Don't wait for the east wind or the tide, cross the river and stop for nine miles.

I don’t know which bridge the Qinhuai River will reach in Yangzhou tonight.

Taking a leisurely ride on the lucky boat, looking at the lanterns and boats on both sides of the way, as well as the small Qinhuai River where even the ripples tell the story of centuries of romance, Jia Lian couldn't help feeling that Yangzhou is worthy of being a thousand-year-old city. , wealth and prosperity are reflected to the extreme on both sides of this small Qinhuai River.

Not long after, a rather majestic five-story restaurant appeared on the bank of the river that was getting wider and wider ahead. Its tallness and splendor completely outshone all other buildings around it. The plaque hanging high above the gate and the three clear gold-painted characters "Wangjiang Tower" looked extremely bright when surrounded by bright lanterns.

This is the most famous restaurant in Yangzhou City, and it is also a place where wealthy businessmen and powerful people from all over the world will almost come to have fun when they come to Yangzhou.

It is a pity that tonight, this huge restaurant is not as lively as before, and seems very quiet.

After getting off the Chuanbu Pavilion and seeing Zhou Boru and others waiting quietly on the corridor in front of the restaurant's door, Jia Lian laughed: "I'm late. It's rude to keep Zhou Hui waiting for a long time."

Zhou Boru hurriedly bent down and said he didn’t dare. When leading Jia Lian into the restaurant, he introduced the history of Wangjiang Tower and the characteristics of the place, and said that the building had been booked by them tonight. Come down, no one will come to disturb you, so Jia Lian can enjoy Jiangnan wine and delicacies tonight, and listen to a few Wu Nong tunes.

Although Jia Lian felt that it was a waste to book the entire restaurant for him, he didn't say anything because it was not his money that was wasted anyway.

For these salt merchants, if they don’t spend more money on him now, they will feel uneasy and worried that he will miss their family’s treasury.

"Welcome to the Imperial Envoy!"

Arrive at the third floor and enter a ridiculously large private room. Sure enough, all the remaining salt merchants in Yangzhou City are in it. .

"You don't have to be polite, please take a seat."

Jia Lian's politeness and friendliness exceeded the expectations of the salt merchants. Looking at Jia Lian, who was smiling and casually sitting on the throne, it was hard for the salt merchants to believe that the smiling young man in front of them was the imperial envoy who acted decisively and ruthlessly, and often killed people and ransacked homes.

Was President Zhou and his preparations effective these days, or was Jia Lian simply not a cruel person?

The reason why the Zhao family and Wang family were raided was actually just because these two families sent people to assassinate him and made him really angry? Then the Feng family was really punished because they had committed too many crimes?

If this is the case, then todayLate things should go more smoothly than expected.

They really can’t stand the life of having a knife held to their necks and having their lives taken away by others at any time. So as long as the matter can be solved, it doesn't matter what the price is.

It’s not that I didn’t think about resisting, but that I was really unable to resist. The Zhao family and Wang family that tried to resist have all disappeared.

This is not because they are too weak, but because Jia Lian is too strong.

Your Majesty, Jia Lian is the imperial envoy who came to investigate them on orders, and he has great righteousness at hand.

I, Jia Lian, had already calmly controlled Yangzhou City with absolute force. Even the doorsteps of their respective homes are strictly controlled by officers and soldiers, so their every move is under Jia Lian's surveillance.

Under such circumstances, the only result of resistance is to follow in the footsteps of the Zhao family and the Wang family.

Therefore, after the banquet started, more than 20 salt merchants, who were either middle-aged or elderly, carefully acted as accompanying diners. Only when Jia Lian raised his head and told them to take action, Only then did he dare to move his chopsticks slightly.

Jia Lian himself was very comfortable. To be honest, it was the first time for him to attend such a luxurious and well-standard banquet.

When he was in Beijing, before Xijue, he was just a stubborn boy. After becoming a noble, he was eligible to enter the palace to receive state banquets, etc., but he missed it due to various errands.

In fact, in Jia Lian's view, even if it is a state banquet in the palace, in terms of luxury, it may not be as good as the table in front of him.

Needless to say wine, let’s just talk about dishes, such as shark fin and bird’s nest, if you can’t make them in a fancy way, they are not qualified to be served.

All kinds of rare and eccentric dishes, which looked extremely exquisite and expensive at first glance, were served in turn. As long as the three dishes were passed after the introduction and Jia Lian did not touch his chopsticks, the waiters would be there. Zhou Boru's eyes signaled that he would move away so that new dishes could be served...

