Chapter 68: All-Pervasive

"This, this, this..."

Zheng Yue Ru was stunned.

Only then did she understand what Liu Zheng wanted to do. He wanted to turn this Top Courtesan Competition into a ceremonial guard of honor belonging to the "Yinzhou Chamber of Commerce"! On one hand, it would serve as an advertisement, and on the other, he could use the guard of honor to curry favor with the Empress!

Brilliant!

Truly brilliant!

Zheng Yue Ru knew that Liu Zheng's trip to Liangzhou this time must have a hidden agenda, which was to secure a future for Liu Dahao—a State Marquis title! Only by possessing this State Marquis title could they proceed smoothly and develop without restraint.

Therefore...

If he could trade one hundred thousand taels of silver for the Empress's favor, why not do it? One had to know that Liu Dahao's current Township Marquis title had been donated for one million taels!

Thus, in Liu Zheng's mind, there was no question of whether it was worth it or not.

"Understand now?"

Liu Zheng looked at Zheng Yue Ru with a smile.

Zheng Yue Ru smiled bitterly: "Although I understand a little, this... this kind of approach is unprecedented in this world!"

Liu Zheng laughed heartily: "With the contract in hand, who can say anything to us? Just because it hasn't been done before doesn't mean it won't be done in the future! Go, and by the way, prepare all kinds of flyers for this Top Courtesan Competition and distribute them to every corner of the cities surrounding Liangzhou. Remember, every single one!"

Zheng Yue Ru felt shocked in her heart.

Although this method was something she had never seen in her life, she seemed to be able to foresee what kind of changes this would bring to Liangzhou, and even to the Top Courtesan Competition, once these things truly happened.

Returning to the Post House.

Everyone began to get busy.

Soon, the news that the father and son of the Liu Family were "sponsoring" the Top Courtesan Competition spread throughout all of Liangzhou.

"How much? Fifty thousand taels?"

"Is he crazy?"

"To get everything from top to bottom in order, it would take at least one hundred thousand taels, right?"

People were still questioning it, but soon, they received all kinds of flyers. For most people, it was their first time seeing such a thing as a "flyer."

"Top Courtesan Competition, Empress's Visit, Imperial Guard of Honor, All-Night Revelry, Drunken Yinzhou, Free Drinks!"

The flyers were very simple, because the current printing technology could not support any magnificent imagery. What made Liu Zheng feel fortunate was that the printing technology of this era was relatively mature, and movable type printing had already been popularized, so overnight, flyers were flying everywhere.

But just as he said.

On the top right corner of the flyer, he did not forget to print the trademark of the Yinzhou Chamber of Commerce, which featured the Yinzhou Beach pattern accompanied by four characters.

For a time, Liangzhou was shaken, and people were discussing it fervently.

Many commoners saw it and were excited. Free drinks of "Drunken Yinzhou"? They knew what kind of wine this "Drunken Yinzhou" was! Twenty taels of silver per catty! The weather in Liangzhou was bitterly cold, and many people drank to ward off the cold, breeding many alcoholics. These people had usually only heard the name of "Drunken Yinzhou," but who would be willing to spend several years' income to buy a catty to taste it? So, seeing that it was free, the whole city was overjoyed, waiting for the arrival of the Top Courtesan Competition.

And on this side.

Zheng Yue Ru had already followed Liu Zheng's instructions; after returning, she contacted the trade association. The words "joint preparation" in the contract allowed her to participate in the activities of this guard of honor without any obstacles. She immediately collected the height and measurements of all the staff of the Top Courtesan Competition and then ordered custom-made work uniforms with the trademark.

Afterward, she contacted three printing workshops within Liangzhou to print trademark stickers and flyers as exquisitely as possible.

The workshops in Yinzhou also began transporting fine wine and daily necessities the moment they received the message sent by carrier pigeon.

Then, they began hiring various horse carriages from the carriage companies and escort agencies in Liangzhou.

The Flower House Trade Association had no concept of this.

After all, fifty thousand taels of silver was a solid sum, and they were busy preparing their own various lanterns, fireworks, and the bustling scene, so naturally, they had no time to pay attention to the situation here.

And Liu Zheng.

After returning to Liangzhou, he finally came to the Liangzhou branch of Fengming Tower for the first time.

The Liangzhou branch was actually much more magnificent than the "headquarters" in Yinzhou; it had five floors alone, which was considered a very tall building in a place like Liangzhou. It was layered and elegant, completely following Liu Zheng's ideas.

This day.

Shen Manqing was dancing gracefully upstairs. Since leaving Liangzhou, she had stayed in this Liangzhou Fengming Tower and had not come out to see guests, focusing entirely on preparing for the Top Courtesan Competition. She knew that Liangzhou could not be compared to a small place like Yinzhou; every year, there were countless top courtesans and beauties emerging here. Although her zither skills were superb, she still needed more effort to stand out in the Top Courtesan Competition.

