Princess, please respect yourself!

Chapter 374 Framer

"Master, can you come to this place with money?" Luo Xing asked in a low voice.

"Yes, if you can spend money to buy a calligraphy and painting by the Fifth Prince, you will be qualified to enter here." Meng Yi said.

When Luo Xing heard this, he called out to him, "What a good guy! This fifth prince is so clever!"

A businessman needs to know people in the officialdom, but if he goes to meet them, they may not be willing to see you. However, if you spend money to buy the calligraphy and paintings of the Fifth Prince, you can see them here.

This fifth prince acted as a "broker".

He just sells calligraphy and painting, providing a platform for collusion between government and businessmen. As for what others do, that is their business. If something goes wrong, he can stay out of it.

"Master, how much does a piece of calligraphy and painting by the Fifth Prince cost?"

"The highest price this one sold last year was 8 taels of silver." Meng Yi said.

"Then how many calligraphy and paintings did these five princes sell in total last year?"

"On average, one pair takes about seven or eight days."

Luo Xing was speechless after hearing this. Even if he sold sixty calligraphy and paintings a year, and the average price of each painting was 5 taels of silver, his annual income would be 300 million taels.

This is just this income, there is probably other income as well. The money earned by the fifth prince in one year is probably more than others can earn in several lifetimes.

"Braised prawns in oil, pear balls in honey sauce, fish with vinegar and pepper, fried sea cucumbers in soy sauce, three shredded shark's fins, tofu and whitebait soup, two customers, your dishes are all here, please wait."

"Okay, you can go down." Meng Yi waved his hand, indicating that the waiter did not need to wait in front of him.

"Yes."

"Try it, the food here is quite good." Mengyi picked up the chopsticks and said.

Although ordinary dishes are of little help to warriors, they are extremely useful in satisfying people's appetites.

If the meat of ferocious beasts is not processed well, it is not only unpalatable, but also poisonous. Most people cannot eat it often and cannot afford it.

It takes time for ferocious beast meat to enter the body and be digested. Generally, warriors eat it once every three to five days, and eat it every day. Unless you have a high level of cultivation, low-grade ferocious beast meat will not have much effect on you. Otherwise, you can eat it. Too much may not be a good thing.

Therefore, even for high-level warriors, their staple food is normal meals.

Luo Xing picked up a prawn, peeled off the outer shell, and took a bite. The meat was tender and smooth, as if it were freshly caught. It was indeed very delicious.

You must know that this type of prawns are caught from the sea, not freshwater river prawns. After being chilled, the taste is naturally worse than fresh ones. However, these prawns can maintain their taste. In addition to being properly preserved, they should And the chef’s cooking skills.

There are only ten prawns in this plate, and each one costs one tael of silver, which is really expensive.

"Master, I would like to propose a toast to you."

Meng Yi laughed, picked up the wine glass and clinked it with Luo Xing: "It seems that we haven't had a meal together alone like this before?"

"Master will think about it from now on. Disciple can just accompany you at any time."

"Okay, another drink."

"Master, if I want to investigate someone, what should I do?"

"This is not an ordinary place. Since the Fifth Prince has set up such a place, he must ensure the security of the guests' information. Otherwise, if the news here is leaked, who will come?" Meng Yi said while eating the food, " So, don’t think about it.”

"What if this matter is important?"

"How big?"

"His Royal Highness Liuli was framed. The disciple discovered that the person behind the scenes was related to a framing shop, and this person seems to be a regular customer here." Luo Xing said in a low voice.

"you sure?"

"My people saw him come in with their own eyes, and he was alone." Luo Xing said, "If he is not alone, then it is not the first time, at least twice. Moreover, when he entered, there was no waiter. Questioning and blocking, how would you be treated like this if you were not a regular customer you know?"

"Do you suspect that the person behind this is using the Fifth Prince's Tao Ranju to communicate?" Meng Yi immediately understood what Luo Xing meant.

"Taoranju is a place that is not open to the public. It pays great attention to privacy, and with the endorsement of the Fifth Prince, it will make investigators take a stand. This is an excellent protective umbrella." Luo Xing nodded and analyzed.

"Well, that makes sense, but these are just your guesses, without evidence." Meng Yi said.

"Of course we have to find evidence." Luo Xing nodded, "Then we have to wait for him to come again next time. As long as we know that he saw someone in Taoranju, it will be easier to investigate."

