Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 26 Chain Reaction
On the carriage.

"Brother Que, why did you pull me away just now?"

Li Jieman complained to Wang Xi, quite annoyed: "Didn't you see how I just left Yang Lao Er and the others speechless? Do you know that this is the first time I've ever won a debate against them?"

"Me too."

Wang Shuang's face tightened, clearly displeased.

They were only fourteen years old after all, and it's only natural for them to want to show off. They were about to act all high and mighty when their own people interrupted their spellcasting. Who could stand that?

Are you all alright?

Wang Xi, on the verge of tears, said, "This is just a lie, a lie! It will die if it sees the light of day, do you understand? Work-study program? Have you ever seen anyone come to work-study program in such a luxurious carriage?"

"Have you ever seen anyone come out to sell alcohol and first have a feast? Or even plan to call in a few prostitutes? How much alcohol would we have to sell to make back what we'd spend in that short time?"

Huangfu Sengnian asked, "Did you pay for the wine just now?"

The three of them looked at each other, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.

"Can you please stop arguing for the sake of arguing?"

Wang Xi glared at Huangfu Sengnian, then turned to Li Jieman and Wang Shuang and said, "Wake up, if we rely on ourselves, we can't even afford to maintain a carriage."

The painting incident had already left him dizzy and confused, and now it's happening again, and it's even a debate. This lie can't stand up to scrutiny.

If it attracts some trolls, Lao Tao simply won't be able to handle it.

Li Jieman and Wang Shuang exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat embarrassed. Li Jieman still shouted with a lack of confidence, "Since it's all lies anyway, might as well have some fun."

Wang Xi said irritably, "If this lie is exposed, then we'll have to clean the latrines at the Imperial Academy?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jieman immediately shuddered and quickly grabbed Wang Xi's sleeve, "Brother Que, I was wrong, you absolutely can't go back to the Imperial Academy!"

Wang Shuang realized her mistake and said sheepishly, "We just drank too much."

"Drank too much?"

Wang Xi said in bewilderment, "You two are really strange. Back when we were at the Imperial Academy, when the teacher asked you a question, you couldn't utter a single word for ages. How come you were so eloquent and articulate just now?"

Li Jie said aggrievedly, "Isn't this what you taught us? That's how you taught us to go back and fool our parents. Of course we memorized it perfectly, otherwise how could we fool them?"

Damn it, am I born with the talent of a teacher?! Wang Xi was about to go crazy. "I teach you all this just to fool your parents, not so you can show off."

Why did we even open this academy? Wasn't it just an excuse to party and have fun? You've made it all so realistic; what if they believe we've all reformed? Will we still be able to have fun afterward?

Li Jieman asked, "What should we do next time we encounter this situation?"

Wang Xi said, "Of course we should just open fire. We had the advantage in numbers, and they had reservations, but we didn't."

As for our parents, they were the ones who provoked us first; we can easily brush them off with a few words. What are you afraid of? Show us your spoiled brat style!

Wang Shuang said, "You should have said so earlier! Then...then we'll go back."

Huangfu Sengnian said regretfully, "We could have caught them off guard just now. If we go back now, we will not only fail to gain any advantage, but we will also cause even greater trouble. It will be a losing proposition."

“The monk is right.”

Wang Xi said, "In short, from now on we only need to be obedient and compliant in front of our parents, but outside, I will still strike hard and maintain our style. Isn't this academy established to maintain this? If we really want to study hard, then we might as well go to the Imperial Academy. Why bother with all that effort?"

"understood."

Li Jie nodded repeatedly.

Wang Shuang also said, "Brother Que, don't be angry. We won't do it again."

Huangfu Sengnian suddenly asked, "So, are we still selling this wine?"

"what?"

Wang Xi paused for a moment, then slapped his forehead. "Right, we're here to sell wine today. Ah... never mind, Old Zhang is right, if he doesn't agree, the other shops won't agree either."

We need to go back and think of another plan. I was too arrogant this time. It's true what they say, reading can be misleading; I trusted those idiots on Qidian (a Chinese online learning platform).

"What starting point?" Li Jie asked curiously.

Wang Xi casually replied, "It's just a small brothel."

Li Jieman immediately puffed up his cheeks in anger, "Brother Que, you actually went to a brothel behind my back?"

"Uh, can't we just hide it?"

