Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 66 The Earl's Wrath, Blood Splattered 5 Steps

After bidding farewell to Zheng Tu, Lord Ying hurried along, turning left and right until he arrived at the entrance of a secluded alley, where he slipped into a narrow lane.

This place was familiar to him. He pushed open a half-closed wooden door and found a small courtyard inside.

It looks unremarkable from the outside, but inside it is a completely different world. It is a spacious courtyard with lights on in the main house and side rooms. The sounds of women laughing and playing string and wind instruments can be heard from inside. There are quite a few people here today, making it a lively scene.

Just as I was about to go inside, I unexpectedly bumped into an acquaintance.

It was Zhang Maode!

This man was the nephew of Zhang Dahu from Qinghe County, and was often called Zhang Xiao Er Guan, Zhang Xiao Guan, or Zhang Er Guan.

This young official's appearance resembled that of his uncle, Zhang the landlord, and he was indeed not very good-looking: his face was covered with pockmarks, and he had a pair of squinty eyes that always seemed to be half-closed when he looked at people.

Even some of the courtesans in the brothels didn't like him much because of his appearance, but since he was quite wealthy and willing to spend a lot of money, some people were willing to accompany him.

However, such a person is naturally worlds apart from Ximen Qing, who has both immense wealth and handsome looks.

In Qinghe County, Zhang Erguan was always overshadowed by Ximen Qing, whether in business or in the world of romance, and he had long harbored resentment.

The industries in Qinghe County were limited: silk, medicinal herbs, and pawnshops. Ximen Qing owned the majority, while the Zhang family naturally had to take a smaller share. Therefore, although the two families hadn't officially broken off relations, they were secretly rivals.

Zhang Erguan harbored many grievances against Ximen Qing, but Ximen Qing was currently enjoying great influence in Qinghe County, so even though he was dissatisfied, he dared not openly express it, and could only secretly plot against him in his heart.

At this moment, Zhang Erguan had obviously just arrived, and was dismounting from a tall horse, followed by four or five servants.

He came here to find Dong Mao'er, the prostitute he had booked.

Dong Mao'er was petite and exquisite, with captivating cat-like eyes, and Zhang Erguan was currently infatuated with her.

When Earl Ying saw Zhang Erguan, he put on his usual smile, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Oh, isn't this Zhang Erguan? What brings you here today to enjoy yourself in this brothel alley?"

Normally, even though Zhang Erguan disliked Ying Bojue, he would just laugh it off and go his separate ways.

Unfortunately, he was at home today and had just received a scolding from his uncle, Zhang the wealthy man, for no reason.

The wealthy Zhang seemed to be angry about something Ximen Qing had done, so he vented his anger on his nephew, giving him a good scolding.

Zhang Erguan was wronged and felt even more resentful towards Ximen Qing, with nowhere to vent his anger.

Of course, if he were to meet Ximen Qing in person at this moment, he would never dare to be presumptuous. He would definitely bow respectfully and address him as "Master Ximen".

Despite being close in age to Ximen Qing, in terms of status in Qinghe County, only his uncle, Zhang the wealthy man, could barely be considered Ximen Qing's equal, and was even slightly inferior.

But now that Zhang Erguan has met Ying Bojue, Ximen Qing's lackey, how could he not take the opportunity to retaliate?

He certainly wouldn't dare to fight, and he wouldn't dare to really touch Ximen Qing's men, but he could vent his anger by verbally humiliating them.

Zhang Erguan glanced sideways at Ying Bojue, a half-smile playing on his pockmarked face, and slowly said, "So it's you, Brother Ying. What's wrong? Didn't Master Ximen take you out for drinks today? Instead, you've come to this brothel alley to have some fun by yourself?"

Before he finished speaking, two female fans came out of the courtyard to greet him.

One of them, wearing a light red shirt, was Dong Mao'er, and the other, wearing a bright green vest, was Zheng Aixiang'er, who was also Ying Bojue's mistress.

