Chapter 44: A Comfortable Massage
The snowstorm raged like the wildest painter in the world, splashing silver paint recklessly, completely covering the official road. Zhao Zun and his group were trapped in the post station, unable to continue their journey back to the Capital City.
Inside the post station, the furnace roared, yet it could not dispel the severe cold outside.
Han Lei opened the window and glanced at the swirling snow outside, then turned back and exaggeratedly sighed.
"Oh! If people don’t keep guests, then heaven does! Now, we don’t even know how many days we’ll be stuck here."
Zhao Zun’s handsome sword-like brows were tightly furrowed, filled with worry.
If he couldn’t return early to hand over the Commander’s Seal, the court would spread all kinds of rumors, and he didn’t know what trouble it would stir. His mother and sister were still in the Capital City!
Zhao Zun was troubled, but Han Lei took out a delicate mahjong set from her space, smiling sweetly at Zhao Zun, "Zhao Zun, Zun. Since we have nothing to do, why not let me teach you all how to play mahjong?"
Zhao Zun was preoccupied with his thoughts, originally uninterested, but he still glanced sideways at the mahjong box Han Lei held in her arms.
Han Lei quickly opened the box, revealing the neatly arranged mahjong tiles inside.
Zhao Zun had never seen such a peculiar thing and was unsure what was fun about it. But seeing Han Lei’s confident and enthusiastic appearance, he didn’t want to dampen her spirits, so he nodded.
Thus, a unique mahjong lesson unfolded inside the post station.
Zhao Zun and his trusted aides sat around the table, listening to Han Lei explain the rules, occasionally erupting into chuckles due to misunderstanding them.
After Han Lei ran through two actual games with Zhao Zun and two trusted aides, the other aides’ interest peaked instantly, each eager to try.
Han Lei had no choice but to buy a set of simple mahjong tables for them, with four aides to each table, and each returned to their rooms to play.
In the post station, every room they stayed in was filled with laughter and joy.
Though new to the experience, Zhao Zun quickly grasped the essence of mahjong with his remarkable wit and calm judgment, even becoming the table’s "king" at one point, unapologetically winning silver from Han Lei.
However, the snowstorm didn’t stop the next day. The aides were still very interested in mahjong, starting a game as soon as they set up the tables. Meanwhile, Han Lei started to feel bored; she didn’t want to circle the mahjong table all day.
So, her eyes gleamed as she pulled Zhao Zun aside, saying, "Since we can’t continue our journey, why not take this chance to visit friends and relatives?"
Zhao Zun was startled upon hearing this, then grinned, "I don’t have friends or relatives in Jingzhou."
Han Lei chuckled inwardly; she had anticipated Zhao Zun would say that. Then she proposed, "Why not pay a visit to Prince Jingzhou?"
"Prince Jingzhou?" Zhao Zun was puzzled. "I don’t have any relations with him."
"But you both are princes who are not favored!" Han Lei hugged Zhao Zun’s arm, fluttering her eyes at him. "Didn’t you say last time that Prince Jingzhou is the emperor’s brother, and was only sent to Jingzhou because he didn’t participate in the struggle for the throne, and Emperor Jing found him dull and unambitious?"
"Yes!" Zhao Zun remained noncommittal.
"You’re both in similar situations, and since you’ve passed his gate, why not bring some gifts and visit him? You might become friends in the future," Han Lei encouraged him eagerly.
"Hmm... alright! Since there’s nothing else to do, let’s pay him a visit!" Zhao Zun frowned thoughtfully, finding Han Lei’s words quite reasonable, so he took Ping Chuan and two trusted aides out.
Han Lei was overjoyed as the plan succeeded.
As soon as Zhao Zun left, she could take the chance to stroll outside and see if she could start a business selling liquor here.
Accompanied by several trusted aides, Zhao Zun embarked on the road to Jingzhou Royal Mansion. Meanwhile, Han Lei immediately changed into men’s clothes and sneaked out of the post station with Tao Qing and Ah Mao while the aides were engrossed in mahjong, heading straight for the marketplace.
Jingzhou had six counties in total. Taoyuan County was the largest and most prosperous county, where Prince Jingzhou and his family resided.
It was indeed more lively than Qingshui County. Despite the snowstorm outside, the shops along the street remained bustling and lively.
If Qingshui County was equivalent to a modern township, Taoyuan County would be equivalent to a small city of the seventh or eighth tier.
The snowfall was too intense, so the street vendors weren’t setting up stalls, yet the shopkeepers lifted the curtain corners of their stores, often poking their heads out to loudly solicit business from passersby.
