Lao Nanfeng, dressed in plain clothes, led his more than six hundred veteran subordinates through the bustling streets of Puzhou City.
Six hundred-plus men on the streets was a truly imposing sight. And with everyone in civilian clothes instead of military uniforms, they looked even more intimidating.
Ordinary people, seeing this, might have thought a gang of thugs was out for a stroll, and quickly scrambled for cover.
But their fears were quite unfounded!
These six hundred men had just finished several years of labor reform. And what was paramount in such a camp? Discipline, obedience, and never causing trouble, of course.
So, while they appeared formidable, these six hundred men were actually more disciplined than ordinary citizens, moving through the streets and alleys with utterly exemplary conduct.
What's more, they had developed the habit of reporting their every action.
"Lao Nanfeng! I need to relieve myself," a soldier called out, raising his hand.
"Damn it all," Lao Nanfeng grumbled, annoyed. "For something like that, what the hell do you need to ask permission for? Just go to the latrine by the road and come back!"
The soldier flushed, muttering, "Ah, it's just a habit."
No sooner had that man ducked into the latrine than another raised his hand.
"Lao Nanfeng, I fancy those fried dough twists at the roadside stall. Can I buy a couple?"
Lao Nanfeng roared, "It's your own money! Damn it, if you want to buy them, just buy them! Why are you asking me?"
The soldier replied, "Uh, well… it's a habit."
Lao Nanfeng chuckled ruefully. "Oh, never mind, never mind. You'll get over it in a few days."
Chen Baihu sidled up to Lao Nanfeng, whispering, "Nanfeng Ge, didn't you say you were putting on a concert, something about a 'Flower World' being very exciting? Hurry up and take the brothers to see it!"
Lao Nanfeng grinned. "Absolutely. All of you, follow me!"
The large group, chuckling amongst themselves, soon arrived in front of a brothel.
At the sight of the brothel, the expressions on the faces of those six hundred men instantly became a sight to behold. Many reached into their clothes, feeling for their forty taels of silver…
The forty taels of silver, specially bestowed by Dao Xuan Tianzun, was their back pay for three long years. If they went all in, they might just win a beauty's favor at the brothel.
Just as these thoughts blossomed, they heard Lao Nanfeng's scolding chuckle.
"I know what you're all thinking, but damn it, keep your money tucked away and don't get wild! Dao Xuan Tianzun doesn't permit us soldiers to engage in such disreputable affairs. This silver is your three years of hard-earned military pay, don't foolishly blow it all on women in one go!"
The soldiers mumbled,
"Uh… but it's been so many years since we've been with women."
"Our wives and children back at the Guyuan military settlement, they must all be…"
"No point dwelling on it. They've either remarried or died."
At this, a wave of melancholy washed over the soldiers.
When they first rose in rebellion, they knew they faced a death sentence, an almost certain demise, and that their entire clan could be implicated. So they had given all their belongings to their wives and children, then "sent them away" for their own good.
Many years had since flown by, and amidst the chaos of war, lost in the vastness of humanity, with Guyuan and the northern Shaanxi region being major hotspots for roving bandits, it was impossible they would ever find their wives and children again.
Lao Nanfeng clapped them on the shoulders.
"Damn it all, snap out of it! A new life awaits you. Look, look, look! Up ahead is the concert venue I organized!"
Ahead, a magnificent, spacious venue appeared. A stage, about the size of a basketball court, was covered by a rain canopy. All around the stage were rows of seats. The very front comprised luxurious chairs for VIPs, the middle section held ordinary stools for general admission, and the economy seats at the back consisted entirely of long benches.
Chen Baihu exclaimed, "Oh, isn't that just a big opera stage?"
"Opera stage, my foot!" Lao Nanfeng retorted. "This is called the 'Puzhou Grand Theater'."
Chen Baihu wondered, "Why does the name sound so odd?"
Lao Nanfeng kicked Chen Baihu to the ground.
"Damn it, the name 'Grand Theater' is where the celestial maidens dance in the immortal realm! I've brought a name from the heavens to the mortal world, how magnificent and refined is that? How dare you call it 'odd'? Are you looking for death?"
Startled, Chen Baihu hastily backed down.
"Nanfeng Ge, don't hit me, I was wrong!"
Lao Nanfeng chuckled.
"The Grand Theater only starts performances at night. During the day, it's the girls' rehearsal time. I'm telling you, only insiders are allowed to watch rehearsals. By my grace, you all get to come and see it."
The men quickly showered him with praise.
"Nanfeng Ge truly looks after his brothers!"
The group settled into the audience seats. Though there were over six hundred of them, once seated, they were completely quiet, not making a single sound. They were exceedingly well-behaved.
Soon after, several young women appeared on stage.
They weren't wearing stage makeup or costumes, but ordinary dresses, having come up to rehearse. They hadn't expected that as soon as they stepped onto the stage, they would find over six hundred stalwart men sitting silently in the audience.
The sight terrified them. With a scream of terror, their faces drained of color, and they spun around to flee.
Lao Nanfeng quickly stood up.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'm right here!"
The young women heard Lao Nanfeng's voice and turned their heads.
"Oh? Master, so you were here!"
Lao Nanfeng smiled.
"These are my brothers-in-arms. I brought them to watch the rehearsal. Don't be scared, just practice as you usually do."
Only then did the young women's hearts calm somewhat.
As long as these men weren't villains, they no longer felt stage fright. They stepped to the center of the stage, cleared their throats, and began to practice, singing and dancing.
At this performance, the six hundred-plus border soldiers below immediately let out a collective, "Wow!"
Mesmerized! Utterly captivated!
Ten years garrisoning the border, then several more imprisoned in labor reform—it had truly been many, many years since they had witnessed such song and dance. Moreover, the young women on stage were not mere village performers, but of the caliber of courtesan queens. Their beauty, voices, singing, and dancing were each of the absolute highest caliber.
Far beyond what any ordinary woman could achieve.
The soldiers listened, utterly entranced…
Some reached into their clothes, pulled out their reclaimed military pay, and instinctively wanted to toss it onto the stage.
Seeing this, Lao Nanfeng quickly interjected,
"Don't be foolish! Keep your money safe. If you throw that money up there, it'll instantly land in my pocket. How the hell could I take it?"
Only then did the soldiers remember that this was Lao Nanfeng's establishment.
They awkwardly tucked their money away.
Chen Baihu leaned into Lao Nanfeng's ear, whispering,
"Nanfeng Ge, you have such discerning taste! These beauties, surely they're all your women, right?"
Lao Nanfeng chuckled, scolding him.
"What are you thinking? They don't belong to me. They're just virtuous courtesans I redeemed from the brothel."
Chen Baihu snickered.
"You redeemed them, so doesn't that make them yours? Don't tell me they're not!"
Lao Nanfeng shook his head.
"On paper, I redeemed them, but actually, it was silver given by Dao Xuan Tianzun. After they were redeemed, the first thing Dao Xuan Tianzun instructed me to do was to tear up their contracts of indentured servitude right in front of them. Then, I signed 'employment contracts' with them. They're just like the workers in our factories, earning wages for their labor."
Chen Baihu gasped, "What?"