The courtesan houses of Jiangnan were truly a world apart from those of Shaanxi.
The moment Zhu Piaoling stepped up to the entrance, a completely different atmosphere washed over him.
The gates of the Pear Garden were draped in red banners and colorful streamers, with silks and satins hanging everywhere. On the second floor, a row of small balconies was crowded with beautiful women. They leaned against the railings, smiling coyly and batting their eyelashes at the passersby below.
From time to time, voices rang out.
"Come up and enjoy yourself, handsome!"
"Brother Li, it has been so long. Don't you miss me?"
The sound of strings and flutes drifted gently through the air. From somewhere deeper inside, a woman's song floated out, soft and melodious, so alluring that anyone who heard it would instantly imagine a peerless beauty singing behind the curtains.
Zhu Piaoling's eyes widened at once.
Even Li Daoxuan, who had scrolled through countless online videos and seen photos of innumerable beautiful actresses from the future, could not help but sigh inwardly in admiration.
Unbelievable, he thought. They have not even reached the Qinhuai River yet. This is only a Pear Garden in Suzhou, and it is already overflowing with beauties. And these women are all naturally beautiful, at most with a light touch of rouge and powder. There are no cosmetic enhancements, no heavy filters. Not like women in the future, who wear so much makeup that you would not recognize them once it is washed off.
Zhu Piaoling's legs went weak, and his steps faltered.
The Dao Xuan Tianzun cleared his throat lightly.
Zhu Piaoling snapped back to his senses at once. "Whoa. I almost lost myself!"
"Not almost," the Dao Xuan Tianzun corrected calmly. "You already did."
"Forgive me, Dao Xuan Tianzun," Zhu Piaoling said in shame. "It seems this humble one is still deeply accustomed to luxury, indulgence, and a restless, aimless life. Even though I have tried to reform myself under your guidance, my resolve is still lacking."
Li Daoxuan replied, "Attraction between men and women is a natural thing. However, a man must not lose his composure in the face of beauty. He must hold firm to his principles, neither behaving obsequiously nor acting without propriety. Do you understand?"
"I understand!"
"Good. Go inside."
With his spirits renewed, Zhu Piaoling strode toward the entrance of the Pear Garden.
The madam hurried over at once to greet him. Although Zhu Piaoling's face was hidden beneath a straw hat and veil, the imposing presence of his guards made it obvious that he was no ordinary guest. Even a fool could tell that he was a man of great wealth.
Her smile instantly grew broader as she welcomed him inside, her words overflowing with flattery. "Esteemed sir, since this is your first visit and you have yet to find a familiar companion, why not sit in the main hall for a while? You can enjoy the music and dances. If later you find a young lady who catches your eye, it will not be too late to go upstairs to a private room on the second floor for a few cups of wine."
Zhu Piaoling had no intention of going upstairs. The main hall suited him perfectly. He merely wished to experience the unique cultural atmosphere of a Jiangnan pleasure quarter.
Li Daoxuan felt the same way.
Unexpectedly, they had not even finished their first cup of tea when loud voices rang out from a nearby table. Several young men were talking boisterously, their words carrying clearly through the hall, revealing a complete lack of refinement.
Both Zhu Piaoling and Li Daoxuan instinctively turned to look.
At first glance, the group appeared to be a gathering of privileged young men, most of them in their early twenties. However, one among them stood out sharply. He was only fourteen or fifteen years old, with a broad face and wide forehead. His manner was rough and unpolished, completely at odds with the rest of the group.
The Dao Xuan Tianzun could not help but voice his displeasure. "What kind of world is this? Boys of fourteen or fifteen already visiting courtesan houses. They are not even adults yet. Utterly improper."
"Huh? Is that considered early?" Zhu Piaoling blurted out. "I was already twelve when I first went to a courte—"
He stopped himself abruptly, realizing his slip.
