Chapter 88: Pei the Blue Sky Enters Jingguan City, Offers a Reverse Bribe (Seeking Monthly Votes)

This was Pei Shaoqing's first time in Jingguan City.

The streets were teeming with people, a constant, flowing stream.

Merchants hawking their wares along the street, peddlers carrying shoulder poles through the alleys, Martial Artists with long swords strapped to their backs, beggars wandering about, young women selecting rouge...

A single glance revealed an endless expanse.

Every trade and profession, every facet of human life, was captured in his view.

In this scene and setting, Pei Shaoqing felt a stir of inspiration.

He immediately burst into verse, reciting a poem in a low voice.

"This city is just like me, both equally vast.

People are as numerous as chicken feathers, messy and without order."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice of praise rang out suddenly from behind him: "Good poem! Good poem! Truly a good poem!"

Pei Shaoqing raised an eyebrow and turned around at the sound.

"Brother, this poem of yours both praises yourself and expresses your awe at the size of Jingguan City; I am truly impressed, truly impressed," said a refined, handsome youth holding a folding fan, bowing with a face full of admiration.

Pei Shaoqing seriously suspected he was being mocked.

Could I not know what kind of shitty thing I just composed?

"Inspired by you, brother, I have also gained something, and I ask for your critique," the youth said, then with a *swish*, he opened his folding fan and waved it gently, reciting with his head held high and chest puffed out: "This street is truly long, pedestrians are busy everywhere. It's just like my bridal chamber, descendants scattered all over the bed."

Pei Shaoqing: "............"

He confirmed that the other party had truly been praising him just now.

For a moment, his feelings were complicated.

He gave face and praised him back: "Brother, this work of yours is no weaker than mine; it is also a good poem. It expresses the true feeling of being overwhelmed by the crowd in Jingguan City, while also praising your own great capacity. Impressive, impressive, truly impressive!"

"Hahahaha! Brother, you flatter me. If it weren't for your excellent work first, I wouldn't have had this sudden inspiration." The handsome youth beamed, then closed his folding fan and bowed with humble courtesy: "I am Xu Jing, courtesy name Ziwen. May I ask how to address you, brother?

I have frequented the literary circles of the prefectural city for many years and am familiar with all the local talents, yet I never imagined there was a hidden gem like you, brother. Jingguan City truly hides dragons and crouches tigers."

"Pei Shaoqing, courtesy name Yunzhi."

"So it is actually the Baron of Pingyang in person! No wonder you are so handsome, extraordinary in bearing, and brilliant in literary talent." Xu Jing immediately showed a look of surprise.

He then said with even more admiration: "I only knew that the Baron of Pingyang was skilled in martial arts and was ennobled for the great merit of slaying the Saint Child of Kaiyang. I never imagined you would also have such a high attainment in poetry. You are truly a prodigy, skilled in both literature and martial arts."

"I dare not accept such praise, I dare not," Pei Shaoqing was a shameless person, but even he felt his face burning a little now.

He wasn't afraid of others mocking his shortcomings.

He was only afraid of others sincerely praising his shortcomings.

Xu Jing said enthusiastically: "Brother Pei's achievements have spread throughout the world with the official gazettes, inspiring countless young peers to strive harder. Tonight, the talents of our Jingguan City are holding a poetry gathering at Furong Xuan. Why don't you come along, Brother Pei? We can make friends through poetry; wouldn't that be a joy?"

"Many thanks for your kind invitation, Brother Xu, but I think I'll pass. I am actually not good at writing poetry; I just had a moment of inspiration," Pei Shaoqing refused repeatedly.

He did remember quite a few poems in his head.

But he had no interest in being a literary plagiarist.

After all, he didn't understand this stuff. It was quite hard to plagiarize a poem that fit the time, place, and mood perfectly. If he really became famous for it and was exposed, wouldn't he just be a pure clown?

Besides, he wasn't following the path of a civil official.

He was following the path of a corrupt official!

Seeing him refuse, Xu Jing became anxious. If he could bring Pei Shaoqing along, how much face would he have tonight?

He immediately said: "Articles are born from heaven, and a skilled hand finds them by chance. It doesn't matter if Brother Pei isn't good at writing poetry. Furong Xuan is the best brothel in all of Shu, and the women there are very beautiful. Since you're already here, why not go and see for yourself?"

Well, if he refused again, it would be impolite.

"It is hard to refuse such kindness, hard to refuse! Then let us meet tonight; I have matters to attend to for now." Pei Shaoqing did want to see just how good the best brothel in Shu was.

