Chapter 21: Discussing Social Hierarchy

Chapter 21: Discussing Social Hierarchy

After leaving the Imperial Mansion, Nie Yanian brought Meng Yuan out of the main street and headed towards a riverside tavern called Intoxicating Moon Tower.

The location and grandeur of this place clearly indicated it wasn't a business catering to the poor. Nie Yanian, after chatting casually with the beautiful female manager, led Meng Yuan to the second floor.

In no time, a stream of wine and dishes were served, filling the entire table. Nie Yanian picked up a few dishes and praised the flavors repeatedly.

"Nie Shi, you're a guard at the Imperial Mansion. How come you have so much free time?" Meng Yuan had been observing for a while, and Nie Yanian had never punched in on time. With a seemingly low position in the Imperial Mansion, he was clearly not an ordinary guard.

"I used to follow the Prince Consort's elder brother, but after he passed away, I followed the Princess Consort. I'm like a guest scholar under her care." Nie Yanian raised his eyebrows at Meng Yuan, signaling him to pour the wine.

"I see." Meng Yuan didn't delve deeper but poured the wine as he spoke, "Nie Shi, what exactly is your job?"

Meng Yuan was thinking that with the talent he had shown, if he could follow Nie Yanian and achieve some merit, not only would he receive rewards, but bringing back Jiang Girl would be as easy as water flowing into a channel.

"Why are you more anxious than me?" Nie Yanian asked with a smile.

"Nie Shi, you know I'm from a homeless background, and my family is still at the livestock farm. It's hard work over there, and I have a child who should start school soon. Isn't this a perfect opportunity to achieve some merit with you?" Meng Yuan spoke honestly.

"You're asking me for another favor! My daughter hasn't even given me as much trouble!" Nie Yanian drank a cup of wine in annoyance, "There's no need to rush this, it will happen sooner or later."

"Then when can I mention the salary? How much do an eighth-rank and a seventh-rank warrior earn in a month?" Meng Yuan was thinking long-term. If he brought Jiang Girl back, his expenses would increase significantly, so he needed to inquire about the salary and whether he should consider a side job.

Nie Yanian held his chopsticks and pointed at Meng Yuan, saying, "You're a smart kid. You work hard in your practice and socialize with Xun Mei. All that is fine. But as you said, you're from a homeless background, and although your mind is sharp, your experience is limited."

"Please instruct me, Nie Shi." Meng Yuan quickly refilled his wine.

"We warriors rely on our martial skills for survival. But attaining rank is just the first step. Eighth and ninth-rank warriors are still within the realm of mortals and can be killed by ordinary people."

Nie Yanian took several sips of wine and continued, "Ninth and eighth-rank warriors aren't that valuable. But if you reach the seventh rank, no matter where you go, you'll have a decent meal to eat, just like me now. It's not difficult for a warrior to attain rank, as long as you endure the hardships. However, advancing further is filled with challenges."

Only then did Meng Yuan realize that Nie Shi was a seventh-rank warrior.

Nie Yanian continued his monologue, "Whether you're out there or like me, a seventh-rank warrior doesn't have to worry about food and clothing. But if you want to make it in the outside world, you still need to bow your head and build connections. However, once you reach the sixth rank, your status changes. It's not that you don't have to bow your head or build connections, but many troubles can be avoided. Even if you just open your mouth, someone will offer you a house and a woman!"

He pointed outside, "If you want to enter the Imperial Court later, spend a few years on the frontier, and it won't be difficult to achieve fame and fortune. It's not impossible to become a marquis or prime minister, but it's not difficult to gain a reputation and wealth. Whether you're running a martial arts school, escorting convoys, or doing business, it's much more convenient. Many of the problems that seventh-rank warriors encounter won't even appear. Wherever you stand, people will want to befriend you."

After listening to this discourse on social hierarchy, Meng Yuan roughly understood Nie Shi's intentions.

Ninth and eighth-rank warriors already had a means of survival, and they could find food and eat their fill anywhere. Upon reaching the seventh rank, they could eat very well and even provide for their descendants. But once they attained the sixth rank, the world was vast, and they wouldn't be content with being a mere guard.

As for going further, when external affairs no longer burdened the mind, it was time to pursue other things.

Nie Shi's implication was that Meng Yuan was still young and shouldn't be worrying about money. Realm was the foundation. When he grew older and his realm couldn't improve further, then it wouldn't be too late to make money.

"Nie Shi, what's it like at the higher ranks?" Meng Yuan asked eagerly.

"For most people, the endpoint is the seventh rank. A few ordinary people who work hard and encounter some extraordinary opportunities might reach the fifth rank at best. As for the top three ranks, well, if you, kid, could reach that level, even sleeping with the Empress Dowager wouldn't be a problem." Nie Yanian spoke softly.

"Nie Shi, I actually prefer younger women." Meng Yuan emphasized.

Nie Yanian glared at Meng Yuan and said, "Don't even think about it! If you can't reach the eighth rank by next year, I'll definitely take you to see the madam broker!"

Can't forget the madam broker, can you?

“Let’s not talk about the madam broker for now…” Meng Yuan’s head ached at the mention of the madam broker. He sighed and said, “Can I bring my family to live in the city now?”

