Seeking the Flying Sword Path Chapter 13 - Never Escaping the Considerations of Utility

Chapter 13 - Never Escaping the Considerations of Utility

After Lady Chen Shuang reproduced a few poems, she said, "Auntie Xue, Yu Bai, one of the four great scholars of Jiangnan, has been in Grand Dominance County for a few days now. There are probably many women from the brothels wishing to meet him. Have you caught wind of who he has met?"

Since ancient times, the Jiang and Qian Prefectures have been collectively called Jiangnan. It was a place where talents were gathered. Scholars were one of them.

The four great scholars of Jiangnan enjoyed a great reputation in the entire world. They were sought after by women from the brothels. Some didn't even want money and were willing to pay these scholars! Some were even willing to become their concubines.

"I've not heard anything of that sort." Auntie Xue said, "I'll get Old Shen to continue investigating this matter."

"Alright."

Lady Chen Shuang pricked up her sword-like brows slightly. "This great scholar has come to Grand Dominance County. It is also exactly just as the Courtesan Belle selection is about to be held! Either he wants to gain some benefit from intervening in the Courtesan Belle selection or it's really just a coincidence."

"If it's just a county selection of a Courtesan Belle, there should be no need for such a great scholar to be involved, right?" Auntie Xue could not help but ask.

"If he has ulterior motives, it will be difficult for me to get him to aid me." Lady Chen Shuang said, "If it were really just a coincidence, I might have a little chance of him helping me."

With that, Lady Chen Shuang revealed a grin. "However, those women from the brothels have also turned stupid after spending time in this questionable place. For such a great scholar who is famous throughout the world, it's unknown how many renowned courtesans look up to him. How can it be easy to get such a great scholar to be willing to help them?"

"Get Old Shen to watch him for me. Observe his every move." Lady Chen Shuang said, "Report to me at any time."

"Alright." Auntie Xue nodded.

Qin Yun and Tian Bo returned on horseback under the night sky.

When they passed by a stone bridge, there was a restaurant boat floating in the quiet Flower Solarium river beneath them.

"Oh?"

There was a bevy of young girls on the boat accompanying two men drinking and enjoying the music.

"It's the great scholar, Yu Bai." Tian Bo hurriedly said.

"Yu Bai? One of the four great scholars, Yu Bai. If I recall, he's from Southbright County, right? Why would he be here in Grand Dominance County?" Qin Yun looked over as well. The world needed erudite scholars to govern the world. It was different from how immortal cultivators were like legends. In comparison, scholars were much greater in number. The number of county or provincial scholars was several times more than the number of cultivators. Among scholars, the four great scholars of Jiangnan was absolutely the most famous.

"I have no idea why he is here in Grand Dominance County. However, I do know that the renowned courtesans in Grand Dominance County's brothels are going crazy for him." Tian Bo said wistfully. "People like us spend money on renowned courtesans, but the renowned courtesans do the opposite. They are willing to spend money on this Mister Bai. There is a number who are willing to marry him too."

"He's one of the four great scholars of Jiangnan after all. His literature is famous throughout the world. It's only natural that he has many admirers," remarked Qin Yun.

"Brother Yun, you think too simply." Tian Bo chuckled and said, "The four great scholars of Jiangnan are indeed famous throughout the world! However, if a renowned courtesan were to be involved with Yu Bai by having a fabulous love affair with him, one filled with passion, any mention of the great scholar Yu Bai would necessarily include that renowned courtesan! That renowned courtesan's fame would then not be limited to a city or land. It would similarly be known throughout the world! To win such fame, do you think you can spend ten or twenty taels of silver to win an audience with him? Dream on! It's at least two or three hundred taels of silver!"

"Having a fabulous at love affair with him? Furthermore, one filled with passion? If Yu Bai conducts himself with dignity, it wouldn't end up in such a manner, right?" asked Qin Yun.

