Chapter 249
Book 22 Chapter 08 - Local Villain
As Xiang Shaolong brisk-walked along the road, proceeding towards the central Little Lin Zi, he noticed the increase in the number of pedestrians. Under the illumination of the lanterns, the falling snowflakes resemble the Immortals sprinkling heavenly powder onto earth, giving his surroundings a dream-like appearance.
Most of his fellow foot-travellers are walking in small groups and are speaking in different dialects. They are probably admirers of the Three Courtesans from the other six States or even the Qi people from the countryside. The locals only made up a handful of the crowd.
According to Xiao Yuetan, Lin Zi is home to approximately seventy thousand households and has a population of three hundred thousand. Compared to Xianyang, it is far less populated.
As he was beginning to panic in his search for Lei Yun’er & company, he caught someone waving at him across the road. It turns out to be a family warrior Fei Chun (was wrongly named Fei Sun earlier, also a ex roomie) and five other drivers.
Waiting for two carriages to drive by before crossing the road, he came to the side of the six men and prodded: "Where are the others?"
Fei Chun invited: "They are headed to the red light district! We are looking for a place to have a drink. Why don’t Manger Shen join us?"
Xiang Shaolong interrogated: "Do you know which brothel they are visiting?"
One of the drivers joked: "They surely cannot afford the expensive ones. Manager Shen only has to look for the most run-down brothel and you will definitely find them there." Fei Chun and the other drivers burst out laughing.
Witnessing their lively mood and making sure that there are no suspicious characters nearby, Xiang Shaolong could not bear to spoil their night. Pulling them aside to avoid blocking the road, he then revealed: "Something has cropped up. a.s.sistant Manager Zhang just informed me Mistress (Feng Fei) has offended a local villain of considerable influence. Although he cannot lay a finger on Mistress, he can effortlessly create trouble for us. Please go and have your drink, and return to the Villa as soon as possible."
Their faces drained of colour, Fei Chun and the drivers nodded in obedience.
Xiang Shaolong speedily continued his search for Lei Yun’er and the others. After walking for some time, all he could see were splendid buildings housing brothels or wine houses. He thought to himself that this is similar to Beijing’s w.a.n.gfu Jing (王府井) in the 21st Century; unless you are a rich man, this place has nothing for you. The only places an average person can go are the small lanes and narrow streets, where the cheap thrills are situated.
His heart is swelling with regret.
At the end of the day, he lacks experience in managing people, simply because he does not believe in treating fellow humans as servants at his beck and call. His only wish is for them to be happy and free as much as the situation permits.
With the present unfavorable scenario, he should not have let them run amok.
His reservations are not without reason.
A sore and incensed Zongsun Long will use every opportunity to hara.s.s Feng Fei.
If he lands himself in trouble when they had just arrived in Lin Zi, everyone will lose confidence in this newly appointed General Manager. In addition, except for a dagger, he did not bring any weapons with him. If he gets into a fight, he will be at a serious disadvantage.
Burning with anxiety, he happened to see a crowd gathering in front of a brothel. The people are whispering to one another and pointing fingers at the brothel.
Xiang Shaolong can feel his heart sinking. Stepping forward, he squeezed into the pool of people and questioned: "What happened?"
Bearing scorn in his tone, one man ridicule: "Having the guts to visit prost.i.tutes when he hasn’t paid up his debt to Master Zongsun, these people do not know the meaning of death! Ai! Being dragged away like a pack of dogs, how shameful."
‘Game over’ Xiang Shaolong thought. He made enquiries about the appearances and dressings of the men being mugged and after confirming their ident.i.ties are those of the missing Lei Yun’er and company, he announced: "Those men are my friends and I have brought the money to redeem their debts. Does anyone know where is Master Zongsun staying?"
Unexpectedly, the faces of everyone in the crowd lost colour. Not only did they fail to give him an answer, they ran off, disappearing without a trace, leaving him stunned on the spot.
Coincidently, a s.h.i.+fty and mysterious-looking man happened to sneak out of the brothel, Xiang Shaolong grabbed him, asking: "Brother…"
The man was shocked out of his wits: "Please do not tell my wife…"
Xiang Shaolong is not in the mood to laugh at the man’s blunder. He corrected: "Brother is mistaken. I am just asking for directions."
The man took a closer look and realized Xiang Shaolong is not someone familiar to him. Putting his hand on his chest, he panted: "I was nearly frightened to death! Even if you are asking for directions, you need not pull my s.h.i.+rt!"
Scanning this man, Xiang Shaolong guessed he is about twenty-five or twenty six years old. Dressed in flamboyant clothes, he is rather fine looking and must be the offspring of some Qi official. Loathing his hen-pecked behavior, Xiang Shaolong grumbled: "I am anxious to locate Master Zongsun’s Residence. Little Brother (I) is his distant relative and is here to visit him."
