Chapter 168: Liu Jingting Tells a Story

The two listened, inwardly shocked. What Zuo Changhao described was precisely what later generations would call the sprouts of capitalism — yet hearing it in this era felt entirely different. From what Chen Xin understood, even in modern times, Chinese industries employing thousands of workers were exceedingly rare, yet they had already appeared in the Ming dynasty.

Zuo Changhao spoke without the slightest trace of pride, as if it were only natural. Liu Minyou, preoccupied with his own thoughts, ate without tasting his food, while Chen Xin and Song Wenxian kept curiously asking Zuo Changhao about amusing anecdotes from the southern music houses, breaking into loud laughter from time to time.

They talked and chatted, and this meal stretched on for a long time. Zuo Changhao, long in the world of commerce and well-versed in entertaining guests, got along with the group very harmoniously. Xu Xinsu had set the appointment for the evening, so after they finished eating, Zuo Changhao was about to invite them to a river house to pass the time, but Song Wenxian, remembering he had already paid the booking deposit that morning, insisted on treating Zuo Changhao at the Yumianlou.

The group walked and talked as they went. Zuo Changhao was extremely flattering toward Chen Xin. Chen Xin, except when he deliberately put on airs in front of military officers, maintained his usual amiable demeanor everywhere else. Zuo Changhao's several bodyguards still fanned out around them, carefully scrutinizing any passerby who drew near. Observing their manner, Chen Xin called Hai Gouzi over and told him to go back to the inn and wait for Nie Hong and the others.

They strolled leisurely to the outside of the Yumianlou. Several servants and maids stood at the doorway, the bronze-ringed doors half-closed. Zuo Changhao fell half a step behind Chen Xin and gestured for Chen Xin to ascend the steps first.

Several maids bowed in unison and said, "Young Master, ten thousand blessings." One of the maids was the one Song Wenxian had booked; she came over intimately and took Song Wenxian's arm, exchanging soft laughter and whispers with him.

Chen Xin smiled and nodded slightly. A servant helped push open the main door and led them inside. In the gatehouse, a parrot on a bird perch suddenly squawked, "Brother-in-law's here, brother-in-law's here."

Song Wenxian laughed heartily, teasing it with his hand, and said to the maid beside him, "They say the Qinhuai's numinous beauty has rubbed off even on its parrots."

Liu Minyou had not yet grasped what "brother-in-law" meant when Song Wenxian turned his head and said to him, "In the pleasure houses, guests are called brother-in-law, and the madam is called..." This "brother-in-law" address made Liu Minyou's eyelids twitch uncontrollably. Before Song Wenxian could utter the term for the madam, Zuo Changhao ahead let out a loud cry: "Grandmother."

Liu Minyou thought Zuo Changhao's maternal grandmother had arrived. He turned to look and saw only a glamorous woman of about thirty, dressed in multicolored silks and satins, her head bristling with pearls and kingfisher ornaments, approaching with alluring glances and a swaying gait. Stopping a few paces away, she gave them a deep curtsy and said, "Young Master Zuo, you've been absent so long you've made my daughter pine for you. Today you must be punished with two extra cups of wine."

Zuo Changhao laughed and said, "This young student has likewise pined day and night for Grandmother and all the young ladies. Grandmother ought to reward me with two cups of wine instead."

As he finished speaking, his eyes flicked slightly toward Chen Xin.

The madam pressed her lips in a smile. A veteran of the pleasure quarters, she could tell just from Zuo Changhao falling half a step behind that today's main guest was Chen Xin. This Zuo Changhao had always been a lavish spender, and the people he entertained were invariably either wealthy or noble.

She took a look at this tall Brother Chen — of fine bearing, his face full of smiles. Though outwardly refined, there was a martial, decisive air in his bearing. She guessed he was a military officer, probably with some rank, but the southern music houses entertained officials, gentry, and wealthy merchants alike. She had seen much of the world and did not make a great fuss, saying neither obsequiously nor haughtily, "Young Master Chen has an extraordinary presence, and his companions are equally cultivated and refined. Only celestial fairies from heaven would be worthy matches."

Zuo Changhao hurriedly said to the group, "Grandmother Li's two daughters are known as the Fairies of the Southern Music Houses — just the right match for Brother Chen."

"I only regret I have too few daughters. Today only Yan'er is free. Young Master Zuo knows she's accustomed to rising late, so I must first invite you all to listen to some music, or perhaps some storytelling — how would that be?"

Chen Xin looked at this alluring and seductive Grandmother Li, who in truth had far more flavor than those young girls and suited his tastes better, but he was too embarrassed to say outright that he wanted the madam to keep him company. He said offhandedly, "I've long heard Brother Zuo say the Yumianlou is like a celestial realm, only my purse was always too shy to make the trip. After saving silver for several months, I've only just today scraped together a few taels of broken silver, so I called on Brother Zuo and rushed over eagerly. I've waited months already — waiting a little longer is no trouble."

