The Ming Dynasty: Reshaping the Land

Chapter 28 Opening Ceremony, Door-to-Door Service

The 18th day of the sixth lunar month is an auspicious day for opening markets, trading, praying for blessings, engagements, and weddings.

Just after noon, Li Jinglong, Chang Sheng, Deng Zhen, and a few others arrived early at Heaven on Earth, setting the opening time for 1:15 PM.

However, Li Jinglong and the others will not show up at the opening ceremony, since they are all second-generation members of noble families and it would be inappropriate for them to appear.

By late afternoon, a large crowd had already gathered at the entrance of Heaven on Earth, as the legend of Heaven on Earth had already been spread by Li Jinglong's people.

When the time came, Li Tong appeared at the door with two maids dressed in fitted long dresses and carrying red silk cloths, which immediately caused many people to exclaim in surprise.

The reason was simple: the two maids' form-fitting long dresses accentuated their curvaceous figures, making them incredibly eye-catching.

Li Tong took a pair of scissors, cut open the red silk cloth, and then tore off the red silk covering the signboard, revealing the four gilded characters "Heaven and Earth" to everyone.

"Heaven on Earth! That owner of that place is really arrogant!"

"It's said that this steward is from the Duke of Cao's mansion!"

"Duke Cao? A duke who doesn't think of serving his country, but instead tacitly allows his servants to run brothels, is truly a disgrace to the late Prince Qiyang!" a scholar-looking man mocked.

"It's said that this Duke Cao has a group of纨绔 (playboys/spoiled brats) around him, but I don't know if it's true!"

"But the maid's clothes are quite novel!" someone commented on the maid's cheongsam.

"Hmph, indecent!" A scholar-like man immediately rebuked. Since the rise of Neo-Confucianism, "men should not expose their navels and women should not expose their skin" has gradually become a mandatory rule of etiquette. Although the maids were not naked, their curvaceous figures were still unacceptable.

Heaven and Earth's actions were undoubtedly a challenge to certain existing social norms, but Li Jinglong seemed completely unconcerned.

As a military officer, even if he behaves himself, he can't avoid being picked on by civil officials. Since they're going to argue anyway, why should he indulge them?

"Jiujiang, aren't you afraid of being impeached by the censors?" Deng Zhen swallowed hard, sweating profusely. Such attire was practically a challenge to the established rules of etiquette.

"Why be afraid of those pedantic scholars!" Li Jinglong scoffed, completely unconcerned, as he had already prepared a backup plan.

To get high-ranking officials and nobles to spend money freely, two things are essential: novelty and a wide variety of options!

Would you dare to open a club without proper preparation?

"This long skirt is really pretty, much prettier than my usual padded jacket and skirt!" Deng Zhen then looked at Li Jinglong, "Do you have any extras? Could I have one?"

Li Jinglong gave Deng Zhen a meaningful look. "You're really quick to accept new things!"

Deng Zhen didn't care; only those who enjoy it know!

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, two maids in long dresses slipped into the clubhouse, leaving Li Tong standing at the entrance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our club is opening today and operates on a membership system. Entry is only permitted after obtaining a membership card. Those interested, please proceed to the front desk to apply. We look forward to welcoming you!"

After saying this, Li Tong left two servants standing at the door and returned to the clubhouse.

"What do you mean? They're not opening it to the public? Then why did they even open it?"

"Didn't you hear me? Only members are allowed inside!"

The crowd in front of the clubhouse immediately began to whisper among themselves!

At this moment, a young nobleman dressed in brocade robes stepped out from the crowd and asked the servant, "What about the members?"

"Young master, the minimum fee for a bronze membership is 500 strings of cash or 500 taels of silver. There are also silver and gold memberships with varying annual fees. You may come inside to inquire!" The servant was very polite.

"I'll get one myself, I want to see what's different about this place!" With that, the young man in the brocade robe entered the hall, and only after completing the formalities did he go inside the clubhouse.

The young man in the brocade robe was none other than Guo Zhen, a stooge arranged by Li Jinglong!

After entering the club, Guo Zhen immediately went to the second floor to meet up with Li Jinglong and the others.

"Guo Zhen, you acted quite well!" Chang Sheng said with a smile. Everyone had seen Guo Zhen's performance just now.

"It's a piece of cake!" Guo Zhen waved his hand. "The people below are also in high spirits!"

