vncnus Chapter 1941 11940 Three-sided arcade
Chapter 1941 11940 Three-sided arcade
Chapter 1941 1.1940 Three-sided arcade
It is said that Hong Kong's brothel culture originated in Guangdong. In Guangdong, prostitutes were called "laoju," hence the name "laoju chai" (老举寨). The most luxurious type was called "da chai" (大寨); the next was "ban si ming" (半私明, colloquially known as "half-closed door"); and the lower classes were "er si chai" (二四寨) and "da pao chai" (打炮寨), etc.
In the late Qing Dynasty, most brothels were concentrated in Gubu. At that time, Guangzhou did not have rice mills, and rice from various places was transported to Guangzhou by boat and docked in Gubu. Therefore, merchants flocked to the area, and brothels also thrived. At that time, the large brothels in Gubu were all extremely luxurious boats. After several changes, the major brothels gradually abandoned boats and went ashore. Some set up brothels in the "ghost buildings" along the East Embankment, while others established a separate establishment in Chentang, creating a large brothel with eight rooms, becoming a red-light district and a land of pleasure. Their daily operations, such as "doing haircuts" and "tea farewells," were very similar to those of the brothels in Shanghai.
As for lower-class brothels like "Ersi Village" and "Dapao Village," they generally targeted clients from the lower and middle classes. Unlike the more upscale brothels, these establishments offered sexual services immediately upon payment, requiring the prostitutes to serve clients day and night. Some prostitutes served as many as twenty or thirty clients a day. Clients who visited these brothels were colloquially called "lantern bearers," because each brothel had a large lantern hanging in front of its entrance for religious purposes, which clients had to pass under to enter. The prostitutes sat side-by-side on benches in the main hall of the brothel, allowing clients to choose them; this was called "sitting under the lantern." When a client went to a "lantern bearer" and selected a prostitute from a particular brothel, he could enter and go upstairs, telling the "client's wife" her name. The "client's wife" would then call out from the railing, "So-and-so, a client is calling!" The prostitute would then respond and come to the client's room.
Everything else is as usual and need not be described in detail.
Closer to home.
First, issue a challenge, then visit in person to discuss the matter. This gives both sides ample time to prepare.
To determine what to compare, one must consider the opponent's strengths. The Rejuvenating Pavilion is renowned for its healing arts, so a challenge there should be based on that. The Shanghai Chang San Shu Yu excels in martial arts, so a challenge there should be a contest of fists and kicks. As for the Yong Hua Zhai's specialty, that can only be determined by observing them.
The gates of the village slowly opened to both sides. A three-sided arcade building immediately appeared before everyone's eyes.
"This is..." Elder Gu Xianniang was stunned at first glance. She knew that the private rooms in the brothel could not possibly be this spacious; it was as if the door led to another dazzling world.
Yes. It's another "miniature world". Like a "pocket within a pocket", this Yonghua Village appears in a spacetime nesting manner, and is not in the physical flower pavilion private room of Changlefang.
"Arcade buildings" typically consist of three parts: the roof, the main body, and the arcade base. They not only provide practical shelter from wind and rain and sun, but also closely align with the climate of Lingnan, demonstrating their exceptional commercial practicality. The general structure involves a pedestrian walkway on the ground floor facing the street, with the second floor above it, as if the second floor is "riding" on top of the ground floor. Generally, the ground floor is used for commerce, while the upper floors are for living. The arcade provides protection from rain and sun, and also facilitates display windows to attract business. It is said that this unique architectural form was first created by British colonists in India, where it was called "gallery," and was later introduced to Hong Kong and other regions.
In 1878, to alleviate overcrowding, the Hong Kong British government promulgated the "Arcade Regulations" and began constructing arcades. Ten years later, after learning of the effectiveness of Hong Kong's arcades, Zhang Zhidong, the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, proposed building similar "shop corridors" in Guangzhou. From Hong Kong to Guangzhou, arcades gradually became popular under government promotion, becoming an important part of urban architecture. Starting in the 1920s and 30s, the influence of arcades gradually expanded from Guangdong to Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan, and other places, creating an "arcade" trend.