Grandmother Li knew he was jesting. Her gaze swept over Chen Xin a few times as she said, "So Young Master Chen is a romantic soul like the Oil Seller. This old body's daughter is the most sentimental of all — perhaps Young Master Chen might truly carry off the flower queen, who knows."

Chen Xin made a few modest remarks. He was only here to amuse himself; bringing a flower queen back would hardly suit the social atmosphere of Weihai. Although Weihai was slightly better than other parts of Shandong, its foundations were still weak and fragile, and the frugal, simple folkways needed to be preserved.

Zuo Changhao said to Chen Xin, "Young Master Chen may not know, but Grandmother Li treats her daughters exceedingly well and is by nature most generous — staking a thousand pieces of gold without batting an eye. Though I, Zuo, am a man, I feel ashamed before her. If one of her daughters takes a fancy to Brother Chen, it's quite possible Grandmother Li would even send a huge dowry along."

Everyone laughed. The madam Li made a few modest demurrals, then said to the group, "Today we happen to have engaged Pockmarked Liu, who will be performing 'Qin Shubao Meets the Maiden' and 'Wu Song Fights the Tiger.' If any of you have never heard his storytelling, you must not miss it." With that, she led Chen Xin and the others toward the inner courtyard. Zuo Changhao said to Chen Xin and the others, "This Pockmarked Liu is called Liu Jingting. These days he's the most sought-after performer in the southern music houses. He performs only once a day, and you have to pay the booking deposit several days in advance to secure a spot."

Chen Xin suddenly understood. This Liu Jingting, like Zuo Liangyu, was known to ordinary people because of "The Peach Blossom Fan." So at this time, he was just a storyteller. The group followed Grandmother Li through a circular archway. Looking up, what met their eyes was a garden. In the courtyard, tall trees blocked out the sun, flowers and trees grew in artful disarray, and on both sides there were wooden covered walkways, half-hidden among the strange rocks and green trees.

In the middle of the garden was a lotus pond, where several pink lotus blossoms bloomed upon the water. A winding path ran through the middle, its surface carved in the shape of lotus leaves. On either side of the path stood a rockery, on which faint traces of moss could still be seen. Beside one of them rested a tiny, worn-out old fishing boat, a single oar laid across it. Set within the lotus pond, it did not seem shabby at all, but rather possessed an antique charm. The fragrance of simmering new tea and orchids drifted through the courtyard — a scene not of this dusty world.

The scenery here once again made Chen Xin look at it with new eyes. Such a vista could already be called a garden. What surprised him even more were some of the maids walking through it, all dressed in plain clothes with narrow sleeves, utterly simple and elegant. They looked more like respectable young women than the ordinary women out strolling on the streets, completely overturning his mental image of a brothel with waving handkerchiefs and cries of "Come play, sir."

Grandmother Li led them across the pond along the small path, winding through the flowering trees. By now they could faintly hear the sound of string and bamboo instruments. To Chen Xin, it felt just like hearing the muffled effect of soundproofed private rooms while walking down a karaoke corridor.

After turning several bends along the small path, they arrived before a two-story little building. Zuo Changhao vigorously recommended Pockmarked Liu's storytelling. Although Chen Xin was inwardly set on seeing that famous courtesan, he could hardly say so openly. In truth, he had not the slightest interest in storytelling, but unable to resist Zuo Changhao's enthusiasm, he had no choice but to follow them into the largest of the little buildings. At the doorway, the madam called over a maid and gave a few instructions, then led the group inside.

A pockmarked man shaped like a squat winter melon was on the stage. On the table before him lay a wooden clapper block. He was in the midst of telling the tale of fighting the tiger on Jingyang Ridge. Below, some people were already seated, each at a small table laid with pastries and wine, eating as they listened.

Zuo Changhao invited Chen Xin and Liu Minyou to sit in a spot near the front, the two sharing one table. A maid quickly came and served pastries and wine. Song Wenxian and the others sat down behind them.

To Chen Xin's right was a fat man who looked like a wealthy merchant. His mouth hung wide open as he stared unblinkingly at Liu Jingting above. At that moment, Pockmarked Liu had just reached the part where Wu Song arrived at the foot of Jingyang Ridge.

"Wu Song saw the tavern sign swaying beckoningly by the roadside, and his craving for drink stirred at once. Looking again, he saw a large signboard standing before the door, upon which was written: 'Three Bowls and No Crossing the Ridge.'"

Liu Jingting's ugly face twisted to one side as he let out three great laughs. "Wu Song thought to himself, 'What big talk. Today I'll just have to drink seven or eight bowls and see whether I can cross the ridge or not...'"

