Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

"These scammers are all top sellers. I don't believe anyone wouldn't fall for it."

Zhang Jingwei, with his hands behind his back and his hands on his waist, strolled leisurely on the street like a leisurely and wealthy young man. The "loss of money" he had just suffered in Yuehua Tower did not seem to affect his mood at all.

Qian Ming, who was following beside him, had a look of pain and confusion on his face. After holding it in for a long time, he couldn't help but mutter, "Master, if you already knew that group of people were scammers, then why did you rush to pay for them? Aren't you being taken advantage of?"

Zhang Jingwei glanced at him sideways, an unfathomable smile curling up the corner of his mouth. He said slowly, "You're just getting started, Qian Ming, take a long-term view. How much did those banquets at Yuehua Tower cost? When feeding pigs, you always have to sprinkle some bran on them first to fatten them up before slaughtering them. Only then will the meat be substantial and oily enough, understand?"

Qian Ming was confused and scratched his head. "Raising pigs? Killing pigs? Young Master, your words are becoming increasingly difficult to understand... What does this have to do with those scammers?"

Zhang Jingwei just smiled without saying anything, with an expression that "the secret cannot be revealed", and continued to walk in his official manner.

……

At the same time, the atmosphere in the private room of "Tingyuxuan" in Yuehua Tower became even more lively.

Seeing Zhang Jingwei pay the bill and even leave such a "hospitable" speech, the "old gentlemen" at that table suddenly became bolder. The old man in the lead, Jinduan, directly called the waiter and ordered a few expensive dishes and fine wines, as if this place was his own dining hall.

After a few drinks, the brocade-clad old man stroked his beard and said proudly to his table mates, "Well, I've said it all along: nine out of ten young officials are suckers for flattery! As long as you compliment them to the point, flatter them until they're flattered, they'll find a hundred excuses to excuse you! A few meals? It's just a drop in the bucket!"

Behind him, a sturdy young man dressed as a guard also came over to boast, his tone frivolous: "Dad, it's not enough for you to just praise! We brothers have to keep you in check! Didn't you see those yamen runners just now? They were so scared by our brothers' glares that their calves were cramped and they didn't dare to move! This is called using both soft and hard tactics!"

The old man in brocade scolded him with a smile and lightly tapped him with his chopsticks: "You little bastard! You didn't know how to control your strength! Beating up the police is just a joke? If this gets out of hand, we'll be in big trouble!"

The young man, however, was completely unconcerned, even boasting a bit: "What are you afraid of? My father is the 'Censor'! He inspects the local area and supervises all officials. Which little county magistrate would dare not give him face? Give him the courage!"

"Hahaha!" The old man was so flattered by his son's unrestrained flattery that he burst into laughter.

At this time, the waiter came in with the newly added dishes. After placing them on the table, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he put on an even more humble and enthusiastic smile and said to the "distinguished guests": "Gentlemen, are you satisfied with our dishes today?"

The old man, Jinduan, deliberately held his posture, poked at the dish on his plate with his chopsticks, and said indifferently, "Hmm... It's so-so. Not the best, but not terrible either. Just average, barely edible."

The waiter wasn't annoyed, but instead smiled even more attentively: "Sir, you have excellent taste! However, we have a rule that we need to explain to our distinguished guests. Any guest who dine in our restaurant and spends over 100 guan will automatically be upgraded to a temporary membership in Gaoyang's most upscale restaurant, 'Zuixianlou'. This will only last for one day!"

"Membership?" the young guard interrupted curiously. "What's that?"

The waiter immediately explained, "Sir, you don't know this. This Zuixianlou is different from other places. It's a membership-only place. Even if you have money, ordinary people can't get in. You have to pay a membership fee of 100 guan every year to become a member and enter to have fun."

The old man in brocade sneered, "You have to pay for a title before you can go in and spend money? The owner of this Zuixianlou really knows how to do business and is very calculating!"

The waiter waved his hands repeatedly: "Oh, sir, you're only half right! Entering Zuixianlou doesn't require money! Strictly speaking, as long as what you do is legal, you can do anything in Zuixianlou! And - you don't have to spend a penny!"

The young guard's eyes lit up instantly, and his voice rose an octave: "Is it okay to ask four or five girls to accompany me?"

"Sure!" the waiter answered firmly.

"Then... the private rooms inside are not cheap, right?" the young man asked tentatively. He was still a little skeptical.

The waiter seemed to have heard something funny: "Sir, you are such a joke! You are already a distinguished member, why do you need to pay anything? All expenses will naturally be covered by Zuixianlou!"

"All for free!?" The old man in brocade also sat up straight, and for the first time, an expression of genuine shock and disbelief appeared on his face.

The young guard's breathing quickened: "Girl...Girl, is it free too?"

The waiter smiled and said confidently, "Everything! Drinks, meals, accommodation, music, dancing, including the girls you mentioned, as long as they are available in Zuixianlou, they are all free for members!"

The old man in brocade narrowed his eyes, a trace of vigilance flashing across his face. "This...shopkeeper, are you trying to trick me? How could such a good thing happen in this world? Are you thinking we're fat sheep and want to trap us and slaughter us?"

The waiter immediately swore, his expression as sincere as could be: "Oh my! My lord! Even if you gave me ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare to frame you! This is truly the rule set by the owner of Zuixianlou, and it's also the unspoken rule in Gaoyang County... well, it's the unspoken rule. You gentlemen are of extraordinary bearing, and you can be distinguished guests at first glance, so you are qualified to know this!"

The young guard could no longer contain his excitement and laughed heartily at his father, saying, "Dad! I think it's probably that silly County Magistrate Zhang who was so overwhelmed by your praise that he changed the rules just for you, right? Hahaha!"

Although the old man still had some doubts, the allure of the words "completely free" was too great. He pondered for a moment, but ultimately, his greed and curiosity could not resist. He laughed heartily and said, "Haha, whatever! Whether it's true or not, we'll find out when we go and see it! If this magical place really exists, we can't miss it!"

……