Chapter 401: Chapter 395: The Bold King of Jiangxia_1
The Jind Ding Tavern!
It was a branch of the Gold Tripod Inn located in the Saint’s Court of the Qin Dynasty. Thanks to its beautiful environment and exquisite flavors, it had become the most famous and popular restaurant in the Qin Dynasty.
Of course, the prices at the Jind Ding Tavern were also the most expensive!
Those who could dine at the Jind Ding Tavern were either upper-echelon members of the clans, powerful Martial Artists, or high-ranking court officials. Ordinary wealthy merchants and magnates were not qualified to spend here.
The Gold Tripod Inn had nine floors, each corresponding to different statuses.
The ninth floor had only one private room, the eighth floor had two, the seventh floor had four, and the sixth floor had eight. This pattern continued down to the first floor, which had two hundred and fifty-six private rooms.
Under normal circumstances, very few people dined on the sixth floor or above!
But today, a private room on the eighth floor, which had not been opened for several months, was now reserved.
Early in the morning, dozens of unmarked carriages stopped at the entrance of the Jind Ding Tavern. Groups of noble and magnificently dressed Martial Artists entered one of the private rooms on the eighth floor.
Approaching noon, a carriage bearing the imperial insignia stopped at the entrance.
The carriage curtain was rolled up, and a middle-aged man dressed in princely robes, possessing a natural air of authority, strode into the tavern under the respectful gazes of the passing crowd.
"Your Majesty, Prince Jiangxia is inside!"
Across the street, in a teahouse, Qin Wudao sat near a window with Guo Jia and Li Ru, observing every movement on the main street.
Leaning back in his chair, somewhat hunched over, Li Ru said with a grin, "And the identities of the people who alighted from the other carriages?"
Qin Wudao wore a white robe with a Jade Pendant at his waist. His long black hair was neatly combed, falling behind his back, and he held a fan painted with the Map Of Beautiful Rivers and Mountains. This refined appearance of a noble scion attracted many gazes in the teahouse.
"Your Majesty, they are elders from powerful clans, responsible for relaying orders from their main clans!" Li Ru replied. In recent days, the Abyss Guards had investigated their lineage for generations and had a crystal-clear understanding of their backgrounds.
"I see." Qin Wudao nodded, then stood up and said, "Then let’s go and take a look as well. Have you clearly explained things to the Shopkeeper of the Jind Ding Tavern?"
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. The Shopkeeper of the Jind Ding Tavern is fully cooperating and has installed a Voice Eavesdropping Formation. It can transmit all conversations between Qin Huilong and the others directly to our private room!" Guo Jia rose and replied softly.
As for Li Ru, he eagerly scampered off to pay the bill. If members of the Abyss Guards knew of this, they would undoubtedly be astonished. When had their leader ever paid for a meal?
It wasn’t that Li Ru was unwilling to pay. Rather, whenever he went out, he wore his official uniform. Commoners, upon seeing the attire of the Abyss Guards, would hasten to avoid him, let alone dare to accept money from him.
Escorted by the Shopkeeper of the Jind Ding Tavern, Qin Wudao and his companions headed for the eighth floor.
Upon entering the private room, Qin Wudao was inwardly shocked, gaining an even deeper appreciation for the Gold Tripod Inn’s extravagance.
The private room was immense, divided into five distinct zones: a dining area, a leisure and entertainment area, a cultivation area, a resting area, and a discussion area!
Furthermore, it featured a rockery crafted from celestial meteorites, a spring-fed pool of spirit liquid, and various spiritual trees and flowers.
It hardly resembled a private room; rather, it was like a miniature grotto-heaven or blessed land.
Even the chairs were crafted from hundred-million-year-old spirit wood, a primary material for forging Emperor-grade armaments.
"The Formation within this private room can withstand an attack from a Ten-thousand-year Emperor. It seems the Gold Tripod Inn indeed possesses powerful Formations!" Guo Jia released his spiritual sense, inspected the room, and remarked with a hint of surprise.
"Bring all your signature dishes!"
Li Ru stood by the door, haphazardly pointing at items on the menu, then sat down to wait.
The Jind Ding Tavern served dishes with remarkable speed, and soon the table was laden. However, neither Qin Wudao, Guo Jia, nor Li Ru partook.
Their status meant they couldn’t indulge in food and drink like ordinary people.
At this moment, the Formation activated. A projection materialized in the empty space before Qin Wudao, displaying the scene in the other private room.
Prince Jiangxia, Qin Huilong, was seated in the host’s position, flanked by elders from the major clans.
"Rest assured, everyone. This Prince guarantees your safety!" Qin Huilong declared, patting his chest while savoring exquisite delicacies and fine wine.
An elder from one clan forced a smile as he poured wine for Qin Huilong. "Prince, we naturally trust your word. However, our losses from resigning our posts this time are too significant!" Yet, a closer look would reveal the scorn and disdain in the depths of his eyes.
"BURP." Qin Huilong rubbed his belly and said dismissively, "What losses? Do you remember when this Prince arranged for an official in the Imperial Examination Academy?"
"Of course, we remember. Speaking of which, that academy official was a junior of the Xiong Clan!" The elder of the Xiong clan interjected, then asked with a smile, "Prince, are you planning to use the imperial examinations to place our clansmen in high positions?"
The other elders looked at Qin Huilong with anticipation upon hearing this.
"Exactly. The Imperial Examination Academy controls the imperial examinations. Its director is my clan cousin. Getting a copy of the answers? That’s just a matter of a word."
"By then, you will pass through legitimate imperial examinations. Even if His Majesty wants to investigate, he won’t find any fault!"
"You must understand, the Imperial Examination System is the core method our dynasty uses to select officials!" As Qin Huilong spoke with a laugh, all the clan elders present became incredibly excited.
They were all too aware of the importance of the imperial examinations. It was no exaggeration to say that only by passing them could one achieve a meteoric rise, with the hope of entering the highest echelons of power.
However, the Qin Dynasty’s civil examinations prioritized statecraft and governance, while the military examinations focused on strategy and troop deployment—skills not typically mastered by the scions of these clans.
While the clans boasted many powerful individuals, the Qin Dynasty had even more. Joining the Saint’s Court of the Qin Dynasty would only relegate them to positions as minor retainers, far removed from true power.
Gaining no substantial benefits while still having to submit to the court’s directives made becoming such retainers the most detestable option for the clans.
"Prince, rest assured. After next year’s imperial examinations, we shall present you with a grand gift!" one elder eagerly declared.
"Haha! As long as the money is right, everything is negotiable!" Qin Huilong boomed with laughter, as if the court positions and the nation’s systems were his to dictate.
"Despicable!"
In the other private room, Qin Wudao slammed his palm on the table, his face dark with fury. He rose and stormed towards the adjacent room.
Guo Jia and Li Ru exchanged glances and shook their heads. After copying the Formation’s projection, they quickly followed.
With this projection, the Imperial Court would have the pretext needed to sow discord among the clans. This, indeed, was the purpose of their visit.
BANG!
Inside their private room, Qin Huilong, his face flushed from drink, was still holding forth when the door was suddenly kicked open. Startled, he roared in anger, "Who dares disturb this Prince’s enjoyment? Guards! Drag him out and beat him to death with cudgels!"
The guards at the door, hearing their master’s words, turned pale. My Prince, you need to get a grip! The Emperor is here!
"Who gave you the authority to order someone beaten to death at random?"
Qin Wudao, his face ashen, strode into the room. At his appearance, everyone present, including Qin Huilong, froze. Their pupils constricted, their faces etched with terror.