Fifteen Tokyo

  "Little Wu, you can call me anytime. Little Jiu, the purple agate skirt you're wearing was specially picked out by Song Da Ge, and it really suits you." Ruan Xiao Qi suddenly appeared out of nowhere, praising Han Jiu Er on one hand, while raising an eyebrow and winking at Little Wu to step aside for a word.

  Xiao Wu only then realized that Han Jiu'er had changed into a luxurious new outfit, and he hadn't noticed it earlier. Song Jiang was indeed thoughtful, truly treating himself as a brother. He saw Ruan Xiaoqi looking strange and suspicious, so he walked down to the water pavilion and asked: "Younger brother, is there something on your mind?"

  "Brothers want to take you out for some fun, why don't you hurry up?" Ruan Xiaoqi snickered mischievously.

  "What's so great about being a bandit?" Little Wu looked bewildered, he had just started his life of crime and didn't understand the thrill of committing daring robberies and making off with large sums of money.

  "Brother says that at your age, it's the perfect time to wear flowers, drink wine and visit brothels." Ruan Xiaoqi lowered her voice, but was afraid of being overheard by Han Jiu'er.

  "I don't want to go, bother telling my brothers." Xiao Wu understood and refused outright. The saying "a young man's time is not wasted" does not apply to him, not only because of his rustic upbringing, but also due to the foolish loyalty and single-mindedness in his bones.

  "I wanted to go, but brother didn't take me." Ruan Xiaoqi sulkily walked away.

  Han Jiu'er vaguely heard that the brothers were looking for Xiao Wu, and walked to his side: "Brother, go and play with your brothers quickly, little sister doesn't need you to accompany her."

  Xiao Wu Ben was reluctant to join the lively gathering, but after being persuaded by Han Jiu Er, he decided to stay behind because he wanted to accompany her. He felt embarrassed for a moment, not knowing whether to leave or stay.

  "Brother Xian, Xiao Qi said that he couldn't invite you, but instead, it's me and Wu Er who have come to invite you." A voice like a distant bell ringing out, the person hadn't appeared yet, but their voice had already arrived.

  "Wu Xiao, let's go together! Let's go together!" The elegant and agile martial artist Wu Xiao and the majestic and heroic monk Hua He Shang arrived side by side. He wasn't actually ranked second, but because he liked to repeat his phrases twice when speaking, Hua He Shang teasingly called him "Wu Er".

  "Brother Hua, Brother Wu, blessings!" Han Jiu'er, a person in the rivers and lakes, had long washed away the pampering of being a young lady from the Han Manor, and neatly folded her sleeves to greet the two men.

  "Little sister, are you well?" The two monks didn't put their palms together in a Buddhist greeting, but instead casually clasped their fists and asked after her. They saw the little girl wearing a beautiful dress, and that natural noble air of hers was something they couldn't help but stare at in surprise.

  "Hua brother, Wu brother, are you going too?" Xiaowu thought to himself that these monks and Taoist priests were also going to visit the brothel, what a joke.

  "Nature, nature!" The first to come back to his senses was Wu Xing, who put his arm around Xiao Wu and walked him aside, whispering, "I and the monk can't keep up with them, we just want to drink wine, so I'm looking for you to accompany us."

  "Drink wine? Good!" Since that day of heavy drinking, Xiao Wu had developed a taste for liquor. At the mention of it by Wu Xie, the wine worms in his belly began to stir restlessly.

  "Hey monk, what are you staring at?" Wu Xingzi turned his head to see Huahe Shang still gazing intently at Xiaojiu and cursed with a smile.

  "Amitabha Buddha, the female donor is too beautiful, it's a sin, a sin!" Monk Hua loudly chanted Buddhist scriptures, clasped his hands and bowed his head, directly admitting that he was bewitched by Xiaojiao and confessing to the Buddha.

  "Pshaw! The beacon fire laughs at the beauty, the lost country blames the noble concubine. A great man with an unrighteous heart, yet blaming a young girl, isn't he ashamed?!" Han Jiu'er couldn't bear to hear these words, her pretty face turned stern as she scolded the much older Flower Monk.

