Chapter 2671: Twelve Liang

"Oh..." Cheng Jiliang drawled, "You came prepared!"

Letting this young man take away a little girl who hadn't yet been cultivated much was actually a negligible loss.

But was it the case that just anyone could casually show up, present a human head, and then take people away from Sanfenxianglou?

Cheng Jiliang thought, surely not.

Sanfenxianglou could become the leader of the wind and moon industry on Baihua Street not just because the girls were beautiful. Initially, when he came here to build a branch, it was from nothing to something, brick by brick, tile by tile, gradually rising into a tall building.

When the organization hadn't yet stirred up its current momentum, standing firm in this industry of red lanterns, green wine, and bizarre sounds and colors required facing considerable pressure and experiencing significant struggles.

Sanfenxianglou was not incapable of apologizing, but the current presentation was still insufficient.

This young man before him respected the laws of the Song Dynasty and the rules of Shangqiu city, but he didn't show enough respect for Sanfenxianglou.

The murmurs of the guests, like hazy water vapor, gradually floated towards the dome.

Cheng Jiliang leaned on the railing with both hands and cast a scrutinizing gaze downwards. "How do you plan to compensate us for our loss?"

Chu Yao looked at Lao Dao. "This big brother already took away Xiao Cui's redemption money."

"Twelve taels of silver," Lao Dao said.

He took out today's "extra income." The other party was neither timid nor reckless, and the small money pouch was already feeling somewhat hot.

"Why twelve taels?" Cheng Jiliang asked.

"Of that, two taels are for her expenses during this period. Five taels are your initial capital," Chu Yao said, covering the box containing the human head. This head wasn't meant to be intimidating, but merely explanatory. It was to explain what he had done and what he would do, all in accordance with the principles of Shangqiu city.

He clearly stated each word: "A certain shopkeeper elder taught me that no matter what goods are being handled, you can't not make a profit. If you can't make it yourself, you can't stop others from making it. So I think you can earn five taels. The money for buying her has doubled."

"Spoken very reasonably," Cheng Jiliang looked at him. "So you suddenly burst in, affected this building's normal operation, caused so many people to gather and watch, and put out a human head to scare people... and then feel that Sanfenxianglou's face is only worth five taels of silver, is that right?"

"I didn't burst in suddenly, I visited properly. This big uncle welcomed me in, then this knife-scarred big brother took away my money pouch, and finally, you all didn't let me take the person away. As for this human tooth's head, it was also presented as evidence to answer your question."

Chu Yao lectured him one by one. "We can't count your face either. We're just discussing the matter, speaking reason, talking contracts. From beginning to end, this is an irregular transaction, and we are correcting the errors in this transaction."

He had to tilt his head to see the people upstairs, and indeed he tilted his head.

A young man carrying a sword gazed at the tall building, trying to ask how high the heavens were.

"If even your face is to be counted, what about Xiao Cui's reputation? How do you account for Xiao Cui's grandma crying her eyes blind?"

He asked, "According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, when you buy and sell slaves, you also have the responsibility to confirm that the slaves' origins are clear, don't you?"

Cheng Jiliang actually didn't harbor much ill will towards this young man who didn't know the height of the heavens and the depth of the earth. Even if a person had seen more darkness, they were ultimately still willing to enjoy the sunlight.

But this world wasn't like that. It didn't operate according to the naive imagination of young people.

"The reason is this reason, but things aren't handled this way," Cheng Jiliang shook his head. "People are not the same. Even in the brothel selling flesh, different girls have different prices. Many people's faces aren't valuable, some people's faces are very precious."

"You went to that human tooth organization to speak reason, beheaded the head, and extinguished their prestige. This is very good, it's the chivalrous story people love to hear. But it doesn't mean you can also do the same in our Sanfenxianglou."

"People are different, and places are also different."

He looked down. "I don't know if you can understand what I'm saying?"

