I, the wanderer of the universe, love making friends

Chapter 197: Shang Xiufang, the world's number one prostitute

Dong Shu Ni rolled her eyes at him and said angrily, "You should discuss this matter with her yourself. I'll go in first."

After saying that, he left quietly.

Rong Fengxiang lived up to the title of the richest man in Luoyang. His main house consisting of three courtyards alone was full of luxury and wealth.

The front hall is not only large in area, high in space and gorgeously decorated, but its grandeur is comparable to the palaces in Yang Guang's Jiangdu Palace.

Six golden pillars in the center, decorated with lacquer and dragons, go straight up to the roof. The ceiling is covered with carvings, and the central caisson is a three-dimensional relief of two dragons fighting for a pearl.

Other furniture and ornaments are also very exquisite.

At this time, there were nearly twenty banquet tables in the hall, and more than a hundred guests gathered, but it still did not feel crowded.

There were only eight guards who came in with Wang Shichong, and the others stayed outside the door, but they were still powerful and impressive.

One was a politician in power in Luoyang, and the other was the richest man and the birthday boy. Wherever they went, there were waves of cheers and congratulations.

Wang Shichong and Rong Fengxiang walked through the halls and corridors without stopping, and went straight to the back hall which only received the most important guests.

The space is as spacious as the front hall, but only has ten seats, four of which are in the middle and six are evenly distributed on both sides, highlighting the honorable position of the four seats in the hall.

Shen Lang took a quick look and found that the guests who could be arranged to sit in the inner hall were either the most prominent figures in Luoyang, such as foreign guests like Li Shimin. As for those who were not important enough, they could only attend the banquet in the other two halls.

Dong Shu Ni, who was dressed as dazzlingly as a colorful bird, was chatting and laughing happily with another beautiful girl who was equally beautiful but unique in her own way, surrounded by a group of seven or eight noblemen.

This girl must be Rong Jiaojiao, who is known as the "Twin Beauties of Luoyang" together with Dong Shuni. She is indeed naturally beautiful and charming.

As she looked around, her eyes flashed with a charming light that was captivating and alluring, as if full of affection and yet shy.

Her manners are even more delicate and clever, with a variety of manners.

She is a little taller than Dong Shu Ni, with a graceful figure and fair skin. Who could not be attracted by her?

Dong Shu Ni glanced at Shen Lang secretly, then looked away.

Rong Jiaojiao's beautiful eyes followed Dong Shuni's line of sight and moved around Shen Lang several times before she pursed her lips and smiled slightly, lowering her head.

On the left side of the entrance there is a group of eighteen female prostitutes, all with their hair combed into low buns, wearing narrow-sleeved tops, tight skirts, and shawls. They stand in three rows and play music.

The joyful and melodious sounds emitted from the guzheng, pipa, flute, waist drum, etc. echoed throughout the audience.

There were more than ten groups of people gathered in the open space between the banquet tables. Shen Lang only recognized one of them as Li Shimin, and he didn't know whether the rest were his close associates or other guests.

Shen Lang didn't know many of the guests here, so he was just planning to find a place to sit down and have something to eat.

After spending so much time with Dong Shu Ni, I'm already a little hungry.

Suddenly a voice came: "Brother Shen, Brother Shen..."

It was Li Shimin calling him.

He even stood up and walked quickly towards him.

"Brother Shen, it's been so long since we last met, but you're still as charming as ever." Li Shimin said with a smile, "Since you're here, why don't you sit at the same table with me?"

Shen Lang nodded: "Alright, you're the only one I know here."

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Ever since we parted that day, I've been thinking about Brother Shen. I heard that Brother Shen saved my third sister from danger at Pegasus Ranch. I was terrified when I heard what happened. If Brother Shen hadn't been there, I wouldn't have known what to do."

"That's just a small matter." Shen Lang waved his hand, "Not worth mentioning."

"Brother Shen, please come in." Li Shimin took him to his seat.

When his close associates saw him suddenly stand up and bring a young man with him, they became curious.

