There is a Yuxiu Terrace in the west of the imperial city, which was the place where the Han emperor used to worship heaven after he moved the capital.
Yuxiu Tower is located just outside the west gate of the Imperial City, on the street between Xiuchunmen and Xilixu. Because it is close to Xilixu, it is very lively. And Xiuchunmen is close to the wealthy area of Xudu, and people who pass by here every day
I don’t know how many, but most of them are wealthy people.
Because of this, Yuxiu Tower's business is particularly booming.
Unless you are a high-ranking official, don't even think about entering. The building is divided into three floors. The first floor is white, mostly rich and wealthy businessmen; the second floor is for officials in the court, with a rank ranging from 600 to 1,000 shi. On the third floor, you can directly
Overlooking Xudu, sitting by the window, you can see the majestic Yuxiu Terrace.
Hence the name Yuxiu Tower.
It's just a three-story pavilion, and only non-residents can enter.
Either he is a child of a wealthy family or a relative of the emperor. Otherwise, without a salary of two thousand dan, there is no way he can even think of dining here. That is just a status.
When ordinary people enter Yuxiu Tower, they just dine on the first floor. If they don’t have two or three dollars, they can’t even think of coming out...
As evening approached, Cao Peng and his party came to the gate of Yuxiu Tower.
Several guys came up quickly and took the reins.
"Sir, would you like to have a meal?"
"Nonsense, your Yuxiu Tower is just a place to eat. If you don't have a meal, what are you doing here?" Xu Yi turned over and dismounted, and replied angrily: "Cao Zidan invited us here, saying it was at Wangtian Pavilion... hurry up and get ahead.
Lead the way, don't bother with any more nagging..."
The waiter heard this and apologized profusely with a smile on his face.
It can be seen that the shopkeeper of Yuxiu Tower at least understands the principle of feeling at home.
But then I think about it, the people who come here are either rich or noble, how can a little guy dare to offend them?
The first floor is a hall. There are many people, but it is not noisy. There are small screens placed between each other so that they will not affect each other.
Cao Peng and others walked into the hall, followed a quiet corridor, and climbed the stairs.
"To be able to open such a restaurant here, the background behind this restaurant must be quite big."
Dianman said softly: "This is the place for Han dogs."
"Han dog?"
"Have you forgotten? Last time in the dog fighting hall, Datou fought with a man. He was about to lose to his black dragon, but then you used a knife to fight against him."
"oh!"
Cao Peng suddenly remembered.
A tall and thin figure suddenly appeared in his mind.
Liu Guang!
To be honest, Cao Peng didn't pay much attention to Liu Guang at first because there was no record about this person in history books and novels.
As a clan member of the Han Dynasty, he failed to leave his name in history, which is quite ordinary if you think about it.
If Dianman hadn't mentioned it, Cao Peng would have even forgotten about this person. He couldn't help but look at the Yuxiu Tower, and he said softly: "It's really not easy for this person to be able to keep such a large restaurant in order.
."
"He manages it there, but it's just in his name."
Cao Peng smiled and did not argue with Dianman.
Even if Liu Guang is not the manager of this restaurant, the fact that he can find someone who can manage it shows that he has good taste.
It's just that He Dianman couldn't explain these truths clearly. Moreover, Cao Peng didn't intend to explain it clearly to him, so the group of people walked up to the third floor.
The third floor is a circular pavilion with a total of ten elegant rooms.
Wangtian Pavilion is directly opposite Xiuchun Gate. Standing in the pavilion, you can enjoy the scenery inside Xiuchun Gate.
Zhu Zan and Cao Zun had already arrived. When they saw Cao Peng and others coming in, they immediately came forward and asked, "Why are you here just now?"
"Brother isn't here yet, why are you so anxious?"
"Eldest brother said that he will come over later. Let's have dinner first...here, the food and drinks have been set. Everyone, please take your seats quickly."
As he spoke, Zhu Zan winked at Cao Peng.
Cao Peng knew that Cao Zhen had arrived!
He said that he would invite Cao Hong. So at this time, Cao Zhen and Cao Hong must be in a certain elegant room on the third floor. However, due to the extremely special status of these people, it is difficult to appear in public. You know, here
There are not only Cao Peng and others, but also Dianman and Xu Yi. These two people also represent Cao Ying's forces. Cao Hong will definitely be careful to avoid telling the truth.
