There is a space for passenger planes in the late Ming Dynasty

"The sound of oars and lights and shadows stretch for ten miles, and singing girls play with flowers and boats on the turbid waves."

As night fell, Lin Feng took Ma Ang, Jiang Jiaming and others to the bank of the Qinhuai River in Nanjing. On one side is the largest Gongyuan examination room in Jiangnan, and on the other side is the most famous brothel in Jiangnan.

The Qinhuai River is brightly lit at night, and the streets and arch bridges are decorated with colorful lanterns. People come and go, making it very lively.

From time to time, painted boats swim by on the river, and the red lanterns on the boats are reflected in the water, making them colorful and beautiful. For a time, wealthy businessmen and celebrities gathered together, and singers and actresses were fragrant. It was truly a "land of prosperous flowers and willows, a land of wealth and gentleness."

Lin Feng walked along the Qinhuai River for a while and couldn't help but sigh at the prosperity of the south of the Ming Dynasty, which was in sharp contrast to the war-torn north and the people's poverty.

However, when the Ming Dynasty was faced with internal and external troubles and national disasters, the officials and gentry in Jiangnan were indeed in such a state of intoxication. No wonder the historical Nanming Hongguang regime was overthrown by the Qing army in Nanjing in just one year.

A group of people came to Meixiang Tower on the bank of Qinhuai River.

The original pillar of Meixiang Tower was Li Xiangjun. After being redeemed by Hou Fangyu, its reputation dropped drastically, so they invited Gu Shou and Chen Yuan, the recently famous singing girls from Suzhou, to come over and quickly regained their reputation.

The door was full of guests, and after entering, the hall was almost crowded and packed with seats.

After Jiang Jiaming gave the madam in charge of welcoming guests twelve taels of silver, he was given priority in a corner of the hall.

This money only counts the seat fee, and provides some basic tea and snacks. If you want to drink and eat food, you need to pay extra. If you want to recruit the singing girls in the building to accompany you, it will cost a lot of money.

As soon as a few people sat down, several lesser-known singers from Meixiang Tower began to play the piano and sing lyrics and music. This was considered a warm-up show.

Lin Feng drank a few sips of tea, ate the snacks on the table, and watched the performance with interest. This is like the performance theater of later generations, with a large group of people waiting for the star to appear.

Lin Feng had been marching day and night during this period. It was rare for him to take a break and relax. He felt very comfortable and strengthened his idea of ​​opening a large-scale performing arts theater in Xi'an.

After sitting there for about a quarter of an hour, Mr. Turtle, who was greeting the guests, called out: "The Prince Zhao of Xincheng County has arrived!"

Zhao Chengfu, who looked pale due to excessive drinking, walked in swaggeringly surrounded by several servants and went directly to the reserved seat in the second floor.

When the real master arrived, the popular girls in Meixianglou also began to perform on the stage. The singing girls were more beautiful than the others, and their singing voices were also intoxicating.

After each geisha performs, guests in the hall will bid to accompany them, but this escort is limited to drinking and chatting. If they want to develop further, it depends on the girl's wishes.

Not to mention, due to the popularity of Jiangnan Shilin, most famous prostitutes in brothels are prostitutes rather than prostitutes, so as to increase their social status. There are also many love stories of famous prostitutes and talented people.

Of course, it takes a very small number of high-ranking officials and gentry to use their power to force famous brothel prostitutes to surrender, but the main purpose is to take concubines. Those who do it forcefully in the brothel will definitely be sprayed to death by the scholars.

Therefore, Qinhuai famous actors in this era still had a certain degree of autonomy in choosing their spouses, and many famous prostitutes had multiple affairs.

Of course, their autonomy is also very limited. In the face of money and power, most brothel women will make realistic choices.

Soon the climax of tonight's artistic performance was reached, and the most famous person in Meixiang Tower, Chen Yuan, also known as Chen Yuanyuan, was about to appear.

Chen Yuanyuan, named Yuan and courtesy name Wanfen, was from Jinniuli, Wujin County, Jiangsu Province. His father, known as Chen Merchant, came from a poor family and later lived in Suzhou as a prostitute. In the Liyuan, Chen Yuanyuan is outstanding in both appearance and folk skills.

When Lin Feng heard that Chen Yuanyuan was about to appear, he couldn't help but cheer up and prepare to take a good look at the appearance of this woman who was later hailed as the most beautiful woman in the world in the late Ming Dynasty.

Several maids came out first and removed the guzheng from the stage. Then a beautiful woman wearing a colorful dress with flowing skirts came out and began to perform an excerpt from "The West Chamber".

Her eyes are like stars, charming and moving; her figure is graceful, like flowing clouds and flowing water; her smile is like a flower, revealing agility and wit; her dancing posture is graceful, and her singing voice of Wu Nong is like the cry of a kingfisher. , is indeed an unparalleled beauty, which made the guests in the audience fascinated by her superb talents. "Okay! Please invite Miss Yuan to come over and have a few drinks." After the beauty finished her performance, Zhao Chengfu was the first to cheer loudly.