Li Shimin smiled. "Everyone, you must have heard of this man, but you've never met him in person. Let me introduce him to you. He is Brother Shen Lang, the man who resolved the duel between Ouyang Xiyi and Ba Fenghan, and killed Yu Wenzhi."

Upon hearing this, the people present were instantly in awe.

"Brother Shen, please allow me to introduce you to my confidants." Li Shimin introduced the people around him.

Pointing at a seemingly gentle and refined scholar in Confucian robes, a smile of confidence hung on the handsome face of this man.

Li Shimin said, "This is Zhangsun Wuji, my uncle."

"My name is Changsun Wuji, nice to meet you, Brother Shen." Changsun Wuji saluted with a smile.

Shen Lang also returned the greeting with a smile.

Li Shimin pointed at another tall, imposing and strong man and said, "This is Li Jing."

Li Jing said, "Li Jing has heard of Brother Shen's great name for a long time. It is a great honor to meet him today."

Shen Lang's expression became serious because he heard that Hong Fu Nu was extremely beautiful.

After returning the greetings to Li Jing, he asked, "I heard there's a female knight among the generals in Ce Mansion. Her weapon is a red whisk, so she's called the Red Whisk Girl. Is that true?"

"In reply to Brother Shen, Hongfu is my beloved wife. It turns out that Brother Shen has heard of her a long time ago. I will definitely introduce her to you in the future." Li Jing said with a smile.

Shen Lang clasped his fists and saluted, "Brother Li, you are so righteous. I deeply admire you."

There was also a Turkic man named Tuli.

After the introductions were made, Li Shimin said, "It's been a while since we last met. I never thought Brother Shen would do something so great upon arriving in Luoyang. It really opened my eyes."

"What's the big deal?" Shen Lang asked in confusion.

Li Shimin whispered, "I heard that Wang Bo, who has been friends with Lekong for nearly fifty years, suddenly sent a letter to all parties in the martial arts circle, saying that you stole the Heshi Bi. He also stated that if you don't return the treasure before midnight three days later, he will use any means to kill you, Brother Shen."

Hearing this, Shen Lang was stunned for a moment.

The monk Liaokong does things in an unkind way.

He actually revealed the matter publicly through his good friend Wang Bo.

After thinking carefully, Shen Lang remembered that Shi Feixuan had mentioned this matter these two days and asked him if he agreed.

He was busy practicing Buddhism at the time, so he agreed without thinking.

I didn't expect the news to be spread so quickly.

This seemingly reckless and impulsive move is actually a brilliant strategy based on careful consideration.

This plan was very clever. It instantly turned Shen Lang into an "outlaw" and the public enemy of all forces.

Secondly, it is to use this opportunity to unify the white sects that have always admired Cihang Jingzhai under a common goal.

Shi Feixuan was a person from outside the secular world, so it was not appropriate for her to be directly involved in the disputes of the secular world. Therefore, she contacted various forces of the white way through Wang Bo, who gave up the fight to become emperor.

At that time, as long as the Heshi Bi is found and given to the chosen person by her, it will surely cause even more sensation.

Some women are easily distracted in bed.

Some women can still think about other things when they are smoking mugwort.

Shi Feixuan obviously belongs to the latter.

Although he knew that someone was hunting him, Shen Lang didn't take it to heart.

Because if you think about it carefully, it seems that I agreed to it myself.

Maybe someone would offer his wife or daughter to you in order to win the Heshi Bi.

He laughed casually and said, "So there is such a thing."

Li Shimin asked doubtfully, "Could it be that the Heshi Bi is truly in Brother Shen's possession? I have no other intentions, but the martial artists, including the guests present, are eager to seize the treasure from you. If Brother Shen needs it, I will mobilize all my manpower and resources to escort you out of Luoyang."

"Shimin, don't you care about the Heshi Bi?" Shen Lang asked.

Li Shimin immediately said, "Brother Shen, you have misunderstood. I have no desire for the Heshi Bi. The Heshi Bi is something you cannot touch. I wouldn't dare accept it even if it was given to me. Besides, who in the world today can possibly snatch the Heshi Bi from Brother Shen?"

