Chapter 5 Jiang Wu

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  In Nanjing, when it comes to local snacks, Yangjia's hundred-year-old sheep miscellaneous soup, crispy and tender, is said to have been passed down from the Taizu family's Hunan roast duck, as well as Dashanyuan's pumpkin dumplings, duck blood noodles, and duck tongue jelly, which are absolutely unique in Nanjing.

  Tan Zong has been a foodie since he was young. When he first came to this world, except for the first three days when he took a primary school math Olympiad and junior high school mathematics exam, he spent most of his time either staying in the inn reading Daxun's laws or following a group of fellow students and children to find good food everywhere.

  Anyway, most of those who can come to the imperial examination in their hometown are relatively well-off and don't have to worry about food and clothing, so they often invite each other out for a meal or two, and it's also common for them to go out and have a good time.

  After all this coming and going, Tan Zong is extremely familiar with the food in Nanjing Prefecture.

  At this point, when Tan Zong walked along the small pond in the courtyard to the entrance of the house, the smell of crispy roasted duck was naturally caught by his nose. In addition, a strong aroma of Snowflake Red wine, exclusively sold at Inviting Moon Pavilion, also wafted in.

  "There's someone in here who seems to understand life, but I don't know what kind of person they are." Tan Zong hesitated for a moment in his heart and took two more steps towards the door. When he reached the door, however, he stopped.

  First, Tan Zong didn't know the terrain and didn't dare to enter rashly; second, the threshold of this door was more than a foot high, and he had to lift his legs high to take a step, which was quite troublesome.

  It's come to this, but Tan Zong didn't notice that in this house, which was as big as a classroom, with an area of over 50 square meters, there wasn't a single person, only layer upon layer of bookshelves leaning against the walls. At this moment, let alone people, there weren't even any ghostly shadows in the room!

  If Tan Zong really got drunk, he would probably go along with the flavor of crispy and snowy red. But now, Tan Zong is sober, how can he not know that there is a trap inside, and suddenly realize that this might be the opponent's plan for himself.

  "With a place like this, what kind of situation would make me want to go in?" Tan Zong stood at the entrance, which was over two meters wide, thinking for a long time, but couldn't figure it out. He had no choice but to stick his head in and take a closer look, but his feet refused to move forward.

  Although he said a thousand words and ten thousand words, although he felt confident in his heart, he still felt a little uneasy.

  "Huh...... What is this black shadow?"

  According to the rules of the Great Shun Dynasty, except for national holidays, after 10 o'clock in the evening, citizens must return home and are not allowed to linger on the streets. Those who miss the time will be detained at the Nanjing Prefecture Government Office for a night.

  This squatting cage has been passed down from the previous dynasty, it looks simple but is actually very uncomfortable. First, you have to tie your hands behind your back and hold a wooden cangue, and then use a rope to tie your neck to a row of wooden frames in the yamen courtyard to prevent you from escaping. Because its shape is extremely similar to that of a dog at home, it is also called "dog squat" by the people.

  It was already nine o'clock at this time, and it should have been lively. If you wanted to spend the night out, you would have found a place early: either a tavern, a gambling house, or a brothel. Of these three places, the tavern is still okay, but the gambling house and the brothel were banned during the Taizu Emperor's time.

  There's an old saying, isn't there? "Take care of food and lodging, but can you also take care of the bird under a man's crotch?" Therefore, not long after Taizu's death, this brothel gradually flourished again. In fact, even when Taizu was alive, it was just a matter of turning from light to dark. In his later years, he himself knew very well, but simply turned a blind eye.

  As for this gambling, it has never been eradicated! Not to mention among the people, even in the Red Guards, the elite troops personally established by Taizu, it is also unstoppable.

  The layout of Nanjing Prefecture is similar to that of the capital city, with a north-south division and east-west alleys. Among them, the northern city is mostly for people's livelihood, while the southern city is mostly for entertainment, such as wine shops and brothels. However, inns are not divided by location, but the highest-end ones in Nanjing Prefecture, such as Jianguo Inn, Wangfu Inn, and Xilaile Inn, are all concentrated in the southern city.

  Naturally, those who have stayed in Nanjing for a long time also know that these few houses are not so much inns as they are the lower establishments of those gambling dens and brothels. It's worth knowing that among the girls in the brothels, there aren't even 100, let alone 80, who can have their own rooms; most of the miscellaneous girls still have to rely on guests to spend their own money to rent a house outside for pleasure.

  However, today this inn has a rare guest.

