Yujing Silk Store
The news of the great victory on the front line had spread, and Huangcheng had returned to its former bustle.
Some rumor had it that the Bai family, who had turned the tide in this war, was living in seclusion in Huangcheng.
Thanks to this rumor, Huangcheng's reputation had skyrocketed. Many people came here out of admiration, crowding this small city to the brim.
Among them were quite a few martial artists.
Martial men with broadswords on their backs and beards on their faces could be seen everywhere.
Early in the morning, when Yujing Silk Store just opened its doors, it welcomed such an unwelcome guest.
"Shopkeeper, bring out the best cloth you have here."
The shopkeeper was skillfully clicking the abacus. Hearing this loud voice, he was startled.
Looking up, he saw a big man with a thick beard, wearing a dark blue undershirt and a tiger - descending - the - mountain tattoo on his chest. He seemed to be from a foreign land.
The shopkeeper grabbed the clerk who was about to greet the big man and whispered in his ear, "Go and invite the second young master out." Then he forced a smile and went to greet the ferocious and unforgettable big man.
"I wonder what color of silk the warrior wants and what it will be used for."
Since Yujing Silk Store had produced Song brocade and Yun brocade, two imperial tributes, it had become well - known.
Although due to the war, the national treasury was empty. In order to stimulate people's shopping enthusiasm, the emperor had ordered to implement a people - friendly policy a year ago, allowing these tributes to be sold. However, a bolt of such cloth was priced at over a thousand taels of gold.
This was not like ordering food in a hotel. Even if one casually shouted, "Bring out the best food and wine in your shop," it might not cost much.
Yujing Silk Store was no ordinary hotel, and buying cloth was not like casually ordering dishes.
It wasn't that he underestimated this man. Ever since the second young master Zhao had taken over the silk store, in all these years, he was the only one who had dared to say such a thing.
"Stop being so wordy. What, are you afraid I can't afford it? Let me tell you, I've got plenty of money."
As he spoke, he took out a big money bag from his bosom and threw it in front of the shopkeeper.
Knowing the market price, he thought this bag of money would be more than enough. He was feeling complacent and continued shouting at the top of his voice.
"The silver here is more than enough to buy this little silk store of yours. I've often heard people say how good the cloth in your silk store is. Today, I'm here to open my eyes and see what makes your cloth different from others'."
There was a strong sense of provocation in his words, but it was disrupted by the sneers from other customers beside him.
The atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward.
Cold sweat was already dripping from the shopkeeper's forehead.
Indeed, the silver the strong man had thrown out couldn't even buy a fingernail - sized corner of the Yun brocade, let alone the Song brocade.
But as the saying goes, those who come are not kind. Since this strong man had shown such a demeanor from the start, either he was instructed by someone to cause trouble, or he was deliberately provoking Yujing Silk Store.
Anyway, if he really wanted to buy cloth, he definitely wouldn't have such an attitude.
Everyone knew that it was extremely difficult to get the cloth from Yujing Silk Store, especially the top - grade Yun brocade and Song brocade he wanted.
But today's customers were incredibly fearless. There was even a young man who looked like a scholar. He waved his folding fan and came closer, pointing at the money bag and laughing.
"Big brother, you probably don't know that the silk cloth in Yujing Silk Store are all imperial tributes, used by the emperor and concubines. Not to mention you want the best here. If you don't bring a whole bank here, you probably can't even buy a single thread of the cloth."
How could the big man tolerate being looked down upon like this? His anger flared up, and his dark face even turned black - red. It was obvious how angry he was.
"Little brat, when your grandpa was wandering in the martial world, you weren't even born yet. How dare you laugh at your grandpa? I must teach you a good lesson on behalf of your parents."
Saying so, he rolled up his sleeves and was about to fight, but was stopped by a voice that, though not very loud, was enough to stun everyone on the scene.
"Wait a minute."
Zhao Luoning, dressed in men's clothing, walked out gracefully from the inner room.
The shopkeeper quickly stepped forward and was about to explain the situation to her.
Just by looking at the scene, Zhao Luoning already understood most of it. So she raised her hand to stop him.
"Yo, here comes another pretty boy."
If the big man hadn't said this, it would have been fine. But once he said it, although Zhao Luoning was not affected, the aunts, young girls in love who supported the second young master Zhao, and the clerks in the silk store couldn't stand it.
Everyone started to scold the big man one after another, and gradually more people came to watch.
As soon as they heard that the one being called a pretty boy was the second young master Zhao, they also joined the scolding war.
"Many hands make light work" was really a term that could stir up trouble.
The big man was already full of anger. Being scolded right in the face like this, he naturally couldn't stand it.
The big man took out a long whip from his waist and waved it casually.
Fortunately, everyone dodged in time, and there were no casualties.
At this time, a clerk was passing by with a piece of silk wrapped in red silk cloth.
It was not clear whether he didn't notice the situation around him. At this critical moment, he actually asked for instructions in front of Zhao Luoning.
"The Yun brocade to be sent to the Zhou family is already ready. Please, young master..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the Yun brocade in his hand was hooked by the big man's long whip.
Before the young clerk could react, the Yun brocade had landed firmly in the big man's hands.
A corner of the red silk cloth was exposed, and the dazzling Yun brocade made everyone can't help but exclaim.
"No wonder it's Yun brocade. It's really beautiful."
The strong man didn't expect it to be such a high - quality product. Only then did he understand what those who had laughed at him had said.
In his whole life, it was the first time he had seen such beautiful cloth.
"I've already paid the money. I'll take this cloth away."
Before everyone could react, the big man had whipped his way out of the crowd and actually fled with the cloth in his arms!
"Jingxiu, Guixiu, go and chase the Yun brocade back quickly."
Huh? Chase the thief?
Guixiu, who was dressed as an ordinary clerk and maid beside her, was extremely puzzled.
"What are you still standing there for? You two are the only ones in the whole silk store who know martial arts. If you don't go, do you want me to go?"
Jingxiu instructed Guixiu, "Guixiu, you go. I'll protect the master."
Zhao Luoning frowned and scolded Jingxiu, "What could happen to me in the store? If the Yun brocade is lost, you don't have to follow me anymore."
Jingxiu was very embarrassed.
Seeing that Zhao Luoning seemed about to get angry, he suppressed his uneasiness.
The two had no choice but to nod resignedly and flew out to chase the man.
A sly look flashed in Zhao Luoning's eyes. The curtain of a carriage that had been parked across the street was lifted, and a person who hadn't been seen for a long time poked his head out.
Zhao Luoning smiled and jumped onto the carriage. With a whip crack, the horse galloped away in the opposite direction of where Jingxiu and Guixiu were chasing the man. They directly left the city and headed for the rural manor on the outskirts.