Chapter 1854 There are many stories in the small town
It was early summer in May, and it was already hot in later generations, but at this time the Gyeonggi area was experiencing the coolness of a lukewarm spring breeze. After dinner, Chang Yu and Zheng Zhilong walked out of the inn and walked on the street chatting, enjoying the rare tranquility.
Hejian was destroyed by the war and was seriously injured. After more than half a year of recuperation, it has not yet regained its former prosperity. The city is full of dilapidated scenes and the population is declining. However, it is full of life and full of fireworks everywhere. This may be because of Hejian.
It has something to do with the living habits of the Chinese people. For example, they rarely sit at home to eat during meal time. They like to hold a bowl at the door and chat with neighbors while gobbling down food.
It was in this smoke and smoke that Chang Yu and Zheng Zhilong were walking in the streets and alleys, stopping from time to time to chat with the common people. These local people thought they were businessmen from other places, and they were just chatting and talking, but it didn't matter.
Even when talking about government affairs, he spoke openly, praising the imperial government for exempting taxes, scolding corrupt officials, and so on. Zheng Zhilong was secretly sweating when he heard this, but Chang Yu always looked indifferent and sometimes even agreed.
, and seeing him sometimes squatting at the door of other people's houses and sometimes even sitting on the ground made Zheng Zhilong astonished. Is this the eunuch of Dongchang?
These things and these actions are things that the courtiers in Beijing would not do and would not even bother to do. How could they, who are so high above the others, enjoy themselves with these bastards? Zheng Zhilong was surprised and favored Zheng Zhilong even more because he was also poor himself.
Whoever comes from a good family becomes a pirate.
The two of them were walking around aimlessly in Hejian Mansion City. Unknowingly, the night got darker, the weather was much cooler, and there were fewer people on the street. After all, there was a lack of entertainment in this era, and most ordinary people had dinner.
Just went to sleep.
However, although the sparrow is small and well-equipped, the small Hejian City also has its own nightlife. There are teahouses, restaurants, brothels, and dark brothels. After all, there are poor people and wealthy men in the city. Some people sleep at night and some have fun at night.
Chang Yu had no interest in this kind of fun, but he teased Zheng Zhilong about whether he should follow the local customs and taste local specialties, which made Zheng Zhilong laugh. He was a pirate and was well versed in this kind of fun and often went in and out of this kind of fun.
In this place, after hearing Chang Yu’s teasing remarks, he was already old and weak-minded.
Women are not allowed, but for Zheng Zhilong, drinking is a must. This is a hobby he has developed over the years and he cannot give up. But now the imperial court has ordered a ban on alcohol. The capital is under strict control under the emperor and it is almost impossible to buy alcohol. Of course, with him
This kind of status is indispensable for drinking in the capital, but after leaving the capital...
Although the control outside the capital is not as strict as that in the imperial city, they are very poor. There is not enough food to make ends meet and there is no extra to make wine. Moreover, it is still in the Gyeonggi area. Although the control is not as strict as in the capital, violators will be punished. I think inns and restaurants will
It’s within the scope of regular inspections, and one by one is found. Of course, there are also people who are secretly trading, but once they are reported, it will be a disaster, so they only sell to regular customers, and the quantity is small.
Zheng Zhilong has been having a hard time these past few days. He is as miserable as an ant with heartburn every day. He occasionally makes a few taels but it is not enough. He obviously has money but has nowhere to buy wine. Do you think it is irritating or not.
In fact, it’s not that you really can’t buy alcohol, for example, you can go to a brothel.
The brothel industry is quite special. It has a strong relationship with the yamen or its backers. After all, officials love to patronize this place, so even if alcohol is banned everywhere, they still sell it secretly. Of course, the price is not within the reach of ordinary people.
.
Zheng Zhilong didn't know it at first, but he just chatted with the people in the places he passed. It's just that if Chang Yu wasn't around, he could go in and out at will. But after all, he was surrounded by the powerful eunuchs of the dynasty, not to mention the eunuchs. You are not like that.
Who is he?
Chang Yu didn't know that Zheng Zhilong was addicted to alcohol at first, but after all, he was a person who was good at observing people's emotions. That's why he made the joke just now. Since he was unable to do what he wanted, how about listening to a song?
Listening to music is indeed Chang Yu's favorite entertainment in this time and space. Although he often doesn't understand what is being sung, he likes the tune and listening to the pipa, which always makes his blood swell.
Hejian City is small, and the size of the brothel is far less than that of the capital city. Fortunately, the two of them are not very particular about music and wine. They walked around the city and found a building that looked pretty good and walked over.
The turtle man at the door was very enthusiastic, and there was a girl they knew each other?
Chang Yu shook his head, but before he could say anything, the turtle man hurried over, "Sir, a few fresh chicks have just arrived in the building and they haven't hatched yet... Chang Yu felt nauseous after hearing this. In this year of famine... there is little food to eat.
