Fenghou

Lu Yihao became somewhat interested, and asked with a smile: "What else do you know about him?"

"I'd rather go bankrupt than pay pensions to the soldiers who died in battle. Based on this, I don't know how many times better than those yamen outside who only know how to compare wealth. Xiu'er admires him very much!"

Lu Yihao laughed loudly, "The person who can make my family's embroidery look good is really extraordinary. This person is like a dragon and a phoenix. Although he is a general, he has a deep sense of self-cultivation and both civil and military skills. It is a pity that many people in the court are short-sighted and do not recognize heroes. .”

The girl was a little worried: "It's just that the granddaughter has..."

Lu Yihao waved his hand indifferently, "You are just a widow, not a real widow. He doesn't care about such small things, but this matter has to be discussed in the long run, and there is no rush."

……

It was already two o'clock when Chen Qing returned to martial arts, and Hu Yantong and Liu Qiong, who shared his dormitory, hadn't slept yet.

Seeing Chen Qing coming back, the two stood up immediately, "You're finally back!"

"What's the matter?"

Liu Qiong put a cup of hot tea in front of Chen Qing, "Huyan heard a piece of news today."

Chen Qing cast his eyes on Hu Yantong, "What news?"

Hu Yantong said worriedly: "I heard that the Jin Guo envoy entered Lin'an last night!"

Chen Qing was startled, "What is the envoy from the Kingdom of Jin here for?"

"I don't know. It was my second uncle who told me. The news is very secret and not many people know about it. Besides, the messenger is a big man in the Kingdom of Jin. My second uncle refused to say anything."

Hu Yantong's second uncle, Hu Yanwei, is a doctor in the Ministry of Rites, so his news should be true.

It's just that the arrival of the envoy of the Kingdom of Jin and his departure, what is the relationship between the two?

If it doesn't matter, why is it such a coincidence?

Chen Qing had a vague premonition that the arrival of the envoy from the Kingdom of Jin might have something to do with him.

He temporarily put this matter aside, and said to the two of them: "I also have something to tell you, I may have to go back to the northwest."

Hu Yantong and Liu Qiong stared wide-eyed, "Why?"

"The situation in the northwest is tense. Wu Dutong repeatedly asked me to go back to prepare for the war. Zhang Xuanfu envoy wrote to Lu Xianggong, and the emperor has agreed that I should break the rules and graduate from martial arts."

Hu Yantong and Liu Qiong looked at each other in blank dismay, unexpectedly breaking the rules, they asked again: "Then when will you leave?"

"Just a few days! I will go to the Ministry of War tomorrow to go through the formalities."

Hu Yantong was a little sad, "We won't have much time to meet in the future."

Chen Qing patted him on the shoulder and smiled, "Don't be so sad, I may have one more thing to ask for your help."

"Tell me! What's the matter?"

Chen Qing said slowly: "Tomorrow night, accompany me to Fengle Building!"

……

The sudden notice disrupted many of Chen Qing's plans. He couldn't leave immediately. Before he left, he still had some things to arrange. First of all, his martial arts studies were coming to an end. A formal letter of approval from the Ministry of War is required.

The second is the promise to Li Qingzhao. Since Chen Qing asked Li Qingzhao to copy the books for him, he had to prepare a sum of money. At least for two or three years, Li Qingzhao would no longer worry about his livelihood.

Getting a sum of money is Chen Qing's top priority.

Borrowing money is of course not the first choice, so Chen Qing thought of a message told to him by the steward of the Lu Mansion, that he could use his archery skills to make a fortune in Fengle Building, which was actually a big gamble.

In the evening of the next day, the three of Chen Qing came to Fengle Building outside Yumen.

