Chapter 166: Qinhuai Fisherman's Song

The bell and drum of the final watch sounded from afar. Chen Xin rose early, full of energy, and kicked the doors of Hai Gouzi and the dumb monk next door, then called for Liu Minyou and Song Wenxian as well.

Song Wenxian crawled up bleary-eyed and asked groggily, "The sky isn't even bright yet — who is knocking at the door?"

Chen Xin laughed. "Mr. Song, you look utterly haggard. Last night you must have been burning the midnight oil battling Empress Wu. How did victory and defeat turn out?"

Song Wenxian saw clearly that it was Chen Xin at the door and laughed. "I battled the Infatuated Woman too. That Empress Wu was over seventy; though she claimed to have plump flesh and a gorgeous figure, just like a young woman, it's probably not true. I have only just reached forty — how could I be defeated by an old crone?"

Chen Xin roared with laughter. This old scoundrel was a man of true feeling — genuinely amusing. After laughing, he said to him, "Today we will first take a boat to tour Qingxi, then go to Bao'en Temple. Would Mr. Song like to come along?"

"I'll come, I'll come." Whenever there was an opportunity, Song Wenxian always wanted to be with Chen Xin, constantly hovering before the leader's eyes. At this moment he was naturally just as unequivocal, and hurried inside to wash up.

Liu Minyou also loudly agreed from inside. Chen Xin then turned to the room of Nie Hong and the others. Nie Hong and Zhou Laifu happened to be coming out. Chen Xin called over Hai Gouzi, took out silver, and distributed three taels per person to them, telling them to take their own attendants and go enjoy themselves.

Once everyone had gathered and they were about to set out, the door behind them sounded. Chen Tingdong came out fully dressed. Only then did Chen Xin remember he had forgotten this man. Chen Tingdong said loudly, "General, you are going to Qingxi. I happen to be able to serve as a guide."

Liu Minyou, his back to Chen Tingdong, quickly grimaced and winked at Chen Xin. This Chen Tingdong was indeed a straightforward man, but having him along for fun would be utterly dull. Chen Xin, his face perfectly composed, said, "I had intended to invite you along, sir, but there is an urgent matter here that no one but you can handle."

Chen Tingdong immediately said, "General, just give your orders."

"That shopkeeper from the other day may come looking for us at any time. Although there is one personal guard watching the luggage, he is not skilled at dealing with people. I worry about slighting the man, so I must trouble you, sir, to stay and keep watch for a day."

Chen Tingdong cupped his hands. "General, rest assured. I will certainly see it done." Having said this, he brought a chair out from the room and sat right there beneath the covered corridor, adding, "I will stand guard here. That shopkeeper will certainly not be missed." Chen Xin praised him a few times, then led the others out the door.

The Huaiqing Bridge where they were staying was on the Qinhuai River inside Nanjing city. The Qinhuai came from the southeast, passed Tongji Bridge across the city moat and entered the water gate of Tongji Gate, reaching the city wall right at Huaiqing Bridge. From Huaiqing Bridge it flowed southwest, passing Wende Bridge, Wuding Bridge, and Zhenhuai Bridge before exiting through the water gate of Sanshan Gate. This stretch of waterway was the Ten-Li Qinhuai famed in later ages. The pleasure quarter along it was called the Old Court. There were both official courtesans of the Music Instruction Bureau and private courtesans there; the high-class brothels were mostly concentrated in that area. Another spot, the Pearl Market, was beside Inner Bridge in Shangyuan County, where the lower-class prostitutes were — what the locals called the goulan, which is the origin of calling low-grade brothels goulan.

Chen Xin had already inquired clearly with the waiter. Once out the door, he led them across Huaiqing Bridge, then followed the riverbank south. This was the front gate of the Examination Hall, right beside the Qinhuai River, covering quite a large area. One could imagine that during the provincial examinations, this place must have been extremely lively.

After passing the Examination Hall, the riverbank was lined with household courtyards. Nearly every doorway had a bamboo fence or bamboo gate. Chen Xin and his group had set out very early; there were few pedestrians on the road, and it seemed exceptionally tranquil.

