Chapter 549
Chapter 549 What Have You Done to Me?
"Blue skies above—a cloud drifts by—below it a horse runs, the whip cracks loudly all around, birds soar in unison—"
[TL: This song was sung by Hu Songhua and composed by Meili Qige, and was created in 1952. It's based on the folk tunes of Inner Mongolia, embodying a broad melody rich in national style and local color. Watch the song on youtube by searching the title: 草原上升起不落的太阳 (The Rising Sun Never Sets on the Grassland)]
Piercing and resonant singing broke the tranquility of the grassland morning. The voice was anything but melodious; its only redeeming quality was a certain hearty vigor.
Lured by this singing, a few larks appeared from nowhere, chirping and circling above the procession. They danced joyfully in the air. The first rays of the morning sun bathed the young faces of the soldiers, and the pristine dewdrops on their hair and skin sparkled, casting a pure and crystalline glow.
Lin Wanrong rode on his horse, singing loudly along the way. The songs he chose were strange tunes that no one else understood, yet they were oddly catchy, making them easy to remember. As the army of 5,000 soldiers marched slowly, they couldn't help but grin at Lin Wanrong's casual demeanor, his strikingly loud voice, and his off-key melodies. "With a voice like a broken gong, he dares to flaunt it?" Yet he sang without a break, and the crowd couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter. Gradually, everyone felt uplifted, their spirits released from the burden of war. The joyful atmosphere was infectious, making the vast grassland feel like another home for them.
"Brother Lin seems in high spirits today. Did something good happen last night?" Old Gao, riding his horse, couldn't help but ask with a tinge of suspicion.
Hu Bugui took a cautious glance ahead, then lowered his voice, "I don’t know whether he was successful last night, but the General's singing skills certainly need improvement. Old Gao, you're daring—could you please go and ask him to stop for a while? We are about to make camp and cook breakfast."
"How dare you criticize Brother Lin!" Old Gao laughed. "When he sings, it means he’s confident about accomplishing great things. That gives us peace of mind. That said, Brother Lin’s singing is indeed terrible, far worse than the courtesans in Eight Great Alleys. But we should be grateful. Listening to a courtesan costs money, while listening to Brother Lin may actually make him pay us. Ha-ha!"