Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
A teahouse was naturally a place to drink tea. The teahouses on earth were all alike. To stand out from the crowd, one needed to be unique.
The teahouse before them was without doubt the most outstanding amongst its competitors. After initiating many different programs, it was not just a place to drink tea. One could also watch dancers dance gracefully, and taste good, quality beer. If a literate was inspired, he could raise his brush and write in the main hall, or showcase his calligraphy skills, or demonstrate his talent for painting. From time to time there were poetic meetings where famous guests from all around were invited to appreciate the fine arts.
Of course, the truly famous scholars were difficult to invite.
As such, the teahouse adopted the next best option: The “scholars” they invited were not that famous, but they had talent.
Xu Ke talked to the servant girl without any expression, trying to understand the daily activities that occured at the teahouse. His interest was aroused.
“Regardless of whether this teahouse is putting on a show or boasting, the paper provided for writing is indeed expensive.” Jiang Pengji and Xu Ke chose a secluded, private room and sat facing each other. The teapot exuded with fragrance. The inner room was clean and neat, and there were paintings hung on the walls that were of a higher standard. The painters were of high status. “This alone was enough to attract talented scholars.”
One shouldn’t assume that because Jiang Pengji practiced her writing on bamboo paper that they could easily be found. What was it like in reality?
Using Xu Ke’s words, his Langjun wasn’t using the bamboo paper to practice his writings, but paper after paper of valuable, pure gold!
Facing the limitations of manufacturing, the product became precious.The price of bamboo paper could not be afforded by the poor, common people. Even for the noble families of high status, only those that were the paragon of virtue and learning had the right to own it.
Xu Ke had been in the Liu manor for years. Thus, his perspective had broadened under their influence.
The ink supplied by the teahouse was the superior Cangzhou ink from the Meng’s. The brush used was refined and of good quality. As for the paper, Hejian’s bamboo paper was known throughout the nine prefectures, and its price was as unattainable as its name. Its ink slab was, as usual, the best of the best.
Brush, ink, paper, and ink slab––when all four were put together, they couldn’t be put together by just anyone… Let alone a teahouse!
“I wonder who the rich owner behind this teahouse is…” In the past, Xu Ke was attracted by such extravagance. The bamboo paper was an item coveted by many scholars. As for now… he was assigned a quire of bamboo paper every month and could not be bothered by it. “This teahouse doesn’t look like a place just for drinking tea. Just based on the value of the brush, ink, paper, and ink slab…”
At that point, Xu Ke shook his head. How was it a place to drink tea for a nominal price? It was obviously a place that drank gold and silver.
“Thus, the rich person before them does not have brain damage. He was extravagantly rich and is very ambitious.” Jiang Pengji smiled as she concocted some tea for herself. After drinking for many years, she was used to adding ingredients to enhance its taste. “Xiaoyu, guess who it is?”
Xu Ke replied, “Your question seems to belittle me. The businessmen in the world, regardless of era, desire to pursue profits. That will not change. They will go all out to make a profit. The one who’s willing to put in much effort and money has a motive, and it’s a big one. I just don’t know which royalty the owner belongs to…”
If one wasn’t a relative of the royal family or an official in court, who dared to invest in a teahouse in Shangjing’s prime location?
Even if one had the right to open one, there were few that would have been able to sustain the operations of the tea house.
Within seconds, they thought of the same person. They smiled at each other.
Jiang Pengji said, “I surveyed the main hall downstairs just now. There were paintings and calligraphies, some were of prestigious status and origin, while others were not well known, but were backed by their ancestors’ name. They had the advantage of family name.”
The people whom Jiang Pengji spoke of were in one of two categories: rich, noble scholars, or poor scholars. The proportion of the former was not as high as the latter.
The noble scholars backed by the names of their fathers and ancestors could easily become the cream of the crop. Even if they fell short, they would have still been respected and worshipped by the people. They came to the teahouse for entertainment and to relax. Even if they left behind some writings, it was only for interest sake.
The poorer scholars were different. They had little chance to showcase their talents. The teahouse offered relatively equal ground.
Even if they could not become well-known, leaving behind their best calligraphic writing would pit them against the rest and make them feel good.
Jiang Pengji looked around, vaguely discovering the intentions behind the teahouse.
“If things proceed as expected, it is most likely Prince Changshou,” Xu Ke said calmly.
“That is my guess as well. That year, when the test was near, he boldly invited many scholars to participate in a distinguished assembly to discuss poetry. He generously opened his private hot spring and apartment and hosted the scholars for free. His intention to rope them in was more than obvious.” Jiang Pengji spoke mockingly. “He was allocated land in Zhangzhou, rich in resources, and the people lived in plenty. The noble families who supported him were also rich. He just had to spend a meager fraction of the money he had to build a teahouse.”
The teahouse gave a wide group of scholars a fair chance to showcase their talents. Regardless of if they were rich or poor, they could use the ink and paper freely.
Nevertheless, whatever intentions he had, at least he supplied them at a reasonable price. Even if he could not rope in extremely talented individuals, he had earned the admiration of the young scholars. If he was lucky enough to gain one talent, he would profit exponentially.
Even in the generation where technology fell behind, knowledge that could determine victory surpassed a thousand armies and horses.
No one was foolish––the business was a sure success. Prince Changshou would have naturally been pleased to do it. Of course, that was what Jiang Pengji and Xu Ke could see. As for the rest who could not see that, it was not within their control.
They waited for the maids to serve tea. Jiang Pengji asked innocently, and she found out the teahouse was indeed a business owned by Prince Changshou. In response, she could only discreetly shake her head.
Prince Changshou’s ambition was obvious. The person in Shangyang palace was still living in a fool’s paradise, and was intoxicated with women.
The difference between brothers was obvious; perhaps they were not born from the same womb.
Jiang Pengji drank a sip of tea. The taste made one nostalgic. “This is indeed a good tea. I hope the cost of tea is not expensive, otherwise I will leave you here as a mortgage and find a chance to escape…”
While drinking, she suddenly sighed with emotion. The tea in Xu Ke’s mouth nearly caused him to choke. Just as she wanted to poke fun at Xu Ke, her ears twitched. She hurriedly put her teacup down, and used her eyes to tell Xu Ke to stop coughing.
He covered his mouth with much difficulty, and suppressed his cough until his eyes were bright red. Tears pitifully flowed from his eyes.
“How––how can this be…” He took a while to recover, then asked Jiang Pengji what happened.
Jiang Pengji said calmly, “There is some movement next door.” She quietly tiptoed until she was near a corner in the private room. The sight of her squatting there to eavesdrop left Xu Ke feeling sad for her.
