Chapter 70: The Eight Great Hutongs (Begging for Bookmarks)

  Zhen Niang sat listlessly on the edge of the kang, stroking her scalding cheeks. She didn't feel much anger towards Huang Li's sudden outburst earlier, but instead felt a complex mix of emotions that she couldn't quite put into words. Huang Dage must have been heartbroken, from Fengliu Town he had single-handedly rescued her and Bai family, saved herself, and then thinking about how Huang Li had carefully taken care of them along the way, going through hardships to escort them safely to their destination, this was a great kindness, he wanted her, but she had rejected him like that, wasn't it ungrateful? Her body was no longer intact, just a young widow, what was she pretending to be so chaste and noble for. Zhen Niang thought to herself, one moment regretting and the next feeling sorrowful...

  In the following days, Huang Li was always out early and back late, and when he met Zhen Niang, he still had that calm face, as if nothing had happened. But Zhen Niang seemed to have done something wrong herself, seeing Huang Li and not being able to say a complete sentence, her hands and feet didn't know where to go, she just tried her best to do her own job well, burning the fire in Huang Li's house warmly, and when Huang Li came back at night, she served hot food again.

  Actually, Huang Li didn't have that much resentment. Leaving early and returning late was just him and Zhang Zhao Wu wandering around Beijing, getting familiar with the local customs and people. Zhen Niang still hadn't forgotten Xiao Suo, which shows she's a sentimental woman. She had emotional baggage, and he did too; otherwise, why would mentioning Xiao Suo make him lose his spirit?

  What they called familiarizing themselves with local customs was actually Huang Li observing and learning, while Zhang Zhaowu indulged in pleasure-seeking. Huang Li would ponder and remember the words and actions of various people, while Zhang Zhaowu used public funds to eat, drink, and have fun. Today, under the pretext of broadening his horizons, he took Huang Li to the Eight Great Hutongs.

  Beiping's famous "Eight Great Hutongs" are what people refer to as the pleasure quarters, later known as red-light districts, and some places also call them Pingkangli. However, in Beiping, you don't use these names.

  "The Eight Great Hutongs" outside Qianmen Gate are a few crisscrossing small alleys, also known as small lanes, which are almost all connected together. Every time the lanterns are first lit, two or three good friends walk along the big streets and small lanes, strolling and chatting; looking left and right, this is called "strolling".

  The gate is bright and clean, with a sign hanging on it, written with four small words "Qing Yin Xiao Ban". That's the first-class brothel. If you want to visit the brothel, just go in. After entering the gate, there are shadow walls, turning left and right, and then walking inside, someone will lift the curtain and let you in. They always ask a question first: "Do you have an acquaintance or see a guest?" If you have an acquaintance, they will mention who it is. If not, they will open their mouth and shout loudly "See a guest". Why do they need to shout loudly? It's because the upstairs, front yard, and backyard can all hear it.

  The girls meet guests, each with their own different posture, although they intend to tease people, but still rely on the guests' preferences. When a girl comes to the door, the waiter stands aside and calls out her name, one by one, until she finishes seeing them. If this house has ten girls, but only eight are seen, the waiter will put down the curtain and say in a low voice: "One is out on an errand and hasn't returned, one is sick and apologizes to you." After explaining, he asks you: "Which one do you...". He draws out the word "look" very long, waiting for your response. If you have a preference, you can tell him directly which one, if not, shake your head and walk out, no need to show any apology, because this is a common thing. If you really didn't get a good look, you can ask for a "second viewing". However, this depends on whether you are sincere in spending money or intentionally causing trouble.

  After selecting a girl, the guest is first invited to sit in the girl's "home" room. Once seated, the madams bring out a plate of melon seeds, open a pack of cigarettes, pour tea for the guests, ask their surname, and start making small talk. Next comes the guest carefully admiring the girl's appearance; the girl slowly calculating the guest's wallet. This is called "putting on the plate" or "opening the plate", also known as "beating around the bush" in Beijing dialect.

  At that time, the first-class cabin was surrounded by tea, regardless of the number of people, for one dollar. If you open a pack of British brand cigarettes "Kent", and add a plate of fruit, usually two dollars are given. Occasionally, if they encounter an "old hurry" who is not in line, they will still give one dollar, and they will never argue over more or less.

  Zhang Zhao Wu first gave Huang Li a lecture on the basics of Beijing's flower affairs, and it seems that he is indeed proficient in this way. He should be a regular customer there. At that time, going to the brothel to vent one's emotions and relieve boredom was a widely accepted behavior. Men did not think it was shameful, but rather had a kind of worldly show-off.

  "Huang brother, I don't know if you like the beauties of the southern country or the rouge of the northern land?" Zhang Zhao Wu asked politely after finishing his story.

  Huang Li shook his head slightly and smiled faintly: "As for this romantic affair, I'm completely clueless, but since Brother Zhang means well, let me just broaden my horizons and open my eyes."

  Zhang Zhao Wu was quite pleased in his heart, this errand was really not bad, spending the public's money, but he could enjoy it himself, and Huang Li listened to him completely, so he could go and flatter Xi Chun's scene, that little girl, had become more and more charming.

  "Brother Huang doesn't know, the top-notch troupe in Beiping is divided into two factions: Nan Guo Jiali and Bei Di Yanzi. They have different styles and charm. Zhang Zhao led Huang Li towards Hanjiatan and began to explain, "The southern faction, no matter if they're from Wuxi or Changzhou, all claim to be from Suzhou, otherwise nobody would support them. The northern faction is almost entirely composed of Beiping people, while those from nearby counties mostly fall into the second or third tier. The girls from the southern faction speak with a soft Wu dialect, and when they speak in the Beiping accent, it's sweet and pleasant to listen to. Moreover, they're skilled at flattering their customers. The northern faction treats their customers like husbands at home, intimate yet respectful. Hehe, once you experience these different flavors, Brother Huang will understand."

  Huang Li smiled and nodded, he didn't have any objection to this, nor did he have too much expectation, just a little curiosity.

  Hanjiatan is a small alley, one of the "Eight Great Hutongs" in Beiping. This area is roughly all Suzhou's Qingyin Xiaoban. The so-called "Qingyin" means selling singing but not selling bodies, actually it's not very strict, it's just self-promotion.

  Zhang Zhao brought the yellow calendar to a brothel called "Yi Hua Guan" and went in, then he chose a girl named Yi Chun. He also persuaded Huang Li, who didn't pretend to be virtuous either, so he casually chose a girl who looked decent, whose name was Hua Chun.

  Yi Chun is the red card here, past the age of plum blossoms, with a gentle charm and good manners, but always with a slightly reserved attitude. Huang Li was somewhat disapproving, but he didn't know that Yi Chun had gained a reputation for being elegant precisely because of this, and also excelled at playing the zither, chess, painting, reciting poetry, and composing couplets. Her bright eyes and charming smile, as well as her deep emotions, often attracted famous scholars, officials, nobles, and wealthy merchants to flock to her like birds.

  ;