  "Xiao Jiu's words are well said, I've just had a wicked thought, but it's right to scold!" The usually hot-tempered Flower Monk rarely showed restraint and admitted with a reddened face, his straightforwardness rivaling that of Zong Bi.

  "It's extreme, it's extreme! The monk's willpower is not enough, come and learn from me." Wu Xingzhi took the opportunity to tease him.

  "Alright, brothers can take care of themselves, let little sister have some peace and quiet." Han Jiu'er's face turned red as she gave the order to dismiss them.

  The cold wind was biting, the icy waves crashed against the boat, and all the good men huddled in the cabin to warm themselves by the fire. Only Xiaowu stood at the bow of the boat, letting the cold wind blow on his face to alleviate the suffering of seasickness. This method was taught by Ruan Xiaoqi, and it really worked.

  This is a sailboat with a narrow and pointed bow, low and flat sides, and a very sturdy hull. Not only is it extremely fast, but it can also break through the thin ice on the water's surface, making it an excellent tool for traveling on waterways in winter.

  The sun rose high but without warmth. Xiao Wu gradually couldn't withstand the cold, didn't want to go into the cabin, and came back to exercise his limbs, or chatted with his brothers who were steering at the stern of the ship.

  The boat sailed southward along the vast lake surface for about half a day, and as the lake narrowed, it turned into a large river and changed its course to the west. Xiao Wu couldn't help but ask the helmsman curiously: "What river is this? It doesn't seem like the Ji River."

  The helmsman smiled and replied, "Little Fifth Brother, this is the Wuzhang River. Ahead lies Jizhou He Cai Town, then after passing through Guangji Military Prefecture and Caozhou, we'll arrive in Dongjing. Didn't Song Big Brother tell you? We're going to the Emperor's lair to have some fun?"

  "What? Tokyo......" Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment, and it was true that no one had told him that the place he went to was actually the capital of the Great Song Dynasty - Dongjing Kaifeng Prefecture.

  "The Eastern Capital, Kaifeng Prefecture, is like a brocade tapestry, with thirty-six miles of imperial streets, twenty-eight city gates, and thirty-six alleys lined with willows...". Xiao Wu had heard the storyteller describe the capital in this way since childhood, and had long been fascinated. But when he actually arrived at Kaifeng Prefecture, he realized that what he had heard was not even a fraction of what he saw. Whether it was the majestic Huanglong Temple outside the pass or the towering Youzhou City overlooking the clouds, all were surpassed by this place.

  Many good men hurried to the early morning, took a boat from the northeast water gate of the outer city into the capital, looking far away at the city wall standing tall and majestic, when they arrived near the front, they saw a moat over 10 zhang wide, with willows planted along the bank, an iron gate was in front of them, soldiers were lined up on both sides, without official documents, no one could enter.

  A private boat came, a white-faced official who seemed to have not woken up yet, rubbing his eyes with one hand and waving the other to let them approach the sluice gate. In a lazy tone, he spoke in Kaifeng dialect: "Where did they come from? What business do they have?"

  "The man and woman are peddlers of dates from Shandong, they came out in a hurry and forgot to bring their official documents, please forgive us." Song Jiang, dressed as a merchant, smiled and greeted the officer at the side of the boat, while simultaneously handing him an object.

  "Oh... it's like that, don't make an example out of this." The officer pinched the object in his hand and suddenly came to life. He cleared his throat and ordered the opening of the gate to release the boat without even inspecting it.

  Ruan Xiao'er in the cabin squeezed his eyes at Xiao Wu and whispered: "Brother Song gave this kid a gold ingot."

  "Is it possible that this is also the case?" Xiao Wu had not expected that even the Imperial Guards, who were supposed to defend the capital, would be so corrupt. He couldn't help but feel worried and anxious, thinking about the situation of other troops, fearing that they might be even worse off. What kind of combat effectiveness could such an army have?

  The Song Dynasty army implemented a recruitment system, divided into Forbidden Army, Xiang Army and Xiangbing. The elite Forbidden Army was known for its bravery in battle and was also called the "Emperor's Guard", responsible for garrisoning the capital, stationed in local areas and defending the border. In contrast, the older and weaker Xiang Army was mainly responsible for various labor and miscellaneous tasks. The Xiangbing, recruited through the Baojia system, were responsible for local security.

