Chapter 9: The World is as Frost

This is not something I said, but rather a sentence from a statement made by a gentleman named Gu Long. Would this esteemed person like to hear the full text

This person has unkempt hair, appearing disheveled, dressed in a wrinkled blue robe that is dark in color, and it is unclear how long it has been since he last changed. His face is covered with stubble, giving him a rough appearance. The only striking features are his hawk-like nose and a pair of exceptionally bright eyes. Even though his stature is not particularly tall, he still gives off an impression of standing out among the crowd.

This money is not a gift, but rather a purchase of his servitude. At worst, we can have him do some short-term work for you; in any case, it will serve to offset the rent for this house.

Shen Lian set out early in the morning, and the reason was clear: he simply wanted to find a place to be at peace.

Good lad, I see you are refined and elegant, yet you possess a bold and ambitious spirit. It is a pity that I encountered that fellow before you, what a pity indeed!

He certainly would not go to eat sesame cakes, but instead went directly into an inn, which had a rather ordinary name, called 'Yue Ke Lai'

Certainly, the reason he chose to exit through the east gate is also because the funeral procession of the Shen family is not heading this way today

I told him to return three days later to serve me like a beast of burden, and that lad would never go back on his word, the man in the blue robe replied

In a short while, ten jars of fine wine were brought up

The dishes from the kitchen have been served, filling the air with a delightful aroma

What is said to be a search for tranquility actually has two followers behind, both of whom are the guards of the Shen family

Shen Lian found it amusing; could this be considered a covert visit in disguise? It is worth noting that in the vast Qingzhou Prefecture, a significant portion of the industries belongs to the Shen family, and most of the remaining industries are intricately connected to the Shen family.

Ordinary people can sense the difference in the man in the blue robe, let alone Shen Lian, who detects a hint of danger.

He is now considered one of the legitimate heirs of the Shen family, and it is not unreasonable for him to make a discreet appearance and conduct private visits in disguise

The shopkeeper, fearing that Shen Lian would grow impatient, first served exquisite pastries along with a pot of aged wine

The metaphor naturally suggests that when a guest arrives, their heart is filled with joy; although it may be crude, it remains straightforward

There are countless paths visible, yet they all lead to the same destination; wise individuals can generally arrive at a common understanding.

Not only do the people in the inner city feel this way, but even those from the outer city are desperately trying to squeeze into the inner city

The shopkeeper glanced at Shen Lian, and Shen Lian nodded in acknowledgment

What the Shen family lacks the least is wealth

Although the waiter originally noticed his extraordinary attire, he did not dare to allow him to order an entire table of dishes

Certainly, the majority of the residences in the inner city were constructed by the Shen family, which then sold them at high prices. Moreover, the Shen family also holds many land deeds for undeveloped wasteland in the inner city.

This is a teppanyaki beef dish, with sizzling oil bubbling on top, extremely hot to the touch, yet the man in the green robe swallowed it without a change in expression.

The man in the blue robe pointed at Shen Lian and said: "You old fellow, are you afraid that this young master cannot afford the wine at your shabby establishment?"

And wait, this must be a profound statement, only when the wine arrives can we proceed

The shopkeeper did not recognize Shen Lian, but knew that the two bodyguards accompanying him were from the Shen family, which is why he was so attentive.

The shopkeeper secretly cursed the man in the blue robe for being such a fool to be taken in by Shen Lian, but on the surface, he smiled and said: "The wine just now is our shop's secret recipe Huadiao, and we have limited stock."

Upon seeing the guest in the blue robe, the innkeeper remained unafraid, blocking the guest's path and said: "Sir, you have already owed the room fee for three days. When do you intend to settle the payment?"

After all, he only wants money and does not truly have a grudge against the man in the blue robe

The shopkeeper laughed with his hands on his hips and said, "You haven't made any written agreement, and you don't even know where the person lives. How can you be sure that the lad isn't deceiving you? Only someone as foolish as you would believe such nonsense"

The shopkeeper had no choice but to nod, signaling the waiter to remove the wine that had just been brought and replace it with the limited stock of Huadiao.

