Chapter 145: The Great Supplement of Primordial Yang

"Master, master," the steward called out.

Hu Zhaoyuan snapped back to attention: "What is it?"

"How should the helmsman's gift be handled?"

Hu Zhaoyuan said impatiently, "Just put it in the storeroom. Why bother asking about such a trivial matter?"

"Wait!" Hu Zhaoyuan suddenly came to his senses — since there was a helmsman's spy in his household, he could hardly dispose of the helmsman's gift carelessly.

"Bring the deer penis and deer antler to the main hall, and summon Physician Ge."

The steward acknowledged and withdrew.

Two hours later, in the main hall of the Hu residence, Physician Ge entered and exchanged greetings with Hu Zhaoyuan.

This man's medical skill was superb; he was often summoned to treat the entire Hu household, and over time had grown familiar with Master Hu and enjoyed considerable trust.

The moment Physician Ge entered the main hall, he caught a faint musky odor. Focusing his gaze, he saw two brocade boxes laid open on the table, the smell emanating from within.

Hu Zhaoyuan clasped his hands in greeting, then said, "I'll speak plainly. I recently acquired a batch of medicinal ingredients and would like to ask Physician Ge to help make them into medicinal wine."

"Certainly." Physician Ge stepped forward at these words, looked into the two boxes, and froze at once.

Within the boxes lay two medicinal ingredients.

One of them was entirely crimson-red, thick at the base and tapering upward, sword-shaped, about the length of a forearm, with a ring of white fuzz near the upper end.

The other was entirely russet-brown, antler-shaped, though its tip was blunt and rounded, with few branches, its surface covered in fine fuzz.

They were indeed deer penis and deer antler.

Physician Ge had practiced medicine for many years and was often called to wealthy merchants' homes to treat ailments too embarrassing to mention; he was thoroughly familiar with these two ingredients.

With a single glance he could tell that both the deer penis and deer antler came from sika deer, and judging by their appearance, they were top-grade authentic medicinal materials — they could only be Liaodong sika deer.

Since the fall of Liaodong, the price of authentic Liaodong sika deer products had skyrocketed, to the point where Chaozhou Prefecture had demand but no supply.

To personally behold two top-grade specimens was truly rare, and Physician Ge's face broke into a smile as he admired them without cease.

Hu Zhaoyuan asked curiously, "What is it? How are these two ingredients?"

"Excellent!" Physician Ge was slightly agitated. "Not merely excellent — they can only be called top-grade.

Seeing that Hu Zhaoyuan truly did not understand, Physician Ge pointed at the deer penis and explained: "Please look at this medicine, Master. Red tinged with brown, massive in size, full scrotal sac, crisscrossing striations, faintly glistening with oil, carrying a light musky scent when smelled, and when held in the hand — forgive me —"

Physician Ge begged pardon, then lifted the deer penis together with its brocade box in both hands.

"The substantial weight in hand shows that its interior is full.

Deer penis has always been produced from sika deer, red deer, sambar deer, and the like, among which sika deer is the finest, and among sika deer penis, that produced in Liaodong is the best.

This medicine of yours, Master, is a top-grade specimen even among Liaodong deer penis — truly hard to come by."

"Is that so?" Hu Zhaoyuan was rather surprised.

Chaozhou Prefecture was thousands of li from Liaodong, and with the Jianzhou barbarians causing chaos and maritime transport disrupted, Hu Zhaoyuan had never seen Liaodong deer penis before and truly did not know much about it.

Moreover, Lin Qian had sent thirty sets in one go, which also made Hu Zhaoyuan feel the item was not particularly precious.

After all, heavenly treasures and earthly rarities appeared as single specimens — how could they come in batches of thirty at once like woven Chaozhou silk?

Physician Ge set down the deer penis box and picked up the deer antler, saying: "This one is the same — the Liaodong sika deer variety is the most prized.

This set of antler of yours, Master, has short, fine fuzz spread across all the branches; when touched by hand, it feels fresh, tender, and full, and what's even more valuable is the thick wax-like slices. Judging by the appearance, this should be first-cut antler."

Hu Zhaoyuan asked with a bewildered look, "Then how much are these two sets of medicine worth?"

Physician Ge pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Demand without supply."

"Truly?" Hu Zhaoyuan was extremely astonished.

