As the lights began to twinkle, the Imperial Capital shimmered in a hazy glow of neon.
Wanchun Courtyard buzzed with energy beside Wind Moon Small Residence, vibrant and bustling with life. This place once echoed with the songs of beautiful women and the flutter of red silk sleeves.
Until Wind Moon Small Residence became the playground of a certain Little Li.
“Hey, let’s grab some drinks, then head back to Wind Moon Small Residence for another round. I’m totally wiped out!”
“Back for what? That place is like a foot spa. The girls there have gorilla strength!”
“Pfft, how strong can they be?”
“You think Master Song doesn’t know? After one visit, I was still shaking the whole day!”
Several bunch of elegantly dressed nobles shook their heads in disbelief.
Suddenly, a cold snort echoed from the door.
“I say, in a few days, they’ll be shutting down for good!”
Who said that with such a big mouth?
The hall fell silent for a moment as everyone turned to see who had spoken. It was none other than the ‘Master Song’ that the previous guests had mentioned, his face a mix of anger and pallor.
Seeing this, all the diners burst into laughter, with some even chiming in with ad-lib comments.
Master Song, unable to contain his anger, plopped down:
“If it weren’t for my family being busy with the Hundred Yi Festival these past few days… just wait a few days, and you’ll all accompany me to witness the grandeur!”
“I have an appointment that day.”
“I’ll be feeling ill that day.”
His companions leaned back just a bit, a bunch of pampered young masters, not a single one daring to join him at Wind Moon Small Residence.
Meanwhile, the internal structure of Wanchun Courtyard was like a cloud-laden staircase connecting each room, stacked like a haphazard cluster of flowers dangling from a heavenly platform.
And the higher one went, the fancier it became.
On the top floor.
While the son rambled beneath, the father was sweating bullets at the banquet.
“Hey, Uncle Zhong, that outfit I got made is kinda pricey. Why not take it back and wear it? It’s freezing out, perfect fit.”
“Let’s skip that, I’m not poor enough to need fewer clothes in winter.”
“Wanchun Courtyard’s food and drinks are lacking though; the place is nice next to Wind Moon Small Residence. How about I buy it? It’ll give Uncle Zhong a share, and we can bring the soldiers from South Border to the Imperial Capital for a good time.”
“Huh?”
Minister Song and Deputy Minister Qian, overhearing their conversation, started to sweat profusely, realizing they couldn’t wipe it away fast enough.
It felt like they were on a sinking ship!
“My lords, why so glum?”
Li Mo looked back at the officials, puzzled.
“Ha ha ha… just thinking about the soldiers guarding the borders, enduring the hardships makes me sweat profusely!” Minister Song put on a worried expression for the nation.
[Congratulations, host! You’ve successfully invested 50,000 taels in ‘Song Baiyue’.]
[You have a pending investment feedback to claim.]
Noticing the system message indicating the recent payment, Li Mo gave him a thumbs up with a grin:
“Very bright!”
As he spoke, he scanned each official’s face, not really caring about how much they took; anyone who managed to get to these positions surely had some cosmic luck. Even if they pocketed a bunch, he wouldn’t lose out.
What mattered more was the forthcoming feedback from the South Border.
Once those supplies and military necessities were transported, aside from the feedback, there would also be plenty of opportunities.
As the conversation shifted to border issues, Minister Song took the lead. With a few drinks under their belts, whether genuine or not, everyone chimed in.
“Indeed, the South Border has harsh conditions; guarding the frontier is tough.”
Deputy Minister Qian took a swig of his drink.
“Our soldiers suffer, but we’re not having it easy either!”
Nearby a senior official patted his belly, burped, and continued, “With the treasury running low and the South Border so far away, sending supplies and military materials has drained us mostly dry. Keeping them going is a heavy load.”
“Despite the bitterness, we can’t let the royal family and His Majesty suffer; the brunt falls to the soldiers.”
“Sending this batch of supplies will surely help, but it just scratches the surface…”
King of South Border, hearing their woes while toasting away, rubbed his temples and stood up.
Material losses…
What’s up with that? With Sumeru stones and no need for a large army escorting the supplies, where did all the goods go, anyway?
“I plan to set up some businesses in the Imperial Capital with Uncle Zhong.”
“Oh? What kind?”
“Starting from this street.”
“…..”
Just halfway up, King of South Border suddenly felt his legs go weak and plopped back down.
The table fell silent for a moment.
In the Da Yu Dynasty, officials’ salaries weren’t great; they had to work tirelessly for a little extra cash. Buying a place near the royal city required significant contemplation.
They had just learned a new unit of measure today.
Who buys businesses by the ‘street’?
Even the richest in the Imperial Capital couldn’t swing that! They couldn’t help but wonder if Li Mo had some magic touch for turning stones into gold!
After several more drinks, the atmosphere around the table became unusually calm.
Zhong Qin cleared his throat, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the officials were all tight-lipped, but their eyes sparkled intensely, wanting to say something but holding back.
Like starving wolves, their eyes shining green with desires.
Money doesn’t like to flaunt itself, but it was clearly just Li Mo pulling them along.
Who could afford to brush off riches?
“Li Young Hero, I told His Majesty that you’re a dragon among men, truly exceptional. Today, I see you’re even more impressive than I imagined!”
“What Li Young Hero? That’s my little brother! If you don’t mind, we could be sworn brothers of a different surname!”
“There’s a saying worth recalling: ‘Every year has this day, every age has its morning.’ We’re all here, so I think the future is long, very long!”
“Come, let me toast you!”
“As merchants, if there’s anything we can do together, we’re all on the same side. Let’s chat and work together!”
Suddenly, the atmosphere at the table radiated joy and camaraderie.
Even Sun Gui got a look of respect.
At that moment, he truly understood a saying.
Money can make a god or a man; if it can’t, it just means you don’t have enough…
Down below, Song Qian poked his head down, having gotten drunk, instinctively wanting to head to Wind Moon Small Residence.
As soon as he stepped out of Wanchun Courtyard, a cold wind hit, pulling him half awake and reminding him of unpleasant memories.
The entrance was a no-go for him now, and he could only angrily sit back in his carriage.
“Someday soon…”
Before he finished his thought, he saw a group of people stumbling out the door.
“Hey, there’s a rock in the way, how dare it block the path of my bro Li!”
“This street’s name definitely needs changing; it’s just not cool enough.”
“I declare, from this moment on, let’s rename it Tyrant Street!”
Looking at the drunken middle-aged guy full of bravado and the group of starry-eyed youngsters around him.
“???”
One servant pointed, “Young Master, isn’t that your father?”
