Hsu Fengnian went to Liucheng to kill people, but he came to Flying Fox City to look for someone. This was because Xu Xiao wanted his Royal Highness to pass a message to that person. However, Flying Fox City might not be big, but it was definitely not small either. Hsu Fengnian was unfamiliar with the place and the people, so it was extremely difficult for him to find a needle in a haystack.
The business of the restaurant was cold and cheerless. Hsu Fengnian caught a glimpse of the inn's waiter, who was probably tired of watching beautiful women coming and going outside the window, so he sat down at the next table and dozed off. He tilted his head and covered his face with a wet towel to cool down the heat. Hsu Fengnian was wondering if he should ask for another pot of tea so that he could ask questions. Unexpectedly, the fat innkeeper, who was observant, took the initiative to bring a new pot of tea over and sat down. He said with a smile, "You are a guest, and it is fate that we meet. This pot of tea is a gift from me to Young Master. I don't want to pay for it. The tea leaves are pre-Ming Ming tea from the old Southern Tang. Usually, I am reluctant to drink it, so there are only eight or nine taels left. However, no matter how reluctant I am, it will give off a moldy smell if I put it down. Seeing that Young Master is so kind, would you like to have a drink with me?"
Hsu Fengnian hurriedly smiled and said some polite words of gratitude. Although Tao Manwu was a little girl with a good family background, she was not lacking in etiquette. Without Hsu Fengnian saying anything, she obediently and cleverly got up and moved a bench for the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper felt more and more comfortable. After sitting down, he poured three cups of tea and did not forget to give a share to the sensible girl. Tao Manwu looked at Hsu Fengnian cautiously. After seeing him nod, she held the cup and tasted the tea carefully. Looking at her skillful posture, the shopkeeper knew that this pair of big and small were not just common people who regarded drinking tea as a vassal of culture. They were probably scholars who went out to visit relatives in Longyao Province or went out to study with their relatives. Doing business also paid attention to casting a long line to catch a big fish. The shopkeeper knew this very well. The reason why the inn could be half-dead was that it was supported by those regular customers who were not short of money but cared about their reputation. Otherwise, his whole family would have been starved to death long ago. Flying Fox City did not have many things, but there were a lot of hoodlums. Every family who opened their doors to make money had to bite off a piece of meat. It was not painful, but small businesses could not withstand six or seven forces coming to cut off their meat and pluck their hair every month. These troublesome little devils who flaunted their prowess behind the King of Hell's butt did not remember good things and did not care about kindness. If one did not serve them well, they would make a scene and cause trouble. It was very annoying. If one were to go to court, the God of Fortune had said that peace would bring wealth. Who would have the courage and financial resources to deal with the cold-faced but cold-hearted officials? In the past, there used to be a restaurant owned by a foreigner on the street next door. It made a lot of money every day because it had a backer. It was said that the backer was the brother-in-law or nephew of the concubine of a Sixth Grade Guerrilla Warfare General at the border. The business was so good, but the man was unwilling to take out more than a dozen taels of silver to show filial piety. Later, dozens of hoodlums squatted at the door every day. How could any customers come? The restaurant owner was young and impetuous. When he went to the government to complain, the people of Flying Fox City gathered to bask in the sun and did not break the law. Who would want to talk to him? Later, he moved out of the city with his family and was beaten up by a group of masked men who put a sack over his head.
The shopkeeper took a sip of tea and asked with a smile, "Judging from your accent, you're not a local, are you?"
Hsu Fengnian nodded and said, "I'm from Gusai State. I told my family that I was on a study trip, but in fact, I'm just looking for an opportunity to see the world. Coincidentally, I don't have any elders to nag at. When I heard about Flying Fox City, I secretly came here."
The shopkeeper showed a knowing smile that all men understood. He was probably amused by the customer's frankness. He said, "Ha, you're a man of character. Not bad, not bad. There are four strange things happening in our Flying Fox City, and one of them is that the bitch Flying Fox is very loyal to her friends. Her words are very crude, but they are the truth. If Young Master wants to go, I can recommend a few brothels. Jiang Bo Brothel is undoubtedly the most famous one. You can easily get a hundred taels of gold and silver for a night. The high officials and dignitaries of Longyao Province all like to drink there. If they run into trouble and can't find a way out from the government, they are used to waiting there. In my opinion, the big brothels in Jiaqing's Bottle Alley are more affordable. The women there are beautiful, and they are proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. However, they don't have enough reputation, so they don't have the confidence to shout out sky-high prices. Many young girls, as long as they have good lyrics and songs, and have scholars to help them promote, they might become popular people in Feng Feng Brothel in a few years. I know an old brother who spent forty taels of gold and silver for a night with a young girl in Bottle Alley. Young Master, guess what? Now, he is the most popular person in Feng Feng Brothel! "" Young Master, you are the most popular person in Feng Feng Brothel. I know an old brother who spent forty taels of gold and silver for a night with a young girl in Bottle Alley. Young Master, guess what? He is now the most popular person in Feng Feng Brothel! " She is now a famous lady in Feng Feng Brothel. Let's not talk about doing anything else. Just meeting a group of people and listening to songs costs ten taels of silver. Although my brother's family is well-off, he can't afford her anymore. If Young Master has an acquaintance to show you the way, it will only cost twenty or thirty taels of silver a night. Hey, look at Old Sun's broken mouth. Anyway, if Young Master wants to go and return in high spirits, you should go to Bottle Alley first. After you have a rough idea of the place and have money, you can go to Feng Feng Brothel. It is safer. "
Hsu Fengnian said with a hearty smile, "Old Brother Sun, just based on your words, you don't have to treat me to this pot of tea. I appreciate your kindness, but I will still pay for it. Just treat it as you helping me spend less money. How much is it? Pay it."
The shopkeeper didn't refuse politely. He raised his thumb and praised, "Young Master, you are a kind person."
Hsu Fengnian continued to ask, "Old Brother Sun, don't call me Young Master. It sounds estranged. My surname is Xu. Just call me Little Xu. My family is in the porcelain business. You can say that we are both businessmen. I didn't dare to bring too much money on this trip. If I went to Feng Feng Brothel rashly because of its reputation, I would be in big trouble. It would be impossible for me to go to Eastern Jinzhou comfortably. By the way, you said that there were four strange things in Flying Fox City. What are the other three? "
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