Royal Gold Magistrate - Chapter 302

Bathhouses in the capital weren’t particularly rare, but they weren’t overly common either.

You could find them in almost every district of the Inner City.

Most bathhouses primarily used cold water. The basic process involved washing in the bathing pool, then moving to a rest room.

They offered additional services like back scrubbing, hair grooming, shaving, and foot care.

The process wasn’t much different from modern spa treatments, just simpler.

A basic bath cost only a few copper coins.

The full service package wasn’t expensive either, just a few dozen copper coins. Common folk could occasionally treat themselves to the full package if they saved up a bit.

Of course, the poor had their way of doing things, and the wealthy had theirs.

Though many rich people had private bathhouses, even building them in their tomb complexes, bathing alone lacked variety and atmosphere.

Thus, luxury bathhouses emerged to satisfy high-end clientele.

These upscale establishments often overlapped somewhat with brothel services.

They naturally had heated pools and more luxurious decorations.

Surrounded by artificial mountains and flowers, they offered more diverse services, refined amenities, and better privacy.

Fang Zheng had an almost obsessive passion for reforming the sanitation system.

He placed great importance on bathhouses, giving preferential treatment to merchants who built them.

With Banshan District’s reorganization and increasing foot traffic, many wealthy individuals sought new business opportunities here, naturally leading to the emergence of luxury bathhouses.

After finishing their meal, the group found a bathhouse in the district.

Fang Zheng had never visited a bathhouse in Banshan District. The last time he’d bathed in a public pool was during his childhood in his previous life.

Later he only bathed at home, visiting bathhouses solely for entertainment.

The bathhouse before them had an imposing exterior and a particularly provocative name.

It was called “Soul-Consuming Fragrant Waters.”

Fang Zheng clicked his tongue looking at the sign.

Only because there was no regulation could such an inappropriate name be openly displayed on the street. How indecent!

As they entered, an attendant immediately greeted them.

Fang Zheng looked around the front hall curiously. “How much do you charge?”

The attendant first glanced at Chilie with surprise, then answered, “My lord, we have a flat rate of two taels per person.”

“For your group of six, that’s twelve taels!”

“Why is one bath so expensive?”

Fang Zheng couldn’t help but marvel internally.

Had prices in Banshan District risen this much? It was almost catching up to Taoyuan County!

Who would spend two taels on a single bath? That was outrageous.

The attendant was clearly used to such reactions and explained, “Please don’t worry, honored guest.”

“We are indeed more expensive than other bathhouses, but everything here is of the highest quality!”

“Many distinguished guests come here to discuss business, so the price reflects our quality!”

“More importantly…” the attendant’s expression grew sly as his voice lowered, “we have… special entertainment that you won’t find elsewhere!”

Fang Zheng suddenly understood.

So it was a business bathhouse with special entertainment!

“Fine! Six of us then. Let’s see what special entertainment you have!”

“Very good!”

…….

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Fang Zheng, Li Yuanzhao, and their group huddled in one corner of the bath, exchanging awkward glances.

On the other side were Chilie and Paba, lounging comfortably in the pool, clearly enjoying themselves with aromatherapy beside them.

Paba’s presence had cleared out all other customers from the pool.

Fang Zheng’s face was red, though whether from the steam or something else wasn’t clear.

He turned to Li Yuanzhao and whispered angrily, “I shouldn’t have come! Are you still curious? Are you still curious? We’ve brought shame upon ourselves! This is all your fault!”

Li Yuanzhao looked ashamed, slowly sinking into the water until only his eyes remained above the surface, still staring at Chilie.

Zhang Biao and Lu Fa silently covered their faces with towels.

Fang Zheng was speechless.

What did they mean by ‘thick as a child’s arm’!

My eyes! I shouldn’t have let my curiosity get the better of me.

Their self-esteem had been utterly shattered… they had lost this round completely and thoroughly.

Given Chilie’s height of about nine feet, they should have expected…

Those photos he’d seen online in his previous life, which he’d thought were photoshopped, well, today he’d seen the real thing!

Paba smiled as he looked toward Fang Zheng’s group.

As men, what was there not to understand.

Someone like Chilie… anyone would feel inferior. Good thing he was on their side.

“Lord Fang, why are you sitting so far away?”

Fang Zheng gave an awkward laugh and moved closer to Paba.

“Master, how do you find these hot springs? Does the Northern Rong have places like this?”

Paba shook his head, speaking somewhat enviously, “This is indeed a fine establishment. We have them in our country, but not as many as Great Jing, and they’re not as well-appointed.”

Discussing matters while bathing did feel different.

Being naked made conversation more open.

Fang Zheng smiled, “Then Master must fully experience it.”

“You’ll be meeting His Majesty in two days. What are your plans?”

Paba replied thoughtfully, “I submitted our diplomatic letters to the Court of Diplomatic Receptions yesterday.”

“The Khan wishes to establish a brotherly relationship with the Jing Dynasty and open trade routes for mutual benefit. What does Lord Fang think of this?”

Trade?

Fang Zheng pondered briefly, then smiled, “Excellent, this is excellent news!”

If what Paba said was true, the Northern Rong’s current situation wasn’t particularly good.

This Khan Wutu must want to use this opportunity to recover and develop.

However, it was actually a poor move.

From what he knew, the Northern Rong were primarily nomadic, similar to the Khitan civilization.

In terms of commercial development and product variety, they couldn’t compare to Great Jing.

Once both sides began trading, there would be a huge trade surplus.

The Northern Rong could only export things like sheep, horses, and camels.

Great Jing was different, with iron, porcelain, silk, tea, and even glass.

Some items had ridiculously low production costs… selling them would be like robbery.

“Oh? Lord Fang also thinks it’s feasible?” Paba’s face lit up with pleasant surprise.

“Why wouldn’t it be? Nothing could be better!”

Paba sighed, “Border trade has always been difficult. I thought this mission would encounter some troubles.”

“But seeing Lord Fang’s reaction today has put my mind at ease.”

Hearing this, Fang Zheng’s brows furrowed slightly.

How had he forgotten about that.

Many old conservatives at court had little interest in trade.

Paba might indeed face numerous obstacles.

He might need to help him out.

Porcelain’s popularity was well established, but glass wasn’t far behind!

Currently, the county’s glass technology was exclusively controlled by Taoyuan County.

If they could sell to the Northern Rong, wouldn’t that be tremendously profitable!

Seeing Fang Zheng’s frown, Paba also frowned and asked, “What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

“Well, forgive my directness, but knowing my colleagues, establishing trade will be quite difficult indeed!”