Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Pei Qingtian First Enters Jin Guan City, Reverse Bribery

This was Pei Shaoqing’s first time in Jin Guan City.

The streets were a bustling, endless stream of people.

There were merchants hawking their wares, peddlers with shoulder poles weaving through the alleys, Martial Artists carrying longswords, beggars on the streets, and lovely young women picking out cosmetics...

As far as the eye could see, the crowd was endless.

It was a panorama of all walks of life, a full spectrum of the human condition.

The scene moved Pei Shaoqing.

He was so moved, in fact, that he spontaneously composed and softly recited a poem.

"This city is a lot like me—we’re both equally grand.

The people are like a pile of feathers, chaotic and unplanned."

The moment the words left his lips, a voice erupted from behind him in praise. "A fine poem! A fine poem! Truly, a fine poem indeed!"

Pei Shaoqing raised an eyebrow and turned toward the voice.

"Brother, your poem both praises yourself and expresses your awe at the sheer scale of Jin Guan City. I am truly impressed, truly," said a refined, handsome young man. He held a folding fan and cupped his hands, his face full of admiration.

Pei Shaoqing had a strong suspicion he was being mocked.

’What kind of crap did I just spew? You think I don’t know?’

"Your poem has inspired me, Brother. I, too, have come up with something. I hope you’ll offer a critique." After speaking, the young man opened his fan with a SWISH and began to wave it gently. He lifted his chin, puffed out his chest, and recited, "This street, it is so long; the people rush and scurry. Just like my wedding night; my seed is spread in a flurry."

Pei Shaoqing: "..."

He was now certain the man had been genuinely praising him.

He was overcome with a complex mix of emotions.

Wanting to return the favor, he offered his own praise. "Brother, your work is in no way inferior to mine. It is also a fine poem! It not only expresses your true feelings about the crowds of Jin Guan City but also praises your... great magnanimity. I’m impressed, truly impressed!"

"HAHAHAHA! Brother, you flatter me. If not for your masterpiece preceding it, I would not have had such inspiration." The handsome youth beamed, then closed his fan and said humbly with a cupped-fist salute, "I am Xu Jing, courtesy name Ziwen. May I ask for your name, Brother?

I’ve been part of the Prefecture City’s literary scene for years, and I thought I knew all the great talents. I never imagined there was a hidden gem like you, Brother. Jin Guan City is truly full of hidden masters."

"Pei Shaoqing, courtesy name Yunzhi."

"So it is the Baron of Pingyang in person! No wonder you are so handsome, with such an extraordinary air and literary talent." Xu Jing’s face immediately showed surprise.

He immediately spoke with even more admiration, "I only knew the Baron of Pingyang was skilled in martial arts, ennobled for the great merit of slaying the Kaiyang Saint Heir. I never imagined you had reached such a high level in poetry as well. Truly a rare genius, skilled in both pen and sword."

"You flatter me, you flatter me." Pei Shaoqing was a shameless person, but even his face was burning a little now.

He wasn’t afraid of others mocking his shortcomings.

He was afraid of others sincerely praising them.

Xu Jing said enthusiastically, "Brother Pei’s achievements have spread throughout the world with the court gazettes, inspiring countless young people of our generation. Tonight, the great talents of Jin Guan City are having a poetry gathering at the Furong Pavilion. Why don’t you join us, Brother Pei? We can befriend each other through poetry. Wouldn’t that be delightful?"

"Thank you for the kind invitation, Brother Xu, but I’d better pass. I’m actually not good at poetry; I just get lucky with a bit of inspiration now and then," Pei Shaoqing refused repeatedly.

’He had plenty of famous poems memorized.’

’But he had no interest in being a plagiarist.’

’Besides, he didn’t really get poetry. Finding a poem that perfectly fit the time, place, and mood was difficult. If he actually got famous from plagiarizing, he’d be easily exposed. Wouldn’t that just make him a complete clown?’

’Besides, he wasn’t trying to become a Civil Servant.’

’He was on the path of a corrupt official!’

Seeing his refusal, Xu Jing grew anxious. ’How much face would I gain tonight if I brought Pei Shaoqing with me?’

He immediately said, "Great works are gifts from heaven, chanced upon by a skilled hand. It doesn’t matter if Brother Pei is not good at poetry. Furong Pavilion is the best brothel in the entire Shu Region, and the women are exceptionally beautiful. Since you’re already here, why not go and see for yourself?"

’Well, it would be rude to refuse now.’

"Your hospitality is hard to refuse, so hard to refuse! Then we’ll meet tonight. I have some business to attend to right now." Pei Shaoqing decided he had to see just how good the best brothel in the Shu Region was.