Seeing that in just half a stick of incense, dozens of dishes had been passed around, and there were still more to come. It keeps coming and I don’t know when it will end. At this time, even Jia Lian, who was somewhat predictable, couldn't help but feel that this was too extravagant, so he put down his chopsticks and asked with a smile: "How many dishes have you prepared tonight?"

"No. There are only 108 Jiangnan famous dishes... If you feel that this is not enough, I have also prepared a list of famous dishes from all the Jiangnan provinces. Please take a look at it. If anyone wants to try it, Just hook it up, and I will go down and arrange the cupboard doors of the restaurant."

The old man of the Xu family, one of the five major salt merchants, stood up and presented the booklet.

Zhou Boru also smiled and said: "Sir, you don't have to worry that the cooks in Wangjiang Tower can't cook it well. Wangjiang Tower receives wealthy people from all over the world every day, so we recruit them. He is also a famous chef from all over the world.

Wangjiang Tower even once said that in the entire Jiangnan area, there are only dishes that others have mentioned, but there is no dish that they cannot make."
< br />Jia Lian took the booklet, opened it and took a look, but did not take his order seriously. Are you kidding me? One hundred and eight dishes are already the standard for the legendary Manchu-Han banquet, right?

To be honest, these salt merchants were already suspected of overstepping their bounds by entertaining him with such specifications.

In this era, the crime of transgression is ubiquitous, and it is difficult to have a fixed standard for how to define it.

But it can be summed up in one sentence: If the emperor does not enjoy it, the ministers cannot enjoy it; if the ministers cannot enjoy it, the common people cannot enjoy it.

At least Jia Lian was sure that Emperor Ning Kang would definitely not eat more than a hundred dishes in one meal!

Putting the booklet with countless dishes in his arms, thinking that it might be useful in the future, Jia Lian ordered the next dishes not to be served.

Zhou Boru and others didn't say anything. They noticed that Jia Lian was somewhat satisfied with the dishes, so they clapped their hands calmly.

　"哐啷啷~~"

The two maids pushed open the partition door next to them, revealing another world inside.

Jia Lian turned his head and looked, and saw that the light in this separate hall, which was smaller than the main hall, was much brighter than that of the main hall.

There was not much else in that compartment, only about a dozen beauties.

It’s not surprising that there are beauties in a place like this. What made Jia Lian look at him was that these more than ten beauties were standing together and dancing. Each one of them was so graceful and graceful. moving.

I glanced over them one by one, and there was not a single person with a slightly worse appearance.

Even Shen Pan'er, who disappeared after getting off the boat, changed into a dance skirt and joined in. When he saw Jia Lian's gaze, he remained motionless, but quietly gave him a wink with his eyes.

Seeing the admiration in Jia Lian’s eyes, the old man Xu smiled and asked: "What do you think of these women?"

"Not bad, they are all very good."

It is pleasing to the eye to gather all the best beauties together. Even Jia Lian is embarrassed to say anything against his will.

　"Hahaha, it's fine if you think it's good, sir. These women are all famous oiran ladies in our Jiangnan, and every one of them is outstanding.The minimum fee for one visit is at least twenty taels of silver.

Adults may not know that among the brothels all over the Yangtze River, the general appearance fee can reach two taels of silver, which is considered the number one in each brothel. Those who can reach twenty taels of silver are rare everywhere. Even in our city of Yangzhou, there are only a few oiran ladies who dare to quote twenty taels of silver or more for their appearance fees..."
< br /> Jia Lian naturally also knew that in a brothel, the appearance fee is the most important indicator of an oiran's worth.

After all, only if there are so many high-ranking officials and nobles who are willing to pursue them can they have a higher salary. Appearance fee.

Although there are brothels all over the south of the Yangtze River and there are countless oiran ladies, there are not many who can spread their fame.

It is really rare to find a naturally beautiful woman. It is even rarer to have outstanding sexual and artistic skills. With two taels of silver, one can be called the number one figure in a flower house, which is reasonable. The young ladies in Hou Mengong's palace only have this amount of money per month.

And these top courtesans just come out in front of guests, dance and sing songs for just two taels of silver. It’s easy to get it. Of course, if you go out to a banquet and perform for a distinguished person, the appearance fee will naturally be higher.

It can be seen from this that the oiran who dares to set the minimum appearance fee of twenty taels of silver is How rare she is, and how confident she is in her own beauty.

I’m afraid most brothels in the south of the Yangtze River wouldn’t be able to get such a courtesan lady, right?

/>This also made Jia Lian feel emotional. He was indeed a wealthy salt merchant. Did he invite all the famous oiran ladies from the south of the Yangtze River?