For a time there were no boats coming or going on the Qinhuai either. A faint thin mist lingered on the river's surface. The water was so clear you could see the bottom, and swimming fish were visible everywhere along the banks. The riverbanks were thickly planted with weeping willows; some willow branches already nearly touched the water, and when the gentle breeze blew, they stirred ripple after ripple.

Liu Minyou took several deep breaths and immediately felt refreshed in spirit, not finding the walk tiring at all. Following the river course, they reached the head of Wende Bridge. This was an arch bridge, with a high arch underneath to allow boats to pass. They climbed to the top of the bridge and looked west. The banks were lined with all kinds of painted pleasure boats. On the southern bank, amid green willows and misty haze, a number of towers, terraces, and music pavilions were half-hidden.

Song Wenxian looked back at the Examination Hall diagonally opposite. "Talented scholars and beautiful women dwelling across the river from each other — truly a match made in heaven."

The fat monk suddenly said from behind, "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl are the real match."

Song Wenxian turned to the dumb monk and said, "Fat monk, you're a monk — what do you know about the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl? Monks aren't allowed to sleep with women."

"I've already returned to lay life. Master said I can sleep with women."

Chen Xin laughed and led them across the bridge, walking along the southern riverbank. The Old Court was situated between Wende Bridge and Wuding Bridge. The style of the buildings here was different from the opposite bank: vermilion railings and ornate latticework, carved beams and painted rafters. The window lattices facing the street had bamboo blinds and light gauze. In front of the houses along the bank, flowers and plants were thickly planted, dotted with unusual rocks — elegantly simple and possessed of a distinctive charm.

Song Wenxian exclaimed loudly, "The scenery of Qinhuai far surpasses the West River Bank in the capital. Just looking at the layout, it is a cut above."

Liu Minyou also asked Chen Xin with some surprise, "This is a brothel? How can it be so elegantly understated? On TV, isn't it always a few women standing there, waving handkerchiefs and calling, 'Come in and play, sir'?"

Chen Xin couldn't help laughing and said in a low voice, "What kind of class is that? Those directors just throw together random sets. This place is the top-tier club of our Great Ming — the Heaven on Earth sort."

Song Wenxian did not catch their whispered exchange and continued shouting there, "Tonight I absolutely must come here to spend the night. Yesterday I should not have lingered with Empress Wu. What a pity, what a pity."

Liu Minyou cursed under his breath, "Dirty old lecher."

Just then, a splash sounded ahead. Water splattered across the flagstone street. Both of them were startled. When they looked over, a maidservant at a second-floor window was covering her mouth, apparently also startled. Seeing that no one had been splashed, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and said with a winsome smile, "Young masters, be careful. Every household pours water in the morning — don't let your clothes get soaked."

Before any of them could reply, the maidservant had already turned and gone back inside. Only then did everyone notice that many places on the street were wet. Ahead, the sound of splashing water rang out again. The group quickly moved to the outer edge of the street to avoid being splashed. The water these women had used for washing still carried a trace of warmth, and as it steamed, a faint fragrance of rouge drifted through the street.

Chen Xin said to Song Wenxian, "Mr. Song, as a veteran of the field of flowers, I wonder if you can discern a woman by her scent and deduce which house's women are better?"

Song Wenxian said, "That doesn't work here. Think about it — along this Qinhuai, every woman is one in a hundred, and they are famed for poetry, books, and romantic elegance. How could rouge alone determine it?" He turned to the dumb monk and said, "Fat monk, am I right?"

Before the dumb monk could answer, a ground-floor window lattice beside them opened. Several pretty maidservants in plain clothes, their sleeves rolled up to reveal snow-white arms, looking only fifteen or sixteen, were pouring water out with wooden basins while chatting in soft, warm Wu dialect.

Just then, three young lads in wooden clogs and brightly colored clothes came walking by, each carrying a basket of jasmine and autumn flowers, with carrying baskets on their backs, passing right by the group. Everyone's noses were filled with the fresh fragrance of jasmine.

One young lad walked up to the window and said to the maidservant, "Elder sister, buy some autumn flowers!"

A tall maidservant reached out and lightly pinched the young lad's face, saying with a laugh, "I won't buy just jasmine autumn flowers. Do you have any Cymbidium orchids?"

"Yes." The young lad called over another person and took a Cymbidium orchid from his basket to show the woman.

