Before the official recording of the scene even began, the four singers were urgently given touch-ups by the makeup artists, while Xu An sat alone as if completely forgotten by everyone.
Xu An didn't really mind this treatment; in fact, he rather enjoyed the leisure and began to look around at the layout of the venue.
He had to admit that CCTV had put a lot of effort into this production. The three scholars they had invited were all renowned masters of history and literature who frequently appeared on television.
Even Xu An, who was usually quite easy-going, couldn't help feeling a bit nervous when faced with this lineup.
Sitting off to the side, the floor director watched the feed on the monitor, picked up his walkie-talkie, and glanced at his watch: "The host can come out now. We'll be moving into today's theme immediately."
After all, this was a music variety show, not a travel promotion.
The preceding footage was simply meant to let viewers who had never visited the Dunhuang Grottoes appreciate their unique charm.
The true core of the program was the five guest artists performing songs inspired by the setting of the Dunhuang Grottoes.
......
Beijing.
In a residential complex.
*Thump, thump, thump*
The rhythmic chopping of a kitchen knife against a cutting board echoed from the kitchen.
"Xiao Wu! Stop watching TV for a second, come knead the dough so we can start wrapping dumplings!"
An impatient shout drifted into the living room, where a young man in his early twenties was watching television.
The screen was broadcasting the CCTV program *Composing China's Rivers and Mountains*.
Just as the host was stepping out of the grottoes, the young man immediately yelled back toward the kitchen: "Mom, mom, stop chopping the filling for a minute! Hurry up, hurry up, the show is about to start! Didn't you say you've been looking forward to this for a long time? Aren't you a fan of Zhuang Rong? Are you going to watch it or not?"
"Oh, it's starting already?"
A middle-aged woman wearing an apron picked up a corner of it to wipe her hands, hurried over to the television, and lit up with surprise as she saw the host stepping out of the Dunhuang Grottoes on screen.
"It really is! We've waited so long, it's finally starting. I'll stop wrapping for now; we'll finish after the show."
With that, she plopped down right on the sofa and shoved the young man a bit: "Move over a little, isn't this sofa big enough for you?"
Left speechless, the young man could only silently slide aside.
Scenes like this were happening not just in this household, but among countless other viewers waiting in front of their televisions across the country.
Even taxi drivers, unable to spare the time to watch, tuned their radios specifically to the designated channel to listen to the broadcast.
This alone showed just how high expectations were for this new CCTV program.
......
The sky was like ink, the bright moon hung high, and stars twinkled in the distance.
Outside the entrance of the Dunhuang Grottoes, several spotlights illuminated the stage in front as bright as day.
Zhu Shi, the host who had just stepped out, walked to the center of the constructed stage and delivered the opening remarks to the camera in front of her.
"Hello, television viewers and friends, I am your host, Zhu Shi. I am delighted to meet you all at this hour. Weaving the musical chapters of China and writing a magnificent epic, tonight's *Composing China's Rivers and Mountains* officially premieres before you all. Since we are broadcasting live, the staff and I will maintain the utmost focus to ensure our very first episode is an absolute success. Without further ado, let us direct our cameras to our five guest artists. It is precisely because of them that we realize music is never defined by its surroundings."
As Zhu Shi's words trailed off, the camera angles instantly switched, and the red tally light flashed on the camera operated by the cameraman standing not far from Xu Xingmo.
"Hello everyone, I am Xu Xingmo."
Xu Xingmo stood up with poise, finished her smiling self-introduction, bowed to the camera, and sat back down.
Following the movement of the camera, Chu Xingjun, standing nearby, also began her introduction.
"Hello everyone, I am Chu Xingjun."
"Hello everyone, I am Zhuang Rong."
"Hello everyone, I am Zhuo Tianrui."
"Hello everyone, my name is Xu An."
It was a rather abrupt transition. Although the viewers at home didn't catch it, the four guests standing ahead of him certainly did.
Once again, they all turned to look at Xu An simultaneously, saw that he maintained a completely calm expression, and then looked away.
"Thank you to our five guests for coming. But dear audience, this show hasn't only invited five guests—we also have three distinguished judges joining us today. However, these three judges are not here to score the guests' performances, but rather to share their profound historical insights from a more professional perspective. Next, let us welcome the renowned historian, Teacher Zhang Yanping."
As the host finished speaking, the five guests all raised their hands in applause.
With slightly graying hair and wearing a white shirt, Zhang Yanping had a benevolent expression as he picked up the microphone and smiled: "Hello everyone, I am Zhang Yanping, and I usually enjoy studying history. In my view, the Dunhuang Grottoes are truly like a history book carved into rock walls, with every trace containing profound philosophy and endless wisdom. The art within the caves, having weathered a thousand years of wind and rain, still shines brilliantly, as if recounting the impermanence and eternity of all things in this world. The stories within the murals encompass the joys and sorrows of the mortal realm alongside the compassion and salvation of the Buddhist domain; they are an intertwining and reflection of human life in all its myriad forms and spiritual realms. The Buddha statues sit quietly, gazing with a detached attitude upon the vicissitudes of the mortal world, as if inspiring all living beings to find inner peace and transcendence amidst this bustling, chaotic world. I am honestly looking forward to the songs that our five guest artists will perform today, allowing our souls to experience a baptism and sublimation within this profound artistic space."
When Zhang Yanping finished speaking, he handed the microphone to the elderly man beside him, whose hair was dark, though the wrinkles on his face ran very deep.
"Hello viewers and friends, I am Wenren Feng. I suppose I work in literature, and I have a somewhat shallow understanding of the Dunhuang Grottoes as well. When I step into the Dunhuang Grottoes, it feels as though I have walked into an enchanting dreamland spanning a thousand years. The four walls of the caves seem like a magnificent tapestry meticulously woven by the passage of time; the delicate brushstrokes outline flying celestial maidens whose floating robes and winding ribbons make them look as though they are lightly and gracefully dancing through the quiet river of time. Their faces are exquisite, their brows and eyes filled with emotion, as if they are whispering softly of past eras of prosperity and hidden sentiments. Above the caisson ceilings, patterns of blooming flowers and auspicious beasts intertwine, with soft yet brilliant colors that resemble the afterglow of a twilight sky scattered leisurely across this sacred sanctuary. Much like Old Zhang, I am also eagerly looking forward to the performances of our five guests."
With that, he handed the microphone to the final person.
This person was not quite as old as the previous two, appearing to be around fifty or sixty years old.
"I am Zong Zhengyang. Like Mr. Wen, I simply work in literature. As for the Dunhuang Grottoes, the first two teachers have already said quite enough, so I will just briefly touch upon a few points. The Dunhuang Grottoes—this is a majestic realm of art between heaven and earth! Standing tall amidst the vast desert like a fearless warrior facing the invasion of wind and sand alone, the interior of the caves is nonetheless a boundless ocean of art. Upon the murals, thousands of human figures take shape: some glare with wide-open eyes, as if about to break free from the constraints of the wall to gallop across the battlefield of history; others laugh heartily, fully displaying the boldness and unrestrained spirit of a prosperous age. Well... I'll stop there to avoid taking up too much time. After all, just like the two teachers, I harbor tremendous expectations for the performances of our five guests today."
......