"Of course!" Li Jinglong clapped his hands, and seeing everyone looking over, he said, "Gentlemen, let's not just sit idly by. How about roasting a whole lamb? It's a delicacy from the northern grasslands, isn't it?"

"color!"

"Walk!"

That evening, Li Tong excitedly approached Li Jinglong to report their achievements: "Young Master, a total of twenty-four people signed up for cards today, all of them achieving bronze level. From that alone, we've earned twelve thousand strings of cash!"

"Calm down!" Li Jinglong said calmly. "Just watch, the silver-giving is yet to come!"

"Young master, then...then we're going to be rich!" Li Tong's breathing became a little heavier.

Li Jinglong feigned profundity: "Hehe! It's just a minor skill!"

......

The word-of-mouth spread even faster than Li Jinglong had anticipated. In less than a week, the number of bronze card members had exceeded one hundred, and the number of gold card members had exceeded twenty.

Not only in Nanjing, but the influence of Heaven on Earth has even reached the Suzhou and Hangzhou area, making many wealthy businessmen eager to come and see for themselves!

Similarly, news about the women at the Heaven on Earth who bound their bodies and exposed their breasts also reached the ears of many censors, who were all filled with righteous indignation!

"Such an immoral act deserves my utmost respect. I will certainly submit a memorial to His Majesty requesting its closure!"

"I heard it's property of the Duke of Cao's mansion. Would His Majesty...?"

"Hmph, Duke Cao had better admit it, or I'll impeach him as well!"

Li Jinglong was unaware of the censors' restless activities. At this moment, he was at the Heaven and Earth Palace, looking at Lü Ping with a mocking expression.

"Young Master Li, how have you considered what happened last time?" After visiting Heaven on Earth once, Lü Ping became even more determined to invest.

"Young Master Lü, are you aware of the construction costs of our clubhouse?"

Lü Ping casually replied, "Ten thousand taels of silver is enough!"

"Then do you think it's reasonable for me to offer 30% of the shares for a thousand taels of silver?"

"To be honest, I was the one who first set my sights on this garden, but Young Master Li snatched it up! The thousand taels of silver is just compensation for me!" Lu Ping raised his head, a smug look on his lips.

So that's how it happened? Li Jinglong became interested!

"This garden was bestowed by His Highness the Crown Prince. You've taken a liking to it, so why didn't His Highness grant it to you?" Li Jinglong raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically.

"You..." Lu Ping's eyes flashed with jealousy, but he stubbornly retorted, "That's because I haven't had a chance to tell His Highness the Crown Prince yet!"

"I have my reasons for offering a thousand taels of silver. In the capital, I, Lü, have some influence, which will save Young Master Li a lot of trouble. Otherwise..." Lü Ping said with a hint of threat.

"Does Young Master Lü think that I, Li, have no influence? Or that my Cao State Duke's Mansion is dough to be manipulated?" Li Jinglong said jokingly.

A hint of disdain flashed in Lü Ping's eyes. You're just a kid who hasn't even grown up yet, what face do you have?

"I, Lü, believe myself to be slightly superior to Duke Cao!"

"Haha!" Li Jinglong laughed loudly, his tone suddenly becoming arrogant: "Who do you think you are, Lü Ping, to dare compare yourself to me?"

"You..." Lü Ping slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his face turning pale and then purple.

"Fine! Excellent!" Lü Ping glared angrily. "We'll see about that!"

After saying that, Lü Ping prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute!" Li Jinglong also got up and walked to Lü Ping.

"What? Regretting it?" A hint of smugness flashed across Lü Ping's face.

"Heh!" Li Jinglong chuckled, then vanished, saying sternly, "Don't tell me you're just the Crown Princess's cousin. Even if you were her own brother, or a prince, I'd still beat you without hesitation!"

"You!" Lu Ping stared wide-eyed at Li Jinglong in shock.

"Guards!" Li Jinglong shouted, and four guards wielding wooden sticks appeared.

"Beat him out of here with sticks!" Li Jinglong said casually, then instructed his servants, "Drag him out and beat him, but don't let him break anything here!"

"Li Jiujiang, how dare you, you brat!"

At the entrance of the Heaven on Earth nightclub, Lü Ping lay on the ground with a bruised and swollen face, wailing incessantly!

Standing at the second-floor window, Li Jinglong looked disgusted: "Throw him far away, don't let him get dirty at the doorway!"