I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 565 The Imperial Suite

Chapter 565 The Imperial Suite

On the streets of Hanshan, Ajige and his two attendants, looking like country bumpkins, would stop every now and then, dumbfounded.

The people of Hanshan were already used to the behavior of outsiders like Ajige, though they would still roll their eyes at him a few times.

Ajige originally led more than 100 elite troops, but they were stopped and questioned shortly after entering Hanshan territory. Fearing something might happen, Ajige ordered his men to disperse and enter the city.

Along the way, Ajige was very pleased with his brilliant decision. Because the road was full of checkpoints, if they hadn't split up, they might have actually been exposed.

Although Ajige entered the city, his weapons were confiscated. The soldiers checking him were unyielding, repeatedly stating that without a "good citizen certificate" from Hanshan, no one was allowed to possess weapons. In Ajige's view, what nonsense about a "good citizen certificate" was; it was simply because Wang Wenzhou had instigated widespread resentment in Hanshan, causing immense suffering to the people, and that Wang Wenzhou feared a rebellion, which was why he forbade the people from possessing weapons.

What frustrated Ajige even more was that his beloved horse was confiscated by the yamen runners when he entered the city. The runners said that without a horse pass, one was not allowed to ride a horse within the city. What kind of bullshit horse pass was that? If Ajige wasn't afraid of revealing his identity, he would have slapped the runner across the face long ago.

Hanshan was practically hell on earth. Not only did Wang Wenzhou plunder and extort, but even his henchmen were utterly heartless. Ajige wasn't a shut-in; he frequently went out to rob, and had even been to Beijing. Despite traveling to so many places, he'd never seen that damn horse-plate.

Although the constable gave Ajige a receipt after taking away his beloved horse, telling him that he could pay the feeding fee and take the horse back when he left the city, Ajige didn't believe the constable and threw the receipt away.

Take it away? Do you think I know you bastards? You use all sorts of tricks and schemes to steal my horse. Once it's in your hands, it's gone forever. If I'm foolish enough to try and take the horse with the receipt, you'll slap me hard across the face.

Wu Liang, Ajige's attendant, asked, "Master, shall we find an inn to stay at first?"

Ajige nodded and said, "Find out which is the best inn in Hanshan."

"Yes!" Wu Liang nodded and quickly walked over to an old lady who was setting up a stall by the roadside.

Wu Liang cupped his hands in greeting and asked, "Grandma, where is the best inn in Hanshan?"

The old lady asked with a smile, "Is this your first time visiting Hanshan?"

"Okay!" Wu Liang nodded.

“I can tell at a glance that this is your first time in Hanshan.” The old lady pointed ahead and said, “Go straight along this street, turn left after two intersections, and you will see Zhang Sanhua’s residence. Opposite Zhang Sanhua’s residence is the best inn in Hanshan, Bugui Lou.”

"Thank you, Grandma!" Wu Liang quickly thanked her and turned to leave.

Having asked for the right way, Ajige and his two companions soon arrived at the entrance of the Tower of No Return.

Upon seeing the Tower of No Return, Ajige was utterly stunned. A ten-story towering building—even in Beijing, there was no such magnificent structure.

Although Ajige was surprised, he was a man of plenty and swaggered toward the door.

"Welcome!" Two rows of greeters outside the door, dressed in high-slit cheongsams that revealed their long legs, bowed hurriedly to welcome them.

"Wow! What a beautiful girl!" Ajige thought to himself, "After I book a room, I'll definitely send Wu Liang out to bring a girl back to my room to sleep." It must be said, Wang Wenzhou, that lecherous fellow, really knows how to have fun; the clothes he designs look amazing on girls.

As Azig entered the lobby, the lobby manager immediately went to greet him.

Wu Min, the lobby manager, was also a girl. She wore a black business suit and looked poised and capable.

Wu Min bowed and asked, "Would you like to book a room or have a meal, gentlemen?"

Ajige looked Wu Min up and down, and was slightly taken aback. She was also a beauty. Wang Wenzhou, that lecher, really knew how to play. Where did he get so many beauties?