"In earlier years, top-grade deer penis sold in Chaozhou Prefecture for twenty taels a set, and top-grade deer antler for fifty taels a set.

Now that Liaodong has been seized by the Jianzhou barbarians and trade routes are severed, and with the exceptional quality of your two sets, Master, they would only be more expensive.

If someone had urgent need of them, they might pay any price."

Hu Zhaoyuan did a simple calculation in his head — assuming what the helmsman had given him were all top-grade deer products, then by this pricing —

The helmsman had, in one go, given him over two thousand taels of silver!

That was truly a fortune! More than five times what he had given the helmsman as tribute.

For the helmsman to give him such a vast sum of wealth could not possibly be mere intimidation or simply establishing authority — there must be another purpose!

Hu Zhaoyuan recalled the steward's words: "Enough for you, Master, to open a medicine shop."

A medicine shop?

Hu Zhaoyuan's eyes lit up — could this be the helmsman's true intention?

At this moment, Physician Ge was explaining to Hu Zhaoyuan the uses of the two medicines.

Deer antler could be steeped in wine or simmered in soup; deer penis could be steeped in wine or ground into powder.

Hu Zhaoyuan thought to himself — if he were to open a medicine shop, the first thing he needed was a trustworthy physician, and the Physician Ge before him, whose background he knew thoroughly, was just the right candidate.

But since the helmsman was involved, whether Ge could be trusted would still need to be tested.

Having made up his mind, Hu Zhaoyuan instructed the steward: "Bring out all the other goods from the storeroom."

A quarter-hour later, thirty sets of deer penis and thirty sets of deer antler covered the entire surface of the main hall table.

Physician Ge was so shocked his mouth could not close: "This, this —"

Let alone a wealthy household in a county town — even the entire Chaozhou Prefecture would find it difficult to produce a single set of Liaodong deer products.

Yet Master Hu's household had brought out thirty sets at once! This was no longer a question of silver — this was practically having connections that reached to heaven!

Could Master Hu secretly be in league with the Jianzhou barbarians?

After his initial shock, Physician Ge felt fear, but then he reconsidered — Chaozhou Prefecture and Liaodong were thousands of li apart, and Master Hu, a seller of Chaozhou silk, had no means to collude with the enemy.

Even if he truly were colluding with the enemy, he ought to have brought back Liaodong wild ginseng — that was the truly lucrative medicinal product.

Hu Zhaoyuan explained: "I was doing business recently, and a friend in Macao sent me these. I'd trouble Physician Ge to help appraise them."

Physician Ge forced himself to calm down, clasped his hands, and said, "Certainly."

Having said this, he paced about the great hall, inspecting the medicines one by one. After examining over a dozen doses, Physician Ge's fear subsided somewhat.

These medicines varied in quality, sourced from sika deer and sambar deer, with enormous differences in harvesting, processing, and storage—naturally reflected in their prices. The cheapest inferior sambar deer penis, for instance, was worth only one qian of silver.

The price gap between the finest and the worst grades was over five hundredfold.

Of course, even with price differences, the sixty doses together were worth nearly six hundred taels—a staggering sum for Physician Ge.

Moreover, most of these medicines had been hastily prepared, clearly not the work of the Tartars. Since Master Hu could not possibly be colluding with the enemy, Physician Ge was reassured.

Master Hu selected several doses of top-grade deer products and asked Physician Ge to brew them into medicinal wine.

Physician Ge worked for the better part of a day to complete the task, then took his fee and took his leave of the estate.

Master Hu summoned his steward: "From today onward, keep an ear to the market and see if there's any news of deer antler or deer penis."

That evening, Master Hu had his feet washed by a maidservant.

The maid's small hand teased at Master Hu's feet with deliberate subtlety as she said in a soft voice, "Master, which courtyard shall I hang the lantern in tonight?"

Master Hu had the desire but not the strength, and a wave of inexplicable irritation rose in him: "I'll sleep alone tonight."

"Yes." The maidservant's expression dimmed.

When his feet were washed and the maid went out to dump the water, Master Hu called her back: "Wait—there's still some medicinal powder from this afternoon in the storeroom. The steward knows what it is. Go ask him for it."

The maid acknowledged and left, returning after a while with a paper packet.

Hu Zhaoyuan opened the packet and confirmed it was deer penis powder—the very batch Physician Ge had ground fresh that day to verify its potency.