Neither Dianman nor Xu Yi knew about Cao Zhen and Cao Peng's affairs.
It's not that I want to hide it from them, but I'm afraid that they will let it slip... It's hard for Cao Zhen and Cao Peng to show up about the gambling house. Only Cao Hong comes forward to avoid making people suspicious. After all, Cao Cao doesn't care about this kind of thing.
Agree, it's too high-profile and the result is not beautiful.
This is what Cao Zhen meant.
Cao Peng naturally also agreed very much.
Make money in a low-key manner, but let others take the lead in high-profile matters!
"Big brother has been mysterious recently. He has been missing all day long... He will be here soon, but we must punish him well to see if he dares to be late again in the future?"
Noriman sat down carelessly, muttering in his mouth.
"Today's gathering is just because the two brothers took the first step.
We brothers will have to work harder in the future. Second brother and third brother, especially you two... You see, fourth brother has become the Northern Lieutenant."
Cao Peng raised his glass to invite wine, and everyone drank it up in one gulp.
The alcohol content in the late Eastern Han Dynasty was not high. The color of the wine was relatively turbid, somewhat similar to the yellow rice wine of later generations. Distilled alcohol had not yet appeared. The so-called spirits were estimated to be only more than ten degrees, but they had great stamina. Cao Peng did not
He was too accustomed to this kind of wine, so he just followed the local customs, so he had no choice but to do so. People in this era are not good at drinking tea... In other words, the habit of drinking tea has not yet become popular.
When meeting guests, this kind of wine is often served instead.
Sometimes I make some soup, but most of it is consumed by my daughter’s family.
After resisting the sour taste in his mouth, Cao Peng put down the wine bowl after drinking a glass.
Dianman asked in confusion: "Yansun, you are so good, why do you suddenly want to go to Luoyang?"
Yansun is Zhu Zan's cousin.
Ordinarily, he is not yet young. But because he is about to become an official, he has a pseudonym.
Zhu Zan smiled and said: "There is not much to do in Xudu all day long. Zidan has now become a general with thousands of soldiers and horses under his command; but as for me, I haven't accomplished anything yet. Uncle Xiahou wanted to do it last year
Let me go, just because I have a lazy temper, so I refuse...After what happened this time, I also need to fight bravely. I can't compare to you. In terms of martial arts, I'm not even as good as Lao Wu and Ah Fu.
In the future, your achievements will definitely surpass mine. If I don’t take the first step, won’t I be surpassed by you in the future?”
"I think so too."
Cao Zun said something from the side.
It sounds like this makes sense.
Zhu Zan and Cao Zun did not want to weaken Xiao Bayi's reputation.
But the real reason...
Only Cao Peng knew what their future was, but they wanted to go over and open a way.
There is Zhu Zan in Luoyang, and Cao Zun in Chang'an. Although Guanzhong is still in chaos, it will be peaceful sooner or later. Qinchuan, which is 800 miles away, is prosperous, and Chang'an is the center of Guanzhong. The earlier Cao Zun passes, the earlier he will gain a firm foothold.
Shengshi Casino can also go west from Luoyang.
Cao Peng raised his glass again and invited Cao Zun and Zhu Zan to drink.
After the three of them had a drink together, the atmosphere at the banquet became lively.
Wang Mai and Deng Fan were a little restrained at first, but everyone here was acquaintances, and they were almost the same age. After three or five drinks, they relaxed and drank happily with Dianman Xu Yi. At this time, Zhu Zan stood up
, nodded towards Cao Peng and walked out.
Cao Peng grabbed the package next to him and followed Zhu Zan out of Wangtian Pavilion.
"Brother is in the first private room at the west end. Just go there."
Cao Peng nodded, walked over with the package, and stopped in front of the door of an elegant room called Fengyu Pavilion.
The Wind and Rain Pavilion is also a scenic spot in Xudu. It is located in the west of Xudu City. It is named after a stone. It is said that this stone can sense the changes in climate, and the stone can be dry and wet. If it rains, the stone will be wet and water will roll on it.
If the weather is sunny, it will be very dry. The local people have great faith in this strange stone... Around the time of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, a pavilion was built on the place of Fengyu Stone, which was called Fengyu Pavilion. In later generations, Fengyu Pavilion was renamed
It is the temple of Zhang Fei, but the wind and rain stone has disappeared due to the war.