In the process of its spread, it gradually integrated with traditional Chinese style. Buildings with Western-style structures were transformed into a blend of Chinese and Western styles. As a result, the arcade-style tenement buildings quickly became a classic architectural style in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
The Yonghua Village building in front of us, with its three sides covered by arcades, is a typical example of an arcade-style Tang Dynasty building.
Similar to shops that display their wares in the ground floor facing the street, Yonghuazhai's ground floor, with its three sides of arcade buildings facing the street, was also divided into exquisitely decorated windows. Each window housed a woman who sat gracefully. As is well known, these red-light district windows, similar to those in department stores, were generally very small. They could only accommodate one person sitting, but there was still enough space inside to set up a single bed and some necessary toiletries. Whenever lanterns were hung high and the flow of people was bustling, the well-dressed women would pose and flirt with passersby through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, attracting customers. This was one of the unique features of Yonghuazhai.
Looking around, one sees a row of heavily made-up beauties, each exuding charm and allure, a scene of boundless romance and beauty.
As the saying goes, "Even the orioles and flowers fear the passing of spring, how can we let people waste the spring? If we meet and do not drink, we will return empty-handed, and even the peach blossoms at the cave entrance will laugh at us." "Don't let the beautiful ladies grow old, and don't let the romantic young men become poor." "If you don't believe me, just look at the wine at the banquet, every cup is first offered to lovers (tsk tsk, if I had to say, it would be you, sir)."
It truly lives up to its name as Tangxi Dazhai. In every aspect, it is top-notch.
The only drawback is that it's deserted and quiet, with hardly anyone visiting.
"Master, I have a bad feeling." Dan Niang, the madam of Hui Xian Ya Xu who accompanied her, felt that something was amiss. You see, she was a powerful woman who had vaguely activated the "Stellar Vortex" and could more or less use the "Same-Personal Brain" formed by "Same-Personal Mental Power" to make extrasensory predictions. Moreover, her same-personal sister, Chun Dai, also had the ability to travel through fragments of time and space in the plot.
“Danniang, since we are sisters, we should treat each other as equals. There is no need to call each other ‘slave’.” Elder Gu Xianniang of Huitian said softly, “Before we came, the master had already informed us that Yonghua Village had issued a ban on prostitution. It was foreseeable that it would no longer be as lively as before.”
“What the Pavilion Master says is absolutely right.” Dan Niang, the madam of Huixian Yaxu, thought of another sister she had met in Beibao: “The ‘Bamboo Girl’ of the four top courtesans of Changlefang, namely Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju, may be of use to me.”
The implication is that as long as the Changlefang is defeated, its four top performers will be automatically transferred to the Demon Hunter's sect by the Demon Brush. As for otherworldly counterparts, the more the merrier.
“Since the lord has not mentioned it, there is no need for us to be anxious.” Elder Gu Xianniang stepped onto the porch steps.
The main building's central entrance was wide open.
Bai Xueji, the madam of Yonghua Village, known as "Bafang," was greeted at the door by Hua Yanhong, Lu Qianqian, Zhu Lili, and Madam Jin Tao, the former chairperson of the Hong Kong Women's Association.
"Sect Master Gu."
"Chief Bai."
"Congratulations, Pavilion Master, on your consecutive victories!" Bai Xueji, the leader of Yonghua Village, was naturally well-informed.
"Therefore, I have come here to challenge you, and I hope Chief Bai will not take offense." Elder Gu Xianniang of Huitian spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"We sisters would be delighted to have this opportunity; you are overthinking it, Pavilion Master Gu." Bai Xueji, the leader of Yonghua Village, said with a gentle breeze, "Please come into the flower hall for a chat."
"Please." Elder Gu Xianniang of Huitian said, "When in Rome, do as the host says."