Another maidservant said, "Then quickly bring a basket of jasmine and the orchids inside. The young ladies are all waiting to use them."

The young lad happily carried his basket and went in through the main gate. One woman left the window and returned to the courtyard. From inside came the chattering sound of women's voices, as if they were dividing up the jasmine. The remaining three maidservants noticed the group on the street and cast over glances as soft as silk.

The dumb monk asked, "Mr. Song, why is she winking at me?"

"She wants to sleep with you."

"Great!" the dumb monk shouted, staring wide-eyed at the maidservants. Hearing Song Wenxian's words, the women burst into laughter. One woman with dimples said with a smile, "A monk so fat and huge might collapse the bed. I'm afraid of getting a beating from Mama's paddle. But if you, sir, wish to come, I would be happy to serve you in bed."

Song Wenxian turned to look at the door plaque, on which were written the two characters "Rain Sleep." He laughed heartily. "Spring waters bluer than the sky, in a painted boat listening to the rain and sleeping — what a fine Listening to the Rain Pavilion. Since a beauty has extended an invitation, how could one not accept? Tell your madam that this evening I want you few to keep me company. Don't promise yourselves to anyone else."

The women all covered their mouths and laughed even harder. The dimpled woman said, "Then, sir, would you also like a virgin entertainer to add to the pleasure? Our house's Miss Li is exquisitely skilled at the purple jade flute — I guarantee you've never heard the like."

"Book her too."

The dimpled woman added, "Sir, are you in earnest? We are only maidservants — how can we compare to those young ladies who are thoroughly versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Don't just be teasing us and leave us pining in vain."

"Of course I am in earnest. How could a dignified man deceive a few little girls like you? You can call your foster mother out right now and I'll pay the deposit first."

The women chattered among themselves for a moment, then said to Song Wenxian, "Then please come inside, sir. It will only take a moment."

Song Wenxian swaggered inside. Hai Gouzi laughed foolishly and said, "How come so fast? We've only looked at a few houses."

Chen Xin also cursed under his breath, "Dirty old lecher."

Liu Minyou shook his head and said to Chen Xin, "This is your teacher."

Song Wenxian came out a moment later, a woman clinging affectionately to his arm. Song Wenxian went to the window and tipped each of the three maidservants a few mace of silver. The women were even more delighted and repeatedly urged Song Wenxian to come early that evening.

Once Song Wenxian had come over, Chen Xin asked him as they walked, "Mr. Song, how did you decide so quickly? Those all seemed to be maidservants."

Song Wenxian stroked his beard and said smugly, "Among maidservants there are also beauties. Those top courtesans merely know a bit of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and along the way write some pretentious, arty, lewd verses and wanton tunes. In bed they may not be as good as these maidservants. That is why every time I go to a brothel, I only like the red courtesans. When you go to a brothel to pick a woman, if you fancy one, you must book her early. If your eyes get dazzled by too many choices and you look back at the end, the earlier ones may not be as good."

Chen Xin opened his mouth. This Song Wenxian was indeed very direct. The dumb monk asked, "Mr. Song, what is a red courtesan?"

"A red courtesan is one who sleeps with you. A virgin courtesan only sings songs."

"I want the one who sleeps with you."

Following what Song Wenxian had inquired about, the group went to a dock where boats were hired. Moored there were several painted pleasure boats and fishing boats. Even the fishing boats were beautifully decorated. On the painted boats, women were also washing up. Seeing the group approach, they all said, "The young ladies haven't risen yet. Young masters, please come back a bit later."

Liu Minyou had never dealt with brothel women before and was too embarrassed to speak, but afraid of being dragged by them to whore, he quickly asked, "We only want to hire a boat to tour Qingxi — we don't need young ladies to accompany us."

The maidservant pointed at the fishing boats and said, "For touring Qingxi, call the boat women over there."

Liu Minyou had not wanted to go to the painted boats in the first place. The fishing boats over there were also beautifully decorated, which suited his taste better. He walked over to the fishing boats. The bamboo blinds of several fishing boats opened, and out came a few fresh-faced young women.

"Would the young master like to hire a boat?"

"Indeed. What is the fare?"

A boat woman said, "If you hire it for a day, it is one tael."

