"There's no need to be so polite, so put away those bookish manners. We martial men don't fuss so much over etiquette. Oh, right, look at my memory. You value silver the most, and I almost forgot to mention it," said Xu Jingwu with a laugh.
Back then, when he asked Jia Yanyong to invite Lin Zheyu to tell stories, this kid had refused outright because no payment had been offered.
"Ha, ha..." Lin Zheyu gave an awkward laugh.
At first, because of his preconceptions, he thought all gang members were bad people. Coupled with Jia Yanyong's words about no pay, his impression worsened, and he rejected the offer on the spot. Who would hire a storyteller without paying?
However, as he got to know him, Lin Zheyu realized that Xu Jingwu was nothing like the vicious, sinister figure he had imagined. Xu Jingwu gave off a refined and easygoing air, and he was extremely generous.
Just earlier, when he was pleased, he had tipped the opera performers a tael of silver. If Lin Zheyu had agreed back then and his storytelling had excited Xu Jingwu, he likely would have received quite a handsome reward.
"Your strength is a bit above Jia Yanyong and the others, but since you haven't made any contributions yet, I'll give you the same pay as them. 5 taels of silver per month. How does that sound?" said Xu Jingwu.
An ordinary underling usually only made about 1300 wen a month. Someone with a bit more strength, like Jia Yanyong or Xie Jiang, could earn 5 taels a month.
"Mm, 5 taels is already more than enough for me," said Lin Zheyu with a smile. Then he added teasingly, "But if you want to hear a story next time, you'll still need to pay extra."
"Hahaha!
Lin Zheyu stayed to watch another play with Leader Xu before leaving. Leader Xu was a very busy man; he had arranged an afternoon outing with a Miss Wang and a Miss Chen, and in the evening, he needed to visit the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. His daily life was busy and full, yet seemingly simple and unadorned.
***
Baiwei Street, Red Weed Restaurant.
Jia Yanyong, Xie Jiang, and Lin Zheyu sat together at a table.
"Come. I'll toast Brother Lin with a bowl, to welcome him into the Feihong Gang," said Xie Jiang, raising his wine bowl.
Lin Zheyu picked up his bowl, clinked it against Xie Jiang's, and drained it in one go. He refilled his bowl and said to Jia Yanyong, "I toast you, Brother Yanyong. From now on, we're brothers. Let's wipe away all past grudges."
"Haha, I was the one in the wrong before. I should be the one to toast you!" said Jia Yanyong heartily. When it came to brotherhood, he was beyond reproach.
The two clinked bowls and downed them in one gulp. After a few bowls of wine, the atmosphere grew lively.
"After this meal, I'll take you to meet some of the other brothers," said Jia Yanyong.
"I still have a storytelling session later, so let's do it tonight," replied Lin Zheyu.
His storytelling brought him 6 or 7 taels of silver a month; it was a decent sum. He wasn't planning to give it up for now.
"That's perfect, then. Plenty of our brothers like listening to your stories. Let's gather at the Jade Pill Teahouse later," said Xie Jiang with a smile.
After they were full and satisfied, Jia Yanyong paid for the meal. From Jia Yanyong and Xie Jiang's words, Lin Zheyu gained a deeper understanding of the Feihong Gang. The Feihong Gang had many experts—over thirty Bone Forging Realm fighters like Lin Zheyu, and around twenty at the peak of the Bone Forging Realm. Eight had reached the Organ Forging Realm, with two at its peak.
Anyone at the Organ Forging Realm was considered a top expert in Songyi City, earning at least 15 taels of silver a month. And above the Organ Forging Realm, there was only one Blood Qi Realm expert: Leader Xu himself.
For ordinary people, practicing martial arts was exceedingly difficult. Outstanding aptitude alone wasn't enough. It required not only countless hours of training every day but also ample silver to sustain it, the expenses being astronomical. Thus, most who succeeded in cultivation came from wealthy families, and those from wealthy families seldom joined gangs. Therefore, Jia Yanyong, Xie Jiang, and Lin Zheyu could all be considered skilled fighters within the Feihong Gang.
***
Arriving at the Jade Pill Teahouse, Lin Zheyu stepped onto the storytelling stage, swept his gaze over the audience, and saw many familiar faces. That new top patron was there as well.
