They could not see each other with their eyes, yet they were under the sa starry sky when they looked up.
They never t in life.
But in this tiline.
Two figures, pillars of their people, crossed paths because of him.
Seemingly ordinary, just a mutual introduction with a bow.
But in Xu Yun's eyes, it was an image worthy of being rembered for a millennium.
You're not alone in your path!
After the introductions were complete, Wang Bing glanced around, pondered for a mont, and said:
"Brother Zong, Xiaowang, since it's near noon, why don't I be the host and we go to Fan Building for a al and chat?"
Gurgle—
Upon hearing the term Fan Building.
Zhang San, who had been staring at Zhang Yuan and cursing him for costing him six cents, suddenly showed a change in expression.
He swallowed hard.
In the Northern Song period, restaurants were classified by level of decoration with different titles.
The lowest-grade eateries were called "Foot Stores."
For instance, the soup stand where Xu Yun and others had sour plum soup earlier was a type of Foot Store.
And even the human flesh bun shop run by Sun Erniang in Water Margin was a type of Foot Store.
Above the Foot Store was the "Main Store," which was basically the equivalent of high-end restaurants.
In the current era, there were 72 high-end restaurants in Bianjing City.
The most top-notch among them were Pan Building, Cloud Building, and...
Fan Building.
If Pan Building, Cloud Building, and other restaurants could be compared to ordinary five-star hotels of later generations.
Then Fan Building was undoubtedly the Waldorf of the Song Dynasty.
The cheapest dish there would cost nearly a hundred wen; an ordinary banquet wouldn't cost less than three taels of coins!
Such a price for soone like Zhang San, a servant, was unimaginable expense.
Just like later generations' workers earning five to six thousand, they might occasionally grit their teeth to afford a 428 al at all-Island.
But asking him to go for two to three thousand kaiseki cuisine?
Perhaps in a lifeti, only occasions like their ten-year wedding anniversary might break this ban.
Therefore, upon hearing Wang Bing was prepared to host at Fan Building.
Zhang San kept glancing at Xu Yun with hopeful eyes.
He didn't hope to sit at the table to eat and drink with the others, but, given his relationship with Xu Yun, packing so leftovers shouldn't be a problem, right?
"Fan Building ah....."
At this mont, Xu Yun's mind was not as complex as Zhang San's.
Yet, as a foodie, he was indeed curious to see this Waldorf of the Northern Song era.
Adding that he sowhat understood Wang Bing's financial state, affording a al at Fan Building was not a burden:
This Captain just made significant achievents on the western line, and the court rewarded him with a sizable sum.
Additionally, due to his 'allegiance' to Tong Guan's faction.
This ti, Tong Guan didn't deliberately pocket the rewards, handing them entirely to Wang Bing and his brothers.
According to what Wang Bing once ntioned while drunk.
This reward was estimated to be four to five hundred taels of coins, enough for an average person to earn over a dozen to twenty years, more than enough for a al at Fan Building.
Wang Bing's proposal matched Xu Yun's intention, so he proactively invited Zong Ze:
"Mr. Rulin, since the Captain intends so, why don't we move to Fan Building for a discussion?"
He paused, recalling Zong Ze's historical character, and added:
"Rest assured, Captain is spending the rewards from the recent victory on the west line, absolutely not taken illicitly."
Zong Ze, eager to befriend Wang Bing, hesitated for a mont and finally nodded:
"Since that's the case, I, Zong Mou, gladly accept."
Wang Bing laughed heartily and waved his left hand in a grand gesture:
"Then to Fan Building we go, we won't return until we're drunken!"
The party then walked along the Imperial Street for a short distance and soon arrived at a massive complex:
This was a composite restaurant ford by five interconnected buildings with flying bridges connecting them, pearl curtains and ornate door fras.
Intricate eaves catching sunlight, painted beams soaring with the clouds, green railings embracing window sills, and erald curtains hanging high on doorways, all looking extrely lavish.
Upon arriving outside the building, Zhang San couldn't help but be awestruck:
Old Su, though wealthy, wasn't a corrupt official nor soone obsessed with extre luxury.
Hence, in front of Fan Building, even the main courtyard of Old Su's residence pales in comparison.
Seeing Zhang San fixing his gaze on the hotel's grand facade, Wang Bing smiled and patted his head:
"Dayti is not yet the liveliest ti at Fan Building; co night, Fan Building becos ablaze with candlelight, bright as day."
"Look over there at the main corridor?"
"By then, there'll be at least a hundred singing princesses aligned on both sides, ready to entertain guests."
Xu Yun, too, raised his head in interest, curiously glancing at the upper floors.
Frankly speaking.
As a transmigrator from later generations, Fan Building's so-called 'luxury' was unimpressive to him, mainly viewed with a sightseeing mindset.
Later tis had many retro attractions, lacking for nothing similar or even more intricate buildings.
His curiosity was due to the divide between tis.
After all, no matter how retro it gets in later tis, it can't recreate such real scenes.
Secondly.....
It was due to the historical rumor that Emperor Huizong often visited Fan Building with Li Shishi for clandestine etings.
As a human drilling machine who fathered 66 children before being captured.
Who knew if Zhao Ji might just be in one of Fan Building's rooms, holding out, awaiting reciprocation?
The party, led by Wang Bing, entered Fan Building one after another.
The first floor of Fan Building was an open dining area, also there was the hall.
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