The streets were bustling with traffic and people.
As expected of the capital of the Song Dynasty, it was prosperous and bustling.
"Look! That person is dressed so strangely!"
"Look at his carriage, it doesn't even need a horse!"
"Could they be foreigners who have come to the capital to pay homage to the Emperor?"
Passersby started talking and surrounded Li Huan, following him as he walked forward.
Li Huan ignored it, driving slowly while humming a little tune.
"Come on, let's have some fun! We have plenty of time. Come on, love..."
Everyone burst into laughter and continued their discussion.
"What kind of rubbish is he singing? It's absolutely awful!"
"Not at all! I think it has quite a bit of charm!"
"Hehe, it sounds like a love song from a foreign land..."
After observing for a moment, Li Huan confirmed that this street was indeed "Ma Xing Street," which was part of the "Imperial Street" of the capital.
He slammed on the brakes and deliberately asked a young woman in a loud voice.
"Excuse me, young lady, where is Money Lane?"
Knowing that Money Lane was a brothel, the young woman blushed instantly and hurriedly hid.
The guy next to him grinned lewdly and pointed Li Huan in the right direction.
Beep beep! Beep beep!
Li Huan honked his horn, startling everyone who quickly moved out of the way.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Huan turned the handlebars and sped towards Jinqian Lane!
Soon, we arrived at our destination.
Unlike other streets, this place is lined with brothels, filled with the sounds of singing and dancing, and exudes the atmosphere of "spring".
As Ximen Qing said, wealthy merchants from all over gathered in Jinqian Lane, lingering there and indulging in pleasure all night long.
Li Huan stopped his car and stopped a plump young man to ask about Li Shishi's residence.
The chubby young man reeked of alcohol, tilted his head, glanced at Li Huan, and looked at him with disdain.
"You strange-looking fellow, you also want to see Li Shishi?"
Li Huan was displeased and angrily rebuked him.
"Are you blind?! I may dress strangely, but I don't look strange!"
The chubby young man wasn't angry; instead, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha... If you ever see Li Shishi, I'll smash my head against a tree and die!"
Li Huan said, "You fatso, remember this, don't go back on your word."
The chubby young man grinned and waved his hand: "Look, Li Shishi lives upstairs!"
There is a pavilion about 20 meters ahead.
Li Huan immediately drove the car closer to the attic.
Outside the building, two signs hung, each with five characters.
"A fairy maiden of song and dance, a beauty of romance and the moon."
At the entrance on the first floor, seven or eight young men stood whispering among themselves.
Li Huan parked his electric tricycle under the big willow tree across the street and pondered what to do.
Li Shishi's development in the entertainment industry of Beijing exceeded Laozi's previous expectations, and her value began to rise.
How can we set up a stall to promote our products and lure Li Shishi out of the attic, thus piquing her interest?
Suddenly, a carriage came and stopped abruptly in front of Li Huan.
Immediately afterwards, two people jumped out of the car.
It was Ximen Qing!
Behind him followed his servant, Dai'an.
"Li Huan! Why are you so late! You made me wait for two whole days!"
Ximen Qing frowned and complained, his expression displeased.
Li Huan lied, "In order to set up a food stall in Beijing, I specially went back to my hometown to get some very precious ingredients, which delayed my trip."
Ximen Qing believed him and urged, "Quickly prepare ten boxed meals! I'll take them to the Grand Tutor's mansion and present them to Grand Tutor Cai!"
Li Huan lifted the lid of the food bucket, revealing a variety of dishes.
Spicy bullfrog, garlic crab sticks, pan-fried small silver fish, and stir-fried scallops with onions.
Cold tomato salad, dry-fried cauliflower, king oyster mushrooms with oyster sauce, and stir-fried carrots with kelp strips.
Ximen Qing quickly glanced at the menu: "These four meat dishes and four vegetable dishes are exactly the same as what I bought before!"
Li Huan picked up the lunchbox in one hand and the vegetable spoon in the other.
"That's right! Tomorrow I'll use my best skills to cook an even more delicious dish."
"Don't underestimate these eight dishes. Cai Jing has never eaten them before. He'll definitely enjoy them to his heart's content!"
Ximen Qing nodded: "Alright, let Grand Tutor Cai whet our appetites tonight, and save the best for later."
Li Huan asked with a smile, "Are you sure you want to buy ten boxed meals?"
Ximen Qing nodded again.
Li Huan said, "Each boxed meal costs one hundred taels of silver. Pay first!"
In an instant, Ximen Qing and Dai'an were stunned.
“One…one hundred taels of silver?” Dai’an stammered. “You…you’re raising the price on the spot, asking for an exorbitant amount!”
Ximen Qing was furious and questioned him sharply.
"In Yanggu County, each high-end boxed meal clearly costs thirty taels! Why does it become one hundred taels in the capital?"
At this moment, more than a dozen people had gathered around, clearly attracted by the aroma of the food.
Upon learning that a meal was so expensive, everyone was stunned and then began to discuss it.
Li Huan spoke fluently and gave a detailed introduction to each dish.
Upon learning that the ingredients originated from overseas, the group's initial surprise turned into acceptance.
They swallowed hard, their stomachs growling.
Li Huan said to Ximen Qing, "In less than three days, everyone in the capital will know that my boxed meals cost one hundred taels of silver each!"
"If you were to visit a court official and try to win his favor, would you choose a gift worth three hundred taels of silver or a gift worth one thousand taels of silver?"
After listening, Ximen Qing understood what Li Huan meant.
The boxed meals must be both delicious and expensive in order to win the favor of Grand Tutor Cai!
Dai'an whispered in Ximen Qing's ear, "Li Huan is right. Grand Tutor Cai not only has discerning tastes, but also extremely high standards. We must spare no expense to satisfy Grand Tutor Cai."
Ximen Qing sighed and was forced to compromise.
His eyes were still filled with resentment.
Ximen Qing knew that Li Huan was taking the opportunity to raise the price several times over and rip him off.
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