Chapter 5: Casual Talk

Oh! Xue Poyue is becoming increasingly interested: "Is business that bad?"

Although the Wild Goose Pagoda has been built, very few dare to go and pay their respects, except for those who are exceptionally bold and possess a strong sense of righteousness; ordinary people seldom visit.

Xiao Pingshi shook his head vigorously to clear his mind. After a moment of silence, he said, "Elder brother, although there are more than 300 taels of silver here, the arrangement of that restaurant is extremely luxurious. If we want to take over the whole place, it would likely require at least 500 taels of silver."

Yue Zhu and the children all nodded. Although Xue Po Ye had never been there, he had heard of it and nodded, saying: "I understand!"

Xiao Pingshi was momentarily taken aback, opened his mouth, and asked: "Elder brother, where are you going and what do you intend to do there"

Xue Poyue smiled mysteriously, gently stroking the head of a child beside him, and said leisurely: "Perhaps that boss will give us two hundred taels of silver after all"

Xiao Pingshi then realized that Xue Poyue was serious, furrowing his brow, "Elder brother, I still have to...!" Xue Poyue interrupted, "Starting tomorrow, you won't go to work anymore; we are going to make a fortune!" Seeing the astonished expressions on everyone's faces, Xue Poyue suddenly took out several banknotes from his pocket and placed them on the table

Xue Poya is twenty-three this year, while Xiao Pingshi is twenty-one, making him two years younger. Therefore, Xiao Pingshi addresses Xue Poya as elder brother

You, Chancellor! You, the Censor, and you, you can all be the Governor of the Library...!" Xue Poyue looked affectionately at these little ones

Xiao Pingshi shook his head and said with some regret: "The layout of the restaurant is indeed quite beautiful, but that location is somewhat remote. For a restaurant like that, if it were in a bustling area, it would take at least a few thousand taels of silver to acquire it. The owner bought it simply because it was cheap, and he spent a considerable amount on decoration. However, after opening, the business has been extremely poor, and the wages for the staff and the daily expenses of the restaurant cannot even be covered!"

Certainly, such affection can only be expressed in secret. Anyone who openly supports Qinglianzhao will naturally be labeled a traitor.

Xue Poya chuckled and said, "Our opportunity to get rich has arrived"

"What are you doing?" Xue Poyue smiled enigmatically and said: "I'm going to take over the tavern, to make a fortune!"

Upon hearing Pinshi mention this matter, Xue Poyue felt a jolt in his heart, yet he maintained an indifferent expression, casually responding with a simple "oh".

Oh! Yue Zhu let out a gentle sigh, her delicate red lips moved as if to say something, but in the end, she could not bring herself to speak.

Next to the Hongyan Tower, there is a small tavern that has always purchased rice from us. I have delivered several times, and it has not been long since it opened. However, it suddenly ceased operations yesterday. I heard that the owner initially spent several hundred taels of silver to acquire this shop, but now he has not made any profit and instead owes a considerable amount to hetushucomcom due to famine. Today, our manager took us to collect the debt, but unexpectedly, a large crowd had already gathered inside, all there to demand payment!" Xiao Pinshi spat in frustration and said, "We can't even squeeze in."

"What else can we do?" Xiao Pinshi chuckled and said, "Those debt collectors said that if the money is not repaid within three days, they will smash the store and take things. The owner is now scared like a grandson, hiding in the store and not daring to come out. How can he still dare to do business?"

Of course it is true

"You?" Xue Poyue gently touched his head and said softly, "When you grow up, you can become a great general!" The child's eyes lit up, filled with excitement, and he exclaimed, "Really?"

Oh! By the way, Pinshi, how is business on your end?" Xue Poyue changed the subject.

Xue Poya's eyes suddenly brightened, and he asked, "Are you here to collect a debt? How much silver is owed?"

Upon hearing the words "Qinglian Zhao," several children unexpectedly sang in unison: "Qinglian Zhao, the azure sky shines, making the emperor jump in anger"

Who knows whether this Wild Goose Pagoda is a tool used by the court to distinguish virtuous citizens, as the court has many tricks up its sleeve

A child exclaimed, "Brother Po Ye, will you also tell my fortune? What can I do when I grow up?"

"My little ancestors, what are you singing so recklessly!" Yue Zhu hurriedly intervened, "This is a song of rebellion; how can it be sung carelessly?