Fengle Building is the fan building in Bianliang, Tokyo. The fan building in Bianliang, Tokyo has been set on fire by the Jin soldiers. The owner of the fan building, the Qian family, rebuilt the fan building in the most prime location in Lin'an and renamed it Fengle Building. It is a group of buildings, consisting of a main building and five auxiliary buildings. The main building is as high as ten feet, with cornices and brackets, and small lanterns are hung on it. It is the first floor in the world.

The building is filled with gold and jade, which is extraordinarily luxurious. Hundreds of young and beautiful women live in it, including music girls, dance girls, singers, tea performers, wine girls, etc., all of them have icy skin and jade skin, looking like gods.

The grade is so high, of course, the consumption is also extremely high, the cheapest cup of tea costs ten guan, which is not something ordinary people can afford.

The Bianliang Building in Tokyo requires a certain identity to enter. Ordinary businessmen are not qualified to go there. Fengle Building in Lin’an is better. Someone needs to lead the consumption upstairs, but there are not so many rules in the lobby on the first floor. If you have money, you can drink tea during the day and drink at night.

The lobby on the first floor of Fengle Building is like a palace, surrounded by magnificence and splendor, covering an area of ​​over a thousand square meters. It is divided into three areas, one is the tea and wine area, and there are dozens of small tables where you can drink. tea drinking;

The second area is the music and dance area, a group of beautiful musicians are playing melodious music, a few dancers in the middle are dancing lightly, two singers are singing softly, sometimes these will also perform some exotic songs and dances.

The third area is the gaming area, that is, the gambling area. There are all kinds of gambling here, such as backgammon, craps, dominoes, throwing pots, holding lances, leaves, etc., and even fighting and weaving.

The lobby was full of people, there were hundreds of people, most of them were rich businessmen, they couldn't go upstairs, they all gathered in the lobby, indulged in it, and lingered.

Groups of glamorously dressed wine sellers shuttled among the crowd, all of them were fragrant, their eyes were eager, their eyebrows were expressive, and the merchants were fascinated.

Of course, there are warriors who maintain order. Dozens of burly men in warrior uniforms stand against the wall, watching the situation in the lobby. They just don't make trouble, and they will never step forward to interfere.

Hu Yantong is a frequent visitor to Fanlou in Bianliang, and Fenglelou in Lin'an has also been here several times.

"I have a building signboard from Bianliang, Tokyo, and Lin'an also admits it, but we don't need to go upstairs, we can just stay in the lobby on the first floor."

Liu Qiong said with a smile: "I heard that the wine in Fenglelou is very good, can I have a taste today?"

"The Meishou wine in Fenglelou is indeed excellent. Whether you drink it today depends on Lao Chen, and I'm afraid I might miss his business."

Chen Qing smiled and waved his hands, "It's okay to drink less!"

The three of them found a seat and sat down, a beautiful bartender stepped forward and asked with a smile, "What do you three officials want to drink?"

"Have a pot of Meishou wine that has been brewed for three years, and serve it with three dishes."

After finishing speaking, Hu Yantong took out another [-] Wen coin and threw it to her, "It's for you!"

"Thank you officer!"

The beautiful woman winked at Hu Yantong and flew away like a butterfly.

Hu Yantong lowered his voice and said with a smile to Chen Qing: "There are differences among the wine maids here. If she wears flowers on her head, she can negotiate a price and take them out for a night of flair, but only for some wine maids, dancers, Divas and tea performers are not acceptable."

"I'll go to the gaming area first."

Chen Qing got up to leave, Hu Yantong grabbed him and said with a smile: "It's not time yet, let's have a drink before going. Among the top ten sake in the Song Dynasty, only Meishou wine can be drunk for money."

Chapter 95 Gambling with Arrows

The gaming area in Fengle Building is divided into small bets and big bets. Small bets are personal games, betting against the dealer in Fengle Building, throwing dice, fighting and weaving, playing backgammon and so on.

The big bet is that everyone gambles together, like betting on cockfights and horse racing, there are also betting on fighting, fighting, etc., and it is different every month.

