The Liyang Relay Road, with the capital Tai 'an City as the center, was a well-deserved official road. It was once praised by the old Ministry of War as the bloodline of the country. It was also compared to the prosperous dynasty that unified the central plains to an unprecedented land god. The power of the essence and blood could be said to be unparalleled in both ancient and modern times.
Liangzhou's Qingma Relay Road was close to the provincial capital and was set up in the downtown area of a bustling town. Because this was a place that one had to pass to enter and exit the city of Liangzhou, not only was the relay station large, it also had the only one of the many relay stations on the road of Beiliang. There were as many as 70 postilions. There was also a garrison of light cavalry stationed nearby all year round. It was said that the young king's personal guards, the White Horse Righteous Followers, came from this cavalry in the early years. Naturally, their combat ability was not to be underestimated. For example, the madman Hong Shuwen, who was now climbing up the ranks in the Beiliang Army, came from this troop that did not show off.
Li Gongde, who had always firmly maintained the number one civil official position in Beiliang, stayed at the Qingma Relay Road in his early years. When he was in the mood, he wrote a calligraphy piece that said, "There is a world of difference." However, no one knew whether it was because the relay station treasured it too much or because the four words were too "strong and beautiful," but it had not been mounted or hung for many years. Beian Town, where the Qingma Relay Road was located, was also an unusually prosperous place. Lingzhou had always been known as Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall, while Beian Town was known as Little Lingzhou. It was enough to show that this big town in Liangzhou was different. In recent years, with the strong rise of the young king, more and more people from the Central Plains came to Beian Town after hearing the news. They all entered the Jianghu of Beiliang together. Over time, the local residents of Beian Town became accustomed to it.
As one of the few places in Liangzhou that did not have a night ban, Beian Town was a veritable money-squandering den. Just like the two restaurants and brothels next to each other, they worked together to advertise the two golden signboards of "If you don't go to the Two Floors, you're in vain coming to Beiliang" and "The Best Wine in the World". They were very arrogant. The restaurants said that they had the best wine in the world, which was not inferior to the imperial court's tribute, and the brothels said that their girls were not inferior to the imperial court's concubines. Many Jianghu people who did not believe in heresy went to the brothels with the mentality of destroying the place. In the end, almost without exception, they all drank themselves to the ground or lay on the bed of the girls. As a result, the Two Floors of Beian Town became more and more famous, and it was known throughout Beiliang and Lianghuai. Especially when a courtesan from the brothels eloped with a scholar from the Green Deer Cave Academy. Logically speaking, the brothels should have been furious, but instead of breaking up the lovers, they burned the contract of the courtesan. The restaurant even sponsored the scholar to buy a hundred books with a thousand taels of silver. This romantic story shocked the scholarly and literary circles of Beiliang. Even the Jiangnan region of the Central Plains had heard about it. It was to the extent that a famous scholar in the literary circle clicked his tongue in amazement in front of everyone, and he personally praised the heroic spirit of Beiliang. If this was three or four years ago, if he dared to say a few good words for Beiliang, no matter how prestigious this famous scholar in the literary circle was, he would probably become a rat on the street, and he would implicate his family and be condemned by everyone. But now, although there were very few people who agreed, there was definitely no one who would actually compete.
By the time the three eunuchs from the Directorate of Credentials returned to Bei 'an Town from the small crossing of Dragon Horse River, it was already late at night. Previously, the Green Horse Relay Station was afraid that something unexpected would happen, so they had no choice but to send out 20 or so elite riders from the capital to meet them. If they could not find any trace of them, the Green Horse Relay Station would definitely skip over the local government and directly notify the garrison 20 li away. After all, this group of eunuchs who delivered the edict represented the face of the Zhao clan of Li Yang. Eunuch Liu and his group, who had walked into Bei 'an Town on foot, were already hungry. As they passed by the particularly noisy restaurant and smelled the thick scent of wine, they couldn't help but be a little tempted. Eunuch Liu felt a little sorry for his two dog-tired colleagues, so he smiled and suggested that they all go to the restaurant to have a good meal. Eunuch Ma, who was tall and imposing and not like a eunuch, was more cautious. Although he didn't refuse, he still suggested that it was best to go back to the Green Horse Relay Station and change into ordinary clothing. Eunuch Song, who had a large body but was able to walk as light as a swallow in the Royal Palace, wanted to say that it wasn't a big deal. Could there be an assassin under the nose of Beiliang Palace? However, since Eunuch Liu, the "head shopkeeper" of the Directorate of Credentials, had nodded, Eunuch Song, who hadn't had a good time since coming to Beiliang, could only quietly swallow his words.