“If you want to bring your relatives, it’s not difficult. Once you Attain Rank, you’ll be a bodyguard for the imperial mansion. Even if a third-class bodyguard doesn’t get a private courtyard, the ten taels of monthly silver are enough to support a family. Besides, your talent isn’t bad, and the imperial mansion will definitely be willing to cultivate you.”

Nie Yanian gestured to pour more wine and continued, “But if you ask me, you should speak to Xun Mei. She manages several estates, and a word from her could get it done. You’re already close to her, so go and whisper in her ear!”

Meng Yuan’s expression turned serious, “Master Nie, I’m a castrator by birth, and my reputation is already tarnished. But Xun Mei is like a winter snow plum, a noble scholar, and cannot be defiled in the slightest.”

“Damn, I really didn’tMisjudgeYou. You can hide your filthy deeds and still look so righteous. Damn, if I had your skills when I was young, I wouldn’t have ended up like this!”

Nie Yanian pointed at Meng Yuan’s nose, “Your martial talent is good, but if you become an official, your prospects might be even better.”

“Master Nie, I want to practice martial arts and be an official,” Meng Yuan said.

“Good things all go to you, eh?” Nie Yanian glared at Meng Yuan, “Since you’re pretending to be a gentleman and don’t want to charm Xun Mei, bringing your family now isn’t appropriate. You only have ten taels of monthly silver, so are you supporting your family or yourself? Martial Path is fundamental, and this is about looking one step ahead or three steps ahead.”

He tapped the table with his chopsticks, “But if you do this job well and earn some credit, it will definitely work out. Besides, it’s good to broaden your horizons.”

“Thank you, Master Nie!” Meng Yuan eagerly poured more wine and curiously asked, “What job?”

Nie Yanian flicked his tongue and smiled, pointing at Meng Yuan’s tiger’s mouth with his chin.

He’s referring to the demonic creature! And she already knows I was defiled by a young yellow weasel! “Master Nie, I didn’t mean to hide it, but I really didn’t want to cause trouble,” Meng Yuan explained.

“Of course I know. Otherwise, how could I keep you? Do you really think Xun Mei’s face is more important than the sky?” Nie Yanian stood up, grinning, and patted Meng Yuan’s shoulder, “Don’t worry too much. It’s a small matter. We can discuss it in detail tomorrow. I’ll leave first.”

With that, Nie Yanian wobbled downstairs.

After all that, you still didn’t make it clear!

Meng Yuan looked at the table full of dishes—chicken, duck, fish, and meat—none of which he hadn’t eaten much.

“Master Nie, take care!” Meng Yuan politely said, took a sip of tea, and started eating.

In just fifteen minutes, he cleared the table like a whirlwind. The essence flame in his body slowly grew, more than the nourishment he gained from eating for three days at the training ground.

He rubbed his stomach and went downstairs. The beautiful lady manager smiled and bowed slightly, “Thank you, ten taels of silver. Hehe, a small business.”

Do you call this a small business? The table of dishes would cost at most three to five taels, yet you dared to charge me a month’s salary!

Meng Yuan, who was still savoring the food and planned to bring Jiang Gia Small Girl here in the future, quickly put on a serious expression, “I’ll note it down to Master Nie’s account.”

“The young master said this meal is on you,” the lady smiled.

Meng Yuan, seeing his attempt to avoid paying was foiled, still managed a smile despite the pain, “I naturally know, I was just teasing. Is your sister a local? For some reason, I feel familiar and close, like a real sister…”

“Ten taels.” The lady didn’t give Meng Yuan a chance to get close.

Meng Yuan had no choice, and didn’t show anger, just endured the pain and smiled, “Of course, I know. Just now, joking. Is your sister local? Why do I feel familiar and close, like a real sister…”

“Ten taels.” The lady didn’t give Meng Yuan a chance to get close.

Meng Yuan had no choice, and didn’t show anger, just endured the pain and smiled, “I naturally know, I was just joking. Sister, are you local? For some reason, I feel familiar and close, like a real sister…”

“Ten taels.” The lady didn’t give Meng Yuan a chance to get close.

Meng Yuan had no choice, and didn’t show anger, just endured the pain and smiled, “I naturally know, I was just joking. Sister, are you local? For some reason, I feel familiar and close, like a real sister…”

“Ten taels.” The lady didn’t give Meng Yuan a chance to get close.

Meng Yuan had no choice, and didn’t show anger, just endured the pain and smiled, “I naturally know, I was just joking. Sister, are you local? For some reason, I feel familiar and close, like a real sister…”

Meng Yuan had no choice, and didn’t show anger, just endured the pain and smiled, “I naturally know, I was just joking. Sister, are you local? For some reason, I feel familiar and close, like a real sister…”

“Ten taels.” The lady didn’t give Meng Yuan a chance to get close.

Meng Yuan couldn’t help but felt wrong, as if he had been scammed by a wine scam.

“Sister, how are you related to Master Nie?” Meng Yuan asked, looking back.

“Father and daughter.” The lady’s hands were in her sleeves, and she smiled brightly.

Huh? You and your daughter set up a scam just to trick an honest man?

“…” Meng Yuan felt cheated, having just borrowed ten taels from Nie Yanian, and now, it was given back to him, and the debt wasn’t cleared!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end