Chapter Seventy: The Power of Mahjong

  Although the backyard of Hongchen Guest House was burned down a few days ago, the business in front of the wine house did not decline, but instead became more popular.

  The reason is none other than the emergence of Mahjong.

  In this era of scarce entertainment, brothels are too expensive and casinos are too wasteful. Mahjong is undoubtedly the most attractive leisure activity.

  As the number of mahjong players increases, the number of people in Hongchen Guest House is also increasing rapidly. Of course, some people want to carve their own mahjong pieces, but for a short time, this kind of piracy cannot damage the business of Hongchen Guest House, because this is the largest gathering place for mahjong enthusiasts.

  Supreme cards and VIP cards are on sale all the time, these membership cards themselves have a bundling effect, which has also attracted a batch of loyal customers for Hongchen Guest House.

  It was also thanks to the sale of these membership cards that the brick-and-tile hotel in the rear could be built, otherwise the Red Dust Hotel would not have had enough money to pay for bricks and labor costs.

  The custom-made bedding and mosquito nets are also complete.

  Song Kai stretched and said, "Let's go get those bedding things and bring them over, lay them out. Each room will be equipped with a set of towels and a small piece of soap. Oh, the soap hasn't been made yet, anyway, let's do it like this for now. Tonight we'll receive our first batch of customers."

  "I don't care, anyway I'll be living in a room for this period of time, just next to your room," Nie Zhong said domineeringly, with his small mouth pouting and a hint of sexiness.

  Song Kai nodded, "However, you have to pay the money. I remember that last time when Ashina Helan slaughtered Yang Rongguang's mansion, he secretly plundered many good things."

  "Damn miser! Those things were taken away by Old Xue long ago. Speaking of which, that old man Xue Weihai is even more of a miser," Nie Lingdang said, standing beside Song Kai with a tone of complaint.

  "Hahaha, who is this? Saying I'm a money-grubber? My ears aren't deaf yet!" As he spoke, Xue Weihai walked in, his old eyes fixed on Nie Lingdang. He now naturally knew Nie Lingdang's identity and couldn't help but sigh that Song Kai's luck was indeed quite good, having actually gotten to know the daughter of the Turkic Holy City's Han King.

  Nie Lingdang simply rolled her eyes and didn't respond.

  Xue Weihai looked at the red-brick and green-tiled inn behind him, nodded his head, "Indeed, it's worth the investment. I'll go take a look. If it's not bad, I'll also stay here to try it out."

  As he spoke, Xue Weihai walked into one of the guest rooms. Three minutes later, he came out with a hint of surprise, "Indeed, it's beyond human thinking, very convenient! Song Lang, don't say anything else, I'll take the room on the left at the top of the stairs, I'm staying here tonight!"

  "Alright, one night for 10 yuan. Originally that room would be more expensive, but since we've known each other for a long time, I won't charge extra," Song Kai said quickly, then called out to Chang Sheng to bring the luggage cart.

  Chang Sheng nodded and took the reins to drive the carriage away. The official horse looked very disgruntled, after all, it had been on the battlefield before, but now it was reduced to pulling a carriage.

  Song Kai and Qingniang, along with Changsheng, walked towards the cotton fabric workshop. Every inn must be equipped with bedding, but under current conditions, it's impossible to wash them every day like in later generations. At least they should be kept clean.

  On the quilt, according to Song Kai's request, the words "Hongchen Guest House welcomes you" were printed, which was very festive. The pink outer cover was pleasing to the eye and looked clean.

  The young woman sat beside Song Kai, her body covered with a thick layer of quilts. She bowed her head and stared at Song Kai.

  After loading the bedding on the cart, only one person could sit down. Changsheng led the horse in front, while Song Kai could only walk beside the cart.

  "What's with the look?" Song Kai asked, "Does Young Master look particularly handsome today?"

  "Mmm!" The young woman nodded vigorously, her mouth corners curled up in a happy smile.

  Song Kai couldn't take it anymore, "Flower crazy girl! Not a single cell of humor!"

  The young lady didn't mind Song Kai's strange insults, she still had a happy smile, "My lord, you're really great, you let me sit in the carriage while you walk on the ground yourself."

  "You're a girl and I'm a boy, of course!" Song Kai reached out and knocked on Qingniang's head, "You're really stupid!"

  "Qingniang is not stupid at all! Qingniang is a maid, Langjun is the master, of course Langjun should be sitting in the carriage," Qingniang's sparkling eyes stared at Song Kai, without blinking.

  Song Kai suddenly found that this little girl could also generate electricity, he hastily waved his hand and said: "Alright, kid, you're just stubborn, hold these quilts tightly, if they fall, I'll spank you!"

  "I know Mr. Lang will not blame Qingniang," Qingniang giggled, "Mr. Lang is the wisest, most kind-hearted and best master."

  Song Kai's old face turned bright red, although his face was burning with embarrassment, he felt that these praises were a bit over the top, but in his heart, he was very pleased to be admired, especially by a young beauty, this feeling was really great!

  After saying that, the pedestrians on the street began to hurry their footsteps. In a little more than an hour, the city gate would be closed and the people outside the city had to leave before the city gate was closed.

  Next to the carriage, a thin man was walking along the road when he suddenly tripped and fell to the ground, with several green vegetables rolling out of his carrying pole.

  The young woman let out an "ah".

