211: Chapter 9: The Foot Massage Master from Yangzhou 211: Chapter 9: The Foot Massage Master from Yangzhou Yangzhou boasted many delicacies and entertaining places, but when it came to people, in the common knowledge of folks from the North, only two types of people were relatively famous: one was called Lean Horses, and the other was called Foot Massage Masters.
Old Master He took Wang Yunxiao for a luxurious bath, scrubbing off half a jin of mud, and lay down on the bed to call for the foot massage master before starting the real business.
“Old Liu, I want to ask you something.
Do you know a horse trader with the surname Tong?”
A horse trader, that is, someone who raises horses, people who raise lean horses.
Although now they’ve switched names to the sheep trade, for the older generation, ‘horse trader’ still sounds more familiar.
The foot-massaging master, seeming not much younger than Old Master He, furrowed his brows in thought for a long time, then shook his head and said, “Master He, there’s no such person in the Jianghu World, could it be someone new from outside?”
“Don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes!”
Old Master He huffed impatiently, “Two hundred big ones upfront, not even haggling over the price.
I’m telling you, this is no horse trader, this is a fool!
Let me be upfront with you, this matter has already alarmed the Official Residence.”
Hearing the words ‘Official Residence,’ the master of foot massages shivered involuntarily, quickly begging, “Heaven and earth can attest, Master He, I really don’t know such a person…
But if you’re talking about someone who’s hands are wide and doesn’t lack for money, could it be Mr.
Tong from Qian King’s Mansion?”
“Qian King’s Mansion?”
Old Master He furrowed his brow, “What does this person do?
What’s the story?”
The master chuckled, “This lord walks under Qian King’s Mansion, handling some matters for the Prince Mansion that can’t be brought into the light.
Everyone only knows him by his surname, Tong, not his full name or his background.
Although he is not a horse trader, he has been buying quite a few fine lads continuously this year.”
Old Master He puzzled, “Since when did Qian King’s Mansion start messing with this kind of business?”
The master laughed, “Look at what you’re saying, what business wouldn’t Qian King’s Mansion dare to do?”
“That’s also true.”
Old Master He nodded, “Where can I find this person?”
“No need to search, I have his card right here.”
The master turned and took out a cardholder from his toolbox, flipped through it, pulled out a card, and handed it to Old Master He.
“Give it to him!”
Old Master He pointed to Wang Yunxiao.
The master hurried over, smiling as he asked, “May I know who this young hero is…?”
“My newly taken disciple!”
“Oh dear!
Master He, you didn’t give me a heads-up.
Look, I’m not prepared for anything, how does the young hero like to be addressed?”
“My last name is Wang, Wang Yunxiao.”
“Wang…”
The master’s hand trembled, nearly throwing the foot massage knife out of his hand.
“So, it is Young Hero Wang, your reputation precedes you, resounding like thunder!”
“A reputation ‘resounding like thunder’ isn’t for anything good, is it?”
“That’s not true!
The Jianghu World is full of praise for your righteousness that ‘reaches the clouds’…”
The master, while dealing with Wang Yunxiao, cast a meaningful glance at Old Master He.
The meaning was quite obvious—how dare you take on this person as a disciple?
Old Master He laughed heartily and, without explanation, said to Wang Yunxiao, “Make a phone call, arrange to meet for tea, sit down and have a good talk.
In the Jianghu World, it’s all about the exchange of favors, not all this fighting and killing.
You must restrain your temper in the future, look at the scare you’ve given Old Liu.”
“Master’s lesson is well taken.”
In the presence of others, Wang Yunxiao was exceedingly respectful, giving Old Master He plenty of face.
He smiled at the grand master sincerely and rose to leave.
Once he had left, the grand master finally came back to his senses, looked at Old Master He, and asked in a lowered voice, “Master He, you haven’t taken any disciples in decades, what virtues and abilities does this lad have to catch your venerable eye?”
Old Master He rolled his eyes and said, “Isn’t that nonsense?
I’ve been squatting in prison for decades, where would I go to find disciples?
Now at this age, if I don’t take a disciple, when I breathe my last, there won’t even be anyone to send me off!”
The grand master laughed and said, “What about your eldest disciple?
Hasn’t he come to see you for years?”
Old Master He fell silent for a moment, and then cursed with a laugh, “That undutiful wretch, no news from him for years, who knows where he might’ve died.
He might’ve been neck-sliced by someone already, and by now the grass on his grave is probably three feet tall!”
“Now it’s the new government…
“Yes, the dynasty has changed, and he hasn’t returned; he’s probably really dead.”
Wang Yunxiao arrived at the bathhouse reception, paid the money, and borrowed the phone there.
He dialed the number from the business card.
The call was answered after only three rings, and a gentle female voice came through the handset, “Hello.”
“May I speak to Mr.
Tong, please?”
“You’re looking for Mr.
Tong?
I’m sorry, Mr.
Tong went out this morning and hasn’t returned yet.
Could I have your name please, and possibly a contact number so that he can get back to you when he returns?”
“When do you expect him back?”
“I really can’t say for certain.
If it’s urgent, I could send someone to look for him.”
“No need, could you tell me Mr.
Tong’s address?
I’ll visit and wait for him there.”
The person on the other end of the phone hesitated, but perhaps considering the caller’s calm tone and that he didn’t sound like a bad person, she gave out an address.
Wang Yunxiao recalled the map in his mind and found it wasn’t far, located near Nanshi.
The Nanshi area could be considered the most prosperous part of the entire Nantong District.
Not to mention other amenities, just the modern water and electricity grid alone attracted the wealthy.
Anyone with money and status desired to squeeze in there.
After returning to the bathhouse to bid Old Master He farewell, who was still getting a foot massage, He waved him off casually, “After you get there, speak nicely to them, give them some respect.
Business people like them wouldn’t dare offend you; the rest is just a matter of money, and that’s a trivial issue.”
The grand master pursed his lips at the side, not daring to say a word.
Leaving the bathhouse, Wang Yunxiao headed straight for Tong Mansion.
This Mr.
Tong was said to be employed within Qian King’s Mansion, but he wasn’t a home-born servant; he just worked for Qian King and had his own estate outside.
Speaking of Qian King… Wang Yunxiao was not very familiar with him; it was said he was the Crown Prince of the Former Dynasty.
Not this generation’s Crown Prince, but accurately a deposed little Emperor who was the elder brother of the late Emperor.
He lost the succession war to his father and was given the title Qian King, held in house arrest in the Capital.
Later, with the establishment of the new government, the Capital underwent a complete change, and many of the Former Dynasty’s old officials voluntarily or involuntarily came to Tianmen.
Old Master Wang had far-sightedness, having arranged his assets in Tianmen long before, and now amongst the group of Former Dynasty officials, he was one of the most prestigious.
As for more detailed information, he could not find it out at his level.
Of course, Wang Yunxiao in the past never had the mindset to concern himself with such matters.
It was already difficult to keep his brothers fed; who would bother with such trivialities?