Chapter 14: Chicken Soup for the Soul: If you want to be rich, build roads first.
Guizhier hesitated for a moment. Since she had been discovered, there was no need to hide anymore, so she made up an excuse.
"Sir, I have suddenly thought of a secret recipe that is very suitable for building roads and city walls, and I am offering it to you."
Guizhier's voice was sweet and crisp, without any guilt.
If you want to be rich, build roads first.
Combined with three-dimensional defensive fortifications, it forms the foundation for the central city to survive.
Guizhier had learned in other worlds that limestone containing about one-fifth clay was calcined and finely ground at high temperature, and then added with water to form a paste, which would become extremely hard after cooling and solidifying.
A lighthouse built of concrete can stand for over a hundred years in the wind and rain even if it is washed by waves.
With Liannu's suggestion, Liu Shanyuan didn't doubt the truth of the words. He just curled his lips and chuckled: "Why, is your husband also an expert in road construction?"
His eyes were playful and the corners of his mouth were raised.
When he was confronting Magistrate Ma, he just pretended to be angry and his emotions did not fluctuate at all. But now he suddenly became interested, as if he wanted to see if Gui Zhier had any good excuses.
The two of them were separated by an inner window. Gui Zhier curled her lips and said, "Sir, if you need it, I will send the blueprints to the government office later."
If you don't believe it, then forget it, but you have to bring up something that is not related to the topic.
Liu Shanyuan tilted his head and asked calmly, "Young lady, you are not seeking an official position, nor are you seeking wealth. I feel really bad for you. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Inside the wing, the wick on the ceramic lamp was soaked in oil, emitting an orange-yellow light, and Liu Shanyuan's thin figure could be vaguely seen.
The leader of the northern border, a fourth-rank official of the imperial court, was so gentle towards a commoner woman, his tone both sincere and distressed.
Anyone who hears this will be shaken.
Guizhier said to herself: Don't fall for the enemy's sugar-coated bullets and be lured over by them.
"Sir, I do have a favor to ask of you."
"Hmm?" Liu Shanyuan half-closed his eyes lazily, "Tell me about it."
I'm not afraid of people wanting something, I'm afraid of people not wanting anything. If you want to control someone, you must understand two of their characteristics: fear and need.
On the one hand, needs and fears are constantly magnified, and on the other hand, they are appropriately satisfied and comforted.
This is what he was taught since he was a child.
However, Gui Zhi'er only asked an insignificant question: "Sir, since you are from the capital, do you know which is the best restaurant in Jiangnan?"
"Cuiyuanlou is the best." Liu Shanyuan was stunned for a moment. "If you want to become a disciple, I can recommend you so that you don't have to start as an apprentice."
However, if the secret recipes she offers are as practical and innovative as a chain crossbow, there is no way she will be allowed to leave.
Liu Shanyuan kept this in his heart and didn't say it.
"There's no need to become my disciple." Guizhi'er's eyes were bright, revealing a bit of agility and cunning.
Based on previous experience in completing tasks, there will be benefits if you challenge the best restaurant in the world.
"When this matter is settled, my daughter will go to the capital. If you are willing to entertain me with fine wine and delicious food at Cuiyuan Tower, I will be satisfied."
Guizhi'er was certain that this person's ambition was not to go to the northern border.
Liu Shanyuan didn't refute, but just chuckled, leaned over to the inner window and said, "In that case, when I have some free time, I will draw a picture for you as a thank you gift."
His voice was soft, like the evening breeze blowing through the grape vines in midsummer.
It seems that he is neither a member of the Chuhuai boat gang nor a Xiangxi horse bandit, but a serious painter who has learned the art of ink and wash painting.
Guizhier has a strong will and remains unmoved.
The thief failed to steal and was caught. There was a thousand-year-old fox next door. Guizhier didn't want to spend the night here anymore.
Walking out of the wing room, the hustle and bustle of Yaoyue Tower was coming to an end.
From crowded to deserted, night after night.
"My dear lady, the night is long. Do you need a waiter?" A soft and alluring voice floated over, half caring and half tender.
Guizhier looked up and saw the courtesan Liu Qianjin lying on the wooden railing of the stage, her small golden lotus feet and embroidered shoes swinging back and forth, looking bored.
