Chapter Fifty-One: The Flute's Melodious Sound

  "Good" The onlookers in the inner and outer circles all had something to say, making Dai Muzi feel like a monkey being gawked at, his heart feeling somewhat unnatural. Being open-minded doesn't mean being unscrupulous, he agreed as soon as he heard it.

  "Get out of the way!"

  "It's all dispersed, there's nothing good to see, let's go quickly."

  Zhang Wu and Niu Bao had been waiting on the side, as soon as they saw Lu Haoshan's signal, they immediately began to disperse the crowd of onlookers, clearing a path for their County Magistrate and the Qiang tribe beauty. Finally, Lu Haoshan brought Rida Mu Zi to a small pavilion by the Pei River that was bustling yet serene.

  "Haoshan big brother, what kind of song do you want to hear?" After getting Lu Haoshan's generous promise to give him the white tiger skin, Rida Muzi made a one hundred and eighty degree turn in his attitude towards him, not only was there a smile on his face, but his tone also became much friendlier.

  It's unknown whether she was being straightforward or had her eyes opened by the prospect of gain, but if it were a Han woman, they wouldn't even dare to have a few more words with an unfamiliar person, let alone play music together. As the saying goes, "No good deed goes unpunished," but in Yimuzu's eyes, this was a very profitable deal - just by playing one song, she could get what she wanted. Moreover, her skills on the sheng were quite high, and she often thought about performing more in front of others to gain more applause and admiration. So, she didn't mind Lu Haoshan's proposal at all.

  Now Lu Haoshan is a kind and just person in her eyes.

  Lu Haoshan sat on the stone bench and said casually, "To be honest, Lu Mou hasn't studied the Qiang flute much and doesn't know what songs there are. How about this, Yun'er, you just play a song that you're best at?"

  Rida Mu zi thought for a moment, and soon had an idea: "Hao Shan big brother, our Qiang tribe songs, I'm sure you've rarely heard of them, and can't understand them either. Why don't I boast a bit? In my tribe, there are no more than three people who play the Qiang flute better than me. How about I play a piece called 'Out of the Frontier'?"

  The Ballad of Zhaojun Leaving the Frontier is a song about Zhaojun leaving the frontier. As for this beauty who sacrificed too much for the country and its people, history has its own fair evaluation of her. Like the story of Zhaojun leaving the frontier, poetry, opera, and film have all created content based on it, and can be said to be an eternal masterpiece. Lu Haoshan nodded upon hearing this: "Good, then I'll listen carefully."

  Ridamuzu didn't have an official position, but from the start, Luhao Mountain treated him as an equal, always referring to himself as "Luhao" rather than his official title. Ridamuzu secretly appreciated this, although he didn't say it out loud. He had a good impression of this young and capable county magistrate. When Luhao agreed, Ridamuzu smiled slightly and took out his beloved Qiang flute from his waist, gently stroking it before putting it to his lips and playing softly.

  Suddenly, a bright and clear qin flute sound echoed in the pavilion. The elegant qin flute sound, with a hint of sadness, immediately captivated Lu Haoshan. This instrument, mainly used for solo performances, often evokes a sense of ethereal mystery and moves people's hearts. Lu Haoshan's thoughts were stirred, and amidst the clear and melodious music, he seemed to see a stunning beauty. Her appearance was breathtakingly beautiful, her singing voice was heart-stirring, and her longing for her hometown was so sincere. However, with a mission at hand, she had to board a carriage that would take her far away from home, looking back three times with each step...

  The Qiang flute is mainly played using the "drum cheek" method of changing breath, with one breath lasting several minutes or even an entire melody. The technical requirements are very high. In addition to this, there are also techniques such as throat tremolo and finger glissando in playing the Qiang flute. With the difference in pitch between the two pipes and the resonance of the double reeds, it produces a unique auditory experience. Especially with the "drum cheek" method, one can play an entire piece with just one breath. The emotions expressed by the Qiang flute are like the waves of the ocean, one wave after another, as if trying to overwhelm and immerse people in emotion.

  Rida Muzi's skill was extremely high, and when the song ended, Lu Haoshan was still immersed in the music and couldn't extricate himself.

  "Great! Too good!" After half a beat, Lu Haoshan came back to his senses and involuntarily applauded, praising as he clapped: "I didn't expect Yun'er to have such artistic skills, Lu has truly been enchanted by the lingering sound, it's been three days and I still can't get enough."

  "Hao Shan big brother, you Hans are like this, speaking is all twists and turns, saying what Liang and what Jue, can't understand what you're saying." Ji Da Mu Zi said somewhat displeased.

  Lu Haoshan was somewhat taken aback and lost his smile, only then remembering that the Qiang ethnic group did not have their own written language, and their environment and learning conditions were not comparable to those of the Han people. Normally, when they gathered together, communication was not a problem, but when it came to more refined speech, they seemed like they were listening to heavenly music. Looking at that slightly gloomy little face, he couldn't help but burst out laughing, and laughed as he said: "Alright, I'll speak more simply. What I meant just now is that you play the flute very well, this is the most beautiful sound I've ever heard."

  "Really?" Yida Muzi's eyes lit up in front of him, and he asked with a happy face.

  "Really," Lu Haoshan said with a straight face.

