landbeastnovel Chapter 50 wasn't just opening a gambling den, it was opening a lavish, high-class establishmen
Chapter 50 wasn't just opening a gambling den, it was opening a lavish, high-class establishmen
"If I take the invitations, will they come?"
To be honest, Zhao Fuquan was still a little unsure.
Having been a manager of a gambling den for a long time, he was used to the old methods of attracting customers and setting up traps, and instinctively distrusted this new approach of creating hype, whetting appetites, and sending out invitations.
Would the truly wealthy gentry of Qinghe County really come to a little-known new gambling den just because of an invitation?
He hesitated to take the first step, partly because he was afraid of making a wasted trip, and partly because he was afraid that if he went door to door delivering invitations, no one would come, and he would lose face terribly.
Seeing this, Qin Chuan didn't bother to explain.
He was willing to bet that as long as Zhao Fuquan brought an invitation to their door...
Those people wouldn't dare say they all came, but at least eight or nine out of ten would come to take a look.
First, there's the "momentum." The promotional posters over the past few days have whetted the appetite of the entire city. Teahouses and taverns are filled with talk of this. The wealthy keep their distance and remain silent, but they're definitely asking each other in private: "Have you heard about that new gambling den?" "Are those women in the pictures real?" With the appetite built up to this extent, no one doesn't want to come; they're just missing the right step.
Secondly, it's about "face." At a time when they are most curious but have no way of finding out, a presentable invitation is personally delivered to their door. This is not only giving them a way out, but also giving them face.
Thirdly, there's the "gimmick." What do the fairies in the paintings look like? Are the real dealers even more beautiful than in the paintings? How much do they resemble the eyes and figure in the paintings in real life?
As long as this mystery remains unsolved, the wealthy will be itching to get in. And if the itching gets to a certain point, they'll ask around to find out how to get in, even without an invitation.
Faced with Zhao Fuquan's doubts, Qin Chuan simply replied calmly, "Manager Zhao, I don't know if they'll come or not, but I know they definitely won't come if you don't send out invitations."
One sentence left Zhao Fuquan speechless.
He wanted to say something in rebuttal, but ultimately held back, took the invitation, and left through the back door.
After sending Zhao Fuquan away, Qin Chuan summoned Xiao Taohua and the others.
Besides building momentum, he hasn't been idle these past few days.
The profession of a makeup artist wasn't entered into for nothing, nor was the skill of "skin retouching and facial shaping" acquired without due effort.
He designed a unique makeup and outfit for each girl, not aiming for extravagance, but simply for one thing: to catch the eye.
Aloof and sophisticated older sister, childhood sweetheart next door, cold and beautiful queen...
Of course, in the end, Qin Chuan didn't even spare Sister Wu, creating a very charming and alluring style for her.
At first glance, it is a picture of exquisite beauty.
After helping the group with their makeup and tidying their clothes and accessories, Qin Chuan stepped back, looked them over, and nodded in satisfaction.
The girls looked so much better standing there than before.
Even Sister Wu was a little surprised, muttering, "Are these still my girls?"
After finishing these tasks, Qin Chuan went to the hall.
Xiao Wu and the others were standing in a row in the center of the hall.
That's right, Changsheng Casino went bankrupt, and these people's jobs of collecting errand fees naturally fell through.
But instead of letting Xiao Wu and the others disperse, he took them all to Yan Chun Lou and found them a new place to go.
These past few days, while he was busy preparing for the gambling den, he was also training these young men on how to greet guests, how to serve tea and water, and how to be an inconspicuous waiter next to the gambling table.
There's no way around it, there are just too few people.
The original Yanchunlou, including Sister Wu, had a total of nine women.
The nine girls had to act as dealers, deal cards, and serve tea and water; they were simply too busy to handle everything.
You can't expect the young lady to be holding a teapot in one hand and shaking a dice cup in the other, can you?
The thought of that scene is absurd.
Therefore, Qin Chuan could only fill in for Xiao Wu and the others. They couldn't do the croupier's job, but they were fine with the rough work of serving tea, running errands, watching the venue, and greeting customers.
......
Time slowly passed,
Before we knew it, it was almost dusk.
The number of people outside did not decrease; on the contrary, it increased, completely blocking the outside area.
The windows on the second floor across the street were all wide open, and several heads were crowding into each one.
Some people even brought their teacups to the windowsill, drinking and glancing this way at the same time.
Further away, on a few old locust trees, several teenagers perched on the branches, occupying the best spots with a commanding view.