"I don't come to Taoranju often, but there is one person who can help you. He is a frequent visitor to Taoranju. He comes here almost every day. His name is Liu Sanbian. He is known as the green willow layman. He is an excellent poet and painter. He has a close relationship with the Fifth Prince. Master and friend, he never spends money to eat at Taoranju and eats whenever he wants." Meng Yi said, "He has a hidden problem..."

"Really, Master, how do you know?"

"I've drank wine with him countless times. If he could do it, why would he find various reasons to run away every time a woman offered him a bed?" Meng Yi said, "Later I found out that he It’s because of a weak will.”

"He was originally a talented and romantic man, but he ended up suffering from this disease. It's really hard to say!" Luo Xing laughed dumbly.

"This is his privacy and his taboo. No one dares to mention it in front of him. Otherwise, he may not take action. But if it is written into his words, it will be famous forever!" Meng Yi laughed. .

"Master, does he know all about Tao Ranju's guests?"

"Yes, he is a talented man. His photographic memory is basic, and his portraits are also excellent. Therefore, if Guo Huai is a frequent visitor to Tao Ranju, he must have seen him and must know that he is here in Taoran." You will know who I have met once you ask."

"Where does this Liu Sanbian live?"

"Not far away, after leaving Taoranju, turn left and enter an alley. The door with 'Green Willow' written on it is his home."

"Okay, after dinner, Master will accompany me to take a look?"

"He may not be at home at this time. He is well-known in the capital and has many friends. His poems and paintings are also sought after by many literati. However, he failed after repeated attempts and finally gave up the imperial examination and settled down in the capital. , I won’t even go back home." Mengyi said.

"Then does Liu Sanbian have a weird and cynical personality, or is he not very good at talking and easily offends people when he opens his mouth?" Luo Xing asked. Most of these talented people have the same virtue. If they are proud of their talents, they will not treat others. If you put it in perspective, over time, you will live in a world that you think is right. Everyone is drunk and I am alone, and I am no longer willing to face this cruel world.

"He does have an unpleasant personality, but he is very talented and has a close friend like the Fifth Prince. Others are not willing to argue with him. Anyway, all he wants is words and paintings." Meng Yi said, "He also painted for me. It’s a self-portrait, it’s really lifelike and expressive.”

"Master, my disciple's drawing skills are not bad. One day, I will draw one for you?" Luo Xing said. His sketching and profiling skills are still good, and he is the only one who can do it well, because this is what a good agent needs. skills to master.

"Okay, just don't make me spit out my overnight meal." "That won't happen, don't worry." Luo Xing was still confident in his sketching skills.

"I'll just wait and see."

After eating, the two of them came out of Taoranju and went straight to the alley where Liu Sanbian lived. The alley was not long and it only took a few steps to get there.

Luo Xing stepped forward and knocked on the door. A young boy opened the door and looked at the two unfamiliar faces with vigilance: "Who are you two looking for?"

"May I ask if Layman Luliu lives here?" Luo Xingyi asked, cupping his hands.

"Yes, so what?"

"We came here out of nowhere to visit Master Luliu?"

"Where are the greetings?"

"Greetings, this..." Luo Xing was stunned. They came here on an impromptu basis, and they didn't bring any greetings or anything like that.

"If you don't have a greeting card, we won't accept you." The waiter immediately closed the door and Luo Xing was rejected.

"Let's go, go back and write a greeting note before coming back." Meng Yi said happily when he saw Luo Xing's deflated look.

"Time is precious, and I don't want to come here again," Luo Xing said. He hated the rotten literati who relied on their so-called talents but actually made no substantial contributions to the country or the people. The sky has a condescending face and flatters each other, just like a bunch of silverfish.

"You're not going to force your way in, are you?"

"No need, I have Nanya's badge." Luo Xing took off his identity badge and said with a smile, "Isn't this more useful than a invitation?"

"You really want to do this?"

Luo Xing knocked on the door again and expressed his thoughts. Since the young man asked him for a greeting card as soon as he opened his mouth, it meant that Liu Sanbian, the Green Willow layman, was at home at the moment. Otherwise, he would just say that he was not here and let him go. It’s better to come again next time.

"Why is it you again? Didn't I tell you that I didn't see you without a greeting card? Who do you think you are? Even if you are a prince or a nobleman, when you see my husband, you must bow to my husband in a polite manner!" The young man said in a very serious tone. He said proudly.

"I don't have a greeting card, but I have this. I wonder if I can meet Mr. Liu?" Luo Xing asked, showing his Nanya waist badge.

