Chapter 350: It is a sin not to have sex with a prostitute
Thirty taxes per year has long been in the old calendar. Even excluding market taxes and shop taxes, the customs and commercial tax alone has been fifteen taxes per year since the 17th year of Wanli. Moreover, tax collectors often overestimate the market value of goods, resulting in banknotes.
The tariff reaches ten to one tax. Of course, if you are willing to bribe the tax collectors, then the value of the goods will be underestimated and reduced to twenty to one tax. This is very arbitrary, and ** is born from this——
Zhang Yuan is in Beijing now to take the exam, and he has neither the time nor the ability to get rid of the serious shortcomings of the banknote taxation. What he wants to do is to try his best to understand the current situation of the banknotes and merchants in the Ming Dynasty, conduct research and study for possible future reforms, and read thousands of books.
, Traveling thousands of miles, now is the time to travel, so I have no intention of holding on to these two tax collectors. It is useless to treat the symptoms rather than the root cause——
The black-faced and yellow-faced tax collectors couldn't afford to offend this group of people. They didn't dare to collect taxes from the Gaoyou merchants, but Zhang Yuan asked them to collect them again, so they had to pay 120 jars of balsamic vinegar for 4.8 cents each.
The tax collector collected it in points, and the tax amount was one for every fifteen cents. The yellow-faced tax collector was very good at mental arithmetic, and he quickly figured it out, and collected the tax money from the Gaoyou businessman at 30, 20, and 60 cents. (--Net.)
After the boat passed Chaoguan, the sun had already set over the mountains in the distance. More and more ships were moored on both sides of the bank. The boat ladies were lighting fires to cook. The smoke from the cooking pots was blown away by the wind and floated to the river. The cold water turned blue and dusk began to rise.
This winter dusk, the canal is shrouded in a layer of dreamlike green smoke, which is not choking and has a slight smoky smell.
Fan Wenruo and his three boats, who had passed the Chao Pass early, were anchored on the left bank one mile away from the Chao Pass. Seeing that the two boats behind them had taken so long to catch up, Fan Wenruo stood at the stern and asked loudly what happened.
Ruan Dacheng's ship slowly approached and docked. Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "I learned about the banknote tariff system - are we going to stay in Yangzhou for the night?"
The Gaoyou merchant's boat also docked, and it was side by side with Ruan Dacheng's boat, with a distance of four or five feet. The Gaoyou merchant jumped over regardless of his own safety, kowtowed to Zhang Yuan and other civil servants, and said that if they hadn't met him today,
A few benefactors, then his business trip was in vain, and he might even have the tax collector send him to the Yamen, which would be even worse -
Ruan Dacheng smiled and said: "I will give you a basket of salted duck eggs, so I will help you no matter what."
The Gaoyou merchant laughed along and asked, "Do you want balsamic vinegar, gentlemen? It's the best Zhenjiang balsamic vinegar."
Ruan Dacheng said: "I'm not used to jealousy. What about you, Brother Jiezi?"
Mu Zhenzhen seemed to like something sour, so Zhang Yuan asked for a jar. The Gaoyou merchant ordered his clerk to bring a jar of balsamic vinegar. This jar weighed about twenty-five kilograms. Zhang Yuan thought to himself: "Such a big jar."
How long are you going to eat?" Wu Ling was asked to pay five taels of silver. The Gaoyou merchant was not willing to accept it. Zhang Yuan said: "We met by chance, so I will help you this time. I have no intention of asking you to repay. You are not a big merchant. Five taels of silver.
It's quite a lot, take it, take it so you can talk, I have something to ask you."
The Gaoyou merchant was very grateful and asked Wuling for five cents of silver. This jar of vinegar was regarded as entrusted to the master of Juren.
Ruan Dacheng looked at Zhang Yuan and the Gaoyou businessman standing on the bow of the boat talking, and said to Jiao Runsheng beside him: "Zhang Shenzhen really has something to say to everyone. I'm not ashamed to ask, it's Zhang Shenzhen." His tone seemed to be teasing.
Jiao Runsheng said: "My father once said that there is only one person in his life who is as studious and enlightened as Jie Zi. I think Jie Zi must know more about the merchants and the market. Since everyone can be a sage, then everyone has their own knowledge, and there is no place for learning.
