Chapter 5: The Struggle for Hegemony

  Wishing you great wealth and prosperity!!!

  Wasn't that a mistake? Everyone present couldn't help but wonder in their hearts.

  Perhaps even Cheng Hua Mo by Qin Feng's side didn't believe it, a person without any foundation in Chang An city, how could he possibly send off a grand prosperity.

  "Don't believe me? Get two larger wooden boards, a carving knife and some red and black dye." Qin Feng calmly asked the little three standing beside Hua Si Hai.

  "Go and do as Mr. Qin has instructed."

  Hua saw Xiao San hesitating and immediately gave him a brainwashing. Such a big shot, how could they afford to offend him?

  Even if Qin Feng's words were just a joke, he had to play along.

  This is the sorrow of a small person, the words of an official's son, even if it means squandering all the family's wealth and traveling to the four seas, he must go, otherwise there will be no second sunrise waiting for him.

  After a while, Xiaosan ran over, panting slightly, and neatly placed the things Qin Feng wanted in front of the three people.

  Perhaps it was because of Cheng Hui's reputation, or perhaps it was because of Qin Feng's calm demeanor, but some of those ruffians who were indulging in the thrill of gambling were drawn over, wondering what kind of sparks would fly when the casino's big shot met with that demonic second-generation official.

  Qin Feng stroked the moderately thick wooden board with a pair of slender fingers as white as jade, and picked up an engraving knife from one side.

  The knife moved in a dragon-like motion, a purely manual art that left onlookers dazzled. Even though the crowd had never considered Qin Feng as today's protagonist before, he had actually become the absolute protagonist at this moment.

  After watching Qin Feng's performance, the onlookers couldn't help but sigh in admiration. It turned out that carving was also an art form with such a strong visual appeal, and the flying wood shavings could bring about a different kind of aesthetic pleasure.

  In the blink of an eye, Cheng Hui Miao was the first to walk up to Qin Feng's front. Of course, when he went forward, as his teacher, Qin Feng had already put down the engraving knife and picked up the pigment to add color to that strange wooden board which had been divided into fifty-four parts.

  "What are you doing again, teacher?"

  Qin Feng had previously been reminded by Hui Mo that he shouldn't ask too many questions in front of him, but looking at such a strange object, he couldn't help but ask.

  "Wealth and nobility! That's what I gave to Boss Hua." Qin Feng replied without lifting his head.

  He rubbed his head, unable to think of any connection between the wooden board and wealth. Cheng Hui decided not to be the one to speak out this time, and quietly stood beside Qin Feng, watching as his teacher fiddled with an unusual object in his hand.

  Hua Si Hai didn't think Qin Feng was arrogant at this time, but instead admired his dedicated work attitude. He had some faith in what such a person said, and he no longer looked down on Qin Feng because of his youthful appearance.

  In about a minute, Qin Feng had already placed the red and black colors on those fifty-four pieces of wood that were roughly the size of a palm, making it impossible for anyone to guess what they meant.

  Hua Si Hai, who was lost in thought with his chin in his hand, suddenly seemed to have thought of something, and his eyes lit up. "Mr. Qin, the thing you made, isn't it a new gambling tool?"

  Qin Feng nodded in satisfaction, it's indeed easier to talk to smart people. Hua Si Hai is a merchant worth cooperating with, he had guessed the purpose just from the shape of the poker cards alone, and his thoughts are quite nimble.

  No mistake, what Qin Feng made was exactly what Pai Gow evolved into and became popular with after a thousand years - Poker.

  The seemingly simple 54 poker cards represent a kind of leisure entertainment that is most popular among the Chinese people after meals and tea, thousands of years later.

  In the absence of entertainment projects, officials and dignitaries still lingered among courtesans and song girls. At that time, a new form of entertainment called poker was introduced, which was touted as a windfall of wealth and glory, and it was not an exaggeration.