Having left early in the morning without eating much, he now caught a whiff of the fragrant baked pancakes in the market and felt a twinge of hunger

Unexpectedly, Shen Lian spoke up: "Bring another set of chopsticks and bowls, and also include his room and meal expenses in my account."

Shen Lian was nibbling on pastries, and before the dishes arrived, he noticed a figure in blue entering the hall from the backyard

The shopkeeper was both astonished and enraged to see the man in the blue robe daring to take a seat at Shen Lian's table, and was just about to drive him away

Shen Lian spoke, "As for the wine just now, bring as much as there is."

With the reputation of the Shen family, the shopkeeper naturally would not be unwilling.

Although Shen Lian wanted to drink, his current health was not robust, so he restrained himself and ordered a pot of green tea instead. However, his two attendants did not dare to sit with him and waited at another table not far away.

The most profitable industries are either monopolized by the Shen family or in collaboration with them, making it fair to say that the Shen family is no different from the local emperors of Qingzhou

Although Shen Lian only had a slight understanding, he could not help but admire the business acumen of Old Master Shen, which was almost akin to some commercial characteristics of modern society in his previous life

The man in the blue robe consumed the meat, then lifted the wine jug and drank it down in one go, emptying the entire jug of aged brew in an instant

But today is only three days later

You said the same yesterday

Thus, although the courtyards in the inner city are generally much smaller in area compared to those in the outer city, their prices are significantly higher; even so, demand still exceeds supply

The man in the blue robe said: "Where does all this nonsense come from? Bring me some good food and wine first, and after I am full and satisfied, then we can discuss it further"

He expressed his dissatisfaction, saying: "What a deceitful merchant, the amount of wine in this jug is so little, give me a larger jar, I want ten."

"I invite you to dine and drink, and indeed, I am not lacking in this little money. The ways of the world are as cold as frost; having one thousand coins and giving away one coin to others, is the same as having one coin and giving away one coin. The effect is certainly the same, but the sentiment is different. Why must you hold me in such high regard?" Shen Lian smiled faintly.

He exited through the East City Gate of the inner city and headed east. Although there was a mountain, the terrain was quite flat, making this area a vital thoroughfare for merchants and travelers. Along the way, there were numerous taverns and inns, creating a lively atmosphere

Just as I was about to ask for instructions, I unexpectedly found the shopkeeper beaming with joy, instructing him to inform several head chefs to prepare their best dishes.

Shen Lian had no interest in going to any private room; instead, he went to the main hall. At this time, it was not yet noon, and there were not many people. He ordered a table of fine dishes

The Qingzhou Prefecture is divided into the inner city and the outer city. The inner city is surrounded by walls, while the outer city consists of various markets and shops that have developed around the fortifications of the inner city. This is also a significant characteristic of Qingzhou Prefecture, as the residents of the inner city naturally feel superior to those living in the outer city

As soon as the dish filled with vegetables landed on the table, the man in the blue robe sat down directly opposite Shen Lian and immediately grabbed a steaming piece of meat to put into his mouth

The man in the blue robe opened the wine jar, took a sniff, and cursed: "What is this? Trying to fool me with this watered-down stuff? I want the same wine as before, and I need ten jars of it."

He did not bring any money, but the two followers behind him have money

The clear gaze of the man in the blue robe brightened even more as he tapped the porcelain bowl with his chopsticks, the tone clear and melodious, praising: "What a phrase 'the world is as cold as frost'; unexpectedly, at such a young age, you are able to articulate such words"

The innkeeper insisted: "You have the money to sell yourself to bury your father, yet you do not have the money to pay for your stay at my inn, and you still wish to continue eating for free. What kind of reasoning is this in the world?"

It is a pity that he is not interested in this; otherwise, teasing the common women and acting as a bully would have some charm.

Shen Lian wandered from the inner city to the outer city. Although the outer city is considerably larger than the inner city, it lacks the inner city's spaciousness and orderliness. The advantage, however, is that the outer city is indeed bustling with activity