Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 222 Qingfeng Tower

"Go to the street outside Zhuque Gate, Qingfeng Tower, please hurry." He sat on the donkey cart and announced his destination.

With a shout from the driver and a light crack of the whip, the donkey cart merged into the growing crowd of people and vehicles as dusk deepened.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone road, making a rumbling sound. Lu Beigu closed his eyes to rest. Only when the autumn wind blew did he feel his tense heartstrings relax a little.

When exchanging words with someone like Song Xiang, he needed to be extremely attentive to every single one.

Today's policy essay on Liutahe, although it required meticulous revision and was very laborious, yielded significant results.

Sometimes, many little-known techniques are just a thin veil away from being understood.

If you try to figure it out on your own, it will be like looking at flowers through a fog, and you won't understand it at all. To figure it out, you need to spend a lot of time and energy exploring.

However, if someone helps to point it out, the secret behind the window paper can be seen in a short while.

This made Lu Beigu realize just how much of a boost a good teacher can bring.

The donkey cart passed through the bustling streets of the inner city, crossed the state bridge, and headed south along the Imperial Street.

The massive outline of the Zhuque Gate tower appeared even more majestic in the twilight, and the gate was bustling with carriages and pedestrians.

Once outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, one enters the outer city. The hustle and bustle has not diminished; on the contrary, it has added to the lively atmosphere of the marketplace.

The "street outside Zhuque Gate" mentioned by Zeng Gong is very easy to find. It is one of the most prosperous streets in the outer city, right next to the wide Cai River.

Qingfeng Tower enjoys an exceptionally advantageous location—it stands at the confluence of the inner city moat and the Cai River, resembling an island in a long, narrow lake.

Outside the Zhuque Gate, the Qingfeng Tower was bustling with people and carriages.

The donkey cart slowly came to a stop, and Lu Beigu jumped off.

Before our eyes, a magnificent three-story pavilion rises from the ground, standing out like a crane among chickens amidst the surrounding rows of shops and houses.

Its building is constructed with massive timbers as its frame and blue bricks as its body. The eaves and brackets are layered upon each other, creating an imposing presence. The eaves of the top floor are raised high, with several strings of large copper bells hanging from them. Occasionally, the clear and melodious sound of the bells can be heard in the evening breeze, penetrating the noise of the street.

Above the lintel hangs a huge plaque with three powerful characters: "Qingfeng Tower". The edges of the plaque are decorated with exquisite lotus scroll patterns, showing its extraordinary style. On both sides of the door stand a pair of stone auspicious beasts that are more than half a person tall, adding to the noble atmosphere.

The entire building was illuminated by countless lanterns, making it look like a huge glazed pagoda embedded on the banks of the Cai River.

Scholars, wealthy merchants, and even a few military officers dressed in ordinary clothes but with an imposing air, poured into the vermilion gate in an endless stream.

Because Qingfeng Tower is located next to the Cai River, Lu Beigu could even see a special water gate dock behind the tower, where several beautifully decorated painted boats or passenger boats were moored.

Obviously, distinguished guests can also travel directly by boat.

"What an impressive 'official' store!" Lu Beigu thought to himself.

This Qingfeng Tower is no ordinary tavern. It is a large-scale, top-notch establishment with official permission to brew and sell alcoholic beverages. It is a shining pearl in Kaifeng, a city that never sleeps, and a gathering place for dignitaries, celebrities, and literati.

Thinking of his upcoming meeting with that renowned literary giant, Lu Beigu straightened his clothes, adjusted the jade bamboo prayer beads on his wrist to a conspicuous position, and then stepped inside. Behind the open, heavy door, an enticing aroma wafted out, a mingled scent of rich wine, the sizzling aroma of roasted meat, the sweet fragrance of steaming pastries, and the subtle fragrance of perfume and elegant incense, creating a powerful and almost magical atmosphere.

The sounds of string and wind instruments were also clearer, interspersed with the melodious singing of courtesans and the cheers of guests.

The tables and chairs on the first floor were almost full. The waiters, dressed in blue robes and wearing square headscarves, carried vermilion trays filled with delicacies and wines, moving swiftly between the tables and chairs.

On a delicate lotus platform in the center, several courtesans dressed in colorful clothes were holding pipa and konghou, gently opening their red lips to sing popular slow songs. Their melodious voices drew frequent nods and applause from the surrounding guests.

Lu Beigu listened for a moment and realized it was Liu Yong's "Ding Feng Bo: Since Spring Comes, the Green and Red Are Grief-Induced".

"Since spring arrived, the green and red have turned somber, and my heart is filled with sorrow. The sun rises above the flower tips, and orioles flit through the willow branches, yet I still lie under my fragrant quilt."

The warmth of my skin melts away, my hair hangs loosely, and I spend my days listlessly timidly combing my clothes. Alas! I hate that heartless man has left, without a word from him.

If only I had known this would happen, I would have regretted not locking the carved saddle. Now, by the window, I am only given rough paper and ivory brushes, confined to my lessons of poetry.

"Stay with her in town, don't abandon her; idly pick up needle and thread to sit beside her, so that our youthful days may not be wasted."

If the words alone were laid out before one's eyes, they wouldn't be particularly outstanding. But when this long, slow song was sung by a courtesan, its delicate, melodious notes captivated the soul without one even realizing it.

"It's a pity I wasn't born to meet Liu Yong." Lu Beigu sighed inwardly.

As the saying goes, "Wherever there is well water, there are songs of Liu Yong." This talented man, who was extremely famous in the streets and alleys of the Song Dynasty, passed away three years ago. He was unsuccessful in his imperial examinations and official career, but his reputation was much greater than that of the vast majority of successful candidates.

The songs that Liu Yong composed himself were also the songs that these courtesans loved to sing the most.

Upon arriving on the third floor, Lu Beigu revealed the jade bamboo prayer beads on his wrist.

The manager of the welcoming restaurant had sharp eyes and immediately put on a beaming smile after a quick glance: "So you are a distinguished guest of the Green Pine Society! The 'Pine Wave Pavilion' on the third floor, I will show you the way!"

He stepped forward and led Lu Beigu to the side.

As Lu Beigu walked west along the wide suspended passage, he realized that Qingfeng Tower was not a standalone building, but rather a separate building located behind the Cai River, connected by a suspended passage.

After passing through the suspended passage, a long corridor covered with a thick carpet extends out, with spacious elegant pavilions on both sides, and elegant wooden plaques with inscriptions such as "Plum Blossom Charm", "Orchid Fragrance", "Bamboo Shadows" and "Pine Waves" hanging on the doors.

The air was filled with the delicate scent of sandalwood, and uniquely designed lamps hung from the ceiling, casting a soft light that made the calligraphy and paintings on the walls exceptionally clear.

These are all large, private rooms, with the doors tightly closed. Only the sounds of traditional music and faint laughter can be heard from behind, making the space feel even more elegant and private.

"Young master, we have arrived at Songtao Pavilion."

The restaurant manager stopped in front of a half-open carved wooden door and respectfully gestured for them to enter.

Lu Beigu nodded, composed himself, and then gently pushed open the heavy wooden door.

The space inside the door was much larger than Lu Beigu had imagined in the corridor. At a glance, it was probably close to seven or eight zhang deep, and quite a few people had already arrived.

(End of this chapter)