"Let's not talk about these things, let's eat first." Shen Lang said, "I will go even if there are thousands of people against me."

"Brother Shen is so magnanimous." Li Shimin poured him a glass of wine and said, "Please."

"please."

After drinking, Li Shimin whispered to him about tonight's guests.

Shen Lang listened carefully and found that Ouyang Xiyi and Wang Bo, who wanted to arrest him, were also there.

There is also Prince Fuqian from Tuyuhun. It is said that this man is a rare talent. Not only has his martial arts reached a superb level, but he also has extraordinary strategy and his ambition is no less than that of his father Fuyun.

As well as Wang Shichong's eldest son and second son, named Wang Xuanying and Wang Xuanshu respectively.

In addition to these people, Shen Lang also found a woman who was particularly attractive to him.

This woman is like a red dot in the green forest, extremely eye-catching.

She is a very pretty young woman, petite and delicate, but her expression is surprisingly serious and she never smiles, with a particularly cool and mature charm.

Looking at her awe-inspiring and inviolable arrogance, one really wants to conquer her.

When Li Shimin saw him looking at the girl, he whispered, "This girl is from Kucha, and her name is Linglongjiao."

"It's true that the name suits him." Shen Lang nodded in agreement.

I was thinking whether I should say hello to Rong Jiaojiao first or Ling Longjiao.

Li Shimin pointed at a short, stout old man in a Taoist robe, holding a dust whisk. "This man's name is Taoist Kefeng, a martial arts expert under Wang Shichong. The other burly man is Chen Changlin, also a master recruited by Wang Shichong."

Taoist Ke Feng's eyes, ears, mouth and nose were all crowded towards the center of his fat face, which should have been funny to look at, but his half-closed eyes were gleaming with a hint of ruthlessness and cruelty, but there was absolutely no sense of humor at all.

Chen Changlin was a sturdy man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a majestic figure. Although he was not as tall and handsome as Ba Fenghan and others, he had a simple face, dark and solid skin, and a tyrannical and domineering demeanor.

Shen Lang casually asked, "Hasn't Ouyang Xiyi been living in seclusion for many years? How did he appear in Wang Shichong's residence?"

Li Shimin said, "Of course you are here to help Wang Shichong fight for the world. Otherwise, why would you come here?"

"I see." Shen Lang nodded.

Li Shimin continued, "I heard that Brother Shen has a close relationship with Military Advisor Shen of Wagang Fort. I wonder if Brother Shen is interested in competing for the throne?"

"I have no interest in competing for the throne." Shen Lang said, "That's not my strong point."

He is only good at making friends, good at replacing others, and good at saying things like "Mother, don't look back, I am your father."

Li Shimin nodded thoughtfully.

As they were talking, Wang Shichong, led by Rong Fengxiang, greeted the guests one by one.

The two returned to the topic.

After a few words, this group of politicians, military leaders and wealthy people who control the lives of the people started talking about the issue of currency. It can be seen that this matter is of primary concern to the people's livelihood and economy.

I heard someone say, "Everyone is now privately minting coins to replace the old five-zhu coins, but the new coins are of poor quality, causing the prices of daily necessities such as rice and cloth to rise sharply, leaving people helpless."

Wang Shichong said, "If it were coins produced by an official kiln, there would be absolutely no problem with their quality. The problem is with coins produced by private kilns. These inferior coins have so poor quality that even the characters on them are blurred, leaving only a rough outline."

Zhangsun Wuji, standing beside Li Shimin, sighed, "Official coinage presents a different problem. Since the Han Dynasty, minerals like gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, and mercury have gradually become state-owned. However, in order to ensure sufficient baht coins for circulation while also maintaining quality, the old dynasty had to mine them extensively."

"Yang Guang once opened more than 20 gold mines in 12 counties, including Wuling, and employed 600,000 people, resulting in countless casualties. He only mined a little over 50 taels of gold, leaving a hundred miles of land devastated. The officials who mined the mines became thieves who murdered the people. They saw the harm before they saw the benefits."

Perhaps only people like Wang Shichong and Li Shimin who have been in charge of politics and people for a long time would think about this issue.