  Song Kai let Chang Sheng stop the carriage, he hastily walked over and said, "Sir, what's wrong?"

  "My head... I feel a bit dizzy and nauseous," the man said in a low voice.

  Song Kai took a look at the person's complexion and immediately understood that this person was suffering from low blood sugar, probably due to eating too little and overexerting himself, which is why he suddenly fainted.

  There was a vendor selling pastries nearby, Song Kai walked over and bought one, putting it in the person's hand. "Eat this pastry before continuing on your journey, you should eat more... Ah."

  He stopped halfway, this kind of illness is easy to cure, usually taking care of one's body can be fine, but in this era, people starving outside the city are everywhere, what can you do.

  Zhang Changsheng called out a greeting and Song Kai left.

  That man was wolfing down the sugar cake, not forgetting to thank Song Kai. Song Kai waved his hand, with some sighs in his heart. The city outside and inside were almost two different places. People inside the city spent money like dirt, while more people outside could barely make ends meet.

  Song Kai understood that in this region of Suzhou, the reason why farmers were starving was not because there was not enough food, but because the taxes were too heavy. At present, although the whole country is not yet in great chaos, every prefecture and governor are increasing taxes, hoarding grain, recruiting soldiers and buying horses. All these pressures have to be borne by the poor farmers. If it were a peaceful time, the farmers in Suzhou would still be very rich.

  "Lang Jun, you are really kind-hearted," Qingniang said in a low voice. "That uncle just now was really pitiful, is he ill?"

  "It's nothing, just low blood sugar... Oh, it's just a case of qi and blood deficiency," Song Kai explained.

  "What is Qi and Blood Deficiency?" Qingniang's eyes stared at Song Kai.

  Song Kai thought for a moment and said, "Qi is an important energy that sustains our bodies. The phrase 'a mouthful of air' refers to this concept. Qi, blood, and body fluids are the basic components of our bodily functions. Let me first explain some basic medical theories to you. First, let's talk about the five zang organs and six fu organs. Our bodies have five major organ systems that make up a... uh, what is called a system? A system is... it's an overall entity, a whole... never mind, just listen for now!"

  Song Kai was explaining his theory of traditional Chinese medicine to Qingniang, which was a bit complicated. His own theory of traditional Chinese medicine was based on vernacular literature, and the traditional Chinese medicine he learned had significant differences from the yin-yang five elements theory in the "Huangdi Neijing". It incorporated some scientific theories and Western medical concepts. This explanation also needed to include systems, functions, and so on.

  Fortunately, Qingniang was clever enough and understood quite a bit.

  Song Kai understood that traditional Chinese medicine is a practical and summarized subject, and the same TCM theory, each TCM practitioner has their own different understanding, which is also the reason why TCM is difficult to learn. Song Kai, although not very clear in his explanation, will try to give Qingniang more clinical practice opportunities in the future, so that she can apply what she has learned and naturally understand the theory more deeply.

  Before long, the carriage entered the backyard of the inn, and several people distributed the bedding to each room.

  Chang Sheng ran over to Song Kai's side, "Boss, what you just said, is that the medical skill that can cure illnesses? Why couldn't I understand a single sentence?"

  "You're too stupid," Song Kai laughed, "hurry up and get to work."

  The bedding was divided, everything was ready, Song Kai arrived at the front wine house and shouted to those diners, tea guests, and mahjong guests: "Everyone, our Red Dust Guest House is finally open for business today. The temporary price is one string of coins per room per day. The rooms are warm in winter and cool in summer, fully equipped. If you're interested, you can go take a look first and then make a decision."

  "What a room! One day costs 1000 bucks, it's better to rob!"

  "It's your turn! Ah, it's your turn to play a card, hurry up!"

  "I don't know what kind of tricks this inn is playing, but surprisingly, the wine is good, the tea is good, the dishes are good, and even the mahjong is good! Haha, if it's like this... hmm, I'll go take a look first."

  "Here to deceive people again, however... Ah! Boss! If we stay here overnight, can we play mahjong with lights on in the evening?" A fat man first muttered, then shouted out loud.

  Song Kai sighed and found that he still underestimated the power of mahjong, nodded, "Okay, as long as you can gather enough people, it's naturally possible."

  "Good! I, Liu San Pao Zi, will stay for a night!" This fatty didn't even look at the room and directly paid, then his three fellow card players also took out their silver coins and all opened up a room.

  Song Kai looked at Nie Lingdang sideways.

  Nie Ling Tong burst out laughing triumphantly.

  Four rooms were sold out at once, and Song Kai, Nie Ling Tong, Qing Niang and Xue Wei Hai still occupied four rooms, leaving only twelve rooms.

  It started with Liu San Pao, and the others who played mahjong were a bit hesitant. Although mahjong was fun, paying one yuan for a whole night was still a bit expensive, and it was said that mahjong was already being sold on the black market, but the price was a bit too high...

  "Everyone wait a minute, I'll go take a look at the back room first. If the room is not bad, we four people can rent one room and play mahjong all night, wouldn't that be great?" said a thin monkey-like mahjong player in a low voice.

  "Brother Lu is really talented! Go take a look in the back and see if there are any tables and chairs in the guest room..."

  Four people ran towards the backyard, and then a few more followed.

  Before long, a thin monkey with the surname Lu came running over, panting heavily.

  "Four rooms! Four rooms! Shopkeeper, we want four rooms! Quick! Give us the rooms quickly!"