A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 211 Is it embellished with gold?

Song Qi is the new county magistrate.

Of course, I have to work hard to integrate into the officialdom of Yingtian Prefecture.

It was only natural that he was asked to compose a poem to liven up the atmosphere.

"it is good."

Yan Shu led the applause.

After finishing the poem, Song Qi deserved the title of top scholar.

Unfortunately, because of Empress Dowager Liu, not only was the title of top scholar taken away from him, but his ranking was also dropped from the first row to the tenth place.

Many of his colleagues greatly admired Song Qi's straightforward behavior.

When the wine got to their head, everyone urged the prefect Yan Shu to write a poem as well.

"Hahaha."

Yan Shu naturally did not refuse.

He read many poems and essays written by students.

At this time, Yan Shu was also inspired to write poetry.

He stood in the middle of the yard, holding a wine glass, looking at the moon in the sky.

Even if it is not too round, it is pretty close, giving people a refreshing feeling.

At this time, Song Xuan was not around to make noise, so Yan Shu took a sip of wine before speaking:
"Mid-Autumn Moon"

"Ten round frost shadows turn around the courtyard, and this evening the prisoner is alone in the corner."

"It is not necessarily that Su'e is without regrets, the jade moon is cold and the osmanthus flowers are lonely."

Many officials naturally did not respond immediately.

But savor it carefully.

After all, they all heard something different in Yan Shu's poem.

Who doesn’t envy Yan Shu’s official career?
He wore purple robes at a young age and was deeply trusted by the government.

After being promoted many times, Yan Shu was demoted and became an official in another place.

It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the moon was full, but he was traveling alone in a foreign land, away from his family.

This situation really makes it hard to be heroic.

But even if Yan Shu was demoted, he came to "Nanjing" and became the prefect.

How can ordinary people get such treatment?

Especially the officials under him, none of them had ever entered the central government.

Seeing that the atmosphere was somewhat awkward, Song Qi immediately said,
"This poem by Prefect Yan is truly excellent!"

"Tell me, what's good about it?"

Yan Shu came back to his senses and smiled at Song Qi.

Song Qi was not at all nervous, but spoke directly:
"Mr. Yan used the lines from Li Shangyin's "Chang'e" ("Chang'e must regret stealing the elixir, her heart aches every night under the azure sea and blue sky") and "The rabbit is cold, the toad is cold, the osmanthus flowers are white, this night Chang'e must be heartbroken" from "Moonlit Night"."

"Li's poems have their own meanings. Compared with Li's poems, this poem is more elaborate, yet it is natural and seamless."

"I believe that the poem written by Mr. Yan also has a purpose."

Song Shou looked at Song Qi in shock.

He found that Song Qi was really smart and could think of it immediately.

And the analysis is very clear and logical!

However, when Song Shou thought of Song Xuan, he immediately felt that Song Qi still needed to practice.

If Song Xuan were present, he might have snatched the next line of poetry from Yan Tongshu!
"There is no choice but the flowers fall away, and the familiar swallows return."

This incident really left a deep impression on him.

Song Xuan was like a worm in Yan Shu's stomach.

You can even think of this!
Song Shu still cannot understand this.

If he had not seen it with his own eyes, he would have suspected that the next sentence that Yan Shu thought of was not as good as what Song Xuan said, so he pinched his nose and accepted that it was what he thought of at the same time as Song Twelve, except that he was not as quick-mouthed as him!
Yan Shu himself, however, had a much better impression of Song Qi.

Li Shangyin is the "ancestor" of the Xikun style.

Those who passed the imperial examination in the Song Dynasty were very familiar with Li Shangyin's poems.

Moreover, Yan Shu often wrote "reciprocating poems" and was very adept at paraphrasing Li Shangyin's poems.

But Song Qi was able to say it in an instant, which shows that his basic skills are not bad!
What is a supporting role?

This is it.

"Yes, that's right."

Yan Shu also responded as encouragement.

Colleagues naturally began to praise Song Qi for being worthy of being the top scholar.

But Song Qi was somewhat dissatisfied in his heart. I was forced to give the title of the real top scholar to my elder brother.

There's no need for you to bring up the past and rub salt into my wounds.

"If this poem by Mr. Yan were to spread, I'm afraid it would cause even more people to feel sad."