"Miss, you should rest..."

The maidservant who specifically served Shen Manqing felt heartbroken watching her.

From morning until noon, Miss Manqing had not stopped once.

Shen Manqing looked back and smiled, a beauty who could topple cities, and said softly: "Silly girl, look how busy he is. He has been in Liangzhou for so many days; has he rested?"

The maidservant smiled bitterly.

As soon as Shen Manqing appeared in Liangzhou, although she did not go out, the "Fisherman and Woodcutter's Dialogue" she performed for a few nobles was enough to cause a stir in Liangzhou, and the young masters swarmed out. At the busiest time, several young masters spent a fortune at Fengming Tower just to catch a glimpse of Shen Manqing, yet she closed her doors to guests and never came out.

She knew that the person in Shen Manqing's heart was hundreds of miles away...

"Then Miss, please finish the soup before continuing..."

Just at this moment, a voice suddenly rang out from below.

"The Young Master is here!"

"Who?"

"Young Master Liu! The famous Young Master Liu, don't you know him?"

Shen Manqing had just picked up the bowl of soup; hearing this, she was slightly startled. The soup bowl in her hand fell to the ground, and she ran out like the wind, tears streaming down her face. But when she reached the doorway and saw that familiar figure, she stopped, hesitating to move forward, leaning against the door and looking at him.

Liu Zheng also looked up with a smile.

"Is Manqing well?"

Shen Manqing's tears fell like rain: "I am well, Young Master. Young Master has grown thin..."

Liu Zheng looked at Shen Manqing, resisting the urge to hug her; the beauty was tearful and pitiful. He knew Shen Manqing's feelings for him, he had always known, and he had never minded Shen Manqing's background. He also knew that as long as he said the word, he would be Shen Manqing's destination. But the marriage values of the later generations did not yet allow him to have multiple wives and concubines, and he would not easily lose his heart to a woman, even one as perfect as Shen Manqing.

Perhaps it was because, as a 996 corporate slave in his previous life who had never dated, he had an extraordinary yearning for love, and he believed it should be more heart-fluttering, more sacred, and more appropriate.

Zheng Yue Ru watched from the side and sighed slightly.

The goddess had the intention, but the king had no heart; it seemed the more heartless Liu Zheng was, the more infatuated Shen Manqing became. The affairs of the world were always so helpless. But at the same time, a sourness rose in her heart. She was suddenly a bit lost, and she even felt a bit of admiration and envy for Shen Manqing. She seemed to know that her own status was certainly not a match for Young Master Liu, but she could boldly express her love, even if there was no response.

No.

It seemed there was some response today, but it was merely a response.

"Today, shall I help you with your makeup?"

Liu Zheng walked up to Shen Manqing and said with a soft, smiling voice.

Shen Manqing's delicate body trembled, her tears could no longer be controlled, and, filled with infinite shyness, she returned to her room amidst the envious gazes of countless sisters.

Liu Zheng knew that for Shen Manqing, the best thing he could give her was respect for her choices, her persistence in music, and her thoughts on the Top Courtesan Competition. He could not keep her hidden away in a golden cage; if he did, the world would lose someone truly chasing their musical ideals.

That night, he combed Shen Manqing's hair once, and then sat opposite her to play the zither.

Regarding Shen Manqing's image, there was too little Liu Zheng could help with.

She was already beautiful enough; whether in the aesthetics of this era or in the eyes of Liu Zheng from the future, she was a Beauty who could topple cities and states. No matter what she wore, she was enough to attract anyone.

As for makeup, Liu Zheng, this Engineering man, was naturally even more hopeless.

Therefore, it was better to just provide Shen Manqing with some help in zither skills.

Sure enough.

After hearing Liu Zheng's music, Shen Manqing temporarily lost her obsession with him as a person and became completely immersed in the two of them competing in zither skills.

That day, Liu Zheng did not sleep all night. The guests at Fengming Tower, however, were in luck. The never-before-heard zither music faintly drifting from the top floor left many people obsessed.

……

And at this moment.

A massive procession was currently on the move.

The momentum was vast and continuous.

People watching from afar would all kneel and worship.

Imperial honor guards have been a product of the development of the feudal social hierarchy in Huaxia civilization since ancient times. They originated in the pre-Qin period, gradually perfected after the Han and Jin dynasties, and showed a trend of prosperity during the Tang and Song dynasties. Initially, they served as the guard function for the ancient imperial family, later evolving into a ceremonial symbol of the feudal dynasty's political power.

The Empress's honor guard was naturally a leader among them. In terms of carriages, ceremonial drums and music, attire, and other aspects, they displayed unique functional and aesthetic characteristics.

Solemn honor guards surround a thousand officials, neon banners and colorful screens hear the drums and music.