"I went to ask. There is still a third game where no one signs up. How much do you plan to bet?" Hu Yantong asked Chen Qing.

"If I win, how much will I earn?"

"There are two kinds of this. One is to bet with the potters in Fenglelou. Generally, it pays three for one. If you bet one hundred guan, if you win, you will make a net profit of [-] guan. There is no relationship between the two parties, of course, Liu Qiong and I can help you bet."

Chen Qing brought 50 taels of silver, and he only had a few dozen coins left, so he borrowed the 50 taels of silver from Hu Yantong.

He handed 50 taels of silver to Hu Yantong, "I bet 20 taels with the pitcher, and then the outside bets 30 taels for me."

Hu Yantong took the silver and squeezed in. After a while, he brought back two pieces of paper. He handed the jute paper to Chen Qing, "This is your betting list. You are participating in the third game, and here are the three of us. Bets."

"You bet too?"

"Of course, Liu Qiong and I bet ten taels of silver on you, betting on you to win."

The big gamble was held on a wooden platform more than ten feet long, surrounded by lanterns, shining like daylight.

Pot Arrow, also known as Wen She, was a favorite game of civil servants and concubines and concubines in the Song Dynasty. Because it was simple, low-cost, and did not take up space, it was suitable for both men, women and children. He is indispensable for family gatherings, and the whole family competes together, which is very enjoyable.

The copper pot used today is about two feet high, with a big belly and thin neck open, shining metallic luster under the light.

Chen Qing took a closer look at this kind of copper pot. The opening is very deceitful. It looks very big, but in fact his pot mouth is only the size of an orange. It must be shot vertically, and it will pop out just a little bit.

The pot-throwing player of Fengle Building is a middle-aged man whose real name has long since faded away. Everyone calls him Wei Feng. This person only lives in Fengle Building and is very low-key. I don't know how many pot-throwing masters have fallen into his hands. He has never had a defeat. As early as the Xuanhe period, he was known as the number one pot-throwing player in Tokyo.

He does not participate in the usual small bets, he is only responsible for the big bets.

The rules of the game are also very simple. Throw five bronze arrows from a distance of three feet. win.

The first gambler has already come on stage, he is a samurai, of course he is betting on behalf of his master, betting [-] coins, his master is Liu Yu, a well-known big grain merchant in Lin'an.

The high platform was surrounded by three floors inside and three floors outside. Everyone's face was full of excitement and excitement. Almost everyone placed their bets, waved their hands, and shouted excitedly.

This is, Wei Feng, the pot-throwing player of Fengle Building, walked onto the wooden platform. He is about 45 or six years old, with a small nose and small eyes.

But people should not be judged by their appearance!It was this wretched middle-aged man who created a legend of Hujian. Since Xuanhe three years ago, he has not been defeated. It is also for this reason that Fanlou offered the challenger the highest payout more than ten years ago. Wu's high price has attracted countless masters to challenge him, but still no one can beat him.

Today's first challenger is a warrior from Jingzhou, surnamed Wang, who is also a master at throwing pot arrows. He just arrived in Lin'an and wanted to make a name for himself, so he thought of challenging Fengle Tower's pot-throwing hand Wei Feng.

'when! 'As soon as the bell rang, the game began, and the guests around fell silent.

At this time, Chen Qing suddenly saw a dozen young men walking down the stairs, and the one walking in front was Wang Bo. Chen Qing narrowed his eyes.

According to the rules, whoever shoots the arrow first will be chosen first by the guests, which is also a respect for the guests.

The samurai who challenged took the lead. He picked up a bronze arrow on the plate, felt it for a while, and threw the bronze arrow, "Boom! 'The copper arrow was accurately thrown into the pot, causing cheers and applause from all around.

Chen Qing nodded secretly. From his gestures, he could tell that he should be a master of step bow, and some habitual movements could not be changed.