Anyway, the best brothel in Tongzhou was full of gaudy and vulgar women, not a single good girl who could capture his heart.

And what was his standard for a "good girl"?

A "good girl" was any girl who could make his "little brother" stir!

Xu Jing’s face lit up. "Then it’s a date! I will await you at the entrance of the Furong Pavilion this evening."

"See you there," Pei Shaoqing nodded slightly.

Xu Jing stepped back, bowed, and said with cupped hands, "Then I won’t delay you from your business, Brother Pei. Please, take care."

"Farewell." Pei Shaoqing returned the salute. But after taking two steps, he couldn’t help but turn back and ask with a sincere face, "Brother Xu, what do you think of your own poetry?"

"I dare not boast, but my friends, family, and the servants at home all praise it highly," Xu Jing answered demurely.

Pei Shaoqing nodded. "They’re right."

The smile that bloomed on Xu Jing’s face was impossible to suppress.

Pei Shaoqing turned and left. ’He knew Xu Jing wasn’t just anybody. He had to be some rich kid or the son of an official. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been praised by everyone around him until he turned into a complete simpleton.’

’Even if I don’t meet any girls at Furong Pavilion tonight who are ready to ’rise to the occasion’, meeting a few well-connected boys like Xu Ziwen wouldn’t be a bad thing either.’

’If I can’t expand my dating pool...’

’Then I’ll just have to expand my social circle.’

.........

After parting with Xu Jing, Pei Shaoqing didn’t rush to buy supplies for Liu Yuheng and Ye Hanshuang, but headed straight for the Thousand Households.

Since he was already here, he couldn’t not pay a visit to his superior.

After all, Lu Households Commander had been quite good to him.

’No need to buy a gift.’

’Some local specialties from Tongzhou will do just fine.’

When Lu Dingchuan heard his subordinate report that Pei Shaoqing was waiting outside to see him, he was very surprised. He quickly put down his official business and said, "Have him... wait! I will go greet him personally."

As soon as he stepped out, he saw the extraordinary figure of Pei Shaoqing from afar and immediately put on a warm smile.

At the same time, Pei Shaoqing also saw him.

Although they had never met, the other man’s Households Official robe was very conspicuous. He immediately took a few steps forward and cupped his hands, saying, "This subordinate, Pei Shaoqing, pays his respects to the Households Commander. For you to personally welcome me, sir, this subordinate is overwhelmed."

"Aiya, what is the Baron of Pingyang doing? It is I who should be paying respects to you! Please, quickly rise." Lu Households Commander quickly hurried over to help Pei Shaoqing up.

Then he said with a beaming smile, "What’s this ’sir’ business? If the Baron of Pingyang doesn’t mind, just call me Brother Lu. We can address each other as brothers."

"Then Brother Lu must also stop calling me ’Baron of Pingyang’ with every other word," Pei Shaoqing said with a grin.

"Of course, of course. Brother Pei, this way please." Lu Households Commander said enthusiastically, taking his hand. "Though you and I have never met, Brother Pei, I feel we have known each other for a long time. Seeing you today feels like meeting an old friend. We must have a few good drinks at noon."

"Definitely, definitely," Pei Shaoqing replied.

After entering the room and sitting down, Lu Households Commander ordered his subordinate to serve good tea, while asking with concern, "I wonder what brings Brother Pei to the Prefecture City? If there is anything I, Lu, can help with, please don’t hesitate to ask!"

"Mainly, Tongzhou has been peaceful lately, so I thought I’d come to the Prefecture City for a walk. Brother Lu has taken great care of me, so it’s only right I thank you in person." As Pei Shaoqing spoke, he took out a South Pearl of the Shaking Light Saintess from his Storage Ring. "I also brought some local specialties from Tongzhou for Brother Lu."

Don’t ask how Tongzhou produces South Pearls when it’s not by the sea.

Although it’s not by the sea, it doesn’t lack for clams!

"Brother Pei, this... how can I possibly accept this? We are brothers, why the need for such pleasantries?" Lu Dingchuan’s face fell in feigned displeasure.

Pei Shaoqing stood up and presented it to Lu Dingchuan with a chuckle. "Brother Lu, you must accept it. I’ve already brought it all this way; there’s no reason to take it back."

"Since it is a token of Brother Pei’s sincerity, then I shall accept it." Lu Households Commander shook his head helplessly, took the pearl, and slipped it into his sleeve. "But this is the last time."

"Of course, of course," Pei Shaoqing laughed heartily.

The two chatted happily and then had lunch together.

