Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan Volume 3 Chapter 7 part1

Here's the first part of Chapter 7.

Book 3 Chapter 7 - Brothel and Casino in One

The two boys ran to a side alley. From here looking out, they happened to see the wall and the main gate of Cuibi Lou that was owned by Xiang Yushan's old dad. There were layers of courtyard on the inside, in term of scale, it was definitely above Yihong Courtyard.

Following the setting sun in the west, the sky was gradually turning dark. The lanterns of Cuibi Lou were lighted, giving the two boys some kind of romantic, yet mournful feeling, reflecting the two boys' uneasy mood.

Out of habit, the two of them sat on the ground with their backs against the wall. After staring blankly for a long time, Kou Zhong gnashed his teeth and said, "That woman [again, used derogatorily; also in subsequent references to ‘woman' below] is very ruthless, unexpectedly she really wanted to take our lives, completely ignoring the fact that we are her benefactor.”

"She did not want us to fall into Ol' Die's hand,” Xu Ziling said, "So what do we do now? We promised that kid Li Shimin that we are going to wait for Madame Dong Ming's arrival. But now Ol' Die's people already knew where we are. If we don't leave now, what are we waiting for?”

"Our little life is important,” Kou Zhong said, "Let that Li kid blame us, but we must immediately leave town, and go the farther the better. And then we'll look for Susu Jie at Xingyang. Her Miss has already been captured anyway, so we can take her back to the south, where she can join our Shuanglong Bang [two-dragon clan] in trading salt in peace and quiet.”

Xu Ziling forced a smile and said, "If we just leave the town in big style like this, if that stinky woman did not catch us, we would be just like a sheep offering itself into Ol' Die's tiger mouth. The best course of action right now is to find a place to hide, and then at midnight we will try to climb the city wall to escape. Relying on our current skill, if we have things like rope and hook, we should be able to make it.”

"More and more I found out that you, this kid, have a brain like mine,” Kou Zhong praised, "Come! There is plenty of money in our purse, while the sky is not completely dark yet, we quickly find a hardware store to buy hooks. As for rope, to steal some is not a difficult matter.”

After making up their mind, their spirit was aroused; they came out to the street at the other end of the alley and stealthily walked along the main street, but soon discovered that other than wine shop and pleasure houses, other stores had already closed.

Kou Zhong suddenly had a bright idea, "We'd better look for that Xiang Yushan for help, that kid seems to have a little yiqi [spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice, code of brotherhood]. Right now there are friends meeting with misfortune, he should not be shirked without dishonor.”

Xu Ziling was doubtful, "Is he that kind of person?” he asked.

Kou Zhong wrapped his arm around his shoulder as they turned into another side street and walked toward the direction of Cuibi Lou. He said bitterly, "This is called we are at the end of our rope, without any choice we have to ignore what kind of saint he is, and simply consider him as a good saint. Worst yet, we are also wanted criminals; reporting to the authority is tantamount to committing suicide. Besides, who knows if those government officials are not in cahoots with the stinky woman or Ol' Die? Right now I don't dare to trust anybody.”

Xu Ziling spoke in distress, "After hearing that stinky woman speaking about the girls in pleasure houses, I really do not wish to go to brothel anymore. Is there any other way?”

"The other way is digging a tunnel,” Kou Zhong replied, "But please forgive laozi for not accompanying you. Don't be so easy to be influenced by other people, will you? Don't forget that at Yangzhou, all those ladies that we know voluntarily sell their bodies to earn money. Don't those so-called government officers also prostitute themselves to be the Emperor's lackeys? At least being a lady you won't easily have your head chopped. Ha! We are here!”

The two boys crossed the busy street clamoring with horses and carriages racing against each other. The decorative lanterns were hung high, shining their light on the people coming and going on the street; it was indeed very lively. However, because the two boys have witnessed the brutal scene of war, they had a feeling that all these liveliness was but a fleeting moment.

Upon reaching the main gate, they waited for a gorgeous looking carriage galloping inside, and then trailed behind it. Six, seven doorkeepers stepped forward to meet them. Seeing the two boys' bright and neat clothing, and spirited expression, they did not dare to be negligence. One of them spoke respectfully, "Welcome Gongzi, your presence honors us; I wonder …”

Kou Zhong knew what to expect; he casually stuffed a string of coins into his hand. Assuming a young tycoon air he spoke arrogantly, "We are your honorable Xiang Yushan Gongzi's old friends. Have Yushan arrived?”

The men felt even deeper veneration for them; the man who spoke earlier hastily said, "Xiaoren [little/lowly one] He Biao, two Gongzi, please follow Xiaoren.”

Kou Zhong puffed up his chest and said, "Lead the way!”

He Biao bowed respectfully with cupped fist and turned around to lead the way.

