You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 102 Clash in the Southern City!

There are more than ten private restaurants in the southern part of the city, scattered outside Xuanwu Gate, never clustered together. The surrounding hutongs are interconnected, with not only front and back doors, but also staircases over walls.

No matter how many people come with money to make a reservation, it's booked out in a day; we can only accommodate one table.

The rules were never broken! This drew high praise from the officials in Beijing.

It has principles, style, privacy, fine wine, delicious food, and beautiful women. No matter how expensive it is, it's not expensive.

Expensiveness demonstrates sincerity.

Expensiveness signifies nobility.

……

Even Wu Yingxiong, the son of Wu Sangui, the Prince of Pingxi, who had just arrived in Beijing, heard about this novel place and wanted to experience it.

About two hours ago~
"Your Highness, this seems to be the place?"

"What do you mean by 'seems like'? Is it actually true?"

"I don't know either. It's so strange. They're clearly a business, but there's no sign or banner at the entrance."

"Go and ask."

"Whoo."

dong dong dong~
Two guards violently pounded on the door.

The door wasn't open, but there was a small window in it, and the maid's head poked out from inside.

"Who is it?"

"Open the door, we want to eat."

Do you have an appointment?

"If my young master enjoys the meal, the reward will be substantial."

"I'm sorry, we can't serve you without an appointment, no matter how much money you offer."

"Can I make an appointment outside now?"

"Well, our store is already booked for 18 days from now, so are you sure you want to make a reservation? The deposit is 5 taels of gold, non-refundable and non-changeable."

The guard was dumbfounded.

The maid's professional smile vanished quickly, replaced by disdain, contempt, and mockery, as she uttered three crisp words.

"Poor guy!"

"Get lost~"

Then, I decisively closed the small window.

……

So scolding!

His pronunciation was clear and articulate, both distinct and crisp.

Even Wu Yingxiong heard it, and his face instantly turned liver-colored.

"Rebellion! Rebellion! Brothers!"

"exist."

Smash it! Smash this shady shop!

"Whoo."

The soldiers, who had been unable to contain themselves any longer, rushed to the door, smashing their sword sheaths and kicking it hard.

The small window opened again, and the maid inside was cursing in a panic:
"You bunch of filthy soldiers, you don't even bother to find out about our boss's background. When the patrol soldiers come later, they'll kill you all."

The more she cursed, the more excited the people banging on the door outside became.

……

The female shopkeeper summoned a shrewd young servant.

"You, quickly go through the back door on horseback to report to the authorities. If the officials and soldiers arrive quickly, your monthly salary will be doubled from now on."

"Alright, shopkeeper, please take care of it."

“Go and carry that Taihu stone over to block the gate. Each of you will be rewarded with three taels of silver.”

"okay."

The guards and cooks immediately complied.

The female shopkeeper turned and walked away, making a thumping sound as she went up to the second floor.

"Gentlemen, something has happened. Soldiers from some government office are banging on the door. Please come with me."

"Okay, let's go."

Officials are afraid of being drawn into whirlpools that have nothing to do with them.

A group of people quickly slipped away through the back door. It wasn't that they were afraid of the people outside, but rather that they couldn't figure out where they came from, so it was best to avoid them for now.

……

"What's going on? We can't even break down a simple door. Climb over the wall and get in."

Wu Yingxiong was truly enraged.

"Whoo."

The two squatted down, and one stepped on top, easily vaulting over the courtyard wall.

After a short while, the door was finally opened.

Wu Yingxiong looked at the stone blocking the door and was furious.

"Smash it for me."

"Whoo."

The soldiers smashed their way from the entrance all the way into the small building, making a clanging and banging noise.

"One, two, throw!"

Several people worked together to throw the heavy dining table out the window and downstairs.

The maids and cooks were whipped and rolled on the ground.

……

One person, however, remained remarkably calm, repeatedly observing the Taihu stone blocking the door and the layout of the courtyard.

His name was Liu Xuanchu, and he was Wu Sangui's strategist.

Then, he walked over to Wu Yingxiong.

"Your Highness, let's analyze the situation first."

"Ok?"

"That stone is no ordinary stone; in the Ming Dynasty, it would have been worth at least a vice minister's residence. But this is the capital, so it's best to investigate it first."

Wu Yingxiong was still angry, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Okay, go and do it."