"Prince Zhao, my little lady is not feeling well today, so I won't accompany you. I'll give you a glass of wine in return." Chen Yuanyuan whispered softly. Zhao Chengfu has been pestering him every day these days, and she can't bear to deal with such a playboy. Its disturbing.

"Our Prince Zhao is the only son of Uncle Zhao of Xincheng. He will inherit the title and be in charge of Nanjing's military affairs. Especially recently, he has vigorously opposed the traitor Lin Feng of the Zhenming Army and advocated the seizure of the Zhenming Army's properties. He has won the favor of the Jiangnan officials and gentry. Good reviews.

For such an outstanding earl prince, a hero in the hearts of the Jiangnan gentry, don't we Meixianglou and Miss Yuan give face? "A bastard-looking prince next to him boasted and threatened.

"I'd like to invite you, Your Majesty. Yuanyuan is really not in good health today. She is also ill to perform for everyone. Let her go backstage to change her clothes and then serve you a drink. She can only drink two glasses of wine in the evening, one for everyone and one for herself." Respect you, this is also the greatest respect for the prince."

Li Zhenli, the owner of Meixiang Building, quickly came out to smooth things over. As expected of her, she was experienced and could resolve the crisis in just a few words.

"That's more or less the same. Since Miss Chen is not feeling well, we won't force her. Let's just propose a toast and ask Gu Shou to come over and drink with her. Isn't she also feeling unwell?" Li Chengfu pretended to be very generous after he gained face. replied.

Lin Feng glanced at Zhao Chengfu with a sharp look, and he dared to use the seizure of Zhenming Group's properties to put money on his face. He was really reckless.

"Humph, the Zhenming Army once fought against the Manchu and Qing Tatars in the north and achieved a great victory. How brave is it to seize their properties in Nanjing? If you are really brave, why not go to the border to fight against the Tatars?" said a man who was about 26 or seven years old. The old scholar said angrily.

"Who are you? You dare to open your eyes for Zhenming rebels!" Zhao Chengfu said angrily.

"As a man, I will never change my name in office, but I will never change my surname in business. I am Gu Yanwu, Kunshan, Suzhou!" the young scholar replied with a strong voice.

Lin Feng also expressed interest when he heard this. Gu Yanwu was a famous thinker in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. He passed the examination as a scholar at the age of fourteen, but after that he took part in the provincial examination many times without success. At this time, it was almost the time when he came to Nanjing to participate in the provincial examination but failed, so he gave up the imperial examination in anger and retired back home to study and write books.

Gu Yanwu was not only knowledgeable, but also had great national integrity. He refused to become an official all his life. He was a rare talent, and Lin Feng was also prepared to take him under his command.

"The bastard from Suzhou dares to mock this prince, come here, take the twister and give it to Ying Tianfu Yin." Zhao Chengfu ordered majestically, ready to show off his strength and domineering power.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Gu is a famous talent in Kunshan. Can you please be accommodating and let him go?" Chen Yuanyuan was from Kunshan and naturally knew Gu Yanwu's name, so she interceded for her.

"Miss Chen, there is no need to plead for mercy. I have not violated the law. Is it possible that there is no royal law in this world?" Gu Yanwu said straightforwardly.

"Haha, Miss Chen, it's not that I don't give you face, it's just that this kid doesn't know how to praise, then let him see what the king's law is!" Zhao Chenfu said with authority.

Several servants around him immediately swarmed forward and captured Gu Yanwu. Several scholars nearby tried to stop him, but they were all pushed to the ground.

"Prince Zhao, this Meixiang Tower is a place where officials and gentlemen are happy. Don't spoil everyone's mood here." Li Zhenli stood up and persuaded.

"Send this man surnamed Gu to the Yingtian government office. Let the government office decide whether he is guilty or not. It's okay. Don't affect everyone's drinking." Zhao Chengfu continued, but in his mind, he thought that the government office would decide whether to convict him or not. They have the final say.

Lin Feng did not come forward at this time. On the one hand, he was worried that it would ruin the subsequent arrangements for arresting Zhao Chengfu. On the other hand, it was necessary for a tough-minded scholar like Gu Yanwu to follow him and let him suffer some hardships from the court first.

After Gu Yanwu's incident, everyone's interest in drinking was obviously reduced. After half an hour, the place in the hall dispersed. Zhao Chengfu probably didn't have an appointment with Chen Yuanyuan and was not interested anymore, so he prepared to go back with a few entourages.

Lin Feng winked and asked Jiang Jiaming to follow Zhao Chengfu and his party.

After leaving Meixiang Tower and passing two streets, they came to a slightly remote place. Lin Feng commanded a team of guards to knock Zhao Chengfu and others unconscious quickly, put them into a prepared carriage, and took them away.

(End of this chapter)