Song Qi flattered without hesitation:

"Then Songcheng will surely be as expensive as paper in Luoyang."

"Hahaha."

"That's the way it is."

Yan Shu was also very happy.

Even though I hear a lot of nice words, I still feel happy when I hear others say them.

"It's too praised, it's too praised."

Yan Shu quickly waved his hand, returned to his seat, filled his glass and said with a smile:

"Drink this cup to the full."

……

Hongtaifang.

The colorful flags had been put up long ago and the place was bustling with people.

Fan Xiang still felt a little guilty because he heard that if he visited a brothel, he wouldn't even be able to see the young ladies, and all the money he spent wouldn't make a single splash.

"Wang Sanlang, what you mean is that as long as you bring Song Twelve here, all his friends and the others will get free meals?"

Fan Xiang pointed at the madam in front of him with the big red lantern:
"I think the entrance fee alone is one kan per person!"

"Why is this high-end place so expensive?"

Song Xuan had never paid attention to brothels, as he had not had time to visit them.

Especially since there is a restaurant nearby that sells male sex, where the competition is quite fierce.

Hearing Song Xuan's question, the judge Zhang Kang smiled and explained to Song Xuan:

"This is just a small amount of money to enter the room. Sitting in the lobby and ordering a pot of good wine will cost thirty strings of cash. You also need to give some tips to the waiters and maids."

"Do you think that's all?"

Zhang Kang said, as if he knew everything:

"You have to attract the girls' attention by holding poetry competitions at flag towers and tea parties, and then give them tips, starting at 10 strings of cash."

"If the girl agrees to meet you, you will need to pay more money, starting at 50 kan, and she will accompany you to eat, chat, sing, etc."

"If you want to spend the night with the girl, you need to pay more money, starting at 100 kan, and negotiate with the girl privately."

Song Xuan frowned:

"Roughly speaking, a visit to a top-tier brothel costs between two hundred and four hundred kan?"

"Hey, Twelve Lang, you don't know that, that's just the price for an average-looking girl. If she's particularly outstanding or famous, it would cost more."

"Brother Wang has also tried it?"

As an experienced person and the son of a prime minister, Wang Tai's family was not short of money. He had spent money in Tokyo once.

Listening to Song Xuan's question, Wang Tai said rather reservedly:

"It was just once!"

"hiss."

Several people listened to Wang Tai's words and showed envy.

Only Song Xuan curled his lips and said:
"What a great injustice! Is she a gilded figure?"

When these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.

Only Zhang Kang couldn't help laughing, and said that he had never heard such vulgar words from Song Xuan.

"Hey."

Wang Tai, who was enjoying the envy, became anxious upon hearing this:

"It's normal for a country boy like you to have never seen this. This isn't just about sexual pleasure, it's more about spiritual connection. If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense."

Wang Tai immediately told everything he knew:

"The first requirement is that the women in the building are good-looking."

"The most important thing is that they are proficient in all arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry and prose. They are just women. If men took the imperial examination, they might not fail!"

"Also, put aside your prejudice. Most of the girls here only sell their skills, not their bodies. Otherwise, all the money you've invested in them over the years will be wasted."

Wang Tai pointed at the brothel again and said:

"This is not a brothel!"

The hidden meaning of Wang Tai's words.

That is, brothels are high-end clubs.

A talented woman accompanies you on romantic nights.

Sleeping is the least important part.

For some frustrated literati, when they are in despair in life, it is helpful to have someone who can listen to all your words and actions and give you feedback in a timely manner.

Therefore, brothels became the best place for literati and poets to vent.

This is quite different from a purely physical transaction!
"Well, then you can go and tell them that Song Twelve is here. If you can waive the tea fee for our classmates, then we can go for a walk."

Song Xuan spoke naturally.

Lu Lejian stood there in a daze for a moment.

Watching the people passing by on the street, he asked softly:
"Shi Er Lang, we're not really going to let Bai Nvpiao in, are we?"

Song Xuan glanced at him and then covered his eyes with his folding fan:
"Didn't you say that mentioning my name would work?"

"No, I said, just in case it's just a joke."

Lu Lejian was so anxious that he was sweating.
"If they don't let us in, wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

"It's not my face that's lost."

Song Xuan pointed at the person inside with his fan: "That's the madam. She doesn't keep her word." "Song Twelve!" Lu Lejian also lowered his voice: "You are going to pass the imperial examination and you have plenty of money. What's the big deal?"

