Chapter 54: Tavern Opening

The next morning, several guests arrived at the Weinan Bo Fu.

Yesterday, Chen Yan had someone inform the tavern's shareholders; today the tavern opens.

Besides Crown Prince Li Chengqian, Cheng Chumo, Yu Chi Bao Lin, Qin Huaidao, and Princess Changle all came to the Weinan Bo Fu.

"Old Chen, let's go, we have to go see the tavern opening!" Yu Chi Bao Lin's loud voice, as always.

Chen Yan ate his meal leisurely; hearing this, he calmly said, "What's the rush? There's still some time before the plaque is unveiled; let me finish breakfast first."

Qin Huaidao reached out to stop the still-speaking Yu Chi Bao Lin, and softly said, "Brother Bao Lin, why be in a hurry?"

"Anyway, given Brother Chen's status, we won't show our faces at the tavern opening; going too early would be useless, so we might as well sit a while and try Brother Chen's tea."

Cheng Chumo nodded in agreement: "Brother Qin is right; we're just going to see if the business is good."

"But as a newly opened tavern, before its name is known, there surely won't be many customers; we must wait until someone has tried the hot pot and liquor, spreading its reputation, before it can profit."

Chen Yan raised his eyebrows after hearing that, smiled, and did not explain anything.

Princess Changle, who had been paying attention to Chen Yan, saw this and curiously asked: "Does the Marquis of Weinan seem to have a different opinion?"

Chen Yan said: "Even if I told you a lot now, you probably wouldn't understand; after we go to the tavern, you'll see for yourselves."

"In short, my tavern's business will certainly not be bleak."

Cheng Chumo laughed heartily: "Brother Zi An, if you say you make things and create all sorts of odd gadgets, I'd surely believe you, but this is business—it's not the same as making things."

"No matter what shop, business gradually improves; even if our liquor and food are good, we still need many people to have tried them before they can slowly become known."

Chen Yan gave a half-smile: "It seems Brother Chu Mo doesn't believe me; how about we make a bet?"

Upon hearing about a bet, Cheng Chumo hesitated.

Because he has bet with Chen Yan many times, losing each time utterly, never winning.

Now Chen Yan proposes a bet, and for some reason he feels a bit apprehensive.

After a moment of silence, Cheng Chumo gritted his teeth: "Fine, let's bet; I don't believe you can make the tavern's business improve today."

"What do you want to bet?"

Yu Chi Bao Lin crossed her arms, wearing an expression of watching the show.

Qin Huaidao shook his head: "Brother Chu Mo, you have a poor memory; if I recall correctly, you and Brother Chen have made thirteen bets, and you've never won a single one."

Cheng Chumo: "......"

That comment hit home.

It made him feel as if he were destined to lose.

Chen Yan finished the last bit of porridge, looked at Cheng Chumo, and said: "How about we bet on an ox? I haven't had beef in a long time."

"Whoever loses provides this ox, to celebrate our tavern's opening—how does that sound?"

Cheng Chumo's mouth twitched.

Well, this bet is clearly aimed at him.

Who in all of Chang'an doesn't know his family has many oxen, and they die in all sorts of ways?

Besides, do you even have an ox?

Chen Yan couldn't help but guess what he was thinking, and said: "Brother Chu Mo, rest assured; although I don't have an ox, if I lose I'll naturally find a way to get you one."

"How?"

"Alright, we're betting!"

Having said that, Cheng Chumo could hardly back down, and immediately agreed.

Chen Yan stood up, pulled out a folding fan from his sleeve, and said: "Since that's settled, shall we go take a look now?"

"Come on, come on, I want to see how Brother Zi An makes the tavern's business improve on its first day!" Cheng Chumo, still unconvinced, urged everyone to hurry.

Qin Huaidao and Yu Chi Bao Lin exchanged a glance, both seeing amusement in each other's eyes.

Although they didn't know what method Chen Yan would use to improve the tavern's business, they didn't think he would lose.

Simply put, Chen Yan is just too uncanny.

He always manages to produce something strange and odd, yet surprisingly effective.

As the three departed, Princess Changle donned a purple veil, picked up Little Sizi, and followed.