Han Lei wrapped tighter in her cloak, her eyes sparkling with endless curiosity and exploration for this era.
The three of them weaved through the streets, constantly entering and leaving shops, observing the merchandise on display. The variety of goods was dazzling, except for the corner liquor store, whose aroma was somewhat pungent and thin, prompting a shake of the head.
Han Lei wanted to make a name here, naturally harboring a grand plan in her heart.
She, Tao Qing, and Ah Mao walked into the tavern, ordered a couple of side dishes and a pot of wine, planning to sit down and observe slowly.
"Miss, it’s much livelier here than in Beiguan, right? Look, these wine and dishes are better than what we had in Beiguan." Ah Mao laughed as he picked up the wine pot and poured wine for Han Lei and Tao Qing.
"You’re just spouting nonsense." Tao Qing rolled his eyes at him.
"Beiguan is far from the Capital City, so naturally it’s more austere." Han Lei chuckled lightly, then picked up the wine cup and took a sip of the cloudy wine.
She smacked her lips, furrowed her brows, thinking to herself, "These ancient brewing techniques are truly backward. The wine produced is vastly inferior to the fine vintages I know."
Seeing this, Tao Qing laughed and said, "Miss, are you disdainful of this wine, or do you have a new idea?"
Han Lei didn’t answer but put down the wine cup and looked at them, asking, "Do you know why I took you two with me the whole time when setting up the pig farm and restaurant in Qingshui County?"
"No idea." Ah Mao shook his head blankly.
"Because you wanted us to learn." Tao Qing promptly answered.
"Tao Qing, your comprehension is indeed high." Han Lei praised without reservation and said to Ah Mao, "Ah Mao, you should learn well from Tao Qing! There will be plenty of use for your skills in the future!"
"Hehe, I got it." Ah Mao scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
Han Lei smiled faintly, "I think we can open a brewery here, using my knowledge to brew genuine fine wine, allowing every corner of the Da Jing Dynasty to taste it."
"Really? Miss, like how we brewed spirits in Yong’an City?" Tao Qing was overjoyed, rubbing his hands eagerly, wishing to start right away.
"Yes!" Han Lei nodded. "Tao Qing, you’ve learned the brewing techniques and how to determine the alcohol content. I will provide you with more advanced brewing equipment. You can procure finished wines from other workshops for refinement and brewing."
"Alright! No problem, rest assured, Miss." Tao Qing patted his chest in assurance.
"The remaining wounded soldiers still divide into two teams, one with the old, weak, and already disabled soldiers forming the small team, letting them help in the brewery, learning brewing with you. Others will form the large team with Ah Mao, equipped with electric batons, responsible for security and transportation. The brewed white spirits will first be supplied to the restaurants in Qingshui County. The surplus will be sold within the Jingzhou territory. Remember, you must ensure confidentiality until the Prince returns to the Capital City and is settled." Han Lei arranged seriously.
Upon hearing this, Ah Mao also showed excitement in his eyes, "Rest assured, Miss! I can’t brew wine, nor is my mind as quick as Tao Qing’s, but excelling in confidentiality and transportation is my strong suit."
"Good! Both of you have witnessed the entire construction process of the Qingshui County project, knowing what to do, so I am relieved. I hope you two will not let me down."
"Yes."
"Yes."
The two replied in unison, standing straight.
After that, the trio wandered around the streets a few more times, found a suitable place to set up the brewery and dormitory, and only after temporarily arranging everything, did they brave the wind and snow to return to the inn.
Entering the inn, the warm feeling instantly enveloped them.
Hearing the faint sound of playing mahjong upstairs, the three exchanged glances and smiled knowingly before heading upstairs.
Upstairs, Han Lei pushed open the room door.
Unexpectedly, she saw Zhao Zun sitting at the mahjong table, resting his head on one hand, leisurely gazing at her.
Han Lei, caught in the act, froze, her soft, sweet voice sounded, and she quickly walked over with a bashful smile.
"Uh... Heh, heh heh, Brother Zun. You’re back so soon? Are you tired? Let me give you a shoulder massage?"
"Hmph! Knew you were planning on sneaking off."
Zhao Zun glanced sideways at her, turning his head away.
Han Lei stuck out her little pink tongue, immediately placed her soft hands on Zhao Zun’s shoulders, gently massaging.
It seemed she wouldn’t be able to get away until she gave Zhao Zun a proper, comforting shoulder massage today.