The Great Wei Music Bureau

Last time, we talked about Yang Hua and Li Yi meeting five days later to compete with each other in three poems and one essay. Li Yi wanted to redeem Shi Yu, but he didn't expect it to come so soon. Li Yi returned to the Exiled Immortal Tower to discuss with Shi Yu. So how did Li Yi plan to redeem Shi Yu? Let's wait and see.

Back at the Exiled Immortal Tower, Shiyu had already washed and dressed, but she was still a little tired, after all, she didn't sleep well. When Li Yi saw Shiyu, he didn't care if there were other people around, he picked her up and kissed her on the face several times.

Shi Yu pushed Li Yi away and said coquettishly, "Li Lang, how can you be so frivolous in broad daylight! This is not the behavior of a scholar! There are others watching us!"

Only then did Li Yi realize that several female concubines in the Moon Palace who were learning skills from Shiyu, Yue'er and Xing'er were covering their mouths and laughing.

Li Yi put Shi Yu down and said with a smile: "Oh, everyone is fine. I was just excited for a moment and lost my composure. I'm sorry, sisters. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Yuexing smiled and said, "He lost his temper, indeed. When I got up last night, I heard him screaming!" All the girls laughed. Shiyu blushed and lowered her head, secretly reaching out to pinch Li Yi's arm.

Li Yi remained calm and said seriously, "What nonsense are you talking about? Shiyu and I went to bed early last night. You must have heard it wrong!"

Xing'er smiled and said, "Yes, he went to bed very early. He went to sleep as soon as the rooster crowed!" Everyone couldn't hold back any more and burst into laughter.

Yue Er said, "Alas, I thought you were lucky and didn't have to serve a vulgar warrior, but now you have a flower monk! Even more vulgar than the warrior!"

Shiyu glared at Yue'er and said, "If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will really make you serve Wu Fu!"

Li Yi stopped Shiyu and said with a smile: "Don't bother with her. Just find a warrior to deflower her one day!" Yue'er was so scared that she immediately knelt on the ground. Everyone else also shut their mouths and dared not laugh anymore.

Li Yi helped Yue Er up and said, "Don't be afraid. If there is no suitable warrior, I will help you open it myself!"

Yue'er looked horrified. Shiyu knew that Li Yi was trying to scare her, so she said, "Li Lang is right. These two little girls have become more and more disrespectful recently. They dare to say anything. Why don't you discipline them tonight and let them know what propriety is!"

Xingyue and Shiyu lowered their heads in silence. Li Yi put his arm around Shiyu's waist and went back to the room to tell her about his agreement with Yang Hua.

After hearing this, Shi Yu laughed and said, "Ah, Yang Hua is really something. He still refuses to admit defeat?"

Li Yi: "That's normal. All intellectuals are arrogant. I'll just take this opportunity to accomplish my goal!"

Shiyu: "What happened?"

Li Yi: "To redeem you."

Shiyu: "What does this have to do with him?"

Li Yi: "Using his name to hype things up?"

Shiyu: "What is hype?"

Li Yi: "Well, it also means to make a name for yourself. Don't worry about other things. Please help me make an appointment with the owner of the Exiled Immortal House and let me talk to him about redeeming you."

Shiyu: "Are you sure, Li Lang?"

Li Yi nodded and said, "In two months at most, I will definitely clear your name!"

Shi Yu said angrily: "What innocence? You ate my head and you still say I'm innocent!"

Li Yi laughed and said, "What are you talking about? In my heart, you are always innocent, especially here!"

The two of them were playing together, and Li Yi's hands were getting more and more restless. Shi Yu quickly sat up, blushing and said, "Li Lang, you can't make trouble anymore. If you make trouble again, it will delay things!"

Li Yi also stood up and said as he sorted out his clothes: "Ah, then go and arrange it. The sooner the better."

After Shiyu left, Li Yi thought: This is the first time I have met the owner of the Exiled Immortal House. This boss must be a ruthless character. He opened such a big brothel in the capital of Wei. Naturally, his status cannot be low. It will take some time to negotiate with him later.

Li Yi was thinking about strategy and future plans. After an unknown amount of time, Shiyu came back. Li Yi asked, "Is it done?"

