Chapter 3

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The integrity of the Young Master Qin was completely abandoned, and after wandering through eighteen streets, his legs were numb from exhaustion, yet he couldn't even find a job sweeping the toilet.

Are people from the past really that formidable? Why don't you try it? Don't stand there and talk without feeling the pain.

Is time travel really that fun? Nonsense. What about having multiple wives and concubines? If I didn't time travel, I could be the "godfather" of dozens of little celebrities. Why would I need to do this high-risk, uninsured job?

Young Master Qin dragged his heavy steps, constantly cursing the heavens, until the smell of pancakes wafted into his nose again. Truly, it's like searching everywhere without success, only to find it when you least expect it.

"Madam, isn't it tiring to watch over two pans by yourself? If you trust me, I can help you with one," Young Master Qin firmly believed that good deeds would be rewarded. He not only forced a familiar smile but also rolled up his sleeves, ready to take over one of the iron pans.

"The old woman is used to it, it's no trouble. Looking at your attire, you must be a well-read scholar. How can I let you do such a lowly job?"

Truly, the people of Jinling are remarkable. Even an old pancake vendor speaks with a cultural flair. Yes, mixed with the scent of pancakes, Young Master Qin was sure he wasn't mistaken.

But no matter how thick-skinned he was, he couldn't push forward now. The old lady's words, though cultured, clearly had a condescending tone, lifting you up only to let you starve in your self-respect.

What scholar? Scholars are useless. If it weren't for the previous Qin Mu's obsession with books, which left this body weak and unable to even pick up a bean sprout, I could have taken a knife and done some low-skilled work. Would I be starving like this?

The sun gradually set, and the banks of the Qinhuai River were filled with the sounds of flutes and drums, and the painted boats swayed on the clear waves. The carriages and horses of those seeking pleasure crisscrossed, making it even more lively.

Beneath this opulence, there were also many tragic scenes. Beggars lined the streets, and the sight of people selling their children was common. Among them were scholars in Confucian robes. The northern regions had suffered from continuous disasters, and the bandits led by Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong had ravaged the land. People whose homes were destroyed naturally flocked to the southeast, the last haven.

Qin Mu had no heart to sympathize with these people. As for defending the country, that was nonsense. I'll worry about that when I'm not starving to death tomorrow.

"Sir, you've been watching the old woman make pancakes for a long time. Aren't you tired of it?"

"Not at all, not at all, how could I be tired? The old lady's pancake-making skills are truly eye-opening, and I could watch them all day. But, Madam, as the saying goes, even the best wine can go unnoticed if it's in a deep alley. Why don't I help you call out, and I'll make sure your pancakes sell like hotcakes," Young Master Qin's integrity was already shattered, and he spoke without hesitation, "Everyone, don't miss out! Look, ever since I ate the old lady's pancakes, my back doesn't hurt, my legs don't ache, and I've become smarter. My parents no longer worry about my studies..."

"Sir, there's no need to call out. It's getting late, and the old woman needs to pack up."

Young Master Qin's voice abruptly stopped. Then he felt two warm pancakes being stuffed into his hand. Smelling the strong aroma and seeing the old lady bend down to pack up her stall, his eyes inexplicably welled up with tears.

"Madam, I will never forget your kindness today. One day, I will repay you with a hundred gold coins."

"The old woman has heard the story of Han Xin, but in thousands of years, there has only been one Han Xin. Sir, take care of yourself first. In this world... sigh! It's not easy to survive."

Qin Mu couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. Impulsiveness is the devil. How did those words slip out? Perhaps saying them was more to comfort himself. Han Xin wasn't much better before he became famous. A man can bend and stretch... spit, spit, spit!

Hou Fangyu and Mao Xiang got off the carriage in front of Meixiang Tower and went upstairs to find Li Xiangjun. The two were regulars and well-known, so they had free access in the building.

Hou Fangyu was twenty-five, and Mao Xiang was thirty-three. Both were elegantly dressed, with flowing sleeves, truly handsome and charming. In Jinling, no courtesan didn't recognize the two young masters.

However, Hou Fangyu's expression was grim today. After hearing about Li Xiangjun and Qin Mu, he couldn't sit still and immediately came to demand an explanation from Li Xiangjun.

Hou Fangyu, Mao Xiang, Fang Yizhi from Tongcheng, and Chen Zhenhui from Yixing were collectively known as the Four Young Masters of the Fusha Society, highly esteemed by the people.