"Hey."

Song Xuan then waved his fan:

"Then I don't care. If you want to ask, go ahead. You said it yourself. Otherwise, we can just stroll around the streets and watch the fun. Anyway, I'm not that interested in visiting brothels!"

"Okay, you are noble!"

"You are amazing!"

"You, Song Twelve, are not usually so stingy, right?"

Lu Lejian said with gritted teeth.

Song Xuan immediately replied:

"Whether I'm usually generous or not has nothing to do with this. It's because you said that mentioning my name would work that we brothers came here!"

"Especially visiting a brothel, that really costs a lot of money, it's not something you and I can afford right now!"

"That's all!"

Lu Lejian finally understood.

Song Xuan really didn't want to pay.

Who doesn't know how much money your bookstore makes from selling lottery tickets?
But he couldn't afford to pay for these people to come in.

"Just go and ask, it's free!"

Wang Tai also encouraged Lu Lejian to go quickly!
Besides, inviting someone to visit a brothel is really an extremely luxurious thing.

"Yes, that's what you said at the table just now."

"How can it not count here?"

"Are you trying to trick us?"

Lu Lejian couldn't stand the provocation, so he gritted his teeth, stomped his feet and really walked forward.

But when he got in front of the receptionist, he was speechless.

It was the receptionist who took the initiative to ask, and only then did Lu Lejian say that he wanted to see your madam and asked her to come out.

The receptionist was very discerning. He saw that Lu Lejian looked familiar and knew he had been there before.

Just now, when they were standing there talking, they started looking around.

Perhaps the students didn't have much money, so they were discussing whether to come in and have a look.

Anyway, they have seen many poor scholars in the recent examinations, and they want to see some of them.

Yingmen naturally did not refuse the request of the regular customer.

After a while, the plump old madam came out with her fat waist twisted.

"Isn't this Mr. Lu? I've finally got you here."

Lu Lejian looked at the smiling madam and immediately took the initiative to speak:
"Sister Ding, let me ask you something first!"

The madam glanced at the group of scholars on the street who were looking over here.

It looked like they were all new guests brought by him, and their smiles remained unchanged:
"Mr. Lu, please speak."

"Last time you said that since I brought Song Xuan here, you would waive the entrance fee for the people I brought with me. Does that still count?"

Hearing Mr. Lu's question, the madam was stunned at first, and then followed Ms. Bai!
Listen to what you say.

Going to a brothel for free would bring shame to our Hongtaifang if anyone knew about it!

However, upon hearing Song Xuan's name, the madam immediately asked in a low voice:

"But Song Twelve from the Twelve Bookstore?"

"In the entire Song City, besides him, who else could be called Song Twelve?"

"Hey, please come in then."

The madam quickly embraced Lu Lejian's arms:
"Master Lu must be capable enough to invite Master Song here. Come and show me."

Lu Lejian finally breathed a sigh of relief, walked over with the madam, and pointed at Song Xuan:

"Sister Ding, this is the famous Song Twelve."

"Oh, Mr. Song is really a handsome man."

The madam hurried forward and grabbed Song Xuan's arm, then walked inside:

"You gentlemen are all handsome men. Your presence at Hongtaifang today is truly an honor to our humble home!"

This young man, Song Xuan, is truly remarkable!

At least he has connections in both the black and white worlds in Songcheng.

This alone is something that few people can do.

She heard in the neighborhood that even Prefect Yan was his "disciple" in poetry, so she wondered what was going on.

But rumors are not just random rumors!

Especially the two poems by Song Xuan proved that he had the ability in this area, and even Liu Sanbian knew him.

On such a festive occasion, Liu Sanbian was naturally also in Hongtaifang.

Of course, Liu Sanbian doesn't need an entry fee.

The girls in the alley were looking forward to Liu Sanbian writing a poem for them day and night.

In this way, your value will definitely increase greatly, and you can even attract a lot of customers.

Song Xuan was welcomed into the brothel by the madam. There were not many people visiting the brothel during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

After all, Songcheng's consumption level is just around the corner.

When Song Xuan and the others were led to the corner of the hall, the madam immediately asked someone to bring them a pot of tea.

I smelled alcohol on Song Xuan just now.