  Of course, in the Tang Dynasty where intellectual property rights were lacking, it was basically impossible to monopolize poker. What Qin Feng hoped for was to establish a cooperative relationship with the Four Seas Casino and accumulate some original capital in a short period of time.

  "Cough cough, teacher, since this is for betting, you might as well tell us how to bet. It seems like it could be fun."

  Cheng Huai Mo rubbed his thick and calloused palms, a hint of inexplicable expectation in his eyes.

  "This wooden gaming equipment, I call it - Poker. There are 54 cards in total, four suits representing the four seasons: Spring's red peach, Summer's square piece, Autumn's plum blossom, Winter's black peach, each suit has 13 cards, and the remaining two cards represent the big and small kings of the sun and moon."

  While explaining, Qin Feng also used the poker in his hand as an example.

  Unfortunately, he spoke very clearly, but the impatient crowd didn't want to listen to what he had to say about the meaning of the gambling equipment. They were already bursting with excitement, shouting for Qin Feng to quickly start introducing the gameplay.

  Qin Feng held the porcelain bowl in his hand, took a sip of the not-so-good tea water, moistened his slightly dry throat, and continued to say, "There are many ways to play poker, but what I want to recommend to Boss Hua is a game called Kaiyuan Doudizhu."

  "What does the landlord have to do with gambling?" Wu Sihai was somewhat puzzled, strictly speaking, he could also be considered a small landlord in Chang'an City, could it be that Qin Feng was hinting at him.

  These roundabout abusive remarks have never been uttered by men of letters or poets.

  It wasn't long before Hua Si Hai found out that the so-called "Dui Di Zhu" was just a setting of the gambling table rules, and not Qin Feng intentionally mocking him.

  Gradually whetting everyone's appetite, Qin Feng started with the basics of poker, explaining what a big hand type was. Only when everyone basically understood did he begin to explain more in-depth concepts.

  Fortunately, poker evolved from Pai Gow, and the old gamblers who came in and out of the casino knew a thing or two about Pai Gow, so they could accept Qin Feng's new tricks more quickly.

  From royal flush, straight flush to four of a kind, full house, just mentioning it is enough to stimulate the gambler's nature in those old gamblers around him, and they all want to give it a try.

  There was only one deck of cards, and each time only three people played. To make people understand the rules of Dou Dizhu better, Qin Feng had Cheng Huimei and Hua Sihai play two rounds.

  Gambling is called Kaiyuan Dou Dizhu, which is Qin Feng borrowing the principle of Happy Dou Dizhu and replacing all so-called happy beans with Kaiyuan Tongbao.

  In this way, the house in every casino that collects rake and vigorish is guaranteed to make a profit, and their wealth will only continue to grow like a snowball rolling down a hill.

  After three rounds, Qin Feng's side had nearly 100 Kaiyuan Tongbao coins. To think that before this, he was a penniless martial artist who relied on small bets to make ends meet, but using the transparent rules' small advantage, he had managed to reap quite a few benefits with empty hands.

  "Alright, Mr. Hua, you've personally experienced the charm of poker. As for its value, let's discuss it further in the back room. I believe you won't refuse such a cooperation opportunity."

  Qin Feng pressed down on Cheng Huai Mo who was still unsatisfied and wanted to continue shuffling.

  One should never forget this point while practicing martial arts, for indulging in frivolous things can lead to loss of one's will.

  Of course, the Taoist old man taught his things, and it turned out to be a stepping stone for him to establish himself in the Tang Dynasty, which was also something that Qin Feng had never thought of before.

  "Please, Mr. Qin. Four Seas thanks you again for your appreciation, Little Three will hurry to instruct the head chef to prepare a good dish, I want to treat Mr. Qin and Commander Cheng well." Hu Si Hai excitedly patted his long gown, ignoring the gamblers' piercing gaze behind him, instantly rolling up the poker into his sleeve.

  Skilled moves, indeed a veteran of the gambling world who has been around for many years. If he were to really get on the gaming table, few people could rival this master of sleight of hand.