The Fusha Society had nearly ten thousand members, and there were many who wrote better articles than the four. Why did they become the "Four Young Masters"?

There were reasons for this, which can be summarized in two points:

First, maintaining good relations with the mainstream media. In simpler terms, it meant associating with famous courtesans, enjoying the beauty of the Qingxi River and the White Stone, and living a life of luxury. The benefit of this was easy fame, as people always enjoyed talking about romantic affairs.

Second, holding more seminars. In a more elegant sense, it was called leading public opinion, but it was essentially gathering a group to chat and boast. The four young masters, young and ambitious, often hosted banquets at Taoye Ferry, inviting the orphans of the "Six Gentlemen." Once the banner of the orphans was raised, all the scholars would gather. After drinking and getting heated up, they would criticize the government, often breaking into mad songs, drawing attention.

These people criticized the government, feeling that everything in the Ming Dynasty was bad. Later, most of them became slaves to the Qing Dynasty.

Of course, a few took up arms against the Qing, and their courage and spirit were commendable.

But one undeniable fact was that their resistance was almost futile. None of them could organize a significant resistance, which was not proportional to their grandiose rhetoric, indicating a lack of ability.

Whether to be slaves or resist was a later issue, which we won't discuss further.

Through these means, and by writing a few good articles, the Four Young Masters' fame grew rapidly, like a dog-tail grass that had eaten manure.

This fame also made it easier for them to associate with famous courtesans, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. Many famous courtesans vied to send them gifts, and Hou Fangyu had been with Li Xiangjun for a few years, exchanging poems and paintings, establishing a romantic relationship. Li Xiangjun had been waiting for Hou Fangyu to help her buy her freedom.

Recently, Qian Wan had caused a commotion at Meixiang Tower, even taking the matter to the authorities, creating a huge scandal in Jinling. The public loved to spread such stories, using their imagination to create all sorts of rumors, even detailing the positions Qin Mu and Li Xiangjun were said to have used in bed.

Hou Fangyu was shocked and humiliated by this news. Everyone knew about his relationship with Li Xiangjun, and now she was suddenly involved with Qin Mu, which was intolerable.

He stormed into Meixiang Tower, his anger boiling. His friend Mao Xiang came to mediate, but the more he tried to calm Hou Fangyu, the more embarrassed he felt. When he entered, he didn't even use formalities, directly demanding, "What's going on? How could you let that Qin stay in your room overnight?"

Li Xiangjun came out with a joyful face, having been waiting to confide in her beloved after Qian Wan's constant disturbances. But instead of comfort, she was met with Hou Fangyu's harsh accusations.

Her expression turned sad, "Sir, please listen to me. It's not as the rumors say. I and Young Master Qin are innocent..."

"Sir? A man who lives off others, he doesn't deserve to be called a sir! You let him stay in your room overnight, do you know what people are saying?"

Li Xiangjun never imagined that the usually refined and polite Hou Fangyu would become like this. The bitterness in her heart made her eyes tear up, "Sir, I and Young Master Qin really have nothing. When he saved me, he was seriously injured, and his life was in danger. I kept him to take care of him, which is only natural. I hope you won't take it to heart..."

Mao Xiang tried to mediate, "Brother Chaozong, Miss Xiangjun has her reasons. There's no need to take it to heart. As the saying goes, rumors stop with the wise. If you ignore it, the rumors will naturally fade over time."

When jealousy is strong, it's not easy to calm down. Hou Fangyu looked down at Li Xiangjun and continued to scold her, "He was injured saving you, so you should have given him money for treatment. Even if you wanted to take care of him personally, couldn't you have found an empty room in Meixiang Tower?"

"Sir..." Li Xiangjun was speechless, tears silently streaming down her face, like pear blossoms with rain.

Mao Xiang quickly intervened again. Whether it was the sight of Li Xiangjun's tears or the release of his anger, Hou Fangyu's tone softened under Mao Xiang's persuasion. He comforted Li Xiangjun a few times and then left with Mao Xiang.

Once in the carriage, Hou Fangyu's face darkened again. After a moment of thought, he said, "As long as that Qin is in Jinling, the rumors will never stop."

"What do you plan to do, Brother Chaozong?"

"I hope Brother Pijiang can help me with this."

"Brother Chaozong, please speak freely."

"That Qin failed the exams three times and is now on the waiting list at the Ministry of Personnel. I heard that the last two magistrates of Huichang in Jiangxi were killed by bandits. Huichang has been without an official for a year, and the Ministry has sent several people, but no one dares to take the post because of the bandits..."

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