Chapter 14 Are you showing off your wealth to me?
"Sir, how many are you?"
As Liu Zheng and the other two walked over, an old procuress rushed over, grabbed one of them by the arm, smiled, and said mysteriously: "My lord, you are here today! Today is the first day that Miss Manqing is getting married!"
The "out of marriage" here does not mean getting married, but formally opening the door to welcome guests.
"real?"
Liu Zheng chuckled.
As soon as the madam saw Liu Zheng's brocade clothes, she knew that he was not an ordinary young man, and she praised him in various ways: "You don't know, right? Miss Manqing, she is proficient in playing the piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, playing musical instruments, and singing!"
"Haha, playing musical instruments and singing, I like it, I like it!"
Liu Zheng hasn't spoken yet.
A group of people were walking over, a young man in brocade clothes, surrounded by a group of servants, walking over in a domineering manner. Many passers-by were unable to dodge and were beaten and kicked by these evil servants.
"Oh, Master Chen! What a rare guest! You are truly a rare guest!"
When the madam saw the person coming, she immediately let go of Liu Zheng and greeted him respectfully.
"Humph! I heard that Miss Manqing is getting married, so I'll buy everything for you today!"
The young master of the Chen family was full of heroic spirit and laughed loudly, but the dark circles under his eyes caused by alcohol and sex were already showing lustful light. Others shook their heads when they heard it. It seemed that Miss Manqing was a prostitute and would not get any good things today.
Everyone in the city knows this Chen Xiang. He is a complete playboy who indulges in sensual pleasures and does all kinds of evil.
"Okay, Mr. Chen, please!"
As soon as Chen Xiang arrived, the whole place gathered around him. As the son of the Chen family, one of the four most prestigious families, he was flattered wherever he went.
Liu Zheng and Qin Changfeng just followed quietly behind.
As soon as I entered Wanhua Tower, I was hit by a decadent atmosphere. As usual, the environment was unbearable to look at. There were many scattered seats in the hall, and there were private rooms on the second floor. The third floor was a resting place. Everyone knew what this place was for. In the hall, many people were unrestrained.
Many of them were obviously scholars and writers, and some were businessmen who came to Yinzhou to do business. Those businessmen, holding girls and drinking, were mostly rough people. And those literati were also shaking their heads and speaking in literary style, but their hands were also very dishonest, grabbing and touching the prostitutes, and occasionally singing a cliché, which made a group of people cheer each other.
The scene is very interesting.
"Mr. Chen is here, everyone shut up!"
As soon as Chen Xiang arrived, his lackeys immediately started shouting loudly.
The scene was suddenly quiet and everyone was talking about it.
The people of Yinzhou shut up when they heard about Master Chen, and the business people were indignant. But when they heard others talk about Master Chen's prestige, they also shut up tactfully.
"Hahaha good!"
Chen Xiang felt that he was quite impressive, and waved his hand: "It's okay, it's okay, Wanhua Tower is meant to be lively! Lively, I like lively things! Today, I'll take care of the whole place!"
"good!"
"Mr. Chen is so generous!"
Everyone tried to please him.
Chen Xiang sat down with great determination and looked around proudly: "What were you discussing just now? Continue!"
A man who looked like a poor scholar stood up, raised his glass and said, "Just now, my colleagues were talking about the newly built county mansion. Will Yinzhou change in the future?"
Everyone nodded.
Liu Zheng also found it interesting, so he ordered a pot of wine and some meat and sat down to listen.
When Chen Xiang heard this, he immediately sneered, "County Marquis? Are they the Liu family father and son who have been hanging out with a bunch of common people these days? Everyone knows that the Liu family's son is a prodigal son? How much can he achieve?"
"Hahaha!"
"joke!"
The servants also laughed mockingly.
"Remember, in Yinzhou, the County Marquis' Mansion is a joke!"
Chen Xiang looked arrogant and shouted, "Only our four great families are the real kings here!"
“Domineering!”
"Mr. Chen's heroic spirit is so great that it will become clear!"
"As long as the Chen family is here and Yinzhou is not in chaos, we can rest assured!"
A group of scholars immediately complimented him and raised their glasses.
However, at this time, a thin scholar who looked like he had patches all over his body said timidly: "But I see that the young master of the Liu family is not a playboy. He does things in an orderly manner and values authority in troubled times. He made a name for himself by making a wooden plank a few days ago, and these days he has been gathering his guests. In the future, he will be promoted from a county official to a civilian, isn't it all because of a word from him?"
This abrupt view immediately caused everyone in the audience to change color.
A scholar in brocade clothes said proudly: "Those who build a building first choose the craftsmen and then select the materials. Those who govern a country first choose the assistants and then settle the people! This county magistrate eats and lives with common people. How can he have the dignity of a superior?"
Another person also criticized: "The county magistrate's office is newly established, and the first thing to do is to establish authority! Without class, how can there be authority?"
A group of people started to quote from classics.