Anyway, the best brothels in Tongzhou were all filled with mediocre, plain-looking women; there wasn't a single good girl who could make his heart flutter.

If you ask him for his standard of a good girl?

Any girl who moves when she sees his 'Jill' is a good girl!

Xu Jing said with a beaming smile: "It's a deal then. I will wait for you at the entrance of Furong Xuan at the hour of the Rooster."

"See you there," Pei Shaoqing nodded slightly.

Xu Jing stepped back, bowed, and said: "I shall not delay Brother Pei's important business. Please, go ahead."

"Farewell." Pei Shaoqing returned the bow, but after walking two steps, he couldn't help but turn back and ask with a sincere face, "Brother Xu, what do you think of your own poetry?"

"I dare not boast, but my friends, family, and the servants at home all praise it highly," Xu Jing answered reservedly.

Pei Shaoqing nodded, "They are right."

The corners of Xu Jing's mouth became harder to suppress than an AK.

Pei Shaoqing turned and left. He knew Xu Jing was definitely not an ordinary person; he was likely a rich second-generation or official second-generation heir, otherwise, he wouldn't have been coddled into a placenta by those around him.

Even if he couldn't meet any good girls who 'dance at the sound of the rooster' at Furong Xuan tonight, it wouldn't be bad to meet a few more good boys with backgrounds like Xu Ziwen.

If he couldn't expand his mating circle.

Then he might as well expand his social circle.

………………………

After parting with Xu Jing, Pei Shaoqing didn't rush to buy supplies for Liu Yuheng and the others, but headed straight for the Thousand-Household office.

Since he was already here, he couldn't very well not pay his respects to his superior.

After all, Thousand-Household Lu had been quite good to him.

He wouldn't buy a gift.

Just sending some local specialties from Tongzhou would suffice.

Lu Dingchuan was very surprised when he heard from his subordinate that Pei Shaoqing was waiting outside to see him. He quickly put down his official duties and said: "Invite... wait! I will go out to welcome him myself."

As soon as he stepped out, he saw the extraordinary figure of Pei Shaoqing from afar and immediately put on a warm smile.

At the same time, Pei Shaoqing also saw him.

Although they had never met, the Thousand-Household official robe on the other party was very conspicuous, so he immediately took the initiative to walk forward a few steps, cupped his hands, and said, "Subordinate Pei Shaoqing pays respects to the Thousand-Household. That you would come to welcome me in person, my lord, makes me feel overwhelmed."

"Alas, what is the Baron of Pingyang doing? It is I who should be paying respects to you. Please, rise quickly." Thousand-Household Lu hurriedly quickened his pace to help Pei Shaoqing up.

He then said with a beaming smile, "What is all this talk of 'my lord' or not? If the Baron of Pingyang does not mind, just call me Brother Lu; you and I can simply address each other as brothers."

"Then Brother Lu must also never call me Baron of Pingyang again," Pei Shaoqing said with a smile.

"Easily done. Brother Pei, please come inside." Thousand-Household Lu enthusiastically took his hand and said, "Although Brother Lu and I have never met, I have admired you for a long time. Meeting you today feels like reuniting with an old friend; we must drink a few cups at noon."

"Certainly, certainly," Pei Shaoqing replied.

After entering the room and taking their seats, Thousand-Household Lu ordered his subordinates to serve fine tea, while asking with concern, "I wonder what business brings Brother Pei to the prefectural city? If there is any way I, Lu, can be of service, please do not stand on ceremony!"

"Mainly because Tongzhou has been peaceful recently, so I wanted to come to the prefectural city for a stroll. Brother Lu has taken great care of me, so I ought to thank you in person." As Pei Shaoqing said this, he took a South Sea pearl from the Saintess of Yaoguang out of his Storage Ring, "I also brought some local specialties from Tongzhou for Brother Lu."

Don't ask how Tongzhou produces South Sea pearls when it isn't near the sea.

Although it isn't near the sea, it doesn't lack clams!

"Brother Pei, this... how can I accept this? We are brothers, why the need for such formalities?" Lu Dingchuan feigned displeasure and let his face fall.

Pei Shaoqing stood up directly and handed it to Lu Dingchuan with a chuckle, "Brother Lu must accept it. I have already brought it here; there is no reason to take it back."

"Since it is a gesture of your heart, Brother Pei, then I shall accept it." Thousand-Household Lu shook his head helplessly, took it, and casually tucked it into his sleeve, "Let this be the only time."

"Easily done, easily done," Pei Shaoqing laughed.

