The next day, Xiahouba and his three men came to Zhang Fei's house. After receiving the ceremony and having a banquet, they said they wanted to go out for a stroll. Zhang Fei sent his servants as guides to accompany them.
After going out, the three of them went their separate ways. Xia Houmao walked towards the north gate. Along the way, he saw happy faces of people in the streets and the sound of hawking everywhere. He did not see any soldiers patrolling, only the occasional government officials passing by.
"The peace and happiness of Xiangyang is no less than that of Xuchang!" Xia Houmao sighed secretly in his heart.
Cao Cao has been running Xuchang for many years, and it is also an imperial capital, which is why it is prosperous today. People say that Liu Biao is a man who sits on the guard, but he is very popular in the territory, loves the people and raises scholars, and Jingzhou is rich and well-deserved.
Along the way, there were many restaurants and restaurants, smelling the aroma, Xia Houmao moved his index finger. If he hadn't eaten and drank so much in Zhang Fei's house just now, he would have gone to a restaurant by now.
When we arrived at the north city gate, we saw only the city garrison guarding the city. There were only fifty soldiers standing guard at the city gate. The rest of the troops were not visible. The people walked calmly and did not interfere with each other.
Xia Houmao looked bored. He looked up and saw that the sun was setting in the west. He opened his mouth and yawned, and suddenly asked the people accompanying him: "Are there any prostitutes in Xiangyang City?"
The guide understood, and said with a low smile: "Xiangyang is the largest city in the south of the Yangtze River. It gathers all the elegant people from all over the world. How can there be no brothel? Not only the women from the south of the Yangtze River are pretty and charming, but also the foreigners from the south are more popular. I wonder if the young master can do that?" Ever heard of 'Black Pearl'?"
"Black pearls?" Xia Houmao's eyes shone when he heard the words. He frowned slightly and said, "White, purple, and gold are the most common pearls. Is there also black?"
The man chuckled and said: "This black pearl is from a brothel. It comes from South Vietnam, Shendu and other places. Its skin is black and shiny, and its charm is charming. It's really..."
"No need to say more, take me to see the black pearl!" Xia Houmao took out a pearl the size of a thumb and said, "I will give you a white pearl."
The man led Xia Houmao through the streets and alleys to a street in the northwest. From a distance, he saw a three-story tall building that was very eye-catching. It was hung with colored lanterns and decorated with flags that had never been seen before. It read: Between the Water and the Clouds.
Entering the building, you can see the dazzling array of carved beams and paintings. Although you can smell the aroma of wine, they are all diners on tables and chairs. There is no woman in sight, and there is no smell of makeup.
While he was observing, the waiter from the shop had already come up to him. Seeing that Xia Houmao was dressed unusually, he bowed and asked, "Does this young master want to be a top or stay in the shop?"
Xia Houmao said displeasedly: "Is this a brothel?"
The waiter understood and pointed in the direction of the corridor: "Young master, I don't know. We also have a back courtyard, which is specially designed to entertain elegant guests. However, you can only bring one of your followers in, and the rest must stay outside."
Xia Houmao was immediately full of expectation and waved his hand and said: "I will go to the back courtyard. You and I will wait here. All the food and drink will be recorded in my account."
The entourage was overjoyed, thanked Xia Houmao, and found a seat to rest. Xia Houmao walked towards the backyard with his trusted followers, hands behind his back.
Turning around the corridor, one could hear the faint sound of women laughing amid a bamboo forest, mixed with the sound of musical instruments and string bamboos, and the atmosphere changed.
Xia Houmao quickened his pace and walked through the bamboo forest, only to see another two-story courtyard with a pool in the middle and several women playing the piano, singing and dancing on the waterside pavilion.
As soon as he arrived at the door, two women greeted him politely, took Xia Houmao's arms from left to right, took him to the hall, and served him tea.
Xia Houmao felt itchy and unbearable. He moved his hand up and down and asked, "I heard that there are black pearls here. I asked you to come and accompany me."