No wonder these salt merchants wanted to hold a banquet that day It’s set for today. I’m afraid these few days will be used to prepare these tricks for them!

Of course, Jia Lian would not honestly think that an oiran with twenty taels of silver would definitely be better than five. Twenty taels are more beautiful. Jia Lian still understands the principle of celebrity benefits. For example, for female stars in later generations, it does not mean that whoever has a higher appearance fee will be more beautiful.

At least it is a measure Indicator.

Sure enough, Zhou Boru also added at this time: "Xu Yuanwai is right, these oiran ladies can't be hired even if they have money.

If it weren’t for the fact that the adults are famous all over the world, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to invite them to perform for the adults even if they were paid as much as they could. ”

Jia Lian half-believed this.

No matter how highly valued the courtesans are by the nobles, they are nothing more than playthings. As long as they are willing to pay The price isIt's hard to find someone who can't really be moved.

Take the current situation as an example. They clearly stated that there are only a few people in Yangzhou who can meet the minimum appearance fee of twenty taels or more, but there are more than ten here. Obviously, most of them come from other states. Invited. If based on his reputation, these pampered courtesans came all the way to perform for him, Jia Lian would not be so sentimental.

Of course, Jia Lian also believes that oiran ladies who have reached this point have a certain degree of freedom and a certain right to choose their clients.

Not really caring about this, Jia Lian just asked: "May I ask President Zhou, how much was Miss Paner's appearance fee before?"

Zhou Boru also thought that Shen Pan'er was already having an affair with Jia Lian, so she introduced her politely: "Miss Pan'er used to pay one hundred and fifty taels for an appearance. Of course, this refers to the price for Miss Pan'er to pick up guests in Jiaofang, like tonight There are more than this number of people who are invited to perform.

As you know, Miss Paner is the number one dancer in Yangzhou City, so she can achieve this status. In fact, the entire Jiangnan The most famous courtesans, even the four major court ladies in Jiangnan every year, only earn this amount for their appearance.

Of course, there is also a surprise..."

said At this point, Zhou Boru deliberately let it slip and turned around to give him a look.

As the music of the piano suddenly sounded, Shen Pan'er and others, who had been posing for a long time in the next hall, began to dance leisurely.

It was also from this that Jia Lian noticed that in the next hall, behind the dancing postures of Shen Paner and others, there was a gauze curtain hanging down from the beam. Behind the gauze curtain, a beauty can be seen faintly playing the strings of the piano elegantly.

The sound of the piano also came from behind the gauze curtain.

From the way Shen Paner and others danced quietly to the music, Jia Lian could understand that the protagonist of tonight’s performance was the person playing the piano behind the scenes.

Thinking of the expressions of Zhou Boru and others, as well as the current encounter on the Xiao Qinhuai River, Jia Lian had roughly guessed who the person playing the piano was.

Perhaps influenced by the discussions of the Confucian scholars he heard on the blessed ship, Jia Lian, who originally only thought the sound of the piano was pleasant, actually felt that the sound of the piano was extraordinary after he calmed down and listened.

It is as quiet as the rain in the mountains and forests, and as clear as the singing of birds.

Jia Lian laughed at himself. Sure enough, it was human nature to be arty. For a moment, listening to the other party's music, he felt as if he had become his close friend.

This is a disease and must be cured.

At the end of the song, the dancers filed away, leaving only dozens of eyes, staring straight atStaring at the hanging gauze curtain.

After a while, Fang heard the sound of people inside getting up, and a tall and beautiful woman walked out of the room.

It was indeed the beauty I saw on the boat.

At this time, under the bright light in the hall, Jia Lian could see the other party's face, even if the other party was still covered with a thin gauze scarf.

Even though Jia Lian had been mentally prepared for it, when he saw it suddenly, he was slightly shocked.

What a beautiful and beautiful face, with such a cool orchid temperament.

The beauty of this woman was what Jia Lian had expected. What was rare was that her facial features and the temperament she exuded all over were very similar to Miaoyu.

The ages are also similar.

Even in every move she makes, there is a natural and extreme elegance that is unmatched by women in the world. This point is incomparable to Miaoyu, who purely relies on her coldness to express "elegantness".

To be fair, at first sight, this woman is even more beautiful than Miaoyu.

This is really hard not to surprise Jia Lian. Because ever since he met Miaoyu, Jia Lian had never felt that anyone could beat Miaoyu in terms of appearance and temperament.

Perhaps only the longer Baochai and the Queen Mother in the palace can compare. It's just that Baochai has a plump figure and doesn't follow the same route as these two girls.

And the Queen Mother is over thirty after all. Jia Lian found out the Queen Mother's true age from Princess Zhaoyang.