"How can anyone figure out the affairs of the heart? Moreover, even if there's no intense passion, as long as Yu Bai is smitten by her and writes a poem for her, once the poem is spread, everyone would know that the great scholar Yu Bai had written it for a particular renowned courtesan. The renowned courtesan's fame would naturally be elevated."

Tian Bo continued, "Even if he were stingy with his poems and was unwilling to leave a poem for her, as long as the renowned courtesan remains in a relationship with him for a month or two, it can be announced to the public that the great scholar Yu Bai was smitten by this renowned courtesan. He stayed behind for months instead of returning home. The renowned courtesan would similarly enjoy great benefits from that."

"Fame! That is essential to a renowned courtesan."

"The greater the fame, the more people would seek an audience with her. One meeting would also cost more." Tian Bo said, "Brother Yun, do you now understand why such a great scholar is so sought after by these renowned courtesans?"

Qin Yun nodded and was somewhat enlightened.

"To become an area's renowned courtesan, they typically have pretty good qualities. Their beauty, skills, and charm all reach a rather high standard. The only thing lacking is sufficient fame." Tian Bo said, "Fame means money! They might be able to save up a thousand taels of silver in one year but with a great scholar aiding them, they can earn perhaps three to five thousand taels of silver a year. It's a severalfold increase! Tell me, how can he not be sought by them?"

"The pairing of a scholar and a beauty is such a wonderful pairing. Yet, you have incisively laid out the utilitarian aspects of everything." Qin Yun shook his head and laughed. However, he did find what Tian Bo said to be reasonable.

"Utilitarian?"

Tian Bo shook his head and said, "I was once young with will and spirit. I believed more in ties of comradeship. However, when I took over some of my father's food and beverage business, I had suffered quite badly and suffered numerous setbacks. I had even secretly slapped myself in the face numerous times. Only then did I learn that all the hustle and bustle of the world is only for utility and money. To survive in the secular world, there is almost no way of escaping utility!"

"There might be extremely few renowned courtesans that really admire that great scholar's talents. However, I dare say that nearly all of them are doing it for fame. With fame comes money!"

Qin Yun laughed when he heard his friend's philosophy. "Little Bobo, you are no longer the same! However, there are still ties of comradeship in this world."

"Yes, it's because this world is too utilitarian that ties of comradeship become more precious," replied Tian Bo.

Qin Yun nodded.

Back then, Tian Bo was only a shy youth that tagged behind him. Tian Bo had now changed and matured.

"By the way," Qin Yun suddenly thought of something as he asked. "Do you think that great scholar is able to help Little Shuang. For the upcoming Courtesan Belle selection, can Little Shuang have a chance at becoming Courtesan Belle?"

"You want to help Sister Xie Shuang?"

Tian Bo considered for a moment. "It depends on how you want to help her. As long as this great scholar is truly willing to put in the time and effort. She will definitely be able to enter the top ten. It might even be possible of her entering the top three! As for Courtesan Belle? That would be difficult! People like Fairy Clear Autumn and Lady Scented Dress are both famous everywhere. It's hard to surpass them."

"Top three?" Qin Yun ruminated.

"If this great scholar is really willing to help Sister Xie Shuang, haha, you probably won't be able to meet her with just twenty taels of silver. It will start from at least fifty taels of silver."

Tian Bo continued, "However, the greater the scholar, the more they would conduct themselves with dignity. They would not easily end up being entangled with renowned courtesans too deeply. I heard that even Fairy Clear Autumn has sent him an invitation but he had ignored her."

Qin Yun nodded slightly as he thought to himself, "Since Little Shuang is accustomed to the beautiful allusions of the brothel, I should help her lead a better life in such a complicated place."

The livelihood of renowned courtesans was really determined by their fame.

Without fame, they would resemble fairies falling from heaven into a muddy ditch. The even more tragic ones might end up being sent to brothels that sold sexual services. That would truly be lamentable.

"Little Shuang." Qin Yun treated her as a younger sister of his. Although his heart pained for her to walk down such a path, all he could do was try his best to make it up for her.

Chapter end