Chapter 39: An Unexpected Encounter in Western City

  Since the Emperor has approved his leave, it would be impolite not to take it. Besides, Qin Mubai also wanted to go home and fetch some spare clothes and daily necessities. So he rode on Huoyun Horse and left the Imperial Palace.

  Chang'an City is too big, if you want to walk back on foot, it will take at least one or two hours. Huoyun's horse was fast and its hooves were light, and soon they arrived at the West Market.

  Xishi is the largest market in Chang'an today, and it's not inferior to the commercial pedestrian streets of 21st-century metropolises. Qin Moyi had never carefully strolled through Xishi since arriving in Tang Dynasty. Today, he happened to have half a day free and decided to take a walk along the way.

  Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty is, without exaggeration, the most internationalized metropolis in the world today. In the agricultural country of Zhongyuan, Chang'an has a strong commercial urban flavor. This flavor is especially strong in Xishi.

  Many foreign merchants brought exotic treasures from the Silk Road, heading straight for Chang'an. They hoped to find the special products of the Tang Dynasty, such as tea leaves, silk fabrics, and ceramics, to transport back to their home countries. Many foreigners came to Chang'an and did not want to leave, with settling down and taking root as their ultimate goal, which is similar to many people in the 21st century striving for a US green card.

  In foreign lands, the status of Tang people has always been the highest. Just like when foreign envoys came to Great Tang, they would unconsciously treat ordinary Tang citizens with a humble attitude. Our Han-Tang attire is not something that Hu people can wear just by saying so. Unless they have obtained permanent residency, they dare not gleefully change into elegant silk Tang dresses and take pride in them. When foreign envoys came to Great Tang to pay respects to Emperor Taizong of Tang, being bestowed with precious treasures and beautiful women was nothing compared to the joy of receiving a set of Tang attire - it's like obtaining a green card from Great Tang, possessing the residency rights of the Heavenly Dynasty. Therefore, many envoys, scholars, and merchants who came to Tang did not want to leave after arriving. They married, had children, and multiplied their descendants here. What attracted them was not only the prosperity and strength of Tang, as well as its dazzling culture, but also the empire's open-minded and inclusive attitude, which is the core driving force behind its ability to absorb all rivers.

  It is precisely because of this that many talented people from foreign countries stayed in the Tang Dynasty, and while enjoying life in the Tang Dynasty, they also promoted their talents and culture here. The Tang Dynasty integrated many rich and colorful cultures on the basis of Central Plains civilization, and with the development of production and technology, it brought about a virtuous cycle. This is the real reason why the Tang Dynasty is at the top of the nation and country today. The inclusive and open-minded Tang Dynasty and the Chinese nation also led the progress of the entire era from then on, like a dragon head.

  In the 21st century, people all know that being open and inclusive is the way to keep pace with the times. Otherwise, why would we reform and open up? The Tang people over a thousand years ago understood this principle, but surprisingly, the Qing people over a thousand years later did not understand this principle. As a result, there are now Chinatowns in the United States, but no "Qing People's Streets", only museums to display treasures looted from the Qing court.

  In comparison, Qin Mu Bai thought it was better to be a Tang person. The Manchu Qing dynasty was something to be hated and overthrown.

  The foreign population in the Western City is the most numerous, with over 90% of the Hu people still retaining their ethnic clothing. At first glance, it's like a hundred flowers blooming together, competing for beauty. The densely packed shop signs dazzle the eyes, and on the streets that are about 40-50 meters wide, the flow of horses and carriages is endless, with people rubbing shoulders. In the wine shops and song houses, beautiful music floats through the air, and some stunning Hu women wear veils and revealing Hu clothing, performing passionate and seductive Hu dances to attract customers.

  As he walked his horse through the western market, Qin Mu Bai felt like a drop in the ocean, so insignificant. Yet, he caught a whiff of the thick atmosphere of this prosperous era, and it was truly refreshing. It made him feel somewhat intoxicated with pleasure at being a Tang person, what a proud thing to be.

  After strolling around for a while, Qin Mubai was greedily admiring the bustling market when he inadvertently caught sight of a wine shop with a particularly impressive aura. The wine shop was more magnificent and newer than any other house nearby, as if it had just opened its doors not long ago.

  The name of the wine shop is also quite intimidating - The Best Wine in the World.

  It is rare for a shop to be named after wine rather than a tavern, store, home or inn.

  The gate of the shop is very high and large, enough for three or four horse-drawn carriages to enter side by side. At this moment, a large number of people are coming in and out continuously. A noticeable phenomenon - those who walk in are flushed with excitement, and from their dress and demeanor, they are either rich or noble, or officials, scholars, or beauties. And those who come out, mostly stumble and support each other, still shouting loudly "good wine, good wine", the debauched and unrestrained posture is in stark contrast to the dignified and elegant appearance when they first entered.

  "The world's best wine... this store is quite interesting." Qin Mubai took a couple of glances but didn't think much of it, and was about to lead his horse away. Suddenly, he heard a loud shout from upstairs: "Hey! Third Brother Qin!"

  "Who called me?" Qin Mu Bai looked up and saw a big black head poking out of a elegant pavilion on the second floor, grinning at him with bared teeth: "It's me! Yuwen Hongtai! What a coincidence, Qin San Ge! Come on up for a couple of drinks? Ah no, I'll go down to welcome you!"

