Chapter Sixty-Four: On the Eve of Opening

After a full day, Wei Renshi announced that the “Three Bowls That Don’t Enter the City” would no longer be sold from a street stall, but instead would be available at Dream Pavilion in the South Market of Luoyang City. Alongside it, other varieties of Wei’s Fine Spirits would also be on offer.

The remaining jars of the Three Bowls That Don’t Enter the City were left in the thatched cottage, available for anyone to sample freely.

Wei Renshi and his companions then returned to the South Market.

“Young Master, that burly man who drank with you today might be someone of importance. Who would have thought the token he left you would be so useful?” During dinner, Old Sun recounted the day’s events to Sun Peng and then addressed Wei Renshi.

Wei Renshi had never been one for eating separately. Besides, the South Market now housed only this small group; there was no need to split up. He also disliked dining alone—how much better it was to eat and converse together.

Wei Renshi shook his head, took the token from his pocket, and placed it on the table. He said to Sun Peng, “Find something to keep this token in and store it away securely. Now that those ruffians have caused a scene and found out we possess this token, they’re unlikely to trouble us again. Still, we should use it as little as possible and avoid getting too entangled with those people. But keep it well; who knows when we might need it.”

Wei Renshi understood that this Zhang Gan was likely a figure of considerable influence among Luoyang’s underground powers.

Dream Pavilion could have some association with them, could accept their protection, and perhaps offer them certain benefits—but nothing deeper than that.

Sun Peng nodded. “Understood.”

“There’s another matter. After you’ve recruited some staff tomorrow, take a few men and deliver thirty jars of the Three Bowls That Don’t Enter the City to the address Zhang Gan left us, presenting yourself as the manager of Dream Pavilion,” Wei Renshi continued, then relayed Zhang Gan’s address to Sun Peng.

“Don’t worry, Young Master!” Sun Peng replied with a nod.

“How is the icehouse coming along?” Wei Renshi asked. “In the future, don’t make ice inside the cellar itself. Always do it outside, then store the finished ice in the cellar.”

Sun Peng’s wife quickly answered, “It will be finished tomorrow. The wall frost has been purchased, and the preparations are all in order. As soon as the cellar is ready, we can start making and selling ice. Young Master, you should find someone to choose an auspicious day.”

Wei Renshi nodded. Choosing a good day meant consulting someone about which date was most favorable, but he didn’t know who in Luoyang was skilled at such things.

“Tomorrow, I’ll visit the Jiao family’s firm,” said Wei Renshi. “I’ll ask Manager Tian if he knows who in Luoyang is good at selecting auspicious days. What about the chef?”

Sun Peng replied at once, “I’ve already contacted two candidates. One used to be the chef at Spring Breeze Pavilion, but he says the place is unlucky and refuses to come. The other asks for a high wage, and I’ve heard his skills aren’t as good as the former chef’s. Actually…”

“Actually what?” Wei Renshi prompted.

Sun Peng hesitated, then said, “These past few days, I’ve met several former staff from Spring Breeze Pavilion… I thought, if we hire strangers now, they may not be up to speed or familiar with the place. The old staff, though, are attached to this place and already know the ropes. We could reopen quickly with them. If we find some unreliable, we can replace them later. So I tracked down the old chef and asked him to contact the others. I spoke with them; they seem willing to return, but all claim the place is haunted or unlucky and are afraid to come back.”

“Since you’ve found this out, there’s no point in keeping it from you,” Wei Renshi said. “The shop does have rumors of being haunted, which is why it was so cheap and we were able to lease it. Otherwise, with its location and size, we could never have afforded it.”

“So it really is haunted?” At this, several faces changed color.

Wei Renshi smiled. “We’ve lived here for days. Have any of you seen anything supernatural? It’s just some natural phenomena… but never mind, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained.”

Everyone looked at each other, baffled.

Seeing their confusion, Wei Renshi continued, “Here’s what we’ll do: Gather the old staff who are willing to return and bring them here the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, I’ll prepare some things. The day after, I’ll deal with the ‘unclean presence’ in the courtyard right before your eyes. After that, you’ll have nothing to fear. With me here, nothing will happen.”

There was no point explaining about phosphorescence—they wouldn’t understand or believe it. As for the former owner’s thyroid illness, that was even less easily explained.

It would be better to put on a bit of a show and let them witness it, so they could put their worries to rest.

Still, many of them looked uneasy, and Sun Peng’s wife was pale with fear, glancing nervously about.

The night passed. Wei Renshi didn’t know how well they slept, but everyone was up early the next morning.

Wei Renshi stepped out and headed for the Jiao family’s firm in the North Market.

Upon reaching the North Market, he found Manager Tian of the Jiao family just about to leave. Seeing Wei Renshi, Tian stepped down from his carriage.

“I’m just in time,” Wei Renshi laughed. “I hope I haven’t delayed your journey. I only have one question.”

“Not at all. What can I do for you, Young Master Wei?” Manager Tian asked with a smile.

“I’m about to open my restaurant, but I don’t know Luoyang well. Could you tell me who is best at choosing auspicious days here?” Wei Renshi asked.

“Daoist Li of the Grand Harmony Temple is the best,” Tian replied. “I always invite one of the masters from Grand Harmony Temple to select dates. It costs a little more, but their masters are skilled. Daoist Li travels frequently, but if he’s not in, there are plenty of other Daoists at the temple. There’s always someone available at the incense hall.”

“I see!” Wei Renshi nodded. “Thank you. Please don’t let me keep you. I still have some shopping to do in the North Market.”

After bidding Manager Tian farewell, Wei Renshi made his way to the Grand Harmony Temple.

As the official temple of the Eastern Capital, Grand Harmony Temple enjoyed imperial patronage and was grand in scale, crowded with Daoists and worshippers.

After some inquiries, Wei Renshi learned that Daoist Li was away in Chang’an and had not yet returned. So he settled for having another Daoist from the temple select an auspicious day, which was set for five days hence.

He also bought a peach-wood sword and a stack of ginger-yellow talisman papers from the temple before returning to the South Market.