Abdullah had sold a great deal of jewels, spices, carpets, and slave-girls, but he had bought a great deal of Oriental goods, porcelain, silk, and the like, which were very delicate, and so he continued to rent the whole inn.
Abdullah had servants to serve him, and even his food was cooked by himself. The innkeeper was happy and relaxed. During the New Year, the waiters were on leave, and the innkeeper's family returned to the city for the New Year. The entire inn was left to Abdullah, and it became his home.
A long string of red lanterns was hung in front of the inn, and many firecrackers were piled up. There were even dozens of boxes of fireworks on Ba, which ordinary people were reluctant to buy. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and let his entourage of warriors celebrate the Tang people's festival.
The pole of the inn was very tall, and the string of red lanterns was very long. There were lights everywhere on Ba, but this string of lanterns was not particularly eye-catching. But Gu Zhuting saw it, and so she quietly came in amidst the sound of firecrackers.
It was the same room that Yang Fan used to stay in. There was wine and food on the low table in the room. Yang Fan sat cross-legged. The door opened, and a delicate deerskin boot entered first. Gu Zhuting walked in lightly, and took off the warm cover of 'Zhao Jun Wo Er' on her head. She said cheerfully, "Ah Lang summoned you. Are you going to fight?"
There was a small red clay stove in front of the table, and wine was warming on the stove, and the fragrance of the wine filled the air. When Yang Fan saw her, he smiled and pointed to the opposite side, saying, "Come, sit down and talk."
Gu Zhuting hesitated, but did not walk to the opposite side of the low table. Instead, she walked slowly to the side of the bed, bent down, and took off her boots, leaving only a pair of snow-white stockings. She sat cross-legged on the bed, and gently leaned against Yang Fan's body. Her bright cheeks seemed to be illuminated by the fire in the stove, and a faint blush appeared.
Yang Fan was slightly surprised. He did not know how much courage she had to muster to make such a bold move. Yang Fan could not help but hold her hand and said, "Let's not talk about other things first. This is the end of the year and also the beginning of the year. How about you and I stay up together?"
Of course. Hearing Yang Fan's words, Gu Zhuting's eyes were as bright as the fireworks outside the window. She was a woman who was easily satisfied. This year's New Year's Eve was destined to be the most unforgettable New Year's Eve of her life.
…
When Yang Fan woke up, he heard the sound of firecrackers. It was the morning of the first day of the new year.
His head was dizzy, his mouth and tongue were somewhat dry. Only now did he realize that it was New Year's Eve, he had failed to keep watch on New Year's Eve, and he was completely drunk.
Yang Fan, who had just woken up from his hangover, vaguely remembered that he and Gu Zhuting drank to their hearts' content last night. It was fine at first, but later on, when he was drunk, he told her many stories of the past. He told her about how, by a freak combination of factors, he mixed into the imperial court, and how he wanted to achieve great things after he took up his position.
He also talked about women. He mentioned Xiaoman, A Nu, and Wan 'er. Finally, he talked about Ning Ke who died early. He remembered that at that time, his face was full of tears, and he drank faster and faster. Gu Zhuting was like a gentle elder sister, comforting him softly.
He remembered that he staggered to stand up and wanted to raise his glass to Ning Ke's soul. Then he fell down. It was Gu Zhuting who dragged and dragged him to the bed. She seemed to be using his arm as a pillow. She lay with him for a long time and talked for a long time …
Yang Fan gradually regained consciousness. He turned his head and saw that the animal charcoal in the brazier was still flickering. He was still wearing his clothes. He was wrapped in a Persian blanket that was as soft as a feather, and there was a thick quilt on top. The quilt was very warm, but the tip of his nose was a little cold.
Yang Fan took out his hand and touched his nose. There was still a lingering fragrance on his hand, a wisp of a woman's fragrance.
Yang Fan lay in a daze for a while. Then he sat up, grabbed the kettle from the table, and drank a few mouthfuls of water to moisten his throat. Then he lifted the quilt and put on his boots. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he staggered, and the feeling of dizziness did not disappear.
Yang Fan touched his dizzy head and opened the door. He saw Ren Wei standing outside, dressed in new clothes. Behind him was a row of sword-like icicles under the eaves. Ren Wei grinned, showing his white teeth. He cupped his hands to Yang Fan and said with a smile, "Ah Lang, you have a new life, and your longevity has been extended!"
Yang Fan blinked his eyes and then reacted. He hurriedly cupped his hands to return the salute, "Everything will be smooth, and good luck will come!" Several guards who were in the courtyard heard the commotion and rushed over to greet Ah Lang. Yang Fan cupped his hands in front of his chest and repeatedly returned the salute, "Everything will be smooth, and good luck will come!"
Because he was drunk last night, he did not untie his hair and did not comb his hair in the morning. Now the bun was tilted to one side. Coupled with his cupped hands in front of his chest, he looked like a little squirrel holding a pine cone and nodding its head.
After the New Year's greetings were exchanged, Ren Wei held back his laughter and said, "Ah Lang, your bun."
Yang Fan touched his head and exclaimed, "Boil some hot water for me."
Just as Yang Fan was about to turn around and return to his room, a figure flashed by the door. It was Abdallah, leading his little attendant Abbas in high spirits. Both master and servant were wearing new clothes and hats. As soon as they saw Yang Fan, they laughed loudly from afar and said, "Everything will be smooth, and good luck will come!"
Yang Fan was startled. His auspicious phrase was snatched away by Abdallah. Yang Fan first cupped his hands in front of his chest and then thought of a phrase, "Congratulations on making a fortune, congratulations on making a fortune."