Not here." He also told Ruan Dacheng about what Zhang Yuan said to his father Jiao Hong when he first met his father Jiao Hong in Nanyuan, Hangzhou the year before last, "A boy holding tea is the Tao"——
"The famous capital of Huaizuo, the best place in Zhuxi, the first journey of Xie'an Shaoqi——"
Zhang Dai said loudly: "Everyone passing through Yangzhou, are you going to leave without caring about the twenty-four bridges?" Zhang Dai is really interested in traveling. He sang at Jinshan Temple last night, and today he wants to visit Yangzhou at night. (--Net.)
Zhou Monong smiled and said: "The eldest son is right, if you don't leave the name of brothel, you will be ashamed of your ancestors."
Ruan Dacheng has been to Yangzhou many times and said: "This is about five or six miles away from Daming Temple and Pingshan Hall. How about we go there for a visit? Pingshan Hall was rebuilt in recent years?"
The Gaoyou merchant answered some of Zhang Yuan's questions, then bowed and thanked him repeatedly, returned to the three-oared boat, and rushed back to Baoying County overnight.
When Zhang Yuan saw everyone discussing a night trip to Yangzhou, he came over and asked, "Brother Ji, is Slender West Lake far from here?"
"Slender West Lake?" Ruan Dacheng was stunned, "Where is the Slender West Lake?"
Zhang Yuandao: "It's right next to Daming Temple." He thought to himself: "Didn't Slender West Lake have its name yet?"
Sure enough, Ruan Dacheng said with a smile: "That is Baoyang Lake, which is the remnant of the old Song Dynasty moat. However, it is better that Jiezi called Baoyang Lake the Slender West Lake. Baoyang Lake is actually a corner of the West Lake."
Wen Zhenmeng, Huang Zunsu and others did not like to travel, and some of them were weak and afraid of the cold and did not want to go, so they stayed on the boat. Wen Zhenmeng had a long talk with Jinnige, and then translated "Aesop's Fables". Zhang Yuan
, Zhang Dai, Ruan Dacheng, Zhou Monong and others, together with more than 20 servants, hired a sedan bearer from the pier. When they arrived at the Daming Temple in a sedan chair, they encountered a wealthy man in the city passing over his deceased relatives and setting off a funeral pyre in the temple. Everyone was a little disappointed and went to Pingshan again.
The door of the hall is closed and cannot be opened for a long time. The dead vines and leaves on the stone shed in front of the door are very desolate——
Zhou Monong still took his flute with him and sighed: "Where can a beautiful lady be taught how to play the flute?"
Ruan Dacheng smiled and said: "This Slender West Lake is still not as prosperous as the West Lake in Hangzhou, not to mention the cold weather now. Only I will come if I am in high spirits."
Zhou Monong rubbed his hands and shivered and said, "It's really cold and not suitable for night walks. Brother Ji, you'd better take me to experience the beauty of the Twenty-Four Bridges."
Ruan Dacheng is also an amorous person and said: "Of the twenty-four bridges in Guangling, only Gangou still has its meaning, but the famous prostitutes there are not easily seen. The famous prostitutes are invisible. If you can't see them without a guide, you have to make a reservation first."
, there are hundreds of crooked prostitutes. People in Yangzhou are not kind and ask people to be crooked prostitutes. In fact, there are more beautiful women among crooked prostitutes, and famous prostitutes are often not known for their beauty. It all depends on your preferences and eyesight.
.”
Qi Biaojia refused: "I won't go."
Ruan Dacheng smiled and said: "We can have a cup of hot wine at the alleyway wine shop and take a look around. If you really like the one you like, it doesn't hurt to stay for a night."
Zhang Yuan has no moral obsessiveness. He himself will not hire prostitutes for pleasure, but he does not dislike others doing so. What's the harm in going to have a glass of wine and watch the red-sleeved tricks in the house?
…
Cangou Nine Alleys is the fireworks spot in Yangzhou. It stretches for about half a mile. There are nine winding alleys with dense rooms and twists and turns. Entering it is like entering a mysterious building of Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty, and you can't find the way out.
