Chapter 1519: Chapter 476: County City’s Gold-Squandering Den, Wave of Opposition to Reform, Ji Hong’s Shortage of Funds
November 5, 291, Chen Cang Era
In Yanling City, there is a famous den of extravagance called the Worldly Noble Tavern.
As the name suggests, this tavern only admits those of noble and worldly status; without such standing, one has no right even to enter the door, which in itself reflects the high standards of the tavern.
This is indeed the case. In a typical tavern, from those who serve to the chefs and wine pourers in the back, most are of slave or lowly status; even the shopkeeper could be a family servant of the tavern owner behind the scenes, at best hired civilian or military registered.
However, within the Worldly Noble Tavern, even the lowest errand boys hold civilian status; many chefs in the back kitchen come from military backgrounds; even the singers and dancers on the first and second floors are predominantly civilian women. Though a few may come from slave status, they are top-grade, meticulously selected from numerous Slave Villages for their looks, figures, dance skills, and musical talents—truly one in a thousand, even one in ten thousand.
Yet this is secondary; the most renowned feature of Worldly Noble Tavern is the top floor, the third level.
"In the third-floor round hall, even just seating anywhere, without ordering anything, costs a minimum of 100 taels, and money alone doesn’t suffice; one must be nobility."
"Of course, the prices of those delicacies are unspeakable; Spiritual Wine costs a minimum of 3000 taels per jug, and even typical noble family members can’t afford it, let alone those of mere noble title."
"I heard last time that those serving tea and pouring wine on the third floor, and those performing as singers and dancers, are either declined noble women or former Camp Lords’ spouses and daughters who were annexed by our Chen Cang, none of them with uncomplicated backgrounds."
"Tsk, tsk, these are surely delicate flowers and noble leaves! To drink the fine wine poured by them personally and to hear them sing and play right before us, what an indulgence that would be."
"Having these delicate flowers and noble leaves serve people, why would they agree to do it?"
"Humph, no? The declined noble women go without saying; their families have fallen, so they naturally come for the money. As for those Camp Lords’ spouses and daughters annexed, they have no choice; in the face of our Chen Cang, regardless of their noble status, they must meekly bow down as servants. Moreover, anyone among them with true integrity would have long perished alongside those Camp Lords, rather than surviving until now."
"Heh, heh, heh, you’re wrong here! Being a servant is one thing, but why make them bow?"
"We’re all men here; stop pretending. Dare you say every time you glance at those maids on the third floor, you have no wicked thoughts?"
"Low profile, low profile, heh heh heh!"
"Restrain those dirty thoughts! The performers and singers there sell their art, not themselves; they are nurtured with painstaking investment by the owner, treated like his own daughters. Even lesser noble families can’t afford to marry them; putting them aside, even the maids there at the very least marry into military households, and we lowly people aren’t even worth a glance from them."
"Lower your voice, lower your voice; if heard, we’d be beaten to death."
"Yes, yes, let’s all keep quiet."
"There’s more singing; let’s quiet down and quickly listen..."
At the entrance of the Worldly Noble Tavern, where carriages are specially parked, a group of stout-porters in short attire crouched on the ground, whispering. From the slightly open windows above, an occasional melodious and enchanting sound came through, and they immediately quieted down to listen intently, their expressions full of indulgence.
"The Chu River flows deep, the Yuezhi stands firm~~~~
The fields are ripe with grain, smoke winds around the beams~~~~
Melody ceaseless, the fire passed on~~~~
The portrait of the homeland shines brightly~~~~"
On the top-floor round hall of the tavern, a singer in a red dress sat on the central high stage, playing and singing elegantly. Her melodious voice, paired with the beautiful sound of the instrument, enveloped most of the audience seated around, all listening with their eyes closed, faces full of delight.
Once a song of Chu Wind concluded, the melody lingered for a few breaths before stopping. The singer in the red dress on stage, appeared to be in her early twenties, softly pressed down the strings, and then slowly stood up.
Her skin was like congealed grease, her face bright as jade, a pair of lively, clear, cold eyes, with a hint of seductive charm. Her waist-length hair partly draped down, the rest coiled atop her head, fixed in an Immortal Bun with a delicate golden butterfly decoration. Once up, her elegant figure was fully revealed, combined with her cold expression, resembling the moon maiden Chang’e, the Fairy Hangong, instantly drawing all eyes to her.
After rising, she seemed to be surveying the audience with sincerity in her gaze, showing no sign of indifference, making everyone feel amiable.
Seeing the audience gradually collect themselves, she slightly bowed, softly saying, "Feixu thanks everyone for your support."
Clap, clap, clap...
"Du He offers 2000 taels, as though hearing the voice of an immortal, as though hearing the voice of an immortal!"
"Both song and instrument exquisite, truly worthy of being Feixu, Wang Meng offers 3000 taels."
"In my opinion, Feixu’s musical talent ranks in the top five of Yanling City, Wu Shiqing seeks prosperity, offering 8888 taels!"
"No wonder Feixu retains the oiran title for six consecutive months, worthy of my journey from Donglin, He Yunchong, offers 6000 taels!"
...
As the lady finished speaking, hundreds below finally fully regained composure, followed by a burst of applause and shouts of admiration.
On the top floor of Worldly Noble Tavern, the singers’ performances are generally arranged by the shopkeeper, provided the number of guests reaches a certain amount. As for which singer is scheduled, it depends on the total silver offerings ranking from the previous month.
In general, the higher the ranking from the previous month, the more stage opportunities the next month, and the first-place of the single month additionally receives an oiran title.