Just as he said this, he heard a commotion outside the east wall. Someone was speaking in an intense tone, as if loudly complaining about something. Someone else's voice was angry, as if constantly cursing, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps of a large group of people passing through the alley.
Standing in the courtyard, one could see a scene of sticks and spears flashing across the top of the wall. Yang Fan had just woken up from his hangover and his mind was not very agile. He stared blankly at the chaotic scene outside and asked in surprise, "What's going on?"
Abdallah turned his head to look at the main culprit and asked curiously, "Didn't you say that it's going to start today?"
…
Yang Fan's words before he was drunk caused Ba to be restless for the whole night.
The chaos on New Year's Eve lasted until the third watch before it gradually calmed down. At this time, Gu Zhuting had just settled the drunk Yang Fan and returned to the Shun Gate. As soon as Gu Zhuting returned to the Shun Gate, she summoned her three elder brothers who were drinking with Zhuo Yiqing and the others around the stove and gave them some detailed instructions.
At the Qin fu, Abdallah quietly left through the corner door. Qin Zeyuan immediately summoned his eldest son and his trusted chief steward into the study. The three of them discussed in secret for a long time before the two of them left. Qin Zeyuan then summoned a concubine to serve him on a small couch in the study to rest.
Qin Zeyuan's concubine had received instructions from the Old Master beforehand to wake him up at the fifth watch, so she did not dare to sleep at all. She only leaned against the head of the bed and pretended to sleep. At the fifth watch, the sound of firecrackers could be heard on the street. The concubine immediately woke the Old Master up and helped him wash up and change his clothes.
Qin Zeyuan had finished washing up and was dressed neatly. The chief steward immediately rushed over to help him up and reported something in detail along the way. Afterwards, Qin Zeyuan rushed to the main hall. The entire fu from top to bottom entered the hall one by one according to the order of sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, stewards, accountants, servants and maids, and kowtowed to the Old Master to wish him a happy new year.
Afterwards, the whole family ate breakfast, drank Tu Su wine, ate steamed cakes, popcorn, gelatin, spring cakes, and so on. Then they opened the fu's doors to receive their relatives and friends who had come to wish them a happy new year. The leader of the Chuan Gang was the first to come to wish Old Master Qin a happy new year. Old Master Qin personally went to the gate to welcome him, but unexpectedly, he was assassinated in front of the fu's fu's mansion.
The assassin was extremely skillful. Fortunately, the major gangs in Ba had been hiring highly skilled Jianghu masters to help them these days. Old Master Qin and Third Brother, the leader of the Chuan Gang, each had two highly skilled bodyguards. They acted in time, and the assassin only injured one of Old Master Qin's arms and then escaped.
Almost at the same time, Gang Leader Qiao of the Shun Gang was assassinated on the long street. Gang Leader Qiao was going to pay a happy new year visit to Huang Yunshan, the leader of the Sanhe Gang. The Shun Gang was now an ally of the Life League and the Sanhe Gang. Among the three major gangs, Huang Yunshan of the Sanhe Gang was the oldest and the most senior.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Mu encountered an assassin in full view of the public when he was halfway there. The disciples protected Qiao Mu as they fought and retreated. On the bloody long street, they happened to run into the people of the Life League who were also here to pay a happy new year visit to Huang Yunshan. They joined the fight in time, and after losing a few good fighters, the assassin retreated.
On the side of the West Alliance, because Old Master Qin was injured, the Five Elements Association was furious. The leader of the Chuan Gang, who happened to be there, also felt a lingering fear and flew into a rage out of shame. The two of them immediately informed the Taiping Gang, who were also their allies, about the situation. They sharpened their swords and were ready to fight back with blood.
On the side of the ASEAN, because the leader of the Shun Gang was assassinated, the Life League also lost a few good fighters. The leaders of the two gangs were also assassinated on the way to pay a happy new year visit to Huang Yunshan of the Sanhe Gang. Huang Yunshan was also furious when he heard the news. He immediately visited Qiao Mu and the Life League in person and deployed his troops, intending to pay a tooth for a tooth.
The riot last night lasted until the third night-watch period. At this time, it was just dawn. The disciples who participated in the gang fight had not calmed down yet. When they heard that their leaders were assassinated again, the contradictions and hatred accumulated by the constant friction between the two sides finally went out of control.
…
If someone had been paying attention to the movements of the big gangs on Ba and the actions of the imperial envoys of the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate in the city, he would have noticed a very strange phenomenon. There seemed to be a very strange connection between the two sides, which were completely unrelated.
Some of the actions they took were always in coordination with each other. If this could be considered a coincidence, then today was undoubtedly another one. When the two major gangs of Ba's alliance had triggered a grand armed melee due to the assassination attempt, the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate had immediately taken action.
Early in the morning on the first day of the first lunar month, Liu Qietian was wearing a dark red purple silk robe with five birthday flowers on it. He sat in the main seat in the main hall with a ruddy face. His family members came forward one by one to kowtow to Ah Lang and give him a New Year's greeting.
When his sixth concubine came forward with his little daughter, who had just turned one year old, to greet him, the little girl said the auspicious words her mother taught her in a childish voice, "Daddy, the new year is auspicious and your future is boundless!"
Liu Qietian beamed with joy. He opened his arms and was about to hug his daughter affectionately. Suddenly, the housekeeper ran in breathlessly and reported that Hu Yuanli of the Censorate and Chen Dong of the Ministry of Justice had come to visit. Liu Qietian was very surprised. So early in the morning, these two were even more enthusiastic than the officials who came to pay a happy new year visit!
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
