50 The Clash between the Empire And Tao Sec (2/2)
This situation remained the same for thousands of years up till today. Haotian Taoism still stood high above masses in other places, in which all the people were its believers. Yet in the territory of Tang Empire, even the smallest Taoist temple must pay taxes and even South School of Haotian Taoism, though controlled by the court had to send cultivators to perform tricks on the streets to attract followers.
Walking under the big black umbrella in the rain, Ning Que thought of the previous scene. He could not help but laugh and shake his head, and he said, ”The old Taoist is really pitiful. Maybe the Master of Nation in the palace was the same.”
Sangsang held the big black umbrella with her right hand and shoulder, while in her left hand was a piece of cookie bought from a small stall. She was eating the cookie, and said with a lisp, ”Young master, it seems that you like Chang'an, hah.”
”Each place and city have their way of supporting their inhabitants. Yet the taste of people can change the taste of the city in turn,” Ning Que smiled and replied. ”Rather than saying that I like Chang'an, you might say that I like the people of Chang'an.”
He suddenly slightly frowned as he saying these. And he said, ”Three four, seven... eight.”
Sangsang paused and froze for a moment and crammed the cookie into her small mouth. Her left hand quickly scratching the certain place on his back. Ning Que frowned and took the big black umbrella from her hand, and added, ”No, it's seven seven.”
”Got it.”
The Chang'an city rested in the continuous spring rain. In its straight streets and crooked lanes, among its cornice of high-rises, along the passerbys with umbrellas and raincoats, there was a walking big black umbrella that was like a dusty black lotus. Under the big black umbrella, Sangsang took the cookie with one hand and scratched Ning Que's back on and on with the other. The young master's and the handmaiden's faces were full of joy.
...
...
There were probably no businessmen who would like the spring that was with such abundant rainfall in the Chang'an city, except those who sold umbrellas and carried carriage business, and brothels were no exceptions. Due to the accident that occurred at the side door a few days ago, House of Red-Sleeves was not only forced to suspend business for one night, but also became the target of rumors. Though the drizzling days were suitable for playing instruments and drawing, the brothel looked really cheerless in broad daylight.
Girls who were eligible to own small courtyards couldn't withstand the loneliness but to gather in the front building today. After greeting Mistress Jian, everyone stayed together in the bamboo house to while away time, eating sunflower seeds and chatting. This situation suddenly changed at the moment Ning Que and Sangsang stepped into the building. All of a sudden, the building was filled with laughter.
A man around forty saw this scene from a quiet room of the topmost. He looked at these girls who worked under him. He could not help but frown and scold in a low voice, ”All of you really think you're noble ladies with nothing to do. Meng San, ask Mistress Jian... remember to be polite... who that lad is. If he has no background, you get him out of here. The ladies that I support aren't for him to chat with.”
”I advise you not to mess with the lad, because... he is my last tenant.”
At the small wine table, a middle-aged man looked at him and said with a smile. An official sword that was usually strapped at the waist was put aside quietly. This person was the owner of all the shops on Lin 47th Street.