  All that can be seen is that the man wears a green shirt, and in his hand he holds a small, delicate bone fan. The surface of the fan cannot be discerned as being made of any particular material, nor does it bear any famous calligraphy or seal marks. It simply features a few sparse strokes that outline a simple landscape painting, which somehow manages to look elegant nonetheless. On his person, there is nothing else that appears particularly valuable or rare; even the perfume sachet hanging from his waist, which looks like it might be from Suzhou's Bai Xiu Lou, would only be worth around ten taels of silver in the eyes of a connoisseur.

  He just stood at the gate of the courtyard and shouted a sentence that scared everyone.

  "A former resident of Suzhou Prefecture, Jiang Wusu, requests an audience with the Su family!"

  Jiang Wu? Suzhou's Jiang Wu? Which Suzhou's Jiang Wu? Don't know him!

  Who is Su Da Jie? Which Su Da Jie? In this Nanjing Prefecture, who can be called Su Da Jie besides the famous Jiangnan songstress Su Jin?

  It's actually someone asking to see Su Dajia here in this inn, isn't that a joke! Who doesn't know that Su Dajia is the top courtesan of Autumn Moon Pavilion? Even if Su Jin lost a bet with some crazy scholar and has to retire from the profession for a few days, while staying in this brothel for a day, she still has to follow the rules and stay in the building to accompany wealthy clients drinking and singing. How could she possibly come to this inn?!

  In this inn, there are many people and naturally a lot of gossip. Some are disdainful and don't bother to intervene, only boasting on the table that they have also heard Su's masterpieces; some are nosy, sticking their heads out of the private room, staring straight at the madman in the courtyard, as if trying to carve this person into their eyeballs.

  The crowd in the inn didn't provoke the person in charge, but it provoked the two people behind him.

  "Young master, why bother with this trivial matter? These are just some local singing girls who have made a name for themselves in this small place. Can they compare to the Four Great Dan of Beijing? I think at most she's just someone who relies on her ancestor's reputation and can sing a few little ditties - a complete fake high-class person."

  The first person was not particularly tall, but standing there simply, he had a majestic and profound air of a master, obviously not an ordinary person. However, his facial features were rough, with a hint of discontent on his face, making him look somewhat comical, more like a favored follower by the master's side.

  Another person was slightly thinner, but also appeared to be much taller. However, his complexion didn't look bad at all, and he had a calm expression on his face, looking like someone who could keep his temper in check.

  "Is it that only you have true nobility, while others are just pretending? The young master who called himself Jiang Wu turned his head back, with a smile that was not quite a smile on his face. He tapped the folding fan in his hand on this person's head and then sternly said: "Scram! You're annoying me just by being looked at. Go find somewhere to vent your frustrations, don't keep showing off this demonic air about you."

  "What?" The man was taken aback by the words, and then suddenly revealed a look of extreme joy, hastily saying: "Young master, are you serious? Old Hu really went!"

  Jiang Wu didn't even bother to turn his head, just waved his hand impatiently and urged people to leave: "Go, go, go! Who here still cares about your nonsense? With Master Bai Li here, that's all we need."

  "That's great." The man called Hu Lao San couldn't hide the joy on his face, and was about to leave when he suddenly turned back, rubbing his hands and saying to Jiang Wu: "Young master, look, our luggage is all left at the Zhuangzi, and I don't have any silver on me either. Are you going to lend some?"

  Look at the lazy look of his subordinates, Jiang Wu was so angry that he burst out laughing. He only heard him scolding "Get out!" and scared the onlookers in the yard.

  Originally, these few people were speaking in hushed tones before, and the people nearby only knew that they were talking but couldn't hear what they were saying. But now with such a loud shout, it was heard by the entire inn.

  That old man Hu is really thick-skinned, being scolded and told to get out, he didn't get angry, but instead took the two bundles of tickets he had just gotten and left with a smile.

  "This glutton!" Jiang Wu also knew the temper of his childhood companion, so he didn't bother with him. He just stood there shaking his head, showing a helpless expression: "Master Bai Li, I'm afraid we'll have to trouble you again tonight."

  "It's not worth mentioning." The thin man, known as the hundred-mile master, nodded his head and said with a respectful expression: "This time, young master has come to Jiangnan, since I have received orders from the mansion, I will naturally protect you safely."

  "Then I'll trouble you." Jiang Wu nodded and didn't say much, but turned his head and shouted again: "Jiang Wu from Suzhou Prefecture requests to see the Su family."

  It's been a long time, and seeing that there was still no response from the courtyard, Jiang Wuyue slightly furrowed his brow and couldn't help but say: "Could it be that Master Su doesn't even want to see old acquaintances from Suzhou Prefecture?"

  As soon as the words fell, a loud "clang" was heard in the courtyard, followed by a faint sigh that seemed to come from nowhere. Then, a woman's voice came: "Now that Su Jin is about to become someone's wife, why must Master Jiang force her?"

