Wang Jingze has always loved poetry and painting, which is no secret in the capital.

He maintained good relationships with some talented individuals and stayed close to them.

As for why Cui Yuanzhao was the exception, well, he truly was an exception.

"Qihuai County? Why would you be interested in a county town?"

Cui Yuanzhao didn't take it seriously and didn't pay it any mind.

Seeing this, Wang Jingze lowered his voice and whispered, "To tell you the truth, after I went to Qihuai County, I realized that many things in the capital are now sent from there. The white sugar a while ago, and the hot pot that's all the rage now, both originated there."

"Both white sugar and hot pot are?"

Cui Yuanzhao could no longer afford to be concerned.

The sugar cost Cui Renshi several thousand taels of silver, and hot pot was a food that both he and his father loved, so there was a strong connection between the two.

"Brother Wang, could you take me to see this Qihuai County?"

Cui Yuanzhao became interested and wanted to know what the county town where this hot pot had spread would be like.

“Yuan Zhao, it’s not that I don’t want to take you, it’s just that…”

Thinking about his experience in Qihuai County, Wang Jingze felt both fortunate and ashamed. He really didn't want his friend to fall into the same situation as him.

But Cui Yuanzhao didn't care about any of that. His inner drive was stirred up, and he didn't care what Wang Jingze was saying at all.

After persistent pleading, he finally persuaded Wang Jingze.

"I can take you there, but I must make this clear beforehand: once we get there, you must remain calm no matter what happens. Don't bring your temperament from the capital with you, or something terrible might happen."

Wang Jingze knew exactly what Cui Yuanzhao was like in the capital. If he was still like this in Qihuai County, then there would be big trouble.

The group left Zuixianju without much preparation.

Wang Jingze instructed his servants to prepare a carriage. To avoid attracting attention, he had Zhang Da drive the carriage, leaving only himself and Cui Yuanzhao.

That evening, the three arrived outside Qihuai County.

A hard, flat road, and towering walls that seem to stretch as far as the eye can see.

From a distance, Cui Yuanzhao's mouth was agape, unable to contain his excitement.

He grabbed Wang Jingze's arm. "Brother Wang, is this really just a county?"

If Cui Yuanzhao hadn't already heard Wang Jingze talk about Qihuai County on the way, he would have even suspected that they had unknowingly left Daqing and arrived in a small neighboring country.

No, small countries would never have such tall and sturdy city walls.

Even the capital city doesn't have it.

As the carriage approached Qihuai County, Wang Jingze reminded him, "From now on, follow my lead. There aren't too many things to be careful about after entering Qihuai County, but there are two people you must always keep in mind. If you encounter them, immediately drop your identity as the prime minister's son."

"Who is it?" Cui Yuanzhao couldn't help but ask curiously.

“One of them is named Tang Huan. He is the magistrate of Qihuai County. It can be said that he is responsible for everything in Qihuai County. I suspect that he is now richer than a country. Even all the wealthy merchants in the capital combined cannot compare to him.”

Cui Yuanzhao immediately retorted, "You must be joking. How much money could a mere county magistrate have? Even if he's corrupt, could he possibly compare to my father?"

Wang Jingze felt ashamed and helpless at Cui Yuanzhao's attempt to cover up his slip of the tongue.

After the two jumped off the carriage, Zhang Da asked, "What about the second person?"

Wang Jingze immediately showed great fear, "More important than the county magistrate is a big man under him, named Li Daikui, and no one in the county is afraid of him."

This reminded Cui Yuanzhao of his situation in the capital, and he laughed, "Could it be that you're even more disliked than me?"

Wang Jingze couldn't help but shudder when he thought of the rumors he had heard when he came here last time.

"This man is deeply trusted by the county magistrate and is like the law in Qihuai County. He is ruthless and highly skilled in martial arts. Even two Zhang Das combined would not be a match for him."

Zhang Da was somewhat unconvinced and couldn't help but want to test his skills against this man named Li Daikui.

Wang Jingze whispered a reminder: "It is said that this person has a great quirk. He doesn't love women, but prefers men. His favorite thing is to force men to take off their pants in front of him..."

At this point, the group had already arrived at the city gate.

The guards recognized Wang Jingze immediately upon seeing the newcomer.

A man approached with a grin, "Isn't this Young Master Wang? Welcome, welcome! The entertainment center is fully open and just waiting for you."

Wang Jingze was immediately overjoyed, "The entertainment center is open?"

"yes."

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Wang Jingze immediately took out a ten-tael silver note from his clothes and handed it over.

But the other party didn't answer; instead, they looked at Wang Jingze with a strange smile.

Wang Jingze frowned. "What? Wasn't it ten taels of silver for the city entrance fee last time you came?"

"Young Master Wang, you may not know this, but after the entertainment city opened, the magistrate personally issued an order that the entrance fee has been increased across the board. It now costs twenty taels of silver."

Wang Jingze looked pained and handed over another silver note.

It was a silver note with a face value of one hundred, "the entrance fee for the three of us."

"Young Master Wang is very generous."

The city guard opened the satchel at his waist, revealing a dense collection of loose silver coins and banknotes.

Even though Wang Jingze and Cui Yuanzhao were of extraordinary status, they felt a blur before their eyes.

That's an untold amount of silver.

The guard took out four ten-tael silver notes and handed them to Wang Jingze. He smiled and said, "Young Master Wang, have fun!"

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