Although he had only spoken half the word, Li Daoxuan immediately understood what he meant. It seemed that in this era, visiting courtesan houses at fourteen or fifteen was not considered unusual at all.
Alas.
Would such a lifestyle not ruin people from childhood?
As Li Daoxuan was lamenting inwardly, the fourteen or fifteen year old boy with the broad face suddenly spoke up.
"Gentlemen, please stop indulging yourselves in music and wine," he said with a frown. "I only came out with you because you promised we would drink and discuss serious affairs of state. Yet all you have done is drink and listen to songs. Not a single word about the nation has been spoken."
The young men in their twenties laughed. "What is the point of discussing affairs of state in a place like this? We came out to enjoy ourselves. Of course we should enjoy ourselves."
The boy refused to give up. "The nation is already in grave danger. Do you truly not realize it? The southeastern seas are filled with enormous Western ships. There are Japanese, Arabs, Persians. Their warships cross vast oceans, traveling tens of thousands of li to reach our shores. Yet our own ships can barely sail beyond coastal waters. This is extremely dangerous. The consequences are unimaginable!"
The young men scoffed. "What danger are you talking about? The Westerners' ships may be large, but they are few in number, and their fighting strength is mediocre. Our mighty Great Ming navy would scatter them in a single battle."
The fourteen or fifteen year old boy opened his mouth. "But you all—"
Before he could finish, the others burst into laughter again. "Look at that dance. And her waist. Truly exquisite!"
The boy clenched his fists, rendered speechless for a long moment. After several breaths, he finally let out a deep sigh.
"I cannot live like this," he said quietly. "I will enlist. I will join the navy and fight against these Westerners."
This entire exchange unfolded clearly before the eyes of Zhu Piaoling and Li Daoxuan.
Zhu Piaoling chuckled softly. "This boy has ambition. He will certainly amount to more than those others. They are just like my younger self. Destined to become useless as adults."
The Dao Xuan Tianzun laughed, with a hint of reproach. "So you recognize that about yourself?"
Zhu Piaoling sighed. "What else could I be? Useless is all I could ever be. There was truly nothing I could do. Even when going out to amuse myself, I needed a double to replace me."
A trace of melancholy surfaced in his expression.
Li Daoxuan found himself unable to say anything further. From Zhu Piaoling's standpoint, this lonely path was indeed the only one available to him.
Zhu Piaoling then said, "Still, this boy's worries seem a bit excessive. What is there to fear from the Westerners? The true threat at present should be the Manchu."
The Dao Xuan Tianzun smiled faintly. "No. This boy has remarkable foresight. The threat posed by the Westerners may appear small now, but in the future it will far surpass that of the Manchu."
"What?" Zhu Piaoling exclaimed in shock.
He knew that the Dao Xuan Tianzun could see five centuries into the past and five centuries into the future. If he said it, then it must be true. Zhu Piaoling's heart jolted violently. "Greater than the Manchu?"
"Go," Li Daoxuan instructed. "Invite that young man over. I wish to speak with him."
Zhu Piaoling's spirits immediately lifted. "Yes, Dao Xuan Tianzun!"
He waved toward the neighboring table and called out loudly, "You there. Young man. Yes, you. Stop looking around. I am calling you."
The boy looked over, his face filled with confusion.
Zhu Piaoling smiled at him. "I overheard you discussing the Westerners earlier. It seemed no one else was willing to listen, but I am. Would you be willing to come over and explain your thoughts?"
The boy's eyes lit up at once. "You are willing to listen, sir?"
Zhu Piaoling nodded.
The young man was overjoyed. He quickly walked over and sat down opposite Zhu Piaoling. Despite his young age, his posture was upright and confident, his bearing surprisingly composed.
"Sir," he said, "what are your views on the affairs of the southeastern coast?"
Zhu Piaoling, who in truth had no views of his own, could only repeat what the Dao Xuan Tianzun had just said.
"I believe that although the threat from the Westerners is not great at present, in the future it will far exceed that posed by the Manchu…"