According to Physician Ge, this powder could be swallowed directly with warm water for faster effect, though its potency was stronger and required smaller doses.

Hu Zhaoyuan took a fingernail-sized amount of the powder, had the maid bring warm water, and swallowed it.

He closed his eyes and waited a moment—nothing happened. It was no different from swallowing a mouthful of wall dust.

The maid blinked her big, watery eyes, crouching by Master Hu's leg, and asked gently, "Master, how is it?"

Rage surged in Hu Zhaoyuan: "Get out!"

Scolded to the brink of tears, the maid covered her face and ran out.

Hu Zhaoyuan thought to himself, what rubbish medicine—it seems to have no effect at all! He had used plenty of virility drugs before; those Golden Spear Powders and Single Pillar Pastes took effect far faster.

After the maid left, he swallowed another fingernail-sized dose of the powder.

He closed his eyes and lay on the bed, waiting. Truly no effect whatsoever. Tossing and turning, he grew quite hot, broke into a light sweat, and drifted off into a restless sleep.

The next day, Hu Zhaoyuan swallowed two fingernail-sized doses of the powder—still no reaction whatsoever.

A man past fifty, wearing only a thin robe, he paced anxiously before Eighth Concubine's courtyard until he worked up a sweat, holding out until the small hours. Finding it utterly ineffective, disheartened, he had no choice but to return to his room.

On the third evening, Hu Zhaoyuan steeled himself and swallowed four fingernail-sized doses of the powder, then waited for it to take effect, fidgeting with anxiety, his heart clawing like a hundred ants—yet still nothing improved.

Hu Zhaoyuan even began to suspect that the helmsman and Physician Ge had conspired to cheat him.

Had the medicinal wine not needed more time to steep, Hu Zhaoyuan would have downed two bowls of it by now.

After suffering miserably in bed for an hour, Hu Zhaoyuan could no longer bear the frustration. He went back outside and, as if possessed, wandered over to Eighth Concubine's courtyard.

Hu Zhaoyuan had not come for days, and Eighth Concubine, left alone in her empty room, passed the time by singing little tunes to relieve her boredom.

The tune was plaintive and flowing, her voice seductive to the bone. Though it was a proper song, the melody was so alluring that one listen would pull you in and never let you go.

Hu Zhaoyuan's very soul was bewitched. He scratched his head and ears in desperation, but what wouldn't work still wouldn't work.

After struggling for a long while, he suddenly heard a delighted voice from within the courtyard: "Master, is that you?"

The voice was like an oriole's clear call—crisp and bright, with a hint of allure.

Hu Zhaoyuan's body trembled at the sound. Without a word, he fled back to his room, a man past fifty running with swift, vigorous strides.

In the courtyard, Eighth Concubine, in the bloom of her twentieth year, with a face like peach blossoms and eyes like spring water, propped her cheek on her hand and let out a hum thick with resentment.

She thought to herself: "Old fool, even after all this, he only looks and never enters—utterly useless! Had I known this would happen, I should have married Master Ling instead."

At that thought, Eighth Concubine opened her cabinet, took out a smooth jade dildo, and blew out the candle.

After the better part of an hour, Eighth Concubine was drenched in sweat, exhausted, and fell asleep.

In the small hours, Hu Zhaoyuan was woken by the heat. Throwing off the blanket, he found himself soaked in sweat. He got up, went to the table, grabbed the already-cold tea, and gulped it down.

After drinking his fill, he meant to go back to sleep, but suddenly felt strength surging through every limb and joint. Throwing on a thin robe, he went out the door and strode quickly toward Eighth Concubine's room.

Moments later, a woman's startled cry rang out from Eighth Concubine's room: "Who? Help—mmph—Master? What—"

At dawn, Hu Zhaoyuan walked out of the room brimming with satisfaction. Standing in the middle of the courtyard, he summoned Eighth Concubine's maidservant.

"Master." The maid's face was slightly flushed as she bowed respectfully.

"Throw this thing away." Hu Zhaoyuan said, pulling out a dildo.

The maid took it with a start, her ears burning red.

Hu Zhaoyuan laughed heartily and strode out of the courtyard.

In the days that followed, Hu Zhaoyuan indulged in revelry night after night.

Eighth Concubine's gaze toward him was now tinged with fear beneath the affection, and she grew ever more submissive.

By now, Hu Zhaoyuan understood completely.

