It only took Ma Xiaoyao three days for his name to spread throughout the entire capital of Daliang. Of course, the fake name Ma San was spread.
People with good intentions even gave him a nickname, "The Gambling King".
The popularity was so high that it overshadowed everyone. Some businessmen came to visit with gifts, but they were all rejected by Ma Xiaoyao. The reason was: they were very busy recently and had no time to meet guests. The rejected businessmen were very angry, so they
Deliberately spreading rumors that Ma Xiaoyao is arrogant and unreasonable.
Ma Xiaoyao didn't care about the rumors outside. He was originally a maverick who only did what he liked and didn't care what others thought.
Go your own way and let others tell you.
at dusk.
Xing Yajun bought a table of sumptuous food and wine to entertain Ma Xiaoyao. In the past few days, he treated Ma Xiaoyao as an ancestor. He ate and drank delicious food every day. He also provided Ma Xiaoyao with many servants. No matter what Ma Xiaoyao's request, Xing Yajun
The runner-up will try his best to be satisfied. To put it bluntly, Xing Yajun has never treated his biological father like this.
"Mr. Ma, do today's food and drinks suit your taste?" Xing Yajun asked politely.
"Well, it's okay." Ma Xiaoyao nodded.
"Mr. Ma, tomorrow is the day when the Stone Betting Competition will be held. Are you more prepared?"
"What's ready?"
"There will be many masters tomorrow..."
"What? Are you worried about me?"
"No, no, no, I just want to make things more secure. I have put a lot of thought into participating in this stone betting competition."
"Just keep your heart in your stomach, I will definitely make you a lot of money tomorrow. By the way, I forgot to ask you, how long will the Stone Betting Competition be held?"
"As long as there are no big surprises, it will be over in a month."
"A month? That's enough time. We will definitely make a lot of money this time."
After receiving Ma Xiaoyao's assurance, Xing Yajun felt a little calmer. This stone gambling competition is really important to him. If he wins the bet, he will become a rich man. If he loses the bet, he will only be a kid for the rest of his life.
It's a merchant.
"Okay, stop thinking about it, nothing will go wrong." Ma Xiaoyao picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp: "The wine today is really strong. It makes my stomach feel hot and comfortable after drinking it."
…
With everyone's expectations, the once-a-decade stone betting competition was finally held as scheduled.
A year ago, Daliang officials expropriated thousands of acres of land in the suburbs and built an imposing manor. The once-a-decade stone gambling competition was held in this manor. The manor was divided into three parts, the front court and the middle court.
The stones in the front court are relatively cheaper and are mainly used to entertain ordinary people. The stones in the midfield are more expensive and are used to entertain rich people. The stones in the back court are very expensive and very, very expensive.
Gui, mainly used to entertain dignitaries who have invitations.
A stone betting contest clearly differentiates the levels of human beings.
Ordinary people with no money and status can only have fun in the frontcourt. People with money but low status can only have fun in the midfield. Only those rich and powerful dignitaries can compete unimpeded in the stone betting competition.
, have fun casually.
Under the leadership of Xing Yajun, Ma Xiaoyao came to the site of the stone gambling competition.
"The scene is very sensational." Ma Xiaoyao secretly sighed. He was standing at the gate of the manor. From his point of view, the manor was full of people. Almost all of them were crowded. There were many people who wanted to make a fortune.
"Many people want to change their destiny through this stone betting contest." Xing Yajun said casually.
"Oh?" Ma Xiaoyao raised his eyebrows slightly: "How many people succeeded in changing their destiny in the end?"
Xing Yajun shook his head: "Not many, not much at all. Only a few very lucky people can change their destiny. Most people will fail in the end and go bankrupt."
"The stone gambling business is really not easy to get into." Ma Xiaoyao lamented: "It's understandable that ordinary people want to change their destiny by taking shortcuts, but the risks are too great. If you are not careful, you may fall into
It’s a place of no return. So, it’s safer to work hard on the ground, even if it takes a little more time, it’s still worth it.”
"Everyone understands the truth, but how many people can resist it when faced with temptation?" Xing Yajun said with a wry smile: "I am a living example. I was born in an ordinary family and have lived a poor life since I was a child.
, I have made a vow since I was sensible that I must change my destiny. I don’t want to be poor forever. Later, by chance, I got involved in gambling on stones.
I almost lost my life several times, but fortunately I gritted my teeth and held on... Now it seems that I am relatively successful, but how many people know the hardships I endured behind the scenes?" At this point, Xing Yajun sighed.
Tone: "Looking back now, I'm still a little scared. It's really not easy for me to get to where I am today. In other words, luck accounts for the majority. If it weren't for luck, I would have turned into a pile of bones.
