Chapter 70 Along the Qinhuai River
Chapter 70 Qinhuai River
"And I also heard that the owner behind this flower boat is not an ordinary businessman, but a nobleman."

"Noble?" Ye Xuan muttered, then smiled and said, "It just so happens that there is no way to get on board. Now that you mentioned it, I have an idea."

…………

That night, by the Qinhuai River.

Although the country had just been settled and many things needed to be rebuilt, the Qinhuai River banks outside Yingtian Prefecture were unusually prosperous.

Along both sides of the river, there are vendors pushing carts and hawking their wares, artists breathing fire and juggling with guns, and tourists who stop from time to time to buy some fresh food or stop to applaud a wonderful performance.

"My Lord, this is really lively!"

Ye Xuan and his two companions were dressed in casual clothes, strolling around like tourists.

Wang Feihu and Song Zhenshan, dressed as servants, looked at the lively scene along the river and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Ye Xuan smiled slightly and reminded: "Why are you still calling me sir? Now we are just pearl merchants from Lingnan."

The two of them laughed and bowed together, saying, "Yes, Master!"

At that moment, the three of them stopped lingering and quickly headed towards the dock.

Even before this, Ye Xuan had already found out the docking time of the flower boat through the Jinyiwei's huge intelligence system, and now he was on his way to the flower boat.

Sure enough, as soon as they arrived at the dock, the three of them recognized the target of their trip from among the dense crowds of large and small flower boats.

The Qinhuai River has been a place of debauchery since ancient times, with countless flower boats of all sizes.

However, the information Ye Xuan had obtained included the specific characteristics of the flower boat, so the three of them quickly recognized it.

"Sir, that's the one!" Wang Feihu pointed at a larger one among the flower boats.

Ye Xuan looked carefully and saw that the flower boat was not as magnificent as the others, but it was the largest in size.

It seems that the owner of this flower boat also knows that nothing should be publicized.

Ye Xuan straightened his clothes and said, "Get on board!"

"Yes!" they both answered in unison.

As soon as they approached the sampan, the three were stopped by a group of people.

The leader, who was wearing a silk moustache and dressed like a shopkeeper, looked at the three people arrogantly and said, "Where did you come from, you bumpkin? How dare you barge in without thinking without even checking where this place is?"

When Wang Feihu heard this, he clenched his fist and was about to go up to him to give him a good beating, but Ye Xuan stopped him calmly. He then bowed to the man with a mustache and said with a smile: "I am Ye Xuan, a pearl merchant from Lingnan. I heard that there is business to be done on this ship, so I came here."

Ba Zi Xu's expression eased slightly after hearing this, but he still said proudly: "Go away, our ship is not one that anyone can come on casually. We are doing big business here!"

Ye Xuan took a step closer, secretly handed over a small cloth bag under Ba Zixu's vigilant gaze, and said with a smile: "Please be accommodating, shopkeeper. Business is really not going well for ordinary people recently, otherwise I wouldn't dare to come here presumptuously!"

The man with the moustache quietly opened the bag and saw a handful of round pearls the size of a thumb. He immediately smiled and said, "Hey, how can ordinary people afford pearls in this world? Of course, only the rich can afford them!" Ye Xuan chuckled and agreed. The man with the moustache talked about business and then whispered, "There are many noble people on this ship. When you get on board, remember not to cause trouble, otherwise don't blame me for not warning you!"

After saying that, he waved his hand to signal the men behind him to leave and come forward.

Ye Xuan bowed to express his thanks, then took Wang Feihu and the other two onto the sampan.

After they walked away, Wang Feihu whispered fiercely: "What a pity that bag of pearls was given to this rat."

Ye Xuan sneered and said, "That was borrowed from the government warehouse. Do you think I would really give it to him?"

Wang Feihu was stunned, and asked with some doubt: "Can that guy be returned to us?"

Song Zhenshan poked him with amusement and reminded him: "When the young master steals this ship, do you think that guy will be able to escape? The more proud he is now, the more miserable he will cry later!"

Wang Feihu then smiled and said, "How could I forget this?"

As soon as the three of them got on the flower boat, they were stunned by the luxurious scene before them.

Even Ye Xuan, who claimed to have seen some of the world, was shocked by the strength of the owner behind the flower boat.

This flower boat looks nothing special except that it is big, but its interior is extremely luxurious.

The cabin was filled with lights and decorations. The tables, chairs and benches were all made of the finest huanghuali wood. The gauze curtains and ribbons were all first-rate products produced in Jiangnan. Only rich ladies would be willing to buy them to make clothes.

As for the tourists at the wine table, the sharp-eyed Song Zhenshan recognized that the cups and plates they were using were top-quality products produced in Jingdezhen.

At this time, the cabin was already filled with noise.

The entire huge area was divided into several areas, with areas for gambling, singing and dancing, banquets, and another area with a gauze screen, through which graceful figures could be vaguely seen swaying, and from time to time the sounds of laughter and panting could be heard.

Even Ye Xuan, who had seen many exaggerated scenes in later generations, had to give these people a thumbs up and praise them: They really know how to have fun!
Just as the three of them were watching with their throats rolling, a woman with revealing clothes and a graceful figure walked up to them, biting a round fan, and said with a chuckle, "Is this your first time here, gentlemen?"

This sudden question brought the three of them back to their senses instantly. Ye Xuan quickly adjusted his expression and said with a smile: "Oh, this girl has really good eyesight. This is really the first time for me."

I don't know what's so funny about this sentence. When the graceful woman heard it, she immediately covered her mouth with a small round fan and laughed non-stop. Then she stroked Ye Xuan's chest with her finger and joked, "I like the first time the most. Sir, why don't you let me serve you? I guarantee that you will have a great time."

Facing this extremely ambiguous statement, Song Zhenshan behind him said with a smile: "Although this is my young master's first time, I am afraid that the capital is too much for this young lady to bear!"

The woman giggled and even reached out to grab Ye Xuan. She exclaimed and her eyes when she looked at Ye Xuan were like ripples in spring water.

"In this case, I will accompany you even more."

Ye Xuan sighed helplessly when he heard that. The woman's grab was really unexpected, so Ye Xuan did not even dodge.

He wanted to refuse, but then he thought that although this woman was a bit unruly, she was also talkative, and maybe he could get something out of her, so he nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll trouble you, Miss. May I ask what your name is?"

(End of this chapter)