68: Yanlai Tower

Yanlai Brothel, one of the top elegant establishments in Xianyang City.

As soon as they stepped into the brightly lit, bustling Yanlai Brothel, someone came to greet the two.

"Oh, Young Master Li, it's been a long time since you last visited. This servant thought you had forgotten her."

The person in front of him was just like the madam in TV dramas: the same figure, the same voice, the same demeanor, and the same gestures.

The madam immediately wrapped her arm around Li Mu's, and under the pressure, it swayed exaggeratedly, shifting up and down.

"Chun Niang, don't accuse me. Quickly arrange a private room for me.

Oh, and are there any events today?" Li Mu subtly withdrew his arm.

"Of course, Young Master Li, you've come at just the right time today. Shi Shi's debut ceremony is today," Chun Niang said with a smile.

"Who is Shi Shi?" Li Mu asked.

"Young Master Li, you haven't been here for a long time. Shi Shi is my adopted daughter whom I took in three years ago. She's fifteen years old, and among my hundreds of daughters, she can be said to be the most beautiful of them all.

You see, all these gentlemen today have come to see Shi Shi," Chun Niang said proudly.

"Alright then, I'd like to see what this Shi Shi is truly like."

"I guarantee you'll be satisfied, but I must say upfront, Shi Shi only performs her art, she doesn't sell her body. Young Master Li, please don't force anything," Chun Niang said with a flirtatious look, swaying as she walked ahead:

"Gentlemen, please follow this servant. A private room on the third floor. This servant has reserved the best spot to view Shi Shi for the two of you."

Chun Niang smiled, saying that if someone claimed no one was protecting them, no one would believe it, as they had been able to establish themselves in Xianyang City for so long.

As the capital, Xianyang is a place where, in other areas, a brick thrown down might only hit a nest of ants, but here, it could hit a pile of fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth-rank officials.

Therefore, most people here appeared exceptionally friendly and followed the rules.

Aside from a few exceptions, no one had ever tried to snatch someone in the Yanlai Brothel.

"Are there any prostitutes here?"

A bold and abrupt voice attracted everyone's attention.

Asking for prostitutes in the Yanlai Brothel? Had this person perhaps drunk too much?

"Cao Caos style name, you've had too much to drink!" A tall, strong man next to him supported the man, preventing him from falling.

"Ben Chu, don't stop me! Someone, bring on the prostitutes!"

Everyone smiled knowingly, realizing he was truly drunk, and then ignored him.

But Lin Yue found the words somewhat familiar, yet he couldn't recall where he had heard them. Seeing that the man was not very tall and had dark skin, while the man next to him was tall and imposing, he felt a sense of familiarity.

Suddenly, he remembered! In the memories of Pan Feng and Liu Sandao when he used the recruitment order, he had seen these two!

{"name":"Yuan Shao","identity":"Garrison Army Captain","Martial Power":83,"Intelligence":86,"Command":86,"Politics":92,"Charm":92}

{"name":"Cao Cao","identity":"Gentleman","Martial Power":81,"Intelligence":93,"Command":91,"Politics":93,"Charm":86}

He actually encountered Yuan Shao and Cao Cao here!

Lin Yue was a bit surprised. The current Cao Cao and Yuan Shao both appeared young, likely in their youth, far from the two hegemons they would later become.

"What's wrong, Captain?" Li Mu stopped and asked.

"Do you know those two?" Lin Yue asked.

"One is Yuan Shao, a scion of the Yuan family, quite renowned among the younger generation. He currently holds the position of Captain in the Xianyang Garrison Army.

The other is Cao Cao, the grandson of the Eunuch Cao Teng, nicknamed A-Man. His reputation isn't particularly good, and he hasn't achieved much, currently serving as a Gentleman.

Are you interested in these two, Commander? Do you need me to introduce you?"

Li Mu introduced the two to him, not understanding why the Commander would be interested in these second-generation rich kids who spent their days in brothels.

"No need, I was just curious. Let's go up," Lin Yue said with a smile, glancing at the two before following Chun Niang upstairs.