, Zhang Yuan, Ruan Dacheng and his party arrived at the entrance of Cangou Lane at the end of the day, and it was completely dark. They saw hundreds of gauze lanterns hanging in the teahouses and restaurants on the south bank of Cangou, shining brightly, and hundreds of prostitutes bathing in their cream.
They are incense-smeared, smeared with makeup and powder, and wait for their patrons in small groups under the eaves of teahouses and restaurants. Ruan Dacheng said this is called Zhanguan——
Zhang Yuan, his eldest brother Zhang Dai, Wang Binglin, and Qi Biao went to a teahouse nearby, sat down on the street seats on the second floor, and ordered a pot of Yangzhou famous tea Kuilongzhu, as well as thousand-layer oil cake and double sesame shortbread.
Yangzhou snacks such as shredded chicken rolls and pot stickers with bamboo shoots were served while sipping tea and eating snacks to satisfy the hunger. I looked out the window at the market. I saw Ruan Dacheng and Zhou Menong inspecting the hundreds of crooked prostitutes. They looked at them one by one, and the beauty contest——
Zhang Dai smiled and said: "In front of the lamp and under the moon, people are not serious. These prostitutes apply their powder so thickly that it is difficult to distinguish whether they have scars or numbness. Zhou Menong is short-sighted and is dazzled by picking and choosing. Just watch, he will choose the ugliest one."
I thought it was stunning."
Qi Biaojia felt very fresh, so she stood by the window and stretched her neck to see——
Wang Binglin smiled and said: "My dear brother, you might as well go down and take a closer look."
Qi Biaojia blushed, sat back in her seat, and ate chicken shredded rolls. All she could hear were the sounds of orioles and swallows outside the window.
Zhang Dai smiled and said: "Zen Master Huzi, if you don't mind, I won't count you as breaking the precepts."
Zhang Yuan and Wang Binglin both laughed.
Yangzhou Chaoguan is full of merchants. Merchants are the main consumers of the fireworks brothel in Gangou Lane. There are also tourists passing by. They all like to come here to have fun and soothe the loneliness. The prostitutes are hidden between the curtains under the lamps, and the guests come up to look at each other.
When she saw the one she liked, she stretched out her hand and pulled her. The crooked prostitute, who had been posing to attract the customers a moment ago, suddenly became reserved and refused to go with the customers. She pointed towards the entrance of the alley, indicating that the customers should go ahead. She followed slowly, at the entrance of the alley.
A turtle slave was on the lookout. When he saw the prostitute coming with the guests, he called out to the alley door: "Sister Furong has a guest." There was a loud response from the alley, and the lanterns were lit and they quickly came out to capture Sister Furong and her benefactor.
Welcoming them in, setting out wine, needless to say acacia——
Zhang Yuan and others had an interesting time watching in the teahouse. There was a "dong dong dong" sound on the stairs. Zhou Menong came up with a prostitute and said with a smile: "Zongzi, Jiezi, can you help me see if this girl can still watch?"
The prostitute who followed Zhou Menong was very thickly powdered, her face covered all her ugliness, her eyebrows were painted, her lips were painted, she was a bit gaudy, but her figure was slim and slender. Although Zhang Yuan was short-sighted, he dared to conclude that this woman was not old enough.
She is young, she should be an older prostitute in her thirties, and her appearance is average among the group of crooked prostitutes downstairs. Zhou Monong is definitely spoiling it——
The prostitute prayed to Zhang Yuan and the others, her eyes showing pleading. She was afraid that Zhang Yuan and the others would make fun of Zhou Monong and cause her to be abandoned. Wang Binglin had already curled his lips and wanted to say a few words, but when he saw the look in the prostitute's eyes, he
Shut up and just laugh——
Zhou Monong said: "Brother Wang, what are you laughing at?"
Wang Binglin said: "I'm not laughing at anything."
Zhang Yuan saw that the prostitute was very nervous. It must be because she was older and her business was not very good on weekdays. After finally catching a short-sighted scholar, she was worried that someone would interrupt her and ruin the good business. She twisted her waist slightly and kept her posture.
posture, looking at them pitifully——
Zhang Yuandao: "Brother Zhou has good eyesight. As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Brother Zhou only needs to see what he likes."