How could there be only three or four hundred taels!" Xiao Pinshi took a sip of wine and said, "The boss can't leave now even if he wants to; there are people guarding outside the shop.

The other children began to shout.

"A death occurred by the lake today, did you all know?" Xiao Pingshi took a sip of wine and suddenly said, "I heard that a woman was killed by an old man, and then a group of constables arrived, and a man was also arrested.

Somewhat surprised, but Pinshi still thought that Xue Poyue was joking. After a moment of pause, he chuckled and said: "Elder brother, once we earn enough money, we can open our own restaurant. For now, hehe, for now..."

Is the boss not planning to do it anymore? Xue Poyue shifted his buttocks slightly and leaned in closer

Xue Poya chuckled and touched his nose: "Only pigs believe in immortals."

Great! Xue Poyue slapped his thigh, shouted loudly, and was extremely excited, startling everyone, who looked at him in astonishment.

The Hongyan Pagoda is located in the southern part of Hangzhou, where human activity has become somewhat sparse, unlike the bustling traffic in the city center

"Brother Poyue, what are you saying?" Yue Zhu asked in confusion: "What do you mean by getting rich?"

Xiao Pingshi assists a rice shop with physical labor, transporting and delivering goods all day long

The lakeside naturally refers to the shores of West Lake

"Brother Poyue, what about the *picture* book for me?" "And me, and me!"

Although Qinglian Zhao is regarded by the authorities as a thorn in their side, he has performed many good deeds by robbing the rich to help the poor, which has made him quite popular among the common people

Xue Poyue got up and stretched lazily, casually rubbing his nose, and said to Xiao Pinshi: "Pinshi, take me to that tavern to have a look tomorrow"

In the year following the weekend, the Northwest Chu Marquis raised an army to attack the Later Zhou. The army advanced with unstoppable momentum, yet the defenders in Hangzhou fought to the death. The commander, deputy commander, and all sixteen officers perished in battle, a truly moving tale. Although the Great Chu Kingdom was subsequently established, the deeds of these officers continued to be widely celebrated. To soothe the hearts of the people and honor the loyal and brave, His Majesty of the Great Chu Kingdom ordered the construction of the Hongyan Pagoda in the southern city of Hangzhou as a memorial to the loyal souls.

Everyone was enjoying their meal when Xiao Pinshi suddenly asked, "Elder brother, did you have a good business today? How could you afford to buy so much food?"

"Taking over the restaurant?" Yue Zhu and Pin Shi exclaimed in unison

Pin Shi tore a piece of beef and put it in his mouth, shaking his head and saying, "I don't know, but it must be a high official, perhaps even a high-ranking official from the capital, someone whom those yamen runners would kneel before." After a pause, he chuckled and added, "But I heard this from someone else, so I don't know if it's true or not"

"Who is that old man? Is he very powerful?" Yue Zhu asked again

The children were all in high spirits, extremely excited, which made Yue Zhu and Pin Shi laugh heartily as well

There are a total of three hundred and forty taels of silver here, which is the reward money from those foolish young masters during this period. Although it is not much, ...! Xue Poyue smiled and said: "That should be enough to buy that tavern!"

The children, not understanding anything, continued to eat meat heartily. When Yue Zhu and Pin Shi saw the silver notes, they were utterly astonished, looking at Xue Po Ye with immense shock.

Xiao Pingshi's expression was somewhat dim, and he spoke softly: "I heard it was the people from Qinglianzhao; they seem to have attempted to assassinate that old man, but instead, they were injured by him."

Yue Zhu's face revealed a look of concern as she softly said, "Brother, do you know who it is?"

It is acceptable, but there has been a strange occurrence these past few days! Pinshi expressed interest and leaned in to say: "There is a Hongyan Tower in Nancheng, are you aware of it?"

"Becoming a deity?" Everyone was taken aback

This is truly a damn great idea, but for Xue Poyue at present, why should he accept the tavern? Although the owner is deeply in debt, the tavern is after all genuine and worth a considerable amount of silver

Xue Poya was stuffing a piece of beef into his mouth, enjoying it immensely, when he replied: "Today I encountered a foolish young master, quite the simpleton, who asked me to help him become a deity and offered some silver in return"

Xue Poya paid no heed, picked up the wine jar and took a sip, saying: "Don't worry about so much, just take me there tomorrow."

Now we are in dire straits, struggling even to meet basic needs, and yet we are expected to take over a restaurant.