  Ridamuzu smiled like a flower, and said with some pride: "My Abi still says that my flute skills are not yet mastered. Haoshan big brother, it's really fun talking to you. Next time I have the chance, I'll play for you again, and I'm sure I'll get better and better."

  The more you blow, the better?

  Lu Haoshan looked at that beautiful face with a confident smile, and his mind flashed back to that romantic scene: he was lying in bed, that beautiful face buried in **using those soft red lips gently and lightly teasing him, then came a sentence: Husband, is slave's flute playing satisfactory?... The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, and his body couldn't help but shudder with excitement.

  "Hao Shan big brother, Hao Shan big brother, are you okay? Hmm, why is your face red?" Rida Muzi asked curiously as he saw Lu Hao Shan suddenly freeze up, his eyes dazed and his face seemingly turning red all of a sudden.

  "Oh, I heard that there's still a chance to hear Yun'er's flute performance, so I'm excited and lost my composure for a moment." Lu Haoshan said with a serious expression.

  If Rida Muzi could see people's inner thoughts, she would have had the heart to pinch Lu Haoshan to death. Unfortunately, she didn't have this ability, and someone else's face was also incredibly thick. In his heart, he was guilty and ashamed, but on the surface, he pretended to be serious and dignified, spouting lies as soon as he opened his mouth, without showing any of the virtues of a scholar, such as propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame.

  Oh, right, it was a fake from the start. He wasn't a scholar or a real county magistrate. These things didn't matter to Lu Haoshan at all.

  "Hey, Big Brother Lü Hǎo Shān, can I have that white tiger skin now?" Rì Dá Mù Zǐ asked naturally after finishing playing the qiangdi.

  In her mind, she played the flute only for the white tiger skin. Now that the flute has been played and the Magistrate of Lu County is also satisfied, shouldn't she get the white tiger skin? Ji Dazimu didn't hesitate and asked directly.

  Lu Haoshan didn't make things difficult for her again, taking the white tiger skin from Niu Bao's hand and personally handing it to Rida Mu zi, smiling and saying: "Alright, Yun'er young lady, now the white tiger skin is yours."

  As soon as he got the white tiger skin he had been wanting, Rida Muzi was overjoyed, his eyes curved like a new moon. After thanking him, he didn't forget to put 50 taels of silver in Lu Haoshan's hand and said seriously: "The children of our Qiang tribe are most particular about keeping promises, Brother Haoshan, rest assured that I will send you the remaining 50 taels of silver as soon as possible, and I will not default on my debt."

  He still had over eighty taels of silver left on him, but he needed to buy some salt, alkali, vinegar and other things. Besides, he would need some traveling expenses for the way back, so it was not enough anyway. He thought that since it was not enough, he might as well follow what the young county magistrate said, give him half of the silver first, and pay the rest next time. When Daya Muuzi gave the silver, he felt a little grateful in his heart: if this young county magistrate had asked for more, he would have to go back with his men holding tiger skin begging for food, not to mention that the villagers were still waiting for him to buy salt and other things back. This way was good too, and it gave him a reason to come down the mountain again in broad daylight.

  Buying salt doesn't require running from Shiquan to Jiangyou, but Daya Mu likes the city of the Han people and wants to see the hometown of Li Bai, the great poet of the Tang Dynasty, so he travels to Jiangyou. Unexpectedly, he encounters a rare white tiger skin, and also meets an interesting county magistrate.

  Lu Haoshan smiled and said, "I've heard that Qiang ethnic children value loyalty and honesty the most. If not, you wouldn't have let him take away the precious tiger skin just by paying half of the silver, right?"

  "Thanks, Haoshan big brother, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first, I still have to catch the boat back to Shiquan later."

  Although this Qiang ethnic minority beauty, like a mountain elf, is leaving so soon, Lu Haoshan didn't have any reason to keep others behind. Upon hearing this, he smiled and said: "Alright then, welcome you to come play in Jiangyou again, when you arrive in Jiangyou, remember to find me."

  Ridamu said with a serious face: "Definitely, I still owe you fifty taels of silver."

  After finishing, he said with a somewhat embarrassed smile: "Also welcome to our Qiang village to play, I live in Shiquan County Hu Tou Village, if I can't come to Jiangyou for the time being, you are in urgent need of silver, you can also send someone to Hu Tou Village to collect."

  "If there's a chance, okay, I wish you all the best," Lu Haoshan said, turning his head to his subordinates: "Zhang Wu, escort Yun'er young lady to the dock and get on the boat, be sure to protect their safety."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Hao Shan big brother, isn't this unnecessary? It's too much trouble, besides we know the way." Ji Da Mu Zi hastily said.

  Lu Haoshan hadn't spoken yet, when Zhang Wu said: "Miss Yun, this is our boss's kind intention, don't decline it. As long as I make an appearance, those boat owners will give some face, not only can we get a good position, but the price will also be discounted."

  It's better to say something practical, and indeed, as soon as they heard that there was a good position with preferential treatment, Daimu immediately stopped talking. After thanking Lu Haoshan, he took the white tiger skin and brought his guards, accompanied by Zhang Wu, directly to the ferry terminal in Jiangyou County, preparing to take a boat back to Shiquan. This trip to Jiangyou was very rewarding, with many memorable things.

  It won't be a wasted trip.