  This woman's voice is ethereal and distant, as if it comes from the ninth heaven, making one feel like they can't grasp its edges. It's also like a gentle whisper in one's ear, like a lover's intimate words, making people feel like they're being turned upside down, and with just one phrase, it's like drinking ice water on a sweltering summer day, refreshing the entire body.

  "It's really Su Daqiang in this room!"

  "Su Da Jia, Su Da Jia, I am Yu Hang Bai Shao Hang... Tan Meng Hua and I are from the same hometown... Tonight, please grant me an audience!"

  For a moment, the small inn was filled with noise and commotion. Some were excited, and had even run to the sky well, standing alongside Jiang Wu, facing the only courtyard in the sky well, seeking an audience.

  The sound was extremely loud and seemed to have been transmitted outside. Before long, someone came running from outside the inn.

  After a while, it seemed that the noise in the inn was too loud, and suddenly another clear and elegant sound of the guqin came from the courtyard, which was as fast as the strings were plucked, like a sudden rainstorm hitting banana leaves. Before long, it completely overwhelmed the voices asking to see him.

  "Sujin will become a married woman and from now on, she should follow the path of a virtuous wife and not meet with outsiders. However, since many of you have requests today, Sujin will bid farewell with a song, 'Shui Diao Ge Tou' written by Taizu. Please return after this."

  As soon as the words were spoken, a gentle and ethereal singing voice rose up. The song was heard to sing "When will the bright moon be visible, bringing wine to ask the blue sky...", which was actually one of Taizu's early works, a piece called "Water Tune Song Head" written during his idle days before he started his rebellion against Sui.

  For a moment, everyone was stunned into silence.

  "Good, good, good! Not having seen you for three months, I can see that your musical skills have improved even more. Indeed, you are worthy of being called Jiangnan Su Jin, and truly deserving of the title 'Master'."

  Everyone was savoring the aftertaste of the song "Shui Diao Ge Tou" just now, but was suddenly interrupted by someone, and naturally turned to glare at him. However, it was found that this person who spoke was none other than Jiang Wu from Suzhou, who had previously asked to see Master Su, and he seemed to be in a dilemma of whether to advance or retreat.

  If it weren't for this person speaking out, everyone would still be immersed in the joyful sound of Su's music. It's worth noting that Su Jin is usually very difficult to persuade to sing, and today everyone has been lucky enough to hear a song, which is already something to brag about. But if it weren't for this person asking to see him earlier, no one would have known that Su Jin was actually staying in this inn.

  Therefore, if we talk about cause and effect, people should not only not blame, but also thank more.

  At this time, the courtyard had returned to silence, but everyone could no longer hear it. They knew that Su Jin had already given the order to expel the guests, and although they were reluctant to leave, they could only sigh in their hearts and depart reluctantly. Only Jiang Wu remained, still shaking his head and seemingly savoring the moment.

  The hundred-mile master saw that the young master of his family seemed to have entered a state of infatuation, and although he was extremely reluctant to disturb him, looking at the sky it was already quite late. If they didn't leave now, they would probably miss the curfew hour. Therefore, he could only take a deep breath in his heart, not caring whether he would be scolded or leave a bad impression on this young master, and reluctantly reminded him: "Young Master, it's almost curfew time, if you don't leave now, I'm afraid you'll have to spend the night here tonight."

  "It doesn't matter, I'll reflect on it myself." Jiang Wuyi waved his hand, but still savored the flavor of half a cup of tea. He had just broken a fan in his hand and paused for a moment, as if considering something for a long time. Then, he suddenly walked up a few steps, tapped the broken fan at the gate of the courtyard several times, and then placed it on the bluestone in front of the gate.

  "Mr. Su, although we rarely meet today, Jiang Wu already feels that this trip is not in vain. This folding fan will be regarded as a token of Jiang Wu's heart and given to Mr. Su for his appreciation. If Mr. Su encounters any trouble in the near future, he can send someone with this folding fan to find me at the Ba Li Mountain Villa on the outskirts of the city, and Jiang Wu will naturally do his best to help Mr. Su resolve his worries."

  Fortunately, there was no one else in the courtyard at this time, and those who had gathered to watch the commotion had already closed their doors early, otherwise this conversation would have caused another stir in the inn.

  It is known that the Bailishan Villa in the suburbs of Nanjing is a very prominent family in Nanjing Prefecture, although it cannot be compared to the most prestigious family in Nanjing - the Wang family, which has the support of the Governor of Nanjing Prefecture, but it can also be considered a truly wealthy and noble family.