"
Ma Xiaoyao curled his lips slightly: "If you want to succeed, you must pay a certain price, especially for ordinary people who have a bad background. It is really difficult to change their destiny. It is as difficult as climbing to the sky. What you just said
When it comes to luck... In my opinion, luck is indeed very important. Some people are born to be successful. No matter what they do, everything will go smoothly. They are called the darlings of God's favor, and all the good luck in the world comes to them.
On the body."
"Let's go in." After talking with Ma Xiaoyao, Xing Yajun recalled bad memories. He shook his head to dispel those bad memories, and then led Ma Xiaoyao into the manor.
.
There are not only many people in the manor, but also many stones. The manor is filled with all kinds of stones. These stones are all excavated from special places. The probability of finding treasures inside is very high.
I want to say a few more words here. The stones used for gambling are not ordinary stones, but special stones. These special stones come from special areas. As for why there are all kinds of treasures contained in the stones.
...This is hard to explain... Some people say that it is formed by nature, while others say that it is formed after nurture. These two theories have existed for many years and have been debated for many years. Unfortunately, no conclusion has been reached.
After a while, Ma Xiaoyao and Xing Yajun entered the midfield. Compared with the frontcourt, the midfielder had fewer people and fewer stones.
"This is the midfield, does it look okay?" Xing Yajun said with a smile.
"Just now I saw you handed two tokens to the soldier guarding the gate?" Ma Xiaoyao turned around and asked.
"You have really sharp eyes." Xing Yajun said with a smile: "Those two tokens were bought with money. One token costs ten thousand taels of silver. As long as you hold the token, you can enter the midfield to gamble on stones."
"So that's it." A hint of realization appeared on Ma Xiaoyao's face: "As long as he can spend ten thousand taels of silver to buy the token, it means that this person is rich enough to be qualified to enter the midfield stone betting. The organizer of the competition is really
Smart enough."
"They must be smart, they are not ordinary people." Xing Yajun said.
"I really want to see the backcourt."
"Don't think about it, we just can't get into the backcourt with our status."
"This is all your fault."
"How can you blame me?"
"If you can get the invitation, can't we go in?"
"My little ancestor, why can't you figure it out? Do you know who are the people entering the backcourt?" Before Ma Xiaoyao could answer, Xing Yajun continued: "They are all princes, princes, and princesses,
The elders of the sect, the direct members of the big family... Compared with them, we are just inferior little grasshoppers. Okay, let's not say these disappointing words, you should hurry up and choose the stones. Just tell me which one you like.
I'll pay the bill."
Today, Xing Yajun is like a money bag. As long as it is a stone that Ma Xiaoyao likes, he will buy it without hesitation, no matter how expensive it is.
"Shopkeeper Xing!" A man came from a distance, it was Xing Yajun's old enemy Ding Dequan.
"Shopkeeper Ding, you came earlier than me?" Xing Yajun said with a smile.
"I've just arrived...Mr. Ma, can you please stay for a moment? I want to tell you something." Ding Dequan strode up to Ma Xiaoyao and lowered his posture to the lowest level.
"What's the matter?" As the saying goes, don't hit someone with a smiling face. Ding Dequan spoke politely and respectfully, but Ma Xiaoyao really couldn't refuse.
"Shopkeeper Ding, what do you want to do!" Xing Yajun frowned.
Ding Dequan ignored Xing Yajun, and just focused all his energy on Ma Xiaoyao: "Mr. Ma, I want to cooperate with you. You help me choose the stones, and the final profit will be split half way. How about that?"
"Ding Dequan, you dare to poach me, you are so shameless." Xing Yajun became anxious upon hearing this, pointed at Ding Dequan and started to curse.
Ding Dequan snorted: "I'm talking to Mr. Ma, please don't interrupt."
"You..." Xing Yajun's entire face changed color with anger. He was just about to get violent when he was stopped by Ma Xiaoyao.
After Ma Xiaoyao stopped the angry Xing Yajun, he turned to look at Ding Dequan, who was full of expectations: "I'm sorry, I have chosen Shopkeeper Xing, so I can no longer cooperate with you. Please forgive me."
"Mr. Ma, please think about it again, I am really sincere..." Ding Dequan said urgently.
"Be honest! No matter how much money you give me, I can't lose my integrity! I really can't cooperate with you this time, please forgive me." After saying these words, Ma Xiaoyao left.
"Mr. Ma, Mr. Ma!" Ding Dequan was stopped by Xing Yajun just as he was about to catch up.
Xing Yajun looked at Ding Dequan with disdain: "Ding Dequan, can you please show some respect? Mr. Ma has already said that if he doesn't cooperate with you, stop pestering him! It's useless to pester him any longer!"
"Hmph! Don't be complacent. Sooner or later you will regret it." After saying these harsh words, Ding Dequan left angrily.