Tuk-tuk-tuk!
Cao Peng knocked on the door.
After a while, the door opened and Cao Zhen was revealed.
Cao Peng smiled at him and walked in. Outside Wangtian Pavilion, Zhu Zan saw Cao Peng entering, glanced left and right, and then turned around and returned to Wangtian Pavilion.
In the Wind and Rain Pavilion, besides Cao Zhen, there were also these two people sitting there.
A man dressed in fine clothes, with a thin face and sharp cheeks, sharp edges and corners, full of masculinity. However, his eyes are slightly slender and his nose is high, but the tip of his nose is slightly hooked inward, making the whole person appear masculine.
In the middle, it adds a bit of coldness.
"Uncle, he is Cao Peng."
The man in fine clothes had his eyelids drooped and did not say a word. He just held the drink and savored it carefully.
Cao Zhen didn't care, and immediately pointed to another man in civilian clothes and said: "Ah Fu, this is Mr. Shi A Shi."
Shi A is about thirty-four or five years old, with a tanned complexion, a bit rough, a dark face, thick eyebrows and big eyes. He may be less than 170 centimeters tall when he stands. His arms are very long, and his finger joints are wide, but he is slender.
, giving people a feeling of power.
Unlike the man in fine clothes, Shi A stood up politely, cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Shi A has met Young Master Cao... I don't dare to take him seriously, but the name of Master Cao is so familiar to Shi A. I don't know when I will have to worry about it."
Sir, I would like to introduce you to you, please give me a brief introduction."
He is a swordsman and naturally loves swords as much as his life.
However, as a commoner, even if Shi A is now Cao Pi's disciple, he still can't get on the stage, let alone find a suitable and good sword.
Cao Hong suddenly put down his wine glass and stood up.
"Zidan, what are you kidding about?"
"Uncle, how do you say this?"
"Didn't you say you wanted to teach me how to be rich? Why did you get a little baby? He's just a baby, how can he be such a big deal... I'm leaving!"
Obviously, Cao Hong looked down upon Cao Peng.
Cao Zhen was about to stop him, but Cao Peng held his arm down.
He sat down behind a case and put the package on the case.
"Master Shi, here is a Qiwu Sword, which was made by my father from the Qiu Wu from the Western Regions. This time, my father used a large amount of Qiu Wu from the Western Regions to make the Tiangang Sword. The remaining materials are only enough to make this Qiwu Sword.
Wu Jian, originally I was going to give it to Dr. Cao...
Since Dr. Cao is not interested, forget it... Youdao means that a hero accompanies a sword, and red powder is given to a beautiful lady. Please accept this strange black sword, everyone in history will accept it."
"Qiwu Sword?"
Shi Ahu stood up and stared at the brocade box in front of Cao Peng.
Cao Hong stopped and turned around to look at Cao Peng.
His scorching eyes were like two sharp swords, staring at Cao Peng.
Cao Zhen couldn't help but swallowed his saliva and became nervous...
Cao Peng slowly opened the brocade box, only to see a three-foot green sword placed inside. The sword was five feet long, and the sword body was dark red and black, giving off a chilly feeling.
Qiu?
How can Cao Peng have a strange bird in his hand?
It's just a weapon made by pouring steel using this reputation.
However, it took some effort to make this Qiwu Sword. After Cao Peng and Cao Zhen selected Cao Hong in the prison, they asked someone to bring a letter to Cao Ji and asked him to make a sword. This Qiwu Sword was also made in
It was just made five days ago. The body of the sword is similar to the Tiangang Sword, and there is a strange black sword inscription on the spine. The real brilliance of this sword is the sword and the hilt, which are made of gold and sparkle.
The hilt and hilt weigh about five kilograms and cost nearly twenty gold to refine.
Unlike the gold circulating in the market, this was pure gold. Cao Hong's eyes lit up, and he narrowed his eyes immediately, turned around and sat down again.
"Is this sword really that good?"
Shi A stood up, walked to the case, and picked up the sword.
He weighed it a few times, then swung his sword to cut off the corner of the case, just like cutting tofu with a knife, the fracture was smooth.
His eyes suddenly glowed with joy, and Shi Alian said: "It's really a good sword!"
However, he was a little embarrassed because Cao Hong was back again.
Is it possible that we have to compete with Cao Hong?
"Master Shi, how much would this sword be worth if it were on the market?"
