Shipin Dalizheng

Chapter 228 I am a Dandy

Rong Tang threw the cards in his hand and stood up. "Playing cards with a fool like you who actively picks on people, I'm afraid people will say I'm bullying you. Forget it."

Tang Tiantian explained in a low voice, "Mr. Liang, Prince Rong didn't scold you. He was talking about the cards in your hand: the king, the eight, and that thing."

Liang Chongwen looked at the cards in his hand: a little ghost, also called a joker, an eight, and a circle. But this circle could also be called an egg. Put together...

"Rong Tang, you..."

He was so angry that his face turned red, but the other three had already stood up and left. He had just drawn the cards and everyone knew exactly what was in his hand. How could he continue playing?

As soon as a few card counters were good at it, the pavilion was instantly packed. Too many people wanted to try this new way of playing and wanted to know if they were considered smart.

Rong Tang walked a bit when Xie Ying called him over. "Prince Rong, I'm curious about something. Don't we only calculate the approximate number of cards each other has in our hands after we start playing? The fewer cards we have left, the more confident we are in figuring out the exact number. Prince Rong figured it out right after he started drawing the cards. That's incredible."

Rong Tang said gently, "In theory, you are right, but there is one exception."

Xie Ying didn't understand.

Tang Tiantian whispered, "It's a problem with the cards themselves. This deck was made by Gu Shizi and his friends themselves, so it's very non-standard. Plus, after being played with so many times, it's already worn to varying degrees. As long as you remember the subtle differences between the 108 cards, the result will be the same no matter who's facing the hand."

Xie Ying was stunned. No wonder both Master Zheng and Xie Jinzhi lost to them. They had memorized all 108 cards, so what difference did it make who held them? She even wanted to compete with them in card counting. The thought was terrifying.

She expressed her admiration and turned away, not wanting to play with them.

Zhao Ling was extremely excited. "Oh my god, you two are so smart. I'm still dizzy now. Don't those cards look the same? Cousin Tang, tell me, have you really memorized those cards?"

Rong Tang said, "No, I inserted it on purpose when I was shuffling the cards. This guy likes to take advantage. I guess he will be the first to draw a card. After three rounds, the bastard will be in his hand."

"..."

Rong Tang turned to sister-in-law Tang Tiantian and said, "Ms. Tang is truly smart and unparalleled."

His praise was sincere, but Tang Tiantian's pretty face flushed red. She pulled Feng to play aside and was unwilling to follow Rong Tang anymore.

Rong Tang pouted at Rong Wanli, "Go follow them and take good care of them."

Rong Wanli was speechless. What kind of thing was this? He even had to help the master protect the mistress.

However, it was only a moment later that he returned, "No one wanted to play with Miss Tang, so the two sisters-in-law went back. I watched them get into the Sima family's car."

This is better, as it prevents Rong Tang from being distracted by taking care of her. He doesn't know if it's an illusion, but he always feels that something is going to happen today.

Rong Tang did not go far away, but stopped not far from the pavilion to watch. The card tables had been separated. Gu Zhongxun and his friends had other spare cards in their hands, and now they were divided into three tables to play Landlord. The lively scene was comparable to a nightclub in a gambling house, overshadowing the calligraphy and painting game formed by several young men who were said to be talented.

A few white-haired scholars stroked their beards and sighed, "People's hearts have changed, and the world is becoming more corrupted. Once this kind of playful and disorganized entertainment technique spreads, how many talented people will be ruined."

Du Shaokang winked and said, "Prince Rong, did you hear that? These old scholars are criticizing again."

Rong Tang didn't feel guilty at all. Dice, Pai Gow, and other gambling methods were already rampant in the world. Even illiterate peddlers and hawkers would sell their children to gamble, so why didn't they criticize them? Besides, this kind of game that tests one's IQ is really not something that a Mandarin speaker can master.

"Du Shaokang, I have an idea to make some money. If you're willing to lend a hand, I'll go to your sugar and wine shop this afternoon to help you fix it."

