The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

Liu Sanbian did not speak again.

He recalled Liu Xinyi's words earlier, "Li represents fire, corresponding to the heart"—when that woman spoke, her gaze was clear and her tone was calm, without the slightest hint of pretension, yet every word was precious. How could such a person be willing to follow a "country bumpkin"?

unless……

On the other side, Du Ziteng and the others laughed heartily: "Young Master Wang, Miss Liu, your back-and-forth banter has really given those self-proclaimed romantic scholars a good slap in the face!"

Qin Tiehua also smiled, a rare occurrence for him: "Let's see if he dares to be arrogant again."

Liu Xinyi looked at Wang Zhonghua with a hint of admiration in her eyes: "Young Master Wang is indeed very learned."

Looking at the clear blue waters of Xiange Lake, Wang Zhonghua said leisurely, "Cultural heritage is not about social status, but about genuine passion. Let's go back and prepare for the opening of Xiange Tower. I want to make this restaurant a true cultural landmark of Chenzhou."

A breeze swept across Xiange Lake, carrying the fresh scent of water vapor, as if cheering for this splendid cultural contest.

The eleventh day of the twelfth lunar month, the eve of the opening of the Xiange Tower.

Wang Zhonghua stood in front of the three-story restaurant, looking up at the business that everyone had poured their heart and soul into.

"With its soaring eaves and towering pillars, this building is destined to become a new landmark in Chenzhou," he murmured to himself.

"Young Master Wang, with our 'Brotherhood' secretly taking care of things, everything is arranged perfectly." Du Ziteng strode over. "The opening is tomorrow at 9 AM, and the singers and musicians are all in place. Li Jingniang from the capital has agreed to perform three dances—that's an immense honor!"

Qin Tiehua emerged from the inner hall, holding a menu: "I've tried all the dishes, and as you said, they're divided into three tiers. The first floor offers popular dishes, mainly spicy soup and fried 'qianghu' (a type of fried vegetable); the second floor features elegant seating with an 'Eight Treasures' banquet; and the third floor has private rooms for VIPs, which must be booked three days in advance."

Liu Xinyi was directing the young apprentice to dry medicinal herbs in the backyard: "I've prepared a few medicinal dishes according to your instructions, which can be used as the signature dish tomorrow."

Lu Sanjun rubbed his hands together, his chubby face full of anticipation: "Nephew, all the important figures in Chenzhou will be here tomorrow. This is a great opportunity for us to make a name for ourselves!"

Wang Zhonghua looked around at everyone, a surge of pride welling up inside him: "You've all worked hard. Tomorrow, we will make the entire Chenzhou remember the name 'Xiange Tower'!"

The twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, at the beginning of the Si hour.

The area in front of the Xiange Tower was already packed with people. Eight waiters dressed in matching blue uniforms stood on either side of the entrance, greeting guests with beaming smiles. This was a service process designed by Wang Zhonghua according to modern hotel management concepts, a unique approach in this era.

"Prefect Chen of Chenzhou has arrived!"

"Magistrate Cheng of Wanqiu County has arrived."

"Magistrate Yao of Shangshui County has arrived!"

"Magistrate Tong of Xiangcheng has arrived!"

"Magistrate Fan of Xihua County has arrived!"

……

Chen Shimei arrived side by side with Yao Ye and others, followed by a group of officials. Chen Shimei maintained his usual gentle and refined demeanor, but a barely perceptible glint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

"Nephew Wang, congratulations!" Chen Shimei said with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting. "I've come today to share in your joy."

Wang Zhonghua calmly returned the greeting: "Thank you for your honor, Your Excellency."

Before the words were finished, a faint, cool fragrance of plum blossoms suddenly rose in the air, neither sweet nor powdery, as clear and crisp as the first rays of dawn after a snowfall in the twelfth lunar month. This fragrance was quite different from the cloying sweetness of ordinary brothels; it seemed to be the kind of aura that could only be cultivated in the deep palace.

"Li Jingniang, the most beautiful courtesan in the capital, has arrived!"

This announcement was like a thunderbolt striking boiling oil, causing an uproar throughout the hall!

Four palanquins, draped with soft, silver-red gauze, were steadily carried by eight muscular, bare-chested men with tattoos. On each side of the palanquins were twelve maidservants in green robes, carrying incense burners, glass vases, and ivory spittoons—a display befitting the grandeur of a royal procession. Even more striking was the sight of eight musicians lined up before the palanquins, immediately beginning to play "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe." The clear, melodious sounds of the instruments instantly drowned out all the noise from the music pavilion.

The sedan chair landed, the beaded curtain was lifted, and the whole world seemed to fall silent for three breaths.

Unlike typical courtesans who wear heavy makeup, Li Jingniang wore only a plain sky-blue gauze dress, her hair styled in a high bun secured with a single white jade hairpin, the rest cascading down to her waist like a waterfall. Her oval face was almost translucent with its pale whiteness, while her eyes were a breathtakingly dark black, with slightly upturned corners. Even without smiling, her eyes held a hint of affection, and when she smiled, they possessed a captivating charm, like the melting of frost and the warming of spring waters. Her lips were naturally red, her eyebrows naturally dark, and most exquisitely, a beauty mark beneath her left eye, as if bringing the entire painting to life.

