School Beauty's Invincible Martial Expert

Chapter 287: Chapter 289: Guzheng

Zhang Xiaomei had simply come with the intention of seeing good-looking guys and girls; she wasn’t specifically there for Xiao Han. However, Guan Xiaotong was different, she had come solely because of Xiao Han. Thus, she was getting somewhat anxious. However, having heard Zhang Xiaomei’s comment, Guan Xiaotong decided to just relax and enjoy the program.

The performances at Shuimu University were indeed impressive; all the acts in the university evening gala had been carefully selected, and the performances were genuinely outstanding. The performers were highly skilled, and combined with the stage effects, the whole gala felt like a high-end event.

“Not bad, not bad!” Minister Liu clapped enthusiastically, saying, “Indeed, it’s really good! I never expected Shuimu University to have such a wealth of talent.”

“Indeed,” the director by his side quickly nodded and said, “It looks like we might have the possibility of choosing a program from here for the New Year’s gala.”

“Should we not select one or two programs properly?” Minister Liu chuckled and said, “Give these kids a chance to be on the big stage.”

“Yes!” The director nodded eagerly.

The programs at Shuimu University were indeed excellent. The students from the arts department were very skilled, but most importantly, they had great control over the stage and an excellent grasp of the pace, and they knew how to win over the audience. Thus, the entire gala was filled with continuous applause and laughter.

“Students, do you still remember that moving piano piece from the Finance Department?” the female host held the microphone, tranquil and composed.

The male host quickly followed on, “Yes, that touching ‘Searching for Her,’ it still resonates in my ears. I’ve been wondering what kind of emotions and mood the male student who composed it was in. I’m also very curious if there’s a hidden story behind this piece?”

“I’m curious too,” the female host smiled and said, “I thought Xiao Han would continue to present us with a stirring soul-touching piano piece. Unfortunately, I just received news that Xiao Han has made a change. He has decided to give up the piano, which he is best at, and today, he will bring us a moving Guzheng piece.”

Wow…

The audience burst into a murmur. Indeed, many people from the Finance Department had come specifically for Xiao Han. As a student from the Finance Department and the only participant from the department, Xiao Han naturally attracted a lot of attention. Of course, many also cherished his piano piece. Unexpectedly, Xiao Han had switched to a different performance that day, which surprised everyone.

“Guzheng?” Guan Xiaotong exclaimed, “That’s an incredibly challenging instrument.”

“Indeed!” Liu Bin nodded and said, “Moreover, Xiao Han has never played the Guzheng before. How… how is it that he’s now starting to play the Guzheng? This is the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“Now, please welcome Xiao Han to perform the Guzheng for us!” the host announced, and the curtain immediately closed.

Whirrr…

Following that, there was a wave of eager and urgent applause from the audience, as people clapped their hands.

Lan Yudie was also surprised; she hadn’t expected Xiao Han to switch to a Guzheng program at the last minute. This left Lan Yudie a bit perplexed, as there was a world of difference between the piano and the Guzheng. Xiao Han had never played the Guzheng before, and now he was supposed to perform it on stage—this sounded utterly preposterous!

“No, I need to talk to him!” Lan Yudie hurried to find Xiao Han. Even if Xiao Han was exceptionally talented, it was impossible for him to master the Guzheng playing techniques in just half a month, let alone master it enough to perform onstage.

Xiao Han had already changed into the attire he had brought with him, which was a light blue Hanfu with a fish-patterned jade pendant hanging at his waist. He held a fan in his hand, looking very dashing and ancient in his appeal.

“Wow, so handsome!” a girl backstage exclaimed excitedly.

“Wow, he really looks handsome!” many people gasped.

Indeed, among the heavy makeup and various glittery outfits, the sudden appearance of a Hanfu truly amazed everyone. They looked at Xiao Han in disbelief.

After the host made the announcement, Xiao Han slowly walked towards the front of the stage.

Onstage, it was pitch black, and the elegant sound of the Guzheng flowed from the speakers. In the darkness, several beams of light moved across the stage, adding an element of charm and more color. When Xiao Han suddenly appeared, the spotlight immediately focused on him.

“Wow!” There was a burst of exclamations from the audience.

“Is that Xiao Han?” Guan Xiaotong asked in surprise as she looked at Xiao Han on stage.

“Yes, that’s him!” Zhang Dagou quickly nodded.

“What a dashing outfit!” Liu Bin laughed heartily.

“He looks very handsome!” Zhang Xiaomei retorted with a cold huff.

Everyone started discussing, and even those who didn’t know Xiao Han started talking about him. Although the name Xiao Han was known, many people did not recognize him. This time, Xiao Han truly became famous.

In the middle of the stage, there stood a rolled-edge table with an ancient brown Guzheng placed on it, beside which sat a vase containing a bunch of flowers.

