Chapter 255

Qin Feng's promise, Chen Wuji had some doubts.

Leaving other things aside, if the Xianya's grain and money were really that tight, how could he dare cause such a big commotion outside the city?

Qin Feng also knew that the Qiang People were about to invade Nan Jun, and the purpose of building the city was also to prepare for the upcoming war.

Now, the construction of the city walls is a huge expense, and there will also be the soldiers' provisions and pay; this expense may even be more extravagant than the city construction itself.

If Qin Feng had no bit of confidence or foundation, would he dare play like this?

However, since he said all that, Chen Wuji had no choice but to believe him.

Then let's wait a few days and see.

However, to be safe, Chen Wuji felt he needed a backup plan; if this unreliable guy screwed him over, he could only redirect the Provincial Troops toward becoming his personal forces and make himself a commander.

Suddenly, a chanting shout rang out from the second floor opposite.

Chen Wuji was lost in thought and didn't hear what the madam with a man's face said; then he saw the gauze curtains suddenly drop, and the graceful performers, swaying their silk sleeves, stepped onto the stage with small steps.

After a simple opening dance, the performers all sat down.

Six guqin had already been set up there.

As the performers took their seats, their slender, fair fingers began to move in near-unison.

The guqin flowed, playing the famous piece 'Yang Chun Bai Xue'.

The music's atmosphere unfolded, and instantly the listeners' minds filled with early spring scenery.

Warm sun, new green, spring flowers, and warmth.

Spring always lifts people's spirits, which matches everyone's expectation of Xiaofeng at this moment.

When the piece ended, a series of pipa plucking came from behind the curtains, clear and graceful, like shattered jade falling.

The hall's guests fell silent, holding their breath, their necks stretching like puppets on strings, trying to see past the curtains to the hidden figure.

Qin Feng also couldn't contain his excitement: 'Old Chen, hurry, hurry, Xiaofeng's grooming is about to start. Ji Yunxuan has gone to such trouble; he's clearly intending to make Xiaofeng the headliner—this Xiaofeng must be extraordinary.'

Chen Wuji shifted his stool and changed to a better viewing angle.

This private room was specially chosen by Qin Feng; just turning sideways lets one clearly see the scene on the stage below.

Qin Feng took a sip of wine, then sighed, 'With such a spectacle, the silver in my purse probably isn't enough.'

Having said that, he suddenly looked at Chen Wuji: 'Old Chen, what if—'

Chen Wuji immediately raised his hand to stop him: 'Sir, have you forgotten why I'm here? I came to ask you for grain and money; asking me this seems a bit redundant.'

'Tsk, seems so; then I won't ask.' Qin Feng nodded regretfully, 'If unavoidable, I'll today also try using authority to suppress others, to taste the flavor of power.'

Chen Wuji: ……

He suddenly wanted to punch that guy.

He gives him no grain or money, yet squanders heaps of silver on grooming a courtesan.

Behind the curtains, as the pipa piece ended, flower petals suddenly rained down.

Amid the rain of petals, the curtains slowly rolled up, revealing a figure holding a pipa; the courtesan wore a water-blue damask dress, her slender jade fingers hovering over the strings, her lotus steps light.

The first time Chen Wuji saw her, only one word sprang to mind: 'water-spirit'.

But she wasn't that stunning.

On the contrary, she gave the impression of coming from a dusty, worldly background at first glance.

Clearly she had the manner of a lady from a secluded boudoir, yet the way her eyes flowed gave her a hint of flirtatious charm.

If it weren't for that touch of allure, this woman would indeed be hard to forget.

Below the stage rose loud cheers, whistles, and applause.

The guests seemed to have collectively turned wolfish.

Qin Feng's expression, however, was a bit awkward: 'Affected and unnatural.'

He wasn't very satisfied.

Chen Wuji smiled: 'Sir Qin, do you still intend to be Xiaofeng's guest of honor?'

'I still will, even if it's not natural; at least she's lovely and moving, tonight should be wonderful.' Qin Feng said.

Chen Wuji shook his head.

This guy still has plenty of money; we need to find a way to dig deep into his little treasury.

He carries nearly three thousand taels of silver yet dares not covet it, while this guy complains of having no silver but is willing to spend a fortune to sleep with Xiaofeng; Old Chen feels resentful.

Amid the loud cheers, the madam came out, explained the rules, and then announced the start.

Chen Wuji listened briefly; though the words were flowery, it basically meant whoever had more silver, whoever spent more, Xiaofeng would go with tonight.

As for the so-called grooming ritual, it was merely a formality.

'One hundred taels—today no one dare try to take it from me!'

Someone in the audience shouted loudly.

Qin Feng curled his lip in disdain: 'Wanting to be Xiaofeng's guest with just a hundred taels? This guy's never seen the world; a mere hundred taels, you can't even touch her hand.'

Chen Wuji's pupils dilated sharply upon hearing that.

Did he just mishear? That's a hundred taels, not one tael, and you still can't touch her hand?

No, you lot are jacking up the price!

Even when grain prices had spiked recently, the purchasing power of a hundred taels of silver was terrifying—equivalent to about a hundred thousand in Chen Wuji's previous life's currency.

A hundred thousand, and you still can't touch her hand, …

This is outright more extravagant than a celebrity.

Chen Wuji's mind suddenly sprang with the idea of robbery.

'Sir Qin, I don't know—how much silver would be needed to become Xiaofeng's guest of honor?' Chen Wuji asked.

Qin Feng's eyes lit up: 'You're interested too? How about we each put up half? I'll let you go first!'

Chen Wuji: ……

This matter can also be crowdfunded?

Although he didn't understand, he was greatly shocked.

If everyone chips in a few taels of silver and then lines up……

Hiss.

Chen Wuji just thinking about that scene sent a shiver down his scalp.

If this could really be done, those courtesans about to be groomed would definitely be worked to death.

This "worked to death" is not an adjective.

"Can this work?" Chen Wuji asked.

Qin Feng chuckled, "Normally it wouldn't be allowed, but as the county magistrate I say it's allowed, what can a madam do to stop me? Quick, quick, quick, any ideas?"

Chen Wuji shook his head, "Such a good thing should be enjoyed by Magistrate Qin alone; I just want to ask how much silver is needed for the grooming, country folk have never seen such a scene, and I'd like to broaden my horizons."

Hearing this, Qin Feng felt a bit regretful, "Not necessarily, but at least three hundred taels of silver are needed; normally it's five to six hundred up to around a thousand taels, and those over a thousand taels can be counted on one's fingers."

"When I was in the capital, I once had the fortune to see one worth a hundred thousand taels, but at this level of grooming, none are anything less than world-famous courtesans, talented women versed in poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting, and moreover, they need someone behind them to promote their fame."

Chen Wuji secretly clicked his tongue.

Making money like this really makes people envious.

As the two spoke, the bidding downstairs gradually heated up.

They abandoned increments of tens of taels and began bidding in increments of a hundred taels.

"Five hundred taels!" Qin Feng suddenly poked his head out and shouted, "Who wants to bid against the magistrate?"