Upon seeing that they were regulars, the two men quickly stepped forward with smiles to greet them.

Lord Ying could easily tell that Zhang Erguan's words were laced with barbs, but he was always slippery and had only come here to have some fun, so he just laughed it off and changed the subject while fanning himself.

"Zhang Erguan is too kind! We've just taken a break from our busy schedules to listen to some music. But what brings you to this refined mood today, Erguan...?"

"A refined taste?"

Zhang Maode interrupted him, reached out and put his arm around Dong Mao'er's slender waist, and glanced sideways at Ying Bojue.

"Brother Ying certainly has a refined taste. I heard that you stopped after only half a cup of tea's time. To travel so far for such a short time, isn't that quite a refined pursuit?"

These words were so blunt that the two female fans next to him covered their mouths and chuckled.

Earl Ying, after all, was a seasoned veteran who had spent half his life in the underworld. Despite being insulted like this, he showed no anger on his face, only chuckled.

"Master Zhang is joking! We are conserving our energy and taking a long-term approach. Good steel is used on the blade, unlike those young men who only know how to work recklessly. In the end, they exhaust themselves and gain only empty fame. When it really matters, they are useless."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Erguan snorted coldly, seemingly teasing the prostitutes, "Do you know Ying Erge's nickname?"

Without waiting for her reply, he smiled at everyone present and said:

"They call it 'three finger snaps.' One snap to take off your shoes before bed, one snap to do it, and another snap to fasten your trousers after getting out of bed. It's over in three finger snaps. I bet they can't even last three snaps!"

Several fan leaders nearby covered their mouths and chuckled upon hearing this.

Earl Ying's smile faded, and his eyes turned cold: "Zhang Erguan, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want! Matters of the bed are like a fish drinking water; only the fish knows whether it's hot or cold. How can you let outsiders spout nonsense?"

Seeing Ying Bojue's reaction, Zhang Erguan was not angry but rather pleased.

What he wanted was to humiliate Earl Ying. He wasn't afraid of Earl Ying getting angry; he was just afraid that Earl Ying would continue to act like that old fox.

The voice suddenly rose in volume, attracting people from other rooms in the courtyard to open their windows and look out.

"What nonsense! The other day I heard Zhu Mazi say that you were in that brothel girl's room, and the moment your head touched the pillow, you begged for mercy and left. What, were you afraid of the girl's skills? Or did you really lack the ability and were afraid of showing your weakness?"

These words were like a public slap in the face to Earl Ying.

Every man values ​​his reputation above all else, especially in front of a prostitute.

Earl Ying's face flushed crimson, and he trembled with rage. Pointing at Zhang Erguan's nose, he cursed, "You damned Zhang Ermazi! I've given you a little respect, and you've taken it all for granted! You've humiliated me time and time again. Do you really think I, Earl Ying, am made of clay or dough, to be molded at your mercy?"

Seeing that he was truly angry, Zhang Maode became even more interested and teased, "What? Second Brother Ying, you want to fight? Come, come, I have four servants here, pick one of them to practice on?"

Although Lord Ying was furious, he was not confused. If a real fight broke out, how could his physique possibly be a match for his opponent?

His eyes darted around, an idea forming in his mind. Suddenly, he burst into laughter: "Fighting? That's something only a boor would do! Since Zhang Erguan looks down on my abilities so much, why don't we make a bet!"

"Bet? What are you betting on?" Zhang Maode raised an eyebrow.

Earl Ying looked around and, seeing that the crowd of onlookers was growing larger and larger, he said loudly:

"Right here in this brothel, let's find two people, and with Madam Li and these two girls as witnesses, let's see who lasts the longest!"

Lord Ying stared at Zhang Maode and said, word by word, "If I lose, I will kowtow to you three times and give you ten taels of silver!"

"If you lose, you'll apologize to me in public and pay for all the drinks owed to the guests in this hall today! Zhang Erguan, do you dare to agree?!"