This middle-aged man is a native of Bashu and a wealthy businessman in the shipping business.
Seven days ago, he followed his own fleet, loaded with goods, down the river. He planned to go to Juanzhou, the world's number one port at the mouth of the sea, to buy, and then load a few ships of goods from Nanyang to Jiangdu. This trade route
He has been away for more than ten years and can be said to be very familiar with him.
Yesterday, the fleet docked in Jiangdu, and he went to explore the local market to confirm what to buy in Juanzhou.
In a restaurant, he heard someone say that a new brothel had opened in Jiangdu, named Yichunyuan. The signature of this brothel, Luo Ziqing, was an unparalleled beauty, who played the piano well and wrote good poetry.
This wealthy businessman prided himself on being romantic, but he was actually lustful. As soon as he heard this, he forgot all about exploring the market and visiting merchants, and decided to go "see something" that night.
When he arrived at Yichun Garden, he went straight to the point. As soon as he saw the old bustard, he threw out a gold ingot and was directly led to see this famous prostitute from Jiangnan.
The two had a great time drinking, playing the piano, and reciting poems. In the end, the wealthy businessman just slept in Luo Ziqing's room for one night, and when he woke up, he went to Fengde Building.
Zhou Shi discovered that these ghosts who linger in the world always die "as soon as they wake up", which shows that sleeping is a very dangerous thing.
"No more?"
"No more."
It's really terrible, and he is a master who died in an unknown manner. If he died at home, in the wilderness, let's say he died in a lively place like Yichun Garden, how can I check it?
"Well, people often say that bandits and merchants are in the same business, which is a life-threatening business. I have enjoyed the glory and wealth for so many years and am content. I just want to..."
"Do you really understand?"
"...Yes."
"Any more?"
"Please go to the dock and tell the boss of my ship. Let the shopkeeper exchange the goods for money and leave part of it for my family. The rest will be regarded as their hard-earned money and let them find another job in a trading company." Well, he’s still a pretty good boss. Zhou Shi acknowledged in his heart.
Go to the dock tomorrow? No, I'd better find out how the rich businessman died first. Businessmen are the easiest to offend. If the murderer comes for the rich businessman's fleet, my going will actually bring danger to them. "Master Gui, let me write you a note and ask my shopkeeper to get you twenty taels of silver..."
At this time, Mr. Mo, who was sitting behind the counter, spoke: "Don't bother, the words written by the dead can't be seen by the living."
What a pity... Zhou Shi sighed in his heart, not caring about the wealthy businessman calling him "Ghost Master".
"Then, Mr. Ghost, I leave my affairs to you."
"No problem, I'll check it tomorrow."
The wealthy businessman suddenly smiled, making Zhou Shi very uncomfortable.
"What?"
"It's nothing... From the first glance, you seem to be a serious person. You don't know the rules of the brothel."
Why do these words sound so...
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it, how can you go to a brothel in broad daylight? You have to turn on the lights before going, and it's often all night..."
Zhou Shi quickly shouted to stop, lest he doubt the legitimacy of this trip.
Indeed, I now have two jobs. I am also busy with the business of Fengde Building during the day, so I cannot get away casually. I can only investigate at night.
What's more, how could Luo Ziqing be so nice? Such a famous prostitute cannot be hired only if you have money, and those who don't understand the rules will definitely be turned away.
Thinking of this, Zhou Shi honestly asked the wealthy businessman for advice on the rules of Yichun Garden.
The wealthy businessman seemed to be in a good mood, and kept talking about the secrets here:
"That place is different from a kiln. It's not about playing in the lower thirds, but about elegance. For example, as soon as you enter, Mr. Turtle will come to offer you tea. Different teas represent different hobbies. You have to give him money first.
Then..."
He talked for half an hour, and finally said: "Well, you need money to take care of the madam, and I can't write you a banknote. Look at this..."
Zhou Shi waved his hand and said, "I have my own method."
"Okay, then I'll wait for your good news."
The wealthy businessman stood up, bowed, and disappeared through the door.
Mr. Mo also put away his cigarette pole at this time and said: "Do you really have any idea? That Luo Ziqing is not easy to see. Without the family assets of the fat man just now, they won't even let you in."
"I don't necessarily have to be invited to Luo Ziqing's room, right?"
Mr. Mo paused and understood what Zhou Shi meant. He chuckled and said:
"Okay, then don't be too happy to miss Shu."
You're such a crooked old man! He cursed in his mind and turned around to pack up the things in the store.
The next day, the business in the store was as usual. Zhou Shi took the opportunity to go back to his room to catch up on his sleep and practice.
