Chapter 128

First Volume, Chapter 128: The Spirit of Frugality

Yet no sooner had the words left his mouth than a boy in servant's attire ran over and bowed to Zhao Zhangfu: "Greetings, Master Zhao. My master sent me specifically to inform you: the private room you reserved for tonight has been canceled. Please return the deposit."

"Huh? What?" Zhao Zhangfu's face instantly fell. He shot the servant a glare and snapped, "Has Old Master Wang gone to fawn over Qin Feng too? Hahaha. Go back and tell your master: food may be eaten freely, but connections must not be recklessly forged—lest you invite fire upon yourself. Don't say I didn't warn you."

The servant felt a pang of guilt and hurried to explain: "Master Zhao, you misunderstand. Even if my master gave up eating altogether, he would never go to support Qin Feng."

Zhao Zhangfu frowned. Though his tone softened somewhat, it carried heavy confusion: "Then why cancel the reservation? I recall Old Master Wang was hosting a distinguished guest tonight."

The servant bowed again and smiled bitterly: "The banquet still happens—but now it's a family affair. Someone, may he be cursed a thousand times, reported to Dali Temple that Jingzhong officials are squandering money, unable to fund war yet rich enough for luxury, with untraceable sources. Dali Temple was enraged and ordered the Ministry of Personnel to investigate."

At this, the servant's eyes filled with dread. He whispered nervously: "At a time like this, who dares spend money? Master Zhao, please be understanding. If you can refund the deposit, do so. If not, we'll accept it."

Zhao Zhangfu's face turned grim. He cursed inwardly—who the hell was so stupid as to report to Dali Temple? Was he trying to make enemies of every official in Jingdu?

Though furious, Zhao Zhangfu still returned the deposit. After all, they were long-time patrons; they'd cross paths again. No need to make things ugly.

No sooner had he dismissed the Wangye Fu servant than two more servants arrived together, also demanding cancellation of their reservations.

Their reason was identical to the previous one.

Zhao Zhangfu's face turned green.

His wine house relied entirely on these father officials. Now each one canceled their reservation—how could he possibly keep his business alive?

But it wasn't over.

Immediately after, another group arrived with the exact same story and demand.

By day's end, nearly a dozen servants had come to cancel reservations—all for the same reason: fear of investigation by the Ministry of Personnel!

After seeing them off, Zhao Zhangfu collapsed, slumping behind the counter, staring blankly for a long while.

Finally, he snatched up a tea cup and slammed it hard to the ground, then stormed three steps out the door, shouting toward Wuhu Da Jiu Lou: "Qin Feng, you shameless bastard! For money, you've lost all sense of decency! Whoever reported to Dali Temple—it's you, no one else!"

As he ranted, Zhao Zhangfu suddenly deflated, slumping onto the threshold, his eyes filled with despair.

Now that casual customers had been stolen by Qin Feng and regular patrons dared not come, if this continued, Zui Xian Lou would be ruined soon.

Zhao Zhangfu wanted to cry but had no tears. Fuming, he cursed his own misfortune—how had he foolishly tangled himself with Qin Feng, this sticky plaster? Whoever got stuck to him lost skin and flesh alike.

"Achoo…"

Qin Feng suddenly sneezed, rubbed his nose, and grumbled: "Who's cursing me behind my back again?"

No sooner had he muttered than a familiar voice reached his ear.

"Heh, Young Master Qin, business is good!"

Qin Feng turned and saw several familiar faces standing outside the counter: the speaker was Qi Cheng, the Jingzhong Magistrate, beside him stood Gao Song, son of the Grand Commandant, Li Rui, son of the Minister of Revenue, Cheng Fa, son of the Ministry of Revenue's Bureau Director, and Ning Hu, the Little Marquis of Yong'an Marquis Mansion.

Hey, all old acquaintances!

Qin Feng stood up immediately, beaming: "Magistrate Qi, what devil's wind blew you here?"

Qi Cheng's face darkened. He lowered his voice and snapped: "Young Master Qin, I advise you not to provoke me. Even if your father is Minister of War? Even if the Emperor granted you the golden sash? Without an official title, you're nothing. Do you think I, the Jingzhong Magistrate, cannot punish a commoner?"

Qi Cheng extended his hand; his clerk handed him a petition, which he slapped onto the counter.

Qi Cheng sneered coldly: "Disturbing the peace of Jingdu—this offense can be minor or grave. I choose to treat it as grave: I charge you with inciting a mob."

Qin Feng internally sneered. What a righteous and stern Father Official—showing up with a charge on the day of opening? Truly, delivering ice in the snow. Bad luck!

He cursed inwardly but still accepted the petition with both hands, smiling broadly: "What does Magistrate Qi propose?"

Qi Cheng glared: "What do you mean, 'what do I propose'?"

Qin Feng spread his hands, feigning innocence: "Will I be beaten at the Jingzhong Office, or fined? Just say it."

Seeing Qin Feng's lazy, insolent demeanor, Qi Cheng grew angrier—but he recovered quickly. Qin Feng wore the golden sash; the Jingzhong Magistrate had no authority to cane him. So fine him—heavily!

Qi Cheng barked: "Clerk, what's the maximum fine for disturbing Jingdu's peace and inciting a mob?"

The clerk stroked his goatee, thought a moment, then replied: "Your Excellency, the maximum fine is Three Hundred Taels."

At this, Qi Cheng fell silent. Three Hundred Taels… to Qin Feng, it was less than a drop in the ocean. It wouldn't hurt at all.

Qin Feng, however, grinned. He grabbed a handful of Sui Yin from the counter and tossed it down with a clatter: "Take it. Any excess is my gift."

Qi Cheng's face flushed red then pale. This wasn't paying a fine—it was tossing coins to a beggar!

Seeing Qi Cheng humiliated, Gao Song quickly stepped in: "Hahaha, Magistrate Qi, your official business is done. Now for personal matters."

He looked meaningfully at Qin Feng: "Any seats left?"

If they came to eat, Qin Feng welcomed them. He glanced at the packed DaTang and hesitated: "Gentlemen, I'm not being rude—I've shown you, business is too good. There's no space. If you must, wait a while?"

Ning Hu, impatient by nature, exploded: "Preposterous! Qin Feng, don't push your luck! What are our ranks? Across all wine houses in Jingdu, who dares make us wait?"

If they came to eat, Qin Feng welcomed them.

If they came to provoke, Qin Feng wouldn't back down.

He smirked: "Oh? Little Marquis? Since the Ji Wang's birthday banquet, it's been a while. Has your father stopped locking you up?"

Ning Hu was both furious and ashamed. Because of this damned Qin Feng, his reputation as Little Marquis had been shattered, turning him into a laughingstock of Jingdu.

Though Ning Hu was confident he could crush Qin Feng with one hand, he had no way to deal with this rogue.

Li Rui and Cheng Fa exchanged glances and quietly watched the spectacle.

Finally, Gao Song intervened: "Haha, what's a little waiting? Then we'll wait. Young Master Qin won't make us stand, will he?"