After returning to the Green Horse Relay Station and washing up and changing clothes, the three eunuchs were accompanied only by the imperial guard commander surnamed Qian. The four of them walked together into the restaurant called the "restaurant." Because the restaurant next door was the most famous brothel in Bei 'an Town, they could vaguely hear the soft and seductive laughter. This made Eunuch Liu laugh involuntarily. If their drinking trip traveled to the capital, it would most likely become a rumor that the eunuchs of the Directorate of Credentials had gone to a brothel. That would be a great joke. The restaurant had three floors. Although it was late at night, the lobby on the first floor was still packed. There weren't many seats left on the second floor. The restaurant waiter, who was good at reading people's expressions, led the four of them to a private room on the top floor with the best view. It was called a private room, but it was actually separated by a large screen with exquisite embroidery. After Eunuch Song sat down, he leaned comfortably against the back of a yellow rosewood chair with a natural gourd-shaped wood core. He laughed softly and said, "The layout here is somewhat similar to the market on our side."
Eunuch Ma, who had changed his clothes and looked more like a burly man from outside the Great Wall, looked around and was quite satisfied. Compared to the two floors below, it was much quieter and more elegant. He narrowed his eyes and nodded.
Eunuch Liu said amiably to the young waiter who had a cotton towel on his shoulder, "Two pots of Jizhou Laojiao, Jiangnan Apricot Blossom Wine, and Cooked Flower Wine. As for the dishes and snacks, you can do as you see fit."
The young waiter smiled and bowed to flatter, "Master, you are really an expert. You deserve the title of Wine Immortal. It's true that ordinary customers are generous when they come to our restaurant, but most of them choose the West Shu tribute wine, Jian Nan Chun, to drink. In my opinion, the wine is good, but in terms of mellow aftertaste, it can't compare to the Cooked Flower Wine. In terms of burning intensity, it is far inferior to the Green Ant from Beiliang. By the way, four masters, I have to say something. Our restaurant has an unwritten rule. When you come here, as long as you want to drink the Green Ant, you can drink as much as you want without charge!"
Eunuch Song asked curiously, "Even if you want to drink eight or ten pots, it's still free? Aren't you afraid that your restaurant will go bankrupt from drinking? Also, if someone comes to your restaurant and only drinks the Green Ant, will this rule still be valid? "
At the mention of this, the young waiter who was originally bowing to flatter immediately said proudly, "It's valid, how can it not be valid! Everyone who comes is a guest. Our manager has already said that for those who are willing and able to drink our Beiliang's Green Ant, it's not a big deal to ruin their business. Just treat it as making friends with these heroes. Our manager has even set a special rule. If anyone can drink six pots of our restaurant's signature Green Ant in one go, not to mention the cost of the banquet, even if they want to sleep in the building next door for a night, our restaurant will pay for it! "
Eunuch Liu smiled and said, "It's rare to see a restaurant open for business like this. Interesting."
Eunuch Song chuckled and held the comfortable antique chair with both hands. He looked at the eloquent young waiter and said, "It seems that although your manager stinks of money, he's not an ordinary person. Today, I … I'm in a good mood, so I'll give your manager face and ask him to propose a toast to Master Liu beside me. To tell you the truth, if you miss this chance, you won't be able to get it for the rest of your life."
The young waiter listened to the fat man's official language of the Central Plains and the arrogance he put on was even greater than the County Governor. In fact, he was complaining in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face. He begged for mercy and said, "Sir, I'm really sorry. Our head manager isn't someone from Beian Town. Even I haven't seen him before. Unfortunately, the second manager who is in charge has a meal next door that he can't refuse. But please don't worry. Just based on the six pots of wine you ordered, as long as the second manager returns to the restaurant, I'll immediately inform him. I won't let the second manager miss the four masters."
Eunuch Song, who couldn't be at ease again, was already unhappy. Just as he was about to explode, he saw Eunuch Liu take out a large amount of silver from his money pouch. He didn't throw it to the waiter like other rich guests. Instead, he placed it on the table and slowly pushed it forward. He smiled and said, "This is a reward for you. Don't think it's too little."
The young waiter had the best impression of the old man sitting in the main seat. He was like a kind-looking rich man or an old scholar who had walked out of a scholarly family. He was polite to everyone. It was rare to see him in a restaurant where the rich and the poor were all masters.
The young waiter hesitated. Then he heard the burly middle-aged man, who had been silent, say coldly, "If I tell you to take it, then take it."
After the young waiter carefully put away the silver and left, Eunuch Liu asked in a small voice, "How is it?"
Commander Qian, who was famous in both the Palace Army and the Ministry of Justice, said softly, "There's nothing strange. Looking along the way, the waiters in this restaurant are all normal people who have never practiced martial arts. However, there are a few tables on the third floor … that are not simple."
Eunuch Liu smiled faintly and said, "In the worst case scenario, this place is only fifteen minutes away from the Green Horse Relay Station. The cavalry will arrive in the blink of an eye. Also, I believe that the Beiliang spies who are secretly watching us won't be useless decorations. Let's just drink and not worry."
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