Xiao Han walked slowly over, slightly bowed to everyone, then gracefully sat down on the meditation cushion. He gently placed his fan beside him. These actions, like clouds flowing water, were done in one breath, seemingly effortless, as if they were innate behaviors.

“This kid!” Lan Yudie, watching Xiao Han’s figure, couldn’t help but scold in annoyance, “Acting… Continuing to court disaster.”

In Lan Yudie’s view, Xiao Han had made a grave mistake by forsaking the piano, his strongest suit, for playing the Guzheng. Although things seemed smooth now, the truth would reveal itself after Xiao Han played.

Lan Yudie felt extremely anxious inside.

Thud…

Xiao Han’s hands gently brushed the strings. The elegant sound of the Guzheng quickly overflowed, transmitted by the microphone to the amplifier, then through the amplifier to the entire auditorium’s sound system, and finally reaching everyone’s ears. It brought them a sense of unparalleled enjoyment.

As the sound of the Guzheng filled the air, everyone quieted down, each revealing an expression of immense pleasure.

Seated at the front was Minister Liu, who had a background as a military cultural troupe member and possessed some knowledge of the Guzheng.

The Guzheng, also known as Han Zheng, Qin Zheng, Yao Zheng, and Luan Zheng, is a traditional Chinese national musical instrument among the Zheng instruments, belonging to the plucked string instruments. It is one of China’s unique and important national instruments. With its beautiful tone, wide range, rich playing techniques, and strong expressive power, it is deeply loved by the masses. New versions like the small Guzheng, portable Guzheng, mini Guzheng, half Zheng, new Zheng, and twelve-tone equal temperament transposing Zheng have now emerged. The Guzheng is an ancient national musical instrument that has grown out of the fertile loess lands of China. It is composed of a soundboard, bridges, strings, front mountain, tuning pegs, tuning box, instrument feet, rear mountain, sideboards, sound holes, baseboard, and string holes.

Traditionally, Zheng music was divided into two schools, the “Southern Zheng” and “Northern Zheng,” as noted in the “Chinese music” entry of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians published in the United Kingdom: “In Northern China, the Zheng is typically represented by the Henan and Shandong schools, while in Southern China, it is mainly represented by the Chaozhou Zheng school.”

With time’s passage, the 20th century saw the derivation of several other major schools from the Southern and Northern Zheng foundations, namely the “Chaozhou, Shandong, Henan, and Zhejiang” schools. In contemporary times, the distinctions among these schools have faded, with nearly every school incorporating the strengths of the others. They are generally divided into nine schools, as Cao Zheng said, “Nine schools flow through China,” each school’s Zheng music and playing methods having their own characteristics.

Xiao Han’s Guzheng playing could most likely be identified as representing the Northern Zheng.

Minister Liu closed his eyes in enjoyment, listening to the smooth music and savoring this rare moment. Minister Liu had some understanding of the Guzheng and could ascertain from Xiao Han’s playing technique that he represented the Northern Zheng style.

Xiao Han’s left-hand techniques such as sliding press, small tremolo, sliding tremolo, and large tremolo were quite distinctive.

In terms of fingering techniques, whether it was the polished and smooth long oscillations, intricately placed plucked tones, the desolate and dying wanderings, or the grand and desolate heavy tremolos, all merged seamlessly with the melody and emotions, depicting intricate expressions.

Thus, the venue was silent, everyone listening so intently as though they were intoxicated. Within the entire auditorium, silence reigned.

Only when the piece ended did Xiao Han stand up to bow.

“Xiao Han is really amazing,” Guan Xiaotong covered her red lips.

“Wow, that’s incredible!” Zhang Xiaomei shouted without any concern for her image.

Rustle rustle…

Immediately, the venue erupted with thunderous applause.

“Not bad!” Although Chen Aiguo did not understand art, that did not stop him from appreciating it. Everyone likes beautiful things, and everyone has eyes to see beauty. Chen Aiguo not only had eyes to see beauty but also ears to hear it.@@novelbin@@

“Principal Chen, this performance is great,” the Director of the Provincial TV Station quickly said, “I think this could be featured in the New Year’s Gala.”

“Really?” Chen Aiguo exclaimed, then said, “That’s great, just great!”

“First, this performance is innovative; it’s been a long time since we’ve seen a Guzheng-centered piece,” the Director excitedly said. “Moreover, the Guzheng itself is a treasure of our nation. If it could be showcased on screen, it would be a great benefit for the development of our cultural heritage.”

“Exactly, exactly!” Minister Liu, upon hearing this, hurriedly nodded and said, “That makes a lot of sense.”

Promoting cultural heritage is the pursuit of every artist, whether it be Minister Liu or the Director of the Provincial TV Station, as they both had certain pursuits in art. Therefore, they were even more willing to contribute to the nation and generate enthusiasm for their cultural heritage.

“Principal Chen, we need your help with this,” Director Zhang said cheerfully.

“What can I do to help?” Chen Aiguo asked curiously.

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