Master Mei, whose real name is Mei Yuzong, hailed from Yangzhou.
Continuing his father's legacy, his current troupe, renowned in both the north and the south, consisted of top-notch performers who were orphans his father had adopted more than twenty years ago.
In his early years, his father led the opera troupe in performing at local gatherings and temple fairs or celebrating the birthdays of landlords.
Back then, the troupe did more than just perform opera; they also showcased various acrobatics, relying on the reward of one copper coin or two.
Mei Yuzong was the Junior troupe leader, blessed with a great voice from a young age; he showed promise in his teens and was capable of leading roles within a few years.
How did he come to know Consort Jing?
A wealthy landlord in the village hired them to perform a grand opera for his mother's seventieth birthday, generously booking ten shows, one for each day, drawing crowds from villages ten miles around.