One by one, people wearing colorful clothes and small hats quietly appeared, guarding various key locations in the building.

For a long time, Sanfenxianglou was almost universally reviled in the Southern Domain and couldn't enter most places, only being active in the Wei Dynasty and the Song Dynasty... and it only improved slightly after the destruction of the Nantoudian.

Naturally, the Anyixiangshi and the Shangqiuxiangshi became the core high-level figures of Sanfenxianglou in the Southern Domain, holding the greatest power of discourse in the domain.

These colorful Xiangshi were the true disciples of Sanfenxianglou, and also its most core force.

Chu Yao stood there quietly.

Then he raised his head and looked around. "Are there any officials present?"

Cheng Jiliang didn't speak.

Lao Quan wasn't qualified to speak, nor was he qualified to remain silent, so he said tremblingly, "Young Master says... um... what kind of joke is this? Today is not a holiday, how could official masters come here for pleasure? My eyes have been guarding the gate, and I haven't welcomed a single official."

He could certainly pat his chest when saying these words because the officials all entered through the back door!

The old yellow dog that slept all day actually opened its drooping eyelids at this moment, seemingly interested in the human commotion.

At this time, a voice rang out from the surrounding crowd. "Why are you looking for officials?"

The young master wearing light green scholar's clothes pushed away the beauty in his arms and slowly shook his folding fan. "Perhaps I can help."

"Are you an official of the Song Dynasty?" Chu Yao asked.

"I don't have an official position yet, so I'm not considered an official figure, but I still have some influence," this person smiled leisurely. "I am Yin Wenyong."

The ignorant young man showed no expected reaction. Even the surrounding crowd was relatively indifferent.

Yin Wenyong then added, "My cousin is Yin Wenhua."

This time, there was a wave of uproar.

The Song Dynasty had two outstanding contemporary figures who could contend with the prodigies of various countries, one named Chen Siwu and the other named Yin Wenhua.

Both of them had participated in the Yellow River Assembly, and within the country, they were uniquely influential figures of the same age, their influence being very large.

Especially the previous years' Xuehai Cruise, where scholars from around the world competed in the floodwaters, Yin Wenhua's performance was brilliant, and he was praised by Chen Pu, the dean of Mushu Academy, as "Sword Heart Wen Dragon," for a time famous throughout the world.

Yin Wenhua's cousin... that was of course also extraordinary.

Even Shangqiuxiangshi Cheng Jiliang cupped his hands in greeting.

It was a pity for the country boy, who didn't understand the nobility of world families and the preciousness of prodigies.

The ordinary-looking young man had an overly calm expression, only saying, "It's even better if you can help."

Yin Wenyong didn't mind, he was just leisurely watching the show and laughed, "You're not going to report to the nearby officials and ask me to mediate on the spot, are you?"

He didn't mind at all conveniently calling an official to handle this kind of dispute. Didn't Shangqiu's Military Governor Zheng Xunshi, the one named Che Guangqi, happen to be in Qiong Zhi's room?

But... if this young man didn't forcefully stand out, then thinking of reporting to the officials would be too meaningless. It was both foolish and weak, both impulsive and irresponsible.

How much the unworldly young man would lose in a lawsuit against Sanfenxianglou was still secondary.

Born into this kind of luxurious world family, accustomed to seeing crowds bowing like wind blowing through rice fields, he occasionally wanted to see someone who didn't conform to power.

It was a pity that this world was just as the elders had said. Then let the singing and dancing continue, wishing the Yin family of Shangqiu prosperity year after year, generation after generation.

Yin Wenyong was already thinking of happy things. He raised his hand, preparing to have someone call Che Guangqi.

Qiong Zhi only entertained guests no more than five times a month, and whose turn it was depended on luck. This month, this old boy had won the first prize, which made Young Master Yin quite unhappy!

Taking this opportunity to conveniently pull Che Guangqi out of bed was truly extremely interesting.

