Chapter 56: Wangyue Pavilion, Offering Poetry

"A brothel!"

"A brothel!"

Everyone said in unison.

"That's right!"

Zhu Kang nodded, "Brothels are the places high-ranking officials and nobles love to linger in most; wealthy gentlemen who throw thousands of gold pieces around are everywhere there."

"If you can make a name for your wine in a brothel, those rich folks who don't care about money will absolutely swarm in."

"Damn, Old Zhu, you really have a way!"

Chu Feng grabbed Zhu Kang by the shoulder, "You truly deserve to be our dog-headed strategist! This idea is brilliant!"

"Hey, hey, hey, hey..."

"Old Chu, let go of me quickly, I can't breathe anymore!!"

Chu Feng hurriedly loosened his grip.

Because he was too excited, he hadn't controlled his strength for a moment.

He had almost sent Zhu Kang to the afterlife.

"Sorry! Old Zhu, I was too excited!"

"Cough, cough, cough..."

"If not for this official's great luck, I would have died at your hands today!"

Zhu Kang cast a resentful glance at Chu Feng.

Just like a young wife who had been wronged.

He didn't want to pay attention to Chu Feng anymore.

"Uh..."

"I'm sorry, Old Zhu. How about this: I'll give you ten jars of our wine first, how's that?"

"Hmph, you think you can dismiss me with just ten jars of wine?"

Zhu Kang patted his clothes, then turned around and quietly held up two fingers, "At least twenty jars!"

"Deal!"

Chu Feng waved his hand, and twenty jars of wine were packed up and given to Zhu Kang.

In any case, as long as there was grain, there was as much of this wine as one wanted.

"Hehe, I knew I didn't waste my time making a brother out of you, Zhu Kang!"

The two of them reconciled right then and there.

Seeing this, Lu Shuwan, who was on the side, couldn't help but roll her eyes.

She muttered to herself: "Heh, men!"

No sooner said than done!

Since it was for the sake of selling the product.

Zhu Kang immediately led Chu Feng straight to the local brothel, 'Haiyue Tower'.

Xiang Yuan and Qiu Ming wanted to follow, but because the two of them still had to be responsible for training the troops, they had no choice but to give up.

Afterwards, Chu Feng called Liu Peng and Zhang Tan over to help as manual laborers.

Then Lu Shuwan followed along as well.

Chu Feng wanted to let her go back to train the troops, but she insisted on coming.

Chu Feng couldn't do anything about this well-connected person either.

After all, she was the boss's person, so he could only let her tag along.

Now, the borderlands had entered winter.

The entire border pass was covered in pure white snowflakes.

The only vibrant color was the few plum blossoms blooming at the corners of the walls within the city.

"Old Zhu, I remember you promised to take me to Haiyue Tower to drink to my heart's content back then!"

"I'm taking you now, aren't I? I didn't forget!"

"Hehe, just a joke!"

Chu Feng smiled slightly, "I don't know the situation at this Haiyue Tower yet; I hope Official Zhu can explain it and open our eyes?"

"Don't flatter me; my meager salary can't withstand being tossed around a few times!"

Zhu Kang continued, "Haiyue Tower is not only a place for seeking pleasure, but also a place for scholars and refined guests to exchange ideas and compose poetry."

"For example, the top courtesan in Wangyue Pavilion, Lady Ziran."

Mentioning this person, a beautiful silhouette instantly appeared in Zhu Kang's heart.

That was the most beautiful fairy he had ever seen.

The first time he came to Haiyue Tower, he had fallen in love with her at first sight.

He had even entertained the thought of redeeming her.

But her price was too high.

He truly couldn't afford to climb that high.

"Hey, hey, hey, keep talking! Don't space out!"

Chu Feng patted Zhu Kang, urging him to continue.

"Sorry, where was I just now?"

"Lady Ziran!" Lu Shuwan replied irritably.

"Oh, let's continue!"

Zhu Kang adjusted his tone.

"This Lady Ziran arrived at Haiyue Tower half a year ago. Not only is she as beautiful as a fairy, but she is also skilled in singing and dancing. Many wealthy gentlemen, hoping to win a smile from her, have thrown away thousands of gold pieces in an endless stream."

"It is only a pity that Lady Ziran has no interest in these worldly riches. If one wishes to converse with her or even see her dance, one must satisfy her requirements."

"Oh? What requirements?" Chu Feng asked.

"Presenting a poem!"

"Oh? Presenting a poem!"

Chu Feng raised an eyebrow.

Isn't this walking right into his trap!

He might not have much else, but he is full of poems and verses.

"The requirements aren't low, to actually demand a poem!" Lu Shuwan teased.

"Indeed! And it must be a poem written based on a topic she sets!"

Speaking of this, Zhu Kang glanced at Chu Feng.