It looked like a few people came here leisurely to have fun after drinking.

And it smells like new wine, which is very expensive.

Could Song Xuan be short of money?

The madam not only ordered tea, but also some snacks.

After all, it is the first time for the distinguished guest to come here.

If Song Xuan is inspired to write poetry and leaves behind some poems, it will be a great help to the girls in Hongtaifang!
Last time, Liu Sanbian said that once Song Xuan's poem of sorrow came out, future generations would rack their brains but still couldn't write one better than his!
She had thought that Song Xuan would come to the brothel to play after failing the exam last time.

After all, many readers do this.

But the guy really doesn't like it, so he goes to fight with that rascal to vent his anger!

This beating was not a big deal, as it made all the ruffians in Songcheng surrender.

Song Xuan looked at the layout of the brothel.

The powder smell is strong but not pungent. I think they use high-end products and the quality cannot be lowered.

Brothels like this can drive many industries.

Especially since they have to pay taxes seriously!

Official prostitutes were also extremely common. For example, Wang Jixun, a gourmet in the Song Dynasty, would eat an official prostitute if he failed to serve her to his satisfaction.

Hongtaifang belongs to the government.

Although visiting prostitutes was prohibited in the Song Dynasty, the custom was even worse than in the Tang Dynasty.

According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, it was not allowed to take official prostitutes out to play, but Su Shi didn't care.

Especially the official prostitutes were divided into different levels.

Even if one's status is humble, as long as one can gain the appreciation of literati, one's value will skyrocket.

Liu Sanbian's behavior was like this, which meant that the official prostitutes were catering to the tastes of the literati.

It is almost a necessary survival rule for every official prostitute.

Of course, only if they can obtain approval from an official of the sixth rank or above will they have the opportunity to get married or become good women.

But such opportunities are rare, and most of them are for concubines.

You can't avoid the fate of being sent here and there!
On the central stage, there were young ladies who were good at singing and dancing performing.

Song Xuan was sitting in the corner. His face was not very clear, but his posture was extremely graceful.

"Shi Er Lang, if you are dissatisfied with anything, just tell me."

The madam was standing by, waving her handkerchief with a smile on her face.

"Thank you, Sister Ding."

Song Xuan replied:
"I just arrived and came to see the excitement. Don't bother with me."

However, the madam was unwilling to let Song Xuan go easily. After finally catching him, she waived the entrance fee for them and gave them tea and snacks.

If it were someone else, it would have to be at least twenty or thirty strings of cash.

This doesn’t even include rewards!

"Shi Er Lang, there will be a tea party soon. If Shi Er Lang wins and writes a poem, he will certainly be favored by many girls. You can choose any one you want."

Listening to the madam's words, Lu Lejian immediately said:

"I wonder if the courtesan Yu Linglong is free tonight?"

"Of course I'm free."

The madam was not willing to let Yu Linglong go out easily. If Song Xuan didn't come, she could only rely on Liu Sanbian.

"If you gentlemen have the ability, you can certainly persuade my Yu Linglong to accompany you."

"Twelfth brother, Yu Linglong."

Wang Tai winked and said:

"Even if it's five hundred strings of cash, you're just chatting with her."

Song Xuan knew that the gift Song Jiang would give to the famous prostitute Li Shishi was one hundred taels of gold.

This famous prostitute named Yu Linglong was half of Li Shishi's salary. He had never heard of how famous this courtesan was in Songcheng.

Could it be that he is secretly raising his own value?
Brothels have always treated women as commodities, and the price they were sold for was the only factor that mattered.

It seems that Yu Linglong is the top star here.

"Oh, so what?"

Song Xuan then waved his hand and said:
"How can I afford five hundred strings of cash to meet Yu Linglong? My bookshop is just a small business, barely enough to support a few employees."

However, the madam disagreed with Song Xuan.

Everyone knows that Song Twelve is the timely rain of Song City, young and rich.

Even though he only has one shop, he can definitely make a lot of profit from the lottery.

The madam understood that Song Xuan felt that Yu Linglong's appearance did not suit his taste, so wasn't the money wasted?

Then she smiled again and said:
"Twelve Lang and all the other gentlemen, please wait a moment. Today is the fifteenth day of the eighth month. I will invite Yu Linglong out to help entertain everyone. Okay?"

(End of this chapter)