Chapter 1371: South Ford Island (Part I)

Zhao Wusheng had served many years in the Yongjiang Water Garrison, but he spent most of his time stationed in the north and never got a chance to come to the southern sea; he had only heard of South Ford Island, and this was his first time setting foot there. He told Hu Xiaotian, "My lord, South Ford Island is renowned as the most prosperous place in the southeastern sea—taverns, gambling houses, and red-light districts abound; though small, it has all the vital organs."

Just as they stepped onto the dock, a group of heavily made-up courtesans rushed toward them, each cooing, "Sir, you've come..."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Brother Wusheng, you seem to be a regular here."

Xia Zhangming nodded and said, "I'd say so!"

Zhao Wusheng laughed, "I've only heard of it too; this is my first time coming..." Before he could finish, a woman grabbed him and said, "Sir, have you forgotten me?"

Zhao Wusheng was both amused and exasperated; only with difficulty did the three break free from the courtesans' clamor. He explained to them, "Life aboard ship is dull; even if sailors earn money, they don't go out to spend it, so these intermediate supply islands have become where they spend money. Eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling have here become a complete industry, and South Ford Island has become the biggest money-sinking den in the southeastern sea."

Xia Zhangming said, "You say you've never come here, yet there's clearly a money-sinking den right here!"

Following the direction he pointed, they looked ahead and indeed saw a splendid gold-and-azure building to the front right; its plaque bore red background with gold characters, and in the sunlight the three words 'Gold-sinking Den' shone blindingly.

Zhao Wusheng couldn't help but laugh, "I never expected there to actually be a money-sinking den here."

Hu Xiaotian looked at the couplet on either side of the money-sinking den and saw it read: 'Punch the fierce tiger of South Mountain, kick the flood dragon of the North Sea,' with the horizontal inscription: 'No guts, no wealth, do not enter.' It was imposing beyond measure. Hu Xiaotian crossed his arms over his chest and said, 'No guts, no wealth? Does having just one of the two suffice to get in?'

His words were overheard by someone behind him, who said, 'Young master, if you have wealth and go in, you'll spend money; if you have courage and go in, you'll owe money. If you lack both the means to spend and the guts to owe, you'd best stay out—but once you step into this money-sinking den, I guarantee every penny you spend will be worth it.'

Hu Xiaotian turned around and saw behind him a richly dressed young nobleman wearing a long robe of white silken silk, his features regular, sword-brows and bright eyes, complexion fair, wearing a purple-gold crown inlaid with a pearl the size of a dragon's eye. At a glance he exuded noble aura, and Hu Xiaotian could tell he was not someone who often went to sea; those accustomed to long voyages, wind and sun, would not have such a fair complexion. Looking at his two attendants, they too were dressed splendidly. Although Hu Xiaotian himself possessed some status, he usually went out low-key and simple; because of the heat at sea, he had the tailor make him a collarless shirt and loose trousers, wearing wooden-soled flip-flops on his feet—adequately leisurely and cool, yet he didn't look like a wealthy person either. Moreover, after these days of sailing at sea, his skin had been tanned by the sun to a bronze hue, making him look much like the laborers bustling about on the dock.

Zhao Wusheng and Xia Zhangming were dressed neat and tidy, yet the three walking together, Hu Xiaotian did not appear half a step weaker in aura because of his attire. Actually, this was normal—Zhao Wusheng and Xia Zhangming regarded him as their lord, followed at his side, and unconsciously still showed much respect.

Hu Xiaotian looked at the white-clad young master and laughed, revealing a neat row of white teeth; his skin had been darkened by the sun, making his teeth appear even whiter: "I have no money, but I have guts!"

The white-clad young master also laughed, "Then this place should suit you." He stepped toward the entrance of the money-sinking den, and before even reaching the door, he heard a chorus of cooing voices: "Young Master Xu has arrived, Young Master Xu has arrived!"

Hu Xiaotian glanced at Zhao Wusheng and Xia Zhangming and saw that their eyes were much brighter than before, clearly anticipating something. He said nothing more and strode into the money-sinking den.

As the white-clad young master had said, the money-sinking den treats everyone alike—whether you have money or courage, once you enter you are a guest of the den.

Just inside the door was a huge gambling house, with over twenty betting tables, the scene bustling extraordinarily. The three walked around the gambling house, but they weren't particularly interested, so they continued forward. Passing through the hall, they entered another realm: verdant vines and creepers filled their sight, birdsong and floral fragrance everywhere, as if they had suddenly stepped into another world; the surrounding clamor and noise instantly faded away.

But before they could enter, two beauties in low-cut palace attire came swaying over, smiling and asked, "Gentlemen, would you like some tea?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, inwardly marveling that even on this small island there could be such alluring, sexy beauties—even the maids who serve tea and water are this lovely; the overall standard of the money-sinking den is easy to imagine.