Azig said, "Let's check into a room first, and then we'll have a meal."

“Okay, please follow me.” Wu Min led Ajige to the front desk.

Wu Min asked, "What kind of room would you like, sir?"

Azig asked, "What kinds of rooms are there?"

The receptionist quickly pointed to the price list behind her and politely said, "Our hotel, Buguilou, offers the best service and is the most comfortable in Hanshan. Our room rates are all in the mid-to-high range. Sir, what price range would you like to book?"

Wu Liang quickly replied, "Our boss is not short of money. How much is the best room here per night?"

The waiter rolled his eyes at Wu Liang. "You bumpkin! Do you think No Return Inn is some small inn outside? You dare to act all high and mighty here?"

Although the waiter looked down on Ajige and his group of country bumpkins, he still politely said, "The Imperial Suite costs eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight taels per night."

"Pfft..." Ajige was completely dumbfounded. Holy crap! They're robbing me of my silver!

The waiter asked dismissively, "How about we change your room to a cheaper one, sir?"

How could I possibly lose face like this? Ajige quickly replied, "This room will do. We'll open two rooms, one for the two of them, and one for myself."

After Ajige finished speaking, he took out 100,000 taels of silver notes and handed them to the waiter. His heart was bleeding. Although he was never short of money, 8888 taels of silver for one night was a damn huge rip-off! That much silver could buy a fine house even in Beijing.

The waiter glanced at the silver note, her face immediately lighting up with a smile. She quickly said in a sweet, coquettish voice, "I'll take your 10 taels of silver note as a deposit. You can settle the rest of the payment when you check out. Here's the receipt, please keep it safe."

Ajige wanted to ask why they weren't giving him change now, but the girls were so pretty, he was afraid of embarrassing himself, so he didn't ask. He took the receipt and put it in his pocket.

Wu Min glared at the waiter. "You little slut, you get all flirtatious when you see a rich guy. You've even forgotten the basic business procedures!"

Wu Min quickly said, "Sir, please show us your good citizen certificate. We need to make a record of it."

"Certificate of Good Citizenship?" This wasn't the first time Ajige had heard these three words, but he had absolutely no idea what a certificate of good citizenship was.

Seeing Ajige's bewildered expression, Wu Min smiled and said, "Sir, is this your first time in Hanshan? A good citizen certificate is something like a travel permit. If you don't have a good citizen certificate, I'll take you to apply for a temporary residence permit first."

"Pfft..." Ajige was completely dumbfounded. Why did Hanshan have so many problems? A certificate of good citizenship, a temporary residence permit! Wang Wenzhou, this mad dog, was clearly just causing trouble for the people!

The No Return Building is owned by Zhang Jiaobao's grandfather, so there are yamen runners stationed there to help wealthy out-of-towners obtain temporary residence permits. Money talks, and the rich should be treated differently and served like royalty.

Soon, Ajige got his temporary residence permit. Just as Wu Min was about to take him back to his room, Sheng Liang, the little car enthusiast, and a few friends strolled into the lobby.

"Hello, Mr. Liang!" People in the lobby greeted Sheng Liang one after another.

Sheng Liang asked the receptionist, "Miss, where are the keys?"

The No Return Building has two Imperial Suites, which are usually reserved for the young racing god Sheng Liang. Because Li Yajing often goes to brothels to check rooms, Sheng Liang would book a room at the No Return Building when he secretly slept with girls.

No Return Building is Old Zhang's property. Old Zhang is Zhang Jiaobao's grandfather. Li Yajing was too embarrassed to cause trouble at No Return Building because of Zhang Jiaobao, so it became Sheng Liang's safe house.

Of course, Sheng Liang wouldn't spend a penny; it was his sister-in-law's business, and even if he offered to pay, Zhang Jiao wouldn't accept it.

When Sheng Liang heard that both Imperial Suites were sold out, he was used to staying in such rooms and really didn't want to change to another room. So he went to talk to the tycoon and asked him to give him one of the rooms.

Sheng Liang looked at Ajige and said with a smile, "Brother, what is your surname? Could you spare a room for me?"