Facts have proved that the capital of the Ming Dynasty is still very prosperous. Zhu Youtang looked at the prosperous imperial capital with a spring breeze. The young eunuch Li Guang was also very happy. He has never left the palace since he entered the palace. Today, he is lucky that his master is willing to accept the gift. Go out and have fun by yourself. Li Guang was busy along the way, fanning Zhu Youtang and handing water to Zhu Youtang... Zhu Youtang was very satisfied with this kind of full service, but he always felt that something was a little distorted, but he couldn't tell. Come.
Accompanying him were Mu Bin, a member of the Imperial Guards, and several Tiqi. Compared with the joy after the emperor left the palace, Mu Bin was much calmer. But what he couldn't figure out was how did His Majesty know that he, a small member of the Royal Guards family, was recommended by Wantong? This is somewhat unlikely. Except for the last time he captured Li Zisheng and the demon monk Jixiao, he and Wantong had no contact at all on weekdays. The hundreds of people who joined the company at the same time as him all got promoted and made fortunes because of their filial piety and money given to their superiors. Only he hated this kind of business and stayed in his original position for many years.
As a young man with ideals, pursuits, integrity and selflessness, Mou Bin established Zhu Ji and Yuan Bin as the coordinates of his life, and he was determined to change Jin Yiwei's image in the eyes of the world. But judging from the current situation, this ambition of mine is probably just a pipe dream.
Zhu Youtang looked at Mou Bin who was following him, eight feet tall and handsome, and couldn't help but praise: "What a talented person!"
After receiving the sudden praise from the emperor, Mou Bin was flattered and hurriedly packed his luggage and thanked him: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the compliment!"
"Is there a shop called "Fengmingyuan" in the capital? Zhu Youtang remembered that Wu Ying mentioned this place in his memorial to him, saying that this place had a powerful background and it was extremely difficult to collect commercial taxes, so he asked Mou Bin.
Fengmingyuan? The famous brothel in the capital! Everyone in the capital knows this, but never thought that even His Majesty would know the name of this brothel?
"Your Majesty, there is indeed a brothel called Fengmingyuan."
Zhu Youtang waved his hand and said, "Let's go to Fengming Courtyard and have a look."
Brothel?
The emperor wants to visit the brothel?
This is inconsistent with etiquette. If the word gets out and those officials know about it, wouldn't it mean that Zhu Youtang is being criticized again?
When Li Guang heard that Zhu Youtang was going to a brothel, he quickly knelt down and hugged Zhu Youtang's thighs and cried: "Grandpa Huang, I don't want to go to a place like that!"
Zhu Youtang kicked Li Guang away and said coldly: "You are not allowed to call me Emperor Grandpa when you come out, Your Majesty!" Looking at Zhu Youtang's murderous eyes, Li Guang and Mou Bin did not dare to say anything anymore. Mou Bin turned around and signaled to several Jin Yiwei in casual clothes that they wanted to take this matter to heart.
Before they even approached Fengmingyuan, there was already a girl leaning on the railing waving a handkerchief and shouting to Zhu Youtang and others: "Uncle, come quickly! Come here and serve you well!" Hearing this crisp voice, Mou Bin and several Jin Yiwei were already blushing.
The Madam in charge of Fengmingyuan saw Zhu Youtang from a distance, wearing a brocade dress and a jade belt, looking extraordinary and leading many followers. He must have been the son of a noble family in the capital or a wealthy businessman. He hurriedly greeted him with a smile: "Young Master, you look so nice, why don't you come in and sit for a while? The girls here are all stunning in the world, I guarantee your satisfaction. Once you come here, you will think about the next time!"
Looking at the eloquent madam, Zhu Youtang said coldly: "A stunning beauty in the world? Is this comparable to the Jiaofang Si of the Imperial Palace?"
Hearing Zhu Youtang mention Jiaofangsi, the madam made up her mind that this young master must be a high-ranking official and a financier.
The old bustard smiled and said: "I dare not say that the girls here are better than Jiaofangsi, but at least they are equal. It all depends on what price the young master wants."
In the Ming Dynasty, the Jiaofangsi belonged to the Ministry of Rites and was responsible for celebrations and welcoming distinguished guests to perform music. It was also an official brothel with many musicians and female musicians (official prostitutes). As an official brothel that caters to the rich and powerful, it is naturally no different. This old guy dares to say that he is on an equal footing with the Jiaofang Secretary. It is really a big statement.
Zhu Youtang looked back and signaled, Li Guang quickly took out a few coins and threw them to the madam and said: "Nonsense, do you even need to ask? My father naturally wants the best from you!"
Looking at these white coins, the old madam couldn't stop laughing: "Hehe...hehe, the girl here is undoubtedly the new girl Su Qian in terms of beauty and talent. Young Master is lucky, she is still a young girl. Woolen cloth!"
Zhu Youtang nodded pretending to be satisfied and said: "Then it's her. If I feel comfortable, I'll give you a reward!"
"Hey, don't worry, young master. With her beauty, she will definitely be able to secure the position of oiran in our building. A distinguished young master came just now, and I am not willing to give it to you."
The old bustard led Zhu Youtang to a pavilion on the third floor and said, "Miss Su is inside. Sir, please excuse me."
"Wait a minute, I recently heard that the imperial court has a new policy of collecting commercial tax. Only after paying the commercial tax will a business license plate be issued. Why didn't I see your business license plate when I just came in from the door? Is that correct? Will it be a black shop?"
