Stanger at the Lu Sho

The Lu Sho Inn was a large, but plain, inn and tavern close to the outskirts of Bejing. The outskirts of the city usually had the better conditions, unlike the inner-city. Gangs, corrupt constables, and money-hoarding landlords held sway there.
But that was nothing like the welcoming, pleasant outskirts of the city. And, luckily, here the Lu Sho was. It had two stories,
one for the guest rooms and the other made up the Lu Sho Diner. There the food was good and the drink was even better. The Diner's all but weakest ale could loosen the tongue of a Chinese soldier a little too much for his own
good. In the day the eating court was lit by large windows and at night small, bright oil lamps were brought to the tables. The shutters of the portals were thin enough but also thick enough to provide a soft, pleasant light for the guests. The service was the best in this part of the city, and staffed by beautiful women and generous men. This account begins in the morning hours when few
tables were occupied. A thick set man was strolling along the cobblestones in front of the Lu Shou.
His dark hair was drawn back in a foot-long braid which protruded from the back of his head
downwards. His shirt was of loose wool; the sleeves hung down from the bottom of his muscular arms.
A light pack was slung across his left shoulder and the strap he held in his left hand. In his right hand he held a sapling which he had cut and shaped himself into a suitable walking stick. Another strap lay across his right shoulder; this held fast a long sword in a simple wooden, leather-bound scabbard. He was weary from a long journey, though none but he could tell. He was grateful when he
saw the sign of the homeley inn and decided it would do for the night. He walked slowly through the
open doorway as if an old wound pained him greatly. A small man with little hair on his head ran up
to him. "Good morning, sir. I am Gan; I'll be your waiter for your stay. May I ask, what brings you
to Lu shou Inn, mister...." "You may, and it is Lu." "Lu? Most of our best window rooms are open for your use." "That will do. Have you any rooms that overlook the square outside?" said Lu in a deep, solid voice. "Of course, Mister Lu! We have a nice suite in the second story which overlooks the square. Please sit down and have a drink while I have it prepared for you." With this the man ran off, weaving among the tables until he reached a flight of stairs leading to the second floor. Here he called to a man on the second floor, and they made a small exchange of words. The man Gan ahd addressed on the second floor, a balding, low set, chubby fellow, strode over to the railing of the second floor, which overlooked the food court. At seeing the large and muscular Master Lu, he scurried off to prepare the room with speed unmatched since the founding of the Lu Shou.

Lu found a small table near the door and sat, waiting for a servant. A pretty waitress with deep
brown eyes and jet hair hurried to his table,"I am Shi Lin, and what can I get you, sir?" Lu considered a
moment then replied,"Some hot tea, thank you. And bring the pot, would you Lin?" The girl could have been no older than nineteen, and she was blushing quite visibly as he spoke.
Lu made sure to act as if he took no notice. He smiled inwardly as the
girl hurried off to fill his request. When she came back she had obviously regained some of her
posture, but was red as a cherry when she left. Find it hard to stifle a chuckle, but he tried. A
few minutes later, a large group of men clambered in. Soldiers, by armor they wore and the weapons
they carried. They must be on leave for the weekend, thought Lu to himself. They took seats at the
center of the room, barking at waiters to hurry up, and not spill a drop of their drinks. Lu watched
and listened intently. "Haharr, we put paid to those bandits! Did you see them run?!" "Heh! Bunch of
peasants with swords, tis all they were!" "They cryed and begged for their mothers when the
executioner appeared! Poor fools!" Leaned back in his chair and sipped thougtfully at his tea. He
watched as the waitress that had served them walked by, carrying some ale to peasants. Anger grew in
him as he watched one the more drunken soldiers reach out and pinch her on the rump. She squealed,
slopping the ale tankards in her hands heavily. The rage silently built up as the lewd men continued
their fun. It reached the breaking point when one of the even more drunken of them seized her,
pulling her close,"Come on! Give ush a kish!" Lu then lept up, the sword in his hand. He approached
the man at a run; the poor soldier never saw him coming......
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