The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 203 Everything is inferior, only the appearance is high
Fuyao County, Zhaoqiu City.

Yuelai Inn, private room on the second floor.

Fried tofu with snow vegetable, braised shrimp and tofu eggs, braised pork knuckle, scalded frog, chicken and hazel mushroom noodles, New Year pig stew, imperial toon fish, and Ama Zun meat.

When the eight bowls were served, they were steaming hot and fragrant, with the perfect combination of meat and vegetables, making one's mouth water and appetite grow.

Xuanming and Li Zizai were not polite at all. They started eating immediately after Xu Youshan said please. They sat in a bold posture and ate in an even more bold manner.

He used chopsticks and hands together, chewing sounds were endless, his mouth was full of glistening food, and he sucked his fingers from time to time.

It fits the current sloppy image very well.

Xu Youshan smiled brightly, without showing any disdain on his face. He watched Master Xuanming and his disciples patiently, handed them a cup of tea from time to time, and reminded them not to choke and to be patient and attentive.

After the meal, Xu Youshan called the waiter and said there was a snack shop on the street that children liked. He ordered the waiter to take Li Zizai there. Xuanming did not stop him and agreed to let his apprentice follow.

When Xuanming and Xu Youshan were the only ones left in the private room, the latter came forward, poured a glass of wine, and said cordially:
"Are you satisfied with your meal, brother?"

Xuanming nodded his head vigorously: "Satisfied! Quite satisfied!"

Xu Youshan laughed and said, "Brother, do you want to eat these delicacies every day and live a stable and worry-free life?"

coming!

The real purpose is revealed!

Although he knew it in his heart, Xuanming pretended to be interested and asked, "What's the matter? Do you have a plan?"

Xu Youshan nodded: "I won't be polite to you, brother. To be honest, I want to take your disciple as my adopted son."

Xuanming: "How did that boy catch the eye of the great official when he has nothing of his own?"

Xu Youshan said directly: "This kid is useless, but he has a strong physique and outstanding looks."

Facing Xuanming's puzzled look, Xu Youshan looked at the luxuriously decorated private room and said, "Brother, do you know how I became the owner of Yuelai Inn?"

When Xuanming asked him further, he gently shook his folding fan, smiled complacently, and explained the reason.

---

five years ago.

Xu Youshan had just performed his coming-of-age ceremony.

My father's business failed, not only did he lose all his money, but he also owed a lot of debts. Unable to bear the blow, my father hanged himself at the door of his rival's house.

As soon as the funeral was over, the eldest brother became a despicable man and planned to marry him to the county magistrate's brother-in-law, making them sworn brothers in exchange for a dowry and protection so that he could make a comeback.

After accidentally learning the news, Xu Youshan was restless all night and only managed to escape with the help of his grandfather.

He did not dare to stay in the county for long, and he went northwards, wandering around. He did not have much money at that time, and when he arrived in Zhaoqiu City from the south of the Yangtze River, he was penniless and had been hungry for several days.

As miserable as Master Xuanming and his apprentice.

Even when begging for food, he was ostracized or coveted by other beggars because of his handsome face, who wanted to take advantage of him or sell him to Nanfeng Pavilion.

Just when he was starving and cold and had nowhere to go, the only daughter of Mr. Jia recognized his talent and fell in love with him at first sight. Not only did she not despise his poverty, but she was also willing to marry him. He became the son-in-law of the Jia family amid the envious and jealous gazes of a group of burly men.

This Yuelai Inn is one of the Jia family’s properties.

Xu Youshan also relied on his marriage to rise from the quagmire to the top, and completed a reversal in life by relying on nepotism. From then on, he lived a life of luxury and had servants at his disposal.

In the private room, drink a glass of wine.

Xu Youshan said with pride and disdain:
“I know that many people call me a gigolo, and they despise me for being unmanly and a gigolo. But I know that they are just saying the grapes are sour because they can’t eat them. Only those who are not envied are mediocre.

Although my wife is five years older than me, I don’t despise her at all, and I won’t take advantage of her. On the contrary, I am very grateful to her.”

Shaking his folding fan, he continued, "People say that everything is inferior, only reading is superior. But I think that everything is inferior, only appearance is superior.

Nowadays, handsome men can easily win the favor of rich women and can work less for thirty years. As long as they are handsome, gentle and obedient, wealth and glory will be within their reach.

That’s the shortcut.”

---

In the private room, memories receded like the tide.

Xu Youshan said sincerely, "I'll be honest with you, brother. There are many rich girls and businesswomen in Fuyao County. They grew up in this land and have seen many burly men. They like handsome boys with slim waists and monkey backs.

