Moma Liangshan

Chapter 76 A Beauty Downstairs, a Tyrant Upstairs

Li Shishi, having been famous for many years, was already tired of the singing and dancing performances meant to entertain guests. However, Wang Hao's ingenious design instantly captivated her. The arena was the center of the entire Fanlou, and Li Shishi stood right in the middle of it. She looked around; in front of her were seven contestants competing in drinking, and behind her were musicians playing instruments. The musicians were all old-timers from Fanlou, nothing special; but the seven contestants were complete strangers. Li Shishi sized them up one by one, noting their strong legs and dark complexions, assuming they were all seasoned veterans of the martial arts world. However, when her gaze fell on Yan Qing, it lingered. Yan Qing was young, probably around twenty years old, with delicate features, red lips, and dark eyes, appearing from afar like a performer. However, the rolled-up sleeves and open collar revealed embroidery hidden beneath his clothes. Li Shishi unconsciously looked at Yan Qing's hands; the calluses on his hands told everyone that they were the hands that had wielded a knife. Li Shishi, though fallen into prostitution, possessed an ethereal beauty. Such a beauty could never escape the gaze of men, and Yan Qing was no exception! Looking at the graceful woman standing there, Yan Qing almost doubted his own eyes. How could such unparalleled beauty and figure appear in the mortal world? Wang Hao, sensing Li Shishi's reverie, softly asked, "Sister, shall we begin?" Li Shishi instantly snapped out of her reverie, looked at the musician, and nodded. The musician understood, playing the zither, flute, drum, and bells, instantly enveloping everyone in the atmosphere of "Rui Long Yin."

Li Shishi looked at Yan Qing, parted her lips slightly, and began to sing: "Zhangtai Road. Still I see the fading plum blossoms, the peach trees trying to bloom." Yan Qing stared intently, holding his wine cup, and drank three cups in quick succession amidst the music. The clear, spicy wine burned as it went down his throat, and he thought to himself, "The next line should be 'In the quiet lanes and alleys, swallows return to their nests,' right?" Li Shishi's song continued, and Yan Qing, with the wine still down his throat, thought to himself, "The lanes and alleys of plum and peach blossoms are as quiet as ever. Swallows fly back to their nests. If such a beautiful woman were added to this beautiful scene, what a sacred place it would be! Even the Three Mountains and Five Sacred Peaks would pale in comparison!" At this moment, the melodious song began again: "I stand here, lost in thought, thinking of someone who is so infatuated with me." "A glimpse through the gate. A pale yellow hue, like palace attire, veils the wind, revealing sleeves, and laughter fills the air." Yan Qing picked up six wine cups with four fingers, the wine flowing down his throat, his mind wandering: "Standing lost in thought, recalling past moments, the spring breeze caressing my face, the joyful outings." Yan Qing's thoughts followed Li Shishi's song, and Li Shishi's song followed Yan Qing's thoughts again, listening: "Liu Lang returns, visiting neighbors and seeking out the village, singing and dancing together. Only Qiu Niang of the old family remains, her reputation unchanged. She still remembers the verses from Yantai. Who will accompany me, drinking in the garden under the dew, strolling leisurely in the eastern city?" The wine continued to flow, Yan Qing's face flushed, and he murmured: "Unparalleled talent, yet fallen into prostitution; revisiting familiar places, but finding no friends or relatives, only singing and dancing."

The singing continued, but Wang Hao received an invitation from a stranger. A middle-aged man approached Wang Hao and said, "Lu Junyi from Daming Prefecture greets Young Master Wang!" Wang Hao was extremely surprised, took a half step back, bowed, and then said, "Are you the Jade Kirin of Hebei?" Wang Hao's reaction surprised Lu Junyi; he showed none of the airs of a high-ranking official, saying, "I have a private room on the second floor and would like to invite you to join me for a chat!" Wang Hao glanced at the wealthy man, made a few arrangements, and then followed Lu Junyi upstairs. Entering the private room, the two stood by the window, overlooking the competition on the first floor. Lu Junyi asked, "Among you gentlemen, who is likely to win?" Wang Hao replied, "The third one from the left." Lu Junyi looked closely and saw it was Yan Qing. He asked, "How do you know?" Wang Hao said, "The Eight Immortals Wine is very potent. If one cannot control the rhythm or enjoy it to the fullest, it's difficult to last until the end. Only this man possesses both qualities." Lu Junyi said, "He is my close follower, named Yan Qing." Wang Hao suddenly understood and said, "In that case, congratulations, Master Lu!" Lu Junyi understood Wang Hao's meaning and said, "Young Master Wang is loyal to the country, and it is only right that I do my part." Wang Hao nodded. Approvingly, he said, "It's only because treacherous officials are in power that the Emperor's decrees are difficult to implement, forcing him to resort to this desperate measure! If everyone were as righteous as Master Lu, how could we not destroy Western Xia and defend Liao?" Lu Junyi sighed and said, "I have a junior brother named Lin Chong, whom I've heard is on good terms with you, sir. Notices are posted everywhere in Cangzhou and Daming Prefecture, saying he massacred court officials and burned down border fodder depots. He's now on the run, his whereabouts unknown. May I ask you, sir, if you know the specifics of this? If he's innocent, I'll spend all my wealth to exonerate him; if he deserves his punishment, I'll go to the ends of the earth to cleanse my master's family!"