The two beauties led them to a pavilion in the courtyard, sat down, lowered the surrounding curtains, and one cooed, "I don't know which tea the gentlemen would prefer—green snail spring or bamboo leaf green?"

Zhao Wusheng, however, kept in mind what had just been said and promptly asked, "How much per pot?"

One of the beauties smiled, "Guests who come here rarely ask the price; it's always one hundred taels of silver, but that's not per pot—it's per person."

Zhao Wusheng blinked, glanced at Hu Xiaotian—his meaning was clear: a black shop! Sitting here just to sip tea would cost three hundred taels of silver; if they ate a meal, wouldn't it run into thousands? If they found something else to do, tens of thousands of taels could vanish just like that. No one's money comes for free; the money-sinking den's blatant profiteering is outright robbery! They weren't unable to pay, but this was unjust expense.

Xia Zhangming shared Zhao Wusheng's view and said to Hu Xiaotian, "Master, we're just looking for a place to eat; why not go elsewhere?"

The two beauties laughed together; Xia Zhangming didn't need to think to know they were mocking him, his face flushed red—after all, everyone cares about face, especially in front of beautiful women.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Having come, we should make the best of it; although we have no money, we are not lacking in courage."

One beauty giggled, "Young master, you're joking; that ship of yours docked in the harbor is surely worth at least twenty thousand taels of silver."

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start; it seemed he had indeed underestimated the money-sinking den. He guessed that the three of them had been marked as soon as they set foot on the island—no wonder they weren't worried about his spending, with a ship waiting there to offset any debt.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "If you hadn't said that, I almost would have forgotten—but my ship isn't worth just that; without a million taels of gold, no one dares to take my ship away."

One beauty went to pour tea, while the other cooed, "Actually, our money-sinking den is the fairest, most carefree place under heaven; every tael of silver you spend here is worth it."

Hu Xiaotian glanced sideways, sizing up the beauty's chest until her face flushed, yet he did not withdraw his gaze, smiling narrowly: "If I wanted you to keep me company for a night, how much silver would you charge?"

The beauty bit her cherry lip, looking shy and helpless, her long sleeve covering half her face: "I'm merely a tea-serving maid; you've got the wrong idea, sir."

At that moment another beauty served the tea; Hu Xiaotian lifted one cup, took a sip, and remarked that the tea priced at one hundred taels per person was actually passable. He smiled, "Everything in this money-sinking den should have a price—no need to be shy, just say it."

The beauty, somewhat embarrassed, gave an affirmative hum, then extended a single finger.

Zhao Wusheng stared in disbelief, "One thousand taels?" This girl really took them for unsophisticated country bumpkins.

The beauty who had brought the tea giggled, "Young master, you're joking—it's naturally ten thousand taels!"

Zhao Wusheng had just taken a sip of tea when he spat it out with a puff! Ten thousand taels? Better let them go rob! Their large ship had only been valued at twenty thousand taels; these two girls together were worth as much as that ship. Xia Zhangming too stared agape; in all his life he had never patronized such an expensive place, and now a tea at one hundred taels per person actually seemed cheap.

Hu Xiaotian's expression showed no surprise at all; on the contrary, he found it amusing and smiled narrowly: "So speaking, the owner of this place must be richer than a nation?" Just the tea-serving maids alone would number over a hundred; at that rate that's millions of taels, and that's only the price for one night's company. If one were to go through all the entertainment offerings of the money-sinking den in turn, I'd estimate I'd have to compensate Dongliang Jun in full—this isn't fleecing, it's outright murder.

The two beauties nodded in unison, agreeing that Hu Xiaotian's description 'richer than a nation' was apt.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Idling is idling; why not play a couple of rounds?"

The two beauties laughed, "If you want to play, there's a gambling house outside." They obviously took Hu Xiaotian lightly.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Outside is too noisy; why not stay here—are there any beautiful women to act as banker?"

One of the beauties said, "Young master, outside the stakes can be whatever, but inside the rules differ—each bet is at least five thousand taels." Her meaning was clear: even counting your ship, you only have twenty thousand taels; if you played in here, you'd likely lose everything before you even started.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Then let's stay here and play dice; find one of your most skilled beauties to accompany me."

The beauty who had just served the tea giggled, "I'm Xiao Rou, not worthy, but I'd be glad to accompany the young master for a couple of hands; I don't know how much you've prepared to wager."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "I have no money on me, so I'll use my ship as the stake." In fact he did have negotiable silver notes on his person, but he hadn't thought to produce them.

Zhao Wusheng and Xia Zhangming have always had great confidence in Hu Xiaotian; besides, idling is idling, the ship's resupply requires at least a day and night's stay on this island, so finding some enjoyment is also good. (To be continued~^~)