Chapter 72

It took some time, but here is the fifth update.

Additionally, I just realized that this book is currently being strongly promoted, which means that "The Regency of the Great Ming" will soon be available for purchase. To allow everyone to read more free chapters before the release, I will accelerate the updates even further, with five updates tomorrow as well!!

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"Minister, you are always busy with state affairs, so it's normal that you don't know much about this person. His name is Xiao Shancai, and he lives up to his name, being a well-known spendthrift in the capital. He is skilled in all aspects of eating, drinking, and entertainment. His father was a famous merchant in the capital and left him nearly a million taels of silver before he died three years ago. However, Xiao Shancai is extremely wasteful, and in just three years, he has squandered most of that fortune."

This time, it was Jiang Qian, who, due to his low rank, had not dared to speak much since sitting down, who answered Zhao Junchen.

Seeing Jiang Qian suddenly speak, Zhao Junchen was surprised and looked at him. Jiang Qian, after a brief moment of hesitation, understood Zhao Junchen's confusion, blushed slightly, and explained, "This Xiao Shancai often invites me to visit various places of interest in the capital. There are countless ways to have fun, and for a while, I couldn't resist, so I became quite familiar with him."

Hearing Jiang Qian's explanation, Zhao Junchen nodded in understanding and smiled, "A fortune of nearly a million taels, even if you were to throw it away, it would take several years. For Xiao Shancai to squander most of it in just three years, that's quite an extraordinary feat."

After a pause, Zhao Junchen asked, "But, is Xiao Shancai also a government official?"

It seemed that Xiao Shancai was quite famous. This time, it was Zuo Lanshan who explained to Zhao Junchen, "Before his father died, he donated a sum of money to the court, which earned him a position as a supervisor. However, Xiao Shancai used some means to win the favor of the previous head of the Imperial Academy, who recommended him for an official position. Although it's just a minor post of the eighth rank, he does have some skills."

Tong Huan smiled and said, "The reason I know so much about him is that Xiao Shancai recently caused a big scandal."

As he spoke, the usually serious Tong Huan couldn't help but smile, his lips twitching as if he wanted to laugh but was trying to hold back.

On the other side, Zuo Lanshan, Gu Quan, Chen Dongxiang, and others were also like this, clearly understanding what the "big scandal" referred to, while Zhao Junchen was full of curiosity.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Zhao Junchen sighed and said, "Are you all trying to tease me by being so secretive?"

Seeing that Zhao Junchen seemed a bit angry, Tong Huan quickly explained, "My lord, it's not that I didn't want to say, but... but this matter is rather unseemly."

After a pause, seeing that Zhao Junchen was still looking at him expectantly, Tong Huan finally stammered, "According to my knowledge, a few days ago, Xiao Shancai, due to his indulgence in pleasure, overexerted himself in the brothels and fainted. He was carried around the capital by the brothel workers to find a doctor. It took a great deal of effort to revive him. This incident is unprecedented in our dynasty and even alarmed the Ministry of Personnel. For the sake of the court's reputation, Xiao Shancai has been ordered to stop working by the Ministry of Personnel."

Hearing this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but laugh. Seeing that Xiao Shancai was still hesitating nearby, he said to Jiang Qian, "Call him over. He seems like an interesting person, and we might as well meet him."

Seeing that Zhao Junchen was interested in Xiao Shancai, Jiang Qian nodded, stood up, and beckoned to Xiao Shancai.

Seeing Jiang Qian's gesture, Xiao Shancai was overjoyed and quickly walked to Zhao Junchen and the others, bowing and saying, "This humble official, Xiao Shancai, greets Minister Zhao and all the other ministers."

After Zhao Junchen nodded, Xiao Shancai raised his cup and toasted Zhao Junchen, "Congratulations on your promotion, Minister. I have long admired you and hope that you will take care of me in the future."

Xiao Shancai was hinting that he wanted to join Zhao Junchen's camp.

In fact, every official who toasted Zhao Junchen had, to some extent, expressed a similar intention.

Zhao Junchen looked at Xiao Shancai with interest, smiled, and nodded, also raising his cup for a sip.

Xiao Shancai, being a considerate person, did not want to waste everyone's time. Seeing that Zhao Junchen had put down his cup, he was about to bow and leave.

However, Zhao Junchen suddenly asked, "Minister Xiao, I hear you are very knowledgeable about entertainment. Are there any interesting places in the capital? Could you introduce them to me?"

Hearing Zhao Junchen speak to him, Xiao Shancai was overjoyed and quickly began to describe the various places of entertainment in the capital in detail.

He described the unique charms of the courtesans in different brothels, the special flavors of various restaurants, and the unique ways to have fun in unknown places. Xiao Shancai's eloquence was no less than Jin Duode's, and his descriptions were even more interesting. Everyone at the table listened with great interest, finding it far from boring.

Especially Zhao Junchen, who looked at Xiao Shancai with a thoughtful expression.

Xiao Shancai was not just skilled in eating, drinking, and entertainment; he was a master of extravagance, with countless creative ways to spend money. Many of the activities he described were new even to Zhao Junchen.

If Jin Duode was considered a talent for his eloquence, then Xiao Shancai, with his ability to entertain and squander, and to drag others into his extravagance, was seen by Zhao Junchen as a genius.

In some ways, Xiao Shancai might be more useful than all the officials present combined.

Indeed, after listening to Xiao Shancai's descriptions, Zhao Junchen had an interesting idea.

...

After a long time, Xiao Shancai's descriptions finally came to an end, but everyone at the table still looked unsatisfied.

Zhan Shanchang chuckled, "I didn't expect that there were so many interesting places and ways to have fun in the capital. You are indeed a talent, but don't overdo it again and end up being carried around to find a doctor."

Hearing this, everyone at the table burst into laughter.

To them, Xiao Shancai was just a minor figure, used for amusement, and they didn't fear offending him.

Moreover, Zhao Junchen would never take someone like Xiao Shancai under his wing, so there was no need to worry.

Xiao Shancai, facing everyone's teasing, looked embarrassed but, being a low-ranking official, dared not argue.

However, Zhao Junchen, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke.

"Minister Xiao, you mentioned earlier that you wanted me to take care of you. I will do so. After tomorrow's morning court, come to the Ministry of Revenue, and I have a task for you."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, the laughter at the table abruptly stopped, and everyone looked at Zhao Junchen in disbelief.

Zhao Junchen actually wanted to take someone like Xiao Shancai under his wing?

Moreover, this was the first time Zhao Junchen had openly expressed such an intention today!

Xiao Shancai, aside from his skills in entertainment, seemed to have no other use. What could Zhao Junchen see in him?

On the other side, Xiao Shancai looked at Zhao Junchen in disbelief. He was well aware of his current reputation and status. Today, he had only come to Zhao Junchen with a slim hope, but he never expected Zhao Junchen to actually agree to take him under his wing!

After a moment of shock, Xiao Shancai finally reacted, his face beaming with joy, and he repeatedly said, "Thank you, Minister Zhao! Thank you, Minister Zhao!"

"No need to be so formal," Zhao Junchen said with a half-smile, his expression full of meaning. "Just do a good job with the tasks I give you."

At this moment, no one knew why Zhao Junchen valued Xiao Shancai.

However, the day after joining Zhao Junchen's camp, Xiao Shancai resigned from his position and opened a club in a secluded alley in the western part of the capital, which only catered to government officials.

This club was called "Heaven on Earth." According to some informed citizens, "A clean official goes in, and a corrupt one comes out"!!