The thin scholar said, "But the governance of a country is based on enriching the people! The peace and order of the world depends on the people's prosperity, the peace and tranquility of the world depends on the people's happiness, and the prosperity of the world depends on the people's righteousness! Why can't the county magistrate share the happiness with the people?"
Thus, the debate in the land of fireworks began.
Liu Zheng also looked at it with surprise. In this era of rigid class and ideological thinking, it is not easy to find someone with such insight.
“Shen Xing, what you mean is that my Yinzhou is under the jurisdiction of several prominent families, and there is no joy?”
Several people mocked him, trying to deliberately direct the hatred towards Chen Xiang.
Shen Xing was a little stubborn, and said stubbornly: "The emperor is like a branch, and the people are like deer in the wild. This kind of inaction requires a strong country and a prosperous state! Now that Yinzhou is exhausted, how can it continue like this?"
"To seek action from doing nothing is absurd!"
“To be active and to be successful is the blessing of the people!”
"Without government, how can there be any action?"
Facing the ridicule from so many people, Shen Xing was not afraid at all and spoke powerfully.
“Bold!”
"Shen Xing, how dare you disobey Master Chen?"
"How dare you, a mere commoner, speak so arrogantly?"
However, this view was immediately criticized by everyone. The reason is simple: Master Chen said that the person is not good enough, but you insisted that he is good enough. Aren't you giving face to Master Chen?
You should know that Master Chen bought the whole place today, and all the wine you drank belonged to Master Chen!
Chen Xiang also looked at Shen Xing coldly: "Are you doubting the strength of my Chen family or our prominent family?"
Several servants rolled up their sleeves and acted aggressively.
Shen Xing's face turned pale: "Shen Xing doesn't dare!"
"Kick him out!"
Chen Xiang couldn't bear it anymore.
He came here today to see Miss Manqing, and he had to show his absolute control here. How dare someone not give him face?
"This this……"
Shen Xing was so frightened that he rolled and crawled on the ground.
The Chen family servants had already surrounded him and saw that Shen Xing was about to be severely beaten.
"stop!"
Liu Zheng was just about to ask Qin Changfeng to take action, but at this moment, a graceful voice came from the wing of the restaurant: "In a restaurant, everyone expresses their own opinions, and the royal family doesn't care. Does the Chen family think that they are more domineering in Yinzhou than the royal family of our Longyan Dynasty?"
"you……"
The whole audience was shocked.
This is heartbreaking enough.
When Chen Xiang heard this voice, his expression changed slightly, and he started laughing: "I was wondering who it was, it turned out to be the eldest daughter of the Zheng family, it's me, Meng Lang! The eldest daughter hasn't been seen for a while, how come, is Miss Zheng also a fan of Miss Manqing?"
A group of people tried to hold back their laughter.
Of course, they didn't dare laugh.
The eldest lady of the Zheng family!
The Zheng family, also one of the four great families, was not inferior to the Chen family in strength, and the backer behind the Zheng family was the current Queen Zheng of the Longyan Dynasty! It was said that the eldest daughter was very beautiful, but she was still unmarried at the age of 20. There were rumors that she did not like men and preferred women. This rumor was shocking in this era, but because of the overwhelming power of the Zheng family, no one dared to say more.
Chen Xiang's words were considered a provocation to Miss Zheng, but the others didn't dare to say a word.
Liu Zheng found it quite interesting.
I didn't expect that when I came to the restaurant on a whim, I would encounter so many interesting people and things.
"When the golden wind and jade dew meet, it is better than countless things in the world."
Miss Zheng giggled and her noble voice rang out.
"Do you think that the person who can come up with such a famous line is a playboy like you?"
Chen Xiang's face darkened.
Liu Zheng laughed when he heard this. Is there anyone who knows the value of this?
Right at this moment.
"Miss Manqing is here!"
The whole audience was excited and looked over.
The atmosphere of the entire restaurant seemed different. A woman in a light red dress and a veil walked out from the back room, accompanied by the sound of stringed instruments in the restaurant. The light music made the woman sway gracefully. Although she was wearing a veil, at first glance, you could tell that she was absolutely a beauty, with a face that could make fish sink to the bottom of the water and geese fall to the ground.
She still holds the pipa, half covering her face, turning the axis and plucking the strings a few times.
The more mysterious it is, the more attractive it is.
In an instant, the noise in the entire restaurant came to an abrupt halt.
All eyes were drawn to her.
The lewd atmosphere just now suddenly became much fresher.
beautiful!
Liu Zheng, who had seen all kinds of stars and internet celebrities in the past, couldn't help but be amazed. Who would have thought that in such a barren land, there could be such a beauty?
What's more, Chen Xiang looked like a pig at this moment, and his saliva was about to flow out.
“Okay, okay!”
Chen Xiang didn't care about bickering with Miss Zheng anymore and shouted, "Reward, give me a reward!"
For a moment, he couldn't find any reason to reward money, so he just wanted to show off his prowess.
"Thank you, sir."
Miss Manqing bowed slightly and spoke in a clear and cold voice. She was sitting on the balcony on the second floor, where a guqin had been prepared.