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, that’s a wonderful saying.”
Zhou Monong was happy. He turned to look at the woman he had selected from hundreds of crooked prostitutes and said proudly: "Ruan Jizhi also said that she is old and ugly, so I came to ask for your opinion. Very good, she is the one - you
What's your name?" asked the prostitute.
The prostitute murmured: "My name is like a flower."
Zhou Menong said happily: "Like a flower, like a jade, what a good name." He bowed his hands to Zhang Yuan and others, and took the prostitute downstairs.
Zhang Dai said with a smile: "I wanted to give Lao Zhou a warning, but when I saw the look in this woman's eyes, I couldn't bear it."
Wang Binglin said: "Meson is right, Zhou Menong can just do what he likes."
When I looked out the window again, Ruan Dacheng and Weng Yuansheng had disappeared. They must have chosen the prostitutes they liked and followed them into the alley. Zhang Yuan and the others drank tea for a while. It was already the second drum time, and the station closed.
Of the hundreds of crooked prostitutes, only two or thirty are left. It can be seen that most of the crooked prostitutes have clients——
By this time, the number of guests passing by was already scarce, and the candles in the gauze lanterns under the eaves of the teahouses and restaurants were about to burn out. There would be no more guests tonight. Some teahouses had no guests. It was dark and deserted, and a few crooked prostitutes were sitting in the teahouses.
The guests were still waiting for them, and they were all acquaintances. Dr. Cha couldn't chase them away, so he could only keep yawning with his hands on his hands. The prostitutes pooled a few coins to buy a small candle from Dr. Cha and lit it.
, to wait for the late guests, he sang "Breaking the Jade" and other slang lyrics in a sweet voice, laughing and pretending to be lively, so as to appear that it was still early, but he couldn't laugh anymore, and his voice gradually became duller.
Miserably, Dr. Tea finally spoke: "Sisters, please go back, no one will come tonight."
Zhang Yuan and others from the teahouse opposite walked down and were about to go back to the boat. Here, six or seven prostitutes stood on the street and looked at them. This should be their last hope tonight, but Zhang Yuan and others obviously had no intention of going back to the boat.
Donating, just look at them, turn around and go south——
It was late at night, and the prostitutes walked into the alley as if they were feeling guilty for not bringing back any customers. They groped quietly in the dark, not daring to make any noise when they entered the house. When they saw the madam, she would be hungry or beaten without knowing it.
…
The cold moon was desolate and the night wind was chilly. Zhang Dai, who left Cangou Jiuxiang and walked towards the canal, suddenly sighed: "Today I don't know that it is a sin to have sex with a prostitute."
Wang Binglin smiled and said, "It's not too late to atone for your sins now."
Zhang Dai smiled and said: "There are too many people, and I can't redeem them."
Zhang Yuandao said: "Scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, three religions and nine schools, each have their own way of living. It would be good to have such a peaceful life."
Walking through the Linhe Market, Zhang Yuan saw a leather boots shop with lights on. Remembering something, he went in and bought a pair of medium-sized leather boots. Wu Ling looked at them and asked, "Master, did you buy these for Sister Zhenzhen?"
Zhang Yuan said "Hmm". The heels of Mu Zhenzhen's winter felt boots were worn out. Even if the fallen girl had money, she would not buy new ones unless she couldn't wear them anymore.
give up.
Approaching the canal, Qi Biaojia suddenly said: "It's snowing again."
Zhang Yuan immediately felt the fine snow falling on his face. This was the snow from Jiangbei.
…
The next morning, Zhang Yuan woke up. It was already very bright outside the cabin. Mu Zhenzhen was combing her hair. Her clothes were clean and newly put on. This winter coat was given to her by Zhang's mother Lu Shi when she left Shanyin this time.
Mu Zhen was really reluctant to put it on, so he put it on today. Seeing Zhang Yuan wake up, the girl with blue eyes looked back and said with a smile: "Master, it's still early, the snow is reflecting the light."
Zhang Yuan asked: "Did it snow heavily last night?" He sat up and looked at the gap in the awning window, and sure enough he saw a vast expanse of white on the shore——
Mu Zhenzhen hurriedly took a long coat and put it on him, saying, "It's colder today than yesterday. Master, don't freeze."