  "What a coincidence, I'm here myself." Qin Mubai was quite happy to run into Yuwen Hongtai after not seeing him for many days. He led his horse towards the store front. A young shop assistant came out to take the reins and immediately stared in surprise: "A peerless fine steed! May I ask, sir, what kind of feed would you like us to use to care for it?"

  "Here's the best." Qin Mu Bai tossed the whip and a stack of copper plates to the young waiter, striding into the shop.

  As soon as he stepped into the hotel, a faint elegant fragrance wafted before him. A woman with a powdered face and a stunning figure, dressed in a masculine suit, stood in front of Qin Mu Bai. She looked him up and down, then cupped her hands and asked: "Sir, would you like to drink or listen to music?"

  "Are you... a young waiter in the store?" Qin Mubai couldn't help but feel a little surprised. Such a dressed-up young waiter, even on TV, he had never seen before.

  The young woman in men's clothing smiled and revealed her white teeth: "I am indeed the shopkeeper of this store. In our small shop 'Tianxia First Wine', from the owner to the chef, except for the little boy who leads the horse, all are women."

  Qin Mubai glanced around the store, the cashier and the small second-handers rushing back and forth in the store were all wearing uniform tight-fitting men's Hu clothing like cheongsam, black gauze covering their heads with golden silk cloud boots, paired with a dark green jade belt... Although there was no exposure at all, it made people feel stunningly sexy, as if they were surrounded by flowers.

  What's even more difficult is that Qin Mubai seems to have a hard time picking out a slightly ugly role from among these women.

  "Your boss is truly a business genius." Qin Mu Bai smiled slightly and handed her some copper coins, saying, "Take me to the second floor's elegant pavilion, I already have friends there who have started drinking."

  "Please, brother." The woman's slender and spotless jade hand beckoned, her charming yet elegant face smiled as she led the way. Her waist twisted like a snake, wrapped in a tight-fitting Hu dress, her delicate buttocks swayed lightly, drawing people's eyes like a magnet.

  Qin Mubai couldn't help but shake his head and smile: The owner of this store is undoubtedly a business genius, and he understands men's thoughts the most. Most men in the Tang Dynasty are romantic and fond of women, but they always think that their wives are not as good as their concubines, and their concubines are not as good as their secret lovers. Just look at these waitresses, each one is dressed modestly yet exudes a charming and sensual aura. They entice people without being too forward; they're passionate without being overly clingy. Women like this are far more attractive than those prostitutes who spread their legs for money.

  Whether there is wine to drink or sensual services, the atmosphere alone is enough to make more than 90% of men linger and forget to leave.

  Yuwen Hongtai, tall and imposing, came up the stairs and bumped into him, bursting out laughing as soon as they met: "Great! It's been a while since I've seen Qin San Ge, please come in and take a seat!"

  Qin Mubai smiled and stepped forward, saying: "What kind of people are you?"

  "Yin Yang is here, the others are all some brothers from the Wu Wang Fu, Third Brother you all know!" Yuwen Hongtai's loud laughter was like a bell, "Come quickly! It's been many days since we've seen each other, the brothers have all missed Qin Third Brother!"

  The two had just walked into the Ya Ge when a string of people stood up and saluted with their fists: "We've seen Qin San Ge!"

  "Haha, what a gathering of brothers!" Qin Mubai laughed and returned the courtesy, "What a coincidence! Everyone please sit down, no need to be polite!"

  The hall was very large, with a big empty space in the middle. Everyone sat around the circular wall, each with their own seat. Qin Mu Bai was pushed to the top seat by everyone without any politeness. The wine and water were served, and as soon as the bottle was opened, an exceptionally strong aroma wafted out. Qin Mu Bai took a slight sniff and immediately understood: this is high-proof white liquor!

  So-called world's number one wine, is it referring to this high-proof white liquor? This brewing method, isn't it only known by me, Mei Niang, Zheng Fengzhuo and others? Is this wine shop opened by them?

  "Haha, Qin San Ge, long time no see! Today we won't leave until we're drunk! This wine is really potent, it's called the best in the world and it's not an exaggeration! Come on, let me toast you first, Qin San Ge!" Yuwen Hongtai laughed loudly as he raised his cup.

  "A whole cup? I dare not. I don't have much time today, and I still need to return to the palace later to report back. It's better to just take a sip." Qin Mu Bai naturally understood the potency of this wine more than anyone else. If Yu Wen Hong Tai and others were to hear that the name of this wine was 'Qin Xian Wine', they would probably be even more shocked. However, it seemed that the owner of the wine shop still had some reservations, and didn't dare use the name of the emperor's gift wine for advertising.

  "Come on, come on, let's just have a small drink. Since Qin San doesn't dare to get drunk, then all of us brothers will come together to toast you!" Yuwen Hongtai shouted loudly, and Yin Yang and over ten other soldiers raised their cups in unison to toast him.

  Everyone was chatting and laughing, having a good time drinking wine and eating dishes. Suddenly, three musicians entered the pavilion. One carried a pipa, one held a sheng, and another held a se.

  Three beauties, each resembling a celestial being, made the eyes of Yuwen Hongtai and others turn green with envy. But what surprised everyone was that the beauty holding the pipa was led in by someone, feeling her way - although her eyes were large, beautiful and bright, they seemed to see nothing, she was blind.

  .??，！