If the virility drugs were like kindling that burned through, then deer penis and deer antler were tonics that replenished deficiency. The end goal was the same, but the nature of the potency was entirely different—no wonder top-grade deer penis was priceless yet unavailable.

During this period, through his steward's close surveillance and his connections with the county office, Master Hu learned that Physician Ge was tight-lipped and had not spread rumors—a trustworthy man.

Now, to open a medicine shop, he only needed to secure the supply.

Master Hu summoned his steward: "Prepare generous gifts, and go to Nan'ao for me—"

Mid-sentence, Master Hu stopped. He changed his words: "Prepare generous gifts for me, and a boat as well. I will go to the island myself and meet the helmsman face to face!"

Early the next morning, Hu Zhaoyuan took a boat to Nan'ao Island.

This was his first time setting foot on Nan'ao Island, and the moment he stepped onto the dock, he was stunned.

The docks of Houjiang Bay stretched for several li, so long one could not see the end. Berths were as numerous as stars, trestle bridges extended more than ten zhang into the sea, merchant ships and warships came and went without number, tall masts stood thick as a forest, and the common folk, merchants, and clerks moving about the docks were beyond counting.

Such a scene of prosperity—let alone Chenghai County, even Ningbo or the Taicang treasury could hardly match it. It was already approaching Guangzhou—

Quanzhou at last.

As soon as Hu Zhaoyuan's ship docked, clerks immediately came aboard to investigate and register, and the Hu household steward stepped forward with practiced ease to handle them.

The steward then led Hu Zhaoyuan toward the government affairs hall.

Along the way, Hu Zhaoyuan's eyes never stopped sweeping the surroundings, and his mouth never closed—everything felt novel, everything seemed the same as the Great Ming, yet everywhere it showed differences.

Seeing his master's interest, the steward kept up a steady stream of introductions.

"The island's customs are open—women may walk the streets freely."

"Yes, those people have Liaodong accents—they're all refugees who fled from Liaodong."

"That's not the imperial examination—it's the selection exam for the island's clerks. They held one last year; this year's should also be after the first month."

"Oh, those are fish from the open sea. The Helmsman built a kind of hawk ship specially for fishing the outer waters."

Amid his exclamations of wonder, the steward led Master Hu to the gates of the government affairs hall.

It was not yet the Lantern Festival, so the hall was still on holiday, its gates unopened. The steward found the gatekeeper and requested an audience.

While waiting, Hu Zhaoyuan ran his hand over the hall's outer wall.

Yes—these blue bricks were all shipped here by him from the shore, yet he never imagined that in so short a time, the island could use the bricks he'd given to raise such a great city.

After all, the mansion Hu Zhaoyuan had built on the city outskirts had taken over half a year to finish.

After a moment, the hall's gatekeeper came out: "The Helmsman is not at the hall today. You may try Chief Bailang's house south of the city—if he's not there either, he should be at Yandun Bay."

The steward asked for directions and led Master Hu south through the city.

Hu Zhaoyuan noticed that the closer they got to the southern quarter, the taller and more luxurious the dwellings became. Four-point-gold houses were now the standard, and even grand mansions appeared in rows.

Grand mansions, after all, were things only great households of Fujian and Guangdong could afford.

Even Hu Zhaoyuan, before he threw in his lot with the Helmsman, had lived in only a single grand mansion.

Yet here on the island, grand mansions stood in connected rows—the wealth of this place truly made Hu Zhaoyuan's heart quail.

Following the gatekeeper's directions, the steward found Chief Bailang's house.

Four sword-bearing guards stood at its gate—easy to spot.

The steward stepped forward and announced their business; after a moment, the gate swung open.

Hu Zhaoyuan entered with a nervous heart. He and the steward halted in the courtyard before the main hall, where a man sat brush in hand, writing.

The man was plainly dressed in a coarse blue cotton robe, yet his sword-shaped brows and phoenix eyes carried an imposing air, and beside him attended a comely maidservant.

In a dim corner of the main hall sat another man with a cold face, wiping a blade with a wet cotton cloth. The sword was over four chi long, its body curved like a rice seedling, its edge gleaming with menace.

Sword-wiping and calligraphy practice sharing one room—the scene struck a sharp contrast that made Master Hu's breath catch, and he dared not speak to interrupt.