Shi A said: "Before, someone was willing to buy the Tiangang Sword made by Cao's family for two thousand yi. Now the Tiangang Sword is difficult to calculate in terms of money, so I value this Qiwu sword at more than 3,000 yi. Moreover, Cao Cao
The magic weapon everyone created cannot be found on the market at all..."
The sparkle in Cao Hong's eyes became even brighter.
Shi A seemed to suddenly react, turned around and said to Cao Hong: "Zilian, sell this sword to me."
"this……"
Cao Hong looked at Cao Peng and suddenly asked: "Baby, it seems that I have underestimated you."
Cao Peng smiled slightly and took away the brocade box. There was a book threaded with needle and thread underneath.
"Dr. Cao, all my ideas are written in it.
If you are interested, you might as well take it and take a look. I dare not say anything else, but I can guarantee that if you open a prosperous gambling house, you can make a lot of money every day."
"oh?"
Cao Hong raised his eyebrows twice, and the corners of his mouth drew a strange arc.
"Little doll, aren't you afraid that I will throw you away after I take it away?"
At this time, both Shi A and Cao Zhen held their breath and looked at Cao Peng and Cao Hong.
Cao Peng said with a smile: "A gentleman loves money and gets it in a proper way; a villain is greedy for money and gets it without a proper way. It depends on whether Dr. Cao wants to be a gentleman or a villain."
This sentence is a bit strong!
Cao Zhen hurriedly said: "Ah Fu, how can you speak so rudely to your uncle?"
However, Cao Hong was not angry. He pursed his lips and said, "What about a gentleman? What about a villain?"
"People often say that a gentleman is magnanimous and a villain is worried. If Dr. Cao is willing to be a gentleman, the world's wealth will come rolling in; if he is a villain... Haha, there is no one like Boning in the world."
That means: If you are a gentleman, if we cooperate, I will still have many ways to make money.
But if you want to be a villain, leave me alone...I don't care, just find another way. But you will definitely lose a lot of ways.
In the past, Cao Hong loved money and allowed his guests and slaves to do whatever they wanted. He was so pampered that he became speechless.
Do you want to make money openly?
Or are you prepared to be on tenterhooks all day long?
Cao Zhen really didn't expect that Cao Peng's words would be so sharp.
He knew Cao Hong and knew that his uncle was not a broad-minded person. In his heart, he couldn't help but worry about Cao Peng.
Cao Hong stared at Cao Peng for a long time and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Little doll, you are so brave."
"Man perishes for money, and birds perish for food... This kid is also crazy about money, so he dares to take risks."
Cao Hong's laughter stopped suddenly, and the stern look on his face disappeared without a trace. When he smiled, there were two dimples on his cheeks, as bright as chrysanthemums blooming in autumn.
"So, you and I can cooperate."
After saying that, Cao Hong stood up, walked to Cao Peng's case, reached out and picked up the booklet.
"Shi A, I'll give you ten days to prepare three thousand yi gold and send it to my house... Otherwise, return this Qiwu Sword to me."
"ah?"
Cao Peng hurriedly stood up and said, "Congratulations to Mr. Shi."
Cao Hong loves money to the extreme.
My family was originally very wealthy, but they developed the habit of not plucking away any money.
The armor on his body, the weapons in his hands, and the war horse under his crotch... none of them were purchased by him. The armor was a trophy, and the weapons were gifts from others. Even his horse was purchased in the Battle of Luoyang.
Afterwards, he escorted Cao Cao back to Puyang and was rewarded by Cao Cao.
Based on Cao Peng's understanding of him, he was a man who wore money in his ribs and felt distressed for a long time after spending even one.
Never show weakness to such people.
The more you show weakness, the stronger his momentum becomes.
"Zidan, I'm going back first... I have to go back and think about this matter carefully."
After Cao Hong said that, he strode away without looking back.
Cao Zhen looked at his back and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"Afu, look at this..."
"Brother, don't worry. Didn't Doctor Cao already agree?"
"But he clearly said..."
Shi A suddenly interrupted, "Zi Lian is always like this. He can't give you a definite answer. Since he said he thought about it, he agreed. Otherwise, he would definitely not accept Mr. Cao's Qiwu Sword. That's why.
Okay, we can each get something."
Shi Ah is rich!
But a good sword is hard to find.
It is not difficult for Shi A to buy a good sword with three thousand yi.