The two chatted happily and then had lunch together.

The place where they dined was at Lu Dingchuan's home.

Calling each other brothers and exchanging toasts, they were having a wonderful time.

Before leaving, Thousand-Household Lu brought Pei Shaoqing to a room, pointed at the three chests inside, and said with a mouth full of alcohol, "Brother Pei brought me local specialties, so I must also congratulate Brother Pei on your promotion and ennoblement. These are local specialties of Jingguan City; you cannot refuse to accept them."

Relying on the experience he had accumulated from corruption and bribery, Pei Shaoqing saw at a glance that the chests must be filled with gold.

It would be more than enough to buy three or five South Sea pearls.

Good heavens, Pei Shaoqing never dreamed that as a subordinate, he would actually receive a tribute from his superior.

He couldn't just give gifts to Old Lu casually in the future.

Otherwise, the more he accepted, the poorer he would become.

"Since it is a gesture of your heart, Brother Lu, I naturally have no reason to refuse." Pei Shaoqing accepted everything as it was.

Thousand-Household Lu, reeking of alcohol, laughed loudly, "Brother Pei is a straightforward man. I will arrange for someone to send them to Tongzhou for you."

"In that case, I will trouble Brother Lu."

"No trouble, no trouble. If one is to send a Buddha, one must send him to the West; naturally, when giving gifts, one must send them all the way home."

"Hahahaha, Brother Lu, that is a wonderful saying."

Leaving the Lu residence, Pei Shaoqing went to purchase enough daily necessities to support Liu Yuheng and Ye Hanshuang in the cave for half a month, then returned to Kunlong Mountain.

"Young Master." "Big Brother."

Liu Yuheng and Ye Hanshuang greeted him.

"How is it? Is that Lao Gui still behaving? Did he say anything bewitching to try and trick you two?"

Pei Shaoqing asked in a calm tone while taking various supplies out of his Storage Ring.

"He said there are a few cultivation techniques suitable for me and my wife that he is willing to impart to us," Ye Hanshuang replied.

"Do not believe him," Pei Shaoqing said. "Who knows what kind of cultivation techniques he is imparting? What if you suffer a Qi deviation after practicing them? Don't believe a single word."

"You fellow think of people too viciously..."

Lao Gui emerged, unhappy at hearing this.

"You are not a person," Pei Shaoqing interrupted him.

Lao Gui snorted coldly, "This old man just doesn't want some unique arts to be lost upon my death. If you really don't believe me, you can just write them down without practicing them, find someone else to teach them to, and let them try practicing them."

"You can write them down, but do not practice them," Pei Shaoqing instructed Ye Hanshuang, then took out the packed food box and said, "It's still hot, hurry up and eat."

"Many thanks, Young Master." Liu Yuheng sat down directly on a rock; her plump, soft buttocks sank into it upon contact, and one dared not imagine how good it would feel to touch them.

Ye Hanshuang was different; on a rock of the same size, the moment she sat down, the rock was completely enveloped by her plump buttocks, not even a shadow of it could be seen.

One sit could truly suffocate a person to death.

Lao Gui watched the two of them eat, muttering to himself, "I have forgotten what it tastes like to eat."

"Then I will describe it to you. It's like this pork knuckle—tender, falling off the bone, melting in the mouth, salty and fresh with a hint of sweetness, the fragrance of the fat hitting the nose..." Pei Shaoqing kindly described the feeling of eating a pork knuckle to him.

Lao Gui listened in agony; even if he wanted to swallow his saliva, he had none to swallow. He roared in a rage, "Shut up! Shut up!"

How could this person be even worse than him!

He is not a person.

But Pei Shaoqing is not necessarily one either.

"I had good intentions, and he got all worked up," Pei Shaoqing shook his head and said to the two women with a helpless expression.

Liu Yuheng and Ye Hanshuang pursed their lips and smiled at the same time.

Ye Hanshuang's eating manner was not very elegant, chewing in large mouthfuls, especially since her mouth was large, so it was gone in one bite. But she was beautiful, so it didn't make her look sloppy at all; instead, she had a heroic spirit that rivaled any man.

Liu Yuheng was much more ladylike; she didn't show her teeth when chewing. After her red, tender lips were stained with a thin layer of grease, they appeared even more moist, making one want to eat them.

And even more, to be eaten by her.

After the two women were full, Pei Shaoqing formally bid them farewell and went down the mountain to Furong Xuan for his appointment.

He prepared to stay in Jingguan City for one night today.

And then return to Tongzhou early tomorrow morning.

(End of chapter)