Qingyang City is located in the northwest of Yan State, forming an angle with Heishui and Shunyi City to guard the border. It borders Wei State to the west and Qi State to the north across the sea.
Although the population does not reach the standard of a "big city" with a million levels, due to its prosperous economy, its overall strength has already reached the level of a big city.
Especially in recent years, due to the civil war in neighboring Wei, the city has attracted a large number of refugees and made a fortune in the export trade of weapons and war horses. At the end of last year, the population of the city alone approached 900,000, and it contributed more tax money to the imperial court than some big cities.
In Qingyang City, there are countless large and small aristocratic families, wealthy businessmen and small businessmen.
The wealthy people's courtyards are mainly located in the east area where the city lord's palace is located, while the martial arts families mostly live in the south area where the casual cultivators and guest officials are located.
In addition to the monks, there are three major secular forces, the Caoyun Gang, Wan Tang, and Qingyang Martial League.
The water transport gang is in charge of the "Weihe" port terminal, and most of the official and private salt, war horse fisheries, water transport, and silk foreign trade are in its hands.
Wan Tang covers many categories, including large and small gangs inside and outside the city, slave trading, gambling houses and brothels, etc.
The Qingyang Martial Alliance is a martial arts family including the Xue family. It has many martial arts schools and escort agencies. Its disciples are often sent to the army. It also has an arsenal.
The relationship between the three parties is complicated, and competition and cooperation change at any time.
Of course, there is a big hand of checks and balances behind these three - the City Lord's Mansion.
To be precise, it's Qin Ben!
Qin Ben never follows the rules, and because of this, Qingyang City has rapidly grown from a small city to its current size, and will surely become one of the largest cities in the Yan Kingdom within three to five years.
As for the monks, they are much more low-key.
Even if they settle in Fancheng, many casual cultivators still have some illusions about building a foundation for immortality.
Therefore, even if people like Yang Yanqing and Li Henian are determined to establish a clan, they are involved in very few worldly industries and put most of their thoughts on cultivation.
Half an hour ago.
Xue Peng, a famous dandy in the city, waved his folding fan and walked through the streets with his entourage.
Wherever they passed, passers-by and vendors greeted each other with low eyebrows and gentle smiles, for fear of offending each other, being beaten, smashed, looted or even dead.
Especially beautiful women, as if seeing the god of plague, they would lower their heads in fear when they were close, while those who were still far away would definitely run away.
In fact, there are many women who want to climb high branches, but Xue Peng's reputation is far and wide, and everyone in Qingyang City knows it. Without exception, the women he likes have a bad end, and are discarded like worn shoes after being played with.
"Bah~"
Xue Peng took a bite of a jujube he bought from a roadside stall, threw it away, waved his hand and said, "I smashed it!"
The old vendor immediately stepped forward, bowed to please him and said with a smile: "Young Master Peng, is there something wrong with this old man?"
Xue Peng looked sideways.
The dog-legged boy immediately scolded: "How dare you! Mr. Peng felt that the skin of the dates was bitter, so he must have applied medicine. The people living in the South District are all noble. If you eat it, your ten heads are not enough to chop it off!"
The vendor was obviously deeply persecuted, and with experience, he hurriedly smiled and said: "Yes, I know the importance of it, please ask Master Peng to learn from it, but our jujube has never been used with medicine, so I will send some fresh ones to my house tomorrow." Ladies and gentlemen, please give it a try, if you eat it to your stomach, I will die to apologize!"
How can people in the countryside have the money to buy expensive medicines and fertilizers for fruits and vegetables that are sold at retail stores like this?
There are many reasons for looking for trouble.
Waiter: "Remember the small Qingzao and don't want it!"
"Yes, yes! Master Peng, walk slowly!"
The old man watched him go away, shaking his head and sighing.
A group of people were wandering around and passing by Yuelai Restaurant. Xue Peng's eyes lit up and he said: "Whose little lady is so beautiful and delicious!"
But it was Dong Cao who came to the store to check the accounts. It happened to be dinner time, so he and his maid prepared to have dinner here.
The dog-legged boy took a quick look and said with a smile: "It looks strange to me, which concubine should I be wearing this outfit?"
Then, he reminded: "But this restaurant is the property of the Li family, so Mr. Peng should be more cautious."
Xue Peng raised his eyebrows: "Li Mansion? Which Li Mansion?"