Lin Qian was at that moment gripping his brush, copying the Chunhua Pavilion Calligraphy Models to practice regular script, utterly absorbed. Seeing his guests say nothing, he said nothing either.

Minute by minute the time passed, until at last the final stroke fell.

Lin Qian set down his brush, admired his work, and asked Su Qingmei beside him: "How is it?"

Su Qingmei said happily: "The Helmsman learns so quickly—in just one month of practice, you've matched what took me three."

So saying, Su Qingmei picked up a vermilion brush and began circling and marking Lin Qian's calligraphy.

"These characters are good. These pauses need strengthening. Here the stroke momentum breaks—here the brush tip should be like this—"

Su Qingmei was young, but under Su Kang's stern tutelage she had developed an excellent hand.

Even Scholar Zhou said Su Qingmei's calligraphy surpassed his own.

Lin Qian had simply let Su Qingmei teach him brush calligraphy—since he lived in the Great Ming, he couldn't use a hard-tipped pen forever, so whenever he had free time, he practiced a few strokes.

When Su Kang learned of this, he simply had Su Qingmei serve as full-time practice companion.

After the round of markings, Lin Qian's masterpiece was painted all over in red. Lin Qian couldn't help a wry smile, flexed his wrist, and said toward the courtyard: "Master Hu, sorry for the wait."

"Yuanwai" was an honorific the Great Ming court bestowed on wealthy households; before throwing in with Lin Qian, Hu Zhaoyuan had not been qualified to be called yuanwai.

Only after building the charity granary and connecting with the Chenghai County Magistrate had Hu Zhaoyuan come to be addressed as yuanwai.

Lin Qian's calligraphy had taken nearly half an hour to write, and Hu Zhaoyuan's feet had long since grown sore from standing. Hearing this, he immediately perked up and said: "The Helmsman is too kind. This old man counts it a blessing to serve as your dog or horse, waiting quietly for your command. That the Helmsman, busy with a thousand affairs, still thinks of those below—this old man is moved beyond words."

Lin Qian gave a light laugh and said: "You've come about the deer products, haven't you?"

Hu Zhaoyuan weighed his words and said: "This humble one is shallow of talent and thin of learning, yet fortunate to have been taken in. But after years serving in your shadow, I have never had the chance to pay my respects in person. Today I presume to call upon you, hoping only to take up the broom and dust, and serve at your gate for years to come."

"I didn't expect you to have some learning after all." Lin Qian teased, then his smile faded. "When serving under me, it's best to speak plainly. If you've come for the deer antler and deer penis, we can talk at length. If you've come to 'take up the broom and dust'—the broom's in the side room."

Hu Zhaoyuan struggled for a moment, then finally said: "This old man has come for the deer products. Of that kind of deer product you so generously gifted me before—how much remains? This old man wishes to take it all."

Lin Qian had Bailangzai bring the ledger: "Two thousand pairs of deer antler, eleven thousand deer penises."

Hu Zhaoyuan was stunned. He had thought a thousand-odd sets would be the ceiling for Lin Qian's deer products—never did he imagine they numbered in the tens of thousands.

Going by the average price of those sixty sets before, these ten-thousand-plus sets would be worth over a hundred thousand taels—simply inconceivable.

Deer products were practically a luxury good in the Great Ming, far too expensive—ordinary people had no right to enjoy them at all.

Hu Zhaoyuan's original plan had also been to take the high-end route, using his connections in Chenghai County and even Chaozhou Prefecture to peddle them to wealthy merchants, great households, and officials.

But even if all those men were weak of constitution, together they couldn't consume ten thousand-odd sets of deer products.

So Hu Zhaoyuan stood frozen on the spot, not knowing how to reply.

Lin Qian asked Hu Zhaoyuan his worry, then explained: "Among this batch of deer products, there are top-grade goods, but also plenty of inferior ones. No matter how you look at it, such a huge shipment flooding the market will inevitably drive prices down.

You run a medicine shop—you can sell the top-grade goods to the great households at sky-high prices. The mid and low grades, you slice, powder, and steep in wine.

An ordinary person can't afford a whole antler, but a few slices they can. Can't buy a whole deer penis—but a cup of medicinal wine they can still drink.

You also need to open up sales channels. While you hold the Chaozhou Prefecture market, you can develop distributors in other provinces and prefectures, selling in bulk lots to other medicine shops."

Lin Qian also knew that the Chaozhou Prefecture market could never absorb so many deer products—he had long since thought through how to tap the market's potential.