But the young man half-squatted there and only said, "Oh no, I just want to ask. Have my various actions in coming to Sanfenxianglou violated the laws of the Song Dynasty? I've been specifically studying Song law lately, but I'm dull and haven't learned it very well. I hope you can help check for gaps."

Things became interesting again. Yin Wenyong smiled, "Unless you are not yet fifteen years old, up to now, I haven't seen where you've violated the law."

According to Song law, those under fifteen cannot enter a brothel, and a brothel cannot receive them.

Even the girls raised in the brothel must be fifteen years old before they are allowed to "open flower" and receive guests.

Chu Yao didn't have Young Master Yin's humor, he was just serene after getting the confirmed answer he sought.

Then he asked again, "Since I have strictly complied with the laws of the Song Dynasty, and I have also proven the unreasonableness of the buy-sell contract, will the officials of the Song Dynasty support me in taking Xiao Cui away?"

Yin Wenyong was somewhat disappointed, but after all, he had the upbringing of a world family young master and patiently said, "Officials will of course protect victims, prevent unlawful invasion, and punish unlawful behaviors—but who is the victim?"

"You, Xiao Cui, or Sanfenxianglou?"

"In principle, I am personally willing to support you in taking Xiao Cui away, but officials have to consider whether this kind of support is reasonable?"

"A very simple reason—I'm just assuming, not representing that they will definitely do so—suppose Sanfenxianglou says they have already started cultivating that girl named Xiao Cui. Using secret techniques and so on, expending many rare materials..."

He looked at the ignorant and pitiful young man. "How will you compensate for that?"

Chu Yao again raised his head to look at Cheng Jiliang.

Cheng Jiliang gestured with his hand.

This kind of thing fundamentally cannot be falsified and can completely become fact. A branch of Sanfenxianglou's unique sandalwood could be said to be a unique product in the world, and who was to price it?

If they said it was used for Xiao Cui, then it was used for Xiao Cui.

What was law? Everyone's definition was different.

Those people from Sansixinggong might think it was justice itself, a manifestation of fairness.

But in Cheng Jiliang's view, law was a tool for the upper class to rule the lower class!

The truly weak were those who couldn't even understand legal articles, destined to be exploited and ruled.

Setting up business in Shangqiu city's Baihua Street, how could Sanfenxianglou not understand the law? Not only did they understand the law, but they also understood Military Governor Zheng Xunshi, Fu Xunshi, and Du Wuwei!

Only those who held onto legal texts and chewed on them didn't understand the law!

"The price can be discussed," Chu Yao squatted there, his hand covering the wooden box. "Sorry, saying twelve taels of silver at first was me thinking things too simply. I apologize to everyone."

"I respect the inherent order of this world because many people rely on it to survive. Before I feel absolutely certain it's wrong, I should approach it cautiously."

"Today, because of my naive cognition, I almost became a person who breaks the rules."

He looked at Cheng Jiliang, without resentment or anger, only genuine apology. "I don't know how much the price is to make up for this matter. Then I can safely take Xiao Cui away."

Cheng Jiliang finally felt tricky at this point.

Honestly, he didn't fear characters with deep backgrounds. Behind him, Sanfenxianglou was a great sect of the world. The Building Master, Luo Shaming Yuejing, was a person seeking transcendence. How could a casual young man overflowing with justice have the guts to overturn this kind of force?

Drawing his sword in a fit of anger, being arrogant and overbearing, even with some background, didn't actually amount to much.

Those who looked down on everything were difficult to achieve.

Unless they were like Dou Zhao, who had a background that disregarded everything and a knife that cut through all doubts.

How many Dou Zhaos were there in the world?

What was truly difficult to deal with was the young man with this temperament in front of him. He particularly needed to think—what kind of environment could raise such a child?

"This matter is not without discussion," Cheng Jiliang decided to take a step back. "Call your family to discuss it."

