liumoxuan. If you have any questions in the future, please ask Sister Ruyun for advice."

Li Yi saluted and said, "My name is Li Yi, nice to meet you, Sister Ruyun." He looked up and saw this beautiful woman with a fresh and refined appearance. She must have been the most famous beauty in her youth and must have experienced a lot. Her face had a calm expression, but a coldness in it, as if there was a barrier between her and others.

Ruyun turned her head and used her hand to brush away the hair covering her eyes. There seemed to be a flash of purple light in her eyes. She spoke in a light and cold voice. Although the voice was not loud, it was clear to the ears. All she could hear was, "Master Li is young but he is a man of insight. He must be a great talent. I just hope that Master Li will not be so obsessed with the fragrance of flowers here that he will delay his future. If a young man's love affair ruins things, it will not be a good thing."

This was said in a very tactful way, but the purpose was very clear. First, it was to tell you, Li Yi, not to have any bad ideas about the girls in my building. Second, it was to advise Li Yi not to sink into despair, to think about his future, and that this was not a place for him to stay for long.

Li Yi could hear the hidden meaning in Ruyun's words and bowed, "Thank you for your reminder, Sister Ruyun, but how did Sister Ruyun know about my entry into the rank?"

Bai Ling smiled and said, "Master Li, don't underestimate Liu Mo Xuan. Sister Ruyun is at the seventh level of the Confucian and Taoist Qi-nourishing Realm. Just now, sister used the Qi-reading technique to see your talent. Sister Ruyun knows your worth at a glance."

Li Yi was shocked. The owner of this brothel was actually a Confucian and Taoist rank 7. This was a bit exaggerated. No wonder all the people coming and going here were Confucian scholars. It seemed that this brothel had a great background. Li Yi bowed modestly, thinking about what kind of story Ruyun would have, and turned away. There was no need to say much in front of a discerning person.

Since then, Li Yi has settled down in Liumoxuan. Of course, he doesn't need to play and sing for the guests. All the guests are men. They come to listen to beauties and see beauties. What's the point of a man playing the piano? Li Yi lives in a small courtyard not far from the building. There is also a painter and a chess player living with him. They are all in their forties. Their words and deeds show the character of Confucian scholars.

Li Yi greeted her and came to his own small house, which was elegantly decorated. Li Yi, who had experienced the hardships of living in the open air, looked at the small house with an indescribable bitterness in his heart. After a nap, Li Yi went out to thank Xiao Ye, but he didn't know where to find her. He had to wander around the city for more than an hour, but to no avail, he had to return to the small courtyard.

It was almost noon. The three girls who had played with Li Yi yesterday came to the courtyard with food boxes. They ate and chatted at the table in the courtyard. The painter was named Chen Liang, from Qingzhou, good at painting landscapes. The chess master was named Fang Zhuo, from Shangjing. Both of them had a friendship with Sister Ruyun, so they stayed here to help teach the girls of Liumoxuan.

Today was the first time that Li Yi carefully observed these three girls. All of them were beauties with outstanding looks, especially the girl Bailing. She had vivid almond-shaped eyes on her oval face, delicate willow-leaf eyebrows like a painting, and red lips of just the right thickness under her pointed and upturned nose. Every time she smiled, she showed her white and neat teeth, which made people unable to take their eyes off her. She also had a natural good voice, a pleasant voice, and her laughter was as loud as a bell.

Li Yi was so fascinated that he didn't realize he was being rude until Miss Bailing kept waving her delicate hands in front of him. He quickly bowed and apologized: "Sorry, I lost my mind all of a sudden."

The other two girls smiled until their faces turned red. The girl Huayu said with a smile, "Sister Bailing, I'm afraid you are too beautiful and Master Li's original spirit has left his body!"

Ruolan, who was standing by, waved her hands at the air and shouted, "Master Li, Master Li, come back soon, come back soon, or your body will be ruined!"

When Li Yi saw this scene, his face turned red to his neck. The chess master Fang Zhuo hurriedly came to the rescue and said, "Ruolan, please put away your magical powers! Master Li has come back to his senses, he has come back to his senses!" Li Yi was so embarrassed that he almost found a hole in the ground to crawl into.

Hua Yu joked, "Master Li, have you had enough of looking at beauties?"

Li Yi covered his face and said, "I've seen enough, I've seen enough, I dare not look at it anymore."

"What will happen if you watch it again? Will you fall in love with our Sister Bailing? Then take another look! I want to see what it will be like if you fall in love with Sister Bailing."

Bailing said coquettishly: "You silly girl, if you dare to talk nonsense again, I will tear your mouth apart!" Then she pinched Huayu's face. The latter was so scared that she ran away quickly. Bailing chased her. Li Yi was very happy to see this scene. The two played for a while and were both tired and panting.

Chess master Fang Zhuo said with a smile: "Okay, you are tired now, just get down to business, don't come here for nothing."

The three girls finally reacted, and Bailing said, "Okay, stop making trouble. Musician Li, we are here today because we want you to help us arrange the piece you played last night, how to connect and transition, and how to have solos for each."

When Li Yi heard this, he quickly took out his zither and began to rehearse music with the three of them. They rehearsed for the entire afternoon until the maid came to bring them food. They only left after dinner.

The rehearsal lasted for three days. During these three days, Li Yi finally saw Miss Ye'er. Li Yi thanked her, but Miss Ye sneered and told her not to get lost in the pollen. She also said that she and Li Yi were even and she should not bother her again. Li Yi was helpless about this. He really had no bad intentions.

Bailing and the others had not come to see Li Yi in the past few days. In his spare time, Li Yi practiced various musical instruments such as flute, xiao, and pipa. It was not difficult for him to get started with them since he had a solid foundation. He also got familiar with Chen Liang and Fang Zhuo, who were all people with stories. The three of them often chatted and drank tea together. Life felt peaceful, and Li Yi still enjoyed this kind of life.

Until this day, Bailing and the other two appeared again, carrying food boxes and wine. Li Yi was very surprised to see the wine. After eating and drinking, Chen Liang explained to him: "Little friend Li, Bailing and the others have something to ask of you! They will not be so attentive without any reason!"

Li Yi suddenly asked, "Master Chen, why didn't you tell me earlier? If you had told me earlier, I wouldn't have drunk this wine! It would have saved me some trouble!"

Bai Ling said coquettishly: "Master Chen is the worst. He actually exposed us in front of us!"

Chen Liang smiled but said nothing. Li Yi asked, "Since it's clear, just tell me what you want to see me about?"

Bai Ling smiled and said, "It's nothing, actually. I'm just familiar with the two previous pieces, and now I want to ask Master Li if he has any new pieces to teach me."

Li Yi asked: "Do you have any requests?"

Hua Yu said directly: "The best ones are about love! Those guests like to listen to those love songs the most! The best ones are those that express love through objects and are sincere and heartfelt!"

Bailing laughed and said, "This is obviously your style of music!"

Hua Yu still said stubbornly: "It's because the customers like to listen to it, otherwise why would I sing these clichéd and sentimental songs all day long!"

Hua Yu looked at Li Yi and asked, "Master Li, do you have any songs about love? It's okay if you don't have any already written. If you can't write one, you can take a closer look at Sister Bailing and maybe..."

"Damn girl!"

The two began to play again, and the courtyard was filled with laughter. Li Yi looked up at the sky, which was a little gloomy. It must be about to rain...