The water beneath South Stone Bridge gurgled noisily.
At Wandering Cloud Tavern, large red lanterns hung from the tall beams, their gauzy covers glowing warmly, swaying gently in the breeze.
Soft singing filled the air, and the clatter of dishes being served echoed as servers bustled about.
Inside the private room labeled "Earth-C," Liang Qu pushed open the door, greeted by a warm gust of air.
"What a fine young man! Truly a fine young man! Noble as the wind through the pines, lofty yet steady—no wonder you’ve become Master Yang’s prized disciple!"
Lin Di, dressed in a deep blue robe, stood up to welcome him, his voice booming with praise.
"My son, Songbao, has long spoken of a friend he met in Righteous Prosperity City, someone of extraordinary character, no ordinary person. I thought such a figure couldn’t possibly exist in such a small place, that my son was exaggerating due to his limited experience. But now, seeing you in person, I realize it’s all true!"
Truly, I’ve been unlucky not to have met you sooner, Brother Liang.
Ah, forgive me, I’ve been too excited and spoke out of turn, relying on my age to be so presumptuous.
Brother Liang, Brother Liang! Let me punish myself with three cups!
"With that, Lin Di downed three cups of wine in quick succession, his face flushing slightly. Lin Songbao:"..."When did I ever say that? And why are you calling him"Brother Liang"?
What does that make me?
Uncle Liang?
Liang Qu:"..."This guy sure knows how to talk. And why is the family hierarchy so messed up? Before he knew it, Liang Qu was pulled into a seat by Lin Di, who pointed to a boy of about thirteen or fourteen beside him."
Let me introduce my eldest son, Lin Fuyun! Fuyun, greet your Uncle Liang!
"Eldest son? Liang Qu glanced back at Lin Songbao in surprise, only to see him nod. Ah, so it’s a matter of legitimate and illegitimate children. Liang Qu finally understood why Lin Songbao, the son of a fish market owner, had to work at the market every day. Lin Fuyun stood up and bowed."
Greetings, Uncle Liang.
"Liang Qu’s mouth twitched. Kid, do you really think calling me"Uncle Liang"makes me happy?"
Don’t call me 'Brother Liang.' I’m not that old.
""Then may I boldly call you 'Nephew'?"Liang Qu was silent for a moment."
Just call me by my name.
""That wouldn’t be proper.
It’s too disrespectful.
""Then call me 'Young Master Liang.'
""Alright.
"Lin Di looked a bit disappointed but quickly turned to order the dishes. With a clap of his hands, a fragrant breeze swept in. Three women dressed in elegant robes entered. Liang Qu’s heart skipped a beat as they bowed gracefully, two of them playing instruments while the third began to dance. Oh, so you’re playing this game, huh?"
Young Master Liang, don’t worry.
We’re just here to enjoy the dance,"Lin Di said with a smile. He had done his homework before coming and knew Liang Qu was shy, even embarrassed about matchmaking. So, he decided to keep things refined to avoid any trouble.
Liang Qu’s face turned slightly red. He clenched his fist and coughed lightly." That’s fine, that’s fine.
"The evening continued with toasts and conversation, though Liang Qu stuck to tea instead of wine. He did, however, eat plate after plate of food. The food at Wandering Cloud Tavern was indeed excellent. To his surprise, some dishes even included chili peppers, which Liang Qu had never seen before. He had thought the Great Shun Dynasty didn’t have such spices, but it turned out he was just too poor to have encountered them."
This is a spice brought back by the Western Army during their expedition last year.
It’s only become popular this year.
Bright red in color and spicy in taste, it makes you sweat but leaves you feeling oddly refreshed.
I hope Young Master Liang finds it to his liking.
""It’s fine, it’s fine,"Liang Qu said, shoveling meat into his mouth."
Now, about my fish market...
I was wondering if Young Master Liang could lend a hand.
In return, I’d be happy to offer twenty percent of the market’s annual income.