The whole street was like a giant pot boiling over, bustling and steaming.
Besides Qin Chuan and Zhao Fuquan, Master Qian also appeared at the Heaven on Earth.
This was someone Qin Chuan specially invited. With such a grand display, naturally, someone of greater stature was needed to oversee things.
Standing at the second-floor window, Mr. Qian lifted a corner of the curtain, looked at the dense crowd outside, then turned to look at Qin Chuan, his eyes filled with surprise.
"I never expected this," Master Qian paused for a moment before speaking slowly, his voice carrying an indescribable meaning, "that you were the one who orchestrated this whole Heaven on Earth affair?"
To be honest, although he was the one who asked the two of them to set up the new casino, he wasn't really optimistic about the outcome.
While the Iron Hand Gang and the Black Tiger Gang were locked in a fierce battle at the docks, Master Qian's mind was far from being on the matter.
He sent Qin Chuan and Zhao Fuquan to do it, which was basically just a casual attempt.
He estimated that the two of them would just set up a small workshop, put in one or two female dealers, and see how it went.
If it works well, we can expand; if it doesn't, we can just close down and not lose much money.
Who would have thought that just five days later, this kid would quietly create such a grand spectacle.
"How did you do that?" Master Qian lowered the curtain, turned around, and his tone was no longer one of surprise, but genuine interest.
Qin Chuan thought for a moment and said something that made Master Qian pause for a moment: "Because I don't run a gambling den."
"Not running a gambling den?" Boss Qian frowned. "Then what do you run?"
Qin Chuan smiled and said, "Heaven and Earth."
Mr. Qian stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"What a heaven on earth!" Master Qian stopped laughing, patted Qin Chuan on the shoulder, and said, "Come visit me after tonight."
......
The time had come.
Qin Chuan also indicated that they could open the door to welcome guests.
As soon as the door panel was removed, the crowd outside rushed in like a floodgate being opened.
But in just a moment, the people at the front were pushed back by a strong force, staggering back several steps and almost falling to the ground.
Several burly men walked out from inside the door. Each of them was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, and they stood at the door, completely blocking it.
The crowd's momentum was halted, and discontent immediately erupted.
"What are you doing? What are you doing? Opening the store but not doing business?"
"What are you doing stopping me? It's not like I'm not paying!"
"That's right! Make way, make way, let us in!"
......
Several young men shouted and tried to squeeze in, but the burly men didn't budge, blocking the entrance as if they were rooted to the spot.
One of the leaders spoke up: "Ladies and gentlemen, Heaven on Earth is opening today, and we only accept guests with invitations. Those without invitations will not be served."
These words immediately caused an uproar among the crowd.
"An invitation? What invitation? How come we didn't hear about it?"
"Opening a gambling den requires invitations? What kind of rule is that?"
"Exactly! Are you looking down on us?"
......
The shouts grew louder and louder, but the guards remained unmoved and refused to budge an inch.
at this time,
Suddenly, the neighing of a horse came from the street corner.
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw several carriages approaching in the distance. The curtains were drawn, and it was impossible to see who was inside.
The carriage itself was extraordinary, with an ebony body, gleaming bronze parts, and the horses pulling it were plump and strong with glossy manes. Even the coachman was dressed in a silk shirt, clearly not an outfit that an ordinary family could afford. There were even people clearing the way for the carriage.
One carriage after another stopped at the entrance of Heaven on Earth. The coachmen jumped down from the carriage and respectfully lifted the curtain. First, a foot wearing a black satin boot peeked out, then a corner of a brocade robe, and then one by one, distinguished figures stepped out of the carriage.
There were wealthy merchants in silk robes, young gentlemen waving folding fans, and middle-aged scholars with fair skin and no beards...
A servant stepped forward and handed over the invitation. The guards at the door stepped aside slightly, cupped their hands, and said, "Honored guest, please come in."
These people calmly stepped across the threshold and disappeared from everyone's sight.
The crowd outside quieted down considerably. The few young people who had been shouting just moments before fell silent, their eyes filled with astonishment and resentment.
They spent the whole night trying to squeeze through the door, but couldn't even get inside, while the nobles who arrived in carriages didn't even stop for a moment.
Qin Chuan stood on the inside of the hall, watching the people file in, and smiled.
That's exactly the effect he wanted. The more he blocked them, the more precious they seemed; the more they couldn't get in, the more they wanted to get in.
He turned around and winked at the girls.
The first night in heaven and earth has officially begun.