July 1st.
Before dawn, the villagers of He Wan village had already formed a long line, some driving ox carts, some riding tricycles and bicycles, pulling their own prepared goods and boards for setting up stalls, and set off mightily towards Baichuan County.
When they reached the planned location, they busily started setting up stalls, erecting tables, chairs and benches, and waited for people coming from other places to patronize.
Soon a large area was filled with small stalls, and all around beautiful flower lanterns were also set up. Opera troupes and acrobatic troupes were also established.
In the streets of Baichuan County, every store was decorated with lanterns and colored ribbons, feeling even more bustling than New Year.
But what made Song County Magistrate feel a little uneasy was that it was almost noon, but the number of people coming to Baichuan County for sightseeing was pitifully small.
Most were villagers of this county, and people from neighboring counties were even more scarce.
By afternoon, there were only a few hundred people patronizing, not bustling at all as imagined, more like a bleak ghost market.
Zhang Guangsheng sat high up in the restaurant, looking at the scene on the street, but had a beaming smile on his face.
And Old Master Wu sitting next to him was even more gleeful.
"Look, look," Zhang Guangsheng gently waved his fan, looking like he was enjoying a good show, "Did they really think they could make others come and spend money just by inviting some storytellers? With so few people, they're bound to suffer huge losses!"
"Boss Zhang is really wise," Old Master Wu said, "Luckily I didn't believe them blindly, otherwise I would have suffered losses this time too."
"They're all praising Li Yao to be so capable, but it turns out just so-so," Zhang Guangsheng said, "This time, she's going to fall flat on her face!"
At this time in the county government office, besides the worried-looking Song County Magistrate, Baichuan County's Old Master Liu, Old Master Zhang and others had all arrived.
At Song County Magistrate's invitation, Li Yao also came to the government office to discuss together.
"Sir, a whole day has passed, but few people have come!"
"If this continues, I'm afraid we'll suffer terrible losses."
"Yes, I've invested several hundred taels of silver this time!"
......
Song County Magistrate was also headache-stricken.
In order to earn some money for the county government, he had taken out his private money this time.
Not only that, all the teachers, masters, clerks, and even the cooks and cleaning maids of the county government had also invested money.
If they lost money this time, how could he explain to everyone?
"Everyone, don't panic," Song County Magistrate said, "We have to trust Miss Li."
"We do trust her, but the facts are right before our eyes."
"That's right, Miss Li," Old Master Liu said, "Do you have any remedies?"
"Remedies for what?" Li Yao said, "The Qiqiao Festival celebration lasts for seven days, and it's just beginning now."
"Just beginning?"
"A whole day has passed, and you say it's just beginning?"
"Yes," Li Yao said, "What's our theme this time? Lanterns and fireworks, these two things can only be seen at night. So I say today is just the beginning, no problem right?"
"But there are no people!"
"There are fewer people today," Li Yao said, "But we still have to light the lanterns and set off the fireworks. Naturally there will be more people tomorrow."
Hearing her logical words, Song County Magistrate, disregarding that the sky was not yet completely dark, ordered Zhang County Captain to light up all the lanterns.
At once, the entire Baichuan marketplace, as well as the vast venue, were filled with all kinds of beautiful lanterns.
Those who had not left all felt fortunate to have stayed, otherwise how could they see such a beautiful scene.
Dang - dang - dang -
With loud gong sounds, Zhang County Captain led several government clerks, riding horses and propagating in the streets.
"Everyone please note, the fireworks show will begin in a quarter hour, everyone can go to the open space outside the market to watch."
"What are fireworks?"
Everyone felt curious, but since they had come, they naturally wanted to go see.
So everyone went to the open space outside, and waited quietly.
"Where are the fireworks?"
"It's said to be in the sky."
"But there are only stars in the sky, where could there be any fireworks?"
......
Just as everyone was discussing spiritedly, suddenly the sky lit up, followed closely by a deafening boom.
Bang -
Enormous fireworks blossomed in the night sky, scaring everyone's legs soft.
"Ah-"
"Oh no, the sky is splitting!"
"It's raining fire! Fire rain is here, everyone quickly hide!"
Frightened cries were heard everywhere, some timid ones immediately hid somewhere.
But after discovering that the colorful flames quickly extinguished in the sky, and nothing fell down, everyone cautiously came back out.
"Everyone don't be afraid! These fireworks won't hurt people, just watch at ease!"
With Zhang County Captain's assurance, everyone's courage grew again.
Seeing that everyone was no longer afraid, Zhang County Captain signaled the government clerks to ignite the formal fireworks.
Bang - bang - bang -
One blossom after another of gorgeous fireworks appeared in the night sky. This time no one hid under tables, but watched this magnificent and bizarre scene in shock and awe, their hearts trembling.
The first fireworks show of the Qiqiao Festival lasted less than a quarter hour.
After all there were too few people today, it wasn't worth setting off too many, but it allowed everyone present to feel the charm of fireworks, standing in place long after unable to leave.
"Everyone, today's fireworks show is over," Zhang County Captain propagated among the crowd again, "But there will be more and even more beautiful fireworks tomorrow and the day after tomorrow evenings. You must bring your families, relatives and friends to watch together!"
"We'll definitely come!"
"Such beautiful fireworks, even if I go blind from watching once, I still have to come!"
......
Everyone was excited, all feeling it was totally worth it.
Some enthusiastic ones hurried home, wanting to tell their families and relatives and friends about the shocking and stirring fireworks show.
Those landlords and old masters who had been suspicious now understood in their hearts.
They now knew that these fireworks were Li Yao's trump card!
To be honest, even if they lived in Yizhou Prefecture, they would make the effort to come admire such shocking fireworks.
So everyone discussed and decided to spend money to send people to set off immediately to more distant county towns, even Yizhou Prefecture, to vigorously promote Baichuan County's Qiqiao Festival.
Zhang Guangsheng stood on the restaurant a little lost.
He was indeed also shocked.
"Boss," the restaurant manager asked, "Should we prepare more ingredients tomorrow too?"
"Prepare my ass!"
Zhang Guangsheng was a little annoyed with shame. If he now obediently went to prepare ingredients, wouldn't those people laugh their teeth off?
And he still firmly believed no one would come to Baichuan County. Even if some came, at most just the poor local commoners, who had money to buy things and dine in the restaurant?
"Hmph, it's still too early to say who'll be crying and who'll be laughing!"