Master Du's eyes lit up, "I can't help you for free, you have to give me shares."

Rong Tang smiled and said, "Are you sure you want shares? I can give you shares even if I die. How much do you want? I will give you that much from your sugar and wine shop later."

Du Shaokang was not sure how much money Rong Tang's new business could make, but their sugar and wine shop was still profitable, thanks to Prince Rong's willingness to exclusively supply them with sorghum sugar, as well as the planting of sugar sorghum next year.

"I'm just kidding. Tell me, how can I help you?"

"Go ask Gu Zhongxun how they make their decks, and then tell him you want to make a few to pass the time."

Du Shaokang was suspicious, "You can ask yourself?"

Zhao Ling said, "If I go, they won't dare not tell me."

Rong Tang stopped her, "You can't go, they will be alert."

Du Shaokang didn't understand, but this was not a difficult task. He walked over and got the words out of the man in no time.

Rong Tang looked behind him and saw Liang Chongwen being called away by a maid. Liang Chongwen looked so happy that it seemed like something good was about to happen.

"They say they found this kind of cardboard in a grocery store. They don't sell it anywhere else as well as this one. It has just the right hardness and toughness."

Then he mentioned the address of the grocery store. Rong Zhan and Rong Wanli looked at each other. Coincidentally, it was Gao Zhiyuan's grocery store.

After Du Shaokang chased Zhao Ling a little further away, Rong Tang instructed Rong Zhan, "Go and ask where his family gets this cardboard from. It would be best if you could find out the source, the paper mill."

Rong Zhan spread his hands and said, "I only know how to fight. I'm really not good at doing business."

Moreover, Gao Zhiyuan was very stubborn. Even though they were so familiar with each other, he still refused to give up a penny on the mailing fee. Rong Zhan had no confidence that he could get the upper hand from him.

Rong An said at this time: "Prince Tang, I will go. I can't help here anyway. It is most important for Brother Zhan to stay and protect your safety."

Rong Tang took him on tours of the various prefectures, broadening his horizons, allowing him to meet more people and overcome the inherent fear that villagers often harbored when meeting officials. During this time, Rong An remained silent, but his behavior was measured and he didn't show any fear, which was a good start.

"Okay, you go."

As soon as Rong An left, the Xie Mansion's steward arrived to greet everyone and invite them to their seats. The tables were divided into male and female sections, separated by carved screens. Large fans whirred on either side, reducing the heat considerably.

Rong Tang's seat was not the best, but it was very close to the main table. Master Xie even nodded to him across a table, and Rong Tang responded politely.

Gu Zhongxun and his group were grouped together with Rong Shi, and together with Du Shaokang and two other unfamiliar children of officials, they formed a unique scene.

It is surrounded on all sides, except for the screen behind the back door. To the north is a table of old scholars, to the west is a table of young talents who look handsome and elegant, and to the south is a table of middle-aged officials. Their rank may not be high, but they are said to hold real power.

Rong Tang shielded his face with his fan and asked Rong Zhan behind him, "What's going on?"

Rong Zhan remained silent. Rong Wanli's eyes were filled with sympathy. "Master, you have been relegated to the ranks of the playboys. All of this table relies on the influence of our ancestors to make a living."

Rong Tang straightened his waist, he was still very unconvinced. Did he benefit from his ancestors' influence?

But they saw more than twenty pairs of eyes from the three tables in the north, west and north were all directed at their table, and they almost had their disdain engraved on their foreheads.

An old man to the north suddenly called out the name of someone at their table, "Wen Jue, have you memorized the article I asked you to recite? You're not attending class, but are here to eat at the banquet. I'll tell your father and whip you when he gets home."

The young man named Wen Jue stood up with his head hung low. Du Shaokang whispered in Rong Tang's ear, "The eldest son of the Minister of Personnel is studying at the Imperial College, and he's a bit of a scoundrel."