After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 680 The Storyteller's Contract is Buyed Out

Ouyang Jue was worried that the Fifth Prince had once again considered a marriage alliance with the Ouyang family, and that he was under house arrest in the deep mountains and forests. No one would believe that he did not regret cooperating with the Fifth Prince.

But there's nothing I can do; I chose this path myself, and I can only blame myself for being too greedy.

Even if one were to beat one's chest and stamp one's feet in regret at this point, it would be too late. If only one could send a message to the capital.

However, Ouyang Jue was only thinking about it. If he really had the opportunity to send a message to the capital to report his location, it would mean that he would be saved.

However, he knew with a grain of sand that such a daydream was impossible.

The number of people in this private army camp is growing, and no one has ever been able to leave.

People who work as private soldiers seem to be doing it voluntarily, and their benefits are probably quite good?

They may not know that this is an irregular military camp, or even that they are so-called "private soldiers".

Even more likely, the camp's supreme leader might instill in the soldiers the concept that they are a so-called "righteous army."

Ouyang Jue understood this trickery after a little thought, having read quite a few military books himself.

However, recently a lot of people have entered the private army camp, including men, women, the elderly and children, which makes Ouyang Jue a little confused.

The menial workers in the private army camp included carpenters, blacksmiths, bricklayers, and even cooks.

The wild vegetable and mixed grain pancakes were made by these people. It wasn't that they deliberately made the grains taste bad; it was just that the ingredients were very limited.

Although based on his recent observations, the place didn't seem to be lacking in food, for some reason, the food was always very meager.

To stockpile some grain and fodder for future use?

The craftsmen were used as menial laborers, so what are these newcomers for?

Ouyang Jue stopped thinking about it when he couldn't figure it out. He lay down on the bed made of dry grass to conserve his energy and find out about the origins of these people during the night.

Beijing——

Fu Yun Tea House

"Okay! Okay! Okay!"

"One more verse!"

The cheers from the audience drowned out all the noise, and passersby couldn't help but stop and peek inside the teahouse.

Some people are drawn in directly to become a new audience, which is why teahouse owners set up their tables closer to the entrance.

The location of the platform on the first floor does not affect the experience of the VIP guests in the private rooms on the second floor. After all, most of the guests who choose the private rooms are female, and many of them keep the door closed and only open one window to listen to the storytelling.

The individual diners in the lobby didn't care much; wherever the stage was set up, that was the center of the first floor, and everyone could just sit around it.

"Excellent, absolutely excellent! You did an even better job today than last time."

"Indeed, it was only intermittent before, and sometimes it was hard to keep up. I didn't expect the store to be so open-minded this time and actually arrange several shows in one day."

"Oh, what do you mean by 'come to your senses'? It's just that this gentleman is leaving, and the teahouse owner wants to make as much money as possible before the storyteller leaves."

"What! You're leaving! Where are you going?!"

"Oh dear, you don't know this, but this storyteller has caught the eye of a wealthy man, who wants to invite him to his home to tell stories."

Sigh~ Who knows if there will be another storyteller as talented as Mr. Liu to fill the void in the future? So let's just listen and cherish the moment~

"I hate these rich people! They're so selfish. If they want to listen to audiobooks, why don't they just come to a teahouse?"

The other person shook his head. "Rich people can do whatever they want, of course."

If I had money, I would probably hire a storyteller to come back and tell stories to me. After all, it would be very convenient to listen to stories without leaving home.

Sigh~ Hopefully, the teahouse owner can find someone similar to Mr. Liu in the future, otherwise, life will be much less enjoyable~

On this day, storyteller Liu Zheming told a complete story, much to the delight of the audience.

Many people who are usually stingy and only willing to pay for tea gave tips today, which is unprecedented.

Although it's only a penny or two, there are so many people on the first floor.

Several hundred people were crammed together, and in the end, they managed to collect a little over one or two taels of silver.

This money belongs exclusively to the storyteller; the teahouse owner has no right to withhold it.

After all, the tea and snacks are the main expense in a teahouse. Unless the guests in the private room give a really generous amount, the storyteller will also give a portion of it to the teahouse owner as "water money".

However, today was the last day that storyteller Liu Zheming worked at the teahouse, so the teahouse owner felt bad about withholding tips from the guests in the private rooms.

This can be considered a way to repay the friendship we've built over this period. After all, without Liu Zheming, his teahouse would never have been able to stand out in the capital.

Liu Zheming stepped off the stage and sipped warm water.

The teahouse owner came over and handed over all the tips from the VIPs in the private room on the second floor to Liu Zheming.

"Same as always, I'll take six and you take four. It's not easy for either of us, so don't refuse."

As usual, Liu Zheming took out some tea and handed it to the teahouse owner, but this time it was pushed back.

"Alright, alright, I've made quite a bit of money today. I wouldn't say I'm rolling in money, but I won't have to worry about the rest of the year. It's all thanks to you, sir."

"One thing at a time, don't break the rules. Besides, I'll only have more money to spare in the future, so just take it."

I'm sorry, I thought I'd be spending my retirement at your teahouse~ Sigh, but I can't fight city hall.

If it were just a wealthy family, it would be fine, but this person is clearly someone with a powerful background, someone that neither you nor I can afford to offend.

"When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head; especially in the capital, right under the emperor's nose, where even a falling leaf can hit several powerful figures."

The teahouse owner also wore a wry smile; how could he not know?

He had been in the capital for over ten years, and although he hadn't made a name for himself, he knew how treacherous the waters of the capital were.

These ordinary people and lowly merchants can only bow their heads and be humble; they absolutely cannot look up at the sky.

"I knew that, which is why I didn't dare to force you to stay. I couldn't keep you anyway, so why waste my energy?"

Alright, I don't want the money. You worked the hardest today, this is all for your hard work.

"If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to come back anytime. Our brotherly bond will never be broken."

"Well then, thank you very much, innkeeper. I need to pack my things now; the carriage is already waiting outside the teahouse."

The teahouse owner sighed again, "Ah~ I'll see you off."

Liu Zheming had very little luggage, just like when he came to the capital.

He didn't take anything from the teahouse, except for the gavel he was used to.