  The boat passed through the water gate, and all the good men knew they had passed the pass, and rushed out of the cabin to see the scenery. They saw two high and large walls standing on both sides of the river, stretching for more than 100 meters, which was the "Wanzi City" unique to the capital. Xiao Wu looked up at the densely arranged horse faces, battle sheds, female walls, and crossbow towers on the city wall, which were indeed layered defenses, but the defending army was so lax that if a foreign enemy really came to attack, wouldn't it be futile?

  Out of the city, along the shore are seen powder walls and vermilion gates, with pavilions and towers in a row. What a magnificent view of the capital! The waterway suddenly widens, and someone recognizes it as the Bian River - the Dragon River that runs through the capital. The scenery changes at once, with boats moored side by side on the river, and carriages and horses crowded together on the shore, with official goods and private goods gathered together, what a bustling metropolis of water and land!

  While the boat was mooring, Song Jiang called all the good men into the cabin, took out gold and silver from the date basket and distributed them, and each hid a dagger for self-defense. The long-handled weapons were all pressed to the bottom of the cabin. After agreeing on the time to meet again, they laughed and went up to the dock, parted ways, and each sought their own pleasure.

  Xiao Wu dressed up as a young servant and, along with Hua He Shang and Wu Xingzhe, set out to visit the most famous Xiangguo Temple in the capital. As it turned out, the East Street where the temple was located was the most prosperous and bustling area of Kaifeng Prefecture. The street was lined with shops and stalls, colorful buildings stood opposite each other, embroidered banners fluttered in the wind, and the sky was obscured by the commotion. Everyone passing by was dressed in fine clothes and wore elegant hats, either wealthy or noble, leaving the three men dazzled and bewildered.

  Finally arrived at Xiangguo Temple, the three of them took a deep breath and stared with wide eyes. What a magnificent Buddhist temple! Countless devout men and women were entering and exiting the mountain gate. Famous calligraphic works and paintings from past dynasties adorned the corridors on both sides. Hundreds of bronze arhats filled the halls inside and out, with offerings of lamps and incense burning brightly and prosperously.

  Hua and Shangdao both said "ashamed" and went to the main hall to worship, donating all the gold and silver they had received. Xiao Wu was also a Buddhist believer and donated his merits to his parents with an empty pocket.

  Only Wu Xing saw this with a cold eye, and when the two turned around, he said: "You've offered all your gold and silver to Buddha, what will you eat later? Will you just eat incense?"

  "Ah yeah! I forgot about this." Hua He Shang scratched his bald head, feeling a bit regretful.

  "It's natural to eat Brother Wu's." Xiao Wu had already figured it out and a smile appeared at the corner of his eyes, his mood much better than when he first entered the city.

  After leaving the Temple of the Minister, the three of them only chose those wine and food shops to eat and drink their fill, including "Liu Popo's Meat Pie", "Sun Yang Shop" and "Xu Family Hotel" etc., until they were full and bloated, unable to eat anymore.

  Unconsciously, the sky had darkened, and the street lamps were lit, shining brightly like daytime. The shops along the street opened their windows and set up stalls, starting the night market, selling all kinds of pastries, fruits, meat dishes, soups, and so on. The pedestrians crowded the streets, dressed in various attire, including foreigners from different ethnic groups. Amidst the throngs, there were fortune tellers, tea vendors, people buying roasted flatbread, and many beggars asking for money. Moreover, a group of ruffians and hooligans rushed about, making the scene even more lively than during the day.

  Three people are drunk and swaggering along the street, pedestrians see this combination of two monks and one young man a bit strange, all keep a distance.

  "Isn't that Song Dage?" shouted Hua He Shang with his sharp eyes, pointing forward.

  "Is it?" Xiao Wu turned his head to look, but only saw two familiar figures entering a building.

  Three people were curious and came to the front of the building, only to see a three-story building with flying bridges, railings, beaded windows, and lanterns casting shadows. On the facade, two red plaques hung, each inscribed with seven large yellow characters: "The Number One Divine Maiden in the World, The Elegant Flower General Flying General."