He was a wealthy young master passing through Songyi City, very generous with his money. Unfortunately, ever since he had tipped a tael of silver once and asked Lin Zheyu to continue a bit longer, he hadn't given nearly that much again. Now, each time he only tipped a 100 or so wen. Still, that wasn't bad at all.
"Last time, we left off at Huang Rong using her cooking to tempt Hong Qigong, until he finally agreed to guide Guo Jing..."
On stage, Lin Zheyu spoke with eloquence, while the audience below listened in rapt attention. As the story unfolded, it grew ever more exciting.
"That's wonderfully told! Brother, let's stay a little longer before leaving," Lu Zhenfang said reluctantly. Compared to Baohe City, Songyi City wasn't nearly as bustling. But the storytelling in Songyi City was far more captivating!
In Songyi City, Lu Zhenfang had become enthralled by the scholar-and-fox tales at the Overflowing Fragrance Teahouse and the martial world adventures at the Jade Pill Teahouse. In Baohe City, she could never hear so many fresh and exciting stories. They were all worn out and stale over in Baohe City.
"Uncle's business will be finished soon. At most, we'll be leaving in four days. We'll be scolded if we delay any longer," said Lu Qihui helplessly.
He didn't want to set out so soon either and wished to stay in Songyi City a few more days. Once they departed, the journey would be long, taking a month or so on the road. It was a truly miserable experience to eat in the wind and sleep under the dew.
"I'll send Mister Lin an invitation later, asking him to travel with us. That way the journey won't be so dull," said Lu Qihui.
"Will he really agree?" asked Lu Zhenfang. She was worried as few people in this era were willing to leave their hometowns behind.
They themselves were leaving Baohe City out of necessity, as the rebel army was not far from Baohe City. If the rebels captured just two more cities, they would march straight into Baohe City. For safety, the Lu Family had already sent most of their clansmen ahead to scout the road. Lu Qihui and Lu Zhenfang were part of the second group.
"He will. I heard Mister Lin's hometown isn't Songyi City. He fled here from Jiunan City. He has no family here, so as long as the money is good, why wouldn't he tell stories somewhere else?" said Lu Qihui with full confidence.
He wasn't worried at all that Lin Zheyu would refuse to travel with them. How much could a storyteller earn in Songyi City in a month? With wages and tips combined, he believed they could at most make 500 wen a day and barely 10 taels of silver a month. He didn't believe that if he offered 20 taels, Lin Zheyu would refuse to leave Songyi City.
***
After finishing his storytelling. As Lin Zheyu stepped off the stage, and saw Manager Wu coming over to him.
"Mister Lin, there's a guest who wishes to meet you," said Manager Wu.
"I'm not seeing anyone," replied Lin Zheyu, refusing immediately. Lately, more and more people wanted to see him, and it was becoming bothersome.
"The other party showed great sincerity and gave a tael of silver." Manager Wu pulled out the silver and handed it over, saying, "I thought, since they showed such sincerity, you'd agree to meet them, so I accepted on your behalf."
"This fellow knows how to handle things? Fine, I'll meet them then," said Lin Zheyu, taking the silver and grinning.
He liked people who knew how to handle matters; those were the ones who understood. In terms of social dealings, Jia Yanyong fell far short. If Jia Yanyong had spoken more politely and explained sincerely that while he couldn't offer money, a good performance would earn even greater rewards from Leader Xu, things wouldn't have turned out the way they did.
***
Led by Manager Wu, Lin Zheyu met the guest. It was none other than the generous young master who had tipped him a tael of silver before.
"I am Lin Zheyu. Greetings to you all," said Lin Zheyu, cupping his hands toward the group with a beaming smile. Anyone who paid was a master. As long as they were generous, Lin Zheyu was warm and easy to deal with.
"I am Lu Qihui, and this is my younger sister, Lu Zhenfang. Mister Lin, you are truly a man of great talent, to be able to write such a passionate and thrilling tale as The Legend of the Condor Heroes!" said Lu Qihui, praising him.
"Not at all, young master. You flatter me," replied Lin Zheyu with a smile.