"Yes." Liu Xuanchu: "Find the person in charge here."

……

Before long, the female shopkeeper was brought in by the soldiers.

At first glance, Liu Xuanchu knew this woman was no ordinary person.

"who are you?"

"I am the manager here."

"This is the heir apparent of the Prince of Pingxi. Do you know what the crime is for insulting the heir apparent?"

"I failed to properly manage my servants, and the shop is willing to compensate me."

"How can a frail woman like you run such a large shop? Who is the owner?"

"Please forgive me, my lord, I cannot say."

In an instant, Wu Yingxiong and Liu Xuanchu exchanged glances.

"Cannot say"—these three words are not simple.

Once inside the government office, it's pointless for ordinary people to try and scare the officials by saying those three words; they'll only bring bad luck afterward.

Anyone who dares to utter these three words must have some influence or status.

Considering her looks, the answer is obvious.

Mount!

It's definitely a mount!
……

Liu Xuanchu glanced at the beautiful woman and ordered, "Go, have a few people from Shuntian Prefecture handle this matter."

"Wait a minute~"

The female shopkeeper mustered her courage and spoke.

“Your Highness, according to the laws of the Qing Dynasty, we should contact the Five Cities Garrison.”

"is it?"

Liu Xuanchu thought to himself, "Your true colors are showing."

Although I don't know who your knight is, he is certainly capable of commanding the Five Cities Garrison.

Liu Xuanchu looked at Wu Yingxiong.

Wu Yingxiong nodded.

He then found a stone table and sat down, pointing at the trembling cooks.

"Go and prepare a meal for me."

……

The food was ready, but Wu Yingxiong wouldn't eat it.

“Give it to the brothers.”

"Thank you, son."

The soldiers devoured the food in a whirlwind, tearing and drinking until everything was wiped out. If the food was poisoned, Wu Yingxiong would be in an even better position.

Fortunately, that didn't happen.

However, the sound of horses' hooves approached from outside the door.

The patrol cavalry of the Five Cities Garrison finally arrived.

"Your Highness, you've arrived."

"Go ahead."

"Yes."

……

Wu Yingxiong looked at the female shopkeeper, whose eyes were clearly shining.

"Madam, what's your name?"

"My name is Qian Lihua."

"Lihua? What a nice name. But now that things have come to this, can you tell me who your lover is?"

"Your Highness, he is the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate."

"Fourth rank?"

"Yes."

"Only fourth rank?"

"Yes."

"Qian Lihua, I'll ask you one more time, who is your lover?"

"It's Imperial Censor Jiang."

Last time, Qian Lihua tried to get close to Jiang Qingyun, but Jiang Qingyun was very determined and didn't take the bait. Now that things are critical, in order to protect herself, she has decided to treat Imperial Censor Jiang as her lover.

……

slap~
Wu Yingxiong's face turned bright red, and he slapped Qian Lihua across the face, then swept all the dishes off the table.

Then lift it up again.

Qian Lihua lay down on the table, her peony-embroidered jacket ripped open, exposing her mandarin duck-embroidered bodice to the cold air.

"Your Highness, this is impossible."

"A mere fourth-rank official dares to act like a ghost? I thought you had some prince or grand secretary behind you, or at least a commander of the Eight Banners. I, the young master, did you in front of your lover, and he wouldn't dare utter a word."

Wu Yingxiong is usually calm, but today he was indeed blinded by anger.

His anger was understandable; a mere fourth-rank official's mistress dared to flaunt her status as Buddha's mount and even frighten him at one point.

Spread the word!
Where is our dignity? Where is a man's self-respect?

……

Suddenly, a shout came from the courtyard gate.

"Crossbowmen, listen to my command! Aim at the rebels! Ready!"

Jiang Qingyun has arrived.

The crossbowmen from the Military Command rushed into the courtyard, crouched down, and aimed their crossbow bolts at everyone in the courtyard, including Wu Yingxiong, who was standing by the stone table holding people down.

Liu Xuanchu quickly spread his arms to block the middle.

"He is the heir of the Prince of Pingxi. Calm down, we are all serving the court, we can talk things over. Put down the crossbows, put down the crossbows."

……

[A new month has begun, and Xiaoxiaosheng, his eyes bloodshot from the provocations of his peers, is wailing for monthly votes! Please vote for me!]

(End of this chapter)