An honor guard of fully three thousand people highlighted the majesty of the Empress of the Longyan Dynasty.

Inside the extremely luxurious Horse Carriage, the Stove provided warmth and incense, and the ride was smooth; even though it was already night, there was no jolting inside, much like a recreational vehicle from the future, with beds and bedding all provided. At this time, a graceful and luxurious woman was lying on her side on the bed, closing her eyes to rest. Because the temperature in the carriage was high, there were even palace maids fanning her on the side.

This woman was none other than the current Empress of the Longyan Dynasty, by the name of Zheng Fu!

"Empress, a messenger from Baiya requests an audience!"

Zheng Fu opened her eyes, a cold look flashing across her majestic face; she seemed to hesitate for a moment before slowly rising.

The palace maid understood and asked in a crisp voice: "What is the matter? The Empress is tired, do not disturb her excessively!"

A letter, having passed through layers of screening, was handed in.

The palace maid opened the Han and handed it to the Empress.

"Trash!"

Upon seeing it, the Empress's face turned cold instantly, and she barked: "Is this all the Baiya Army is capable of? They cannot even kill a mere woman, so how can they talk about the world?"

The palace maid lowered her head, not daring to speak.

The Empress said coldly: "Understood, go back!"

"Zheng Yuxing actually wants this Empress to place her hopes on these Baiya bandits; how unreasonable, how unreasonable!"

The Empress looked gloomy: "Zheng Yuxing, his wings have hardened too! Is he truly not afraid that I will seize his military power!"

In the carriage, no one dared to speak.

"Prefect Chen Ping is a classmate of the Crown Prince from the Hanlin Academy; the Emperor's time is running out, we must take Liangzhou first!"

She muttered to herself for a while.

Zheng Fu stared fiercely at the palace maid, picked up a whip at random, and lashed it hard against the palace maid.

"Is it or is it not?"

"You tell me, how do we take him, speak! You are all trash!"

The palace maid wailed and begged for mercy, looking miserable.

……

Inside Yinzhou City.

Several black figures were acting suspiciously at the entrance of an alley.

"Brother Xuan, that Deng Laomao's house is right here!"

Jiang Xuan nodded and whispered: "Remember, this time you must not alert the enemy; if there is any unusual movement, notify me first!"

A group of young men nodded one after another.

Jiang Xuan gave instructions several times before leaving.

These days, following Liu Zheng's instructions, he had managed to barely pull together his own "team"—the team members were all little beggars from this Liangzhou City who usually lived by begging and petty theft; he screened those with decent character from among them to use for his own purposes, providing them with food. These little thieves were quite clever and basically knew the situation in Liangzhou City like the back of their hands.

But despite this, Jiang Xuan still encountered difficulties in investigating the matter of the weapons.

The clue initially pointed to an Executive at the Weaponry Workshop of Liangzhou Prefecture, but when he found that person, the man was already dead in his home! It seemed he had been silenced.

The investigation in Liangzhou Prefecture thus broke off at this clue.

But Jiang Xuan did not believe in evil!

He believed that no one would take such risks for no reason to steal weapons from the Liangzhou Prefecture to sell.

Therefore, he investigated the Executive's family members, and sure enough. The Executive's family had disappeared, but it was highly probable they were not dead, because the Executive's wife and children had left Liangzhou half a month ago.

Just as the clue was about to break again, a little beggar suddenly remembered, vaguely recalling that the Executive's son had been in contact with this Deng Laomao.

Jiang Xuan was overjoyed.

The clue on the Liangzhou Prefecture side was gone, but what about the Baiya Army side? This Deng Laomao was an idler, yet he had money every day to go drink and carouse; this in itself was not normal.

It seems this Deng Laomao is the person on the Baiya Army side responsible for contacting the mole within Liangzhou Prefecture!

Thinking of this, Jiang Xuan felt somewhat excited.

Matters that even Liangzhou Prefecture could not investigate, he would have results for immediately!

In this way, let's see who would still dare to look down on him?

"Brother Xuan, Old Mao is back from drinking with courtesans!"

After waiting for a moment, a petty thief came over to report.

A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Xuan's eyes; he had already heard Deng Laomao's shriveled voice at the alley entrance, along with the wanton laughter of a woman of the night.

He waved his hand, signaling to act immediately.

Several petty thieves gathered around, exceptionally excited.

A group of little brats climbed over the wall into Deng Laomao's home and listened at the window...

Just as the few of them were listening until their faces were red and ears hot, Jiang Xuan whispered a command: "Kill your way in!"

Who would have known that just as he kicked the door open, the light in the room suddenly went out.

He cried out "not good" in his heart.

At this moment, a Dagger had already arrived at his throat.

"Little brat, are you investigating me?"

Jiang Xuan felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, his scalp tingling.

【Author's Note】

I need everyone's support, begging for everything.