Mu Zhenzhen held the long coat with both hands and wrapped it around Zhang Yuan. Zhang Yuan held her hand, feeling a little cold, and asked: "Zhenzhen, why are you wearing new clothes today?"
Mu Zhenzhen's eyes averted: "It's getting cold, Master."
Zhang Yuandao: "I remember the sixth day of winter the year before last, and the sixth day of winter last year. I really put on new clothes that I couldn't bear to wear. Why? Is the sixth day of winter a good day?"
"Ah." Mu Zhen really didn't expect the young master to be so attentive and even notice such a trivial matter. His fair cheeks were flushed and he stuttered a little: "My maid just likes to wear new clothes on this day."
Zhang Yuan stretched out his hand to caress Mu Zhenzhen's cheek, changed the subject and said, "Zhenzhen's complexion is so healthy, just like our Sanyin rice-tube melon."
The skin of the rice-tube melon is not pink, but as smooth and firm as white porcelain——
Mu Zhenzhen lowered his head and smiled: "The rice tube melon doesn't taste good when eaten raw. It has to be sliced and fried in oil."
Zhang Yuan said: "I don't believe it, I always eat it raw." As he said this, he held the girl's cheek, kissed her red lips, and bared his white teeth as if to bite——
Mu Zhenzhen shrank down and smiled. Seeing Zhang Yuan pressing on top of her, she quickly whispered: "Master, Xiao Wu and Laifu are over there."
Zhang Yuan's cabin is larger. Mu Zhenzhen and Zhang Yuan sleep inside the cabin, while Wu Ling and Laifu sleep outside, separated by a screen——
Zhang Yuan felt the elasticity of the girl's body and said in her ear: "Zhenzhen, today is your birthday."
Mu Zhenzhen became silent, softened, hugged Zhang Yuan with both hands, and called out: "Master." He sobbed. In this world, except for her father Mu Jingyan, only Zhang Yuan remembered her birthday, and she
She never mentioned her birthday to Zhang Yuan——
Zhang Yuan sat upright, put on his robe, and said with a smile: "I guess things like a god, you really can't hide them from me."
Mu Zhenzhen helped him tie his belt and responded happily: "Yes, the young master is a good calculator, even better than the people from Qingmoshan on Cross Street."
Zhang Yuandao said: "The man from Qingmo Mountain is not a fortune teller. He is just trying to make money by making fortunes. He doesn't seem to have opened a fortune-telling shop on the cross street anymore. Maybe the business is not good and he has gone back to the mountains to farm."
He took out the pair of cowhide boots from the side of the mattress: "I bought these at the Linhe store last night. You can try them on and change them if they don't fit. This is my birthday gift to you. I originally planned to meet you today."
You went to buy it together."
Mu Zhenzhen's heart was jumping with joy, but he said: "But Master, I am a degraded citizen and cannot wear leather boots."
Zhang Yuandao: "There are not so many rules, so hurry up and put it on." He thought to himself: "Nowadays, the luxurious houses of merchants exceed the regulations of first-class officials, the eunuchs all wear Yishan crowns, and Nurhaci is about to found a country. There is no point in worrying about these levels."
Mu Zhenzhen put it on as instructed, walked back and forth a few steps, lightly stamped her feet, and said happily: "Master, it fits very well, thank you very much, Master." He came over to comb Zhang Yuan's bun and put on his hat, and said at the same time: "My mother gave birth to me.
It was on such a snowy day that my father rushed back. When he saw that my lips were black from the cold, he opened his arms and hugged me close to my body, so that I didn't freeze to death. My mother contracted the cold during confinement.
He passed away within a few years——"
…
At the beginning of the year, Ruan Dacheng and Zhou Menong returned from having sex with prostitutes in Cangou Nine Lanes. Zhou Menong said with satisfaction: "The fun last night was better than that of the princes."
Zhang Dai asked: "What is it?"
Zhou Monong said: "There are hundreds of beauties with picky eyes and minds. They regard me as Pan An. I boss them around and pick them at will. No prince or prince would enjoy this."
The boat is in full bloom.
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