Although Xiao Zizai is dressed simply, he has a handsome face. In a few years, he will surely be more handsome than me. Xu adopted him as his adopted son because he wanted to invest in him in advance. If he has a promising future, I can also benefit from it. "Seeing Xuanming was hesitant, Xu Youshan persuaded him, "Brother, you are old now. You have to think about your retirement. Instead of wandering around like this, living without a fixed place and struggling for food and clothing every day, it is better to settle down in Zhaoqiu City.

When Xiao Zi grows up and finds a good wife, I can enjoy the good life with him, living a life of luxury, like an old man surrounded by servants, and having a good life in old age. Only then will my life on earth be worthwhile."

Seeing Xuanming's moved expression, Xu Youshan was delighted, and continued, "Brother, even if you don't think about yourself, you should also think about Xiao Zizai. Can you bear to see his precious pearl covered in dust? Like other common people, busy all day for a few pieces of silver, accomplishing nothing?
Young people don't know the sweetness of soft rice, and they mistakenly waste their youth. Brother, Xiao Zizai's future is in your hands, but don't let him blame you in the future. "

After hearing this, Xuanming finally gave in.

"Forget it! For the sake of my disciple, I will promise you. I hope you will keep your word."

Xu Youshan smiled widely: "Brother, your love for your disciple is admirable. Don't worry, I will definitely treat Xiao Zizai like my own child."

Xuanming smiled with satisfaction.

The two talked for a while.

Xu Youshan found a reason to go out.

The moment the door closed, both of their expressions changed instantly.

Outside the private room, Xu Youshan spat and laughed sarcastically, saying that loving his disciple was just a sign of profit.

In the private room, thinking of the aura that aroused people's desire emanating from the folding fan in Xu Youshan's hand just now, Xuanming snorted coldly, "I'd like to see what tricks you have up your sleeve."

---

After a stick of incense, Li Zizai returned.

Xu Youshan appeared again and warmly entertained the master and disciple, arranged for them to take a bath, and opened a room for them.

Xuanming welcomes everyone and enjoys it to his heart's content.

Li Zizai is his master and he does whatever his master says.

The master and his disciple spent three days in Zhaoqiu City, spending lavishly and living a life of luxury, all of which were blamed on Xu Youshan.

Xuanming was in a good mood when he saw Xu Youshan, who had a smile on his face but a gloomier expression on his face.

On the fourth day, Xu Youshan, who had exhausted his patience to the point of being fed up with the nouveau riche behavior of Xuanming and his disciple, planned to take Xiao Zizai away to the Jia Mansion in the east of the city on the pretext of letting his wife see him.

Xuanming agreed readily.

Xiao Zizai was helpless, but facing his master who was addicted to acting, he could only cooperate. With a pure smile on his face, he got on the Jia Mansion's carriage.

After he left, Xuanming returned to the room, flicked his fingers lightly, and the peach wood sword flew out. This spiritual weapon that had been with him for the longest time was nourished by his Tao rhyme and magic power day and night. Its spirituality increased greatly and it was already at the critical point of being promoted to a magic weapon.

"Go! Keep an eye on them in secret."

The peach wood sword trembled with excitement, hummed, and instantly became invisible, flew through the window, into the blue sky, and disappeared.

After giving the instructions, Xuanming went out and continued to travel around, experiencing the customs and culture of Zhaoqiu City, tasting the local delicacies, and understanding the world from the perspective of a wealthy businessman. In one word: awesome!

"Pack all these jades, send them to Yuelai Inn, and ask the innkeeper for the money."

The jewelry store owner happily agreed.

"Send all this wood to Yuelai Inn and ask Mr. Xu for the money."

The lumber store owner grinned: "Okay!"

"Send these fabrics to Yuelai Inn and put them on Mr. Xu's account."

The silk shop owner was laughing so hard that his body was shaking.

……

With money paving the way, Xuanming has friends wherever he goes. There are flowers everywhere and everyone greets him with a smile.

In the carriage, Xu Youshan felt a sudden chill on his back. After drinking a cup of warm tea to warm himself up, he lifted the curtain and looked at the distant rooftops with a smile on his face.

Half a cup of tea later, the carriage stopped.

Li Zizai got off the car and looked at the two big characters "Zhen Mansion" written on the plaque at the side door. He asked puzzledly, "Aren't we going to Jia Mansion?"

Xu Youshan patiently comforted her, "My wife and the young lady of the Zhen family are close friends. Mr. Zhen and his stepson passed away not long ago. The young lady was heartbroken, so my wife came to comfort her.

We will all be one family in the future, so today I will show you around."

(End of this chapter)