Of course, regardless of whether you agree, I’ll return your black canopy boat to you.
After all, it’s only right to return what’s yours.
""Of course not.
""Hahaha, is that so?
That’s great—wait, what?
"Lin Di’s laughter cut off abruptly as he realized something was wrong. He froze, wondering if he had misheard."
Young Master Liang, did you just say...
""I said no."Lin Di was dumbfounded. He had approached Liang Qu hoping to use his status to boost the reputation of his fish market and gain an edge over competitors in other docks. Running a fish market required connections, and with Liang Qu’s backing—especially as a direct disciple of Master Yang—things would have been much easier. But why was he refusing so outright? After all, if the deal went through, Liang Qu wouldn’t have to lift a finger and could easily earn over a hundred taels of silver a year!"
Young Master Liang, perhaps I wasn’t clear earlier.
If you agree, I’m willing to offer thirty percent of the market’s annual income...
"Liang Qu put down his chopsticks and let out a satisfied burp."
Even if you gave me everything, it wouldn’t work.
I’ve eaten the food, and I’ll take the boat, but I won’t help with the fish market, and I won’t take any of its income.
"Lin Di was visibly disappointed but didn’t dare show anger."
Young Master Liang, may I ask why?
""Because I’m a fisherman myself.
"Lin Di’s pupils contracted slightly. Liang Qu pushed back his chair and stood up."
Making money by oppressing my own people? That kind of money would make me sick.
Well, I’m full.
Goodbye.
Oh, and the dance was lovely, and the ladies were beautiful.
""Thank you for the compliment, Young Master,"the three women said with a curtsy. Liang Qu pushed open the door and left. Lin Di snapped out of his daze and quickly called to Lin Songbao."
Quick, go see Young Master Liang off.
""No need.
I’ll take a walk by the river alone.
The cold wind will do me good.
"The door closed, and Liang Qu’s voice faded away. As he stepped out of Wandering Cloud Tavern, a cold wind rushed into his collar, making him shiver. The drowsiness from his full stomach vanished completely.
The fish market’s profits... Well, Liang Qu actually had a compromise in mind. Instead of taking twenty percent of the market’s income, he could have asked Lin Di to reduce the rental fees by twenty percent or come up with some other arrangement to make life easier for the fishermen.
But that would have meant sacrificing his own interests. The fishermen were indeed pitiable, but were they all that virtuous? Whether he refused the income or took less and pushed for lower rents, the fishermen might initially be grateful.
But over time, as they grew accustomed to the reduced fees, their lives would still be hard, and they’d start to resent Liang Qu, the so-called protector of the fish market. What would his master and senior brothers think then?
Since becoming Master Yang’s direct disciple, Liang Qu had come to understand one thing: When you’re powerless, a good reputation is useless. But once you show even a hint of talent, a good reputation can bring unexpected rewards. Liang Qu considered himself a good person, but not that good.
He could dig into his own pocket to buy buns for snot-nosed kids, but he’d also worry about tarnishing his reputation by refusing to help the fishermen through the fish market. Still, the dinner wasn’t entirely pointless. At least he got his black canopy boat back.
It was a fine boat, a bit old but still in great condition. It was wide and spacious, big enough to lie down in and sleep comfortably—much better than his current small fishing boat. The water beneath South Stone Bridge gurgled noisily, splashing against the rocks and creating white foam."
Sigh, just when life was starting to get better, all these troubles popped up out of nowhere.
"Liang Qu sighed deeply. He crossed his arms behind his head and strolled slowly, humming a tune completely different from the one sung by the tavern’s songstress."
I’m so wild, I’m so filthy, a thousand pages of ink detailing my sins.
My arrogance, my thoughts, clinging to this ugly shell.
You’re so noble, you’re so haughty, a sack of rice, a jug of wine, putting on airs.
Your hypocrisy, your fickleness, embedded in your polished shell."
The cold wind swept across the street, and Liang Qu felt it carried the familiar scent of the river.
(End of Chapter)