"Brother Chu's poem from back then is famous throughout the entire Great Wei literary circle; surely with Brother Chu taking the lead this time, success is guaranteed!"

"Hehe, I'll take your kind words!"

If it weren't to sell the wine, I wouldn't come to this place of pleasure.

While speaking.

The group had already arrived at Haiyue Tower.

Although it is now the bitter cold season, Haiyue Tower is still crowded with guests.

One has to say.

The human desire for reproduction truly does not pick a time.

"Yo, so it is Magistrate Zhu and General Chu!"

"Two distinguished guests, please come in, please come in!"

The madam of Haiyue Tower hurried to welcome them with a smile.

These two are figures of great importance within Anwu County.

Especially Chu Feng.

He is famous throughout all of Anwu County for having once crushed tens of thousands of Turkic troops with two thousand cavalrymen.

"Madam, we have come here to see Lady Ziran; I wonder if you could introduce us?"

"Magistrate Zhu, surely you should know Lady Ziran's rules!"

Although both are important figures in Anwu County, the madam would not break the rules because of that.

"That is natural, but since we have come here, we are certainly prepared."

"Oh? Could it be that General Chu also understands poetry and songs?"

"Hehe, I understand a little!"

"I never imagined General Chu was a great talent skilled in both literature and martial arts; this humble woman has been disrespectful!"

The madam continued, "Please, everyone, move this way and follow me!"

The group immediately followed the madam into Haiyue Tower.

Inside the main hall, a crowd of people were squeezed together, looking at a vertical board.

On the vertical board was a painting.

The painting depicted a single plum blossom blooming while standing tall in the bitter winter.

"General Chu, this is the topic set by Lady Ziran. If you can write a poem about this flower, then Lady Ziran will come to keep you company!"

"And perhaps, a night of intimacy!"

The madam's words were extremely tempting.

It made all the men present shiver involuntarily.

Even Chu Feng was not spared.

After all, who could refuse the temptation of a fairy.

"Heh, men!" Lu Shuwan curled her lips and said.

"Brother, I see that so many people don't have the ability; why don't you show us what you've got!"

Zhu Kang kept egging him on from the side, "Although I can't sleep with her, it would be something for me to be proud of if you, brother, did!"

Hehe, I would love to sleep with her, but I can't!

Chu Feng felt bitter inside.

He had not forgotten the warning Zhao Hu gave him.

Never leak his primordial yang until reaching the Martial Venerable realm.

"Hmph, am I that kind of shallow person?"

Chu Feng embodied a man of honor.

"I came here to find a market for our business; how could I be distracted by matters between men and women? I swear here, I will not start a family until I break the Turkic forces!"

In an instant.

Chu Feng's figure suddenly became noble and lofty.

Everyone was moved by his words.

"Alas, I didn't expect Brother Chu to have such great aspirations; I was being abrupt!"

Zhu Kang deeply regretted what he had just said.

Chu Feng is truly devoted to the country and the people.

To think that he had actually mistaken such a person for a common, vulgar man.

It was a shame, considering he had read so many books of the sages; he truly felt ashamed.

"This..."

Lu Shuwan was suddenly unable to speak.

She had not expected Chu Feng's ambitions to be so intense; he would not start a family until the Turkic were defeated.

He had truly integrated the nation and its people into his own mission.

"He... he is so much like Grandfather!"

Lu Shuwan thought to herself.

Her favorable impression of Chu Feng increased significantly in an instant.

There was even a sense of admiration.

Chu Feng did not waste words.

He had the madam fetch a brush and ink, then wrote with great vigor.

A poem was thus set down upon the paper.

It was then sent by the madam's people to Miss Ziran.

The scene shifted.

"Tch, it's all trash; not a single one is worth looking at!"

Ziran tossed a piece of paper from the table into the brazier.

Dozens of poems had been sent to her one after another.

Yet there was not a single one she found satisfactory.

All of them had been thrown into the brazier by her.

"They all say the literary circles of Great Wei are full of talent, but seeing it today, I think it's an exaggeration!"

As she spoke, Ziran suddenly yawned.

She prepared to change her clothes and go to bed.

"Miss Ziran, someone has presented another poem!"

"Leave it there; I'll look at it when I have time!"

Ziran now held no hope for these poems.

Because not a single person had grasped the main point.

So she had someone place this poem on the table, and then she went to bathe herself.

One hour later.

Ziran finished bathing and prepared to go to bed to rest.

Her eyes inadvertently drifted toward the paper on the table.

"Hmph, I don't know how this person wrote, but I might as well take a look!"

Ziran walked off the bed and picked up the paper on the table, giving it a brief glance.

It would have been fine if she hadn't looked, but one glance and she was captivated.

"Xue'er, is the person who presented this poem still here?"