Chapter 22: New Business Concepts

In the Chunxiang Building in Dengzhou City, the front door was always deserted during the day, and only in the evening, when the lights were on, would it be bustling with traffic.

Chen Xie, dressed in a long robe, walked uncomfortably. However, wearing a long robe was a symbol of scholars, who were always treated with respect wherever they went. No one usually questioned whether Chen Xie was a scholar. It was simple: how could a divine doctor not be a scholar? Could you learn medicine without reading books? That would be truly absurd.

Walking into the Chunxiang Building without being greeted was a rare occurrence. But it happened to Chen Xie. Standing at the door, he saw a maid sweeping the floor with her back turned. It was just past noon, and it was strange to have any guests at this time.

He coughed, but no one paid attention. He coughed again, still no response. Chen Xie was very annoyed. The work attitude of the women in the brothel in the Ming Dynasty was a serious issue! Changsheng, who was following behind, couldn't stand it anymore. He stepped forward and shouted, "Hey, are you all dead? Why isn't anyone welcoming the guests?"

As soon as he spoke, he was hit on the back of the head and scolded by Chen Xie, "What are you shouting for? Do you want to tear down the building?"

Changsheng, carrying a package, shrank back and smiled apologetically. This finally caught the attention of the maid inside. She looked up and saw a young man with short hair and a long robe, immediately recognizing who it was. Chen Xie's reputation in Dengzhou City was even greater than that of the governor, especially the stories of his miraculous medical feats, which were known to everyone.

The long robe made the maid hesitant to approach. Instead, she took a step back and said, "I have seen the divine doctor. The Chunxiang Building hasn't opened yet. Would you like to come back in the evening?"

Chen Xie smiled and stepped forward, bowing, "Madam, please convey a message. I would like to see Lady Wan Yu. If asked when I came, say I came to deliver a gift."

The maid quickly replied, "Please wait a moment, I will go and inform her."

After a short wait, a woman in her thirties came out. She greeted Chen Xie politely, bowing, "I am Yingniang, and I have seen the divine doctor." Yingniang was naturally the madam of the Chunxiang Building. To be able to run such a large establishment in Dengzhou City, she must have had some background. She wasn't afraid of Chen Xie, but as someone in the lowly profession, she couldn't help but show respect to a man in a long robe, especially one who was rumored to be able to bring the dead back to life. Who wouldn't get sick? No one dared to put on airs with a divine doctor, let alone someone who didn't have the right to do so.

Chen Xie's impression of madams was that they were always dressed in bright, garish colors, with large red flowers on their heads and thick layers of powder on their faces. The woman in front of him was quite different. Of course, Chen Xie, who had never visited a brothel in his two lifetimes, had all his impressions from books and films. The woman in front of him was wearing a light blue dress, walking naturally with a slight sway, and her demeanor was graceful and charming without being obsequious.

"If you didn't speak, I would have thought you were Lady Wan Yu," Chen Xie said, causing Yingniang to visibly startle. In the Ming Dynasty, a woman over thirty was considered old and faded. Unlike in modern times, where a thirty-year-old woman was often seen as the epitome of maturity, intelligence, and wisdom.

In the Ming Dynasty, the popular girls were young courtesans, around fifteen or sixteen years old, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and with bound feet, walking like willows in the wind. Chen Xie had even considered changing his mind, but remembering that he was in the Ming Dynasty, he firmly dismissed the thought.

"Divine doctor, you are joking. Even if you didn't come, I would have sought your help," Yingniang laughed, her smile warm and inviting, not at all like a fierce madam. She gestured for Chen Xie to enter, saying, "Since a distinguished guest has come, please come in for tea and we can talk."

Chen Xie didn't hesitate. In this place, money was power, and he was very clear about that. He walked in, and the decoration of the Ming Dynasty brothel didn't look luxurious, but even if it did, Chen Xie wouldn't have noticed. Behind the main hall was a courtyard, where two young girls, about seven or eight years old, were washing clothes. When they saw Yingniang, they immediately stood up and greeted her, "Welcome, madam."

At this moment, Chen Xie finally saw a glimpse of Yingniang's authority. He nodded slightly, showing no smile. Chen Xie had almost no experience with women, but he had heard that every woman was a natural actress. Not to mention, Yingniang had been in this environment for many years, and had become a shrewd and experienced woman.