She was equally curious why Chen Yan was so confident he would surely win.

"......"

Leaving the mansion, Chen Yan felt that many people were secretly following them.

However, Chen Yan didn't mind, after all there were two princesses among them, and they were the most favored princesses.

It would be strange if no one were following to protect them.

"Brother Zi An, hurry up, what are you dawdling for?"

Seeing Chen Yan walk slowly, Cheng Chumo couldn't help but urge him on.

Chen Yan glanced at him: "Earlier you told Brother Bao Lin not to rush, so why are you rushing now?"

Hearing that, Yu Chi Bao Lin teased: "Right, Old Cheng, what are you rushing for?"

"Could it be that you're afraid of losing, so you're rushing?"

"Nonsense." Cheng Chumo stubbornly said: "Forget those past things; I admit defeat."

"This time I definitely cannot lose!"

Chen Yan gave him a thumbs-up: "I hope you can still be that confident later."

The group continued forward and soon arrived at the bustling East Market.

Various hawking noises and clamor filled the ears.

"Top-quality Bosi leather, come take a look!"

"Newly arrived Xiyu grape wine, one cup will make you reluctant to leave."

"Freshly baked ancient tower pastries, three wen cash each, eh."

Xiao Sizi's big, dark, glossy eyes gazed around.

To her, who had never left the house, everything outside was extremely novel.

Xiao Sizi was suddenly drawn by a rich aroma.

Just then, at the roadside charcoal stove, a bearded Hu master was placing slices of lamb into a flatbread, oil dripping onto the charcoal with a 'sizzle', fragrance spreading everywhere.

Just as she was about to tell Li Lizhi she wanted to eat, her gaze was instead drawn by the cheering sound from the corner.

A Tuhuoluo performer gulped down a mouthful of specially brewed liquor, then suddenly sprayed it toward the torch, and with a 'boom' a flame over ten zhang high shot up.

She immediately lost interest in eating the flatbread, and along the way, seeing all kinds of novel things, she felt utterly satisfied.

Soon, everyone arrived at the center of East Market, the busiest and most prosperous area.

In the distance, before a three-story high, lantern-decorated tavern, the inside and outside were packed with guests, extremely lively.

Above the tavern's main gate hung a black-background gold-character signboard, on which were written the three large, dragon‑like, phoenix‑dancing characters 'Zui Xian Lou'.

Xiao Shunzi stood in front of the tavern door and shouted loudly: "Don't push, don't push, everyone absolutely must not push, be careful not to get hurt, eh."

"I'll say it again: today, as Zui Xian Lou opens for business, we are thanking our guests; any customer who comes in to eat or drink can participate in the lottery."

"Moreover, anyone who can drink a jar of our 'Jade Dew Golden Goblet' from Zui Xian Lou without getting drunk will, for the coming year, be able to eat and drink at Zui Xian Lou without spending a single coin."

In the distance, Cheng Chumo rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn't mistaken—that was their tavern.

He opened his mouth, about to speak, when suddenly two aunties rushed past from beside him.

"Hey, let me tell you, my son's classmate's maternal aunt's daughter's cousin's brother just ate some hot pot at Zui Xian Lou, then entered that lottery, and actually won fifty strings of cash, eh."

"What? Really or fake?"

"Of course it's true—how could I lie to you? They gave cash directly, fifty strings, and pulled it out on the spot to give, eh."

"Hiss, there's actually such a good thing? Then I'd better hurry over to try it!"

"Exactly, exactly, let's go together; listening to my son's classmate's maternal aunt's daughter's cousin's brother say, Zui Xian Lou's hot pot is simply a delicacy fit for heaven, so delicious it's beyond words; even if we don't win the prize, we still have to try it."

The two aunties rushed off to Zui Xian Lou in a flurry, leaving Cheng Chumo standing there like a wooden chicken.

His complexion began to change at a visible speed: first it flushed bright red, then turned black as a pot bottom, then became purple like an eggplant, and finally went deathly pale as paper.

"Zi...... Zi Anxiong." Cheng Chumo's voice trembled; he simply couldn't believe he had lost again.

"You damn...... what kind of trickery is this?!"

"......"