The fat wealthy merchant beside them grinned and laughed along twice, seemingly stirred to a thirst for drink himself. He raised a wine cup from the table and took a sip. Just as it reached his lips, Pockmarked Liu on stage slammed the clapper block down hard — a loud crack rang out. The fat man jumped in fright, wine spilling onto his beard. Even Chen Xin and Liu Minyou were startled and looked up at the stage.

Pockmarked Liu swept his gaze around. "'Entering the tavern, Wu Song turned his head and looked around — seven or eight tables and chairs, a long row of clean wine vats, yet not a soul in sight. Wu Song tossed his bundle onto the table, stood his cudgel against the wall, sat down with one leg propped up, and suddenly slammed the table, bellowing: "Tavern keeper, bring wine!" This roar shook the empty vats and bare walls till they hummed, and sent dirt showering down from the roof tiles and walls...'"

The fat wealthy merchant beside Chen Xin listened with rising excitement, rubbing his hands ceaselessly on the table. Liu Minyou said to Chen Xin in a low voice, "This Liu Jingting tells a story quite well."

"No matter how well, can it be as good as a Hollywood blockbuster?" Chen Xin ate the table pastries out of boredom, all the while thinking about how to negotiate with Xu Xinsu, especially the matter of the money shop.

Just as he was deep in thought, another crack of the clapper block sounded from above. Chen Xin gave a start and was pulled back to the scene. Pockmarked Liu was looking up at the ceiling, saying, "The tavern keeper came out and took a look — in the shop stood a big dark fellow, twelve feet tall, with a head like a willow basket, hands like palm-leaf fans, clenched fists the size of large bowls..."

The fat wealthy merchant looked up at the ceiling, sighing with bared teeth, his two hands waving gently — utterly absorbed. Chen Xin shifted his seat a little farther away from him. Turning his head back to look, he saw the people behind were also listening with great seriousness. Only Song Wenxian, holding a maid, was letting his hands roam freely, completely deaf to Pockmarked Liu's performance.

The maid, perhaps tickled by the groping, let out a laugh. That did it — Liu Jingting on stage heard it. His ugly face filled with displeasure, he stopped and said nothing. Several old regulars, knowing his manner and realizing someone must be talking or dozing off, turned to look. Seeing Song Wenxian's behavior, they began shouting abuse one after another, dragging the maid into their scolding as well, frightening the maid out of her wits. The dumb monk standing at the very back didn't understand what was going on, but seeing them cursing Song Wenxian, he slipped his hand under his robe and felt for the hilt of his blade, ready to start hacking if Chen Xin gave the word. Chen Xin hurriedly waved his hand at the dumb monk. Song Wenxian stood up with a cheeky grin, cupped his hands in a token apology, and Zuo Changhao went over to quietly apologize to Song Wenxian.

Outside, three of Zuo Changhao's bodyguards heard the commotion and two of them rushed in. His bodyguards had a rather murderous air about them and immediately cowed the people in the room. Zuo Changhao turned and cast a cold look at the few who had been shouting abuse. Only then did they stop and urge Liu Jingting to continue quickly.

Chen Xin cursed under his breath, "Damn, what airs he puts on."

Liu Minyou said, "He's performing — we ought to show some respect."

Chen Xin glanced discontentedly at the fat man beside him — that was the one who had been cursing most vigorously just now. Now that Liu Jingting had started speaking again, he immediately re-entered his trance, mouth agape as he watched the stage, drinking wine with one hand while gesticulating wildly with the other.

Chen Xin and the others continued listening to the storytelling in boredom. It went on until they reached Jingyang Ridge, where Wu Song was walking halfway up when the branches by the roadside shook and a tiger with slanted eyes and a white forehead burst out. The fat man's hand jerked, and several drops of wine splashed onto Chen Xin's clothes.

Chen Xin turned to the fat man and said, "Brother, do be careful with that wine cup in your hand."

The fat man did not even turn his head. He grunted in acknowledgment and continued listening to Pockmarked Liu's storytelling, so utterly absorbed that he didn't even notice the drool running from his mouth. Chen Xin shook his head and went back to tackling the pastries. Pockmarked Liu had reached the part where Wu Song fought the tiger. The telling grew more and more intense, the pace faster and faster. The listeners held their breath, afraid of missing a single detail. Just as he told how the tiger swept its tail, Wu Song dodged and mounted it, Liu Jingting shouted, "He raised his fist, big as a wine bowl, and struck at the tiger's head — with a thunderous crash..."

The fat man beside him, transported with excitement, flung his hand up — and a whole cup of wine came splashing down over Chen Xin's head. This was already the second time today Chen Xin had been drenched. Fury blazing within him, he swung a punch straight at the fat man's head.

"Blood poured from the tiger's mouth as it collapsed, never to rise..."