Hu Zhaoyuan was dumbfounded. Before coming, he had imagined many dialogues with the Helmsman, rehearsed all sorts of scenarios.

But not one scenario had the Helmsman personally teaching him how to do business.

And yet, the more he thought about these words, the more sense they made—like a sudden enlightenment, they flung his thinking wide open in an instant.

Lin Qian said, "For this trip to the island, how much silver have you prepared?"

Hu Zhaoyuan's expression turned somewhat unnatural: "Ten thousand taels."

Ten thousand taels was an astronomical sum to an ordinary person, but before more than ten thousand sets of deer products, it was a drop in the bucket.

Hu Zhaoyuan only wanted to make a windfall; there was no way he would stake his entire fortune on deer products.

Lin Qian pondered for a moment: "How about this—your ten thousand taels will count as a deposit. Take two thousand sets of deer products ashore, build up your reputation first, secure your market share, and cultivate consumer habits. As for the rest of the goods, settle the accounts in full on your next restock."

Hu Zhaoyuan hesitated briefly, then finally agreed.

Lin Qian then settled several more details with Hu Zhaoyuan before having Bailangzai lead Hu Zhaoyuan to collect the goods.

After the group had left, Su Qingmei could not help asking, "Helmsman, since you've thought the deer product business through so clearly, why not do it yourself?"

Lin Qian picked up his brush and dipped it in ink, saying, "Selling deer products depends on channels and marketing, while what I control is production and technology—large-scale manufacturing and deep processing. I have no interest in squabbling over such trifling profits."

Su Qingmei made a funny face: "The helmsman is saying things people can't understand again!"

At dusk, the loading of two thousand sets of deer products was completed, and Hu Zhaoyuan could not wait to urge the return voyage.

On the way back, Hu Zhaoyuan stood at the stern, gazing into the distance at Nan'ao Island under the crimson evening clouds, lost in thought.

The steward walked up behind Hu Zhaoyuan and said mysteriously, "Master, I know where the helmsman's batch of deer products came from."

Hu Zhaoyuan started, glanced around—no one was eavesdropping—then urged, "Speak quickly."

The steward lowered his voice to the barest whisper: "They came from Dongfan Island."

Hu Zhaoyuan's gaze sharpened. That Dongfan Island had many deer was known to quite a few people, but the island was a wild, uncultivated land full of miasma, and few merchants from Fujian or Guangdong ever set foot on it.

It was also because of the harsh environment that the court's rule over Dongfan Island was weak, and so over the years, a private port had formed on the island, called Wang Harbor.

This port specialized in smuggling trade between the Great Ming and Japan, drawing together a great many sea bandits, wokou pirates, ronin, and smugglers.

Every soul in that harbor was ruthless and merciless, with the various factions locked in fierce strife—even private ships without powerful backing dared not sail into Wang Harbor.

In Master Hu's impression, the helmsman's crew was powerful and heavily armed, well equipped to brave the waters of Wang Harbor.

If the deer products came from Dongfan Island, they had most likely been bought from the natives—which would explain why the quality of the deer products varied so much.

But how had the steward guessed it?

Hu Zhaoyuan voiced the doubt in his mind.

The steward said, "I didn't guess, young master—I saw it. When Captain Bai led us to collect the goods, the warehouse ledger clearly recorded the two characters 'Dongfan.'"

Hu Zhaoyuan was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, word by word, gravely to the steward: "Listen carefully—this stays between you and me. Once we return to the manor, those two names—Dongfan, and Liaodong—must never be mentioned again."

The steward was unconcerned: "Rest assured, Master. I've carefully looked into all the household servants—they're all people of known background—"

Hu Zhaoyuan flew into a rage: "Who told you to investigate?"

"Master?" The steward did not understand.

Hu Zhaoyuan then lowered his voice and said, "In any case, remember my words—you are not to speak of Dongfan or Liaodong. This batch of deer products was bought from the Franks at Macao. If you dare utter a single word out of turn, don't blame me for disregarding our many years of master-servant bond!"

The steward repeatedly acknowledged his orders.

Night fell. In the main hall of the administrative office, Lin Qian and his brothers took their seats at the table, which was laden with wine and dishes.

In the courtyard, more than thirty beauties were displaying their figures in turn.

Yahei

Fenyuan

Pen