The man sighed with relief: "Zongsun Residence is along Great Southern Way, diagonally opposite my house. Let me give you a ride! Ai! I also need to be home soon."
Xiang Shaolong is secretly delighted to meet such a friendly person and is now having a favourable impression of him. Together, they crossed the road to the opposite side.
There is a carriage parked outside a wine house and as they approached it, a driver climbed out of the carriage and sat down in the driver’s seat in front.
The man proudly declared: "I intentionally parked the carriage here so that n.o.body will suspect I actually went to a brothel. Hey! I still do not know Brother’s name."
Xiang Shaolong introduced: "I am Shen Liang. What about Brother?"
The man cheered: "I am called Xie Ziyuan. Come! Get in the carriage!"
As the carriage began to move, Xie Ziyuan comfortably lounged in his seat, praising: "Lan Lan’s skin is as smooth as silk and she knows exactly what I want. What a pity I cannot stay overnight."
Xiang Shaolong has calmed down by now and is busily thinking of a plan to rescue his men back from Zongsun Long. He casually asked: "Is your wife ugly looking?"
Like a wronged man, Xie Ziyuan protested: "Of course not! Lan Lan may be rather good-looking but my wife is way prettier than her"
Xiang Shaolong’s curiosity is aroused: "Then why is Brother Xie looking for other women?"
Xie Ziyuan explained: "Please do not jump to the conclusion that I have grown sick of looking at her. Actually, the more I look at her, the more I love her, and also fear her. Whenever we start quarrelling, my Mum will side her and not me because she has given my mum two healthy grandsons."
Xiang Shaolong sympathized: "Brother Xie is fooling around because your wife has failed to treat you in a kind and loving manner."
Slapping his thigh, Xie Ziyuan exclaimed: "Brother Shen truly understands me! Ha! Can Brother Shen do me a favour?"
Xiang Shaolong was amazed: "How can I help you?"
Xie Ziyuan leaned towards his ear as if he is afraid of being eavesdropped. He whispered softly: "Can you pretend to be my long lost friend, coming to visit me from a faraway place? Thus, I will have to play a good host to you and this will allow me to spend more time outside the household. Hey! I will not treat you shabbily and will pay for all of Brother Shen’s expenses."
Xiang Shaolong did not know whether to be angry or amused at his proposal. He rejected: "I will be quite busy over the next two days. I am afraid I cannot visit you at your honourable residence."
Xie Ziyuan begged: "I will only take up a bit of your time. Is tomorrow good for you? I will wait for your esteemed arrival anytime after five pm."
Xiang Shaolong helplessly agreed: "I will try my best to make time!"
Xie Ziyuan was thrilled: "Brother Shen is a true friend. Ai! You would not believe it even if I told you. I, Xie Ziyuan, am an Imperial Treasurer but there is n.o.body who dares to accompany me to a brothel. Even when beauties surround me, there is not a single mate by my side. It is so depressing. Now, I am thankful for Brother Shen’s company."
Xiang Shaolong secretly kicked himself for not recognizing someone’s true status. The man is a high-ranking official of Qi and it is rare that he did not display any airs and speaks in a straightforward manner. He is starting to like this new friend of his.
He joked: "I think all your friends are frightened of your wife’s scolding."
Xie Ziyuan muttered: "It is her beating."
Just as Xiang Shaolong was reeling in shock, the burly driver turned around and announced: "Young Master! We are reaching Master Zongsun’s Residence."
Xie Ziyuan whispered again: "Only Xie Quan is loyal to me."
Finis.h.i.+ng his sentence, he faced Xie Quan and commanded: "We will send Master Shen in before going home."
Holding Xiang Shaolong’s hand, Xie Ziyuan apologized: "Please forgive Little Brother (me) for only sending you here but unable to stay and accompany you. I have a curfew and need to return immediately. If her anger is provoked, Little Brother (I) will be in trouble!"
The carriage stopped in the front of an enormous property filled with multiple courtyards. Next, Xie Quan reported Xie Ziyuan’s name to the sentries and the main door opened in an instant, allowing them to drive straight in.
Xiang Shaolong was flabbergasted. He could not help but asked: "Brother Xie seems to be on good terms with Master Zongsun."
Xie Ziyuan smiled: "We have a few ongoing collaborations!"
He added: "The relations.h.i.+p between people are partly decided by fate. Somehow, when I first met Brother Shen, I can feel a sense of delight and instinctively feel that Brother Shen is a friend worth having. Hey! Remember to come by tomorrow night!" He pointed to the location of his residence.
In this moment, the carriage grinded to a halt, stopping in front of a flight of steps of the main building within the residence. A few muscular men accosted the