Chen Xie was more cautious. Dealing with this woman wouldn't be easy. What he had seen before might have been her smooth and worldly side. What he saw now might be closer to the truth. Otherwise, how could such young girls be made to work? Seeing them struggle with large wooden buckets to fetch water and wash clothes, Chen Xie felt very uncomfortable.

"At this hour, the girls haven't woken up yet. Lady Wan Yu, however, is already up. Please wait a moment, and she will come." They entered a room that was quite elegantly decorated, and Yingniang smiled, inviting Chen Xie to sit down and chat.

Although Chen Xie had never been to a brothel, he knew the rules. He gestured to Changsheng, who reluctantly stepped forward and took out two silver ingots, placing them on the table. Chen Xie pointed and said, "Yingniang, is it okay to call you that? Please take this silver first, and then we can discuss a business deal."

At first, Yingniang thought Chen Xie was a lecher, eager to see Lady Wan Yu before it was dark. After a while, she realized that wasn't the case. Chen Xie's eyes were clear, and he didn't look like someone who had come to see a courtesan. Although Lady Wan Yu was known as a pure courtesan, selling her art but not her body, in this environment, if a wealthy patron was willing to spend a fortune, she would eventually be persuaded.

In the end, weren't the girls in this place just trying to sell themselves for a good price?

"Divine doctor, my name is meant to be called. As for the silver, I cannot accept it without doing anything," Yingniang smiled, waving her hand, indicating that she wanted to hear the truth.

"Yingniang, no need to call me divine doctor. I am Chen Xie, my courtesy name is Si Hua. You can call me Si Hua. I have two matters to discuss, and I need your help, sister." Chen Xie subconsciously used the term "sister," as he couldn't think of a more appropriate way to address her. Calling her "madam" would be confusing, and "mom" would be too awkward. Calling her "sister" seemed appropriate, given her age.

Yingniang was taken aback again, looking at Chen Xie. Seeing his clear eyes, she felt a bit flustered. After working in this industry for over ten years, from a thirteen-year-old courtesan to a madam, she had never seen a guest in a long robe like Chen Xie. Most guests, even if they were polite, still looked down on the profession. Over the years, she had seen countless guests who were sweet-talking before bed, but their eyes were full of lust. They either drooled over her face or stared at the exposed part of her chest, their eyes revealing their hypocrisy.

"Originally, I thought you were Si Hua. This is a place for entertainment, and I'm afraid I can't help you much," Yingniang composed herself, deciding to wait and see.

"The matter is this: I have partnered with the Zhang family in the city to open a business, selling specialties from America, which is thousands of miles away. I'm worried that the merchants in the city are not familiar with American specialties, so I want to borrow your place to hold an exhibition. I see that you have many beautiful women here, and I would like them to help demonstrate the products. Lady Wan Yu is famous in Dengzhou and Lai, and I would like to use her to showcase my products to the merchants."

After Chen Xie explained, Yingniang was a bit stunned. Not only did he call her "sister" naturally, unlike the scholars who called her "mom" while leering at her chest, but his eyes were also clear and respectful.

"An exhibition, that's an interesting concept. It means a display and sale," Yingniang muttered to herself. Chen Xie clapped his hands and smiled, "Exactly, to show the benefits of the products and sell them at a good price."

This Si Hua was truly an interesting person. Dressed in a long robe, he spoke about business naturally, unlike some scholars who would avoid mentioning money and business, calling it "that thing." They might not have titles now, but they would be ruthless in their pursuit of wealth once they achieved them.

"Originally, it was about this. This shouldn't be too difficult. However, if this event disrupts the pleasure of the city's gentlemen, the small Chunxiang Building can't afford it," Yingniang put on a facade, though she was interested. This was a common tactic, and many had been tricked by it.

Chen Xie had prepared thoroughly before coming, understanding the situation and the methods of earning money in the brothel. However, he found these methods somewhat laughable. With his prepared strategy, any woman in the Ming Dynasty would have to kneel.

Clap, clap, clap, he clapped his hands three times, and Changsheng stepped forward, "Young master, what do you need?"

"Put the gifts on display, and let Yingniang sister see if they meet her expectations."

When the makeup box was placed on the table, it looked quite ordinary. It was just a wooden box with a layer of tung oil, and the craftsmanship wasn't particularly exquisite. Yingniang, of course, didn't think the gift was the box itself. She reached out to open it, but found it wouldn't budge.

At this moment, Chen Xie gently pressed the box, and with a click, the lid popped open. Yingniang's heart skipped a beat. The mechanism was not something an ordinary person could understand. She suddenly felt a sense of anticipation for what was inside.