  "It just so happens, it's actually Li Shishi's residence." Wu Hang recognized the goods and was shocked to lower his voice, "She is a fiery mistress of the current emperor, how did Song Da find her?"

  "What saint is upstairs? Wu Er, Xiao Wu, come and take a look!" The term "miss" was used by the Song people to refer to courtesans. Huahe Shang had always been bold and reckless, and he stepped inside without hesitation.

  Xiao Wu had heard of Li Shishi's reputation, originally he was most disgusted with the brothel, but was touched by that "Flying General", and took advantage of the wine excitement, also wanted to see this famous courtesan who had captivated emperors.

  Three men, though not with a mind to indulge in romantic affairs, thought it would be nice to catch a glimpse of the famous courtesan. It's only human nature. As they lifted the curtain and entered, they were immediately struck by the fragrance of orchids and musk, their feet felt weak, and they found themselves in a place that was truly enchanting and alluring.

  A beautifully dressed and adorned young maid came forward to greet them. Seeing the three men, she was taken aback at first, then pursed her lips and smiled slyly: "Two elderly gentlemen, this young man also wants to see my mistress? The fee is ten taels of silver per person, just for going upstairs to drink tea; as for whether or not the mistress will see him, that's up to fate."

  "Is this enough?" Wu Xian didn't bother to haggle with her, tossed down a gold ingot, and went upstairs with Huahe Shang and Xiao Wu.

  Upstairs, the walls were covered with water and ink paintings. If it weren't for a pink mandarin duck lamp hanging from the ceiling, one would have thought it was a scholarly family. The three of them walked past the screen and were all stunned - what a large guest room! Inside, the room was filled with guests, including scholars, merchants, officials, and clerks, all quietly sipping tea. Two pretty maidservants bustled back and forth attending to them.

  Song Jiang and Ruan Xiaoer, disguised as master and servant, sat down, seeing three familiar faces, they were taken aback. Hua the monk was about to greet them, but was pulled by Wu Song, and came to his senses, pretending not to know each other, turning their heads to find empty seats to sit down. The rest of the guests saw these three people also come to see Li Shishi, couldn't help but show a strange expression.

  "Gentlemen, the teacher has arrived!" A clear and melodious voice suddenly came from afar, followed by the sound of footsteps, as someone descended from the third floor.

  The guests, who had been quiet just a moment before, suddenly erupted into a buzz of excitement, all stretching their necks to turn their gaze towards a balcony with beaded curtains, their faces filled with infatuation. Song Jiang and Ruan Xiao'er were no exception, and some even drooled at the mouth. Li Shishi indeed lived up to her reputation; just hearing her voice, without seeing her, was enough to make every guest's soul melt away in enchantment.

  Only Xiao Wu, Huahe Shang and Wu Xingzhi were not infatuated, instead they cast a cold eye on the guests, revealing a look of disdain. Xiao Wu thought to himself: "Song Da Ge and Ruan Xiong are usually so heroic and proud, yet they have fallen under the apron strings of a young lady, it's really disappointing."

  The sound stopped behind the bead curtain, and a slender figure could be vaguely seen, as if observing the guests. After a moment, the soft voice sounded again: "Master has been destined to be with Buddha since childhood, today it's rare to have an elder visiting the grass pavilion, so please invite the two masters and the little brother who came together to go upstairs and have tea."

  Is there such a reason? The rest of the guests were so annoyed that they wanted to shave their heads and become monks immediately, just to see Li Shishi. It was an unexpected surprise, but Song Jiang and Ruan Xiaoer felt surprised too, seeing them wanting to speak but hesitating, clearly thinking of confessing themselves as fellow travelers, but unexpectedly the two female servants had already withdrawn the tea and driven away the guests.

  Under the leadership of Xiaoyao, the three people passed through the bead curtain and went up to another floor. They entered a boudoir with several fragrant sandalwood carved flower beds inside, covered with quilts embroidered with flowers and birds seeking pleasure. A rhinoceros skin incense table was placed in the middle, with two warm stoves on either side, making it as warm as spring. Dozens of dragon brain incense candles were arranged in a row, filling the room with fragrance, but there was no sign of the host.

