A newly written script?

Troupe Master Tao was somewhat surprised: “It’s newly written?”

“Yes, I finished it overnight.”

“Master Song, don’t joke around.”

“The script is already written. Naturally it’s no joke.”

Troupe Master Tao said worriedly: “If this were before, I would definitely accept any script you wrote. But now… alas! After what happened, no one comes to my theater to watch plays anymore! Everyone is terrified. Moreover, as you can see, I’ve already decided to disband the troupe. In the future, we won’t perform plays anymore. So your script… I’m powerless to do anything with it.”

Song Zhi understood his difficulties.

But he hadn’t come today to sell a script and make money.

He had come to save the situation!

He said: “Troupe Master, don’t misunderstand. I’m not here to make things difficult for you. Although I only spent one night completing this script, this play is the best I’ve written in several years.”

Even better than “The Ghost Wife Buries Her Husband”!

Troupe Master Tao opened his mouth, seeming to understand somewhat: “You want to…”

“The Zhao Family Troupe has been in Yiwu for so many years. If it disbands because of this incident, wouldn’t that be a shame? And the only method Song can think of is this one, hoping to preserve the Zhao Family Troupe.” He pushed the script toward the troupe master. “Take a look first before saying anything.”

Troupe Master Tao hesitated for a moment, then took the script.

He sat there and read it carefully and meticulously!

The more he read, the more absorbed he became!

By the end, his eyes were filled with surprise and… hope.

Even more excited than when he first saw “The Ghost Wife Buries Her Husband.”

He was overjoyed and stood up, saying: “If this play succeeds, it will definitely bring my Zhao Family Troupe back from the dead!”

Although his words were exaggerated, he was confident.

He was certain this play would not only be popular!

It would also make the Zhao Family Troupe wildly successful again.

The stone in Song Zhi’s heart also fell to the ground: “That’s good! I hope Song can truly help.”

Troupe Master Tao grasped his hand: “Master Song, you are my benefactor! The benefactor of my Zhao Family Troupe!”

“If I hadn’t written ‘The Ghost Wife Buries Her Husband,’ you wouldn’t have been brought all this trouble. I’ve felt guilty about it all along. I only hope this new script can make up for it somewhat.”

“Don’t say that at all. It’s you who helped me enormously.”

The two pushed back and forth.

Finally, Troupe Master Tao readily took out a package of silver and stuffed it into Song Zhi’s hands.

Holding the heavy silver, Song Zhi’s heart was pounding.

He immediately tried to return it, saying: “I couldn’t possibly accept this.”

“Just take this silver.”

He stuffed the silver back to Song Zhi.

Song Zhi wanted to push it back again, but Troupe Master Tao grabbed his hand and said: “This is what you deserve. You’ve written plays for my Zhao Family Troupe for so many years, yet each time I gave you very little silver. I’ve felt guilty about it too. Now this package of silver is my way of making it up to you. Just keep it.”

“But…”

“Keep it!”

After some declining, Song Zhi had no choice but to accept it.

As it happened, he really did need the silver.

Troupe Master Tao held the new script with great excitement. After calming down from his joy, he noticed the shabby bundle Song Zhi was carrying.

He asked: “Master Song, what’s this?”

Song Zhi grabbed the bundle and said: “I’m planning to leave Yiwu.”

“Leave here? Where are you going?”

“Gaoding.”

“What are you going to Gaoding for?”

“To take the imperial examinations.”

Troupe Master Tao was stunned for a moment before coming to his senses, nodding as if suddenly understanding: “Yes! With your learning, you should have gone to take the examinations for official rank long ago. Master Song, you are talented. You’ll definitely pass with high honors!”

“I’m grateful for the troupe master’s auspicious words.”

“Be careful on the journey.”

“I will!”

Seeing that time was getting late and Song Zhi still needed to leave Yiwu before the city gates closed, he didn’t talk further.

But before leaving, he said: “I must trouble the troupe master to inform Old Qiao who makes sweet wine. He feels guilty toward me, so he plans to deliver sweet wine to me every day after getting out of prison. But I’m going to Gaoding, and he’s still in jail.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell him.”

“Then I’ll take my leave. Troupe Master, take care!”

“You too.” Troupe Master Tao’s eyes brimmed with tears.

He watched Song Zhi leave.

Song Zhi had just left the Zhao Family Troupe when he ran right into Zhang Xiaobai, who had been released from prison at midnight last night.

That fellow had spent every day in detention worrying about losing his head.

To the point that he had lost a great deal of weight!

When Zhang Xiaobai saw him, his eyes lit up and he immediately embraced him.

“My Brother Song! I was just about to find you.”

Song Zhi was hugged so tightly he could barely breathe. His body twisted a few times as he said: “Um… Young Master Zhang, please let me go first.”

Only then did Zhang Xiaobai realize he’d been too excited.

He quickly released him.

And said: “Oh my, look at me. I got too excited when I saw you and nearly hurt you.”

“It’s fine!”

“Brother Song, if not for you, I might already be dead.”

Song Zhi: “Actually, I didn’t help much. It was all Young Master Ji and the others.”

“No matter what, I still have to thank you. From now on, as long as I, Zhang Xiaobai, have a bite of rice to eat, I’ll absolutely never let you go hungry.” Zhang Xiaobai patted his chest as he spoke.

In the past when Song Zhi wrote poetry, those who associated with him all professed brotherhood with him. After he stopped writing poetry, every single one avoided him from afar.

So given his current situation, if someone said such words again, it was probably sincere.

He smiled without saying anything, but felt very moved in his heart.

Zhang Xiaobai noticed the bundle on his shoulder and asked: “Brother Song, are you going somewhere?”

Song Zhi: “I’m going to Gaoding.”

“Gaoding? Leaving now? What for?”

Song Zhi patiently explained his reasons for going to Gaoding once more.

Zhang Xiaobai was shocked but also happy for him.

“Indeed! Someone as talented as you—how could you be fated to be a storyteller for life? You should pass the examinations with the highest honors and become a great official in the future!”

“I’m grateful for Young Master Zhang’s auspicious words.”

“But…” Zhang Xiaobai frowned in thought. “If you go to Gaoding, how will I repay you in the future?”

“Please don’t say such things.”

“Oh right!”

“Hmm?”

Zhang Xiaobai’s eyes lit up and he said: “Wait here for a moment.”

Then he ran off.

Song Zhi waited for him on the spot.

After quite a while, Zhang Xiaobai returned, holding a small box in his hands. He thrust it into Song Zhi’s hands.

He said: “Isn’t this coincidental? My ancestral home is in Gaoding. There are still several months until the imperial examinations, and you need a place to stay. If you don’t mind, you can live at my place. Inside here is the key.”

Song Zhi declined: “How could I accept this?”

“Why not? You and I are brothers. I should help you. Besides, I’m not going to Gaoding anyway. It would just sit empty. Just consider it as letting me repay you—it’ll make me feel better too.”

Troupe Master Tao had given him a package of silver!

Zhang Xiaobai had now given him a key!

Indeed, good people will ultimately be rewarded.