Mo Sang – CH 316

Chapter 316. Half a Chapter

After reading the Morning News and Evening Post, Li Sangrou drank a cup of tea, left the courtyard, and continued strolling through the streets and alleys of Hangzhou.

Around noon, Li Sangrou chose a rather famous restaurant, a grand establishment ranging from a small gatehouse to a two-story building, and ate lunch. She then wandered around until evening, heading straight for West Lake.

Not far from the causeway, Li Sangrou saw Ru-Yi standing on the shore, occasionally tiptoeing and craning his neck to look around.

Li Sangrou quickly raised her hand and waved to Ru-Yi.

Ru-Yi immediately beamed and rushed towards Li Sangrou.

“The Boss arrived early!”

“Originally, the Shizi should have arrived already, but he said he had been watching the storeroom all day. The storeroom was dusty and smelled pungent. He said he needed to wash up and change his clothes, and he’d be there in a little while—just a little while!” Ru-Yi rushed forward, hurriedly explaining.

“Is it that boat? Shall we board first?” Li Sangrou nodded, pointing to the pleasure boat moored at the shore with a smile.

“Yes, please, Boss.” Ru-Yi quickly ushered Li Sangrou onto the boat.

Li Sangrou boarded the pleasure boat, starting from the bow, carefully examining it from top to bottom, looking closely at the stern. Looking back from the stern, Gu Xi had already stepped onto the gangplank.

“What are you looking at? What did you see?” Gu Xi had seen Li Sangrou’s meticulous observation from the shore and asked with a smile before even stepping onto the foredeck.

“First time riding in a pleasure boat, seeing what the most luxurious pleasure boat on West Lake looks like,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“Well, is it pleasing to the eye?” Gu Xi asked earnestly, hands behind his back.

“Very exquisite, very elegant, very stable,” Li Sangrou answered earnestly, her expression equally serious.

“If the Boss thinks it is good, then I am relieved,” Gu Xi said with a smile, gesturing for Li Sangrou to sit down.

Ru-Yi fetched a pot of boiling water from a small boat nearby, brewed tea, and served it.

“Jianle City has seventy-two main restaurants. Hangzhou is even more extravagant, with many more top-notch establishments. I’ve eaten at several, and the food was excellent. How many have you tried?” Gu Xi asked with a smile, taking a sip of her tea.

“One a day. In just a few days, I’ve only eaten at four or five. The first time, when I went to the first restaurant, the manager said that Dangtou’s house had burned down, people had died, and he was at home dealing with the aftermath, unable to come. He said Dangtou had several signature dishes that he made very well. When I went, he could not make those dishes.

This one is quite good today. The staff and supplies are all there, and the restaurant is lively,” Li Sangrou said gently.

Gu Xi frowned slightly, then relaxed, and hummed in agreement. “What did you have for lunch? Is there anything you’d like to eat or have not had yet?”

“Nothing for now. What’s for dinner?” Li Sangrou asked Ru-Yi.

“Water shield and fish ball soup, West Lake vinegar fish, chrysanthemum chicken shreds, eight-treasure tofu, braised bamboo shoots in fermented rice wine, lotus leaf steamed pork, and vegetarian three delicacies,” Ru-Yi quickly replied.

“These are all local specialties. Let’s try them,” Gu Xi said with a smile.

Li Sangrou nodded with a smile.

The painted boat had already moved away from the shore, and a large boat approached, bringing the food.

Li Sangrou savored her meal, slowly finishing it. Dusk had already fallen on the lake.

“That’s where the courtesans gather. Have you decided how to make your move?” Gu Xi pointed to the island in the lake at one end of the long causeway and the narrow strip of land connecting the island to the shore.

“Commander Pan came to see me,” Li Sangrou sighed. “He said a lot. Sigh, let’s talk about it later.”

“What did he say?” Gu Xi asked, raising an eyebrow.

“He said Hangzhou has been besieged for almost a year. In the past six months, if there’s any hunger, it is definitely from the poor people in the city. He said that although the battle went very smoothly, the fire in the capital caused enormous damage. He said the people of Hangzhou need gentle care and rest.” Li Sangrou sighed again.

“That makes sense,” Gu Xi said with a forced smile.

“Never mind, let’s talk about it later,” Li Sangrou said, waving her hand.

“Never mind, or let’s talk about it later?” Gu Xi looked Li Sangrou up and down and smiled.

“Let’s talk about it later. I plan to set some rules for the brothels here and in Yangzhou.” Li Sangrou squinted at the shimmering lake under the moonlight.

“What about the beggars in this city?” Gu Xi asked suddenly, glancing at Li Sangrou.

“That’s your business, your brother’s business,” Li Sangrou said, stretching out her legs.

“My brother’s wedding date is set for the fourteenth day of the eighth month. He asked me to invite you to the ceremony on his behalf,” Gu Xi said, holding his breath as he looked at Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou gazed at the lake and nodded casually. “Alright.”

Gu Xi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment, she glanced at Li Sangrou and said, “You really do act on impulse.”

“No,” Li Sangrou said earnestly, turning to look at Gu Xi. “Last time I heard you say that your brother’s marriage was settled, with the eldest daughter of the Zhou family, I decided I would go to the ceremony. Your brother has worked so hard, and it has not been easy for him. To have a childhood sweetheart by his side is such a lucky thing. I definitely had to go and see it.

It was decided then. Whether your brother invites me or not, I will return to Jianle City for the ceremony.”

“When are you setting off?” Gu Xi asked, a seemingly casual hum.

“And you?” Li Sangrou countered.

Gu Xi laughed. “This time I am going back, I need to put on a grand procession, and I also need to inspect the various departments along the way.

From Hangzhou to Jianle City, traveling light, it will only take half a month. But with a grand procession, it will be slower, taking two months.”

Gu Xi finished speaking, staring intently at Li Sangrou.

“So you are about to set off?” Li Sangrou raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, the sixth day of the fifth month, an auspicious day according to the Imperial Observatory.” Gu Xi looked at Li Sangrou.

“Well, I will go with you to see your grand procession,” Li Sangrou smiled.

“What’s so special about that? If you like, I can put one on for you, too. Do you want it?” Gu Xi laughed.

“No! I just want to see yours; that’s enough,” Li Sangrou refused decisively.

“We will travel by water, from Hangzhou all the way to Jianle City. My brother wants us to inspect the waterways along the way and see where dredging is needed. We will call in a few ten-thousand shi¹ boats,” Gu Xi said enthusiastically.

Li Sangrou glanced at him, only smiling and remaining silent.

………………………………

The next day, Zou Wang and Zaohua arrived in Hangzhou one after the other. Li Sangrou explained the details of cooperating with the Xin’an Chamber of Commerce on building the road network. Zou Wang and Zaohua were busy discussing details and negotiating prices with the members of the Xin’an Chamber of Commerce. Li Sangrou instructed Da Chang and Meng Yanqing to prepare for departure.

Chuantiao and the others bought all sorts of nets, fishing rods, hooks, and various other tools for catching shrimp and fish. Da Chang and Meng Yanqing did not have much to do or pack; the New Year’s goods were long gone.

Before dawn on the sixth day of the fifth month, Li Sangrou, along with Da Chang, Meng Yanqing, and others, boarded two large ships and joined Gu Xi’s nearly one hundred ships on their way back to Jianle City.