Everyone's soul color was bestowed, and for a moment they forgot the focus of the previous argument.
Boom boom boom…
This Miss Manqing is really good at playing all kinds of musical instruments and singing... She started with a song of reminiscing about old friends, which had an atmosphere of deep resentment in the boudoir, and was very suitable for her temperament.
Lonely, cold and arrogant.
The piano skills are superb and the sound lingers in the ears.
People listened with fascination.
"Okay, reward, give me a reward!"
After the song, Chen Xiang was even more excited. He finally found a reason to reward and spent a lot of money.
Not only that, he couldn't bear it anymore, and called the madam over and shouted, "How much silver? Tell me, I want to redeem Miss Manqing!"
The boss looked bitter when he heard this: "Mr. Chen, Miss Manqing did not sell herself to our restaurant. I can't make the decision on this matter."
"fart!"
Chen Xiang was furious: "Is it possible that I can't buy the person I want? Is five hundred taels enough?"
He took out a silver note and threw it in the madam's face in a domineering manner.
The madam still looked embarrassed.
"Okay, how about one thousand taels?"
Chen Xiang gritted his teeth. This one thousand taels was not a small sum. For people of this era, it was financial freedom for them to achieve it directly. Not only that, it was financial freedom for the whole family!
“This, this, this…”
The madam was very excited and glanced at Miss Manqing over there.
"Why, it's not enough?"
Chen Xiang was a little unhappy, with a fierce light flashing in his eyes: "Old brothel owner, do you know who I am?"
"Why, Master Chen, are you trying to force me?"
Just as he finished speaking, Miss Zheng from the second-floor box spoke again.
"Master Chen, you have to think carefully. Miss Manqing is not an ordinary prostitute. She was originally a free person, but her family was convicted of a crime, so she came to such a poor place as Yinzhou."
"It's not that easy to win Miss Manqing's favor. Otherwise, would it be your turn?"
Miss Zheng sneered repeatedly.
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
Isn't she just a prostitute? Why does she have to do so many things?
"Oh? Then what?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiang laughed arrogantly and said, "If that's the case, then it's easy! Miss Manqing, tell me how much silver is enough! Don't worry, my Chen family has plenty of silver!"
Miss Zheng said nothing more and snorted with disdain.
really.
Miss Manqing once again performed a benediction to express her gratitude, and said with a cold smile: "Mr. Chen, although Manqing is a criminal, the court has ordered that my father's crime does not affect my family, so Manqing is not a slave. I came here just to make some money to fill my stomach, and I have no other thoughts."
The others nodded when they heard this.
There were many such things in the Longyan Dynasty.
According to the laws of the Longyan Dynasty, if the person was not guilty of a heinous crime, his entire family would not be punished. The main culprit would be exiled, and the rest of the family members would be free.
When you hear that Miss Manqing is so aloof, you know that she is definitely not from an ordinary family. Miss Zheng must know her identity, so even Miss Zheng, who is fond of women, probably wouldn't dare to force her.
"Pack!"
When Chen Xiang heard this, he suddenly felt a little sad.
This restaurant had been promoting Man Qing in various ways before, who would have thought that today, no one would get involved?
This is unbearable!
"Hahaha, so this is all Master Chen is capable of?"
At this moment, Liu Zheng finally couldn't help it and sneered.
This Chen Xiang, in public, said that he was a playboy. If it was before, it would be fine, but now Liu Zheng, the county mansion is about to be rebuilt, and those rural villagers are at his disposal. How could they take such a young man seriously? The revenge must be taken on the spot, not even a night later!
This sudden laughter immediately attracted a lot of people's attention.
"Who are you?"
"presumptuous!"
"How dare you insult my son?"
The servants picked up their things and came over.
Liu Zheng held the wine glass in one hand, not panicking, and laughed, "What? You want to touch me? Are you worthy of beating up the son of a county marquis?"
"who?"
"Son of the county marquis?"
Chen Xiang was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, his eyes full of mockery: "Are you the kid from the Liu family?"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"So he's hiding here!"
In the past few days, the county marquis and his son have been the subject of discussion throughout Yinzhou. Suddenly, Liu Zheng was here, and all kinds of curious looks were cast over him.
Looking, curious, mocking, each person has a different expression.
Chen Xiang tried to hold back his laughter and said, "Mr. Liu, why are you here in Wanhua Tower when you're not building a house at home?"
People also laughed continuously.
As expected, he is worthy of being the number one . He has only been in Yinzhou for a few days, but he can't help but go to this place of fireworks to look for girls?
In the wing room on the second floor.
Miss Zheng couldn't help but open the window and look down.
Liu Zheng remained calm in the face of Chen Xiang's ridicule and continued to smile: "Mr. Chen is indeed a rich man. I noticed that since you came into this restaurant, you have been talking about money all the time. How come the Chen family has a lot of money?"
He smiled coldly.
He took out a pile of banknotes from his pocket and slammed them on the table.
"Boss, come out. I, Liu Zheng, have bought this Wanhua Tower!"
The whole place suddenly fell silent.