The woman's smile suddenly froze, and she hurried to report the news. Not long after, the old bustard came and said with a smile, "Young Master, it's not a coincidence that you are here. The black pearl was just redeemed by Mr. Zhang this morning, and he is no longer accepting guests."
"What?" Xia Houmao was furious and shouted: "How much money he gives you, I will pay you double!"
The madam said: "This... contract document has been delivered long ago, and there is nothing I can do about it."
Xia Houmao was in high spirits and refused to give up. He shouted: "I don't care about Mr. Zhang or Mr. Wang. Anyone who dares to rob me, please call him to see me immediately."
The old bustard looked Xia Houmao up and down: "This young master is a bit unfamiliar. His accent is not from Jingzhou. I don't know how to call him?"
Xiahou Mao snorted slightly, put his hands behind his hands and said proudly: "Father Xiahou Dun!"
"Oh, it turns out he is General Zhang's uncle!" The old bustard was surprised and happy, and hurriedly pulled Xia Houmao to sit down: "The young master and his entourage arrived in Xiangyang yesterday, which caused a sensation in the whole city. Today's visit to Shuiyunjian is really brilliant. , all the women here are for you to choose from, and we will serve the young master wholeheartedly."
Xia Houmao shook off the madam's hand: "I only want black pearls."
"This... Young Master Xiahou," the old bustard said, "The contract document has been finalized. Even if the Young Master pays double the price, we dare not return. The laws in Jingzhou are extremely strict. No one can escape punishment."
Seeing that it was getting late, Xia Houmao was anxious and angry. He threw the tea bowl on the ground and shouted: "What law stipulates that there is no Black Pearl to accompany you today? Believe it or not, I asked my brother-in-law to come and smash your restaurant?" "
The old bustard was at a loss when suddenly a lazy voice came from above his head, and he said impatiently: "Wang Ma, who is making noise here and disturbing my rest?"
The old bustard hurriedly apologized: "Master Zhang, I really can't help but..."
"You robbed my woman?" When Xia Houmao heard that the man's surname was Zhang, he pointed upstairs and shouted: "Boy, do you dare to come down and talk?"
The man was sleepy, his clothes were messy, he smiled faintly, lazily walked down the stairs, and looked askance at Xia Houmao: "What advice does this young master have?"
Xia Houmao said in a deep voice: "Hand over the black pearl, and I will give you double the money."
The man curled his lips and smiled: "I have redeemed myself for Black Pearl. She has become a good person. Money cannot compare with her. Please find someone else!"
Xia Houmao was furious. He took two steps forward, pointed at the man and shouted, "Don't be so arrogant, kid. Believe it or not, I will skin you alive?"
"Want to fight?" The man put his hands on his hips and looked at Xia Houmao: "Do you believe I will ask two hundred brothers to hack you to death?"
"You two gentlemen, please calm down!" The old bustard hurriedly stepped forward to break up the fight and whispered a few words into the man's ear.
The disdain at the corner of the man's mouth suddenly turned into surprise. He looked at Xiahou Mao again, cupped his fists and said, "It turns out that he is Mr. Xiahou, the son-in-law of Prime Minister Cao. I am ignorant of Mount Tai. I am disrespectful. I am disrespectful!"
"Humph, you know you're afraid?" Xia Houmao raised his chin proudly, "Why don't you hand the person over?"
Mr. Zhang nodded hurriedly and said: "That's natural. As long as the master is willing, the original price will be returned. However, there are still contract documents upstairs. Please go upstairs and deliver the goods."
Xia Houmao looked around proudly, nodded slightly and said, "Lead the way."
The two of them went upstairs to the side room, where they saw a banquet on the table, the cups and plates were messy, and the smell of wine was in their nostrils, but there was no woman in the room.
Xiahou Mao was doubting himself when he saw Young Master Zhang closing the door tightly and suddenly kneeling on the ground, crying loudly: "Please Young Master, avenge me!"
Xia Houmao was so shocked that he took two steps back and asked in confusion: "What grudge do you have, and what do you have to do with me?"