Wang Hao said, "Lin Chong was brave and resourceful, and an upright official; he should have had a bright future. However, Gao Qiu's son took a fancy to his wife. When coercion and bribery failed, he plotted to frame Lin Chong. Lin Chong was thus convicted and escorted to Cangzhou. On the way, they bribed the guards, and Lin Chong was rescued by Lu Da. Even after arriving in Cangzhou, Gao Qiu was still not satisfied and sent his henchmen again. The henchmen ambushed Lin Chong in a mountain ravine, luring him in under the guise of his wife. Lin Chong narrowly escaped death, finally breaking through the encirclement." Lu Junyi, filled with rage, said, "Does this court simply allow treacherous officials to run rampant and do whatever they want?" Wang Hao smiled helplessly and said, "This is a problem that has accumulated over decades; it cannot be changed overnight." "Otherwise, there wouldn't be this auction today!" Lu Junyi was filled with resentment for a long time, then asked, "Does the young master know where Lin Chong is now?" Wang Hao did not hide anything and said, "Jiaozhou." Lu Junyi thought for a moment and said, "Laoshan County under your jurisdiction?" Wang Hao nodded and said, "That's right." Lu Junyi said, "Lin Chong is wandering outside and has no means of making a living. I have prepared five thousand strings of cash for him and would like Yan Qing to send it to Jiaozhou afterward. Is that alright?" Wang Hao smiled slightly and said, "Of course." At this time, the competition below the stage had reached its final moment. Besides Yan Qing, only one person remained on the stage. That person was obviously at his limit and could not maintain his balance at all.

No one could hear Yan Qing's murmured words, but Li Shishi read his lip movements perfectly. She smiled and continued singing: "The world has gone with the lone goose. Spring's arrival is filled with sorrowful partings. The willows droop with golden threads. Late return of the rider, the delicate rain falling on the pond. A heartbreaking courtyard, a curtain of willow catkins in the wind." The song ended, the drums and music ceased, and Yan Qing finished thirty cups of wine. Li Shishi slowly approached Yan Qing and said, "Are you well-versed in music?" Yan Qing straightened his clothes, stepped back slightly, and said, "I know a little, but I can't compare to your refined elegance!" Li Shishi covered her face and laughed, saying, "To understand the elegance in my singing, you can be considered a master of music!" Yan Qing quickly replied, "You flatter me, Miss!" Li Shishi didn't argue, saying, "How about we play a duet another day?" Yan Qing was overjoyed and quickly said, "It would be my honor!" Li Shishi turned and left, returning to the third floor.

Master Li looked at the manager of Fanlou Restaurant, who understood and began to announce the results: "First place, Tokyo; second place, Daming Prefecture; third place, Chang'an; fourth place, Luoyang; fifth place, Jinan Prefecture; sixth place, Mingzhou; seventh place, Suzhou; eighth place, Hangzhou." At that moment, in another private room, Fang Jie said, "This Wang Hao is indeed quite interesting; he actually came up with such a method!" Fang Tianding's expression was solemn as he said, "Inviting Li Shishi to appear is to tell people that she has the Emperor behind her. Using drinking power to determine the auction order can also be considered as giving..." "Let's all have a fair chance to compete." Fang Jie said with great admiration, "Such a massive auction, completely controlled by Wang Hao, is truly admirable!" Fang Tianding, still frowning, said, "Wang Hao is ultimately an official of the Song Dynasty court; he can't possibly be our friend. Our current cooperation is only because he can bring us greater benefits." At this moment, Lü Shinang said, "I have studied Wang Hao for a long time and have some insights. I wonder if I should share them?" Fang Tianding turned around and said, "Please speak freely!"

Lu Shinang, having gathered his thoughts, said, "I believe that Wang Hao's departure from Tokyo to Jiaozhou is something that the Holy Duke and the Young Master should seriously consider." Fang Tianding asked, "Why?" Lu Shinang replied, "Jiaozhou is a poor and remote place, with a fierce and unruly populace, yet Wang Hao treats it like a treasure. Why? Because this impoverished land makes it easier for him to win people's hearts and establish a foothold." Fang Jie said, "How can one establish a foothold in a poor and remote place with scarce resources?" Lu Shinang said, "He will ensure that all the wealth and resources from prosperous lands flow into his own base. This auction is just Wang Hao's first step; the Maritime Trade Office, shipyards, and wineries are his next steps. After several years, when the people's lives improve, Wang Hao's foundation will naturally be solid." Fang Jie said, "We are not merchants. How can we ensure that the wealth and resources from prosperous lands flow into our base?" Before Lu Shinang could answer, Fang Tianding said, "He will lead his army north to plunder the fertile lands of Jianghuai; then, he will send the wealth and resources south to manage Liangzhe and Fujian." "Build two routes. Then, we can advance and win at the gates of Tokyo, or retreat and hold the Wuyi Mountains." Lü Shinang clapped his hands and cheered, saying, "Young Master is wise! The Holy Duke's grand plan will succeed!" Fang Tianding said, "Imitating Wang Hao is to leave a way out, but it shouldn't be the first choice. If we can't capture the Jianghuai and Suzhou-Hangzhou areas, without money and supplies, the Liangzhe and Fujian routes will also be difficult to manage." Fang Jie said, "In that case, should the Holy Duke change his original plan?" Fang Tianding said, "When the Holy Duke raises his army, Lü Shinang can lead a detachment to garrison on the Fujian border. As long as we quickly take Suzhou and Hangzhou, the Fujian route will have difficulty receiving reinforcements. Without reinforcements, the Imperial Guards and the local troops will no longer have the will to fight. Then, leading the army south will be like entering an empty field." Lü Shinang was originally a wealthy man from Shezhou. He gained favor by offering money and supplies to Fang La. Battle was not his forte, but managing land and collecting money and supplies was second nature to him. He quickly said, "I will certainly live up to the young master's expectations!"