He has many disciples and disciples, including figures from all three sects and professions. It is really not difficult to raise three thousand yi...
Although Cao Zhen is Cao Hong's nephew, in terms of understanding, he is really not as good as Shi A.
After thinking about it, I couldn't help but laugh.
"I thought it would take a lot of effort, but I didn't expect it to be solved so easily... Ah Fu, it seems that you know my uncle better than me."
It's not that I know Cao Hong, but that I know what these people really think.
Does Cao Hong really just look down on Cao Peng? Not necessarily! To put it bluntly, doesn't he know how old Cao Peng is? If he really doesn't want to do it, then he won't come here. The reason why he started to take advantage of it is actually because he wanted to get it from Cao Peng.
, and knock out some benefits.
After all, Cao Peng, a commoner, held 20% of the shares.
If Cao Hongruo said he had no other thoughts in his heart, that would be really weird...
The three of them talked for a while, and Cao Peng told Shi A what he was thinking.
Shi A had no objection, so he agreed and would summon his disciples and grandchildren to gather in Luoyang after returning. After that, Shi A said goodbye and left.
Cao Peng and Cao Zhen sat in the Wind and Rain Pavilion for a while and talked for a while.
"Let's go there... If we don't go back for such a long time, there's no chance that Second Brother and the others will cause trouble again."
Cao Zhen nodded, stood up with Cao Peng, and walked out of the Wind and Rain Pavilion together. At this moment, several people walked out of the elegant room opposite.
One of them accidentally collided with Cao Zhen.
What kind of physique did Cao Zhen have? He was as strong as a cow. The other party was also a little drunk, and he almost sat on the ground by accident. Fortunately, his companions supported him.
"I've blinded you!"
A scribe would curse whenever he opened his mouth.
Cao Zhen heard this and became furious, "Who are you scolding?"
"I'm just scolding you... If you don't have eyes when you walk, what are you if you're not blind?"
Cao Zhen was also an arrogant master. Hearing the vicious words spoken by the other party, he could not bear the bad breath. So without saying a word, he stepped forward and grabbed the collar of the other party's clothes.
"Zhongjie, you are so rude, why don't you apologize quickly?"
The man who was knocked down now stood upright and quickly opened his mouth to stop.
Cao Peng also stepped forward and grabbed Cao Zhen.
"You two young masters, please don't mind me. This friend of mine drank too much wine and offended you two with his words. I also ask you two young masters, please don't blame me."
The man was about thirty years old, handsome in appearance, elegant in manner, and quite magnanimous.
Listening to his accent, it is not Xudu accent, nor Yuzhou accent. It is very soft, very soft, and has a soft charm. However, he has a faint fishy smell. It is not fishy, but a fishy smell.
It's an indescribable, unexplainable, weird smell.
Cao Zhen glared at the other party fiercely and let go of his hand.
He had just come out of prison and didn't want to cause trouble too much. Now that the other party had surrendered, he didn't want to push the other party too hard.
He snorted, turned around and left with Cao Peng.
Cao Peng and the young man smiled, cupped their hands, and turned away.
"Zhongjie, what are you doing?"
Cao Peng heard the young man's vague voice of blame coming from behind him, "This place is not Xiapi. You and I have come here under the great trust of Marquis Huaiwen, how can we act on our own initiative?"
Xiapi?
Wen Hou?
Cao Peng shivered with excitement, turned around suddenly, and looked at those people.
Are they Lu Bu's people?
"Afu, what's wrong? Why are you standing here in a daze?"
"Those people... don't seem to be simple."
Cao Zhen also nodded, "That guy is not bad at martial arts. When I grabbed his clothes just now, he was obviously restraining himself. But if we really fight, he may not necessarily suffer... Oh, it seems to be the accent of Xuzhou. It's strange.
How can someone from Xuzhou climb to the third floor?"
Lu Bu's reputation is not very good. Logically speaking, he is not qualified to go to the third level.
And the other person had obviously just finished eating and drinking. Could it be that he was a descendant of some wealthy family?
There were many wealthy families in Xuzhou, but Cao Peng didn't know much about them.
Cao Peng said: "That scribe seems to be the leader. Judging from his demeanor and his speech and behavior, he should be no ordinary person."
"What's so difficult about this?" Cao Zhen smiled slightly, "If you want to know their origins, you can find out by asking the people in this restaurant."