The two went all the way to a private room on the third floor and sat down. Soon, two maids arrived with fruits. After placing the fruits down, they naturally sat beside the two.

Lin Yue had never seen such a scene before and felt completely restless. In contrast, Li Mu handled it with practiced ease. After sitting for a while, Lin Yue walked out of the private room, leaning on the railing and looking around idly.

This was indeed a good spot, offering a view of most of the Yanlai Brothel. The building was brightly lit, bustling with people, and laughter echoed incessantly.

"Does the Commander dislike it here?" Li Mu followed him out and asked.

"No, I came out to see when the legendary Miss Shi Shi would appear," Lin Yue said with a smile, casually making up an excuse.

"I didn't expect this Gentleman to be such a delightful person as well." A hearty laugh came, and the two looked to see Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and a man they hadn't seen before walking towards them.

"Young Master Li." The two cupped their hands.

"Young Master Yuan, Young Master Cao, Young Master Xu." Li Mu responded with a smile.

"I am Cao Cao Caos style name. May I ask this Gentleman's name?" Cao Cao was different from when he first entered; his eyes now gleamed with Intelligence, completely clear.

"I am Yuan Ben Chu." Yuan Shao, seeing Cao Cao introduce himself, also spoke with a smile.

"I am Xu Ziyuan. It's a pleasure to meet you both," the man said with a smile.

"I am Lin Yue. I've long admired your reputations. It's a pleasure to meet the three of you." Lin Yue cupped his hands in return.

The three were indeed famous: Yuan Shao Yuan Ben Chu, Xu You Xu Ziyuan, and Cao Cao Cao Cao Caos style name.

Especially Cao Cao, who, after a thousand years, remained an idol for some even in later generations.

As the saying goes, though the Cao bandit is dead, his spirit lives on!

"Young Master Lin, you jest. No wonder I felt a sense of familiarity when you first entered. I didn't expect you to be a kindred spirit as well!" Cao Cao said with a smile.

"The three of us are also waiting for Miss Shi Shi," Yuan Shao explained.

"The three of you are also delightful people," Lin Yue said with a smile.

He just wondered if the 'kindred spirit' Cao Cao spoke of was referring to a 'proper' path.

"This Miss Shi Shi, it is said, is skilled in song and dance and deeply versed in poetry.

Even before her debut, she attracted countless literati, noble sons, and officials, Eunuchs, and merchants. Her debut today naturally drew many famous figures," Yuan Shao explained to Lin Yue with a smile.

"It is said that Miss Shi Shi has a close relationship with Young Master Hu Hai," Cao Cao suddenly said with a knowing look.

"Cao Caos style name, stop talking nonsense." Xu You nudged Cao Cao with his arm. Cao Cao, realizing his slip of the tongue, quickly said:

"Today, I feel a strong connection with Young Master Lin. Why don't the two of you join us for a drink and make friends?"

The two usually only exchanged polite greetings with Li Mu, but now, using Lin Yue as an opportunity, they could deepen their relationship with Li Mu.

Li Mu glanced at Lin Yue upon hearing this. Seeing that he didn't object, he smiled and said, "Let's go together."

"Please." The two were delighted and immediately led the way.

Also on the third floor, the private room was not far from their previous elegant room. Everyone took a few steps and pushed the door open to enter.

The room was a bit larger than the previous private room, with many empty seats.

"Young Master Li, Young Master Lin, please take a seat," Cao Cao said.

"Gentlemen, please wait a moment. We've also invited a few others, and they'll be here shortly," Yuan Shao said.

Li Mu nodded. This kind of occasion was inherently a place for many officials and gentry to socialize and expand their connections, so such things were already commonplace.

At this moment, that familiar voice came again:

"Brothers, send up a signal flare, and a thousand armies will come to meet!

Today, Erbai Liang is also exploring a venue, but it's not for eating and drinking, it's the Yanlai Brothel!

The Yanlai Brothel, that's one of the top brothels in Xianyang City!

It just so happens that today, I'll soon take you to see the legendary beauty, Li Shishi!"

The two looked at each other, thinking, "What a coincidence!"

They ran into him everywhere!

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open, and Yuan Shao laughed loudly:

"They're here!"