Chu Yao was silent for a moment, then opened his mouth. "My father was unfortunate, my mother is too far away, my master... I dare not disgrace his name."

He took out his storage box from his chest, then took out money for his sword, money for his ring, broken silver, gold ingots, Dao Yuan stones...

Scattered, they formed a pile.

"All the money I saved myself is here," he said. "It should all be enough."

No one could ignore a young man pouring out all his sincerity. Perhaps it couldn't be measured by price—that was the burning heat unique to young people.

Even Yin Wenyong, who was only watching the show, couldn't help but want to say something.

Cheng Jiliang was also finally moved.

He subconsciously loosened his grip on the railing. "It seems this matter is very important to you."

Chu Yao said, "I promised Xiao Cui's grandma that I would bring Xiao Cui back. I must keep my word."

Cheng Jiliang was already prepared to release the person, but he still needed to deliberate the way he would speak, when a voice suddenly transmitted into his ear—

"Continue to pressure him."

It was a completely devoid of temperature voice, sliding into his ear word by word.

It was from the top courtesan of Sanfenxianglou in Shangqiu city, "Hua Buyu" Qiong Zhi!

Cheng Jiliang finally opened his mouth, but he asked, "Is this all your family property?"

Chu Yao pursed his lips and finally said truthfully, "I still have some money, but it's all gifts from relatives and friends. When I went out, I told myself in my heart that I wouldn't use a single wen of it."

Young people always wanted to prove themselves, and Cheng Jiliang actually understood this sentiment very well. But his words were out, and his line of sight shifted. "This storage box also looks very valuable."

"An very important elder gave this to me," Chu Yao's eyebrows slightly raised. "Now... is this still not enough?"

His storage box was a gift from his immortal master-mother on Hugue Peak and was absolutely not to be coveted by anyone.

The young man's anger was hard to hide, and Cheng Jiliang had already keenly perceived it, but he still said, "For Xiao Cui's value, it is enough."

But for his Cheng Jiliang's face, for Sanfenxianglou, it was far from enough.

"Cheng Xiangshi—" Yin Wenyong frowned and opened his mouth, wanting to say something like sparing people when possible.

"Young Master Yin!" Cheng Jiliang interrupted him first. "This is an internal matter of Sanfenxianglou, and we also want to handle it as carefully as possible. We have disturbed your elegant interest today, but we will definitely send compensation afterwards."

He then cupped his hands to everyone around. "Various lords, I'm truly sorry. The sincerity of this building is clear to everyone tonight. Please move your steps and return to your rooms to rest first. Matters here will soon be resolved."

The audience gradually dispersed, and even Yin Wenyong remained silent.

He indeed didn't care about any compensation, but as a scion of a world family, he needed to consider whether it was necessary to oppose Sanfenxianglou given Cheng Jiliang's firm attitude.

And Chu Yao was still half-squatting there.

Noisy voices, murmuring voices, the sound of boots dragging on the ground.

And all sorts of gazes.

The first-floor hall of Sanfenxianglou in Shangqiu city was like a huge circular stage. He was a young beast on stage for the first time and should give the audience an exciting performance.

Master said, this world is not the same as you think, you have to go see it.

Master also said, this world is not the same as you see, you have to think more.

Master didn't tell him what this world was like.

He walked, saw, and thought, thinking about whether Master was also so confused when he was young.

Fortunately, he was carrying a sword.

The sword Master gifted him.

He looked at Cheng Jiliang standing on the second floor and slowly said, "I didn't think your face was so valuable."

Cheng Jiliang also looked at him. "My face is not worth a wen, but Sanfenxianglou's face is very valuable."

Chu Yao let out an "oh."

He began to pack, picking up the broken silver, gold ingots, and Dao Yuan stones on the ground one by one and putting them back into his storage box, not leaving even a single copper coin.

Then he stood up, standing straight, like Master who stood like a green pine. "Then I have to settle accounts with you for my face."

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