"My wife, Qingyi, pays homage to the imperial envoy and all the gentlemen."

The beauty's voice is as clear and beautiful as her temperament, just like the gentle call of a nightingale. My ears and heart are not numb.

At this moment, Jia Lian finally knew why those people on the Xiao Qinhuai River were so excited when they guessed that the person playing the flute was this woman.

When Zhou Boru saw that Jia Lian's eyes were all on this woman, he felt relieved, and it was not in vain that he rushed to invite her back from Suzhou.

For people like Jia Lian, a truly stunning beauty is more effective than any other means! " Yes."

When the beauty calmly took the wine bottle and walked to Jia Lian, Xu Baoan on the other side couldn't help laughing anymore and said: "Do you know the girl in Tsing Yi?Name? ”

Jia Lian shook his head.

He knew very well the eager attitude of the security guards. The Wang family was defeated. In terms of their momentum among the big salt merchants, except for The Zhou family must be the Xu family.

They must want to take over the Wang family’s original position as vice president of the salt bank. Maybe they also want to get more salt from him. share.

Having defeated three salt merchants, the share of salt in their hands will naturally be divided up by others.

“This girl in Tsing Yi is President Zhou. Among the many brothels under his name, he deserves to be the first.

It can even be said that she is the number one among the oiran ladies in the south of the Yangtze River.

You must have heard of the annual Oiran Competition in Jiangnan, right? That was sponsored by Nanjiofang, and the girl in Tsing Yi was the first place winner in the previous two Oiran competitions, and was also commonly known as the No. 1 Oiran. "

Xu Baoan said, deliberately giving Jia Lian some time to digest. He was also a little surprised that the Zhou family took out this trump card, and he was happy to see the result.

Jia Lian also cooperated with an expression of surprise.

"Hahaha, and what President Zhou just said, the appearance fee of the oiran ladies in the entire Jiangnan is the highest, which is only one or two hundred taels, even if it happens occasionally There are very few people who offer more than 200 taels of silver, or they are simply not worthy of their name and deceiving themselves and others.

Only the girl in Tsing Yi, do you know how much the high-ranking officials and nobles from the major capitals in the south of the Yangtze River need to pay if they want to see her? "

Xu Baoan wanted to wait for Jia Lian to answer the conversation and compliment him, but he saw that Jia Lian had already turned sideways to take the wine glass handed over by the beauty. He didn't pay attention to him at all, so he could only smile to himself and said: "Five hundred gold! A full five hundred gold, this is the first time since the Ding Dynasty was established in the country, looking at the north and the south, it is the first of its kind

Moreover, this is not the decision made by the girl in Tsing Yi, but the countless pursuits of the girl in Tsing Yi. Those who were elected were recommended on their own initiative.

It can be said that in the land of Jiangnan, even the dignitaries are proud to meet the girl in Tsing Yi.

Today, the little people have benefited from the adults. Otherwise, we don’t know how many years and months we will have to wait before we can see the girl in Tsing Yi. "

Xu Baoan said, and couldn't help but glance at Qing Yi beside him. He was unmoved by his praise and just quietly added wine to Jia Lian.

He It’s true. In fact, the biggest purpose of these Jiangnan wealthy businessmen who are committed to opening brothels and cultivating stunning geisha is to win over real powerful people.

This is Gu Qingyi The Zhou family managed to dig up the seedlings, and they usually take good care of them, and they are absolutely on guard against them.For those who are not worth investing in.

To others, salt merchants like them seem to be very wealthy, but to the Zhou family, they are obviously not people worth investing in, and they are the kind of people who don’t let people see them even if they are given money. Otherwise, if they shamelessly forcibly defile someone, the Zhou family would suffer great losses.

When Jia Lian heard this, he also quietly glanced at the quiet beauty next to him, who was completely different from Shen Paner's eager expression.

What those people said is actually true. Five hundred gold is equivalent to five hundred taels of silver, and it is also the minimum appearance fee? It's indeed outrageous.

Because throughout the history of famous prostitutes, the redemption of famous prostitutes ranged from a few hundred to a few thousand taels of silver.

Doesn’t it mean that Gu Qingyi can make as much money as a peerless famous prostitute with just a few appearances?

Then how much money should be paid for her redemption?

However, since a famous prostitute has reached the time of being sold, it probably means that her glory is no longer, that is, the end of her life, but it cannot be completely compared to this. Just like this beauty in front of me, I'm afraid that even if Xu Baoan and others offer a hundred thousand taels, the Zhou family won't let her go.

Such a beauty, if used well, is of immeasurable value.