Shiyu nodded and said, "Yes, Manager Zhou will be here soon." "Manager Zhou?"

"Well, this Exiled Immortal Building is managed by Manager Zhou, and no one has ever seen the boss behind it. This is nothing, and it's the same as talking to Manager Zhou." Li Yi was a little hesitant, because he was not using money to redeem himself, but to negotiate a business...

About an hour later, Yue'er came to tell him that Manager Zhou had arrived and was waiting for Li Yi in the elegant room. So Li Yi and Shiyu came into the elegant room. When they met, Li Yi looked at Manager Zhou, who was about 40 years old and had a neat face, and saluted enthusiastically, saying, "Manager Zhou, I've heard a lot about you!"

Manager Zhou returned the greeting and said, "Mr. Li, I have long heard of your great name. You are a talented person who has defeated Yang Yunhao. Your reputation has long been known throughout the capital!" Business flattery is an indispensable part, which is normal. Shiyu served on the side, brewing tea, making tea, and pouring tea very properly. After drinking the tea, the two smiled at each other and knew that it was time to get down to business.

Manager Zhou: "I heard from the messenger that Master Li wants to redeem Miss Shiyu? The master is really a love-struck man, but Shiyu is a courtesan, so her value is naturally much higher. However, I can make some decisions and give Master Li a discount of 8,000 taels. I wonder if Master Li has cash?"

Li Yi: "Manager Zhou is really open-minded. He saved me two thousand taels of silver right away. I would like to thank you very much! But I don't have any money."

Manager Zhou: "Mr. Li, please stop joking. How could you come to me to discuss redemption if you don't have money?"

Li Yi: "I want to make a deal with Manager Zhou."

Manager Zhou: "Transaction? What transaction?"

Li Yi: "This is a big business that can earn tens of thousands of taels of silver. I wonder if Manager Zhou can make the decision?"

Manager Zhou looked at Li Yi, who was suspicious, and then at Shi Yu, who looked calm. He thought for a while and said, "I can't make all the decisions, but I am willing to pass on a message to the boss for Mr. Li. I don't know what kind of business you want to do. It's a big deal worth tens of thousands of taels, but don't do anything that is against the will of heaven. I don't have the courage to do that!"

Li Yi: "Don't worry, Manager Zhou. I want to hold a singing party and let the Exiled Immortal House take over. We can make money by selling tickets."

Manager Zhou was stunned. "Singing party? Master Li, you are kidding, right? I have never heard of anyone holding a singing party. Besides, what kind of singing party can earn tens of thousands of taels of silver?"

Li Yi: "The singing party of the most talented scholar in Shangjing! As the most talented scholar in Shangjing, I will hold a singing party. The venue will be set up on the Bishui Lake. There will be stands and banquets along the lakeside. Each table will have six people. The ticket price for the nearest ten tables is 100 taels of silver per person, and the ticket price for the next fifteen tables is 50 taels per person. The ticket price for the next one hundred stands is 20 taels. Isn't this more than ten thousand taels?

This is not the end. This is just the ticket price. There is an additional charge for tea and wine on the table. Souvenirs can also be sold. The price is determined by Manager Zhou. In short, if all the income is taken into account, there will be an income of about 20,000 to 30,000 taels. Of course, there must be investment in holding a singing party. Setting up the stage, wine and food, and serving maids all cost money. Li estimates that these costs can be earned back from the expenses of the guests going to the Exiled Immortal Tower after the show. So what do you think of this deal, Manager Zhou?"

Manager Zhou said with a smile, "Mr. Li, I believe that you are the most talented person in the capital, but can you sell all the tickets for your concert? I'm afraid it's not that simple."

Li Yi: "Of course I can sell them all. I also know that words are not enough. Five days later, Li Yi and Yang Hua will meet in the square outside the Exiled Immortal Tower for another fight. Manager Zhou, do you still remember how much money you made when I had the first fight with him?"

When Li Yi and Yang Hua competed for the first time, Shi Yu took the initiative to sell tickets. That night, more than a hundred people spent fifty taels of silver to watch. Manager Zhou knew about this, of course. He thought about it and laughed, "But that time, each person was fifty taels. Your highest price for a singing party is one hundred taels! For this price, you can sleep with a courtesan in other brothels. Why would anyone spend this much money to listen to you sing?"