The beauty is good at playing the role of a female warrior, and occasionally she also plays the role of a male protagonist like tonight, so it goes without saying that she has basic skills in waist and legs.
She twisted her body nimbly and jumped off the railing. The golden hairpins and step-shaking ornaments jingled, and the intricately crafted agate and pearls were dazzling.
Perhaps because she had been pretending to be gentle and pleasant in front of others for too long, she became unbridled in front of Guizhier.
Because she had seen Guizhier's secret.
"Thank you for your kindness, sister Qianjin. I won't need it." Gui Zhier sighed and repeated the nonsense she had just overheard in a half-dead voice. "In my life, I have strictly followed the laws of Daliang and would never dare to overstep the line."
"Pfft." Liu Qianjin laughed so hard that her body shook uncontrollably, then lowered her voice, "If you don't absorb people's essence, how did you become a demon?"
The exhaled air and the smell of perfume sprayed on Guizhier's neck, making her feel itchy.
Guizhier had no choice but to retreat half a step.
"How about you take me to visit the capital?" Liu Qianjin insisted.
The nightlife in the north is far less prosperous than that in Hangzhou and Beijing. It is said that the largest brothel in Daliang has fifteen brothels.
For literature, read storybooks; for martial arts, watch sumo wrestling, and the performances never stop day and night.
Thousands of citizens come here every day to have fun and relax, enjoying fresh puppet shows, dazzling circuses, magic, acrobatics and all kinds of other things.
"It takes at least two months to travel from Zhenbei Prefecture to Hangzhou and back." Gui Zhi'er explained, "Although you're not that pretentious and can endure the hardship of traveling, the world is in chaos now, and there might still be bandits..."
"I knew it. You think I'm troublesome and a burden." Liu Qianjin looked as if she was about to cry, as if Gui Zhier was the unfaithful man who abandoned his wife.
Her face was delicate, and she raised her hand to cover half of her face with her sleeves. Her peach blossom eyes had drooping corners, making her look pitiful.
In this line of work, whether it is a prostitute or a young man, if they cannot catch a patron and leave the brothel when they are young and beautiful, their household registration will be in the lowest class for the rest of their lives.
In the future, you will inevitably grow old and lose your beauty, and become helpless.
Miss Liu had no worries about redeeming herself. She saved the headgear and silver she received as rewards into a small treasury and had accumulated considerable savings.
But where to go and what to do after leaving the brothel became a problem. I couldn't end up begging on the streets without a place to survive.
"Commander Cai is also a deputy general, in charge of all the soldiers in our city. It's a blessing for you that he likes you, so you must seize the opportunity!"
"Does our daughter want to marry a great general and be carried into the house in a sedan chair?"
There are constant voices of sarcasm and concern.
Yaoyue Tower has always been like this; human nature can be glimpsed even in this dusty place.
Miss Liu is undecided as she is worried that her sisters and brothers will have a hard life, but she is also worried that they will live in wealthy houses.
But the reason why she was able to stand out among all the beautiful girls and become the most profitable courtesan was that she had her own special qualities.
Filial piety is the first of all virtues.
If Cai Miao is willing to marry her, the most important thing is to get past Aunt Cai.
She inquired about her character from many sources, and even because she knew that Aunt Cai loved to patronize Guiji Braised Food Shop, she booked a table for dine-in under the supervision of the thugs hired by the brothel owner.
A simple bowl of pork belly and green vegetables in rock sugar sauce. The sauce may seem greasy at first glance, but you can't stop eating it.
Miss Liu originally came here to get some information, but she ended up burping in an undignified way.
"Madam, I've never tasted such delicious braised food." Liu Qianjin touched her red lips with a silk handkerchief. "I have a favor to ask of you today. I have a friend..."
After listening to Liu Qianjin's evasive narration, Gui Zhi'er was busy clearing the dishes and said carelessly, "Such an important matter will ultimately be decided by your friend himself."
She didn't want to mix too many emotions into this world.
“Life is not a predetermined official path, but a wilderness.”
A universal inspirational quote.
Life is a wilderness, and the essence of the wilderness is wildness.
She never expected that after Liu Qianjin accidentally discovered her secret, she would insist on pestering her to survive in the wilderness together.
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