Liu Minyou was greatly startled. "So expensive."

"If the young master finds it too dear, eight qian will also do."

Chen Xin stepped forward and asked, "Is it just a boat ride, or can other things be done as well?"

"Naturally, other things can be done. On the boat, there are smoke, tea, food, and lodging. Eight qian lets you stay until this time tomorrow."

"What else?"

That boat woman pursed her lips and laughed softly. "The young master must be from the north. The boat women all provide sleeping service."

Chen Xin chuckled, sizing her up carefully. This boat woman had rather dark skin, but she was very comely, with a graceful, curvaceous figure. He guessed that Xu Xinsu would invite him to a river house brothel, so he would first try out this interesting fishing boat.

He jumped onto the boat and looked around. The cabin was simply a mat awning set up directly on the boat, supported by bamboo ribs. Both sides had window lattices, hung with curtains of light gauze. The cabin was extremely clean, furnished with a small tea table, and behind it was a made bed. At the stern were cooking utensils, and at the bow sat a low chair, where one could sit and view the river scenery. This kind of pleasure-seeking on the Qinhuai River was quite interesting: two people drifting on a boat, with both scenery and a beauty, possessed a distinctive charm...

He was very satisfied with what he saw. Deliberately wanting to trick Liu Minyou, he did not tell him the real story. He immediately ordered five fishing boats and generously paid each boat woman one tael and two qian of silver. The boat women happily accepted and beckoned the others aboard. Chen Xin then entered the cabin of his own fishing boat first.

Song Wenxian, seeing the manner of those boat women, roughly guessed what was going on. Smiling cheerfully, he followed a boat woman aboard. The moment he stepped on, he took the opportunity while the boat woman steadied him to grope her a few times. The boat woman, accustomed to such things, giggled twice.

Liu Minyou, however, did not know the inside story. Thinking it was just an ordinary pleasure boat, he took the simple monk to board another boat. After he got on, the simple monk also walked to the bank to board, but that boat woman hastily blocked him, telling him to go to a different boat. The simple monk said loudly, "My master said I must guard Mr. Liu at all times."

That boat woman said angrily, "I'm just a weak woman; I'm not going to eat your master."

Liu Minyou said, "Let him come up. He always accompanies me."

That boat woman listened, then said with a stammering laugh, "The two of you... how could I, a lone woman, handle that?"

Liu Minyou's puzzled voice came over. "This boat is so large, and I don't have that much melancholy. What is there to handle?"

In the fishing boat cabin, Chen Xin heard this and covered his mouth, laughing. The boat woman on his boat poled away from the bank with the bamboo pole, then helped him roll up the bamboo blinds. Seeing his expression, she pursed her lips and smiled. "Young master, your friend is terribly amusing."

Chen Xin looked at the slender boat woman standing gracefully at the bow, and his lust was greatly stirred. He never imagined his Ming dynasty brothel dream would begin like this. It was truly a novel experience, even more interesting than a club.

He beckoned to the boat woman. She docilely came over and sat close beside him. Chen Xin put an arm around her, preparing to first cultivate some feelings. With warm fragrance and soft jade in his arms, the brothel dream had finally begun.

Just then, they heard the simple monk roar. That boat woman said, "We agreed on five boats. Surely we can't leave one empty. You may not come aboard; I'm casting off. Ah, I said no..." Apparently, another dispute had broken out.

Chen Xin imagined that after Liu Minyou boarded, when that boat woman tried to provide sleeping service, he might be so flustered he'd jump into the river. He laughed heartily and smugly.

Suddenly, there was a splash. The boat woman shouted, "Aiya! Quick, grab the bamboo pole!"

Startled, Chen Xin stood up. He saw a flurry of splashing in the river. Liu Minyou was still on the boat, anxiously searching for something, while shouting, "Simple monk, quick, grab the bamboo pole..."

The simple monk could not swim. His hands flailed wildly on the water, unable to grab the pole, and instead drifted closer to the middle of the river. Chen Xin hurriedly told his own boat woman to draw near. He leaned out and grabbed the simple monk's hand. Just as he was about to pull him up, the simple monk suddenly yanked his hand, grabbed the gunwale, and Chen Xin fell into the river with a splash.

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