Chapter 349 – Storm in the Capital (6)
A tea house, of course, is a place for drinking tea.
Most tea houses in the world share the same vibe, but if one wants to stand out from the crowd, it must have its own unique flair.
The tea house before us is undoubtedly a leader in its industry. After diversifying its offerings, here you can not only drink tea but also watch graceful dancers perform, savor high-quality wine, and when the scholars are feeling inspired, they can pick up a brush in the main hall to display their calligraphy or painting skills. Occasionally, poetry events are held, inviting distinguished figures to enjoy the elegance of the arts together.
However, true luminaries aren’t so easily invited.
Thus, the tea house settles for second-tier “talents” who might not be famous but still possess some skills.
Xu Ke casually chatted with a maidservant, quickly learning about the regular features of this tea house, and instantly his interest was piqued.
“Regardless of whether the tea house is boasting or putting on a show, everything they provide in terms of writing supplies is top-notch.” Jiang Pengji chose a secluded elegant room with Xu Ke. They sat across from each other as the fragrant steam from the tea stove wafted into the clean, tidy room, adorned with high-quality paintings that bore the signatures of notable artists. “Just this alone is enough to attract many talented scholars.”
Despite Jiang Pengji writing on bamboo paper, seemingly a common sight, in reality?
As Xu Ke put it, their young master doesn’t practice calligraphy on bamboo paper but on sheets of heavy gold paper—pure gold!
Due to limited production, rarity makes it valuable. The selling price of bamboo paper in the outside world isn’t something a typical commoner can afford.
Even among noble families, only those of high status with excellent merit and potential are qualified to enjoy it.
Having spent years in Liu Residence, Xu Ke’s horizons naturally broadened.
The ink offered by this tea house is high-quality Cangzhou Meng ink; the brushes used are also extremely precious. As for the paper, Hejian bamboo paper has a famous reputation known throughout the nine provinces; its price is as elevated as its fame. The inkstones? Still the best among the best.
Can otherwise ordinary families provide these four essentials of writing supplies?
Let alone a tea house!
“I wonder who the financier behind this tea house is…” In the past, Xu Ke would have been drawn to such extravagant decor; bamboo paper is the white moonlight in many scholars’ hearts. Nowadays, however… he receives a full stack of bamboo paper every month; who cares about that? “This tea house doesn’t seem like a legitimate place for tea drinking. Just considering the value of those writing supplies…”
At this point, Xu Ke shook his head.
This isn’t simply having a tea with a lower price; it’s akin to drinking gold and silver.
“That’s why the financier behind this place is either not in their right mind, incredibly wealthy, or has grand ambitions.” Jiang Pengji smiled as she prepared herself a cup of tea. After years of drinking, she was accustomed to adding various seasonings. “What does Xiaoyu guess it is?”
Xu Ke replied, “Your young master is underestimating me; merchants in this world, regardless of how times change, their pursuit of profit remains unchanged. All the commotion is for profit; all the bustle is for gain. To invest such enormous financial resources, clearly, there’s a motive, and a significant one at that. It’s just uncertain who this owner is within the royal family or high officials…”
If it weren’t for royal family members or high-ranking ministers, who would have the qualification to open a tea house in the best location of the capital?
Even if someone has the qualification to operate one, there are only a few who can maintain the tea house’s operation financially.
Before long, both of them came to the same conclusion.
They exchanged knowing smiles.
Jiang Pengji said, “I just took a look around the main hall downstairs; some of the artworks hanging there have people of notable status behind them, while others are obscure or merely riding on the coattails of their ancestral reputation…”
The types of people Jiang Pengji was referring to were essentially two: high-ranking nobles and commoner scholars.
The former were few in number, while the latter made up a significant portion.
High nobles rely on their ancestry, easily becoming someone of status, and even if they fall from grace, they will still be respected and admired by others. They come to the tea house mostly for entertainment and relaxation, leaving writings mostly on a whim.
Commoner scholars, however, have too few opportunities to emerge. This tea house provides a rather good platform.
Even if they can’t get famous from this, leaving behind their best writings and competing with others will at least feel satisfying.
Jiang Pengji had a fleeting insight into the underlying motives behind the tea house’s establishment.
“Most likely, it’s Changshou Wang,” Xu Ke stated calmly.
“I think it’s him too. When exams were approaching, he lavishly invited scholars to join the Elegant Gathering poetry event and generously lent out his Tangquanguan for free hospitality to those scholars, making his intentions unmistakably clear.” Jiang Pengji scoffed, “He holds lands in Zhangzhou, rich and prosperous; the supporting families behind him are all immensely wealthy. Spending a bit of silver to run a small tea house is for him merely a drop in the bucket.”
The tea house provides a fair platform for scholars to showcase their talents, allowing both high-ranking and commoner individuals to enjoy premium writing supplies.
No matter what small schemes are at play in their hearts, at least he truly provides practical benefits, even if he doesn’t snag exceptional talent, he’d still win the favor of young scholars. And if he’s extraordinarily lucky to catch one, that would be quite a fortune.
In this age of severely underdeveloped communication technology, a brilliant strategist is equivalent to an army of thousands!
No one is a fool; this kind of sure-win business is something Changshou Wang would definitely be eager to undertake.
Of course, this is what Jiang Pengji and Xu Ke could see. As for whether ordinary folks could see through it, that’s another story.
When the maidservant brought over the tea supplies, Jiang Pengji casually asked whether this tea house indeed belongs to Changshou Wang.
Upon realizing this, she could only shake her head inwardly.
With Changshou Wang’s ambitions so apparent, that person in the palace is still drunkenly lost in decadence, practically wishing to drown in a sea of women…
The stark contrast between the two brothers is so evident, one might as well say they’re not even from the same womb.
Jiang Pengji took a sip of the tea, the flavor lingering pleasantly.
“Truly good tea; I hope the cost of the tea isn’t exorbitant, or I might just have to pawn you here and find a chance to make my escape…”
As she drank, she suddenly sighed, causing Xu Ke to almost choke on his tea.
Just as she was about to tease Xu Ke, her ears perked up, and she quickly dropped her teacup, signaling Xu Ke with her eyes not to cough.
He could only awkwardly cover his mouth, his eyes reddening, tears of a pitiable nature gathering due to the choking.
“W-what happened—”
After a while, he managed to recover and asked Jiang Pengji what was going on.
Jiang Pengji calmly replied, “I hear some movement next door.”
Then, she stealthily crept closer to a corner of the elegant room, her eavesdropping posture making Xu Ke’s expression split into a grin.