She moved with light, graceful steps, her skirt motionless, leaving a fragrant trail beneath her feet. Her waist was so slender it seemed one could encircle it with a single hand, yet it wasn't sickly frail; rather, it possessed the supple strength unique to a dancer. Her neck was long and elegant, her collarbones clear and refined, and a single jade bracelet adorned her fair wrist. She wore no other adornments, which only accentuated her natural beauty, like a lotus emerging from clear water, breathtakingly pure—as if she were a celestial being descended to earth, needing no earthly defilement.

All the guests, regardless of gender, seemed to be frozen in place.

There were worldly old scholars who tilted their teacups, unaware that tea had spilled over their clothes; there were self-proclaimed dashing young men who opened their mouths wide, drool dripping down their front blouses without realizing it; and there were a group of noblewomen who had been whispering and maintaining their composure, but now they forgot to speak, clutching their handkerchiefs tightly, their eyes filled with a mixture of jealousy and amazement.

Chen Shimei, the Prefect of Chenzhou, a seasoned official of the imperial court and the son-in-law of the Prince of Xiangyang, was astonished when his pupils constricted and his folding fan fell to the ground with a thud. Having served as a courtesan in the capital, he naturally recognized her—a renowned courtesan whom even the Prime Minister himself could not concede to. But who could have imagined that Wang Zhonghua, a merchant from the countryside, could possibly persuade this powerful figure to come to his aid?

Yao Ye stood up abruptly, looking like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world before: "This...this is actually Li Jingniang? The one whose 'one song is worth a thousand pieces of gold, one smile can captivate the capital'..."

But Li Jingniang seemed oblivious to the shock emanating from the crowd. Her gaze shifted slightly, landing precisely on Wang Zhonghua. That glance, a mixture of reproach and delight, affection and indifference, seemed to say, "See, I came here specifically for you, do you understand?"

Wang Zhonghua was startled—he naturally understood that this courtesan, once known for her flamboyant and extravagant style, had deliberately washed away her makeup and presented herself in a refined manner today, precisely to complement the style of his Xiange Tower.

This sentiment, this vision, this skill—how could an ordinary woman compare?

The key question is: who could persuade Li Jingniang to come? And who could make Li Jingniang lower herself to curry favor with a "soup seller"?

And what about all those officials and gentry? Were they all here because of Wang Zhonghua or Lü Sanjun? Wang Zhonghua didn't have that kind of confidence.

"Jingniang has come especially to entertain the young master."

Just as Wang Zhonghua was wondering, Li Jingniang gave a graceful bow, glanced at Wang Zhonghua with her eyes, and then floated upstairs.

Wang Zhonghua could only offer a kind smile and nod as he watched Li Jingniang gracefully ascend the stairs.

As the auspicious hour approached, four burly men from the "Brotherhood" carried the golden plaque bearing the inscription "Xiange Tower," ready to be hung.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves came from afar, and a troop of cavalry came galloping towards them. The one in the lead was wearing a white robe and silver armor, and it was Di Qing!

"Wait!" Di Qing reined in his horse and shouted, "I have come here on behalf of Lord Ouyang to present this plaque!"

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Qin Tiedan and two bodyguards carried forward a sandalwood plaque bearing four powerful characters:

"A Family of Stringed Instruments"

The four small characters "Ouyang Xiu" at the end of the letter struck like a thunderclap, silencing the entire audience.

Chen Shimei's smile froze on his face, while Yao Ye, Lü Sanjun, and others were both surprised and delighted.

Di Qing dismounted and said loudly, "Lord Ouyang said that the value of a restaurant's name lies in the word 'family.' I hope that your Xiange Tower can become the second home for the people of Chenzhou."

Wang Zhonghua was both surprised and delighted. He never expected that the mysterious old man he met by the Xiange Lake was not only Ouyang Xiu, the "writer among writers," but also a man with students all over the world who had an extremely important influence on the literary and political circles of the Song Dynasty. Ouyang Xiu seemed to have a deep hatred for Di Qing, yet he was respected by civil and military officials.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he bowed deeply: "Many thanks to Lord Ouyang for his kindness, and many thanks to General Di!"

Qin Tiedan winked at Wang Zhonghua, his gaze lingering on a maid beside Li Jingniang, his eyes unusually tender.

With the support of Li Jingniang and Ouyang Xiu, everyone understood that the background of why the String Pavilion should now be called "String People's House" was far more profound than they had imagined.

Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, the plaque reading "A Family of Stringed Instruments" was hung high.

Guests flocked into the restaurant and were immediately drawn to its unique decor.

The lobby on the first floor is spacious and bright, with tables and chairs arranged in a pleasingly spaced manner. A menu personally designed by Wang Zhonghua hangs on the wall.

Spicy soup: 5 coins

Fried Qianghu: Three coins

Stir-fried seasonal vegetables: 10 coins

……

Affordable prices, yet exquisite in every detail.

The second-floor private rooms are separated by screens, and the walls are adorned with calligraphy and paintings by renowned artists. The prices on the menu are noticeably higher.

Eight Delicacies Feast: A Consistent Set

The Eight Drunken Immortals: One string and one pot

……

The third floor is the most amazing. The eight private rooms are named after "music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, and tea," and their interiors are decorated with exquisite elegance. Dining here requires a reservation three days in advance, with a minimum charge of thirty taels of silver.

Soon, Li Jingniang's singing and dancing brought the opening atmosphere to a climax.