Li Yi smiled and said, "Manager Zhou, how do you think about this? For the duel in five days, the venue will be arranged by the Exiled Immortal House. Of course, all the income from ticket sales will be given to the Exiled Immortal House. Set up 300 seats, 50 taels for the front row seats, 20 taels for the middle row seats, and 10 taels for the back row seats. You can decide the price of the drinks. If the tickets sell well this time and we make a lot of money, we can sit down and talk about the singing party. How do you think?"

Manager Zhou looked at Li Yi, who looked confident, and said with a smile, "Well, then, I'll do as you say, Master Li. Do you have anything to say about what will happen after five days?"

Li Yi smiled knowingly. This Manager Zhou was really a smart man. Then he said, "It's really comfortable to discuss business with Manager Zhou. I have only three requests. The first is to spread the news and create momentum. The bigger the momentum, the better. The second is to find me some good musicians. I want to arrange the music. The third is to make the stage as good as possible."

Afterwards, Li Yi discussed the stage layout with Manager Zhou. Li Yi even drew a sketch, and even designed the audience seats. Manager Zhou was also very surprised when he saw Li Yi's drawing. He didn't expect that Mr. Li actually knew this. Of course he knew. Li Yi had sung in a bar, performed in many festivals in college, and organized evening parties in the student union. Now that he thought about it, all these experiences could come in handy.

After Manager Zhou left, Li Yi was not idle either. He asked Shiyu to arrange for the girls in the Exiled Immortal Tower to spread the news, and also found Dugu Yu and Nangong Qi to help spread the word, especially among the children of wealthy families. The next day, the musicians arrived, and Li Yi began to arrange music with them, only arranging one song, "The Other Side of the Forgotten River".

Li Yi planned to use this song to help Jiyun and Gongsunchan. Shiyu also liked this song very much. She joined the band with her pipa and said she wanted to contribute. Li Yi agreed. In addition to arranging the song, Li Yi also found several outstanding female dancers from the Exiled Immortal Tower and arranged a dance for them. The next time was to rehearse the dance music.

During the five days of preparation, the news of this competition had spread widely in Shangjing City. After all, this was a competition for the most talented man in Shangjing. Many scholars of letters wanted to see what talent Li Yi had that he could beat Yang Hua. Those who had seen Li Yi and Yang Hua compete last time were even more interested this time and donated generously. The tickets for the competition for the most talented man in Shangjing were sold out in just two days, and some people even bought other people's tickets at high prices.

Just like that, the five-day deadline arrived. That night, there was already a huge crowd outside the Exiled Immortal Tower, at least six or seven hundred people gathered. Of course, only three hundred people had tickets, and the others could only watch from a distance. The protection of the Exiled Immortal Tower was still done very well. A circle of red silk was drawn around the stage as a cordon, with a guard every twenty steps to prevent anyone from sneaking in.

In the Moon Palace of the Exiled Immortal Tower, Li Yi was wearing the purple Confucian robe that Shi Yu had carefully selected for him. She carefully helped him put his clothes together, not wanting to miss any details. She was relieved only after making sure that the belt, jade pendant, shoes and socks were all correct. Looking at her lover, Shi Yu said happily: "Li Lang, after you learned the Vajra Divine Art, you have become more heroic, and your clothes are much more imposing than before!"

"What a joke! I look handsome in anything I wear, Li Lang. Of course, I look even more handsome without clothes!"

Shi Yu pushed him and scolded him with a smile: "You are so frivolous. It's such a time and you're still joking! Are you so confident that you can beat Yang Hua? He came well prepared this time!"

Li Yi thought for a moment and said, "Well, if he comes prepared, then my chances of winning will be much lower!"

Shiyu asked, "Ah? What are the chances of winning?"

"Ninety-eight percent!"

Shi Yu pinched Li Yi's arm and said with a smile: "I really don't know where you get your confidence from. Although I know that you are extremely talented, I always feel that in terms of real talent and knowledge, you may not be better than Yang Hua!"