When the boy saw Nan Ya's waist badge, his initially disdainful look instantly changed. Everyone in Luojing knew how powerful Nan Ya was.

If you are caught by the Inspection Department, you still have room to turn around. Once you are caught by Nanya, it will be over. That place can be said to be like a purgatory on earth.

A place that ordinary people avoid.

"Hold on."

Just a moment later, the waiter opened the door again and respectfully welcomed Luo Xing and Meng Yi in. Being targeted by Nanya was not a good thing, even if Liu Sanbian had great influence in the literary world. He has great influence and has a wide circle of friends. If something really happened, no one would dare to confront a violent organization like Nan Ya on his behalf.

In this place, if someone wants to tell you the truth, then he will tell you the truth. But if he doesn't want to tell you the truth, then he won't tell you the truth, and there's nothing you can do about him.

Whenever encountered, the best choice is to cooperate obediently.

In the study room of this "Green Willow Residence", Luo Xing saw Liu Sanbian, who had just woken up, dressed casually, barefoot and long beard, looking wildly alive.

"Two officials, why are you here to see Mr. Liu?" Liu Sanbian looked sleepy, stretched out his hand and yawned, sitting casually on the chair, looking completely decadent.

"Brother Liu, long time no see."

"Hey, Brother Meng, why is it you, you came here without saying a word?" Liu Sanbian suddenly heard this familiar voice, his eyes widened immediately, and when he saw clearly that it was Meng Yi, he immediately ejected from the chair, Barefoot stepped forward, and his face immediately changed.

"Brother Liu's face-changing skills are really amazing."

"Brother Meng is joking, you and I are close friends, how can we be compared to ordinary people." Liu Sanbian scolded, "Why don't you hurry up and make a pot of good tea and bring it in."

The boy was startled. He didn't expect that this guy who seemed to be a follower was actually quite powerful. He almost drove the person away. If his master knew about this, he would be punished even if he didn't say anything. Have a meal.

"Brother Liu, this is my apprentice. He also works in Nanya. I came to visit today because I have something to ask for advice." Meng Yi introduced.

"Junior Luo Xing has met Mr. Liu."

"It's easy to say, it's easy to say. Since I am your disciple, Brother Meng, Liu will definitely help." Liu Sanbian chuckled and agreed directly.

"Mr. Liu..."

"Not busy, not busy, let's drink tea first, drink tea..." Liu Sanbian raised his hand to stop Luo Xing from continuing to ask.

Tea is brought in.

The three of them drank tea and chatted. Whenever Luo Xing wanted to bring up serious matters, Liu Sanbian always found a diversion. He finally understood that this guy promised well, but in fact he was not helpful at all. Intend.

He had a lot of nice things to say, and when it came time to actually do something, he pushed back and forth. If Meng Yi hadn't been there, he probably wouldn't even pay attention to her.

After this guy found out that he was Meng Yi's apprentice, he didn't take him seriously and relied on his elders to act like he was old.

Next, Luo Xing didn't speak except for lowering his head to take a sip of tea from time to time. He also heard that Liu Sanbian was just a friend that Master met when he drank flower wine. On the surface, he was a brother-in-law, but in fact, there was nothing profound at all. emotion.

The only ones like the master who can make him show his true feelings are the eight mistresses in the family and Aunt Xue and his daughter. Among the others, he, as his apprentice, may be one of them.

Others are just for social needs.

"Mr. Liu, if you don't want to talk about something in this study, then we can only ask you to go back to Nanya to talk." Luo Xing suddenly inserted a sentence between the two of them.

The entire study fell silent for an instant.

Meng Yi was not surprised. He lowered his head and played with the lid of the tea cup in his hand, looking contented. Liu Sanbian was a little puzzled. His face immediately turned red and he showed unusual shock: "Brother Meng, Do you, my disciple, speak on your behalf?"

"Although I am his master, his power in Nanya is still greater than mine. Brother Liu, I advise you not to be impulsive." Meng Yi said slowly, "You have to pay the price for doing stupid things."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Every citizen of the Zhou Dynasty is obliged to cooperate with the court in investigating cases, and Mr. Liu, you are no exception. If you insist on resisting the court, I can summon you to Nanya for investigation now." Luo Xing said, "Mr. Liu must have made a lot of money for the Fifth Prince over the years. How much did he share with you?"

When Liu Sanbian heard this, his expression suddenly changed.

(End of this chapter)