In the evening, Zhou Shi was busy greeting guests when he suddenly heard a shout from outside the door:
"Shopkeeper Zhou, long time no see. How are you?"
He looked back and saw that the visitor was all dressed in satin, holding Buddhist beads in his right hand and walnuts in his left hand. He looked very wealthy.
"Meng Xingyuan, the shopkeeper of Yueqing Tower, one of the four famous buildings in Jiangdu, has always been at odds with shopkeeper Zhou Da."
Zhou Shi looked through the memories related to Meng Xingyuan and greeted him enthusiastically, saying:
"Who am I supposed to be, Shopkeeper Meng, please come quickly!"
Although he had a smile on his face, he couldn't help but murmur in his heart: This man named Meng is not a good person. Fengdelou has just emerged from the storm, so don't let this small-minded person find any flaws.
Zhou Shi personally helped Meng Xingyuan clean the bench and the Eight Immortals table, and invited him to sit down. Just as he was about to sit down, he suddenly said:
"Shopkeeper Zhou, is there anyone in the private room upstairs?"
"Uh, no."
"Then I'll go there."
Zhou Zhi cursed in his heart: You didn’t tell me earlier! Just now you were holding your arms while I was clearing the table for you!
Everyone came, and he couldn't show his dissatisfaction on his face, so he had to shout:
"Xiaosi, go clean up the private room and ask Shopkeeper Meng to come upstairs."
"Ah no no no, where is your Liu Gui? Can't you let him do it?"
Tsk, this guy surnamed Meng is really here to cause trouble...
"Agui!"
"Here we go! Shopkeeper, you called me?"
Zhou Shi gestured and said, "Please shopkeeper Meng come upstairs."
"Okay! Shopkeeper Meng, please give me a treat!"
Meng Xingyuan followed Agui slowly up the stairs with his hands behind his back.
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He ordered a small stir-fried pork, a spicy chicken, a stewed kidney strips, and a stir-fried pork liver. Zhou Shi really didn’t know how this guy could eat so much.
He waited behind the counter for a long time, but did not see Agui come down. He thought that the big guy was probably pestered by his old employer. Just as he was thinking about it, the waiter came out of the back kitchen with the dishes.
"Xiaosi, give me the food."
"Ah?"
"Give it to me, I'll deliver it to that distinguished guest."
He carried the dish and walked up the steps as silently as possible, listening to the sounds in the private room on the last step.
"Shopkeeper Meng, I'm sorry for you, but Fengde Tower treats me well, I can't..."
"What a ghost! You see how they use you, don't they let you run around and do some servants' work?"
Hearing this, Zhou Shi sang loudly: "Here - here - Shopkeeper Meng, the dishes you want" and pushed the curtain in.
His intrusion obviously interrupted the conversation between the two. Agui stood up straight, while Meng Xingyuan leaned back and said:
"If you don't say that Fengdelou's business is good, don't look at who will come to serve the food in person."
"Haha, I can't always serve the food. When rare guests come, can't I serve them well?"
"It's a bit extravagant to have three clerks in your store, right?"
"No, if we really get busy, three more guys are too few!"
Agui saw the flash of swords between the words of the two shopkeepers, but just stood aside and said nothing.
Seeing this, Zhou Shi pretended to blame him: "What's going on? Is it because you, Agui, didn't take good care of Shopkeeper Meng?"
"Ah, no, no, Agui is just chatting with me." Meng Xingyuan said with a smile, "Shopkeeper Zhou, this Agui is my right-hand man. I work as a waiter here, but I can make the best use of my talents."
Zhou Shi thought to himself: Meng, are you straight? Back then, Agui was a waiter in your Yueqing Building. It was shopkeeper Zhou who saw his ability and invited him to Fengde Building. You are so blind that you don’t allow others to come.
Know people well?
"Haha, Agui is now the backbone of Fengde Building. Without him, I really don't know how to open the business. You eat the food, you eat the food."
Meng Xingyuan picked up the bamboo chopsticks on the table, looked around, and finally put them aside and took out a pair of silver chopsticks from his sleeves.
He plucked several dishes twice, and after eating only two chopsticks, he took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, stood up and said:
"Well, Fengde Building is well-deserved. Shopkeeper Zhou, I will treat you to Yueqing Building for a meal in two days. Please be sure to show your respect."
After that, he handed over his hand and left.
Zhou Shi looked at the table of mostly untouched dishes and the chopsticks that had been thrown aside. He could only suppress the anger in his heart and said to Agui:
"Put away the leftovers and add another dish for everyone tonight."
"Shopkeeper, I..."
"Stop talking, you didn't bring him here."
That night, Zhou Shi came to the entrance of Yichun Garden.