If an ordinary person asked this question, the madam would definitely be furious and have someone beat him up with sticks. As the number one brothel in the capital today, being called a black shop, who can bear this anger. But the Madam just saw that Zhu Youtang was extremely generous, so he smiled and patiently explained:
"What did the young master say? How can our Fengmingyuan be a black shop? The dissatisfied young master said, we have people, and we are related to many important officials in the court! What is the name of the governor who collects business taxes..."
"Wu Ying," Zhu Youtang said coldly.
"Yes...that's Wu Ying, sir, do you know him?"
"do not know."
"That Wu Ying is nothing! How can he compare with our people?"
Zhu Youtang raised his eyebrows, stuffed two more coins into the old bustard's hands and asked, "Who is your man? He is so capable!"
The old bustard took the silver with both hands and quickly stuffed it into his sleeves. He looked around and saw that no one was there. Then he whispered in Zhu Youtang's ear: "The current emperor's brother-in-law, Zhang Heling, has another person I can't tell you about."
My guess was indeed correct. This Fengmingyuan man was so tough because he had Zhang Heling backing him up, this bastard!
Zhu Youtang immediately lowered his face and said coldly: "You go down first."
Zhu Youtang opened the door, and a scent of fragrance wafted in. He saw a young woman sitting on a chair, combing her hair. The woman was slender, with long hair draped over a vest, held gently by a white ribbon. Wearing a lavender silk shirt, she is about the same age as herself. She is so beautiful that you cannot look directly at her!
This madam really didn't deceive me. There is such a woman in this brothel!
The woman stood up, bowed and said in salute, "My little girl, Su Yin, has met the young master."
Zhu Youtang nodded with satisfaction and said: "Girl, please sit down."
Su Yin was about to undress Zhu Youtang, but was interrupted by Zhu Youtang with a wave of his hand. Su Yin had a look of doubt on her face, could it be that this old man was not here to have sex with her?
"Why do such a beautiful woman like you come to this brothel?" Zhu Youtang asked. It is a pity for a woman like Su Yin to become a prostitute.
Su Yin said softly: "I was forced to have no choice. This little girl is originally from Suzhou. Her mother died early, and her father was a maritime businessman, but he never came back after going to sea five years ago. Her life and death are unknown. My uncle took the opportunity to occupy it. My family wanted to betroth me to a large family in Fuzhou. There was only one young master in that large family, but the young master married many wives and concubines. The younger girl did not want to be a concubine, so she preferred to die and ran away on the road. Got caught here.”
Zhu Youtang asked: "Were you caught here? How long have you been here? Do you know who is so bold and dares to traffic people under the bright sky?"
Seeing that there was no trace of desire in his eyes, Su Yin suddenly felt good about him and said: "Back to the young master, the little girl doesn't know anything about it. She only knows that she has close contacts with the official family. It has been more than half a year since the little girl came here. During this time, she has been doing business instead of selling herself. . Recently, several courtesans died in the building, and they were forced to fill up the number."
Zhu Youtang couldn't help but touched Su Yin's smooth face and asked, "Are you willing to be a good person?"
Su Yin shook her head and said with a sad look on her face: "It's useless. The background of Fengmingyuan is beyond your imagination. Even the newly established yamen of the imperial court can't collect even half a copper coin from the business tax here."
"It's okay, don't worry, girl, I have the final say on this matter!"
Seeing Zhu Youtang's confident look, Su Yin became more doubtful. Who is the man in front of me? Can he be as powerful as Fengmingyuan?
"If the young master can really redeem the little girl's life, the little girl will be willing to serve the young master, working as a cow or a horse, without any complaints!"
"Just follow me," Zhu Youtang quickly helped Su Yin up, took her hand and walked out the door.
At this time, the madam, who was leaning on the railing opposite, was counting the time on his fingers. Suddenly he saw Zhu Youtang leading Su Yin out and curled his lips: "Turns out he is a 'trash'!"
Li Guang, Mou Bin and others were also surprised when they saw Zhu Youtang: "Your Majesty, so fast?"
"Oh, sir, it's a good job, is it over now? How about it, are you satisfied with our girls here? Do you feel comfortable, Su Yin?" The old madam came up to her with a smile.
When Su Yin heard the Madam say these words, her face turned red and she turned her head to the side.
"Satisfied, very satisfied! My master is still unfinished. I plan to take her back to my house to play for two days." Zhu Youtang said with a smile.
As soon as he heard that Su Yin was to be taken away, the old bustard suddenly changed his expression, waved his hands and shook his head: "Look, the young master is joking again. Our Fengming Courtyard is not the same as other places. You cannot redeem your life here! Besides, Su Yin is joking. I'm afraid that the young master won't be able to redeem her for her beauty."
When Li Guang heard the old madam saying that his father could not afford to redeem a woman, he cursed in his heart: "You dog slave really has no discernment. The whole world belongs to the emperor, and there is still a woman that the emperor cannot afford?"
Li Guang was about to scold the madam for Zhu Youtang, but Zhu Youtang rolled his eyes and scolded: "Don't be reckless. Where are the rules?"
Li Guang pouted and had no choice but to retreat behind and not dare to speak.
Seeing this, Su Yin knew that this would be difficult to accomplish. She was about to break away from Zhu Youtang, but unexpectedly, she was held tighter by Zhu Youtang's big hands.
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