The meal took place at Lu Dingchuan’s home.

Calling each other brother, they exchanged toasts and drank merrily.

Before he left, Lu Households Commander took Pei Shaoqing to a room, pointed at three boxes inside, and said, his breath thick with alcohol, "Brother Pei brought me a specialty, so I must also congratulate you on your promotion and ennoblement. These are some local specialties from Jin Guan City. You must accept them."

Relying on the experience he’d accumulated from taking bribes, Pei Shaoqing could tell at a glance that the boxes must be filled with Gold.

It was more than enough to buy three or five of his South Pearls.

Good heavens. Pei Shaoqing never dreamed that he, a subordinate, would receive a gift of fealty from his superior.

’I can’t just casually give Old Lu gifts anymore.’

’Otherwise, the more I give him, the poorer I’ll become.’

"Since this is a token of Brother Lu’s sincerity, it would be rude of me to refuse." Pei Shaoqing accepted it all.

Reeking of alcohol, Lu Households Commander laughed loudly, "Brother Pei is a straightforward man! I’ll arrange for people to deliver it to Tongzhou for you."

"In that case, I’ll have to trouble Brother Lu."

"No trouble, no trouble. If you’re going to escort the Buddha, you escort him all the way to the West. If you’re giving a gift, of course you have to deliver it to their home!"

"HAHAHA, Brother Lu, those are wise words indeed."

After leaving the Lu Mansion, Pei Shaoqing went to purchase enough living supplies to support Liu Yuheng and Ye Hanshuang in the cave for half a month, then returned to Trapped Dragon Mountain.

"Young Master." "Big Brother."

Liu Yuheng and Ye Hanshuang came forward to greet him.

"How is it? Has that old ghost been behaving? He hasn’t tried to trick you with any bewitching words, has he?"

Pei Shaoqing asked in a calm tone as he took various supplies out of his Storage Ring.

"He said he has several Cultivation Techniques suitable for me and Madame that he’s willing to teach us," Ye Hanshuang replied.

"Don’t believe him," Pei Shaoqing said. "Who knows what kind of Cultivation Technique he’d teach you? What if you practice it and suffer a cultivation deviation? Don’t believe a single word."

"You brat, you think too ill of people..."

The old ghost, hearing this, appeared unhappily.

"You’re not a person," Pei Shaoqing cut him off.

The old ghost snorted coldly. "This old man simply doesn’t want some of my unique skills to be lost after my death. If you really don’t believe me, you can just write them down without practicing. Find some random person, teach it to them, and let them try it out."

"You can write it down, but you can’t practice it," Pei Shaoqing instructed Ye Hanshuang. Then he took out a packed food box and said, "It’s still hot. You two should hurry up and eat."

"Thank you, Young Master." Liu Yuheng sat down directly on a rock. Her plump, soft buttocks sank into the surface, and one could only imagine how good they would feel to the touch.

Ye Hanshuang was different. On a rock of the same size, the moment she sat down, the stone was completely enveloped by her ample rear, not even a shadow of it could be seen.

She could really suffocate a man to death with that ass.

The old ghost watched the two of them eat and muttered to himself, "I’ve forgotten what it tastes like to eat."

"Then let me describe it for you. This pork knuckle, for example, is so tender it falls off the bone. It melts in your mouth, savory with a hint of sweetness, the fragrance of the fat fills the air..." Pei Shaoqing kindly began to describe the sensation of eating the pork knuckle for him.

The old ghost listened, his heart burning with anxiety. He couldn’t even swallow saliva if he wanted to. He roared irritably, "Shut up! SHUT UP!"

’How is this person even more wicked than me!’

He wasn’t a person.

But Pei Shaoqing might not be one either.

"I was just being kind, and he gets all worked up," Pei Shaoqing shook his head and said to the two women with a helpless look on his face.

Liu Yuheng and Ye Hanshuang both pursed their lips and smiled.

Ye Hanshuang’s table manners were not very elegant. She chewed in big mouthfuls, and with her large mouth, things disappeared in a single bite. But she was so beautiful that it didn’t seem sloppy at all. Instead, it gave her the heroic air of a great warrior woman.

Liu Yuheng was much more ladylike. She didn’t even show her teeth when she chewed. Her tender red lips, coated with a thin layer of oil, looked even more moist and inviting. It made one want to eat...

...or rather, be eaten by her.

After the two women had eaten and drunk their fill, Pei Shaoqing formally bid them farewell and went down the mountain to keep his appointment at the Furong Pavilion.

He planned to spend the night in Jin Guan City.

Then, he would return to Tongzhou first thing in the morning.

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