'Boom! 'The second arrow was thrown into the pot with precision, and then the third arrow was also thrown into the pot. The surrounding applause continued one after another. He had bet [-] guan on both inside and outside, and if he won this battle, he would earn at least [-] guan.

Hu Yantong squeezed back and said with regret on his face: "I have stopped betting, and I wanted to buy some for this person to win."

Chen Qing smiled faintly, "It's a good thing you didn't buy him."

Hu Yantong was very surprised, "Will this warrior miss?"

"How can you tell?" Hu Yantong asked in astonishment.

Chen Qing smiled and said nothing. At this moment, the Jingzhou warrior picked up the fourth bronze arrow, and his hand trembled slightly.

The fourth arrow is thrown, 'Dang! With a crisp sound, the copper arrow missed the target, bounced up, and landed on the ground. There were boos all around, and Liu Yu's face immediately became ugly.

Perhaps because of being too nervous, the Jingzhou warrior failed to hit the fifth arrow, and there were boos in the lobby, and the Jingzhou warrior went down with shame on his face.

At this time, it was Feng Lelou's turn to throw pot hand Wei Feng.

He was very calm, and he threw three arrows into the pot like flowing water, and the applause from all around was extremely enthusiastic. Most of the people bet on Wei Feng, even if he made a little less money, he made back the money for tonight's wine.

The so-called layman watches the excitement, and the expert watches the doorway. Although this Wei Feng uses three postures to project into the pot, his core is the same. He uses his right index finger and wrist to exert force, and the force is extremely precise.

"What is the origin of this person?" Chen Qing asked.

Hu Yantong lowered his voice and said: "As early as more than ten years ago, someone checked his background. There are rumors that this person is from Zhoujiabao in Qinzhou, but it is just a guess."

"What's the name of Zhoujiabao?"

"Zhoujiabao is famous all over the world for its archery. In the past, Zhou Tong, the famous chief bow and horse instructor of the Forbidden Army, came out of Zhoujiabao."

Chen Qing nodded secretly, that's why.

At this time, Wei Feng's fourth arrow was also thrown into the pot, and after a little bounce, it didn't go into the pot so smoothly, but it didn't hit the ground, and the total score was 35 points, already surpassing the opponent, so there was no need to shoot the fifth arrow.

Applause, cheers, and shouts resounded in the lobby. Liu Yu blushed with anger and stomped away.

Next is the settlement and exchange, and the preparation for the second game.

There was an accident in the second game, and the challenger gave up, which meant that except for the challenger himself, who lost his bet, everyone else lost nothing.

In front of the stairs, Wang Bo was so angry that he scolded his friend Qi Yun, "Why don't you stop your second uncle from giving up, he dare not go up, we can help him go up and vote, this time the three hundred coins are lost for nothing."

Qi Yun said helplessly: "He gave up and didn't discuss it with me, and I don't know either!"

"Go and ask again to see if you can cancel and give up."

Qi Yun ran away, and after a while, he came back panting and said, "The money is being refunded for the second match, and I can't cancel it, but I found an interesting thing."

"What fun?"

"Brother, guess who will play in the third game?"

Wang Bo frowned, "How could I guess?"

"It's Chen Qing. I saw his name, and I saw him in person."

Wang Bo's eyes lit up, and Chen Qing actually came. He rolled his eyes, and smiled at a dozen friends: "Brothers, do you want to bet some money to play?"

"Brother, Chen Qing's archery skills are very good. I'm afraid he won't lose this time."

"That's not necessarily true. If he loses his mind at a critical moment..."

Everyone suddenly realized, they gave a thumbs up and praised: "Your brother is brilliant!"

Wang Bo didn't care about winning or losing the little money, but he absolutely didn't want to see Chen Qing win, and it would be best if Chen Qing lost everything.

Having said that, in line with the principle that a dead Taoist friend never dies a poor Taoist, while he was inciting his friends to bet on Weifeng, he himself did not pull out a dime.