  In Nanjing Prefecture, if someone really commits a crime, I'm afraid there's nothing that the Bai family can't handle. Even if they clash with the Wang family, it's just a matter of 4-6 people. If they can grasp the moral high ground, this 4-6 ratio will soon turn into 6-4.

  After a while, seeing that the gate was still not open, Jiang Wu could only sigh and seemed reluctant to leave. Just as he was about to walk away, he saw a somewhat familiar woman walking past him.

  As they walked up to the inn's gate, Jiang Wufang suddenly remembered the identity of the person who had come, and stopped in his tracks, saying: "Wasn't that person Xiaoman, the maid by Su Dajia's side?"

  "It seems to be a little savage girl." Master Bai Li hesitated and said, "But I haven't seen it many times either, so I can't confirm it."

  "Alas, never mind. If fate permits, we'll meet again." Jiang Wu let out another soft sigh and then perked up: "Speaking of which, I'm actually quite interested in that Ah Yuan who won the beauty's hand. What was his name again?"

  "He seems to be a scholar from Yuhang, named Tan Zong, who is currently studying at the Luming Academy. It's said that this person also has another name, called 'Dream of Profuse Flowers', hence the character Meng Hua."

  "Oh? A dream of profuse flowers? This is quite a good name, this person should also be an extraordinary person. If I have the leisure, I must get to know this person! " Jiang Wuyi clapped his hand, but didn't hear the familiar sound he was used to, and only then remembered that the folding fan he usually carried had been given to Su Jin, so he let out another sigh.

  "I only hope that this Tang Menghua will not disappoint Su Da and the others. Otherwise, heh heh, I'd like to see if the scholars of our great Shun dynasty are all incompetent like those of the previous dynasty."

  Jiang Wu's words were too severe, so Baili hastily bowed his head and said in a loud voice: "Young master, your words are too harsh."

  "Hmph, whether it's serious or not, we'll know once we've passed this test." Jiang Wuchang heavily swung his sleeve, but also realized he had spoken too harshly, and lowered his voice to say: "Master Baili, let's just leave the city and head back. Hu Lao San is a wild card, there's no need for us to look for him."

  As they spoke, a vermilion-painted carriage had slowly emerged from the darkness and gradually disappeared into the night.

  Under the candlelight, Su Jin sat in front of a desk wearing a long green robe, still dressed as a scholar. A bone fan was placed on top, and under the candlelight, it shone with a subtle glow, instantly revealing the extraordinary nature of this bone fan.

  "This Jiang Gongzi is indeed a thoughtful person." Su Jin put away the folding fan and casually placed it in the lowest hidden compartment of the basket behind her, before turning around to face the little servant standing in front of her: "How did you come back alone?"

  "Miss, something has happened to Master Tan."

  "Oh?" Su Jin seemed completely relaxed, speaking as slowly and calmly as ever, without a hint of anger: "What crime did he commit? Who arrested him? And where is he being held now?"

  When she saw Su Jin's calm demeanor, Xiao Man's heart skipped a beat with a thud, and a faint feeling of palpitations spread through her chest. But now that the matter had truly arrived at her doorstep, no matter how nervous Xiao Man was, she could only steel herself and say: "I don't know either. I just saw a burst of flames shooting up into the sky from within the Wen Yuan Institute, and then news came from inside the institute saying that someone had set fire to the government's machinery warehouse. I was scared, so I hid to one side, and in the end, I watched as Lord Tang was taken away with his hair disheveled and his hands tied behind his back. Now, I don't know where he's been taken."

  "Oh? Is it really so?" Su Jin turned her head back, a pair of starry eyes gazing intently at Xiao Man.

  Under Su Jin's gaze, Xiao Man felt as if she had never known the woman in front of her before. The pressure was so overwhelming that it exceeded anything she could have imagined from anyone, almost to the point where she wanted to reveal everything she knew.

  "No, no way, absolutely cannot say it out loud!"

  Just as she was about to collapse, Xiao Man gritted her teeth and bit her tongue hard, finally breaking free from Su Jin's intense pressure. However, at this moment, Xiao Man was already drenched in cold sweat, even her spring shirt was soaked.

  At this moment, Xiao Man's mouth was full of blood and he couldn't speak for the time being. He could only shake his head, then nod again, as if answering Su Jin's question.

  "Alas."

  Su Jin let out a soft sigh, watching Xiao Man's expression gradually turn into pity. She sighed again and turned her head to say: "Tonight you can rest for now. When you wake up tomorrow, take the 100 taels of silver from the side room and go back to your hometown in Hongzhou by yourself. I've already redeemed your mother for you."

  A clap of thunder on a clear day!

  Xiao Man was completely bewildered by Su Jin's words...

  "Drunk Black" is an author who wrote a book called "The End".

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