Many rebel armies rebelled just for the sake of rebellion. Like bandits, they raised their knives against civilians, robbed others of their money, kidnapped their wives and daughters, and destroyed their houses and fields.

Changsun Wuji lives up to his reputation as a wise man and his words are thought-provoking.

Tuli from the Turks also listened very carefully, because governing a vast land was beyond the capability of a nomadic people, and most of the invasions were carried out only through the middle-class people under his control.

Therefore, on the one hand, the Turks plundered the property and children of the Central Plains, and on the other hand, they supported the volunteer army that was capable of doing something.

Li Shimin interjected, "The so-called new currency today is nothing more than melted down Wuzhu coins from the old dynasty and recast. And the inferior coins used by the people are made by adding other iron debris to melted Wuzhu coins, so that one penny can be turned into several. Because they can make a profit, they continue to ban this practice."

He said with great force, "The only solution is to reunify the country and put an end to this trend through a strong and powerful central government. As things stand today, no one can do anything about it."

Shen Lang was drinking while listening to these people's idle chat.

Suddenly, someone laughed loudly, looking up to the sky, immediately attracting the attention of everyone in the hall. "If your lord is lucky enough to gain the world, will you be like Yang Guang, who was eager for glory and glory, and show off to the Western Regions and expand your territory?"

The hall immediately fell silent. Even the servants who were serving the guests stopped moving. Only the lingering music remained, which showed the shocking power of these words.

Looking in the direction where the voice came from, the person speaking was Fu Qian from Tuyuhun.

The person asking the questions was Li Jing.

After hearing Fu Qian's words, even Tuli and Wang Shichong listened attentively, as if to see how Li Jing would respond.

This question should be answered most appropriately by Li Shimin himself.

But Li Shimin was not the crown prince. If he rushed to answer, it would make it clear that he wanted to compete with his brother Li Jiancheng for the right to inherit the throne.

Moreover, this also involves Li Shimin's ambitions. It would be equally inappropriate for Li Jing to answer or not. If he was evasive in his words, it would only make Fu Qian look down on him.

Li Jing smiled calmly and said, "No matter who wins the world, they should understand that the difference between the Han and the barbarians lies in the differences in regional customs and habits, but their nature is the same. A ruler should only worry about not extending his benevolence, not being suspicious of those who are different. If benevolence is widespread, the four barbarians can be made into one family. If suspicion is rampant, even close relatives will become enemies. Do you agree with this, Prince Fu?"

These words were both counter-punching and counter-attacking, and everyone listened with heartfelt approval.

Fu Qian laughed again and shouted "good" three times.

Shen Lang didn't pay attention to what they were talking about, his eyes searching the crowd.

He soon discovered that Yun Yuzhen and Bai Qing'er had also arrived, but he did not go to greet them. Instead, he focused his attention on Rong Jiaojiao, who was sitting side by side with Dong Shuni.

However, that seat was set up in the seat of one of the four central chairmen, and it was almost full of people, including the two brothers Wang Xuanying and Wang Xuanshu, all of whom were young people, and everyone was vying to show their courtesy to the two women.

But the two women's eyes kept drifting towards Shen Lang, as if they were very interested in him.

When Shen Lang was thinking about whether to go over and say hello, someone beside him greeted him in a low voice: "Excuse me, are you Brother Shen Lang? I am Hou Xibai."

Turning around, I saw that the man was tall, straight and well-proportioned, with a handsome appearance. The scholar's attire made him look more elegant and refined. He was also waving a folding fan in his hand, which made him look extremely dashing and unique.

"It's Shen Lang." Shen Lang nodded, and then said, "But you're dressed so flashy."

Hou Xibai was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "That doesn't sound like a good word."

"We are both men. Do you want me to praise you in various ways?" Shen Lang asked him back.

Hou Xibai smiled and said, "Brother Shen is indeed as Feixuan said, he is unrestrained and unpredictable."

"Don't you have any good intentions?" Shen Lang frowned. "I heard that you like to draw portraits for people when you have nothing to do."