  The little maid had already gotten busy, taking out a silver box, arranging a set of white silver tea utensils, and taking out a tea cake. She wrapped it in white paper, used a small silver pestle to crush it on a wooden chopping board, then placed it in a long silver trough, using a small silver wheel to grind it into tea powder. After that, she put it in a silver sieve and sifted it again, sifting out extremely fine tea powder. Finally, she sprinkled the tea powder one by one into the silver bowls, picked up the silver warm water kettle and poured in water. She poured just the right amount, each scoop of water filling one bowl perfectly. As she poured the water, she used a silver tea spoon to stir it, not missing a single detail, extremely elegant. This was how the Song people served tea to their noble guests, with such complex procedures that it left the three of them staring in amazement.

  The sound of the jade pendant echoed again, and the host finally appeared. The flower girl stood under the soft candlelight, wearing a crimson silk dress with a delicate pattern of peonies, her hair styled in a low bun, with a light dusting of powder on her face, her slender eyebrows arched like a crescent moon, her bright eyes scanning the room, she curtsied and greeted everyone with a gentle "Wan Fu".

  The three of them stood up simultaneously, greeting each other with the courtesy of the rivers and lakes. In their hearts, they all thought: "No wonder those guests under the building were so disheartened, for there are indeed such beautiful women in the world, truly a heavenly goddess."

  Similar to Xianzi, Han Jiuer is naturally beautiful, while Li Shishi is cultivated later in life. Every gesture, every movement, is carefully planned, piercing the hearts of men.

  "Please have some tea." Li Shishi's slender hands moved delicately as she personally handed each guest a silver cup.

  The three of them had never experienced such a grand feast before, and after drinking, they were parched. They raised their cups and drank them dry in one gulp. That cup of fragrant tea was originally sweet and delicious beyond words, requiring slow savoring to fully appreciate its flavor, but the three of them gulped it down like oxen, causing the little maid to cover her mouth and giggle secretly.

  "Is there tea without a song? Listen to me sing one." Li Shishi didn't think much of it, and softly sang a verse from "The Female Crown": "Last night at midnight, I clearly dreamed on my pillow. When we spoke often, your face was still like peach blossoms, frequently lowering your willow-leaf eyebrows. Half shy, half joyful, wanting to leave yet lingering. Upon waking, I knew it was just a dream, and couldn't help but feel sorrow."

  The song's voice is clear and distant, with a melancholic and sorrowful tone, singing about the bitter emotions of men and women meeting in their dreams after parting ways. The singer's gaze is enchanting, with a hint of coquetry, as if she's both smiling and scolding, adding another layer of captivating charm to the melody. Flower Monk and Wu Xing were deeply moved, while Xiao Wu also became entranced, thinking of his long-separated wife, and unknowingly had tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.

  "In the past, there was a talented woman named Gong Sun, whose dance with sword moved all directions...". The song suddenly changed, and Li Shishi's hand flashed with silver light, adding a short sword. She sang and danced in the boudoir, her voice no longer soft and gentle, but bold and free. Her movements were elegant and unrestrained, as if she was dancing on air. The short sword seemed to come alive in her hands, shining like liquid silver. As she finished the last sentence, she stood on one foot, like a celestial being flying through the sky, turned around, and struck with her sword, as if frozen in a painting.

  "It's indeed General Fei!" Xiaowu suddenly understood the origin of the elegant and heroic General Fei.

  "If I were an emperor, I would appoint you as a general." The monk Hua no longer looked down on Li Shishi.

  "Good wife, good wife!" Wu Xingzi exclaimed repeatedly.

  "It's over!" Li Shishi, her face not red or out of breath, sheathed her sword and clenched her fists, looking like a woman from the jianghu. "Do you know why I chose to challenge the three of you?"

  "Speak!" The three men's intoxication had worn off, and they responded solemnly.

  "I've met countless people in my life. There's a saying that goes, 'A warrior without the air of sword and spear, a scholar without the air of pedantry, a woman without the air of cosmetics, and a monk without the air of incense is already an extraordinary person!' Now, among us four, we've already accounted for three..." Li Shishu smiled and said.