The two boys followed him passing through a spacious square where at least a row of ten carriages could park, toward the main building. As the reached the bottom of the steps leading to the door, a rather good-looking middle-aged woman with gorgeous dress [orig. lovely scene of blossoming plants swaying in the breeze] met them. He Biao hurriedly stepped forward and whispered a few words in her ear. And then after saluting them, he walked away.

All smiles [orig. brows raised in delight, eyes laughing], the beautiful lady stepped between the two boys, and then with each hand grabbing the boys' elbows, she coyly said, "Turns out Xiang Shaoye's good friends. I wonder what are two Gongzi's honorable surnames and great given names? Ay! Almost forgot, you can just call me Feng Niang [lit. phoenix lady].”

Kou Zhong enjoyed her generous ‘gift of luck with women' very much; while following her inside, he said, "My name is Zhang Shi, and he is Li Min. Ha! Feng Niang, you are so pretty, you attract us to our death.”

Feng Niang laughed so hard that she was shaking, "Although Zhang Gongzi is young, you are an old hand in the midst of flowers. Don't flatter people casually! Otherwise if Nujia [lit. slave] wants to entangle you the whole night, you will regret it.”

Casting a coquettish glance toward Xu Ziling, he said, "Li Gongzi is more honest than you are.”

By this time Kou Zhong had completely forgotten about the stinky woman and the old dad; bursting with joy he said, "This kid is only pretending to be an old hand; if Feng Niang don't believe me, you can give him a try.”

Greatly embarrassed, Xu Ziling said, "Don't listen to him, I … hey! I …”

In the meantime Feng Niang already pulled them into the main hall, where more than ten clusters of chair were arranged, and she had them sit down in a cluster of chair leaning against the corner. She laughed and said, "No need to say anything, how can I, Feng Niang, make an error of judgment?”

Two young maids, about sixteen, seventeen years old, came out to greet them, to pour tea and offer towel; their service was very attentive.

The two boys swept the room with their gaze, and noticed that there were already more than ten groups of guests in the hall; the atmosphere was very lively.

After instructing the maid to notify Xiang Yushan, Feng Niang's fawning manner grew without restraint, "Based on two Gongzi's personality, which girl would not fight over the right to accompany you?”

Xu Ziling also relaxed. He was about to speak when Feng Niang asked to be excused; she stood up and rushed to meet another group of visitors that look like rich merchants.

Kou Zhong told the two maids, "Jiejie, no need to wait on us, we, brothers have a private matters we'd like to discuss.” The two young maids took their leave.

Kou Zhong excitedly said, "Have you ever be well-regarded like this? We'd better stay here tonight to celebrate a wonderful evening; who'd think that we would hide in here? Besides, this grand occasion is bestowed by that Li guy, we might as well wait until tomorrow night to sneak into Dong Ming flagship and do the best for him.”

"Hey!” Xu Ziling stammered, "I don't know why, but my heart is flustered and panic; I don't know what to do.”

Kou Zhong sighed. "To be honest,” he said, "I am a bit nervous as well. But there is always first time for everything. Otherwise, how can we be considered real men? Later, we will ask ‘yiqi Shan' to pick two most beautiful girls and make it clear that they must take up the responsibility to give us ‘guidance'. Hey! But if we just say it like that, won't we have no face left?”

While the two boys were having tumultuous thought, Xiang Yushan arrived. For some reason, in his ‘habitat', this fellow was exceptionally confident, not at all like the good-for-nothing appearance he displayed when they met in the street earlier that day. Especially since there were four big men escorting him, he looked completely imposing.

From a zhang away Xiang Yushan had already laughed aloud and said, "What Zhang Gongzi, Li Gongzi, turns out its two renxiong. Forgive me for failing to salute you!”

The two boys noticed his attitude was still sincere, he really lived up to the nickname they have given him, the ‘yiqi Shan'; hence they were relieved and immediately stood up to pay their respect.

After the three of them were seated, Xiang Yushan inquired, "This time two renxiong came to Pengcheng, is there any business you need to attend, or are you just sightseeing, enjoying some scenic spots around here?”

Knowing that he was trying to get a feel of who these two boys were, Kou Zhong laughed and said, "There's a saying that traveling for ten thousand li is better than patronize ten thousand scrolls of book. We, two brothers, roam to the other end of the world, is precisely to widen our horizon.”

Leaning forward, he continued in low voice, "Frankly speaking, our visit to the pleasure house is also part of our effort to enrich our knowledge. Because this is the first time we visit the pleasure house, our hope is that Xiang Xiong would give direction and take care of us. Hee, hee … ! Xiang Xiong is sensible, most probably I won't have to explain more?”

In his heart Xu Ziling was full of praise; Kou Zhong indeed have a knack of turning such an embarrassing and reputation-losing matter into something that sounded so natural.

Xiang Yushan suddenly understood; he laughed and nodded his head, "That should be no problem,” he said, "Just leave it to me.”

Chapter end