Hou Xibai said, "Brother Shen, please don't misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong between me and Feixuan. Besides, I came here today because there is a demon girl from the Yinkui Sect here."

"Who?"

Hou Xibai leaned closer and said, "That's the stunning beauty wearing Yunnan batik. She's the only one in the room wearing this kind of clothing. It's obvious she really loves to be in the spotlight."

Shen Lang asked doubtfully, "Could it be the woman in blue and red clothes?"

Hou Xibai laughed dumbly and said, "It's this woman. Brother Shen is truly erudite and charming. He recognized her at first sight. I just don't know who she is."

Shen Lang said: "She is Wang Shichong's niece, but you are wrong. The demon girl of Yinkui Sect is not her."

Hou Xibai was stunned and asked, "Brother Shen, are you so sure? Could it be that the Yinkui Sect's demon girl is someone else?"

Shen Lang's eyes swept across Rong Jiaojiao's face and said, "Actually, I already know what's going on. I'll find a chance to interrogate her later."

As soon as he finished speaking, Rong Fengxiang's laughter interrupted everyone's conversation, and then he warmly invited all the guests to take their seats.

Those who could sit at the same table with Rong Fengxiang were all important people, including Li Shimin, Tuli, Wang Bo, Fu Qian, Ouyang Xiyi and others, but Feng Daoren and three other prominent figures in Luoyang were not there, but Rong Fengxiang's wife was not there.

Rong Fengxiang walked up to Shen Lang, a polite smile on his face, and asked, "Excuse my poor eyesight, but may I ask your name, sir?"

"Shen Lang."

When these two words came out of his mouth, it was like a huge rock was thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing thousands of waves.

Rong Fengxiang's face, which was originally smiling, suddenly became filled with shock.

Although Shen Lang's voice was not loud, it was clearly heard by everyone in the hall.

The originally noisy and bustling hall suddenly became silent in the blink of an eye.

Everyone's eyes, as if attracted by a magnet, were all cast on Shen Lang.

Everyone's heartbeat involuntarily quickened, beating like a war drum.

It was because everyone present knew that Shen Lang was carrying the Heshi Bi.

But he knew that Wang Bo had posted the martial arts post, but he still dared to come here alone. It was really puzzling.

Even though there were many martial arts masters gathered here, as long as they rushed forward, they could chop him into meat sauce in no time.

But this person is too famous.

For a moment, everyone looked at each other in confusion, and no one dared to act rashly.

Shen Lang smiled slightly and said, "I heard that Boss Rong is going to celebrate his 50th birthday. I came uninvited. Boss Rong, don't you mind?"

Rong Fengxiang came back to his senses and said with a smile, "No, no, it's my honor that Mr. Shen can come to Rong's banquet. Mr. Shen has come from afar, please come and sit here."

He invited Shen Lang to join him at the table.

Wang Bo stared at Shen Lang, not knowing what he was thinking.

Ouyang Xiyi stood up and greeted Shen Lang: "Master Shen, we meet again. I am grateful for your help in the matter of Dongping County."

"It's a small matter." Shen Lang waved his hand and said, "Today is Boss Rong's birthday party, so let Boss Rong speak first."

Rong Fengxiang nodded, then raised his glass and said, "Today is the day I, Rong, celebrate my fiftieth birthday. It's a rare honor to have such distinguished guests here, many of whom are friends who have come from thousands of miles away. I am deeply honored to have you all here. I would like to offer you a glass of wine as a token of my gratitude."

Everyone stood up and responded, and the atmosphere immediately became lively, with compliments and drinking contests ringing in the ears.

After a while, everyone returned to their seats.

Rong Fengxiang smiled mysteriously again and said, "Before the dishes are served, I have a little surprise for you distinguished guests. Please welcome Miss Shang Xiufang."

Shen Lang immediately became excited, as he finally got to see the most famous prostitute in the world.

It is said that he sells his art but not his body, and he is well-educated, gentle and knowledgeable.

But as long as you don’t pay for it after you finish playing, it doesn’t count as selling it.

(End of this chapter)