The Southwall Tavern had declined. Everyone used to say 'One will never turn back until he bumps into the South Wall.' But now, what they often said was 'One will turn back as soon as he sees the South Wall.'
There were many reasons for its decline. The tavernkeeper blamed it on the war. He always said to the few drinkers in his tavern, "Fight, fight, fight, it never ends. I don't even know what they are fighting for, but it really makes us suffer a lot. It's hard to get good stuff anymore. I've just received some wine from the Central Plains. Would you like some? It's a little more expensive than before, but…"
The ones who still visited the Southwall Tavern were usually regular customers. They had their own opinions on its decline and did not shy away from telling them to the tavernkeeper. "The war has affected many people. Why do you have the worst luck? It's because you are not Lü Qiying. Tavernkeeper Lü was more capable."