Hearing the explanation, Xue Peng sneered, "I wasn't even afraid of Xue Mansion when Li Henian was here, let alone if he's not here now, hehe~ I'm afraid he might die in Mangdang Mountain and never come back!"
Suddenly remembering something, he turned around with lustful eyes and asked, "Did the Li family marry a new concubine earlier? I guess they didn't even have time to open the melon, so Li Henian left?"
"Seems to be."
"Let's go!"
Bang~ Xue Peng folded his fan and strode towards the restaurant with a group of followers and thugs.
In the restaurant, which was originally bustling with chatter and laughter, the sound suddenly stopped, everyone slowed down their movements, lowered their heads and ate and drank quietly.
Xue Peng went straight to the table where Dong Cao was sitting, looked down and asked with a smile: "What's your surname, little lady?"
Chi Guoguo's glance made Dongcao feel uncomfortable all over, and she frowned slightly, then she stood up, leaned forward and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhong Dong of the slave family, I have met Mr. Xue. If you want to eat at this table, I will give it to Mr. Xue."
After saying that, he bowed and turned around to retreat.
As a result, Xue Peng quickly stepped forward, reached out and grabbed Dongcao's arm and pulled her into his arms, "Little lady, don't leave, let's have a drink with me!"
"Yeah!" Dongcao was surprised.
"Presumptuous!" Xiaoqing, the little maid, pushed away her dirty hands and protected her in front of her master. She was young and short in stature, but she had no fear.
After Dongcao calmed down, he hurriedly pulled Xiaoqing behind him and said with a smile: "This servant is not sensible. I hope Mr. Xue will not take offense. Mr. Xue invites you, and I will offer you a toast."
At the same time, the dog-legged boy also stepped forward and whispered quickly in Xue Peng's ear: "There is only one Zhong Mansion in the South District. The owner is a fourth-level Qi Refining monk and a talisman master. He has good friends with many monks in the city. Otherwise, it's better to count." Come on, I’ll find a better one for you..."
Xue Peng stared at him, then turned to smile, folded the fan, waved his hand and said: "I am not as experienced as the servants, but the shopkeeper will serve you the best wine and food!"
Dongcao walked to the counter by herself, picked up the wine and a glass, returned and poured two glasses, raised her glass and said solemnly: "To Mr. Xue!"
Xue Peng was very satisfied. He drank it up in one gulp and started to speak with lewd insults: "Young lady is really beautiful. Her enchanting appearance is even more powerful than that of the brothel girl. I, sir, *** ***Ha ha!"
With a silver smile, he reached out to the towering taboo place in full view of everyone.
He is really used to being arrogant and domineering, and he is so bold and has no scruples.
Dongcao retreated calmly, his face turned serious, "I hope you will respect yourself, my master is Zhongfu Zhongyan!"
Li Henian is not afraid, let alone Zhong Yan, who is on the fourth level of Qi Refining. Keep me company, and sell you to a brothel!"
"Somebody come!"
Xue Peng waved.
However, after only half of the swing, he screamed: "Ah~"
But it was Xiaoqing who went to the second floor to call down Yan Sandao who was coming with him, and directly twisted his wrist with a crisp click.
"Bitch...you..."
boom!
Yan Sandao raised his foot, raised his vaginal leg and kicked the person away, knocking down a group of followers and throwing them onto the street outside the restaurant. Xue Peng rolled his eyes, opened his mouth and fell unconscious, not knowing whether he was alive or dead.
It's just a blink of an eye.
"Second sister, wait a minute!" Dong Cao's expression changed dramatically, but she was unable to stop him in time.
The concubines of the Zhong Mansion rarely go out, so they are close to the Li Mansion and the others.
But Dong Cao was in charge of the family's business accounts, and had a detailed understanding of the forces in the city, and knew the details of the Xue Mansion.
This move will cause big trouble.
"Master Peng!"
After the sudden change, the dog-legged boy's face also changed drastically. He hurriedly ran over to check his master's breathing, and heard a series of urgent shouts:
"Don't move! You fucking want to shake the young master to death. Go and call the doctor!"
“You go to the martial arts studio and call for help!
"Go and inform the second young master and find a way to contact the master!"
"The rest will surround the restaurant, and no one will be allowed to let go!"
But this guy arranged everything in an orderly manner.
In the store, Dongcao pulled Yan Sandao, his face turned pale and his voice trembled, "What should we do? Second sister, you don't know, this person is from Xue Mansion..."
After hearing the introduction, Yan Sandao, who had a frosty face, couldn't help but frown.
…
