The next scene, naturally, was Mai Yun Stabs King Zhou.
After the dagger was revealed at the end of the map, Yin Hong, playing Mai Zhi, collapsed straight to the ground. His performance was quite convincing; he was working hard to be the green leaf beside the red flower.
The part where Mai Yun fell was omitted. Chong Yingbiao, playing King Zhou, went straight into circling the pillar, then killed Mai Yun as the courtiers cried, "Your Majesty, push your sword onto your back!"
Zi Shou had added a scene to the ending. Mai Yun took eight sword wounds without making a sound, then struggled to stand against the pillar before breathing his last.
Before the curtain had even fallen, the audience below the stage erupted.
Countless people cried out in passionate indignation, loudly praising Mai Yun for dying with his integrity intact.
Mostly, it was because Yin Jiao and Chong Yingbiao had performed their scenes together so well. Chong Yingbiao in particular, though he had put on weight after spending some time with the Royal Guards, had lost none of the arrogance of a son of the Feudal Lords.
Zi Shou was very pleased. This was exactly the effect he wanted. But a single play might not establish his image as a foolish ruler, and even if it could, Chong Yingbiao would not dare portray him that way.
He wanted to be a foolish ruler and cared nothing for his reputation, but Chong Yingbiao was afraid!
Still, those were minor details. King Zhou's portrayal in the play was secondary; the main point was to let people feel Mai Yun's loyalty and courage through theater. Plays themselves would not yield much foolishness value anyway. The key was that captivating plays could draw him in, making him neglect affairs of state.