The starved family was forced to sell their daughter...
Zheng Zhilong didn't feel much after hearing this. He caught a glimpse of Chang Yu's expression. Although he didn't know what Chang Yu was thinking, he knew he didn't like it, so he grabbed the turtle man. Do you have any wine?
The turtle man was startled and then laughed. It turned out that the two men came here. He looked out the door and said in a low voice, "Yes, there are, but the price... is more expensive than ordering a girl."
Take it, Zheng Zhilong throws a piece of broken silver over casually, it's just not short of money!
Turtle Gong happily accepted it, and hurriedly welcomed the two of them to the window on the second floor. It was ventilated, cool, unobtrusive, and had a clear view of the building. Sure enough, you have spent money, and the people who serve you will do it for you.
Think about it.
There is a stage in the middle of the second floor. Several female actors are singing a cappella song. I don’t know if it is Shiba Mo. Chang Yu can’t understand it but thinks it sounds good. There are a few tables next to the stage, but there are not many customers. After all, it is possible to come here these days.
There are not many people consuming food here, and not many people come here just to listen to music. They either drink wine in the lobby on the first floor, or they all go into the room to fight alone or in groups.
Mr. Gui asked if he wanted to order the two girls to serve him. Zheng Zhilong refused decisively because he considered Chang Yu's special status. In fact, Chang Yu wanted to agree, not because of anything else, but because he felt that the girls in this building were pitiful. They had no customers these days.
There was no commission, but I thought about it and decided not to say anything.
In ancient times, brothels not only provided applause services, but also provided accommodation and meals. In particular, the wine, food and cooking skills were not inferior to those in restaurants. However, the two of them had just had dinner. One ordered tea, the other ordered wine, and two plates of food.
Food and drinks.
Chang Yu didn't drink. He was shaking his head while listening to the music with a cup of tea in his hand. He looked at the decoration of the brothel from time to time, looking leisurely and contented. Zheng Zhilong, on the other hand, was completely rough. He didn't even understand what the actress was singing, and he didn't care.
Holding the jug of wine, he drank it one at a time. In the blink of an eye, he drank three jugs of wine before appeasing his craving. He began to drink slowly. Chang Yu was dumbfounded as he watched. What a drinker.
Zheng Zhilong was a little embarrassed, but he was also showing off. There was an ancient saying that a thousand cups would not be poured down. Although I have not tasted a thousand cups, I have not been drunk yet.
Awesome, Chang Yu is on the thumb, and he has a lot of wine bottles in his hands. I have never seen anyone who drinks like Zheng Zhilong. No wonder he feels like he has lost his soul after not seeing wine for a few days. At this time, almost everyone
Chang Yu's attention was all on the wine glass, but he didn't interfere with this. He drank tea, listened to music, and watched other guests and girls having fun and having fun, another round of fireworks in the world.
The music inside the building fills the ears with ecstasy, and the streets outside the building are deserted with almost no pedestrians. Of course, this is just an ordinary person's perspective. Just like when he passes by a brothel and listens to the laughter inside, he just thinks they are ordinary pleasure seekers. Who knows there are people inside?
Among them were two men who were stamping their feet and making the sea and land tremble.
With two such big guys fooling around in a brothel, can the surrounding area really be quiet and deserted?
That is naturally impossible. Do you think those squatting and chatting on the streets within fifty steps of the brothel are all homeless people? There are also those gossiping in the small restaurant opposite...
These are all things that can be captured on the surface, but who knows how many people there are secretly. You can't see those people when nothing is wrong. Once there is any disturbance, those people will appear like ghosts.
Tu Yuan was squatting at the door of the small restaurant opposite, chatting with two of his men. His eyes were fixed on a man squatting not far from the door of the brothel opposite. The man was of medium height and simple-looking. He was Zheng Zhilong's follower.
He is also the only entourage in Beijing this time, and he is almost inseparable from Zheng Zhilong, just like now he always stays downstairs when Zheng Zhilong visits the brothel.
Although Tu Yuan didn't know Zheng Zhilong's identity, his intuition told him that he was not a simple person, so he paid special attention to his follower. The more he looked at him, the more he felt that this person was not simple. Although he looked simple and honest, his eyes were sharp. This was definitely not the case.
An ordinary follower, maybe even a very powerful practitioner, Tu Yuan was mighty in battle but had average martial arts skills. He didn’t have that kind of vision, but he believed in his intuition. He once secretly asked Chang Yu for advice, but Chang Yu just smiled slightly and had a strong physique.
Just a little strength.
Chang Yu is a martial arts expert. He said so, so he should be just an ordinary follower, but Tu Yuan still felt that that person was not simple. He wanted to ask other masters, so there is no reason why Chang Yu's master followers are not hiding in the dark or showing up.
Chance.
So he wanted to give it a try. Although Chang Yu wouldn't let him stir up trouble, he couldn't stand it and he just loved to stir up trouble.