However, they have one advantage: they forget things quickly. Back at the academy, fueled by alcohol, they take a long nap. When it's almost time, Old Tao, their mobile alarm clock, wakes them up. Ah, school's over, time to go home.

The main focus is on a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

"Young Master is back," Wang Facai said, bowing at the door.

Wang Xi simply nodded slightly and walked inside.

Seeing that Wang Xi was in low spirits, Wang Facai asked, "Young Master, is something troubling you?"

"No."

After saying just one word, Wang Xi paused, then added, "It's because I didn't finish the homework assigned by the teacher and got scolded."

Wang Facai said with slight surprise, "I heard that Mr. Wuming is very fond of the young man and believes that he is exceptionally talented."

"That's painting."

Wang Xi said, "This time we tried selling wine, but we didn't sell a single drop. Sigh."

Wang Facai said, "The wine brewed by the nameless gentleman must be excellent. How could it not sell?"

Wang Xi was waiting for him to say this, so he immediately poured out his grievances to him and told him the reason.

After hearing this, Wang Facai smiled slightly and said, "That explains it."

Wang Xi asked, "What do you mean?"

Wang Facai said, "The owners who can open taverns in the East Market are not defined by how good their food and wine are, but by their status and position. Therefore, no matter how good the wine is, they would never trade it through their taverns."

Wang Xi frowned and said, "According to you, we should go to the West Market."

Wang Facai pondered for a moment and said, "The situation in the West Market may be better than in the East Market, but for the merchants in the West Market, Shaolang's conditions are still too harsh. They may only agree to cooperate with Shaolang and buy wine from him, but they will not agree to give Shaolang a part of their shop in exchange for his brewing technology."

Yes! Although merchants throughout history have always been profit-driven, the ways of doing business have varied greatly. These conditions for investing are quite stringent by today's standards. Wang Xi said, "Unless the shop faces a crisis."

Wang Facai's eyes lit up, and he said, "Young master is truly exceptionally intelligent."

"That's what everyone says."

Wang Xi smiled and walked inside.

Back in his courtyard, ready to wash away the smell of alcohol, he was summoned to the front hall by Wang Shouyi, who had just returned.

"Your son greets Father."

"Ah."

Wang Shouyi sized up Wang Xi for a moment, "Drank again?"

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "I went out to sell wine today and talked to people about business, so I had a little to drink."

Wang Shouyi didn't care at all and said, "The Nameless Academy may be in trouble again."

Trouble again? It wasn't you who caused this, was it? Your father is such a worry, always getting into trouble. When will he ever amount to anything? Wang Xi was completely dumbfounded. "What trouble?"

Wang Shouyi said, "The news that you painted His Majesty's portrait has spread, which has led to many people coming to me today, asking me to introduce Mr. Wuming to them."

"what?"

Wang Xi cried out in surprise.

"What are you yelling about?"

Wang Shouyi was startled by Wang Xi.

Damn! Can I not yell? If everyone came here to study, this place would never be able to function properly.

"No, Father, please forgive me, it is... Oh." Wang Xi was already covered in sweat. "Father, our ability to become Master Wuming's disciples is entirely a matter of fate, a coincidence within a coincidence. Master Wuming only accepted disciples because of fate, not because of anything else."

If all those uncles and elders come in droves, it might offend Master Wuming, and he might even expel us from his school.

Wang Shouyi said irritably, "Do you think I don't understand such a small matter? I rejected them back then, but knowing them as I do, I doubt they'll let this go so easily."

Wang Xi asked, "Is it that serious?"

Wang Shouyi sighed, "When those people see how much you've changed in such a short time, how could they not want to send their sons there?"

Wang Xi said excitedly, "But what they saw was only the surface. My child's bad habits are still hard to eradicate, otherwise Father would not punish me so often."

Wang Shouyi was both amused and annoyed. "You silly child, how can you talk about yourself like that?"

"You say that every day, so it's not okay for me to say it." Wang Xi said dejectedly, "I'm just afraid of disturbing you, teacher."

Wang Shouyi frowned. “I’ve been thinking about this for a day. There’s no way to stop him. Here’s what we’ll do: you go and tell Mr. Wuming first. If he’s willing to accept it, that would be great. If he’s not, there’s no need to worry. Your uncle and I will definitely support Mr. Wuming.”

That's an imposter! I'm afraid he won't be able to withstand such pressure! Wang Xi was secretly worried, but said aloud, "Alright, I'll go to the academy and tell the teacher first."

(End of this chapter)